Although for most of the semester I was rendered mute by my shyness, I have to say that it has been quite a journey from my very humble beginnings to my slightly less humble present. I've managed to survive my nearly illiterate start only to meet a barrage of comma splices and poor diction choices. I've also found myself reading through works that I have had to struggle. Although my journey is still at the beginning stages, I feel that I've learned and accomplished much. Perhaps, the most important thing is that I have a clear direction as to what type of reader and writer I would like to be.
In regard to reading, one of the most important lessons from English 2145 is to be insightful. Before I came to this class, I would simply read through a work very quickly only to be done with it. I would look at certain issues or ideas within the text, but I would never go in depth. After being in this class, I've realized that the beauty of literature, poetry, and prose is to deeply reflect on it. Of course, one would like to be entertained by what they read. However, there will be many situations when entertainment is not present at all. In those cases, you should fall back on your love for reading and analyze the work. Even if you're half awake by the end, at least you will have a clear educated opinion and sense of what the work is really about. Fortunately for me, in this class, there was only one work in which I've felt this way. In my future as an English major I would like to be a deep reader. I want to really get down into the "meat" of whatever particular work in which I am engaged. I want to enjoy reading at the same level as my professors. If I have their same enthusiasm, I know I'd make a great teacher one day.
As far as writing goes, I've grown slightly. I'm improving on my thought process and my development of ideas. At times, I still have trouble with blending my main thought together with perfect cohesion, but I've improved nonetheless. I haven't tested my skills in actual novel writing, which is one of the main things I would like to do. During this semester, I've written many poems. I am pleased with most of them. However, some of them end up in file thirteen. This summer will be a perfect opportunity for me to expand my skills of writing. I will have multitudes of free time. Throughout the semester, I've been thinking of writing a fiction novel based on my experiences in Hurricane Katrina. That idea is racing through my head as I write this essay. That is another project that I'll put off for the summer.
In terms of the works I've read this semester, I've been inspired by some. After reading Persepolis and learning more about Marjane Satrapi, I think that she is one of the most awesome people ever! Not only did she write an awesome graphic novel, she directed an Academy Award nominated movie. The most inspiring part about her work is the fact that she does it to shed a better light on Iran. She only wants the rest of the world to see Iranians as human beings and not terrorists.
Shakespeare's King Lear is another work that struck a cord in me. With my Christian background, I've always been taught that love is unconditional. However, King Lear based his daughters inheritance on how much each of them loved him. Needless to say, he curses the one daughter that truly cared for him and is left with two who lead him to his demise.
Finally, I am excited about my future in the English major. With my new found attitude towards reading and writing, I'll be sure to improve in my studies in the future. I am also confident that I will continue to have amazing instructors who always leave me with something to think about and put up with my mute presence in class. Ultimately, I am blessed that the skills I learn from this class and major will help me to apply them to the Bible and Christian studies.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Bishop's Geograpy III
Q.For your blog entry on Elizabeth Bishop, I'd like you to reflect on the title of her book--Geography III. How do you think the title relates to the poems we discussed, and why does she choose for the book's epigraph the quotation from "First Lessons in Geography"? Finally, I'd also like you to talk a little bit about your experience of reading Bishop's poetry--good or bad.
A.I think that the title of her book permeates through every poem. In the poem 'In the Waiting Room', I don't think that it is a coincidence that the magazine being observed is a National Geographic. The poem focuses on a foreign group of people who seem strange to Bishop, who is a six year old. However, the ultimate shock comes to Bishop when she realizes that in this far off geographic location these strange people are living at the same date that she is living. On page seven, the line says "The War was on". This is more than likely an allusion to World War I, however it may also be a realization that the war is going on in
In the poem 'The Moose', most of the poem is spent describing some narrow provinces. Bishop describes rivers, lavender rich mud, gravelly roads, sugar maples, and cabbage roses. All of these things are associated with geography: soil, vegetation, population, and land use. The landscape and scenery during this bus ride helps the passengers escape to another place. The actual moose, an animal which is only found in certain Geographic locations is the big finale of that escape. However, they are quickly brought back to reality with the smell of gasoline, which is associated with a city, which is the geography that the pleasant bus ride let them escape from.
In 'Poem', the whole poem is describing a picture. This is a painting of some unknown location in which is said to be
I think Bishop uses the quotation from "First Lessons in Geography" to give an idea of the overall themes in her poetry. It makes her poems easier to read.
I had an awesome experience in reading these poems. I love the how descriptive Bishop's poems are. I appreciate nature, which is a huge part of these poems. I'll definitely finish all of the poems on my own.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Lear's feminine fear
In the first passage, Kahn is absolutely right about masculine identity depending on repressing characteristics that are deemed "feminine". A great example of this is the example Kahn uses. "O, how this mother swells up toward my heart! Hysterio passio down thou climbing sorrow." The footnotes at the bottom of the page says that this "mother" is the chief symptom of a choking sensation in the throat. When we cry, we also feel that sensation in the throat. We often try to hold back those tears, which causes it to get stuck in the throat. I guess you can say that Lear was "choked up". This is clearly an example of trying to suppress those feminine charateristics such as crying.
The passage from Act 4 Scene 7 shows maturity. Lear begins to realize that his childish demand of love from his daughters has placed him in his unfortunate predicament. However, I think he realizes the dependency of his daughters a lot sooner. In Act 2 Scene 4 Lear says "Dear Daughter, I confess that I am old; Age is unnecessary: on my knees I beg That you'll vouchsafte me raiment, bed and food" Here he is on his knees begging his daughter for assurance. There isn't a greater sign of dependency than this. At this point he is in total submission to the will of his daughters.
The passage from Act 4 Scene 7 shows maturity. Lear begins to realize that his childish demand of love from his daughters has placed him in his unfortunate predicament. However, I think he realizes the dependency of his daughters a lot sooner. In Act 2 Scene 4 Lear says "Dear Daughter, I confess that I am old; Age is unnecessary: on my knees I beg That you'll vouchsafte me raiment, bed and food" Here he is on his knees begging his daughter for assurance. There isn't a greater sign of dependency than this. At this point he is in total submission to the will of his daughters.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Persepolis
Q. At one point in the book Persepolis, Marji's father tells her that "politics and sentiment don't mix," and yet much of the book's power comes from precisely that combination, on the one hand, there are the horrible realities of the revolution and the war; and on the other hand, there is the example of Satrapi's family, whose strength and love really do become a means of survival for Marji. Taking into account both the book and the movie, how do you react to the father's statement that " politics and sentiment don't mix?" Do you think that Marji herself believes that? Do you think the women in her family, her mother and grandmother, would agree with the statement?
A. Although much of the book's power comes from the strong sense of love and bonding of the family, Marji's father was correct. Ultimately, Politics, in general, have no room for sentiment. How many politicians would show emotion if it meant losing a chance at power? Most of them would be the most cut throat, backstabbing, and lying people you would ever meet! In Iran's case, the politics under the Shah or the Islamic Revolution would be no different. It only had room for dominance and strict enforcement of its doctrines. A perfect example of politics and sentiment not mixing is Marji's uncle Anoosh. Anoosh left his father, who was loyal to the Shah. On one page, Anoosh's father yelled that he would be executed. Although Anoosh and his father loved each other, their political views still split them apart.
In class, we watched Marjane Satrapi be interviewed by Colbert. He asked her "do you hate Americans?" She responded " No, I hate American government." This statement indicates that she sees government and politics as a bad thing. Surely, she would agree with her father's statement. Further in the interview, she said that she wanted her story to give Iranians faces. Our government portrays Iranians as extremist and crazy people. However, Marjane Satrapi wanted her story to appeal to the sentiments of the American people, which politics and government would not allow. Marjane clearly knows that politics and sentiment do not mix.
Finally, Marjane's mom and grandmother would argue the same. They have lived through much more killing and hatred than Marjane had lived. Ultimately, they know that in politics (especially that of Iran) there is no room for emotion. However, the love of family keeps their lives sane and easier to endure. Ultimately, there can be no loving and emotional politician. The goal of politics is ultimately to gain power. Sentiment is the last thing that will gain power in a politcal situation.
A. Although much of the book's power comes from the strong sense of love and bonding of the family, Marji's father was correct. Ultimately, Politics, in general, have no room for sentiment. How many politicians would show emotion if it meant losing a chance at power? Most of them would be the most cut throat, backstabbing, and lying people you would ever meet! In Iran's case, the politics under the Shah or the Islamic Revolution would be no different. It only had room for dominance and strict enforcement of its doctrines. A perfect example of politics and sentiment not mixing is Marji's uncle Anoosh. Anoosh left his father, who was loyal to the Shah. On one page, Anoosh's father yelled that he would be executed. Although Anoosh and his father loved each other, their political views still split them apart.
In class, we watched Marjane Satrapi be interviewed by Colbert. He asked her "do you hate Americans?" She responded " No, I hate American government." This statement indicates that she sees government and politics as a bad thing. Surely, she would agree with her father's statement. Further in the interview, she said that she wanted her story to give Iranians faces. Our government portrays Iranians as extremist and crazy people. However, Marjane Satrapi wanted her story to appeal to the sentiments of the American people, which politics and government would not allow. Marjane clearly knows that politics and sentiment do not mix.
Finally, Marjane's mom and grandmother would argue the same. They have lived through much more killing and hatred than Marjane had lived. Ultimately, they know that in politics (especially that of Iran) there is no room for emotion. However, the love of family keeps their lives sane and easier to endure. Ultimately, there can be no loving and emotional politician. The goal of politics is ultimately to gain power. Sentiment is the last thing that will gain power in a politcal situation.
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