Let me just start by saying how much I love Poe. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE him! I remember reading "The Raven" although I don't remember exactly when it was. My impression of it was changed drastically in part due to the reading in class. I have never heard a reading quite like that in a classroom; maybe she would like to read every day! :) Anyway, my understanding of poetry is that the poem only really comes to life when someone reads it aloud. Visualizing it is much easier when the text is taken off the page and projected in an artful way.
Despite the length of "The Raven," I thought that Poe did an excellent job with audience engagement. Sometimes the use of repetition can turn me away, but I felt it was done in a different way than how other writers have done.
One aspect of "The Raven" that I never thought about before or honestly even noticed was the fact that the narrator is asking questions of the bird when he already knows the answer. I'm not sure how I missed this because it became so obvious to me after it being pointed out in class.
I love a good poem that incorporates sorrow and uncertainty. Maybe this is why I resonate with Poe so much. I only wish we would have read/discussed more of Poe's work.....
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Pearl
The first time I read The Scarlet Letter Pearl was my favorite character. After reading it this second time, Pearl is even more so my favorite character in the book. I wish I could take a look inside Pearl's mind because I think it would be unlike that of anyone else. Pearl is smart, inquisitive, thought provoking, and independent. There is no doubt that she is her own person.
I have always felt that Pearl is the type of person that pushes people's buttons not to cause problems but to further her investigation of life. She is characterized as being "devilish," and I think this comes from the fact that she scares the adults around her. They don't know how to understand a child like her. Pearl is different. She is a thinker and a doer. For adults, this may be intimidating.
I have a cousin named Pearl, and when I read The Scarlet Letter I couldn't help but think of her. Both Pearls have similar personalities and act in similar ways. More than once, I laughed out loud because I could picture my cousin doing as Peal in the book was doing. I don't think my aunt and uncle could have picked a better name.
I have always felt that Pearl is the type of person that pushes people's buttons not to cause problems but to further her investigation of life. She is characterized as being "devilish," and I think this comes from the fact that she scares the adults around her. They don't know how to understand a child like her. Pearl is different. She is a thinker and a doer. For adults, this may be intimidating.
I have a cousin named Pearl, and when I read The Scarlet Letter I couldn't help but think of her. Both Pearls have similar personalities and act in similar ways. More than once, I laughed out loud because I could picture my cousin doing as Peal in the book was doing. I don't think my aunt and uncle could have picked a better name.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Sin
Sin is a strong theme in The Scarlet Letter. For some reason, the notion of sin has always been a fascination of mine. Maybe because it is sometimes subjective. What one person may view as being sinful, another person may not. This is something that I have seen come up throughout my life. When judgment is being placed on someone for doing something "wrong" is it fair judgement?? Usually not.
I admire Hester and her ability to stand strong in what would be a difficult situation. When looking at all of the other characters and townspeople, I believe Hester is the least sinful. She may appear to be the most sinful because of the fact that she is damned to wear the letter A. Her "sin" is viewable. A stranger can meet Hester and know right away what she has done.
The same cannot be said for Dimmesdale and other characters. His sin is not pinned on his shirt. Dimmesdale can hide what he has done. For that reason alone, I put him in the "more sinful" category. Why? Well, Hester didn't try and hide what happened. In fact, she embraced it as well as anyone could have. Dimmesdale did the opposite. In my opinion, this makes him worse off.
The Scarlet Letter says a lot about the nature of sin. What I have taken away from it may or may not be the same as what other's have taken away. For me, hidden sin is much more dangerous than a visible sin. Hester and Dimmesdale are perfect examples of this. While Hester receives ridicule from those around her, Dimmesdale must suffer on the inside. If he would have demonstrated honesty, he could have changed what happened to Hester. Hester should be a role model to all people. She embraced the A and worked to change what it meant in regards to her sin.
I think we can all learn a little something from Hester Prynne.....
I admire Hester and her ability to stand strong in what would be a difficult situation. When looking at all of the other characters and townspeople, I believe Hester is the least sinful. She may appear to be the most sinful because of the fact that she is damned to wear the letter A. Her "sin" is viewable. A stranger can meet Hester and know right away what she has done.
The same cannot be said for Dimmesdale and other characters. His sin is not pinned on his shirt. Dimmesdale can hide what he has done. For that reason alone, I put him in the "more sinful" category. Why? Well, Hester didn't try and hide what happened. In fact, she embraced it as well as anyone could have. Dimmesdale did the opposite. In my opinion, this makes him worse off.
The Scarlet Letter says a lot about the nature of sin. What I have taken away from it may or may not be the same as what other's have taken away. For me, hidden sin is much more dangerous than a visible sin. Hester and Dimmesdale are perfect examples of this. While Hester receives ridicule from those around her, Dimmesdale must suffer on the inside. If he would have demonstrated honesty, he could have changed what happened to Hester. Hester should be a role model to all people. She embraced the A and worked to change what it meant in regards to her sin.
I think we can all learn a little something from Hester Prynne.....
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The Scarlet Letter: Part 1
FINALLY! The introduction is done and we are heading into one of my favorite books of all time.
Coming from a small town has given me a connection with Hester Prynne. Much like what she experiences, being in a community that knows everything about everyone is less than enjoyable. In fact, it can be very stressful. Whether you like it or not, you are constantly being judged by people you may not even have a relationship with. If you have just one fault, everyone seems to notice and many even condemn you for it. This is the case with Hester. She has to suffer the criticism of those around her.
What I love most about Hester is her ability to remain strong and individualized. She has the strength that I think most people would only be able to dream of in this situation. I would like to think that I could do as Hester did, but chances of that are very slim.
One of my favorite quotes comes from the beginning of Part V. I love Hawthorne's attention to detail and description. He leaves nothing out and nothing to the imagination. As the reader, I can picture what Hawthorne must have been imagining while writing the story. That is just one of the many reasons while I love him and this novel. Here is the part I am specifically talking about (there are many more examples that can be found on nearly every page):
That certainly sounds a lot better than simply saying Hester walked out of the prison with the sun beating down on her scarlet letter. I could show many more examples of where I think Hawthorne's attention to detail has made the story significantly more impactful, but this blog would never end. I don't really need to expand on the passage about the rosebush as we already talked a great deal about it in class, but I will say that this is another one of the passages I vividly remember from high school.
Well, that's it. Until next time......
Coming from a small town has given me a connection with Hester Prynne. Much like what she experiences, being in a community that knows everything about everyone is less than enjoyable. In fact, it can be very stressful. Whether you like it or not, you are constantly being judged by people you may not even have a relationship with. If you have just one fault, everyone seems to notice and many even condemn you for it. This is the case with Hester. She has to suffer the criticism of those around her.
What I love most about Hester is her ability to remain strong and individualized. She has the strength that I think most people would only be able to dream of in this situation. I would like to think that I could do as Hester did, but chances of that are very slim.
One of my favorite quotes comes from the beginning of Part V. I love Hawthorne's attention to detail and description. He leaves nothing out and nothing to the imagination. As the reader, I can picture what Hawthorne must have been imagining while writing the story. That is just one of the many reasons while I love him and this novel. Here is the part I am specifically talking about (there are many more examples that can be found on nearly every page):
"Hester Prynne's term of confinement was now at an end. Her prison door was thrown open, and she came forth into the sunshine, which, falling on all alike, seemed, to her sick and morbid heart, as if meant for no other purpose than to reveal the scarlet letter on her breast."
That certainly sounds a lot better than simply saying Hester walked out of the prison with the sun beating down on her scarlet letter. I could show many more examples of where I think Hawthorne's attention to detail has made the story significantly more impactful, but this blog would never end. I don't really need to expand on the passage about the rosebush as we already talked a great deal about it in class, but I will say that this is another one of the passages I vividly remember from high school.
Well, that's it. Until next time......
The Beginnings of The Scarlet Letter
Let me start by saying I was very excited when I saw this novel on the list of books to purchase for the class. I first read The Scarlet Letter as a senior in high school. With a disappointing instructor the first time around, I was excited to get another chance to discuss the novel. I absolutely LOVED The Scarlet Letter when I first read it. I have no doubt that this feeling will continue if not even expand upon reading it for the second time.
Despite my love of the book, I was quickly reminded of how BORING the introduction is. I'm not exactly sure why Hawthorne chose to include it. When I first read it as a senior, I remember being terrified that this was going to be how the whole novel was laid out. I was able to comprehend very little of what Hawthorne had to say. I will admit, I had some of the same problems this time as well. While there were some parts that I was able to understand better, the majority of it went straight over my head. I was able to appreciate the references to Thoreau and Chaucer. Back in high school I'm not sure I had ever heard of either of the two authors.
When we talked in class, there appeared to be an agreement that the only part of the introduction that served any real purpose was the section where Hawthorne told of how he discovered the story of Hester. I would have been satisfied if this would have been all Hawthorne included. The whole first part of the intro felt like many of the other readings we have done in the class thus far. Honestly, I don't respond very well to the style. It had the same feeling as some of the sermons, autobiographies, etc. I am much more of a narrative/fiction type of person. While I appreciate all types, I respond much better to the latter style of Hawthorne.
With that being said, it is time to really dig into The Scarlet Letter.......
Despite my love of the book, I was quickly reminded of how BORING the introduction is. I'm not exactly sure why Hawthorne chose to include it. When I first read it as a senior, I remember being terrified that this was going to be how the whole novel was laid out. I was able to comprehend very little of what Hawthorne had to say. I will admit, I had some of the same problems this time as well. While there were some parts that I was able to understand better, the majority of it went straight over my head. I was able to appreciate the references to Thoreau and Chaucer. Back in high school I'm not sure I had ever heard of either of the two authors.
When we talked in class, there appeared to be an agreement that the only part of the introduction that served any real purpose was the section where Hawthorne told of how he discovered the story of Hester. I would have been satisfied if this would have been all Hawthorne included. The whole first part of the intro felt like many of the other readings we have done in the class thus far. Honestly, I don't respond very well to the style. It had the same feeling as some of the sermons, autobiographies, etc. I am much more of a narrative/fiction type of person. While I appreciate all types, I respond much better to the latter style of Hawthorne.
With that being said, it is time to really dig into The Scarlet Letter.......
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Walden Part 2
Ok, I marked more in Thoreau than I would have guessed. Does this mean progress is happening?
Here is another one I allowed my pencil to underline: "Most men appear never to have considered what a house is, and are actually though needlessly poor all their lives because they think that they must have such a one as their neighbors have."
If anything stuck out to me the most in the reading, this would be it. I have never really thought about life and possessions this way. In class we talked about how our possessions enslave us. This couldn't be more right. Paying for a car, an apartment, a cell phone, etc. can cause someone to take on stress and work more than would otherwise be needed. I know it does for me. In reality, I don't need many of the things I buy, yet I drive myself crazy trying to pay for it all. If only I could simplify my life, I would be able to live more freely.
Thinking about the cost of things in the way Thoreau does actually makes the whole thing more depressing. For example, if I buy a meal at McDonald's it will cost me almost a half of an hour of pay. WHAT?! Putting it that way really makes all the purchases I make on a daily basis seem absolutely ridiculous. How much of my life have I wasted on paying off my debts? How much more will I waste?
I also found it insightful to look at the cost of things not only in terms of work/time, but also in terms of energy. Think about all the times you've been exhausted, tired, etc. How many times was it worth it? For me, this is almost a daily occurrence and it is 90% of the time not worth it.
With that being said, I am going to take Thoreau's advice. I am ending this blog to go enjoy life and this weather. I am putting my energy into something else for a change......
Here is another one I allowed my pencil to underline: "Most men appear never to have considered what a house is, and are actually though needlessly poor all their lives because they think that they must have such a one as their neighbors have."
If anything stuck out to me the most in the reading, this would be it. I have never really thought about life and possessions this way. In class we talked about how our possessions enslave us. This couldn't be more right. Paying for a car, an apartment, a cell phone, etc. can cause someone to take on stress and work more than would otherwise be needed. I know it does for me. In reality, I don't need many of the things I buy, yet I drive myself crazy trying to pay for it all. If only I could simplify my life, I would be able to live more freely.
Thinking about the cost of things in the way Thoreau does actually makes the whole thing more depressing. For example, if I buy a meal at McDonald's it will cost me almost a half of an hour of pay. WHAT?! Putting it that way really makes all the purchases I make on a daily basis seem absolutely ridiculous. How much of my life have I wasted on paying off my debts? How much more will I waste?
I also found it insightful to look at the cost of things not only in terms of work/time, but also in terms of energy. Think about all the times you've been exhausted, tired, etc. How many times was it worth it? For me, this is almost a daily occurrence and it is 90% of the time not worth it.
With that being said, I am going to take Thoreau's advice. I am ending this blog to go enjoy life and this weather. I am putting my energy into something else for a change......
Walden Part 1
Thoreau grabbed my attention right away. I am the type of person with extreme OCD and absolutely HATE when there is writing, marking, etc in my books. Now if it is a book that I don't care about for a class that I don't really want to take, then it is ok, but for the majority of my textbooks, I refuse to put any sort of marking in them. I made an exception for Thoreau. I really had to stop myself and question why I was willing to put pencil marks on the pages of this reading. My only explanation: there are just too many good quotes I don't want to forget.
The first one that I marked was right away in the second paragraph. "I trust that none will stretch the seams in putting on the coat, for it may do good service to him whom it fits." This quote reminded me not only of the times where I am trying to squeeze into a cute pair of jeans when I should really just let someone buy them who they actually fit, but it also reminds me of the times where I take on responsibilities that are better fit for another individual. In life, it is better to do what you can do and let others do what they can do. For me, I am constantly battling myself with taking on too much and not letting someone else do some of the work. This quote serves as a reminder that there are people who will succeed and enjoy doing something that I may stress over.
Another aspect of Thoreau that I enjoyed was the idea that we live our lives going about our day-to-day business and living like a machine. I can't think of anything else that better describes me! A lot of the readings we have done in this class have been reminders for me as far as trying to really enjoy life and "stop to smell the roses." I wonder how many times I need to be hit over the head with this before it will actually sink in?? Shall we take bets..... :)
I am willing to let go of my OCD a little bit and possibly mark more in my book as the semester continues.
The first one that I marked was right away in the second paragraph. "I trust that none will stretch the seams in putting on the coat, for it may do good service to him whom it fits." This quote reminded me not only of the times where I am trying to squeeze into a cute pair of jeans when I should really just let someone buy them who they actually fit, but it also reminds me of the times where I take on responsibilities that are better fit for another individual. In life, it is better to do what you can do and let others do what they can do. For me, I am constantly battling myself with taking on too much and not letting someone else do some of the work. This quote serves as a reminder that there are people who will succeed and enjoy doing something that I may stress over.
Another aspect of Thoreau that I enjoyed was the idea that we live our lives going about our day-to-day business and living like a machine. I can't think of anything else that better describes me! A lot of the readings we have done in this class have been reminders for me as far as trying to really enjoy life and "stop to smell the roses." I wonder how many times I need to be hit over the head with this before it will actually sink in?? Shall we take bets..... :)
I am willing to let go of my OCD a little bit and possibly mark more in my book as the semester continues.
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