At the end of "The Soloist", I am very happy that this book is a nonfiction. While I don't remember any of the fiction books we've read this year having what I'd call a "happy ending", it's very relieving that the one book we read that deals with real life ends in a tone of hope.
No, Nathaniel is not cured; No, there is no quick fix for paranoid schizophrenia; and no, he didn't somehow regain all of his musical prowess. Yet somehow, this book lets me breathe easy while knowing that none of this is happened and likely impossible. Steve Lopez was an amazing friend to a man he had no business ever meeting, and for that he has made lives all the better. He has gained fame and fortune, and in turn more time with his family, due to his generosity in Nathaniel's case. Nathaniel has shown progress with his illness, has some contact with his family, has regained some of his musical talents, and has many reasons to believe in the people around him. It seems to me that the only thing that can happen from here is improvement.
In conclusion, "The Soloist" was a great book to end the year with. Hopefully Nathaniel continues to regain some of his old self, and I am very happy to have learned his story thanks to Mr. Lopez.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
The Soloist
Through the third selection of "The Soloist" chapters, Steve Lopez's role in Nathaniel's life is turning out to be a lot more beneficial to both than I had previously foreseen.
Nathaniel has come into contact with several experts and others who have taken an interest in his case thanks to Mr. Lopez, and also has a growing base of supporters due to the articles that Mr. Lopez has published in his weekly column. Another huge benefit to Nathaniel is the reception of new instruments. The instruments are helping him regain some degree of control in his life, as he is letting the music take over and he is remembering parts of his old life before the breakdown. Hopefully the resurgence he is experiencing is just the beginning of his recovery, and he will be able to not only improve his music skills, but reach out to his family at some point.
Lopez himself has gotten some unexpected benefits from helping Nathaniel with his illness. Mr. Lopez is amassing a nice amount of money due to the popularity of his articles and his cause, allowing him to spend more time with his family. Also, it seems to me that Nataniel and Steve are becoming best friends in a way. This is a huge payoffs for both of them, and probably very instrumental in Nathaniel's recovery.
In conclusion, I am very happy to say that my second post was filled with an unneeded analysis of the book, and Mr. Lopez's actions have proved to be very beneficial to his new friend Nathaniel Ayers.
Nathaniel has come into contact with several experts and others who have taken an interest in his case thanks to Mr. Lopez, and also has a growing base of supporters due to the articles that Mr. Lopez has published in his weekly column. Another huge benefit to Nathaniel is the reception of new instruments. The instruments are helping him regain some degree of control in his life, as he is letting the music take over and he is remembering parts of his old life before the breakdown. Hopefully the resurgence he is experiencing is just the beginning of his recovery, and he will be able to not only improve his music skills, but reach out to his family at some point.
Lopez himself has gotten some unexpected benefits from helping Nathaniel with his illness. Mr. Lopez is amassing a nice amount of money due to the popularity of his articles and his cause, allowing him to spend more time with his family. Also, it seems to me that Nataniel and Steve are becoming best friends in a way. This is a huge payoffs for both of them, and probably very instrumental in Nathaniel's recovery.
In conclusion, I am very happy to say that my second post was filled with an unneeded analysis of the book, and Mr. Lopez's actions have proved to be very beneficial to his new friend Nathaniel Ayers.
The Soloist
Through the second selection of chapters of "The Soloist", I have come to question Mr. Lopez's actions concerning Nathaniel's health.
At this point in the book, Mr. Lopez has contacted many an expert, psychiatrist, doctor, and leader of mental illness causes. Despite this, he seems to be trying to do it all himself. While I understand that Nathaniel is hard to get close to, it is not impossible. Mr. Lopez himself is proof of this. I think that at this point, with his career and family both needing more attention than he has shown them, Mr. Lopez should have tried to integrate a doctor or some type of expert into Nathaniel's life. If he were to help ease someone who could help into the situation, Mr. Lopez could still be involved while also getting Nathaniel the help he needs, while giving Mr. Lopez more time for the things he has been overlooking. It seems to me that Mr. Lopez might be trying to do this himself, a very unwise decision considering his lack of knowledge and experience in the field of patients with mental illness.
I am hoping that as the book progresses, Mr. Lopez begins to try and bring a doctor into the situation at a careful pace, otherwise I'm not sure Nathaniel will receive any benefit from what is beginning to seem like an unwise experiment.
At this point in the book, Mr. Lopez has contacted many an expert, psychiatrist, doctor, and leader of mental illness causes. Despite this, he seems to be trying to do it all himself. While I understand that Nathaniel is hard to get close to, it is not impossible. Mr. Lopez himself is proof of this. I think that at this point, with his career and family both needing more attention than he has shown them, Mr. Lopez should have tried to integrate a doctor or some type of expert into Nathaniel's life. If he were to help ease someone who could help into the situation, Mr. Lopez could still be involved while also getting Nathaniel the help he needs, while giving Mr. Lopez more time for the things he has been overlooking. It seems to me that Mr. Lopez might be trying to do this himself, a very unwise decision considering his lack of knowledge and experience in the field of patients with mental illness.
I am hoping that as the book progresses, Mr. Lopez begins to try and bring a doctor into the situation at a careful pace, otherwise I'm not sure Nathaniel will receive any benefit from what is beginning to seem like an unwise experiment.
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Soloist
After the first selection of chapters from "The Soloist", I got to thinking about how music seems to help keep people sane. As with Nathaniel Ayers, many people use music as an outlet for whatever might be troubling them. In Nathaniel's case, he has paranoid schizophrenia, but when he performs music he seems to revert to a more peaceful state where he isn't bothered as much by what might be happening around him. In other words, music lets Nathaniel enter his own world.
Looking around the music industry today, there are many examples as to how music helps keep people sane. One of the most obvious examples is Eminem, who has some pretty serious issues with drug abuse and violence. In my opinion, his music helps him just put things into perspective and get things off of his chest, while also letting him to vent some of his craziness in the process. A good portion of his earlier songs discuss his views on life, his tough childhood and upbringing, and his problems with drugs.
Another, lesser known, example is a rapper named Charles Hamilton. He is a very unique and crazed young man, who has issues with self confidence which led to some very serious drug abuse. He has done more drugs than I've even heard of, but he seems to be turning his life around. His songs have been known to show him putting music on a pedestal, oftentimes as giving him a reason in life.
My last example of music keeping people sane is Amy Winehouse. She is a woman with a cavalcade of issues, many of which I can't even name. Her songs are very blunt when it comes to some of her issues, and I suspect thats part of the reason she makes music. Music can be whatever you want it to be, and for Winehouse its just a way for her to put her problems out there.
In conclusion, while Nathaniel Ayers might have paranoid schizophrenia, his reliance on music is not something that hasn't been seen before.
Looking around the music industry today, there are many examples as to how music helps keep people sane. One of the most obvious examples is Eminem, who has some pretty serious issues with drug abuse and violence. In my opinion, his music helps him just put things into perspective and get things off of his chest, while also letting him to vent some of his craziness in the process. A good portion of his earlier songs discuss his views on life, his tough childhood and upbringing, and his problems with drugs.
Another, lesser known, example is a rapper named Charles Hamilton. He is a very unique and crazed young man, who has issues with self confidence which led to some very serious drug abuse. He has done more drugs than I've even heard of, but he seems to be turning his life around. His songs have been known to show him putting music on a pedestal, oftentimes as giving him a reason in life.
My last example of music keeping people sane is Amy Winehouse. She is a woman with a cavalcade of issues, many of which I can't even name. Her songs are very blunt when it comes to some of her issues, and I suspect thats part of the reason she makes music. Music can be whatever you want it to be, and for Winehouse its just a way for her to put her problems out there.
In conclusion, while Nathaniel Ayers might have paranoid schizophrenia, his reliance on music is not something that hasn't been seen before.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Catcher in the Rye
My first impressions of Holden Caulfield are that he is somewhat like myself. This young man is unmotivated to the maximum extent, and is very lazy in all that he does. He doesn’t give any thought to the importance of school, seeing as how he has dropped out of four of them in a matter of years. The only thing he is really concerned about is his mother’s reaction to dropping out of Pencey, which is the only reason he hasn’t headed home yet.
The aspect of Caulfield that is most confusing is the fact he lets other people stand in his way of success. The only reason he doesn’t try to do good in school is because his classmates are all “fake”. Because of this view, he thinks whatever school he happens to be attending at that point in time isn’t worth the effort. This is a serious character flaw, and something he has to address in his life at some point.
Another problem with Caulfield is that he seems to be very rash or irrational at times. From the mood swings he displays to his harsh, quick judgement of anybody he meets, Caulfield always seems to be at odds with at least one other character. Both of these traits are evident in his fight with Stradlater. Caulfield had been having mood swings on the topic of Stradlater all day, and criticizing him on various topics, seemingly just to criticize something.
From my standpoint this early in the book, Caulfield really needs to get his act together. He doesn’t seem to have a friend, hasn’t gotten over the death of a sibling, is quick to point out a person’s flaws [but somehow never mentions a nice trait], and just cannot stay devoted to anything, no matter the reason. He seems to be somewhat immature, and very stubborn. He makes decisions based on little to no logic, and honestly just needs to grow up a little.
Hopefully, as the book progresses, Caulfield will take some responsibility for his actions and start to consider his future. Otherwise, he is in for a life that will not be very fulfilling.
The aspect of Caulfield that is most confusing is the fact he lets other people stand in his way of success. The only reason he doesn’t try to do good in school is because his classmates are all “fake”. Because of this view, he thinks whatever school he happens to be attending at that point in time isn’t worth the effort. This is a serious character flaw, and something he has to address in his life at some point.
Another problem with Caulfield is that he seems to be very rash or irrational at times. From the mood swings he displays to his harsh, quick judgement of anybody he meets, Caulfield always seems to be at odds with at least one other character. Both of these traits are evident in his fight with Stradlater. Caulfield had been having mood swings on the topic of Stradlater all day, and criticizing him on various topics, seemingly just to criticize something.
From my standpoint this early in the book, Caulfield really needs to get his act together. He doesn’t seem to have a friend, hasn’t gotten over the death of a sibling, is quick to point out a person’s flaws [but somehow never mentions a nice trait], and just cannot stay devoted to anything, no matter the reason. He seems to be somewhat immature, and very stubborn. He makes decisions based on little to no logic, and honestly just needs to grow up a little.
Hopefully, as the book progresses, Caulfield will take some responsibility for his actions and start to consider his future. Otherwise, he is in for a life that will not be very fulfilling.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Dying the death of a salesman
Until reading the assignment, I had never made a connection between The Great Gatsby and The Death of a Salesman. However, after reading the thoughts that were expressed in the post, I can see how the two works do have some similarities that can help us answer whatever questions we are left with.
How do we define our dreams of success?
This question is an interesting one, because not everybody has the same dream in life. Everybody wants to be successful, but there are different definitions of success and different ways to attain it. Some people want to be rich. For those people, Charlie is right, we are only worth what we can sell. But does the same hold true for people who want to teach? For these people, wouldn't it be more wise to judge their worth on what they say, and how many people hear? What does the idea of teaching have to do with sales? There are those who use their teaching for gain, but there are others who would be content to teach, and only teach. I don't think the definition of our dream of success are the same, and I don't believe Charlie is necessarily right when he says people are only worth what they can sell.
In this view, our hopes, dreams, and visions can only be limited by our imagination and motivation. I think that is where Willy went wrong. He pigeonholed himself into the notion that Dave Singleman was the essence of perfection, and the only way to reach success was to follow his footsteps. Willy never once asked himself what good Dave Singleman was doing for anybody but himself, and how many true friends Mr. Singleman truly had. Was Mr. Singleman actually happy with his life? I found the author's choice of a name for this character very interesting- single man. To me, this may be alluding to the fact that the man Willy saw as perfection was alone in the world, and Willy was already ahead of the game by having a family. Unfortunately, Willy threw that advantage away by cheating on his wife, a choice that helped his life to crash down around him. Its important to note that Willy cheated when he was at the top of his career. Did he think he earned the luxury of another woman because he was well known? I think its plausible to believe he thought he earned the right to do what he did, because he was on the road to being a successful man. If that was his belief, then it is ironic that such an idea led to his downfall, as his family fell apart and his son Biff, whom he had raised to be a famous ball-player who would one day sign that big contract, disowned him.
I think meeting Mr. Singleman, whom Willy revered as an idol, was the worst thing that ever happened to Willy. He began to think that he deserved the life Singleman enjoyed, regardless of the changing times. He treated himself to pleasure he shouldn't have, and gave himself a false sense of pride. I see this is the reason he couldn't accept the job offered to him on multiple occasions, and possibly the reason he took the easy way out. Maybe dying "the death of a salesman" means to die with as much pride intact as possible.
I would like responses to focus mainly on the last ideas presented in the 2 paragraphs.
How do we define our dreams of success?
This question is an interesting one, because not everybody has the same dream in life. Everybody wants to be successful, but there are different definitions of success and different ways to attain it. Some people want to be rich. For those people, Charlie is right, we are only worth what we can sell. But does the same hold true for people who want to teach? For these people, wouldn't it be more wise to judge their worth on what they say, and how many people hear? What does the idea of teaching have to do with sales? There are those who use their teaching for gain, but there are others who would be content to teach, and only teach. I don't think the definition of our dream of success are the same, and I don't believe Charlie is necessarily right when he says people are only worth what they can sell.
In this view, our hopes, dreams, and visions can only be limited by our imagination and motivation. I think that is where Willy went wrong. He pigeonholed himself into the notion that Dave Singleman was the essence of perfection, and the only way to reach success was to follow his footsteps. Willy never once asked himself what good Dave Singleman was doing for anybody but himself, and how many true friends Mr. Singleman truly had. Was Mr. Singleman actually happy with his life? I found the author's choice of a name for this character very interesting- single man. To me, this may be alluding to the fact that the man Willy saw as perfection was alone in the world, and Willy was already ahead of the game by having a family. Unfortunately, Willy threw that advantage away by cheating on his wife, a choice that helped his life to crash down around him. Its important to note that Willy cheated when he was at the top of his career. Did he think he earned the luxury of another woman because he was well known? I think its plausible to believe he thought he earned the right to do what he did, because he was on the road to being a successful man. If that was his belief, then it is ironic that such an idea led to his downfall, as his family fell apart and his son Biff, whom he had raised to be a famous ball-player who would one day sign that big contract, disowned him.
I think meeting Mr. Singleman, whom Willy revered as an idol, was the worst thing that ever happened to Willy. He began to think that he deserved the life Singleman enjoyed, regardless of the changing times. He treated himself to pleasure he shouldn't have, and gave himself a false sense of pride. I see this is the reason he couldn't accept the job offered to him on multiple occasions, and possibly the reason he took the easy way out. Maybe dying "the death of a salesman" means to die with as much pride intact as possible.
I would like responses to focus mainly on the last ideas presented in the 2 paragraphs.
The Blogging Experience
I have to admit, at first I was a bit skeptical of the whole blogging idea. However, after the first few assignments, this method of homework won me over.
For the most part, I already did my English homework on the computer anyway. Blogging as a class just made my life easier, as I can just submit the homework when I finish, not having to worry about losing it or making sure the paper doesn't get crumpled or wet in my book bag. I enjoy the fact that I can submit my work whenever i feel, giving me a chance to go back and edit my post if I find it necessary. If I'm not done my report, I can just save the draft and come back to it at a later time, and whatever websites I was on can just be bookmarked for later. I usually hand my work in at the deadline, giving myself as much time as I need to finish whats been assigned. Being able to post my work online just gives me a little more time, allowing me to hand in work thats been more thought over and attended to.
I look forward to continuing to do my homework in a blog-type setting. It is completely new to me, but it opens up new ways to do and finish my homework, and I've found it to be very useful. So far the experience has been great, and I honestly can't think of a way to make it better. The way the whole blogging experience has been going is great for us as students, and if it isn't broke, why fix it?
I feel its a good thing we can comment on the work of whoever we want, giving us the opportunity to discover or classmates talents if we want. I usually comment on someone I know usually does a good job, as well as look at another student's work that I haven't looked at before. I think this process works well, and I've discovered some of my classmates are better writers than I previously believed.
All in all, this whole blogging experience has been new and refreshing, and I look forward to continuing it.
For the most part, I already did my English homework on the computer anyway. Blogging as a class just made my life easier, as I can just submit the homework when I finish, not having to worry about losing it or making sure the paper doesn't get crumpled or wet in my book bag. I enjoy the fact that I can submit my work whenever i feel, giving me a chance to go back and edit my post if I find it necessary. If I'm not done my report, I can just save the draft and come back to it at a later time, and whatever websites I was on can just be bookmarked for later. I usually hand my work in at the deadline, giving myself as much time as I need to finish whats been assigned. Being able to post my work online just gives me a little more time, allowing me to hand in work thats been more thought over and attended to.
I look forward to continuing to do my homework in a blog-type setting. It is completely new to me, but it opens up new ways to do and finish my homework, and I've found it to be very useful. So far the experience has been great, and I honestly can't think of a way to make it better. The way the whole blogging experience has been going is great for us as students, and if it isn't broke, why fix it?
I feel its a good thing we can comment on the work of whoever we want, giving us the opportunity to discover or classmates talents if we want. I usually comment on someone I know usually does a good job, as well as look at another student's work that I haven't looked at before. I think this process works well, and I've discovered some of my classmates are better writers than I previously believed.
All in all, this whole blogging experience has been new and refreshing, and I look forward to continuing it.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
"That was always my experience—a poor boy in a rich town; a poor boy in a rich boy's school; a poor boy in a rich man's club at Princeton…I have never been able to forgive the rich for being rich, and it has colored my entire life and works."
–F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Life in Letters
This quote shows that as an author, although Fitzgerald was writing fiction stories, he was still writing about himself. Just as Fitzgerald described himself, Nick Carraway was a man who was in a lower class than those around him.
Before the book takes place, Nick was a student at Yale who was poor considering the other students. Due to this fact, Nick kept to himself, not making many friends. He described himself as quiet throughout life, although the difference in social classes most likely gave him another reason to stay away from the others. They were privileged and knew nothing of the struggles of the poor, and Nick felt no connection to them.
After his graduation, Nick went to the war before coming back to America. He decided to move to New York and settled on the West Egg. Its no coincidence the majority of the residents on West Egg for middle to lower class, save for Gatsby. However, Nick still found himself keeping wealthy company in the likes of Jordan Baker, Tom and Daisy Buchanon, and Jay Gatsby. Throughout the book Nick comes off as uncomfortable, sensing he doesn't belong with this crowd. In the end, Nick decides to move back home, away from the lavishness of the friends he had made.
As Fitzgerald says, he was always a poor man in a rich man's world. As Fitzgerald also says, he could never forgive the rich for being rich. It is interesting to consider this quote when compared to The Great Gatsby, where Nick Carraway always found a way to be surrounded by the rich, and constantly sought a means to escape them.
–F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Life in Letters
This quote shows that as an author, although Fitzgerald was writing fiction stories, he was still writing about himself. Just as Fitzgerald described himself, Nick Carraway was a man who was in a lower class than those around him.
Before the book takes place, Nick was a student at Yale who was poor considering the other students. Due to this fact, Nick kept to himself, not making many friends. He described himself as quiet throughout life, although the difference in social classes most likely gave him another reason to stay away from the others. They were privileged and knew nothing of the struggles of the poor, and Nick felt no connection to them.
After his graduation, Nick went to the war before coming back to America. He decided to move to New York and settled on the West Egg. Its no coincidence the majority of the residents on West Egg for middle to lower class, save for Gatsby. However, Nick still found himself keeping wealthy company in the likes of Jordan Baker, Tom and Daisy Buchanon, and Jay Gatsby. Throughout the book Nick comes off as uncomfortable, sensing he doesn't belong with this crowd. In the end, Nick decides to move back home, away from the lavishness of the friends he had made.
As Fitzgerald says, he was always a poor man in a rich man's world. As Fitzgerald also says, he could never forgive the rich for being rich. It is interesting to consider this quote when compared to The Great Gatsby, where Nick Carraway always found a way to be surrounded by the rich, and constantly sought a means to escape them.
Friday, March 20, 2009
As of the conclusion of chapter three, I realize that I had Nick figured out all wrong. For the better part of the first three chapters, I thought Nick to be a soft spoken man who kept to himself, and didn't really go to wild. By the end of the third chapter, he has shown a slight tendency to drink and go to parties, as well as make a few eccentric friends. Among these friends are the abusive, adulterer Tom, the cheating Myrtle, wildy famous Jordan Baker, and the mysterious Jay Gatsby.
I was initially surprised when Nick attended the party in the second chapter, but thought he had perhaps not known the wild event he was attending. After attending Gatsby's party, I see I was wrong in my assumption that he was a man who wouldn't enjoy somewhat of a wild life. Furthering my surprise is that he has become somewhat close friends to Jordan, a person whom i thought he might want to avoid, especially given her seemingly rude introduction at their first meeting. Even more, he expresses that he has developed feelings for Ms. Baker, although he seems to have a girlfriend back home.
Although Nick is showing signs of being some type of party animal who might be fame hungry, I think he might still have more in common with my first opinion of him then it currently seems.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Herman Melville
Herman Melville was born in New York City on August 1, 1819. His parents were financially unstable, in over their heads having three kids. In 1830 the family moved to Albany in a futile attempt to join the fur trading business. By the time the family moved to the area, fur trading had become much less prosperous.
Once he set out on his own, Melville suffered many setbacks. He failed as a cabin boy, a school teacher, and at whaling. He exploded as an author, however, writing popular novels such as Typee and Oomo. His whaling experiences led him to write one of the most famous English novels ever, Moby Dick.
Although experiencing much success as a writer, Melville never made enough money to live off of. When his riches began to disappear, he turned to poetry. He failed miserably in his early years, eventually leaving the medium all together for many years. After retiring from a position of customs inspector that he held for 19 years, he returned to poetry, where he become somewhat successful for his work.
“There is sobbing of the strong,
And a pall upon the land;
But the People in their weeping
Bare the iron hand:
Beware the People weeping
When they bare the iron hand.”
http://www.poetry-archive.com/m/the_martyr.html
This is a short excerpt from Melville’s The Martyr. He doesn’t follow a specific rhyme scheme throughout the poem, although he does rhyme on a somewhat consistent basis. He used a lot of repetition in this poem, as evidenced in this excerpt, and also uses contrast between a strong person and their weeping to stress the tragedy of the martyr’s death.
I picked the poem “The Apparition” at random, but enjoyed it nonetheless. It was somewhat short, but I thought it did a good job of entertaining. Melville is describing a sighting of a ghost, both what he physically sees as well as what he feels and the aura the apparition is giving off. Because of this glimpse of a ghost, he questions life and also life after death, and states a fear of success because of the failure or death that may follow.
http://www.poetry-archive.com/m/the_apparition.html
After reading through some of Melville’s work, I couldn’t really find any instance that flagged him as an American poet. Besides his vocabulary and possibly his choosing of topic, Melville didn’t really seem to separate himself from his international peers in terms of revealing exactly who is was.
Once he set out on his own, Melville suffered many setbacks. He failed as a cabin boy, a school teacher, and at whaling. He exploded as an author, however, writing popular novels such as Typee and Oomo. His whaling experiences led him to write one of the most famous English novels ever, Moby Dick.
Although experiencing much success as a writer, Melville never made enough money to live off of. When his riches began to disappear, he turned to poetry. He failed miserably in his early years, eventually leaving the medium all together for many years. After retiring from a position of customs inspector that he held for 19 years, he returned to poetry, where he become somewhat successful for his work.
“There is sobbing of the strong,
And a pall upon the land;
But the People in their weeping
Bare the iron hand:
Beware the People weeping
When they bare the iron hand.”
http://www.poetry-archive.com/m/the_martyr.html
This is a short excerpt from Melville’s The Martyr. He doesn’t follow a specific rhyme scheme throughout the poem, although he does rhyme on a somewhat consistent basis. He used a lot of repetition in this poem, as evidenced in this excerpt, and also uses contrast between a strong person and their weeping to stress the tragedy of the martyr’s death.
I picked the poem “The Apparition” at random, but enjoyed it nonetheless. It was somewhat short, but I thought it did a good job of entertaining. Melville is describing a sighting of a ghost, both what he physically sees as well as what he feels and the aura the apparition is giving off. Because of this glimpse of a ghost, he questions life and also life after death, and states a fear of success because of the failure or death that may follow.
http://www.poetry-archive.com/m/the_apparition.html
After reading through some of Melville’s work, I couldn’t really find any instance that flagged him as an American poet. Besides his vocabulary and possibly his choosing of topic, Melville didn’t really seem to separate himself from his international peers in terms of revealing exactly who is was.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Realsim in Writing
After reading some of Kate Chopin’s work, the difference between American Romanticism and American Realism is clear. Chopin spends much less time explaining the beauty of nature or the importance of respecting it, and looks deeper into the way people live their lives and their motives for doing so. She is much more invested in taking a look at Adrienne Farival’s opposing lifestyles and Mrs. Sommer’s newfound recklessness than taking time to smell the flowers. Ironically enough, that cliché of “smelling the flowers” is the only sign of progress from Romanticism to Realism that Chopin shows in her writing. In “Lilacs”, the story opens and closes with the blooming of lilacs playing a central part to the story. The smell of the flower is the driving force behind Farival visiting her convent, as it has come to be a tradition for her. Other than this instance, Chopin strayed from the principles of Romanticism and barely strayed from being a Realist writer.
In Chopin’s writing she explores the themes of people wanting to be someone they aren’t, and also of a world where people put themselves first to accomplish this sought after lifestyle. In “Lilacs”, Farival takes an annual trip to visit a convent of nuns, although she admits to not relying on the lord when she is away from the convent. Her life away from the convent is completely different, punctuated by a bad temper, impatience, and an indifference to religion. She also makes this trip a secret, knowing full well that Monsieur Henri is madly in love with her and spirals into depression whenever she leaves. In the case of “A Pair of Silk Stockings”, Mrs. Sommers indulges herself into an extravagant lifestyle for a day after finding some money. She is a poor woman who could have used that money for many other things, but decided to use her newfound money to treat herself in a way she had never experienced before. She did this despite knowing that there are much more useful ways she could use the money, such as spending it on her kids to make their lives more comfortable. I think Chopin is using her writing as a way to tell the world that people are becoming too self-centered, and she is trying to change that.
In writing, I think Chopin is trying to reach everyone, especially those comparable to her main characters. She is trying to show people the errors in the way the live their lives and wants to help them become what she would view as a better person. In that way she might be compared to a Romanticist, because she seemed to be urging people to be more considerate to their surroundings, although she focused mainly on the people that were being wronged by her main characters. Chopin is either writing for the women during her time period, those she perceived as being wronged by self-centered individuals, or both. The women of her time were still much oppressed and didn’t have many rights, so she would want to use her position of power to represent and uplift them. At the same time, as a Realist, she was expressing her views on the world and was trying to fix in the world what she saw was wrong.
Although the oppression of women that existed in her time is long over and would not have affected me, her stories still hit home to me due to the latter of possible audiences I had mentioned. We live in a very materialistic time where it seems people will do anything to get ahead, no matter who they hurt or what relationships they may sever. In that way, her stories are still very relevant and it is important that we all keep in mind her message that she portrayed through her stories. She seemed very bothered by the climate of society and I find it hard to believe she would be pleased at the turn it has taken in the 21st century.
“The play was over, the music ceased, the crowd filed out. It was like a dream ended. People scattered in all directions. Mrs. Sommers went to the corner and waited for the cable car.
A man with keen eyes, who sat opposite to her, seemed to like the study of her small, pale face. It puzzled him to decipher what he saw there. In truth, he saw nothing – unless he were wizard enough to detect a poignant wish, a powerful longing that the cable car would never stop anywhere, but go on and on with her forever.”
The ending of “A Pair of Silk Stockings” was a driving factor in me choosing Chopin for my analysis. The way Chopin shows Mrs. Sommers’ immediate doubt of her own judgement, and her self-pondering, drew me to her writing more than anything else did. It is also a great ending considering she was a Realist showing that people can realize their mistakes and change their ways if they get the chance.
In Chopin’s writing she explores the themes of people wanting to be someone they aren’t, and also of a world where people put themselves first to accomplish this sought after lifestyle. In “Lilacs”, Farival takes an annual trip to visit a convent of nuns, although she admits to not relying on the lord when she is away from the convent. Her life away from the convent is completely different, punctuated by a bad temper, impatience, and an indifference to religion. She also makes this trip a secret, knowing full well that Monsieur Henri is madly in love with her and spirals into depression whenever she leaves. In the case of “A Pair of Silk Stockings”, Mrs. Sommers indulges herself into an extravagant lifestyle for a day after finding some money. She is a poor woman who could have used that money for many other things, but decided to use her newfound money to treat herself in a way she had never experienced before. She did this despite knowing that there are much more useful ways she could use the money, such as spending it on her kids to make their lives more comfortable. I think Chopin is using her writing as a way to tell the world that people are becoming too self-centered, and she is trying to change that.
In writing, I think Chopin is trying to reach everyone, especially those comparable to her main characters. She is trying to show people the errors in the way the live their lives and wants to help them become what she would view as a better person. In that way she might be compared to a Romanticist, because she seemed to be urging people to be more considerate to their surroundings, although she focused mainly on the people that were being wronged by her main characters. Chopin is either writing for the women during her time period, those she perceived as being wronged by self-centered individuals, or both. The women of her time were still much oppressed and didn’t have many rights, so she would want to use her position of power to represent and uplift them. At the same time, as a Realist, she was expressing her views on the world and was trying to fix in the world what she saw was wrong.
Although the oppression of women that existed in her time is long over and would not have affected me, her stories still hit home to me due to the latter of possible audiences I had mentioned. We live in a very materialistic time where it seems people will do anything to get ahead, no matter who they hurt or what relationships they may sever. In that way, her stories are still very relevant and it is important that we all keep in mind her message that she portrayed through her stories. She seemed very bothered by the climate of society and I find it hard to believe she would be pleased at the turn it has taken in the 21st century.
“The play was over, the music ceased, the crowd filed out. It was like a dream ended. People scattered in all directions. Mrs. Sommers went to the corner and waited for the cable car.
A man with keen eyes, who sat opposite to her, seemed to like the study of her small, pale face. It puzzled him to decipher what he saw there. In truth, he saw nothing – unless he were wizard enough to detect a poignant wish, a powerful longing that the cable car would never stop anywhere, but go on and on with her forever.”
The ending of “A Pair of Silk Stockings” was a driving factor in me choosing Chopin for my analysis. The way Chopin shows Mrs. Sommers’ immediate doubt of her own judgement, and her self-pondering, drew me to her writing more than anything else did. It is also a great ending considering she was a Realist showing that people can realize their mistakes and change their ways if they get the chance.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Power of a Quote
Writings and words are the most powerful weapons that man has at his disposal. Any poet or fan of poetry understands the magnitude of a word that is wielded correctly. A quick scan through even recent speeches, poems, and songs show us writers and speakers who know how to use their words, and understand the weight they carry.
“Don't tell me words don't matter. ‘I have a dream!' Just words? 'We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal.' Just words? 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself.' Just words? Just speeches?" - Barack Obama, Wisconsin Democratic Party- February 16th, 2008
“Words. Break these words down to the syllables they all are the silly bulls they represent, and what do I represent? Well its hard to say when my rep resents the fact I have to question myself for each time that question re-presents itself. I can therefore I am; and sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will always teach you.” -Shihan, “Flashy Words”
“The world's seen me lookin' in the mirror,
Images of me, gettin' much clearer,
Dear Self, I wrote a letter just to better my soul,
If I don't express it then forever I'll hold, inside
I'm from a side where we out of control,
Rap music in the 'hood played a fatherly role,
My story's like yours, yo it gotta be told,
Tryna make it from a gangsta to a godlier role,
Read scrolls and stow slaves,
And Jewish people in cold cage,
Hate has no color or age, flip the page,
Now my rage became freedom,
Writin' dreams in the dark, they far but I can see 'em,
I believe in Heaven more than Hell,
Blessings more than jail,
In the ghetto let love prevail,
With a story to tell, my eyes see the glory and well,
The world waitin' for me to yell ‘I Have a Dream’”
-Common, “A Dream”
If I weren’t writing for a grade, I would end this paper right here. These three people, speaking through their respective mediums, are telling us the exact same thing.
Does writing have the power to enact social change?
Consider:
On night of April 14, 1865, a shot rang out in Ford’s Theatre. After Abraham Lincoln exhaled his final breathe while in a coma 9 hours later, his Emancipation Proclamation never became a rescinded work.
Although Mohandas Gandhi may have been killed the night of January 30, 1948, his ideas never died. His fight for peace and his nonviolent tactics lived on, prominent in many phases of the Civil Rights Act.
April 4, 1968, while Dr. King’s body crumpled body fell, his life’s work never did. The SCLC did not cease to march, and men and women nationwide did not end their attempts to make America an equal place.
It is impossible for society to continue to change for the better without writings and words. While I believe that actions are needed, a lack of words makes a precious balance impossible. They say actions speak louder than words, but how can the power of actions be judged when there are no words to compare them against?
“Don't tell me words don't matter. ‘I have a dream!' Just words? 'We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal.' Just words? 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself.' Just words? Just speeches?" - Barack Obama, Wisconsin Democratic Party- February 16th, 2008
“Words. Break these words down to the syllables they all are the silly bulls they represent, and what do I represent? Well its hard to say when my rep resents the fact I have to question myself for each time that question re-presents itself. I can therefore I am; and sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will always teach you.” -Shihan, “Flashy Words”
“The world's seen me lookin' in the mirror,
Images of me, gettin' much clearer,
Dear Self, I wrote a letter just to better my soul,
If I don't express it then forever I'll hold, inside
I'm from a side where we out of control,
Rap music in the 'hood played a fatherly role,
My story's like yours, yo it gotta be told,
Tryna make it from a gangsta to a godlier role,
Read scrolls and stow slaves,
And Jewish people in cold cage,
Hate has no color or age, flip the page,
Now my rage became freedom,
Writin' dreams in the dark, they far but I can see 'em,
I believe in Heaven more than Hell,
Blessings more than jail,
In the ghetto let love prevail,
With a story to tell, my eyes see the glory and well,
The world waitin' for me to yell ‘I Have a Dream’”
-Common, “A Dream”
If I weren’t writing for a grade, I would end this paper right here. These three people, speaking through their respective mediums, are telling us the exact same thing.
Does writing have the power to enact social change?
Consider:
On night of April 14, 1865, a shot rang out in Ford’s Theatre. After Abraham Lincoln exhaled his final breathe while in a coma 9 hours later, his Emancipation Proclamation never became a rescinded work.
Although Mohandas Gandhi may have been killed the night of January 30, 1948, his ideas never died. His fight for peace and his nonviolent tactics lived on, prominent in many phases of the Civil Rights Act.
April 4, 1968, while Dr. King’s body crumpled body fell, his life’s work never did. The SCLC did not cease to march, and men and women nationwide did not end their attempts to make America an equal place.
It is impossible for society to continue to change for the better without writings and words. While I believe that actions are needed, a lack of words makes a precious balance impossible. They say actions speak louder than words, but how can the power of actions be judged when there are no words to compare them against?
Friday, February 13, 2009
Price of a Child
“Letter to My idol”
Dear Father,
I figured this would be a good time to write you. I know this letter will never reach you, but it needs to be written. I remember your features as clear as if you had just left the room, but the same door closed many years ago. As you’ve watched over me, I hope you don’t feel shame at the things I've done to survive and care for my children.
The devil has a way of disguising himself. I never imagined he could have so many things at once. He came for me once and took my innocence, and he returns for his pleasure, I have bred his children into his ownership instead of his family, something he seems to take pleasure in. he has a wife and yet he chooses me to do the things he desires in a woman. Am I woman? That seems to be a tricky question with a trickier answer, and after everything I’ve been through, I'm not sure I want to know that answer.
I can only hope your watching over me the way I thought you would. I need all of the protection and care I can get right now, the devil has many appearances, just ask Jackson Pryor. If he is not the devil himself, then he has met the devil in his truest form. I’ve seen the things he’s done to the others, and I know I should be considered lucky for escaping his wrath, if only to supply him is pleasure. Would you be happy for me, to know that I am escaping punishment? Or rightfully angry, to see your daughter abused in ways even more disgusting than you may have imagined?
In case you haven’t been listening closely to what has been going on around me, Pryor is taking me on a trip to the north before we depart to Nicaragua. This trip is leaving me with a horrible decision. I just wish I could know what it was like for you when you escaped. You came back a changed man and I was too scared to ask why. I could use that knowledge right now. Did you miss me? If you had a chance, I wonder if you would have left us behind for freedom. I wish I knew the answers, because I’m facing that same problem.
We are leaving Bennie behind, but taking Mattie and Etta with us. What do I do if the opportunity to run stares me in the face? Do I run and never look back, or do I stay and return to Bennie? I wish you were here.. I need your opinion, what is the price of a child?
Love,
Ginnie
“A Letter to Never Be Sent”
My Bennie-boy,
I wonder if you can possibly imagine how much I miss you every second of the day. This letter could never reach you, but in my heart I know you’ll receive the message, after spending so much time in the presence of the devil, I have no doubt in a god that will let you know I still love you.
I hope you dream of me, Mattie, and Etta, as we dream of you. If you see my face in those dreams, I just want you to hold onto it. Just know you’ll be seeing it again. I don’t know how or when, I just know it will happen. The people I owe my freedom to will help me see this through, and I would trust them with my life. I already have, come to think of it.
Words cannot explain the pain in my heart right now. I know I should talk about more than pain or being hurt, but this is all there is in my heart. The words I put on this paper are nothing to what I’m feeling. The best way to describe how I’m feeling would be to cry my eyes out on a sheet of paper and find a way to send it to you. I cant do that, so for now ill have to be happy to write a letter that I will one day be able to show you.
I wish I could understand how this will happen or why I am so certainty it will, but I don’t. I just can’t see how a god that freed me is a god that would let you stay as a slave. In the battle of god and the devil, if the devil wins a battle, god will make the battle one of worthlessness. The devil cannot, and will not, win. This is the reason I am certain we will be together again. Maybe being free has changed me, or perhaps I’ve just been listening to Ephraim too much these days.
If I could talk to you, there is so much I would have to say and ask. If only I could know how my baby boy is doing, and give him words of encouragement, you’re my child, and stronger than you realize at your age. You’ve gotten all of the good traits I was given from my parents, and none of the bad ones. People re naturally drawn to you, and I hope you use this to your advantage. Never let Pryor break your spirit. It is too beautiful to be wasted on such a man. Bennie, we will meet again.
Until That Time,
Mommy
“Gratitude”
Tyree,
I could never express how grateful I am that I met you. My family is in complete and total debt to yours’. We owe you our freedom and our newfound lives, our gratitude is immeasurable, and I hope we one day meet again.
You have all been kind to us, and me in particular. Not only have you helped me earn my freedom, you were a source of encouragement and protection during my time in Philadelphia. I still find it hard to believe that you gave me the money to buy Bennie back. I always knew I would see him again, but I didn’t suspect you were a god on earth. That is exactly what you are to my family, a man who deserves worship. Any other family who you help in your days will undoubtedly see the greatness of your character and I hope they appreciate it; you have risked more for me than I have for myself, and I can never forget that,
I’m unsure what our relationship was or would have been, but I m happy that we had it. Ill miss you here in Nicaragua, and ill keep hope alive that one day you can join us. Until that day I wish your family the best, which I know they will have with you.
All Mattie and Etta talk about it Mr. Tyree, and its obvious Bennie would have loved to meet you. You should see how jealous he gets whenever your brother and sister start up with their stories of you. He is still hurt by my leaving but he’s just so happy to be back with us. I wish you could have met him before we left, but we’ll save that meeting for another day, it’s funny how when I write the person I need to talk to most I cant think of what I want to say. There is so much that goes unspoken between us but is understood by both of us. We connected so fast, and that will last a lifetime. Whether we meet again or not, I need you to know how grateful I am to have met you, and I would do anything for you.
Sincerely,
Mercy
Dear Father,
I figured this would be a good time to write you. I know this letter will never reach you, but it needs to be written. I remember your features as clear as if you had just left the room, but the same door closed many years ago. As you’ve watched over me, I hope you don’t feel shame at the things I've done to survive and care for my children.
The devil has a way of disguising himself. I never imagined he could have so many things at once. He came for me once and took my innocence, and he returns for his pleasure, I have bred his children into his ownership instead of his family, something he seems to take pleasure in. he has a wife and yet he chooses me to do the things he desires in a woman. Am I woman? That seems to be a tricky question with a trickier answer, and after everything I’ve been through, I'm not sure I want to know that answer.
I can only hope your watching over me the way I thought you would. I need all of the protection and care I can get right now, the devil has many appearances, just ask Jackson Pryor. If he is not the devil himself, then he has met the devil in his truest form. I’ve seen the things he’s done to the others, and I know I should be considered lucky for escaping his wrath, if only to supply him is pleasure. Would you be happy for me, to know that I am escaping punishment? Or rightfully angry, to see your daughter abused in ways even more disgusting than you may have imagined?
In case you haven’t been listening closely to what has been going on around me, Pryor is taking me on a trip to the north before we depart to Nicaragua. This trip is leaving me with a horrible decision. I just wish I could know what it was like for you when you escaped. You came back a changed man and I was too scared to ask why. I could use that knowledge right now. Did you miss me? If you had a chance, I wonder if you would have left us behind for freedom. I wish I knew the answers, because I’m facing that same problem.
We are leaving Bennie behind, but taking Mattie and Etta with us. What do I do if the opportunity to run stares me in the face? Do I run and never look back, or do I stay and return to Bennie? I wish you were here.. I need your opinion, what is the price of a child?
Love,
Ginnie
“A Letter to Never Be Sent”
My Bennie-boy,
I wonder if you can possibly imagine how much I miss you every second of the day. This letter could never reach you, but in my heart I know you’ll receive the message, after spending so much time in the presence of the devil, I have no doubt in a god that will let you know I still love you.
I hope you dream of me, Mattie, and Etta, as we dream of you. If you see my face in those dreams, I just want you to hold onto it. Just know you’ll be seeing it again. I don’t know how or when, I just know it will happen. The people I owe my freedom to will help me see this through, and I would trust them with my life. I already have, come to think of it.
Words cannot explain the pain in my heart right now. I know I should talk about more than pain or being hurt, but this is all there is in my heart. The words I put on this paper are nothing to what I’m feeling. The best way to describe how I’m feeling would be to cry my eyes out on a sheet of paper and find a way to send it to you. I cant do that, so for now ill have to be happy to write a letter that I will one day be able to show you.
I wish I could understand how this will happen or why I am so certainty it will, but I don’t. I just can’t see how a god that freed me is a god that would let you stay as a slave. In the battle of god and the devil, if the devil wins a battle, god will make the battle one of worthlessness. The devil cannot, and will not, win. This is the reason I am certain we will be together again. Maybe being free has changed me, or perhaps I’ve just been listening to Ephraim too much these days.
If I could talk to you, there is so much I would have to say and ask. If only I could know how my baby boy is doing, and give him words of encouragement, you’re my child, and stronger than you realize at your age. You’ve gotten all of the good traits I was given from my parents, and none of the bad ones. People re naturally drawn to you, and I hope you use this to your advantage. Never let Pryor break your spirit. It is too beautiful to be wasted on such a man. Bennie, we will meet again.
Until That Time,
Mommy
“Gratitude”
Tyree,
I could never express how grateful I am that I met you. My family is in complete and total debt to yours’. We owe you our freedom and our newfound lives, our gratitude is immeasurable, and I hope we one day meet again.
You have all been kind to us, and me in particular. Not only have you helped me earn my freedom, you were a source of encouragement and protection during my time in Philadelphia. I still find it hard to believe that you gave me the money to buy Bennie back. I always knew I would see him again, but I didn’t suspect you were a god on earth. That is exactly what you are to my family, a man who deserves worship. Any other family who you help in your days will undoubtedly see the greatness of your character and I hope they appreciate it; you have risked more for me than I have for myself, and I can never forget that,
I’m unsure what our relationship was or would have been, but I m happy that we had it. Ill miss you here in Nicaragua, and ill keep hope alive that one day you can join us. Until that day I wish your family the best, which I know they will have with you.
All Mattie and Etta talk about it Mr. Tyree, and its obvious Bennie would have loved to meet you. You should see how jealous he gets whenever your brother and sister start up with their stories of you. He is still hurt by my leaving but he’s just so happy to be back with us. I wish you could have met him before we left, but we’ll save that meeting for another day, it’s funny how when I write the person I need to talk to most I cant think of what I want to say. There is so much that goes unspoken between us but is understood by both of us. We connected so fast, and that will last a lifetime. Whether we meet again or not, I need you to know how grateful I am to have met you, and I would do anything for you.
Sincerely,
Mercy
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