The first week of school i missed class. So I had to play catch up. For our discussion forum we had to interact with other class mates and create our blog web site. Then discuss what we think literature was.
Week 2:
This week I made it to class and I met my teacher. From that moment I knew I was going to like this class. We read short fictional stories and dealt with aspects of irony. We also talked about character dynamic and read a short story titled A&P and discussed it in class.
Week 3:
We were given the assignment of reading the lottery story, Magical realism and tell tale heart. This is what I thought of them.
Lottery- The lottery had an event where they stone someone to death each year. This is the twist in the story. It was an unusual tradition that not many have heard of. Although everyone participated in this event, no one wanted to be the one to get stoned. This is the ironic part of the story. We all have traditions that we celebrate every year. Some people follow them more closely than others. The lottery is one I wouldn’t want to be a part of.
Magical realism- The author uses large words and descriptive adjectives to put his point across. They also show their fondness for him by making his funeral a memorable one for all time. The fairytale character like the giant makes this a magical realism. Bringing together fable characters and a realistic world creates a picture or mental image of a world that could be understood and accepted by people. Giving human qualities to non human figures we can relate to.
Tell Tale Heart- In most of Allan Poe's narratives he uses many dark and disturbing words, phrases, and images to show the reader a deeper meaning of what he is trying explain. In this story the character immediately says he is mad. The character also describes how a disease is acting on his body and senses. There is a sentence that describes death. It says "All in vain." Death is approaching him. So I would think the character is a little afraid.
This week we had our first essay due. It was a noir essay. I think this was the best essay I have done in the class the whole semester because I was able to use my creative side and come up with an interesting story. We worked on a short rough draft in class and Saw a movie called china ton. I ad never seen a movie like this before and didn't know what to expect. The movie was very interesting and cought my attention. It was probably my favorite movie in the class.
Week4: Cultural Icon, Dedication in a worn path, and exploring initial reactions were the assigned reading.
Cultural icon- An item that represents and identifies my culture would be I guess a Cuban flag. Although I have Cuban in me I don't consider myself to be a true Cuban. I don't have a Cuban flag anywhere around my house. My Family in general does not have a specific item or possession that represents my family history. Honestly I don't have much family here. I only have my immediate family which includes my parents, sisters grandparents and uncles and aunts. I have no cousins or relatives living here. There is something that I do consider to be important. People who I consider to be Best friends are not really friends to me. My best friends are my family. I think of them as cousins or siblings. So I say friendship represents and identifies my culture.
Dedication on a worn path- Phoenix endures a long trip to retrieve medication through a frozen morning for her grandson. Along the way she is challenged by a number of obstacles. She faces animals, bad terrain and boundary areas. Her love is so strong that she can endure harsh treatment in order to do whatever it takes for her grandson.
Exploring initial reaction- The Jilting of Granny made me see how angry and bitter she was. She was only like that because she has been through a lot and because she lost those close to her. This made me somewhat sad. I guess she felt alone but she wasn’t ready to die. Although she was old, she still had more to do in life and it was unfortunate for her to go through that.
Week 5: This was our first poetry assignment. This week we discussed the many types of poetry and different aspect they have. We where given asignments on ars poetica, digging, tone, free verse, and level of diction.
Ars Poetica- Poetry can be anything you want it to be. It can be about love, pain, a story, a philosophy, a thought. It is the best way to be creative. To say what you feel. To mean what you say and say what you mean.
Digging- Words like I’ll dig with it, He will write with it.
His pen will dig. He talks about his dad and grandfather. He talks about how his pen is better than a gun. I guess how the pen is mightier than the sword. He doesn’t want to dig for a living like his family has. He wants to use his talent in writing to be his greatest ally. To work as a writer and not work doing something he does not want to do.
Tone- The tone to me is sad, and upset. This is expressed in a few words of feelings unhappy. Her family doesn't see the good things she has done. They judge her and look down upon her actions.
Free Verse- The writer describes what they feel. There is no real rhyme scheme. No particular pattern in length of stanza. The line breaks suggests where they start to write and where they stop. Talks freely about their emotions.
Level of diction- The grammar and level of speech is to express in detail the way he feels. He hates the way he was treated.
Week 6: was our second essay. It was comparing and cotrasting two poems in the vintage book of african american poetry. There were a few poems that I had herd before from when I was in middle school. I think I did pretty good on my essay. I got a B on it and had some good comments on my paper. For the next few weeks it was going to be alot of peotry reading.
Week 7: We started on shakespeare's sonnets and other poetry as well.
Shakespeare sonnets- Shakespeare is thought to be one of the greatest writers and poets ever. Often his poems are about love. His sonnets are his masterpieces. I always find it weird when someone is noticed and becomes famous after they die. Shakespeare's plays have emotion, his poems show a message and answer about something.
Blake's Lamb and Tyger- We discussed these in class. I thought that the tiger is portrayed as the dominant figure where as the lamb was the easy target, easy prey or sacrifice. The tiger strikes fear to the person who looks at it up close and its roar shakes your bones and makes them weak. The lamb does not seem to be a either strong or weak. The lamb is a symbol of tranquility and good. The lamb would not hurt anyone.
Beauty- It can mean many things. Truth is beauty could be something truly beautiful is special. We only know how to look at beautiful things. Beauty is more than just skin deep. To look at things as truly beautiful no matter what it looks like. True Beauty
Ozymandias- The irony is where the king has all the power and authority to command his kingdom and country. Its ironic that he ignores the words thats were written on his pedestal. He says that the words are not there. He loses his powers over time. Ignoring the words and the message.
Wordsworth- I think he means we take things for granted. We don't appreciate things. We don't give back or help out. We only care about our selves. We are greedy and in a way don't deserve many things we have. We don't maintain or fix anything only when it affect us.
Week 8: Poetry, Poetry, And More Poetry. We got more into depth of poetry with Harlem, We rel cool, and empowerment.
Harlem- This has to be about dreams and the importance of them. They can help give hope, inspire, encourage, and have meaning. African americans went through slavery and dreams are what kept them alive and gave them hope for a better tomorrow. Do dreams live forever or do they fade away. Like the dried raisin, dreams can become old but dried raisins are still taste good. Positive looks on negative outcomes just like slavery.
Reflection- Real cool was an interesting piece of literature. This does relate to the present. Kids are doing stupid things to try and act or seem cool in front of others. Things such as gangs or even a group of friends can make people do idiotic things to be noticed. This can lead to early death and suffering. Also peer preasure can be a factor. If you see someone doing things they shouldn't you would want to do it also to make yourself seem cool for doing it. I think if you need to do stupid things to be noticed then your not being true to yourself.
Empowerment- This poem is a way to show her strong woman side. Her hips reflect to her attitude. She is very confident and proud of her heritage and where she comes from. Other aspect show her strength and position as a female in the world. She can handle and take care of herself and shows independence.
Week 9: Last week of poetry. This week is war, elegy, Love in the modern world, and emperor of ice cream.
War- War is death. War is a very sad and dark genre. It brings sadness and dispare. The Turret poem shows how war was a serious part of history. The Gun turret on the plane was destroyed from heavy gun fire. The man operating the machine died. Now his family will suffer the loss of a son and family member. It affects alot of people.
Elegy-
I hope I never have to make an elegy for anyone I know. Usually an elegy talks about the person's life and ho they lived it. People try to talk about memorable things they did and how they were. I have listened to a few elegies at funeral of friends and family members that have died. Its hard not to cry when you listen to it. usually its a speech.
Love in Modern World- This is T.S. Elliot's dramatic monologue " Love song of J. Alfred Prufrock." Things used alot are symbolism and metaphor. Talks about a one night stand in a hotel room where the women comes in and talk about Michael Angelo. i think it was more abut lust than love.
The Emperor of Ice Cream- I think the emperor of ice-cream is a dead woman. Ice cream is cold and so was the woman. She may have been cold hearted and would whip men and cause them pain. As a result she dies as part of her karma. She may have been a type of slut when it refers to a wench and dawdling in a dress.
Week 10: Drama. We discuss various types of drama and theater. Role of theater in society, the characters of oedipus rex and a review.
The role of theater in society- Back in ancient greek and roman times, theater was one of the main ways to entertain and fave fun. Today it still is a part of entertainment but is not as a big part anymore. Now for entertainment we watch tv which is a type of theater but not like the ones in ancient past. I have been to several theater plays. I have seen the nut cracker ballet and others. I would like to go see circde sole.
Characters of Oedipus rex- it seems everyone liked oedipus the most. Oedipus was the most interesting character. His out come was his own ignorance. People are more likely to like the main character the most because the story is centered around them. Oedipus is the main focus of the story and his blasphemy turned to tragedy. edited by ramon.brea001 on 4/24/2009 3:08 AM
Review- The overall play was beautifully done. I hated the dialect and slow pase of it though. It would seem to lose my attention and interest. If it was anything like the movie Hamlet we saw it would have stuck better to me.
Week 11: This week was all about revenge and Hamlet. Hamlet was a big tragedy and was filled with nothing but death left and right.
Revenge- Revenge is a never ending circle of death and destruction. It will continue until someone decides not to avenge any one or want revenge for something done. Tragedy is the theme behind revenge.
Week 12: was our last week of drama before our next essay. I checked to make sure I submitted it but there was an error when I tried to look at it on Angel. I hope the teacher allows me to resubmit it. I don't want to get a bad grade and not pass the class. I don't want to be careless and slack the last few weeks of class. I want a good grade for the class.
Our final research paper is due friday and I'm almost done with it. It can be about anything we have learned in the course and explain in detail what we understand about it and what we have learned. I think mine will be more about the first few weeks of class because We had enouht poetry and drama in the class as it is. Noir and short fiction stories are easier to write about and express what I have learned. The paper has to be 5 pages long so I have alot to talk abot. Hopefully I can do all 5 required pages.
