"The Need for Human Connections to Sustain a Community"

RESPONSES

  The first work I read for today's (LAST!!) blog posting was the poem, One Art, by Elizabeth Bishop. Her poem is about loss. She talks about losing different things, and as the poem progresses the magnitude of the losses increase as well. The last thing lost must have been something special because this particular loss is a disaster. She begins the poem, speaking of the loss of meaningless things. She is sarcastic in the last stanza, and I think this lends to the gravity of the last loss.

  The second poem I read was by Robert Frost, Mending Wall. In the poem the speaker questions why he and his neighbor must always rebuild the dividing wall between them. It seems to me that the speaker is not fond of the wall, but helps rebuild it every year to appease his neighbor. One thing that touched me about the poem was the line: "To each the boulders that have fallen to each. And some are loaves and some so nearly balls". This line signified to me that the wall dividing the neighbors is not natural. Nature seems to destroy the wall every year, and the men build it again. I think this symbolically says that walls or barriers we create between ourselves and others are not natural. We were not created to ignore one another and be anti social. This is why nature destroys the wall. I think that Frost is trying to say the "something" that doesn't love walls is nature: human nature. True human nature needs community and relations with their neighbors to survive and thrive.

  The last work I read today was the short story, "Roman Fever" by Edith Wharton. The two mothers, Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley, are visiting Rome with their two daughters. Coincidentally, they met in Rome when they were younger and have been "friends" since their younger years. This story centers around them reminiscing about their younger days, and it seems to me that there is some type of animosity between the two ladies. Mrs. Slade held resentment towards Mrs. Ansley over her husband. The climax of the story is reached when Mrs. Ansley reveals that Barbara is not her husband's child but Mrs. Slade's husband. I really liked this ending, and it kept me on my toes until the end.

QUESTIONS

1. What do you think happened after Mrs. Ansley revealed her secret?
2. Why does the main character in Frost's poem continue to build the wall with his neighbor even though he disagrees with it?

CONNECTIONS

• The short story, "Roman Fever" seemed like a plot of a soap opera to me. Where do you think the inspiration of this story came from?

"The Need for Communities to Stand Up for What is Right"

RESPONSES

  The first text I read for today's blog posting was A Model of Christian Charity by John Winthrop. This text was about love and its powers. I think this was a sermon to his community. He talks about the power of God, and how everything happens for a reason. Winthrop tells his congregation to love each other because it is what the Bible says to do. He uses a question and answer section in his sermon to get his point across about different things the community may deal with. I agree with Winthrop. Treating people kind and with love is the best way to go about things. Winthrop uses a biblical foundation to preach about how to be a strong community.

  The next text was by Henry David Thoreau, Resistance to Civil Government. This was about Thoreau's idea that individuals should value their conscience and fairness over the law. In this text he criticizes government and how it has sometimes been oppressive to the people (slavery and wars). I believe that Thoreau did not really like government at all, and felt that society would be better if people just went off of their morals and beliefs of what is right versus always doing what the law says to do. Thoreau disagreed with government so much, that he refused to pay taxes, another measure he felt was oppressive to the people. He ended up spending the night in jail over this. He felt that in both slavery and specifically the Mexican-American War, the government over stepped its boundaries and was aggressive towards the people.  He did not feel that the government had any real legal reason to justify slavery of the Mexican American War. He does not believe in a majority, because the majority is not always right. Thoreau thinks that other Americans should follow his example and just disassociate from government too. 

  Thoreau and Winthrop believe people should follow their morals and always do what is right.  The difference is their reasoning; Winthrop uses the Bible, and Thoreau uses his disapproval of government. 

QUESTIONS

1. Does Thoreau believe that the government will change if the people do? 

CONNECTIONS

• Every time there is a war, some sector of the population disagrees. Do you think Thoreau disagreed with war altogether or the reasons the government decides to pursue it?

"The American Landscape: nature as Inspiration for the Individual"

RESPONSES

  The first poem I read for today's blog posting was Robert Frost, After Apple-Picking. This poem was a tad bit confusing, and it took me several times of reading it to get an understanding. I think that Frost uses apple picking in this poem as a metaphor for his own life. Lines 3-4 describe "barrels" that haven't been filled. I think these lines are symbolic of things in Frost's own life that he was not able to do, or goals he did not achieve. To me, Frost seems to be drowsy or tired: "Of apple picking: I am over tired." I think the main message of this poem that Frost is trying to convey is that of eventual human mortality. I think Frost wants to make sure people get the most out of life.

  The next set of poems I read were by Emily Dickinson. The first poem, Some Keep the Sabbath, was about Dickinson's personal views about organized religion. I think that Dickinson was not too fond of organized religion, although she did view herself as a Christian. In this poem, Dickinson writes how some people are very strict about their religion and their customs. I feel that Dickinson was more relaxed about religion. The second poem was, I taste a Liquor Never Brewed... I think the theme of this poem was Dickinson comparing be inebriated and its affects to her own enjoyment of nature: "I taste a liquor never brewed" Dickinson feels her own "alcohol" (nature) is better than man's brewed alcohol (lines 3-4). The last poem I read by Dickinson was, There's a Certain Slant of Night. I think that this poem was about death. Dickinson feels that sometimes death can be oppressive, but it does not have to always be negative. I think her attitude towards nature is that if admiration and understanding. Dickinson really relates to nature and uses it to symbolize the many phases of life.

  The last work I read for today was the short story, "A White Heron", written by Sarah Orne Jewett. This short story was about a young girl named Sylvia and her love for nature. Sylvia lives with her grandmother in the country. It is evident in the story that she loves the outdoors: "... and she never should wish to go home." While out with the family's cow, she meets a stranger who is hunting for birds. At the dinner table, the stranger describes his longing quest to catch a white heron. Sylvia knows where to find the nest of the white heron, but does not tell the hunter. As the hunter and Sylvia go out in to the woods, she develops a crush on him: "...the woman's heart, asleep in the child, was vaguely thrilled by a dream of love." Throughout the remainder of the story, Sylvia battles with her own childlike crush and her love for nature. She feels that she has a special relationship with the heron, and does not want the hunter to kill it. This story conveys Jewett's own love for nature and her respect for it. Nature plays a big role in Sylvia's life and ultimately wins her heart.

QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think Dickinson had a negative view of organized religion?
2. Why does Sylvia keep the location of the heron's nest a secret? Do you think her grandmother knows that she knows where the bird lives?

CONNECTIONS

• Protecting the environment is a very important topic in today's society. Why do you think human's love and appreciation for nature has declined?

"When your Pursuit of Happiness Conflicts with Another"

  RESPONSES

  This was my first time reading the play, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. I really enjoyed this play. I think that Blanche's demise was partly her own fault. I do however, think that it was initiated by the suicide of her husband. Her husband was her first love, but he betrayed her in marriage; this was made even worse by the fact he betrayed her in homosexuality. Witnessing his betrayal and subsequent suicide was an obvious tragic event and began a downward spiral for Blanche. After his death, she began to look for love in all the wrong places, and had many relations with strangers, to fill the void her husband left. Blanche's reckless actions led to men using her, and her obsession with her physical attributes. This led to her being kicked out of her home town in Laurel, and having to move in with her sister. I think her vulnerableness was very evident, and I believed Stella's husband, Stanley had negative intentions towards Blanche from the very beginning. Stanley went out of his way to be mean to Blanche, and this played a huge role in her mental demise. Stella also plays a role in her sister's demise. Her acceptance of her husband's abuse bothers Blanche: Stella: "But there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark-that sort of make everything else seem-unimportant." Blanche: "What you are talking about is brutal desire-just-Desire!"  This exchange between sisters shows that Stella accepts her husband's abuse, and in a way is attracted to it. She excuses his behavior. I think that Blanche sees a little of herself in Stella during this exchange. She knows how it feels to depend on men, especially for sex. She does not want her sister to become caught up in the physical and ignore the facts of life. When Stanley rapes Blanche, I think this is "the straw that broke the camels back". This is the last act of betrayal that Blanche can handle. The scene outside of the prostiture and the drunkard, is almost a foreshadowing of the assault inside the house. I also noticed that the Polka music would play anytime Blanche is close to losing her sanity. It is the song her and her husband danced to before his suicide, and plays at dramatic moments in the play.
  If I was to rank the main characters in order of likeability, I would rank them: Stella, Blanche, and Stanley. Stella is the most likeable character because of her easy going nature. She is not an alcoholic nor violent. I think her only flaw is her acceptance and ignorance towards her husband's abuse. She was attracted to this side of him, and they have a sort of volatile relationship.Blanche is next on my list. While she does have her flaws, and tells her share of lies, I believe it is because of the traumatic event she experienced with her husband. her subsequent immoral behavior and the loss of the plantation and her job all play a part in her demise, emotionally and mentally. I did not like Stanley's character. He is very blunt and animalistic. He controls Stella, and this is evident from the very first scene when he throws the piece of meat at her. Her neighbors catch the sexual innuendo of this act. His treatment and rape of Blanche show his true cruel nature and lack of respect for women.
  I did not think that justice was served in this play. While life may go on "as usual" for the Kowalskis with Blanche's departure, none of the characters will have a complete life. I do think that Blanche needed mental help to deal with her problems, but the way she carted away, and at the doing of Stanley nonetheless, were not good for her. Stella will continue to live with her abusive husband, ignorant to the fact that he raped her sister. Stanley does not face consequences for his actions during the play, and will probably continue to go on in his brute way.

QUESTIONS

1. Do you think Stanley had evil intentions towards Blanche from her arrival?
2. Would Stella have left Stanley if she was made aware of his assault against her sister?
3. Why doesn't Blanche say anything about her rape? Do you think she really believes Shep is coming to get her, or has she lost all touch with reality by this point?

CONNECTIONS

• Today, there are many medical names and causes of mental illness. Do you think that those committed to mental institutions by their families, are always "crazy"? Or has their family played a role in their demise such as the story with Blanche?

"The Struggle to lean an Authentic Life"

RESPONSES

  The first work I read today was the poem, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, written by T.S. Eliot. This story was about the poem's character Prufrock constantly thinking of what others thought of him. I think that he was anxious about a woman and possibly asking her a serious question; maybe a proposal? (lines 106-110). In stanza 6, Purfrock talks of meeting a woman. However, he is nervous because he thinks he will be judged by his appearance and clothes. I think that he may also be concerned with aging: "With a bald spot in the middle of my hair". Purfrock's thinking is sometimes how we think today. We tend to over analyze ourselves, especially if we are going before a person/or people we have never met before. As the poem continues on Prufrock begins to even doubt if it would matter if he approaches the woman or not. He feels like things are becoming redundant, and he has seen these people before (stanza 7). I think that Prufrock just wants to be accepted. Accepted for being himself, and also not to have his advances rejected.

  The last work I read for today's blog posting was by Allen Ginsberg, a poem called Howl. My first thoughts were: 'WOW." It is very obvious from the opening lines that Ginsberg is upset; he is upset about his generation and its demise. He feels that the "great minds" of his generation have been lost to a multitude of things, and Part I of this poem expresses that. Ginsberg names many things that various people have wasted their lives away with: drugs, sex, alcohol. I think that this poem was written after WWII. Many people after the war were scarred from the war, and some veterans could not get jobs. Also, racism was still a big factor in America at the time. These are just a few of the things that Ginsberg feels his generation has been lost to. Ginsberg feels that conformity and the advent of technology are driving his generation mad. When they deviate from the norms of society they become loss in many different things, and because of this Ginsberg feels they succumb to conformity when they try to retreat back to the norms of society. 

  I think that both authors choose a pessimistic view in their poems to display their frustrations with society. They believe in being one's true self, but society does not alway promote this.

QUESTIONS

1. Why does Prufrock feel like he may be rejected? Is it solely because of his appearance? 
2. Does Ginseng feel that his generation is a lot cause? In his poem we read earlier, he still had hope for America that was represented by the sunflower. Does he still feel like there is hope left?

CONNECTIONS

• Life after a war is not always easy, even if the country returns with a win. Do you think this same sense of "loss" will be seen in our generation after the War in Iraq is completed? Or is conformity at an all time high already?

"The Celebration of Individuality"

RESPONSES

  The first text I read for today's reading was Song of Myself by Walt Whitman. I had a hard time understanding this poem. In the stanzas that I read, I feel that Whitman uses many different examples of individuality. He points out many different people (stanzas 15-16) doing different things. It is also evident that Whitman believes in God, and values him. Whitman is also very content with himself: "I resist anything better than my own diversity". Whitman shows optimism in his opinion of the human race. He believes everyone is created equal, and no one is better than anyone else. I did like this theme of the poem. A line that exemplifies Whitman's idea of power and specialness of individuals is line 520: "Divine am I inside and out, and I make holy whatever I touch or am touch'ed from". 

  The second text I read was by Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Self-Reliance". I was familiar with some of Emerson's other work as well as this passage. Emerson stresses that they key to individuality is following one's on belief, and not conforming to what is popular. A lot of times what is popular is not always what is best for an individual person, and Emerson wants the reader to remember this: "trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string." Both authors celebrate themselves for their non-conformity, and inspire others to do the same: "Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist." It is evident that during Emerson's lifetime he was a non-conformist. He was a chief founder of the Transcendentalist movement, and many of their fundamentals are littered in this essay. Whitman was also a follower of this movement, and sent one his works to Emerson for his opinion. Both authors believe God created human beings to be individuals and that we should celebrate this uniqueness we were created with.

 The last text I read today was "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin. I enjoyed this short story. The story begins with a woman learning the news of her husband's untimely death in a railroad accident. She is in shock and takes some time to her self away from her sister. As she revels in the news, one thing floods her mind: she is free. I assume that she had a hard life living with her husband. Most women would be depressed at the news of their husband's death, however, she is elated. When she leaves the room, she is surprised to see her husband walk through the door. Surprised to the point that she dies. I think that with the death of her husband, the woman felt truly free, in her mind, heart, and soul. When this is taken away from her she can not simply live, having enjoyed that short, but sweet taste of freedom. 

QUESTIONS

1. Do you think that Emerson and Whitman would have rather had death, like the character in Chopin's story, than to lose their individuality?
2. Why does Richard try to shield Louise from her husband?

CONNECTIONS

1. I think that Barlteby's story would have fit just as well in today's blog posting. Do you think it was his non-conformity that eventually led to his death?

"The American Dream: Achievable for All?"

  My personal conception of the "American Dream" is the ability to think of, pursue, and achieve or fail anything that you want to. As Americans we have many freedoms, probably some of the most in the world. While not everyone is born with a "silver spoon in their mouth", anyone is capable of being successful in this country. I will admit though, that I think your upbringing plays a significant part in the EASE of being successful. Many of our countries most successful people did not always come from a rich family. However, it was their ambition, hard work ethic, and blessings that they were able to achieve what they set their minds to. I think that is the beauty of the American dream. Although the journey to success may be different for all of us, it is still a road that we all have the choice to embark upon. 
  I think that Brittney Spears represents the stereotypical American Dream. For many people, their dream or goal in life is to be rich. In our country, often times society and the media play a bog role in equating happiness and success with money. However, this is not always the case. As evident in Spears's own life, money does not equal happiness. While she does have a very lucrative career, making her a millionaire, she went through a period of depression and many questioned whether she would be able to maintain or recover her career. Brittney Spears may have obtained the American Dream according to society, but many times we tend to let this overshadow the downs of life. I feel that becoming a celebrity and rich should not be defined as the American dream. The true American Dream should be reaching your goals you have set for your own life, and being truly happy.
  I feel that the speech in this video clip is partially applicable tot he Younger's life. Each of the characters in the play have their own personal dreams that they are striving to reach in the play. However, many factors, within and outside, of their family unit hold them back from achieving their dreams. One of the main factors holding the Youngers back is the issue of money. From the opening scene of the play, the reader is clued in that the Younger family is waiting on a check. They feel like this check will be a new beginning for them. Walter has dreams of investing, and plans to use the insurance check as his down payment for a liquor store with his "friends" Willy and Bobo. Walter's sister, Beneatha has dreams of going to medical school and becoming a doctor. She is in school now, and hopes to use some of the check to pay her tuition for medical school. Mama and Ruth both want to move out of their cramped apartment, and their plans for the check is to use that for a down payment for a new house. All of the family members dreams seem to be dependent upon this check. Within their household, Walter feels as if no one in the family supports his dreams, especially Ruth. This is a main source of tension between them. When the check arrives, it is almost as if a heavy weight is lifted from their apartment, their lives, and their attitudes. Everyone is in good spirits. When Mama uses part of the check to put a down payment on a new house, every one is excited except for Walter. It is not until Mama entrusts him with the remainder of the money that he is happy. However, he does not listen to Mama and uses all of the money in an investment deal gone wrong. This really upset me. Although I was not surprised, I still felt that it was really selfish and stupid of Walter to do this. His actions directly affected the family, and especially Beneatha, whose tuition money was included in that deal. I was surprised about how the end of the play turned out. I thought that Walter was going to accept the offer from Lindner; I was happy to see that he didn't. I think that Hansberry ended the play like this to show that the Youngers were still a proud people, and that despite their recent monetary setbacks, they would achieve their dreams. Whether they knew it or not, I believe that the first step for any of them to achieving their dreams was moving out of their apartment. If their was a sequal to the play I think that it would be set about 5-10 years int he future. I think that the Youngers would have saved up enough money to send Beneatha off to medical school and she would take Asagai up on his offer to move to Africa. I also think that Ruth would have kept her baby. Walter would have also matured and started to put his family first before his own dreams. 
  Nowadays, I think it takes more than just optimism and determination to fulfill one's dreams. It also takes hard work and maybe most importantly, the acceptance that failures may occur. There are many successful people, who did not become successful on their first, second, or even third attempt at their dream. I think this is what separates the people who become successful from those who do not, how they bounce back from failures and setbacks. I think that the Youngers are people who are able to overcome their setbacks, and this is why they will be able to achieve their own "American Dream". I think that some people's idea of the American dream may have been affected by the recent economic downturn. Many families are now struggling to provide for their loved ones, and live from day to day. I feel that while the American spirit of hard work and determination have not been lost, the goals of the American people have changed. People still want to be successful and be able to provide for their families, but with the economic hardships they just have to work harder and realize that their sense of "comfort" can be taken away from them in the blink if an eye. While I have been blessed to not have been affected by the economy too much, some of my peers have. I can only hope that the economy continues to improve, people get their jobs back, and the American spirit of pride and determination pave the way for many more people to embark upon the journey to their own American Dream.