Journal #14 - E. A. Robinson Poems
Realism – The theory or practice in art and literature of fidelity to nature or to real life and to accurate representation without idealization of the most typical views, details, and surroundings of the subject.
Read the following poems and write a detailed description for each of the title characters and explain how each is an example of the “real” instead of the “ideal.”
“Richard Cory“ (497)
Richard Cory was rich and very smart that everyone was jealous of. His name Richard brings out the term rich and Cory ‘core’. On the outside he is this perfect person, but in his core he is this unhappy person who thinks he has nothing.
Richard Cory was an idealistic image to the townspeople because he was rich and ‘king like’ to them. They thought he had everything, but really Richard Cory felt like he had nothing and was very unhappy so he killed himself.
“Miniver Cheevy” (497)
Miniver sits around fantasizing instead of doing things about it. He wanted to be a knight. His name is like a ‘minimal achiever’. He lived in the past and wanted to be born in a better time period. It became his whole life and became an obsession. His real life is boring and empty. He used alcohol to escape from reality. His ideal life was in his fantasy life with knights.
“Mr. Flood’s Party” (498)
Mr.Flood is lonely so he is drowning himself with drinking. He is ‘flooding’ himself with it. He could have alienated his friends with his behavior or they have all died. Mr.Flood has been caught in an area of change and he has been left behind. He is also living in the past which is ideal. His real life is sad, lonely, and drunk.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Journal #13
Journal #13 – Edgar Lee Masters Epitaphs (p. 502)
Read “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” and answer the following questions.
1. What object symbolizes George Gray’s life? How is this object representative of him?
The boat with the furled sail represents his life. His sail was not opened and his boat left at the harbor, so he didn’t take chances that he could have. He ship didn’t ‘set sail’ so he missed his opportunity on love and missed out on his ambitions. If he had unfurled his sail and let it take him where destiny wanted to then his life would have had more meaning. Because his sail was furled, his life didn’t have any meaning and he didn’t take any chances that he should have to of had a more fulfilled life. Don’t let your fear overcome your desire.
2. How was Lucinda Matlock’s life different than George Gray’s? How do you interepret the last line of the poem?
It seems Lucinda actually led a good life and was happy where as George seemed to wish he had gotten married and done more in his life. I think the last line is saying that you need to experience life to fully understand how great it is and too love it. If you just sit back and don’t take initiative you will not be happy with your life, but if you are like Lucinda who went out, married, danced in fields, sang to green valleys she actually experienced a part of life and was happy and loved life.
3. How are “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” examples of realism?
They both expressed realism because they both were about average people living their lives. Even though George was unhappy and Lucinda was happy, both are examples of people living typial lives. Both these people aren’t really special people, but rather people who experienced life in different ways.
Read “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” and answer the following questions.
1. What object symbolizes George Gray’s life? How is this object representative of him?
The boat with the furled sail represents his life. His sail was not opened and his boat left at the harbor, so he didn’t take chances that he could have. He ship didn’t ‘set sail’ so he missed his opportunity on love and missed out on his ambitions. If he had unfurled his sail and let it take him where destiny wanted to then his life would have had more meaning. Because his sail was furled, his life didn’t have any meaning and he didn’t take any chances that he should have to of had a more fulfilled life. Don’t let your fear overcome your desire.
2. How was Lucinda Matlock’s life different than George Gray’s? How do you interepret the last line of the poem?
It seems Lucinda actually led a good life and was happy where as George seemed to wish he had gotten married and done more in his life. I think the last line is saying that you need to experience life to fully understand how great it is and too love it. If you just sit back and don’t take initiative you will not be happy with your life, but if you are like Lucinda who went out, married, danced in fields, sang to green valleys she actually experienced a part of life and was happy and loved life.
3. How are “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” examples of realism?
They both expressed realism because they both were about average people living their lives. Even though George was unhappy and Lucinda was happy, both are examples of people living typial lives. Both these people aren’t really special people, but rather people who experienced life in different ways.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Journal #12
Journal #12 - “Young Goodman Brown”
1. “Young Goodman Brown” is an allegory (symbolic narrative). What do the following represent?
Young Goodman Brown – He represents a person with good intentions, but an inclination to sin
Faith – Faith in religion and humanity
The Elderly Traveller/Fellow-Traveller – Temptation/ the Devil
Goody Cloyse – Hypocrisy or two-faced person
The Ceremony – represents a person’s transition from innocence to realization of sin
The Pink Ribbon – represents purity
Young Goodman Brown’s Journey – A person’s journey through innocence to temptation and the experience they had. Shows that other people can add to the journey
2. Identify the following for “Young Goodman Brown”:
Theme Message of Theme Element Used to Establish
Sin Humanity is Evil the plot and conflict
In addition, provide three direct quotes from the story that address your theme.
“My Faith is gone!...There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given” (6).
“Depending upon one another’s hearts, ye had still hoped that virtue were not all a dream. Now are ye undeceived. Evil is the nature of mankind. Evil must be your only happiness. Welcome again, my children, to the communion of your race.” (8)
“Still rushing onward with the instinct that guides mortal man to evil”
1. “Young Goodman Brown” is an allegory (symbolic narrative). What do the following represent?
Young Goodman Brown – He represents a person with good intentions, but an inclination to sin
Faith – Faith in religion and humanity
The Elderly Traveller/Fellow-Traveller – Temptation/ the Devil
Goody Cloyse – Hypocrisy or two-faced person
The Ceremony – represents a person’s transition from innocence to realization of sin
The Pink Ribbon – represents purity
Young Goodman Brown’s Journey – A person’s journey through innocence to temptation and the experience they had. Shows that other people can add to the journey
2. Identify the following for “Young Goodman Brown”:
Theme Message of Theme Element Used to Establish
Sin Humanity is Evil the plot and conflict
In addition, provide three direct quotes from the story that address your theme.
“My Faith is gone!...There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil; for to thee is this world given” (6).
“Depending upon one another’s hearts, ye had still hoped that virtue were not all a dream. Now are ye undeceived. Evil is the nature of mankind. Evil must be your only happiness. Welcome again, my children, to the communion of your race.” (8)
“Still rushing onward with the instinct that guides mortal man to evil”
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Journal # 11
Journal 11 - Selections from Walden
Write a summary of the following selections and identify a direct quote that you feel best expresses its main idea.
“Where I Lived and What I Lived For” (232)
This excerpt talks about the necessity of simplicity in our lives and how living a life with too many possessions is unessesary. He talks about the advancements humans are making, and he is against them because he wants to keep a simple life for people. He is saying that advancements, such as railroads, are pushing humans too far from their natural lifestyle.
Quote: “Simplicity, Simplicity, Simplicity” and “We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.”
“Sounds” (234)
Walden talks about all the sounds he heard while actually listening to the world. He loved to just sit out without doing working or seeing anyone and just being peaceful. He was able to stop his life for a little bit and just take a step back from his busy life. He loves life and thinks its an adventure. He doesn’t think nature is a waste of time and its wonderful to sit their and just listen to the sounds.
Quote: “it was morning, and lo, now it is evening, and nothing memorable is accomplished.”
“Brute Neighbors” (235)
A red ant was fighting a black ant that was half an inch longer. They were wrestling with each other and it look not like a duel but a war. It was between two raises of ants (red and black). The black were so big it was frequently found that two red ants equaled one black. The red ants stood for republicans and black ants stand for imperialists. Then a red ant came to the full of excitement. He could see the unfair battle but he charged ready to fight. He ripped the body parts out of the black ant that was nearly twice his size. The man witnessing it was excited to see the minority party that the red ant was representing coming back. The man never found out which party won nor the cause of the war but he was excited to witness the battle before his door.
Quote: “I was surprised to find that the chips were covered with such combatants, that it was not a duellium, but a bellum, a war between two races of ants, the red always pitted ones to one black” ……. “It was the only battle which I have ever witnessed, the only battlefield I ever trod while the battle was raging; internecine war; the red republicans on the one, and the black imperialists on the other.”
“The Pond in Winter” (237)
Nature, in which all creatures live and flourish, offers no questions. It only gives the answer of pure beauty. Humans do not have to ask Mother Nature to provide wonder and awe, she just shows her true colors through the earth and animals. A pond in winter is beautiful because of its ability to be different, yet underneath the sheet of ice, its orginial beauty is still preserved through all seasons of the year. Life is beauty through any kind of weather.
Quote: “Heaven is under our feet as well as over our head”
“Spring” (238)
It is talking about the beginning of Spring, and what Walden goes through in the beginning of Spring. It looks majestic and alive and beholds a great summer ahead. The geese are circling it, and different animals are coming alive. He is saying that Walden is like the beginning of new life with great chaos in it. It’s a time of new beginnings and happiness.
Quote: “As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is life the creaytion of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.”
Write a summary of the following selections and identify a direct quote that you feel best expresses its main idea.
“Where I Lived and What I Lived For” (232)
This excerpt talks about the necessity of simplicity in our lives and how living a life with too many possessions is unessesary. He talks about the advancements humans are making, and he is against them because he wants to keep a simple life for people. He is saying that advancements, such as railroads, are pushing humans too far from their natural lifestyle.
Quote: “Simplicity, Simplicity, Simplicity” and “We do not ride on the railroad; it rides upon us.”
“Sounds” (234)
Walden talks about all the sounds he heard while actually listening to the world. He loved to just sit out without doing working or seeing anyone and just being peaceful. He was able to stop his life for a little bit and just take a step back from his busy life. He loves life and thinks its an adventure. He doesn’t think nature is a waste of time and its wonderful to sit their and just listen to the sounds.
Quote: “it was morning, and lo, now it is evening, and nothing memorable is accomplished.”
“Brute Neighbors” (235)
A red ant was fighting a black ant that was half an inch longer. They were wrestling with each other and it look not like a duel but a war. It was between two raises of ants (red and black). The black were so big it was frequently found that two red ants equaled one black. The red ants stood for republicans and black ants stand for imperialists. Then a red ant came to the full of excitement. He could see the unfair battle but he charged ready to fight. He ripped the body parts out of the black ant that was nearly twice his size. The man witnessing it was excited to see the minority party that the red ant was representing coming back. The man never found out which party won nor the cause of the war but he was excited to witness the battle before his door.
Quote: “I was surprised to find that the chips were covered with such combatants, that it was not a duellium, but a bellum, a war between two races of ants, the red always pitted ones to one black” ……. “It was the only battle which I have ever witnessed, the only battlefield I ever trod while the battle was raging; internecine war; the red republicans on the one, and the black imperialists on the other.”
“The Pond in Winter” (237)
Nature, in which all creatures live and flourish, offers no questions. It only gives the answer of pure beauty. Humans do not have to ask Mother Nature to provide wonder and awe, she just shows her true colors through the earth and animals. A pond in winter is beautiful because of its ability to be different, yet underneath the sheet of ice, its orginial beauty is still preserved through all seasons of the year. Life is beauty through any kind of weather.
Quote: “Heaven is under our feet as well as over our head”
“Spring” (238)
It is talking about the beginning of Spring, and what Walden goes through in the beginning of Spring. It looks majestic and alive and beholds a great summer ahead. The geese are circling it, and different animals are coming alive. He is saying that Walden is like the beginning of new life with great chaos in it. It’s a time of new beginnings and happiness.
Quote: “As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is life the creaytion of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.”
Monday, January 2, 2012
Journal #10
Journal #10
Othello’s Insight
Write a one paragraph response to the following question:
Often at the end of a play, Shakespeare’s tragic heroes often have a moment of insight. What is Othello’s insight? Look closely at Othello’s last speech before answering this question.
Othello realizes many things when he makes his last speech. His major insight is of how he once had everything he wanted and then how fast it was taken away from him. He hated himself for what he had done to ones he loved. Regret was another big thing that he realized he had. He regretted not trusting his loving wife, but instead trusting a fickle friend who only wanted whats best for himself. Even though he had a whole life of regret he noted that the army would be in good hands with Cassio and he soon would be with his dead wife Desdemona. Othello was full of remorse for his wife, but he still really wanted to be recognized as the man he was before and not the actions he had previously taken.
Othello’s Insight
Write a one paragraph response to the following question:
Often at the end of a play, Shakespeare’s tragic heroes often have a moment of insight. What is Othello’s insight? Look closely at Othello’s last speech before answering this question.
Othello realizes many things when he makes his last speech. His major insight is of how he once had everything he wanted and then how fast it was taken away from him. He hated himself for what he had done to ones he loved. Regret was another big thing that he realized he had. He regretted not trusting his loving wife, but instead trusting a fickle friend who only wanted whats best for himself. Even though he had a whole life of regret he noted that the army would be in good hands with Cassio and he soon would be with his dead wife Desdemona. Othello was full of remorse for his wife, but he still really wanted to be recognized as the man he was before and not the actions he had previously taken.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Journal #9
Free Will - The power of making free choices that are unconstrained by external circumstances or by an agency such as fate or divine will.
Iago: “'tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our
gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners” (1.3 361-3).
Determinism - The philosophical doctrine that every event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of antecedents, such as genetic and environmental influences, that are independent of the human will.
Othello: “Yet ‘tis the plague of great ones … ‘tis destiny unshunnable, like
death” (3.3 313-16).
Iago is talking about free will in his quote. Iago believes that people can be manipulated, but in the end it is the persons final choice in his decision. No outside forces can change your decision. At the end of the day it is that persons choice.Someone can try and make you change your mind, but it still becomes your choice when the time comes. Free will is affected by many outside forces, but the external forces cannot make the decision for you that can only be you.
Othello's quote is the definition of determinism. He believes your fate is decided even before you were born and everything you do after is because it was already determined before you did it. You cannot change your fate. Othello knows that death is predetermined also and you can't escape it cause when your time comes its over. God already has a plan that we don't know, but everything we do is our fate and we cannot change it. Our lives aren't in our hands.
Iago: “'tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. Our bodies are our
gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners” (1.3 361-3).
Determinism - The philosophical doctrine that every event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of antecedents, such as genetic and environmental influences, that are independent of the human will.
Othello: “Yet ‘tis the plague of great ones … ‘tis destiny unshunnable, like
death” (3.3 313-16).
Iago is talking about free will in his quote. Iago believes that people can be manipulated, but in the end it is the persons final choice in his decision. No outside forces can change your decision. At the end of the day it is that persons choice.Someone can try and make you change your mind, but it still becomes your choice when the time comes. Free will is affected by many outside forces, but the external forces cannot make the decision for you that can only be you.
Othello's quote is the definition of determinism. He believes your fate is decided even before you were born and everything you do after is because it was already determined before you did it. You cannot change your fate. Othello knows that death is predetermined also and you can't escape it cause when your time comes its over. God already has a plan that we don't know, but everything we do is our fate and we cannot change it. Our lives aren't in our hands.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Journal #8
5. To be great is to be misunderstood.
Emerson is saying that if you want to be someone recognized you need to do something that no one has thought of and would think of doing. To be great, you need to do something out of the ordinary that an onlooker would think was different. However, being different should be your goal rather than normal. If you would like to accomplish great feats, you will need to think outside the box which will cause you to be misunderstood. If everyone goes through life the same way, no one will be different. But, if you are not afraid to put yourself out there and be fearless of what people think then you will be great.
13. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
In this aphorism Emerson is saying that you should always try new things. Your whole life you should not focus on just one experience, but rather try many new things and you will have a better life. If you keep trying new things you will find new experiences you might like a lot better which will make you a happier person. Every experience you try will make you a better person and make your life that much better. If you live your life doing one thing you might be living a boring life, but if you expand your horizons and experiment you can change your life.
14. The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
Emerson is saying that you must be nice and kind to people if you want people to like you. No one wants to be friends with someone who is mean and negative. If you are a friend, you will be nice, kind and supportive to get friends and to keep your friends. If you apply the Golden Rule to this-“Do on to others as you would want them to do on to you”- it makes sense. If you do not one someone being mean to you or treating you badly, then do not treat them with disrespect and in return you will have friends.
Emerson is saying that if you want to be someone recognized you need to do something that no one has thought of and would think of doing. To be great, you need to do something out of the ordinary that an onlooker would think was different. However, being different should be your goal rather than normal. If you would like to accomplish great feats, you will need to think outside the box which will cause you to be misunderstood. If everyone goes through life the same way, no one will be different. But, if you are not afraid to put yourself out there and be fearless of what people think then you will be great.
13. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.
In this aphorism Emerson is saying that you should always try new things. Your whole life you should not focus on just one experience, but rather try many new things and you will have a better life. If you keep trying new things you will find new experiences you might like a lot better which will make you a happier person. Every experience you try will make you a better person and make your life that much better. If you live your life doing one thing you might be living a boring life, but if you expand your horizons and experiment you can change your life.
14. The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.
Emerson is saying that you must be nice and kind to people if you want people to like you. No one wants to be friends with someone who is mean and negative. If you are a friend, you will be nice, kind and supportive to get friends and to keep your friends. If you apply the Golden Rule to this-“Do on to others as you would want them to do on to you”- it makes sense. If you do not one someone being mean to you or treating you badly, then do not treat them with disrespect and in return you will have friends.
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