Some of my favorites from the “Making Literature Matter” textbook were “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, and “Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin. Before this class I’ve never heard of Kate Chopin, but I liked all of her short stories that was in the text. I think that Chopin is a very interesting author, and that her work is controversial, largely because of the expected role of a woman during her time period (the late 1800’s). Some of the stories that I did not like in the text were “A Good Man is Hard to Find” and some of the plays by Edgar Allen Poe, because I couldn’t really grasp the meaning of what the author was trying to say and I’m not really interested in those types of genres. Also, when reading work by Edgar Allen Poe, it seems like I’m always trying to translate words just so that I can understand the text. When one of the assignments required that I do some research on Poe to learn if Poe’s writings reflects situations from his life, I found out that he has been through a lot as a child, from the death of his mother when he was infant, to watching his whole family succumb to tuberculosis. I didn’t even realize that tuberculosis was that bad back then. So I definitely thought that the events that took place in Poe’s life effected his work.
There are a lot of stories in the “Making Literature Matter” text that I did not get a chance to read yet, so instead of selling the book back to the book store I’m going to continue reading it. Some of the text that I would reread would be mainly poems so that I can understand them more deeply.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Final Blog
Out of all of the texts that we’ve read over the course of this semester, I have a few favorites: “Everyday Use,” “Commitments,” and “A Chinese Banquet.” I feel that I could definitely use a better understanding of Sylvia Plath’s “Daddy.” I found that poem intriguing, yet confusing! I would consider reading that one again simply to attempt to gain a deeper understanding of it. It seems to encompass so many different aspects of the not only the relationship she had with her father, but also with Germany, and of, the struggles she has dealt with since his death. I think this poem would be a good subject for a live classroom discussion because of its complexities. I could see how various people would potentially take away many different interpretations of it, and it would be interesting to see that play out in a classroom setting.
Final Blog
This blog is a collection of your impressions about the literature you’ve read over the course of the semester. Do you have favorites? Those texts about which you feel you could still use a deeper understanding? Those that you would consider reading again?
During this semester we had a lot of stories and most I liked but there were some that stood out the most. My favorite the whole semester was A Doll House. I dreaded reading it because it was so long, but now, I'm glad I read it. I really liked the struggle of the woman in the story, trying to save her family and Husband and then like the jerk he is, gets angry for her doing what she had to save her family. But she shows her strength by leaving and standing on her own two feet. I didn't like the fact that she abandonded her kids, but it just shows another form of her new found strength and power.
I also liked The Thing They Carried. It was well written and had great symbolism in a dismal, harsh setting. It just goes to show, love can bring you up in situation but in other situations it can bring you down and weigh on you. There's a time and place for everything.
I would like a deeper understanding of Where are you going, Where have you been? I remember reading it and my friend was sitting in the room with me. She was entertained by my reactions through out the whole story. I think I scared her when I yelled, "What?" The ending was very confusing for me. I tried looking up analysis' by other people on the story and they assumed that Arnold Friend was symbolic for the pop culture and music industry she was into. But me, I still look at it and question, was it really a man that invaded her home or was it all in her head, a dream, or personal struggle. Still confused...
I would definately read A Doll House again. It was a very good story about the lengths a woman would go to save her husband and the ungratefulness of his rescue. It really irritates me when a man is unappreciative of what a woman does for him. It makes me angry when women are taken advantage of and told, "No, you can't do that. You belong in the home." It irritates me to no end. I'm a girl who has dreams and aspirations to make something of myself, not be trapped as a housewife. I'm a worker and the idea of a man trapping his wife into the home, not teaching her, not respecting her and what she goes through to save her family, blaming her for ruining him because of his own selfishness just irritates me to the bone. I loved the part when she left him dumbfounded and walked out of his house never to return. I wopuld love to see this play in person. I think it would be great.
During this semester we had a lot of stories and most I liked but there were some that stood out the most. My favorite the whole semester was A Doll House. I dreaded reading it because it was so long, but now, I'm glad I read it. I really liked the struggle of the woman in the story, trying to save her family and Husband and then like the jerk he is, gets angry for her doing what she had to save her family. But she shows her strength by leaving and standing on her own two feet. I didn't like the fact that she abandonded her kids, but it just shows another form of her new found strength and power.
I also liked The Thing They Carried. It was well written and had great symbolism in a dismal, harsh setting. It just goes to show, love can bring you up in situation but in other situations it can bring you down and weigh on you. There's a time and place for everything.
I would like a deeper understanding of Where are you going, Where have you been? I remember reading it and my friend was sitting in the room with me. She was entertained by my reactions through out the whole story. I think I scared her when I yelled, "What?" The ending was very confusing for me. I tried looking up analysis' by other people on the story and they assumed that Arnold Friend was symbolic for the pop culture and music industry she was into. But me, I still look at it and question, was it really a man that invaded her home or was it all in her head, a dream, or personal struggle. Still confused...
I would definately read A Doll House again. It was a very good story about the lengths a woman would go to save her husband and the ungratefulness of his rescue. It really irritates me when a man is unappreciative of what a woman does for him. It makes me angry when women are taken advantage of and told, "No, you can't do that. You belong in the home." It irritates me to no end. I'm a girl who has dreams and aspirations to make something of myself, not be trapped as a housewife. I'm a worker and the idea of a man trapping his wife into the home, not teaching her, not respecting her and what she goes through to save her family, blaming her for ruining him because of his own selfishness just irritates me to the bone. I loved the part when she left him dumbfounded and walked out of his house never to return. I wopuld love to see this play in person. I think it would be great.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Final Blog
After looking back at all the literature we covered over the semester I would say I had two favorite poems; "Wild Nights-Wild Nights” and “Let me not to the marriage of true minds.” I had two favorite short stories; The Things They Carried and Everyday Use. There is one text that sticks out in my mind that I feel I could use a deeper understanding. “A Good Mind is Hard to Find”, had a lot of elements that I missed the first time I read it. The ending was grotesque and completely caught me off guard. I’m sure I missed the point that the author was trying to make. I really enjoy poetry so I would consider reading all the poetry again that we covered over the semester.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Final Blog
During the course I have read many interesting pieces of literature that I enjoyed. I thought the readings assigned were very good for getting involved to express our opinions as a class. It's good to read literature, and analyze it by using various types of literary analysis. During the course reading passages, and using the different forms of analysis really helped me understand the story from a deeper perspective. If I had to pick some favorites I would have to say Tim O Brain, "The Things They Carried," was a very emotional passage for me to read. Its funny how you can connect to a story, and relate it to real life scenarios. I thought it was very vivid, and explained everything in perfect detail to get perfect visual images. It is always interesting to read about war stories. It gives us a better understanding of how it really is while at war, and makes us appreciate the world that we live in, and not take advantage of the small things in life that matter the most. It brought so much emotion in me while reading it because these men and women are fighting for our freedom, and the only thing they have are the small things to cherish, and hold onto during the process that can potential kill them like the few men that died in the story. This is one of the short stories I really enjoyed, and would definitely read again. We were not assigned the Poem "Do Not Go Gentle into that That Good Night," but I read it and really enjoyed it. I think its pretty popular, but it has so much meaning behind it. I think its a very encouraging poem. Its about death and dying, but when examined closer, it becomes apparent that it is also about life and how it is lived. I think many people can appreciate this poem, and be able to connect with it some way.I didn't know the meaning at first until I picked it apart by using New Criticism. By doing so it gave me a deeper understanding of the terms. I also really enjoyed the play "A Doll House," this was a very drama filled story that could be misunderstood in many ways. I would love to see the play it would probably be very good. It really got my mind thinking many different thoughts. This was a great piece of literature that I think many people should at least read once. I had to read it twice to gain the full knowledge I needed to understand it. If I had to read all of these over again I would. I read a few poems that I didn't like, but the majority of the short stories I loved, and plays. I think literature brings out so many different feelings, and its great to express how you feel, and relate it to others and see their views.
Final Blog
There is a few favorite stories that I read this semester that I would not mind reading again.
I remember reading "The things they carried" and finding so many meanings to it. To me it was odd, because usually I don't do that, I'm not the type to think out side the box and figure out the meanings, but for this story it was so easy.
Also the poem "A Chinese banquet" was also a memorable piece. It was interesting to read about a gay couple and how their families do not accept them. I've always wondered what they have to go through with their families, and this poem gave me one scenario of what they go through.
And lastly, "A Good man is Hard to Find" was also a favorite story to read. Its a favorite because of the unexpected ending. I was shocked when the misfit ends up killing everyone, I really thought he was going to end up being that "good man" that is hard to find.
These are just my top 3 favorite literature that we read this semester, there was others that I liked as well but I was able to connect with some of these or their are my favorite because it was entertaining for me to read.
I remember reading "The things they carried" and finding so many meanings to it. To me it was odd, because usually I don't do that, I'm not the type to think out side the box and figure out the meanings, but for this story it was so easy.
Also the poem "A Chinese banquet" was also a memorable piece. It was interesting to read about a gay couple and how their families do not accept them. I've always wondered what they have to go through with their families, and this poem gave me one scenario of what they go through.
And lastly, "A Good man is Hard to Find" was also a favorite story to read. Its a favorite because of the unexpected ending. I was shocked when the misfit ends up killing everyone, I really thought he was going to end up being that "good man" that is hard to find.
These are just my top 3 favorite literature that we read this semester, there was others that I liked as well but I was able to connect with some of these or their are my favorite because it was entertaining for me to read.
Final Blog
I would have to say that my favorite stories and pieces we read were Oleanna and The Doll House because they seem to push the envelope for the times they were written in. They were both shocking and eye opening in some sense, revealing that matters are clearly not black and white, good or bad, sometimes there are murky gray areas people must understand are part of life. For example, the mantra in Oleanna is, in a nutshell, no matter which side you pick, you're wrong. Whether one sides with the student or the teacher, both are riddled with wrong actions at times. In the end, it requires a deep analysis and validation to really prove support for one side or the other. That is the amazing thing about literature.
With respect to The Doll House, the question hinges on Nora Helmer and whether she is a true feminist figure or not. Arguments can really be compelling for both sides, but the story is captivating. Deceit, can be very ugly, and this is the theme I picked up through this read. In the end, it was very interesting to read these two stories and analyze them from so many different critical lenses.
With respect to The Doll House, the question hinges on Nora Helmer and whether she is a true feminist figure or not. Arguments can really be compelling for both sides, but the story is captivating. Deceit, can be very ugly, and this is the theme I picked up through this read. In the end, it was very interesting to read these two stories and analyze them from so many different critical lenses.
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