Another poet I like! (Wow! A 200% increase in this semester!)
To me the last line of the 2nd section is what "Sone of Myself" is about: "You shall listen to all sides and filter them from you self." While reading the rest of "Song of Myself" this seems to be a major point for Whitman.
Another major theme of Whitman's is death. But not in a bad or depressing way. Whitman holds no fear of death (at least he claims in his writings.) It gives hope. "They are alive and well womewhere/The smallest sprout shows there is really no death/.../All goes onward and outward, nothing collapses" (line 125-6, 129)
There are many more lines about death, but I like individuality better--so here are a few more of those.
"...conformity/goes to the fourth-remov'd/I wear my hat as I please indoor and out" (line 396-8).
"I exist as I am, that is enough/If no other in thw world be aware I sit content/And is each and all be aware I sit content/One world is aware and by far the largest to me, and that is myself" (413-6).
"I am of old and young, of the foolish as much as the wise" (330).
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Emily Dickenson
Emily Dickenson was the first American poet I liked. So I relish any time to read her work. Four Dickenson poems stuck out to me this time around.
"Sauces is counted sweetest" caught me off guard. Usually success is counted sweetest to those that work hard and end up succeeding. Not those who work hard and end up failing. And that those who have not achieved it are the people who can define victory seems, for lack of a better term, inaccurate. I could agree with the "success is counted sweetest" statement, but I'm not sure of the "can tell the definition" statement. How can one define something they have no knowledge about? The last stanza is truly heart wrenching. To think of working towards a goal and then to die--defeated--within earshot of said goal must indeed be agonizing.
"Much madness is divinest sense" proved a tough difficult to understand at first (the word divinest set me running in two different directions.) But once understood it is so true! Assent to the madness you know is wrong and your accepted but dare to disagree or speak out and your considered an extremist and carted off.
"I taste a liquor never brewed" has become one of my favorite Dickenson poems. To me--and I believe all of Dickenson's poems are up to interpretation--it is about living life to the fullest. Living in excess as one would to become drunk. Enjoy life--every moment--regardless of what others do around you. Live for no other reason than enjoyment--for this is the greatest and sweetest reason there is.
"Tell all the truth but tell it slant." I have heard of this poem so many times but never taken the time to read it. I'm glad it was assigned or else I may have forgotten about it. But I'm not sure I agree with it. Is the truth really too harsh for people to deal with?Does it depend on the person or is it really that "...every man be blind"? Id o like how it says "Tell all the truth..." Perhaps the statement of the poem is to not be brutally honest, but still honest.
"Sauces is counted sweetest" caught me off guard. Usually success is counted sweetest to those that work hard and end up succeeding. Not those who work hard and end up failing. And that those who have not achieved it are the people who can define victory seems, for lack of a better term, inaccurate. I could agree with the "success is counted sweetest" statement, but I'm not sure of the "can tell the definition" statement. How can one define something they have no knowledge about? The last stanza is truly heart wrenching. To think of working towards a goal and then to die--defeated--within earshot of said goal must indeed be agonizing.
"Much madness is divinest sense" proved a tough difficult to understand at first (the word divinest set me running in two different directions.) But once understood it is so true! Assent to the madness you know is wrong and your accepted but dare to disagree or speak out and your considered an extremist and carted off.
"I taste a liquor never brewed" has become one of my favorite Dickenson poems. To me--and I believe all of Dickenson's poems are up to interpretation--it is about living life to the fullest. Living in excess as one would to become drunk. Enjoy life--every moment--regardless of what others do around you. Live for no other reason than enjoyment--for this is the greatest and sweetest reason there is.
"Tell all the truth but tell it slant." I have heard of this poem so many times but never taken the time to read it. I'm glad it was assigned or else I may have forgotten about it. But I'm not sure I agree with it. Is the truth really too harsh for people to deal with?Does it depend on the person or is it really that "...every man be blind"? Id o like how it says "Tell all the truth..." Perhaps the statement of the poem is to not be brutally honest, but still honest.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Bartleby
I enjoy Melville's story. But I don't get it.
At the beginning: (And perhaps this has to do more with my frustration about my current work situation. ) I thought that Bartleby was standing up for workers. He was hired to copy and copy he did. And apparently very well. But he was not hired to examine copies or fetch the mail or play errand boy or fetch other people. I liked Bartleby standing up to an overly demanding boss.
In the middle: When he gave up copying, I dismissed my previous decision and was totally confused. But maybe Bartleby had some deep connection to the place. Obviously he held the fourth key that the narrator had never known where it was. But if he was homeless, where did he stay before the narrator posted a want ad for another copyist? Was he there all along and no body noticed him?
At the end: I had given up trying to understand Bartleby and Melville alike. Until the last paragraph about Bartleby previously working in the Dead Letter office. Perhaps I'm just dense, but what does that have to do with anything? So it might be sad to work with messages that may have been important that never reached the rightful people. So? I find it hard to think that it can make one so sad as to kill them.
Overall, I am confused and annoyed. If anyone can help explain this story I would greatly appreciate it.
At the beginning: (And perhaps this has to do more with my frustration about my current work situation. ) I thought that Bartleby was standing up for workers. He was hired to copy and copy he did. And apparently very well. But he was not hired to examine copies or fetch the mail or play errand boy or fetch other people. I liked Bartleby standing up to an overly demanding boss.
In the middle: When he gave up copying, I dismissed my previous decision and was totally confused. But maybe Bartleby had some deep connection to the place. Obviously he held the fourth key that the narrator had never known where it was. But if he was homeless, where did he stay before the narrator posted a want ad for another copyist? Was he there all along and no body noticed him?
At the end: I had given up trying to understand Bartleby and Melville alike. Until the last paragraph about Bartleby previously working in the Dead Letter office. Perhaps I'm just dense, but what does that have to do with anything? So it might be sad to work with messages that may have been important that never reached the rightful people. So? I find it hard to think that it can make one so sad as to kill them.
Overall, I am confused and annoyed. If anyone can help explain this story I would greatly appreciate it.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Uncle Tom's Cabin 4: Legree
I know I should be writing on Tom's Jesus-like death or Eva's mayrterism or Eliza's final freedom. But I'm not going to. To me Simon LeGree is a fascinating character. (After all I story must have a great antagonist to be truly compelling.) But what made LeGree such a brutal man? Something must have happened in any person's past to bring them to this degree of cruelty. The best/most forward expaination comes in Chapter 35.
Simon was brought up in a conflicted home. His mother was overly pious and his father was hard and unloving. Why he followed his father's example is unknown, but more than likely it was simple rebellion. A child is always with his or her mother and for something new often is drawn to their father. And in many cases with boys, they look towards their father for direction in life. And, thus, Simon started on his path to cruelty.
The second part to Simon's path is when his mother almost persuades him to renounce his sins and become, for lack of a better word, Christian. Such a conversion is difficult and sin has a powerful hold. I think that at this time, Simon was torn in two for the rest of his life. In his heart he knows what is right. But to accept his mother's position after all these years he sees as a sign of weakness. So he goes to the farthest extreme and become more cruel than even.
With a little bit of Simon's background maybe we can see that he was made into what he is. I'm not saying that is makes ANY of his actions right or justified. But it does help to understand him more. And maybe Simon is due for a little sympathy also.
Simon was brought up in a conflicted home. His mother was overly pious and his father was hard and unloving. Why he followed his father's example is unknown, but more than likely it was simple rebellion. A child is always with his or her mother and for something new often is drawn to their father. And in many cases with boys, they look towards their father for direction in life. And, thus, Simon started on his path to cruelty.
The second part to Simon's path is when his mother almost persuades him to renounce his sins and become, for lack of a better word, Christian. Such a conversion is difficult and sin has a powerful hold. I think that at this time, Simon was torn in two for the rest of his life. In his heart he knows what is right. But to accept his mother's position after all these years he sees as a sign of weakness. So he goes to the farthest extreme and become more cruel than even.
With a little bit of Simon's background maybe we can see that he was made into what he is. I'm not saying that is makes ANY of his actions right or justified. But it does help to understand him more. And maybe Simon is due for a little sympathy also.
Uncle Tom's Cabin 3: George and George
Chapter 17 is another of my favorites. I once read a critique of Uncle Tom's Cabin where George Harris was compared with George Washington. So when I read George's vow to freedom that's what I think of. George Washington fought for America's freedom. George Harris at face value fought only for his own. But through Stowe's words, he fights for all Africans who just want to be free to protect their families and live as they choose to.
When George Harris says, "A Mr. Harris, of Kentucky, did call me his property. But now I'm a free man, standing on God's free soil; and my wife and my child I claim as mine," I think of the great speeches of George Washington's. They both stood fighting to be free.
The connection becomes a bit more obvious when he says, "I know very well that you've got the law on your side, and the power...But you haven't got us. We don't own your laws; we don't own your country; we stand here as free, under God's sky, as you are; and, by the great God that made us, we'll fight for our liberty till we die." I get goosebumps.
When George Harris says, "A Mr. Harris, of Kentucky, did call me his property. But now I'm a free man, standing on God's free soil; and my wife and my child I claim as mine," I think of the great speeches of George Washington's. They both stood fighting to be free.
The connection becomes a bit more obvious when he says, "I know very well that you've got the law on your side, and the power...But you haven't got us. We don't own your laws; we don't own your country; we stand here as free, under God's sky, as you are; and, by the great God that made us, we'll fight for our liberty till we die." I get goosebumps.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Uncle Tom's Cabin 2
I must comment on John Bird. He is one of my favorite characters in the whole book and one of the most developed within such a short time. He is one of the major proponents of the Fugitive Law Act (at least in this book) and admittingly feels uncomfortable actually obeying the law. When brought face to face with his own morality, he can't follow what he has spouted in the Senete and just told everyone what they should be doing. But he does do what is right. And even suggests they give Harry their dead son's clothes. I can think of no sweeter offer. This chapter tells of the changes a person can go through to do the right thing when faced head on with a life or death situation.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Uncle Tom's Cabin 1
Uncle Tom's Cabin is one of my favorite books. I recommend it to everyone; it's so full of racism that our generation has no real experience with. Sure we've all seen the movies, but in South Dakota, even the biggest city of South Dakota, how often do we come face to face with it? Harriet Beecher Stowe puts it right in our faces right away. She does not tipy-toe around it. It is what it is.
Many people say that Stowe is racist throughout the book--and, honestly, I agree. Her descriptions of Uncle Tom and Aunt Cloe and the other slaves on Shelby's plantation is racist. She uses negative words to represent the slaves, i.e. crows. But, regardless of her word choice, Stowe was very much for emancipation; and I do believe that she influenced popular belief on the subject.
One observations: On the first page, Stowe remarks that she will not retell Haley's graphic profanity because it is so terrible, but she will (later) recount tales of brutal murders and beatings. I know these horrors must be told in order to be an affective book, but still it seems a little backwards to me.
Many people say that Stowe is racist throughout the book--and, honestly, I agree. Her descriptions of Uncle Tom and Aunt Cloe and the other slaves on Shelby's plantation is racist. She uses negative words to represent the slaves, i.e. crows. But, regardless of her word choice, Stowe was very much for emancipation; and I do believe that she influenced popular belief on the subject.
One observations: On the first page, Stowe remarks that she will not retell Haley's graphic profanity because it is so terrible, but she will (later) recount tales of brutal murders and beatings. I know these horrors must be told in order to be an affective book, but still it seems a little backwards to me.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Poe
I have read a lot of Poe; we actually had a whole chapter dedicated to him in high school. Thus, I've read The Raven and Annabel Lee more times than I've cared to. Not to say that there is not value in the poems; both exhibit an intense psychological component.
On the other hand, I had never read The Purloined Letter. I found it entertaining. It reminded me of old mysteries I read when younger, i.e. Agatha Christie's and Perot. It's interesting to see how Poe was/may have been the first mystery author. As far as the plot goes, I didn't foresee the ending-which is always a positive to me. I think I will try to get my hands on more of Poe's mysteries.
On the other hand, I had never read The Purloined Letter. I found it entertaining. It reminded me of old mysteries I read when younger, i.e. Agatha Christie's and Perot. It's interesting to see how Poe was/may have been the first mystery author. As far as the plot goes, I didn't foresee the ending-which is always a positive to me. I think I will try to get my hands on more of Poe's mysteries.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Scarlet Letter: The Ending
The last few chapters are my favorite part of The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne is at his best both in plot and writing. Since I've gone over his word choices before and how much I love them, and since I just got finished bashing Hawthorne for his spoiler tendencies, I'll focus on the good.
Hawthorne, while speaking of Reverend Dimmesdale refers to "the polluted priest" (125). I enjoy this metaphor because, 1) pollution is bad, 2) pollution expands and affects all those around it, and 3) the Reverend speaks to large populations, therefore, infecting all of them? Does the fact that Aurther Dimmsdale sinned and hid it, taint his whole parish?
In the forest, Pearl transforms from her unpredictable imp to a gentle child picking flowers and adorning herself with them. She "became a nymph-child, or an infant dryad" (131-2). The power of the forest is a major theme in The Scarlet Letter. It transforms Pearl into a good child; it turns Hester's and Aurther's lives around; it is where the Black Man resides to take souls.
A line that stands alone. "No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true" (137).
Hawthorne uses color throughout the novel. Some follow, I'm sure there's more that I'm leaving out. But is there significance in the use of color? Does Hawthorne mean for us to associate certain things with different colors?
The scarlet letter. The red rose bush next to the prison door. Hester clads herself in gray all the time. Her hair is black. Pearl once takes seaweed and makes herself a green 'A' to place on her chest. When she takes off the scarlet letter and lets down her hair the sunshine, pouring a very flood into the obscure forest, gladdening each green leaf, transmuting the yellow fallen ones to gold, and gleaming adown the gray trunks of the solemn trees" (130).
Finally, we get to the moral of the story (according to Hawthorne). "Among many moral which press upon us from the minister's miserable experience, we put only this into a sentence:-'Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!" (163). Is Hawthorne saying that Dimmesdale's sin was not in adultery but in the lying of it?
Just a few thoughts.
Hawthorne, while speaking of Reverend Dimmesdale refers to "the polluted priest" (125). I enjoy this metaphor because, 1) pollution is bad, 2) pollution expands and affects all those around it, and 3) the Reverend speaks to large populations, therefore, infecting all of them? Does the fact that Aurther Dimmsdale sinned and hid it, taint his whole parish?
In the forest, Pearl transforms from her unpredictable imp to a gentle child picking flowers and adorning herself with them. She "became a nymph-child, or an infant dryad" (131-2). The power of the forest is a major theme in The Scarlet Letter. It transforms Pearl into a good child; it turns Hester's and Aurther's lives around; it is where the Black Man resides to take souls.
A line that stands alone. "No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true" (137).
Hawthorne uses color throughout the novel. Some follow, I'm sure there's more that I'm leaving out. But is there significance in the use of color? Does Hawthorne mean for us to associate certain things with different colors?
The scarlet letter. The red rose bush next to the prison door. Hester clads herself in gray all the time. Her hair is black. Pearl once takes seaweed and makes herself a green 'A' to place on her chest. When she takes off the scarlet letter and lets down her hair the sunshine, pouring a very flood into the obscure forest, gladdening each green leaf, transmuting the yellow fallen ones to gold, and gleaming adown the gray trunks of the solemn trees" (130).
Finally, we get to the moral of the story (according to Hawthorne). "Among many moral which press upon us from the minister's miserable experience, we put only this into a sentence:-'Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!" (163). Is Hawthorne saying that Dimmesdale's sin was not in adultery but in the lying of it?
Just a few thoughts.
Hawthorne as the Spoiler
Ok, Hawthorne is bothering me. He is too specific. He points everything out. In chapter 6, I was willing to let go the awfulness of pointing out that Pearl is the flesh and blood reincarnation of Hester's sin after giving so many hints that could have been just left out there for the reader to figure out. But pointing out how the Devil had snuck into Roger Chillingsworth's soul was too much. Is it not enough that you say, "Ever and anon, too, there came a glare of red light out of his eyes; as if the old man's soul were on fire, and kept on smouldering duskily within his breast, until, by some casual puff of passion, it was blown into a momentary flame." (110). Must you follow it with: "In a word, old Roger Chillingworth was a striking evidence of man's faculty of transforming himself into a devil, if he will only, for a reasonable space of time, undertake a devil's office" (110)?
So much more enjoyment could be gotten from The Scarlet Letter if only Hawthorne did not spoil it for his readers!
So much more enjoyment could be gotten from The Scarlet Letter if only Hawthorne did not spoil it for his readers!
The Scarlet Letter Part 2
I can't help but gush about Hawthorne's writing. Don't get me wrong the story is good, but since I've read it before, it's difficult to get much more out of it. But reading it as an adult I am realizing how fantastic the writing is. Let me share a few tidbits I underlined. (The italicized parts are mine.)
"...as a being who felt himself quite astray and at a loss in the pathway of human existence..." (48).
"...The very law that condemned her--a giant of stern features, but with vigor to support, as well as to annihilate, in his iron arm--..." (55).
"...the spot [Salem] where some great and marked even has given the color to their lifetime..." (56).
"...sometimes through that alchemy of quiet malice, by which women can concoct a subtime poison from ordinary trifles..." (59). (I laughed so hard when I read this line!)
"That unsunned snow in the matron's bosom, and the buring shame on Hester Prynne's,--what had the two in common?" (60).
There are many other lines of course, but these were some of my favorites. Any that you'd like to share?
"...as a being who felt himself quite astray and at a loss in the pathway of human existence..." (48).
"...The very law that condemned her--a giant of stern features, but with vigor to support, as well as to annihilate, in his iron arm--..." (55).
"...the spot [Salem] where some great and marked even has given the color to their lifetime..." (56).
"...sometimes through that alchemy of quiet malice, by which women can concoct a subtime poison from ordinary trifles..." (59). (I laughed so hard when I read this line!)
"That unsunned snow in the matron's bosom, and the buring shame on Hester Prynne's,--what had the two in common?" (60).
There are many other lines of course, but these were some of my favorites. Any that you'd like to share?
The Scarlet Letter Intro
A 35 page introduction. Wow! To me this was the hardest pages to read in the novel. But it did have some interesting and fun parts hidden in it. Hawthorne's descriptions of the men in the Custom-House was great. For example, "...such an absolute nonentity..." when he mentions the Inspector on page 17.
Also the description of the General on page 19 is great. "... in imagination, and old fortress, like Ticonderoga, from a view of its gray and broken ruins. Here and there, perchance, the walls may remain almost complete; but elsewhere may be only a shapeless mound, cumbrous with its very strength, and overgrown, through long years of peace and neglect, with grass and alien weeds."
The Scarlet Letter is full of metaphors that are awe-inspiring to a writer. If you want to write fiction, I would suggest re-reading pages 28-35. It is full of suggestions, hints, and overall gems. Plus, even his writing on writing is full of imagery that I can only dream of imitating.
Also the description of the General on page 19 is great. "... in imagination, and old fortress, like Ticonderoga, from a view of its gray and broken ruins. Here and there, perchance, the walls may remain almost complete; but elsewhere may be only a shapeless mound, cumbrous with its very strength, and overgrown, through long years of peace and neglect, with grass and alien weeds."
The Scarlet Letter is full of metaphors that are awe-inspiring to a writer. If you want to write fiction, I would suggest re-reading pages 28-35. It is full of suggestions, hints, and overall gems. Plus, even his writing on writing is full of imagery that I can only dream of imitating.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Thoreau: Smiley Faces :)
Chapter two of Walden, "Where I Lived...", is fantastic to study with regards to language. Of course, the content of "Where I Lived..." was very interesting, but what stood out to me was his imagery and analogies. I underlined so many passages and put smiley faces next to them that I have to share a few.
"...like Atlas, to take the world on my shoulders,--I never heard what compensation he received for that--and do all..." (888) This one is great. Right in the middle of the sentence he has an aside to himself.
"...while the mists, like ghosts, were stealthily withdrawing in every direction into the woods, as at the breaking up of some nocturnal conventicle." (889) Great imagery: ghosts at a nocturnal conventicle.
"...those true-blue coins from heaven's own mint..." (890) Some of the mountains viewable on the distant horizon. I know what distant mountains look like. Never thought of coins from heaven though.
"Morning brings back the heroic ages." (891) Don't we all feel a little empowered in the morning. Today I will be a hero.
Isn't Thoreau just great? Even if one doesn't agree with what he says, he did say it in an interesting way!
"...like Atlas, to take the world on my shoulders,--I never heard what compensation he received for that--and do all..." (888) This one is great. Right in the middle of the sentence he has an aside to himself.
"...while the mists, like ghosts, were stealthily withdrawing in every direction into the woods, as at the breaking up of some nocturnal conventicle." (889) Great imagery: ghosts at a nocturnal conventicle.
"...those true-blue coins from heaven's own mint..." (890) Some of the mountains viewable on the distant horizon. I know what distant mountains look like. Never thought of coins from heaven though.
"Morning brings back the heroic ages." (891) Don't we all feel a little empowered in the morning. Today I will be a hero.
Isn't Thoreau just great? Even if one doesn't agree with what he says, he did say it in an interesting way!
Thoreau: An Experiment of life
"Here is life, an experiment to a great extent untried by me" (848).
I loved reading Thoreau; I hadn't previously, but now I think I understand him better. I especially love the part under "Economy" where he talks about living. Thoreau is saying how much we depend on other people's experiences to guide our own. Too often do we take the road most traveled because it is what we know. What our parents knew and our grandparents. How often do we truly strike out on our own to discover something new? Life--an experiment, a personal experiment--is too often dictated by others.
My life is like this. I do what I'm expected to do and what I'm told to do. I think many of us are this way. Why did I go to college? Why do I play sports? Why do I read the books I do? Is it truly because I want to or am I following a path that was laid out for me long before I realized it? Who am I trying to impress? Why do I care if I'm "successful"?
Everyone's answers to these questions will be different. Some people are doing exactly what they want to do. Kudos. Some people aren't. Perhaps not a personal fault--perhaps a cultural one.
"The life which men praise and regard as successful is but one kind. Why should we exaggerate any one kind at the expense of the others?" (853).
I loved reading Thoreau; I hadn't previously, but now I think I understand him better. I especially love the part under "Economy" where he talks about living. Thoreau is saying how much we depend on other people's experiences to guide our own. Too often do we take the road most traveled because it is what we know. What our parents knew and our grandparents. How often do we truly strike out on our own to discover something new? Life--an experiment, a personal experiment--is too often dictated by others.
My life is like this. I do what I'm expected to do and what I'm told to do. I think many of us are this way. Why did I go to college? Why do I play sports? Why do I read the books I do? Is it truly because I want to or am I following a path that was laid out for me long before I realized it? Who am I trying to impress? Why do I care if I'm "successful"?
Everyone's answers to these questions will be different. Some people are doing exactly what they want to do. Kudos. Some people aren't. Perhaps not a personal fault--perhaps a cultural one.
"The life which men praise and regard as successful is but one kind. Why should we exaggerate any one kind at the expense of the others?" (853).
Saturday, March 27, 2010
My Nature Piece ala Thoreau
There used to be a farm house three miles outside of Sac City. Driving to the north you would come upon an ess curve and breaking it in two was a gravel road, practically nonexistent, that lead to a big yellow square house. The exterior of the house needed a coat of paint badly, but the inside was perfect. It was a home inside--a warm place to hide from the adventures in the backyard. (And to collect necessary sustenance in the form of fresh baked snicker doodles.) But back to the adventures. The ugly yellow house stood on an acre of land--land that was diverse; land that offered games and challenges; land that beckoned to a young soul to come and explore. And so my brother and I did.
In the southwest corner rose a rock pile made of all the gigantic rocks--more like boulders--pulled from the surrounding corn fields.Here dangerous sword fights took place. Up and down the rock pile we went until tired one of us would "accidentally" stumble and the fight was over. The old mulberry and crab apple trees were near the northwest corner. Here monkeys lived and gymnastics was practiced. The propane tank was our trusty steed, patiently waiting in the northeast section until we were ready to play Cowboys and Indians. (The politically correct "Native Americans" had not yet been adopted at this time.) Sometimes we would chase each other-one of us sitting on the rear of the tank and the other on the front. Fingers would be pointed in the air as guns and tree branches would be drawn from sheathe. We of course knew Indians and Cowboys didn't have swords, but we made due with what we had; plus, Mother watched like a hawk through the kitchen windows and had we thrown spears the consequences would have been dire. Thus, swords it was.
On my own I would watch the leaves fall from big oak trees. I pretended they were racing. All the leaves piled together when a strong wind would blow and as if a starting pistol had been fired off the leaves would go. Barefoot or not, I would run among them.
Now I look back and am thankful to my outdoors adventures. Thy are an outdated activity. My nephews, the only children I have a regular connection with, do not go outside unless forced. The screen door does not slam. Parents do not yell about air conditioning/heating the whole of outdoors. Instead there is silence and an occasional beep. X-boxes, PSPs, Gameboy Advances, iTouches, Playstations 1, 2, and 3, Wiis. They are now where adventures occur. Gone are the stick swords and racing leaves; replacing them are Halo and Mario Cart. Fresh, crisp, clean air has evaporated; stale, Frebreeze filled air has risen in its place.
In the southwest corner rose a rock pile made of all the gigantic rocks--more like boulders--pulled from the surrounding corn fields.Here dangerous sword fights took place. Up and down the rock pile we went until tired one of us would "accidentally" stumble and the fight was over. The old mulberry and crab apple trees were near the northwest corner. Here monkeys lived and gymnastics was practiced. The propane tank was our trusty steed, patiently waiting in the northeast section until we were ready to play Cowboys and Indians. (The politically correct "Native Americans" had not yet been adopted at this time.) Sometimes we would chase each other-one of us sitting on the rear of the tank and the other on the front. Fingers would be pointed in the air as guns and tree branches would be drawn from sheathe. We of course knew Indians and Cowboys didn't have swords, but we made due with what we had; plus, Mother watched like a hawk through the kitchen windows and had we thrown spears the consequences would have been dire. Thus, swords it was.
On my own I would watch the leaves fall from big oak trees. I pretended they were racing. All the leaves piled together when a strong wind would blow and as if a starting pistol had been fired off the leaves would go. Barefoot or not, I would run among them.
Now I look back and am thankful to my outdoors adventures. Thy are an outdated activity. My nephews, the only children I have a regular connection with, do not go outside unless forced. The screen door does not slam. Parents do not yell about air conditioning/heating the whole of outdoors. Instead there is silence and an occasional beep. X-boxes, PSPs, Gameboy Advances, iTouches, Playstations 1, 2, and 3, Wiis. They are now where adventures occur. Gone are the stick swords and racing leaves; replacing them are Halo and Mario Cart. Fresh, crisp, clean air has evaporated; stale, Frebreeze filled air has risen in its place.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Ralph Waldo Emerson's The American Scholar
Like most people in the class, I did not really like Emerson. As his introductory biographical information points out "he presented his essays as epistemological quests of sorts." Who wants an epistemological quest that admittedly makes "enormous demands on his readers"? I was tired after just reading the introduction to Emerson. But like all good college students do (right?), I started The American Scholar. And...it was pretty good. I'm not talking about the lessons he presents as to what an American scholar is and his/her influences and his/her duties and everything else he had to say which we've all heard before. (Although, I am fond of his saying that books are noble.) I'm talking about his writing.
The writing in The American Scholar is vibrant, descriptive, alive. His verb choices are seldom, if ever, passive. One of my favorite examples of this is on p. 521. "...tyrannized over by its own unifying instinct, it goes on tying things together, diminishing anomalies, discovering roots running under ground, whereby contrary and remote things cohere, and flower out from one stem." (Italics inserted by me.) It's almost poetic.
Also, standing out to me is his dramatic, though not over-the-top, writing style. Page 522, he writes "And what is that Root? Is not that the soul of his soul?--A thought too bold--a dream too wild."
Though there are parts of Emerson that one really has to work out and think through (i.e. "Genius is always sufficiently the enemy of genius by over-influence.") Overall, his writing is inspiring. I can see now why so many people are taken by him and consider him one of the great American writers.
The writing in The American Scholar is vibrant, descriptive, alive. His verb choices are seldom, if ever, passive. One of my favorite examples of this is on p. 521. "...tyrannized over by its own unifying instinct, it goes on tying things together, diminishing anomalies, discovering roots running under ground, whereby contrary and remote things cohere, and flower out from one stem." (Italics inserted by me.) It's almost poetic.
Also, standing out to me is his dramatic, though not over-the-top, writing style. Page 522, he writes "And what is that Root? Is not that the soul of his soul?--A thought too bold--a dream too wild."
Though there are parts of Emerson that one really has to work out and think through (i.e. "Genius is always sufficiently the enemy of genius by over-influence.") Overall, his writing is inspiring. I can see now why so many people are taken by him and consider him one of the great American writers.
Introduction: What makes a country's literature?
This introduction was the most insightful to me. Most of us are familiar with the time period, at least better than the previous ones, and so the history lessons were less necessary. However, I found it important to see how American Literature came into itself. The times from 1820-1865 are so momentous in American history, and so full of conflict that it is hard to not think about it in terms of the beginning of America's existance. This may seem like a given to the majority of people, but then why was it so difficult to invent and realize such a thing as American Literature?
I think the most important part was the realization that we (America) wanted our own literature. It seems that in America, and all newly forming countries, by possessing an individual literature one possesses an individual way of expression, thinking, and life. It is a way of breaking free and truly being oneself.
By focusing on this time period, American authors were able to bring something new to the collective world literature table. But the distinctness of America's travel narratives and convent captivity novels and war stories were not enough. Why? The author of the introduction says that American literature was not created until authors looked back to the previous time periods (Puritan and Enlightenment) and claimed them to be American. And, thus, provided a "continuously unfolding of national history and literature."
I tend to agree. I think the only way a nation can have a distinct literature is for all the major authors to come together and decide that their history is indeed theirs. And then draw on the events of that history for their writings. A quote provided in the introduction stuck out to me. Literature certainly is not the most important freedom for a nation, but the recognition of a nation on an intellectual level is perhaps one of the proudest.
"The proudest freedom to which a nation can aspire, not excepting even political independence, is found in complete emancipation from literary thralldom." --Solyman Brown
I think the most important part was the realization that we (America) wanted our own literature. It seems that in America, and all newly forming countries, by possessing an individual literature one possesses an individual way of expression, thinking, and life. It is a way of breaking free and truly being oneself.
By focusing on this time period, American authors were able to bring something new to the collective world literature table. But the distinctness of America's travel narratives and convent captivity novels and war stories were not enough. Why? The author of the introduction says that American literature was not created until authors looked back to the previous time periods (Puritan and Enlightenment) and claimed them to be American. And, thus, provided a "continuously unfolding of national history and literature."
I tend to agree. I think the only way a nation can have a distinct literature is for all the major authors to come together and decide that their history is indeed theirs. And then draw on the events of that history for their writings. A quote provided in the introduction stuck out to me. Literature certainly is not the most important freedom for a nation, but the recognition of a nation on an intellectual level is perhaps one of the proudest.
"The proudest freedom to which a nation can aspire, not excepting even political independence, is found in complete emancipation from literary thralldom." --Solyman Brown
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Carnival Time - Enlightenment
I found that self-betterment and human sympathy/sentiment were the major themes during our Enlightenment section.
Out of the six (or seven counting Abigail Adams seperately) authors we read--Jonathan Edwards, Benjamin Franklin, John and Abigail Adams, De Crevecoeur, Olaudah Equiano, and Phillis Weatley--four stood out amoung our class.
Many of us were taken with Jonathan Edwards. Some in positive ways and others negatively. It was universally agreed that his "Personal Narrative" was insighful and gave a human element to Edwards that was not evident in "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." Our class was split about whether "Sinners" was a good sermon or not. Some saw this harshness necessary, both then and now; others saw it as too harsh and something that would not bring non-believers to Christianity but cause them to run away. But regardless, it was agreed to be very impassioned.
Benjamin Franklin was/is an example to all of us. Most people were impressed by Franklin's determination to better not only himself but also other Americans. His influence in upstart of the library system was mentioned often as was his 13 virtues. Also brought up was Franklin's lack of churchgoing: his belief in deism instead of blindly believing in the religion of his time.
Olaudah Equiano was the third author commented on frequently. His trust of religion and the God he read in the Bible was contrasted by the religion practiced around him. In this train of thought, our class enjoyed his frankness about religion and the times he stood up to his "owners" as an example of human sympathies and reason versus religion. Perhaps another element of human sympathies was his enslavement. It was not what many of us expected. It did not highlight the extent of horrors we are used to reading about in slave narratives.
Similar to Equiano, Phillis Weatly's slave experience was not what we are familiar with. Her life was intriguing to readers. Human sympathies was protrayed heavily by Weatley's poems about the equality of blacks and whites expecially in regards to the rights granted by God. Self-betterment is obvious in Weatley's poetry and life and was pointed out frequently.
The Adamses and De Crevecoeur were infrequently mentioned. However, when they did come up the same themes of self-betterment and sentiment were held. (Though they focused more on the betterment of the country than of the self.)
The blogs were great to read. Overall, our class excellently compared and contrasted the different authors and works of writings and pointed out different enlightenment aspects. Kudos to everyone!
Out of the six (or seven counting Abigail Adams seperately) authors we read--Jonathan Edwards, Benjamin Franklin, John and Abigail Adams, De Crevecoeur, Olaudah Equiano, and Phillis Weatley--four stood out amoung our class.
Many of us were taken with Jonathan Edwards. Some in positive ways and others negatively. It was universally agreed that his "Personal Narrative" was insighful and gave a human element to Edwards that was not evident in "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." Our class was split about whether "Sinners" was a good sermon or not. Some saw this harshness necessary, both then and now; others saw it as too harsh and something that would not bring non-believers to Christianity but cause them to run away. But regardless, it was agreed to be very impassioned.
Benjamin Franklin was/is an example to all of us. Most people were impressed by Franklin's determination to better not only himself but also other Americans. His influence in upstart of the library system was mentioned often as was his 13 virtues. Also brought up was Franklin's lack of churchgoing: his belief in deism instead of blindly believing in the religion of his time.
Olaudah Equiano was the third author commented on frequently. His trust of religion and the God he read in the Bible was contrasted by the religion practiced around him. In this train of thought, our class enjoyed his frankness about religion and the times he stood up to his "owners" as an example of human sympathies and reason versus religion. Perhaps another element of human sympathies was his enslavement. It was not what many of us expected. It did not highlight the extent of horrors we are used to reading about in slave narratives.
Similar to Equiano, Phillis Weatly's slave experience was not what we are familiar with. Her life was intriguing to readers. Human sympathies was protrayed heavily by Weatley's poems about the equality of blacks and whites expecially in regards to the rights granted by God. Self-betterment is obvious in Weatley's poetry and life and was pointed out frequently.
The Adamses and De Crevecoeur were infrequently mentioned. However, when they did come up the same themes of self-betterment and sentiment were held. (Though they focused more on the betterment of the country than of the self.)
The blogs were great to read. Overall, our class excellently compared and contrasted the different authors and works of writings and pointed out different enlightenment aspects. Kudos to everyone!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Phillis Weatley
The most remarkable thing to me about Phillis Weatley's poetry is Phillis Weatley. To be honest, I don't care much for her poems --except one which I'll get to--but her life is fascinating. The fact that she was a slave while being a published poetress (is that a word?) is unbelievable. I've often wondered how a person could keep another enslaved when they're aware of their feelings and beliefs and...humanity. Perhaps I still have alot to learn about slavery from a slaveholder's perspective, but the concept of slavery seems so unbelievable to me that I never have reconciled myself to it.
Anyhow, moving on. I was not aware that her slaveholders were kind people and educated her in literature and Latin and the Bible. Which brings me to my favorite poems of hers, "On Being Brought from Africa to America." This is my favorite, again, because of how fascinating a route she takes with it. Speaking of one's home country where one's mother and father live as a "pagan land" seems harsh and cold. I could not imagine Equiano speaking of his villiage like that. And mercy? I'm pretty sure that most slaves did not feel this way. But the rest of the poem is wonderful to me. A reminder to "Christians" that slaves are human beings who deserve the love of the same God as their slaveholders.
Anyhow, moving on. I was not aware that her slaveholders were kind people and educated her in literature and Latin and the Bible. Which brings me to my favorite poems of hers, "On Being Brought from Africa to America." This is my favorite, again, because of how fascinating a route she takes with it. Speaking of one's home country where one's mother and father live as a "pagan land" seems harsh and cold. I could not imagine Equiano speaking of his villiage like that. And mercy? I'm pretty sure that most slaves did not feel this way. But the rest of the poem is wonderful to me. A reminder to "Christians" that slaves are human beings who deserve the love of the same God as their slaveholders.
Olaudah Equiano
This narrative really pulled me in. Although just like Tasia, I fould it much milder than other slave narratives that I've read. But it was very interesting to follow him along his experience with slavery. A few of the interesting points I found (that were not mentioned in class):
On page 361, he comments how up until now-reaching the sea coast-he had found people who understood him. It then continues to speak of language, but I wonder if it's something else too. In Africa they had slaves (as Equiano's father had) and it was understood: the kidnapping (as the boys watched out for it) and the service. They were all people and viewed as such even though some were viewed more highly. In Europe and especially America, however, slaves were not viewed even as human beings sometimes. They were thought to not have the same attachment to their children as their white owners had. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but that statement seems more than just language.
Also, page 370-1, "I no longer looked upon them as spirits, but as men superior to us; and therefore I had the stronger desire to resemble them, to imbibe their spirit, and imitate their manners." This passage bothered me greatly at first. I wanted to scream that they weren't superior, just different. Then I understood a bit of colonialization. I believe it was John Smith (though I could be mistaken) who pointed out that the Native Americans were just as eager to learn from and befriend the colonists. Perhaps this is a bit of what Equiano felt. Perhaps this is also why he never returned to his home village.
On page 361, he comments how up until now-reaching the sea coast-he had found people who understood him. It then continues to speak of language, but I wonder if it's something else too. In Africa they had slaves (as Equiano's father had) and it was understood: the kidnapping (as the boys watched out for it) and the service. They were all people and viewed as such even though some were viewed more highly. In Europe and especially America, however, slaves were not viewed even as human beings sometimes. They were thought to not have the same attachment to their children as their white owners had. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but that statement seems more than just language.
Also, page 370-1, "I no longer looked upon them as spirits, but as men superior to us; and therefore I had the stronger desire to resemble them, to imbibe their spirit, and imitate their manners." This passage bothered me greatly at first. I wanted to scream that they weren't superior, just different. Then I understood a bit of colonialization. I believe it was John Smith (though I could be mistaken) who pointed out that the Native Americans were just as eager to learn from and befriend the colonists. Perhaps this is a bit of what Equiano felt. Perhaps this is also why he never returned to his home village.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Benjamin Franklin
"...education, properly undertaken, would transform our lives and set us free from the tyrannies of church and monarchy" (219).
As a (hopefully) future educator, I love this statement. But the important part to me at this time, and for this class, is "...free from the tyrannies of church and monarchy." These two institutions were such a difficulty in Franklin's time for people who thought as he did--those of the Enlightened era. The stringency of Christian beliefs, even while trying to adopt human sympathies into their doctrine, were great. And we have all heard over and over again what colonial life was like under the rule of England. Franklin, and many like him, believed wholeheartedly that only by having an educated population would we be able to overcome such tyranny.
However, while trying to gain freedom from the church, Franklin, in his autobiography, seemed to love and praise God. On page 232, he thanks God and acknowledges Him for all the happiness he has received in his life. And later on he comments on visiting church and then not returning when the sermons lack substance. But he still prays everyday (as known by his part regarding virtues). So it seems like organized religion at that time was disheartening to Franklin. I wonder if he is less a deist than thought. He seems like a Christian, just one who doesn't like his worshiping options at the time. It reminds me of the John Lennon quote, "Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me."
A few other things that I liked about Franklin was that he seemed to truly desire goodness, not only in himself but in others also. From having and striving to be virtuous to his desire to publish his Acts of Virtues for the betterment of mankind to consciously changing his speaking style to not offend people to giving fatherly advice in his autobiography to his son. I mean, he even used his parents' gravestone to plead for goodness: "From this Instance, Reader, Be encouraged to Diligence in thy Calling, and distrust not Providence" (236).
One last note on Franklin's writing. I really enjoyed his personality that came through in his autobiography. He makes a few funny comments about his lack of ability in poetry and his pleasure in his ability to make men who knew more than he did look like idiots. (Until he realized it was wrong at least.) And his concluding remark:
"In reality there is perhaps no one of our natural Passions so hard to subdue as Pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself. You will see it perhaps often in this History. For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my Humility" (292).
As a (hopefully) future educator, I love this statement. But the important part to me at this time, and for this class, is "...free from the tyrannies of church and monarchy." These two institutions were such a difficulty in Franklin's time for people who thought as he did--those of the Enlightened era. The stringency of Christian beliefs, even while trying to adopt human sympathies into their doctrine, were great. And we have all heard over and over again what colonial life was like under the rule of England. Franklin, and many like him, believed wholeheartedly that only by having an educated population would we be able to overcome such tyranny.
However, while trying to gain freedom from the church, Franklin, in his autobiography, seemed to love and praise God. On page 232, he thanks God and acknowledges Him for all the happiness he has received in his life. And later on he comments on visiting church and then not returning when the sermons lack substance. But he still prays everyday (as known by his part regarding virtues). So it seems like organized religion at that time was disheartening to Franklin. I wonder if he is less a deist than thought. He seems like a Christian, just one who doesn't like his worshiping options at the time. It reminds me of the John Lennon quote, "Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me."
A few other things that I liked about Franklin was that he seemed to truly desire goodness, not only in himself but in others also. From having and striving to be virtuous to his desire to publish his Acts of Virtues for the betterment of mankind to consciously changing his speaking style to not offend people to giving fatherly advice in his autobiography to his son. I mean, he even used his parents' gravestone to plead for goodness: "From this Instance, Reader, Be encouraged to Diligence in thy Calling, and distrust not Providence" (236).
One last note on Franklin's writing. I really enjoyed his personality that came through in his autobiography. He makes a few funny comments about his lack of ability in poetry and his pleasure in his ability to make men who knew more than he did look like idiots. (Until he realized it was wrong at least.) And his concluding remark:
"In reality there is perhaps no one of our natural Passions so hard to subdue as Pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself. You will see it perhaps often in this History. For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my Humility" (292).
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Introduction to 1700-1820
Simply judging from the introduction I think I'm going to like this section better than the last one. I found it to be informative as to the history that was happening at the time. A few things that I thought were particularly interesting and/or odd:
1. The transatlantic trade routes created "the worlds's first multiethnic working class" (152). This was interesting to me since I am a sociology major, in addition to English, and have done quite of bit of study regarding socio-economic class structure. I would like to study the effects of the transatlantic trading more and see what kind of structure they had then that is still with us today.
2. Even this early in "American" history (as far as I can glean from the book, between 1713 and 1750) the colonists had a sense that slavery was unjust and un-Christian (152). So why did it take so long for there to be an outcry against slavery? Uncle Tom's Cabin, the book which supposedly caused the Civil War, wasn't written until 1852.
3. Human sympathy and sentiment was one of the causes of the Enlightenment? When I think of the Enlightenment period this is not on the forefront of my mind. Science, philosophy, mathematics, etc. But not sentiment.
There is also the couplet by Alexander Pope that resonated with me.
Know then thyself, presume not God to scan,
The proper study of mankind is man.
1. The transatlantic trade routes created "the worlds's first multiethnic working class" (152). This was interesting to me since I am a sociology major, in addition to English, and have done quite of bit of study regarding socio-economic class structure. I would like to study the effects of the transatlantic trading more and see what kind of structure they had then that is still with us today.
2. Even this early in "American" history (as far as I can glean from the book, between 1713 and 1750) the colonists had a sense that slavery was unjust and un-Christian (152). So why did it take so long for there to be an outcry against slavery? Uncle Tom's Cabin, the book which supposedly caused the Civil War, wasn't written until 1852.
3. Human sympathy and sentiment was one of the causes of the Enlightenment? When I think of the Enlightenment period this is not on the forefront of my mind. Science, philosophy, mathematics, etc. But not sentiment.
There is also the couplet by Alexander Pope that resonated with me.
Know then thyself, presume not God to scan,
The proper study of mankind is man.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Edward Taylor & Cotton Mather
As noted before, I'm not a poetry person. To be honest, I'm a little tired of reading about the religion of the Puritans. I understand that it was a major issue/concept/concern for them. but after awhile a break would be nice.
That being said, Taylor's vivid metaphors caught my attention. I particularly enjoyed Upon a Wasp Chilled with Cold. The poem begins without the Wasp being a metaphor but instead a simple character. Much like Anne Bradstreet wrote about crickets and trees and nature in her Contemplations. Towards the end, the wasp become a metaphor of what Christians should do and how they should act when something bad happens to them.
Cotton Mather's The Wonders of the Invisible World provided me with the break I was looking for. I am a little disappointed that we didn't read some insert from one of his conduct books. I think it would be very interesting to see what kind of conduct was expected at that time.
But as far as The Wonders of the Invisible World, I found it interesting how the witchcraft was seen as the last attack on the Puritan's by the devil. Not the latest, but the devil's last ditch effort to bring the new colonies down. What would you consider everything that has happened since? Religion certainly isn't America's primary issue/concept/concern today. Did burning "witches" really keep Americans out of the devil's reach?
That being said, Taylor's vivid metaphors caught my attention. I particularly enjoyed Upon a Wasp Chilled with Cold. The poem begins without the Wasp being a metaphor but instead a simple character. Much like Anne Bradstreet wrote about crickets and trees and nature in her Contemplations. Towards the end, the wasp become a metaphor of what Christians should do and how they should act when something bad happens to them.
Cotton Mather's The Wonders of the Invisible World provided me with the break I was looking for. I am a little disappointed that we didn't read some insert from one of his conduct books. I think it would be very interesting to see what kind of conduct was expected at that time.
But as far as The Wonders of the Invisible World, I found it interesting how the witchcraft was seen as the last attack on the Puritan's by the devil. Not the latest, but the devil's last ditch effort to bring the new colonies down. What would you consider everything that has happened since? Religion certainly isn't America's primary issue/concept/concern today. Did burning "witches" really keep Americans out of the devil's reach?
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Mary Rowlandson's A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mary Rowlandson
In this writing I found the introduction very helpful. Even though there is little information on Mary Rowlandson, the information on King Phillip's War did put the piece into a larger context for me. When I had previously read this narrative I was always uncertain of how all this bloodshed came about. Sure some of the natives were violent but certainly not all of them. and not to the point where it would be expected that at some point in time this would occur to Mrs. Rowlandson's town.
The part of the narrative that I enjoyed the most is the beginning. On one hand, Rowlandson is so matter of fact about all this horrific killing. (I think she provided one line to describe her nefew's death and sometimes less to other family members, ie. the baby in her arms.) On the other hand, I think her matter-of-factness makes that beginning attack occur very swiftly. This results in the reader being a little hurried, disorientated, and able to feel how Rowlandson did as all this occured to her and her family.
In this writing I found the introduction very helpful. Even though there is little information on Mary Rowlandson, the information on King Phillip's War did put the piece into a larger context for me. When I had previously read this narrative I was always uncertain of how all this bloodshed came about. Sure some of the natives were violent but certainly not all of them. and not to the point where it would be expected that at some point in time this would occur to Mrs. Rowlandson's town.
The part of the narrative that I enjoyed the most is the beginning. On one hand, Rowlandson is so matter of fact about all this horrific killing. (I think she provided one line to describe her nefew's death and sometimes less to other family members, ie. the baby in her arms.) On the other hand, I think her matter-of-factness makes that beginning attack occur very swiftly. This results in the reader being a little hurried, disorientated, and able to feel how Rowlandson did as all this occured to her and her family.
Anne Bradstreet's Contemplations
I have recently become more and more accepting of Bradstreet. Previously, and those who know me know, I have no real connection or affinity for poetry. It is simply "not my thing." However, I do realize that for Anne Bradstreet to be the first published poet from the New World was a very big deal. To me the fact that she was a woman is what makes it so.
In the introduction it is said that most people now read Bradstreet for her domestic poetry. That these are the works that most people relate to and are interested in. For me this is not the case. One of my favorite poems of Bradstreet's is Contemplations. This is the poem in which she finds the wonder and proof of God in nature. Her imagry and descriptions of the natural world that surrounds her is wonderful. In stanza 22 and 23 she uses the "stealing stream" to map the path that Christians should take in the world: never being hindered or obstructed and carrying others with it where a "hundred brooks" meet together.
The last two stanzas, however, take her previous statements and turns them around. This beautiful world that is a proof of God will end. "Here's neither honor, wealth, nor safety; Only above is found all with security" (ln 223-4).
I have recently become more and more accepting of Bradstreet. Previously, and those who know me know, I have no real connection or affinity for poetry. It is simply "not my thing." However, I do realize that for Anne Bradstreet to be the first published poet from the New World was a very big deal. To me the fact that she was a woman is what makes it so.
In the introduction it is said that most people now read Bradstreet for her domestic poetry. That these are the works that most people relate to and are interested in. For me this is not the case. One of my favorite poems of Bradstreet's is Contemplations. This is the poem in which she finds the wonder and proof of God in nature. Her imagry and descriptions of the natural world that surrounds her is wonderful. In stanza 22 and 23 she uses the "stealing stream" to map the path that Christians should take in the world: never being hindered or obstructed and carrying others with it where a "hundred brooks" meet together.
The last two stanzas, however, take her previous statements and turns them around. This beautiful world that is a proof of God will end. "Here's neither honor, wealth, nor safety; Only above is found all with security" (ln 223-4).
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
John Winthrop: A Model of Christian Charity
The section of this reading is Winthrop's statement that "the exercise of this [Christian/brotherly] love...is twofold, inward or outward...Simile simili gaudet (like will to like). (83)" This notion that in order to show and share love one must love oneself first. The inward love is necessary to fully engage in the charity which the colony was striving for. This loving of oneself is a difficult thing for many people, then and now. However, it stands to reason that, and is certainly visible in some people we all know, if a person is truly unhappy with themselves they are not able to project true love onto another person. One must love oneself first.
Winthrop's second portion of this statement is that the exercise of love is outward. He uses the examples of a mother and child, God and His followers, and Adam and Eve, but it is true in all of our lives. If taken into the area of marriage, most people can relate to it. When a person finds the one who is the same as themselves, it is an amazing, fullfilling feeling. True love with one who you would give anything for and do anything to make that person happy and live side by side working and struggling throughout life. This is the commitment and love Whinthrop is speaking of as being necessary for Christian survival.
"Nothing yields more pleasure and content to the soul than when it finds that which it may love fervently, for to love and live beloved is the soul's paradise, both here and in heaven" (84).
The section of this reading is Winthrop's statement that "the exercise of this [Christian/brotherly] love...is twofold, inward or outward...Simile simili gaudet (like will to like). (83)" This notion that in order to show and share love one must love oneself first. The inward love is necessary to fully engage in the charity which the colony was striving for. This loving of oneself is a difficult thing for many people, then and now. However, it stands to reason that, and is certainly visible in some people we all know, if a person is truly unhappy with themselves they are not able to project true love onto another person. One must love oneself first.
Winthrop's second portion of this statement is that the exercise of love is outward. He uses the examples of a mother and child, God and His followers, and Adam and Eve, but it is true in all of our lives. If taken into the area of marriage, most people can relate to it. When a person finds the one who is the same as themselves, it is an amazing, fullfilling feeling. True love with one who you would give anything for and do anything to make that person happy and live side by side working and struggling throughout life. This is the commitment and love Whinthrop is speaking of as being necessary for Christian survival.
"Nothing yields more pleasure and content to the soul than when it finds that which it may love fervently, for to love and live beloved is the soul's paradise, both here and in heaven" (84).
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