Response to Course Materials

So we finished Ceremony. Yeah. Good stuff. Remember when I was all psyched up about it and was like, "Yeah, it's the first novel we're reading this year, so I'm curious as to how it turns out." Yeah, let me know when you figure it out, cause I don't think that I did. Basically, what I got from the book was that, "Hey, it's all good if you're of mixed races/cultures/(insert other here,) just keep life in balance and then everything will work out well. But ya gotta make sure to find that balance and discover who you are in the world, or else you'll be a nutso and throw up a lot and suffer from PTSD and have friends that torture and kill each other." Those are my best friends. But in all honesty, I think that I need to do another read through or talk to a buddy about their interpretation, because I think that I'm a little lost. But over all, I did enjoy it. It was interesting to read something that is not like Western Literature, and if I use this story (once I understand it better) on the AP Exam, I might be able to score some secret club brownie points for using a book that ain't quite the same as others found in the AP suggested books column. So that was Ceremony. Silko is a pretty smart gal. 

Now we're starting to read our second novel of the year. BTW, it's our last book (yay!) and we don't have to annotate it (double yay! but I'll grudgingly admit that annotating does help in understanding the book more deeply... don't tell anyone I said that... as I write this on the internet for it to never be erased.) I really like it so far. The thing about it that's interesting is the narration style. The book is written in the form a of a letter (a decently sized letter to say the least) to the narrator/protagonist's boss at his job that he just retired from. See, he's apparently this bro that decided "Ugh! I'm so embarrassed that this fart-nugget that no one cares about or reads called me Corky! I was called that once! Why did that stupid name stick? You know what I should do? I should solve this problem. To solve this problem, I'm going to write a gruelingly long letter to my former boss to regain my dignity!" Sweet! But I do in all honesty like his narration style. Although, I do have to say that, while we studied Jung and his philosophies, I'm having a hard time seeing them in here. See, I know that they're there, because Ms. Holmes told me they're there. I just need to find them, and then be able to connect their meaning to the plot. No big. Old Grandpa dude/mentor, "clown," fun stuff. Maybe if I read more then I'll understand instead of trying to apply 8 different ides to a short amount that I have read. Probably a good idea. But this Carl Jung dude... I like him... Yeah, all psychologists are weird, but there's a reason we study them. They're freakin' sweet! ...Probably should go hunt down that powerpoint again though...

Prompt Revision

1983. From a novel or play of literary merit, select an important character who is a villain. Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze the nature of the character's villainy and show how it enhances meaning in the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.



The motivation for a character to do something is not always clear to the reader. This problem is often prominent in the villains of a work of literature. However, when one takes the time to analyze why a villain did one thing instead of another in a story, new ideas become clearer and the work as a whole becomes more meaningful. In his novel Dracula, Bram Stoker uses the important villain character Dracula to enhance the meaning of his work. 

Count Dracula invites Jonathan Harker, a salesman from a small town in England, to his castle in Transylvania, Romania. The Count is very hospitable to Harker at his arrival and never feeds on him. Even at Harker's discovery of what Dracula is, a vampire, Dracula still doesn't change his ways of feeding. Throughout the novel, Stoker makes a point in writing that Dracula doesn't feed on men and only feeds on young, innocent women or children. This is shown when he feeds on Lucy Westenra, a young and naive friend of Harker's fiance. At Dracula's arrival into the small town where Lucy lives, she becomes increasingly less energetic and youthful as she once was as well as loses her innocence and becomes paranoid about her window. The Count takes what he desires from the women and when it has all been, quite literally, sucked out of them, his interest in them is lost and he finds a new source. He could feed off of strong and healthy men, but his interest in only women provides enhanced meaning of why Dracula does what he does. 

Another thing that Dracula does that creates enhanced meaning in the story is his style of feeding. He could quickly kill his prey and suck the life out of them in one sitting in a giant mess of blood, but his method of feeding is slowly and neatly with barely a trace left behind. This brings on a sexual note to the novel that was written when the subject was taboo. The Count likes his victims to be pure like a virgin would be and treats them in a somewhat sexual way. This takes place when Mina, the fiance of Harker and friend of Lucy, finds two little pin pricks on Lucy's neck that become slightly irritated overtime but nothing else seems to be a problem until obvious blood loss is found. Another would be when Mina gets put into a trance by the Count and sucks the Count's blood from his breast, where his heart would be. Dracula's feeding style enhances the books meaning of taboo sexual ideas during the time. 

Dracula uses the actions of the character of Count Dracula to enhance the meaning of the novel. When analyzed more thoroughly, Dracula's actions, such as his choices in feeding, contribute to the novel's meaning. As a result, the villain character's actions in an important literary work such as Dracula have hidden meanings. 

Response to Course Material

Wow. We're done with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. I will admit, I found it rather tedious in times, when the characters just bantered back and forth with each other. It was cute and funny at first, but at some point, you have to realize that you are grown men and need to calm down and talk through your problems differently than a three-year old would. But all in all, I enjoyed it. Yeah, it was hard to decipher through at first, but once Ms. Holmes taught us what to look for with hidden meanings and double meanings and funky allusions, the work became rather witty and enjoyable. Although, it also made me a bit sad, to think that "we," when Stoppard is making his point of the story, don't have control over our lives. Boo. Aw well. There are worse things I suppose. Now I have an excuse for being lazy. "It's not my fault. I was written to be like this." I don't think that I can use that as an excuse though... Hmmm... I think that I'll try it out.

Anyway, so now we're starting this novel. We haven't read any novels yet this year, and this one looks to be a bit strange. Not that I don't love strange things, for they are my life, but it's called Ceremony and has a giant silver feather on the front. Now, I haven't really read all that much of it, but I have noticed that it has been really helpful to have that background knowledge study session that we had when we were in some World Language teacher's classroom while people were MEAPing. The info talked about the differences between Western Literature and this type of literature. Basically meaning that most, if not all, of what we learned in Foster's book How to read Literature Like A Boss (AKA Professor) does not apply. Great. So finding symbols and meaning in things will be different in what things mean and how they represent things. But I'm excited about reading this book. We haven't read a novel yet, so I'm curious as to how this one will be, especially since it is very different from what we are used to reading. And I'm WAY more excited about this stuff than I am the other stuff we've been starting to do. As in AP exam stuff. Yay.

I know that we need to know how to do this stuff and practice for it, but multiple choice practice and essay writing, while being the purpose of the class, isn't actually all that fun. Shocker. It's about as fun as taking a splinter out of your finger. Yum. But I know that I need to practice this stuff and take it seriously, because if I don't, my score on the exam will reflect how much effort I put into this practice. Gaaaahhhhhh. Better start studying up. I will be a millionaire. ... Eventually... ... I need to find that list of definitions first though... Yay for AP Exams!

Prompt Revision

1986. Some works of literature use the element of time in a distinct way. The chronological sequence of events may be altered, or time may be suspended or accelerated. Choose a novel, an epic, or a play of recognized literary merit and show how the author's manipulation of time contributes to the effectiveness of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

The use of flashbacks in literature can be meaningful in the times and situations that flashbacks happen. Arthur Miller, author of Death of a Salesman, uses flashbacks to manipulate time throughout the play, making comprehension of a scene difficult at times. Miller's manipulation of time contributes to the effectiveness of the play by demonstrating the mental instability of the main character, Willy Loman.

Miller manipulates time in the story by using flashbacks that Willy has. These are specifically triggered by something that is currently happening to Willy. Miller also uses them in the story when Willy is unhappy or uncomfortable with a situation and wants an escape. The flashbacks always go back to happier times in Willy's life, however the validity of them is questionable throughout the play. When Willy glimpses back into the past and then comments on it in the present, he is often met with blank stares and questioning looks. This happens when Willy is speaking to Howard and is fighting for his job. He is remembering a time in the past when he thinks he was a fantastic salesman but really his fantasy is mixing with reality. Willy says to Howard "-in 1928 I had a big year. I averaged a hundred and seventy dollars a week in commissions," to which Howard replies with "Now, Willy, you never averaged--" but gets cut off from Willy's anger. Willy's remembering one thing but being doubted by Howard shows that as Willy remembers his past, he is having difficulty discerning what is real and what is fiction. This also happens in one of his flashbacks when Willy is remembering a time before Biff's football game at Ebbet's field. He is describing himself as being a hotshot salesman and says, "I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. 'Willy Loman is here!' That's all they have to know, and I go right through." However, this is not supported when Linda does the math of Willy's commission later in the scene, causing him to have to reassess the magnitude of his success and admit his overstatement. This use of flashbacks and false memories by manipulating time allows Miller to show Willy's mental instability.

Another way of showing Willy's mental instability through manipulation of time is through the character Ben, Willy's brother. Ben is never really with Willy in the present, yet Willy talks to Ben like he's sitting right next to him. Willy seems to do this especially when he's insecure about something or uncomfortable in a situation, also causes of his flashbacks. This happens in the scene when Willy is playing cards with Charley and in Willy's imagination Ben appears, for only Willy can see him. Willy speaks to Ben and says "I'm getting awfully tired, Ben," to which Charley, with confusion, responds with, "...Did you just call me Ben?" Willy says that Charley reminded him of his brother Ben, leading to a conversation about him. If the audience did not recognize before that Ben is an apparition of Willy's mind, it is said by Willy to Charley later. He says "Couple of weeks ago we got a letter from his wife in Africa. He died." The entire scene is mixed with conversations that Willy is having with Ben and Charley and the confusion and chaos that comes from it. Miller's manipulation of time by putting Ben, deceased, in the present as Willy's imagination, continues to show the audience the mental instability of the character Willy Loman.

Miller's use of time manipulation occurs when Willy feels the need to retreat from reality. Temporary escapes from reality are useful and sometimes necessary to escape, however Willy's escapes are not temporary, resulting in his suicide from his mental instability. 

Response to Course Material

Don't get me wrong, Hamlet and I are tight now. We're like BFF's. Yeah, it's pretty sweet. But we've finished studying up on him and his awesome life and are now moving on. Although, before we part, I would like to recognize the play one last time. I do have to say that I think this may be Shakespeare's greatest play. Yeah, you gotta love the classics, and I know that a bunch of people will either agree or disagree, but I think Shakespeare really had an idea with this one. The way he made the play was interesting because, while it was able to describe a story and plot with great imagery and allusions given (but only understood if one speaks Elizabethan English, which I must say I need to study up on,) it is also left open for much interpretation. It was interesting as we watched many renditions of the same scene, just seen differently by different directors. Whether it's because they wanted to make a point or because that is how they interpreted the scene, in each rendition the play still worked and made sense with the basic them gotten across. However, different styles did create different tones of scenes throughout the play, allowing for directors to have more freedom. I think that's an interesting thing that Shakespeare does, allowing for us to read something of his, but not everyone seeing it the same way. 

Alright. Love you Hamlet. Trust me, with AP's coming up, we'll stay in touch bro. 

So now we're starting to read Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. I actually really like. Tom Stoppard is very witty and cunning in his portrayal of these two characters from Shakespeare's Hamlet. By using the allusion to the final lines of Hamlet, Stoppard is already taking on a pretty hefty role: if you're going to make allusions, especially specific ones like what you just did, then dude, you best do well and make the Bard proud. What's really interesting about the play is that it has lots of meaning and actual sense to it, but it's hidden behind this exterior screen, where if one didn't look hard enough, he'd miss the concepts Stoppard is trying to get across. The well-hidden meanings in the play make finding them even more meaningful and more fun to read. I especially enjoy the banter between the characters. 'Tis a jolly good time indeed. 

Close Reading #3

Go Get Offended: It'll Be Good for Us All

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sanyin-siang/go-get-offended-itll-be-g_b_1914801.html

By: Sanyin Siang

I really enjoyed this article and started to really agree with what she says. I think this is due to not only what she says being true, but that she uses her DIDLS well. She probably took AP Lit in high school and had nearly as good of an education as us at Okemos. 


Diction: When describing how the internet helps us to get information, Siang writes that it "caters to our demands for efficiency." When she uses the word caters, she creates an image in the readers mind (at least she did for me) of caterers, hired by the user to provide essential things, normally food and drinks, but in this case information. I also liked when she said " a broad swath of perspectives" when describing the "old" news that we got from the television. This makes me think of multiple points of view all lined up in a row for us to look at and compare. I think that when words that are used create an image, what is read becomes more life-like to the reader and captures their attention as the reader imagines situations and scenarios for what he/she is being told. 

Syntax: Similar to when persuasive writers write stories, they write the long and drawling sentences to inform the reader and list of information. Kind-of like saying, "Look how much I know! Look how long my sentences are because they're all part of the same idea! I have so much to say! Please try and read through this and not just glance over it like so many do!" Which is true. It's hard to get through those long, drawling sentences. Especially when one reads how they would speak and the writer doesn't put commas. I find myself out of breath at times after reading because the sentence is so long. And then they have their short, crisp sentences that draw you out of that stupor of description and grab your attention. I find this almost forceful at times. Which is important for persuasive writers to do. Get the information out, then make sure to grab your audience back before they get lost. I should probably now say how Siang does this well. 
These are the two final paragraphs of Siang's article.
"So, get uncomfortable. Better yet, go get offended. Perhaps by doing so, we can make better informed decisions about the choices we face and be more responsible in understanding the challenges we need to address. We can start on the path to forging needed solutions together instead of disagreeing.
"Go get offended. It'll be good for us all."
I like how she opens with short, easily understood sentences that resonate with meaning and draw the reader in to see what she has to say. After this powerful opening to an ending, she has her longer description sentences that she uses to basically summarize what she was trying to get across in the whole article. She mixes her short, emotion-inspiring sentences with her descriptive, thought-provoking sentences to make us think and feel her argument. 

Imagery: I found Siang's comments on internet searching very interesting as I read through it. She mentions "if I were to type in 'wooden toys for toddlers,' the results would be based on my previous searches for toys for my three-year-old and would be different than what your search would generate if you had typed in the same thing." This created an image in my mind of 10 people, all on their computers, typing in the exact same things, yet all getting completely different search results due to their past searches. Like I mentioned before for diction, creating images for a reader is important, especially for a persuasive writer. To capture the audience enough to make an image in their mind draws them in to the writing more. Siang does this again when she writes "It's now easy to flip through the channels until we find a network or scroll through our tablets until we find a story that resonates with us." When I read this, I just imagine someone, specifically for me, my grandmother, who is set in her beliefs and just flipping through the channels of the news until she finds something that she stops to listen to. I think this image is best created through her usage of the word "flip," because it's a slang word that we use in English to refer to changing the channel of the television, but using that word I think creates a better image because we can relate to it more.