The Holocaust Party
The theme of this story is to overcome sadness in one's past. The story is set in the winter, where the weather is cold and dreary. This type of weather generally does not cause as much happiness as summertime does. The cold setting adds to the theme because it adds to the sadness. The point of view is coming from a man named Joel. By having the story in this point of view, the reader can get a glimpse into what the main character is rationalizing internally. Once inside the house, Joel describes the room they are sitting in. It is a quiet room, which seems to emphasize the akward silence. Mrs. Isabel tells her story with little description of the physical setting. Without any extra description, the reader still has a strong picture. Joel said, "I didn't see what difference it made. We all knew it wasn't a hotel." This was not spoken; it was written in the text. Because he is the narrator, the reader understands the sadness he feels by how he thinks of Mrs. Isabel's story.
No Name Woman
The theme of this story is that shame follows people for much longer than necessary. The story is told by the niece of the shamed woman. This emphasizes the theme because the niece feels shame even though she has never met her aunt. She felt shame after once hearing the story of her death and misfortunes. The description of America, where the narrator lives, portrays the astounding difference between her life now and her aunt's life in China. The description of China portrays that times were tough. The streets were narrow and seemingly dirty. The story of the aunt mostly takes place at night, which further adds to the suspence.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
CR Readings
How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie
This story was pretty vulgar. It focused on stereotypes, whether racial or social or even sexual. There are several clues that confuse the reader about what ethnicity the narrator is. Calling his aunt "tia" makes him appear Hispanic. However, referring to his afro makes him appear African American. This story was actually a cluster of directions. The directions lead the follower to "hopefully" make sexual contact with the girl. The narrator instructs to pay attention and pretend to be interested in what the girl is saying in order to get her approval. It appears that the narrator is so focused on this girl and hopefully "getting something from her" in order to forget about what is going on in his life. There is government cheese, and the entire family lives in an apartment in a bad part of the town. This leads one to believe that the narrator's life is not ideal.
No Name Woman
This story represents a culture more than the first story. So many instances are a part of only the Chinese culture. It's interesting that village would make sure a man was married before leaving for work. This would ensure that he would "responsibly come home." The villagers were ashamed of the narrator's aunt for having a child outside of wedlock. I got the feeling that some wore masks because they were also ashamed of their own behavior of raiding the house. I was shocked to realize the traumatic story was told just so the children would be scared to have sex. The incident is so personal that I felt this way of bringing it up was awful. The culture is shown again when Necessity is capitalized on page 149. It is actually a name of a guiding river, but the literal translation is true in American culture as well. I felt sympathy for the children in the story. They felt guilty for having any sort of happiness. The action always required energy, which left their parents exhausted. The traditions of how the Chinese eat in silence is interesting. The narrator's line "They want me to participate in her punishment. I have.." is shocking. This implies that the mother told her children the story so that they would also feel shame for their aunt's actions. The last line of this story, which refers to the drowned woman with wet hair hanging, reminds me of the movie The Ring. I was not aware that the idea of the movie was actually a Chinese superstition.
Becky
This story appears to play with the idea of karma. The town treats a single woman poorly. They send her out away from the town. Everybody remembered her though. People were scared of her ghost. The actual setup of the story is visually stimulating; it drew in my attention. Why was the father's identity such a secret? There seems to be such a divide between the whites and the blacks, which shows the culture of this time period. However, the two cultures come together in unity to cast out Becky. The idea of not accepting a woman who has a child out of wedlock appears to run in many different cultures.
Battle Royal
The title is humorous, because the battle between races is a royal battle. It has been going on for years and years. I read this story in high school and also did not understand it all that well then. The main character seems to be going through several different struggles. He is overcoming the race boundary by giving the speech to a crowd of white men. He is struggling with his family's expectations. He is struggling with himself. He is trying to find himself, while trying to live up to his family's standards. I would say that at the end of the story he has overcome quite a bit.
America
This is a different way to look at one's culture. It seems to be a sort of analysis of US culture. The narrator here has a love-hate relationship with the United States. He finds that many parts of the culture have been hard on him. The US is so big and vast that there are many different opportunities. One part of the culture motivates him and gives him the strength to be able to handle the parts of the culture that are not ideal. This culture will be as diverse as it is now for quite a while in the future. The narrator claims to see into the future and predicts that things will remain.
If We Must Die
Saying if they must die sounds like people are settling for a less than ideal circumstance. Not wanting to be like hogs means that they want to keep some dignity. The mad and hungry dogs are a metaphor for people who ridicule the narrator. I think this poem is a reference to a person who did something different, such as created unsusual artwork or believed in a new religion, and stood by what they believed in. Surrounding people are afraid and worried because this drastically new idea could threaten what exists currently. The narrator refers to being honored after death. This happens to people who are truly great. The narrator obviously has confidence and believes in himself. He wants to die nobly so that no precious blood is shed. He believes in himself and what he stands for.
This story was pretty vulgar. It focused on stereotypes, whether racial or social or even sexual. There are several clues that confuse the reader about what ethnicity the narrator is. Calling his aunt "tia" makes him appear Hispanic. However, referring to his afro makes him appear African American. This story was actually a cluster of directions. The directions lead the follower to "hopefully" make sexual contact with the girl. The narrator instructs to pay attention and pretend to be interested in what the girl is saying in order to get her approval. It appears that the narrator is so focused on this girl and hopefully "getting something from her" in order to forget about what is going on in his life. There is government cheese, and the entire family lives in an apartment in a bad part of the town. This leads one to believe that the narrator's life is not ideal.
No Name Woman
This story represents a culture more than the first story. So many instances are a part of only the Chinese culture. It's interesting that village would make sure a man was married before leaving for work. This would ensure that he would "responsibly come home." The villagers were ashamed of the narrator's aunt for having a child outside of wedlock. I got the feeling that some wore masks because they were also ashamed of their own behavior of raiding the house. I was shocked to realize the traumatic story was told just so the children would be scared to have sex. The incident is so personal that I felt this way of bringing it up was awful. The culture is shown again when Necessity is capitalized on page 149. It is actually a name of a guiding river, but the literal translation is true in American culture as well. I felt sympathy for the children in the story. They felt guilty for having any sort of happiness. The action always required energy, which left their parents exhausted. The traditions of how the Chinese eat in silence is interesting. The narrator's line "They want me to participate in her punishment. I have.." is shocking. This implies that the mother told her children the story so that they would also feel shame for their aunt's actions. The last line of this story, which refers to the drowned woman with wet hair hanging, reminds me of the movie The Ring. I was not aware that the idea of the movie was actually a Chinese superstition.
Becky
This story appears to play with the idea of karma. The town treats a single woman poorly. They send her out away from the town. Everybody remembered her though. People were scared of her ghost. The actual setup of the story is visually stimulating; it drew in my attention. Why was the father's identity such a secret? There seems to be such a divide between the whites and the blacks, which shows the culture of this time period. However, the two cultures come together in unity to cast out Becky. The idea of not accepting a woman who has a child out of wedlock appears to run in many different cultures.
Battle Royal
The title is humorous, because the battle between races is a royal battle. It has been going on for years and years. I read this story in high school and also did not understand it all that well then. The main character seems to be going through several different struggles. He is overcoming the race boundary by giving the speech to a crowd of white men. He is struggling with his family's expectations. He is struggling with himself. He is trying to find himself, while trying to live up to his family's standards. I would say that at the end of the story he has overcome quite a bit.
America
This is a different way to look at one's culture. It seems to be a sort of analysis of US culture. The narrator here has a love-hate relationship with the United States. He finds that many parts of the culture have been hard on him. The US is so big and vast that there are many different opportunities. One part of the culture motivates him and gives him the strength to be able to handle the parts of the culture that are not ideal. This culture will be as diverse as it is now for quite a while in the future. The narrator claims to see into the future and predicts that things will remain.
If We Must Die
Saying if they must die sounds like people are settling for a less than ideal circumstance. Not wanting to be like hogs means that they want to keep some dignity. The mad and hungry dogs are a metaphor for people who ridicule the narrator. I think this poem is a reference to a person who did something different, such as created unsusual artwork or believed in a new religion, and stood by what they believed in. Surrounding people are afraid and worried because this drastically new idea could threaten what exists currently. The narrator refers to being honored after death. This happens to people who are truly great. The narrator obviously has confidence and believes in himself. He wants to die nobly so that no precious blood is shed. He believes in himself and what he stands for.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Freewrite & Research
I.)
a.) WAR - dark, cold, angry, loud noises, winter, blood, yelling, smoke, strong emotions, uniforms, dirt, pain, feeling scared
GUNNER - one who uses guns, a strong person, someone hunting someone down
ATTACK - suprise, powerful, angry, blood and dirt, emotional, someone creating dominance, weapons,
b.) World War II - black and white photographs, nurses with the oldfashioned uniforms, Red Cross, small planes, Nazi's, the Holocaust, German culture, Hitler, nuclear bombs, a gray setting, moustaches
II.) Reflection:
a.) After researching a ball turret, I better understand why he would freeze. After maybe being forced into a tiny space, I can also better understand how easily it would be to zone out and become lost in your own little world. The gunner is so far away from civilization, but there is still so much going on. Seeing the tiny space helped me better visualize the washing with a hose. Hunching in its belly is also easier to visualize. The ball turret is literally in the belly of the plane.
b.) Jarrell was not qualified to fly. This could have made him feel resentful, and this may be why his poems tended to be more critical of war. He understood how the process worked and how it was to be a gunner because he saw it daily. His poem seems sympathetic also. He is describing the job of a gunner in a way that the reader feels pity for the gunner.
a.) WAR - dark, cold, angry, loud noises, winter, blood, yelling, smoke, strong emotions, uniforms, dirt, pain, feeling scared
GUNNER - one who uses guns, a strong person, someone hunting someone down
ATTACK - suprise, powerful, angry, blood and dirt, emotional, someone creating dominance, weapons,
b.) World War II - black and white photographs, nurses with the oldfashioned uniforms, Red Cross, small planes, Nazi's, the Holocaust, German culture, Hitler, nuclear bombs, a gray setting, moustaches
II.) Reflection:
a.) After researching a ball turret, I better understand why he would freeze. After maybe being forced into a tiny space, I can also better understand how easily it would be to zone out and become lost in your own little world. The gunner is so far away from civilization, but there is still so much going on. Seeing the tiny space helped me better visualize the washing with a hose. Hunching in its belly is also easier to visualize. The ball turret is literally in the belly of the plane.
b.) Jarrell was not qualified to fly. This could have made him feel resentful, and this may be why his poems tended to be more critical of war. He understood how the process worked and how it was to be a gunner because he saw it daily. His poem seems sympathetic also. He is describing the job of a gunner in a way that the reader feels pity for the gunner.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
War&History
Turning Out with a Focus on Historicism and New Historicism
The idea of relating stories to history and real-life events to better understand a story is a method that is used whether one realizes it or not. We relate stories to something that is familiar to us to better understand and relate to the story. By using the historicism method, a reader must have knowledge or history or must have access to the information. While researching history may seem cumbersum, the extra knowledge greatly helps the reader dive further into the text. That there are inaccuracies in a historical text is interesting. While it does relate to history, a text is from a person's point of view. Their perception of a situation may be different from another person's. There must always be evidence to support the discussion of a historical text. However, one must be aware that there are many different types of text. Also, some documents found may be biased or false.
Concerning the Nazi slave labor camps claim, if the first claim and the second claim were found accurate and correct, would you continue onto a third claim? We must be aware that texts discussing the past may be different due to the era in which it is written. Therefore, this type of text will present an idea on the past, but also on the era in which it is written. It is interesting that an author may be telling a story about the past, while at the same time trying to say something about the current time period.
The idea of relating stories to history and real-life events to better understand a story is a method that is used whether one realizes it or not. We relate stories to something that is familiar to us to better understand and relate to the story. By using the historicism method, a reader must have knowledge or history or must have access to the information. While researching history may seem cumbersum, the extra knowledge greatly helps the reader dive further into the text. That there are inaccuracies in a historical text is interesting. While it does relate to history, a text is from a person's point of view. Their perception of a situation may be different from another person's. There must always be evidence to support the discussion of a historical text. However, one must be aware that there are many different types of text. Also, some documents found may be biased or false.
Concerning the Nazi slave labor camps claim, if the first claim and the second claim were found accurate and correct, would you continue onto a third claim? We must be aware that texts discussing the past may be different due to the era in which it is written. Therefore, this type of text will present an idea on the past, but also on the era in which it is written. It is interesting that an author may be telling a story about the past, while at the same time trying to say something about the current time period.
The Holocaust Party
I liked this story very much. Mrs. Isabel's story was powerful, but the narrator's interpretation of Mrs. Isabel is even more interesting. The woman obviously survived many hardships. I related to the narrator when he could not understand why she would make such a ridiculous comment. In a way, her comment made me feel bad for her. For a long time she was not living an ideal life, and it is easy to believe that the harsh soldiers may have warped her thoughts and ideas. It is true enough that this is not a typical Holocaust survivor story; many survivors' tales are much more horrifying and graphic. One cannot judge another's past and troubles. If a situation affected a person in a certain way, noone can stand there and tell that person otherwise.
The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner
This poem is again about war. What does he mean when he says he fell immediately into the State? Does he mean he went to war at a young age? The line about being six miles away from the dream of life is interesting. When one that far above ground, what is seen can seem unrealistic. When he snapped out of his daze and daydreaming, he awoke again to the horrific scene. This poet is trying to discuss the reality of war, not the idea of nobility and pride that can be associated with it. This is evident when he describes how he was washed out of the turret with a hose. It is interesting that the poet chose for this poem to be in the first person point of view because nobody knows their own death as good as they do. The narrator sounds as if he has become trapped in a state of learned helplessness. He is fighting in the war, but he doesn't care to be there. If he was excited about fighting he wouldn't be daydreaming while in the air. He wouldn't have lost his sense of reality.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Strategies&CR
Cultural/Historical Inventory
I strongly agree that culture defines a piece of writing. Culture defines who we are as people and how we choose to live our lives. In a past English class we had to research the author of a famous text. Once I understood more about the author and his life, I had a completely different outlook on the text. It is suprising how culture and history have an effect on individuals.
The Soldier
This peom discusses the longing for something that is constant and familiar in a world that is constantly changing. The soldier is saying that, although there is a war that is destroying the country they love, there will always be reminders of the country they cherished. The poem is saying that one can always be happy even though there is change.
Anthem for Doomed Youth
This poem is about young soldiers who die at war. They die as cattle because they are too young to have accomplished anything by the time they have been sent off to be practically slaughtered at war. The rifles' shots are louder than any of their prayers. There is no funeral for the young soldiers when they are killed out in the fields.
Dulce et Decorum Est
This poem is also about soldiers in war. These soldiers are walking along, barely able to take steps forward because they are so tired and sick. Some men have become so affected by the war they have gone mad. They have begun to ignore the signs of war that previously frightened them. When poisonous gas is noticed, they are awakened from their daze. A man that does not get his helmet on in time haunts the narrator's dreams. The imagery of the poor man is disheartening. The man says that it is sweet to die for one's country. This dying phrase fills the reader with hope and pride.
The Glory of Women
This poem also is about a war. The soldiers are narrating the poem, which describes the women left behind in the war. The narrator is proud of the woman he has left behind. She keeps a positive attitude and listens intently to the war stories. She obviously supports the soldiers and the war. Either deliberately or not, she ignores the negativity of the war by going through her daily routine.
They
The Bishop idolizes the young soldiers and is understanding of the future hardships. He acknowledges that they have faced difficult times during the war. The Bishop remains predominately optimistic even when the soldiers come back from the war and are fully pessimistic.
It was interesting that all of the required reading were about wars. The differences portrayed the many different ways of interpreting things on the same topic and idea.
I strongly agree that culture defines a piece of writing. Culture defines who we are as people and how we choose to live our lives. In a past English class we had to research the author of a famous text. Once I understood more about the author and his life, I had a completely different outlook on the text. It is suprising how culture and history have an effect on individuals.
The Soldier
This peom discusses the longing for something that is constant and familiar in a world that is constantly changing. The soldier is saying that, although there is a war that is destroying the country they love, there will always be reminders of the country they cherished. The poem is saying that one can always be happy even though there is change.
Anthem for Doomed Youth
This poem is about young soldiers who die at war. They die as cattle because they are too young to have accomplished anything by the time they have been sent off to be practically slaughtered at war. The rifles' shots are louder than any of their prayers. There is no funeral for the young soldiers when they are killed out in the fields.
Dulce et Decorum Est
This poem is also about soldiers in war. These soldiers are walking along, barely able to take steps forward because they are so tired and sick. Some men have become so affected by the war they have gone mad. They have begun to ignore the signs of war that previously frightened them. When poisonous gas is noticed, they are awakened from their daze. A man that does not get his helmet on in time haunts the narrator's dreams. The imagery of the poor man is disheartening. The man says that it is sweet to die for one's country. This dying phrase fills the reader with hope and pride.
The Glory of Women
This poem also is about a war. The soldiers are narrating the poem, which describes the women left behind in the war. The narrator is proud of the woman he has left behind. She keeps a positive attitude and listens intently to the war stories. She obviously supports the soldiers and the war. Either deliberately or not, she ignores the negativity of the war by going through her daily routine.
They
The Bishop idolizes the young soldiers and is understanding of the future hardships. He acknowledges that they have faced difficult times during the war. The Bishop remains predominately optimistic even when the soldiers come back from the war and are fully pessimistic.
It was interesting that all of the required reading were about wars. The differences portrayed the many different ways of interpreting things on the same topic and idea.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
My Paper Concerns
I am concerned that I focused too much on the store as a whole rather than on the individual drink. I feel that the image of the actual store adds a lot to my point. However, would it be beneficial to add more about the actual drink? Should I put more personal experience into my paper? I am an avid coffee drinker and have strong opinions on the store, but I am unsure of whether or not that would take away from my main idea.
Poster Reflection
The message of my poster is that we should be concerned with the health of our environment. Global warming is a huge issue today. People claim that they are doing everything they can to not disrupt the cleanliness and to not put pollution into our world. However, most people do not want to make changes in their daily routines. Therefore, many people support the idea of keeping a clean environment but are not doing anything to actually keep it clean.
I chose global warming because it is an important issue. Whether or not global warming exists, we need to stop dirtying up our world. Litter and pollution are everywhere. Aside from global warming, we just need to learn how to keep our environment clean.
I chose the images of the polar bears because people can relate to these images easily. Most people think polar bears are cute. This type of relation to the animal causes the audience to feel more sympathetic. One of the main issues with global warming is the heavy use of nonenvironmentally-friendly cars. I chose several pictures of heavy traffic flow. An easy way to stop some pollution is to carpool or use other methods of transportation. I chose the factory picture because factories emit large amounts of pollution into the air and ozone. There are regulations being set up, but companies are finding ways around them to keep costs down. The image of President Bush holding a globe is powerful. He is in an extremely influential position. His comment in the picture represents what most Americans think about global warming and then environment changing.
If I had unlimited resources, I would have used more vivid colors and more intense photography. I would also like to put comparison photos of glaciers now compared to glacier size many years ago.
I chose global warming because it is an important issue. Whether or not global warming exists, we need to stop dirtying up our world. Litter and pollution are everywhere. Aside from global warming, we just need to learn how to keep our environment clean.
I chose the images of the polar bears because people can relate to these images easily. Most people think polar bears are cute. This type of relation to the animal causes the audience to feel more sympathetic. One of the main issues with global warming is the heavy use of nonenvironmentally-friendly cars. I chose several pictures of heavy traffic flow. An easy way to stop some pollution is to carpool or use other methods of transportation. I chose the factory picture because factories emit large amounts of pollution into the air and ozone. There are regulations being set up, but companies are finding ways around them to keep costs down. The image of President Bush holding a globe is powerful. He is in an extremely influential position. His comment in the picture represents what most Americans think about global warming and then environment changing.
If I had unlimited resources, I would have used more vivid colors and more intense photography. I would also like to put comparison photos of glaciers now compared to glacier size many years ago.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Essay #2
PROPOSAL
I intend to focus on a Grande Raspberry Nonfat White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks. The main purpose of this text is to quench the customer's coffee desires, while also satisfying a nagging sweet tooth. Overall, the drink's goal is to please and taste good to the customer. However, a person may order this drink for other reasons. I do not know anyone that doesn't acknowledge that Starbucks' drinks are overpriced. Simply walking around holding a Starbucks cup portrays an image of slight status. Most Starbucks drinkers are daily coffee drinkers. Therefore, one would imply that the individual can afford to spend money on an overpriced cup of coffee and enjoy it, or at least pretend to, every single day. This particular customer's order is ironic in the health conscious world. The individual ordered a nonfat drink, meaning the drink will be made with skim milk instead of whole milk. However, the calories that are left out with the milk are made up in the several syrups used for the mocha and the raspberry flavoring.
The Starbucks Corporation has been very clever in its design. The design of each cup is simple and clean looking, which is a modern look. The whole idea of Starbucks, a coffee company that appeals to the new, young, and chic, is genius. It brings an urban style and feel into the corporate world, allowing professionals to add something "different" to their world. However, in reality they are just like every other professional that is looking to bring a unique and different flair into their lives. Starbucks has realized that people are willing to pay more for that image.
Starbucks has created their products to appeal to absolutely everyone, from the "boring" corporate professionals, to the soccer moms looking for a relaxing moment, to the artistic young and hip crowd, and even to children. The many flavors and drink options ensure that something will appeal to everyone. There are often stuffed animals and seasonal toys placed at the ordering counter just at eye height for a young child. I have to admit that I am fully addicted to Starbucks. I believe that we have a love/hate relationship, in that I hate that I absolutely love Starbucks. The design ideas and creations are working because people keep going back to Starbucks for that overpriced cup of coffee.
THESIS
This paper will argue that Starbucks has evolved from a simple coffee shop to having a monopoly over the coffee shop and cafe scene, in that carrying around an overpriced cup of Starbucks coffee also carries along an image and an idea about the individual customer.
I intend to focus on a Grande Raspberry Nonfat White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks. The main purpose of this text is to quench the customer's coffee desires, while also satisfying a nagging sweet tooth. Overall, the drink's goal is to please and taste good to the customer. However, a person may order this drink for other reasons. I do not know anyone that doesn't acknowledge that Starbucks' drinks are overpriced. Simply walking around holding a Starbucks cup portrays an image of slight status. Most Starbucks drinkers are daily coffee drinkers. Therefore, one would imply that the individual can afford to spend money on an overpriced cup of coffee and enjoy it, or at least pretend to, every single day. This particular customer's order is ironic in the health conscious world. The individual ordered a nonfat drink, meaning the drink will be made with skim milk instead of whole milk. However, the calories that are left out with the milk are made up in the several syrups used for the mocha and the raspberry flavoring.
The Starbucks Corporation has been very clever in its design. The design of each cup is simple and clean looking, which is a modern look. The whole idea of Starbucks, a coffee company that appeals to the new, young, and chic, is genius. It brings an urban style and feel into the corporate world, allowing professionals to add something "different" to their world. However, in reality they are just like every other professional that is looking to bring a unique and different flair into their lives. Starbucks has realized that people are willing to pay more for that image.
Starbucks has created their products to appeal to absolutely everyone, from the "boring" corporate professionals, to the soccer moms looking for a relaxing moment, to the artistic young and hip crowd, and even to children. The many flavors and drink options ensure that something will appeal to everyone. There are often stuffed animals and seasonal toys placed at the ordering counter just at eye height for a young child. I have to admit that I am fully addicted to Starbucks. I believe that we have a love/hate relationship, in that I hate that I absolutely love Starbucks. The design ideas and creations are working because people keep going back to Starbucks for that overpriced cup of coffee.
THESIS
This paper will argue that Starbucks has evolved from a simple coffee shop to having a monopoly over the coffee shop and cafe scene, in that carrying around an overpriced cup of Starbucks coffee also carries along an image and an idea about the individual customer.
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