This semester, I've found that I've analyzed things in different ways than I did before. Previously, I just thought of writing as something you merely do and that's just it. I mean I knew there was something to it, but I didn't think of it as musical. I thought it was part natural and part practice, which as you practice, you could say becomes more natural. I read it and love it, but I never thought of it musically. Learning about the rhythm of writing at first seemed like to much analyzing. But soon after, I realized that it had benefits. It made me look and think twice when reading.
For example, in The Kite Runner, the rhythm made me think of word choice and that made me realize how much thought was put into it. Like we talked about, rewriting all of it with different words just didn't have the same effect. By capturing this concept, I was able to understand it better. Though I haven't particularly concentrated on it in my writing, I have noticed that it's more concise and flows more. By learning about rhythm and noticing it while reading, they are slowly infuse into my work. By reading even more in the future and slowly concentrating more on flow, my writing can improve even more.
In addition, I've found that I look at poetry differently now. Before, I used to really dislike it, mainly the writing part but also reading it. I prefered novels and the like. However, just by flipping through the poetry book we got, I realized how many poems I remembered and realized how interesting they are to read. They have such great flow and use such wonderful vocabulary that anything else would just fall short. Especially after reading "Beauty" by Emily Dickinson, I realized how much meaning there is to so few lines. I've discovered that I do enjoy reading poetry, because it's so different and there's so many ways to interpret it. I'm not saying I like writing it because I haven't really given it a try and don't know how to achieve that quality and effect. Perhaps because I don't know the techniques or maybe because coming up with ideas for poetry makes my brain explode. But what I did discover is that whether it works or not, it's worth a try. Because in the end, I'll either realize I like reading it but writing it isn't my thing, or I'll see that I can do something different and learn more through that.
Through this semester in English, I've pretty much learned that I shouldn't shoot things down before I know more about them. Because if you look and give it a shot, there might be something you really enjoy. I can't say I like everything, so even if I try it out and don't like it, at least I can support my opinion of why not, and appreciate that I did make an effort.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Blogging Around Again
Alex's Dialectics: Ignorance and Bliss
Alex's post was about how ignorance is bliss. However, having knowledge is better. It talks about the importance of having knowledge, as well as your happiness is what you can make with it. It was interesting to read about the knowledge part because I never thought of that angle before. My comment follows:
I'm actually really fond of this post. I definitely agree that ignorance is bliss. Because really, if you aren't facing reality then what worries could you possibly have? If you don't know terrible things are happening, then you won't be affected emotionally and you'll remain in bliss.
But I also agree when you say you'll end up lonely and bored. Who would want to talk to you if you won't bother to listen? Knowledge truly is better because then you can form your own opinion and make what you will with that. Once you learn from other people and become less ignorant by informing yourself, you can be happier because then you'll be more confident in what you know. After the last STAND meeting, we hung around and Mr. Whipple said something along the lines of, 'Stupid people are happy as long as they don't know they are stupid.' (Or something very similar to that at the least.) And it's so true. But, having information available to you and turning that into knowledge gives you a sense of accomplishment.
Having information taken away though, must make people miserable because they won't be ignorant. They'll know there's something else out there that they can't grasp, which will make them explore something they may never get again. You can't take away knowledge, but you can take away information which allows you to gain knowledge, which can take away a feeling of happiness from someone.
Pat's Connection: King Lear and the Berlin Wall
Pat connects King Lear and the effects and fall of the Berlin Wall based on a New York Times article. He makes valid connections and I especially like how he talks about what Shakespeare did well and what he didn't do at all. It gives a fuller view with more perspectives, making it more interesting to read. My comment follows:
You're connections are really interesting and I never would've thought of it this way until reading your post. I definitely agree that you although everyone is affected in both cases, you can't see what exactly happens. The division between Goneril and Regan led to many deaths and a greater tragic affect in Lear. The Berlin Wall affected the lives of those who couldn't see their family on the other side. I like the connections you point out. However, there's one I thought I might add. Your first connection points out Regan and Goneril are horrible and are abusers of power. I think Cordelia can be thrown in there because in King Lear she is the loving one, the good daughter. In the real world, a unified Germany was better, because it united people and brought more peace and conflict resolution.
Alex's post was about how ignorance is bliss. However, having knowledge is better. It talks about the importance of having knowledge, as well as your happiness is what you can make with it. It was interesting to read about the knowledge part because I never thought of that angle before. My comment follows:
I'm actually really fond of this post. I definitely agree that ignorance is bliss. Because really, if you aren't facing reality then what worries could you possibly have? If you don't know terrible things are happening, then you won't be affected emotionally and you'll remain in bliss.
But I also agree when you say you'll end up lonely and bored. Who would want to talk to you if you won't bother to listen? Knowledge truly is better because then you can form your own opinion and make what you will with that. Once you learn from other people and become less ignorant by informing yourself, you can be happier because then you'll be more confident in what you know. After the last STAND meeting, we hung around and Mr. Whipple said something along the lines of, 'Stupid people are happy as long as they don't know they are stupid.' (Or something very similar to that at the least.) And it's so true. But, having information available to you and turning that into knowledge gives you a sense of accomplishment.
Having information taken away though, must make people miserable because they won't be ignorant. They'll know there's something else out there that they can't grasp, which will make them explore something they may never get again. You can't take away knowledge, but you can take away information which allows you to gain knowledge, which can take away a feeling of happiness from someone.
Pat's Connection: King Lear and the Berlin Wall
Pat connects King Lear and the effects and fall of the Berlin Wall based on a New York Times article. He makes valid connections and I especially like how he talks about what Shakespeare did well and what he didn't do at all. It gives a fuller view with more perspectives, making it more interesting to read. My comment follows:
You're connections are really interesting and I never would've thought of it this way until reading your post. I definitely agree that you although everyone is affected in both cases, you can't see what exactly happens. The division between Goneril and Regan led to many deaths and a greater tragic affect in Lear. The Berlin Wall affected the lives of those who couldn't see their family on the other side. I like the connections you point out. However, there's one I thought I might add. Your first connection points out Regan and Goneril are horrible and are abusers of power. I think Cordelia can be thrown in there because in King Lear she is the loving one, the good daughter. In the real world, a unified Germany was better, because it united people and brought more peace and conflict resolution.
Monday, November 16, 2009
iMedia: Jaywalking
"Americans are NOT stupid" (below)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE
**Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended, I don't own any of this material.
As hilarious as this all is, it shows how sad reality is. I'm not going to lie and say it's not funny at all, because I can't deny that I find it quite entertaining. However, this illustrates a serious problem in our society. Do people really not know these basic facts? I'm sure some are just trying to be funny, but really, most of these people don't know this information? How does this reflect on our society? As much as I love this, it's really pathetic to watch. I know these people must have learned this sometime in their youth, because it's mostly required in curriculum. It reflects on the education system because people just learn to pass tests and then they forget the facts. I'm guilty of this too, but seeing this makes me realize more and more that we should care about learning so we don't end up being ridiculously unintelligent when we are older. The even sadder part here is that not only do the people not know about history or current events, they don't even know about pop culture. We're notorious for reading tabloids and watching t.v., but apparently nobody learned even from that. The guy wearing the shirt didn't even know what it said. I know that these people may be the exception to the rule, but do we want to end up like that? I certainly don't. We should take this and learn that education and information is valuable and if we don't want to be ridiculed, we should care about it more.
In the "Americans are NOT stupid" video, it comes to show how we are viewed in the world. And to think these people can vote for role models and leaders? What will happen to us when uneducated people take part in current events and politics? Even a slight amount of uneducated individuals bring down the community. It makes our culture look so bad, and causes people throughout the world to think we aren't capable of anything. But if this is what they see about our culture, can we blame them? That's not for me to judge, but what we can and should do to change this is by educating ourselves. People should rather make a conscious effort to better themselves, because not only will they learn something they will carry forward in their lives, but they will feel better and have better esteem knowing that they are smart and are capable. From this media connection, we should just think twice before disregarding events and history, and other knowledge, because who wants to end up being mocked like this?
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Connection: King Lear and Richard III
Richard III and King Lear both relate because they have a character that goes against the natural boundaries. Richard relates to Edmund because both are trying to disrupt social order to be higher up on the hierarchy and to have more power. They are using Renaissance values to be more important individuals compared to their surrounding medieval characters. I think this is really important to understand because it shows how Shakespeare connects characters from two different plays and ties them together with their same values. Both cause physical harm to others. Richard III kills pretty much everyone in the royal family, while Edmund gets Edward banished and eventually lends a major part in Cornwall taking out Gloucester's eyes.
Both characters have to overcome their hardships to come out on top. Edmund is the illegitimate son of Gloucester, which he has to overcome by plotting and scheming. Once he gets Edward out of the picture and into disguise, he is able to be to 'good son.' This especially works since he convinced Gloucester that Edward wanted to kill him. Richard III only had one 'usable hand' in the play. He had to overcome his physical complications and the way people looked at him in order to gain power. I think the complications really shows how the two characters inform each other and the audience/readers because it can open up a new idea. It can cause one to think whether the complications caused them to perform the actions they did to become powerful, or whether they performed the actions in order to overcome their complications. In both though, power is key. It's important to understand this because power was a major motivation and it shows throughout the play what the hunt for more power does to a character and how their morals disintegrate. Therefore, even though Richard III and Edmund are from different plays, they both reinforce the conflict in their power struggle, while comparing their new ideas and way of thought to those around them.
They both inform beyond the obvious so that readers can question what leads to what and they can better understand Shakespeare's style and question his motives for the plots. I find this to be relevant because it makes his works more enjoyable to read because I can understand his style and what goes on, it allows me to make connections, and it resonates with other literature and plays.
Both characters have to overcome their hardships to come out on top. Edmund is the illegitimate son of Gloucester, which he has to overcome by plotting and scheming. Once he gets Edward out of the picture and into disguise, he is able to be to 'good son.' This especially works since he convinced Gloucester that Edward wanted to kill him. Richard III only had one 'usable hand' in the play. He had to overcome his physical complications and the way people looked at him in order to gain power. I think the complications really shows how the two characters inform each other and the audience/readers because it can open up a new idea. It can cause one to think whether the complications caused them to perform the actions they did to become powerful, or whether they performed the actions in order to overcome their complications. In both though, power is key. It's important to understand this because power was a major motivation and it shows throughout the play what the hunt for more power does to a character and how their morals disintegrate. Therefore, even though Richard III and Edmund are from different plays, they both reinforce the conflict in their power struggle, while comparing their new ideas and way of thought to those around them.
They both inform beyond the obvious so that readers can question what leads to what and they can better understand Shakespeare's style and question his motives for the plots. I find this to be relevant because it makes his works more enjoyable to read because I can understand his style and what goes on, it allows me to make connections, and it resonates with other literature and plays.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
360 Degrees: Leadership
Why does there need to be a leader? I believe that leadership is an important quality because they can guide others and be a role model. What makes leadership such an important quality? What is important in a leader? Can anyone be a leader? What determines who is a leader and what they are made up of? Why do we need leaders? In my opinion, we need leaders for society to function and work the way it does. There are always going to be the people who take action and those who are quiet and reserved. Leaders can help others find the middle ground by helping people take action and become involved. How can everyone be a leader? This is virtually impossible. If everyone is a leader, then who would be a follower? If everyone leads, then there would be too many clashes within and this would create a dysfunctional society. This can really be a dialectic between leaders and followers, but I'll continue asking questions to get the 360 degree view. Leaders need to be responsible, engaging, and should care. This list could really go on forever, but nobody wants to hear that. Why does society see leadership as an important feature? When and why does a leader go too far? I think this is when the power goes to their head and they get caught up in it. They stop caring about others and don't work to make things better. What happens when a leader goes to far? How can this be prevented? Why is it important to be a leader? How can someone find the middle ground between leadership and following? Should they?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Metacognition: The Kite Runner Essay
While working on The Kite Runner essay, a specific type of thinking that helped me create my essay was resonance. I first let my pen flow and brainstormed several thesis ideas and expanded on a few with thoughts that burst into my head. After a day or two, I looked back at my list and tried to see what I could find more levels with, what I could prove well, and what interested me. I finally lowered my list down to my final thesis, which was saying that Amir can only gain closure with Hassan through Sohrab. This required me to make several connections and use resonance to relate the scenes. By doing so, I was able to see how my evidence and connections came to life and really did make sense. I think this was an effective method for me. By writing down all the ideas and possible evidence that jumped right out at me while brainstorming, I was able to see what would work right off the bat. Then, by waiting, I was able to get a fresher perspective, so in reality, whatever theses that may have been awkward, I was able to realize that and eliminate them. This really helped me find the best thesis I came up with and one that I cared to write about.
I was really surprised that I was able to make deep and valid connections, and that I didn't have to rewrite my plan, because for once it all just clicked and made sense. It made me feel more confident since what I connected within the text really worked, and that I knew exactly what I was doing. I realized that I am better at understanding what goes on in books than I thought I was. I liked that my evidence proved my point, in both simple and obvious ways, but then I drew in on them to make it deep and worthwhile. I found that my writing can make an impact and I am able to prove a valid point. One thing I would like to work better on in is writing openers that are catchy and not just boring.
I was really surprised that I was able to make deep and valid connections, and that I didn't have to rewrite my plan, because for once it all just clicked and made sense. It made me feel more confident since what I connected within the text really worked, and that I knew exactly what I was doing. I realized that I am better at understanding what goes on in books than I thought I was. I liked that my evidence proved my point, in both simple and obvious ways, but then I drew in on them to make it deep and worthwhile. I found that my writing can make an impact and I am able to prove a valid point. One thing I would like to work better on in is writing openers that are catchy and not just boring.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Blogging Around
Taylor's Connection: The Kite Runner and Mean Girls
From what I read, I found the point of Taylor's blog entry was to show continuities in human thinking by connecting The Kite Runner with Mean Girls showing that time, location, and culture have no bearing, and that there remains a divide in society because of the brain's tendency to "chunk" information.
This was really a great blog post! Mean Girls being one of my favorite movies, I found it really interesting to see you make valid connections between it and The Kite Runner, and you explained them in depth too. I especially like how you connect it to the real, modern world in the end through your connections. As bad as the truth may be, I agree with you that there will always be people who will make the division continue.
Sam's Best of Week: Nature vs. Nurture
Sam's main focus was that we shouldn't judge someone because their culture and the way they were raised, what they were raised to believe (nurture) shapes them, and they might not know much better (although it certainly doesn't make what they do okay). She then draws on bettering oneself by judging their actions rather than judging others.
This is a great insight that you brought up. I definitely agree with your point that we should judge our own actions rather than judging others. You really took nature vs. nurture to another level; from Assef being a bully, to a circular character, and reflection in your own life. As horrible as his actions were, Nature vs. Nurture definitely shows that you shouldn't judge someone because it might not be their fault. If more people see this and try to better themselves, then that's really the only way to move forward in the world.
From what I read, I found the point of Taylor's blog entry was to show continuities in human thinking by connecting The Kite Runner with Mean Girls showing that time, location, and culture have no bearing, and that there remains a divide in society because of the brain's tendency to "chunk" information.
This was really a great blog post! Mean Girls being one of my favorite movies, I found it really interesting to see you make valid connections between it and The Kite Runner, and you explained them in depth too. I especially like how you connect it to the real, modern world in the end through your connections. As bad as the truth may be, I agree with you that there will always be people who will make the division continue.
Sam's Best of Week: Nature vs. Nurture
Sam's main focus was that we shouldn't judge someone because their culture and the way they were raised, what they were raised to believe (nurture) shapes them, and they might not know much better (although it certainly doesn't make what they do okay). She then draws on bettering oneself by judging their actions rather than judging others.
This is a great insight that you brought up. I definitely agree with your point that we should judge our own actions rather than judging others. You really took nature vs. nurture to another level; from Assef being a bully, to a circular character, and reflection in your own life. As horrible as his actions were, Nature vs. Nurture definitely shows that you shouldn't judge someone because it might not be their fault. If more people see this and try to better themselves, then that's really the only way to move forward in the world.
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