About Me

Athens, Georgia, United States
I am very friendly and think the main benefit of life is gaining friends and meeting interesting people!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Modernism

The idea’s that surrounded the Modernism evolution of literature, music, and arts in the American culture affected a very wide range of people. At this time America’s immigration of large populaces of many differently nationalities was at a very high rate. Many of who, just arriving in America had little or no wealth, which I think helped expand on the growing reality that America was not a place where everyone could live well in the American standards. This also has ties to second world war that occurred during the era. The devastating loss of a large percentage of any generation is enough to arouse discontent in the heart of many friends, family members, and loved ones into being disenchanted with the idea that America’s society was not out of reach to the effects of the happenings of Europe and the wars they occurred there. Such a strong example of the happenings in other parts of the war and the profound impact they can make on our semi-isolated position. The fact that it caused a nation as a whole to step back and think about how realistic the American dream was or what one might have to go through to obtain it was enough to disenchant many people under the "illusion." I hope to read a style of literature that reflects on people of a society suspending them within it but seeing it as some how flawed and possibly reclusive. The idea of not every American has a fair chance to the possibility of success in the nation where the pursuit of happiness is in many ways the advertisement logo of the country. This is why I wanted to read the disillusionment segment of the Modernism era.

In the story of Soldier’s Home by Earnest Hemmingway Harold Krebs has just returned from Germany, serving in last three years of the war. He joined the Marines in 1917. He served the last three years of the war. He was not sent as back as early as the draftees were and so was not welcomed by the same cheer and warmth that many of these called upon heroes had been. He returned and led a life of a calm reclusion filled with reading and enjoying his days watching pretty girls and reflecting on the drama that ensues with them. He had gone to college prior to the war and had not pursued a career after his return home. He spent most of the day when not reading playing pool in the local pool hall. He also practiced clarinet. He was very much a picture perfect pitch for the American dream, but he seemed dispatched to the culture some how.

His father sold real estate and provided for this mother and children. Harold had a younger sister named Helen. His whole family showed great amounts of support and love. His father who had never let Harold use his car prior to the war even told Harold through his mother that he could drive it any night he wanted. All of these signs still could not seem to get through the phase the Harold seemed to be behind. He felt no sense of love in this aspect of one of the core values of the American dream, family. He was left at the end of the story in a fork in the road of his life. He seemingly could not break off into any of the paths that life could have presented to him.

I think Harold Krebs’s strong sentiments of disillusionment where due to his past with his service in the war. It was noted often, such as; "A distaste for everything that had happened to him in the war set in because of the lies he had told." that he did not talk about the war unless at the pool hall. It was strange to see that he did find a place in the society of America that he did feel somewhat comfortable. It also only makes his separation from the culture even more felt in the story because it seems he would try to fit in but still had a hard time. His difficulties of his pursuing the females of his town came from the different impact the war had on them. Most of the young girls his age had been hardly affected by the war and it had been only a topic of conversation in its duration.

The illusion Krebs had once had portrayed in his mind of the American way of life had been wiped clean from whatever canvas it had been painted on. His loving family, prospective life options, and bachelordom would have been many American’s favorite time to look back on. For someone like Krebs’s I think he would have not seen much value in separating the eras of one’s life but more of a sense in the value of the person over their entirety. The idea of not getting a chance to lead the normal life of getting an education and directly pursuing in a career might off set any person on their path in life. Many Americans found their dreams that life might bring to them suddenly brought into a much wider world that could still harm their happiness and sense of balance. He reflected on the absence of a happiness in a environment one would feel in this passage, "All of the times that had been able to make him feel cool and clear inside himself when he thought of them; the times so long back when he had done the one thing, the only thing for a man to do, easily and naturally, when he might have done something else, now lost their cool, valuable quality and then were lost themselves."


In the poem "Richard Corey," I feel the strongest aspect of the modernism movement touched on was the separation of wealth. In this instance it was a burden on it’s wielder and caused him grief and guilt. He had what the poor didn’t and he was aware of it and became unsatisfied with life. He killed himself because of this. This phrase of the poem lets a perspective of Richard and his life style through. "And he was always quietly arrayed, 5 and he was always human when he talked; but still he fluttered pulses when he said, "Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked."


The poem "A Dream Deferred" is reflecting on the many ways the disillusionment felt could alter some one’s life. Could it kill the creative soul of the individual? Would it bring them to find fortunes in new places? Would it create hard times for people? Could it even awaken them to find out what their real dream is? These are just a few ways the poem hints at people’s lives being altered by the era’s realist taking on life.


The poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" I felt was a very reflective side of the young age of the American nation. This reflections strongly supports my ideas, "I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins." It was still early in its settling into the society it would melt together from all the different people who wanted to live freely. The people who had it taken from them, and what it had been before anyone was there to live upon it. It brought forth a sense of respect for the earth and what it provided for people.


Countee Cullen’s poem "Incident" is an emphasis on how incidents that occur around us are most remembered when the memory of the event is a bad one. He remembers spending a fall in Baltimore when he was eight. A teasing boy his age called him the n-word. He states that he was there for month but remembers little other than the occasion of being picked on for his race. This reflects greatly upon the Harlem renaissance and how a community of people that had certainly never been given the full rights to the American dream were emerging in culture as more equal but still unfairly treated citizens. He reflects upon his bitterness over the time in this phrase from his poem, "I saw the whole of Baltimore from May until December; of all the things that happened there that's all that I remember."


In Robert Frost’s poem "The Mending Wall" two neighbors and their yearly rebuilding of the stone wall between their two respective properties is reflected upon in the idea of disillusionment. "SOMETHING there is that doesn’t love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; and makes gaps even two can pass abreast." The wall is built in the spring and during the winter and other seasons slowly falls in many places. The neighbors have differing ideas on the yearly reconstruction of the wall. One neighbor is under the illusion that the wall is not needed and that both parties know their land and needn’t spend such a long time rebuilding their dividing wall. The other sees the rebuilding the wall as a reflection on his relationship with his land and his neighbor as a good thing and wants to continue the process.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Realism

“She was young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength. But now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of blue sky. It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought.” These were words written by Kate Chopin to describe Louise Mallard’s thought and expression as she reflected upon the news of her husband’s death. It details her character vividly by telling the reader of how her face moved to express the emotions she felt. It describes her seeing through her eyes and what they saw through the window she was sitting next to. Her feelings were reflected by the weather and view she saw through the window.

I felt that the social injustice described in this story was the pre-unionized rail road industry and the hazards to safety it presented to its workers. “It was he who had been in the newspaper office when intelligence of the railroad disaster was received, with Brently Mallard's name leading the list of "killed." The entire backdrop for “The Story of an Hour” is based on this event. Richards a friend of the Mallard family was working at the news paper office when the news arrived and even verified his “death” by another telegram. The social I think and could be wrong that the social problem being addressed in this short issue of unsafe working standards in an earlier era can also be tied to the less stable level of mass communication that had developed by this time period. I feel that there was a lack of communication due to the end of the story when it is revealed that her Husband’s death was actually a misunderstanding.

“Mr. Covey seemed now to think he had me, and could do what he pleased; but at this moment- - from whence came the spirit I don't know- - I resolved to fight; and suiting my action to the resolution, I seized Covey hard by the throat; and as I did so, I rose.” I felt this was the strongest action of Fredrick Douglas’s in his narration detailing part of his slave “career.” In this brief moment he choose not to be whipped and in an unpremeditated way. He said his spirit to resist came from inside and at a time he had not seen it coming. I think that once he began to trust his instincts like in this situation his actions began to speak for what he truly felt inside his heart. If his instincts were a reaction to a social injustice is something only Fredrick Douglas can tell.

The social injustice in this story is much clearer than the previous story by Kate Chopin. Slavery was a large topic of controversy when realism began as a literature writing style. It was previous to the civil war that people began to interpret things are sharply as reality described them. People had taken more of an interest in human rights and in turn saw injustice in practices such as slavery or women not being given the right to vote. The aspect of slavery was by far the strongest social problem in this era of writing. I think most would agree since a war had been caused by it. Some would disagree that the American civil war was started over slavery but I am firmly convinced that it was the majority factor to the separation of the union and the cause of the war.

In modern days there are probably more social injustices that aren’t given much attention purposefully to make them seem like less of a problem. Many country’s citizens find their jobs disappearing for instance and the level of unemployment on the rise. In some countries workers have decided to take a stand against such action against their lively hood. In Argentina for example a large corporation that was partially funded by the government was closing plants that provided employment for many working people. Many workers in other parts of the world would have accepted non-employment and poverty. In the case of this Fjora auto plant in Buenos Aires the workers chose that their work place should not be closed and that instead they should re-open by the workers for the workers, even if they weren’t allowed to. They occupied the factory illegally and even fought of police with sling shots using marbles as ammo. It is obvious that the need for work is becoming a more drastic problem especially in countries were there is a larger level of poverty. This event was made into a documentary called “La Toma” or “The Taking.”

Communites and Schools

Community in Schools organization is a revolutionary system being implemented in the school systems that Americans finds themselves enrolled in. With a more focused view on helping a student reach their goal in life there is a feeling of success. The smaller class sizes, community internships, and more one-on-one teaching occurring in every classroom and performance learning school show the results are going to show success very quickly.

Schools modeled after the Community in Schools standard find themselves as a more focused and in a more structured environment. Students have more time in a single class period to not only plan their work but, to also get an extra half hour to get more work done at school. These procedures result in less work having to be done during after school hours. This benefit could leave a student a more productive evening after school: such as reading required materials, writing papers ahead of schedule, and studying math material being covered in class, or maybe even participating in community sports leagues.

To further complement the academic schedule there is the schools mandatory internships in the community itself. Most students of any age in their high school career have the slightest idea of where they want their life to lead them. These internships in fields that a student thinks they may be interested enough to pursue as a career are truly eye opening experiences into the real world side of any job.

Young adults know that in thinking of their future they can name at least five to ten jobs that they could see themselves holding. All students regardless of type of seal they are attempting for their diploma will want some sort of insight that is usually not presented to them so easily. This program offers is the most realistic approach to a student’s dreams and admirations of their future. These types of expectations given to high school students compared to students fresh out of a four year research institute are highly profitable to be obtained at such an early phase of the education system.

Any student that has just graduated from a four year college will ask themselves what they will do now that they have completed their education. Many say a variety of things in response to the question of where to take life. Continuation of education or maybe a doctorate, these might be some people’s goal at first thought. Others will want to pursue the careers they have been studying to undertake for the past four years of their life. Not all but some of these students will be dissatisfied with the career path they have chosen and assumed was right for them. Communities in Schools has a chance to create a more accurate idea for what type of education one should pursue once entering post high school education facilities.

This connection not only forms a view of an individual’s path in life but also a view into the wide world of networking and how important it is to meet people and creating good impressions on those that you work with. On any level of any job good communication skills and ability to maintain a workplace relationship with co-employees is another valuable tool gained from communities in schools. It also opens doors in young student’s minds to allow them learn from others and their own actions and mistakes. These factors all collaborate together to create a career minded, hard working, fast learning work place with a good goal in mind for their future.

Dark Romantacism

Nathaniel Hawthorne was a figure of an anti-transcendentalist background. In Hawthorne’s case I believe that his falling into this perspective was because of his rational thought that provoked a strong reaction in him when a family member sentenced people to death during the Salem witch trials. His family member was convinced by the people that the accused were evil and I think this made Hawthorne see those that condemned them, to be no less evil then those on trial. I can only assume that he came to the conclusion of the people being accused of witchcraft did no deceive Hawthorne’s strong belief in rational thought. His being rational might have also provoked some dislike of the church and would explain his disagreeing with the witch trials.


Herman Melville I think was pulled into the anti-transcendentalist thought pool because of his raisings. He saw his family squander money, which some might think of a bad trait. He worked from an early age of twelve on boats. This was a good deal in the past and in an era where I would think being on your own from such a young age was probably much harder than it would be today in America. His youth probably showed him a much more down to earth side of life, which I think can example the similarities between transcendentalist and rationalist. The world was much different then as well, for instances if one were to go sailing around the world today they might not see cannibals at mealtime. Hawthorne witnessed this act and took it how ever he did, but I think seeing that at a young age for any person would be a terrible thing to see. I see a dark romantic sort of telling of this in Mobey Dick. Ahab is a picture perfect example of someone who doesn’t have God’s power for his mind to manage. His mind’s only obsession was to kill the whale that ate his leg, even if it cost many innocent lives.

Edgar Allen Poe was a very colossal figure in this era of literature. He was in my opinion the embodiment of a anti-transcendentalist and the only one of them worthy of being called a "Dark Transcendentalist." This I conclude is because of two major causes, dealing with a substantial amount of death of loved ones in his life. His mother died while Edgar was still very young and I think his father might not have treated him well if he disowned him for going to college. His other encounters with deceased loved ones was his three wives, all of whom died of the same disease, which must have seemed very ironic and terrible to Poe, something that would haunt me, but only maybe haunt Edgar Allen Poe. I think the other major cause for his literary style would be his dependence on alcohol and opium. I am sure that if he was using during his marriages, that they were the cause of the worsening habit. These two factors could easily create a human who would indulge in the romantic idea that maybe only view people had the voice of god in his head.


I think that I fall onto the transcendentalist side of the argument, with more of a rational background than a romantic one. My faith in the goodness of people can be blinding at times, but I keep it more to keep myself happily assuming that everyone in the world is content with finding their own happiness instead of pursuing money or other products of society that can tempt people to group themselves all into one pursuit of life. I continue my wide assumption that people would rather only merely entertain themselves with the pursuit of a new walk of life when one becomes dull to tread.

The story of "Hop Frog" is certainly well titled in the category of Dark Romanticism. It describes the life of two court dwarfs some ages ago in some mid evil land and they’re how they were treated. Hop-frog was never treated kindly and was brought into this life style by being kidnapped by the king’s army in some foreign land. Another dwarf had been kidnapped as well and the two became fast friends. Trippetta, the other dwarf was a female and helped Hop-Frog when he was being greatly picked on. The climax of the story begins when Trippetta has a cup of wine thrown in her face by the king her and Hop Frog are forced to serve.

The king made a fatal mistake by committing this act in front of Hop Frog. The dwarf was greatly angered. After the act was committed the king and his council of seven ministers stupidly asked the dwarf to help them get ready for a masquerade. The dwarf helped them to dress as savages or looked to have escaped from some sort of entrapment because they wore a singular chain that connected all of them. They also wore tar and flax at the advice of Hop Frog. They planned to come to the party let to start a ruckus among the party goers. Hop Frog took it to his liberty to re decorate the ball room before the king and his ministers were to make their surprise entrance. He set torches around the hall and removed a chandelier from its chain in the middle of the room. When the king and his ministers in their costumes Hop Frog used the chain the chandelier had been hung out to hang the king and ministers in mid air, where Hop Frog set flame to them.
This story is a great example of a Dark Romantic story because of the forced labor of the two dwarfs and their ability to find friendship in a place and time where they were treated poorly by people of the king’s court. The king is a character that I think embodies spite, greed, and ignorance. He persistently used Hop-Frog as a comic relief for his whole court and especially his ministers. His excessive drinking made him less sensible and crueler than anything. These characteristics reflect how a dark romantic might see people at times. "Dwarfs were as common at court, in those days, as fools; and many monarchs would have found it difficult to get through their days (days are rather longer at court than elsewhere) without both a jester to laugh with, and a dwarf to laugh at." This text from the story shows the view society had for dwarfs and fools. It shows that as a society a group of people can treat an individual badly if it is the normal behavior of a group of important people. The king and his ministers were very insensitive to the dwarfs and show a very terrible side of people. Hop-Frog’s actions are reflected by his reaction and show how people that are treated badly would see much evil in people’s hearts, a very dark romantic ideology.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Transcendentalist:Scenario Reponse

The situation of Susan and David would be dealt with differently today than it would have during the transcendentalist era. Their situation though could very easily have happened in such a time period. Susan has the aspect of living life as society provided for her, marrying young with a man with a stable job but without much ambition. Her chances of college make her unsure if she wants to marry this man. She applies and is accepted to college, but also aspects a proposal of marriage. She is accepting the life that society provided for her but is also curious of her future at college and where it could take her. She in my opinion should merely "Trust Thyself: Every heart vibrates to that iron string." Her heart is what can tell her to do best and I think she would find what would make her most happy by listening to it.

Transcendentalist: Self-Reliance

The theme of Self-reliance is strictly formatted after the essay’s title. Emerson speaks vividly about the maturity that one gains over time and the senses that it sharpens. With strong implications towards the idea that one only deserves that which he makes on his own. In this particular essay he refers to corn, or food in general and how it is only ideal to eat corn you grew on you own land, which reflects transcendentalist’s strong ideals about providing for one’s self and not depending on society’s means of providing for its inhabitants. Providing for one’s self is not the only similarities between transcendentalist and their God. Filling their life with the things that make them happy and by doing it themselves have more control over their own lives than say puritans.

The idea that humans and god are nearly one in some way is shown in Emerson’s writing and can be reflected on as an encouragement towards finding one’s personal use and fulfillment in life. The idea that characteristics similar to God could be found in a human is one of the core philosophies behind transcendentalist believes. It encourages people to live their life in a prospective way and to fill it with meaning and self-reflection. Transcendentalists believe that society operates more like a company that sells stock and only those who have a lot of stock may thrive in it. In this sense, transcendentalist want little to do with society, instead they seek more of a personal fulfillment.

"Trust Thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string" I think this is a firm statement of transcendentalist origin. The idea of trusting one’s self had come from the rational time period and had developed even more with the transcendentalist. The trust they place in themselves is similar to the type of trust puritans had to put into God. The main aspect that would imply this writing to be of transcendentalist thought is the aspect of suggesting that God’s influence can be felt in all individuals and that it can inspire them to take their own path, and not that of society.

Transcendentalist: Nature

The benefit of nature according to Ralph Waldo Emerson is an over whelming feeling of detachment from the world and it’s worries. A sense of calm and causality drapes over you in the form of the comforting wilderness. The effect that open land can impact on sometime can be very trivial or in other cases redeeming. The sense of redemption comes from the withdrawal from the society of cities and towns were people act business like in all their doings. Taking a vacation from this a city can arouse delight, fascination, and superstition in the viewers of nature. These people who are roused by these strong feelings when in nature could be transcendentalist or just merely natural people or enjoy their natural environment.

Emerson talks about the various aspects of nature that can appeal to the human soul and why. The colors of the trees during the various seasons can reflect the emotions of the people viewing them. The weather can impact the trees, grass, and other plants the same way life can impact it’s liver. The sky can embed all of nature’s feelings in one massive expansive view that all can see. The sky can seem forbidding or charmingly unreal depending on the eye that views it and how they feel at the time. Transcendentalists are very firm believers in nature’s characteristics and their spiritual benefits.

The text of "Nature" very strongly comes from Transcendentalist influence. The aspect of finding spirituality in nature is undoubtedly a common trait in transcendentalism. The feeling of being a god like figure can be found by reflecting on nature according to Emerson described in this text from "Nature." "I become a transparent eyeball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or parcel of god." The feeling of being absorbed into a higher point of view from a faraway sense of seclusion. Like God’s sense of conclusion from the earth that he created.