I began this course thinking I would dread it. I have never been great with the subject of literature, and I thought I would struggle to understand the assigned readings. I thought my understanding would be so poor that I would have a difficult time trying to write blogs about them. However, I have now officially written my 20 blogs, and I must say that I enjoyed this course.
For the first time in my life, I am interested in literature and feel like I can actually understand it. I did not once go online to find a summary of the work, because the help from our podcasts alone were enough to help me decipher the more in depth meanings to some of the readings. This summer class allowed me to relax and enjoy reading the work of some of the best literary minds of our past.
I found our chat sessions to be so much more interactive than the typical classroom settings! Thanks to everyone for helping me understand these authors and get something out of this course! I hope everyone has a great rest of the summer!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Virginia Woolf
I was heartbroken to read about Virginia Woolf's life. Her losses, I am sure, were quite traumatic. Her childhood seemed to be quite painful, which probably helped her become such a moving writer. I believe that a person's best moments, as well as worst moments, shape them into who they are. Their experiences, both good and bad, help mold their personalities, beliefs, and character. Woolf had to go through a great deal during her childhood, which I am sure affected her emotional development.
I was most interested in "A Room of One's Own" because it dealt with the issue of equality between men and women. Even the title suggests that women should be given the opportunity to live a life of their own. Woolf writes, "It would have been impossible, completely and entirely, for any woman to have written the plays of Skakespeare in the age of Shakespeare... his extraordinarily gifted sister, let us suppose, remained at home. She was as adventurous, as imaginative, as agog to see the worldas he was. But she was not sent to school. She had no chance of learning grammar and logic, let alone of reading Horace and Virgil. She picked up a book now and then, one of her brother's perhaps, and read a few pages. But then her parents came in and told her to mend the stockings or mind the stew and not moon about the books and papers..." (1241). This passage stuck out in my mind. It was very impressive! I was happy to read that a woman was bringing out the true facts! Women were not allowed to get the education that men were. Taking this into consideration, it is not wonder that if Shakespeare HAD a sister, she would have never been able to perform like he, because women were simply not given the opportunity!
She goes on further and writes, "Even Lady Bessborough, I remembered, with all her passion for politics, must humbly bow herself and write to Lord Granville Leveson-Gower '... notwithstanding all my violence in politics and talking so much on that subject, I perfectly agree with you that no woman has any business to meddle with that or any other serious business, farther than giving her opinion..' And so she goes on to spend her enthusiasm where it meets with no bstacle.." (1243).
This above passage infuriated me! I hate to see women give up the things they are passionate about because society looks down on them! I have several friends that started off college with lots of dreams and aspirations, but many of my female friends are now engaged and think only of getting married! Love and marriage are important, but I wished that in our modern society, women would realize their dreams are important too. I think society has made leaps and bounds since Virginia Woolf's period; even so, we still have a ways to go. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed her work and found her to be most stimulating!
I was most interested in "A Room of One's Own" because it dealt with the issue of equality between men and women. Even the title suggests that women should be given the opportunity to live a life of their own. Woolf writes, "It would have been impossible, completely and entirely, for any woman to have written the plays of Skakespeare in the age of Shakespeare... his extraordinarily gifted sister, let us suppose, remained at home. She was as adventurous, as imaginative, as agog to see the worldas he was. But she was not sent to school. She had no chance of learning grammar and logic, let alone of reading Horace and Virgil. She picked up a book now and then, one of her brother's perhaps, and read a few pages. But then her parents came in and told her to mend the stockings or mind the stew and not moon about the books and papers..." (1241). This passage stuck out in my mind. It was very impressive! I was happy to read that a woman was bringing out the true facts! Women were not allowed to get the education that men were. Taking this into consideration, it is not wonder that if Shakespeare HAD a sister, she would have never been able to perform like he, because women were simply not given the opportunity!
She goes on further and writes, "Even Lady Bessborough, I remembered, with all her passion for politics, must humbly bow herself and write to Lord Granville Leveson-Gower '... notwithstanding all my violence in politics and talking so much on that subject, I perfectly agree with you that no woman has any business to meddle with that or any other serious business, farther than giving her opinion..' And so she goes on to spend her enthusiasm where it meets with no bstacle.." (1243).
This above passage infuriated me! I hate to see women give up the things they are passionate about because society looks down on them! I have several friends that started off college with lots of dreams and aspirations, but many of my female friends are now engaged and think only of getting married! Love and marriage are important, but I wished that in our modern society, women would realize their dreams are important too. I think society has made leaps and bounds since Virginia Woolf's period; even so, we still have a ways to go. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed her work and found her to be most stimulating!
T.S. Eliot
Having lived abroad last fall, I often heard the English speak of T.S. Eliot. While reading his background, I could not help but be impressed about his family tree, which included "a president of Harvard University and three U.S. Presidents (John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Rutherford B. Hayes). When I read the title for "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," I expected it to be a love story. However, it is actually about the speaker's insecurities in himself. I found the poem to be a tale of the man's battle with himself.
Eliot writes, "In the room the women come and go Talking of Michelangelo And indeed there will be a time to wonder, 'Do I dare? Do I dare?' Time to turn back and descend the stair, with a bald spot in the middle of my hair," (1195). The man is obviously insecure with the fact that he is balding. He doesn't want to talk to the women, because he is feeling so lowly about himself. He was afraid that they would only discuss that "his hair is growing thin," (1195).
I found it sad that this man really wanted to talk to the ladies, but he could not because he thought they would pick at his balding spot and his thin arms and legs. At first glance, I thought it would be a love story. However, I find out that it is really a story about a man who wants to have a love, but cannot muster up the courage and gain enough self confidence in order to speak to ladies. Eliot writes, "No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; Am an attendant lord, one that will do to swell a progress start a scene or two, Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool, Deferential, glad to be of use, politic, cautious, and meticulous; Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse; At times, indeed most ridiculous- Almost at times, the fool," (1197). I was upset that he was calling himself a Fool! It made me want to reach out to the guy and tell him that all he needed was some self respect!
Eliot writes, "In the room the women come and go Talking of Michelangelo And indeed there will be a time to wonder, 'Do I dare? Do I dare?' Time to turn back and descend the stair, with a bald spot in the middle of my hair," (1195). The man is obviously insecure with the fact that he is balding. He doesn't want to talk to the women, because he is feeling so lowly about himself. He was afraid that they would only discuss that "his hair is growing thin," (1195).
I found it sad that this man really wanted to talk to the ladies, but he could not because he thought they would pick at his balding spot and his thin arms and legs. At first glance, I thought it would be a love story. However, I find out that it is really a story about a man who wants to have a love, but cannot muster up the courage and gain enough self confidence in order to speak to ladies. Eliot writes, "No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; Am an attendant lord, one that will do to swell a progress start a scene or two, Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool, Deferential, glad to be of use, politic, cautious, and meticulous; Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse; At times, indeed most ridiculous- Almost at times, the fool," (1197). I was upset that he was calling himself a Fool! It made me want to reach out to the guy and tell him that all he needed was some self respect!
James Joyce
James Joyce was given credit for the "rebirth" of the medium of writing during his time period. I did not realize he was the author of "Ulysses." I had read that in the past. Due to this, I wanted to focus on "Clay," which was an excerpt from "Dubliners." I must admit that I was not very impressed with this piece of work. I found that it was not able to keep my attention, and I often found myself gazing off. Joyce describes what happens to the character, Maria, who works as a maid. She was "giver ... leave to go out," (1134) so she was going to a party. Maria's character seemed frustrated: only the ederly man on the tram noticed her, she had lost the cake to give Mr. and Mrs. Donnelly, and nearly cried after realizing this. He writes, "at the thought of the failure of her little surprise and of the two and fourpence she had thrown away for nothing, she nearly cried outright," (1136).
Joe had a short temper in the story. When they could not find the nutcracker, he grew angry. Joyce writes, "Joe said he wasn't so bad when you knew how to take him, that he was a decent sort so long you as you didn't rub him the wrong way," (1136). Joe hated his brother and said, "God might strike him stone dead if ever he spoke a word to his brother again," (1136). I felt sorry for Maria, for having to put up with such a man! Nowdays, most people do not behave in such a dominating fashion, but I have met such individuals! Like Maria, I too, felt uncomfortable around them.
The story ends with her singing. "I Dreamt that I Dwelt," (1137). This song moved Mr. Donnelly so much that he had tears in his eyes. Joyce writes, "...his eyes filled up so much with tears that he could not find what he was looking for and in the end had to ask his wife to tell him where the corkscrew was," (1138).
Joe had a short temper in the story. When they could not find the nutcracker, he grew angry. Joyce writes, "Joe said he wasn't so bad when you knew how to take him, that he was a decent sort so long you as you didn't rub him the wrong way," (1136). Joe hated his brother and said, "God might strike him stone dead if ever he spoke a word to his brother again," (1136). I felt sorry for Maria, for having to put up with such a man! Nowdays, most people do not behave in such a dominating fashion, but I have met such individuals! Like Maria, I too, felt uncomfortable around them.
The story ends with her singing. "I Dreamt that I Dwelt," (1137). This song moved Mr. Donnelly so much that he had tears in his eyes. Joyce writes, "...his eyes filled up so much with tears that he could not find what he was looking for and in the end had to ask his wife to tell him where the corkscrew was," (1138).
Thursday, June 28, 2007
William Butler Yeats
Yeats had an interesting background, like most of the writers we have read about. He had an unhappy childhood filled with "pain," (1114). His father must have been a perfectionist, because the book said he "lingered over portraits for months" (1114) changing small details. One could guess that since his first love did not return his affection, Yeats became an excellent author of "unrequited love," (1115). After reading this, I was curious as to whether or not any poems of that subject matter were presented to us in this book.
The first writing that grabbed my attention was "No Second Troy." The speaker begins by stating he should not be mad at her because he has fallen for her. It is clear that he is upset that this mysterious woman did not desire him, yet he looked at her as if she were a goddess. She viewed her as having a rare form of beauty, like a "tightened bow," (1118) which I found to be quite a unique way to describe it!
I also enjoyed "The Wild Swans at Coole." This work did an excellent job painting the scene for the reader. I have a graphic imagination, but even so, the way Yeats described the scenary made me feel as if I was right there, watching the swans in the "October twilight" underneath the "still sky," (1118). The speaker stands watching them, and, in a way, seems to fall in love with their beauty. He writes, "I have looked upon those brilliant creatures And now my heart is sore," (1119). He says that he is changed having seen them for the "first time on this shore," (1119). I thought the work was about love, in a more subtle tone. I felt that is was about someone watching a beautiful creature from a distance, wanting to get closer, but before he could, it flew away. At the end of the poem, he writes, "To find they have flown away?" (1119). Knowing his history of unrequited love, he seems to have made this story about swans tell his story about a woman who flew away before he was able to get closer to her.
The first writing that grabbed my attention was "No Second Troy." The speaker begins by stating he should not be mad at her because he has fallen for her. It is clear that he is upset that this mysterious woman did not desire him, yet he looked at her as if she were a goddess. She viewed her as having a rare form of beauty, like a "tightened bow," (1118) which I found to be quite a unique way to describe it!
I also enjoyed "The Wild Swans at Coole." This work did an excellent job painting the scene for the reader. I have a graphic imagination, but even so, the way Yeats described the scenary made me feel as if I was right there, watching the swans in the "October twilight" underneath the "still sky," (1118). The speaker stands watching them, and, in a way, seems to fall in love with their beauty. He writes, "I have looked upon those brilliant creatures And now my heart is sore," (1119). He says that he is changed having seen them for the "first time on this shore," (1119). I thought the work was about love, in a more subtle tone. I felt that is was about someone watching a beautiful creature from a distance, wanting to get closer, but before he could, it flew away. At the end of the poem, he writes, "To find they have flown away?" (1119). Knowing his history of unrequited love, he seems to have made this story about swans tell his story about a woman who flew away before he was able to get closer to her.
World War I & Wyndham Lewis
I would first like to bring attention to the work "Vorticist Manifesto: Long Live the Vortex!" The second sentence, "We stand for the Reality of the Present - not for the sentimental Future, or the sacripant Past," (1082) laid down the foundation for Wyndham Lewis's thoughts. In this course, we have studied how people tended to either idealize the past or be overly optimistic about the future. This one sentence seems to sum up his more modern thinking, while addressing that very same issue. I enjoyed reading this piece of work, because it really seemed full of meaning, and it became quite obvious that the author was passionate about his beliefs.
I saw frustration in the words, and the author seemed to be wanting to start something fresh. He writes, "We need the unconsciousness of Humanity - their stupidity, animalism, and dreams... We do not want to change the appearance of the world, because we are not Naturalists, Impressionists, or Futurists (the latest form of Impressionism), and do not depend on the appearance of the world for our art," (1082). Lewis had high hopes for his magazine, stating it will be "popular, essentially," (1082). He made his goal that is appeal to all classes apparent by stating "it will not appeal to any particular class, but to the fundamental and popular instincts in every class and description of people..." (1082). He ends this writing by saying, "Blast presents an art of Individuals," (1083) which I felt demonstrated the new thinking of the moderns. They wanted to break away from traditions. They had new ideas and beliefs. I felt like Lewis wanted to show case the individuals, reguardless of class. The effect of the war is present, and it is clear that the war has been hard for the people of every class.
I found the text's examples to be difficult to understand. There always seemed to be an underlying point. For example, "Bless England! For its ships which switchback on Blue, Green, and Red Seas all around the Pink Earth-ball, Big bets on each, Bless all seararers. They exchange not one land for another, but one element for another. The more against the less abstract," (1089). I was very unsure about what the author meant. However, I thought perhaps he was making a statement about land and how countries tend to fight over it and the resources of the land.
I saw frustration in the words, and the author seemed to be wanting to start something fresh. He writes, "We need the unconsciousness of Humanity - their stupidity, animalism, and dreams... We do not want to change the appearance of the world, because we are not Naturalists, Impressionists, or Futurists (the latest form of Impressionism), and do not depend on the appearance of the world for our art," (1082). Lewis had high hopes for his magazine, stating it will be "popular, essentially," (1082). He made his goal that is appeal to all classes apparent by stating "it will not appeal to any particular class, but to the fundamental and popular instincts in every class and description of people..." (1082). He ends this writing by saying, "Blast presents an art of Individuals," (1083) which I felt demonstrated the new thinking of the moderns. They wanted to break away from traditions. They had new ideas and beliefs. I felt like Lewis wanted to show case the individuals, reguardless of class. The effect of the war is present, and it is clear that the war has been hard for the people of every class.
I found the text's examples to be difficult to understand. There always seemed to be an underlying point. For example, "Bless England! For its ships which switchback on Blue, Green, and Red Seas all around the Pink Earth-ball, Big bets on each, Bless all seararers. They exchange not one land for another, but one element for another. The more against the less abstract," (1089). I was very unsure about what the author meant. However, I thought perhaps he was making a statement about land and how countries tend to fight over it and the resources of the land.
G. Bernard Shaw (G.B.S.)
I have often heard of the famous writer, "G.B.S.," for a long time, have wanted to read his work. I was pleased to see his name on the reading list for this summer. After our chat session last week, I read pages 1002-1071, which deal with this great author. The text starts off by claiming G.B.S. to be "one of the most celebrated and controversial writers of the twentieth century," (1002). After reading this and hearing how Dr. Glance and our entire class was impressed by him, I can safely say I was intrigued, to say the least.
My first thought was in disbelief that he was the same author who wrote "Pygmalion." I found the statement that "it is impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth without making some other Englishman despise him," (1005) to be quite true. Having lived in Wales for four months, I knew a large number of English students. I learned quite quickly how to distinguish Welsh accents from one another, and how to distinguish English accents from one another. I could quickly tell who was from Cardiff (those who had a more "proper" English sounding accent) from those from Birmingham (those who had a more "valley" or poor accent). Englishmen judged one's education by their speach. They would call each other awful names and "knew" everything about someone simply by their accent! Shaw writes, "for the encouragement of people troubled with accents that cut them off from high employment..." (1007). This statement is quite true! There are several places in Georgia ALONE where I could not get a job due to my accent, and I am living in 2007! Shaw makes an excellent point, and I enjoyed reading Pygmalion because it really hit home with me.
For instance, Shaw writes:
HIGGINS: Do you mean that my language is improper?
MRS. HIGGINS: No, dearest: it would be quite proper - say on a canal barge; but it would not be proper for her at a garden party.
HIGGINS [deeply injured]: Well I must say -
In this conversational piece, Shaw points out how some accents and use of language would be considered "proper" in some places and not in others. In my opinion, Shaw seems to point out the connection between social class and accent and use of language.
Another part of the writing I liked was discussing having an ear for music. Much like having a "trained" ear for music, some people are looked up to for having a "trained ear for accents, dialects, and languages. He writes, "She can play thge piano quite beautifully. We have taken her to classical concerts and to music halls; and it's all the same to her..." (1041). At the same time, a second character says, "You know, she has the most extraordinary quickness of ear; just like a parrot. Ive tried her with every possible sort of sound that a human can make - Continental dialects, African dialectsk, Hottentot clicks, things it took me years to get a hold of..." (1041). I thought Shaw did an outstanding job in this writing. I was taken back by the profoundness of his work. Like previously mentioned, having an extremely southern accent, Pygmalion really hit home for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
My first thought was in disbelief that he was the same author who wrote "Pygmalion." I found the statement that "it is impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth without making some other Englishman despise him," (1005) to be quite true. Having lived in Wales for four months, I knew a large number of English students. I learned quite quickly how to distinguish Welsh accents from one another, and how to distinguish English accents from one another. I could quickly tell who was from Cardiff (those who had a more "proper" English sounding accent) from those from Birmingham (those who had a more "valley" or poor accent). Englishmen judged one's education by their speach. They would call each other awful names and "knew" everything about someone simply by their accent! Shaw writes, "for the encouragement of people troubled with accents that cut them off from high employment..." (1007). This statement is quite true! There are several places in Georgia ALONE where I could not get a job due to my accent, and I am living in 2007! Shaw makes an excellent point, and I enjoyed reading Pygmalion because it really hit home with me.
For instance, Shaw writes:
HIGGINS: Do you mean that my language is improper?
MRS. HIGGINS: No, dearest: it would be quite proper - say on a canal barge; but it would not be proper for her at a garden party.
HIGGINS [deeply injured]: Well I must say -
In this conversational piece, Shaw points out how some accents and use of language would be considered "proper" in some places and not in others. In my opinion, Shaw seems to point out the connection between social class and accent and use of language.
Another part of the writing I liked was discussing having an ear for music. Much like having a "trained" ear for music, some people are looked up to for having a "trained ear for accents, dialects, and languages. He writes, "She can play thge piano quite beautifully. We have taken her to classical concerts and to music halls; and it's all the same to her..." (1041). At the same time, a second character says, "You know, she has the most extraordinary quickness of ear; just like a parrot. Ive tried her with every possible sort of sound that a human can make - Continental dialects, African dialectsk, Hottentot clicks, things it took me years to get a hold of..." (1041). I thought Shaw did an outstanding job in this writing. I was taken back by the profoundness of his work. Like previously mentioned, having an extremely southern accent, Pygmalion really hit home for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
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