During the Roaring 20's, the American Dream was typically about wealth, titles, and showmanship. Had the dream been freedom or love before the 1920's, the book "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald recognizes the American Dream as garbage, a materialistic perspective. His book depicts the American Dream as a character named Gatsby who, through mysterious methods, accomplishes rising up from an average person to being rich. He achieves wealth only to show it off in attempt to impress a married woman named Daisy. Many people during that time believed that being rich was about the best thing that could happen, love was now placed second to money. That sort of materialism caused greed, an excuse to hide behind, misunderstanding, abusive use of power, and division in society. Through these things, F. Scott criticizes the American Dream and points out the corruption in it.
Gatz started out as an average man, admiring Daisy, the woman he came to love and "felt married to." He wasn't confident in himself, having no money to support her, comparing himself to her and saying things like, "She vanished into her rich house, into her rich, full life, leaving Gatsby—nothing." This all changed when Gatz created an alter ego named Gatsby who was a mysterious showman, threw parties, and achieved the American Dream of being rich and powerful. However, Daisy, his motivation to become "someone", admitted “I can’t say I never loved Tom” and didn't leave him for Gatsby whom she said, "I love you" to. F. Scott displays that people often mix up money with happiness, causing them to think that anything could be bought with money, a misunderstanding of the American Dream.
Throughout the book, Gatsby displays his wealth through throwing extravagant parties that catch the eyes of many people who want to also be able to be wealthy. The American Dream can also be looked at the same way. Everyone sees their interpretation of "a perfect life" in someone else and wants something like that. Because of the environment during the Roaring 20's, titles, wealth, and popularity were the only things that made you "a somebody". Another character in the book, Nick, was often mocked by Tom, a rich East Egger, who simply answered “Never heard of them” when Nick was telling him about what he did for a living. On the other hand, Gatsby didn't hesitate to talk about his possessions he collected with his immense wealth. People start interpreting the American Dream as characteristics of a person who "achieved the American Dream". In Gatsby's case, success follow the qualities of being rich, young, and handsome. But nearing the end, Gatsby is rejected by Daisy and the Nick gets Jordan, the girl he wanted, showing that the wealthy and successful Gatsby can't always reach what makes him happy.
By interpreting the American Dream as the same ol' characteristics, the main corruption in it is that individualism becomes scarce. Gatz becomes someone that everyone likes and acts friendlier to, Gatsby, but gets rid of his own personality. He took a common course known by people as a way to magically obtain money. In the book, Tom says, "A lot of these newly rich people are just big bootleggers." and Gatsby perfectly fits into that category. Since these patterns displayed an easy way of becoming "rich and happy", bootleggers was often assumed for people who became newly rich. There wasn't really a creative way of becoming rich, no individualism or personality in achievement, thus branding the American Dream as uncreative and hollow.
Since money was the language of society, Gatsby used money to talk to society. He threw extravagant parties with alcohol, a huge hit in the 1920's, and allowed practically everyone even if they weren't invited. He used his money to "socialize" with other people and have them think "he's the the son of a rich family, all dead now" or "he killed a man". Even with his success, he never really made close friends. In his last moments, Gatsby said, "Look here, old sport, you’ve got to get somebody for me. You’ve got to try hard. I can’t go through this alone." Only Nick, Gatsby's father, and a few other individuals attended Gatsby's funeral. Daisy, the love of his life "hadn’t sent a message or even a flower." The idea that Gatsby had made friends who would come to his funeral was a false hope since being rich meant nothing to society other then a free party. This links back to how F. Scott points out that money and status uselessly communicates real friendship.
The Roaring 20's was a time where moral and social values decayed. The American Dream was less about real happiness, individualism, and settling down with someone you love. It was more about who had the fattest wallet, who threw the biggest parties, and who had the most business connections. Gatsby is an example of how people lose themselves in an American Dream, thinking it is the best way to reach what they want. Nick is an example of a regular guy trying to obtain wealth and a happy life, his American Dream, in a corrupted society. Tom is an example of how power is abused and how making money the base of your life will result into it breaking apart. According to F. Scott's, the "American Dream" in the 1920's was nothing more then a corrupted perspective full of materialism and weak values.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Blog #24: MSB current events
1. Beach clean-up article
This was basically some stuff about a beach clean up. I think when the items that were found in the clean up were listed, it sort of gives us a good idea of what ends up there.
"Cigarette butts, plastic bags, water bottles, Styrofoam chunks, Flip-flops, medicine bottles, netting, thousands of random pieces of plastic. Nobody's picture of paradise. Yet, day after day, it finds its way onto otherwise beautiful South Florida beaches.Cleaning it all up just about requires a small army."
2. Tides over time
This was a story from someone's point of view. It has some good details about the change of the water and the tides over the course of decades.
Some statistics I could use is like how they were able to see what was a 3 foot fish only being about 18 inches. They were excited to see the big fish, but compared to the past, they were about 75% smaller. This article talks about the changes in the ocean and how some places have disappeared or not appear unhealthy because of human causes.
3. Another huge Clean-Up
This was basically some stuff about a beach clean up. I think when the items that were found in the clean up were listed, it sort of gives us a good idea of what ends up there.
"Cigarette butts, plastic bags, water bottles, Styrofoam chunks, Flip-flops, medicine bottles, netting, thousands of random pieces of plastic. Nobody's picture of paradise. Yet, day after day, it finds its way onto otherwise beautiful South Florida beaches.Cleaning it all up just about requires a small army."
2. Tides over time
This was a story from someone's point of view. It has some good details about the change of the water and the tides over the course of decades.
Some statistics I could use is like how they were able to see what was a 3 foot fish only being about 18 inches. They were excited to see the big fish, but compared to the past, they were about 75% smaller. This article talks about the changes in the ocean and how some places have disappeared or not appear unhealthy because of human causes.
3. Another huge Clean-Up
This was from Nikita's blog and I thought it related to the calendar. One of the things we'd like to incorporate is a little information about trash clean ups and we may use one of these facts as a "Did you know..."
""Shopping carts and tires and refrigerators, kind of the things you expect," Hutsel says. "But then you also get these small little slot machines and other things that happen. It's kind of bizarre each time we kind of find new things we've never seen before along the river." He estimates that volunteers remove about 5,000 pounds of trash from the river each month"
4. Tide into electricity
This was sort of unrelated, but I found it interesting and it led me to another idea of why tides are important. If we talk about tides somewhere in the intro, we can mention it is used t make electricity.
"If one defines "commercial ocean energy" as several tens of megawatts, the world cannot yet boast a commercial ocean energy installation. Indeed, only two installations of either wave, tidal or in-stream current devices are grid-connected and can generate over 1 megawatt (MW) of power."
""Shopping carts and tires and refrigerators, kind of the things you expect," Hutsel says. "But then you also get these small little slot machines and other things that happen. It's kind of bizarre each time we kind of find new things we've never seen before along the river." He estimates that volunteers remove about 5,000 pounds of trash from the river each month"
4. Tide into electricity
This was sort of unrelated, but I found it interesting and it led me to another idea of why tides are important. If we talk about tides somewhere in the intro, we can mention it is used t make electricity.
"If one defines "commercial ocean energy" as several tens of megawatts, the world cannot yet boast a commercial ocean energy installation. Indeed, only two installations of either wave, tidal or in-stream current devices are grid-connected and can generate over 1 megawatt (MW) of power."
5. Another brand new current event that you just found that is interesting and useful for your MSB project (yes, this time you are finding two new current events). Include a link to the actual news story and a sentence or so that summarizes it. Post one unique & interesting fact, idea or quote that is useful for your project.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Optional Blog
Link here
"Today Fairy Lake is an oasis of quiet where you can explore the natural beauty along the perimeter path or listen to music at the bandshell on a Sunday. But over a century ago this was an industrial site. In 1880 Isaac Bowman and Henry Zinkan built a tannery on the shore of Little Lake, as it was then known. By 1888 the tannery employed 20 to 25 people. It grew to become Southampton's major employer, until a fire destroyed it on July 31, 1900, throwing 100 out of work. Houses were built on the site, called Tannery Hill, where you may still pick up pieces of tanning bark and burnt leather."
I really like this caption because it was condensed with its information. There were specific points and terms that are used in this like dates, places, and statistics. It has a lot of the who, what, where, when, and how that make it talking about something directly. Another thing I like about it is that you can assume what a lot of the places are because they leave clues around, so instead of saying something like, "So and so, the blah blah blah, was doing this." They sort of incorporate the information into the overall paragraph. It makes it possible to assume things without actually having them pop out at you. One of the things I didn't like about it was that it was all over the place. There was just a LOT to talk about and some of the information wasn't that interesting. It was less a fun fact and more of an informational boring fact. Even so, the thing I can take from this is the skill of condensing information so you give the reader more info in less words. I try and give good critiques to the people doing the captions, and I think this is a good example of condensing ideas.
"Today Fairy Lake is an oasis of quiet where you can explore the natural beauty along the perimeter path or listen to music at the bandshell on a Sunday. But over a century ago this was an industrial site. In 1880 Isaac Bowman and Henry Zinkan built a tannery on the shore of Little Lake, as it was then known. By 1888 the tannery employed 20 to 25 people. It grew to become Southampton's major employer, until a fire destroyed it on July 31, 1900, throwing 100 out of work. Houses were built on the site, called Tannery Hill, where you may still pick up pieces of tanning bark and burnt leather."
I really like this caption because it was condensed with its information. There were specific points and terms that are used in this like dates, places, and statistics. It has a lot of the who, what, where, when, and how that make it talking about something directly. Another thing I like about it is that you can assume what a lot of the places are because they leave clues around, so instead of saying something like, "So and so, the blah blah blah, was doing this." They sort of incorporate the information into the overall paragraph. It makes it possible to assume things without actually having them pop out at you. One of the things I didn't like about it was that it was all over the place. There was just a LOT to talk about and some of the information wasn't that interesting. It was less a fun fact and more of an informational boring fact. Even so, the thing I can take from this is the skill of condensing information so you give the reader more info in less words. I try and give good critiques to the people doing the captions, and I think this is a good example of condensing ideas.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Honors Essay #3
The Roaring 20's brought many new changes to the American society, culture, economy, technology, and more. With the nation's total wealth doubling between 1920 and 1929, money was being spent as quick as it was being received. The 20's marked a new period of music, what we now know as the Jazz Age, which sparked the musician in many people. Short skirts, excessive make-up, and casual sex developed the term "flapper" which was a new fashion for young women. Many new opportunities were given to females who also gained the right to vote in 1920. Even towards the end of the Roaring 20's, changes were still made to the economy when the stock market crashed, bringing America into the Great Depression.
One of the significant changes that occurred during the Roaring 20's is music. After World War One, thousands of African Americans were looking for employment opportunities. With them, they brought lively dance and music from their culture. Despite being known as "African American's music", Jazz became very popular. White Americans started embracing the cultural mix of music, allowing artists like Bessie Smith and Duke Ellington to rise to the top with their music. Even though the Klu Klux Klan was most powerful during the 1920's, people were still listening to jazz played by black musicians. Throughout the 20's, people became interested in music, bought instruments, learned to read sheet music, and listened to records. Agnes de Mille said, "The truest expression of a people is in its dance and music." Jazz became a form of expression, individualism, and culture.
During the 20's, women became more independent and the term "housewife" changed dramatically. It was in July 1848 when women suffrage was proposed to United States. It wasn't until August 18th of 1920 that the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote. Another thing that changed in women is values. Before the war, women waited until a proper man gave her suitable intentions. After the war, nearly a whole generation of men died, leaving impatient women who refused to stay idly by and "waste" their lives. This is where most people say a "new women" was born, what we call "flappers". Flappers smoked, drank, wore make-up, had casual sexual relations. Author Zelda Fitzgerald talks about flappers as, "…gets more happiness out of being gay, light-hearted, unconventional, mistress of her own fate.... I want [my daughter] to be a flapper, because flappers are brave and gay and beautiful."
Throughout this time, the medical field discovered insulin, Penicillin, and more. People with Poliomyelitis, still be a deadly disease in the 1920's, was given new hope with the invention of the iron lung in 1928. Vitamin E was discovered, which served as an antioxidant found in foods like margarine, peanut oil, sunflower seed, and walnuts. Another important accomplishment in the medical field was the introduction of a new immunization that helped control Diphtheria. With many flappers focused on good diets, people were more mindful of their food comsumption, improving public health.
The Roaring 20's is often known as an age of acceptance and freedom. Racism was casted aside to make way for a new culture who brought jazz and other fresh ideas about music. Women obtained the right to vote and also brought along an array of new fashion. Medical discoveries made back then are still used to research modern medicine. Kevin Rayburn was quoted saying, "Hip flasks of hooch, jazz, speakeasies, bobbed hair, 'the lost generation.' The Twenties are endlessly fascinating. It was the first truly modern decade and, for better or worse, it created the model for society that all the world follows today."
Citations:
http://faculty.pittstate.edu/~knichols/jazzage.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/C005846/introduction/introduction.htm
http://www.jazzitude.com/histjazzage.htm
http://doe.sd.gov/octa/ddn4learning/themeunits/1920s/style.htm
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/time/time_roaring.htm
http://www.southernmusic.net/1920.htm
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/suffrage1900/a/august_26_wed.htm
http://history1900s.about.com/od/1920s/a/flappers.htm
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Transwiki:American_history_quotes_Roaring_20s
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/jazzquotes.php
http://www.ovtg.de/3_arbeit/englisch/gatsby/women20.html
http://www.enotes.com/1920-medicine-health-american-decades/new-medical-machinery
One of the significant changes that occurred during the Roaring 20's is music. After World War One, thousands of African Americans were looking for employment opportunities. With them, they brought lively dance and music from their culture. Despite being known as "African American's music", Jazz became very popular. White Americans started embracing the cultural mix of music, allowing artists like Bessie Smith and Duke Ellington to rise to the top with their music. Even though the Klu Klux Klan was most powerful during the 1920's, people were still listening to jazz played by black musicians. Throughout the 20's, people became interested in music, bought instruments, learned to read sheet music, and listened to records. Agnes de Mille said, "The truest expression of a people is in its dance and music." Jazz became a form of expression, individualism, and culture.
During the 20's, women became more independent and the term "housewife" changed dramatically. It was in July 1848 when women suffrage was proposed to United States. It wasn't until August 18th of 1920 that the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified, giving women the right to vote. Another thing that changed in women is values. Before the war, women waited until a proper man gave her suitable intentions. After the war, nearly a whole generation of men died, leaving impatient women who refused to stay idly by and "waste" their lives. This is where most people say a "new women" was born, what we call "flappers". Flappers smoked, drank, wore make-up, had casual sexual relations. Author Zelda Fitzgerald talks about flappers as, "…gets more happiness out of being gay, light-hearted, unconventional, mistress of her own fate.... I want [my daughter] to be a flapper, because flappers are brave and gay and beautiful."
Throughout this time, the medical field discovered insulin, Penicillin, and more. People with Poliomyelitis, still be a deadly disease in the 1920's, was given new hope with the invention of the iron lung in 1928. Vitamin E was discovered, which served as an antioxidant found in foods like margarine, peanut oil, sunflower seed, and walnuts. Another important accomplishment in the medical field was the introduction of a new immunization that helped control Diphtheria. With many flappers focused on good diets, people were more mindful of their food comsumption, improving public health.
The Roaring 20's is often known as an age of acceptance and freedom. Racism was casted aside to make way for a new culture who brought jazz and other fresh ideas about music. Women obtained the right to vote and also brought along an array of new fashion. Medical discoveries made back then are still used to research modern medicine. Kevin Rayburn was quoted saying, "Hip flasks of hooch, jazz, speakeasies, bobbed hair, 'the lost generation.' The Twenties are endlessly fascinating. It was the first truly modern decade and, for better or worse, it created the model for society that all the world follows today."
Citations:
http://faculty.pittstate.edu/~knichols/jazzage.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/C005846/introduction/introduction.htm
http://www.jazzitude.com/histjazzage.htm
http://doe.sd.gov/octa/ddn4learning/themeunits/1920s/style.htm
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/time/time_roaring.htm
http://www.southernmusic.net/1920.htm
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/suffrage1900/a/august_26_wed.htm
http://history1900s.about.com/od/1920s/a/flappers.htm
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Transwiki:American_history_quotes_Roaring_20s
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/jazzquotes.php
http://www.ovtg.de/3_arbeit/englisch/gatsby/women20.html
http://www.enotes.com/1920-medicine-health-american-decades/new-medical-machinery
Blog #23: MSB Articles
I thought this was a cool "article" that showed some stuff that could be useful for the calendar.
0. The Article: Right here
0. The Article: Right here
1. Summarize the event.
This was talking about how this person was diving and saw all sorts of things. They were excited to see the big fish, but compared to the past, they were about 75% smaller. This article talks about the changes in the ocean and how some places have disappeared or not appear unhealthy because of human causes.
This was talking about how this person was diving and saw all sorts of things. They were excited to see the big fish, but compared to the past, they were about 75% smaller. This article talks about the changes in the ocean and how some places have disappeared or not appear unhealthy because of human causes.
2. What is the most important info presented in the story?
I thought the thing about how fish we see how are about 100 pounds, which seems amazing, but in the past fish were more plentiful and they were pushing 300 - 400 pounds. Another interesting thing was how many divers wish they could go back in time to see how the ocean was back then, before all the intense pollution. Some of the fish also stopped laying eggs in some places where the diver use to swim. Like, she saw many cabazons years ago that was 2-3 feet. Now, it was a bit difficult to find one, but even the one she found was only 6 inches.
I thought the thing about how fish we see how are about 100 pounds, which seems amazing, but in the past fish were more plentiful and they were pushing 300 - 400 pounds. Another interesting thing was how many divers wish they could go back in time to see how the ocean was back then, before all the intense pollution. Some of the fish also stopped laying eggs in some places where the diver use to swim. Like, she saw many cabazons years ago that was 2-3 feet. Now, it was a bit difficult to find one, but even the one she found was only 6 inches.
3. What info is missing?
I would have liked some more specific time periods. I think her story would be more effective if there was something like a timeline. I think this was a good story about herself which was probably the point, but some more information about the change of environment over time would have been useful. She talked about a few fish and some fish sized which was helpful, but it would have been cool to hear about the change in the reefs or underwater plants.
I would have liked some more specific time periods. I think her story would be more effective if there was something like a timeline. I think this was a good story about herself which was probably the point, but some more information about the change of environment over time would have been useful. She talked about a few fish and some fish sized which was helpful, but it would have been cool to hear about the change in the reefs or underwater plants.
4. How does this info play into your MSB work?
We are doing a calendar, but information from here could be a fun fact to know. I thought it was interesting that the size of fish decreased significantly over decades. Also, we were really focused on the beaches, but a few underwater information could be useful too. I think it would be cool to have some information about the stuff you don't see happening.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Blog #22: Organizations
2. Mission statement: "Our core values are reflected in our environmental campaign work: We 'bear witness' to environmental destruction in a peaceful, non-violent manner. We use non-violent confrontation to raise the level and quality of public debate. In exposing threats to the environment and finding solutions we have no permanent allies or adversaries. We ensure our financial independence from political or commercial interests. We seek solutions for, and promote open, informed debate about society's environmental choices."
3. Campaigned for change from the British Colombian government.
"A historic agreement with logging companies was reached on the conservation of Canada's remaining coastal rainforest. The agreement was subsequently approved by the government of British Columbia. This followed years of campaigning by Greenpeace targeting the trade and investments of companies involved in logging the endangered Great Bear Rainforest"
Protested against "the bulb" in Ireland.
The Irish Government announced what will be the EU's first ban on energy-wasting incandescent lightbulbs, to be implemented by as early as January 2009. This simple but historic step came as governments met in Bali to discuss next steps on tackling the global climate emergency.
1. Name of organization: Surfrider
2. Mission statement: "The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education."
3. Winning a lawsuit against Chevron Oil Company in El Segundo, California that represents the first time a government agency, department or office at any government level, has recognized the significance of a breaking wave as a natural resource deserving of protection.
600 beach cleanups, 125+ meetings and events involving city, county, and state governments were attended by Surfrider Chapter representatives
Securing passage of legislation to create "Reserva Marina Tres Palmas de Rincón" in Puerto Rico. The law will establish a marine reserve in the Tres Palmas area of Rincón and devote $100,000 for the development of a management plan for the marine reserve.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Blog #21: Nick's and Gatsby's detachment
I would say that Nick has a detachment from his environment because he hasn't been there long. Daisy hasn't seen Nick in what, 9 years? I think Nick is kind of feeling awkward being with people he hasn't been with in a long time. I know I would be nervous or find it somewhat awkward, especially when Daisy was sort of rude and didn't get up to greet Nick.
I'd say that Gatsby is detached from his environment because he mysterious. No one really knows who he is or what he does. He sort of keeps things to himself. Because of all these accumulated rumors, Gatsby has even more of a detachment. People see him as this great person and some may actually feel intimidated to talk to him. I mean, none of those girls would probably go, "Gatsby, are you a German spy?" or "Gatsby, have you killed someone before?" Gatsby is detached to his environment by him just being mysterious and people not knowing the thinking behind the action.
I think they are both similar because they sort of keep to themselves. Gatsby is so rich that he is just questioned and it's sort of like, "He's totally a bootlegger" while Nick is a little more on the poor side, to the point that no one would really care. Nick also doesn't have a lot to talk about since he's not rich. He's already encountered a hostile environment like when he told Tom who he worked with and Tom said, "Never heard of him." in that ton.
I'd say that Gatsby is detached from his environment because he mysterious. No one really knows who he is or what he does. He sort of keeps things to himself. Because of all these accumulated rumors, Gatsby has even more of a detachment. People see him as this great person and some may actually feel intimidated to talk to him. I mean, none of those girls would probably go, "Gatsby, are you a German spy?" or "Gatsby, have you killed someone before?" Gatsby is detached to his environment by him just being mysterious and people not knowing the thinking behind the action.
I think they are both similar because they sort of keep to themselves. Gatsby is so rich that he is just questioned and it's sort of like, "He's totally a bootlegger" while Nick is a little more on the poor side, to the point that no one would really care. Nick also doesn't have a lot to talk about since he's not rich. He's already encountered a hostile environment like when he told Tom who he worked with and Tom said, "Never heard of him." in that ton.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Blog #20: Beginning of the Great Gatsby
1. Who is the narrator? Describe his perspective, biases, character traits, etc.
I think the narrator is Nick Carraway. He could afford college, but he wasn't even close to being as rich as Daisy and Tom. I think he writes in a way that is bias towards how he felt about the people around him. For example, when he was describing Tom, he was putting in his opinion on how Tom looked to him. Ordinarily, you would probably say, "Yeah he's this muscular guy who's eyes dominate his face." Instead, Nick added in negative details like cruel, aggressive, defiant, and fractiousness. Nick is very quick to talk about appearence and clothes. He is specific about picking the actions of the other people, the ones he thinks defines their situation. For example, he was talking about how Daisy and Tom went to France and lived there for a year with for no apparent reason, they had a quarter of a mile lawn, etc. From these details, the reader purposely learnes the difference between the situation Nick is in and the situation Tom and Daisy are in. This gives a little insight on what sort of wealth Nick is aiming for.
2. What do you think F. Scott Fiitzgerald accomplishes by choosing this specific narrator versus another choice, such as a different character or 3rd person?
I think he tells a story through his eyes. From this, he can add experiencs he had or thoughts he had. Instead of being sort of distant and looking on the story from a 3rd person perspective, telling the story from a character actually in the story gives you the inner working of how his environment effects him. I like how it is in first person because you feel like you're travelining through the story and actually experienced the events he is talking about. And at the same time, it guides you in a direction that is a bit bias, but it gives you the point of view of the person as he sees other people. Since we don't have tht mind set, telling this in first person gives us that mind set that may have been common thought back then.
I think he tells a story through his eyes. From this, he can add experiencs he had or thoughts he had. Instead of being sort of distant and looking on the story from a 3rd person perspective, telling the story from a character actually in the story gives you the inner working of how his environment effects him. I like how it is in first person because you feel like you're travelining through the story and actually experienced the events he is talking about. And at the same time, it guides you in a direction that is a bit bias, but it gives you the point of view of the person as he sees other people. Since we don't have tht mind set, telling this in first person gives us that mind set that may have been common thought back then.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Honors Novel #2
Emily Dickinson was an educated poet, writing literature years ahead of her time. Due to her withdrawal from society, less then a dozen of her poems were actually published when she was alive. These varied from Love, Nature, Time, and Life. Even so, the poems she wrote always had a sense of questioning, an uncivilized perspective on things. Because of her unique response towards her environment, I think Emily Dickinson had an uncivilized idea and a wild way of thinking. She gave people second thought to what they considered natural "rules".
Her poem called "IF I can stop one heart from breaking" was one poem that displayed a different perspective, an uncivilized idea. The poem starts off saying "IF I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain;" It's a basic sentence that already questions the reader about what it means to live a life of fulfillment. Many people during that time, and even now, value life based on individual status. In her time, business owners were all about money, abandoning the poor to fend for themselves. But in this poem, she says that a life that's not in vain is one that helps other people. She introduces an idea against her environment's normalities. It was an idea that was rejected in her lifetime because large business owners were all about themselves and how much money they had.
Her poem called "PAIN has an element of blank;" was another one that stood out to me as unique and uncivilized. In the verse "PAIN has an element of blank; It cannot recollect", it talks about pain being an element of nothing. If you were to ask anyone about pain, they'd probably say it hurts as if it were a physical being. But following up her first stanza, she says, "It has no future but itself. Its infinite realms contain, Its past, enlightened to perceive; New periods of pain." Instead of saying that pain is a physical being that will always be there, she says that pain doesn't have a future. It is merely contained in a mental realm who's past can bring new pain. Here, she shows that pain is there because we let it be there and we lock is away, only to have it come back to us in a new form. Situations in society develops a mind set in people that pain is to be blamed on someone else. Most people find it easier to blame someone else for the pain they have caused. But Emily Dickinson counters that idea and says that pain is internal and brings no other people at fault.
The last poem I'm going to mention is one of her short pieces called "A WORD is dead". The first stanza says, "A WORD if dead when it is said, some say." It literally says what is used to being heard, what the norm was. In the second stanza it says, "I say it just, begins to live, that day." She compares an idea she has heard to an idea of her own. Everyday, people are exposed to words. Many think, "I'd heard words like this a million times, what makes this any different?". In this poem, she introduces the opposite, saying that all words are alive, that they all have their significant characteristics that make them meaningful and alive. She clearly, even in poem, counters common thinking.
All of the poems I've mentioned have a theme. They all produce a new idea to the reader. I think that Emily's style of wild and uncivilized thinking shows through her ability to write against the majority or the normalities of society. Compared to a world where many people blame others and think they, themselves, are successful, she talks about a new idea that tells the reader a new way of thinking about something. Other then elaborate writing, this was one of the main things that makes her poetry about life stand out. During her time, her work may have not been appreciated since people didn't understand. Even if they did, they probably would've been rejected and told that's the wrong way to think since her ideas disrupted normal mind sets and challenged their merit. From reading and learning about what someone else thinks brings light to better understanding of the world around us.
Citations:
http://www.tcnj.edu/~carney/dickinson/background.html (For some background info on Emily Dickinson)
http://www.wisegeek.com/who-is-emily-dickinson.htm (More background info)
http://www.bartleby.com/113/index1.html (To read her poems)
Her poem called "IF I can stop one heart from breaking" was one poem that displayed a different perspective, an uncivilized idea. The poem starts off saying "IF I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain;" It's a basic sentence that already questions the reader about what it means to live a life of fulfillment. Many people during that time, and even now, value life based on individual status. In her time, business owners were all about money, abandoning the poor to fend for themselves. But in this poem, she says that a life that's not in vain is one that helps other people. She introduces an idea against her environment's normalities. It was an idea that was rejected in her lifetime because large business owners were all about themselves and how much money they had.
Her poem called "PAIN has an element of blank;" was another one that stood out to me as unique and uncivilized. In the verse "PAIN has an element of blank; It cannot recollect", it talks about pain being an element of nothing. If you were to ask anyone about pain, they'd probably say it hurts as if it were a physical being. But following up her first stanza, she says, "It has no future but itself. Its infinite realms contain, Its past, enlightened to perceive; New periods of pain." Instead of saying that pain is a physical being that will always be there, she says that pain doesn't have a future. It is merely contained in a mental realm who's past can bring new pain. Here, she shows that pain is there because we let it be there and we lock is away, only to have it come back to us in a new form. Situations in society develops a mind set in people that pain is to be blamed on someone else. Most people find it easier to blame someone else for the pain they have caused. But Emily Dickinson counters that idea and says that pain is internal and brings no other people at fault.
The last poem I'm going to mention is one of her short pieces called "A WORD is dead". The first stanza says, "A WORD if dead when it is said, some say." It literally says what is used to being heard, what the norm was. In the second stanza it says, "I say it just, begins to live, that day." She compares an idea she has heard to an idea of her own. Everyday, people are exposed to words. Many think, "I'd heard words like this a million times, what makes this any different?". In this poem, she introduces the opposite, saying that all words are alive, that they all have their significant characteristics that make them meaningful and alive. She clearly, even in poem, counters common thinking.
All of the poems I've mentioned have a theme. They all produce a new idea to the reader. I think that Emily's style of wild and uncivilized thinking shows through her ability to write against the majority or the normalities of society. Compared to a world where many people blame others and think they, themselves, are successful, she talks about a new idea that tells the reader a new way of thinking about something. Other then elaborate writing, this was one of the main things that makes her poetry about life stand out. During her time, her work may have not been appreciated since people didn't understand. Even if they did, they probably would've been rejected and told that's the wrong way to think since her ideas disrupted normal mind sets and challenged their merit. From reading and learning about what someone else thinks brings light to better understanding of the world around us.
Citations:
http://www.tcnj.edu/~carney/dickinson/background.html (For some background info on Emily Dickinson)
http://www.wisegeek.com/who-is-emily-dickinson.htm (More background info)
http://www.bartleby.com/113/index1.html (To read her poems)
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