Response to Class Material

Dear Ceremony,
I know this is unexpected, and unprompted, but I love you. Yes, I used the L-word. This is a big step, so just hear me out. I love your imagery, you contain so many fantastic word paintings that even without a plot you could be complete. Don't listen to the others who call you confusing, you're just complex. The shifting times are just an added spice. Through our relationship I've learned so much, both about Native American culture and how empty my life was before I understood allusions. And even though you seem to be Native American-Ordinary People at times, it does not diminish my adoration. Everyone has faults. Even me (hint: writing letters to literature). I love that your plot is part road novel, part Born on the Fourth of July, part fascinating folklore, and all self discovery. Perhaps one day you can return my feelings, until then I'm stalking Leslie Marmon Silko.
Affectionately,
Emily

Close Reading

Fire and Ice - Maureen Dowd  
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/opinion/sunday/dowd-fire-and-ice.html?ref=opinion

             This article is a comparison of Newt Gingrich and Barack Obama. Gingrich is the fire, Obama the ice, as the author runs with this metaphor and contrasts both politics and personalities.
             The diction of this piece is an interesting blend of extra-ordinarily educated and slang. Alternating between "pugilistic" and "weepy boy crush", the author comes to seem like a politics professor gleefully going off the book. This causes a slightly contradictory effect, perhaps it isn't the wisest to make this opinion your own, but you're dying for the chance to quote the article. Although the author does use diction to appear an Obamaddict, she is clearly disparaging of Gingrich. Notably, she calls Gingrich "Newt" frequently. This would mean less if his name was "Kevin", but let's face it, "Newt" sounds hilarious. Who names their kid "Salamander-like Amphibian"? This creates a condescending view of Gingrich.
              Similarly to the diction in this article, the language is a hybrid of class and slang. She draws upon popular culture to riff on the candidates and creates amusing monikers. Greek illusions are common, featuring references to Icarus, Mount Vesuvius, and Sparta. These clever slights and comparisons would fly by the uneducated, but when deployed successfully are laugh-bombs that also provide good cometary on the candidates.
                The author uses some particulary creative imagery. One such is "Nutty Newt is dancing a fandango on Mitt Romney’s head", effectively belittling both candidates in the most effective way: making them a joke. This humorous imagery can be decidedly more biting then some of the most incendiary language.

Open Prompt Dec 4

1980. A recurring theme in literature is the classic war between a passion and responsibility. For instance, a personal cause, a love, a desire for revenge, a determination to redress a wrong, or some other emotion or drive may conflict with moral duty. Choose a literary work in which a character confronts the demands of a private passion that conflicts with his or her responsibilities. In a well-written essay show clearly the nature of the conflict, its effects upon the character, and its significance to the work.

                  From Romeo and Juliet to Star Wars, the conflict between love and moral duty remains a popular theme in literature and art. Aside from adding human drama, many authors use this conflict to advance other messages. Charlotte Bronte is one such author in her work Jane Eyre. The moral dilemma Jane faces in her love for Mr. Rochester creates what could be considered one of the earliest feminist novels.

         Although Jane and Rochester face many barriers to their relationship, none is more resolute then Jane’s moral convictions. Wealth and social boundaries are more easily overcome then Rochester’s still binding marriage to the insane Bertha. Despite her love for Rochester, Jane declines becoming his mistress for religious and personal convictions. Jane realizes that by being his mistress she would lose her self-respect and sense of equality in the marriage. Although Jane is poor, she is also proud and would see herself perpetually a dependent of Rochester.

         Jane’s decision to leave Rochester casts her in a role other than the traditional damsel in distress found in other Gothic and Victorian Literature. An individual, Jane will not permit herself to compromise her beliefs for the sake of an easy life. Showing self-reliance uncommon of other heroines of the day, Jane seeks out employment away from Thornfield. The feminist message of the novel is further enhanced by Jane’s eventual return to Rochester. True to her own desires, Jane does not allow herself to be pressured into a marriage with St. John while she still loves Rochester. Only when Jane feels she has equity with Rochester, financially and socially, does she agree to marry him.

         The moral obstacle to love in Jane Eyre adds a layer of complexity to the romance. Instead of simply becoming a hurdle to overcome, it defines Jane’s relationship with Rochester and with herself. In her struggling with this dilemma, Jane becomes part of the feminist pantheon.

        

Close Reading November 20

How about better parents?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/opinion/sunday/friedman-how-about-better-parents.html?scp=2&sq=november%2020%20opinion%20article&st=Search

In this article, a response to the recent debate about our education system and funding, the author makes the case that what is really needed is more parental involvement.

On a first read, the language and tone of the author is at first hard to distinguish. By the title, we know exactly what the author's ideas are, but as there seems to be nary a sentence without a quote. This projects others' voices into the article. However, we get to hear the author's voice by the quote selection and manipulation. The quote fanaticism projects an air of desiring to seem well informed and confidence inspiring. After all, how can you not trust quotes from studies and scientists? When not quoting, the author uses a semi-formal tone, creating a sense of reliability and familiarity.

Although the author does not  include much slang, the diction is not particularly note-worthy. Neither poet-laureate nor trailer park, it gives the reader something of a non-impression, removing most traces of a persona.

The syntax of this piece gradually diminishes in complexity. The sentences in the last paragraph are short, repetitive, and begin with conjunctions. Although some writers might use this to emphasize a point, as the author is merely restating an opinion (or the title) it creates an impression that the author ran out of steam and slapped on an ending. The syntax is largely repetitive: brief sentence, sentence with quote. This creates a feeling that the whole article would work better as bullet points and listed information. The author has merely compiled information instead of making conclusions and explaining it.

Nov 20 Response to Class material

Death of a Salesman. Hrm. I liked the points, but frankly was glad to have finished it. It created a complicated emotion, part pity, part extreme distaste. Willy is pitiful, but still majorly messed up his sons. It's hard to reconcile these emotions. I think I feel worst for Happy. He was always overshadowed by Biff, yet most believes in his father's legacy.

Our essays were a tad... rough. The highest score we had in our group was a 5. It's so hard to remember to hit all the points of the essay while being insightful AND original. Stupid 9. Oh well, onward we shall go!

Open Prompt 5

1974. Choose a work of literature written before 1900. Write an essay in which you present arguments for and against the work's relevance for a person in 1974. Your own position should emerge in the course of your essay. You may refer to works of literature written after 1900 for the purpose of contrast or comparison. Much Ado about Nothing

             In a society that is obsessed with the new, it’s easy to imagine that past works have little relevance today. This is an untrue assessment based on the continued applicability of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. The exploration of gender relations and problems of courtship gives it lasting appeal. However, modern readers’ unfamiliarity of Shakespeare’s poetic techniques and language often provide an impediment to its accessibility.

         The battle of the sexes forms a large part of the dialogue of Much Ado About Nothing. The “merry war” between Beatrice and Benedick provides an ongoing commentary on which gender is capable of enduring love, and their doubts that either can commit. Through their witty arguments they spurn each other’s respective gender for what they perceive as intrinsic flaws, uttering disparagements very familiar to modern readers. Fidelity is a main plot point in this work. Hero’s supposed affair reveals an enormous double standard for sexual morality. Although most fathers today would not threaten to kill their daughters, there is still a different stigma attached to female sexual behavior outside marriage than to male “exploits”.

         The hazards of courtship drive the adventures and misadventures of the characters. The leap of faith needed to trust is a recurring theme for both the male and female characters. Benedick disparages love because he feels he cannot trust women while the often repeated song decries men as “deceivers ever”. Fear of rejection paralyzes both sets of lovers. Don Pedro woos Hero in place of Claudio and neither Benedick nor Beatrice are willing to pursue the other until they are convinced they will not be spurned. With these common dilemmas Shakespeare creates characters we identify with to this day.

         Shakespeare’s poetic conventions and use of early modern English can serve to distance the modern reader. The use of iambic pentameter is now an uncommon convention and can make the dialogue seem unnatural and forced to modern ears. Words in Early Modern English had slightly different sounds and thus created rhymes that no longer translate well. Many of his puns and humor derive themselves from idioms no longer in use.

         Despite the setback of outmoded language devices, Much Ado About Nothing remains relevant to today’s reader. The trials of love remain constant, human nature has changed little in the past four-hundred years. We are still plagued by insecurities, jealousies, and desire literature to help us sigh no more after the misadventures of the heart.

Open Prompt October 30

1979. Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might on the basis of the character's actions alone be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.

His favorite hobby being ultra-violence, it is doubtless that Alex of A Clockwork Orange should be considered evil. The delight he experiences in rape and random acts of violence first causes revulsion in the reader, yet gradually a sense of sympathy develops for him. Through alienating Alex to his peers and pitting him against an equally repugnant society, Burgess creates a more sympathetic reaction than Alex’s actions deserve at face value.

            Although mindlessly destructive, Alex is isolated from the  droogs he commands. His great appreciation of art and beauty gives him a depth his peers will never understand.  The reader comes to admire Alex for his taste and wit. Further sympathy is given to Alex as his gang betrays him, although one abhorrers Alex’s actions, pity and outrage is still felt for his misfortunes. One can easily relate to the experience of being stabbed in the back more than empathize with Alex’s victims through the separation caused by Burgess’ Nadsat language.

            When compared to a hypocritical and equally violent government, Alex’s actions paint him in a better light. As they torture and experiment on him the reader feels that Alex becomes something of a martyr. Alex comes to symbolize freewill instead of drug-fueled violence.  Burgess turns Alex into a passionate opponent of hypocrisy. The government that punishes him for his violent acts receives the same joy he does in violence.

            Although we should condemn Alex for his violence, we find ourselves drawn to his magnetic personality and suffering. Burgess creates a moral dilemma, we gradually come to respect him as a protagonist, yet are repulsed by his actions.