This writing really doesn't have characters. It is the authors views on culture, language and life.
I don't know anything about this topic. The author gives details to support her point, after reading the words I am a bit confused; I at least understand the primary goal she is working towards.
I can imagine a lot about this writing. There is a diverse mix of writing here, she does not adhere to one theme so there is information about several different things being developed. She is obviously a linguist and writes about linguistics. She is also arguing for social changes she wants as well.
I think this writing leaves a lot to the imagination unfortunately. It seems that we only get a glimpse into Anzaldua's mind at the end when we learn that she is looking forward to a time when her bloodline will inherit the earth because it is superior to other bloodlines. I think she would be much less coy were she in a conversation with her peers. It is really the kind of writing that leaves one wondering: how extremist is she really?
What I feel about this piece is not good. Anzaldua was insulted and injured as a child and those wrongs have charged her, polarized her. In her adulthood she has regressed into something terrible, her thoughts are now consumed with exacting revenge on the race that wronged her. Her belief is the common belief of all racial supremacists: my life is no good+that race is why my life is no good=all I need to be good is for that race to cease to exist.
I wouldn't want to learn any more. People like this depress me and I don't have the capacity to convince her that we are all the same.
I can't speculate on how I would react to a life like Anzaldua's. I am fortunate to have not lived it. Perhaps I would have wound up being just as radical as she is. I live quite well, I have never been presented with a reason to mistrust and dislike a race. Oppression is something I have never been victimized by, there is no knowing how I would react. I definitely don't like people telling me what to do.
There is really no relating this to my own life that I can see now.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Cathedral
The main characters in "Cathedral" are the narrator, his wife and Robert the blind man.
The story give all of the important details and many details that seem unnecessary to me. I am not sure why I would need to know what they ate in the evening. It was very detail rich.
There is not much to imagine in this story, it relays even the smallest details. It is not missing anything. It might cause one to imagine what it is like to be blind.
I think this story is nice, but I don't think I have it figured out. I notice that Robert has great perception even though he is blind, I know that is typical, when someone looses one sense the others quicken, become more acute. There is obviously some religious message in the story, I don't know what it is.
I am not getting very emotional about this story. I don't like the way the narrators wife seems to constantly insult him. She is very oppressive, it is as though she feels it is her burden to behave for him because he cannot behave. I think he does fine. It seems that the narrator and the blind man are only able to connect after the wife goes away and leaves them in peace. Other than feeling angry with her cruelty, I don't feel very emotional at this story.
I would like to learn a good bit more of this story. What is the point of the wife and her sexually charged robe? Is it that Robert may sense it even though the narrator assumes he doesn't? Why do they get high? I mean why is that so important in the story? Why are they drinking all the time? Is it that they are trying to dull the senses that Robert has in such an acute way?
I think I would do well around a blind person. I would wind up getting depressed, but I think I could host one as well as the narrator and his wife.
I cannot see how this relates to my life now. It is a nice story though.
The story give all of the important details and many details that seem unnecessary to me. I am not sure why I would need to know what they ate in the evening. It was very detail rich.
There is not much to imagine in this story, it relays even the smallest details. It is not missing anything. It might cause one to imagine what it is like to be blind.
I think this story is nice, but I don't think I have it figured out. I notice that Robert has great perception even though he is blind, I know that is typical, when someone looses one sense the others quicken, become more acute. There is obviously some religious message in the story, I don't know what it is.
I am not getting very emotional about this story. I don't like the way the narrators wife seems to constantly insult him. She is very oppressive, it is as though she feels it is her burden to behave for him because he cannot behave. I think he does fine. It seems that the narrator and the blind man are only able to connect after the wife goes away and leaves them in peace. Other than feeling angry with her cruelty, I don't feel very emotional at this story.
I would like to learn a good bit more of this story. What is the point of the wife and her sexually charged robe? Is it that Robert may sense it even though the narrator assumes he doesn't? Why do they get high? I mean why is that so important in the story? Why are they drinking all the time? Is it that they are trying to dull the senses that Robert has in such an acute way?
I think I would do well around a blind person. I would wind up getting depressed, but I think I could host one as well as the narrator and his wife.
I cannot see how this relates to my life now. It is a nice story though.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Everyday Use
The main characters are Mama, Maggie, Dee and Asalamalakim.
From reading the story, the reader knows that the main characters are all very poor. Dee has moved out and gained some wealth. The story exposes the great divide that exists between Mama and Maggie and Dee.
The story makes a great effort to fill in details, the imagination is not necessary. One could imagine what Dee occupies herself with. I can imagine some of the day to day hardships Mama and Maggie face.
I think this is a great story, I need to read it over again to pick up some things I missed. I think it is a showing of how shallow Dee is even though she would claim to be deep. Mama and Maggie are naturally real and can't help themselves because for them it is not a decision.
I feel the emotional side of this story is Mama and Maggie's triumph. Lesser people would have let Dee walk on them. Maggie is willing to let herself be abused which is always sad, pitiful; fortunately Mama is not deceived by Dee's condescending manner, and overcomes Dee's selfish, narcissistic crusade.
I wonder why Dee came over to her mothers simple home and started taking things. This seems rude to me. Maybe the story explains it and I missed it.
I am very fond of the awakening Mama had when she looked at Maggie, it was at just the right time and she likened it to a religious experience. I think her response was perfect in every way, she was not rude to Dee, she was in control and communicated to Dee that the blankets would stay with Maggie.
I would definitely recommend this story to everyone, it is a great message in a nice clear short simple story. I think it is the best one we have read so far.
From reading the story, the reader knows that the main characters are all very poor. Dee has moved out and gained some wealth. The story exposes the great divide that exists between Mama and Maggie and Dee.
The story makes a great effort to fill in details, the imagination is not necessary. One could imagine what Dee occupies herself with. I can imagine some of the day to day hardships Mama and Maggie face.
I think this is a great story, I need to read it over again to pick up some things I missed. I think it is a showing of how shallow Dee is even though she would claim to be deep. Mama and Maggie are naturally real and can't help themselves because for them it is not a decision.
I feel the emotional side of this story is Mama and Maggie's triumph. Lesser people would have let Dee walk on them. Maggie is willing to let herself be abused which is always sad, pitiful; fortunately Mama is not deceived by Dee's condescending manner, and overcomes Dee's selfish, narcissistic crusade.
I wonder why Dee came over to her mothers simple home and started taking things. This seems rude to me. Maybe the story explains it and I missed it.
I am very fond of the awakening Mama had when she looked at Maggie, it was at just the right time and she likened it to a religious experience. I think her response was perfect in every way, she was not rude to Dee, she was in control and communicated to Dee that the blankets would stay with Maggie.
I would definitely recommend this story to everyone, it is a great message in a nice clear short simple story. I think it is the best one we have read so far.
We Real Cool
The main characters in "We Real Cool" are the seven pool players, one of whom is the speaker.
The poem tells of some youngsters who dropped out of school. Now they lead lives with shallow objectives. They play pool, drink Gin, listen to Jazz and die. They live sinfully.
I think this poem is intended to be thought provoking. She wants the reader to imagine the realities of that lifestyle. I think these youngsters have adults in their lives who are disappointed. They probably struggle with hangovers and poor health, and they probably are growing concerned about their future.
I think this is a nice poem. I like the rhyming. I think it is a statement of concern. I think Brooks is saying that these youths have been seduced by a lifestyle that seems appealing to people at that age, but once they grow a bit they will see how dead it is. They are sacrificing their youth, health and reputation for nothing.
I think this poem is sad. The author seems to be using sarcasm when she defines these choices as cool. I think she is an adult who is disappointed at the behavior of some youngsters she sees. The whole poem seems sad to me.
This is a poem about young people and I am not young. If I was in a group of kids who left school, drank and played pool, I would probably leave those friends. I really don't like any of those activities.
The poem tells of some youngsters who dropped out of school. Now they lead lives with shallow objectives. They play pool, drink Gin, listen to Jazz and die. They live sinfully.
I think this poem is intended to be thought provoking. She wants the reader to imagine the realities of that lifestyle. I think these youngsters have adults in their lives who are disappointed. They probably struggle with hangovers and poor health, and they probably are growing concerned about their future.
I think this is a nice poem. I like the rhyming. I think it is a statement of concern. I think Brooks is saying that these youths have been seduced by a lifestyle that seems appealing to people at that age, but once they grow a bit they will see how dead it is. They are sacrificing their youth, health and reputation for nothing.
I think this poem is sad. The author seems to be using sarcasm when she defines these choices as cool. I think she is an adult who is disappointed at the behavior of some youngsters she sees. The whole poem seems sad to me.
This is a poem about young people and I am not young. If I was in a group of kids who left school, drank and played pool, I would probably leave those friends. I really don't like any of those activities.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Howl
The characters here seem to be the narrator and everyone else.
Since I live in America one might assume that I know a lot about this topic, but it is a big place and it sounds like there was a lot going on in front of Ginsberg that I have no experience with.
He really doesn't play on the imagination. His assertions are overt with some euphemisms that are in tandem, like similes.
I really don't know what to think. Ginsberg sounds pretty mad. It sounds like kind of an extended rant. He seems to be immersed in a culture of sex and drugs.
I can see there is a lot of emotion here. It is nothing I can decipher now. I think his message would be more meaningful to me if he would calm down and organize it. I think his anger is interfering with transmission. Realistically I think I am doomed to no comprehension here; I don't even drink coffee. I eat grass and twigs and drink water all day, my bedtime is a very important part of my life. I don't have a lot in common with someone whose life revolves around drugs and sex. Of course he is going to have a battery of problems and thoughts that are entirely foreign to me.
Since I live in America one might assume that I know a lot about this topic, but it is a big place and it sounds like there was a lot going on in front of Ginsberg that I have no experience with.
He really doesn't play on the imagination. His assertions are overt with some euphemisms that are in tandem, like similes.
I really don't know what to think. Ginsberg sounds pretty mad. It sounds like kind of an extended rant. He seems to be immersed in a culture of sex and drugs.
I can see there is a lot of emotion here. It is nothing I can decipher now. I think his message would be more meaningful to me if he would calm down and organize it. I think his anger is interfering with transmission. Realistically I think I am doomed to no comprehension here; I don't even drink coffee. I eat grass and twigs and drink water all day, my bedtime is a very important part of my life. I don't have a lot in common with someone whose life revolves around drugs and sex. Of course he is going to have a battery of problems and thoughts that are entirely foreign to me.
Aunt Jennifer's Tigers
The main characters are Aunt Jennifer, the Tigers, the narrator and the Uncle.
There is not a lot of detail in the story. It is the message that is important. What you know is that Aunt Jennifer is making a Tiger portrait on some fabric and the narrator is reflecting on the scene.
The only thing specifically outlined is that Jennifer is sewing a scape of Tigers onto a piece. The rest of the story is exposed just enough for the reader to know what is happening. I imagine that Jennifer has had a tough time in an abusive relationship and that there is no hope for her now.
I think this is a great poem. It has nice rhyme, so many of the recent poems we have read don't rhyme. I think it is a well developed message. Jennifer is concerned with tigers because they are free. She sews them and is lost in their world where they are more powerful than men and don't fear aggression. She dreams of being like the tigers and after her death, the dream will be as useless as it is in her life. It is just a dream and provides no protection from Uncle.
I think this poem is sad. Jennifer has a tough life and sewing is no solution. Most people will feel the same way after reading this poem. I think a feeling of hope comes from the tigers.
It is tough for me to plant myself in any of these roles. I am never going to be in an abusive relationship, it is not in my nature to abuse someone else, far from it. If I was as the narrator is, seeing it happen, I might not do anything. I don't know if there is anything that can be done. I think some people are imprinted at a young age with that want to be abusive, just as others are being raised to accept abuse. When the two find each other, it is like a key finding a lock; the union is too perfect to ever be interrupted.
There is not a lot of detail in the story. It is the message that is important. What you know is that Aunt Jennifer is making a Tiger portrait on some fabric and the narrator is reflecting on the scene.
The only thing specifically outlined is that Jennifer is sewing a scape of Tigers onto a piece. The rest of the story is exposed just enough for the reader to know what is happening. I imagine that Jennifer has had a tough time in an abusive relationship and that there is no hope for her now.
I think this is a great poem. It has nice rhyme, so many of the recent poems we have read don't rhyme. I think it is a well developed message. Jennifer is concerned with tigers because they are free. She sews them and is lost in their world where they are more powerful than men and don't fear aggression. She dreams of being like the tigers and after her death, the dream will be as useless as it is in her life. It is just a dream and provides no protection from Uncle.
I think this poem is sad. Jennifer has a tough life and sewing is no solution. Most people will feel the same way after reading this poem. I think a feeling of hope comes from the tigers.
It is tough for me to plant myself in any of these roles. I am never going to be in an abusive relationship, it is not in my nature to abuse someone else, far from it. If I was as the narrator is, seeing it happen, I might not do anything. I don't know if there is anything that can be done. I think some people are imprinted at a young age with that want to be abusive, just as others are being raised to accept abuse. When the two find each other, it is like a key finding a lock; the union is too perfect to ever be interrupted.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Addict by Anne Sexton
The only character is the addict or narrator.
In this poem you only know the details immediately pertinent to the narrators addiction. You know that she takes eight pills and that she knows there are problematic consequences to her situation.
There is not much left to imagination in this poem. One might wonder what condition warranted the prescriptions, I think it is clearly a mental disorder.
I think Sexton is trying to break into a counterintuitive dichotomy. The pills and the addiction are good and bad at the same time. It has positive and negative effects. She likes what is happening as a result of her meds while also not liking it. So she is a bit confused, she is torn between looking on her addiction as right or wrong. She wants to choose one or the other.
I think there is an emotion of confusion in this poem. I think generally it is not supposed to be emotional, but if there is an emotion in it, it would be scared confusion. The narrator seems to be scattered and torn between how to view her addiction. I don't think she has embraced it.
I have no struggles with addiction. I understand it's rough. It is tough to know how I would act with an addiction. I think I am good with asking for help if I get into trouble, and I know there is a lot of addiction treatment available because it is such a problem in our culture. I would probably be fine. I understand that many addicts are able to overcome their vice by replacing the undesired habit with a healthier one like exercise or music.
This really does not relate to my life at all. I am not on any prescriptions and I don't use any affect altering substances. I am very much in the dark when evaluationg addiction or drug use.
In this poem you only know the details immediately pertinent to the narrators addiction. You know that she takes eight pills and that she knows there are problematic consequences to her situation.
There is not much left to imagination in this poem. One might wonder what condition warranted the prescriptions, I think it is clearly a mental disorder.
I think Sexton is trying to break into a counterintuitive dichotomy. The pills and the addiction are good and bad at the same time. It has positive and negative effects. She likes what is happening as a result of her meds while also not liking it. So she is a bit confused, she is torn between looking on her addiction as right or wrong. She wants to choose one or the other.
I think there is an emotion of confusion in this poem. I think generally it is not supposed to be emotional, but if there is an emotion in it, it would be scared confusion. The narrator seems to be scattered and torn between how to view her addiction. I don't think she has embraced it.
I have no struggles with addiction. I understand it's rough. It is tough to know how I would act with an addiction. I think I am good with asking for help if I get into trouble, and I know there is a lot of addiction treatment available because it is such a problem in our culture. I would probably be fine. I understand that many addicts are able to overcome their vice by replacing the undesired habit with a healthier one like exercise or music.
This really does not relate to my life at all. I am not on any prescriptions and I don't use any affect altering substances. I am very much in the dark when evaluationg addiction or drug use.
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