“All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.” All good writing keeps you hanging on, wanting more, making you want to further interpret character traits and personalities, and find the symbolism. Good writing makes you want to read past what is on the surface. It is "swimming" and you have to dive into it.
Fitzgerald uses a ton of symbolic descriptions in this story. Symbols for social characteristics and trends of the 1920's. East and West Egg are a representation of new or self made wealth (west) and family or old fortune (east). Both Gatsby and Nick have a similar contemptuous attitude. Is it because they were both WWI soldiers? I feel that Gatsby's character is more of a representation of the uprising of organised crime in America during the 20's.
I wrote a lot about moral decay and greed of the 20's in my last blog about The Great Gatsby. For this entry I want to focus on the "American Dream" and that people do crazy things when their in love. I think this story is about the complete destruction of the American Dream at this time. First of all what is the "American Dream"? Come to America, make an honest hard working living, and you can achieve all your goals! You can do anything you set your mind to! Gatsby worked his way to the top of the social ladder. During his childhood he had very little. The only thing keeping him apart from his love Daisy was money. Gatsby is a highly motivated person and would do anything to gain wealth and a high social position because in gaining those things he could gain Daisy. He began making his fortune, but in the wrong way entirely. Gatsby is involved with organized crime such as the illegal distribution of alcohol. American dream crushed. He is working dishonestly and has still not acquired the thing he desires most, Daisy. He has made her to be this perfect specimen of beauty. As his emotions are more "sitting" rather than "active" ones. Because of this Daisy is almost UN-reachable to Gatsby. When his dream of her is no longer all that is left is immoral wealth. I like Gatsby, I think his intentions meant well. I loved The way Fitzgerald presented him in the story. He had an Ora of mysticism about him. He illuminated green on the dock at the beginning of the book. Did the green symbolize greed or money? Or perhaps jealousy? Jealousy of Tom who had in fact won Gatsby's girl? I don't like Tom much. He's just "that guy" for me. Theres always "that guy". His character sits weird in my tummy. Kind of like listening to a whole Primus album.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Gatsby Journal
The Valley of Ashes is half way between the wealth, riches, and fashionable glamor of East and West Egg. It is a desolate place of filthy dumping grounds and waste lands. There are a few shops, such as Wilson's garage. The people who live there, Wilson and his wife Myrtle for instance, seem very shady. The Valley of Ashes is a place of little or no morals. Tom comes here to meet his lover Myrtle, but both Tom and Myrtle are married! The way Fitzgerald describes Wilson makes him seem like a very handsome man, his life however is nothing worth holding on to. When we are introduced to him he is covered in ash and dust from the air. The dust and muck is possibly a symbol for the filth and lack of morals in his life. His wife is sneaking around his back committing adultery, and he is being almost taunted by Tom, the man who is with his wife. I feel bad for Wilson. Poor guy.
I think that the Valley of Ashes reflects the cultural and moral changes in America during the 1920's. Everything was changing in America during the "roaring" 20's. Women's fashion became more provocative and rebellious with the "flapper" style. The passing of prohibition gave gangsters a way to make money by opening illegal bars. Organized crime at this time was at it's best. Along with Prohibition came a social clash of those who opposed it and those in favor of it.
Morals were being tested at the Scopes trial. At this time more people lived in urban areas than in rural ones. Radio and television were booming. With all that excitement it is easy to see why folks were going a little mad.
Next we have, the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. They see all. I get it....it's a billboard....great! "Their retinas are one yard high, they look out of no face, but instead from a pair of enormous yellow spectacles which pass over a non-existent nose." What a glorious description! It was that quote that gave me the idea that the Doctor may be a symbol of some higher power, (an idea i soon found out was not as original as I had hoped). A god of some kind, looking out onto a disappointing race, brooding over the filth of a nation.
Fitzgerald has a wonderful way of writing. His descriptions are so vivid and yet he manages to keep some parts and characters very mysteriously behind the scenes. For example, the party scene in Chapter 2. People are gossiping about Gatsby, he's quite popular but no one actually knows him.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Charles Simic: Very Cool.
The poem I chose for this assignment was "Fork" by Charles Simic. Born in Yugoslavia in 1938, Simic grew up in Europe and has many childhood memories of WWII. "Hitler and Stalin taught us the basics," said Simic.When he was sixteen his family immigrated to Chicago. Simic later received his BA from New York University. Nothing about his writing is distinctively American, in fact Simic is known for writing many translations of French, Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian, and Slovenian poetry. It was not until he was fifteen, did he even learn to speak English.
I enjoy Simics writing very much, it is bizarre and he gives a thrilling sense of imagery. In "Fork" http://www.poetryfoundation.org/archive/poem.html?id=171686 a simple everyday object is transformmed into a haunting "thing" that has "crept right out of hell". He brings us into his world of ultra surrealism.
Another poem i read by Simic was "Eyes Fastened With Pins":http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/eyes-fastened-with-pins/. In this poem he discusses what a long day "Death" (a grim reaper type character I suppose) puts in. It has such a dark ironic humor. Deaths friends and family are at home, drinking beer and chillin and poor Death is out in a "strange part of town looking for someone with a bad cough". I found that line quite ammusing. For this poem, Simic put similar ideas behind his writing as he did in "Fork" but used a different approach, (allow me to explain). In "Fork" a simple object is made into a twisted creature found only in places like nightmares or the Fifth Circle of Hell. In "Eyes Fastened With Pins", the concept of Death (faceing and accepting it) and the portrayl of Death as a person is drawn out as if Death is a regular working class kinda guy. Either way things are not as they seem, which is possibly the theme Simic is trying to get across in his writing.
Friday, February 27, 2009
American Realism
The writings of the American Romantics seem to focus a lot on feeling and emotion. In reading the works of different romantic writers I noticed that imagination plays a strong role. Especially in stories like Irving's, "The Devil and Tom Walker", a story in which the main character gets involved with the selling of his soul to the DEVIL. Along with radical imaginative plots, nature is a popular theme in romantic stories and poems. Reflection upon nature untouched by man seems to give inspiration. Surrounding yourself with natures pure beauty may reveal truths and give incite to life. In Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's The Tide Rises the Tide Falls, he discusses how human imprints are nothing compared to the wrath of the earth. " The little white waves with their soft white hands efface the footprints in the sand". Many Romantic poets use nature as a way of looking at huge human issues such as death. For example, William Cullen Bryant's Thanatopsis.
For this journal entry i chose to look at the works of American realist Willa Cather. Compared to the writings of American Romantics, Cather is very down to earth with her writing. She does not express abstract ideas or concepts, her stories are enjoyable to read and give a good incite into the things she enjoys or has experienced in life. In the two stories I read it is apparent that Cather is infatuated with German culture, it makes a very strong presence in "A Wagner Matinee" and she finds a way to throw it into "Consequences".
The social theme of "Consequences" is suicide. One very powerful line I have pulled out of her writing is, "every suicide is logical and reasonable, if one knows the facts." This is a quote from the character Cavenaugh, the man who ends up committing suicide in the end. This quote can be taken as almost offensivly. Whether you know the facts or not, suicide should never be taken as something "logical or reasonable". Because Cavenaugh thought this way it is obvious that he was thinking illogically and irrationally. Could Cather have been foreshadowing his suicide with this phrase. Was she letting us into her writing world by giving us hints toward the thought process of someone contemplating suicide? On the other hand, how can one say what it is like to have thought about committing suicide unless they themselves have thought about it? Is Cather telling us through her writing that she has been in Cavenaugh's position at one time or another? Perhaps I'm being illogical and irrational.
Trailing away from "Consequences" and onto "A Wagner Matinee", I ask myself, who is her intended audience? I feel like this is just story made for anyone who wants to listen. It is overall more pleasant. She shows themes of love. Aunt Georgiana shows her love of music, her hometown of Nebraska, her husband, and Boston (a kind of newly found love). When Georgiana hears the "Prize Song" at the Wagner matinee she is reminded of her good old fashioned (German) lover boy. One song filled her with so much joy and so many memories. It was such a nice and relatable thing to read about. This story did have it's sad moments, when the opera was over Georgiana didn't want to move. The thought that her entertainment was over and she will soon have to return to her boring labor filled farm life is quiet upsetting to her. Cather may be writing to those who live in culture rich places like Boston. Seeing Aunt Georgiana's reaction to the theater may make people appreciate where they are from, something as common as a musical production can mean so much to someone who lives in a place where something like that isn't common at all. She may also be writing to those who live in places like Nebraska. She may be telling them that if you get out to see new places you never know what you might find and it could end up being a really good thing.
For this journal entry i chose to look at the works of American realist Willa Cather. Compared to the writings of American Romantics, Cather is very down to earth with her writing. She does not express abstract ideas or concepts, her stories are enjoyable to read and give a good incite into the things she enjoys or has experienced in life. In the two stories I read it is apparent that Cather is infatuated with German culture, it makes a very strong presence in "A Wagner Matinee" and she finds a way to throw it into "Consequences".
The social theme of "Consequences" is suicide. One very powerful line I have pulled out of her writing is, "every suicide is logical and reasonable, if one knows the facts." This is a quote from the character Cavenaugh, the man who ends up committing suicide in the end. This quote can be taken as almost offensivly. Whether you know the facts or not, suicide should never be taken as something "logical or reasonable". Because Cavenaugh thought this way it is obvious that he was thinking illogically and irrationally. Could Cather have been foreshadowing his suicide with this phrase. Was she letting us into her writing world by giving us hints toward the thought process of someone contemplating suicide? On the other hand, how can one say what it is like to have thought about committing suicide unless they themselves have thought about it? Is Cather telling us through her writing that she has been in Cavenaugh's position at one time or another? Perhaps I'm being illogical and irrational.
Trailing away from "Consequences" and onto "A Wagner Matinee", I ask myself, who is her intended audience? I feel like this is just story made for anyone who wants to listen. It is overall more pleasant. She shows themes of love. Aunt Georgiana shows her love of music, her hometown of Nebraska, her husband, and Boston (a kind of newly found love). When Georgiana hears the "Prize Song" at the Wagner matinee she is reminded of her good old fashioned (German) lover boy. One song filled her with so much joy and so many memories. It was such a nice and relatable thing to read about. This story did have it's sad moments, when the opera was over Georgiana didn't want to move. The thought that her entertainment was over and she will soon have to return to her boring labor filled farm life is quiet upsetting to her. Cather may be writing to those who live in culture rich places like Boston. Seeing Aunt Georgiana's reaction to the theater may make people appreciate where they are from, something as common as a musical production can mean so much to someone who lives in a place where something like that isn't common at all. She may also be writing to those who live in places like Nebraska. She may be telling them that if you get out to see new places you never know what you might find and it could end up being a really good thing.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Does writing have the power to enact social change
I believe writing has the power to enact social change. People can be easily persuaded by your writing if you use the right approach. In the poem "The Bombing of Baghdad", Jordan appeals to senses and give visual descriptions. She also describes all of the things that "we" bombed. When she uses the word "we" it gives people a sense of guilt. The message she is sending is that we are all equal, when one person or group does something we as humans are affected in one way or another.
Words are one of the most powerful and dangerous weapons humans can use. For example, Hitler was one of the most powerful writers and public speakers of his time. Often times, and like many writers, his words were deceiving. "As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice," this is a quote from Adolf Hitler. To a reader this sounds pretty good, like something you would side with. Little did people know his idea of truth and justice were horribly twisted.
The Bible is another example of writing that has changed society. One book has caused and innumerable amount of change in the world for a very long time. It is a piece of writ ting that people may choose to live their lives by. Some people may read it and act out against it or branch off to make their own religions. Many of our worlds religions are a result of people migrating away from the Catholic Church because of things they may disagree with. Some may read the bible and take it completely literally causing them to act radical and possibly cause harm. Some say that it is because of the bible that we have Satanists ,and because of Satanist we have cultural figures and visuals, along with many other things. Every "rebellious" suburban kid who shops at Hot Topic has a shirt with a pentagram on it to scare their folks. Scared parents are extremal motivated, they love dictating what is right and wrong and they are mostly the religious type. Because of people like Tipper Gore we have things like the FCC. Because of what the Bible and other religious writing we have huge political debates over things like abortion and gay rights.
Writing can change society for better or worse in many ways. If someone does not agree with the cause you are writing for it is going to inspire them in someway to do something. Perhaps act against your writing, think in an entirely different spectrum, even causing people to do nothing at all and have no feelings what so ever is a legitimate reaction. obviously if this is a common reaction it may cause you to change what you are writing. When used the right way writing can do amazing things. Something as simple as a song lyric can cause people to do things and feel ways they may have never imagined.
Words are one of the most powerful and dangerous weapons humans can use. For example, Hitler was one of the most powerful writers and public speakers of his time. Often times, and like many writers, his words were deceiving. "As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice," this is a quote from Adolf Hitler. To a reader this sounds pretty good, like something you would side with. Little did people know his idea of truth and justice were horribly twisted.
The Bible is another example of writing that has changed society. One book has caused and innumerable amount of change in the world for a very long time. It is a piece of writ ting that people may choose to live their lives by. Some people may read it and act out against it or branch off to make their own religions. Many of our worlds religions are a result of people migrating away from the Catholic Church because of things they may disagree with. Some may read the bible and take it completely literally causing them to act radical and possibly cause harm. Some say that it is because of the bible that we have Satanists ,and because of Satanist we have cultural figures and visuals, along with many other things. Every "rebellious" suburban kid who shops at Hot Topic has a shirt with a pentagram on it to scare their folks. Scared parents are extremal motivated, they love dictating what is right and wrong and they are mostly the religious type. Because of people like Tipper Gore we have things like the FCC. Because of what the Bible and other religious writing we have huge political debates over things like abortion and gay rights.
Writing can change society for better or worse in many ways. If someone does not agree with the cause you are writing for it is going to inspire them in someway to do something. Perhaps act against your writing, think in an entirely different spectrum, even causing people to do nothing at all and have no feelings what so ever is a legitimate reaction. obviously if this is a common reaction it may cause you to change what you are writing. When used the right way writing can do amazing things. Something as simple as a song lyric can cause people to do things and feel ways they may have never imagined.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Gina Gleason
The Price of a Child Review
1/31/09
The New York Times tells us that Lorne Carry is, “a powerful storyteller.” Her work in the Price of a Child is, “frankly sensual, mortally funny, and gifted with an ear for the pounce and ragged inconsequentiality of real speech.” I agree with almost none of that. Throughout reading The Price of a Child, Carry managed to get my attention, then loose me completely, bore me, and inspire me to write this review.
Ginnie is a young woman with three children. She is being taken to Philadelphia with her master, Jackson Pryor. We learn that Pryor has been named ambassador of Nicaragua. Why he has been given this title, I am not quite sure. Why would a slave be allowed to Philadelphia? It is a non-slave state with a strong abolitionist movement happening at the time. The catch is, Ginnie is only allowed to bring two of her three children with her. How does she decide whom to bring? Was Bennie, the child left behind, more mature thank the others? I can only make assumptions because Carry does not enlighten me; however, at this point in the book she is gaining my attention. What will Ginnie do? Will she courageously make her way to freedom? Would that even be the courageous thing to do in this situation, seeing as she has left one of her children behind down south? The plot could go in so many directions and I am left waiting to find out where we are headed next.
Unfortunately for me, the anticipative reader, Carry steers us into the beginning of a whirlwind of confusion when we meet Nig-Nag and other members of the Vigilance Committee. With their help and the Pennsylvania Law at her side, Ginnie decides to escape her master and walk into freedom. Carry decided not to give us any insight into Ginnie’s thought process or internal conflicts. This is a great example of “character vs. self” conflict and I think Carry could have done a lot more with the situation. What made up her mind to leave her master? Does she have an elaborate plan to go back for Bennie? She must be torn knowing she may never see one of her children again. What is the cost to ensure the safety of as many children as you can for a slave at this time? Is it another child; is that the price of a child?
As Ginnie is escaping, a carriage driver named Tyree picks her up. Throughout the book we meet members of Tyree’s family and friends, along with other families such as The Quick’s. This is where Carry bores me. We have hit a dead-end and I have completely lost interest. There are far too many characters to keep track of and she tells all of their stories. Instead of answering questions to parts of the book that left me hanging, she is introducing new parts and new characters. Finish what you’ve started, please. I have no idea what Bennie and Pryor are doing and I would like to know.
All of these characters feel like main characters. I feel like someone will have what seems like an important role in the book then just disappear for a while. For example, we meet Nig-Nag early on, and learn a little bit about him. He is corky and interesting and without him Ginnie may not have become free at all. After that it seems like he just disappears until much later in the story.
I may have gone into the story feeling bias. A reading demon of mine is being forced to read things I am not interested in reading. Slavery is a huge issue, however I spent an entire year in a required African American History class. How much more will be imbedded into our minds? Too much on any subject will make a student sick of it. I’m sure Carry is a great writer and I enjoyed parts of her writing. The way I would of liked her to use so many characters would be similar to the way Richard Linklater introduces new characters in his seemingly plot less film Slacker, a day in the life of a twenty-something from Texas. He follows characters met along the way never for more than a few minutes. Like I said before too many people with huge roles seem to make for a car-wreck.
The Price of a Child Review
1/31/09
The New York Times tells us that Lorne Carry is, “a powerful storyteller.” Her work in the Price of a Child is, “frankly sensual, mortally funny, and gifted with an ear for the pounce and ragged inconsequentiality of real speech.” I agree with almost none of that. Throughout reading The Price of a Child, Carry managed to get my attention, then loose me completely, bore me, and inspire me to write this review.
Ginnie is a young woman with three children. She is being taken to Philadelphia with her master, Jackson Pryor. We learn that Pryor has been named ambassador of Nicaragua. Why he has been given this title, I am not quite sure. Why would a slave be allowed to Philadelphia? It is a non-slave state with a strong abolitionist movement happening at the time. The catch is, Ginnie is only allowed to bring two of her three children with her. How does she decide whom to bring? Was Bennie, the child left behind, more mature thank the others? I can only make assumptions because Carry does not enlighten me; however, at this point in the book she is gaining my attention. What will Ginnie do? Will she courageously make her way to freedom? Would that even be the courageous thing to do in this situation, seeing as she has left one of her children behind down south? The plot could go in so many directions and I am left waiting to find out where we are headed next.
Unfortunately for me, the anticipative reader, Carry steers us into the beginning of a whirlwind of confusion when we meet Nig-Nag and other members of the Vigilance Committee. With their help and the Pennsylvania Law at her side, Ginnie decides to escape her master and walk into freedom. Carry decided not to give us any insight into Ginnie’s thought process or internal conflicts. This is a great example of “character vs. self” conflict and I think Carry could have done a lot more with the situation. What made up her mind to leave her master? Does she have an elaborate plan to go back for Bennie? She must be torn knowing she may never see one of her children again. What is the cost to ensure the safety of as many children as you can for a slave at this time? Is it another child; is that the price of a child?
As Ginnie is escaping, a carriage driver named Tyree picks her up. Throughout the book we meet members of Tyree’s family and friends, along with other families such as The Quick’s. This is where Carry bores me. We have hit a dead-end and I have completely lost interest. There are far too many characters to keep track of and she tells all of their stories. Instead of answering questions to parts of the book that left me hanging, she is introducing new parts and new characters. Finish what you’ve started, please. I have no idea what Bennie and Pryor are doing and I would like to know.
All of these characters feel like main characters. I feel like someone will have what seems like an important role in the book then just disappear for a while. For example, we meet Nig-Nag early on, and learn a little bit about him. He is corky and interesting and without him Ginnie may not have become free at all. After that it seems like he just disappears until much later in the story.
I may have gone into the story feeling bias. A reading demon of mine is being forced to read things I am not interested in reading. Slavery is a huge issue, however I spent an entire year in a required African American History class. How much more will be imbedded into our minds? Too much on any subject will make a student sick of it. I’m sure Carry is a great writer and I enjoyed parts of her writing. The way I would of liked her to use so many characters would be similar to the way Richard Linklater introduces new characters in his seemingly plot less film Slacker, a day in the life of a twenty-something from Texas. He follows characters met along the way never for more than a few minutes. Like I said before too many people with huge roles seem to make for a car-wreck.
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