Thursday, September 29, 2011
Reading Critically
In "Reading Critcally" the author explains how one should read and analyze a work of literature whether it be: articles, poems or novels. His first point is about how everything may be deeper than it seems; a poem's title may be "The Relationship" and you think it's about married couple but really it's about a butterfly. You have to read between the lines. You also should not skim through a piece because you may miss vital information changing the tone of the whole piece. Also, make sure you don't plagiarize in a summary because that is illegal.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
SOAPSTone #1
The subject of Dave Barry’s “Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out” is that males and females don’t always see eye-to-eye but it makes up for what the other gender doesn’t see. The difference between genders is illustrated with the quote, “I just Windexed, and she is seeing dirt! Everywhere! And if I tell her I already cleaned the bathroom, she gives me this look that she has perfected…”This shows how the man doesn’t see the dirt and the female does, but they are still married and she ends up making the bathroom clean, compensating for his lack of sight for dust.
“Batting Clean-up and Striking Out” was written during the late 1980’s . The essay’s time of creation is displayed by the use of references to the “Etch-a-Sketch” and “The World Series”. The references seem discreet but the Etch-a-Sketch was popular during this time period and The World Series isn’t as popular today as it was in the 80’s. The probable place of this essay’s creation is America because that is where the World Series is held.
“Batting Clean-up and Striking Out” was written during the late 1980’s . The essay’s time of creation is displayed by the use of references to the “Etch-a-Sketch” and “The World Series”. The references seem discreet but the Etch-a-Sketch was popular during this time period and The World Series isn’t as popular today as it was in the 80’s. The probable place of this essay’s creation is America because that is where the World Series is held.
The time and place of this essay’s creation influence the essay by the fact that there was some different humor and women and men were still not equal. This really shows in the essay by using the stereotypes of females and males with the cooking v. the baseball games.
Dave Barry’s specific audience for the essay is married couples in the age range of 30-40. It basically says that yes there are differences, but it’s okay because you still love each other and that is just a natural difference between the two genders. The audience is revealed through the way it talks about the cleaning of the house and kids. It is supposed to be about parents with kids leading to the age range of 30-40. This essay is not geared toward the easily offended because there are many stereotypes used and some people may be hurt or offended by these comments.
Dave Barry’s purpose in the essay is to entertain you about stereotypes. He wants you to see the stereotypes and he wants you to be able to put your own experiences into these stereotypes so it then relates back to you. This is shown when the author talks about how the women didn’t even realize the game was going on and paid no attention. It shows the difference with how the men were obsessed and the women could care less about sports.
Dave Barry, the humorist, believes that everyone is equal and that differences are okay. He accepts everyone no matter what they believe and he thinks it is okay if some people disagree because that is what makes us human, we all have our opinions on certain things.
His tone throughout this is very sarcastic. We can see this through the use of phrases such as “so”
and “or something”. The “or something” shows a lack of care about the topic mentioned prior saying, it may or may not be true, don’t fully trust me on this. The “so” makes it seem very drawn out and hyperbolized. The use of italics also shows a use of sarcasm because the italics make you read it in a more joking sort of manner.
and “or something”. The “or something” shows a lack of care about the topic mentioned prior saying, it may or may not be true, don’t fully trust me on this. The “so” makes it seem very drawn out and hyperbolized. The use of italics also shows a use of sarcasm because the italics make you read it in a more joking sort of manner.
Video Response Blog #3
View clip from American Tongues. What is voice in literature? How does a person create his/her voice when writing? Is creating voice an intentional or unintentional act...or both? Explain your answer. Many people in Eastern Kentucky talk around a subject. According to the speaker why do they do this? What can we learn about a writer from the way he/she approaches a topic? Whether it is fiction or non-fiction, why is voice important in writing?
Voice in literature is how the author speaks, causing you to learn more about the author and his/herself. A person can create voice through punctuation and word choice. It is an unintentional act because, its the writer him or herself, it isn't the tone.
They do this to avoid the matter at hand. We can tell if a writer wants to talk about something or its necessary by the presentation of it. Voice is important to writing because it shows who the author is and helps you understand where they are coming from.
Voice in literature is how the author speaks, causing you to learn more about the author and his/herself. A person can create voice through punctuation and word choice. It is an unintentional act because, its the writer him or herself, it isn't the tone.
They do this to avoid the matter at hand. We can tell if a writer wants to talk about something or its necessary by the presentation of it. Voice is important to writing because it shows who the author is and helps you understand where they are coming from.
Art Response Blog #4
Wassily Kandinsky vs. Jackson Pollack ; after looking at each of these answer the following questions: Which of these do you like better? Why? Which of these is more pleasing to look at? Why?
I like the Kandinsky painting more because it has many different colors to look at and you see something different every time you look at it, so its always something new. I also like the colors because they are basic yet interesting at the same time. The Pollack is more pleasing to look at because the Kandinsky is very harsh and edgy where as the Pollack is very smooth and calm. The Kandinsky isn't as relaxing making it less pleasing to look at, leaving the Pollack by process of elimination.
I like the Kandinsky painting more because it has many different colors to look at and you see something different every time you look at it, so its always something new. I also like the colors because they are basic yet interesting at the same time. The Pollack is more pleasing to look at because the Kandinsky is very harsh and edgy where as the Pollack is very smooth and calm. The Kandinsky isn't as relaxing making it less pleasing to look at, leaving the Pollack by process of elimination.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Video Response Blog #2
"Sign Language"
What is the single effect you got from this short film? Give specific three reasons (of choices the director made) why you were persuaded to that effect? Change one aspect of the film (besides narrative and dialogue) and explain how that would change the film and the single effect.
The single effect I got from this film is that happiness can show up anywhere as long as you look for it. Three reasons I was persuaded to this effect were, its very gloomy but the narrarator is always smiling, trying to be happy. The others are very dreary because they aren't going to try and make things better. Also, there is a lot of color which makes the happiness subtle. If I changed the music it would take away from this effect because it is very happy but calm. If you took this away it would make you less interested in the story.
What is the single effect you got from this short film? Give specific three reasons (of choices the director made) why you were persuaded to that effect? Change one aspect of the film (besides narrative and dialogue) and explain how that would change the film and the single effect.
The single effect I got from this film is that happiness can show up anywhere as long as you look for it. Three reasons I was persuaded to this effect were, its very gloomy but the narrarator is always smiling, trying to be happy. The others are very dreary because they aren't going to try and make things better. Also, there is a lot of color which makes the happiness subtle. If I changed the music it would take away from this effect because it is very happy but calm. If you took this away it would make you less interested in the story.
Music Response Blog #5
"Good Old Desk" By:Harry Nelson
SOAPSTone this song. What is he talking about in this song? What if I told you that the desk is a symbol for god, how does that change your impression of the song? Look through the song lyrics and find three instances that support that the desk is a symbol for god.
Subject: friendship, relationships
Object: the desk
Audience: christians
Purpose: narrative, desribe his relationship with his desk
Speaker: Harry Nelson
Tone: friendly
The song makes more sense and it has a deeper meaning. Three instances that support that the desk is a symbol for god:
1. "A huge success"
2. "My old desk never needs a rest, and I've never seen it cry"
3. "I've got a giant of all times"
SOAPSTone this song. What is he talking about in this song? What if I told you that the desk is a symbol for god, how does that change your impression of the song? Look through the song lyrics and find three instances that support that the desk is a symbol for god.
Subject: friendship, relationships
Object: the desk
Audience: christians
Purpose: narrative, desribe his relationship with his desk
Speaker: Harry Nelson
Tone: friendly
The song makes more sense and it has a deeper meaning. Three instances that support that the desk is a symbol for god:
1. "A huge success"
2. "My old desk never needs a rest, and I've never seen it cry"
3. "I've got a giant of all times"
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Reading Response Blog #2: Shooting An Elephant
The subject of George Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant” is that other people can cause you to do many things and you may regret those actions later. The effect of peer pressure is illustrated when Orwell says, “The sole thought in my mind was that if anything went wrong those two thousand Burmans would see me pursued, caught, trampled on and reduced to a grinning corpse like that Indian up the hill.” This shows he had a choice between his life and taking another. He being the “responsible” one, it was easier to just shoot the elephant.
“Shooting an Elephant” was written during the late 1930’s. The essay’s time of creation is exhibited when it mentions how “[he] was hated by large number of people” talking about how there was a gap between the natives and the Europeans. It happened for a while but we know there was football invented and there was a gap. It took place in Lower Burma which is a place in India. It mentions this in the opening sentence of the essay.
The time and place of the essay’s creation influence the essay because it affects the social issue’s going on during this period. If you chose another period of time it may not have the same social conflicts between the natives and the Europeans. Without this conflict, you wouldn’t have the pressure the Police officer was under, thus the elephant might not have been shot. It would eliminate the pressure thus losing the point of the essay.
George Orwell’s general audience for “Shooting an Elephant” is the Europeans in the 1940’s. This is given by the fact that he is talking about how they should stay strong in their opinions even if they are pressured by their enemies, otherwise it will result in guilt. With later research, we learn that it was published in a London newspaper, once in 1936 and again in 1946.
George Orwell’s purpose in “Shooting an Elephant” is to emphasize and teach you that peer pressure can be too much sometimes. Especially if it is negative peer pressure, you may do things in the heat of the moment that you might not do on your own without the pressure. The effects of peer pressure are illustrated by, “Among the Europeans it was divided. The older men said I was right, the younger men disagreed”. These shows there are two sides and he couldn’t think through the options rationally when in the moment.
George Orwell, the Englishman, believes that Europeans are superior to others. This value is illustrated by the way he talks to the Natives. He acts as though they are savages who just mosey around doing nothing and being paid small amounts of money. This contributes to the fact that peer pressure may not be cause by those ranked above you.
George Orwell also believes that anything can be subject to peer pressure. Even if it goes against your morals you still may be influenced. Everything is impacted and its hard to stop but you have to just put down your foot and say, no I won’t do that. That is what the police man should have said when facing the natives of the area. It could easily cause issues!
George Orwell shows a negative and disrespectful attitude towards the natives/ members of the lower class. As if they are the ones who killed the elephant, really it is the man’s fault for not standing up for his beliefs and just going with the flow. He was a very snobby man and he would not put himself in danger, its easier for him to take another life.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Art Response Blog #3
"The Runaway" by Norman Rockwell
Create an intro paragraph for the following thesis statement: Rockwell’s “The Runaway” overlooks the fundamental rift that was rising in America throughout the late 1950s – an emerging counter (no pun intended) culture that was not concerned with how things were in America, but rather how they are.
In the 1950's poilve were beating up african-americans, and it wasn't the best of times, but in Rockewell's "The Runaway" we see a boy who has runaway from home and a police man who is watching over the boy. He isn't mad at the boy and all three men in the picture appear to be satisfied with their lives. This is a piece of nastalgia, for life wasn't this perfect. Create an intro paragraph for the following thesis statement: Rockwell’s “The Runaway” overlooks the fundamental rift that was rising in America throughout the late 1950s – an emerging counter (no pun intended) culture that was not concerned with how things were in America, but rather how they are.
Create an intro paragraph for the following thesis statement: Rockwell’s “The Runaway” overlooks the fundamental rift that was rising in America throughout the late 1950s – an emerging counter (no pun intended) culture that was not concerned with how things were in America, but rather how they are.
In the 1950's poilve were beating up african-americans, and it wasn't the best of times, but in Rockewell's "The Runaway" we see a boy who has runaway from home and a police man who is watching over the boy. He isn't mad at the boy and all three men in the picture appear to be satisfied with their lives. This is a piece of nastalgia, for life wasn't this perfect. Create an intro paragraph for the following thesis statement: Rockwell’s “The Runaway” overlooks the fundamental rift that was rising in America throughout the late 1950s – an emerging counter (no pun intended) culture that was not concerned with how things were in America, but rather how they are.
Music Response Blog #4
"Across the Universe" by the Beatles
Identify three images in this song. Are any of the images also symbols? If so, explain. Choose one symbol that you know to be a symbol and explain it. What makes it more than just an image? Explain how the word can be used as both an image and a symbol (think visually).
Three images are that I got are;
1. "the words flying out...", I just see a bunch of words floating through the air, caught in the wind.
2. "restless like a wind inside a letter box", I see a box with the lid trying to open but it can't.
3. "Shining around like a thousand suns", I see a bright light, so bright it is hard to look at.
The words flying out symbolize the outgoingness and freedom. Its more than an image because when I see the imagery it makes me feel "free". The drum major is a symbol for power and unity. It is more than an image because it has emotion behind it and whenever I see a drum major it makes me feel included and makes me want to be a better leader.
Identify three images in this song. Are any of the images also symbols? If so, explain. Choose one symbol that you know to be a symbol and explain it. What makes it more than just an image? Explain how the word can be used as both an image and a symbol (think visually).
Three images are that I got are;
1. "the words flying out...", I just see a bunch of words floating through the air, caught in the wind.
2. "restless like a wind inside a letter box", I see a box with the lid trying to open but it can't.
3. "Shining around like a thousand suns", I see a bright light, so bright it is hard to look at.
The words flying out symbolize the outgoingness and freedom. Its more than an image because when I see the imagery it makes me feel "free". The drum major is a symbol for power and unity. It is more than an image because it has emotion behind it and whenever I see a drum major it makes me feel included and makes me want to be a better leader.
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