comparing

Our reactions were very different. I focused more on the history and factualness of the story while the other blog focused more on a theme that she got from the story. I do agree that stereotypes and generalizations happen all the time and arent a good thing.





The author did a good job of getting her point across. She wanted to show how the names for some of the animals were wrong and how others had become wrong and how Eve had eventually severed herself from everything and eventually had no words left. I definitely got that from the story.


Even though she doesnt say she wants to change peoples minds about the first two people on earth in her interview, she really does. It is an underlying theme. By changing the way the story goes she automatically attacks its biblical historicalness even if she didnt want to.

free write

A lion is large predatory cat which is soley a carnivore. In the wild it has no natural predators. Humans are the only creatures that endanger it.

A lioness is the same thing as a lion except it does the majority of the hunting as opposed to its male counterpart.

Comments to Readings

"She Unnames Them," is a blasphemic story. I didnt care for it much at all. There is a point in the story where she says "I hope the garden key turns up." That is obsurd. The whole reason Adam and Eve got kicked out of the garden of eden in the first place was because Eve ate from the tree of good and evil. It is her fault they no longer live in a perfect world, and to say its not is just ignorance. Also the whole thing about her unname the animals is completely wrong. Adam was given the specific duty of naming all the animals and having dominian over them, before Eve was even around. There is no point in the bible where it says Eve unnamed them. This story is ridiculous and is obviously written by a female activist or something

"Journey of the Magi," was a little hard to understand, but im sure going along with the theme of the stories we had to read, its blasphemic too. it says that the magi had seen birth and death. Thats funny cause last time I checked Jesus was born so that all men could live, eternally. At the end it says he should be glad for another death. I dont quite know what hes trying to say, but im sure he'll be going to hell for it.

"A Cold Coming," really baffled me. The biggest thing I got out of it was the soldiers had their semen frozen just in case they died and could never reproduce anymore. I do think it is mocking our soldiers though. It's also just talking about how a dying Iraqi feels about death and what he wont be able to leave behind.

Topic Proposal

1. I will be writing about Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried.” I really want to write about this topic because I am a fan of war stories, and the Vietnam war really intrigues me.
2. The story is about soldiers and how they acted and what they brought with them into the Vietnam War. So it is obviously about that, as well as the time period Vietnam was in, which was 1964-1973.
3. The historical setting of the story helps me understand the national feeling of Americans at the time, as well as the Vietnamese. It also helps me understand why the soldiers were doing what they were doing in the story.
4. These links help me understand the theme because I know where the soldiers in the story are and why they are there. The title implies things they carried with them, not only physically but emotionally as well.
5. I still need to find out how exactly guerilla warfare was conducted during Vietnam and what the soldiers were used to going through.
6. During the Vietnam War, soldiers had to endure years of guerilla warfare that wore down on their bodies and minds.

Trifles vs. A Jury Of Her Peers

After reading both versions, I believe that each has its own advantages. I believed the biggest advantage of Trifles was that it was in play format as to avoid any confusion of whos saying what. I found myself having trouble knowing whether it was Mrs. Peters or Mrs. Hale speaking in the form of A Jury Of Her Peers. There dialouge back and forth in the kitchen was hard to follow.
However the advantage I see with A Jury Of Her Peers is obviously thats it is realistic in real life form, like someone was there recording it. It is not written out line by line with different characters, it just happens therefore it is easier to believe that its real. I think because it feels more real and like its really happening A Jury Of Her Peers lends itself more easily to Cultural/Historical Analysis

Cultural/Historical Analysis

The short story I chose is "The Things They Carried."



The historical setting of the short story is the Vietnam War. The themes all have to do with the things men had to deal with as individuals and as a collective unit. I am very familiar with the Vietnam War.

Some clues the story gives as to its themes and historical settings are the packs and materials the men are carrying with them. Also the missions they go on and the terrain they operate on.

Other information I would like to get are such things as life expentancy for men in Vietnam.

Themes and Setting

The main theme of "Battle Royal," is discrimination of race, and how to figuratively and literally fight through it.

The setting of the time period, 1952, and the place, a boxing ring is very important. The time period is what makes the whole story, becuase it is the time when black people did not have much rights and even less respect, from the white people. The boxing ring is important because it shows how the black person was against the world so to speak. He was in the ring by himself, agianst many many white people.


I think the main theme of "Becky," is having fear in the unknown.

The setting for this story is important. The loacation of her house between the railroad track and the road is important because people passed by on both sides and could see her house and drop food and other things off. Also the time period it was written, 1923, is important because back then interracial fornication was unheard of, and children produced from that sin were not accepted as you could see in the story.

Reading Response

I thought the short story "How to Date a Browngirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie," was very entertaining. The thing I like most about it was the fact that it was just real. The author didnt worry about being politically correct and stepping on somebodies toes, he just told it how it was. The kid obviously lives in an inpoverished area, hence "clear the government cheese from the refrigerator," but he's not ashamed really of being from that background, it just makes him have to act different when it comes to being with different races of girls.
I thought it was interesting and true when he talked about the different races of girls and how far they will go on the first date. It tends to be true that if the girl is the same as you and is from the same area, she will react way different then a girl from 'the other side of the tracks.' I really enjoyed this story, and may have even learned a few things





I liked the poem "America" because it represents the thoughts of many Americans today. Many Americans today don't agree whats going on in office and how this country is being run, however that doesnt mean that they should abandon this great nation. Claude says it well, "stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured hell that tests my youth." America has become a mixture of many cultures and ways of life. This nation is also struggling with leadership, but it is still our country, and honestly one of if not the best country in the world when it comes to resources, economy, military, etc. So regardless of what is happening to the country and how it may be being run, stick with it and be proud of it, becuause its where you live and what you represent.

Response to Reading

The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner was a very short poem but a very meaningful one. I know from learning about different wars that a Turret Gunners job can be very important but very deadly job. The Turret Gunner was not as important as the airplane as a whole, but it acts as an important distraction and in some cases can have a rare takedown. It protects the plane from other planes trying to shoot it down. The peom discribes the turret gunner position as a non glamour's, unfun, dark, cold, place to be. Ecspecially being in a small place like that during a war, is what makes a turret gunner a cold lonely place.

free write

After watching the videos of ball turrets, the poem had the same meaning to me. I already knew somewhat what the turrets were like and how cold and unpleasent they were. I still read the poem and think of how crappy of a job it is, but how brave the men who did it were.


I think the biggest reason Randall Jarrell had the motivation to write a poem like this, is because he really wanted to be a pilot but failed to qualify. So the next best thing he could do if he couldnt fly was to write and study flying. He did work as a control tower operator which gave him constant exposure to planes and flying.


Knowing the authors backround information would be very helpfull to have if I were to write a close reading paper about the poem. Thats because if you know the authors backround then you know his major reasons for writing the poem.

Free Write b

The strongest associations with the term "World War II" are; Nazis, Hitler, Facism, Allies, Russia, France, D-Day, Japan, Pearl Harbor

Free Write

• WAR: Death by guns, nuclear, muddy, raining, screaming

• GUNNER: Tourett, certain death, loud

• ATTACK: Ambush, other side unaware, beating, killing

Comments on Readings

Each of these poems have the same underlying theme of the armed forces. The first one "The Soldier," had the most upbeat and postive of the 3. I liked it because I am in the military and am possibly am going to be overseas one day. It shows what soldiers have to sacrifice for their country, and I really appreciate this poem.

The poem "Glory of Women," really hit hard for me. It seemed so real to me because everyword of it is true with my mom and me. With me being in the navy she acts the exact same way the lady illustrated in the poem does. My mom loves when im home and when I tell her about what I do. And she praises me for what I do. The end got me somewhat emotional because the lady and mother loves her son so much and whats well for him, and because she cares she is making socks for him. However over seas, he gets killed defending this country. My mom frequently sends me things just to show me how much she cares and loves me, and after reading this poem, it made me think about how heartbroken she would be if I died and she didnt even know about it, I would never want to put my mother through anything like that.

Essay #2 concerns

The biggest concern I have with my essay is its length. I can't seem to find enough to say about my hat. Im also not to sure if I even wrote the right type of things about it. Im not sure if I described the hat enough, or if I put to much of the word I or me in the paper. I kinda feel lost.

Poster Reflection

I chose the topic of pollution, because its a big issue this world faces that gets bigger everyday. It effects nature, our ozone, and our way of life. My poster wasnt in color becuase when you look at the dreary effects of pollution, everything seems to turn gray. If I were a better drawer I wouuld have drawn more detail such as plants and flowers dying and people getting sick. I did decide to draw a picture of a hole being made in the ozone and uv rays getting in. Pollution is a problem we need to find a solution for.

Essay 2 topic proposal

-My object/text that I chose is my Phillidelphia Phillies hat

-The surface message is a symbol of a professional baseball team

-Upon closer examination it sends the message of a certain style, it also sens the message of a color scheme. It also shows what team I like and what teams I dont like.

-The features that are crucial to identify this are the colors, the symbol on the front, the size and who makes it.

-The design is important because it is specific to a certain team, same with the colors. The letter on the front is very important too.

-The intended audience is any baseball fan or person who likes wo wear a certain kind of hat as part of their outfit.

Thesis: This paper will argue that a flat bill Phillidelphia Phillies hat represents a culture, a style, and interests of certain people.

Influence

Posters and billboards always can jog my memory about a subject, but it never brings my attention to an issue ive never thought about before because i am aware of big issues already. What it does do is getting me thinking about something that i wasnt thinking about at the time, such as smoking or abortion. Then it takes my mind on a tangent about something about the subject. Like when i see an abortion poster i think about a family friend who is my age and is pregnant and i thank God she doesnt get an abortion.

Comments About Readings

I think this woman needs to quit being so paranoid and come back to reality. Obviously she has either had an encounter or been in a relationship with one of this "men." Because of this she thinks she is an expert in all men and their mannerisms. That is totally unfair and wrong, sure there are men who are vulgar and crude, but a generalization like saying all men are like this is wrong. Also this girl has no clue who designed this shirt, she only believes it was a man because of my previous statement. However, I would ask her, is there not one woman out there who likes to show of her body and flaunt on her own accord? If she were to answer no, then she is ignorant and the conversation would be over. The fact is there are plenty of women out there who demine the gender all by themselves without any help from men. A woman could just as easily designed this shirt as a man could have.

Car Culture

All the articles under Car Culture were very interesting. In the first article about the Hummers and Priuses I thought it was very interesting that the movie stars and singers that make millions and millions of dollars still drive around in the cheap little Priuses. It would be very hard for me to do that. Although I dont know if I neccessarily believe that everyone of those stars only owns a Prius. I doubt if they own hummers but im sure they own other gas guzzeling cars. Its a nice thought though that stars like that are making an effort.
I thought the car described in the article about female designers was pretty cool. The lady who they interviewed didnt really think it was anything special, but then she also said shes looking for a new mercedes and was going to spend a lot of money. She seemed very stuck up. It was also surprising to hear that women are worth much more then women to the automotive industry.
The article about the young girl who got an escalade for her birthday really pissed me off. That girl said she apprciated everything she got but thats a load of crap. She just gets handed anything she wants and doesn't think twice about it. Also the car she got is really cool and everthing but is one of the worst for enviornment and what not.
I definitely agreed with the article about christmas lights. Christmas lights are just an all around good thing, they are the sign of the season and bring joy to people. They also do provide a boost in the economy with high revenue and jobs. Christmas lights should be on every house in the country during christmas time, they are an all around good thing.

Mac or PC?

I honestly dont give two shakes about what kind of computer I use. If I can get on to the internet and type a paper im good to go. I might be a little more comfortable using a PC because thats what I use 95% of the time. Commercials tell me how Mac us a lot better but PC works just fine for me. But like I said I dont really care either way.

"For Happy Gilmore, anything!"

This is a quote that I always think about and ill never forget. Its from the movie Happy Gilmore obviously. Ill never forget this line because I probably have seen Happy Gilmore at least 200 times. My friends and I love all funny movies and this is one of our favorites, so were always quoting from it, and this line is one we always say.

Short Writing Assignment #2

Introduction


On the surface "Ducks On A Pond," by Mark Sibley-Jones may just look like your average story about a grandfather and his grandson. However underneath there is so much more. The reader must look at the relationship between the grandfather, Mixson, and nature. The reader must also look at the connections that are between the narrator and Mixson. Finally the reader will have to look at the vocabulary and language the two men use. After analyzing these three things you will see why this paper argues that this short story is telling us to live in and enjoy the now.

Short Writing Assignment #1

Topic Proposal:

1.) The text I have chosen is "Ducks on a Pond."

2.) I believe the texts main point is that no matter what happens in the past, you need to enjoy everything, even the little things in the present.

3.) Pg. 256, the bottom of the page. "I wanted to steer the converstion back to baseball but it was difficult to keep Mixson on track. The park offered too many distrations. He soon turned his attention away from the family of ducks to a woodpecker fixated on an oak. Once more the diversion halted our progress. While the old man speculated on the number of times the bird could drill the tree in one minute.."

4.) The way it said the park offered to many distractions. For me it symbolized how the majority of the popultion today is in way to much of a hurry. This elderly gentleman likes to stop and notice every little thing around him. Also, they way he speculated about the woodpecker. Whens the last time that anyone stopped and was in awe of what a woodpecker can do rather then just being annoyed by the sound it makes. Finally in the first sentece when he says he was trying to steer the conversation one way but it was difficult to keep him on track. This is like a metaphor for how the old man feels about life. The narrator wants to steer him back to the old days, but Mixson just wants to keep driving forward.

5.) My passage doesnt have significant rhyme, rhythm, or alliteration.

6.) It contributes greatly to the message, because the author gives us a living example of how everyone should be.

Thesis: This paper will argue that, no matter previous experience, live and enjoy the now.

Handout #3

Character
by Taslima Nasrim

You’re a girl
and you’d better not forget
that when you step over the threshold of your house
men will look askance at you.
When you keep on walking down the lane
men will follow you and whistle.
When you cross the lane and step onto the main road
men will revile you and call you a loose woman.

If you’ve got no character
you’ll turn back,
and if not
you’ll keep going
as you’re going now.


2.) My first reaction to this poem was that the author was trying to say its hard to be a woman. I think she was saying just as much if not more about men then about women. I thought she was trying to say that women always have to be acting their best and proper because someone is always there watching and judging you.

3.) When girls are in the house they will look down at you. When you're outside they will whistle, call you names, and bring attention to you. If you dont have character you'll let it get to you, but if you do then you'll keep going and living each day.

4.) The narrator is a mom or some sort of older female figure. The narrarator is speaking to a younger girl, perhaps a daughter.

5.) I think it means for women not to get distracted on the ways of the world and always stay proper.


Music had alot to do with the story "Sonny's Blues," because thats what Sonny could use to escape from the world. That was his love and passion, and in the end, thats what brought him and his older brother together.

Comments/Questions/Notes

The story "Sonny's Blues" was good but depressing in a lot of ways. For starters its about a brother who has an addiction to herion. That alone is depressing enough. The more depressing theme in this story is the relationship between the two brothers. From the time they were young the Sonny and his older brother never had a real close reltionship. A part of the story that pissed me off was the way the older brother was so close minded and strict about Sonny's life. Its my feeling that Sonny's older brother is somewhat to blame for Sonnys poor decisions. When Sonny expressed to his brother his want to get out of Harlem and do something big with his life, all his brother could say was thats not a good idea, you need to stay here. If Sonny would have gotten out of Harlem there is a good chance he wouldnt have become a herion addict. The only real uplifting part of the story was the very end when both brothers were in the bar and Sonny was playing. Finally his older brother understood what drove Sonny and his passion, and they finally kind of conected.


"Videotape" is pretty disturbing. I tried to put myself into the girl who was videotaping shoes. I couldnt imagine sitting there not doing anything just rolling my camera and all of a suddent, someone your watching gets shot in the neck. I have never seen anybody get killed, and I'm not sure how I would react. Im pretty sure the girl that was videotaping might have some problems when she grows up, she'll probably have to go see a shrink.

Free Write

On my way to class I was somewhat stressed about what I have to do today.

The color that would describe my mood best would be orange.

This is because my mind was at unrest, many things were racing through it. Orange gives me the feeling of business and unrest.

Questions from CR

4.) Well first off if this was set in the 1920's the theme of this short story would be very very inappropriate, even undiscussable. 50 years in the past this circumstance would be very different. I'm sure abortions happened in the 20's but they were so discrete no one every knew about them. Its doubtful the couple would be even having this discussion, however if they were I highly doubt the choice would be up to the womans. In the 20's the man would most likely have decided the fate of their unborn baby and the woman would have had to delt with it.


3.) I believe one of the speakers says much more then the other because the one speaker is teaching, telling, and scolding the other. When someone is being told what to do it is very seldom they speak back. The teacher, or in this case the girls mother, is telling her all the good and bad things she can and can't do. The girl whose is being respectful, doesnt interrupt her.


1.) The narrarator of the story is an American Indian. He deffinitley gives the sense of him being differnent then most people throughout the story. The first time we see that the narrarator is different is on the first page. He is talking about his girlfriend and the first thing he says is "She was white.." Most people wouldn't say something like this, so it was an obviousl tip off that he was differnt somehow. You get the sense throughtout the story that the author is getting treated differently becuase of his ethniticity.

Notes from reading

The short story by Ernest Hemingway was depressing and confusing. I got the feeling that the man and girl in the story have some sense of urgency. It never came out and said what the girl wanted to get done, but I got the feeling it needed to be done soon. I also felt like because of something that happened, the relationship between this guy and girl has changed. It is no longer happy like it once was. I have no idea what they are talking about but I think it might be something that has to do with surgery?


The second short story or whatever it was was I didnt understand at all. While reading it I pictured a mother teaching her daughter all of these lessons. However at the end she asks a question which probably has like some double meaning, or metaphor in it, but I cant figure it out. Other then that, I thought that this list was a very good list for a young woman to learn about, although it is a little outdated.

"Gold Grove"

Out of the two poems, I liked the second one better. I liked it better because although it had the same message to to get across as the first one, it got it across in a more uplifting manner. The message in both of the poems has a feeling of solitude and of wasting a life so its hard to find an uplifting thought in either. However in the vocabulary used in the second poem; passages such as "I don't regret the years I have wasted," and "I don't regret the lilac time of life." It feels like the author may be more excepting and happy. The first peom states this as well, but it is easier and more obvious to understand in the second peom. That is another thing the second peom does better; it uses vocabulary that is much eaiser, therefore making the poem more fun to read.

Free Write

When I think Shepherd I think peacfull and caring. I think patient and understanding. Guidance, love, and teaching.


Desert- Obsolete, dry, barren, hot, lacking water. A vast span of flat land. Africa, antartica.

Universe- Massive, never ending, unliveable. Dark. Uncomprehendable. Planets, stars, galaxy.

Warm Up

To me close reading means you are reading every word closely, pulling out every meaning possible. It means you are reading for hiden details and the theme the author is trying to get across. It make take you several times to read a text if you are close reading.

I think pastoral means a person or an act of mentoring and teaching someone. Pastoral coming from the word pastor, of a church.

From the OED- II. A person or thing associated with the tending of livestock.
- A literary work portraying rural life or the life of shepherds, esp. in an idealized or romantic form.
-I. A person or thing associated with spiritual care.

I think mistress is a women, who is not a mans wife, that has sexual relations with him. A mistress is an added relationship in the mans life other then his wife.

From OED- The female head of a family, household, or other establishment; a woman holding such a position in conjunction with a male counterpart.

Notes about readings; The Passionate Shepherd to His Love p.424-425 & The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd p.438-439

In the first poem a man; a Shepherd, is calling out for the love of his life. He describes to her the life she will have if she will only choose to be his love. Anything she wants he will give to her. He tells her that if she comes and lives with him she will forever live in a beautiful setting, flowers, and the finest clothing. The author paints a picture of a near perfect life, leading us to believe that if only this Shepherds true love comes and is with him forever, his life will be nothing but good.





The second poem, The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd, paints a different more cynical view of the first poem. The Shepherd is observing how time and perhaps love can grow old and wither. I felt like he was making an allusion to the seasons, saying what once was blooming and prospering in the spring, is now and will always die off in the winter. However, although he is making this realization, he is in no way saying their love will die. I believe in the last stanza he is saying youth nor age has anything to do with the love he has for this women.





6D) Black Elvis seemed to be a very metaphoric name. He possesed many of the traits of the origanl elvis and often strived to be like him. In the text it said Black Elvis always had a show to put on, this can also be said for Elvis. He wanted to be big and famous. And also like the original Elvis, Black Elvis changed the way people thought. He didnt stick with the norm.

6E) Grandmother to mean simply means love and understanding. No matter what anyone else is thinking or saying even sometimes your parents, your grandmother is always always in your corner. Whether its cooking you your favorite meal or taking you shopping, you can always count on your grandma. Shes the one who is always there when no one else is.

Notes from Strategies (59-75,81-90) and review prompt

-Know what your reading for, leisure or academic
-Always make ur academic reading purposeful
-Primary and Secondary text
-Summary; the restatement of the main ideas
-Skeleton outlining and annotation




1.) There are many examples of text; novels, poems, lyrics, even maps and photography

3.) The focal point of text is the main idea or the topic an author is trying to get accross or discuss. This could be a topic sentence, title, or a heading

4.) Genre is a tool that we use to categorize text into simmilar groups. Text are placed into these different genres together based on their similarities

12.) Context is the who, what, when, where, and why of a piece

15.) Details are very important because they make a piece of text more convincing and believable