English as a subject in college, is very interesting, You get to explore subjects you knew little about and then again subject you felt you knew alot about. I love to learn about things, objects, people, and times.
How to write about them for someone else to read is different. It takes a talent, a passion, a desire, to provide information to others to also learn from. Even though, I do enjoy "English" as a class, I do not enjoy the preciseness, or the perfection which is acquired to complete the class. I guess, I will keep with imperfect, unprofessional, writtings with substance. I can write a poem, a story, a journal, as long as it comes from the heart. Thanks, to my English Instructors, who have introduced me to many different ways to express myself....
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Hairspray, the movie.
1.) Define: setting. Describe the setting--in detail--keeping in mind the complete definition of setting. The setting is a collection of things; music, place, time, era; items in a room or the room itself. In 1962, black and white teens integrated, to produce a teen dance show, The Corny Collins Show. It takes place in Baltimore, with a middle class family, in a suburban area, within a modest home. The music is hip, the style of clothing and hair little risky, and then there is the discussion of appearance. And the family dynamics.
2.) Why and how is the setting important in the story? Music is for the dancing, the show is the setting for the integration and the time line or era is related to a period of change and acceptance.
3.) What is the major conflict in the story? Who or what is the major conflict? The major conflict is integration of black and white, as related the the show and the relationship between two young teens. Looking at the conflict as a generational thing between the older adults and the teens.
4.) In what ways do the conflict advance or influence the plot of the story? Name at least two. One way the conflict advances is when the "black" part of the show is cancelled and the ratings drop. So then they have to find a different way to keep the ratings of the show high. Another, "difference", is when Tracy a fat white girl, dances on the show, all girls should be skinny, but the crowd; and the relationship that transpires between Tracie and Link. Then there is the conflict with Tracys friend "Penny", when she falls in love with a person of color. Her mother traps her in her room to keep her from seeing him.
5.) The title of the play is Hairspray. What or how is hairspray significant/important to the story? I don't believe the title is related to the product, hairspray. At the beginning, Tracy sprays hairspray and creates a cloud this could resemble how people's minds and beliefs are clouded when it comes to change. Then, what does hairspray do?, it holds hair together, bonds each strand to fit it into place, that is what the teens are doing with integration.
6.) Define: theme. List and explain at least three themes in the story. A theme to a story is what the author is trying to convey, the central idea or the meaning that one perceives by participating in the story by watching, and how they feel after all is said and done. This can be directly or indirectly expressed in the story line.
One theme is the trails and tribulations of being a teen and trying to grow up and make change, and for it to be accepted.
Another, is the difference is people, fat versus skinny, black versus white and wealthy versus middle class.
And third, but very important, is having your ideals be accepted by the community, the world.
7.) Listen carefully to the final song of the movie. What does it mean--not just for the story itself, by for you, too? The final song "you can't stop the beat", involves change, there will always be change even if you don't accept it and that there is a back-up to ideals of change.
8.) Tracy sings to her Mom "welcome to the Sixties." In what ways have things changed over the years--from the sixties to now--based on what Tracy sings about as well as the themes of the story? That integration did happen and is acceptable. That a woman does not have to stay in the home and be sheltered, a women can have fun and be of importance. Many things have changed, women have become a powerful part of society and children have more individuality and are heard as well as seen.
9.) Why do you think the director chose to use a man (John Travolta) to play the part of Tracy's mom? Once you answer this question for yourself, do little research and see if you can find out the real reason why the director chose to use a man. Compare your answer/opinion to the real reason. I thought it may have to do with the substance of change, that things are not what you perceive them to be. Then when I did some research, I found out that the original person for the role was a transvestite.
10.) What have I missed? What do you want to say about Hairspray that I haven't asked about? It would be interesting to know what age group of the students choose this assignment? It may be discriminatory, like the movie, but interesting??
2.) Why and how is the setting important in the story? Music is for the dancing, the show is the setting for the integration and the time line or era is related to a period of change and acceptance.
3.) What is the major conflict in the story? Who or what is the major conflict? The major conflict is integration of black and white, as related the the show and the relationship between two young teens. Looking at the conflict as a generational thing between the older adults and the teens.
4.) In what ways do the conflict advance or influence the plot of the story? Name at least two. One way the conflict advances is when the "black" part of the show is cancelled and the ratings drop. So then they have to find a different way to keep the ratings of the show high. Another, "difference", is when Tracy a fat white girl, dances on the show, all girls should be skinny, but the crowd; and the relationship that transpires between Tracie and Link. Then there is the conflict with Tracys friend "Penny", when she falls in love with a person of color. Her mother traps her in her room to keep her from seeing him.
5.) The title of the play is Hairspray. What or how is hairspray significant/important to the story? I don't believe the title is related to the product, hairspray. At the beginning, Tracy sprays hairspray and creates a cloud this could resemble how people's minds and beliefs are clouded when it comes to change. Then, what does hairspray do?, it holds hair together, bonds each strand to fit it into place, that is what the teens are doing with integration.
6.) Define: theme. List and explain at least three themes in the story. A theme to a story is what the author is trying to convey, the central idea or the meaning that one perceives by participating in the story by watching, and how they feel after all is said and done. This can be directly or indirectly expressed in the story line.
One theme is the trails and tribulations of being a teen and trying to grow up and make change, and for it to be accepted.
Another, is the difference is people, fat versus skinny, black versus white and wealthy versus middle class.
And third, but very important, is having your ideals be accepted by the community, the world.
7.) Listen carefully to the final song of the movie. What does it mean--not just for the story itself, by for you, too? The final song "you can't stop the beat", involves change, there will always be change even if you don't accept it and that there is a back-up to ideals of change.
8.) Tracy sings to her Mom "welcome to the Sixties." In what ways have things changed over the years--from the sixties to now--based on what Tracy sings about as well as the themes of the story? That integration did happen and is acceptable. That a woman does not have to stay in the home and be sheltered, a women can have fun and be of importance. Many things have changed, women have become a powerful part of society and children have more individuality and are heard as well as seen.
9.) Why do you think the director chose to use a man (John Travolta) to play the part of Tracy's mom? Once you answer this question for yourself, do little research and see if you can find out the real reason why the director chose to use a man. Compare your answer/opinion to the real reason. I thought it may have to do with the substance of change, that things are not what you perceive them to be. Then when I did some research, I found out that the original person for the role was a transvestite.
10.) What have I missed? What do you want to say about Hairspray that I haven't asked about? It would be interesting to know what age group of the students choose this assignment? It may be discriminatory, like the movie, but interesting??
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Questions "Oedipus"
1.) Who wrote the play? The play was written in 468 BCE, written by Sophocles, who wrote about 120 plays a nd 90 being of tragedies. He served as a priest in the cult of Asclepius, the god of healing. There are two other versions of the same play written by different authors.
2.) Briefly define the Oedipal Complex. The Oedipus Complex relates to emotions, the idea that the mind keeps in the unconscious, a dynamic repression, that concentrate on the boy's desire to sexually posses his mother and kill his father. Part of the physosexual develoment related to Frued (phallic stage).
3.) What is the setting of the story, specifically, the where? The story begins at the Royal Palace in Thebes, at the alter, during the daytime.
4.) As the play opens, what horrible thing is going on? A plague (people dying of disease) is happening, poverty, troubled times as the play opens. The riddle of the sphnix needs to be solved, which Oedipus does, and the sphnix threw itself over the cliff.
5.) Whose death must be avenged in order for the horrible thing from number 4 to end? The murderer of the King of Thebes, (really Oedipus father) needs to be punished by death, for all these things to stop. Oedipus himself, killed his father at the cross-roads.
6.) Who is Oedipus' wife? Oedipus's wife (his real mother) is Jocasta. The Queen Merope of Corinth and the King Polybus raised him as their son.
7.) Who is Oedipus' mother? Jocasta is also Oedipus' biological mother.
8.) Who is Oedipus' father? His biological father is the King of Thebes, Laius.
9.) Who killed the King of Thebes (the anser for #5)? The King of Thebes was killed by Oedipus; Oedipus, killed his own father and wed his mother, and lived in matrimony to bear children with her (I do not believe he knew this was his biological mother when they wed.)
10.) What is Oedipus' tragic flaw? Oedipus tragic flaw is that he is self-centered, and arrogant. He is not willing to admit to himself the defects, flaws that he himself has. And does not want the public to realize his true situation and that he is not worthy of being a King.
11.) As you read through Oedups, you'll note that sight/vision/seeing (including "second sight") is very important to the overall story--in the literal as well as the metaphorical/symbolical aspect. You don't have to do this in complete sentences if you don't want. The meaning of the story was hard to grasp, even after reading it more than once. The "second-sight" came when I re-read the story and started to put the pieces together. Sight and blindness can be used metaphorical/symbolical aspect in the way it was written, for example, "I see the truth", and "I see the way things are". If the truth is not favorable to the particular character, it is written in "blindness", or the underlying theme.
12.) Describe/discuss/explain/list how sight/vision/seeing"second sight" is/are used in the play to adcance the plot--to advance the story as a whole. Include an explanation of why it's important as well as how it helps you (the real audience) understand (get) what others on the stage and in the play don't understand. In Corinth, Oedipus seeks a Delphic oracle to help him see the truth, which also introduces the self-fulfilling prophecy. The prophet of Teiresias is blind, but sees the truth. Oedipus even though sighted does not see the truth.
13.) As a play, there's a lot that can and can not be done on the stage. Explain why you think some things within this play in particular are done on stage while others are done off stage. Some things on a one on one , or between particular people can be done on stage, therefore; when it involves the community it is done off-stage and narrative.
14.) Do you believe in fate: Explain fully your answer. Yes, I believe in fate. Think about the times when your "gut" told you not to do something. You followed this path and the outcome was positive, in harboring ill feelings, the truth will come out at sometime.
15.) Explain how fate plays a role in Oedipus. Oedipus knew his fate when killing the "person" at the crossroads, it was wrong and would come back to haunt him. Then when the truth cam out that he had killed his father, all the ill feelings he had voiced in an indirect way were true.
16.) Have you ever thought how ironic this play is? It's weird how the events come together and make everything happened the way it does. If things were to happen just a little bit different the story would be completely changed. Indeed, a interpretaton can lead to many misconceptions while reading this play. The outcome can and probably is for different each person reading the play. I, myself, had different thoughts each time I read the play.
The other two plays were: Oedipus at Colonus and Oedipus at Antidone.
2.) Briefly define the Oedipal Complex. The Oedipus Complex relates to emotions, the idea that the mind keeps in the unconscious, a dynamic repression, that concentrate on the boy's desire to sexually posses his mother and kill his father. Part of the physosexual develoment related to Frued (phallic stage).
3.) What is the setting of the story, specifically, the where? The story begins at the Royal Palace in Thebes, at the alter, during the daytime.
4.) As the play opens, what horrible thing is going on? A plague (people dying of disease) is happening, poverty, troubled times as the play opens. The riddle of the sphnix needs to be solved, which Oedipus does, and the sphnix threw itself over the cliff.
5.) Whose death must be avenged in order for the horrible thing from number 4 to end? The murderer of the King of Thebes, (really Oedipus father) needs to be punished by death, for all these things to stop. Oedipus himself, killed his father at the cross-roads.
6.) Who is Oedipus' wife? Oedipus's wife (his real mother) is Jocasta. The Queen Merope of Corinth and the King Polybus raised him as their son.
7.) Who is Oedipus' mother? Jocasta is also Oedipus' biological mother.
8.) Who is Oedipus' father? His biological father is the King of Thebes, Laius.
9.) Who killed the King of Thebes (the anser for #5)? The King of Thebes was killed by Oedipus; Oedipus, killed his own father and wed his mother, and lived in matrimony to bear children with her (I do not believe he knew this was his biological mother when they wed.)
10.) What is Oedipus' tragic flaw? Oedipus tragic flaw is that he is self-centered, and arrogant. He is not willing to admit to himself the defects, flaws that he himself has. And does not want the public to realize his true situation and that he is not worthy of being a King.
11.) As you read through Oedups, you'll note that sight/vision/seeing (including "second sight") is very important to the overall story--in the literal as well as the metaphorical/symbolical aspect. You don't have to do this in complete sentences if you don't want. The meaning of the story was hard to grasp, even after reading it more than once. The "second-sight" came when I re-read the story and started to put the pieces together. Sight and blindness can be used metaphorical/symbolical aspect in the way it was written, for example, "I see the truth", and "I see the way things are". If the truth is not favorable to the particular character, it is written in "blindness", or the underlying theme.
12.) Describe/discuss/explain/list how sight/vision/seeing"second sight" is/are used in the play to adcance the plot--to advance the story as a whole. Include an explanation of why it's important as well as how it helps you (the real audience) understand (get) what others on the stage and in the play don't understand. In Corinth, Oedipus seeks a Delphic oracle to help him see the truth, which also introduces the self-fulfilling prophecy. The prophet of Teiresias is blind, but sees the truth. Oedipus even though sighted does not see the truth.
13.) As a play, there's a lot that can and can not be done on the stage. Explain why you think some things within this play in particular are done on stage while others are done off stage. Some things on a one on one , or between particular people can be done on stage, therefore; when it involves the community it is done off-stage and narrative.
14.) Do you believe in fate: Explain fully your answer. Yes, I believe in fate. Think about the times when your "gut" told you not to do something. You followed this path and the outcome was positive, in harboring ill feelings, the truth will come out at sometime.
15.) Explain how fate plays a role in Oedipus. Oedipus knew his fate when killing the "person" at the crossroads, it was wrong and would come back to haunt him. Then when the truth cam out that he had killed his father, all the ill feelings he had voiced in an indirect way were true.
16.) Have you ever thought how ironic this play is? It's weird how the events come together and make everything happened the way it does. If things were to happen just a little bit different the story would be completely changed. Indeed, a interpretaton can lead to many misconceptions while reading this play. The outcome can and probably is for different each person reading the play. I, myself, had different thoughts each time I read the play.
The other two plays were: Oedipus at Colonus and Oedipus at Antidone.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
O Love, Sweet Animal
O Love, Sweet Animal by Delmore Schwartz
O Love, dark animal,
With your strangeness go
Like any freak or clown:
Appease tee child in her
Because she is alone
Many years ago
Terrified by a look
Which was not meant for her.
Brush your heavy fur
Against her, long and slow
Stare at her like a book,
Her interests being such
No one can look too much.
Tell her how you know
Nothing can be taken
Which has not been given:
For you time is forgiven:
Informed by hell and heaven
You are not mistaken
With your strangeness go
Like any freak or clown:
Appease tee child in her
Because she is alone
Many years ago
Terrified by a look
Which was not meant for her.
Brush your heavy fur
Against her, long and slow
Stare at her like a book,
Her interests being such
No one can look too much.
Tell her how you know
Nothing can be taken
Which has not been given:
For you time is forgiven:
Informed by hell and heaven
You are not mistaken
This poem touches my heart, due to the fact that I am an animal lover. There has been many times that a pet has comforted me in their own way and the memories held of each pet is enormous!! Loved it!!
http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/delmore_schwartz/poems/18333.html
http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/delmore_schwartz/poems/18333.html
The Sound of the Sea P.866
This poem does not seem to be written in 1875. There are no, thee and words I don't know the meaning of. It is simple in meaning, talking about how the sea affects the emotions of a person with sound and sight and how this can change our thoughts. In my perspective, I believe the pattern is rising rhyme, with it's mystical words. Again, I state, I don't believe this was written in 1875??
A Red, Red Rose P 770
What a lovely poem!? It sounds familiar, even though I don't believe I have ever read it. Common writing about love, longing for the fair one which holds his heart and he would travel thousands of miles for her. At first it seems the author it speaking directly to the female, then it seems he is far away. I feel the message is that he had to travel but first had something to say to her and continued his message after he was gone.
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