Student Duties

As a student, I know my responsibilities. Homework needs to be done and tests cannot go unprepared for. Though when the question was asked, "what is your duty as a student?", my definition of 'responsibility' took on a new meaning. What IS my duty as a student? And at that, who do I owe this "duty" to?

I found the different responses from mt class mates to be intriguing. Some of the members found that their duties lie in the expectations of their parents, and even their grandparents. I know that I can relate to this feeling of pressure and expectation, but only to a certain extent. I think more about the idea of duty being owed not only to myself, but to my dreams and inspirations as well.

At the start of my high school career, my parents made sure that I was well aware that my education laid entirely in my hands. I was expected to share the cost of my high school tuition and I always knew that if I wanted to continue my education at a higher learning facility, it would require my full financial support. Throughout my high school years, I labeled my parents as unfair for making me pay for such a high cost for this part of my life. Though it is clear to me now that his expectation did not stem from any sort of financial deficit for them personally, but it was solely based on the hope that someday I will come to appreciate my education as much as they appreciated theirs.

Knowing that these four years will be exactly what I make of them creates pressure to fulfill my 'duty as a student' to the best of my ability. The money going into my education is hard earned and something that is not going to waste. I have an immense appreciation for my parents will to help me understand the value of my education. It is the duty and responsibility that I owe myself to make the most out of my college experience. In order to get out what I am putting in, I must never lose sight of the bigger picture.

Reflection Blog

I registered for the Lives and Times course, unaware of the fact that it is completely discussion based. Lucky for me, discussion has always been my strong suit. Through the process of asking questions, I was able to make connections with aspects of my everyday life. Listening to the opinions of others and analyzing specific pieces of work as a group broadened my horizons and opened doors to new ways of analysis.

            My personal planner is my life. That being said, I have always been that person who needs a written reminder for everything. This translates into my incessant note taking during classes, although note taking for this class was different. The input from my class mates provoked new ideas that I could expand on in my writing. I found myself putting stars next to the thoughts that inspired me, and often these were the concepts that I blogged about.

Although the style in which my blog posts are written are overall pretty similar, each blog has its own uniqueness to it. I was able to relate much of what we read to my own personal life and compare and contrast many of their elements. I showed this in a few of my blogs. In home is where heart is, I brought up a connection with my home life and Maya Angelou’s perception of ‘home’. It was a fascinating to put into writing the connections I had made with Maya Angelou. I seemed to have made personal connections with this novel especially. I blogged further about my personal life, by analyzing specific people that I have known for a very long time. Through comparing my two best friends in A SIlent Power, I delved deeper into the discovery of how people cope with certain emotions, just as Maya Angelou does.

Not only did I compare my personal life with what we read but I also found relations in other works that I have read over the years. In one of my first blog entries The Assumed Danger Behind Womans Education. What gives?, I compared the idea of education that we had discussed in class to a book that I read my senior year of high school. The thoughts that entered my mind during class triggered this connection and make me consider other works as a way of supporting this broad theme. A later blog, The Yellow Wallpaper, Breaking the Fourth Wall, connected the work we had discussed with a concept that I had read about for a theatre class. The common themes that were present in Lives and Times and other classes I had taken were astounding.

Through this comparison process, I found myself asking questions that didn’t always have a direct answer. Often, I built my blog entries around a specific thought provoking question that had either been touched on in class or was something I formed because of a recent discussion. In The Coming Of... What Age?, I expanded on a single question that had been raised. This caused me to come up with new ways of intellectual thought. On the contrary, Sharing Thoughts was a blog in which I chose to briefly discuss a topic and in turn formed questions that allowed me to delve deeper into that thought process. The questions went hand in hand throughout my personal blogging process and making new discoveries. This makes me wonder, where would I be without asking questions?

The connections that I made and the questions that I asked inspired me to use writing in more areas of my life. I now have a folder in my documents where I pour my thoughts when I need to put them somewhere. This has helped me in understanding situations and further reflecting on them. Although I may not have been able to give my blog as much attention as it deserved, it inspired me to apply new ways of analyzing in my own life. I hope to continue to blog in my spare time. I believe that translating thoughts into writing is a very important skill that has helped me in discovering more about the world around me.

Emotional History

History is a crucial factor as to how society functions today, yet something that is often discounted. What if there was as much admiration for the world's significant events of the past as there is for the world of athletics that have overtaken our society? The thought of what an intense appreciation for history would have on our world today truly makes me wonder. Would history continue to 'repeat itself', or would we make positive advances like we do when dealing with athletic competition? For the amount of time and effort every individual puts into catering to their own and the lives of other athletes, there is an obvious element that is involved: emotion.

It is often said that history and emotion should not mix; that one should not involve their own personal feelings with the way in which our society has been shaped. The result of doing this could be dangerous, and one that could potentially affect the lives of many. Although, how can we go about separating such prominent factors in our lives, when emotion has acted as the driving element throughout all of time, all of history? Without conjuring our emotions and forming them into prominent and persuading opinions, conflict would cease to exist. And isn't conflict the root of who we are? And the cause that leads to the effect? I find this separation to be one that although may be necessary for the survival of our world, it is one that I find difficult to wrap my head around. Two things that go hand in hand yet, when faced with reality, cannot mix.

The location of power

For as long as I can remember, I have always found maps to be overwhelming. I know I know, how can something whose only intention is to give direction come off in such a way? I have never been able to put my finger on why exactly I think this, but no matter what, the combination of lines, grids, keys and all of the other various elements tend to do nothing but confuse me. When we were put in pairs and told to analyze one of the two maps we had been given, I was relieved when I was assigned 'map 2'. The lack of curvy lines, darkened features, and unfamiliar names gave a much simpler impression. There was less there to confuse me. Little did I realize, the age old saying rang true. Less was definitely more.

My initial reaction was to describe the map in front of me as vague. It was bare and had very little to it. It was not until the idea of taxes was brought up that I realized how truly definitive the map actually was. The idea of a grid had originally struck me as simple. Divided areas by a grid. A grid that we say exists, though in reality, it really doesn't. This artificial way of understanding the landscape it what helps us in deciding levels at which people undergo taxation. This map is not just a pretty picture, but something that effects the way in which the world goes round.

 

first impressions last the longest

In the start of Linda Hogan's, Power, the reader gets the sense that Ama spends her life riding the fine line between traditional and contemporary. Although as the novel continues, Ama's lifestyle tends to come off as more traditional. Her ways of handling situations seem to revert to that of her elders.

This slight change in Ama's character is evident through Hogan's text, although I often find myself convinced that Ama is still "torn" between the conflicting ways of life. As we discussed this further in class, I wondered why this might be the case. I not only thought about the ways in which I view other characters but also the way in which I view the people around me. When I am first introduced to someone, my brain forms opinions about them. Not judgements, but ideas about the type of person they may be. While reading this novel, I find myself using this same technique. My first opinion of Ama is etched into my mind. Her struggle between a contemporary and traditional lifestyle is one that sticks out to me. I continued to resort to this mental characterization for Ama as I read and found it difficult to shake the initial thoughts I had about her. This just goes to show that first impressions can truly make a statement about an individual.

Persepolis: A Leader in Cartoons

Comparing the novel of Persepolis with the movie that was made about it presents a very unique comparison. In many aspects, the book and the movie were alike, depicting young Marjane's life in two very similar manners. On the contrary, the differences between the two were often very noticeable.

Being not as familiar with the history of the dictatorship that was taking place during the time of the story, I often found it hard to follow the historical context entirely throughout the duration of the book. I felt as though the movie did a much better job at giving the historical background of the time. After watching the movie, I more clearly understood the rise of the dictator and how he first came to power. The areas of confusion cleared up as I visually watched Marjane grow into a young adult.

One of the historical aspects of the movie that stuck out to me was the moment when Marjane's father first explained the dictatorship to young Marjane. As he spoke to her about the background of who he was and his evil doings, cartoon characters of the political figures moved about on screen to tell the a story. Unlike the characters of Persepolis, these cartoon characters were especially cartoonish...almost to a point where it was more humorous than educational to watch them. They gave off a child like performances with their puppet like movements and bobbing heads. The director of the movie may have been comparing the actions of the dictators to those of children, trying to say that what was going on was childish.

Coming of... what age?

The Complete Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi's story of her own experience in 'coming of age'. To an outsider who has not read this book, 'coming of age' may give the impression that this is a wholesome story. It may be presumed that this book is based upon a teenage girl’s life and her various techniques in dealing with its inherent obstacles. As I thought more about this idea and pondered the overall magnitude of such a concept, I realized that coming of age does not always depict the transition into adulthood, but more the discoveries made during one’s lifetime. These discoveries play into a formation of self-identity.

Coming of age. What age? When taken literally, the concept becomes even more mind boggling. I look at my twelve year old cousin, Gabrielle. Conscious of everything she thinks, says, and eats. Never have I ever seen this natural intelligence at such a young age. There is thought… logical thought, behind every action she has ever made. She is poised and articulate. She demonstrates the behavior every mother has at one time aimed to achieve. On the contrary, I read stories about robbers, drug dealers, rapists and child molesters, and ask myself, at what point did these men and women ‘come of age’? These adults, who are understand by society to be ‘of age’, are making decisions that lack logic and rationality . These decisions, and in turn actions, not only turn them away from life’s discoveries but ruin their sense of identity and self-worth.

In comparing such situations, one may wonder if ‘coming of age’ is genetic; something you simply have or you don’t. For those who have ‘come of age’, it is not. Behind every discovery is a story, and behind every story is a reason.  In Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi forms an identity. This identity is one that is unique and distinct to her discoveries that are based upon her own experiences. Because of this, it is impossible to pin point a moment of her ‘coming of age’. Instead, we come to understand her journey over the ages. Her true sense of self and her formation of identity.

The Art of Renaissance

Flipping through the pages of history books and reading word after word on historical events such as the great migration, often does not give justice to the topic at hand. African American human identity is spread widely throughout the celebration of their heritage. Spanning the 1920’s and 1930’s, the Harlem Renaissance was not only a time of industrial growth, but also a time that allowed this vivacious culture to broaden their horizons through various art forms.

A popular series of paintings during the time of the Harlem Renaissance was known as the ‘Aspects of Negroe Life’. In these assorted depictions of people, painted in all different shapes, sizes and colors, movement and dancing becomes an apparent common theme. The African setting and tribal element shows exclusivity, while at the same time giving off a warm and inviting vibe. Through the paintings various tones and dimensions, one is put directly into the position of the curious observer.

Pieces of art such as the 1934 painting titled, ‘Song of the Towers’ portrays warmer colors that are soothing for the observer. On the other hand, the painting also contains silhouettes of humans in deep, dark colors that entrance the painting’s audience. Looking more closely, references to modernization can be made through the incorporation of a type of industrialized wheel. Their will to revolutionize is apparent.

A SIlent Power

"I had to stop talking. I discovered that to achieve perfect silence all I had to do was to attach myself leechlike to sound."

Coping with pain. A concept portrayed differently by every individual. How can someone, like Maya Angelou, find solace in attaching herself to others sound, while other people depend upon their own sound for recovery. Growing up, my two best friends took on each of these approaches. In one case, I knew everything that affected my dear friend's life, from the quarrel between her and her mother at breakfast to the details of her grandfather's funeral. In the other case, I knew nothing. This difference did not make me grow fonder to one over the other, but it showed me that pain is an area that defines who we are. As the two girls remained my best friends all throughout high school and even to this day, I wondered how two very similar people managed to cope with pain in two completely different ways. Maya Angelou's story centers around the various ways of coping with the past; not only in her own life, but even in the lives of those around her. While many can relate to Maya's reclusive attitude, others may wonder, how. Maya's story of pain and silence is unique and defines the person she has become today.

Home Is Where The Heart Is

In most instances where one inquires about the definition of the word home, they will find answers such as 'the place where one lives', 'a dwelling place', or even 'a physical structure'; definitions so broad that it can often be difficult to put emotions behind them. At the start of Maya Angelou's, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, instead of referring to her and her brother's destination as her fathers home, she says that she is going home to her fathers. This shows that her sense of home lies in the broad definition of home being a place. Angelou's novel is based upon her finding herself over the course of her life, discovering herself after many series of events. Her interpretation of home is most likely one that will change due to the circumstances she undergoes.

Home to me may be Fort Wayne, Indiana, because that is where I have lived for my entire life. Although to someone who has lived in seven different states over the course of their life, home is not one place. To understand home on a deeper level, one must find what gives them a sense of security in life. I find security in various aspects of my life. Hearing my mothers comforting voice on the phone will forever be the medicine for putting my mind at immediate ease. I also can find a feeling of home in another literal place. Church bells ringing remind me that no matter where I go in the world, my religion and God will be with me. No matter the location, the familiarity of the church makes me feel "at home" and literally in a place where security rules all. Feeling at home brings one happiness. It is in turn my favorite 'destination', 'place' or structure to go in my mind,

Sharing Thoughts

As I read Mary Gordon's memoir Circling My Mother, I often found myself questioning her purpose for writing such a work... As Gordon clearly states in the preface her intentions for the book, it is difficult for one to infer the real meaning behind the words that follow. "Memoir suggests that the writer is the central character, and although, certainly, I am writing about my mother because she is my mother, I had hoped to step aside and give her center stage". And center stage is exactly what she gets. As I continued into the text of the following chapters, although I did find myself mildly entertained at the content being offered, the questions of "why" continued to linger in my thoughts. Why does one recount such stories, and at that, such stories of despair? These stories were not ones that made you smile or take breaks to look out the window and admire the outdoors, but ones that left you with feelings of sorrow and discontent. A similar question can be asked based on this analysis. Why do people feel a need to share their troubles with others? Thinking about this question makes me question if the answer is even one that is worthy of praise. Maybe we are pathetic. Our troubles should not be verbalized if they will only bring the opposite of happiness to others. But then I think of Virginia Woolf, who devoted her life to helping women find their place in society; to solving mysteries that the ignorance of men have kept secret for so long. And then I remember The Yellow Wallpaper. One woman who, without the resource of a pen and papers, could have driven herself into complete and utter instability, ultimately leading to life's inevitable. We share out thoughts, our concerns, our troubles, for the sake of giving purpose to our lives. To trap our emotions within ourselves is toxic. Without verbalizing, telling the world what we have learned, we will never learn ourselves.

The Yellow Wallpaper, breaking the fourth wall

According to Charlotte Perkins Gilman's excerpt titled Why I Wrote "The Yellow Wallpaper", the short story's intention was not "to drive people crazy, but to save people from being driven crazy". Which is exactly what the complex piece of literature did.

In this fictitious account of a woman going insane, the audience is taken through Gilman's experience of being confined to a single room as a way of "treatment" for her downtrodden state of mind. The reader is taken by the hand while they read her various journal entries that span over the course of a few months. Women taking part in writing is greatly frowned upon during this time period, therefore Gilman must keep her written documentation of her inner thoughts a secret. Gilman even draws reference to this by ending her journal in ways such as this: "Here comes John, and I must put this away, - he hates to have me write a word." This does not only shows the women's lack of freedom during this time but also the overall superiority that men possessed. Other examples of John giving off an air of authority are the way he refers to his wife. Very often, Gilman is referred to as John's "little girl" or "doll". These misleading terms of endearment can be seen as degrading, while at the same time referencing her as being a little girl. Being a grown woman treated with the respect of only a child causes the narrator to become, "a little afraid of John". In many cases it is obvious that this story takes places during a time where equal rights were non-existent.

Reading a story through a series of one female's journal entries gives the reader a very unique perspective on the story as a whole. What the narrator reveals through her entries varies greatly from the image she is portraying of herself to the other characters within the story. Those who read Gilman's short storyare given an inside view as to what she is thinking and the exact way in which she is feeling. They are given the opportunity to pick up on context clues that can lead to a more intimate relationship with the author. In a sense, the narrator and 'audience' are taking part in a concept called the theatrical contract.  This 'agreement' is broken down into two different areas of contract, representational and presentational. According to Scott E. Walters, Introduction to Play Analysis, the theatrical contract is defined as "an informational understanding or agreement between a theatrical production and it's audience". The Yellow Wallpaper takes a prespresentational approach in creating a special connection with its audience. In a way the story is "breaking the fourth wall", a metaphor that is used to show the audience coming between the barrier separating the play from reality. Walters further supports this by stating that, "people develop stronger connections to those who talk to them than those who ignore them". Obviously Gilman is not directly talking to her readers, but she is breaking the barrier by giving them a chance to relate to her on a personal level.

the assumed danger behind a woman's education. what gives?

As Virginia Woolf reflects on her experience entering the library that "cursed women" she tells her readers:

"I must have opened it, for instantly there issued, like a guardian angel barring the way with a flutter of black gown instead of white wings, a depressing, silvery, kindly gentleman, who regretted in a low voice as he waved me back that ladies are only admitted to the library if accompanied by a Fellow of the College or furnished with a letter of introduction."

Women and Fiction. A theme so simple, yet one that can be understood in a great deal of ways. Unlike author Charlotte Bronte, a now deceased forthright individual whose work was deemed rather controversial during the 19th century, Woolf takes a less direct approach in her writing of the ever famous novel, A Room of One's Own. In her avoidance of the use of persuasion, Woolf submissively encourages her audience to form an educated opinion of their own. Readers are able to base their individual outlook upon the insight discovered through the author's studying of various accounts of female inferiority; this is further supported by factual evidence and her own personal experience.

Only a few paragraphs after reading the passage above, I found myself retreating back to it and re-reading it a few times over. It reminded me of a story I had heard... no, a story I had read. I thought for a moment but could not put my finger on where this familiarity was coming from. I closed my eyes in hopes of the answer being written behind my eyelids. As I sat there a while longer, a name popped into my head. Guy Montag. In what story had I read that interesting name over and over again? Why was this person forming a connection with a woman who was blatantly denied her freedom to enter into a college library? Then, all at once, it came to me. A book that I read only a year ago as a senior in high school. Fahrenheit 451. How could I have forgotten?


For as much as I hate to admit it, I have a terrible memory when it comes to remembering literature. I can read something absolutely profound that I hope to remember as long as I live, and when I am asked about it two weeks later the title of the work has already left me. Although what I do remember from Fahrenheit 451 is the novel's theme of limitation on women's rights in terms of reading and education. Set in a futuristic time period, the female characters of this books live in a stimulated world full of television and media. At the start of the novel, women are forbidden to educate themselves through reading and are essentially cut-off from the worlds harsh reality.The books that were once available to the people are kept hidden by the town's up-most authority. Though this hardship does not stop everyone from sneaking a few reading materials and keeping them hidden within the secrecy of their home. Now I won't go any further and spoil the end for those who may decide to read it, but I will say that Guy Montag labels himself as quite the hero towards the end of the book.

The connection between A Room of One's Own and Fahrenheit 451 can be drawn for obvious reasons. For centuries, women's rights have lied heavily upon the issue of equal education for male and females. Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451, bases his novel in the future, where technology reigns and books are no longer important. After reading Bradbury's novel, I put the intimidating concept of women's over stimulation and denial of education into deep consideration. Through doing this, I was not only encouraged to take a closer look at the roles that women pursue in our society today, but I was also inspired to reflect on history as a whole. Oh how the times have changed. Through reading Virginia Woolf''s A Room of One's Own, I was able to connect these astounding perspectives and "further my education" on women's rights.

Let Freedom Ring!

http://www.gradesaver.com/fahrenheit-451/study-guide/short-summary/

a beloved place

As our gold mazda mini-van approaches the final bend of the shaded dirt drive way, my anxious yet exhausted mother begins to slow the car down to further build our anticipation. Shrills from my siblings and I can be heard from inside the cottage. Nelly sticks out her long tongue and begins to pant while her tail knocks the pillow from my sister’s lap. Just like us, our beloved black Labrador retriever can sense that we have finally reached our desired destination. The large kitchen window that acts as the focal point in the back of the house is full of enthusiastic youthful faces, all waving as if they have just spotted a celebrity. One by one they rush downstairs and meet us in the large backyard that will double as a drive way over the next fourteen days. Before my mother has a chance to come to a complete stop, my brothers have yanked the sliding doors open and my dog has jumped over the blue plastic cooler in hopes of some fresh air. I wait until everyone else has exited the stale smelling vehicle that we have just been confined to before I step onto the damp grass and take in the refreshing aroma of Lake Avalon. The embraces begin, each one unique and just as I remember it. All of the familiar faces of my cousins, aunts and uncles, are enough to make me feel at home. It is as though the six hour car drive has already escaped my memory. I slip away from the questions and the laughter to finally say hello to the friend that I have longed for the most. Step by step, I make my way towards the end of the rustic brown dock. Avoiding beach toys and inner-tubes, I sit on the first towel I see. This picturesque dark blue body of water has never looked so peaceful. If only it the extent that I have craved its serenity.

Located near Alpena, Hillman Michigan is home to the quaint area of Lake Avalon and the hundreds of cottages that surround it. For fourteen days of out the summer, those fortunate enough to have experienced its beauty in the past, pack up their bathing suits and claim the family heirloom as their own. Once acting as a large hunting lodge, the slightly renovated interior of the log cabin has maintained its irreplaceable charm over the past eighty years. Joined by seventeen others, my family of seven (eight counting the dog) spends our allotted time at the cottage. Time spent at what we all know as “the lodge” is valued by those who understand how genuine it truly is. The memories made at this captivating place are ones that I will hold in my heart for a lifetime.     

the first of many

Well, here it is. My own personal blog. The spot where I will share my thoughts, beliefs and ideas for anyone to view. Enjoy!