In "How to Read Literature Like a Professor" by Thomas C. Foster, Chapter 2 talks about communion and chapter 18 talks about rebirth.
A few days ago in AP English, we read chapter 8 of "The Horse Dealer's Daughter" by D.H. Lawrence and the book applies perfectly with these two chapters of "How to Read Literature like a Professor."
"Sometimes a meal is just a meal and eating with others is simply eating with others. More often than not, though, it's not. Whenever people eat or drink together, it's communion." In communion, however, some people choose to not participate like Mabel in "The Horse Dealer's Daughter." She was there physically but not apart of the conversation between her brothers. Moreover, it showed that Mabel's brothers did not care about her by the way they talked about her appearance. They said that the "fixity of her face" was that of a bull-dog.
In chapter 18, it talks about people entering water- some never to return and others to survive. "When writer's baptize a character, they mean death, rebirth, or new identity." In "The Horse Dealer's Daughter", Mabel wasn't happy at all. She wanted something new, she wanted to be happy, she wanted a "rebirth", and that is exactly what happened. Almost drowning in the water, she was saved by the doctor and they fell in love. As I said in the post before this, the pond is used as a symbol of rebirth for both characters- a rebirth of love and happiness. They entered the "dead water" and came out with a "relief to be out of the clutches of the pond."
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Symbolism
After reading "The Horse Dealer's Daughter", the English class was asked: The pond is a major symbol in the story. Examine its symbolic value by providing quotations from the story. Discuss whether it always symbolizes the same thing whenever used or whether it is polysemic. What really happens in the pond? Here is my response:
In the story before the scene of the pond and there on after, it shows that the pond symbolizes rebirth and love. Mabel and the doctor catch each other's eyes and then eventually, he'll risk his life to save Marbel who almost drowns in the "motionless water." Mabel purposefully tries to drown herself because she wants to be happy and start something new. The pond is used as a symbol of rebirth for both characters- a rebirth of love and happiness. They entered the "dead water" and came out with a "relief to be out of the clutches of the pond." Seeing that the pond can symbolize rebirth leading to love and happiness, I would say that the pond can be polysemic.
In the story before the scene of the pond and there on after, it shows that the pond symbolizes rebirth and love. Mabel and the doctor catch each other's eyes and then eventually, he'll risk his life to save Marbel who almost drowns in the "motionless water." Mabel purposefully tries to drown herself because she wants to be happy and start something new. The pond is used as a symbol of rebirth for both characters- a rebirth of love and happiness. They entered the "dead water" and came out with a "relief to be out of the clutches of the pond." Seeing that the pond can symbolize rebirth leading to love and happiness, I would say that the pond can be polysemic.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Journal 4: Always determined
In class, we read "A Worn Path."
1. Quester: Phoenix Jackson.
2. Place to go: Town.
3. Reason to go there: Get medicine for her grandson.
4. Challenges and trials: Walking over a log (she closed her eyes because she was so scared), getting caught on a bush (she did not want to rip her dress), coming across a man in the woods telling her to go back home (she does not take no for an answer).
5. Real reason to go there: She remembers that she wanted to buy her child a little windmill.
Phoenix Jackson is very determined throughout the story. Even though she was half blind, she knew she still needed to get to town for her grandson. In the story, you learn that she trusts herself. She comes across challenges, like the ones listed above, and handles them very well.
Phoenix talks to herself and the animals a lot. She does so because she is lonely and/or scared. You can tell that she is practical with her poverty. She finds a nickel in the woods and knows that she cannot rip her dress because she needs to pay for items in town for her grandson.
This short story was very uplifting. It showed how much somebody is willing to suffer for someone they love.
Thesis: Phoenix Jackson's encouraging determination shows that she is loving and dedicated to her grandson by being able to see the many challenges she overcomes throughout her journey.
1. Quester: Phoenix Jackson.
2. Place to go: Town.
3. Reason to go there: Get medicine for her grandson.
4. Challenges and trials: Walking over a log (she closed her eyes because she was so scared), getting caught on a bush (she did not want to rip her dress), coming across a man in the woods telling her to go back home (she does not take no for an answer).
5. Real reason to go there: She remembers that she wanted to buy her child a little windmill.
Phoenix Jackson is very determined throughout the story. Even though she was half blind, she knew she still needed to get to town for her grandson. In the story, you learn that she trusts herself. She comes across challenges, like the ones listed above, and handles them very well.
Phoenix talks to herself and the animals a lot. She does so because she is lonely and/or scared. You can tell that she is practical with her poverty. She finds a nickel in the woods and knows that she cannot rip her dress because she needs to pay for items in town for her grandson.
This short story was very uplifting. It showed how much somebody is willing to suffer for someone they love.
Thesis: Phoenix Jackson's encouraging determination shows that she is loving and dedicated to her grandson by being able to see the many challenges she overcomes throughout her journey.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Journal 3: Unity in Care
Everyday in this world people hear about unexpected, horrifying tragedies. However, they come together as one with love in caring for others who are in need. In this picture cited below called “Fragile”, this child is being taken care of after a great tragedy in his life. Surrounding the young child, nurses and doctors care for him, wrapping him in bandages.
A natural disaster, like this earthquake, can destroy lives, property, and emotional well-being in an instant. However, it takes time for healing and these doctors and nurses are the beginning of this healing process in this child’s life- physically and emotionally.
In this picture I see chaos. Picturing myself looking at the situation in real life, I see people running around, grabbing bandages, and caring for the hurt person as best as they know how. Not knowing the outcome of the child, they care for him as if it was their own. This chaos slowly turns into peace as they calm and comfort the child. Saying this, I also see love. The child might remember the disaster and the physical and emotional pain that he went through, but he will also never forget the love given by the people that took care of him, his family, and his friends.
The scared child might be afraid for his obscure future, but he can also see hope from the people surrounding him and taking care of him. Over all, this picture teaches a lesson. It shows that even though we might not know a person, we always need to show love. This will help the child and also build up the people around the child as they unite and move forward together with care.
Munoz, Eduardo. Fragile. Digital image. Photos. 13 June 2010. Web. 25 July 2010.
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A natural disaster, like this earthquake, can destroy lives, property, and emotional well-being in an instant. However, it takes time for healing and these doctors and nurses are the beginning of this healing process in this child’s life- physically and emotionally.
In this picture I see chaos. Picturing myself looking at the situation in real life, I see people running around, grabbing bandages, and caring for the hurt person as best as they know how. Not knowing the outcome of the child, they care for him as if it was their own. This chaos slowly turns into peace as they calm and comfort the child. Saying this, I also see love. The child might remember the disaster and the physical and emotional pain that he went through, but he will also never forget the love given by the people that took care of him, his family, and his friends.
The scared child might be afraid for his obscure future, but he can also see hope from the people surrounding him and taking care of him. Over all, this picture teaches a lesson. It shows that even though we might not know a person, we always need to show love. This will help the child and also build up the people around the child as they unite and move forward together with care.
Munoz, Eduardo. Fragile. Digital image. Photos. 13 June 2010. Web. 25 July 2010.
Journal 2: Older and Wiser
As people become older, they become wiser. Read along as you think about this statement and look at the picture cited below: “Older now, I draw myself better.” This statement and picture can mean so many things. Physically drawing a picture and/or someone mentally drawing a picture says so much about a person's character.
Did you like drawing when you were little? Did you ever draw portraits of yourself? When a person is young, drawing is messy, not straight, and scattered. Picture a five year old child with me. They do not make them or their friends look anything like they do in real life. They make them fat with board straight hair, pointy dresses, and sticks for arms and legs. Not knowing what he/she will become, the five year old has a whole unknown future ahead of him/her.
However, as a person’s life begins to shape, they learn more and more about who they truly are. The older and wiser they get, the better they can “draw” themselves. Knowing their characteristics better, they can see themselves in a light that they might not have ever imagined.
Looking at this picture, you see this man as someone who loves to enjoy life. He is older, and therefore he knows himself better. As a result, he is better able to portray who he truly is. Comparing two pictures of a person when they were young and when they were old can tell a story of their journey and how far they have come in their adventure of life.
Arkle, Peter. "NPR: Six-Word Memoirs." NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. Six-Word Memoirs, 2010. Web. 18 July 2010..
(Last picture on slide.)
Did you like drawing when you were little? Did you ever draw portraits of yourself? When a person is young, drawing is messy, not straight, and scattered. Picture a five year old child with me. They do not make them or their friends look anything like they do in real life. They make them fat with board straight hair, pointy dresses, and sticks for arms and legs. Not knowing what he/she will become, the five year old has a whole unknown future ahead of him/her.
However, as a person’s life begins to shape, they learn more and more about who they truly are. The older and wiser they get, the better they can “draw” themselves. Knowing their characteristics better, they can see themselves in a light that they might not have ever imagined.
Looking at this picture, you see this man as someone who loves to enjoy life. He is older, and therefore he knows himself better. As a result, he is better able to portray who he truly is. Comparing two pictures of a person when they were young and when they were old can tell a story of their journey and how far they have come in their adventure of life.
Arkle, Peter. "NPR: Six-Word Memoirs." NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. Six-Word Memoirs, 2010. Web. 18 July 2010.
(Last picture on slide.)
Journal 1: Blast from the Past
Images: so many stories and so many memories. Looking at the image of “My Sunday Best” was a blast from the past for me. Working hard to buy nice clothes, the parents show pride in their children as they provide as best they can for Sundays.
This picture caught my attention at first glance. Why? I love old timey things, especially pictures because they tell stories. If I’m ever at anyone’s house and they have pictures on the wall or photo albums on the coffee table, it’s a guarantee that I’ll be looking at them. Growing up and going to church every Sunday, I always wore a dress, panty hose or lacy socks, and white or black shoes depending on the season, of course. My mom always wanted me and my sister to dress in our “Sunday best” so we hardly ever wore slacks. My mom was raised wearing her Sunday best to show respect, so wearing my Sunday best was a must.
This picture says more than just old-timey, genuinely happy, and church. It shows what they did to be able to dress like shown. You always see the old movies where the men and boys wear their nicest overalls, and the women and girls wear their prettiest dresses made with the finest cloth they can afford. Times were hard even before this picture was taken, but people still made sure that they saved money and took care of their new clothes that they worked so hard to buy. Saving them for special occasions, people took pride in dressing in their Sunday best. Being able to purchase new clothes shows evidence of a person’s hard work. Knowing that a person’s hard work paid off will always make them appreciate whatever they own or even do.
Wearing your “Sunday best” does show respect. It’s not to impress other members of the church, but rather to look nice as if Jesus was sitting right beside you, even if it does take effort to be able to wear that pretty dress with the cutest handbag.
Grubb, Johnny. My Sunday Best. Photograph. Found Magazine. 26 July 2005. Web..
This picture caught my attention at first glance. Why? I love old timey things, especially pictures because they tell stories. If I’m ever at anyone’s house and they have pictures on the wall or photo albums on the coffee table, it’s a guarantee that I’ll be looking at them. Growing up and going to church every Sunday, I always wore a dress, panty hose or lacy socks, and white or black shoes depending on the season, of course. My mom always wanted me and my sister to dress in our “Sunday best” so we hardly ever wore slacks. My mom was raised wearing her Sunday best to show respect, so wearing my Sunday best was a must.
This picture says more than just old-timey, genuinely happy, and church. It shows what they did to be able to dress like shown. You always see the old movies where the men and boys wear their nicest overalls, and the women and girls wear their prettiest dresses made with the finest cloth they can afford. Times were hard even before this picture was taken, but people still made sure that they saved money and took care of their new clothes that they worked so hard to buy. Saving them for special occasions, people took pride in dressing in their Sunday best. Being able to purchase new clothes shows evidence of a person’s hard work. Knowing that a person’s hard work paid off will always make them appreciate whatever they own or even do.
Wearing your “Sunday best” does show respect. It’s not to impress other members of the church, but rather to look nice as if Jesus was sitting right beside you, even if it does take effort to be able to wear that pretty dress with the cutest handbag.
Grubb, Johnny. My Sunday Best. Photograph. Found Magazine. 26 July 2005. Web.
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