Modernism Project

A very bad presentation on Modernism :(

Journal #31

My job shadowing experience was really fun. I was able to watch my dentist work on a lot of old people's teeth. Most everybody I know would find that disgusting, but I actually was intrigued by the intricacy in the dental work that dentists have to preform. I can definitely see myself being a dentist in the near future. I learned a lot about the work that has to go into becoming a dentist. There are seven sub-categories, as one may call it, in being a dentist. When you go to dental school, you have to decide which type of dentist you want to be. Technically, a general practicing dentist would be able to do things like braces, pull wisdom teeth, and even preform root canals, but that would take a lot of skill on the dentist's part, so basically it is up to the individual themselves if they want to be extensive in their work.

The experience itself was rather exhilarating. I was able to get the behind the scenes look at what it is like to be a dentist. Prior to job shadowing, I did not know what I wanted to do in the dental field. I was looking into oral surgery, but after shadowing Dr. Burris, I decided I would like to just be a dentist. The setting is much more personal, and you are able to continually see patients time and time again. You can also become close with the people you work with. My dentist is really close with all of his dental hygienists, which is something I look forward to in the job.

Overall, my job shadowing experience went rather well. I learned a lot of useful information regarding the field, as well as advice on schooling and such. I think that my career is definitely decided after being able to see the work put in to being a dentist. I cannot wait to start college and begin the journey toward becoming a dentist.

Journal #30 - My Favorite Whitman Poem

My favorite Whitman poem, of all the ones I have read thus far, is probably To A President. After searching through poem after poem, I stumbled upon this one and was kind of drawn in. It addresses the President, none specifically, so it is easier to relate to not only presidents back in Whitman's time, but also today. Basically, Whitman goes ham on the president and tells him is fraud. He promises "danged mirages", and fails to give the American public any hope for the future (Whitman). I think it is interesting to hear Whitman's side of view on politics in this poem because Whitman addresses Nature in the poem. He says that the president needs to learn of the politics of nature before he goes tangling himself in political nature. This statement can be taken in a lot of ways in my opinion. Understanding the politics of nature is not specifically limited to mother nature but also of human nature and self. A President, if allowed the opportunity to run a country of people, needs to understand the nature of humans, how humans tend to act in certain situations, what their likes and dislikes are, and so on. I think that is very important to think about when it comes to politics. If a man in Congress tries to act like he knows what is best for the public, but fails to even know the nature of the public, all of his efforts are in vain. Whitman explains that "the great amplitude" of nature is important in grasping for the president, but unfortunately we as a society are quick to judge political figures and see them as being big-headed and arrogant.

Overall I liked the poem. It was different from all the other poems of his I read. I think he focused a lot of love and all of that cheesy stuff. It was nice to see a poets view of politics because not often do we see a mixture of politics and literature.

Whitman, Walt. "The Walt Whitman Archive." TO A PRESIDENT. (Leaves of Grass [1891-1892]) -. Ed Folsman. Web. 18 Apr. 2012.

Reflection Blog: Chanting the Square Deific

"Chanting the Square Deific" by Walt Whitman strongly reflects the ideas Whitman has on variety of notable figures. He comments throughout the poem on God, Christ, Satan, and "Santa Spirita", or soul. Instead of seeing the holy Trinity as a such, Whitman portrays this idea through a "quaternity" (Oliver). Each stanza focuses on a different entity as Whitman further's his spiritual side of writing.

In the first stanza, the speaker becomes God (Oliver). God portrays himself a relentless God with the power to decide one's fate (Whitman). He describes himself as a variety of beings, most notably Jehovah or Kronos (god of time) (Whitman). Whitman demonstrates in this stanza the power that the Christian God holds. He is the Almighty and reiterates the fact that God is not the person to mess with, or the wrath of God will surely be felt (Oliver).

In the second stanza, Christ is revealed (Oliver). Christ sees himself as a god better than God himself. He feels he is the individual who bears all of the sin and extends a rather gentle hand toward humanity (Oliver). "Many times I have been rejected," says Christ (Whitman). He feels he was put on earth to bear the sin of man. This strong connection with Christianity portrays the understanding Whitman has of the Trinity, or rather the "quternity" in this case. As Christ is portrayed throughout the bible, a man who suffers so much for humanity, but does it for the good will of mankind, a somewhat feeling of little recognition is given to the humble being. His "wisdom will never die" as Christ says, and is further justified throughout the Christian church today (Whitman).

The third stanza, Satan is identified as the antagonist of the infinite quad. He is portrayed throughout humanity as "aloof, dissatisfied, plotting revenge". The evil being is demonstrated throughout Whitman's poem simply because Satan plays an important role between the war waged against good and evil. God's "enemy", Satan plays the role in history that has come to represent a wicked and evil being. Whitman shows the relationship that nature has with the idea of good and evil (Oliver). The overall balance keeps things in tact and running throughout the natural world.

The fourth and final stanza is the most peculiar and odd one out of the entire poem. The Soul, or Santa Spirita, is introduced in the finale of the poem. It basically incorporates all of the preious entities mentioned in the poem (Oliver). The main idea behind the holy Trinity is that they are all incorporated somehow, and Whitman demonstrates this through the poem.

Life of the great round world, the sun and stars, and of man, I, the general soul,
Here the square finishing, the solid, I the most solid,
Breathe my breath also through these songs.

As demonstrated in the previous lines, the Spirit uniquely combines all three of the general characteristics, or ideas, of Satan, God, and Christ. The last line of the poem suggests that Whitman sees himself as this embodiment because he helps portray the ideas of man (himself being one) with the holiness of the entire poem (Oliver).

The spiritual importance of Whitman's "Chanting the Square Deific" is important in understanding the overall connection between God, Christ, Satan, and the holy Spirit. The battle between good and evil is not as antagonistic as demonstrated in this poem specifically. The connection between the forces, or entities, helps balance the overall stigma of nature and the realm of society.

Oliver, Charles M. "'Chanting the Square Deific'." Critical Companion to Walt Whitman: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Whitman, Walt. "The Walt Whitman Archive." Chanting the Square Deific. Web. 03 Apr. 2012.

Journal #29 - Spiritual Self

Who I Am:

I think that I am a pretty cool person with a lot of talent. I can sing, tell jokes, receive good grades, organize things, and much more. These talents help define who I am as a person. Because I am very studious, I tend to organize my life around this quality. I do not drink, do drugs, nor smoke. It sounds cheesy, but that is a major part of being a well-to-do student and it helps discover one's inner-self. My personality is rather different, but mostly in a good way I think. I do not let people walk all over me, and I try to refrain others from walking over anyone else. I help people when they are in need. I honestly have a hard time being mean. I cannot bully someone before it gets too be too much. Overall, I am a pretty awesome person, though it may sound arrogant and conceited, I believe that my positiveness keeps this world going.

Why I Am Here:

I think I am here to change the world and make it better. I feel like I should go out and try to do something that makes a difference in my community or school. I am at that point in my life where I really just despise anyone who does not agree with me, although I am still good at SEEING where people come from, I am not so good at agreeing with them at all. It is something that I have to work on, but see myself accomplishing in the future to set out and make a difference somewhere.

Spiritual Connections:

To be honest, I have grown somewhat distant from my church in the past two years. People are changing, friends are moving away, and the overall appeal of the church is beginning to diminish, which is extremely unfortunate on my behalf. I feel like even though I do not attend church every Saturday, I do still have a personal connection with God. I was baptized in eight grade and still try to uphold the virtues read in the baptismal vows.

Reflection Blog - Some Keep the Sabbath

"Some Keep the Sabbath" by Emily Dickinson is an odd poem that talks about going to church at home. Church was seen as a very holy and sacred thing back in Dickinson's day, so for the author to rebel against going is rather peculiar. The speaker says she will be just fine by going to church on her own in her own home. Local nature, such as birds orchards, do just fine for the speaker. Instead of needing a chorister, the speaker says she has a "bobolink" that will do just fine in replacing the choir (Dickinson). For the dome, a simple orchard presents itself, revealing natural beauty instead of man-made structures. The individual speaking in the poem might feel that the church has become too materialistic and fails to see the beauty God presented on the earth.

When one is at home, they feel secure and are able to see and relate to their surroundings. Going to church often requires dressing in one's "Sunday best" but for the speaker, forgetting the surplice and just wearing her "wings" is far more spiritual (Dickinson). Dickinson's spirituality is demonstrated in this poem because it shows how she really feels about the Church and her own stance on it. She feels as if it is becoming too mainstream, and by holding her own services in the familiar setting of her humble abode, she can personally connect herself with God and further her spiritual walk in her own foresight.

The symbols Dickinson portrays in this poem is by far the highlight of the short work of art. In the first stanza, bobolink and the orchard replace what reformed churches valued as sacred and holy. Dickinson uses these natural occurrences to show her love for nature. This is further demonstrated in the second stanza. Instead of using a brass bell to signify church service, the speaker (inferred in this poem as being Dickinson) uses her "own little sexton" to call upon the holy hour (Dickinson). This is important to analyze as yet another natural re occurrence that highly portrays the authors writing style and embodiment.

The very last stanza of the poem is by far the most enduring and important of the poem. "God preaches' - a noted clergyman speaks," (Dickinson). As the second spiritual reformation came and left in society, the church enthralled itself with notorious speakers claiming to speak the true world of God and whatnot. Dickinson, aspiring to make it to heaven quickly, knows that the word of God is most influential coming from the bible (or God himself) itself.

Overall, although short and seemingly simple, "Some Keep the Sabbath" magnifies and embodies the importance of spirituality through Dickinson herself. She shows her need for a more cleansed and holy walk with the Lord in her natural and unorthodox ways. This type of writing sets her aside from other authors during the time period because it dealt with a subject-matter (the Church) that some were afraid to tamper with or alter. This poem, along with her other works, continues to influence generations and society as time goes on.

Dickinson, Emily. "Some Keep the Sabbath." 57. “Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church.” Part Two: Nature. Dickinson, Emily. 1924. Complete Poems. Web. 29 Mar. 2012.

Journal #28 - I Heard a Fly Buzz (Dickinson)

"I Heard a Fly Buzz" by Emily Dickinson is a poem that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. The beginning of the poem opens up with a woman laying on her death bed getting ready to die, when suddenly a buzzing fly flies in and "interposed" her dying process. I found the poem to be very interesting and represented so many things. The "heaves of storms" represents the calm before the storm, or in her case, the calm before the speaker dies. Her mourners are around her also anticipating the death of the speaker, but suddenly this annoying little fly buzzes its way on in and completely interrupts her dying ritual. I think when someone is dying, the solemn and calming atmosphere is a universal thing. When people, or in this case, an insect, messes up this process, it completely changes everything. As we discussed in case, when someone dies, the last sense they lose is their hearing, so before that, they have to sit there blind and basically emotionless. If this were the case for the speaker, she would not be able to see the people around her, but only hear this annoying little fly buzzing in her ear. I think this fly represents the little things in life that unless we closely listen to, we fail to see and hear. The spirituality demonstrated in the poem is also significant because it shows how serene the speaker was in dealing with the oncoming death sentence she was facing. The "king" mentioned in the poem represents God. He was awaiting her arrival, but like everything else, was interrupted by the annoying fly. I think that this poem is one of the more interesting poems we have read thus far because it is very easy to come up with one's own interpretation instead of going off of what is right, seeing that there is no right answer for how the poem plays itself out. One of the biggest lessons we can learn from this poem: flies are stupid and not important to society.

Dickinson, Emily. "I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died." Emily Dickinson. Web. 28 Mar. 2012.