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.

Journal #27 - Emily Dickinson

I think that Emily Dickinson's poems fit well with the song Amazing Grace because the song itself is very emotional and significant. She really felt impressed to write of her personal feelings and better herself. I think that Dickinson was trying to better herself in her life and help herself be an all around good person through her poetry. In the song, the infamous line "that saved a wretch like me" is a very important and impacting verse. The rhyme scheme in both Dickinson's poem and Amazing Grace is also a key reason that the poem/songs became popular. The hymnals are used because they are very generic and I think everyone could relate to them. Dickinson was known for doing this with her poems because I believe it was her way of connecting with both hymns and herself. Amazing Grace was really popular in the day because it sent such an inspiring and motivational message to its listeners. People were beginning to reconnect with God and could finally see themselves becoming saved and free. Just a side note, this also helped the blacks keep hope in their future status in American. I personally think that Amazing Grace was a song about letting go of the past and the bad things that happened and focusing more on the future and the greatness that would be soon to come. They were not bound to the fields and could attempt to, despite oppression, prosper. I think that Dickinson subtly connected her poems to Amazing Grace because the hymn was so well known, very motivational, and extremely popular during the time period. It was important that Dickinson had something in her works that kept her going because she was simply a depressed woman in my opinion. This inspiring song was important to not only people like Dickinson, but also society in general. It left its mark in ways that the author could have never thought possible and still is effecting society even today.

Reflection Blog - Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson, an author that has found herself labeled as a "tweener", simply falls into this category because she does not follow the "real" characteristics of the realism time period, yet also fails to fit in with the modernists of the modernism time period. Critics have tried too hard to define an era in history that fits perfectly with the generations that have come to pass and have left marks on literature, but have eventually influenced future prospects in some way or another. Dickinson's unintentional forte of writing has left her to be one of the most prominent and highly regarded authors of all time because she simply wrote in the style she preferred, and not of the rules and regulations society made up during her era.

Her writing style is rather simple, yet emotionally deep and gratifying. Dickinson secluded herself from the outside world and wrote in spite of the critical analogies she knew would come her way (McChesney). Extremely influenced by the writing's of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Dickinson yearned to follow an individualistic life style as demonstrated in Emerson's philosophies. Because of this, it can be inferred that she did somewhat fit into the time period of realism. Her works focused mainly on nature and the likes. She regarded nature very highly and wanted to connect herself with it in an attempt through her poems.

Her writing style was also highly influenced by her own opinion. She did not really appreciate other's opinions, so her writing reflected herself very much, which was something big for Emerson. Self was very integrated into the lives of society back in Dickinson's time period. People often think if Dickinson as being in the modernism time period. This literature movement focused on kind of "modernizing" literature because writers tried to be as unique as possible, not following the traditions of the writers before them (McChesney). Dickinson was definitely a part of this counterculture per say as seen in her poems such as "The Bee" and other unique and different works. It is easier to look at Dickinson as being normal, which made her different like a lot of authors tried to accomplish during this time.

Finally, a very distinguishable characteristic of Dickinson's writing style (much like Emerson) was her obsession with nature. She often focused her poems on nature, that represented more than just nature itself. She followed the seasons and wrote about their every-changing beauty, from the snow in winter, flowers in spring, warmth of summer, and crisp air of autumn (McChesney). "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" also shows her love for nature as she describes laying in the grass observing a snake. Although people strongly focused on nature during this time, Dickinson's spin on the concept was widely different with others. She put herself in nature through her writing, which was unique to the time period.

Overall, Dickinson's unique writing style helped set her aside from other writers of the time. She was an infamous "tweener" that helped influence other writers. She made a huge impact to literature with her contribution to literature and nature.

McChesney, Sandra. "A View from the Window: The Poetry of Emily Dickinson." In Harold Bloom, ed. Emily Dickinson, Bloom's BioCritiques. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 2002. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Reflection Blog - Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman, a highly renowned poet during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, was, according to Richard Bucke, a somewhat arrogant man. His poetry often revolved around himself (Bucke). This writing style was rather different for the the time period, which ultimately caught the attention of society. Whitman used his poetry to search for his self intuition. He did not feel he was better than everyone else, but he did feel as if his writing showed his understanding of divinity in every human being (Bucke). Many critics (whether professional or not) have labeled Whitman as a man very caught up on his writing and talents. This mindset ultimately lead him on the path to success that defined his own era quite different from that of Realism or Modernism.
When looking for first hand examples of this arrogant-styled writing, one needs not look far. Whitman often entitled his works to fit perfectly with his attitude. His poem "Myself and Mine" reflects his feelings with society and highlights their imperfections (Whitman). It is interesting to read and see almost first hand how Whitman actually feels about life because this poem is coming from his thoughts directly and not hindered by some indirect or offset character. His writing style is very unique in this sense.
Throughout history, critics have often characterized Whitman's writing style as somewhat odd and indifferent, but in actuality, he wrote about his genuine feelings. "Myself and Mine" strongly shows this philosophy. "Let me have my own way. Let other promulge the laws - I will make no account of the laws," (Whitman). This statement is very bold. Whitman clearly allows society to see that he is not going to be like everyone else. The realism period was very big on facts and definite answers, whereas Whitman simply felt he would do things his way, whether, in this case, they were right (lawfully) or not. According to Richard Burke, Whitman's writing was very straightforward and kind of simplistic (Bucke). But Whitman felt he was rightfully better than society throughout the aspect of literature and social standards (Bucke). It can be inferred that Whitman was not only arrogant in his philosophical ideas, but also in that of society and literature.
Overall, the general writing style of Walt Whitman consisted of a very arrogant and conceited lifestyle. His cockiness can further be seen throughout "Myself and Mine", as well as countless other works by the prominent author. His writing style, very different from realism, helped create and direct an entirely new "era" of literature that left many authors with a very unique style and voice. Because he did not hold back his feelings, he allowed society to open up about theirs as well. Not only did he impact the literature world, but he also left a mark on society as a whole.
By far the most accurate and exemplifying critic of Whitman is that of himself. He is able to analyze his own feelings and thoughts throughout his literature. It is said that prior to becoming famous, he wrote for a newspaper and published articles talking about his own writing (Longabucco). This allowed to anonymously open up to not only himself but also to a society that would later be the ultimate critic.

Bucke, Richard Maurice. "The Man Walt Whitman." In Re Walt Whitman, eds. Horace L. Traubel, Richard Maurice Bucke, Thomas B. Harned, 1893: 59. Quoted as "The Man Walt Whitman" in Bloom, Harold, ed. Walt Whitman, Classic Critical Views. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2007.Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.
Longabucco, Matt. "'The Proof of a Poet'—Walt Whitman and His Critics." In Bloom, Harold, ed. Walt Whitman, Bloom's BioCritiques. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 2002. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Project Blog #18 - On the Beach at Night- Walt Whitman

"On the Beach at Night" by Walt Whitman is a very hard poem to analyze in my opinion. It definitely talks about nature a lot because the author gives praise to stars, the night sky, and the ocean multiple times throughout the poem itself. I think the biggest message being portrayed in the poem is that everyone is connected in some way, very much like the stars referred to the poem time and time again. It also signifies the importance nature plays in people's lives. Throughout the philosophy of both Emerson and Thoreau, nature is found to be extremely important for the two notorious individuals. Emerson believes that nature is something humans will never fully understand, but should never give up trying to connect with the beauty it has to behold (Wayne).

Another idea important to that of Emerson and Thoreau especially is the idea of individualism. I think that the poem emphasis how we are all connected as individuals. We can be seen in the stars, like in the poem, and we can find each other throughout others around us. It all depends on the extensiveness an individual takes to connect with their inner-self. The poem subliminally shows readers how stars, the ocean, and nature in general, plays a vital role in our lives. We are able to see the full extent of the importance of these things. Emerson and Thoreau both tried to get society to see that. I think Whitman used their ideas in his poem because he felt it was something that a blind society needed. If people who were influenced by his poems, they might be interested in the ideas of both Emerson and Thoreau.

As far as this idea being applied to today's society, I think that it would be very eye-opening for people to see the importance of nature. We are so wrapped up in technology that we fail to see the beauty around us. Emerson and Thoreau's ideas were important and significant then, as well as today, if only people would take the time to analyze them like we do.

Wayne, Tiffany K. "'Nature'." Encyclopedia of Transcendentalism. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Whitman, Walt. "On the Beach at Night, by Walt Whitman." Poetry Archive. Web. 05 Mar.

Project Blog #17 - The Bee - Emily Dickinson

The Bee by Emily Dickinson reflects the philosophies of Emerson and Thoreau because of its significance on nature. Emerson, a big advocate for nature, was actually very close to Dickinson (or maybe vice versa) (Diehl). In the poem by Dickinson, she regards nature, and the bee, as something very precious. The bee has a "helmet of gold" as Dickinson puts it (Dickinson). She thinks that the bee in a very important thing in nature because, despite the bad reputation it has with its stinger, it has an even better role in society because it goes and pollinates other flowers. Emerson definitely felt something important with nature, and he demonstrated these ideas in his essay "Nature". Dickinson wanted to really be like Emerson in the fact that nature was something individuals could never fully grasp. No matter how hard one tried, trying to fully understand the wonders of the world and the beauty of nature was impossible. I think that Dickinson was similar in thinking like Emerson because she was so influenced by him. They actually met a few times and shared ideas with one another (Diehl).

Dickinson took this idea from Emerson and went with it in her life (Diehl). She often shaped her writing, as seen in The Bee, as something that subtly describes the minute details that mother nature offers us. She wrote about simple things such as the bee, although minor, and portrayed how it was actually important in nature. Trying to imagine life without bees is pretty much impossible. Flowers would not pollinate as much as they do now, and the food chain would just completely collapse without them. I think that there is a point when one can actually over-analyze things... and I am just being honest here, but I think that after all of these blogs, Emerson definitely thought too much about it. Anyway, both Emerson and Thoreau's impact on society was very important, especially back in their day because people wanted answers so bad. They strove for something bigger in their lives, and for them, I think they chose nature because of its natural characteristics and beauty.

Dickinson, Emily. "The Bee." Poet Seers. Web. 05 Mar. 2012.—

Diehl, Joanne Feit. "Emerson, Dickinson, and the Abyss." In Dickinson and the Romantic Imagination. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1981. Quoted as "Emerson, Dickinson, and the Abyss" in Harold Bloom, ed. Emily Dickinson, Bloom's Major Poets. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 1998. (Updated 2007.) Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Project Blog #16 - Jack London — “To Build a Fire”

"To Build A Fire" by Jack London strongly demonstrates the power of nature, similar to the philosophies and ideas Henry David Thoreau. The story's strong position on nature proves to the protagonist that society should respect the delicate and serene power beheld in mother nature. In a way, nature is sort of like another being. The man in the story felt he could continue his trek through the snow with his dog. Each step he took further into his journey, he was setting himself up for failure. Ralph Waldo Emerson says that man should respect nature because of its pristine beauty and significance. He says that an individual should look to nature for somewhat of self-help and guidance. I think the man in the story did not respect nature in the way he should. It can also be compared to how the man thinks. In one literary criticism, Patricia Brugman says that a man also has his own "nature". She says that it cannot be changed and that one must first find it through themselves. This would then allow the individual a detox of the burden of life itself. She then makes the connection that Emerson says regarding a man's nature. "I suppose no man can change his nature," (Brugman).

Even in today's society, we try to be like the main character in "To Build A Fire". We feel as if our technology and standard of living is so much better than that of nature. Trees are being torn down to build multi-million housing complexes. We cannot be like the man in the story. We cannot think that we have control over something so natural and beautiful like that of the forest, the snow covered bushes, or the stars in the sky. When we find our inner nature, according to Emerson, we then have so much power, not in the sense of superiority over nature, but in the sense that nature is on our side and not going to deceive us in any way. These ideas by Emerson demonstrate a high knowledge of respect and intellect.

Brugman, Patricia. "Nature in 'Self-Reliance'." McClinton-Temple, Jennifer ed. Encyclopedia of

Themes in Literature. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2011. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

London, Jack. "To Build a Fire, by Jack London." The World of Jack London 2012®. Web. 11 Mar. 2012.

Project Blog #15 - Edwin Arlington Robinson – “Richard Cory”

Although short and sweet, Robinson's poem entitled "Richard Cory" is a keen description of Mr. Cory and his rich lifestyle. The poem talks about how everyone in the town highly admired the man. "But still he fluttered pulses when he said, 'Good Morning!' and he glittered when he walked," (Robinson). In this quote, readers can see just how prominent the infamous man was. I think this poem regards materialism in a very subtle way. It can be implied that this Mr. Cory was very caught up in his wealth and probably had a high materialistic lifestyle. He seemed to be the local man in the town that embodied his money and valued it more than life itself.

Critic P.B. Grant says in his literary criticism that Henry David Thoreau believed that America was getting too wrapped up in material things during the late nineteenth century (Grant). Traditions, according the Thoreau, were being lost and replaced with more advanced ideas and lifestyles. I think that for many, like Mr. Cory, this way of life was suitable on the outside, but on the inside was full of stress and sadness. This leads to the end of the poem, where Mr. Cory is found shot dead from suicide (Robinson). They always say that money cannot buy happiness, and I believe this is what Thoreau says when he says that new commodities do nothing to nurture an individuals spirit (Grant). This idea also goes hand in hand with individualism. Thoreau thought that an individual needed to focus on oneself and do what was best for themselves, despite the influx in social media and other distractions the Industrial Era brought to American society.

This story, along with Thoreau's materialism ideas, can go hand in hand with today's society. We are so caught up in the newest technological device that we fail to see the nature and beauty around us. I think that kids today would rather choose to stay inside and play video games or watch television rather than go outside and take in the earth's natural artwork and landscapes. It would be nice to step aside the from daily technological distractions that life throws at us and value nature at its finest like Thoreau tried to portray through his philosophy and literary works.

Grant, P. B. "Individual and Society in Walden." McClinton-Temple, Jennifer ed. Encyclopedia ofThemes in Literature. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2011. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Robinson, Edwin Arlington. "Richard Cory." Poemhunter.com. Web. 06 Mar. 2012.

Project Blog #14 -Anton Chekov – “The Darling”

In the story "The Darling", I was able to see an example through literature that does not support the ideas of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson highly valued individualism. This meant that a person should never underestimate themselves and value their own opinion (Wayne). Emerson definitely portrays individualism through his essay "Self-Reliance". In this essay, Emerson says that an individual should "declare his or her independence from society" because it would ultimately make for a better environment (Wayne). I think that the main character in 'The Darling" lives a completely different life style than that of the envisioned one by Emerson.

The main character, Olga, constantly attaches herself to different men throughout her life. The story says that her first "love" was her father (Chekov). From that point in her life, she finds other men that she says she immediately falls in love with. Her first lover is Mr. Kukin, a theatre owner whom she portrays affection for after the death of her father. She marries him, then after he ends up dying, she goes and finds another man. The next man she falls in love with is Smirnin. She ends up taking his ideas from him regarding animal treatment (Chekov). It is clear she loses all sense of being an individual through these constant marriages. I believe Olga feels as if she has to have a man at her side in order to feel complete. It is completely the opposite of Emerson's "Self Reliance" because the reader can tell that marriage after marriage molds Olga into a different person with different ideas and opinions.

"She got thinner and plainer, and when people met her in the street they did not look at her as they used to, and did not smile to her; evidently her best years were over and left behind, and now a new sort of life had begun for her, which did not bear thinking about," (Chevok)

In the latter quote, the reader can see how lost the main character's life has become after her search for husbands, lovers, and companions. She loses all sense of individualism and her physical features, as well as mental attitude and emotions, were all effected by this choice of lifestyle.

I think that this opposing viewpoint on individualism, compared to that of Emerson, helps the reader grasp just how big (and important) of a concept Emerson gave society. It was important back then, and even now, to be yourself. by underestimating oneself, it is harder to accomplish the goals and ambitions you have. Confidence is key every time.

Wayne, Tiffany K. "'Self-Reliance'." Critical Companion to Ralph Waldo Emerson: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2010. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Chekhov, Anton. "The Darling." Enotes.com. Enotes.com. Web. 06 Mar. 2012

Project Blog #12 - Spoon River

"Spoon River Anthology" by Edgar Lee Masters is a well-put together collection of poems that demonstrate a variety of people's lives who reside in the best place on earth...central Illinois. Each poem in the collection talks about a different person. I chose to read the excerpt from Jacob Goodpasture. He is a man in the town who had a son that served in the American Civil War. As he lays his son to rest, he says, “Oh, son who died in a cause unjust! In the strife of Freedom slain!” (Masters). He feels that the war unjustly killed his son. I think that as a parent I would be in a lot of pain and anguish if my son lost his life while fighting. I think it would be hard to look past the idea of him dying at first, but then hopefully I would be able to see the good and honorable sacrifice my child made for the cost of freedom for the United States.

As far as comparing this idea to Thoreau and Emerson, I found the excerpt to be different from their views. Both men were strong advocates for the abolition of slavery. They felt that slavery was bad and people should fight for the slaves freedom. In Mr. Goodpasture's poem, I got the feeling that he had some discontent with his son's serving in the army. I do not know if he was on the Confederate side or the Union side, but either way, the father's sorrowful reaction made me believe he was not all for his idea serving in the army, especially now that the young man was killed. Thoreau and Emerson demonstrate their willingness to stick up for what's right in their individual works "Civil Disobedience" and "Self-Reliance" (Wayne). I think this is the first story I was able to clearly see the difference between the literary example and the philosophies of Thoreau and Emerson. Because of the difference in ideas, specifically slavery, I think I can get a better understanding of both men's point of view.

Wayne, Tiffany K., ed. "Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson." Critical Companion to Ralph Waldo Emerson: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2010. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Masters, Edgar Lee. Spoon River Anthology. New York, 1951. Print.

Project Blog #13 - I Will Fight No More Forever

In this speech by Chief Joseph, the Indian leader tells his men and fellow Indians that he truly cannot go on fighting anymore (Joseph). He feels he has lost too many friends and family members and simply wants the war to go on no longer. It seems all hope is lost in Chief Joseph. "I want to have time to look for my children and see how many I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead," says the Chief (Joseph). It is clear the old, wise man knows what is best for the tribes, and that is to cease all warlike conduct and save what lives are still left.

Decisions are beginning to be made by the younger generations because the older leaders have been killed or are slowly dying of old age. Joseph says that it is up to them whether to fighting continues, but makes it clear it is in their best interest to stop (Joseph). I find this interesting because it seems like the Chief is leaving the youth to decide for themselves and giving them choices, but he directs and leads them in the right direction.

When compared to the ideas and behavior of Henry David Thoreau, Chief Joseph shares many characteristics with the notorious philosopher. Thoreau, first of all, was a very wise man. In his philosophies, he kind of sets a virtue for society, much like Chief Joseph does for his younger tribe. People trusted Thoreau and knew what he said was promising. Chief Joseph was considered a good chief because he was a reliable individual and many people could look up to him for advice. Writer Michael Cisco says that Thoreau is an avid naturalist who wrote not about what he wanted to do, or what he did do, but what he thought should be done. Much like Chief Joseph, who believed, as important fighting and honor was to the tribe, living and making it out okay was what should be done, and Joseph makes that clear in his speech.

Cisco, Michael. "Henry David Thoreau: Bachelor of Thought and Nature." In Bloom, Harold, ed. Henry David Thoreau, Bloom's BioCritiques. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 2003. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

"Chief Joseph." Welcome to Georgia State University. Web. 01 Mar. 2012.

Project Blog #11 - Jumping Frogs

"The Celebrated Jumping Frogs of Calaveras County" was written by Mark Twain in response to humorist Artemis Ward's request for a funny story to add to a book he was working on. After reading the selection, I noticed that what people found funny back in the day of Mark Twain, and what people find funny nowadays is totally different...simply because I did not laugh at anything but the overall sillyness of the plot. Jim Smiley, who resides in a town in California, goes around the city claiming that his frog, Dan'l Webster, can out-jump any other frog in the entire county. A man from the county decides to take up Smiley on the bet. So Smiley then goes out to a local swamp to find a frog for the inspiring frog-jumper individual. While Smiley is out, the man puts a "quail shot" into Smiley's infamous frog. After returning with a frog for the man to use against Smiley, the race begins. Filled with lead, Smiley's frog obviously does not win, while the other man's frog easily claims victory. The man takes money from Smiley after he wins the bet and goes on his way after pulling a very clever hoax. As far as relating this idea to the philosophy of Henry David Thoreau, it can be seen throughout the writing of Mark Twain that his characters do not value hospitality. The man in the story goes on and tells a narrative about something completely off topic of what someone asks him. I think that Thoreau valued the idea of hospitality because he demonstrates this idea in the story "Walden" (Wayne). In the story about the Jumping Frogs, being kind and generous definitely is not taken into perspective. Overall, the story was very interesting and had a good point. Mark Twain thoroughly enjoyed writing about the real life and pointed out that people were not perfect and sometimes humerus in their ways. I really love Mark Twain because he is a true native author.

Rasmussen, R. Kent. "'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County'." Bloom's How to Write about Mark Twain. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Center Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Wayne, Tiffany K. "Walden." Encyclopedia of Transcendentalism. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Project Blog #10 - The Red Badge of Courage

"The Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane describes the journey of one man's experience in the American Civil War. Crane wrote this short story in the midst of something he called "static idealization" which was a part of t he human condition (Shanahan). He is a part of the Union army, fighting against the idea of slavery and secession (Crane). While in his regiment, the main character experiences anticipation and a yearning to fight. It seems that he will never get the chance to show his battle wounds because he and his troop have yet to participate in battle. When he eventually is able to fight, he begins to have many thoughts running through his head about the war. He is scared that he will coward out of the fight, but then quickly realizes even if he wanted to run and hide, he would not be able to because he was surrounded by other soldiers (Crane). I find it interesting that the man did not want to fight necessarily because he wanted to serve his country, but wanted to have the personal honor and gain that he did serve and would be left with stories and wounds to tell for generations to come. This idea is portrays the ideas demonstrated in the Realism period. I think it can be said that not every man who served in the Civil War actually wanted to be there for the purpose of abolishing slavery, but rather to have the honor of serving and being able to tell others they were veterans of something extremely important in society. In relating these ideas to that of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, the idea of slavery becomes consistent between the two. Even though the man probably did not fight for all of the right reasons, he still joined the army with the thought of putting an end to slavery in his mind. I think that slavery is widely seen throughout realism because the corruption and degradation portrayed through the violence was finally being exposed to society shortly during and after the Civil War. It was real. It was horrifying. And it was a part of American history many historians classify as brutal and unlike the portrayal of the "American Dream".

Crane, Stephen. "The Red Badge of Courage." Glencoe American Literature. comp.
Wilhelm, Jeffery. McGraw Hill. Columbus, OH. 2009. pg. 493.

Shanahan, Daniel. "The Army Motif in The Red Badge of Courage as a Response to Industrial Capitalism." Papers on Language & Literature 32, no. 4 (Fall 1996). Quoted as "The Army Motif in The Red Badge of Courage as a Response to Industrial Capitalism" in Bloom, Harold, ed. The Red Badge of Courage, Bloom's Modern Critical Views. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 2003. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts on File, Inc.

Project Blog #9 - The Story of an Hour

By far the most odd of stories we have read thus far, "The Story of an Hour" demonstrates the story of one woman's reaction to the death of her husband. Mrs. Mallard, whose husband was horrifically killed in a train accident, is notified of the news and begins to weep. One would think that her reaction would be rather saddened and upset, which in the beginning Mrs. Mallard is. But later in the story the audience sees that she is ultimately happy her husband is dead and gone. "Free! Body and soul free!" shouts Mrs. Mallard under her breath (Chopin). It is rather obvious she is enthralled that her husband was killed tragically. She locks herself in her room away from everyone else. I think she does this to secretly demonstrate her excitement. Once her sister comes to fetch her, she leaves her room and heads downstairs. Much to her surprise, her husband opens the door, completely unaware that there even was an accident in the first place. Then the story comes to an anxious end. Mrs. Mallard dies. Yup, she does from seeing her husband come in. Whether or not it was from the excitement she experienced earlier from her husbands "death" news, or the fact that she was shocked and upset to actually see her husband alive and living, is up to the reader to interpret.

This story demonstrates the philosophy of both Thoreau and Emerson because both men believed in the idea of freedom and equality. This philosophy can further be demonstrated in Ralph Waldo Emerson's speech about women's rights in Boston on September 20, 1855. As far as freedom goes, it mostly pertained to slaves, but during Chopin's time period, woman's rights was also a big issue for society. Women were often times constrained to their husband's wishes and had to do what they said. I think that Mrs. Mallard was happy her husband was presumably dead because she was ready to be "free" as she says and not forced to follow his rules and regulations anymore.

Chopin, Kate. "The Story of an Hour" Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Ph.D. and Douglas Fisher, Ph.D. Glencoe Literature. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 554-555. Print.

Wayne, Tiffany K. "'Address at the Woman's Rights Convention'." Encyclopedia of Transcendentalism. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Project Blog #8 - Willa Cather “from O Pioneers!”

Although Willa Cather's "O Pioneers!" is a rather long novel, the overall theme and plot of the story is very interesting and rather heart-breaking. The short excerpt reminded me of the story "The Grapes of Wrath". Because the novel focuses on a drought that effects a family and ultimately tears them apart, it can be said that struggle and perseverance were highly demonstrated by the main character, Alexandra. She is left with a tough decision after her father dies and leaves the farmland to her and her brothers. Emil, her brother, advises her to move from Nebraska in hopes of finding more prosperous land. Being the independent, strong, well-rounded, self-reliant, and dedicated young woman she was, she stuck to her gut instinct, which later resulted in promising crops in the future.

When compared to the philosophies of Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, "O Pioneer" more strongly reflects the ideas of Thoreau. The setting of the novel played a strong role in the overall theme played in the story. Nature had a lot to do with the character's actions and thoughts. Thoreau highly valued nature and it can be seen in the following quote by Thoreau, "unhandselled nature is worth more even by our modes of valuation than our improvements are," (Goodman). I think that Thoreau saw nature as something precious and natural. Like in "O Pioneers" the characters of the novel rely on nature, like the land, seeds, and rainfall, as an important part of the measure of success they feel in life. The drought proved to be very hard on the family in the end. In the latter quote, Thoreau points out that the natural, beautiful picture of nature is single-handily the most valuable thing in our life. I think that "realistic" concept "O Pioneers" demonstrates with the importance of nature only further signifies the imp

act such beauty really plays on families lives, more so then than now. Unfortunately, technology has almost wrapped its hands around natural beauty and replaced it with man's loathed items. This work from Cather helps further preserve the wonder held in nature.


Willa, Cather."O Pioneer." American Literature. Columbus: Mc-Graw Hill, 2009. 488-489. Print.

Goodman, Russell, "Ralph Waldo Emerson", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2011 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.)

Project Blog #7 - An Occurrence at Old Creek Bridge

"An Occurrence at Old Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce highly defines the realism time period because of its realistic characteristics. The story is about a man on the Confederate army being fooled by "Confederates", who actually turn out to be Yankees (Bierce). The young man is hanged, but the author catches the audiences attention by using literary methods known as flash-back and flash-forward. The realistic detail in the story also adds to its realism qualities. The author, according to Brett Barney, himself once served in the Civil War army (Barney). This detail seems rather minor, but plays a huge part in the realistic appeal the story portrays. The young man in the story, Farquhar, does not believe in slavery (Bierce). He feels it is wrong, which ultimately ties in with the ideas of Ralph Waldo Emerson. In Emerson's "American Slavery" speech, he addresses the issues of slavery and the sin that comes along with the heinous act (Koch). It is clear that the literary figure is against slavery and wishes for its demise. This philosophy is also very similar to that of Henry David Thoreau. He believed people could take an individual stand on slavery and be civil disobedient about the issue (Wayne). Resisting the government, or in this case, the south's stand on slavery, the young man in the story is ultimately portraying the philosophies of both Emerson and Thoreau.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story because of its interesting use of flash-forward as well as flash-back. It is interesting to see the man's conscience going forward to his family and putting himself in a "safe" environment. Reality hits the young man when at the end of the story readers learn that he is hanged for his apparent wrong-doing. The story itself is rather sad, but I think that is what gives it its realism quality. Reality cannot always be happy, as the young man mentally thought. Reality is sometimes harsh and cruel which is demonstrated at the end of the story.

Barney, Brett, and Lisa Paddock, eds. "Bierce, Ambrose."Encyclopedia of American Literature: The Age of Romanticism and Realism, 1816–1895, vol. 2, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008.Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Koch, Daniel Robert. "'American Slavery'." Critical Companion to Ralph Waldo Emerson: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2010.Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Bierce, Ambrose. "Fiction: An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." Fiction: The EServer Fiction Collection. Web. 16 Feb. 2012.

Wayne, Tiffany K. "'Civil Disobedience'." Encyclopedia of Transcendentalism. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc

.

Project Blog #6 - Letter to His Family

In Robert E. Lee's "Letter to his Son", Lee expresses the dismal of the Union's fall. It is evident that he fears the Union will erupt into war and fighting due to the growing tension and arguing over secession and slavery. These two issues took its toll on the United States, and Lee sees a Civil War breaking between the North and the South. "I must try and be patient and await the end, for I can do nothing to hasten or retard it," (Lee). In this phrase, Lee basically says that evil is upon the states, and that his only option is to sit back and let the fighting take its toll. When one reads this letter to his family, it is evident that he loves his country and does not wish to see it fall in ruins. Before reading this, I always had the perception that Lee was a strong advocate for slavery and its evils, but now it is self-evident that he strongly loved America and felt grateful for the framer's of the Constitution for providing such a proficient document. For Lee, seeing the Union tear itself apart would be almost terrifying.

Robert E. Lee's letter is very much apart of the realism era. He continually uses simple language and straight-forward grammar which strongly defined the realism time period (Quinn). This is more than likely because he never foresaw his writing to be published for individuals to analyze. But regardless, the letters were personally evading for his family. He gives advice to his son to never back down from what he believes in. This is similar to the ideas of both Thoreau and Emerson. In Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" and Emerson's "Self-Reliance" qualities of sticking up for what is right is consistently portrayed.

Lee's letter put things in perspective for America at the time. The South time and time again went against the north to the point that war was the only way to solve the dilemma of slavery. Men were treated like dirt, yet it took thousands of lives lost to get anything solved over the issue. By following the example Lee portrays in his letter, the South could have avoided war with the North and compromise to save the humanity and dignity of countless African Americans.

Quinn, Edward. "Realism and Naturalism in American Literature." A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Online. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gfflithem0707&SingleRecord=True. February 15, 2012.

Lee, Robert E. "Letter to His Sons." Glencoe American Literature. comp. Wilhelm, Jeffery. McGraw Hill. Columbus, OH. 2009. pg. 385.

Project Blog #5 - Ain't I A Woman?

"Ain't I A Woman" by Sojourner Truth advocates the idea of woman's rights. She explains to the audience that she hears so many white men claiming how a woman should be treated, but reacts with her own account of how those ideas are really played out. It is obvious that Truth does not wish to sit back and take constant discrimination from society. In one statement, Truth points out that whites claim to have so much "intellect", but if they really possessed such qualities, they would not treat blacks, especially African-American woman, the way that they do (Truth). Consistently throughout her debate, Truth says the words, "and ain't I a woman?". She questions why so many whites claim that women deserve respect, but she herself does not feel that respect too?

As far as Truth's writing style, it can be easily compared to that of Realism. This characteristic of writing is best portrayed through simple and straightforward qualities (Anderson). In her speech, Truth uses reality as an example of her support for women's suffrage. Discrimination at the time was not an idea, but simply what countless African American's went through.

Truth continues in her sermon about the idea that African-Americans should band together and fight against the segregation and discrimination they continually go through. She says that God is on her side, and if woman had the power to mess up the entire world's fate in the beginning, then why should they not have the power to fix it now? This idea links to the philosophy of Henry David Thoreau. He believes that the common man, or in this case, woman, should stick up for what is right, regardless of society's opinion. Because of women like Sojourner Truth, African American's rights, both men and women, were granted. It can be granted that Truth knew in the back of her mind that the fight would be an uphill battle, but the end result would be more than any hard time she endured. Her resilience to these troubling events paid off as she became one of America's most predominately known suffrage advocates.

Anderson, George P., Judith S. Baughman, Matthew J. Bruccoli, and Carl Rollyson, eds."regionalism." Encyclopedia of American Literature: Into the Modern: 1896–1945, vol. 3, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Online.

Emerson, Ralph W. "Self-Reliance." Ralph Waldo Emerson Texts. Web. 10 Feb. 2012.

Truth, Sojourner. "And Ain't I a Woman." Comp. Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Ph.D. and Douglas Fisher, Ph.D. Glencoe Literature. American Literature ed. Columbus: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2009. 370. Print.

Project Blog #4 - Slave Gospels

"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot", "Go Down Moses", and "Keep You Hands on the Plow" are all slave gospel songs written during the oppressing times of the nineteenth century. While out in the plantation fields, slaves had very little hope to carry on and not give up. Together, generations of slaves compiled these hymns that gave hope to so many. These hymns reflect part of Ralph Waldo Emerson's philosophy regarding Christianity. He was a firm Christian who was employed as a minister for some time (Sanford). Characteristics of being of Christian faith were strongly portrayed through his philosophies and lifestyle. He believed that men should be treated equal regardless of their beliefs or background (Stanford). Many of the slaves working in the cotton fields put their faith in Jesus Christ. They knew that suffering and hardship would continue to come their way for a long while, so by believing that Christ would help "carry them home", as stated in "Swing Low" ("Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"), they were less likely to give up any thought of freedom. The Christian comparison made between these three gospels and the philosophy of Emerson can further be exemplified through "Go Down Moses". "Let my people go," as portrayed in this song, is repeated multiple times. The slaves, as people, felt the desire to be treated as human beings and not like dirt. They yearned to break free from the chains of their masters. Emerson, as stated by Stanford Education, believes that the church is responsible for helping those in need and not letting people suffer ("Go Down Moses").

The songs sang by the slaves are unique examples of history's way of working itself out. They never gave up hope, and like Emerson believed, put all of their faith in God and felt that He would not fail in getting them out of slavery. Emerson may have not showed his Christian beliefs in all of his writing, but because he was brought up as such, his morals and beliefs were weaved into his every day life and philosophy (Stanford).

Anonymous. "Go Down, Moses." Glencoe Literature. Comp. Jeffrey Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Columbus; McGraw-Hill, 2010. 345. Print.

Anonymous. "Keep You Hands on the Plow." Glencoe Literature. Comp. Jeffrey Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Columbus; McGraw-Hill, 2010. 346. Print.

Anonymous. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." Glencoe Literature. Comp. Jeffrey Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Columbus; McGraw-Hill, 2010. 344. Print.

Goodman, Russell, "Ralph Waldo Emerson", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2011 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.)

Project Blog #3 - Calvary Crossing a Ford

In the "Calvary Crossing a Ford", Walt Whitman describes the rough journey that the soldiers in the Civil War had to endure while fighting to preserve the Union. This demonstrates the philosophy of Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau believes that individuals should stick up for what they believe in and for what is right. It is even said that paying the ultimate price, such as death, is important in one's life. In order to relate the common theme, being civil-disobedient, once must have knowledge of the American Civil War. The original intent of the war was to preserve the Union. The Union was split due to the ongoing issue of slavery (Civil War Beginning). The brave and valiant men on the North's side fought for the freedom of the three million slaves who endured countless drudgery and discrimination. In Whitman's poem, he describes the "serpentine course" the soldiers have to cross in their journey (Whitman). His interesting and unique description demonstrates Whitman's respect he has for the brave army. The Union soldiers demonstrate a philosophy known to Henry David Thoreau as civil-disobedience, or standing up for what one believes. Thoreau is widely known for his practice of this virtue. During the Civil War, many men had to give their lives for what they believed in. This war demonstrated the fact that many United States citizens felt strongly about putting an end to slavery for good. Slavery is morally wrong and inhumane, and for the nineteenth century Union armies, sticking up for this belief was worth putting one's life on the line. This poem by Walt Whitman reflects the lives lost, but not in vain, during the Civil War. The armies insight into the good-sided human instinct widely follows Thoreau's philosophy. It is important that society grasp the importance of self-intuition because it played a vital role in how the history of America, like the journey for the soldiers, played out. The "silvery river" that American's were faced with ultimately determined whether self-sacrifice was more important than economic success (Whitman).

"Civil War Beginning." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 8 Feb. 2012.

Whitman, Walt. "118. Cavalry Crossing a Ford. Whitman, Walt. 1900. Leaves of Grass." Bartleby.com: Great Books Online -- Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and Hundreds More. Web. 08 Feb. 2012.

Project Blog #2 - The Gettysburg Address

Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" signifies the philosophy of Henry David Thoreau, and that is the philosophical idea of civil disobedience. In Lincoln's speech, the president addresses the nation as one whole. He states that the men who "gave their lives" on the hallowed ground stood up for something that many believed was not wrong to do. Although Lincoln does not address the issue of slavery literally, it is widely known one of the main reasons the Civil War took place was on the issue of slavery and whether or not its justifiable.

One can compare Lincoln's address to Thoreau's philosophy of civil disobedience because he was an individual that stood up for the cause of a minority feeling the oppression of a society that was full of discrimination. The South was all for the idea of slavery, saying that it was economically efficient and caused no harm. Lincoln on the other hand demonstrates in his Gettysburg speech that the men, who gave their lives to restore a Union falling apart because of something as viscous as slavery, deserve so much credit and recognition. He feels that slavery is considerably wrong and cruel, so he defends the slaves and belongs on a side that was not always the most favored in the nation. Thoreau believes that an individual should not let an unjust crime go unnoticed and untouched. He feels that people should stick up for what is morally right.

The connection between Lincoln's speech and Thoreau's philosophy is strikingly similar when it comes down to the idea that doing what is right, even if it is not the popular decision, always pays off. According to Ray Graves, Thoreau believes that all citizens have the responsibility to do what's right. Lincoln further demonstrates this philosophy of Thoreau because he speaks up for those (slaves) who have no voice in a society powered by discrimination and economic, money-hungry plantation owners. His willingness to portray civil disobedience, even in a time of complete turmoil and national disaster, portrays the side of Lincoln that earned him a spot as one of history's most phenomenal presidents.

Lincoln, Abraham, and Roy P. Basler. "The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln."NetINS Showcase. Abraham Lincoln Online. Web. 07 Feb. 2012.

Graves, Roy Neil. "Responsibility in 'Civil Disobedience'." McClinton-Temple, Jennifer ed. Encyclopedia of Themes in Literature. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2011. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

100th Blog! - Frederick Douglass - Speech

In Frederick Douglass's "The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro", many interesting points are made that signifies the philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson. First off, according to Stanford University, Emerson's philosophy is highly structured around "self-reliance" (Stanford). He believes that in order for an individual to do something outstanding or make a good point, they must first come to terms with the fact that they are significant. Emerson basically says that confidence and an overall understanding of one's abilities to achieve greatness is in order before anything great can come from it. In Douglass's speech, he states that the Fourth of July means nothing to them because they lack the freedom that all other white men have. "What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim," (Douglass). This day of celebration regarding freedom and victory mocks the common slave each and every year that they continue to labor in cotton fields and answer to their slaveholders.

Douglass motivates the slaves and points out that whites are claiming to live a life full of liberty and independence while blacks are simply tossed aside and treated unfairly. I think that like Emerson says, the blacks see the Fourth as their "self-reliance". They realize that none of them enjoy the freedom and liberty that comes along with the celebration of the Fourth.

Overall, I believe that Emerson's philosophy highly reflects Douglass's speech in the fact that both regard coming to terms with something that hinders greatness. For Emerson, it was realizing the true potential of one's self, while for the slaves, it was realizing that the United States was not the "land of the free" but rather a country full of oppression and inequality. Frederick Douglass's speech ultimately motivated slaves enough to realize that for them, freedom would come at a cost more devastating than the American Revolution.

Douglass, Frederick. "Africans in America." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. International Publishers Co. Web. 07 Feb. 2012.

Goodman, Russell, "Ralph Waldo Emerson", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2011 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.)

Reflection Blog - Civil Disobedience (Thoreau)

Henry David Thoreau I think puts it best when he says, "that government is best which governs least," (Thoreau). His essay entitled "Civil Disobedience" revolves around the United States' government's corrupt stand on two major issues, slavery and war. Thoreau feels that slavery is morally wrong and he does not agree with the practices of such evils. In an act of protest, Thoreau refuses to pay taxes to the government. They (being the government) lock him up in jail overnight. "Civil Disobedience" provides readers with a number of themes. First, is the idea of justification for what is wrong and what is right. Thoreau feels that the government puts into place a number of rules and obligations that are not fail. He does not agree with the fact that American is going to war with Mexico over a dispute of land in a territory that ultimately belonged to Mexico in the first place. During the Mexican War, the United States gained two-thirds the size of American in territory from Mexico. We treated Mexico as the underdogs. They had no chance of winning a war against an army that outnumbered them, had better weaponry, and a good majority of the nation that supported them. Thoreau thinks that winning the internal "war" with the government is ultimately impossible. In part I of his essay, the author states that voting is like "that of gaming, like checkers or backgammon," (Thoreau). When one votes, they vote for who they believe is right, but Thoreau compares this mindset to making a move in checkers and that move you find to be the best at the time does not always result in the right one in the end. This comparison can be compared to government. Take for instance the Republican nomination occurring right now. Romney and the other candidates are enthralling the public with ideas of good deeds and public funding, but more than likely if we vote any of them (along with any other faction of presidency) into office, their great ideas will eventually fall through the floor. I love Thoreau's quote, "but we love better to talk about it: that we say is our mission," (Thoreau). This statement is boldly true. The issues of slavery during this time period was so blatantly ignored and tossed around that when the issue was finally resolved, it took a full-scale war to subside the issue. In one literary criticism by Brett Barney, he states that Thoreau's essay became a "precedent" for generations to come. Civil right's leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., and peace advocate Mohandas Gandhi used Thoreau's essay as support for the social issue in which they were addressing. He not only addresses the issue of slavery and war, but also includes an important theme of not letting the big guys in Washington have all the power simply because they possess obscure amounts of money and fame. Overall, Thoreau makes outstanding points in his work regarding one's moral obligation to stand up for what is right, regardless of the majority vote that holds back complete justification.

Barney, Brett, and Lisa Paddock, eds. "'Civil Disobedience'."Encyclopedia of American Literature: The Age of Romanticism and Realism, 1816–1895, vol. 2, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008.Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Thoreau, Hendry D. "Thoreau's Civil Disobedience." The Thoreau Reader. Web. 26 Jan. 2012.

Journal #26 - Breakin the Rules

I think that there are a variety of scenarios when it is actually okay to break the law. If a homeless man has tried so hard to apply for a job but ends up down on his luck, I think that it would be okay to let his steal and break the law. This situation is extremely different from someone who goes to the grocery store and takes some type of item, puts it in their bag, then walks off with it simply for the reason of self sufficiency. Like everyone says, rules are meant to be broken. My opinion of what should be a law and what should not definitely fluctuates with that of the government. I think as a nation, we do pretty well helping our homeless and less fortunate, but sometimes there are always people who go unnoticed and are unable to provide for themselves sufficiently. Like Mr. Langley said in class, the case of a mother unable to provide for her child is not okay. In this case it is more than alright for her to steal, which in turn is breaking the law. Not now nor ever will I be an advocate for breaking the law time and time again, but when it is a healthy life or malnourished life on the hands of a mother, there is a sufficient amount of justification. I can say that I have "broken the law" more than once throughout my life. I have failed to wear a safety belt when driving down the street to church. I I have gone over the speed limit more than once on a variety of occasion. Most of my law mishaps have happened in a car, but overall there is no reason why they should have been broken. People say that going five over the speed limit is okay, and if you are only going down the block, then what is the problem of not wearing a seat belt? It is not okay do to these things, but in my case, I broke these rules because I simply felt they were not necessary. I think that when it comes to the overall well-being of the individual, breaking the rules is sometimes necessary.

Reflection Blog: The Minister in the Black Veil

One of the more famous writer's during the Dark Romanticism era was Nathaniel Hawthorne. His masterpiece "The Minister in the Black Veil" symbolizes sin and the human's natural inclination to disregard this so called "sin" and just go on with one's happy life. In the beginning of the story, one of the character's describes Mr. Hooper, a local pastor, and a peculiar black veil he wore while preaching a sermon. "How strange," said a lady, "that a simple black veil, such as any woman might wear on her bonnet, should become such a terrible thing on Mr. Hooper's face," (Hawthorne). It can be said that Hawthorne used Mr. Hooper's black veil as a symbol. First of all, the distinguishing color, black, sets the veil apart for a number of reasons. During the Dark Romanticism period, literature and the figures portrayed in said literature were, well...dark. Much like the color black has become a symbol of death and evil, the black in the pastor's veil symbolizes sin. Everyday sin, in my opinion, includes indulging one's self in worldly things, like watching too much television, focusing more on texting instead of reading the bible, or even disrespecting others around you. This type of behavior has become so accustomed to today's society that is hard to notice it blatantly day in and day out. Much like the veil Mr. Hooper wears, we as humans fail to see a sin that becomes a habitual part of our daily lives. This mindset so strongly reflects the Dark Romanticism era. Instead of portraying man as a happy and benevolent creature, writers began to demonstrate the evil that lurks and lingers in almost every individual. The black veil that Mr. Hooper wore and never took off made individuals in the town realize that a hidden sin lies behind everyone. The author intended to make a point, which is understanding that nobody is perfect and we all have secrets held captive by pride and justification. Toward the end of the short story, Mr. Hooper lies on his deathbed when a young minister asks if he will take off his veil one last time to reveal his face. Even in the midst of death, the pastor refuses to give up his veil. "'Never!' cried the veiled clergyman. 'On earth, never,'" (Hawthorne). I think that the town's people found Mr. Hooper to be a role model in a sense. He realized that on earth, he was a terrible sinner. He saw past the dark romantic of the era and accepted his sins wishing to show other's that no one was perfect. Nathaniel Hawthorne's Dark Romantic novel consists of characteristics such as evil, darkness, and death that defined the era as a whole. These qualities uniquely sets the dark romantic era from the previous romantic time period that too swept the country in literature, artwork, and society. The "dark veil" was no costume for poor Mr. Hooper. It was symbol for much more. As a pastor, he realized that the townspeople were losing faith and hope. I think he thought his dignified decision to never reveal himself from under the veil was very wise and admirable and teaches Hawthorne's audience that people may seem perfect on the outside, but on the inside they hide a great deal of "secret sin".

Hawthorne,, Nathaniel. "The Minister's Black Veil, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, 1836." Eldritch Press. Web. 24 Jan. 2012

Journal #25 - Fear

I think that fear is a universal feeling that everyone gets. Whether someone is fearful of ghosts, bullying, or even failure, people all around the world have something that bothers them to the point where its scary. When I think of the word fear, I think of fear.net on OnDemand. They always have the stupidest and cheesiest movies I have ever seen in my entire life. I remember watching some movie called the Midnight Meat Train that was about a crazy and psycho guy that lived on a train and killed anyone who was on the train past two am. Stupidest plot in the whole entire world. The graphics were terrible in the production and the actors probably had the IQ of ehh...maybe zero. As far as what I am fearful of, I am scared of the dark outside at my house. It is the scariest thing. I am not lying. The freakiest thing is driving down Koke Mill at eleven o'clock at night seeing the fog gather in the dip of the bridge. I really hate writing this blog because it is so hard for me to come up with things that scare me. I am not scared of anything. I am so unfearful it is not even the slightest bit funny. I can say that I was scared out of my mind this weekend at the City tournament. We got booed out the student section because Springfield High School does not know how to be spiritful. I have made up so many words in this blog that I am fearful of my grammar. Is this 325 words yet? It is so scary how I feel like I have been typing forever then I only compile 272 words. It is probably the most frustrating thing in the whole entire world. Anyway, I am not so scared of much in my life. I guess I am perfect. This was a very interesting topic for a blog. Thanks, Mr. Langley.