What I’ve Learned This Semester

I feel like what I’ve learned this semester wasn’t so much about the subjects that we studied, but more about my own process as a writer. While I learned some new stories, plays, and poems, I think the most important thing I’ve learned is how to express my thoughts about things like that more effectively. I think it’s because I had to write papers for this class, for my other classes, and then write my blog on top of that. I’ve been constantly writing all semester.  I guess writing is kind of like a muscle; if you work with it continuously, you’ll see results. (On a side note- my browser crashed while I was writing this, so I lost a few thoughts) At the same time though, I’m kind of burnt out when it comes to writing about academic subjects. Good thing we get a winter break right? Anyway, this was one of my more enjoyable classes this semester and hopefully I can take what I’ve learned here into classes pertaining to my major.

Finalizing the Research Paper

Like most of you I’m sure, I’m glad to be done with the research paper. I had kind of a difficult time writing it. I think it was because of the sources I chose. I understood what they were saying in their criticism of the story, but it was hard to apply their thoughts to my own in my paper. And having to use their thoughts a minimum of fifteen times was what really got me. I felt like I may have been adding too much information, but I tried to make it flow with my own words. I will say though that using the sources fifteen times made it really easy to reach the five page minimum. I’m definitely glad that I changed the story I was working with. I don’t think I could have written that much about “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings” and for those of you that did kudos to you. Anyway, I’m happy to be done with papers/essays for this semester. Now for the final exam!

Changing my story…

So I was working on my research paper over “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” and I was having a lot of trouble. I chose that story because it seemed the most interesting to me, but at the same time I didn’t fully understand it. So I hate to say it this late in the game, but I think it’s best if I change to a story I know that I can fully understand so I write a better paper. I completely understand “The Lottery” and I have already researched it a bit, so at least I have my foot in the door. With this story things seem to be progressing a lot faster and a lot smoother overall. I hope I didn’t put myself too far behind by changing my story, but from the looks of it I’ll catch up to where I was before pretty soon.

Thoughts on The Lottery…

I know we didn’t go over this in class today, but this story is worth making a post about. I’m not writing my paper over this story, but I figure I should write something about it. As I was reading it, I felt kind of uneasy because I could almost predict where it was going based on the title alone, but I thought I might be wrong. I kind of wanted to be wrong. It’s pretty wild to think that an entire society could have such a warped sense of how things should be done. When we look at it in the story, it’s a sick and twisted sort of game they play, but when you think about it, this kind of behavior has actually happened throughout history. It’s not just a fictional occurrence. As one example of this, I think it was the Aztecs who actually used human sacrifice in some of their rituals. Then awhile later, came the Salem Witch Trials. Another example could be the concentration camps during WWII. During all of these times in history, the societies just watched as people were killed to further what their society viewed as their own self interest. The only example I can think of in modern day society is capital punishment. Is it really right to take someone’s life in the best interest of society? That is a debate in itself. However, I’m sure there are other modern examples I can’t think of at the moment. Point being, we may think it’s ludicrous for a society to randomly kill off it’s citizens, but the line between a fictional story and a real-life society may be thinner than we think.

Beginning Fiction…

I think I remember Mrs. Wood saying that fiction was going to be the hardest form of literature we would work with, but I think it’s going to be my favorite to work with. Why? To be honest, it’s seems like the easiest one to me. Yes, like in poems and in drama you still have all the complicated elements such as symbolism, but I feel like in fiction they are presented to the reader in a straight-forward fashion. Instead of being wrapped up in a package of stage theatrics, punctuation, and different forms of meter, what you need to know is almost served on a silver platter. I’m not saying that understanding fiction is entirely easy because as we all know it can be extremely confusing. What I am saying though is that fiction is like poetry and drama minus all the bells and whistles, meaning its less complicated. Who knows, I might change my mind about it being my favorite once I start my paper, but the words “research paper” tend to make me want to pull my hair  out (I know, it’s a necessary evil), so I don’t know if I’d blame that on fiction alone.

Working with Dramas…

*This post may be a little late because I’m trying to catch up with my blogs, so bear with me.

I’ve never been a huge fan of reading dramas because I would rather see them put into action on a stage. That being said, studying them in class last month was a bit difficult for me. It’s really hard to get into something that’s written in a way that is supposed to be heard/seen. Especially with the language that some of them were written in. For example, in Othello, the language makes it kind of hard to understand, but if I was to see it acted out (with the dialogue spoken in the same language) it would be easier to interpret. Unfortunately, my schedule didn’t allow for me to go see a play for the extra credit. I was actually looking forward to going to one. I know Angel had a bad experience with hers, but did anyone else go see one?

A Glass Menagerie

I was having trouble getting into ‘A Glass Menagerie’ and ‘A Doll’s House’ before we went over them in class today. It’s not that they lack enough action, but I guess after reading Othello first they can’t compare to that kind of drama. That being said, out of the two we went over in class today, I liked ‘A Glass Menagerie’ the best. I think a lot of us can relate to the feeling of wanting to escape at one point or another. Not just from roles imposed on us by society, but also from what is expected from us within our own families. I think even though Tom (the son) escaped from the role he played in his family, he probably assumed another role elsewhere, meaning he would still have certain thing expected of him.

It makes me think of a couple questions:

Do we do things (such as go to college, go to church, etc.) because we truly want to do them or because society tells us we should do them?

No matter where we go or who we interact with, will we always have to assume a role where certain things are expected of us? Will gender always play a part in those roles?

I’d like to know what you guys think.

Thoughts on the Modern Day Othello Movie

It was interesting to see the modern day take on the story of Othello. Watching it made the play easier to understand and easier to relate to for me. I had actually seen the end of the movie before and I wondered why everyone was killing each other.  Yeah, some parts were kind of ridiculous, but people are ridiculous sometimes and think irrationally. For example, there was a murder today by my house. After stabbing his wife 15 times the guy says, “I think I just killed my wife.” When things like that can actually happen in real life, it makes the story of Othello a lot more believable. There are actually people like Iago! In the movie, I think Hugo (Iago) was made out to be a complete villain though. In the play he could be interpreted in many ways.  In the play, Iago’s actions could potentially benefit someone other than himself. In the movie, it was all for his own personal gain. I’ve always had a lack of interest when it comes to Shakespeare, but this play is so intense I kind of like it.

Writing the Poetry Essay

I’d say my biggest challenge yet has been trying to limit how many ideas I throw out into my paper. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so a poem must be worth what…a million? And you can’t jam a million words into an essay. It’s not so much that I have a lot to write, it’s just that I have some thoughts on the poem that don’t necessarily fit the theme I’m going for, so to put them in my paper would be irrelevant.

I guess my biggest success would be that I have yet to get writer’s block (I’m knocking on the wood of my desk right now), which usually happens every time I write anything. Another success would be that I feel like I have enough time to write the paper. On top of that, it’s the only paper I have due for awhile, so it’s getting my full attention.

As far as resources go, the only one I’ve used so far is Ms. Wood’s review of my paper. That in itself is a lot of help (Thanks Ms Wood!). I might use the Student Center on campus for more help, but I have to write up a new draft first. We will see.

Lady Lazarus (Ch 26 Poem)

After reading this in class today I had to choose it as the poem I’d write about. As twisted and morose as it is, Sylvia Plath poured her soul into this poem. I felt uncomfortable sitting there listening to it, but at the same time it was almost as if I understood why she was feeling that way. As we read the line “The peanut-crunching crowd,” I couldn’t help but think, “Aren’t we the same as those who watched her go through her struggles? Are we not being entertained (in an odd way) by this woman’s pain by reading her poetry?” Part of me thinks that’s what she wanted though. If people didn’t help her the in the way she had been hoping for she could always leave her poetry behind to freak them out. She truly was a very troubled woman. I’m not sure what went on in her head, but she really did have this stuff down to an art. It’s like she knew that even if she finally went through with her suicide that people would be there watching (or in this case reading) the aftermath.

Creepy…