Throughout British literature poetry is used to express. I'm going to compare three poems that refer back to classic tales for women, each from a different period of British literature. How do these poems reflect women?
In the Romantic Period, "Ode to Psyche" by John Keats refers to the mythological story of Psyche, a beautiful woman whom Cupid falls in love with and becomes a goddess. The narrator of the story is enamored by Psyche and goes into great detail of her beauty, "loveliest vision," "my own eyes inspired," thy voice, thy lute," etc.
In the Victorian Period, "The Lady of Shelott" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson refers back to the medieval tale of King Arthur and Lancelot. Lady Shelott is cursed to weave in a tower the reflection of what she sees in a mirror of what's behind her. She sees Lancelot and sacrifices her life to escape the tower and be with him. The narrator of this poem uses colorful words, emphasising description, "four grey walls, and four grey towers," "page in crimson clad," "hung in the golden Galaxy," etc.
In the Modernist Period, "Leda the Swan" by William Butler Yates refers to the mythological story of Zeus coming to Leda as a Swam. Leda was the most beautiful woman, so of course Zeus had to come rape her. The child becomes Helen of Troy. The poem focuses on specific body parts often, "her thighs caressed," "her nape caught in his bill," "terrified vague fingers," etc.
In all three of these poems the women appear to be the victims of something due to their beauty as a woman, their misfortune in love, or both. Psyche must work for Cupids love, yet the author would love to keep her. Lady Shelott must not look at the town or die. She chooses to die for Lancelot, who loves someone else. Leda is rapes by a swan, yet the poem makes it sound as if she almost allows it in some ways. All three of these women almost brought their misfortunes upon themselves. It appears the woman of these three poems make poor choices in respect to love.
Also the language of the poems reflect something as well. "Ode to Psyche" used beautiful, emotional words. This is normal for the Romantic period and its idealistic, imaginative ways. "The Lady of Shelott" is detailed and shows a woman's relation to her duty, common in the Victorian period. "Leda and the Swan" is rather graphic and realistic. This reflects the Modernists broken and harsh views.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
British Literature Flashbacks
This semester in Britist Literature we've covered three main periods: the Romantic Period, the Victorian Period, and the Modernist Period. Each contrasting the others in it's own way. Let's take a blog to have a flash back on British Literature has evolved...
First there was the Romantic Period (1789-1830). This period was characterized by imagination, emotion, idealism, inclusion of everyone, and everything was fluid. Everything about this period was new and opposite from everything before it. Much of the texts we covered in this period had political opinions. However I'm not really into politics so my favorite text we covered was Ode to e Grecian Urn by John Keats. I enjoyed how it covered art as a way to leave something behind, a way to preserve memories.
Next came the Victorian Period (1830-1901). This was an age caught up in technological jumps and urbanization. Everything was expected to be proper and polite at all times. Tradition was valued above all. I really enjoyed how many writers of this period brought a duality to their characters. No one was entirely good or entire bad. My favorite was My The Last Duchess by Robert Browning. The Duke could be seen from so many different angles. He could be a murderer or he could be a broken hearted lover. He could be egotistical or he could be vulnerable.
Last we covered the Modernist Period (1914-1938). Modernists had an elitist view where only a select few could understand what many of their writers were talking about. They were atheistic, random, divided in their person, and full of brokenness. With the Great War going on a lot of the literature was reflecting on war. My favorite text was Hap by Thomas Hardy. It is a poem angry at god. All of us have question god at some point, and I enjoyed Hardy's reflection on it in a poem.
So that's are moment to reminisce on British Literature! Certainly covered some extraordinary writers and texts. We've see how literature changes and evolves through time. Literature is even still changing!
First there was the Romantic Period (1789-1830). This period was characterized by imagination, emotion, idealism, inclusion of everyone, and everything was fluid. Everything about this period was new and opposite from everything before it. Much of the texts we covered in this period had political opinions. However I'm not really into politics so my favorite text we covered was Ode to e Grecian Urn by John Keats. I enjoyed how it covered art as a way to leave something behind, a way to preserve memories.
Next came the Victorian Period (1830-1901). This was an age caught up in technological jumps and urbanization. Everything was expected to be proper and polite at all times. Tradition was valued above all. I really enjoyed how many writers of this period brought a duality to their characters. No one was entirely good or entire bad. My favorite was My The Last Duchess by Robert Browning. The Duke could be seen from so many different angles. He could be a murderer or he could be a broken hearted lover. He could be egotistical or he could be vulnerable.
Last we covered the Modernist Period (1914-1938). Modernists had an elitist view where only a select few could understand what many of their writers were talking about. They were atheistic, random, divided in their person, and full of brokenness. With the Great War going on a lot of the literature was reflecting on war. My favorite text was Hap by Thomas Hardy. It is a poem angry at god. All of us have question god at some point, and I enjoyed Hardy's reflection on it in a poem.
So that's are moment to reminisce on British Literature! Certainly covered some extraordinary writers and texts. We've see how literature changes and evolves through time. Literature is even still changing!
Scrooge-iness
In A Christmas Carol, the character of Scrooge is well known as a penny pencher. He certainly had his share of sad experiences that led him to be so and also his own faults that he allowed to flourish. I've certainly seen my share of Scrooge's and shown a little Scrooge myself.
For almost three years now I've had the glorious job of a waitress. Actually having the job completely changes your view of the job. It's hard work dealing with people on the level we do. People very often forget we are people too; souls and all. Just like how Scrooge over looked his clerks person in A Christmas Carol. We very often have been working hours upon hours on our feet for a "generous" 10%.
People hold many false beliefs about servers. Many people would like to say "Oh, waiters can make hundreds of dollars in a night! My penny penching won't hurt them!" Wrong. Rural areas don't have high tippers. Also, it's not your waiters fault if you don't like the food. It's the kitchen staffs. We get around $2.50 an hour. The rest of our pay entire depends on our customers. Side thought- if you and your spouse are fighting, don't come out to eat. It's just awkward for your server to deal with.
Overall, servers work harder than people realize. Mind they do have their bad days, but they're trying to support a families and live out dreams with the tips you give them, and are working for a living just like you. They don't need to be Scrooged.
For almost three years now I've had the glorious job of a waitress. Actually having the job completely changes your view of the job. It's hard work dealing with people on the level we do. People very often forget we are people too; souls and all. Just like how Scrooge over looked his clerks person in A Christmas Carol. We very often have been working hours upon hours on our feet for a "generous" 10%.
People hold many false beliefs about servers. Many people would like to say "Oh, waiters can make hundreds of dollars in a night! My penny penching won't hurt them!" Wrong. Rural areas don't have high tippers. Also, it's not your waiters fault if you don't like the food. It's the kitchen staffs. We get around $2.50 an hour. The rest of our pay entire depends on our customers. Side thought- if you and your spouse are fighting, don't come out to eat. It's just awkward for your server to deal with.
Overall, servers work harder than people realize. Mind they do have their bad days, but they're trying to support a families and live out dreams with the tips you give them, and are working for a living just like you. They don't need to be Scrooged.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
I believe everyone is familiar with the classic story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde written by Robert Lewis Stevenson. What I find most startling is how Stevenson is emphasising the duality of characters, however Hyde is only portrayed in the light of evil through the other characters eyes. Why is it that Stevenson left out the personal account of Hyde yet allowed the other characters to have multiple dimensions?
I believe Hyde is may be portrayed as evil so that we will stop and think. When we're catching personal accounts from all the characters but one, it is possible Stevenson was doing this so we would dig deeper about the character of Hyde. Is Hyde truly evil? Or are we just not getting the details needed to see him in a fair light?
It is also possible Stevenson characterized Hyde in pure evil so that in our questioning we would relate it to ourselves. How often do we judge others as "black" or "white" without knowing the details. Often we will make assumptions of people from that a friend has said with out having a real conversation with the person. Perhaps it has a social lesson mixed in.
Overall it's very interesting how Stevenson chose to cast Hyde with out a personal account and in pure evil. Whether it be for contrast in the characters, to make us think, or to teach us a lesson, Hyde's character certainly has caught our attention in this classic.
I believe Hyde is may be portrayed as evil so that we will stop and think. When we're catching personal accounts from all the characters but one, it is possible Stevenson was doing this so we would dig deeper about the character of Hyde. Is Hyde truly evil? Or are we just not getting the details needed to see him in a fair light?
It is also possible Stevenson characterized Hyde in pure evil so that in our questioning we would relate it to ourselves. How often do we judge others as "black" or "white" without knowing the details. Often we will make assumptions of people from that a friend has said with out having a real conversation with the person. Perhaps it has a social lesson mixed in.
Overall it's very interesting how Stevenson chose to cast Hyde with out a personal account and in pure evil. Whether it be for contrast in the characters, to make us think, or to teach us a lesson, Hyde's character certainly has caught our attention in this classic.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Peom on Spring Allergies
Having read many peoms lately, I feel somewhat inspired to write one of my own. The following poem is in reflect on my spring allergies. I'm no poet, but this was fun!
Spring is Here
The flowers bloom in full color,
Freshly green they greet on another.
Their yellow dust coats the out of doors.
I feel my throat is growing sores.
My nose begins to sneeze;
the flowers I want to sqeeze.
I feel my eyes itch,
and down my brows begin to twitch.
Many medicines I do try,
But their failure leads me to cry.
Tissues cover my floors,
And left undone are my chores.
The rain cannot keep it at bay;
It gives them more energy to play.
I'll simply sleep through this season,
Due to my allergies fuzzy reason.
Spring is Here
The flowers bloom in full color,
Freshly green they greet on another.
Their yellow dust coats the out of doors.
I feel my throat is growing sores.
My nose begins to sneeze;
the flowers I want to sqeeze.
I feel my eyes itch,
and down my brows begin to twitch.
Many medicines I do try,
But their failure leads me to cry.
Tissues cover my floors,
And left undone are my chores.
The rain cannot keep it at bay;
It gives them more energy to play.
I'll simply sleep through this season,
Due to my allergies fuzzy reason.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Following Romney's Dreams
Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote a poem "Aurora Leigh" that is a Kunstlerroman, or coming of age story for an artist. Aurora's life is paralleled with E.B.B.'s own life. Aurora faces a fork in the road when she realizes her life's dream is to become a respected poet. Romney proposes to her and she declines his offer. Being with him would mean her own dreams wouldn't be allowed, she would only be helping him accomplish his own. There is no doubt we have all had those moments where we have to encounter our Romney and explain our dreams or accept his.
My mothers always wanted me to become a doctor or scientist. Doctors make a lot of money after all. However I have the habit of passing out around blood. My father would like for me to do something I love. I love talking with people about their lives. Perhaps a psychologist would be the thing for me. However my father has his masters in counseling and pointed out it's a very depressing career listening to peoples problems, addictions, and secrets day in and day out. Of my four siblings only my oldest sister has accomplished her goals, or she was the only one that had any. My brothers simply work odd jobs here and there. None of my other family members have done anything to brag about either. My father would love to be able to say his daughter was a doctor, or rocket scientist, and I'm sure my mother would like very much to know I had achieved some genius degree that pays loads of money. With the intention of accomplishing things to make my family proud I am majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry and psychology. Hopefully I'll become a children's dentist one day (I can deal with that amount of blood).
I'm going into my junior year and I've began thinking alto about what I want and need for myself. I sometimes doubt whether I enjoy science as much as someone majoring in it should. My grades are good, but to be a genius doctor you need a GPA above a 4.0 no doubt. Getting into med school is extremely competitive. Every time I bring up this topic with my parents I'm always told to just focus on my grades. I refuse to quit on a degree I've began, but will it make me happy in the end to do this the rest of my life? In a way I feel like an Aurora who is engaged to her Romney. An Aurora who has put someone else before herself. I'm a Tabitha committed to making her family proud and setting a new tone for my family's achievements.
My mothers always wanted me to become a doctor or scientist. Doctors make a lot of money after all. However I have the habit of passing out around blood. My father would like for me to do something I love. I love talking with people about their lives. Perhaps a psychologist would be the thing for me. However my father has his masters in counseling and pointed out it's a very depressing career listening to peoples problems, addictions, and secrets day in and day out. Of my four siblings only my oldest sister has accomplished her goals, or she was the only one that had any. My brothers simply work odd jobs here and there. None of my other family members have done anything to brag about either. My father would love to be able to say his daughter was a doctor, or rocket scientist, and I'm sure my mother would like very much to know I had achieved some genius degree that pays loads of money. With the intention of accomplishing things to make my family proud I am majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry and psychology. Hopefully I'll become a children's dentist one day (I can deal with that amount of blood).
I'm going into my junior year and I've began thinking alto about what I want and need for myself. I sometimes doubt whether I enjoy science as much as someone majoring in it should. My grades are good, but to be a genius doctor you need a GPA above a 4.0 no doubt. Getting into med school is extremely competitive. Every time I bring up this topic with my parents I'm always told to just focus on my grades. I refuse to quit on a degree I've began, but will it make me happy in the end to do this the rest of my life? In a way I feel like an Aurora who is engaged to her Romney. An Aurora who has put someone else before herself. I'm a Tabitha committed to making her family proud and setting a new tone for my family's achievements.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Connecting and Seperating
In the Victorian Era in Britain, the people of the age were caught in a worlewind of technology and innovation. Trains were cutting travel times drastically. This led to fasted transportation of not only people but also of goods and ideas. Factories were changing production from individually crafted to mass produced. Not only changing production but also the lives of people. People were cramming into the cities. With other inventions such as the telegraphy, photography, and steam ships, everything was being touched by change. Some people adapted with these changes. Others fought them with all their might. In our lifetime we've seen the Facebook revolution in its fullest. How has Facebook effected our lives?
Before Facebook communication was mainly done via telephone, email, or personal interaction. But since its creation, it has changed the way we communicate forever, just like the Victorian Era's communication. Facebook began as a college social network (as anyone would know who has seen "The Social Network"). It quickly spread to be worldwide. I personally feel Facebook has connected us and separated us in many ways.
Now it is common to here the phrase "Facebook me" or "did you see what so-and-so put on Facebook?" We find out more about people on facebook than in real life. I can watch my baby nephew growing up on my sister's Facebook page without so much as ever even seeing him. I can chat with my friend in Denmark with out ever even hearing her laugh.
There is no doubt we are connected to each other more than ever through Facebook, but how has it damaged communication? I know a number of friends who will talk on Facebook with a new friend and later realize that person never talks to them in actual passing on the Quad. What will we say on Facebook that we would never really say? Businesses often research a perspective employee on Facebook before hiring. I personally have a friend who wasn't hired for a teaching position due to a photo of her holding a drink from years before. Facebook is a personal archive. Perhaps too personal.
Like a said, there is no doubt Facebook is connecting us. But it is also destroying communication skills. Some people don't understand that EVERYONE can see what they put on Facebook. Facebook is a tool for communication but should not be relied upon to heavily as our culture is doing. Facebook has changed the way we communicate forever. It's just not that personal anymore.
Before Facebook communication was mainly done via telephone, email, or personal interaction. But since its creation, it has changed the way we communicate forever, just like the Victorian Era's communication. Facebook began as a college social network (as anyone would know who has seen "The Social Network"). It quickly spread to be worldwide. I personally feel Facebook has connected us and separated us in many ways.
Now it is common to here the phrase "Facebook me" or "did you see what so-and-so put on Facebook?" We find out more about people on facebook than in real life. I can watch my baby nephew growing up on my sister's Facebook page without so much as ever even seeing him. I can chat with my friend in Denmark with out ever even hearing her laugh.
There is no doubt we are connected to each other more than ever through Facebook, but how has it damaged communication? I know a number of friends who will talk on Facebook with a new friend and later realize that person never talks to them in actual passing on the Quad. What will we say on Facebook that we would never really say? Businesses often research a perspective employee on Facebook before hiring. I personally have a friend who wasn't hired for a teaching position due to a photo of her holding a drink from years before. Facebook is a personal archive. Perhaps too personal.
Like a said, there is no doubt Facebook is connecting us. But it is also destroying communication skills. Some people don't understand that EVERYONE can see what they put on Facebook. Facebook is a tool for communication but should not be relied upon to heavily as our culture is doing. Facebook has changed the way we communicate forever. It's just not that personal anymore.
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