Morrison's objective in The Bluest Eye, is to show racial self-loathing by having Pecola perceive that Blue eyes will give her social acceptance and her believing (like everyone around her including her family) that she is ugly. Morrison wants the readers to make a difference in the world by noticing these circumstances and taking a stand to change them so generations will not continue to live in such a negative way. By Morrison showing these situations through the vulnerability of a young, innocent girl, the social problems in society and within families are more poignant.
Also, with having the narrator be a girl, Morrison is able to add her feminist ideas by twisting language in such a way to get what she wants to say across. By juxtaposing the lives led by the prostitutes with the life led by Pecola and her mom, you can really see the contrast in women's roles and where they stand socially. Although the prostitutes would seem to be the outcasts of society, they seem to be living the good life, one even better than Pecola's. In fact, Pecola looks up to them even if they are not the best role models. Well, who else could she turn to? Her mom is not much of a role model either. She quarrels with her husband often and is subjected to the orders of him until she stands up for herself which quickly leads to physical and verbal violence in front of the kids. To deal with these unsettling situations, Pecola's brother simply runs away, while Pecola harbors it inside internally attacking herself with increased self loathing and a longing for beauty because being beautiful would give her a higher social standing. In one spectrum you have the prostitutes who can do whatever they please and seem to be free living the good life while the normal family is deteriorating with bad relationships including a lazy, drunk husband with a wife who wants to free herself from the orders of her husband. Also Pecola's mom would rather work as a housekeeper in a rich, white family's house than in her own. In the white's house she can use all the nice things and pretend to live the life that she wants. This may seem nice, but it just feeds her racial self-loathing which escalates her hatred which she carries out in her own home on her husband and children forever effecting generations to come. Morrison enhances the effect of these circumstances by effectively manipulating language to get the results she wants.
One of the tools Morrison uses is the use of dialect and the slang that the African Americans use in the southern United States. This helps the readers (probably mostly white Americans) to better picture in their minds the people that deal with these circumstances and enlighten their minds to the determination to take action to help dissipate these situations in their society.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
We = The Same
From the documentary, "Race the Power of an Allusion," the idea of "race" is noted as being created socially and is based on the differences that are socially made. These differences can include things like the differences in hair texture and nose structure. In America, other races besides white were at the bottom of the social hierarchy and from this the Eugenics group was made. These Eugenics' goal was to only breed the "best," which were the whites. They called for no intermarriage and believed that if a white intermarried, the kids would have the bad traits of the non-white and therefore would become an outcast to society. In The Bluest Eye, Soaphead Church came from predominately African-American lineage but his family branched out and intermarried with the whites to breed out the black to become a more accepted "white." This is exactly what the Eugenics did not want, but this is what a tribe in Virginia claimed to have done in order to be more socially accepted.
Social acceptance plays a role in the health of human beings. This is explained in the documentary with Hoffman who did not take that into account in his studies of other races. He said the African-American race would become extinct, but there were some major factors that produced these results that if were changed would create alternate results. Hoffman forgot to compensate for the poverty and social neglect that the African-Americans faced. Poverty is unhealthy and can result in death if the poor do not receive enough healthy food and social care. This is what Hoffman based his conclusions on but if the African-Americans were healthy, they would not become extinct. Other scientists in their studies found interesting conclusions about race as well.
As noted in "Race the Power of an Allusion," Cobb found that there were no biological traits to identify African-Americans as negro. It is also noted that there is no way to measure race but people find a way to. This can be seen in the commonly accepted thought that African-Americans have an advantage in sports, as demonstrated by Jesse Owens 1936 Olympics race. However, DNA testing from the documentary showed that 85% of difference in genes is with another person of the same race instead of the commonly held notion that the most difference is with someone from another race. There is also roughly the same diversity within racial groups as without. This leads us to the conclusion that humans are inherently similar and that the differences are between each human being not just between different races. All this being said, racial groups and social astigmatism really affected Pecola in The Bluest Eye.
Pecola really felt the exaggerated differences between her and the whites and even others of her own race. Because she was dubbed as ugly, she desperately wanted a way to feel accepted and loved. She found this by wanting a white person's blue eyes. With these eyes she would feel the needed acceptance and would be able to see the world with "new blue eyes." Also, everyone including herself would be able to see her with "new eyes." However this all becomes superficial with the evidence discussed earlier that humans are essentially all the same. These social differences that are created are a social problem and not really a physical problem.
Social acceptance plays a role in the health of human beings. This is explained in the documentary with Hoffman who did not take that into account in his studies of other races. He said the African-American race would become extinct, but there were some major factors that produced these results that if were changed would create alternate results. Hoffman forgot to compensate for the poverty and social neglect that the African-Americans faced. Poverty is unhealthy and can result in death if the poor do not receive enough healthy food and social care. This is what Hoffman based his conclusions on but if the African-Americans were healthy, they would not become extinct. Other scientists in their studies found interesting conclusions about race as well.
As noted in "Race the Power of an Allusion," Cobb found that there were no biological traits to identify African-Americans as negro. It is also noted that there is no way to measure race but people find a way to. This can be seen in the commonly accepted thought that African-Americans have an advantage in sports, as demonstrated by Jesse Owens 1936 Olympics race. However, DNA testing from the documentary showed that 85% of difference in genes is with another person of the same race instead of the commonly held notion that the most difference is with someone from another race. There is also roughly the same diversity within racial groups as without. This leads us to the conclusion that humans are inherently similar and that the differences are between each human being not just between different races. All this being said, racial groups and social astigmatism really affected Pecola in The Bluest Eye.
Pecola really felt the exaggerated differences between her and the whites and even others of her own race. Because she was dubbed as ugly, she desperately wanted a way to feel accepted and loved. She found this by wanting a white person's blue eyes. With these eyes she would feel the needed acceptance and would be able to see the world with "new blue eyes." Also, everyone including herself would be able to see her with "new eyes." However this all becomes superficial with the evidence discussed earlier that humans are essentially all the same. These social differences that are created are a social problem and not really a physical problem.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Video Blog??? Say What?
So, I am way not a techie. I am dreading that I have to take a full year of technology to graduate...seriously. I really have no idea how to do a video blog. If I tried, I just know it would be a waste of both of our times. So, the good old-fashioned way that is somewhat less techy is the way I have to go.
I just finished reading the chapter on Soaphead Church and I am really disturbed. He is messed up in the head. I do not know how he can believe and do what he does. Nothing makes any sense, but he does a good job rational-(lies)-ing everything that he does. He even judges God. "He, God, had made a sloven and unforgivable error in judgment: designing an imperfect universe." What is this?? Being a Christian, (as he supposedly is), I do not believe that the world is imperfect. It is made exactly how God wants it to be. He designed the universe so that there would be, "...an opposition in all things. If not so... righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad" (2 Nephi 2:11 from the Book of Mormon-Another Testament of Jesus Christ). This is so because we came to earth with free agency to choose good or evil for ourselves.
In his letter to God, (and how do you intend to send this letter to God???) he says that, "I told people I knew all about You. That I had received Your Powers. It was not a complete lie; but it was a complete lie. I should never have, I admit, I should never have taken their money in exchange for well-phrased, well-placed, well-faced lies. But, mark you, I hated it. Not for a moment did I love the lies or the money." This excerpt struck me as very interesting. For one thing, I loved the way the words "complete lie" were repeated but each time with the other word italicized where that one specific word was emphasized. It truly creates a great effect because suddenly "complete lie" jumps out at the reader (in this case God). Also in this excerpt, Soaphead admits that he should not have deceived others and taken money in the name of God. Well, if he knew it was wrong, why did he keep doing it when he had never "...lov[ed] the lies or the money." I guess it can be blamed on human nature and the great effort that has to be put forth to change your ways.
Soaphead's evil side is shown when he deceives Pecola into killing the dog that he hates by saying that after she feeds the dog, the reaction of the dog will determine if she will get the blue eyes that she asks for. As mentioned earlier, Soaphead does not have the power to produce miracles let alone change this girl's genetics. He just manipulated her to get what he wanted and rationalized what he was doing. He didn't actually kill the dog, he just indirectly killed the dog. It was part of the omen. Still addressing God, "I gave her the blue, blue, two blue eyes...No one else will see her blue eyes. But she will....Now you are jealous. You are jealous of me." Yeah, right. God jealous of you?? An almighty powerful God is jealous of a cocky sinner. That makes sense. So, he gave Pecola blues eyes (aka acceptance) by loving and accepting her for who she was. He gave her blue eyes symbolically, and not what she was looking for physically which would have made her feel more accepted.
I just finished reading the chapter on Soaphead Church and I am really disturbed. He is messed up in the head. I do not know how he can believe and do what he does. Nothing makes any sense, but he does a good job rational-(lies)-ing everything that he does. He even judges God. "He, God, had made a sloven and unforgivable error in judgment: designing an imperfect universe." What is this?? Being a Christian, (as he supposedly is), I do not believe that the world is imperfect. It is made exactly how God wants it to be. He designed the universe so that there would be, "...an opposition in all things. If not so... righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad" (2 Nephi 2:11 from the Book of Mormon-Another Testament of Jesus Christ). This is so because we came to earth with free agency to choose good or evil for ourselves.
In his letter to God, (and how do you intend to send this letter to God???) he says that, "I told people I knew all about You. That I had received Your Powers. It was not a complete lie; but it was a complete lie. I should never have, I admit, I should never have taken their money in exchange for well-phrased, well-placed, well-faced lies. But, mark you, I hated it. Not for a moment did I love the lies or the money." This excerpt struck me as very interesting. For one thing, I loved the way the words "complete lie" were repeated but each time with the other word italicized where that one specific word was emphasized. It truly creates a great effect because suddenly "complete lie" jumps out at the reader (in this case God). Also in this excerpt, Soaphead admits that he should not have deceived others and taken money in the name of God. Well, if he knew it was wrong, why did he keep doing it when he had never "...lov[ed] the lies or the money." I guess it can be blamed on human nature and the great effort that has to be put forth to change your ways.
Soaphead's evil side is shown when he deceives Pecola into killing the dog that he hates by saying that after she feeds the dog, the reaction of the dog will determine if she will get the blue eyes that she asks for. As mentioned earlier, Soaphead does not have the power to produce miracles let alone change this girl's genetics. He just manipulated her to get what he wanted and rationalized what he was doing. He didn't actually kill the dog, he just indirectly killed the dog. It was part of the omen. Still addressing God, "I gave her the blue, blue, two blue eyes...No one else will see her blue eyes. But she will....Now you are jealous. You are jealous of me." Yeah, right. God jealous of you?? An almighty powerful God is jealous of a cocky sinner. That makes sense. So, he gave Pecola blues eyes (aka acceptance) by loving and accepting her for who she was. He gave her blue eyes symbolically, and not what she was looking for physically which would have made her feel more accepted.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Family Ties
"The Bluest Eye" is magnificently crafted. I love the order of each random mini story that Morrison writes. Even though at first it makes almost no sense, once you read further everything seems to fall in place and create the big, puzzled pieced, picture of the complex life of Pecola Breedlove and why things are the way they are. At the beginning of the story, the reader only gets bad snipits of Pecola's father, Cholly Breedlove's, actions. The reader begins to wonder, "How could a father be like that and what makes Cholly and Pauline "stay together" even though they beat each other up?" Well, if you are patient, (which I am terrible at), you are rewarded with the inside scoop of Cholly's background story.
Long story short, he was abandoned and taken in by his Aunt Jimmy. He started out with an imperfect beginning that continued an imperfect life. Children need a loving father and mother - especially in their adolescent years. It is pivotal for their development as functioning citizens. Cholly got through these hard years making some decisions that may not have happened if he was properly brought up. However, "...knowing only a dying old woman who felt responsible for him, but whose age, sex, and interests were so remote from his own, he might have felt a stable connection between himself and the children [his children]." Only having an old Aunt who died when he was still a teenager as a "mother," really affected him later in life because he had "...no idea how to raise children, and having never watched any parent raise himself, he could not even comprehend what such a relationship should be." He coped with this predicament by "...react[ing] to them, and his reactions were based on what he felt at the moment." Not a very good strategy when you are overcome with sexual desires and your daughter is around. It may not end well, and unfortunately it didn't for Pecola.
As we can see, one break in the chain of familial ties can forever alter generations to come. The song "Astronomy" by Black Star calls for somewhat of a Black unification under Black nationalism. This song employs parallel structure and simile by the repetition of the words "Black like..." I especially like the lines:
[The whites] "...try to civilize you
not walk on by you
like civil (lies do get you black listed)..."
In these few lines, it clearly demonstrates a relationship between the whites and blacks from the black perspective. I was especially intrigued by the double meaning of civilize. The whites want to change (civilize) the blacks to their way of living while the blacks just perceive this as civil lies. What creative geniuses to manipulate language like that!!!
The very beginnings of humanity begin at home, and when family ties are severed, it is difficult for these people to effectively participate in society and unite as one under lets say "black nationalism." When someone's home life is not stable, it haunts the rest of that person's life.
Long story short, he was abandoned and taken in by his Aunt Jimmy. He started out with an imperfect beginning that continued an imperfect life. Children need a loving father and mother - especially in their adolescent years. It is pivotal for their development as functioning citizens. Cholly got through these hard years making some decisions that may not have happened if he was properly brought up. However, "...knowing only a dying old woman who felt responsible for him, but whose age, sex, and interests were so remote from his own, he might have felt a stable connection between himself and the children [his children]." Only having an old Aunt who died when he was still a teenager as a "mother," really affected him later in life because he had "...no idea how to raise children, and having never watched any parent raise himself, he could not even comprehend what such a relationship should be." He coped with this predicament by "...react[ing] to them, and his reactions were based on what he felt at the moment." Not a very good strategy when you are overcome with sexual desires and your daughter is around. It may not end well, and unfortunately it didn't for Pecola.
As we can see, one break in the chain of familial ties can forever alter generations to come. The song "Astronomy" by Black Star calls for somewhat of a Black unification under Black nationalism. This song employs parallel structure and simile by the repetition of the words "Black like..." I especially like the lines:
[The whites] "...try to civilize you
not walk on by you
like civil (lies do get you black listed)..."
In these few lines, it clearly demonstrates a relationship between the whites and blacks from the black perspective. I was especially intrigued by the double meaning of civilize. The whites want to change (civilize) the blacks to their way of living while the blacks just perceive this as civil lies. What creative geniuses to manipulate language like that!!!
The very beginnings of humanity begin at home, and when family ties are severed, it is difficult for these people to effectively participate in society and unite as one under lets say "black nationalism." When someone's home life is not stable, it haunts the rest of that person's life.
What Is Beautiful?
The lyrics in The Trinikas' song "Black is Beautiful," contradict what Pauline Breedlove thinks of her own daughter. The song says that "black is beautiful" and that they [the blacks] now have "...the chance to be free..." and they "...need determination..." to preserve and do what they want. It just boggles my mind that Mrs. Breedlove would think, "But I knowed she was ugly. Head full of pretty hair, but Lord she was ugly." The voice in my head just reading this sentence has a twitch of a southern drawl and it makes the connotation of the sentence much worse. Just like southerners saying X,Y, and Z about someone and finishing the comment off with, "Bless her heart!" to make everything all better and lighten the blow. Well, it doesn't work. It is what it is, no matter how you try to phrase it or cover it up. If you said she was ugly, you said she was ugly.
It is a shame to not think the best of your own children. What parents say and do highly affect the growth of their children in every way, shape, and form. Pecola needed to grow up in a household that advocated "Black [as] Beautiful" instead of "Pecola is ugly." This sentiment about Pecola physically, heightened Pecola's want for physical features she did not have, and could not acquire, (blue eyes), in order to be respected instead of ignored. Louis Armstrong brings up similar points in his song, "What Did I Do To Be So Black And Blue?" His melancholy lyrics demonstrate the societal perceptions that are heaped upon him and others like him. They [the whites] "...laugh at you [the blacks]..." but I [Armstrong] promise that "...I'm white inside..." But, but, but my "...only sin is my kin..." (emphasis added). The title of the song really almost says it all. What did Armstrong do to deserve being this "terrible" thing of "black" and why does he always live his life blue [sad]? The lyrics to the song then help to demonstrate some of the social conditions of the time and why these questions are ever present in his life.
Music is a great way to get messages into people's minds, maybe without them even noticing until later. Naturally we just catch on to the high beat or the solemn tune and "forget" or "not pay attention to" the lyrics. With repetition, we soon fall into the trap of almost unconsciously memorizing the whole song and having it on constant replay in our heads all day. Well, are brains are just that good. So, music is a great way to "trick" others into listening to your message no matter how controversial. Once something is published, it is forever out there in the cruel world to be judged, critiqued, and debated. You have to be one courageous soul to put yourself out there, especially when you know you may be ridiculed by others. Armstrong was not afraid to sing what he felt. In the magically crafted lyrics, his hidden message is proposing a course of action for increased equality for blacks. This is the art and craft of a true artist.
Many of the characters in "The Bluest Eye" can relate to Armstrong's song in one way or another. Especially poor Pecola. She always seems to be "blue" because she is "black." And, she doesn't even live around any true whites, only lighter skinned blacks. How much more would she suffer if she was surrounded by whites? This is exactly what happened to her mother, Mrs. Breedlove, which started her down a path that led to deteriorating marital relations and adverse conditions for Pecola and her brother to be born into. Society really takes a toll on a person - that is for sure.
It is a shame to not think the best of your own children. What parents say and do highly affect the growth of their children in every way, shape, and form. Pecola needed to grow up in a household that advocated "Black [as] Beautiful" instead of "Pecola is ugly." This sentiment about Pecola physically, heightened Pecola's want for physical features she did not have, and could not acquire, (blue eyes), in order to be respected instead of ignored. Louis Armstrong brings up similar points in his song, "What Did I Do To Be So Black And Blue?" His melancholy lyrics demonstrate the societal perceptions that are heaped upon him and others like him. They [the whites] "...laugh at you [the blacks]..." but I [Armstrong] promise that "...I'm white inside..." But, but, but my "...only sin is my kin..." (emphasis added). The title of the song really almost says it all. What did Armstrong do to deserve being this "terrible" thing of "black" and why does he always live his life blue [sad]? The lyrics to the song then help to demonstrate some of the social conditions of the time and why these questions are ever present in his life.
Music is a great way to get messages into people's minds, maybe without them even noticing until later. Naturally we just catch on to the high beat or the solemn tune and "forget" or "not pay attention to" the lyrics. With repetition, we soon fall into the trap of almost unconsciously memorizing the whole song and having it on constant replay in our heads all day. Well, are brains are just that good. So, music is a great way to "trick" others into listening to your message no matter how controversial. Once something is published, it is forever out there in the cruel world to be judged, critiqued, and debated. You have to be one courageous soul to put yourself out there, especially when you know you may be ridiculed by others. Armstrong was not afraid to sing what he felt. In the magically crafted lyrics, his hidden message is proposing a course of action for increased equality for blacks. This is the art and craft of a true artist.
Many of the characters in "The Bluest Eye" can relate to Armstrong's song in one way or another. Especially poor Pecola. She always seems to be "blue" because she is "black." And, she doesn't even live around any true whites, only lighter skinned blacks. How much more would she suffer if she was surrounded by whites? This is exactly what happened to her mother, Mrs. Breedlove, which started her down a path that led to deteriorating marital relations and adverse conditions for Pecola and her brother to be born into. Society really takes a toll on a person - that is for sure.
A New Spin
"La Tempestad," simply put, was amazing. I really enjoyed it even though I was apprehensive about going through with it when I saw the type of people that hung around there. However, I was still excited about seeing a play in Spanish and I could not turn it down! It was a perfect excuse to actually "go out" and at the same time earn extra credit for an AP class! I really enjoyed how the actors incorporated acrobatics and tricks into the scenes because it made it way more entertaining than a regular play. They put their own unique spin on it that not many people can do. I really liked how the scenes went kind of quickly because I was super tired, but either way I was relieved that I understood what was going on because of studying it in class. Otherwise, I would probably be doomed like my mom was. Don't worry, I was able to explain the whole thing to her. I thought it was interesting that Gonzalo had crutches because in the Tempest scenes I was him, and I definitely did not act like I needed crutches. That is the beauty of art! Different people can interpret and reinterpret the same pieces to their heart's desire. I also enjoyed how the whole play was not just boring rattling off of lines! The whole Stephano/Trinculo/Caliban scene was filled with juggling the alcohol bottles around. What a great interpretation!! I really enjoyed the play and seeing it all acted out made everything from the play and what we learned in class finally all come together in one piece.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
And You're Sure About That?
Mr. Henry, who temporarily lives at Claudia's house, gives her and Frieda some money to go buy some ice cream. They girls decide on getting candy instead because they don't want the possibility of running into Maureen at the ice cream store. Mr. Henry's act may seem just a simple act of kindness, but, however, lending the money to the girls to get them out of the house is just his intention. The girls come home too early to witness Mr. Henry talking with some ladies who "...were the fancy women...that Mama...hated." When the ladies left and the girls asked him who the ladies were, "He laughed the grown-up getting-ready-to-lie laugh. A heh-heh we knew well." And, yes, he swiftly lied.
This demonstrates that Mr. Henry had already shown dishonesty because the girls could see through his actions and lies to the truth he tried to cover up. As implied before, this was not the only situation that Mr. Henry displayed sketchy behavior. It just simply foreshadowed graver events to come.
Even from the first display of dishonesty, I would not let someone stay at my house because they will likely do other things that could hurt my family. Well, this is exactly what happened. Claudia came home to find Frieda crying, and after prodding for the story, Claudia was told that her sister, who hasn't even reached puberty, was sexually abused by Mr. Henry. Frieda had the courage to swiftly tell her parents what he did and Mama/Papa bear syndrome quickly came into effect. When Mr. Henry arrived, "Daddy...threw our old tricycle at his head and knocked him off the porch...Daddy was cussing, and everybody was screaming...Mr. Henry...started running, and Daddy shot at him," etc. In other words, all chaos ensued.
However, Frieda wasn't crying because of all of that, she was crying because mama said she "might be ruined." The girls tried to picture what 'ruined' meant and they decided it was "Like the [fat]Maginot Line...[and] China and Poland...[but] they ain't fat....because they drink whiskey." From this we can see how children's brains quickly connect actions together that may not give the full story and so they end up with the wrong conclusion and the wrong course of action. Because whiskey apparently prevents you from being fat when you are 'ruined,' the girls decided to go out and find some. I can smell trouble.
This demonstrates that Mr. Henry had already shown dishonesty because the girls could see through his actions and lies to the truth he tried to cover up. As implied before, this was not the only situation that Mr. Henry displayed sketchy behavior. It just simply foreshadowed graver events to come.
Even from the first display of dishonesty, I would not let someone stay at my house because they will likely do other things that could hurt my family. Well, this is exactly what happened. Claudia came home to find Frieda crying, and after prodding for the story, Claudia was told that her sister, who hasn't even reached puberty, was sexually abused by Mr. Henry. Frieda had the courage to swiftly tell her parents what he did and Mama/Papa bear syndrome quickly came into effect. When Mr. Henry arrived, "Daddy...threw our old tricycle at his head and knocked him off the porch...Daddy was cussing, and everybody was screaming...Mr. Henry...started running, and Daddy shot at him," etc. In other words, all chaos ensued.
However, Frieda wasn't crying because of all of that, she was crying because mama said she "might be ruined." The girls tried to picture what 'ruined' meant and they decided it was "Like the [fat]Maginot Line...[and] China and Poland...[but] they ain't fat....because they drink whiskey." From this we can see how children's brains quickly connect actions together that may not give the full story and so they end up with the wrong conclusion and the wrong course of action. Because whiskey apparently prevents you from being fat when you are 'ruined,' the girls decided to go out and find some. I can smell trouble.
To Fit In...?
When a group of colored boys were taunting Pecola, it did not matter "That they themselves were black, or that their own father had similarly relaxed habits..." because, "It was their contempt for their own blackness that gave the first insult its teeth."
Claudia and Frieda came to Pecola's aid and were going to get in a fight but the confrontation did not die down until Maureen made her presence known. The bothersome boys, "...buckled in confusion, not willing to beat up three girls under her [Maureen's] watchful gaze." This whole situation demonstrates that in the world there is not only a struggle between white vs. black race relations, but also social relations within each race. Although it seems ridiculous that black children would bother someone about issues that they themselves are dealing with, it can be seen in other races including the whites.
For example, if we took this same situation and changed the race to whites, this type of thing can be seen today. When kids are self-conscious about anything, they like to find that common imperfection in others and exploit it to make themselves feel better about themselves. This is just basic human nature. So, even when white boys make fun of a white girl and a popular girl that they like shows up, suddenly the boys do not want to look foolish and so the bullying quickly stops. This popular girl can then proceed to come to the rescue and become the best friend of the victim (but only for like half a second). Any other girls besides ones that the boys like, who tried to come to the rescue, would not hinder the boys' jeers. This is exactly what happened when Claudia and Frieda tried to help. And, these girls would be jealous of the victim's sudden acceptance and care from the popular, savior girl. This is what happened when Maureen offered to buy Pecola ice cream while Claudia and Frieda were left to pay for their own, but unfortunately, they didn't have the money. "It was extremely important that the world not know that I [Claudia] fully expected Maureen to buy us some ice cream, that for the past 120 seconds I had been selecting the flavor, that I had begun to like Maureen, and that neither of us [Claudia or Frieda] had a penny." This was only the beginning to the falling apart of this quick, "superficial" friendship.
The girls quickly got into controversial conversation where they were accusing each other of things they said or saw. Claudia, "...was glad to have a chance to show some anger" when Maureen was bothering Pecola about the specifics of what she had said. This silly, typical girl drama when girls start debating about what they did or didn't say and other rash accusations that have nothing to do with the original topic, quickly escalated into name calling and Maureen running off. Unfortunately,this is the "half a second, best friends" relationship that is typical for girls.
So, it doesn't matter if this whole situation had been dealing with the white or black race. There are still social tensions within each racial social hierarchy. This could be seen in either race because whites and blacks are humans, and humans do what humans do.
Claudia and Frieda came to Pecola's aid and were going to get in a fight but the confrontation did not die down until Maureen made her presence known. The bothersome boys, "...buckled in confusion, not willing to beat up three girls under her [Maureen's] watchful gaze." This whole situation demonstrates that in the world there is not only a struggle between white vs. black race relations, but also social relations within each race. Although it seems ridiculous that black children would bother someone about issues that they themselves are dealing with, it can be seen in other races including the whites.
For example, if we took this same situation and changed the race to whites, this type of thing can be seen today. When kids are self-conscious about anything, they like to find that common imperfection in others and exploit it to make themselves feel better about themselves. This is just basic human nature. So, even when white boys make fun of a white girl and a popular girl that they like shows up, suddenly the boys do not want to look foolish and so the bullying quickly stops. This popular girl can then proceed to come to the rescue and become the best friend of the victim (but only for like half a second). Any other girls besides ones that the boys like, who tried to come to the rescue, would not hinder the boys' jeers. This is exactly what happened when Claudia and Frieda tried to help. And, these girls would be jealous of the victim's sudden acceptance and care from the popular, savior girl. This is what happened when Maureen offered to buy Pecola ice cream while Claudia and Frieda were left to pay for their own, but unfortunately, they didn't have the money. "It was extremely important that the world not know that I [Claudia] fully expected Maureen to buy us some ice cream, that for the past 120 seconds I had been selecting the flavor, that I had begun to like Maureen, and that neither of us [Claudia or Frieda] had a penny." This was only the beginning to the falling apart of this quick, "superficial" friendship.
The girls quickly got into controversial conversation where they were accusing each other of things they said or saw. Claudia, "...was glad to have a chance to show some anger" when Maureen was bothering Pecola about the specifics of what she had said. This silly, typical girl drama when girls start debating about what they did or didn't say and other rash accusations that have nothing to do with the original topic, quickly escalated into name calling and Maureen running off. Unfortunately,this is the "half a second, best friends" relationship that is typical for girls.
So, it doesn't matter if this whole situation had been dealing with the white or black race. There are still social tensions within each racial social hierarchy. This could be seen in either race because whites and blacks are humans, and humans do what humans do.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Hold On!!! Well I'm Just Dangling Here...
I had never heard of Dangling Modifiers before until I read the blog entry that pointed out some which were used in some of the articles. A dangling modifier phrase starts a sentence but it does not contain a subject, and the next phrase either contains no subject or a subject that does not make sense with the phrase preceding. There should be a subject beginning the second phrase (that needs to be an independent clause) in order for the sentence that starts with the dependent clause to make sense. Wow, I understand what a dangling modifier is, but now I'm confused, that's not a good sign.
An example is...I give up. I can't make one up. Well that's good, because it means I don't use them in my writing!!!
An example is...I give up. I can't make one up. Well that's good, because it means I don't use them in my writing!!!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
The Pain...I Can Feel It
I am jealous of Claudia's innocent view of pain. She says that her mama's "voice was so sweet and her singing-eyes so melty I found myself longing for those hard times..." Hard times? Who wants hard times? She goes on to note that "my mother's voice took all of the grief out of the words and left me with a conviction that pain was not only endurable, it was sweet." Pain is sweet? I wish.
I am glad that although it seems that Claudia is surrounded by "hard times," she is able to not exaggerate her circumstances and is able to be relieved of her burdens by listening to the joyful music her mom makes. Music is also how Claudia's mother deals with her pain and hard times. She sings them out and away! Oh, the innocence and naivety of children! Pain is sweet? Well she obviously has not been met with enough pain yet. But how can this be? Her mother tends to jump to conclusions and resorts to whippings, her relationship with her mother is more of a child-slave, she does not have a father figure present in her life, she doesn't live in the best of conditions, etc. etc. etc. So how does she compare pain as being sweet? Well maybe because she lives in these circumstances, she views them as normal. There are few things that can be worse about her situation, and so there is not much room for an opportunity of true pain to effect her yet. Well that sounds quite nice. However, I am much more comfortable here in my situation, with my pains, than I would be suffering in her pains which she may deem as normal.
I am glad that although it seems that Claudia is surrounded by "hard times," she is able to not exaggerate her circumstances and is able to be relieved of her burdens by listening to the joyful music her mom makes. Music is also how Claudia's mother deals with her pain and hard times. She sings them out and away! Oh, the innocence and naivety of children! Pain is sweet? Well she obviously has not been met with enough pain yet. But how can this be? Her mother tends to jump to conclusions and resorts to whippings, her relationship with her mother is more of a child-slave, she does not have a father figure present in her life, she doesn't live in the best of conditions, etc. etc. etc. So how does she compare pain as being sweet? Well maybe because she lives in these circumstances, she views them as normal. There are few things that can be worse about her situation, and so there is not much room for an opportunity of true pain to effect her yet. Well that sounds quite nice. However, I am much more comfortable here in my situation, with my pains, than I would be suffering in her pains which she may deem as normal.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Through the Eyes of a Child
I thought it was interesting to read about what Claudia thought of dolls because it starkly differed from my view when I was a child. The Bluest Eye reads, "Adults, older girls, shops, magazines, newspapers, window signs-all the world had agreed that a blue-eyed, yellow-haired, pink-skinned doll was what every girl child treasured." Why yes, for me it was this way. I had too many dolls...in fact...but no, I could never have too many dolls. But to Claudia, one doll was way too many because all she really wanted was to have all her senses engaged and not necessarily have material things. What a wise child! In her quest to find "what it was that all the world said was lovable" about the doll, she mangled and destroyed it, and the resulting reaction from grown ups was "You-don't-know-how-to-take-care-of-nothing," etc.
"I destroyed white baby dolls." Its own sentence, its own paragraph. This syntax invokes the tones of being grave and also resigned. Resigned to the simple fact that she destroys white dolls. Claudia goes on to relate that "the truly horrifying thing was the transference of the same impulses to little white girls." These feelings were the result of envy of white girls who people loved and adored. "What made people look at them and say, 'Awwwww,' but not for me?" Claudia channeled her anger and inferiority toward the dolls which represented everything she was not, and could not have, which resulted in damaged dolls. These feelings should not be felt by a child, especially at an early age. Experiences and circumstances in childhood create and shape the future character of that child. If Claudia feels inferior and not accepted at an early age, then she will likely grow up to have low self esteem, which can greatly affect her attitude in how she handles challenges. A child needs to feel love and acceptance and also give love to others. These components in Claudia's life are missing. Her relationship with her mom is one in which, "[I] didn't initiate talk with grown-ups; [I] answered their questions." This suggests that there never was meaningful communication between mother and daughter and therefore a loss of the feeling of love which every child needs.
"I destroyed white baby dolls." Its own sentence, its own paragraph. This syntax invokes the tones of being grave and also resigned. Resigned to the simple fact that she destroys white dolls. Claudia goes on to relate that "the truly horrifying thing was the transference of the same impulses to little white girls." These feelings were the result of envy of white girls who people loved and adored. "What made people look at them and say, 'Awwwww,' but not for me?" Claudia channeled her anger and inferiority toward the dolls which represented everything she was not, and could not have, which resulted in damaged dolls. These feelings should not be felt by a child, especially at an early age. Experiences and circumstances in childhood create and shape the future character of that child. If Claudia feels inferior and not accepted at an early age, then she will likely grow up to have low self esteem, which can greatly affect her attitude in how she handles challenges. A child needs to feel love and acceptance and also give love to others. These components in Claudia's life are missing. Her relationship with her mom is one in which, "[I] didn't initiate talk with grown-ups; [I] answered their questions." This suggests that there never was meaningful communication between mother and daughter and therefore a loss of the feeling of love which every child needs.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Everything Is Not As It Seems
"Something can be true and untrue at the same time," is a contradictory statement that I agree with. The sentence "Blood clotting is always a good thing" is both true and untrue because it is good to have your blood coagulate to stop bleeding in injuries, but it is harmful when blood clots in your brain which can cause death. With this situation, it is both "true and untrue at the same time."
The sentence, "The real story isn't the official story; the real story is my version (wrong, too, but aware that it's wrong) of the official story," is mind-blowing. I have to read it a several times and contemplate on what the writer is trying to say. If you aren't paying attention, you will have no idea what the author is saying. Grr, it actually makes me have to concentrate...but this sentence is good because it makes me think deeper, and I don't want to. Once you look deeper into the meaning of this sentence it actually makes sense. It is saying that the "real" story for this person is what that person thinks of what really happened even though it may be wrong. Wow, even that sentence kind of hurts my head. It's simply saying that reality is different for all of us. In that case, what is the "official" story if everyone is wrong? Oh my, I'm not going to answer that one.
I like how Shields opens his chapter "Contradiction" with, "This sentence is a lie." I don't understand how that sentence can be a lie when it doesn't lie about anything. I guess it is just that everything is in the eye of the beholder which is exactly what happens with reality. Reality is what each person thinks or believes which can and will be different from others.
Reality is paradoxical because reality is what we think is real when we perceive and think of our situations. However, what is real? Real is different for everybody so reality can't be real, but wait it can. What? Exactly.
The sentence, "The real story isn't the official story; the real story is my version (wrong, too, but aware that it's wrong) of the official story," is mind-blowing. I have to read it a several times and contemplate on what the writer is trying to say. If you aren't paying attention, you will have no idea what the author is saying. Grr, it actually makes me have to concentrate...but this sentence is good because it makes me think deeper, and I don't want to. Once you look deeper into the meaning of this sentence it actually makes sense. It is saying that the "real" story for this person is what that person thinks of what really happened even though it may be wrong. Wow, even that sentence kind of hurts my head. It's simply saying that reality is different for all of us. In that case, what is the "official" story if everyone is wrong? Oh my, I'm not going to answer that one.
I like how Shields opens his chapter "Contradiction" with, "This sentence is a lie." I don't understand how that sentence can be a lie when it doesn't lie about anything. I guess it is just that everything is in the eye of the beholder which is exactly what happens with reality. Reality is what each person thinks or believes which can and will be different from others.
Reality is paradoxical because reality is what we think is real when we perceive and think of our situations. However, what is real? Real is different for everybody so reality can't be real, but wait it can. What? Exactly.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Genre Wars
The literary genres of memoir and essay have a few things in common. A memoir is a personal account on something about or from your life, while an essay is your point of view on a subject. Therefore, they both evoke personal feelings or views through the author's writing. Memoirs have the difficulty of being "under the umbrella of nonfiction" so everything that is written tends to be judged critically as to whether or not everything is hard facts. As humans, we tend to add pathos into what we think in order to get those who are listening to us, to agree or sympathize with us on our point of view. So, in a memoir (which is filled with personal feelings and accounts) you can probably expect some slight exaggerations to get their point across. However, if memoirs could be categorized specifically into essays, their would be no contradictions on whether things were true or not because essays are the author's point of view with infusions of emotions. The article from "The Guardian" is an interesting mixture between these genres.
"The Guardian" is an essay about this guy who writes little "memoirs" on postcards for random people who request it. The author of the article, Kate, got her postcard about her life made and she notes that, "the postcard doesn't sum up my life, but what got me to where I am now. It's a snapshot of a moment." Her postcard is a little mini-memoir for her to reflect back on when she feels the need. Her point of view throughout the essay supports this guy's efforts to bring to life the defining moments in peoples' lives. Hmmm... I wonder what the highlights on my postcard of my life would be?
The Guardian
"The Guardian" is an essay about this guy who writes little "memoirs" on postcards for random people who request it. The author of the article, Kate, got her postcard about her life made and she notes that, "the postcard doesn't sum up my life, but what got me to where I am now. It's a snapshot of a moment." Her postcard is a little mini-memoir for her to reflect back on when she feels the need. Her point of view throughout the essay supports this guy's efforts to bring to life the defining moments in peoples' lives. Hmmm... I wonder what the highlights on my postcard of my life would be?
The Guardian
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Reality vs.Illusion
H 241 compares the body's need of a higher dose of drugs each time to receive the thrill, with the illusion of reality. This "illusion of reality" is "the idea that something really happened-providing us with that thrill right now." We all create our own realities. When we are depressed everything seems to go wrong and even when something that would normally make us happy happens, it may not affect our mood or help us feel any better. It is really quite cruel. I am ashamed to say that unfortunately this is my case some of the time. I just want to wallow in my reality that "nothing is going my way" and "that doesn't make anything better."
I 248 is short and sweet-"We're living in a newsy time." I actually looked up "newsy" and it is a media source that gives up to date news from around the world. This helps to further define this sentence and confirm this statement. We want all the new things, the name brands, the latest styles, the newest songs and videos, this list could seriously go on fffoorrreeevvveeerrr. Anything that is old or out of date just simply won't do in our society. We just want better and more and won't stop until we get it. Well, unfortunately by that time, we will be dead, so good luck with that.
A classmate wrote about fragment H 242 and I agree with almost everything except the part when it says "we can’t experience any event because our life is like a movie that can’t be paused" because if we really tried hard enough, we could slow ourselves down. We have the ability to stop and enjoy the moments in our lives. It doesn't mean we stop and do nothing, just that we appreciate these moments and live them to the fullest. If we are in the right frame of mind, we can experience from our life and pause to analyze it so that we can make ourselves better.
I Thought We Were Done With This Paper...
The comments and critiques were great! I totally understand where you got the whole "discursiveness" feeling from my paper because honestly, I had to come up with a lot of "fillers" to meet the minimum of four pages with this paper. Some of these fillers are what you mentioned like the random sentence about Star Trek and when I started to bring in Gullah. I did this because I was trying to compare it with Eragon because both evolved from the languages they descended from.
What a talented teacher! Yes, I didn't do an outline...and I should have. It's just that I was going off my thesis and trying to fit in all my randomness so that I could complete the task at hand. I mean there is only so much one can say about the topic I chose. Especially when the Eragon sources were not very helpful. In my paper I was trying to point out the similarities in the languages and the author wasn't informative. He had random words in his languages but hardly any were the same word translated into multiple languages so it was really hard to compare them. I really had to research. And I thought it was going to be easy...little did I know.
My ending was supposed to be drawing the thesis back in. I also had student critiques that involved the "So what?" question and so I tried to address that. Someone commented that I should make the conclusion more final by expanding a little bit. I attempted to try to fit all of these components into the conclusion, so I guess it may have turned out to be a jumble of techniques of endings instead of one precise one. When I first heard of the accursed "Research Paper" I was super depressed, but I actually enjoyed my topic because I chose it and it interested me. Overall, it really wasn't too bad.
What a talented teacher! Yes, I didn't do an outline...and I should have. It's just that I was going off my thesis and trying to fit in all my randomness so that I could complete the task at hand. I mean there is only so much one can say about the topic I chose. Especially when the Eragon sources were not very helpful. In my paper I was trying to point out the similarities in the languages and the author wasn't informative. He had random words in his languages but hardly any were the same word translated into multiple languages so it was really hard to compare them. I really had to research. And I thought it was going to be easy...little did I know.
My ending was supposed to be drawing the thesis back in. I also had student critiques that involved the "So what?" question and so I tried to address that. Someone commented that I should make the conclusion more final by expanding a little bit. I attempted to try to fit all of these components into the conclusion, so I guess it may have turned out to be a jumble of techniques of endings instead of one precise one. When I first heard of the accursed "Research Paper" I was super depressed, but I actually enjoyed my topic because I chose it and it interested me. Overall, it really wasn't too bad.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Categorize Art
David Shields mentions the Oprah vs Frey controversy several different times throughout section "d."
Through further investigation on this controversy, I have come to conclude that this is a perfect example to some of Shields' objectives. Frey created a "memoir" about his life as an alcoholic and drug abuser. Although most of it is true, he admits to twisting some things around for various reasons. Oprah accuses him of lying and points out that because this book cannot be trusted, it gives the readers false hope for alcoholics and drug abusers to overcome these addictions. Even though I do agree with Oprah's point, I do understand Frey's point of view.
When publishing a book, especially a memoir or an autobiography, the author opens up his personal life to be judged by the public. This would be especially nerve-wracking for me. I would tweek different "characters" in my life so as not to humiliate them or myself by explicitly making them and their actions known to the world. This is exactly what James Frey did with his book. He changed the "truth" so that he could protect him and others in his book. This is his comment to Oprah explaining why he did this:
All of this supports Shields' objective that you really cannot categorize art forms of any type into categories like truth, novels, nonfiction, memoirs, etc. because there are most likely details that discredit the art from fitting the criteria of the category exactly. It also proves that with these categorizations, definitions are evolving as a result of the differing views and circumstances of the world. If Fray had simply not called his book a "memoir," he would not have had all of these accusations of lying and controversy. Oprah even mentions this when she asks why he didn't put a disclaimer on his book. What a big mess over the simply "misuse" of the word memoir for Frey's book!
Info about Oprah and Frey controversy:
"Oprah Winfrey's Official Website - Live Your Best Life - Oprah.com." Oprah.com. N.p., 26 Jan. 2006. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.
Through further investigation on this controversy, I have come to conclude that this is a perfect example to some of Shields' objectives. Frey created a "memoir" about his life as an alcoholic and drug abuser. Although most of it is true, he admits to twisting some things around for various reasons. Oprah accuses him of lying and points out that because this book cannot be trusted, it gives the readers false hope for alcoholics and drug abusers to overcome these addictions. Even though I do agree with Oprah's point, I do understand Frey's point of view.
When publishing a book, especially a memoir or an autobiography, the author opens up his personal life to be judged by the public. This would be especially nerve-wracking for me. I would tweek different "characters" in my life so as not to humiliate them or myself by explicitly making them and their actions known to the world. This is exactly what James Frey did with his book. He changed the "truth" so that he could protect him and others in his book. This is his comment to Oprah explaining why he did this:
I think one of the coping mechanisms I developed was sort of this image of myself that was greater, probably, than—not probably—that was greater than what I actually was. In order to get through the experience of the addiction, I thought of myself as being tougher than I was and badder than I was—and it helped me cope. When I was writing the book ... instead of being as introspective as I should have been, I clung to that image.
All of this supports Shields' objective that you really cannot categorize art forms of any type into categories like truth, novels, nonfiction, memoirs, etc. because there are most likely details that discredit the art from fitting the criteria of the category exactly. It also proves that with these categorizations, definitions are evolving as a result of the differing views and circumstances of the world. If Fray had simply not called his book a "memoir," he would not have had all of these accusations of lying and controversy. Oprah even mentions this when she asks why he didn't put a disclaimer on his book. What a big mess over the simply "misuse" of the word memoir for Frey's book!
Info about Oprah and Frey controversy:
"Oprah Winfrey's Official Website - Live Your Best Life - Oprah.com." Oprah.com. N.p., 26 Jan. 2006. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Manifest What?
The "Futurist Manifesto" is a document in which the authors declare what they believe and what their goals are. One of their goals that I highly disagree with is #10 which declares, "We want to demolish museums and libraries, fight morality, feminism and all opportunist and utilitarian cowardice," (Marinetti). I really do not see how fighting these things (except cowardice) will make the world a better place. I mean the world has gone on without fighting these "issues" with humanity. If you fought morality, wouldn't humanity be brought down to utter chaos and destruction? No one would understand what was "good," and I am afraid to see the consequences if such a thing were to occur in our lives. I am afraid the Futurists of 1909 are indeed right though, morality in this day and age is constantly being tested and changed. An example is the question of self-defense. When is killing someone in "self-defense" ok? This manifesto was created during the time when feminism was gaining speed and becoming popular. I think it is safe to say that this manifesto was created by a highly dominant male membership because they were against feminism which was for giving women more freedoms politically and socially. This manifesto can connect to "Reality Hunger" because they both have a theme about art and expression.
This sentence from the "Futurist Manifesto," "Reciprocal ferocity of the painters and sculptors who murder each other in the same museum with blows of line and color," is expressively written in a way that shows their emotion toward things like museums, libraries, etc. which are places of art (Marinetti). These Futurists are against these places. However, in "Reality Hunger" the very first sentence, "Every artistic movement from the beginning of time is an attempt to figure out a way to smuggle more of what the artist thinks is reality into the work of art," explicitly starts this book off on the topic of art and reality (Shields 1). Shields' begins his manifesto with more about how art and reality are connected in the world today. He is not attacking how things are and ranting for change like the Futurists.
Manifestos in these two cases are declarations of what they believe life (or in this case art and expression) should be or is.
Info:
Marinetti, F.T. "The Futurist Manifesto." The Futurist Manifesto. James Joll, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.
Shields, David. Reality Hunger: A Manifesto. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010. Print
This sentence from the "Futurist Manifesto," "Reciprocal ferocity of the painters and sculptors who murder each other in the same museum with blows of line and color," is expressively written in a way that shows their emotion toward things like museums, libraries, etc. which are places of art (Marinetti). These Futurists are against these places. However, in "Reality Hunger" the very first sentence, "Every artistic movement from the beginning of time is an attempt to figure out a way to smuggle more of what the artist thinks is reality into the work of art," explicitly starts this book off on the topic of art and reality (Shields 1). Shields' begins his manifesto with more about how art and reality are connected in the world today. He is not attacking how things are and ranting for change like the Futurists.
Manifestos in these two cases are declarations of what they believe life (or in this case art and expression) should be or is.
Info:
Marinetti, F.T. "The Futurist Manifesto." The Futurist Manifesto. James Joll, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.
Shields, David. Reality Hunger: A Manifesto. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010. Print
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Authoritative Tongues
An empire can gain and maintain power when its subjects can understand those governing. This implies that in order to be able to have dominion over others, an empire must have a common language from which to govern. Without this, chaos and misunderstandings will prevail, which can lead to the destruction of empires from within. It has been said that "...empires spread English around the world," as is true with any empire and language. Once empires have staked their claim, those under their authority must succumb to the prevalent language, otherwise risking misunderstandings and confusion which often lead to conflict. No one likes conflict, so England was constantly "on its toes" to make sure everything they set out to do was running smoothly.
"The sun never sets on the English empire" can also be changed to say, "the sun never sets on the English language," as stated by the narrator. Both of these statements can be confirmed by the Empire of Britain colonizing in India, as a result of the East India Company's monopoly on spices. This "clash of cultures" resulted in the exchange of ideas, customs, and the morphing of the English language. Indian words like "shampoo" and "pajamas" were adopted into English usage. With languages constantly changing, where did they originate?
The scholar William Jones was able to discover that Sanskrit, English, and some other languages are similar and so "descended from one Indo-European language." This is evidence of the reality that languages are constantly being "modernized" and adapted to fit the needs of those actively using it. Since these languages descended from one language, it can be concluded that as time progressed, this first language was being changed by many groups which broke off and became powerful enough to establish their own empires with their own language.
Info:
Bragg, Melvyn. "The Adventures of English-Episode 7-The Language of Empire (1/5)." YouTube. RainbowEyes1000, 7 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Jan. 2013
"The sun never sets on the English empire" can also be changed to say, "the sun never sets on the English language," as stated by the narrator. Both of these statements can be confirmed by the Empire of Britain colonizing in India, as a result of the East India Company's monopoly on spices. This "clash of cultures" resulted in the exchange of ideas, customs, and the morphing of the English language. Indian words like "shampoo" and "pajamas" were adopted into English usage. With languages constantly changing, where did they originate?
The scholar William Jones was able to discover that Sanskrit, English, and some other languages are similar and so "descended from one Indo-European language." This is evidence of the reality that languages are constantly being "modernized" and adapted to fit the needs of those actively using it. Since these languages descended from one language, it can be concluded that as time progressed, this first language was being changed by many groups which broke off and became powerful enough to establish their own empires with their own language.
Info:
Bragg, Melvyn. "The Adventures of English-Episode 7-The Language of Empire (1/5)." YouTube. RainbowEyes1000, 7 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Jan. 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Oh, things change...
John Locke believed in what is called "rational idealism." This is the belief that if you get the language clear, and the arguments simple, then the misunderstandings will be avoided and so peace will follow. This is brilliant in theory, but like many things, including communism, it is only good in theory. The problem is that language is constantly changing and being reformed by those who use it. Even in John Locke's time scholars were changing the meaning of English words to fit what they needed for their science discoveries. Jonathan Swift countered by saying "How could one undertake his work with cheerfulness...when in an age or two, hardly anyone can understand without an interpreter?" Swift also hated how people abbreviated English words. He, like many others, considered these shortenings to be "crude," and he wanted an academy to be created to correct English and keep it the same. One way to try to keep a language the same is by standardizing it through a dictionary, which is exactly what Johnson did.
Johnson's dictionary created national pride for England, but the dictionary is questionable today because some of the origins and definitions can be considered biased or inaccurate. This demonstrates that yes, languages and meanings do change over time even though some try to prevent the change because "no dictionary could embalm a language." Over time English rules were created like "better of two and best of three" and some even wanted the slang words eradicated from common use age. William C. was a lower class man who taught himself the rules of English because he believed that when you can't understand grammar, you can't write or speak correctly, so you will amount to very little. I agree. How can you amount to anything when no one understands you or respects you? This is what Thomas S. tried to fix with the Scots.
Thomas S. tried to teach the Scots how to speak correct English. The main problem was the gap between what the printing press wrote and how it was spoken. Standardizing this is difficult, especially in English where the same four letters, "ough" can have six different sounds. To help with this problem, Thomas S. created a book entitled British Education to help with pronunciation and such. He believed that if everyone spoke in the same way, that everyone would be considered equal. On the contrary, it divided the people into those that copied the pronunciation and those that didn't. Finally, the type of person Swift and Johnson wanted came along.
This novelist was Jane Austen. She became the "academy" for "fixing" the English language through her novels. Her novels did not include street language, references to body parts, or swear words. This showed that she could control her words and did not let them be vulgar or unladylike. She believed that if you "remove the words, you remove the thoughts." However, if you substitute words to mean the same as vulgar words, then those words still provoke the same thoughts you were apparently trying to avoid. These new substitutions also added to the changing English language as well as the new Industrial age.
When the Industrial Revolution hit, new words were created to describe the new inventions and old words were transformed to have new meanings. Factories and mills now became places of manufacturing. This all goes back to the idea that language does change over time and that no matter how hard you try, you can't successfully keep a language from developing. The writer Lewis Carol facilitated this change. He believed that if he used a word, it means what he chose it to mean. It is what "...the speaker intends...and what a hearer understands..." This type of person would have made Locke go insane. Lewis is the perfect example of how language does change over time by those who actively use it and that very little can be done to change that fact.
Info:
Klidstone1970. "The Adventure of English - Speaking Proper - Ep 6." YouTube. YouTube, 19 Sept. 2011. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
Johnson's dictionary created national pride for England, but the dictionary is questionable today because some of the origins and definitions can be considered biased or inaccurate. This demonstrates that yes, languages and meanings do change over time even though some try to prevent the change because "no dictionary could embalm a language." Over time English rules were created like "better of two and best of three" and some even wanted the slang words eradicated from common use age. William C. was a lower class man who taught himself the rules of English because he believed that when you can't understand grammar, you can't write or speak correctly, so you will amount to very little. I agree. How can you amount to anything when no one understands you or respects you? This is what Thomas S. tried to fix with the Scots.
Thomas S. tried to teach the Scots how to speak correct English. The main problem was the gap between what the printing press wrote and how it was spoken. Standardizing this is difficult, especially in English where the same four letters, "ough" can have six different sounds. To help with this problem, Thomas S. created a book entitled British Education to help with pronunciation and such. He believed that if everyone spoke in the same way, that everyone would be considered equal. On the contrary, it divided the people into those that copied the pronunciation and those that didn't. Finally, the type of person Swift and Johnson wanted came along.
This novelist was Jane Austen. She became the "academy" for "fixing" the English language through her novels. Her novels did not include street language, references to body parts, or swear words. This showed that she could control her words and did not let them be vulgar or unladylike. She believed that if you "remove the words, you remove the thoughts." However, if you substitute words to mean the same as vulgar words, then those words still provoke the same thoughts you were apparently trying to avoid. These new substitutions also added to the changing English language as well as the new Industrial age.
When the Industrial Revolution hit, new words were created to describe the new inventions and old words were transformed to have new meanings. Factories and mills now became places of manufacturing. This all goes back to the idea that language does change over time and that no matter how hard you try, you can't successfully keep a language from developing. The writer Lewis Carol facilitated this change. He believed that if he used a word, it means what he chose it to mean. It is what "...the speaker intends...and what a hearer understands..." This type of person would have made Locke go insane. Lewis is the perfect example of how language does change over time by those who actively use it and that very little can be done to change that fact.
Info:
Klidstone1970. "The Adventure of English - Speaking Proper - Ep 6." YouTube. YouTube, 19 Sept. 2011. Web. 27 Jan. 2013.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
American Revolution of English
The American Revolution was the turning point in the future of English in America. It also marked the split between traditional British English and the new American English. "Political revolutionaries [like Thomas Jefferson] were also language revolutionaries." Thomas' elite use of the English language can be seen in the Declaration of Independence where all are entitled to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Even though all Americans are supposedly entitled to 'liberty,' the slaves were not free citizens until the time of the Civil War, and women felt that they were not totally free either because of their subordination under the men of the household and the fact that while free blacks could also vote, white American women still did not have that privilege. In their speeches advocating for women suffrage they used their new form of American English.
After the American revolution the creation of "Americanisms," where they introduced new words including "belittle" and "advocate" into their everyday vocabulary, had an effect on the English language. Americans also modified some English words like taking out the "u" in honor, and ending theater in -er. These additions to the language helped further the distance between British English and American English and created a more distinct feature to the new developing form of English.
Noah Webster was instrumental in assisting American citizens in the development in their form of English. He was a lexicographer and created the Webster Dictionary that contained a pronunciation guide to help the many immigrants who were coming to America for the American dream and a better life. His dictionary was able to help standardize the new American English and aid immigrants including the Irish and Germans ease the transition into their new life by providing a reference for their new language.
English on the American continent was also influenced by the political loyalties of those residing there. Even though the American Revolution was Americans vs. the English, America was divided on their loyalties to either the colonies or Britain. When the English and the American loyalists lost the war, many of the Tories fled to Canada to escape persecution and there they "formed the basis of standard Canadian speech." These new American Canadians resisted American ways and words which further differentiated English from the original British English from which they came.
Info:
Armstrong, Edward. "The Story of English Episode 6 - Pioneers O Pioneers - Part 1 / 7." YouTube. YouTube, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 19 Jan. 2013.
After the American revolution the creation of "Americanisms," where they introduced new words including "belittle" and "advocate" into their everyday vocabulary, had an effect on the English language. Americans also modified some English words like taking out the "u" in honor, and ending theater in -er. These additions to the language helped further the distance between British English and American English and created a more distinct feature to the new developing form of English.
Noah Webster was instrumental in assisting American citizens in the development in their form of English. He was a lexicographer and created the Webster Dictionary that contained a pronunciation guide to help the many immigrants who were coming to America for the American dream and a better life. His dictionary was able to help standardize the new American English and aid immigrants including the Irish and Germans ease the transition into their new life by providing a reference for their new language.
English on the American continent was also influenced by the political loyalties of those residing there. Even though the American Revolution was Americans vs. the English, America was divided on their loyalties to either the colonies or Britain. When the English and the American loyalists lost the war, many of the Tories fled to Canada to escape persecution and there they "formed the basis of standard Canadian speech." These new American Canadians resisted American ways and words which further differentiated English from the original British English from which they came.
Info:
Armstrong, Edward. "The Story of English Episode 6 - Pioneers O Pioneers - Part 1 / 7." YouTube. YouTube, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 19 Jan. 2013.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Episode 5
Even though whites made fun of blacks through their caricatures depicting blacks in nicer clothes than they actually had and making fun of their spin on english (black english), many upper class whites had a creole influence in their speech. The whites pointed out that black english was "lazy and ungrammatical"yet black english still crept into the lives of the whites. The Sea Islands off the coast of South Carolina are homes to many blacks because during the Civil War and Reconstruction Era, it was created as a place where blacks could settle without "disturbing" the whites. As a result of this isolation, this people's language has been "nearly unchanged for three-hundred years." A comment on this video is "they sound remarkably like us carribean blacks." This would be because since the slave trade of so long ago, these people in the Sea Islands are most likely decendents of the slaves from the Carribean. The Carribean slaves passed down their heritage and language to their deseendents who can only preserve this by passing it down. This is why they people in the video sound like Carribean blacks. "Why were the subtitles necessary? I could understand everything those two were saying," was also a comment on the video. This person is probably used to hearing this type or a similar type of language and so sees no need to have the subtitles. Even though it is English, I still had a hard time understanding some things becauase they tended to mumble and use some different words I didn't know. Their speaking would be even harder for those learning English or not very good at it. Becasue of the slave trade bringing a new kind of people with a new kind of language to America, it influenced the English language and the effects are still seen today.
Info:
Armstrong, Edward. "The Story of English Episode 5 - Black on White - Part 1 / 7." YouTube. YouTube, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 17 Jan. 2013.
Info:
Armstrong, Edward. "The Story of English Episode 5 - Black on White - Part 1 / 7." YouTube. YouTube, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 17 Jan. 2013.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Scottish-episode 4
I find it interesting that Scottish news is in English and that even if they say the news in Scottish, it basically sounds the same except for a couple of words and a different accent. This is because the Anglo-Saxons also settled Scotland and created a Northern variety of English. Scotland was able to keep its unique twist on English because of the many border wars fought between the Scottish and English that separated the two languages and helped foster the individual growth of the two. Scottish traditions and stories are taught orally because of tradition and many tribes still preserve their history through this method today. As was related in the video, Robert Burns was a poet who "shunned English" and "restored his nation's voice" by preserving and encouraging Scottish through his literary works. This video has helped me realize that Scottish is really annoying! Can you please speak correctly? I mean, you've got it all wrong....anyway sorry for my little random rant. I bet this looks funny in Scottish. I promise, I don't have ADD. So, once I had to do a report on the poet Elizabeth Bishop who was very talented in her work and won many awards for them. Robert Burns and Elizabeth Bishop were both poets who left their mark on the world by expressing their reality through an artistic form of language and writing. Through Robert Burns' work, he was able to help preserve a dying language!!
Ah fin' it interestin' 'at scottish bark is in sassenach an' 'at e'en if they say th' bark in scottish, it basically soonds th' sam except fur a coople ay words an' a different accent. thes is coz th' anglo-saxons also settled scootlund an' created a northern variety ay sassenach. scootlund maunt tae keep its unique twist oan sassenach coz ay th' mony border wars fooght atween th' scottish an' sassenach 'at separted th' tois languages an' helped foster th' individual growth ay th' tois. scottish traditions an' stories ur taught orally coz ay tradition an' mony tribes still preserve their history ben thes method the-day. as was related in th' video, rabbie burns was a poit fa "shunned english" an' "restored his nation's voice" by preservin' an' encooragin' scottish ben his literary works. thes video has helped me realize 'at scottish is pure annoyin'! can ye please spick correctly? Ah pure techt, yoo've got it aw wrang....anyway sorry fur mah wee random rant. Ah bit thes looks funay in scottish. Ah tryst, Ah dornt hae add. sae, ance Ah hud tae dae a report oan th' poit elizabeth bishop fa was huir uv a talented in 'er wark an' won mony awards fur them. rabbie burns an' elizabeth bishop waur baith poets fa left their mark oan th' warld by expressin' their reality ben an artistic f'rm ay leid an' writin'. ben rabbie burns' wark, he maunt tae help preserve a dyin' leid!!
Oh wow...
Info:
Armstrong, Edward. "The Story of English Episode 4 - The Guid Scots Tongue - Part 1 / 7." YouTube. YouTube, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 15 Jan. 2013.
Ah fin' it interestin' 'at scottish bark is in sassenach an' 'at e'en if they say th' bark in scottish, it basically soonds th' sam except fur a coople ay words an' a different accent. thes is coz th' anglo-saxons also settled scootlund an' created a northern variety ay sassenach. scootlund maunt tae keep its unique twist oan sassenach coz ay th' mony border wars fooght atween th' scottish an' sassenach 'at separted th' tois languages an' helped foster th' individual growth ay th' tois. scottish traditions an' stories ur taught orally coz ay tradition an' mony tribes still preserve their history ben thes method the-day. as was related in th' video, rabbie burns was a poit fa "shunned english" an' "restored his nation's voice" by preservin' an' encooragin' scottish ben his literary works. thes video has helped me realize 'at scottish is pure annoyin'! can ye please spick correctly? Ah pure techt, yoo've got it aw wrang....anyway sorry fur mah wee random rant. Ah bit thes looks funay in scottish. Ah tryst, Ah dornt hae add. sae, ance Ah hud tae dae a report oan th' poit elizabeth bishop fa was huir uv a talented in 'er wark an' won mony awards fur them. rabbie burns an' elizabeth bishop waur baith poets fa left their mark oan th' warld by expressin' their reality ben an artistic f'rm ay leid an' writin'. ben rabbie burns' wark, he maunt tae help preserve a dyin' leid!!
Oh wow...
Info:
Armstrong, Edward. "The Story of English Episode 4 - The Guid Scots Tongue - Part 1 / 7." YouTube. YouTube, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 15 Jan. 2013.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
The English language part 2 video explains how even though English and Sanskrit seem very different, they really are quite similar and can be grouped in the same language family with some other languages. This video also mentions that the Stonehenge stones are the "parents of the Indo-European group of languages," which contain many branches of languages created over the generations including Spanish and French. It is also stated that "the English language arrived in Britain in AD 449," implying that Britain originally did not have the English language. Germanic tribes including the Anglo-Saxons became the ancestors of England because they invaded Britain who was inhabited by Celtics and abandoned by the Romans.The video goes on to say that the Anglo-Saxons group name was created because these Eastern people had a similar language. Throughout the video it is shown how over time languages can be changed and adapted which results in words sounding similar in different languages. An example of this is the guy who lives in Holland whose language is closer to English than Dutch. Antoher example is of how there is still a Celtic influence in the modern Welsh language.
Armstrong, Edward. "The Story of English Episode 2 - The Mother Tongue - Part 1 / 7."
YouTube. YouTube, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 12 Jan. 2013.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UG6vHXArlk>.
Armstrong, Edward. "The Story of English Episode 2 - The Mother Tongue - Part 1 / 7."
YouTube. YouTube, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 12 Jan. 2013.
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UG6vHXArlk>.
English Episode 1
This video mentions that "English is more influential than any other language." This statement is then supported by the evidence that an Italian airline, with Italian pilots, speaks the "airport language" of English, which is used in airlines in 157 countries across the world. It goes on to explain that English is infiltrating other countries other than Britain and the US, through newscasting, newspapers, mail, movies, songs, computers, TV etc. Even the countries themselves are producing these items in English which is not their native language. In this video, they refer to the word "variety" of English instead of dialect, because dialect is a loaded word that can denote segregation or grouping of different people. I guess you could say "variety" would be more politically correct. In public schools in England, they have taken groups of children that speak different varieties of English and have helped them develop the more "superior" English accent because this accent supposedly denotes that you are "intelligent, trustworthy, and good-looking." Maybe English has become a dominant language in the world because those who speak English are unwilling to communicate in any other way (because of pride/arrogance?) which forces others to learn to be able to communicate and understand the growing majority of people that speak English.
Info provided by:
Armstrong, Edward. "The Story of English Episode 1 - An English Speaking World - Part 1/7." YouTube. YouTube, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 12 Jan. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=7FtSUPAM-uA>.
Info provided by:
Armstrong, Edward. "The Story of English Episode 1 - An English Speaking World - Part 1/7." YouTube. YouTube, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 12 Jan. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=7FtSUPAM-uA>.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)