Monday, December 3, 2012
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, July 1851
I think I would have liked periodicals like this. I love that it is mostly essays and stories, but they cover various subjects. Though I really only skimmed through the issue (it's so long compared to modern magazines!), I saw different types of stories- short ones a page or less, on- going ones in with chapters in the thirties, and an autobiography- and essay topics ranged from politics to astronomy to giraffes (I've been told that this is around the time giraffes were discovered, but still, it made me laugh to be skimming and skimming and then come across "A Chapter On Giraffes"). Though these are what made up the majority of the content, there were also some informative sections (statistics, eclipse dates and explanations, etc), a short editorial type section, and a small bit of fashion. I find this length and variety much more appealing than today's extremely short, very focalized magazines. I may pick up and issue of Scientific American or Scientific American Mind every so often, but I find they cost too much money for half an hour of reading.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
The Luck of Roaring Camp
Ok, so this is the first author we've read whom I've not at least heard of before this class. Is it unusual to not have read Bret Harte before? I guess maybe more people from California have heard of him or read some of his works. It's also possible one of my teachers mentioned him or one of his works and I just don't remember it.
I found this story fascinatingly symbolic and realistic at the same time. By that, I mean, the physical descriptions and the men of the camp and their beliefs and attitudes were all extremely informative. This is how these gold mining camps WERE. Harte simply paints a picture of it for those who are not in them. It's realistic.
And yet, there is Tommy Luck, who is symbolic- symbolic of sudden success in their gold mining. They all adored him and lavished him in gifs more than what was necessary. He improved their entre camp- physically and morally and, man, they were on top of the world. They had a truly glorious summer.
But the flood returns us somewhat to the realism. In a moment, all of their glory (and their Luck) was taken away from them and they were left with almost nothing.
This was quite the common experience for the gold miners in California, if I'm not mistaken.
I enjoyed Harte's style. I liked his way of subtly writing in some of the dialect without making it overbearing or difficult to read. I thought the story flowed well and was entertaining to read. But mostly I loved his way of writing something so real and informative that was also symbolic. It's simply fascinating.
I found this story fascinatingly symbolic and realistic at the same time. By that, I mean, the physical descriptions and the men of the camp and their beliefs and attitudes were all extremely informative. This is how these gold mining camps WERE. Harte simply paints a picture of it for those who are not in them. It's realistic.
And yet, there is Tommy Luck, who is symbolic- symbolic of sudden success in their gold mining. They all adored him and lavished him in gifs more than what was necessary. He improved their entre camp- physically and morally and, man, they were on top of the world. They had a truly glorious summer.
But the flood returns us somewhat to the realism. In a moment, all of their glory (and their Luck) was taken away from them and they were left with almost nothing.
This was quite the common experience for the gold miners in California, if I'm not mistaken.
I enjoyed Harte's style. I liked his way of subtly writing in some of the dialect without making it overbearing or difficult to read. I thought the story flowed well and was entertaining to read. But mostly I loved his way of writing something so real and informative that was also symbolic. It's simply fascinating.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Tennessee Journalism
I found the style of the writing humorous and the story easy to read. Also, the point I felt like was really clear and easy to understand.
What I have to say about it is that I think the point is still extremely relevant today. The media all over the nation have become like what Twain labels the fervent spirit of the South. Journalism today is almost entirely about sensationalism; it's about the extremes and it's usually focused around the negative. Instead of presenting the information and allowing each reader to consider for themselves and form their own opinion about it, the media intentionally (though often subtly) influences how we perceive the presented information. This is dangerous because it discourages critical thinking from the general public.
I think this piece could be classified as satire as it uses humor to point out and hopefully correct negative behavior. Was this intentional satire on his part? Was satire a common genre at this point?
What I have to say about it is that I think the point is still extremely relevant today. The media all over the nation have become like what Twain labels the fervent spirit of the South. Journalism today is almost entirely about sensationalism; it's about the extremes and it's usually focused around the negative. Instead of presenting the information and allowing each reader to consider for themselves and form their own opinion about it, the media intentionally (though often subtly) influences how we perceive the presented information. This is dangerous because it discourages critical thinking from the general public.
I think this piece could be classified as satire as it uses humor to point out and hopefully correct negative behavior. Was this intentional satire on his part? Was satire a common genre at this point?
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Whitman and Dickinson
From Whitman, I am much intrigued his theme of singing and song. Almost every poem we read made a reference to singing or someone or thing's song. I'm not sure that it's actually all that significant or intentional; I just like it. I love the idea that all of life is a song and that every one and thing has a contribution to make- what's the quote that ends with "that I may contribute a verse"? Hmm, I'm going to have to look it up.
Ah, yes, it is a different Walt Whitman poem. That would explain why it came to mind here. I heard O Me! O Life! quoted in Dead Poets Society. Whitman goes through some of the worst aspects of life and asks, "What good amid these, O me, O life? Answer. That you are here—that life exists and identity, / That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse."
I adore Whitman's concept of the beauty of just being alive. I strive for the same outlook, really. Particularly, I loved When I heard the Learn'd Astronomer because of the idea that learning is fine but you also need to stop calculating and just appreciate beauty.
As for Dickinson, I strongly reacted to This World is Not Conclusion but I can't even articulate to myself why. I think her poetry looks straightforward and then I read it and feel like it all goes way over my head. I enjoy her rhythms and am intrigued greatly by her rather unique style. But I don't actually understand any of it.
Ah, yes, it is a different Walt Whitman poem. That would explain why it came to mind here. I heard O Me! O Life! quoted in Dead Poets Society. Whitman goes through some of the worst aspects of life and asks, "What good amid these, O me, O life? Answer. That you are here—that life exists and identity, / That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse."
I adore Whitman's concept of the beauty of just being alive. I strive for the same outlook, really. Particularly, I loved When I heard the Learn'd Astronomer because of the idea that learning is fine but you also need to stop calculating and just appreciate beauty.
As for Dickinson, I strongly reacted to This World is Not Conclusion but I can't even articulate to myself why. I think her poetry looks straightforward and then I read it and feel like it all goes way over my head. I enjoy her rhythms and am intrigued greatly by her rather unique style. But I don't actually understand any of it.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Poe
So, I think I'm a little unique with my experiences regarding the darkly fascinating Edgar Allan Poe. As far as I can tell, most people read Tell Tale Heart and some of his poetry. Though I have read The Raven (on my own, sophomore year of college), I know next to nothing about his poetry. He's more famous for his poetry, and I have to remind myself that he's written more poems than just The Raven because I somehow just forget that.
What I have had since 7th grade, is the Collector's Library compilation of all of his short stories, titled "Tales of Mystery and Imagination". My mom recommended starting with Tale Tell Heart and so I did, alone in my room, right before bed. And I loved it!
I made my way, very slowly, through all of the stories in the book. Most of the others went over my head, but I read them anyway. The only Poe I have read in school, though, is Tell Tale Heart and it had been a long while since I've looked at it from a literary perspective.
The Cask of Amontillado, however, I will have to re-read, so here goes.
First of all, I find Poe so gripping because of how he has a tendency to just start in with the story and you feel like you have to catch up. I feel like some authors do this poorly because they wait too long to give you the background info, but Poe does it well. In this case, I'm immediately wondering who Fortunato is why WHY he's so insulting.
I'm a little confused about the webbing he points out as "Nitre". Wikipedia says "Niter is a colorless to white mineral crystallizing in the orthorhombic crystal system. It usually is found as massive encrustations and effervescent growths on cavern walls and ceilings where solutions containing alkali potassium and nitrate seep into the openings. It occasionally occurs as prismatic acicular crystal groups, and individual crystals commonly show twinning." I'm not really sure what it's importance is though.
I find it a little funny that in trying to google the latin phrase that is his family's moto, all I had to type in was "nemo" before it came up as the second suggestion. It means, "No one attacks me with impunity" or "No one can harm me unpunished".
If you are curious- the last phrase means, "Rest in peace".
What I find so wonderful about Poe is the way he explores the depth of the darkness in humanity, and yet, there is room for hope. I love that the narrator does not seem to get the satisfaction he expects from his deed. He leaves in a hurry and ends the story with the "rest in peace" you don't expect someone to afford someone they hated enough to murder.
I also just love dark stories, but that's just me.
What I have had since 7th grade, is the Collector's Library compilation of all of his short stories, titled "Tales of Mystery and Imagination". My mom recommended starting with Tale Tell Heart and so I did, alone in my room, right before bed. And I loved it!
I made my way, very slowly, through all of the stories in the book. Most of the others went over my head, but I read them anyway. The only Poe I have read in school, though, is Tell Tale Heart and it had been a long while since I've looked at it from a literary perspective.
The Cask of Amontillado, however, I will have to re-read, so here goes.
First of all, I find Poe so gripping because of how he has a tendency to just start in with the story and you feel like you have to catch up. I feel like some authors do this poorly because they wait too long to give you the background info, but Poe does it well. In this case, I'm immediately wondering who Fortunato is why WHY he's so insulting.
I'm a little confused about the webbing he points out as "Nitre". Wikipedia says "Niter is a colorless to white mineral crystallizing in the orthorhombic crystal system. It usually is found as massive encrustations and effervescent growths on cavern walls and ceilings where solutions containing alkali potassium and nitrate seep into the openings. It occasionally occurs as prismatic acicular crystal groups, and individual crystals commonly show twinning." I'm not really sure what it's importance is though.
I find it a little funny that in trying to google the latin phrase that is his family's moto, all I had to type in was "nemo" before it came up as the second suggestion. It means, "No one attacks me with impunity" or "No one can harm me unpunished".
If you are curious- the last phrase means, "Rest in peace".
What I find so wonderful about Poe is the way he explores the depth of the darkness in humanity, and yet, there is room for hope. I love that the narrator does not seem to get the satisfaction he expects from his deed. He leaves in a hurry and ends the story with the "rest in peace" you don't expect someone to afford someone they hated enough to murder.
I also just love dark stories, but that's just me.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Where I Lived and What I Lived For
I was excited to read Thoreau as he is so often quoted though I've actually read very little of his works. I've read more of Emerson's than his. I was excited to find the "suck all the marrow out of life" quote in context to see how it fits into the larger picture. Bottom line, really, is that I'm excited for this unit.
Admittedly, though, I got a bit impatient with Thoreau after the first couple pages were all descriptions of scenery and farms. I was tempted to fast forward through the "where I lived" part and get to the part I was really intrigued by. I resisted the temptation though I still see only a little substance in the Where I Lived section.
The part I connect with is the purpose of life stuff. Particularly I was intrigued by his extremely long paragraph about mornings and throwing off intellectual sleepiness. I completely agree with his points about Genius and the imagery of being one with nature. I disagree that it HAS to happen in the morning however. He writes, "Morning is when I am awake and there is dawn in me." Morning is not at all the time I am most awake; there is an individual difference in that idea. Though, I understand if he simply choose morning because it fit within the metaphor of dawn and wakefulness.
My point is that I do believe we should all strive for moments like Thoreau describes in this paragraph, but perhaps those moments do actually have to take place in the morning as he argues. Without using the word "transcendental" he is describing a moment of transcending the daily routine and finding a time of awareness and spirituality (not religiousness). I find those moments when I stare at the stars at night, not when I stumble around my bedroom, bleary eyed, trying to find clothes.
Admittedly, though, I got a bit impatient with Thoreau after the first couple pages were all descriptions of scenery and farms. I was tempted to fast forward through the "where I lived" part and get to the part I was really intrigued by. I resisted the temptation though I still see only a little substance in the Where I Lived section.
The part I connect with is the purpose of life stuff. Particularly I was intrigued by his extremely long paragraph about mornings and throwing off intellectual sleepiness. I completely agree with his points about Genius and the imagery of being one with nature. I disagree that it HAS to happen in the morning however. He writes, "Morning is when I am awake and there is dawn in me." Morning is not at all the time I am most awake; there is an individual difference in that idea. Though, I understand if he simply choose morning because it fit within the metaphor of dawn and wakefulness.
My point is that I do believe we should all strive for moments like Thoreau describes in this paragraph, but perhaps those moments do actually have to take place in the morning as he argues. Without using the word "transcendental" he is describing a moment of transcending the daily routine and finding a time of awareness and spirituality (not religiousness). I find those moments when I stare at the stars at night, not when I stumble around my bedroom, bleary eyed, trying to find clothes.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The Pennsylvania Gazette
I am reading number 731 from December 14, 1742 and the first thing I notice, besides the header, is that all [edit: lower case?] S's are F's. This is mildly annoying to me since I'm not feeling my best and it makes it a little more difficult to read. The next thing I question is why he's reprinting and article from August. I know information moved much more slowly in those days, but was it really so slow that his audience would not have heard this yet? Or does he have other rhetorical motives for reprinting an article from 4 months ago. Also, key words in each sentence are capitalized. Is that just a thing newspapers did back then or what?
As I near the end of the first column, I'm struck with the realization that I have no idea what I'm reading about. Which war is this? Why did Franklin's American audience care? I saw something towards the top about "loss of the colonies", but I don't understand who was talking to who and so I'm generally just pretty confused right now.
Alright- I'm picking up more about this war. It involves Austria, England and France, but I have no idea whose on which side other than Austria against France. Which side is England on and who is Franklin in support of? .... Oh, goodness, like 3 more countries just got mentioned. I'm back to being confused.
That sure is a really long quote on page 2. I wonder why he put quotes on every line? Was that just the rule back then instead of the rule we have now?
Ok, I'm not gonna lie, I'm starting to lose patience. I don't understand why all this is so important and I'm no longer seeing many stylistic things that interest me.
Ooooh, there's a bunch of advertisements on page three. Now those interest me more than I war I know nothing about. There's a reward posted for a lost or stolen mare with her colt. I love horses so that definitely stands out to me. Though, there is nothing that interesting to analyse about it. It's a very typical reward add and other than some minor wording, is almost exactly the types of advertisements we see today for lost animals. I had fun skimming over the list of books Franklin was selling. He had a wide variety. Did he like have a bookshop or something? I didn't realize he was also a bookseller. I love books! The next advertisement is also for a bookseller/binder. It makes me kind of want to go have one of my books rebound just too see what the process was like.
More war...
Runaway slave ad.... an irish man, that's interesting.
I'm not quite sure what this little bit is saying but it has something to do with a French Privateer ship, which is interesting. Pirates are cool.
And the last page is ENTIRELY adverts and they seem to be mostly for sale or lost ads.
This particular issue seemed to be more reprints and excerpts than original writing from Ben. I'm not sure whether this is typical of an issue or is it's unique to this issue. I don't feel like I have much to say about it, though, because I don't have much material with which to judge his writing style or character or anything else about him. It's all reprinted from another source, excerpts from something, or ads.
As I near the end of the first column, I'm struck with the realization that I have no idea what I'm reading about. Which war is this? Why did Franklin's American audience care? I saw something towards the top about "loss of the colonies", but I don't understand who was talking to who and so I'm generally just pretty confused right now.
Alright- I'm picking up more about this war. It involves Austria, England and France, but I have no idea whose on which side other than Austria against France. Which side is England on and who is Franklin in support of? .... Oh, goodness, like 3 more countries just got mentioned. I'm back to being confused.
That sure is a really long quote on page 2. I wonder why he put quotes on every line? Was that just the rule back then instead of the rule we have now?
Ok, I'm not gonna lie, I'm starting to lose patience. I don't understand why all this is so important and I'm no longer seeing many stylistic things that interest me.
Ooooh, there's a bunch of advertisements on page three. Now those interest me more than I war I know nothing about. There's a reward posted for a lost or stolen mare with her colt. I love horses so that definitely stands out to me. Though, there is nothing that interesting to analyse about it. It's a very typical reward add and other than some minor wording, is almost exactly the types of advertisements we see today for lost animals. I had fun skimming over the list of books Franklin was selling. He had a wide variety. Did he like have a bookshop or something? I didn't realize he was also a bookseller. I love books! The next advertisement is also for a bookseller/binder. It makes me kind of want to go have one of my books rebound just too see what the process was like.
More war...
Runaway slave ad.... an irish man, that's interesting.
I'm not quite sure what this little bit is saying but it has something to do with a French Privateer ship, which is interesting. Pirates are cool.
And the last page is ENTIRELY adverts and they seem to be mostly for sale or lost ads.
This particular issue seemed to be more reprints and excerpts than original writing from Ben. I'm not sure whether this is typical of an issue or is it's unique to this issue. I don't feel like I have much to say about it, though, because I don't have much material with which to judge his writing style or character or anything else about him. It's all reprinted from another source, excerpts from something, or ads.
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