Link to video:
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Blog Post #9: How to Write About Minnesota
Always use words like 'cold' or 'snow' or 'lakes' or 'frozen' to describe Minnesota. Explain that the cold weather and snow lasts all year long, and that it is always a go-to topic for conversation.
Describe Minnesotans as being 'Minnesota nice', and as people who enjoy hunting and fishing at their cabins as a sort of vacation. Note that they all love Prince, hot dish, and hockey. Make sure to show how Minnesotans always wear warm winter clothing, with the occasional substitution of shorts and flip flops when the temperature gets above freezing, which is very rare.
Have your characters use phrases like "ya sure, you betcha" and "dontcha know", and have them add 'oh' to most of their words. Also, have them apologize for almost everything. When it's time for your characters to say goodbye to each other, make sure it's long and drawn out, as if they're never going to see each other again.
Apply these characteristics to all of your Minnesotan characters because they're essentially the same person anyway.
Describe Minnesotans as being 'Minnesota nice', and as people who enjoy hunting and fishing at their cabins as a sort of vacation. Note that they all love Prince, hot dish, and hockey. Make sure to show how Minnesotans always wear warm winter clothing, with the occasional substitution of shorts and flip flops when the temperature gets above freezing, which is very rare.
Have your characters use phrases like "ya sure, you betcha" and "dontcha know", and have them add 'oh' to most of their words. Also, have them apologize for almost everything. When it's time for your characters to say goodbye to each other, make sure it's long and drawn out, as if they're never going to see each other again.
Apply these characteristics to all of your Minnesotan characters because they're essentially the same person anyway.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Blog Post #8: "The Negro Artist and The Racial Mountain"
http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hughes/mountain.htm
1. Do you agree with Hughes's claim that "I want to be a poet--not a Negro poet" equates to "I want to be white?"
No, I don't a agree with Hughes's claim. I think this quote means that the poet wants race to be taken out of literature, and out of society in general, instead of having it be the main focal point. The poet wants to be treated as a white poet would be treated, but that doesn't mean he wants to be white. He just wants racial equality.
2. According to Hughes, how does social class and race intersect?
Hughes said that as social class increased, racial pride decreased. He said that the higher social classes of African Americans cared more about what it was like to be white, which affected their religion and made it difficult for good artists to come from those classes.
3. What is the "mountain" that Hughes refers to? Why do you think it exists?
Hughes refers to the "mountain" as "this urge within the race towards whiteness, the desire to pour racial individuality into the mold of the American standardization, and to be as little Negro and as much American as possible." Essentially he's saying that the "mountain" is discouraging the expression of African-American culture because of it's pressure to conform to uniform "white" American values.
I think the "mountain" exists, because of our country's history. The United States, although it seems like a place of individualism, has always been a place of forced conformity. In the past, Native Americans were forced to assimilate into American culture, and some African Americans were forcefully brought here to work as slaves. In these two instances, Native Americans and African Americans were forced to lose some of their original culture. The "mountain" exists because of our country's history of discouraging individual culture and enforcing the standardized American culture.
4. Who does Hughes blame for the "mountain"?
Hughes blames the standardized American culture for the "mountain". He mentions "Nordic manners, Nordic hair, Nordic art, and an Episcopal heaven" that are all parts of what has created this mountain.
5. What are the implications of this essay to our society today? Do Hughes's claims still ring true?
Our society today connects to this essay, in that America can still be seen as a place of standardization and conformity. It can also, though, be seen as a place of individuality. Because of this, Hughes's claims still somewhat ring true. In some ways, newcomers lose part of their original culture to be more "American," but in other ways, they don't. That is way America can be described as a melting pot but also as a salad bowl.
1. Do you agree with Hughes's claim that "I want to be a poet--not a Negro poet" equates to "I want to be white?"
No, I don't a agree with Hughes's claim. I think this quote means that the poet wants race to be taken out of literature, and out of society in general, instead of having it be the main focal point. The poet wants to be treated as a white poet would be treated, but that doesn't mean he wants to be white. He just wants racial equality.
2. According to Hughes, how does social class and race intersect?
Hughes said that as social class increased, racial pride decreased. He said that the higher social classes of African Americans cared more about what it was like to be white, which affected their religion and made it difficult for good artists to come from those classes.
3. What is the "mountain" that Hughes refers to? Why do you think it exists?
Hughes refers to the "mountain" as "this urge within the race towards whiteness, the desire to pour racial individuality into the mold of the American standardization, and to be as little Negro and as much American as possible." Essentially he's saying that the "mountain" is discouraging the expression of African-American culture because of it's pressure to conform to uniform "white" American values.
I think the "mountain" exists, because of our country's history. The United States, although it seems like a place of individualism, has always been a place of forced conformity. In the past, Native Americans were forced to assimilate into American culture, and some African Americans were forcefully brought here to work as slaves. In these two instances, Native Americans and African Americans were forced to lose some of their original culture. The "mountain" exists because of our country's history of discouraging individual culture and enforcing the standardized American culture.
4. Who does Hughes blame for the "mountain"?
Hughes blames the standardized American culture for the "mountain". He mentions "Nordic manners, Nordic hair, Nordic art, and an Episcopal heaven" that are all parts of what has created this mountain.
5. What are the implications of this essay to our society today? Do Hughes's claims still ring true?
Our society today connects to this essay, in that America can still be seen as a place of standardization and conformity. It can also, though, be seen as a place of individuality. Because of this, Hughes's claims still somewhat ring true. In some ways, newcomers lose part of their original culture to be more "American," but in other ways, they don't. That is way America can be described as a melting pot but also as a salad bowl.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Blog Post #7: Langston Hughes
Dreams
Hold on to dreams
For if you let go
Life is a puzzle with one missing piece
That can never be completed.
Hold on to dreams
For when they are gone
Life is clock
That's unable to tick.
I chose to use the metaphor of a puzzle with one missing piece because without that one piece the puzzle would never be 100% complete. This makes me think about what life would be like without dreams. Without dreams, life wouldn't be complete. Dreams and having goals to work towards are part of what makes life worth living. I chose to use the metaphor of a clock because life can be thought of as a clock, and without having dreams or things to work towards, that clock stops ticking and life becomes sedentary.
Hold on to dreams
For if you let go
Life is a puzzle with one missing piece
That can never be completed.
Hold on to dreams
For when they are gone
Life is clock
That's unable to tick.
I chose to use the metaphor of a puzzle with one missing piece because without that one piece the puzzle would never be 100% complete. This makes me think about what life would be like without dreams. Without dreams, life wouldn't be complete. Dreams and having goals to work towards are part of what makes life worth living. I chose to use the metaphor of a clock because life can be thought of as a clock, and without having dreams or things to work towards, that clock stops ticking and life becomes sedentary.
Friday, October 24, 2014
Blog Post #6: Historical Context
Historical Context:In Nazi Germany (1933-1945), when prisoners were put into concentration camps, they were forced to wear a striped uniform. Each uniform had a number for identification and a colored triangle, which gave the reason for their imprisonment. According to The Holocaust Explained:
Criminals were marked with a green triangle, political prisoners with red, homosexuals with pink, whilst Jehovah's Witnesses wore a purple triangle and asocials (including Roma) wore a black triangle. In some camps, Jews were usually marked by a yellow triangle to form the Star of David. However, in others a yellow star identified them as being Jewish.
This color identification closely connects with Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale.
Passages:
"...in their red shoes...The red gloves are lying on the bed...Everything except the wings around my face is red: the color of blood, which defines us. The skirt is ankle-length, full, gathered to a flat yoke that extends over the breasts, the sleeves are full. The white wings too are prescribed issue..." (Atwood 8).
"At the bottom of the stairs there's a hat-and-umbrella stand...There are several umbrellas in it: black, for the Commander, blue, for the Commander's Wife, and the one assigned to me, which is red" (Atwood 9).
"She's in her usual Martha's dress, which is dull green...The dress is much like mine in shape, long and concealing..." (Atwood 9).
Analysis:
In The Handmaid's Tale, the characters dress specifically to their role in the society of Gilead. The Commanders dress in all black, the Commanders' Wives in blue, the Handmaids in red, and the Marthas in green.
This close connection to what happened to prisoners in Nazi Germany would suggest that Atwood looked closely at, and included, past historical events to enhance her dystopian novel. Atwood used what happened in the past to hint at what could happen in the future if changes aren't made. It seems like her way of warning the reader about the consequences of history repeating itself.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Blog Post #5: The Handmaid's Tale
Part 1:
Lately I've felt conflicted. I've been thinking about Moira a lot. I think about how she escaped. I wonder if she's still alive. I imagine her outside of Gilead, living a normal life again. But this is only a story.
This story I tell myself, could it possibly be true? Or was she captured and sent to the Colonies? Even worse, was she killed? She must be alive, I haven't seen anyone who resembled her by the Wall, and the other Handmaid's are keeping an eye out for her.
Recently I've been contemplating whether or not I should follow Moira's actions. I could try to escape this dysfunctional, oppressive world of Gilead. I could find Luke and my daughter, and we could live a normal life again. On the other hand, I could be caught and sent to the Colonies with the Unwomen. I could also be killed.
These are the consequences that I have to considered. I want my life back, but what can I do in this protective world?
Part 2:
I chose to write from Offred's perspective, because in the book she seems to be very conflicted about a lot of things. She outwardly states some of her conflicts, but it can be inferred that she also is inwardly conflicted. I decided to write about Offred wondering if she should try to escape like Moira did, because Offred doesn't know what happened to Moira. She may have escaped Gilead, or she may of been captured. The reader knows that Offred doesn't agree with what is happening in Gilead and that she wants to find her family again. The only way for her to possibly to that would be to escape.
Lately I've felt conflicted. I've been thinking about Moira a lot. I think about how she escaped. I wonder if she's still alive. I imagine her outside of Gilead, living a normal life again. But this is only a story.
This story I tell myself, could it possibly be true? Or was she captured and sent to the Colonies? Even worse, was she killed? She must be alive, I haven't seen anyone who resembled her by the Wall, and the other Handmaid's are keeping an eye out for her.
Recently I've been contemplating whether or not I should follow Moira's actions. I could try to escape this dysfunctional, oppressive world of Gilead. I could find Luke and my daughter, and we could live a normal life again. On the other hand, I could be caught and sent to the Colonies with the Unwomen. I could also be killed.
These are the consequences that I have to considered. I want my life back, but what can I do in this protective world?
Part 2:
I chose to write from Offred's perspective, because in the book she seems to be very conflicted about a lot of things. She outwardly states some of her conflicts, but it can be inferred that she also is inwardly conflicted. I decided to write about Offred wondering if she should try to escape like Moira did, because Offred doesn't know what happened to Moira. She may have escaped Gilead, or she may of been captured. The reader knows that Offred doesn't agree with what is happening in Gilead and that she wants to find her family again. The only way for her to possibly to that would be to escape.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Blog Post #4: Being a Global Citizen
1. What effects have political structures had on women?
In the United States our democratic government has helped to significantly advance women's equality. In the past, women weren't able to vote, get a quality education, hold jobs, run for office, or make their own decisions, among many other things. Now, with the help of our inclusive political system, women can vote, get a good education, have high-up jobs, run for office, and fight for our country. We can also make our own decisions about things such as divorce and abortion. Women's rights and equality have come a long way, but there is still a long way to go before total equality is reached.
The Afghan government had what was considered its first democratic election in 2004. Before that, the government was not democratic and seemed more oppressive, which really affected women. In Afghanistan, the average woman will live to only 45 years old, many women are illiterate, more than 50% of all brides are under 16 years old, 87% of women have experienced domestic violence, there are more than one million widows on the streets, and it is the only country that has a higher rate of suicide in women than in males. NATO is trying to help Afghanistan change, which will only benefit women, but change takes time.
In Iraq, the government and politics hasn't been very structured since the U.S. invasion. Since the invasion women have been imprisoned, the literacy rate is one of the lowest among Arab countries, women and girls fear going to work and school because of increased kidnapping and rapes, and more than one million women have been displaced from their homes. Women will continue to suffer as long as there is unrest in Iraq and an unstructured government.
2. How equal are women to men in our country, in other countries, eras, etc.?
In past in the United States, women weren't equal to men, but over time, we have received more rights and more equality. As time goes on, the inequalities between men and women decrease, but there are still significant differences in the equality of men and women. Men still make more money than women. In 2013, the median weekly earnings for women in full-time management occupations was $973 compared to $1,349 for men.
Sweden is considered one of the world's most gender equal countries. They believe that men and women should share power and influence equally, and that everyone, not matter their gender has the right to work and support themselves.
Yemen is ranked as one of the worst countries for gender equality. Historically, the women of Yemen have always been below men. Yemeni women don't have many economic, social, or cultural rights.
In the United States our democratic government has helped to significantly advance women's equality. In the past, women weren't able to vote, get a quality education, hold jobs, run for office, or make their own decisions, among many other things. Now, with the help of our inclusive political system, women can vote, get a good education, have high-up jobs, run for office, and fight for our country. We can also make our own decisions about things such as divorce and abortion. Women's rights and equality have come a long way, but there is still a long way to go before total equality is reached.
The Afghan government had what was considered its first democratic election in 2004. Before that, the government was not democratic and seemed more oppressive, which really affected women. In Afghanistan, the average woman will live to only 45 years old, many women are illiterate, more than 50% of all brides are under 16 years old, 87% of women have experienced domestic violence, there are more than one million widows on the streets, and it is the only country that has a higher rate of suicide in women than in males. NATO is trying to help Afghanistan change, which will only benefit women, but change takes time.
In Iraq, the government and politics hasn't been very structured since the U.S. invasion. Since the invasion women have been imprisoned, the literacy rate is one of the lowest among Arab countries, women and girls fear going to work and school because of increased kidnapping and rapes, and more than one million women have been displaced from their homes. Women will continue to suffer as long as there is unrest in Iraq and an unstructured government.
2. How equal are women to men in our country, in other countries, eras, etc.?
In past in the United States, women weren't equal to men, but over time, we have received more rights and more equality. As time goes on, the inequalities between men and women decrease, but there are still significant differences in the equality of men and women. Men still make more money than women. In 2013, the median weekly earnings for women in full-time management occupations was $973 compared to $1,349 for men.
Sweden is considered one of the world's most gender equal countries. They believe that men and women should share power and influence equally, and that everyone, not matter their gender has the right to work and support themselves.
Yemen is ranked as one of the worst countries for gender equality. Historically, the women of Yemen have always been below men. Yemeni women don't have many economic, social, or cultural rights.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Blog Post #3: What's Current Creates Currency
3. I think popular music reflects the majority of our younger society's beliefs and values, but at the same time, I think it can dictate what we believe. A lot of artists sing about what's happening in our society today, which helps explain what most young people believe. On the other hand, since popular artists have a lot of influence, the messages in their music can change what their fans believe.
4. Music usually becomes popular because of the popularity of the artists who sing it. Well-known artists are the ones whose music is played most often on the radio, because these artists have the most power and influence on consumers, as opposed to lesser-known artists. Occasionally, unknown artists' songs become popular, but I think that's because their music is considered revolutionary and/or different.
Everyone has a different definition of what they consider to be art. I think 'pop' art can be 'real' art, because to me, almost anything is art. If a person creates something that they think is art, then it should be considered art.
5. Depending on the type of media, different genres of music are used to entertain. Music is used to add interest to media. Without music, most media would be very uninteresting. If you think about it, almost all commercials, TV shows, and movies have some type of music in them, and that's because it adds interest.
6. I don't think music shapes peoples' ideologies as much as peoples' ideologies shape the type of music they listen to. People choose to listen to music that they like and that matches their beliefs. They wouldn't listen to music if they didn't agree with its message or if it changed their beliefs.
7. A lot of music is about cultural values, especially the music of today. Music is a way to send messages and ideas, and artists utilize music for that reason. Many popular artists spread their opinions through their music, which is usually the popular opinion of our culture. Music is a way to explain and spread cultural values.
4. Music usually becomes popular because of the popularity of the artists who sing it. Well-known artists are the ones whose music is played most often on the radio, because these artists have the most power and influence on consumers, as opposed to lesser-known artists. Occasionally, unknown artists' songs become popular, but I think that's because their music is considered revolutionary and/or different.Everyone has a different definition of what they consider to be art. I think 'pop' art can be 'real' art, because to me, almost anything is art. If a person creates something that they think is art, then it should be considered art.
5. Depending on the type of media, different genres of music are used to entertain. Music is used to add interest to media. Without music, most media would be very uninteresting. If you think about it, almost all commercials, TV shows, and movies have some type of music in them, and that's because it adds interest.
6. I don't think music shapes peoples' ideologies as much as peoples' ideologies shape the type of music they listen to. People choose to listen to music that they like and that matches their beliefs. They wouldn't listen to music if they didn't agree with its message or if it changed their beliefs.
7. A lot of music is about cultural values, especially the music of today. Music is a way to send messages and ideas, and artists utilize music for that reason. Many popular artists spread their opinions through their music, which is usually the popular opinion of our culture. Music is a way to explain and spread cultural values.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Blog Post #2: Better Left Unsaid?
- I chose "Hills Like White Elephants" and the passage after the American and the girl started talking about the operation.
- I decided to elaborate this passage, because the characters are saying things that on the surface they seem to mean, but underneath I think there are different emotions beneath what they're really saying. I wanted to show those emotions.
- I decided what to write/say by looking at the passage and finding what I thought the characters' emotions actually were versus what they were saying. The techniques that I used that were opposite of Hemingway's were characters' thoughts and details.
The girl looked at the bead curtain, put her hand out and took hold of two of the strings of beads. She wanted to change the subject. She didn't want to keep talking about this operation. She didn't want to have to deal with this right now. All she wanted was for their relationship to go back to normal and for all of their problems to be fixed.
"And you think then we'll be all right and be happy?" she asked, wanting his confidence, because she wasn't so sure herself. If he said it would be okay then it would be, or at least that's what she wanted to believe.
"I know we will. You don't have to be afraid. I've known lots of people that have done it." He tried to sound strong and sure so that she would believe him.
"So have I. And afterward they were all so happy," she said trying to reassure herself that this was the right thing to do.
"Well," the main said, "if you don't want to you don't have to. I wouldn't have you do it if you didn't want to." He wanted to sound sincere, but he didn't truly mean what he was saying. Of course he wanted her to go through with the operation. It would fix their problems. He needed to be more persuasive. "But I know it's perfectly simple."
"And you really want to?" she asked, still very unsure of what her decision should be.
"I think it's the best thing to do. But I don't want you to do it if you don't really want to," he said, now trying to convince her in a more subtle yet compassionate way.
"And if I do it you'll be happy and things will be like they were and you'll love me?"
"I love you now. You know I love you."
They both wanted their relationship to go back to normal and for the other to be happy. The journey to find that happiness, though, was more difficult for one of them, because that person had more to sacrifice. Thursday, August 28, 2014
Blog Post #1: My Philosophies
- Love what you do and do what you love.
- I think that if you’re doing something then you should enjoy it. Otherwise, to me, it seems pointless. There have been times in my life when I haven’t enjoyed what I was doing, and I have made a change. It makes me happier when I enjoy what I’m doing, which makes my life better.
- Success comes from hard work.
- I’ve learned this from my parents, because I’ve seen that it’s how they live their lives. I’ve experienced success in both sports and school and that’s only because I’ve worked really hard at both.
- When an opportunity presents itself, take it.
- There have been several times in my life when I’ve missed out on great opportunities, because I was too nervous or apprehensive. Over the years, I’ve learned to take on any new opportunities, because I know I can learn a lot from them.
- Worrying is a waste of time. It doesn’t change anything.
- In the past I worried about almost everything, but schoolwork and grades worried me the most. I’ve learned that worrying doesn’t solve anything, and therefore, there’s no point in it. I now know that I shouldn’t worry so much, because most things are out of my control.
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