1. The Hill (This poem will be done by the entire group. It is a longer poem and we decided that it would be something different to use all of our abilities to present the poem in five different ways. We are just hoping that it all goes well!!)

2. Sarah Brown (Linda Fondrk)

3. Ollie McGee (Se-Ann Williams)

4. Fletcher McGee (Melissa Hagg)

Written By: Edgar Lee Masters (1868-1950)

First Published: Spoon River Anthropology, 1916. The MacMillan Company: New York.

5. Robert Fulton Tanner (Katie Aikins)

6. Cassius Hueffer (Nabila Uddin)

We had the hardest time as a group deciding which poem we would like to present together. I wondered exactly why this was but after evaluating the individuals in my group I decided that we all had a personal type of poem that we all favored more than others. After discovering this, we all decided that the poem “The Hill” was the most appropriate because it allowed for different interpretations as well as various areas for personal creativity. I really believe that it is a poem that will definitely catch the audience’s attention but at the same time satisfy the group as a whole.

I chose this poem, Fletcher McGee, because I really believe that this is one of the best works that Edgar Lee Masters had in the Spoon River Anthropology. The poem really captured my attention with the descriptions of how the lady captured his love and then with the climax, which to me was when he begins to show the twist that love can have on an individual. I like how Edgar Lee Masters in my opinion used this poem to show the different levels of love. I also favor this poem because Edgar Lee Masters showed that love is not always so picturesque.

When preparing both my personal poem as well as my part of the group poem, I genuinely wanted to make my last performance very memorable. I mean this both by the way I present as well as the interpretation. For my individual poem, I decided to look up two words that I was unfamiliar with and did not allow me to fully comprehend the poem. The two words were pensive and saps. I took it upon myself to look up these two words and then I feel I was able to put the puzzle together into the interpretation that I have mentioned above. From an online dictionary, I found that pensive actually can be interpreted into thinking in a quiet way, often with a serious expression on your face. I found this allowed me to show the change in the poem from that of a love that was not necessarily so perfect as the beginning of the poem explains. The other word that I had difficulty with was saps and I learned that this word means to weaken someone or take away strength or an important quality from someone, especially over a long period of time. I also found that in practicing this poem that it seemed to be more beneficial to vary my voice to show exactly where I feel the author wanted it to take upon a new meaning in terms of context.

For the group poem, I have around seven stanzas to present. In my part of the poem, the author is explaining the fate of several individuals mentioned in the previous stanzas. I was surprised at how the different individuals are actually at such drastic levels in their life. I decided to portray this through different vocal tones as well as body movements. The one word in my part of the poem that I researched and found to be crucial in terms of evaluating the meaning was brothel. I found that brothel is actually in reference to a place where men go and pay to have sex with prostitutes.

My goal in both of these poems is to have my audience really enjoy these poems like I have as well as my group. I would love to have comments on what you feel after reading my blog entry and I hope if you are my classmate that you truly enjoy our part of the literature slam!!

I have comprised what I call a “Blogging Portfolio.” This portfolio shows my best work in terms of literary works that I have read thus far. My entries span far beyond just my simple opinions. With each link, I have showed my ability to cover every piece of work, researched fully in terms of topics, interacted with other fellow blog members, and simply just portrayed my ability to use this technological supplement to its fullest potential. I will under every link introduce you to the topic as well as its ultimate significance. I hope that each and every individual that views this portfolio can see my growth as well as the potential that I hold in the future for continuing these types of serious examinations.

Bierce and “The Devil’s Dictionary”

This entry is written in regards to Ambrose Bierce’s, “The Devil’s Dictionary.” I used my own personal interpretation and ideas to formulate exactly what the author was trying to imply when writing such a controversial piece. I also found several online resources that actually supported my opinions in terms of Ambrose Bierce as an individual and the possible reasoning from these personal experiences that may have led to the composition of the work. This investigation that I did on “The Devil’s Dictionary” was so significant because I not only used it as a research area but there are also several links to other blog users that essentially portrays deep interaction and discussion. I encourage you to enter because you too may also become involved in this topic and wish to join in on the interaction and discussion.

Choosing to be an Individual in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”

I personally wrote this particular response to the novel “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” I wrote in response to how I felt the main character was trying to grow as an individual and go against the societal norms that he encounters. This entry is also significant because of its ability in my opinion to highly research as well as interact with other individuals. I join you to actually see my point of view, which may actually be different than what you have first intended.

My Thoughts on the Native American stories

This blog entry explains my viewpoints and research that I found when reading several different Native America stories. I found that these stories were exaggerated but at the same time were similar to the traditions that we see in families today. I suggest you enter this link not only to uncover the writing that uses research and interaction but also to find out exactly what the connection was that I have found with Native American stories to stories of our families today.

Boy Was My Head Spinning!!

This blog entry explains my interpretation of the several African American and folk lore that we read as a class. I found that in beginning my writing as well as reading I was able to make sense of this very difficult text. If you are a fan of folk lore, I strongly urge you to join in on the very stimulating conversation!

Further Investigating Psychology...Taking it a Step Further

I wrote this particular entry to show and tie together a fascination of mine. This fascination is ultimately that of psychology. This work is also significant because I have researched and discussed with other members of the blog world in terms of all the types of psychological terminology that can be found in this story. I hope you follow the link above to see what type of terminology I have discovered through personal perspective as well as through research.

Wanting nothing but more, more, more!!

This blog was a way for me to communicate to my audience that I had read a majority of Edwin Arlington Robinson’s poems, but it also showed that I analyzed one in particular in terms of my own meaning as well as interpretation of the areas that I thought Robinson was trying to portray. This reflection covered two areas that I believe constitutes a well-thought entry. I used both research, quotes from the text, and personal reflection to show deeper meaning of the poems. This means that this blog entry is more than just one area but a combination of several areas of intellectual thought.

Who are you talking about?

This actual entry is very different from the rest of my other types of work. The blog entry is significant because it actually is in response to the author of “Girl of the Golden West.” I found several topics to arise after reading the literary piece but the most influential was not necessarily just the play but the significance of the individual that wrote it. If you are familiar with this play or not, I believe it will help you in understanding the reasoning for the play either reading this before or after your familiarity with the play.

Examining the River in terms of Symbolism in “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”

This blog entry is in my opinion one of the most crucial areas of my development. This actual entry gave several individuals the opportunity to comment on my blog, which in turn made me realize that a further investigation was needed. From the comments that were brought up by these individuals, I found myself further investigating the text by adding my thoughts in different comments that really got a conversation going even farther.

Examining Psychology…My Favorite!!

I found this entry in regards to “The Yellow Wall-Paper” was very essential in terms of measuring my growth in evaluating a literary work. This entry was written without conducting hardly any research and in turn I received comments from fellow bloggers that really made me wonder exactly what all was in this story that I could explore. This particular blog entry made me passionate to explore the psychological terminology and implications that were found in “The Yellow Wall-Paper.” After several hours of research, I was able to put together “Further Examining Psychology..Taking It a Step Further” that better reflected my abilities to deeply and passionately explore a novel. This is a very important stepping stone for me in terms of my blogging abilities, and I encourage everybody to view the progress that has been made as a whole!!

Nabila Uddin
Adventures of Huck Finn (Chapter 16-31)

I found Nabila Uddin’s blog entry to be very intriguing as well as raise several questions for me in particular. I found her insights were great on this piece of work, but I also state where I could help her improve on her reasoning by being the first individual to comment on her blog, give feedback, and asking questions. I contributed to Nabila’s blog and returned several times to continue it throughout a long process.

Nabila Uddin
Huckleberry Finn (Chapters 1-15)

In reading over Nabila Uddin’s blog entry, I was able to see more fully the topics that evolved in the novel but was also able to see how she could analyze this in terms of real-life examples. I also questioned Nabila on what she saw come from the reading in terms of a general theme as I had done in my blog entry. I was very excited to see that Nabila and I were able to continue this conversation in depth and quantity.

Katie Aikins
John Henry/ Remus /TarBaby/ Why the Negro is Black

I really like how Katie Aikins was able to take her knowledge from the reading and incorporate several various areas of research as well. I began a conversation with Katie to see which of these three stories were essentially her favorite. Katie and I were able to get a very intellectual conversation going and were joined by several classmates. I hope that you take a look to see what choice you would make if given the opportunity to choose from the three stories.

Reflection of Holocaust novel

This entry had nothing really to do with any assigned literary works but was a novel that I read in my free time. I found this novel to have so much meaning to me in regards to my academic life as well as personal that I felt blogging about it would really help me in regards to getting everything said that I had on my mind. My goal was to be successful at accomplishing this task and I hope that you find that I did indeed accomplish this goal.

David Belasco was a son of a Jewish clown who emigrated from London. He was born and in San Francisco at a time when that city had a growing theatre community following the gold rush of 1849. Facing hard times as the Gold Fever subsided, the family moved to Victoria, British Columbia where David's mother, a devout Roman Catholic, placed him in a monastery school. He received an excellent education at the monastery under the guidance of one Father Maguire, but young David literally ran away to join a traveling circus where he learned bareback riding and clowning. He wrote his first plays by the time he was twelve: Jim Black, or The Regulator's Revenge, and The Roll of the Drum. He wrote this latter shortly after Lincon's assassination, and it was acted a number of times outside San Francisco. William Winter reports that even as a boy, Belasco kept writing materials by his bed so he could write down ideas that might be useful to him in the theatre that would occur to him at night. He goes on, "I have not encountered a person more downright daft, more completely saturated in every fibre of his being, with passion for the Stage and things dramatical than was young David Belasco."

As David grew into manhood, he took on more and more responsibilities for various productions in and around San Francisco. He acted, rewrote plays, wrote plays, and worked as "stage manager," which we would now call a producing director. He took roles of all sizes from Uncle Tom and Fagin to Armand Duval; Mercutio to Hamlet. He acted in support of a whole laundry list of traveling stars including John McCullough, Edwin Booth, E. A. Sothern, Laura Keene, Mme. Modjeska, James O'Neill and many others.

I found it so ironic that David Belasco was a child that actually ran away to join the circus. I can remember being very young and several of my friends and I would threaten to do the same thing. The difference was we were never serious in our statements or even attempts. It was just an adventure that we wanted to seek out. This shows that David Belasco was serious about his work whether it is at the circus as a child or as a creator of a melodramatic play. His strength at an early age just proves his ongoing success as an individual in society.

I decided to write this blog entry because of several of the comments that I received on my first entry regarding the topic of psychology. This is also one of my favorite topics in regards to psychology and that is gender equality. I found that it was only necessary to blog on this after the comments I received on the first entry. I believe the other sources that I have used will allow indivdiduals or peers that were wondering about my accusations in terms of reliability definitely more clear. This is just one area that I found interesting in regards to the many topics brought about in "The Yellow Wall-Paper."

Sources:

Basch, Norma. In the Eyes of the Law: Women, Marriage, and Property in Nineteenth Century New York. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1982.

Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. Herland. New York: Pantheon Books, 1915.

Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. “The Yellow Wallpaper.” New York: Penguin Books USA Inc., 1892.

The narrator of the poem is someone in an inferior working class, but he is verbal communicating for everyone in his neighborhood who seems to be of equivalent economic standing. They work hard away at efforts that are both filthy and demanding and at the end of the day there is very little to confirm it. They are famished for both food and reassurance. Robinson himself lived in poverty as we have learned in his biography, and was almost well-known for the feeling of jealousy that this character discloses in the poem. But we need to question whether or not the poor are in fact the bottom of the emotional ladder. Perhaps a closer and more intense look into some various lines to see if the text will show that things may not always be as they seem.

The first line of the poem shows the audience a glance into what Richard Cory is about, or at least how he is perceived to his audience. In the first two lines we are introduced to the poem’s namesake, Richard Cory, and we know that he is someone that people take notice of and are interested in as a person. The third line states that “He was a gentleman from sole to crown,” which tells us that he was a man of good nature from his personality to his physical features. Robinson uses the word crown to describe Richard Cory but as a reader we may not think of his as royalty but rather an eminent figure regarded in that fashion. In the preceding line Robinson utilizes the word “imperially” to describe his physical characteristics, which again portrays the image of royalty. Through the next various lines, we learn that Richard Cory is a clean and well-dressed individual thus he does not have the same job or economic status as the narrator of the poem.

In the second stanza we become familiar with Richard Cory’s character. He doesn’t appear to be strained, exhausted or famished. Richard is an enjoyable and commendable man in several various areas. The fifth line states that he is “quietly arrayed,” meaning that he is never dressed in outrageous manner, but it can also denote his ability to collect himself in public. “And he was always human when he talked” (6) creates for the reader a man who is real; one who could relate to the people, and didn’t speak down to those he came in contact with. Still, “he fluttered pulses” (7) when he spoke to people, and we know that both men and women alike felt privileged when he gave them notice on the street.

Edwin Arlington Robinson displays a portrayal of an individual through the narrator, either a man or woman, who wants desperately to obtain the correct level of achievement and contentment. His use of symbolism and imagery allows the reader to contemplate his own relationship to this moralistic poem. But the famous question he poses is whether or not we will know happiness before our time is up on earth or will be continue to idealize that individual that supposedly has “more” than we do.

The story allowed me to realize that through this folklore races were acquired by dipping their entire bodies into a pool of enchanted water, which showed that many of the already “black” individuals were unable to become white. I also found the concept of Mulattos and Chinese ethnicities to be really quite surprising only because of the explanation of how they came about in society. I guess that looking at Mulattos as being unable to dip their whole bodies into the water and the Chinese dipping their hair in the water to straighten it was a way at looking at different ethnicities than I would have ever fathomed to believe to be held accountable and reliable.

However, after examining these stories I did take into account that they are simply stories that are past down from generation to generation. I looked at my family’s stories and realized that we cherish these stories rather they are believable or even silly. I came to the conclusion after realizing these facts in my own personal life and decided to not rule out their creation and acceptability all together.

After reflecting on these stories, I really began to agree with Katie Aikins and her opinion that these stories would have had more meaning if they were actually able to be acted out by other classmates. I feel these stories were definitely a difficult read, and I probably would have also taken more from the experience if they were presented orally maybe not individually but through a group presentation.

I found in my individual research that interpreting the story is problematic for the modern reader. These definitely seemed to calm my fears about being the only individual on the planet that did not understand this work. But, as I continued on in the research I found several questions to rise in regards to Harris’ intent in documenting these tales. I know that in my own reading I wondered why he might want to begin problems and controversies with the stories. However, I found in my research that John Chandler Harris insisted that his collection was not an ethnographic or anthropological archive, but rather a collection of works from a dying tradition. This helped me to understand that these were not written in terms of controversy but rather to receive a soon dying area or literature.

When writing this blog entry, I had two specific goals in mind. I wanted to be able to understand these readings for myself as well as to help out any classmates that may have struggled as I did when first reading them. I would really enjoy feedback on your thoughts of the reading! Did you struggle reading through the stories? Were you able to comprehend their meanings? Let me know what you think!

The Native American story that I found to be the most interesting was called “The Flood.” I believe that I liked the story so much simply because I had to read it over repeatedly to make sure that I was comprehending every aspect of the short story. I found it very interesting that when the boy was traveling to Pinawa that he brushed up against his dead uncle and was instantly a dead man. I found when I was continually reading over this story that I was always trying to interpret what the “bumping up against” might have implied in the story. I believe that after several deliberations that it was essentially the essence of bumping up to a dead spirit. This was exactly how the young boy died. I believe though that the uncle may have been similar to that of an angel that was coming for the young boy after he might have died as well.

When reading the story of Crazy Horse, I found that I have several similarities that were mentioned throughout Erin’s blog entry. I also found that Crazy Horse’s negative viewpoint of the White Man because of the United States Army was also a complete shame. Crazy Horse did not meet every American so for him to actually believe that every White Man was like that of the United States Army is not only unfair but also unjust as well.

I think that it is not only interesting to read these Native American stories but also to study their origins as well. I find that several of the Native American stories are similar to the stories that I have grown up and have been taught both through my religion and studying the stories of Genesis but also the folk tales that are passed down through my generations of origin.

I also found in the ending of the novel that I was also disappointed that the novel seems to almost start directly from the beginning. I state this because of Huck's last sentences like that he was going to be tried to made civilized again and he didn't like that fact. I found that I was telling myself well here it goes all over again and the story of the adventures will start over again. However, the adventures might not be the same but it is almost like a continuous cycle beginning again.

In reading the book, I really didn't mind the story as a whole. I just felt that I was expecting more in terms of the ending of the book. I really do not know what I was expecting. I believe I expected some great marvel because of the surprising adventures that Huck ventured into. I was just expecting more of a surprise and in a way I was overshooting my expectations. I guess the ending was just a major let down for me.

Before investigating exactly the roles that the river played in this section of the novel, I decided to actually get a dictionary definition of river before continuing. However, I believe this may sound very simply but it may indeed clear up controversies or confusions found later on in the presentation. The definition of a river is simply a natural wide flow of fresh water across the land into the sea, a lake, or another river. I found this definition to be rather what I had intended and decided to now find how the novel, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” used the river in the context as a whole but more importantly as symbolism in the middles sections of Chapters 16-31.

The majority of symbolism in regards to the river is found in Chapter 18 when Huck and Jim return to their raft after an adventure in which they get caught up with a feud between the Grangerford’s and the Shepherdson’s. Huck believes that “he had never felt easy till the raft was two mile below there and out in the middle of the Mississippi.” This quotation shows exactly how Huck feels in regards to the river in this case the Mississippi and its ability to portray a peaceful mind-set. The river in this context shows a more peaceful setting than that of society. As the author shows, the river and its society is calm and the land and its society is troublesome in a variety of different aspects.

I found another quote rather similar and close in context to the first that shows exactly the river in regards to a peaceful and serene aspect. Huck and Jim also after escaping from the feud on land believes that “there warn’t no home like a raft after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don’t. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft.” This continues to argue the point that the river is a place of freedom from the terrible situations found on land. As stated in the quotation, the river was a home where Jim and Huck could relax, feel comfortable, and generally be at ease. This was very easy to comprehend as a reader but to envision a home as the river or even a raft on a river does not necessarily coincide with ideals of a picturesque home.

In Chapter 19, we continue to view exactly why Huck felt the river was so peaceful through the various descriptions offered about by the author. The author in this chapter seems to make his words flow like a river and generally captivate the audience to a point in which they feel the calmness of the river as well. Huck begins by telling that “sometimes we would have that whole river all to ourselves for the longest time. Yonder was the banks and the islands, across the water; and maybe a spark or two—on a raft or a scow, you know; and maybe you could hear a fiddle or a song coming over from one of them crafts.” This particular quotation brings an individual into the story to almost picture the aspects described by the author. In reading this quotation, you can just literally sense the flowing of the river and the peaceful sounds that were outlined. This not only outlines the calmness of nature but the ability for freedom. The freedom is portrayed in the ability to do as one pleases when and even wherever they decide to do so.

The last and most prominent example of the river symbolizing peace, calmness, and freedom was the ability of Huck and Jim to when they wanted “lit the pipes, and dangle their legs in the water and talk about all kinds of things.” The most surprising aspect was when Huck stated that “we was always naked, day and night.” This continues to portray the theme of peace, calmness, and freedom that is given to the characters by the river. The most obvious is that because the river was so peaceful and calm that it led to their freedom to do as they please without the barriers given by society on land.

When reading this part of the novel, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” I found that Huck and Jim were set in a period of society that was or can be labeled as somewhat hypocritical, judgmental, and hostile. However, the characters have one escape that being the Mississippi River. The river is a quiet and peaceful place where Huck and Jim can revert to any time to examine any predicament they might find themselves in. The natural flow of the river and its calmness causes deep thoughts, which shows how unnatural the collective thought of society can be. We actually see Huck grow up having the river as a place for solitude and thought, where he can participate at times and other times sit back and watch. The ideas of nature, peace, and freedom, are presented in the form of the river where Huck and Jim go to think. The river is a very important part of the novel, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” because it shows that the river signifies calmness, peace, and freedom for both characters. Huckleberry Finn is actually struggling to find himself in regards to his freedom to be an individual created by his own morals and not societies and Jim is essentially looking for freedom from slavery. It is essentially through the river that we see each character grow and realize the capability they each possess.

Questions to Discuss:

1. Can you as an audience find any other examples of when the river was used as a symbolism of peace, calmness, or freedom for the characters?

2. Do you see any other areas of symbolism in regards to the river that is taken on throughout the novel?

3. What are some other areas of symbolism mentioned throughout the novel that really struck your attention?

4. Do you agree that the river is a symbolism of especially freedom? Explain. If not, what do you think the author is trying to use the river as throughout the novel?

In the very beginning of the novel “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” Huck plainly states that he did not wish to conform to society. Huckleberry Finn states in Chapter 1 that “the Widow Douglas she took me for her son, and allowed she would civilize me.” This essentially led for Huckleberry Finn to state that he “got into his old rags and my sugar hogshead again, and was free and satisfied.” We find in this novel that Miss Watson is constantly picking at Huck and trying to make him as conventional as possible. We would often find in the novel how Miss Watson would constantly direct orders to Huck. These orders included that he must not “scrunch up like that, and set up straight.” I found that in reading this beginning section that Huck wants to be seen as an individual a person who is independent and has the willingness to live a life free of such complications.

After realizing this component of Huck’s personality, we can further identify the development of Huck as an individual that is outside of societies liking. We find next in the book that Huck’s own instincts tend to hold him in a higher moral standard than those of society. We first see this in the novel with Huckleberry’s decision to help free Jim, a known slave, is an example of one such occurrence. Huckleberry Finn recognizes Jim as a human being, but is actually fighting the beliefs bestowed upon him by society that believes slaves should not be free. However, it is even more important to realize though that Huckleberry’s decision creates the conflict between society and him. But, what Huckleberry Finn does not realize is that his decision defines his personal justice, the righteousness, and even the heroism of his own self that is developing.

The most prominent example of Huck’s ability to develop a self outside the constraints of society is best outlined in Chapter 31. The most compelling aspect was when Huck writes a letter to Miss Watson to return Jim, yet he ends up ripping the letter and wishes to help free Jim. When Huck states “all right, then, I’ll go to hell,” Huck concludes that he is actually evil, and that society has been in the right all along. The concept that Huck doesn’t realize is that his goodness comes actually from within.

In reading the final sections of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” I found several other web log entries of my peers to coincide with several of my findings both in research and breaking down the text. The entry that I wanted to especially touch upon was done by Erin Manko. I agreed both with her presentation and blog entry that outlines in terms of slavery that Huck wanted and did go against society in terms of accepting Jim as a friend and not just a slave. It was after this presentation that I decided to research this topic further and discuss it more in depth as I have done.

I have found in researching the novel in terms of depth that I uncovered topics that were not necessarily found when reading it the first two previous times. This area of research goes to show and prove exactly how much information can be retained with discipline and an open-mind.

The most moving story for me in Man’s Search for Meaning was without hesitation the story of Frankl and the inspiration that his young wife at the time brought to him. When Frankl was wearing rags each day as well as shoes without soles when working, Frankl would in this moment speak silently in his mind to his wife and in these times he believed that he heard her speak back to him. He passed the day doing hard labor and conversing silently with his wife. He actually didn’t know if she was dead or alive but her spirit there with him proved the power of true love on the human heart and soul. I found this actual part to be so inspiring. It is so interesting to see how a little aspect of remembering your wife can get an individual through one of the most horrible times in their life as well as in history in general.

I really learned a lot from this book as well as the significance that I found it to portray. This book again showed me the power that an individual must possess to endure such a situation as had occurred with Dr. Frankl. I continue to find that the significance of these stories is to show the power of the human voice and the ability of individual persistence as well. With each new story, I find different successes and failures throughout their life but the common ground is that every individual suffered the consequences of a terrible occurrence in history that most would love to forget or neglect to ever talk about again. I actually believe these stories must be heard because they are a part of who we are as individuals but also as a society as well.

I find this experience only compared to really one other situation. This was essentially when we were assigned to read Elie Wiesel. This novel I used as a building block to stand for information that I would later build on with other narratives as well. This was essentially the case when I read Viktor E. Frankl’s novel Man’s Search for Meaning. I actually found myself comparing and contrasting the stories but also setting each aside to show the certain individual characteristics.

This activity clearly connects to the College Objectives of Historical Perspective (because I have examined not only my own historical perspective but also the individual from the novel) and Reflection (because of the ongoing basis of reflecting not only on my own experiences and beliefs but also on what I have learned and are continuing to learn about myself from these novels). I believe that I will take several various components with me from this area of the course. I will not only educate my fellow peers in the future of the wide variety of materials in the world to study but also my future students in the classroom as well.

When reading the dictionary, I personally did not take offense to some of the definitions aimed directly at women. However, I saw that several of my classmates took a different view when reading this very long and detailed piece so I felt it was a necessity to see what individuals that have researched Ambrose Bierce have said about his personality and demeanor in general. I found that in his time, Bierce established himself a kind of literary dictator of the West Coast and was so respected and feared as a critic that his judgment could "make or break" an aspiring author's reputation (http://www.online-literature.com/bierce/). I found through this particular research that Ambrose Bierce was a very influential individual that really could state freely anything he felt but also was a critic that could as said make or break an individual in regards to what he thought of them. This was the first conclusion that brought me to the ultimate topic that because of this known characteristic that Ambrose Bierce may actually have felt negativity towards women and other members of society in general and was able to express it freely because of his known reputation and status.

This particular part of my research did not leave me fulfilled in terms of truly believing that Ambrose Bierce was or could have felt personal negativity towards women and others in society so I continued my research. The next area of research that I found was not necessarily on the personality of Ambrose Bierce but was his dealings with primarily women in his life. Ambrose Bierce left home at the age of fifteen years old because of his relationship with his parents. This was Ambrose Bierce's first negativity of women. He did not even return home to attend his mother's funeral, which can definitely be seen as a relationship that was hurting and never completely strong (http://www.cateweb.org/CA_Authors/bierce.html). Ambrose Bierce's next encounter with women in his life was his wife of thirty-three years (http://www.cateweb.org/CA_Authors/bierce.html). This wife actually walked out on him after the thirty-three years and left Ambrose Bierce on his own (http://www.cateweb.org/CA_Authors/bierce.html). These two occurrences can definitely outline that Ambrose Bierce was surely hurt by women in his personal life that could easily point to his negativity towards women primarily in his writings.

After investigating these two particular areas of research, I really believe that I have to agree with Amanda's presentation. I do believe that after seeing both his reputation and personality that Ambrose Bierce was an individual that was definitley feeling negativity towards women and was portraying it in his writing. I also agree with Nabila in that Amanda showed several words not just one that "poked" fun at women. I could see along if one of only a few were against women but that was not the case it was actually several that gave a direct point towards an individual opinion of society particuarly women.

I really join everybody to get involved in this conversation. I found the best way was to show my point in regards to the reading as well as the research that was found. This way I will not be conveying the idea that I am just hurling accusations at you. I hope that this helps to clarify any questions that were raised in our class discussions and helps any of my classmates with possible areas that they could research to counteract my new findings.

This entry is written in regards to Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven. I used my own personal interpretation and ideas to formulate exactly what the author was implying in the raven that landed on the man’s perch. I also found several online resources that actually supported this idea as well. The investigation that I did on The Raven was so significant because I not only used it as a research area but there are also several links to other blog users that essentially portrays deep interaction and discussion. I encourage you to enter because you too may also become involved in this topic and wish to join in on the interaction and discussion.

More Intense Look at An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

I personally wrote this particular response to Ambrose Bierce's An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. I wrote in regards to how I felt the author used tone as well as different types of effects throughout the literary work. This blog entry is also significant because of its ability in my opinion to highly research as well as interact with other individuals. I join you to actually see my point of view, which may actually be different than what you had first intended.

More Intense Look at Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street

This blog entry explains the symbolism that I found in Melville's, Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street. This entry is significant because the symbolism that you may have thought of may actually not be exactly what I chose. This symbolism is mentioned throughout the text but is not obvious to some individuals. I suggest you enter this link not only to uncover the writing that uses research, interaction, and discussion but to also find out exactly what symbolism I found in this particular literary work.

The Scarlet Letter and Symbolism

I wrote this particular entry to also show symbolism that I found throughout the literary work The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This work was also significant because I researched and discussed with other members of the blog world in terms of all the types of symbolism that can be found in this novel. I hope you follow the link above to see what type of symbolism that I discovered through personal perspective as well as through research.

Reflection #1--Presentation on For Annie
This actual entry is very different from the rest of my other types of work. The blog entry is significant because it actually is in response to an oral interpretation that I did in my American Literature class. I read over my poem to fellow classmates and then critiqued myself on the abilities that I felt to either possess or not to possess. If you like this poem or just simply want to see my opinion in regards to my presentation, I encourage you to enter the world of my own personal reflection.

Examining Different Classmates Poetry Slams

In this particular link, I have also reflected not on my own presentation as mentioned in the link previous to this one but on different individuals that also did the same type of work. This link is very significant because it shows the intense works of different individuals and not necessarily that of my own. This link will allow the audience to view a variety of different poetry slams as well as possible key points if an individual is ever to actually complete this form or task. It is very interesting to see exactly how a poem can be interpreted in a variety of ways. You should enter you may be pleasantly surprised at the various forms of presenting poetry.

Discussing the topic of Ralph Waldo Emerson's Essay "Self-Reliance"

This blog was a way for me to communicate to my audience that I had read this essay, but it also showed that I analyzed it in terms of my own meaning as well as interpretation of the areas that I thought Emerson was trying to portray. This reflection covered three areas that I believe constitute a well-thought entry. I used both research, quotes from the text, and personal reflection to show my deeper meaning of the essay. This simply means that this blog entry is more than just one area but a combination of several various areas of intellectual thought.

Discussion of Poe and Melville

This particular blog entry is in my own opinion one of the most crucial areas of my development. This actual entry gave several individuals the opportunity to comment on my blog, which in turn made me realize that a further investigation was needed. From the comments that were brought up by these individuals, I found myself revising this area of my blog entry into another more detailed passage that was listed above (A More Intense Look at The Raveni>).