September 28, 2005
Blog Portfolio
Portfolio 1 -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am proud to announce that this is the first blog portfolio of Miss Meredith E. Harber. Enjoy!
Seeing as I am a new blogger, please understand that this may be a crude, unelaborate version of what many of you will produce. With this in mind, I intend to list my categories. "To each his own!"
Coverage:
Young Goodman Brown
The Scarlet Letter
Cheap Escape
Depth:
Young Goodman Brown
Interaction:
What's up with this?
Grand Finale!!
Ashley's blog
Discussions:
Liz's Page
Timeliness:
This was one of my favorite blogs
Xenoblogging:
Comment Primo on Liz's blog
Comment Informative
Wildcard
This is actually from my personal blog...humor me I wanted to include this as a way to see that I am bloggin about my personal life, but keeping it separate from my beautiful American Literature blog.
I believe these are probably the best blogs I have. I know that many of them were late or did not take on as much in the discussion department, but doing this portfolio has made my tasks much clearer. I truly understand what I need to do to utilize this awesome resource. I hope you enjoyed!
Well
Posted by MeredithHarber at 07:18 PM | Comments (0)
Red Death
Poe, ''Masque of the Red Death'' -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
"And the rumour of this new presence having spread itself whisperingly around, there arose at length from the whole company a buzz, or murmur, expressive of disapprobation and surprise--then, finally, of terror, of horror, and of disgust."
Poe's "Masque of the Red Death" was an excellent descriptive piece. I was caught by these lines. The progression from surprise to horror and disgust was so realistic. That's really how people watch the situation! We are able to be surprised when we initially hear of pain and suffering, then once the full effect of watching hundreds die is profound. I think back to September 11th, 2001. When my classmates and I heard that a plane had hit the twin towers, it really did not mean much to me. I did not know the significance of the buildings or why planes would be a problem. Once I saw the death and destruction, I felt horror and terror, just like the townspeople did during the "Red Death."
Posted by MeredithHarber at 03:28 PM | Comments (1)
What's up with characters?
Roberts, Writing about Literature (Ch 3) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
"Appearance and environment reveal much about a character's social and economic status, and they also tell us about character traits" (66).
This was a nice break from the Scarlet Letter to discuss the variety of characters that exist. I love when an author does not describe the character, but describes their world. I feel that I have a better understanding of a character when I read about their family, career, childhood, etc. This is parallel to real life. I meet a person, and immediately see/hear what they want me to see/hear. I feel like I reach a new level of understanding if I speak to their family members or something similar. I keep thinking of Amanda in "The Glass Menagerie" for this segment on characters. As a reader, I grew to know much more about her internal thought processes when the narrator explained how her family structure was esablished. Just some thoughts!
Posted by MeredithHarber at 03:18 PM | Comments (1)
Writing About Literature
Roberts, Writing about Literature (Ch 1, to page 27) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
"Writing begins in uncertainty and hesitation, and it becomes certain and confident--accomplished--only as a result of great care, applied though, a certain amount of experimentation, the passage of time, and much effort" (16).
This is important for me to remember. I think I get caught up in the easiest and fastest method to fabricate a product, rather than create art. It takes time for good writing to flow from your soul. I guess it's similar to vocal music. A singer has to warm up and tune their voice, before the performance is high quality. It's so easy to forget, in a production-centered society, that we need to work to improve the quality of our work in all aspects.
Posted by MeredithHarber at 03:08 PM | Comments (0)
Gender Issues? Not at all...
Gilman, ''The Yellow Wall-paper'' (1899) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
"And dear John gathered me up in his arms, and just carried me upstairs and laid me on the bed, and sat by me and read to me till it tired my head. He said I was his darling and his comfort and all he had, and that I must take care of myself for his sake, and keep well. He says that no one but myself can help me out of it, that I must use my will and self-control and not let any silly fancies run away with me."
This passage felt like I was listening to a battered wife speaking on the Maury Show. She is rambling about how much he loves her and worries about her, when he has her disconnected from the rest of the world, minus him and his sister, and continues to pretend there is nothing wrong. She spends her days writing and attacking her wallpaper. There is a serious problem, but he hides it. I wonder if this is result of the time period and the views on mental illness. There are also strange references to her baby. Perhaps she is suffering from a bizarre form of post-partem depression...? Thoughts?
Posted by MeredithHarber at 10:34 AM | Comments (6)
September 26, 2005
What's up with this?
Melville, ''Bartleby the Scrivener'' (1853) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
I began to read the selection and found these words on the first page (yes, it was early, but I was fascinated): "All who know me consider me an eminently safe man." This caught me instantly! I was eager to read why Herman Melville would italicize the word safe. The word scrivener means a copier or scribe. It makes you think of someone who is caught in a sedentary desk job who is pushing to break down the cubicle walls. Thoughts?
Posted by MeredithHarber at 08:23 PM | Comments (5)
September 21, 2005
Grand Finale!!
Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter (Ch 22-24, Introductory) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
...this blog was on New Media Journalism's blog...sorry for my stupidity...
"But there was a more real life for Hester Prynne here, in New England, than in that unkown region where Pearl had found a home. Here had been her sin; here, her sorrow; and here was yet to be her penitence. She had returned, therefore, and resumed,--of her own free will, for not the sternest magistrate of that iron period would have imposed it,--resumed the symbol of which we have related so dark a tale."
Okay, so, despite all the hell and torture she went through, Hester returned to this village? The place where she was ostracized beyond belief. I guess it makes sense though, if you consider Pearl's role. Hester has been living vicariously through Pearl, regarding emotions. It is now Pearl who inhabits a new land and is experiencing new things. Hester remains in her defining role as a adulterous heroine and Pearl remains the spirited beauty that doesn't allow the world to pin her down.
I enjoyed the way Hawthorne ended this novel or "legend." The Conclusion chapter definitely tied up a few ends. It answered many questions, such as Hester and Pearl's current endeavors, but it also left some thoughts up for debate. We still do not know EXACTLY what was on Dimmesdale's chest. This made me laugh when I read the different versions of one scene. How hard is it to see/remember something so symbolic and grand? That was a definite statement on humans. Check out the television news some time! Hawthorne did an excellent job closing some debates and opening others.
Posted by MeredithHarber at 10:49 PM | Comments (2)
September 13, 2005
Cheap Escape
Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter (Ch 8-13) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
""True; there are such men," answered Mr. Dimmesdale. "But, not to suggest more obvious reasons, it may be that they are kept silent by the very constitution of their nature. Or,--can we not suppose it?--guilty as they may be, retaining, nevertheless, a zeal for God's glory and man's welfare, they shrink from displaying themselves black and filthy in the view of men; because, thenceforward, no good can be achieved by them; no evil of the past be redeemed by better service. So, to their own unutterable torment, they go about among their fellow-creatures, looking pure as new-fallen snow while their hearts are all speckled and spotted with iniquity of which they cannot rid themselves."" (137)
This passage caught my eye when reading. I was drawn to the way Hawthorne seemed to do some foreshadowing. I read this and things instantly clicked. I realized that Dimmesdale was in fact Pearl's father and that he was feeling the severe guilt associated with his family's fate. Hester was so determined not to reveal the truth, but it seems like Dimmesdale is bursting at the seams! He feels horrible. Hawthorne showed this again when he screamed out in the night in the town square. He's miserable, yet, he is not ready to confess his sins to his peers. He tells Pearl he will stand with them on judgment day. I think this is a cheap way out. If he honestly feels that horrible, he should address that. Then again, as I sit and wonder what I would do in such a situation (feeling guilty for someone else being ostracized for a mutual sin, not committing adultery), I really don't know how I would handle it. If it was something small, I'm sure I would help someone. I am also trying to imagine Hester's feelings. She is protecting him from the community hatred. He states that he has a reason for her not to tell, but I did not encounter it quite yet.
Posted by MeredithHarber at 11:47 PM | Comments (3)
September 11, 2005
The Scarlet Letter
"It was better to stand thus, with so many betwixt him and her, than to greet him, face to face, they two alone. She fled for refuge, as it were, to the public exposure, and dreaded the moment when its protection should be withdrawn from her" (64).
This passage struck me while I was reading the text. I developed a strong visual of this beautiful, graceful woman standing strong and facing her critics. She is described as a vision similar to the Virgin Mary; which, considering her circumstance is somewhat ironic. I fell in love with this quotation, because I was able to see that strong woman standing tall, but crumbling inside. This is a very human response to many situations. I know this is often how I approach situations. I do not want the outside to see the pain I may be experiencing. Hester Prynne may be considered a common criminal by her Puritanical society, but she is also clearly suffering from an internal conflict. Once James Wilson entered the prison and provided her and her baby with the draughts, she was calm. It was easier for her to stand and be emotionally attacked by her peers, than to face her ex-husband. This seems rather odd, considering the nature of her attacks. I really do not understand why she would feel such fear of him and the interaction with him.
Posted by MeredithHarber at 10:42 PM | Comments (2)
September 07, 2005
"Young Goodman Brown"
“ “Faith!” shouted Goodman Brown, in a voice of agony and desperation; and the echoes of the forest mocked him, crying—“Faith! Faith!” as if bewildered wretches were seeking her, all through the wilderness” ” (345).
Upon first examination of this work, I felt myself drawn to conclude whether Goodman Brown actually experienced the act or was dreaming. This seems like an interesting point. I really cannot say which I would agree with at this time. It really is not the sole focus of the story, though. I chose the quote above, because I read those words and reacted exactly how the Nathaniel Hawthorne hoped or expected readers to react. He must have chosen the name Faith to strike the chord within many young Christians. This applies to the faith journey we, as humans, are going through. Personally, I seek faith with the pain and need that Goodman Brown sought his wife. My faith is constantly be pushed around or wrestled with by the outside forces.
Visual imagery makes this quote complete. Picture a beautiful, young newlywed with a pink hair ribbon being chased through vast woodlands with no path or clearing. Goodman Brown was fighting for his Faith, just as many of us are clinging to our faith.
“ “My Faith is gone!” cried he, after one stupefied moment. “There is no good on earth, and sin is but a name. Come, devil! For to thee is this world given” ” (345). Just as his Faith disappeared and he was defeated, so are the feelings of Hurricane Katrina’s victims or the armed service families. When our faith is out of sight, or being sacrificed by witches, we need to keep looking and fighting for what we want and believe. If we give up, then all faith is lost.
Posted by MeredithHarber at 10:14 PM | Comments (1)
Testing...1...2...3...
This is a test.
Posted by MeredithHarber at 04:14 PM | Comments (2)