MichellePolly

     I found this poem to be incredibly meaningful.  Well obviously, because its about love and feelings which is all very significant.  When reading this, it wasnt difficult to hold on to or to grasp like other poems from the 1800s.  Often times I find myself struggling with trying to understand what they are saying and then when I finally get that line I forget what I had pulled up about the last.  It's a constant battle but I didnt struggle that way with this story. 

     This coould be because the titke explains what the story will be talking about I was better able to get something in my head without fully analyzing it.  Which is very good when reading something like this.  It is important to get and understand the meanig and the point to the words as well as the story.  I enjoyed this poem but even more so I nejoyed my ability to understand it.

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL237/2009/11/browning_porphyrias_lover/

    In this chapter Roberts discusses writing about an idea.  Page 121, I found to be the most helpful.  In understanding this topic, there is much to consider, like every other chapter in Roberts.  And in this chapter, on pg 121 he tells us how to distinguish between ideas and actions which can be a very important thing.  Especially if it is your first time writing like that.  He also shows us how to distinguish between ideas and situations which I found to be pretty interesting and I'll admit I could have gotten mixed up myself.

     And last but not least he helps us to see how to find ideas which almost does the work for you.  With Roberts explaination, I think it would be easier to understand and find ideas to write about.

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL237/2009/11/roberts_ch_7/ 

     I thought this was an interesting story.  It was plenty going on to keep me interested. 

Ok, there was this one little section I just couldn't resist blogging about.  On page 387, lines 51-54.

Smirnov: "Who are you talking to?  Shut up!"

Luka: "The devil sent this leech.  An ill wind brought him...

Smirnov: "Oh how furious I am!  I'm so mad I could crush the whole world into a powder! I even feel faint!

OK...FIRST OF ALLLL...

     This might be a more "up to date" opinion but I am going to say it anyway.  I laughed at this part.  It actually took me a while to get ahold of myself I just couldn't stop laughing.  I guess I wasn't expected something so, goofy haha.

     They seem so immature and childish.  Like, a tragic thing happened, people are sad, then people say shut up and want to crush the world to powder.  I'm not sure what it was but I loved this part haha. Ok, whatever.

     I also would like to say that I was a little iffy about Smirnov in the beginning, I don't want to say I didn't like him I just wasnt sure what to think.  But by the end, I was more mellow and accepting with everything and I liked the ending.  I LOVED that Popov stood up for herself. 

Good story!

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL237/2009/11/chekhov_the_bear/

Coverage:

Maus-this blog discusses my first reading of Maus, my reaction, the appreciate for the author and the way the comic book was written. 

Roberts Ch 8-this blog discusses Robert's ch 8, imagery.  The crucial importance of detail in every story.

Masque of the Red Death-this blog discusses the close reading of the story Masque of the Red Death.  The incredible portrayal of the red death that Poe is able to bring to the stage.

Roberts Ch 6-this blog discusses a chapter in Roberts that explains the importance of setting.

Biographical Essay-this blog is about my biographical experience.  Writing a biographical essay, a very good experience, and this blog discusses my findings.

Editorial-writing an editorial.

Sonnet 30-this blog is my close reading of Sonnet 30.

Keats First Look...-this blog discusses the meaning in Keats' On First Looking into Chapman's Homer.

Hughes' Theme for English B-this blog is my close reading on Hughes' poem Theme for English B.

John Henry Part One-this blog discusses the first part of the book John Henry Days by Colson Whitehead.

John Henry Parts Two and Three-this blog discusses the second and third part in the book John Henry Days.

John Henry Days end-this blog discusses the ending of John Henry days.

Depth:

Mausie Maus

Editorial

Hughes Theme for English B

JHD Part Two and Three

Interaction:

Poes Masque of the Red Death

Mausie Maus

Josie's Blog on JHD Part One

Discussion:

Poes Masque of the Red Death

Mausie Maus

Josie's Blog on JHD Part One

Timeliness:

Maus-this blog discusses my first reading of Maus, my reaction, the appreciate for the author and the way the comic book was written. 

Roberts Ch 8-this blog discusses Robert's ch 8, imagery.  The crucial importance of detail in every story.

Masque of the Red Death-this blog discusses the close reading of the story Masque of the Red Death.  The incredible portrayal of the red death that Poe is able to bring to the stage.

Roberts Ch 6-this blog discusses a chapter in Roberts that explains the importance of setting.

Biographical Essay-this blog is about my biographical experience.  Writing a biographical essay, a very good experience, and this blog discusses my findings.

Editorial-writing an editorial.

Sonnet 30-this blog is my close reading of Sonnet 30.

Keats First Look...-this blog discusses the meaning in Keats' On First Looking into Chapman's Homer.

Hughes' Theme for English B-this blog is my close reading on Hughes' poem Theme for English B.

John Henry Part One-this blog discusses the first part of the book John Henry Days by Colson Whitehead.

John Henry Parts Two and Three-this blog discusses the second and third part in the book John Henry Days.

John Henry Days end-this blog discusses the ending of John Henry days.

Wildcard:

Hughes' Theme for English B

Mausie Maus

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL237/2009/11/portfolio_3/

     Well, it's finally the end of the book, and I have to say I enjoyed it.  Having strong feelings, (animocity) towards a character gives the book a little...spunk?  I was holding on every minute while reading and it really grabbed my attention.

     I don't really have that much to say about the ending, I think there could have been more.  Not necessarily should have had more, but COULD have used more at the very end.  Some people like endings like this, it was good still.  Like Maus, at the end I was like oh my gosh come on, but then I found out there was a second one, so I was ok, haha.  And I kind of felt that way in this book, but not really.  I'm not sure what I'm trying to say so I will cut myself off.

     I liked the book.  It had a lot of meaning, and confusion, but all the confusion was worked out and eventually made sense which is what made the book great.  Kind of keep the reader on their toes I guess.

     I enjoyed it, glad I read it.  Good book!

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL237/2009/11/whitehead_john_henry_days_part_2/#comments

    I still hold true to what I said about part one in my blog but also what I mentioned in class.  Which was that I enjoy this book more becuase, unlike the last book we read The Quick and The Dead, this book allows us to hold on to the things that happen.  It, for one, actually has thins happening, and they have much meaning.  In The Quick and the Dead, you were caught in the randomness of the story more than the actual happenings, at least I was, I'm sure it's different for everyone.  But when reading The Quick and The Dead I was more interested in what stupid, funny, ridiculous, hilarious, nutty thing Alice would do next, and that was enough to hold my interest.  Comeplete and total randomness, and although that book had plenty of meaning, John Henry Days has so much more.  It's not random.  In the beginning it was a little confusing, but as you read on, it all ties in.

    The background and the story behind the story is intriging and catches you as you read as well.  The most important part of a story, to me, is catching and holding the reader, the second, is getting your point across.  And this book is able to do that. People may take in certain stories in different ways, many things can depend on that.  Race, age, gender, ethnic background, location, anything can affect how you read and understand a book.  Some people say certain books are "girl books" other say there's a few "men books" out there, some even race based books, but this book could grab and hold anyone.  It's great.  It has it's humor, it has it's meaning and it tells a great story!

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL237/2009/11/whitehead_john_henry_days_part/ 

    There is so much meaning behind it, and we all know that makes for a great story.  The more meaning and background and sincerity shown in a story, the more you are able to relate to the readers and grab their attention and reel them in and lock them there.  This book is capable of doing so.

     Now, everyone's stories seem a little mixed up, not sure what to think about the guy in the beginning, but the meaning behind it makes it not matter.  The meaning, that, some stories says this and others say that, whether he's black or white, short or tall, fat or thin, dead or alive, he is a legend.  He is remembered and aways will be, he is loved, he is praised, he is thought about, he is a good guy. 

     The stories may be different, but there isnt one that talks badly about Mr. John Henry.  In every story, or song, told or sang, the description is what is off, other than that he was a great man.  A hard worker.

      Years later they even have a festival for him.  Incredible.  He's known as a hero.

BUT...I dont think I like J. too much.  Not tooooo sure why, but I'm thinking I don't like him.

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL237/2009/11/whitehead_prologue_part_one/

     Hughes' Theme for English B was incredibly deep, and heart felt, and meaningful.  The meaning behind it however may be different for other people, but I think one of the reasons I felt so stringly about it is because I am a writer, and I can experience something like this, I thought about it, and thought about what I think when I write.  Or even when I get an assignment.  And after a long time of thinking about all those thoughts over the years, never once have I felt so stronly about the assignment or the person who assigned it, nor did any assingment ever bring up this long thing about the history and lives and such of people.  The race, the religion, the number of family members, the this the that.  I never really think about anything but the assignment, but he, "the twenty-two, colored, born in Winstom Salem man" thought deep, and far back and long and hard about it and its inspiring.

     I'm not sure in what way I mean, but it is something that can affect people.  It affected me by reading this and I really enjoyed it and I will probably pay more attention to or think more about things when I get an assingment.  For all I know it will spark my creativity, and off I'll go.  But never, could i ever feel the...struggle? pain? sorrow? or happiness? joyfulness? of this man. I could never experience what he has experienced, but I sure enjoyed his aspect of it and his ability to write, or not write, because of it. 

     You wonder.  What is this man feeling?  What did Hughes intend for him to feel when writing this?  Did I take this the way Highes wanted me to?  Or did this story alone spark our imagination enough to think up what we thought?  Was that the point?  It's kind of like a mind, hypnotist.  We don't know what they want us to do or know or think, but once we've thought it, we can't take it back and so we are forced to wonder, are we right about it.   Well maybe that's the point.  You're supposed to think.  And I know I'm getting way off topic, but like I said, it sparked my imagination and creativity, I was inspired, and just couldnt stop writing! ;)

Read for yourself...and see what happens! :)

     Traveling everyone, something I want to do badly.  Reading this made me want to explore even more.  There's not muc to say about this poem, I like it, it's well written and meaningful.  Going around the world seeing so many wonderful things, still knowing there's even more out there to see.

     "Travell'd the realms of gold, many goodly states and kingdoms seen, western islands." Just reading about it makes you feel like you're there its great!

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL237/2009/10/keats_on_first_looking/

     Wow, this sonnet is quite difficult to understand.  It takes everything you have to even make it through a line without messing up.  A lot of "s" and "w".  But after going back, and back and back again and again and again, I think I got that thinking back on the past, thinking about the death of friends and crying about it "then can I drown an eye", cry?  "My precious friends hid in death's dateless night". Death of friends. After thinking back which I don't do often, I remember the good times with those friends and the sorrows end.? "Which I new pay, as if not paid before.  But if the while I think on thee (dear friend) All losses are restored and sorrows end." Maybe! I tried! :)

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/EL237/2009/10/shakespearesonnet_30/