March 16, 2006
Writing A Research Essay
Roberts, Ch 18 -- Jerz: American Lit II (EL 267)
"With research, our understanding and our civilization grown; without it, they die."
Although I dont really enjoy writing research papers, I do believe that having the resources and ability to do research does help us grow, individually and culurally. Whether it is for a new antibody or just for peace of mind. In my case its usually the latter. I will just be wandering through my day and some small trivial fact will be presented. If for some reason it doesnt seem right I have to do some research to find an answer that satisfies my need to know. When this happens I am determined to find what I am looking for and pull all stops until I get what I am looking for. While personal research and assigned research are the same it is almost impossible for me to get that involved or interested in a topic like I do when its just a hearsay "rumor" that I want to justify.
Posted by KayleeNorth at 01:38 AM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2006
It seems to me...
Roberts, Ch. 5 -- Jerz: American Lit II (EL 267)
"(a major mover) will arrange their words in order to make themselves seem blameless."
"Each person's report will have the "hidden agenda" of making herself or himself seem honest, objective. intelligent, impartial, and thorough."
This confuses me slightly because what would a character be considered if say a crime was committed, they werent the person that actually did it, but they wanted to take the credit/blame for it? Wouldnt that go against both of these statements and yet wouldnt that person be a major participant in the story?
This brings to mind this documentary about a serial killer called the Iceman that I watched the other night. He killed over 100 people and whne talking about what drove him to do those thiings he never once said that he regretted it or tried to place blame on someone else. He didnt even say that the victims brought it on themselves. He simply claimed that it was something he had to do. Now in this case he was the major participant but he didnt try to seem blameless. Although I guess this goes along with my nd quote about being honest.
Posted by KayleeNorth at 03:19 AM | Comments (1)
The Sensations of Symbolism...
Roberts, Ch. 10 -- Jerz: American Lit II (EL 267)
"They (symbolism and allegory) are based on the fact that people associate important qualities of their existence with particular objects, places, or accurrences."
Symbolism means something entirely different to every person. It all depends on what you've experienced in your life, and how far your "journey" took you.
For example, while growing up my father was never around or included in my life. Even though he lived/s in my town less than 3 miles away I never got a birthday card or even just a call to say hello. So what my symbolism of a father or even my symbolism of a mother would be completely different than someone who has a "man-of-the-house". The difference would be the importance and independence I stress on my mother and being able to do so-called jobs that a man should do. Because of this I feel that a person must know a little bit about the authors history in order to understand the symbolism that is being shown.
In Brendas blog she says something about how the more meanings a symbol has the richer the context becomes. So the more experiences a person encounters the more peices of literature will be appreciated.
Posted by KayleeNorth at 03:09 AM | Comments (0)
Musically inclined...
Roberts, Ch. 13 -- Jerz: American Lit II (EL 267)
"Indeed, some people think that rythm and sound are the music of poetry becasue they are like musical rythms and tempos."
"In poetry, rythm is significant because poetry is so emotionally sharged, compact, and intense."
These two statements out of this chapter really explain why exactly poems are associated with poetry. A poem is like a short accapello song. Each hold the same amount of feelings and emotions while still comunicating a centralized idea. To write a successful song and poem require the same basics. Structure, flow, and interest.
This goes along with what Lisa Randolph said about reading a poem isnt the same as our everyday speech. She points out that there are rythms and syllables that need to be stressed in order to give it meaning. This further strengthens the connection between songs and poems. Because the same can be said for song lyrics.
Posted by KayleeNorth at 02:53 AM | Comments (0)
February 07, 2006
Welcome to Reality Dear...
Roberts on Character -- Jerz: American Lit II (EL 267)
While looking at what was most talked about in Roberts Chapter 3, I decided that the idea/concept of flat vs. round characters was a bit played out. I decided to take a look at the reality vs. probability section of that chapter.
"Characters in life fiction should be true to life. That is, their actions, statements, and thougts must all be what human beings are likely to do, say, and think under the conditions presented in the story."
Now when I read this I immediately thought that if all authors followed this rule than literature would be semi boring. I mean if the characters are that predictable that they do everything that "human beings" would do in that situation then we would be able to finish the story on out own.
Another point that comes to mind would be: What type of person are we talking about, is this simply talking about all men and women should do what is thought of them, or all teens, middle age, and elders, or maybe even all convicts vs average run-of-the-mill people.
I dont think that this quote should be taken completely for what it says. I mean the actions that the characters take should have some element of surprise in order to make a story successful. No character or person for that matter should simply do what everyone else would in every situation.
Posted by KayleeNorth at 08:25 PM | Comments (1)