See you later American Lit

I can honestly say the American Lit classes have been my most favorite classes. At first I thought great this women is going to bore us to death, sorry Mrs. S :). After I began to read the dreaded old stories I found that I loved most of them. I loved how the book was broke down into pods. The men, The Women. The poets, ect. It really made it not so overwhelming. I also loved discovering the symbolism in the stories though some were a little difficult. It really makes to stories more powerful! While in these classes I made my decision about my major, hopefully so I will be pursuing a career in teaching. So I say see you later American Lit, not good-bye because I am sure I will keep reading some older stories, I have no intentions of selling my books back. What a great compilation of stories they hold.

My New Favorite Stories

Red Badge of Courage


Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Unces Tom's Cabin

Poems

Not only have I been taking the American Lit class but I have been taking a Creative Writing class also. In my writing class I had to write a ever so dreaded poem. Poetry is not my favorite to read nor write. Never in a million years need I think I could write a poem that was even ok. After reading the poems from American Lit I got a feel of how poems were wrote and that most good poems were about someones life and feeling. I sat down at thought about what I was going through at the time and came up with this.

                        Missing

We got some crazy news the other day

They say you have up and gone away

Left without your child,

Left without your clothes,

Left without a trace.

Gone to somewhere

No one knows.

We know better

And that you would never

Leave without a good bye.

We will never stop searching,

Even if we begin to cry.

We will not lose hope,
We will never give up,
Until we find you or
We know God has lifted you up.
Up to a better place,
Where he can heal your pain,
Where he will hold you tight, Until we meet again.

Walt Whiteman

In either fifth or sixth grade I was introduced to Walt Whiteman. Our history teacher made us memorize and decipher "O Captain, My Captain." I have never enjoyed history class, in fact I find it boring. Reading Whiteman is a way for me to learn a little about history while doing what I enjoy, reading. While researching Whitman I discovered just how much he and President Lincoln had in common. The were both very driven men when it came to the country and the rights of the people. Whitman also did not get much schooling like Lincoln and they were both men that `had many different jobs. I can't help but think that Lincoln had a huge influence on Whitman. Whitman in my eyes is the greatest American poet. Each poem taught us something significant to our history.

The scaret letter

Hester commits adultery. She discovers she has became pregnant. The town people new right away, since her husband has been gone for a few years. he is punished and put in jail because she would not give up the fahter's name. She ended up having her daughter Pearl in jail. Months later she was release on the terms that her child would be raised of Christian faith. They also demand that she wore a scarlet color A, for adultery  everywhere she went to show everyone what she has done.

Just who was Hester in love with?

do not think it is hard to figure out that Hester did not love her husband. I believe she even stated so in the story. Back in that era and place they lived, it was not uncommon for parents to pick their child’s spouse. Mr. Chillingsworth was a wealthy, well known man, what a perfect mate for their daughter. It was not verified in the story that the parents pick him for her, just my opinion.

Hester was not willing to embarrass her husband by telling people who she was married to, since she did have a baby way after she moved to Massachusetts there was no way the baby was his. I do not think she kept the secret because of any feelings for him. I think she knew he would be very angry. I also do not see as the type of person to make someone else suffer for her mistakes.

The one she truly loved was the preacher Mr. Dimmesdale, also the father of her child. She brings up a plan to run away with Mr. Dimmesdale when she finds out her husband’s plan to seek revenge. Because of her decision to not tell him about her husband’s plan, Mr. Dimmesdale does not stay with her. I do think that they both did love each other but the guilt got the best of them.

Rapacinnis daughter

I really enjoyed reading Rapacinni's daughter. I found it interesting that science takes a hold of peoples lives as it does. Things back then do not seem to be so different than now days. We now have stem cell research and much more. I find it very sad that his own daughter was nothing more than an experiment. She paid the ultimate cost for her father's selfishness. No one seemed to have her best interest at hand only their own personal gains. I am glad we now have laws that somewhat keep us from experimenting on humans no matter the cost.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Uncle Tom's Cabin is one of my favorite stories I have had the to read. The story gave be hope and knowledge of the days when slavery was legal. I have ad that all slaves were treated the same. The Shelby's proved me wrong. The story was like reading more than one story. In the beginning, we got to take a look into the Shelby's way of life and kindness to their slaves. I was almost like their slaves were  part of their of family. Then we got to read a story about slaves escaping to freedom. We also got a look at the slaves who decided to stay and their time at Uncle Tom's Cabin. I would reread this story. Something I have not said often in this class.

poe

  I have always thought of Poe as the Steven King of his time. Poe is not easy for me to understand but I do love that his stories do not follow the norm. In Edgar Allen Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado,"A wealthy man is jealous of another man wealth. The jealousy takes over and causes him to lurer his nemesis to the catacombs with promises of expensive wine. The entire walk through the caves he gets his nemesis drunker and drunker. Finally they reach the end and he chains his foe the the cave wall full of bones of other unlucky people. He then builds a wall sealing off that part of the cavern off from anyone else. I would have like to know where all the bones were from was this man a serial killer. I feel like Poe leaves me wondering way too much.

Choplin's The Story of an Hour

I really enjoyed reading Choplin's "Story of an Hour." I like stories that do not follow the norm. In this story it is thought that her husbands dies. She acts as a normal widow would at first. Then as time past she was so happy to be free for her husband, that she dies of happiness. Come to find out it was a mistake and her husband wasn't dead at all. When he finally comes home he finds that his wife died of happiness that came from him being dead.

I was not required to read this story in American Lit but I found it to be one of the best short stories I have read a needed to share it.

Sojourner Truth

Sojourner was a great women's rights activist. Without her courage, it could have had a chain reaction in many ways. She spoke up for women when we had no rights at all. She was a fighter for others and herself. She also sued a white man and won her son’s freedom back. This alone gave others hope.  She was both and advocate for women and slaves.  I get the idea from her speech that since Eve made Adam sin, women were punished for it for decades after and even still now. She helped pave the way for reasons women to have rights. Bringing up the Bible was a great tactic. “Well if women upset the world, do give her a chance to set it right-side up again.” She also brought up that Jesus did not keep women from him.  Back then people lived more by the word of the Bible that is why I think her speech had a great  impact.  Without her, it could have caused other women not to have the courage to speak up. There is power in numbers and her speech helped create many followers and not just women.  Now we have all the rights men do. We can literally do anything a man can do, like run for president! No matter what gender or race we are here in America. Her name definitely fit her!

Sinners in the Eyes of an angry God

I was absolutely horrified when I read Edwards sermon. He used nothing but scare tactics to gain believers in God. When in the Bible it say you must except God. Being scared and acceptance is very different. So that eaves the question of, do the people listening and support his way are really believers or just scared not to be?

I have hear that when God was first introduced he was said to be vengeful but in was later changed so people would nor fear him.

I can not imagine god danging me of the pits of hell as said in the sermon.

Rip Van Wikle

This is another cartoon folktale I grew up watching. Rip was a very likable character. He was kind and helpful to all the town's people. Not to mention, the children loved him. He was said to be a slacker a home though. who could blame him with a wife like that?
Here's my interpretation of what happened to Rip. I think he was finally feed up with his wife's nagging or just dealing with her in general. I think he took off with his dog and maybe a jug or two of moonshine. he waked and drank, all the while hallucinating for his sweet nectar. By the time he ran out of booze he walked and walked. Finally passing out from his alcohol intake and the wearing down of his body. He may have slept for a few days, but I believe when he awoke, his dog and had went home. He was now lost with no memory of the previous days. I took him several years to get home. Just a theory of mine.

I could not imagine going home after thinking it had just been days and it had been years.

Sleepy Hollow

I loved reading this story! It has always been one of my favorite folktales, told to me by my grandmother. I aso watched the cartoon often, I am sure we have all seen it. My favorite thing to do is read the book after I see the movie, if there is one. Reading the books and getting the full emotion and descriptions plays a new, better movie in my head. I know this is a folktale my honestly I could see this really happening. What better things to do then pay jokes one people back then.

Oh Things We Will Learn

I have been so excited to return to American Lit! Last semester was definitely not what I expected. I thought the class was just to read stories really. I learned there are many things in the story, I simply passed over  during my reading. This class has taught me to look for and understand the symbolism in the stories. This class also gives us the chance for us to know more about our favorite authors.  Knowing these things has made reading even more enjoyable.

Farewell American Lit

I must say and call me a nerd if you want to, this was my favorite class. This class has managed to make my reading so much more meaningful. It was not until this class that I even knew about symbolism. Now I can read a story and get the full effect of it. In my opinion, it takes some real talent to do even half half what we go to read. Reading these stories has allowed me to take a look into the past. I have learned so much about history and didn't even realize I was learning. I am looking forward to American Lit I the fall! See you this summer Mrs.Seimans.

Good Country People

Good Country People was my probably my favorite short story I have read this semester. I really enjoyed the humor of it. Not that I think what happened to Helga was funny, more because I honestly thought I was ready about GOOD country people. From the beginning of the story I was sure of it. Mrs. Hopewell was such a kind loving women along with the people that lived around her. I can say I was not impressed with Joy/Helga. I found her to be attention seeking and rude. She seemed to be living just find with her disability. I can’t see her justifying the way she was when she was a smart independent woman.

When Manley showed up at the Hopewell’s house I was still thinking the story was about GOOD country people.  He definitely had me fooled. When Manley showed an interest in Helga I was very excited. I thought for sure he would be the one for her, the one to make her happy and whole again. Boy was I fooled! When Manley took her on her first date I was still convinced. She even took her precious wooden leg off for him. When he pulled out the whisky I was like ok he is going to get her drunk and take advantage of her sexually. When he stole her leg and told her the stories of other fake body parts he obtained the same way, I was floored. All I could think was what sick individual would take these items. What a crazy fetish and what a disturbing way to get them. I would highly suggest this story to read because of the twist in it.

The Man

I actually had to read this story twice. I think I was so dumbfounded with what was going on in the this story, I had to confirm my thoughts. I felt like I had stepped into the mind of a serial rapist. Jesse was truly a sick man. In the beginning I was pretty lost on what was going on other than his personal hatred for the blacks. It wasn't until his flackback did it click. This man not only hated the blacks but, he was turned on by his deep hatred for them. The end of the story confirms it, Jesse is finally able to have sex with his wife. But not without first playing his sick porn in his head. I still can't believe his wife would even let him touch her, knowing what it takes to turn him on.

Everyday Use

I really enjoyed this story. I found I could relate to some parts in it. The quilt for instance, I so am guilt of preserving such items. This story had me thinking why I did that. I think I do it because I am afraid if the items get ruined I will loose the memories with them. I know those are not rational thoughts. I also know my grandma gave us those items to use and enjoy. She did put a lot of hard work into them. My favorite items I received after my grandma pasted was a tea set. For years my daughter has asked if we could use it, I have always said not for fear that they would be broken. I am happy to say of the weekend we had a tea party of our own. We have decided to make it a ritual much like the one my grandmother and I shared. During the tea party we enjoyed a lot of great memories that I had of my grandmother, it was really a great way to remember her.

I didn't care much for Dee, I found her to be  hypocritical and irritating. She had a real identity problems in my opinion. She changed a name that should have been the biggest part of her heritage. Then we find her rummaging through the house for material items for her to remember her heritage.

My favorite part of the story was the end when Maggie finally had a real smile. I felt a sort of triumph when Dee pulled away and Maggie was still the proud owner of the quilts. I think the smile was because Maggie finally felt like number one.

A Street Car Named Desire

I actually enjoy this story. Each Character had different personalities. Blanche was the mentally unstable, promiscuous, high society sister. Mitch, the nice guy. Stan, the rude, lower class, womanizing, abusive husband, Stella the push over, gull able, caring sister of Blanche and wife of Stan. I really felt sorry For Blanche and Stella. Blanche was a really messed individual. I think when she lost her husband, her mind went with him. She became mentally ill because of it. I fell sorry for Stella because she is stuck in the middle of Stan and Blanche feud, all while being pregnant. She had to come to term that her sister was really sick and need dramatic help.   


More to come tomorrow I have to go to sleep

A Rose for Emily

I found this story reminds me of, "Great Expectations." Emily loved very deeply, so deeply she actually poisons her love to keep him from leaving her. I found it very disturbing that she kept his decaying body in the bed where she also slept at night. To me Emily is a sad individual. She refused to conform to the new laws. Stating only that she was promised by the colonel that she would be safe from taxes. It was not however, put into writing and no one else was alive to confirm the agreement made.

I thought Emily was mentally unstable, but I must say she had her reasoning for it. Everyone she has ever cared truly for has left or died. In the end I think Emily did not want to be alone anymore. that is why she did what she did. I am not saying it was right. I just assuming there was reasoning behind her thoughts. I feel sorry for her in so many ways.

Barn Burning

I loved reading this story. I really loved reading the opinions of all the others that read it also. The majority of the people who read this story agreed that destroying an others property is flat out wrong. their were a few that agreed with Mr. Snopes though. I personally find Mr.Snopes in the wrong, not because he burnt the barn. I found wrong in the way he was living his life. He had absolutely no regard for anyone else but his-self. I  found him to be a sick man. I felt so bad for his son, all he really wanted was for his father to be a good man. I am so glad we have became more civilized than they were. Most of us wouldn't think of doing such terrible things to people. Well, I should say, most of us will not carry out the evil thoughts in our heads. We are human and I am positive at one time or another we are all guilty of having bad thoughts. It is our morals and the stricter laws we have for actions such as the ones from the book.

The Snow of Kilimjaro

I truly enjoyed this story. The symbolism Fitzgerald uses is excellent.“It can be two bicycle policemen as easily, or be a bird. Or it can have a wide snout like a hyena.” This is one of the main ones that caught my eye. I first I thought the bird was a symbol of his death. When I reached the end of the story I changed my mind to the hyena. The way he described death coming for him just reminded me of the hyena closing in on the camp. Then he says he feels as though something was sitting on his chest starring him in the face. I pictured nothing more than the hyena taking his last breath.  A old wife's tell also comes to mind of a ct crawling in the baby crib taking the babies breath because of the milk the baby has drank.

I also think that than man in the story was a very sad confused man. He had a wife that loved him like no other, yet he could not love her because she was nothing more than a sick experiment he was creating.

Mother Nature Fights Back

It is now Tuesday, and I am  feeling a great deal of grief for our world! I am certain all the events in mother nature, should be one heck of an eye opener! I am a christian women and I know these same events are triggering other opinions on why all this is happening. In my opinion it is both our days here are numbered and always have been, from both the scientific and the christian aspect. We are very greedy and we have literally taken everything from the world we live in. It is unfortunate that is has taken so long for us to realize we must also put back what we take. The whole going "Green," is a great way to get the younger era to care for the earth. I just wish that we would not have been so blind for so long. My thoughts and prayers go out around the world for peace, safety, and love. This has definitely been an eye opener for me and I will be enjoying life a whole lot more now. I am personally sad that I will someday be leaving this mess for my children to deal with. Hind sight is definitely 20/20. Mother nature has started fighting back because of our own recklessness. She just gets the job done a lot faster than us.

The Party

My son's birthday party went well! It was our first holiday in our new home and I couldn't be happier. Its funny, my old home was small and I figured since we have moved to a bigger home there would be plenty of room. This did not turn out to be true. It actually seemed smaller when everyone showed up.
We sat and enjoyed each other's company and celebrated my son's birthday. After the cake and ice cream he opened his birthday presents. He got lots of Nerf guns and Legos. I think the adults had more fun with the toys than the children. We were all running around the back yard with colored vest and goggles on searching for our opponent. My sister was even wheeling our mom through the yard to chase down the grandchildren. This was definitely a day for the memory book!

A Poem for my son

It seems like only yesterday I held you in my arms,
looking up at me with your loving blue eyes so warm.

Then you began to crawl,
before you know it you were up and into it all.

In a few more years you started school,
you were ready and willing to give it a try.
All the while, it took all I had not to cry.

How much I love you, you'll never know.
My joy in life is watching you grow.

My sons birthday is sunday so I wrote this on the card I made him.

The return ofour beloved bald eagles

My parents live on the river road on the way to Georgetown. While driving my husband and I noticed about three of them gracefully soring over the Wabash River. We pulled over and observed them for about fifteen minutes. It was as if the were dancing in the bright blue sky, I was totally captivated by them. They would swoop real low to the river and catch a fish. It then landed in a near by tree to eat it. They are beautiful creatures and I am so glad they are repopulating. If you are ever out that way keep your eyes peeled they are truly a pleasure to observe.

Not a very good day

 This morning I woke up to find my car would not start. I have just moved to the country from the city. I checked every fluid I could think. The gas gauge said I had a forth of a tank of gas. I thought to my self maybe, my gas gauge was broke. Of course, I live in the country and where would I get gas? Everyone I know lives over 20 miles away and was probably at work or school. My husband called me on his break and I explained the situation. Thankfully he works with a friend and ask if his wife could take me gas. When she got here we put the gas in and sure enough it fired right up. The funny thing is the morning the car ran out of gas I took my husband to a gas station in peru to meet his carpool. I asked if he thought we should just get gas. He said, "No you have plenty of gas." At least I got to start reading the Great Gatsby with the free time from the wonderful car incident.

The News (by Eva Groover)

The news I heard about you today
Brought me to my knees, with nothing to say
Tears filled my eyes as pain filled my heart.
The death of you pierced through me like a dat.
Disbeleif began to stretch across my face.
I knew somehow you were in a better place.
Heaven took you, earth let you go.
As for me, I could never do so.
You held a special role in my world.
Even though you're gone, you're still my girl.
I'll never forget all the good times we had
Before this crazy dream turned to bad
Everyday you greeted me with a wonderful smile
That brightened my day and made it worthwhile.
Whenever I look up in the middle of the night,
I'll know its you shining down on me with light,
Telling me its ok to feel upset
But go on living, like the first day we met.
They say life gets better, it always does
Even though things never go back the way they was.
Still this day, I'll never forget the news
When death won and now you lose.
In my heart you shall forever remain
As the girl with pride, who had no shame.
Bow your head, take a minute to pray
Words of thoughtfulness, is what we say,
As our God guides her on her way
Through the heavens one step everyday.

In loving Memory of
Christy

This poem is very special to me. I didn't write it, but even as I type it my eyes swell with tears. We were both close to Christy, so I know that is why it means so much. It is just weird how I feel as though it was wrote for me. In my opinion that is the definition of a good poem.

My Hero

         I spent today helping my dad. All the while, I was thinking what an amazing man he was. We have not always been close,in fact, he is not my biological father. I did not realize how much he meant to me until about four years after he came into my life. My mother has always been a sick women, but one day he came to me crying. My mother was in the hospital and we weren't sure if she was coming home. I believed our bond started there. I was about to lose my mother, so I thought, and The thought of not being with him too hit me. Since then we have been very close.
         He has had been through a lot and overcame many obstacles in his life. He is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. He only has the education of sixth grader, yet none of these things has stopped him from becoming a great father and loving husband in my opinion, him realizing he was a father now, even if not by blood, saved him.
         Seven years ago he was working at the Royal Centre Locker Plant and cut half his hand off! His hand is crippled but it doesn't stop him from doing everything he did before. Four years ago, my dad was working in Virgina building a log cabin. He fell off the roof and he was without a harness. He shattered both ankles. Instead of waiting on the ambulance, my dad got in his truck and drove to my mother who was at the hotel sick. He called me on the way there, it took everything in me not to freak out. I knew he had to be in shock and we again needed each other. he was told he would never walk again and came home in a wheelchair. He is now walking and backing to doing things a normal person can do.Two years ago my mother's medical problems progressed and she is now in a wheelchair. He spends everyday doing what he can to make her comfortable and the bills paid. He has a heart of gold, patience of an angel, and he never says never, we are truly blessed for having him in our lives.

Poetry And Music

I have been putting alot of thought into poetry lately. I have been listening to been to people when they talk and to music. In my opinion music is the lastest form of poetry. I think it is a good way to learn how to interpret poetry, if one actually listens to the lyrics. Some of the poems I have read I can picture as being songs. Music has been used to express feelings and so is poetry. I do not like some types of music, but it is the person's way of expressing themselves. Poetry is the same only on paper and most were not sang back then. People say things that are inspiring everyday and that too in mind is o form of poetry.

1 fish 2 fish blue fish

I have a seven year old son. They are reading Dr. Suess at school. I asked him how his day went and what homework he had. He replied, "We have to read Dr.Suess tonight and rhyme words." when we got home we read together and made up silly stories with rhyming words. After I was done, I explained to him that I had to do my homework now. He asked what kind of homework I had to do, so I told him I was reading stories that rhyme too. He wanted me to read him a poem so I picked one and read it. He said, "you should tell your teacher Dr.Suess is better," lol.
Anyways, it made me think of poems in general, and how there are so many different styles. The authors have certain audiences that want to attract. Dr. Suess did write great poetry for the age level intended.

My Opinion of the Interpretation od Poetry

I have been reading poetry for a week now. I have found some of it to be very confusing to me. I think poetry can be interpreted in many ways. I believe  it depends on the personality, life experinces, mood, state of mind one is in, religion, and many more factors that poems maybe interpreted.

We are around poetry everyday, it is is the music we listen to. Just like poetry songs can be interpreted in many ways.

I have been reading poetry from a different era and i also believe that plays a role in how I interpret it.

Red Baddage of Courage

After reading the "Red Baddage Courage," I felt like I could relate some what to how Henry was having mixed feeling about the war, and hoe he would react. He was treated differntly because he was lower rank.
I ws in the National Guard and was not treated very well by the higher ranked soliders. There was a lot of drinking on th off time among other things. I began to feel as if it was a joke as well. Six months after basic my unit got orders to be deployed to Iraq. That was one of the scariest days of my life. I had some of the same thought that Henry had, could I stand and fight or be a coward. During my physical before deployment they discovered I was pregnant. I was both happy and sad. Sad because I felt as though I failed my country and happy because I didn't know if I could be brave enough to go to war.

The Women

I really enjoy reading Choplin. I felt as if she was telling stories of herself in, "The Storm" and "The Candiana Ball." She told stories that had great emotions of all sorts. Stories that were probably not acceptable to even speak of back the that era. She in my eyes took a step forward for women and tod stories of life. Men seem to use dalot more adventure.

How language stlyes affect a story

My mom let me use her kindle while I was on a four hour drive. I have always believed that the language stlye used in stories, helps set the story and era. Anyways, I was listening to the kindle read me the story. It was one tone and could not say the dialect the way it should have benn said. I could not even get into the story. Reading it the right way makes feel pictures the scences in my head. Dialect  is one of the most important facts in stories of this era.

A Look Into the Past

I have recently enrolled in an American Lit class. I have discovered that some of the greatest writers of all time, in my opinion. I started out reading, "The adventures of Huck Finn. I loved how real the story felt to me. Twain was great at setting the time and place for the story. His stories were full of adventure and history. The history of the story was one of my favorite parts of the story.