Midterm Evaluation

I haven't had an english course in 2 years, and I must say that it's really a nice change from my previous Bio courses. There, my only writing occurred in lab reports or analyses of scientific studies and the only reading material was in the fat textbook. I can honestly say that I am much happier reading stories that aren't entirely based on facts, numbers, or charts, but on literary elements like style, theme, and symbolism.
Overall, I've really liked the chosen readings for the semester. I thought We was a really interesting read, especially having read 1984 previously. As for the short stories, I think that the ones we've read have also been good choices. I've really always enojoyed reading this genre of literature, mainly because the authors have such an amazing ability to put so much meaning and hidden details into a "short story." The textbook stated something along the lines that reading a story should take as much thought and deliberation as the actual writing did. This really helped me to realize that I shouldn't read something just to say I read it. The fun of reading comes in the deep interpretation and opinion forming process that one goes through when you really read and reread a story.
As for in class activities, I think our class discussions are becoming more helpful, but I really think I get a better idea of what people really think through our small group discussions. It's much more of a back and forth discussion where we're able to bounce ideas off each other about the story.

Setting and Point of View in The Last Question

The literary aspects of setting and point of view play a significant role in Asimov's "The Last Question." As we follow the different characters through the changing times in the story, the setting seems to be constantly changing. This constant change seems to be parallel to the adapting humans change. Another part of the setting is the overall mood that it evokes. As the story progresses, more and more stars die, the bodies of humans become dead weight, and the whole scene becomes dark and omninous.
The point of view, which was third person omniscent, seems to also have a purposeful role in the story. From this point of view, Asimov was able to show everyone's feelings. The non subjective point of view went along with the changing characters. Having no real connection or insight into a particuluar character allows the reader to see the story in an unbiased way. To exemplify just how lifeless and unfeeling the humans were becoming through time, the point of view remained unattached. This was done to emphasize the fact that there was no longer anything concrete or individual enough to attach to.

We Came All the Way from Cuba So You Could Dress Like This?

I though that this story had a very meaningful message about the struggles of immigration and their impact on a family. The young girl and family is so unaware of what they assume to be a better future in America, however, throughout the entire story, the girl is left wondering 'what if they had stayed in Cuba'? The phrase "Is life destiny or determination?" is stated in this story, and I think that the answer is up for interpretation. To me, I believe that the story shows how this family carved their own path, broke from the norm, and determined their own future by leaving Cuba. And this was a decision that clearly changed their experiences and relationship with one another for the rest of their life. From this aspect, the destiny argument could be posed. It may have been their destiny to break free from Communism and the anarchy in Cuba. By leaving everything they knew and loved about their home country, they came into America, a country of that offered their different race feelings of suspicion and isolation that destined them to a life of confusion.

Class Discussion

I read "Recitatif" closely and carefully, trying not to miss a single important detail of symbolism or thematic reference, however, I seemed to miss out on the point of the story altogether. As was brought up right away in class, I thought that the biggest difference between Twyla and Roberta was the white-black difference. But when we were asked to find any specific instance in the novel to justify this race difference, I hurriedly shuffled through the pages, looking for a point blank phrase that stated 'she was white' or 'she was black'- however, no such phrase existed.  How could this be? I was sure that it was stated somewhere... That's when it hit me. All the stereotypical innuendos in the story tricked me into unknowingly and wrongfully pasting a race to each of the girls.
I never realized the hidden control that racial stereotypes had in my mind. Even though I assumed that I was in NO way racist, I discovered through our discussion that racists are are also a stereotyped group. Just because I'm not a member of the KKK or would never treat someone of a minority race in a cruel or hateful way doesn't mean I don't discriminate on a different level. Although I don't express my racism through action, I cannot deny the stereotypes engraved into my mind. And to me, this silent racism is just as hurtful and problematic as the outspoken racism that other Americans show.

The Scholarly Shame of Collegiate Learning

As a college student, I find this article to be disappointingly true and at the same time, somehow inspirational. The well known attributes of the typical slacker college students are not only brought on by the students themselves, but facilitated by the University they attend. How terrible that college has simply become about getting that degree and getting out as quickly and painlessly as possible. It is hardly about expanding your overall knowledge and learning scholarly approaches to research, writing, and life. The college experience has shifted to one focused on the short-term annoyance of seemingly extraneous assignments, rather than the long-term benefits that these projects will provide for you. I liked the quote in the article that stated "it requires academic rigor... You can't just get it through osmosis in these institutions." It's not about just going through the minimum requirements to eventually pass through the college membrane, it's about getting your money's worth and diving into the great pool of knowledge right in front of you!

Tweet tweet...

I think that these "fake" Twitter accounts are more than just a comedic way of poking fun at prominent figures in American politics. Although the people who create these accounts and tweet humorous things about a politician are claiming to come from a completely satirical view point, there is definitely an undertone of disdain in their remarks. I view these tweets as the latest way to insult the bigwigs in American politics today.
I guess it's a good thing that the targeted politicians are remaining cool and unaffected by the fake Twitter accounts in their name, however, I think that this has the potential of escalating to another level and becoming something of great controversy. As the article states, we live in a "name obsessed culture", constantly judging anyone who chooses to put themselves in the limelight. And the best part for the creators of these accounts is being able to tell the world how you feel about a politician under the all too concealing shield of anonymity. From my point of view, at least TV personalities like John Stewart and Stephen Colbert have the gumption to let their identities be known while their judging politicians, while the anonymous tweeters show none of this nerve for their beliefs.

Literary Analysis Uno

Although writing this analysis was pretty tough, I still enjoyed developing a solid theory about my topic of mathematics, D-503, and revolution. I completely reread the book (fast pace) in order to get as many quotes as possible to strengthen my arguments.
I definitely had my fair share of issues though. I must say that I'm still unsure of when to put the Author's name in parenthesis with the page number. Also, I hope that my topic didn't branch out in too many directions. I felt like I dug deep into what I was trying to prove, but I explained quite a few mathematical symbols, so hopefully my argument stayed centered.

The Metamorphosis...

When I read The Metamorphosis the first time, most of my attention was drawn to the feelings and actions of the family. I couldn't help but hate them for their grave mistreatment of their once son and brother. Upon reading through the short story another time, however, I was much more focused on certain details of story that I paid little attention to the first time around. In this second read, I found myself much more focused on Gregor's emotional transformation and how it perfectly matched up with Kafka's tone and word choice.
Right from the start, I noticed just how absurd it was that Gregor was truly not fazed by his transformation. His thoughts remained calm and uncaring, drifting back to his current obligations of work and his familial dependency on this job. Kafka's relaxed tone matched up to this beginnning, moving effortlessly from Gregor's condition to describing the monotonous details of the room and the melancholy rain, as if these were more significant aspects of Gregor's life. Continuing with this uncaring tone, Gregor never thought of his transformation into a bug in an alarming way. In fact, he was constantly downplaying his serious and life-changing situation, still thinking of his family's debt as his biggest problem. Gregor viewed his family as kind people, seeing their isolated and inconsiderate actions as some sort of respect for him and his needs. How clueless he is about what his life has become!
At one point in the story, however, I thought there was a major turning point where Gregor subconsciously realized what kind of people his parents and sister were. He became aware of their unknown and hidden strength in his confrontation with his father. As the father stomped into the room in his tight uniform, Gregor struggled to see any characteristics of his old, weak father. Kafka further emphasized this vigor by describing the father with dark eyes, tossing his hat confidently across the room, and with a morose expression. Through this skirmish, Gregor was badly injured and was ultimately removed from the power role that he once assumed in the family. From this point on, Gregor lost all hope for life and began to lose interest in the feelings of others. His indifference indicates a broken down man, trapped in the confines of a crowded room, surrounded by a family that never really thought of him as anything more than a spineless creature.

Two Sources

Beehler, Michael. "Yevgeny Zamyatin: The Essential, the Superfluous, and Textual Noise." SubStance 15.50 (1986): 48-60. JSTOR. Web. 2 February 2011.

Russel, Robert. "Literature and Revolution in Zamyatin's My. The Slavonic and East European Review 51.122 (1973): 36-46. JSTOR. Web. 2 February 2011.

Zamyatin, Yevgeny. We. Trans. Natasha Randall. New York: The Modern Library, 2006. Print.