Technology!

What an interesting semester this has been. In this semester in this English class I was able to take the opportunity to take it as a online class. I have only taken two other online classes but they were by far not as fun as this one. The first online class I took was a humanities class and the second was a math class. the math class was very basic with straight forward work, assignments, quiz's, and test. The humanities class has some fun aspects to it, I first used Blogger in that class but it was pretty basic as well.

Online learning I think can be a positive or a negative. I personally like and dislike it at the same time. In my math class I need a actual person there to help me and show me what is going on when I am confused. Having a person in front of you when teaching can be very helpful is a particular subject is more challenging and you as an individual need more assistance. A writing class and the humanities class I think is a great class to have online. These two classes are more straight forward and you need less personal assistance in.

The one part of the class that i think was the most useful to me was Blogger. I was able to communicate with my classmates and get their feed back on my work. In the beginning of the class I was able to introduce myself to them in a fun and creative way. I was able to take the feedback they gave to me and use it to better my papers or understand a piece of writing I may have been having problems with.

I will definitely be using the online databases in the future. This was the first time I have used them and it was very interesting to see what was available. I also got a library card for the first time in my life haha!

I really enjoyed taking this class and the fun options that were all through the course it made it so much more fun to participate in. I hope that if given the opportunity to take another online course it will be like this one. I have to give credit to our professor for taking the time to want to make learning fun and enjoyable. She could have used text book only and submitted all work through Black Board. She took it a step farther and I appreciate that.

http://websearch.about.com/b/2005/07/07/kids-need-more-technology-classes.htm

Reflection on English 102

Dear Professor Cline,

I have really enjoyed this class I got to take with you as my professor. This has been different then any other English Course I have ever taken. You added style and fun into something that is usually "just part of the requirement". I truly can say I have enjoyed taking this class and would recommend it to others. I didn't look at it as just another class to fill my requirement needs to obtain my degree I actually enjoyed it.

In this class I think I have learned to start to properly analyzing literature. I am still learning and getting better but I believe I have gotten better over the period of the class. I think being able to continue to excel in doing this will be able to open more doors for me in my career and in other classes that I will be taking.  Being able to analyze something is very important. This can help you in not just writing a college paper but all throughout life. You will be able to be presented with a more complicated scenario and be able to put a little bit more thought into it and solve it with greater competence.

Honestly I cannot find a way the reading have affected me in this class. I think if at all they have made the class more enjoyable. The course was given a fun theme to work with. I liked not just having ordinary "boring" book to read and get through.

I think that I am progressively meeting the learning outcomes of this course. I like that I am feeling more comfortable in doing what was asked of me, as opposed to being so nervous when I first signed up for the class. I think that my progression has shown and is at a good rate.

When I look at my writing and my process in writing, I really do not see much of a change. I have the same organizational skills and I still put my paper together the same way and edit it that same way that I always have. The only thing that I do differently is the way I look at the reading I am given. I am able to look more deeply and understand what I am given and it truly makes me enjoy reading much more now. Knowing that there is more then just words n the page is a nice thought. 

The only challenge I think that I had in the class is the want to read the literature that was given. I am not much of a reader and when I took this class I will be honest I was not looking forward to it. But when I got to see what the readings were and what we were going to be doing I got excited. I really liked the fun little projects we got to do throughout the semester!

Thank you for the opportunity in giving me the skills to become a better reader and writer. I look forward to finding a book to read.

Lindsey Meredith

Final Presentation

http://rodeogrl101.edu.glogster.com/final-presentation/

American Zombie Gothic

I must say this was a very interesting article to read. I never viewed Zombies in that light before. I never took into consideration that Zombies were a reflection on our nation and its downfalls. It was very interesting to read how 9/11, our wars, and national disasters have had an impact on what people see Zombies as. Zombies are seen as a very prolific figure and yet at the same time are such a popular monster while being so feared.

I don't think that I can necessarily agree with what is being said about this though. Zombies are merely a silly horror creature. No different then the Werewolves, and Witches of the world. They in my opinion do not represent such a strong impact on our society. We all have faced great emotion with all the horrific occurrences in and out of our country and we are all skeptical and fearful with what could happen in the future, but I highly doubt that this os portrayed though a Zombie. I do not see how something so positively looked upon and so popular can be in the same light be associated with such horrible on goings. Zombies are such a horrible, cannibalistic, no escaping them monster how could you possibly associate that with destruction to our country. Having said this let me explain.Yes, we have had horrific and devastating events happen to us and our people but how can you compare when we have won wars, rebuilt countries, come together as a nation, sacrificed our own comforts to help others in need, and continued to become a stronger nation. I think even with our downfalls we cannot be look upon as weak. And in my opinion placing a Zombie in the mess of things is doing just that.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie

Cannibals

Lindsey Meredith

Cline

English 102

October 29, 2011

Not your traditional Monster

            When we think of monsters we think of all the ordinary mythical creatures. We think of Zombies, Vampires, Witches, Werewolves, and so on. But the one monster that could be the most devastating and scariest of all is one that truly exist and that is so fearful, little stories and movies are made up with them. The terrifying thought of this creature being real in actual life is overwhelming. This monster does not necessarily show a hideous form or an eerie personality, he could be cordial, good looking, and intellectual. This monster that I speak of goes by the name of Hannibal Lector: or so well known as “Hannibal the Cannibal”. Cannibals take the interest in eating people. What an unimaginable thought this is. They will kill their victim and then dismember and dissect the part of the body they so feel fit to enjoy. Hannibal enjoys preparing his meals that consist of human flesh and organs. He has no remorse for the actions he takes on his victims. He has a very calm demeanor that would make you think he is the last person who could commit such heinous acts.  Hannibal has many attributing personality features.  He is a man with high-class taste and articulate style. He has a nitch for puzzles and likes to toy with others minds. He is a M.D., a psychiatrist whose first victim was one of his very own patients. But Hannibal has a soft side as well. He grows to have an infatuation with FBI agent Clarisse Starling. He is intrigued with her curiosity about him and her eager will to want to solve his puzzles. Now Hannibal is not your ordinary cannibal. He chooses to eat the rude ones in life and thinks of it as a service he is contributing to. “He once told me that whenever feasible he preferred to eat the rude…”  (Scott). Hannibal has pleasure on what he does and he finds delight in eating the human race. Hannibal makes cannibalism seem to somehow have a sexual vibe to it. The way that he gets off and takes pleasure in his act is unusual. He wont just murder to murder, he always has a purpose for doing what he does. He gets rid of the rude and the ones that choose to jeopardize his freedom, and on occasion the sick twisted criminals that he finds fascinating. Hannibal loves havening the ability to psychologically alter ones state of mind in a grotesque way. His eating people, also signifies a defense in which he takes to eliminate the rude the ones that threaten the one he cares for so dearly. He seems to exercise cannibalism as a sense of protection, pleasure, and defense.

            Hannibal’s unappealing appetite is a dreadful conflict with his relationship he has with Clarisse. Although she is civil to Hannibal, she continually jeopardizes his freedom and at one time she lies to him. This usually leads for a devastating death and being eaten, but this is not the case for young charming Clarisse. Yet for some reason he is captivated by her and shows her an odd love. “Tell me Clarisse, would you ever say to me stop, if you loved me you’d stop.” (Scott) He thinks of her daily and writes to her in the way a lover would. Hannibal enjoys sharing his puzzles with her and hopes for her to solve them. And when Clarisse is always coming to the rescue of Hannibal what else should he think. His soft demeanor comes out when he speaks to her and interacts with her. He shows no means of ever wanting to harm her or eat her for that matter. Hannibal goes as far as protecting her, in his own demented way. Hannibal keeps watch of her and knows the embarrassments in her work. He does what he can to harm the ones who harm her. Hannibal’s actions and personality towards her is charming and oh so contradicting to his real person. He shows the ideal characteristics of what we would all wish the population to have. The charm, manners, articulation, respect, and intelligence: that we all wish to see in our world. He is a man with great disguise of what he truly is and never compromises his identity, unless in the concession for Clarisse. He is a man of great weariness, he does not allow him self to get to close to any one person.  Although, Clarisse is a point of interest for him his attitude and willingness is what keeps him connected to her. He enjoys learning about her and getting inside her mind and emotions. Clarisse must share personal stories and occurrences with Hannibal and only then will he continue to help her and feed her need for success.

            The defense strategy Hannibal has in cannibalism plays a large role as well. When he is imprisoned he attacks guards, staff, and nurses. He victimized those who hold him from his freedom. Such as agent Pozzi, who tries to capture Hannibal to receive a handsome reward for the arrest of him. When he fails at his attempt he is hung from the palace and gutted for the town to see. “Arrivederci, Commendatore.” (Harris)  And when his escapes, when he returns back into the life as a civilian, he reeks havoc on those who question his motives and try to place him in the category of a suspect, all the while it truly being Hannibal. He despises the thought that someone has figured out that he is the one committing the atrocious crimes against his fellow race. But yet he is amused that someone has given in to the puzzles and figured them out, placing the blame on him.  He is very particular as to whom he feels deserves to die and who shall deserve to live. A great deal of that stems with who is cordial to him and who treats him with no respect whether in civilian life or while being incarcerated. He seems to look at cannibalism as an excuse. The excuse to eat people and cause harm to them is to him defending himself from others. In his defense strategies he uses his puzzles to get inside his victims minds. He lures them with complex questions and the inquisitiveness to want to solve them. When the victims get to close or start to figure out his true person that is when Hannibal strikes but only after the conclusion has been made and solved.

            The pleasure and the odd way that Hannibal finds satisfaction in these acts are so very disturbing. When having company over for dinner, he enjoys watching his guest enjoy the meal he has prepared of human flesh. He takes in the enjoyment is their curiosity of what might such a delicious dish consist of. He holds such pride in his work and the secrecy in it. When Hannibal is a free man dining on his victims he take pleasure in listening to the relaxing sound of his classical music.  Even seen in reviews the vague idea of the need for disruption is a pleasure.  “Lector is hungry for diversions, and Thomas Harris, author of the book on which the screenplay is based, is ready to supply them.” (Wadsworth).

            The need to protect Clarisse is imperative to Hannibal. “a fabulist tale, about monsters in dark places still looking-inasmuch as they are capable-for justice.” (West) He wishes for her to succeed in her work and in her explorations. He also is aware that Clarisse cannot fathom the thought of not thinking about him, which keeps him continually interested. Hannibal keeps a close eye on Clarisse at all times. He goes to the very risky extent of traveling just to watch Clarisse run. He writes to her on occasion to let her know he is all right or that he is ready to come out of hiding. When protection is needed or Clarisse, in the opinion of Hannibal, he makes it quite a performance so to get his point across. When he saves Clarisse from Hannibal’s failed demise she is prepared a meal that consist of brain. The brain of fellow agent Krendler: who had tried to ruin the career of Starling.  He protects her from the man-eating pigs that he was supposed to be fed to by Mason the only victim of Hannibal’s to survive. Hannibal goes to great lengths just to protect Clarisse, getting nothing in return from her. 

            In closing, we have found a horrific monster. Monsters that so few of us wish to even conceive. A monster, that lives among us. Hannibal the Cannibal has brought to the table the ingredients that make him tick and do what he does. The protection of his love: that he longs for, defense of himself, and the thinning out of the rude in the world. He is doing himself and the public a favor. He does not go of meaningless killing sprees, he has much thought and meaning to his doings. He cannot help his taste for disaster, he must satisfy it. And for Hannibal being able to justify what he does gives him peace of mind. Hannibal is not our mindless incompetent killer, and thus this is why he is so greatly feared. His ability to get inside your head is the first step for disaster; once you have willingly given to his unreasonable puzzles he has you right where he wants you. Hannibal is the one you go to for answers and help and in return you become his finely prepared mean. Too much curiosity could be the end of your life once placed in the grasp of Hannibal. Although he does like the cat and mouse game as well, this is why death is not instant for his victims. The chase is half the fun for Hannibal. Another one of his charming personality traits: of which he carries. Hannibal will stop at nothing to fulfill his guilty pleasures. So the next time you think of monsters and get the chills from their hideous form or ghostly spells remind yourself of what truly lurks in our world. Take caution in whom you meet, for you could be their next meal.

Works Cited

Lector, Hannibal, Perf. Hannibal. Dir.
      Ridley Scott. 2001. Film.

Harris, Thomas. Hannibal. Dell, 2001.
     Print.

Harris, Thomas. The Silence Of The 
    Lambs. St. Martin's Griffin, 2000.
    Print. 

Wadsworth, Lois. "Lector's

     World:new horrors from the

     carnival sideshow;Hannibal."

     Eugene Weekly 02/15/2001. n. pag.

     ProQuest. Database. 3 Nov 2011.

West, Michelle.

     "Hannibal/Cryptonomicon."

      Fantasy & Science Fiction

      02/02/2000. n. pag. ProQuest.

     Database. 3 Nov 2011.

Annotated Bibliography

Lector, Hannibal, Perf. Hannibal. Dir.
      Ridley Scott. 2001. Film.
I choose to use this as my Primary Source for my project. The reason being is I believe that the movie lets you take a little bit more away in terms as being able to visualize and understand the concepts of Hannibal. I liked this source because of the visual effects in the movie and the language. It was easier to understand when it was being spoken rather then just being read. Literature is difficult for me to understand at times so the movie was the perfect primary source for me to start with.

Szumskyj, Benjamin. Dissecting 
    Hannibal Lecter, Essays On The 
   Novels Of Thomas Harris.
   McFarland & Company, 2008.
   Print.
I choose to use this as one of my secondary sources. The reason I choose to use this because I think it will be very influential in the other readings and a compliment to the movie. Hopefully this will allow me to "Dissect"some true meanings in this story and film. Hannibal is a very complicated man and takes some time to understand what he is trying to express to you in his puzzles and this could be a great way to have a chance to decipher what he is getting across.

O'Brien, aniel. The Hannibal Files, 
   The Unauthorised Guide To The
   Hannibal Lecter Trilogy. 2009.
   Print.
 This seemed to be a very interesting secondary source for me to take advantage of. This gets a inside look at the director and the film.This could ultimately be a very large part of my final project. I will be able to look at the way the director saw things and I will be able to understand and get inside the movie. Only more reading and time will tell how influential  this book can be for me.

Harris, Thomas. Hannibal. Dell, 2001.
     Print.
This book is a reflection of the movie. This source will allow me to make proper quotes from the movie. I will be able to be accurate and precise in my citations. This will also be a great compliment to the movie because I will be able to look at the text as well. And if I have some confusion in either they will lend to compliment one another in helping me to grasp what is being dictated to me.

Harris, Thomas. The Silence Of The 
    Lambs. St. Martin's Griffin, 2000.
    Print. 
And as my last source I choose to use the, The Silence of the Lambs. This is the first portion of the trilogy that Hannibal is introduced in. This book gets us the initial catty, articulate, and intellectual insight of that man. This book shows us that Hannibal is not just a criminal but gives us a look at how he chooses to use Clarisse and sees her in a way that some might think he loves her. This is a big part of understanding Hannibal to me. Like we are always told you never get a second chance at first impressions and Hannibal does a very good job at his introduction and sets the stage for a miraculous journey. 

Final Project Proposal

In deciding the option for my final project I have decided to propose to use option number two. This is the monsters project. And the monster that I wish to write and research is cannibals. I chose this option because I will be able to do research on the project and that is a type of writing I am very familiar and comfortable with. I have not yet determined what I will exactly be using as my primary text yet. I want to be able to look into it very in depth as to get the best information available. I plan to accomplish ans amazing paper that will be a surprising change in skill to our teacher. I have not be receiving the grades I would like to and I would like this paper to be able to make the big change for me. I plan on using every possible item I can find for support on my project. I will search the topic and find certain points I would like to really hit on and then narrow down my findings to make a clear and descriptive paper. I look forward to this project even though I am nervous at the same time. I want this paper to be a big step up from the ones I have been writing and I hope to accomplish this.

http://kirillsghostwriter.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/having-your-friends-for-dinner-perspectives-on-cannibalism/

Mid-Term Check In

Laura Cline
English 102
October 18, 2011

 Dear, Mrs. Cline

 During thus far in this class I have enjoyed and struggled with several different things. This class has taught me that you have to look so much deeper into certain readings just so that you can find the true meaning of them. And sometimes you are still not fully comprehending what the author is trying to portray to you. I believe that my biggest challenge in this class has been trying to understand the poems that we had read. Poems have always been difficult for me to understand the meaning and the use of words. I think that the other part that has been challenging for me is trying to portray my thoughts and meaning on to paper for others to fully conceive. Although, liking to write, I would have to say that possessing this I have had an advantage in the class. It is not hard for me to sit down and write and think of how I could try to become creative and hopefully have people understand what I am saying. I honestly don't believe the readings in this class have effected me in any way. I look at the readings as something that is being asked of me so really they aren't presenting a strong opinion to me. The literary analysis has been a complete different writing approach then what I am used to doing. When I have taken classes in writing in the past I have always far surpassed the expectations of my teachers, I had always gotten straight A's and had a "wonderful writing style" this writing is very different for me. I much rather prefer writing an argumentative or research paper. Hopefully during the last half of my semester I will be able to understand and excel in the types of writing we are doing in this class.

I hope to be taking the advice from you as well as I possibly can. I like to write and would like to be able to take the skills in this class to better myself as a writer. I enjoy the challenges that are being thrown at me it gives me a reason to become more motivated and to push harder to strive for not only a better grade but to expand my abilities.

 Sincerely, Lindsey Meredith

Draft Essay #3

Death by Abandonment

“Frankenstein” was a book of turmoil. I found the book to be very depressing in every way possible. Although, the story was very well put together with a great deal of element. The point to detail was allowing the reader to be placed in the settings and hearing, smelling, and seeing what was really going on. Throughout the whole reading of this story you were able to sit side by side with every character and their feelings. The story itself was good, just disheartening. The theme of “Frankenstein” was simply put to me, abandonment. Abandonment, weather self-abandonment or abandonment by death flowed throughout the book. Everywhere that Victor turned he had seen ones that he loved and that he had hated leave him, and continue to further leave him lonely in this world. Excellence and companionship was always being strived for in the book as well. When Victor went off to school, he went to become a more educated human, when he began his creation of the fiend he attempted recognition, marrying his cousin for the happiness of his mother and fathers wishes, and Walton yearning for a friend while on his voyage; just to name a few. I believe that Shelley was trying to get us to understand that everyone in this world, weather they be good or evil, strives for a sense of placement in humanity. We all want to become something great and be loved, and this book shares the hardships of trying to accomplish this for the young man Victor. Ultimately causing him so many let downs that it kills him, yet his soul had been dead long before the actual mortality of his demise. “he forfeits every comfort of life, and finally even life itself.” (Anonymous 196)

The depth of despair lurks everywhere in this amazingly creative masterpiece. As stated “We rest; a dream has power to poison sleep. We rise; one wand’ ring thought pollutes the day. We feel, conceive, or reason; laugh or weep, Embrace fond woe, or cast our cares away; It is the same: for, be it joy or sorrow, The path of its departure still is free. Man’s yesterday may ne’er be like his morrow; Naught may endure but mutability!” (Frankenstein, 64). Frankenstein’s nature is but sweet and honorable. He is predestined for a miserable life. He looks for a positive outlook yet always is pushed down. Frankenstein tries to obey every wish and accomplish every goal he has, all with a positive and open mind. Yet, every door he opens is slammed in his face with some type of mayhem that is to bring him down and give him the feeling of despair.

The personality of Frankenstein is continually emphasized throughout the reading. His quietness and compassion is shown when he is explaining his story to the new friend he made on the ship of which he was rescued. Everyday, growing weaker and more depressed thinking of his failure in not being able to reach his fiend to demolish his being. He stands up for his new friend when his crewmen question and demand him to go back as soon as the ice clears. As badly as he wishes to ask Walton to go after his fiend to complete his mission, he does not, in fear he too will bear the horrible outcome of life as he has. “This novel rests its claim on being a source of powerful and profound emotion.” (Shelley, 185) And even just for a brief moment shows compassion for the fiend he created he. When asked to make a companion of the opposite sex for the fiend he seriously contemplates this demand. Yet when truly having time to comprehend the possible outcome of this new creature, he refuses. He looks for the good in life but just cannot grasp it. Events that he tries to look forward to, he cant, in the fear of the bitter outcome that his fiend has promised him.

The fiend also shows great passion in this novel. He desires the companionship of a human, however with one look at his hideous features he is sworn a daemon. The compassion he shows to his friends in the cottage, by helping them gather wood and accomplishing chores for them at night when they cannot see him. Desperately asking for acceptance from the old blind man, and in turn getting beaten by the young son when he returns to find this creature with his incapable father. “…affectionate and full of moral sensibility, yet the circumstances of his existence are so monstrous and uncommon, that, when the consequences of them became developed in action, his original goodness was gradually turned to inextinguishable misanthropy and revenge.”  (Shelley 186) He so badly wanted to have a friend in the world and to be accepted. The ignorance of mankind made the creation become a monster, we must think if he could be accepted would be have turned out to be such a monstrosity or could he have kept his innocence and submissive demeanor? “-his natural tendency to kind feelings, and the manner in which they were blighted, -”. (Anonymous 191) It was if only he was treated with the kindness and compassion that he could have stayed a gentle creation and been one of the greatest inventions of all time.

“Frankenstein” is without a doubt one of the most creative novels ever written, bringing life, death and the troubling need for placement in the world. One who is banned to a solitary life style can only last in existence for so long without going insane. The acceptance from our peers is something we all strive for weather we choose to admit that or not. Shelley has, in all of her characters made a demanding need for that. And as hard as Frankenstein tries to achieve this he is always lacking the ability, and in the saddest manner it is in his own doings of why this cannot happen for himself. If Frankenstein would not have wanted so badly deify the rules of nature and continue to exceed himself in science he could have lived a long and prosperous life, with his family and the marriage of his cousin. And on the other hand if the fiend had been made successfully into the creation that Frankenstein had planned there was a chance for so much scientific accomplishment and wonder. And furthermore the fiend would not have been seen as an abomination and could have received the companionship and care that he had always wished to have with the human race, of which he was created out of. The Abandonment that Frankenstein felt was bitterly transferred to the fiend when he so eagerly abandoned the creation that he had made. The wretched sight of the creation was enough for Frankenstein to leave; he could have made the fiend such an astonishing accomplishment that was well educated and coherent showing his great knowledge surpassing that of his professors. Frankenstein had left his soft demeanor when he forsaken this hideous creation.  But nonetheless he abandoned this creation and therefore abandoning all hope for his happy and fruitful life he could have lived. Frankenstein had all of the makings in becoming something great with many accomplishments and the fiend completely took all of the hope of this away just because of the ways his creator and the other humans treated him. If shown Frankenstein’s true loving nature the fiend and he could have had an amazing partnership and continued their lives in an accomplished way.

Works Cited

Anonymous as cited in Frankenstein, Mary Shelley. From Edinburgh Magazine. A Norton Critical Ed. New York, London: WW Norton & Company, 191. Print.

Anonymous as cited in Frankenstein, Mary Shelley. From Gentleman's Magazine. A Norton Critical Ed. New York, London: WW Norton & Company, 196. Print.

Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. A Norton Critical Ed. New York, London: WW Norton & Company, 64. Print.

Shelley Bysshe, Percyas as cited in, Mary Shelley. On Frankenstein. A Norton Critical Ed. New York, London: WW Norton & Company, 185 & 186. Print.

Summary of a Critical Response

I chose to use William Veeder "The Women of Frankenstein" that was written in 1986 to respond to. The He is letting us know of the role of these women that are so important to Frankenstein, and how he sees them relate in Mary Shelley. He believes that Shelley is taking the very weakness in herself and becoming defensive in her writing on he female characters. She try's to express that her women are no more weak then a man. She at the same time gives her woman a very submissive demeanor.
I read the story differently then Veeder did. I didn't focus on the role of the women in the story to this much detail. Although, after reading this perspective of the story I can see where this can come to the mind. Personally this particular response will not be used in my 3rd essay. I found things in the story that I saw as having more importance, than what Veeder saw this as.  

           http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/13718/feminism_and_education_in_mary_shelleys.html

Reflections on Revision

My writing process usually consist of trying to really look in to what I have been given to read. I usually try to have a good understanding of what the summary is on the story, poem, article, or whatever is so may be that I am given. Once I have accomplished that I then try to analyze what I have read, sometimes this is harder then others. Be able to analyze a piece of writing takes more time to really look into what you have in front of you. I usually always revise my papers. I think by doing this you are able to write a better paper and have more people understand what you are trying to get them to perceive. The benefits of doing so is basically what I just stated. You can make a better paper after having someone more experienced go through and analyze and proof what you have originally wrote. Just because you think your paper makes sense does not always mean that it does. I thought that my first draft was really good and after getting notes on it I realized how much work I really needed to do to it for others to understand what I did.

I plan on really focusing on what notes I was given and to really look at the blog comments I was given by my fellow students and as always, plan on having my husband look it over as well. You can never have to many people look at your paper and give ideas and suggestions, it only improves the work you are trying to accomplish.

http://writing-program.uchicago.edu/resources/collegewriting/

Frankenstein

"Like one who, on a lonely road, 

Doth walk in fear and dread, 

And having once turn'd round, walks on, 

And turns no more his head;

Because he knows a frightful fiend

Doth close behind him tread"

(Shelley Pgs. 35-36)

This part of the the story of "Frankenstein" thus far, has the most impact on the story. This has great meaning to it in many senses. It speaks of loneliness of which Robert, Victor, and the Creation all have in common. In fear and in dread, reflects on Victor once he has completed his creation and given it life. He fears what he has made and has remorse in the accomplishment of his experiment. Furthermore, going on to not turning to look any more because of knowing what is treading behind, holds in the back of Victor's mind the guilt that he has in the death of his brother and Justine. He is the one who made the horrible being and he has continued to keep the secret of his creation.  In the very beginning of the story when to men pull the strange man aboard their vessel, the man in in search of a strange man that had been on the ice. He had been in search a a large figured man with an eerie stature that had the curiosity of the men aboard.  Also when Victor creates his monster in his apartment he flees from him in fright, dreading that he will run into him on the streets or back at his apartment when he finally decides to return. Victor sees his creation on several occasions both on his journey back to Geneva and when he, and what is left of his family have gone to the valley of Chamounix. The death of his brother William and the execution of Justine continues to remind him of the creation he has made and further more blames it for the deaths. Nevertheless, on the flip side the "Demon", also feels as though he is trapped having to hide from mankind and their discriminating way against the creation, not knowing the true intentions of the being. After being treated so cruelly from the humans the creature has no choice but to seclude itself from man and becomes bitter and the exact horrible thing man has thought all along it was.

http://www.enotes.com/frankenstein

Field of Skulls

Field of Skulls written by Poet Mary Karr gives off much despair and darkness. She likes to emphasize on grim thoughts of obvious reality that anyone could become sadistic or play on evil actions. The whole poem itself is based on death and the poet likes to give you detail in the graphic words that she chooses to use, even if not gory the words themselves in the context have great meaning to them. I would like to try and focus on the theme of the poem, as this is all new to me. Poems are a difficult thing for me to comprehend so I wish to try and get a good handle on my understanding in the simplicity of starting out with just the theme. There are three parts of the poem that I fancy to hit on. They are the most emotional and the most meaningful to the poem.
We shall start right off with our poet speaking of the depths of hell, the forms being the figures of the demons from the afterlife in this particular scene of the poem. The dark of the night is what your lonely imagination turns your eyes to believe what they see. In these three lines of her poem she speaks like you are sitting in a stare, picturing these things coming about to you.
“like your eyes have force, and behind
any night’s taut scrim will come from the forms
you expect pressing from the other side.”
(Karr Line 7, 8, 9).
The second stanza I would like to hit on would be the one where you get to use the dreadful thought of having some mentally disturbed being living or working with you, with having the possible thoughts of wanting to harm or kill you. The poet informing you that you know that these people had existed, that their death is the proof of their actual being.
“You know such fields exist, for criminals
roam your very block, and even history list
monsters like Adolf and Uncle Joe
who stalks the earth’s orb, plus minor baby-eaters
unidentified, probably in your very midst.”
(Karr, Lines 13, 14, 1,5 16, 17)

I think the piece of the poem that truly got to me the most is the part at the end of the poem. She is talking about the skulls that she imagines, how they almost had some bit of life to them. She almost gets annoyed that they could not appreciate the features of mortality. This is also the part of the poem in which shows the greatest bit of emotion and detail with only using simple yet at the same time complex meanings of the wording. In my reading of this I can finally grasp even a tone and image that I could not truly do with the rest of the poem. This was a strong closing to this poem that held great ghostly appreciation.
“- could they not stare
with slack jawed envy at the fine flesh
that covers your scalp, the numbered hairs,
at the force your hands hold?”
(Karr, Lines 30, 31, 32, 33)

The poet writing this gives no regard to fear nor does she allow awkwardness in the

speaking of death, she welcomes it. She lingers on the thought of fantasizing about imagining that someone could have it out for you, hiding in your bushes while you sit there patiently awaiting your destiny. The person who could be speaking in the poem, be it the poet or not, shows loneliness in life with nothing but morbid and criminally dead thoughts. With the way that the poem presents itself I find no better way to represent it than with using the theme as the lens I see this through. When it comes down to it the meaning of the poem. The title of the poem “Field of Skulls” I think is very fitting. A skull represents the obvious image of death but also has a great visual appearance, one more alluring than any other bone in the human body. The skull gives to the imagination a little more to work in terms of being able to use your imagination when reading to poem and trying to fully see what is going on. In this poem the skull is continuously referred to almost as though the poet is trying to get the reader to communicate to the skull in someway. The skull can be symbolized in so many contradictory ways and it is such a worldly known icon that it is easily understood. The author offers up in the poem that there is almost a comforting feeling in the bliss of ignorance. All throughout the poem the writer gives many specifics wanting to leave no room for you to question yet at the same time in a line or two down she leaves you with a feeling of curiosity. Mary Karr gives the impression that death is nothing to be feared but something that is comforting and should not be an apprehension.
In my analyzing of this particular poem I feel as thought this is the best way to represent it. I feel that all the points that I have made are clearly stated in the poem itself with very little room for any other interpretation. The more I re-read the poem the more I could understand what was going on and what the context was trying to express to me. This poem came off difficult to me at first but in the end became something that could become of interest to me. Being able to take in attention to detail was most rewarding to me I would have to say.





Works Cited
Karr, Mary. "Field of Skulls." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 9 Sep 2011. .

Sylvia Plath

Lady Lazarus


I chose to respond to the poem Lady Lazarus, by Sylvia Plath. My reason for choosing this poem is because the author has completely taken my mind and played with it. I took some time to do some research on the author and it gave me a better light to view the poem, as well as making it more interesting to me. Sylvia Plath engaged the poem with her mental illness and multiple suicide attempts. Along with the possibility of using the Holocaust as a theme in the poem, to represent the trauma and pain in greater imagination (because everyone remembers how horrific the Holocaust was) She is, in my opinion, writing about herself. This poem caught my eye because of the detail and the tone that she sets in the poem. She speaks of how many times she has attempted this suicide. It feels as though she is almost bragging on her attempts as well.

“A sort of walking miracle, my skin
Bright as a Nazi lampshade,”

“Dying
Is an art, like everything else.
I do it exceptionally well.”

When she speaks of the Nazi lampshade could she be talking about the rumors of the Nazi’s using human skin as a shade? Also when referring to death as an art, could she think that like an artist you can make death a creative beauty? There is so many different ways to look at this poem and that is what amused me. I like to be able to really think of what the true meaning of this could be with the different ways she brings imagination to the table. Her words she uses in this are most interesting as well to me: God and Lucifer in the same line as well as Doktor and Enemy. The way that she brings in a crematory with the details of ash and finding a wedding ring or a gold filling gives the impression that she has succeeded in her attempt.
Works Cited
Plath, Sylvia. "Lady Lazarus." Poetry Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Sep 2011. .

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/11

Summary and Analysis

The difference of Summary and Analysis is quite simple I believe. Being able to

fully grasp this concept when we are asked to complete an assignment is where

people need to distinguish the difference of the two. People, including myself may

still tend to want to summarize when asked to analyze just due to the fact

summarizing is simpler than an analytic exploration.


We all know that a summary basically sums up in text the sequence of events in

virtually anything. Whether that be from a poem, movie, story, or even a sports

event, this is something that is easily accomplished. A summary is an observation

of what has taken place. We can readily accomplish a summary with asking the five

W’s.


An analysis is breaking down the, shall we say a poem since this is what we shall

be analyzing first, to truly get an understanding of it and questioning the depth

of the real meaning. When analyzing something we want to be able to make an

arguable claim. Also this is when the close reading of something comes into play,

and looking deeper into the subject matter. Being able to make an intellectual

argument is something that needs to be preformed, just because you are asked to

make a argument it should engage the want from another party to debate with your

claim. Anyone can choose to argue about anything, doing it with real significance

or importance is where the talent comes in.


http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/summary.html

Good Readers, Good Writers

My response to the questions on Nabokov

What does Nabokov think makes a good reader?

Nabokov thinks that a good reader had a imagination, a dictionary, and some type of artistic sense. He believes that a good reader will re-read the book as to take in more and more of the story every time the book is read, opening more elements to the story. Nabokov thinks that the reader and the authors mind should be in a harmonious balance. He believes that with imagination we must be able to see things and hear things, we must be able to see and hear the detail of the story without an actual picture.

Do you agree?

I would have to say that I agree with his perception of a good reader.

What do you believe are the characteristics of a good reader?

Like I said in the question right before this, I agree with Nabokov. I think that the reader should be able to visualize what is going on in the story. I believe that one should be able to re-read the book and take in more each time the story is read, noticing more and more detail and depth of the story. The reader should be able to make sense of the words and grammar used in the story. Also I believe that the reader should be able to identify context in the story, being able to identify tone, and the voice of the author.

Do you consider yourself a good reader?

I would have to say I think I am a decent reader. I will say that when I re-read a book I can take more from it each time. I am not a big reader though so I have not been able to develop all of the characteristics that Nabokov has listed as what he thinks is a good reader.

http://www.kipbot.com/blog/2010/01/28/kindle-fail-bleak-house/

Hello all!