Film in Literature Blog #3

This wasn't my first time seeing "To Kill a Mockingbird" either. I like the films that we've been watching in this class because they are very cultural. Back in sixth grade, I read the book as well. In that time, I was learning a lot about racism and the way it worked during the times of my ancestors. Although, in that time the book and the movie were more for educational purposes than what it means to me now. Now, I watch the movie, and it appeals to my emotions as well as my knowledge. There were many things I picked up in the film that I wasn't completely able to understand back then. One of the more interesting topics that Ms. Bavaro introduced to the class was the fact that the book has been banned from schools because of the use of the "N" word. Although, it suddenly became notable to me that the movie is a good way to take pity on racism. Atticus explains to his daughter Scout why she shouldn't use the word. I also was taken back by the way Tom Robinson was put to blame. Every time this topic is brought up, it always takes me back because interracial relationships are so common and accepted today. And the fact that this entire trial took place just because Mayella's father caught her kissing a black man completely blows my mind. thought this film was a really good way to discuss societal issues that existed in the past. It also was a nice form of education and entertainment. 10/10 would recommend the book and the movie!!!

Film in Literature Blog #2

- This wasn't my first time seeing Precious. Although, it was my first time really understanding it. When I watched it the first time, I was between the ages of 11-12. I didn't really understand the whole concept of poverty, child abuse, and rape. Therefore, I only saw the humor in the movie. The funny parts were the only parts I really paid any attention to. It was interesting to feel the contrast in reaction this time. This time, my eyes were opened. I realized that there are a lot of things that go on in this world that we don't pay much attention to unless it has anything to do with us. It also made me realize that sometimes, I can be extremely ungrateful and unappreciative towards my mother. I'm really rude to her sometimes, not realizing that I could have it much worse. The movie truly does make you appreciate the better things in life. Not only family wise, but school and wealth wise as well. The way our school system is set up is way more organized and accepting than the school system in the movie. Although I don't have money to buy everything in the world that I want, I still have money to live better than most. Like I said, this movie was very eye opening and helped me to realize that I need to stop taking advantage of all the better things in life. 

Film in Literature blog #1

        I'm writing about Anthony Beltran's movie "Rebel" and also "The Holy Grail". I thought it was interesting to see the sort of contrast between the two movies. "Rebel" was a serious movie about the struggles of high school. Although there were some funny parts, Anthony really explored all the different things we go through in high school. As for "The Holy Grail", Python was more satirical and funny, not really exploring any sort of serious topics. "Rebel" explored many different issues such as bullying, relationships, and friendship. The main character was played by a student at Rush named Mark Mariano. His character struggled the most with being bullied and being made fun of. He was sort of isolated and never really accepted by anyone. Except for one girl, played by another student here at Rush of whom I do not know the name. This is where the relationship conflict came into play. The girl struggled in an abusive relationship with a guy played by Shawn Cleary, another student here at Rush. On the down low, this girl and Mark smiled at each other, made each other happy and feel accepted. "The Holy Grail", on the other hand, was a satire mimicking the typical renaissance flick. The author found the irony in the battles, the journey's, and everything that can be found in your regular renaissance film. Both of these films were interesting to watch, and kept me engaged the entire time. I thought it was really cool to see two totally different films in the same week and make the comparison. 10/10 would recommend. 

Anne Bradstreet, “To My Dear and Loving Husband”

This poem was really good, although I found it extremely cliché. Poems like these are the reason why I don't enjoy poetry too much. Not that I don't appreciate the art of writing, I just don't like reading the same thing over and over just reworded. The poem is basically about a woman who wants to brag about how great her marriage is. How she still loves her husband the same even after many years of marriage. In my mind, I'm like "okay, great your marriage is great.". What's the point of the poem? Don't get me wrong, I understand why people write. I also appreciate writing and peoples spontaneity. But in my opinion, writing should be unique. Not just a repeat of many other poems. 

Although I didn't exactly enjoy the poem, I was able to identify the themes of love and death. "Till death do us part" is a famous line concerning marriage. That's what this poem is basically about. Although, the speakers view of death in relation to love is very different than most. She speaks about how their love might allow them to live forever, therefore allowing love to conquer death. Scientifically this is obviously impossible, but I just find it interesting the way she worded it. She doesn't plan on staying with her husband "until death", she plans on staying with him instead of death. 

Again, not to say I don't appreciate poetry, but I don't read it often because I feel like I read the same things over and over again. I think it's completely normal for people to spill out their feelings into paper, although it should have a bit of a twist to it. Something that is going to make a reader like myself want to read it many times and even recommend it to others. 

Cathy Song, “The Youngest Daughter” 

TP-CASTT Analysis

Blog #11 Poem #7

Title:

The title of this poem, "The Youngest Daughter", shows evidence that the story is going to be either from the point of view of a young daughter, the point of view of a mother towards her youngest daughter, or a narrator speaking of the youngest daughter. I predict that this poem is going to be about the struggles of the youngest sibling and what she has to go through vs what the other daughters have to go through. 

Paraphrase:

The sky has been dark for many years 

My skin is damp and pale, like mothers used to be before her sickness took over

Lately, when I touch my eyelids, they burn because of the horrible migraines.

This morning, I gave her her bath and she was in a good humor. As I washed her, I thought of all the people that have touched this body before me. 

I was extremely gentle when washing her insulin bruises. It seems like it has always been this way, us two alone in this bathroom.

In the afternoons, we eat in a familiar silence. I plan my escape as I drink my tea and she knows it. She knows not to trust me. As I toast to her health, the cranes in the window fly up at once. 

Connotation:

The meaning of this poem is that the youngest daughter has to stay at home and take care of her sick mother. The reader can infer that there are other daughters who are free from the term "youngest", if there wasn't other sisters, the title could have suggested something like "the only daughter". From the last stanza of the poem, the speaker makes it obvious that she longs to get away from her mother and find freedom/independence. We can tell this by the way she envies the birds flying away.

Attitude:

The speakers attitude in this poem varies. It's both sincere and honest. She shows sincerity towards her mothers illness when she speaks of the way she helps her. The way she bathes her and makes sure she's okay. Yet, she's honest about wanting to get away from her mother and be free. She talks about how her mother knows not to trust her because she is planning to escape. This just leaves us to wonder, what does she mean by "escape"? Waiting for her mother to die, waiting for her to get healthy, or just leaving her altogether?

Title:

I now know what the title means in relation to the poem as a whole. The youngest daughter is left to take care of her mother while the other daughters have explored their freedom. 

Theme:

One of the most prominent themes I was able to identify in this poem was the role reversal between a mother and daughter. In their relationship, the daughter acts as the mother by taking care of the mother. I had trouble identifying it at first because I thought that the major theme was freedom. Freedom is a theme in the poem, but I feel that the role reversal theme is more dominant. 

Blog #10, Poem #6
The Negro Speaks of Rivers

For this analysis, I'd like to speak about the title of the poem in relation to the poem itself. I just want to first point out the fact that it was obviously written in a time period before now when it was still okay to use the word "negro". At first, while reading this, I was trying to figure out why "negro" was only used in the title and not throughout the poem. It didn't seem like there was any sort of connection in the poem until I read over it again. The line "I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep" really helped me out. From previous knowledge, I knew that the Congo was an African American occupied land. This is where I made my first connection with what the connection was. 

The poet is basically talking about his childhood and the struggles during it. That he grew up in an ancient land, had to learn everything on his own, etc. Then he ends the poem by saying "my soul has grown deep like the rivers". This shows that through all that he's learned in life, his soul has grown deep as well. He also talks about slavery, which is a huge learning opportunity for a person. It shows a person how to be strong and independent and get through any struggle that life throws at you. I liked this poem a lot although it might have been hard to understand. I feel like that's a common struggle I have with reading poems though. Trying to understand them. This poem actually does make a lot of connections to history and the world.

Blog #8 Poem #4
Ozymandias

       From the title of this poem, I automatically knew that it was going to be a name of someone. I just thought originally that it was the name of the speaker, not the sculpture. The poem itself is easy to understand, although to meaning of the poem does not really click for me. I took a guess and came to the conclusion that this poem has a lot to do with history and culture. 
       The speaker mentions that the traveler was from an "antique land" which was my first clue that this poem has to do with history. I knew from previous knowledge that "antique" is usually something that is old and meaningful. I knew that the sculpture was had a lot of meaning when the speaker says that you can tell that the sculptor was passionate about it. My next clue was that the sculpture was of a king. Today, we don't have kings. Kings were very popular in history especially the kinds that were worshiped. Finally, I knew that this poem had to be historical when the traveler read out the message written on the pedestal. The language is extremely different from modern day English. I don't want to call it Old English, because I'm not exactly sure if it's true. All I know is it is in no way modern. 
       My confusion came in when I figured out that the sculpture was in a desert, in sand land. Usually, when people make a famous sculpture, it's put some place for the world to see. This one in particular is basically just sitting in the middle of no where. Also, I was confused when I tried to put together a theme for this poem. I was unable to because I couldn't find a central message or question. When I looked for a moral or lesson, I couldn't find that either. I guess I'm just having trouble putting together the plot.