Sunday, May 16, 2010

I Know the Amplitude of Time

Walt Whitman was an interesting character. He is considered to be the Father of American poetry and I can see why. His poetry has been unlike anything we have read in class yet.

While Thoreau and Emerson's work and thoughts seemed quite contemporary for their time, Whitman's seems even more revolutionary. If I was given his poetry without a name attached, I would not expect it was written in the 1800's. In one instance, his poetry is filled with sexual innuendo, something that seemed very uncommon during his time period.

While some of his poetry seemed quite wordy and a bit hard to get through, I still appreciate Whitman's skill. He has a great way of using words and his poetry definitely has a romantic tendency to it.

There were definitely areas where I was a little put off by Whitman's poetry. But I can't help appreciating Whitman for the impact he had on American poetry.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Burst Agonized and Clear

Emily Dickinson has been, rightfully, given the title as a leader in American Poetry. She writes with a very eloquent hand, leaving the reader with nothing but admiration on finishing a poem. I appreciate how deep her poetry is. It's even more amazing how short her poetry can be but still be loaded with meaning.

I typically am not one who enjoys dissecting poetry. Most often I like think poetry is like music, it's meant to be spoken. And, like music, while there still some meaning to it, it's often only after the 3rd or 4th time of hearing it the meaning clicks. But with Dickinson, I can't wait to dig in and find what she is trying to say. I enjoy how some of it is blatantly obvious, but many times it's often symbolic too.

Her poem titled 67 seems to represent a story of struggle and triumph, even if that triumph results in death. I particularly like the line that says,

"As he defeated - dying -
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!"

To me, this poem seems to suggest the struggles of a war. In the first stanza she discusses how success is greatest for those who never have it. "To comprehend a nectar/Requires sorest need." She seems to be comparing the desire to succeed to that of food. It reminds me of when a person who is hungry eats compared to one who is not hungry but eats anyway. The one who is starving is much more likely to enjoy the food than the one who is full.

The second stanza talks about the "purple Host," flags, and victory. All of these images seem to remind me of a battle scene. And, of course, the last stanza (as written above) makes me think of a soldier who has fallen but is still able to witness cheers of triumph as he sees his country succeed.

I'm sure there are many different interpretations to this poem. But i think that's the real beauty about poetry. It's like art - open to the interpretation of the reader.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

A Story of Wall Street

Bartleby - Really, what kind of name is that? Either way, I really kinda love it!

Before this selection, I had never read anything by Melville. I really, really enjoyed this selection, however. I was a little frustrated with the fact that we never really learn who Bartleby is, outside of working in the Dead Letters office, but the more I thought about it the more I began to appreciate that.

Though the title of the story is "Bartleby" I believe it is more of a story about the narrator. Bartleby comes to work for him and is, at first, a great worker. But as time progresses, he "prefers" not to do his work anymore and ends up being an extra load in the office. It seems like Bartleby's personality reflects the narrator.

It almost seems as though the narrator sees things in Bartleby that portrays elements of his own personality. The reflection of the narrator's personality in Bartleby only seems to add to the Narrators kindness. The narrator willingly takes care of Bartleby because they both are alone. Really, I feel like this is a story of loneliness, just as much as it seems to be a story about the Industrial Revolution. Or, maybe it is a story about the loneliness that comes from the Industrial Revolution.

It is sad to hear that Melville didn't feel like he could write as much philosophically because of its lack of success. He seems like the kind of grandfatherly figure you could sit with all afternoon listening to stories about great adventures in times gone past, while still having great wisdom and a sort of philosophical air about him.

Someday, I swear, I will conquer Moby Dick.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

An Idealization of It All

Overall, I though Uncle Tom's Cabin was fabulous. I thought Stowe did a great job of displaying the hardships of slavery and the view point of an African American, while still portraying white American's with some sympathy also.

The one part that really bothered me, however, was the over idealized ending. What are the chances that all these separated families would just happen to meet on the same train? The realistic qualities tend to fall short at this point in the novel. It is almost as if she throws it in just to redeem the negative aspects throughout the whole book.

I think my favorite part of the novel was Tom's astounding faith. This is man who has absolutely no reason to have such an everlasting faith in God, and yet he continues to love Him with his whole heart. Of course, there are moments in which his faith falters a bit, yet he is always returns. I know I could definitely learn from Tom. His experience reminds me that it is in the times of that we are in our lowest that we are closest to God. This can definitely be displayed through Tom's life.

I can definitely see why Uncle Tom's Cabin would have had an impact at the time of its publication and I can most definitely see why it is a classic novel. Hats off to you, Ms. Stowe.