Jonathan Harrison March 19, 2009

Emily Dickinson journal #2

"Dickinson was a prolific private poet, though fewer than a dozen of her nearly eighteen hundred poems were published during her lifetime.[1] The work that was published during her lifetime was usually altered significantly by the publishers to fit the conventional poetic rules of the time." (wikipedia)

This quote fits Emily like a glove for she spent 27 years locked up in her own room and one can't get much more private than this. Her work was very sexual, at times, and anything of this nature was bound to be censored. Overall Emily was private person robust with all the human emotions, and it is clear to see that these emotions spilled out into her writing.

The poem on page 632 is a celebration and mockery of the human mind all wrapped into one. It starts with the Brain being compared to the sky and continues on to be compared to the ocean. The comparisons continue as Emily sees no difference between sponges and our brains insinuating that we soak up knowledge all our life's. The poem than takes a turn as Emily mocks our brains for being so narcissistic that we created a god in the shape of our own. To Emily their is no difference between God and our brain itself.

The poem on page 598 or 632,depending on text. is a revelation about the human brain. There are comparisons made between the human brain and the sky and ocean. These comparison show the vast amounts of knowledge that the human brain can obtain. One only uses 10 percent of our brain and the incredible technologies invented out of this small percent are a tribute to the fact that we have so much untapped potential. Emily continues to praise our knowledge as she points out that we, as humans, have the ability to never stop learning. The comparison to a sponge does just this. The end of the poem mocks religion for it describes god as a figment of our imagination that the computers on our necks have created to ease our minds about death. The fact that our brain and God, according to Emily, are one in the same shows that Emily has a distaste for organized religion, and the arrogance of the human mind which made him up. Overall Emilie's poetry is moving and came from a vibrant young women full of passion and ideas, which is a far stretch from the buttoned old maid which Emily is often portrayed as.

Jonathan Harrison March 13, 2009

Walt Whitman

"Whitman's sexuality is often discussed alongside his poetry. Though he is usually labeled as either homosexual or bisexual,[4] it is unclear if Whitman ever had a sexual relationship with another man[5] and biographers continue to debate his sexuality."

This quote couldn't reigns true throughout the poem "Song of Myself" as homoerotic examples are given throughout the text. Whitman was clearly homosexual and the question of whether he actually hooked up with another man is almost comical and shows the stubbornness to this day of some ignorant critics.

The poem "Song of Myself" tells in detail of the experience that we call being American. It leads us to all types of places as we start in a bedroom parlor and soon led to be naked in the woods. The tale continues to depict an American experience as all ranges of people are described from the aristocrat to the negro as Whitman uses realism to clearly convey the message of what it was like to be an American.

The poem "Song of Myself" was a adventure that dealt with aspects of all human nature. There are still the strong patriotic influences in this piece of writing as Whitman again proclaims the greatness of America. The description of the streets, with details as fine as the hairy chested anvil worker, paint a vivid picture of what it was like to live in the U.S. The poem does not focuses solely on Realism though as it has a heavy dose of sexuality placed into it. Whitman flows from male heterosexuality to women's sexuality, all the way to homosexuality. The poem is discovery into what sexuality is itself and the different forms it can take. People may have been offended about this poem at the time, for it was pretty revealing for its time period, but it does a great job of dealing with issues that all men and women have to deal with, a little issue we call sex. The Realism is still quite evident throughout this poem as the reader again gets the sense that he or she are actually present in the events that are being described. It is no wonder that some writers have called this the greatest work in American history.

Jonathan Harrison

Walt Whitman

"Born on Long Island, Whitman worked as a journalist, a teacher, a government clerk, and a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War in addition to publishing his poetry. Early in his career, he also produced a temperance novel, Franklin Evans (1842). Whitman's major work, Leaves of Grass, was first published in 1855 with his own money. " (wikipedia)

This quote is a good representation of Walt Whitman's for he writes about the American experience, what it's like to be an American, and his multitude of jobs are examples that their may be no better man to tell that tale. His poetry touched the senses in a unique way opening the eyes of the reader to the Great country that is America.

The poem Crossing the Brooklyn Ferry is a tale about the daily lives of Americans. The story leads us around the streets of New york describing the many jobs and activities that are taking place. Whitman connects to all readers as he compares himself to future generations and the point is made when we are shown the fact that we will all be staring at the same bodies of water and same land. The point was that time goes on but humankind stays the same. The poem ends with triumphant descriptions about the U.S.A and one leaves the poem with a new sense of patriotism.

Crossing the Brooklyn Ferry is a poem about the American experience and the excitement that comes along with it . Their is a true sense of Realism in this poem and one can actually feel the Streets of New York coming alive. Whitman was proud to be an American and it showed as all the true beauty of America shines through in Whitman's elegant descriptions of everyday jobs that makes America seem more like a carnival than a city itself. It is hard for one not to get excited and even feel alive when reading this poem. Whitman does a masterful job of connecting to the people as we can all see ourselves in many of the situations that he depicts. The poem leave one with a sense of patriotism and it is clear to see why Whitman is considered by many to be the great American poet.

Jonathan Harrison

Kate Chopin

"As to be expected, Chopin found herself in a state of depression after the loss of both her husband and mother. Her obstetrician and family friend, Dr. Frederick Kolbenheyer, felt that writing would be a sort of therapeutic healing process for Kate during her hard times because he said, "He understood that writing could be a focus for her extraordinary energy, as well as a source of income".[7] (wikipedia)

The fact that Chopin was depressed is really obvious in all her writings. The storm could not be about a happy relationship for in truth one would not cheat on one they really loved. The story " The Awakening" is another depressing tale where upon reaching her Independence, Edna commits suicide believing that she has no place in the world.

The Awakening is a journey taken by a young lady, Edna, towards freedom and Independence from men. The story starts off with Edna and her husband on vacation, but instead of spending time with him she spend s it all with her beau Robert. Its clear from the beginning that Edna married her husband by mistake and longs to be free of this obligation and all the responsibilities that come along with it.Edna continues to fall in love with Robert, their desire for each still burning upon their arrival back at home. The story takes a twist as Robert moves to Mexico in search of fortune and happiness. Edna is heart broken at this occurrence and mopes around for a while. She grow more and more distant from her husband day by day and eventually moves out of the house all together. Edna purchases a cottage for herself with the paintings that she makes and is very happy and content with her new found freedom. She than continues party and even entertains another man as a be aux. Her heart is with Robert though and when he returns she feels as though that life has been given to her again. Robert explains that he left because he realized he could never have her for she was already married and somebody elses possession. Edna said that she would always love Robert and that it didn't matter that she was married. Edna was than called away to her friend's house who was giving birth for comfort and support. She told Robert to wait until she was back and than their life could go on happily. Upon returning from her friend's Edna is heart broken again to see that Robert has left as he feels that she is still a possession of her husband. Extremely distraught Edna goes to the beach and proceeds to commit suicide by walking into the ocean.

The story, "The Awakening" was a feminist look into a women's journey towards her freedom of owning her own self. One can see the progression throughout the story as it rises from a simple disagreement with her husband, to her eventual moving out to her own place. The story must have been very controversial for a women was supposed to be obedient and polite, talking back or opposing her husband was totally out of the question. Edna challenges these stereotypes by speaking her mind and doing as she pleases.l Her happiness was the main concern and this was a new concept for women who had traditionally been treated as someones property. Its a shame the story ended as it did for it leaves one with a sense that women will never be treated equally. If Someone so close and in tune with Edna's emotions couldn't understand her, than how would the rest of the world. The movement for women's rights is an important one and this story was a much better way to advocate its message in comparison to "The Storm" which was nothing more than soft core porn. The Awakening provided one with a situation that many young people feel trapped with and thus the message sent is more universal and easier conveyed. Kate Chopin is a great writer but I feel sorry for her for she must not have been that happy because one's true emotions expose themselves in the depths of one's writings.

Jonathan Harrison

Kate Chopin

"Kate Chopin (born Katherine O'Flaherty on February 8, 1850 – August 22, 1904) was an American author of short stories and novels, mostly of a Louisiana Creole background. She is now considered by some to have been a forerunner of feminist authors of the 20th century."

This quote is a prime example of Kate Chopin for she had a strong feminist view point witch overwhelmed her writing. "The Storm" is a classic example of the new found awareness of women's rights which Chopin investigated thoroughly.

The story, "The Storm" starts out with a father and his son out in the woods when a terrible when they realize that a terrible storm is about to hit. The father and his boy make way for shelter when the setting shifts to the home where the mother awaits. The mom pretends to be worried until an ex lover arrives at her home. This event completely obliterates the memories of her husband and son stuck out in the cold as she proceeds to partake in a night of passion with her ex lover. The two wake up the next morning all smiles and the ex lover goes on his way as the storm has passed. The child and his father return home and the wife proceeds to shower them with pleasantries completely concealing her adulterous ways and they all live happily ever after.

This story, " The Storm" is a definite change of pace from past writers. It is the awakening to the fact that women are not controlled by men, and can do as they please as individuals. Morals seem to have no concept in this story as the wife shows no regard towards her son and husbands feelings. The only explanation to this tale must be that Chopin is a bitter woman and it shows. She had six kids to raise all by her self and this must have taken a toll. I realize that this is a great feminist piece but I feel that it has no place in literature and should have remained in the unpublished vault it came from. It loses its power in a message that needed to be said by introducing the subject in a pornographic manner. The reader is meant to see how women are free to make their own decisions but instead the writing evokes feelings of hatred towards a women that none of us men want to meet.

Jonathan Harrison march 2 , 2009

Samuel Clemens

"While his reputation as a popular author overshadows his contributions as a social critic, Twain held strong views on the political topics of his day; his friend Helen Keller had her radicalism similarly neutralised by history. Through his wife's family, Twain had contact with many well-placed progressives. He spent the last twenty years of his life as an "outspoken anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist".[21] He did, however, make capital investments with the aim of profiting from them, albeit with little success" {wikipedia}

This quotes theme is bursting out of Twain's story, "Letters From the Earth" as Twain's disdain towards man in general is definitely present. He was born and raised in a time of constant turmoil and racism was a real factor in his life. One imagines that it must be hard to grow up and see slavery so present in everyday life. Twain sees man, at times, as a machine and his lack of regard towards human nature is apparent from the quote above.

"Letters From the Earth" starts out with God creating the universe, the planets, and Earth itself. God goes on to create man and invites his council of angels to admire his work. Satan is punished briefly and during his punishment he visits Earth to see God's creations. Satan proceeds to write letters back to the other angels where he chastises humans as dumb creatures who are stuck on themselves. Satan mocks humans and all our negative qualities till the story changes and we observe angels receiving negative prayers from earth. The prayers consist of outlandish acts such as the wish of a death towards a rival and treacherous acts such as that. The story reaches a sad conclusion ,as the tale of a women who needs 50 dollars to get buy yet only receives 15 from a wealthy millionaire, is told and the true negative nature that all humans own is revealed.

The story "Letters From the Earth" is a satirical look at Human nature and the high esteem with which we hold it to. From the beginning of the story man is made to look like a fool as we construct a heaven that no one would want to live in. This is a shot at human intelligence for how can man be so smart yet construct a heaven that is so poor. Twain even goes as far as to call Moral sense as the parent of all immoralities.This remark eludes to the fact that Twain thinks men are hypocrites allowing so many injustices and wrongs take place while still concluding that they won moral sense. The mere fact that nations go to war with each other is a contradiction to anything that is morally right. Twain nails down the coffin with his tale about a wealthy, greedy buisness man as the vile nature of man is revealed. When it comes down to the bottom line people will protect their pockets with no concern for right or wrong. This is the heart of Twain's argument against man and their nature and is the final argument towards the negative moral sense that all men are stricken with.

Jonathan Harrison February 24, 2009

Samuel L Clemens " Mark Twain"

"Twain enjoyed immense public popularity. His keen wit and incisive satire earned him praise from both critics and peers. American author William Faulkner called Twain "the father of American literature." (wikipedia)

This quote is a perfect example of everything that turns Samuel Clemens into the great Mark Twain for he really was the father of American literature. His ability to reach all class levels throughout society sets him apart from most intellectuals and the fact that he can reach such a broad range of people elevates him to such a stature as the Great American author. Mark Twain is the first man to deal with problems such as race head on and his ability to do so will forever leave his mark upon American History and its literature which it helped produced.

Huck Finn, chapter 31, starts off with Huck and his male companion Jim, a black man from the south, floating along the Mississippi on a journey in which both parties wish to receive their freedom. Jim goes ashore and is promptly captured as a run away slave, and while this is going on Huck is faced with the dilemma of dealing with the situation he is in. Huck is troubled with the fact that he has helped a black man escape from a master that has never done him any harm and this act goes against everything he has been taught up to this point. Huck actually thinks he is now going to hell for helping a black man escape and this reality troubles him deeply. The story reaches its climax here as Huck tears up the letter to Jim's former slave owner and decides that going to Hell is a better option than turning on his friend. The chapter ends as Huck goes ashore in the hope of stealing Jim back from his new capture and continuing along on their journey towards freedom.

Huck Finn chapter 31 is the most important chapter in the book and maybe U.S. history on the whole. It is imposable to not be effected by the power of Huck Finn's choice to go to Hell, rather than turn his Black friend Jim into the authorities. This was the first time in written United States History that the black man is seen as more than a piece of property. Huck is astonished to see all the humane characteristics that are apparent in Jim, who happens to be a black men.The fact that Jim cries about the separation from his wife, children and his overall compassion, father like tendencies towards Huck, depict not just a man but a very good man on an equal par to any white man. Huck's realization of this fact is, in a sense, the awakening to the truth to the whole country that black people and white people are not that different after all. Huck starts to take a second look at the teaching he has received as it goes in stark contrast to the reality that Jim has presented him with. The climax, where Jim tears his letter to Jim's former slave owner up, projects a new sense of optimism into a country s o riddled with past injustice's. This story, and this line itself, are the beginning to a fresh start for the United States as we all move together as one group of people in hopes of reforming this Great Nation the United States.

Jonathan Harrison February 18, 2009

Edith Wharton

"He began spending money on younger women and this began to take a toll on Wharton's mental health. They divorced in 1913, after she suffered a nervous breakdown and was confined to a hospital." (wikipedia)

This quote represents the sad truth about Edith Wharton's personal life , and ramifications of such a life are written all over her stories. " The Other Two" is an in depth look at the factors that go into a marriage other than love. Edith , as the quote above recognizes, was a victim of such factors and these issues that she had to deal with are problems with which we can all relate.

The story " The Other Two" starts out by painting a picture of two newlyweds happy in their home. Mr. Waythorn, can't wait to see his wife as his mind is free, at the moment, from the issues that dampen ones excitement. The story takes a turn downhill when Mr. Waythorn realizes that his new wife's ex lovers will be forced upon his life forever. For starters Mrs. Waythorn, Alice, has a kid with her first husband and this complicates matters for Mr. Waythorn now sees the first husband on a weekly basis reminding himself that his wife is somewhat used goods. He starts to think what is wrong with this man that she has discarded and sees no faults in him, instead the opposite reaction occurs, and he starts seeing the negative in his wife. Situations only get worse as Mr. Waythorn has to work with Alice's second husband. The same thoughts and negative consequences arise and one can get a sense that the new relationship is doomed for failure. The book ends with all three men in Mr. Waythorn's house and Alice serves each men the tea, her husband last, which leave the husband to chuckle about the fact that he feels that his wife is nothing but used goods.

The story "The Other Two" is a real good glimpse into the total package that we call a relationship. Mr. Winthorn is whole heartedly in love with his wife at the beginning only to fall out of love upon learning about her ex lovers. This tactic is the way that Edith Wharton attacks the system and society that merits male permiscueness and crucifies the same actions by a women. None of the man's ex lovers is even mentioned throughout the story signifying the total lack of regard towards the fact that these men have had pasts too. Alice could care less about who her husband had been with but that is all that dominates Mr. Winthorn's mind. A women, at that time and unfortunately still today, can be judged by one act whether it be a mistake or not, and her entire life can lay on the balance of such a judgement.Edith, in her real life, must felt true pain as her husband moved from one young hussy to the next. The ironic and sad fact that came of all of this is that Edith was the one locked up in the hospital while her husband ran free. The double standard and injustice that Edith dealt with her entire married life must have eaten away at her sole and made her realize the unjust position that women are refined to. "The Other Two" is a cry for recognition, if not change, to the unfair treatment by a civilized society to a whole half of its population.

Jonathan Harrison February 13, 2009

Stephen Crane

"Commodore's lifeboats were lowered in the early hours of the morning on January 2, 1897 and the ship ultimately sank at 7 a.m. Crane was one of the last to leave the ship in a 10-foot (3.0 m) dinghy. In an ordeal that he would recount in the short story "The Open Boat", Crane and three other men (including the ship's Captain) floundered off the coast of Florida for a day and a half before attempting to land the dinghy at Daytona Beach. The small boat, however, overturned in the surf, forcing the exhausted men to swim to shore; one of them died"

This quote is significant for it directly mimics the tragedy depict in "The Open Boat." Crane must have come out of this ordeal a changed man, for it is imposable to live through such an extreme situation without a change in one's self occurring. Its really remarkable that he faced the tragedy he wrote about in his story head on in real life, and is a reminder to us all of how short and cherished life really is.

"The Open Boat" by Stephen Crane, was a real life tale about four men who are stuck on a dingy after their ship has sunk. These men float aimlessly along while taking turns rowing, in hopes of finding land. The men drift for a couple of days until they reach the coastline where there journey continues on in agony. The men are teased by a man on the beach who is twirling his jacket around vigorously, to their dismay, instead of actively pursuing a rescue attempt. The men ponder for a while their cruel fate of being brought so close yet so far from their salvation, until being forced into action by means of the dingy sinking. The four men proceed to jump off the boat and make a swim for land. Three of the men are successful in reaching this goal, but tragically the oiler dies in an attempt to save the other three. The story ends with the three men being given blankets and food, but the dire situation that these men had just endured was forever ingrained into their memories.

"The Open Boat" has such a tremendous impact on readers by the simple fact that it is the retelling of an actual true event. The Naturalism is almost forced upon the reader for one feels as though he too is stuck in that horrible little dingy. One can get a real sense of the bond, in which Crane describes, that these men have for each other as they each take turn rowing the boat, unless injured, and they console each other on a regular basis. An example of this fact is that everybody takes refuge in the calmness that the captain displays. He realizes this and never relinquishes his duty as captain and this act gives the situation a feeling of being normal, which in turn provides the crew with a sense of relief from this heavy burden. The bond that is represented in this story grow even stronger with the fact that the oiler sacrifices his life in order to save the others. This positive outlook on humanity, for how else could such a selfless act be committed, is a new and more optimistic view that Crane has undoubtedly come up with after being through this situation himself. "The Open Boat" is an intense view at the positive side of human nature and the incredible endurance in which it is held.

Jonathan Harrison February 10, 2009

Stephen Crane

" Prolific throughout his short life, he wrote notable works in the Realist tradition as well as early examples of American Naturalism and Impressionism. He is recognized by modern critics as one of the most innovative writers of his generation" (wikipedia)

This quote reminds us that Stephen Crane lived to be only 28 years old yet still he accomplished so much in this brief lifetime. He paints a real picture with incredibly bleak scenery and unfortunate circumstances while forcing one to deal with the ugliness of real life.

"Maggie" was the sorrowful tale of a young Irish woman and her rode to destruction. She is forced into bleak circumstances from the beginning of her life in which she witness her brother, and sometimes herself, receiving beatings from her mother and father occasionally taking a break to chastise each other. Maggie continues along this dreary path she called a life, working boring jobs and fantasizing of better more exciting days. Maggie's life seems to take an upswing upon meeting her brother's friend Pete. Pete whisks her off her feet by taking her out to experience the nightlife of the city. The plays and performers dazzle Maggie as she decides that Pete is the one. Jimmy, Maggie's brother, and her mom are outraged about the connection in which Pete and herself had made and disown her from the family. Upon the arrival of a newer, better looking, girl Pete dumps Maggie like she was a sack of potatoes. She is heartbroken and unsure of what to do or where to go, being disowned by her family, she is driven to prostitution and all the ill effects that come with it. The story comes to an abrupt and depressing halt as the news that Maggie is dead is relaid upon Jimmie and her Mother. The mother distraught over the news sobs and swears that she finally forgives Maggie.

This story is an all to accurate account of the horrible lifestyle which was on display at the Irish tenements in New York. Crane using Naturalism does a great job in describing the people, environment and the struggles which come along with the package. One gets the sense that Crane has a deep level of concern for these people and their situations by the vivid accounts given in describing the living conditions in which the Irish literally had to survive. Poverty and the effects of its nature are the underlying tone in this story. Crane simply suggest to the reader that their is no hope of success when one comes from such depths. What other choice did Maggie have other than prostitution, would be the main question Crane is trying to evoke from readers in an attempt to draw empathy and understanding when confronted with these types of people. Crane realizes that the Irish should be treated just as any other man would be, but instead they are in fact treated like garbage and seen as a lower class. The Naturalism and the effect of showing all aspects of life opens our eyes to the fact that people come from all different places and have different problems, and the story "Maggie" is a clear representation of just this.

Jonathan Harrison January 4, 2009

Maria Amparo Ruiz De Burton

"María Ruiz de Burton has a few consistent themes running through her major works. These are the subordination of race, gender, and class. Class, gender, and race are all intertwined to illustrate the cultural constraints on women and how they should submit or be rejected. It also demonstrates the construction of the upper class and how Chicanos are viewed" (wikipedia)

The themes discussed in the above quote, are portrayed all throughout "The Squatter and the Don." It was clear to see that Don Mariano was the smartest of all the characters, but because of his Mexican heritage his opinions were tossed aside by ignorant white squatters, and this clearly reveals Ruiz disdain towards the U.S. government and their treatment of Chicanos.

"The Squatter and the Don" is a story about a wealthy Mexican landowner, Don Mariano, who holds a meeting with local squatters in hopes of reaching a compromise. The squatters had been stealing and killing the Don's cattle while adding to the problem by rotting the land by planting grain fields which are at the mercy to the elements. Don offers to give the squatters half of all his remaining cattle and help these new settlers in learning the ways of cattle raising. He is generous enough to promise that he will relay his knowledge about orchards and agriculture , more appealing to the native land, to these white settlers, but his generous offerings are discarded solely on the basis that he is Chicano. It is a sad set of circumstances but one all to realistic.

The story, The Squatter and the Don, was an all too real depiction of life in California and the struggles over land that were fought between Chicanos and white men. Ruiz clearly shows how mistreated and misunderstood Chicanos at this time really were. Don Mariano is easily the most knowledgeable man in terms of knowing the land and how to cultivate it best, but his knowledge is tossed aside as ignorant babble by white squatters who have no clue about how to get by in California. Mariano has lived and benefited from the local resources yet the ignorant squatters insist on planting grain and slowly rotting the land. This atrocity is Ruiz's cry to the fact that the American government is similar to the monarchy of England, which it detests in so many ways. The new settlers should respect and learn from the locals, Ruiz argues, but instead the government mistreats Chicanos and treat them like a lower class which is a gross misrepresentation of who they really are.

Jonathan Harrison January 4, 2009

Sarah Orne Jewett

"Her literary importance arises from her careful, if subdued, vignettes of country life that reflect a contemporary interest in local color rather than plot. Jewett possessed a keen descriptive gift that William Dean Howells called "an uncommon feeling for talk—I hear your people." ( wikipedia)

This quote holds extreme importance into the insight of Sarah Orne Jewett's true character. She was a country girl from Maine living in a time period of American history where the old ways of farming, and subsisting by oneself, was being pushed aside by rapidly increasing industries not only gaining power in her state but in the whole country itself. Her writings are a reminder to honer and value nature, and are easily relateable to the everyday man.

The story " A White Heron" is the tale of an eight year old girl walking through the woods on her her way home when she encounters a hunter who politely asks if he can have lodging for the night. Upon arrival at her cabin the grandmother of the little girl eagerly displays her hospitality towards the young hunter. The hunter than offers the little girl 10 dollars if she can show him where the elusive white heron lives. At first, the girls seems excited at the proposition of such a large amount of money, but an encounter with the heron on top of a huge tree, rapidly changes her mind. The little girl comes to the conclusion that no amount of money is worth this birds life.

"A White Heron" is reminder to us all that material possessions hold no value in comparison to the wonders of nature themselves. Their are constant examples given by Jewett to show the extent of this beauty. The majestic Tree that towers over the rest of the forest, but used to be one of many, and is now invaded by the new young pines that have invaded it's said territory subtly Que us to the fact that once nature is gone in can never be replaced the same way. The large tree is often described as having enormous beauty and the personification of it is the way Jewett tries to relate nature to the common man. This is an effort to conserve nature before we hastily destroy it and all the wonders it has to behold. The fact that Sylvia, is much more at home with nature compared to the hustle and bustle of the city, reveals to the reader that city life might not be the best way and a closeness to nature is what was intended for us. In a world hell bent on industrialization, Jewett would like us all to take a step back and soak in nature for all its worth, for if we don't do it now it may be too late. This frightening realization is brought home by the echo of the hunter's whistle, the fast growing presence of industry, which haunts Sylvia for the rest of her life.

Jonathan Harrison January 30, 2009

Sui Sin Far

"While working as a legal secretary she continued to write and although her appearance and manners would have allowed her to easily pass as a dignified Englishwoman, she asserted her Chinese heritage and wrote articles that told what life was like for a Chinese woman in white America." (wikipedia)

Sui Sun Far had to deal with racism towards her Asian heritage her whole life and this quote is a symbol of the fact that she will not give away her Asian culture so easily. America is a place of false hopes in her eyes and the way it functions as a conforming machine, gives us a warning that all culture is in trouble once one sets foot on American soil and this quote was Far's way of fighting back.

This story was a depressing realization of real life for Chinese-American immigrants. Its starts out with a boy and his mother returning home to America where they had left 20 moons ago. Upon arrival the boy is refused admittance much to the dismay of his parents. The months drag on and the Chinese parents spirits slowly start to fade. They feel that their is a whole in their heart that can't be fixed. They are offered the services of a lawyer for 500 dollars who promises to get their son back. The proud parents sell all their jewelry in attempt to raise the money. When the boy is reunited with his parents, instead of it being a jubilant situation the boy instead shies away from his mother pleading with her to go away, while hiding behind the legs of a white nurse.

This story is heartbreaking when you realize that it is not some fictional tale that is far off from the truth but instead it hits close to home in capturing the atrocities that many asian-american immigrants had to go through. Far is all to familiar with the American experience, or becoming Americanized, and she really disdains the thought of the whole idea. Once one sets foot on American soil it is an ongoing process of assimilation that bleeds ones old self right out him. The thought of being old school or acting out the old ways of life is now looked down upon instead of rewarded. Fitting in is applauded amongst all these new immigrants while staying true to one's self and his people is thought to be boorish and most of the first generation recognizing this would rather see these ways become extinct rather than flourish in their new country. It is really sad that this is the case, for variety is the spice of life and when this element is taken out the world will become scarily boring. The parents in this story go to great lengths in trying help their son avoid this fate. The husband goes as far as to send his pregnant wife to china to have the baby, in attempts to render the child in a more traditional Chinese way. There attempts are futile though for the minute the boy reenters the United States the machine starts working and the assimilation starts to take place. The boy's youth can't help him escape these perils and by the end of the story his culture is gone. He is the same as any white kid would be and sadly the parents realize this. I hope that this story helps people savor and value their ethnicity for it is one thing that no one should ever be able to take away from one self and should thus be treated like the valuable commodity that it is.

Jonathan Harrison January,28,2009

Abraham Cahan

Cahan quickly mastered the English language, and four years after his arrival in New York taught immigrants in one of the evening schools. Later he began to contribute articles to the Sun and other newspapers printed in English, and was for several years employed in a literary capacity by the Commercial Advertiser, where we was a regular contributor. (Wikipedia)

This quote is an example of how brilliant and influential a man that Abraham Cahan really was. He is a link from the old world to the new and his writings simply reflected this. His writings have opened a door of insight, which was previously shut, towards the lifestyles of Jewish immigrants in the 1900's

Every generation battles with the conflict of my way is better than yours. I think every child is lucky enough to hear from some adult the world renowned line of, " back in my day things were better... or Whats wrong with kids these days." These lines of thought are a natural instinct of human nature. One is brought up to believe that the way he was raised is the best and only way. The only problem with this theory is the fact that we live in an ever changing world where out with the old in with the new is not frowned upon yet applauded. One will always see the newer generation as a deteriorating culture lost from the purity of their own, but this view is taken without regards to the changing world. Flora is Stuck right in the middle of this conundrum as her father wishes his son-in-law to be a devout Jewish man while she herself desires, or feels she desires, a modern Americanized man. Flora, hell bent on fulfilling this dream, turns Shaya away from the pious, old way of living, into a man desiring the knowledge of the new western ways. She feels as though she is living her life the way she has always dreamed of until she is thrust amongst educated peoples, for witch she has nothing in common with. Flora feels more out of place with these new found friends than she does with the old devout ways of the old system. Thus, the major question that faced many of these new immigrants is thrust upon Flora. Where do I fit in? Abraham's story " The imported Bridgroom" is not a happy nor sad description of Life as a Jewish immigrant just a real depiction of the dilemma that many of these people faced and the reminder that that it's not easy to fit into a new world.

Jonathan Harrison Jan 22, 2009

Zitkala Sa (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin)

"It was next to impossible to leave the iron routine after the civilizing machine had once begun its day’s buzzing; and as it was inbred in me to suffer in silence rather than to appeal to the ears of one whose open eyes could not see my pain, I have many times trudged in the day’s harness heavy-footed, like a dumb sick brute."

This quote is a general summary of how Zitkala Za really feels. She feels stuck in a system that can't be stopped, and their is no reasoning with people who think they are doing you a favor by forcing a European education upon them. She is really fed up but because her own culture has taught her to be obedient and polite, there is nothing to do it seems except follow the palemans ways. Her people are slowly dying yet their is nothing she feels she can do.

The stories compiled by Zitkala Za are a depressing reality about Native American survival in post civil war time period which was hectic and unruly. I feel that the 3 stories were laid out in the order they were presented for a reason. The first story about her childhood and learning the Paleface's knowledge starts off real promising before turning horribly wrong. As a young child she was juiced to explore the east and eat all the red apples,knowledge, that the white man had to offer yet she is quickly disappointed as the illusion of the kind and caring paleface slips away and the reality of being treated like a sideshow began. In the end that story she wishes she had never left the reservation. In story number two the young man comes back after being taught the Christian ways and upon his return he realizes that he sticks out like a sore thumb. He chastises the old Indian ways and preaches enlightenment to people who don't want to hear it. In the end he is robbed of his manhood for he can not feed his ailing father any meat, the mother preached that a good man hunts plenty and has plenty of buckskin, and thus he too feels he has made a mistake. One gets the sense that he misses the old ways and wishes he still had the connection to his people that he somehow lost along the way. The 3rd story finally left me with a smile on my face. The fact that the Indian man would not sell out any of his old ways, and thought of the new christian ways to be silly seemed to be his saving grace. Unlike the rest of his counterparts he is still extremely happy and content. This ending of the story shows Zitkala Za's true feelings, the fact that she wished the old ways would come back. She found no happiness with her new knowledge and way of life and longed for the pleasantries of the old.

sara winnemucca

Jonathan Harrison, January 21, 2009

Sarah Winnemucca

"I am a shell flower, who could be as strong or beautiful as me."

This quote embodies the mindset that Sarah Winnemucca truely had. It is a simple phrase yet it is also very empowering as well. The quote symbolizes not just herself but her whole native American peoples as well. While ignorant white men looked upon Native Americans as savages and beasts, the quote reminds the Native American population of the true beauty of their culture and the strength of oneself.

Sarah Winnemucca is an interesting character to observe. She is granddaughter and daughter to two powerful forces in the Piutes society. She is around the decision making process of the native leaders and this puts her in a procotious postion of trying to figure out whats best for her people. She must have been torn at all angles for her grandfather fighting along side of white men looks like a sell out to all piutes, yet she still wants their respect. Sarah is living in a time period of violent change. Her old way of life is being forcefully uplifted from her and the new invading palefaces are putting in place a new and foreign lifestyle that none of the piutes are too happy too accept. Sarah is stuck because change is happening no matter what. Their is nothing to be done in oppostion but if no action is taken then her own people look at her as if she herself is a white devil. I don't envy Sarah in anyway. Her life was not simple and through all this she persued to become the first Native American woman to be published and her writings still envoke thought and debate till this day. One might not agree with Sara winnemucca or even feel she was a sellout but no one can deny the true determination and brillance of such a gritty woman forced into a world of turmoil where there seems to be no right anwser to the unsolveable problem.

Jonathan Harrison Jan 15, 2009

W.E.B Du Bois

"For it is the Jim Crow car, and the fact that he may not smoke a cigar and drink a cup of tea with the white man in the South, that most galls William E. Burghardt Du Bois of the Atlanta College for Negroes." (wikipedia)

This quote summerizes the main point that Dubois, in his lifetime of work, strived to get across, the fact that all men are equal and deserve the same natural rights. The example of Jim crow car gives us insight towards the books message that the Jim Crow laws are rediculous and inherintly unfair. Dubois was outraged about the fact that African Americans were good enough to plow the fields but couldn't partake in ordinary pleasentries such as dining or smoking and this problem was the major foundation for the politcal activism in which Dubois took place in the rest of his life.

W. E. B. Dubois " The Souls of Black Folk" was an intricate look into the real problem of racism and assimilation at an inferior level which faced the United States. The politcal movement of Booker T Washington, although inspiring at the time, seems to be nothing more than a sell out or compromise due to the horrable nature of the time. Its easy for me to look back now and criticise Washington's stance for I am one hundred years removed from the situation, yet Dubois is fully addressing the glaring issues that stand out to all of us with a reasonable sense of right and wrong. How can a man be called free if he can't vote to elect the officials that are to represent him. He's not free at all is the anwser, and one learns from a young age that knowledge equals power, and all the great tyrants of the past have known this and forced their will by controling the knowledge available to the general public. Washingtons strategy of elimanting the stepping stones towards higher learning for all African Americans is not a realistic plan to go forward yet a map to keep African Americans at a stand still in a Society that is built on moving forward and making progress. Dubois realized all this right away and this book is a definate cry if not challenge to Booker T and all people of the African American decent to not settle but strive to reach high places and set goals that would be suitable for not only a black child but a white child as well. Their should not be two levels of dreaming and wanting and until every Black man in America starts to want and aspire to be, if not at the same level but even hire, than every white man Dubois would argue that The color issue will never go away and the African American people will never progress to the level that they rightfully should. Dubois definately holds the more modern and more likeable opinion between himself and Washington, yet I am born Hundred years after the fact and can not be a true judge just give education opinions on who's right and who's wrong.

Jonathan Harrison Jan 13, 2009

Booker T. Washington

"Washington believed that education was a crucial key to African American citizens rising within the social and economic structure of the United States. He rose into a nationally prominent role as spokesman and leader for them." (wikipedia)

This quote sums up why Booker T. Wasahington is such an important figure, not only in African American History but U.S, history overall. He grew up as a kid desireing and valueing education above all else. He felt that education was a way out of poverty and a means to a better life. These values and ideas are present throughout the teachings and the life of Booker T.

In his autobiography "Up from Slavery" it becomes clear that the biggest priority in Washington's life was his ability to aquire and education. He felt that education was the key to open any door and without it their is only so far a people can rise. If one looks at any civilization that was run by a tyrant or a tyranical government the main thing that they try to control is education because knowledge is power and anybody with power knows this. I found this story to be perticularly inspiring due to all the obstacles in which ashington had to overcome. The fact that he couldn't go to school and had to work, yet still spent hours reading an alphabet book, that I'm sure he could recite without even looking at it, makes me question and even strive to improve my own drive. I try to put myself in his shoes but there is no way I could see myself, after slaving in the salt mines, come home and read the same dingy book over and over again. To go go from such simple beginnings to write a speech such as the one presented at the Atlanta Expostion boggles my mind. I could only hope to one day write something as b eautfully written as that. Is enlightened theory on what success really is, not what you have accompished but the obstacles you went over to get their, is now my new theory on life. From Washington I take an energized work ethic and a new belief that life should be lived one day at a time and any obstacl that will be thrown my way is not too big for me to handle.

Jonathan Harrison Jan 10, 2009


Charlotte Perkins Gilman






"Charlotte Perkins Gilman suffered a very serious bout of post-partum depression in the months after Katharine's birth. This was an age in which woman were seen as "hysterical" and "nervous" beings; thus, when a woman claimed to be seriously ill after giving birth, her claims were sometimes dismissed as being invalid. Doctors at the time referred to this as “nervous prostration." (wikipedia)

This quote is significant for it gives us a real life insight into the mind of Charlotte Perkins Gilman. She did not make up the circumstances in the Yellow Wallpaper, unfortunately they were all too real. To realize that the author actually dealt with the awful situation bestowed upon her gives the story that much more credability.

This quote seems to be a direct influence into Gilman's thought process while writing the short story " The Yellow Wall-paper" for the main character undergoes the exact same symptoms that afflict Gilman in real life. The story itself is a cry for attention to the unequal treatment of women in the late 1800's. Women were considered at the time to be the weaker sex and thus their rights and opportunities were extremely limited. The Yellow Wall-paper is an angonizing story where you slowly watch the main character go crazy. She begins to have illusions and instead of getting better the forced rest she is undertaking is making her expontentally worse. She begins to see herself in the wall trapped behind the stripes which in turn become jail bars and the visual of the lady shaking the bars signifies not only herself being trapped and confined to a crazy house but to the confinement of all women kind at that time. "and she is all the time trying to climb through. But nobody could climb through the pattern- it strangles so; I think that is why it has so many heads." This quote again reitterates the fact that women are being held down and are almost prisoners of their own home. Too much thinking or even activity being looked down upon, it is almost hard not to look at the situation that society puts women into at the time, as a jail. Gilman is definately writing to get our attention about a gross injustice that needed to be changed. The whole womens rights movement was a slow moving beast but without the writings of peope such as Charlotte Perkins Gilman noned of the events that followed would have been possable at all.

Bierce Journal

Jonathan Harrison Jan 10, 2009
Author Ambrose Bierce

"The sardonic view of human nature that informed his work- along with his vehemence as a critic- earned him the nickname of Bitter Bierce." (wikipedia)

The story " An Occurance at Owl Creek Ridge" had an overall depressing tone to it. One follows the main character and once he sees the light he is killed. The tone definately reflects the authors opinions of the time and the quote shows that This story is most not an aborition but a prime example of the style in which Bierce embraces.

This nickname, of Bitter Bierce, seems to fit Ambrose like a glove as the story "An occurance at Owl Creek Ridge," shows that it takes extreme situations for human beings to realize what they have, and the ending, in which Peyton Farquhar realizes too late all the beauties that life beholds, is an example of this bitterness as one starts to feel the joy that Peyton does only to have it ripped away by his death. It is clear that the main point Bierce is trying to get humankind to notice by writing this story is to appreciate all the little things that life has to offer. He would like the human race to enjoy what they have instead of always wanting more. After Peyton brakes free from his noose, or so he thinks, everything around him changes. He picks up the sand and it looks like diamonds, rubies and emaralds. he glances up at the trees and they looked like a giant beautiful garden rich with all sorts of naturall fragrances. The point Ambrose is making is that we shouldn't have to be put to the brink of death to start to appreciate such little pleasentries that life presents us with. We should play the hand of cards that we are all dealt and play them to the fullest instead of what some people do by immediately folding. Ambrose Bierce may be nicknamed Bitter Bierce but he has some good thoughts and ideas that all humankind should think about. If greed and the want for more disappered would their still be wars, famine or other majoir problems, maybe maybe not, but most people would be a little bit happier if they realized what they had instead of longing for what they don't.