A clean, Well-lighted Place response.

Author's Note: My classmates and I were instructed to read and answer one of the question referring to the short story “A clean, Well-lighted Place”. I chose to answer the question "Write a brief analysis of the two waiters.  What do they represent about life? What does the café symbolize?" The is my response...
 

Two waiters were used in the story “A clean, Well-lighted Place” The youngest of the two became rude and inconsiderate to the old man. Representing evil within the café. Which the café could be interpreted as life or the world. While the older of the two waiters was patient and easygoing representing the good in the world. Both treating the old man, who could be depicted as struggles and challenges in life, in very different ways. 

Feeling Pretty?

Authors Note: Beauty, being a large part in society today it seemed that writing a research paper on the effects it has on people and their thoughts on beauty would be more interesting then the usual "Life of..." research papers! 

Beauty, is it the perfect body? The prettiest face? The best clothes? Or is it the utmost purity and humbleness within you? The media has had the largest and most detrimental impact on societies definition of beauty. Ad’s and magazines plastering the perfect airbrushed body and face on the front cover of every magazine. One in every three (37%) articles in leading teen girl magazines included a focus on appearance, and most of the advertisements (50%) used an appeal to beauty to sell their products. Is it wrong to be comparing yourself to a model when society expects that out of you?  

America 1950s, an era where women and men embraced curves. Every body type was used in campaigning and no one was judged based on facial beauty. America 2013, according to an ongoing study funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute 40% of 9 and 10 year olds have attempted to lose weight. Only 9 and worried about looking like their idolized actress or pop-star. Even the famous are judged for their body! "In Hollywood, I’m obese … I’m considered a fat actress.” Jennifer Lawrence, Hunger Games star, states to the media. She’s perfectly toned and 22 years young, anything but “obese”. With the media’s tabloids throwing fat next to every actress/actor in Hollywood children and adults start to compare themselves, trying to reach goals in the wrong ways. Ways that cause anorexia, Bulimia, and EDNOS. 8,000,000 or more people in America are diagnosed with eating disorders each year.

People will give anything for their perfect body, from eating disorders to now procedures with our availability to new modernized technology. Children and technologies are evolving in each generation. Media streams through not only magazines but cell-phones, I-pods and internet. Children are developing along with technology, they become more attached to Facebook, Instagram, and the lasted trends. Tests have proved children are spending a quarter of their days with media. Easily available to the growing tendency of perfection; that anything but flawlessness is thought out to be unacceptable: acne, pointy nose, eyes to far apart, eyes to close together, round face, big ears, exedra.  Some of this has resulted in 1.6 million Cosmetic Surgery procedures a year and still growing by 5%. Now even teen magazines giving tips on how to achieve you’re “perfect look” as if teen’s natural beauty not good enough? One study reports that at age thirteen, 53% of American girls are "unhappy with their bodies." This grows to 78% by the time girls reach seventeen. Is this because of their overexposure to media’s thoughts on beauty?

Along with being over exposed many people are inspired by a perfect petite actress/athlete and disown the famous who are not a size two! For me an actress like Rebel Wilson is someone I aspire to be like. At 213 pounds and 5’8” she has been considered by the media as “fat”, but she is one person who embraces their body. Sure she, like the rest of the world, probably has her insecurities but she gives a bigger pant size something to be proud of. “I know, I pick up the roles other actresses don’t want [laughs]. When there’s movies where there are two sisters and one’s the uglier sister, there’s always no actress that wants to go for it. I’m like, why not! They’re the best roles!” She acted upon her words in her latest movie, Pitch Perfect, playing “Fat Amy”. Rebel doesn’t let the media tell her she’s fat, she says it before they get to. Although this may not be the healthiest option she gives women and men a reason to embrace their bodies. But, she has become bullied and ridiculed by the public for her weight. Media being a horrible example to the public, letting them think it's okay to judge people. As said, Ms.Wilson doesn't let anyone knock her down and without people like this humanity would have no chance against the fight of media. 

The cameras, the callous words and the preposterous idea of “pretty”. America today is brainwashed by the modern media to think that prettiness is based on outer appearance then your true inner beauty. So whether you are 100 pounds or have arched eyebrows does not define who you are. That model on the front spread is just as pretty as the next girl!

 Bibliography

Cdc. National Center for Health Statistics . n.d. www.cdc.gov/nchs/. 10 April 2013.

Disorders, National Eating. National Eating Disorders . n.d. http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/. 10 April 2013.

Now, Children. Media's impact on Children. n.d. http://www.childrennow.org/index.php/learn/medias_impact/. 18 April 2013.

Relations, Media. Plastic Surgery . n.d. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/news-and-resources/press-release-archives/2012-press-release-archives/138-million-cosmetic-plastic-surgery-procedures-performed-in-2011.html. 18 April 2013.

Samhsa. SAMHSA'S National Mental Health Information Center. n.d. http://store.samhsa.gov/home. 10 April 2013.

Plums

Author's Note: In class we were instructed to write a parody to a poem. This is my parody from the point of view of the person who got their plums stolen!

The original Poem:

I have eaten 

The plums

that were in

the icebox

And which 

you were probably 

saving 

for breakfast

Forgive me

They were delicious

so sweet 

and so cold

My Parody-

I have seen

That you have eaten

my plums

From the icebox

And which 

you thought 

was so 

Clever

Forgive me

But they aren't

as delicious 

as they seem. 

The line between wealth and greed

Authors Note: This is a piece written on the obscure symbolism in the book The pearl. It demonstrates my knowledge on the symbols and my understanding of the topic. 

Objects, characters, colors, and actions used to portray and represent abstract ideas or concepts; also know as Symbolism. Whether it be the innocence and destructive symbol of a little girl dragging her baby doll across the ruff pavement or a white wedding gown depicting purity and life. Both giving text more connotation, like in the story The Pearl, written by John Steinbeck. Steinbeck used symbols to add to text and the formation of characters.

                Within the first chapter of “The Pearl”  symbolism quickly shows through. A scorpion stings Coyotito the main character, Kino’s, son. Biblically this small perilous creature generally represents the destruction of innocence but is easily seen as evil, death, or just devastation. Kino’s son is only a small baby so this “innocence” could easily be shown as that the Gods intended for young Coyotito to die or be on the brink of death. Also, color became very popular within the pages before the scorpion. Yellow eyes, black ants, yellow spots, and yellow sun light falling upon the house. Yellow is known to symbolize violence or decay and black is death or evil. These colors could be simply foreshadowing the events to come and making the text more intricate.

                Although the Scorpion played a large part in this book the pearl is why the book developed as it did. In the beginning a pearl was seen as wealth, luck and providence. “A pearl that might be” (A perfect pearl) is the prophecy that Juana (Kino’s wife) and Kino had thought they’d fulfilled. They are overwhelmed with aspiration for Coyotito’s future and the possible life free from the shackles of poverty. Soon the pearl starts to exhibit greed not only from Kino but neighbors and friends of the family. Though the family is being hunted Kino refused to give up the pearl as his wise wife had wanted so badly to do. This gem started to be a catalyst of change within Kino and as it is simple and beautiful, however, it becomes a symbol of destruction and danger once entangled with ideas of materialistic values.

                Pearls were a very large fascination in Kino’s town, everyone wanted one but they broke more then what is seen. Kino’s canoe symbolized tradition and his link to his culture. Canoes were used for food, making a living, and in this scenario, to find the pearl. Furthermore, it’s very significant that the possession of the pearl leads directly to the raft’s destruction in chapter 5. Which symbolized Kino’s devastating decision to part with cultural heritage since he wished become acquisitive.

                So whether it be a pearl, canoe, scorpion, or a color symbolism can truly turn a story from one end of the spectrum to the other. Bringing in change of character and a life lesson worthy of understanding. 

Saudade

Authors Note: Coming from a Portuguese background I was influenced a lot by this word Saudade, used for the the nostalgic feeling in your gut when you miss something or someone. Possibly a home, like the people from Portugal when they arrived in a new country for a better life. Or wanting to feel those certain feelings again or seeing that place. It means a different thing to each person, just depends how you define your "Saudade". 

As feet lose ground, 

as memories lose focus,

a feeling high in longing. 
Saudade.

                                                                                             

As longing grows to miles 

And miles to years,

A feeling high in hope.
Saudade.

As years fly by 

and nostalgia remains,

here’s to hoping,
Saudade.

What was once

For the wind to decide,

Our feet graze earth

and pictures become reality.

Saudade.

Bored or Intrigued?

Authors Note: I analyzed two poems "Summer Grass" and "Song for a Surf-Rider" Both used figurative language to enhance their pieces. Using tone and mood to make their poems both intriguing and interesting. 

Most people start to yawn and get sleepy eyed mid way through the first chapter of a book. Maybe the plots boring or the theme is not what they prefer, or maybe figurative language should have been used more? That’s exactly what they did in both “Summer Grass” and “Song for a Surf-Rider” figurative language was used to enhance tone, mood, and interest in each poem.

In “Summer Grass” by Carl Sandburg and “Song for a Surf-Rider” Sara Van Alstyne Allen, imagery and figurative language was used immensely. Mostly to dramatize the text and add desire. For instance, in the stanza “His eyes flash with an emerald fire” it seems through this type of imagery that the author tries to replicate passion and aspiration, it also adds drama which makes the piece appealing. Also some metaphors and anaphora’s were used emplace of tiresome word choice. The anaphora in “Summer Grass” really emphasized the chronological order of the rain’s actions. It also mixed  in personification, giving it that extra significance.

The two author’s used this type of imagery to add importance of the events taking place. Also making it much more engaging and easy to read (it all flows together). In “Summer Grass” the imagery and anaphora’s made the author’s tone very calm and cool, almost effortless. Also in “Song for a Surf-Rider” the personifications made the tone seem strong and ready to overcome anyone and anything. Making both of these pieces very intriguing!

Although the figurative language in these pieces made the tone show through they also made me, as a reader, feel certain ways. For example, the different personifications from “Summer Grass” make it seem like your wildest dreams could come true and that bad times in your life will get better. Just like it did for the grass. But in “Song for a Surf-Rider” strong word choice and personifications made it a very powerful piece, giving you the feeling of invincibility and that you could overcome any obstacle. I for one gained different moods from each piece.

In both, “Summer Grass” and “Song for a Surf-Rider” figurative language made each poem sound a lot more sophisticated and anything but boring. Also affecting the tone and mood of the reader.  So maybe, from quality figurative language, instead of a yawn or stretch you can be smothered by the book pressed in to your face.

Thrills and Chills

Authors Note:The Point of view can make or break a story, particularly in Tales of Mystery and Terror . The point of view it was in made it confusing and made you feel a bit foolish for believing it in the end. In this piece I analyzed the point of view of Sphinx.

Point of View

Thrilling Story’s and fictional objects make Edgar Allen Poe’s, Tales of Mystery And Terror, perfect for a complicated and exuberating read. At first many of these stories didn’t make sense to me; Sphinx being a prime example. It’s children’s story demeanor and “Scary Monster” cliché make this story seem far from what it is. A man seeing a monster that is bigger than an elephant but it’s actually known to be the size of an insect? Maybe he has problems that are much larger then they seem, or anxiety, or maybe he’s just plan crazy. But more importantly what is his friend thinking?

In Edgar Allen Poe’s Sphinx, the main character give the impression that there is truly an immense creature ready to attack him.  You feel the chills that run up his spine and sheer terror that envelopes him. It made me feel confused just like the main character! Only because you hear  his point of view; what he is feeling during his encounters.  He even states “As this creature first came in sight, I doubted my own sanity – or at least the evidence of my own eyes;” so he was admitting to the thought of this creature being preposterous! “and many minutes pass before I succeeded in convincing myself that I was neither mad nor in a dream.” But quite oddly I started to believe him too, this is a real thing. His confused words made me believe this distraught man.

Would I believe this man if someone else were telling the story? Of course not! My mind sways by the judgment of the narrator, thus, if the narrator was the host I would most definitely be thinking this man was crazy. Possibly delusional! If I wanted a clearer perspective on the whole situation I would want a 3^rd person point of view. Someone who is not part of the situation just an outsider telling the story, similar to myself. This way the opinions would be toned down and I would see each side. No one’s making me think things that are not quite correct or the way they play out to be. But, if it were to be a 3^rd person narration the story could have become meaningless and boring. Morals of the story would have been absent. The way it was really narrated made it intense and it made you think, although it made you think as crazy as the character did.

Although thrilling, this story is more of a delusional mans thoughts. Tricking you in to thinking this could be real. He learns to find his sanity in the end but he still made you undergo his fearful foolish puzzled mind-set. So depending on who recites the story makes a large difference on how you comprehend the tale and each character in it!