Langston Hughes

Theme for English B
--I find it interesting that he actually wrote this when he was 50. It is so convincing that he is a student, I would never have known. The line with the most impact, to me, is "So will my page be colored that I write?" I think that really sums up the reason behind his poem.

Negro Speaks of Rivers
--There is a recording of Langston Hughes actually reading his poem online, and he also gives a little background information. His grandma had said that "To be sold along the Mississippi River is one of the worst things." All the rivers that he speaks of have symbolic influence, for example, the Euphrates is also mentioned. This river was a part of the beginning of civilization, so it puts black people at the beginning of civilization. This poem is introspective, and powerful when stating, "My soul has grown deep like the rivers."

I, Too
--I saved this poem for last, because it is my favorite of Hughes' poems that we have read in class. It shows his faith that colored people will eventually be recognized as Americans too. This is very prophetic, as we mentioned in class, because it was written in 1926, long before civil rights. I admire the fact that he "laughs, eats well, and grows strong," even though his circumstances are unfortunate. I like the optimistic view toward America, even though he still is not accepted as an American. He IS American though, and therfore he is beautiful, just as the song "America the Beautiful" suggests. Hughes wants everyone to see that within him, because he has already learned it for himself.

introspective- to look into or examine one's own internal state, or feelings

Beginnings

This is the beginning of my sonnet.... in 7th grade, my teacher would have us pick up our pencils and just write whatever came to mind for 5-10 min. This is what I did, and then just pieced my sonnet together from here....

If you were to take a stroll around, or even sit on a stump somewhere, and just think, look at your surroundings, it would be easy to realize how blessed you are. I've often heard events/things described as not a big deal, and it's true- some things don't change who we are, or destiny, or fate. But little things add up and make a difference, even if they start out small. Things like the sound of one guitar. A stranger sat on a lonely bench and made my day more beautiful through sharing a song. Every penny I find in a parking lot makes me one cent richer. It doesn't seem like a lot, and it's not, but it's one more wish that can come true once I throw it in a fountain. Or 24 more days like that, and I will have enough for a gumball. One mile seems shrunken in the vast land before us, but every extra mile you run can strengthen you. It will make you stronger if you let it. And it is worth the extra distance required to visit an old friend. Even if it is a quick trip. I remember following a recipe precisely, and then double-checking with my mom when I saw one of the listed ingredients. She assured me that it belonged, and those cookies would not have tasted half as delicious without one teaspoon of sal. A single simplistic pavillion can be an oasis from a storm one day. They are little graces that help us to see that things will work out. Mending, healing, and moving forward are possible. Every bolt, screw, and nail plays its' parts. An extra 'Z' if sleep can result in a better mood, and a better resolve to be productive. Yes, all small things have a difference and a does, If little things don't, make a difference, what does

There it is-- completely in free verse/ the drafting and thinking stage.

No Hope

Isn't it incredible that one of the most well-known and quoted poets of American history had "no hope" written next to her name on the class roll? Not only is "no hope" incorrect, but "average" is a litote as well. Class last Thursday has deeply impacted the way I think of Emily Dickinson, though I have always loved her writing. On my bulletin board above my bed at home (you know, where I put all my important things, like a picture my younger sister drew for me, tickets from Gavin DeGraw's concert, a few favorite photos, etc) I have the quote by Emily Dickinson,

"They might not need me; but they might. I'll let my head be just in sight; a smile as small as mine might be precisely their necessity."

No hope?
The 1,700 poems that she had written were not discovered until after her death, and to me that says a lot about her character as well. Sister Steadman said that one of the best ways to describe her is ambiguous. I would like to add geniune as well. Emily Dickinson did not write to become famous, or to have people love her poetry. She did not write to prove anything to anyone, or to make something of herself. She wrote to express herself, to pass time doing something she loved. This is very powerful to me, and inspiring as well. Poetry to me, is very personal, and should be written as though you are writing for yourself to read, or those who are close to you. Let the critics make slashes in your poetry, outsiders turn their heads. Let "no hope" be written next to your efforts. If you write what is in your heart, and end up with a sincere poem in front of you, there is not much else as satisfying.

ambiguous- having several possible meanings or interpretations.

litotes-understatement

Title: Title

As I was searching online to find two short stories to read by Nathaniel Hawthorne for my author spotlight, I realized how important titles are. Not that I have never thought about it before, but it is very interesting to skim over all the titles... "Sunday at Home," "Old News," "The Pomegranate Seeds," etc, and see which short stories capture my interest. For me, coming up with a title is a hard thing to master. Not only do you want to give the reader an idea of what your writing will be about, but it needs to be catchy too. At the same time, you don't usually want to give away too much information before the reader even starts. In A.P. Lanuguage and Composition my jr year, my teacher actually deducted 5-10 points if you forgot to put a title on your writing. This seemed like a lot, but it emphasized his point that titles are important, and I agree that they are.

Blake and Class Notes

I love the contrast between the Lamb and Tyger poems, even just evaluating them through formalism. It is amazing how powerful word choice is, because I can literally feel the difference in both poems through Blake's descriptions. However, I didn't enjoy The Chimney Sweeper or London as much. It's not that I have a problem with poems expressing bleak situations, but it was hard for me to identify his point (enterting the rhetorical stage.) Was it satire? London was an especially dreary poem, and words such as "chartered" make the situation they are in seem inevitable because of the government. It was interesting to learn in class that Blake's main question as he wrote, was "Do we have to have the experience? Or can we remain in innocence?"

Formalism-staying within the text while analyzing (tone, meter, symbolism, etc)

Rhetorical- asking questions while reading

New Historicism- applying personal values

Rainbows and the World

My Heart Leaps Up....
It is interesting that Wordsworth says "natural piety" because we often read in the scriptures that the natural man is an enemy to God. I personally interepreted that as if Wordsworth was referring to a child, or innocent child-like attributes. I like that he ALWAYS wants to find himself fascinated in nature. The rainbow in this poem not only seems to be a representation of nature, but of God's hand in nature and life, since God created the rainbow as a promise, and to prove His love.
The World is Too Much With Us....
I think that there is a difference with the word "world," as Wordsworth chose, and the word "earth." The world seems to refer to a greedy type of living, of going through actions to stay alive, while earth sounds to me, more like a lovely place to live, full of nature. They sound so different, and yet both represent the same place where we live. It was interesting for me to think about while reading. I also enjoy imagery from the line "It moves us not," and I picture someone standing, unaffected, or "unmoved" in a less literal sense. We are "becomming out of tune," as is mentioned. I couldn't help but think that becomming out of tune is a gradual process. According to Wordsworth, we are slowly straying from recognizing nature.
Last thought-- it is interesting to me that both of the Greek Gods that he mentions (Proteus and Triton) are Sea Gods. Why?
After reading these poems, I am very much a fan of Wordsworth.

Lonely As a Cloud

I Wandered Lonely As a Cloud....
I really love this poem. It isn't too complicated, and I love the imagery. It's interesting to me that Wordsworth chose to use the word lonely-- which usually has a negative connotation-- and made it sound jocund, in fact, he later describes it as blissful solitude. I also noticed that some form of the word dance, is in every stanza. I like the simplicity and thoughtfulness of this poem. I am not as attached to nature as Wordsworth seems to be in this poem, but I really love camping and being outdoors. In fact, I just went running outside and the weather is starting to feel like spring, yay! It was interesting to read that excerpt from his sister Dorothy's journal and compare it with his poem. I know that they were both on the same walk in nature together, but the poem seems more significant as he mentions that he was lonely, since nature kept him company.

jocund- cheerful
(This is how I wil be listing my new vocabulary within my blogs)