Blog 13

What was your favorite poem? Your least favorite poem? Why?

My favorite poem was “The Fish” because it reminded me of the times that I went fishing with my dad. 

My least favorite poem was “Ode to a Grecian Urn” because it was really long and hard for me to completely focus on what the purpose of the poem was. 

What was your favorite short story? Your least favorite short story? Why?

My favorite short story was “The Lottery” because it was led you to believe one thing and then at the end it was very unexpected.   It kept your attention and made you think about the characters and why they did this to one another.

My least favorite short story was “Bartleby” because it was really confusing and long.  The character, Bartleby made me feel really uncomfortable and drove me a little crazy at times. 

Should next semester's ENGL150 students read Death of a Salesman?

I don’t have any reason for why next year shouldn't read Death of a Salesman.  I think this was a good play to read and discuss in class because it allowed for many different views of each character and the situations that occurred.  

How did you feel about watching Hollywood versions of Bartleby and Death of a Salesman? Is there utility in seeing a visual version of something you're responsible to read?

I thought it was very helpful to watch the Hollywood versions because it helped clear up any confusion that I felt when just reading the play and short story.  It was nice to see a visual version because you got to witness the emotions and actions that the characters had or did.

What was your favorite in-class activity? What was your least favorite in-class activity?

My favorite in-class activity was when we did the test preps by doing the matching for test and when we created questions for each other. 

My least favorite activity was when we had to talk about the poems.  I don’t feel that I ever really knew what was going on in the poems so I always felt like I was wrong with what I felt the poems were about. 

You'll notice that I didn't have your small groups present (even though the syllabus claimed you would). Did you miss that? Would you have rather that whole-class discussions were led by students doing presentations?

I didn't miss having to present.  I think the way we did our small groups was most effective because I felt more comfortable sharing my ideas with a few people rather than the whole class.

Finally, what are your feelings on the creative blog entries? Which entry did you enjoy most? Least?

I felt that the creative blog entries were nice to see what other people thought about what we were doing and it was helpful when studying to see the questions that we created.  The entry that I enjoyed the most was when we created a diary entry for Linda and one of the boys.  The least was the sestina because it was hard to put together the format that we had to follow.

"Grandpa Willy"

Son, I know that you have been asking about your Grandpa Willy and I haven’t been able to tell you as much as I would have liked, but I think now is the time.  Your Grandpa Willy was a very hard working man. He was a traveling salesman that wanted the best for Uncle Biff and me.  He worked very hard to provide a very nice house and whatever we, including your Grandma Linda, ever needed. When your uncle and I were younger he was very focused on us becoming successful and for Uncle Biff that meant going to school and playing football.  I always wanted Biff to go and play ball but it did seem sometimes like that is all Grandpa focused on.  As the years went on I was earning money and making a name for myself while Uncle Biff was still finding himself.  That made Grandpa angry at times and it made for hard times in our house.  Biff and I moved back into the house because Grandpa and Grandma weren't doing so good financially.  I helped them but it wasn't enough and I wish I would have done more.  This is when we started noticing something wrong with Grandpa.  He was crashing his car a lot, talking to himself, and causing fights that weren't necessary, including some with Grandma and even our neighbor Charley.  Your Grandma didn't think we cared enough about Grandpa so that was hard for us to take, especially me.  All I ever wanted to do was make them happy.  It was really hard to see Grandpa pass, we all took it really hard but your Grandma took it the hardest.  He was her rock and she lived to please him, we all really did but not as much as her.  

Linda's Diary

September 24, 1932

Today has been such a great day.  Willy just got home from one of his work trips and seemed to do very well.  He brought home just about $100.  That will help a lot with the hot water heater on the fritz again.  When Willy got home we had a great dinner and all we could talk about was how well the boys are doing.  Biff is doing so great with his football; it just worries me sometimes about his studies.  Bernard helps him but sometimes I just don’t know.  Willy will take care of it, just like he always does.  I am so lucky to have such a great family. I am so grateful for each one of my boys.

June 18, 1953

I know that all it seems that I do is complain lately, but things are getting worse in this household.  The bills are piling up and some things just aren’t getting done.  I know Willy is trying but borrowing from Charley and living only on commission just isn’t going to work.  I hope that the boys start helping out more, but I know they are just trying to get their lives together.  I hope the loan with Oliver goes through with Biff cause that will help him get his feet on the ground.  I love Willy to death but I don’t know how much longer I can keep myself together.  I am always worrying about Willy and not taking care of myself like I would.  I have even stopped dying my hair; I figure what is the point. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully things will get closer to the ways they were.  

The "Lottery"

The “Lottery” written by Shirley Jackson, is a short story containing a theme of communities having a “tribal” nature to them.  In this story the people within this community have a ritual or a “lottery” that is performed every year.  This lottery is not a good lottery that you want to win, but a lottery that leads to the stoning of an individual that is selected from a drawing.   This short story conveys this theme because of the fact that even though everyone sees this stoning as a bad thing; they never try to stop it.  This to me shows that this community is stuck with the rituals that were created in the past and are unwilling to change anything in fear that something bad will happen.  Such as when a Mrs. Adams says “Some places have already quit lotteries” and Old Man Warner proclaims that there is “Nothing but trouble with that.  Pack of young fools.”  This sort of behavior reminds me of tribes that to this day still practice the customs, such as having their own government, and don’t want to change this because of fear that something will go wrong. 

I come from a small town such as this one and I know that when someone wants something changed, there is always a battle over if it should be changed.   Just recently the town that I am from wanted to change the parking situation on one of the main roads.  This new parking policy went into effect, but everyone had been doing the same thing for so long, that they didn't follow the law or just didn't care cause the way of the past it the way it should be.  This type of behavior shows even with the most simple task of parking a different way, people of a small town are stuck in their ways and just want everything to remain the way it is.  In the end the new parking policy was dismissed and it stayed the way it was in the first place.

Mrs. Mallards Posts

1. Spring has started to let us know that it is coming to visit, and it couldn't have come any earlier.  I can't wait to feel the sun on my skin and hear the sparrows twitter. I don't know how this day could go wrong.
2. Just got the news.  Nothing seems like it will ever be the same.
3. Why does this sort of thing happen to me? I can't live without him.  Please let this horrific event be only in my dreams.
4. To think that I said just said good-bye to my husband, I never would have thought it would be my last words to him.
5. One never really knows what losing part of you is until you lose your one true love. 
6. If I just sit in this chair and not see anyone for awhile, I will be content. Spring is just around the corner and that doesn't even seem to bring my spirits up.
7. Is  there anyone out there that has lost someone that has started to feel like this?  If you have you know what I am talking about.
8. Maybe something happen for a reason.  Maybe it is my time to live just for myself and do what I have never done before.
9. I am so lucky to have a supportive sister who loves, but I feel like I just need to be alone for a little while.  I am trying to figure out what I am going to next with my life.
10. I can't believe life can change so quickly.  Within an hour I thought my life was going to be over, to finding out that maybe my life has only just begun.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Heart-failure/Pages/living-with.aspx

Boy

Remember to always say please and thank you no matter what the circumstances are. Don’t ever let me catch you with your pants hanging below your butt and your hat cocked to the side.  No one will ever respect or take you seriously when you look like a fool. Always respect the ones around you and give everything your best.  When you are with a girl, treat her with the utmost respect.  Open doors for her, always listen to what she has to say, don’t ignore her, but don’t be clingy. When you do find the women of your dreams make sure to make her day easier.  Pick the kids up from school every once in a while, do the dishes after dinner, and take her out at much as you can.  Work hard to get what you need and never expect to have things handed to you.  Work hard to reach your goals so you can provide for your family.  Have fun when you can, but know when the time to get serious is. When you become successful remember where you came from.  Nobody likes a grown man that acts like a child.  I don’t expect you to be a millionaire, but if you are doing what you love and can support yourself and/or a family, you are always a success.  In the end, be who are and no one else!  

Dialogue

          The sun was just setting over the mountains, casting shadows all across the town.  Cars were zooming past one another trying to make it to their garages as fast as they can.  Families were sitting down at tables waiting for the diner that was about to begin.  In one particular house the table was set for a family gathering, but that was far from what was about to happen.

            He sped into the driveway with brakes screeching and rage in his eyes. The door flung open and the shouting began.

            How could you do such a thing to me, let alone to our two little girls?  You have to get out of this house right now!  I don’t even think I can look at you right now! He stated. Go!

            She sets outside the kitchen to the living room. What are you even talking about? She asked back.

            He stomps around into the living room and makes eye contact with her.

I know about the man that you have been seeing outside of our marriage. He said. Did this marriage even mean anything to? I want you out of this house right now!  I don’t want to hear about it, think about it, or give you the time to even explain yourself. Leave!

            She moves toward him to try to explain herself. 

            We have been through too much together, 3 pregnancies, two children, and a complete life together.  We can’t just give up on this now. She said. Give me time to explain myself.  I think I desire at least that.

            He can’t believe what she is saying and as soon as he beings to fight back he sees the crying faces of the two little girls.  He walks over to the oldest and tells them to go into their room.  Mommy and Daddy are just having a little talk right now.  He said.  Go to your room and play with your Barbie’s.

            The yelling continued for a while and then just stopped.  The last thing that was heard was the car pulling out of the driveway.  The table in that house was never set for four again.