Thursday, May 20, 2010
There were some lines from Whitman's poetry that provoked thought in me, but on the whole, I found myself frustrated with the ideas expressed in it. These are some of my favorite and least favorite lines and poems.
#24
"Seeing, hearing, feeling, are miracles..." (1028)
If I appreciate any line from Whitman, it's this one. How often do we cease to appreciate the everyday miracles of life? The processes of seeing, hearing, and feeling are so precious. They allow us to appreciate life. To move from merely living to being alive, but only so long as we fully appreciate them.
#51
I don't completely understand Whitman's perspective in this poem. How can he not be curious about God? It's clear that he views God as unknowable. We talked about atheism in class, but is it possible that he had views that line up with agnosticism? He seems to acknowledge that God exists, but has no interest in knowin who He is.
I suppose, based on the view of God presented in Whitman's poetry, I can see how he would not be curious about God. If he thinks that God is everywhere, is all things, and can't be known, then I guess it wouldn't even be an option to try to know him.
In this poem, Whitman says that he is the most important thing to himself. This is a different perspective than we are called to have as Christians and different that what I've been taught my entire life. I think that's why I struggle to relate to his writing. We're coming from different places; I, as someone who believes that God is intensely personal and relational, and he, as someone who believes the opposite.
It's been interesting to read poetry from a different perspective, but the difficulty I have relating to it makes it much less enjoyable than other material we've read for this course.
#24
"Seeing, hearing, feeling, are miracles..." (1028)
If I appreciate any line from Whitman, it's this one. How often do we cease to appreciate the everyday miracles of life? The processes of seeing, hearing, and feeling are so precious. They allow us to appreciate life. To move from merely living to being alive, but only so long as we fully appreciate them.
#51
I don't completely understand Whitman's perspective in this poem. How can he not be curious about God? It's clear that he views God as unknowable. We talked about atheism in class, but is it possible that he had views that line up with agnosticism? He seems to acknowledge that God exists, but has no interest in knowin who He is.
I suppose, based on the view of God presented in Whitman's poetry, I can see how he would not be curious about God. If he thinks that God is everywhere, is all things, and can't be known, then I guess it wouldn't even be an option to try to know him.
In this poem, Whitman says that he is the most important thing to himself. This is a different perspective than we are called to have as Christians and different that what I've been taught my entire life. I think that's why I struggle to relate to his writing. We're coming from different places; I, as someone who believes that God is intensely personal and relational, and he, as someone who believes the opposite.
It's been interesting to read poetry from a different perspective, but the difficulty I have relating to it makes it much less enjoyable than other material we've read for this course.
While I had a hard time understanding some of Dickenson's highly crafted poetry, I enjoyed many of her poems. Her poetry is interesting and beautiful to read. I found the way she portrayed death (in #517) in a beautiful, almost romantic manner especially intriguing. A carriage ride was something sweethearts did together when they were courting someone they were in love with. In this poem, death is the companion on that carriage ride. I'm just amazed at how Dickenson makes something as sad and painful as death sound beautiful and peaceful and calm. It's truly a beautiful poem.
I also love the playfulness of #228. It's so interesting to read a poem like the last one and then read such a happy, almost silly, poem like this one. It brings to mind two children playing or a babysitter trying to have a fun night with her charges.
Her skills as a poet, and her ability to craft language amaze me. Her poems are exciting, interesting, and entrancing. The way she combines words and phrases and use of meter make for beautiful poetry. I've come to really love her poetry as we've studied it and discussed it in class. And for me, someone who didn't enjoy poetry at the beginning of the semester, that's a big step.
I also love the playfulness of #228. It's so interesting to read a poem like the last one and then read such a happy, almost silly, poem like this one. It brings to mind two children playing or a babysitter trying to have a fun night with her charges.
Her skills as a poet, and her ability to craft language amaze me. Her poems are exciting, interesting, and entrancing. The way she combines words and phrases and use of meter make for beautiful poetry. I've come to really love her poetry as we've studied it and discussed it in class. And for me, someone who didn't enjoy poetry at the beginning of the semester, that's a big step.
I didn’t really enjoy this book very much even though it's a classic novel. I think that maybe, by the time we read this, I had reached a point in the semester where reading anything was not at all attractive to me. Yes, that may have colored my perception of this novel.
I felt like it was overly sentimental, to the point where, for me, it detracted from the story as a whole and even made me feel emotionally disconnected at some points. However, I can see how the audience that Stowe's audience would have needed that degree of sentimentalism to evoke her desired response. Reading it now, though, is quite a difference experience and I found it hard to get into the mindset of a pre-civil war reader.
I also felt that the portrayal of characters was unrealistic. She makes good characters, like Ava and Tom, saint-like, which we talked about in class to some extent. I just didn't find their reactions and choices believable and that detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
All of that said, I think it's admirable that Stowe wrote a book about a huge injustice in society. And the response it received really is remarkable. This shows that change, even huge change that tugs at the very fabric of society, is possible if people are awakened to it and inspired to fight for it. Her novel was one part of a long journey towards a new way of thinking and a new way of life. And that is something that I can certainly appreciate, regardless of my feelings about the book itself.
I felt like it was overly sentimental, to the point where, for me, it detracted from the story as a whole and even made me feel emotionally disconnected at some points. However, I can see how the audience that Stowe's audience would have needed that degree of sentimentalism to evoke her desired response. Reading it now, though, is quite a difference experience and I found it hard to get into the mindset of a pre-civil war reader.
I also felt that the portrayal of characters was unrealistic. She makes good characters, like Ava and Tom, saint-like, which we talked about in class to some extent. I just didn't find their reactions and choices believable and that detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
All of that said, I think it's admirable that Stowe wrote a book about a huge injustice in society. And the response it received really is remarkable. This shows that change, even huge change that tugs at the very fabric of society, is possible if people are awakened to it and inspired to fight for it. Her novel was one part of a long journey towards a new way of thinking and a new way of life. And that is something that I can certainly appreciate, regardless of my feelings about the book itself.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
I've really enjoyed this book. It's been interesting and entertaining and I really do enjoy Hawthorne's writing and characters. I know that many people in our class felt it moved much too slowly, and they do have a point, but I enjoyed the pace. It gave me time to reflect on the story and to really put myself in the midst of the events described.
I also feel that this is an important book because of what it has to say about our culture and the injustices we allow as a society. That's one of the major things I see in my reading; the puritan townspeople seem to overlook their own sin and treat Hester harshly in response to hers. They ostracize Hester and Pearl when they should be caring for them and loving them. And I think we still do that today, especially with teenage mothers, although it's often not in as overt a manner as in the book. But that's not the way we should act. Especially not the way the church should act. I think this book shows that, and I suppose my response to that is a call and conviction to live differently. To not be the same as the characters in the novel.
I also feel like to book has significant thoughts about humanity and our relationship with God. Especially about how much we need God to free us from our sin. And how it eats away at us if we then refuse to forgive ourselves after receiving forgivenesss from God. I think Dimmesdale is such a powerful example of this. When I look at the life of his character in the story, I can't help but think about that. There is such freedom in living a life in relationship with God, and I think that sometimes we forget that. At least, I know I forget that sometimes. But I know, that although can be hard to forgive myself for the mistakes I make, I don't want to live in the captivity of sin the way that Dimmesdale does. I want to live in the glorious freedom of God. And I wish Dimmesdale would have found that in the story.
I don't know if these are the ideas that Hawthorne intended to communicate to readers with his story, but they are the lessions I learned through reading it. And they are why I love it.
I also feel that this is an important book because of what it has to say about our culture and the injustices we allow as a society. That's one of the major things I see in my reading; the puritan townspeople seem to overlook their own sin and treat Hester harshly in response to hers. They ostracize Hester and Pearl when they should be caring for them and loving them. And I think we still do that today, especially with teenage mothers, although it's often not in as overt a manner as in the book. But that's not the way we should act. Especially not the way the church should act. I think this book shows that, and I suppose my response to that is a call and conviction to live differently. To not be the same as the characters in the novel.
I also feel like to book has significant thoughts about humanity and our relationship with God. Especially about how much we need God to free us from our sin. And how it eats away at us if we then refuse to forgive ourselves after receiving forgivenesss from God. I think Dimmesdale is such a powerful example of this. When I look at the life of his character in the story, I can't help but think about that. There is such freedom in living a life in relationship with God, and I think that sometimes we forget that. At least, I know I forget that sometimes. But I know, that although can be hard to forgive myself for the mistakes I make, I don't want to live in the captivity of sin the way that Dimmesdale does. I want to live in the glorious freedom of God. And I wish Dimmesdale would have found that in the story.
I don't know if these are the ideas that Hawthorne intended to communicate to readers with his story, but they are the lessions I learned through reading it. And they are why I love it.
Today in class, Dr. Dyer asked us to write about what we've been thinking about regarding The Scarlet Letter. I wrote some things down, but had this nagging feeling that I was forgetting something I had recently read that connected with the events of the books. This afternoon, in the library with an iced white mocha in hand, I remembered and felt inspired to blog (something which I love doing but can't until inspiration strikes. Coffee usually helps.).
For those of you who don't know, Tenth Avenue North is my favorite band. I don't know how it works, but their songs always seem to describe exactly what I'm feeling and tell me just what I need to hear, even if I don't know it. God has used their music in my life in incredible ways.
They have a new album coming out called Light Meets the Dark and their new single from it is called Healing Begins. I was reading a post on their website yesterday where the lead singer talked about why they had chosen the title of their album. He talked about how light represents the freedom of knowing we're forgiven of our sins and dark represents the our sinful behavior. This analogy is nothing foreign in Christian circles. What he went on to say, however, was intriguing to me.
Here's the quote:
"I heard it said once that the best thing that could ever happen to any of us is if all of our sins were broadcast on the five o’clock news. And yeah, that can be a fairly disturbing thought, I suppose, but think about it for a moment. Think of how scary that is, and yet somehow, so incredibly freeing, too. If everyone knew all your junk, all your fears, all your questions, you wouldn’t have to hide anymore. No more masks. No more pretending. Just you, and hopefully, the grace that comes when we step into the light. Sure, it can be the most terrifying step you’ll ever have to take, but when we do, when we lay our souls out naked and bare for all to see, it forces us out of the shadows and into a place where life begins. It’s where the light meets the dark, and it’s where we want to be. Hope to meet you there."
--Mike Donehey
This is essentially where Hester Prynne is in TSL. And where Arthur Dimmesdale both wishes he was and is afraid to be. I'm not sure if I completely agree with this quote simply because, as we see in TSL, Hester doesn't seem to find freedom in the public knowledge of her sin. However, the example of Dimmesdale shows the imprisonment and punishment guilt bestows on those who choose to live in it, rather than find freedom in confession and forgiveness from God. So I suppose that there is a certain freedom that comes from having our worst exposed because it Dimmesdale ultimately dies due to the toll his guilt has on him, and Hester is able to build a life for herself and her daughter.
This whole idea of secrecy and exposure reminds me of what Hawthorne says at the end of the novel, "Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred" (pg. 167).
For those of you who don't know, Tenth Avenue North is my favorite band. I don't know how it works, but their songs always seem to describe exactly what I'm feeling and tell me just what I need to hear, even if I don't know it. God has used their music in my life in incredible ways.
They have a new album coming out called Light Meets the Dark and their new single from it is called Healing Begins. I was reading a post on their website yesterday where the lead singer talked about why they had chosen the title of their album. He talked about how light represents the freedom of knowing we're forgiven of our sins and dark represents the our sinful behavior. This analogy is nothing foreign in Christian circles. What he went on to say, however, was intriguing to me.
Here's the quote:
"I heard it said once that the best thing that could ever happen to any of us is if all of our sins were broadcast on the five o’clock news. And yeah, that can be a fairly disturbing thought, I suppose, but think about it for a moment. Think of how scary that is, and yet somehow, so incredibly freeing, too. If everyone knew all your junk, all your fears, all your questions, you wouldn’t have to hide anymore. No more masks. No more pretending. Just you, and hopefully, the grace that comes when we step into the light. Sure, it can be the most terrifying step you’ll ever have to take, but when we do, when we lay our souls out naked and bare for all to see, it forces us out of the shadows and into a place where life begins. It’s where the light meets the dark, and it’s where we want to be. Hope to meet you there."
--Mike Donehey
This is essentially where Hester Prynne is in TSL. And where Arthur Dimmesdale both wishes he was and is afraid to be. I'm not sure if I completely agree with this quote simply because, as we see in TSL, Hester doesn't seem to find freedom in the public knowledge of her sin. However, the example of Dimmesdale shows the imprisonment and punishment guilt bestows on those who choose to live in it, rather than find freedom in confession and forgiveness from God. So I suppose that there is a certain freedom that comes from having our worst exposed because it Dimmesdale ultimately dies due to the toll his guilt has on him, and Hester is able to build a life for herself and her daughter.
This whole idea of secrecy and exposure reminds me of what Hawthorne says at the end of the novel, "Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred" (pg. 167).
Oh Thoreau. You made more sense that Emerson to me. But I still didn't particularly enjoy reading your writing either. However, there were a few thing that struck me.
"The life which men praise and regard as successful is but one kind. Why should we exaggerate any one kind at the expense of the others?" (853)
This makes me think of North American consumerism. The emphasis we have on "keeping up with the Jones's." And the idea that we so often meaure success in the length of our white picket fence and the square footage of our houses, rather than in the time spent investing in the lives of others. The boxes we paint ourselves into can be rather small and cramped sometimes, I think. Because success is far more than what we tend to focus on, and I really think that we must be losing out on some amazing ideas and people because of this.
"Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things." (871)
Wow, Thoreau really knew what he was talking about here! In the age of computers, television, the internet, we have so many distractions. So many pretty toys and playthings. And we use them (or at least, I know I use them) to forget, to distract, to avoid. And yet they're used for so much good too. Like text messaging donations for survivors of the disaster in Haiti. And raising awareness of crucial problems like hunger and AIDS. They create connections across borders and cultures, which shows that they can be more than just toys. More than just distractions. They can be valuable tools and agents for change. It just depends on how we use them, I guess.
"The life which men praise and regard as successful is but one kind. Why should we exaggerate any one kind at the expense of the others?" (853)
This makes me think of North American consumerism. The emphasis we have on "keeping up with the Jones's." And the idea that we so often meaure success in the length of our white picket fence and the square footage of our houses, rather than in the time spent investing in the lives of others. The boxes we paint ourselves into can be rather small and cramped sometimes, I think. Because success is far more than what we tend to focus on, and I really think that we must be losing out on some amazing ideas and people because of this.
"Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things." (871)
Wow, Thoreau really knew what he was talking about here! In the age of computers, television, the internet, we have so many distractions. So many pretty toys and playthings. And we use them (or at least, I know I use them) to forget, to distract, to avoid. And yet they're used for so much good too. Like text messaging donations for survivors of the disaster in Haiti. And raising awareness of crucial problems like hunger and AIDS. They create connections across borders and cultures, which shows that they can be more than just toys. More than just distractions. They can be valuable tools and agents for change. It just depends on how we use them, I guess.
I'll admit that I struggled to make heads or tails of Emerson's Nature. I left the reading filled with thousands of questions and no answers. As we discussed it in class, things began to make more sense. What struck me the most, though, was the idea of creative perception.
I suppose I relate most to the idea of nature as beauty. I've always loved looking at whatever scenery was placed in front of me on long car rides. Well, with the possible exception of the Saskatchewan prairie. Anyone who's driven through it will know what I mean. Although I have still managed to find several beautiful places there, so I think that should tell you my feelings about creative perspective.
I grew up near the mountains and my family often traveled four hours to Banff on school breaks. They are truly breathtaking. Majestic and strong, they are my favorite vacation destination. I would love to live near them again someday. I've also been to the ocean several times, and the vastness of it always amazes me. I've never felt so small, as when I'm standing on the beach.
These sights are truly awe-inspiring, but I think there's a quiet beauty in the prairie too. In the soft hills and fields, and lush groves of trees in the grass that can be seen from the highway. I spent the summer in Kansas and did a lot of driving (most times I was actually the passenger, which gave me time to appreciate the view from the car window) and I can honestly say that I think it's beautiful. Yes, the beauty of Kansas is quite different than the mountains or the ocean. But the peaceful, unassuming nature of wheat and corn fields across the countryside is also a worthy sight in it's own right. I don't know if it's the way the land stretches on, uninterrupted, or the greenness of fields that have been watered by the rain, or the way the colors blend into vast stretches of canvas, or how the sky seems to stretch on forever. Or maybe it's the combination of all of this that I love looking at.
But whatever it is, it's beautiful just the same.
I suppose I relate most to the idea of nature as beauty. I've always loved looking at whatever scenery was placed in front of me on long car rides. Well, with the possible exception of the Saskatchewan prairie. Anyone who's driven through it will know what I mean. Although I have still managed to find several beautiful places there, so I think that should tell you my feelings about creative perspective.
I grew up near the mountains and my family often traveled four hours to Banff on school breaks. They are truly breathtaking. Majestic and strong, they are my favorite vacation destination. I would love to live near them again someday. I've also been to the ocean several times, and the vastness of it always amazes me. I've never felt so small, as when I'm standing on the beach.
These sights are truly awe-inspiring, but I think there's a quiet beauty in the prairie too. In the soft hills and fields, and lush groves of trees in the grass that can be seen from the highway. I spent the summer in Kansas and did a lot of driving (most times I was actually the passenger, which gave me time to appreciate the view from the car window) and I can honestly say that I think it's beautiful. Yes, the beauty of Kansas is quite different than the mountains or the ocean. But the peaceful, unassuming nature of wheat and corn fields across the countryside is also a worthy sight in it's own right. I don't know if it's the way the land stretches on, uninterrupted, or the greenness of fields that have been watered by the rain, or the way the colors blend into vast stretches of canvas, or how the sky seems to stretch on forever. Or maybe it's the combination of all of this that I love looking at.
But whatever it is, it's beautiful just the same.
I had never read the story of Rip Van Winkle before it was assigned in class; however, I remember hearing references to it at different times while I was growing up. While I don't know exactly what I expected from the story, I did have expectations before reading it. I suppose I thought it would be an exciting story, mainly focusing on Rip's experiences after his 20 year slumber.
Those who have read the story know that this is not the case. Although it does discuss the changes which occured during the American Revolution (the time period Rip missed while sleeping), most of the story focuses on Rip's earlier life. I didn't enjoy this piece of writing as much as I expected to, or as much as I wish I would have. While I think it provides interesting commentary on the changes in America which occured through the Revolutionary War, I wasn't particularly fond of the story and I wasn't drawn into it like I expected to be.
That said, I did enjoy the contrast between the first and second time periods in the story. I can't help but think about how strange and bizarre it would be (really, quite unbelievable) to experience what Rip does. Rip awoke to a whole new country, and with that change came cultural changes too. A new leader, new holiday, and new freedom for self-government.
How much more, though, would the world change if someone awoke today from 20 years of sleep? Our society has seen enormous change in the past 20 years. 1990. That's 20 years ago. No internet, cell phones, smart cars, or reality TV (although, If I had my choice, I'd prefer to go back to the 90's on this one). The scope of these changes (well, at least the first 2 - I don't want to give reality TV that much credit) has affected society all over the world. Can you imagine waking up to this? I can't.
It all makes me wonder, what changes will we see in the next 20 years? Will they be as great as the ones we've just experienced, or similar to the ones Rip Van Winkle sees? or will they be smaller? I don't know.
...I guess we'll all just have to wait and see.
Those who have read the story know that this is not the case. Although it does discuss the changes which occured during the American Revolution (the time period Rip missed while sleeping), most of the story focuses on Rip's earlier life. I didn't enjoy this piece of writing as much as I expected to, or as much as I wish I would have. While I think it provides interesting commentary on the changes in America which occured through the Revolutionary War, I wasn't particularly fond of the story and I wasn't drawn into it like I expected to be.
That said, I did enjoy the contrast between the first and second time periods in the story. I can't help but think about how strange and bizarre it would be (really, quite unbelievable) to experience what Rip does. Rip awoke to a whole new country, and with that change came cultural changes too. A new leader, new holiday, and new freedom for self-government.
How much more, though, would the world change if someone awoke today from 20 years of sleep? Our society has seen enormous change in the past 20 years. 1990. That's 20 years ago. No internet, cell phones, smart cars, or reality TV (although, If I had my choice, I'd prefer to go back to the 90's on this one). The scope of these changes (well, at least the first 2 - I don't want to give reality TV that much credit) has affected society all over the world. Can you imagine waking up to this? I can't.
It all makes me wonder, what changes will we see in the next 20 years? Will they be as great as the ones we've just experienced, or similar to the ones Rip Van Winkle sees? or will they be smaller? I don't know.
...I guess we'll all just have to wait and see.
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