the last of 2009

Even though I posted two blogs yesterday and not many before that this holiday, I have been thinking about them a lot. Basically I am getting nowhere, I am finding really difficult to find much to say without our weekly classes. For one we aren’t learning anything new and when you aren’t exposed to something it is hard to come up with new ideas. I find myself going over the same ideas over and over again and not finding anything new. Although I am enjoying this holiday, I find myself looking forward to class next week. Hopefully it will get rid of my writers block! As a result, I think this will be my last post for the holidays, unless I am struck by a wave of genius or find something interesting during my travels. So to all of you HAPPY NEW YEARS!!! See you next week! (It’s scary how fast it went by!)

a really good book

I really really like this picture:)

I think it really speaks to the comfort a piece of literature can give you. A good book, can be the best comfort sometimes. However, it can also be many other things too...

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy. ~Edward P. Morgan

words words words

I have been thinking a lot about diction lately. I was in a conversation a little while ago where the word good was used to describe too different levels of good. We were talking about the misconceptions people had with these levels of good. Really they were very different, one being pure and perfect, the other was more of a try your best idea. But because both states were described by the same description word, there seemed to be no difference between the two. This kind of misconception happens more frequently now that I am aware of these kinds of confusions. These kinds of misconceptions highlight just how important diction really is, which links back to the creation of a word and its fluidity. Because the use of words is an agreement, this confusion stems from the agreed meaning of each word. Along with the lack of communication to the meanings that are being implied. Good is on a spectrum, therefore it means many different things, without clarifying the meaning a conversation can be very baffling.

something i found...

I found this on my friends facebook page...

If I was that teacher I have no idea how I would responed to that.

Good Bye to the Jar

I know this is my second blog of the night but I have another thought process I would like to follow...
I was thinking about “Anecdote of a Jar”. I agree with some of my fellow classmates who have just about had it with this poem, but I also think Dr. Pound made a good point today about how it is good to look at one poem with so many theories. I am going to be frank with you, this poem is not one of my favourites. I still remember the frustration that came with the first assignment with it. It was so abstract, yet we were supposed to find meaning from it? Yet we all did it, and we thought we had put the jar behind us.
However, two weeks later it showed up again. This time I followed a similar idea to the first one I had written about and I thought it was a good idea to have us look at a poem from two separate angles. So, I guess I came to terms with the idea.
But on the third time I remember sitting thinking how are we supposed to come up with something new? I remember sitting on my couch trying to write this essay and I was SO frustrated because I kept arriving at similar ideas to the ones I had previously written about. I suppose there is nothing wrong with that besides that fact I felt there was nothing left there to write about. I eventually did come up with something different. I however, came to a unified theme during the psychoanalysis essay. I understand how it’s not supposed to happen, but I felt really good about my argument. Maybe it just didn’t fit with the theory; I guess I’ll have to wait to find out. Regardless, it was this perceived success meat with being told it was not as great idea as I thought it was that added to my frustration.
And then I thought about it. Even though I am ready to say good bye to the jar, I think looking at this poem so many times strengthened our abilities to use the theories. When we use a new theory with a new work, it’s all so new it’s hard to know if we are going in the right direction. But in using the same poem time and time again there was a sense of familiarity. Although we, at least I know I don’t, get it right every time it’s at least a little easier to see where you’ve done a wrong.
So it with these ideas I say thank you and good bye to the jar.

Refreshing Theory

I really, really enjoyed today’s class. I found the texts I had read so far pretty easy to understand. I think. However, I found today’s class explained them even better. For the most part I think I get this theory and it is quite a refreshing feeling:). Dr. Pound was really good at explaining the theory, especially in the sense of the real world. Connecting it to how we felt about our life situations really solidified some of the ideas for me. Although I never really liked Marxism, I think I’m starting to understand it. Which is funny because I remember last year we learnt about it in Sociology, History, English and Social Work. I was, for the most part, Marxismed out. But the look at the theory this year is an eye-opener to how it’s applied. It is one thing to understand the theory or where it originates from and another to be able to apply it. As a result, I am rather looking forward to the upcoming essay.

I don't really think I have more to say on this right now, other than I am looking forward to expanding the knowledge in Thursday's class.

penis envy, thought process and dreaming

So here are my thoughts so far on Psychoanalysis....
First off, I never took Intro to Psychology. Therefore my knowledge of Freud is very limited coming into this course. When I first read Klages’ article I was not thrilled with the whole penis envy thing. For me the basics in Freud’s theory is really hard to get my head around. No wonder women were in a lesser role with theories like this kicking around. However, I will agree with the fact that without this we would not be where we are today and I do get some of his dream analysis.
I think I agree with psychoanalysis and dream interpretation. There is this girl, and we used to be friends. Now she hates my guts and liked to make my life unpleasant. Anyway...recently I became slightly obsessed about the whole things and I was mad at myself for not confronting the issue sooner. All I could think about for days was this confrontation and then I started to have dreams about her. Sometimes it was similar to how life is, sometimes I confronted her and sometimes it was completely arbitrary. Finally I had a dream that we resolved our issues and you know what? The issue stopped bothering me. So I think our dreams are a way our conscious and unconscious works through issues.
On another note...Today I discovered my conscious thought process is like the one that is described for the unconscious. Normally when I’m having a conversation I have to explain how I relate my topics. To the people I am talking with the conversations sometimes seem all over the map, but it makes sense to me. My links are not always obvious but they are there. Exactly how Dr. Pound was explain signifiers.
Finally...So I think I understand Freud, however Lacan’s articles were extremely confusing to me. I am unsure of where to being with this essay...I hope I’m not the only one!!

how they get us....

Something I’ve noticed since our class on Tropicana is that so many organisations use binary opposites in their advertising. Here are some examples...
A&P: we’re fresh obsessed. By bringing our attention to the fact that fresh is at the center they are alluding to the fact that they are not un-fresh. We wouldn’t realise how fresh it is we didn’t know what it wasn’t.
Pet Valu: Better Pet Nutrition. By saying better nutrition we are drawn to think of the foods that are not as good for our pets. When we read this slogan we immediately think of the food that is not so good, and therefore go in and buy the better nutrition.
MasterCard: There are some things money can’t buy. For everything else there’s MasterCard. The structure here would probably be value, and by allowing us to think about the things, like spending time with loved ones and making snow angels, we are wrapped up in the idea. As a result we send credit on things to fulfill these needs.
I don’t know if I have these ideas completely right, but I know I have noticed that many organisations use this technique in advertising.

Aha!!!

On Sunday I found binary opposites that exist outside of Theory class. I was in church and during one of the prayers we were praying for the poor and wealthy, men and women etc. I had an Aha! moment when I realized they were binary opposites. So I was super excited I had found my blog topic for the week. The only thing with these binary opposites is that some of them were opposite to how society had them classified. For example, society would say the binary opposite was wealthy/poor people. The center of this being wealthy. However, in the Church the two words are switched and it becomes poor/wealthy. Therefore, the Church believes that for this binary opposite the poor people are at the center. I am not really sure why this is.
I assume it is because the Church is supposed to be a more loving, caring community. Therefore poor people are not viewed as a nuisance, but as people. Jesus also didn’t judge people based on wealth. Maybe this is why the poor side of the binary opposite is the center.
I’m not really sure what I am trying to get at here but I know three things: every institution in society has binary opposites, depending on what the institution is depends on what side is the center and I was able to relate the class to the OUTSIDE WORLD. (I’m very excited about this).
As a side note the sermon for that day was partly on interpretation, honestly it felt kind of like Theory classJ:)

difficult

So for some reason writing this essay was extremely difficult for me. When I got to class i was worried that nothing i wrote about would be discussed and my worst, failing fears, would be confirmed. Instead I arrived in class to an introduction on difficulty. This is a talk I never thought I would hear coming from one of my University Professors. For some reasons I have this view that in University you are left to the wolves, and your own devises. Probably because that’s the feeling that was opposed on me in high school and it is hard to shake. Needless to say I was excited to see the topic of difficulty openly discussed today. It made me feel that maybe my Profs do understand what we’re going through.
I will argue, however, that complaining can be productive. Sometimes if I’m really worked up on a piece of work I have to do I need to vent. If I don’t vent my mind will never be able to focus at the task at hand. This is when calling my mom or my boyfriend comes into effect. I’ll have my rant about how I don’t get it, or the expectations are unclear (not in this class of course) and then I’ll start to bounce ideas about the project. Before I know it I’ve gone from complaining to my outline in one swift shot.
A couple points on what Dr. Pound said.
a) Writing is thinking. What a profound thought!!
b) Think process not product. Between this and writing is thinking, I may have just been given the answer to my procrastinating problems
c) I think about a piece of work, what I want to say etc but am so wrapped up on the end result I don’t start writing. I’m definitely going to try these two ideas for the next essay
One final thought, Dr Pound is completely right...my room is cleanest right before an exam.

music, cats and tirangles

In Claude Levi-Strauss’ article “The Structural Study of Myth’ I found one of the most interesting area, and the one that stands out the most, is how he divides myths. He has them separated into columns and rows. To me this organisation makes perfect sense. The columns are grouped into like events, characteristics, symbols etc. When reading the rows left-right you and read the story in sequence. This relates exactly to the musical elements of melody and harmony. I have a little musical background, and the combination of two passions, literature and music, has opened the door to understanding a little more about myths. With the combination of rows and columns you are given the whole myth, insides and out, with all its twists and turns. Just as in music, melody and harmony are combined to create a beautiful piece of music. When analyzing a myth these interlocking aspects enable a myth to be taken apart and put back together flawlessly, just like a puzzle.

As I start to think about the essay do next week one aspect of Structuralism seems to stand out for me. The fact that the word cat is the word cat because it is not bat, or hat or mat, that there is no connection to the word and the creature that begs me for food. I don’t know why this aspect keeps popping out in my mind. I think it could be because it is the opposite of what I believed to be the connection of meanings to their words. I always assumed there would be a specific kind of connection. The idea it is what it is for what it is not just boggles my mind. It is almost like the process of elimination was in affect. If a cat was named first, the word cat could not be assigned to a dog. Who would of thought I could be typing on a cat and petting my computer with his method.

The idea of words having no connection to other words brings up another point. If there is no connection between a word and its meaning what is the deal with words like, triangle. Tri means three and angle ``is the amount of rotation needed to bring one line or plane into coincidence with another, generally measured in radians or in degrees, minutes, and seconds″, which is read as 12 degrees, 10 minutes, and 30 seconds``. So, the word triangle and the meaning are connected. Not just connected by elimination, but by a direct link of meaning to word. This is the case of many words in the English. The original Latin of some words could stand up to a Structural interpretation, however the English cannot.

angle definition from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/angle

this and that...

First off, HAPPY THANKSGIVING:)

For some reason this week I’m having a very difficult time coming up with a blog topic...So I think I’ll just take about my thoughts for this week’s classes.
I thought the class discussion on “Anecdote of a Jar” was pretty insightful. At first I was worried I was way off the mark with my close reading. But, by the end of the class I think we all shared something in common with what we interpreted the poem as, even if that commonality was taking the opposite stance on a viewpoint. Also, I think having this discussion after the paper was due was a great idea, because we all had solidified our thoughts about this poem, so we all had something to say, or at least think.
As for the random Act of Poetry, I thought that was pretty cool. Personally, I’ve never heard of them before but I think the concept is a good one. I think my favourite reading was Duncan’s second poem, with the microphone. I think it is because I am a fan of organised nonsense. I really hope they are getting a good reaction all over Thunder Bay!
As for Thursday’s class on Structuralism, I thought Dr. Pound broke down the ideas in an easy to grasp manor. When I was introduced to Structuralism in one of my classes last year some of the ideas were clear, but overall it was pretty fuzzy. Between our two readings and Dr. Pound’s explanation I think the majority of the information is pretty clear. However, don’t quote me on that, we’ll have to see at application time.

quick thought...

So, I was thinking, there were the two sides: the ones who bellieved in absolute truths and those that believed you brought something of your own to every truth. Scientific fact would be considered an absolute truth then, right? The how do they justify the discovery of new facts and the change of old ones as a result of more research?

I think what was being said in class about how science was full of rhetoric is right on the money.

I really don't to much to say on this that wasn't covered in class...

ups and downs of interpretation

Hello all,

I know this boy and he loves rollercoaster’s, and I mean LOVE. Today when we were talking about interpretation this is who I thought of. He has such a love for the ride, and the thrill of it, he will literally go on the ride over and over and over again. However, if he were to interpret the rollercoaster and the ride I think his experience would be lessened. Therefore, some things are just not meant to be interpreted. (I know we interpret living things, but just go with me here). When you are on a rollercoaster you are enjoying the ride; the speed, the thrill, the ups and downs. It’s pure enjoyment or pure terror for some. Now, if you started to interpret the coaster; things like why it made you feel like it did, how it works, what does the ride mean to you, the pure thrill/joy is lost. This drastically changes your rollercoaster experience and it would cause the boy I’m thinking of to go on another ride.

I’m not against interpretation; I think that for some things it creates more enjoyment. That it gives you more than you would have gotten at face value. However, I think some things in life are like rollercoaster’s and the interpretation would just be a kill-joy.

I could be off my rocker here, but it was just a thought I had to get out.

just another thought...

The young housewife (William Carlos Williams)

To go along with the stealth idea that was being batted around class, I couldn’t help but think that another representation of this poem could be that she was a prostitute and this was her client or a passerby. In the second verse it is stated she is “standing on a corner”, which normally has the implication that the woman in question is a prostitute. Also the house wife, being in her “negligee”, supports the idea of a sexual encounter. Then there is her calling out to other men, the ice-man, fish-man etc. Could that be her calling out to other prospects?

Subsequently, there is the comparison of her to a leaf and then the car crushes the leaves. This comparison followed by a violent action could be viewed as, Dr. Pound suggested, as the killing of her, or it could be viewed as male domination over her and the crushing of her spirit (which I guess is kind of the same thing). Also, she was not only compared to a leaf, but to a “fallen leaf”, which could be exchanged for a fallen woman. As for the car, it got away noiselessly which goes hand-in-hand with the idea of soliciting being a taboo subject. Finally, in regards to the husband, it never states he’s home, and if he wasn’t he would not be in the way of her prostitution.

Just another thought:)

what's next?

hello all!

During or discussion in class on Thursday there was one point that really stood out for me. Religion was what held society together. It kept the lower and middle classes in line, provided a moral code, and created a sense of nationality. However, with the Scientific Revolution and the Industrial Revolution the focus became on more secular things. Religion was once the glue that held a nation together and it was drying up. Then came literature, it also kept the bourgeoisies and proletariat in line, provided a moral code and a sense of nationalism. There was one thing Literature had that Religion didn’t and that was a strong tie to the secular world. As we have discussed in class, studying literature became the study of all things human, and humans were very real. But like Religion, Literature soon lost its appeal and we are left with what? This is my question, what, in our time, it the equivalent of this national glue?

It is not that literature and religion are not important in today’s society. There are many communities were they are both very prominent things. However, neither invoke a sense of nationalism, or offer a code that everyone could live by. I feel a little let down knowing there isn’t this grand force that could hold a nation together. But the more I thought about it the more I think I have decided that communication and the mass media is our glue.

The accessibility of email, facebook, texting, phone calls, video calls etc is literally at our fingertips. This ability to connect with anyone is holding friends and families together, which in turn is holding friends and families together, and so on and so forth. In a sense or nation is connected by the connections of individuals. This connection forces everyone to be under a kind of microscope of social expectations and moral standards. As we communicate we are being watched and judged and wondered about by other people and this knowledge that people are thinking about us in this sense forces us to follow a moral code. The mass media also plays a part in providing a moral code. Through the media societal norms are created and broadcasted. This twinning of communication and mass media are keeping society in line.

I may be totally off on the wrong point here, but I think there has to be something holding us together, like religion and literature did. In our modern age I think it is quite possible that glue comes in the form of technology.

getting started

Hello there!!

I don't know about you guys, but I never thought that keeping a blog would be incorporated into my academic studies. Orignally I didn't quite know what to make of it. I think some weeks the writing may come a little slower then others however, I am looking forward to these weekly entries.

I'm sure many of you have read the Chronicles of Narnia or at least seen the movies. I love them! I think it is the idea of a separate world that entertains me so much. When I was little my mom read the series to me, and ever since then the lamppost has become a focal point. It was the lamppost that enabled the four siblings to find this new world and at the same time it brought them back to reality. In a sense it was the key that opened the doorway between two worlds. I hope this course and for me, at least, this blog helps to find that key to the other side of the lamppost, to a broader understanding of theory.

Well I guess that's all for now, good luck to everyone!