My 3 Questions

1. Compare Rip Van Winkle's life before he fell asleep to his life when he woke. How has it changed? Is it better or worse for him?

2. Do you believe that the Usher mansion contributed to the demise of the Usher family dynasty? If so, in what way?

3. Compare Alcott's characters "Jo" and "Beth." Even though they are sister, both are very different.

My 7 Quotes

1. Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Nature, in the common sense, refers to essences unchanged by man; space, the air, the river, the leaf."
2. Edgar Allen Poe: "...I saw the mighty walls rushing asunder/and the deep and dark tarn at my feet closed sullenly and silently over the fragments of the "House of Usher."
3. Washington Irving: "On waking, he found himself on the green knoll whence he had first seen the old man of the glen."
4. Nathaniel Hawthorne: "...the exquisite texture of its wings brushed against the early medium; and a sparkle or two, as of stardust, floated downward and lay glimmering..."
5. Herman Melville: "I would prefer not to."
6. Herman Melville: "Follow your leader."
7. Alcott: "...they will be loving children to you, will do their duty faithfully, fight their bosom enemies bravely, and conquer themselves so beautifully that when I come back to them I may be fonder and prouder than ever of my little women."

My Poem Reading- To a Waterfowl, William Cullen Bryant

7- Bartleby the Scrivner (Revised)

Don't you hate it when people ask you to do something and you don't want to do it, but you do it anyway? What if everyone could all be like Bartleby the progtagonist of Herman Melville's short story "Bartleby the Scrivener?" When your parents ask you to clean your room, you say "I would prefer not to." (1374) Or when your boss asks you to turn in paperwork before a deadline, you could say "I would prefer not to." What kind of person would you be if you did nothing?

Bartleby did just that...nothing. He didn't eat. He didn't feel. He didn't work. He had no identity other than "Bartleby, the scrivener." (1363) His attitude and perception of life didn't allow him to be a functional human being. Would you consider a person like Bartleby, who is nonfunctional and vegetative, to be a human being or just an empty body just floating through life?

I believe Bartleby is Melville's way of telling people to examine their lives. Are we "Bartleby" or are we human beings? I think that feeling life is the best part of being human. Don't be just an empty body. Be present and truly live.

6-Herman Melville (Revised)

Herman Melville’s Moby Dick has several elements in common with southern sperm whale fishery legends of the 19th century. For this reason, critics have disputed the originality of Melville’s novel. After reading both Moby Dick and the sperm whale fishery legends, I believe that Melville’s book was an original work that was only inspired by the whaling legends. I think that a combination of Melville’s personal experiences and philosophical beliefs provided the true basis for his novel Moby Dick.

The amount of knowledge Melville gained through years of working as a harpooner and common sailor can be seen throughout his novel. In the first chapters, the narrator (Ishmael) describes his environment with intricate detail. He sees things that only a person with sailing experience could see. For example, one morning at breakfast Ishmael makes these observations about his fellow “whalemen.”

“You could pretty plainly tell how long each one had been ashore. This young
fellow’s healthy cheek is like a sun-toasted pear in hue, and would seem to
smell almost musky; he cannot have been three days landed from his Indian
voyage. That man next looks a few shades lighter; you might say a touch satin
wood is in him. In the complexion of a third still lingers a tropic tawn, by
slightly bleached withal; he doubtless has tarried whole weeks ashore.”
(McMichael, 1343)

This description could have only been written by a person who has been exposed to the maritime living and foreign lands. Melville had knowledge of the Southern Seas and knowledge of working whaling vessels. The more than two years of his life spent aboard the whaler Acushnet allowed him to experience the places Ishmael describes in Moby Dick. How would a person identify the smells and effects of a particular place without ever experiencing it for themselves? For this reason, I believe first hand experience not sperm whale legends helped Melville to create the believable, yet fictional situations in his novel Moby Dick.

Owen: the artist of the Beautiful

Being a "closet" artist myself, I found the problems facing Owen Warland in Hawthorne's Artist of the Beautiful, relatable. I know artists have anxiety when they present their work to people. I understand an artist's insecurities-not knowing whether viewers will appreciate a piece. However, an artist must keep in mind that art is subjective. Not all people like all artwork.

In Owens case, no one liked any of his artwork. Even after five years of pouring his soul into making a butterfly, no one saw its beauty. Robert Danforth the blacksmith calls Owen's time "wasted." saying "there is more real use in one downright blow of my sledge-hammer." 1146 It was Danforth's infant son who destroyed Owen's masterpiece. Even though his work seemed ruined and unappreciated, Owen was proud of himself.

He "rose high enough to achieve the Beautiful, the symbol by which he made it
perceptible to mortal senses became of little value in his eyes, while his
spirit possessed itself in the enjoyment of Reality." 1147

5- "Nature never wears a mean appearance." (Revised B)

In his "Nature" essay, Emerson claims "Nature never wears a mean appearance." (952) I find that hard to believe. What kind of face was nature wearing when hurricane Katrina hit in 2005 or when Thailand was washed away the tsunami in which thousands of people died? The truth is, that nature CAN be mean: it can kill and destroy. And I think Edgar Allen Poe, unlike Emerson, would agree with me.

Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher," is a clear example of nature wearing "a mean appearance." Roderick Usher blamed nature for cursing his family and making him into a tortured soul. He believed the demonic nature of his home had "for centuries/moulded the destinies of his family.'' (926) Roderick thought the house was "enchanted by certain supersitious impressions/ he said, obtained over his spirit."(922) The evil Nature living within the walls of his mansion kept him a prisoner of "FEAR." (922) In the end, nature in the form of Usher's twin sister blasts through the door with "superhuman energy," murders Rodrick bringing an end to the cursed Usher Dinesty. (931)

Poe saw that Nature could be dark. The thought of nature being cheerful and never "mean" is laughable. A quick look at the world around us will prove my point.

"Versus"

While reading works from different authors it is easy to make comparisons. I have gathered a few comparisons of my own that I would like to share with you. They are as follows:

1.) Mary Rowlandson's relationship with her captives versus Linda's relationship with Dr. Flint and his family in "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl"

2.) Johnathon Edwards and Mary Rowlandson's "lack of self worth" religious beliefs versus the grandmother's and Linda's feelings of strong self awareness in "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl"

3.) The emotional abuse Linda experienced versus Fredrick Douglas's physical abuse and what effect it had on them and the people around them.

"Quotes to know"

"We had Husband and Father, and Children, and Sisters, and Friends and Relations, and House, and Home, and many Comforts of this Life: but now we may say as Job, Naked came I out of my Mother's Womb, and naked shall I return: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, Blessed be the Name of the Lord." -Mary Rowlandson pg.221

"Thus he whose tender mercies are over all his works hath placed a principle in the human mind which incites to exercise goodness toward every living creature; and this being singly attended to, people become tenderhearted and sympathizing, but being frequently and totally rejected, the mind shuts itself up in a contrary disposition."-John Woolman pg.257

"My wickedness, as I am in myself, has long appeared to me perfectly ineffable and swallowing up all thought and imagination like an infinite deluge or mountains over my heard. I know not how to express better what my sins appear to me to be, than heaping infinite up infinite, and multiplying infinite by infinite."-Johnathon Edwards pg.275

"In reality there is perhaps no one of our natural Passions so hard to subdue as Pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as such as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself."-Ben Franklin pg.385

"When I met with any boy who I knew could write, I would tell him I could write as well as he." -Fredrick Douglas pg.1541

"Why should we live with such hurry and waste of life? We are determined to be starved before we are hungry."- Henry David Thoreau pg.1682

"These God-breathing machines are no more, in the sight of their masters, than the cotton they plant, or the horses they tend."-Harriet Jacobs pg.2014

"It avails not, time nor place-distance avails not."-Walt Whitman pg.2183

2-"My Thirteen Virtues" (FINAL)

Inspired by Ben Franklin's list of virtues and precepts, I wrote my own list
you can read them in the blog that follows this blog. I listed "Patience" as my first virtue because as a mother I should be tolerant and with-standing. Raising children requires a steady, but patient hand. I am also familiar with difficult work outside the home. My career and studies take time to accomplish. However, when parenthood and the normal trials of life begin to overwhelm and I feel my patience my soon fail, I pause and give "Thanks" for my blessing (the second virtue on my list). I believe all lives are gifts, and I thank Him for allowing me to have such a fulfilled one.

"Respect" was third on my list. I respect God, myself, and others. I find that when I show others respect, I receive respect in return. I treat people with the dignity that I believe every human being deserves. I am not "Prejudice" in regard to their ideals or appearance. We were all created special in the eyes of God, therefore I intend to treat everyone in that manner.

Alexander Pope wrote to "To err is human." That is why "Forgiveness," my fourth virtue, is so imperative. Forgiveness allows us to address, learn, and move past our mistakes. Forgiveness is a powerful action that can cleanse your soul or eat you alive.

Reasonable decision making is also imperative therefore, "Reason" is my seventh virtue. I was taught as a child that what I do today will effect me tomorrow. I still stand by that thought. When I making any decision I think of who it will effect. Whether the repercussions are positive or negative, I consider my "Limit" and use moderation. I make decisions that I know will bring "Honor" to myself and my family. As a parent and a child I am aware that my actions not only reflect on me, but also on the ones closest to me.

Great pressure was also applied to me during childhood to be successful, and the way to become successful is through "Knowledge." For centuries women have struggled to create a way for themselves and other women to have an education. I take advantage of the opportunities those women have provided me. That's why I listed "knowledge" as my tenth virtue.


These virtues can be arduous and difficult to follow; but if I get discouraged, I "Rest." I rest my mind, by body, and my soul to achieve the "Serenity" I identified as my eleventh virtue. I believe everyone should take time out of their day for themselves only. A quiet 10 minutes alone can be just enough to revive and rejuvenate.

The last virtue, "Love," is without question the most important. Above all things I do in my life, I "Love." I love myself, my family, my career, and country. I love my child unconditionally and she will learn to love the same. I love my career, therefore I excel. I love my country, and therefore I sacrifice.

The 13 virtues I listed are simple rules of conduct that I make an effort to uphold everyday. Unlike Franklin, I didn't make these rules as away to make myself feel superior. In fact, I made them for the completely opposite reason. I maintain these virtues for the ones around me. So that they may feel important, loved, and respected. They help keep my "Priorities" in check and force me to a better person. Maybe if Franklin would have considered the ones around him more, then he might have been better equipped to uphold his 13 virtues.

4-Influences on Herman Melville's "Moby Dick" (FINAL)

At the time Herman Melville wrote "Moby Dick," the major occurrence in his life was his friendship with Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne's wife, Sophia, observed their relationship saying "Mr. Melville, generally silent and uncommunicative, pours out the rich floods of his mind and experience to [Hawthorne], so sure of apprehension, so sure of a large and generous interpretation, and of the most delicate and fine judgment." The two's friendship and appreciation of one another was proven by Melville in the dedication of "Moby Dick"to Hawthorne where he inscribed, "In token of my admiration for his genius."

On the surface, these two writers had little in common. However, one of the links between them was the sea. Melville spent much more time at sea than his friend. For over 2 years, he was employed as a harpooner. During this time he heard wild stories of the Southern Sperm Whale Fisheries. These legends have simularities to "Moby Dick." They tell of notably larger and uniquely colored whales, claiming these phantom whales bring bad omens and that any encounter with them was always deadly.

If I wrote a paper on what I felt influenced Herman Melville's"Moby Dick" the most, I would pick either his friendship with Hawthorne or the fishery legends about mysteriously powerful whales. I believe they were both major factors to its success.

3-" Promise to a Friend" Harriet Jacobs (FINAL)

"The honor of a slave holder to a slave!"

This statement could be the theme behind Harriet Jacobs' "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl." Her narrative begins and ends with promises made between a master and a slave. The broken promises kept her captive and the honored promise set her free.

On her death bed, Jacobs' mother was promised by her master, that Harriet and her siblings "should never suffer for anything." (2013) During her mistress' life, the promise was kept. However, upon the mistress' death, instead of being protected, Linda was willed to the Flint family (the first promise broken.)

The Flint family tortured, emotionally battered, and nearly "broke" the young slave's spirit. Her major oppressor in the Flint home was Dr. Flint. He introduced the innocent teenager into a life of dishonor, disgust, and over all filth. He was a calculating man who manipulated not only Jacobs, but his wife. When his Mrs. Flint became aware of the inappropriate conduct happening between her husband and her slave, she was enraged. She "spoke kindly and promised to protect" (2019) Jacobs from the evil clutches of her husband. Not surprisingly, Mrs. Flint neglected her promise and sabotaged the relationship between Jacobs and her grandmother (second promise broken.)

After an excruciatingly stay in the Flint home, Jacobs was passed to Dr. Flint's sone, who proved just as harsh and his father. To prevent her new master from harming her children, Jacobs went into hiding. She concealed herself under a shed on her grandmother's property. There she stayed for seven years. The years in hiding did not discourage Dr. Flint's efforts to find Jacobs. He once threatened Jacobs' grandmother saying, "his heirs should hold me in slavery after her was gone, that I never should be free so long as a child of his survived" (2034)

When Jacobs met Mr. and Mrs. Dodge she was still being hunted my the Flint family and their hired bounty men. Up until this point, Jacobs' life had been plagued with nothing but broken promises. After seeing how the constant running, hiding, and oppression of captivity was effecting their friend, the Dodge family vowed to buy Jacobs from the Flint's and set her free. To Jacobs' gratitude and disbelief, the Dodge's kept their promise. The one thing Jacobs' father and grandmother had worked so hard to accomplished was granted by a family who upheld a promise to a "friend. (2037)

"The honor of a slave holder to a slave" meant nothing to Harriet Jacobs, but the honor between friends meant "Freedom!" (2038)

2-"My Thirteen Virtues"(Revised C)

1.Patience

Have patience at home as a mother and in your endeavors

2.Thanks

Thank your God for your Gifts

3. Respect

If you respect yourself and others it will be reciprocated

4.Prejudice

Judge not. Give everyone and everything deserved opportunity

5.Forgiveness

You forgive, because He forgave.

6.Cleanliness

Keep yourself, your home, and your soul clear and free

7. Reason

Be reasonable in your decisions, for you are not the

only person who suffers when poor decisions are made

8. Limit

Everything in Moderation

9. Honor

Your actions reflect on not only you, but also the ones near to you.

10. Knowledge

Knowledge is power, therefore empower yourself through knowledge.

11. Serenity

A healthy body and mind is a rested one.

12. Prioritize

Keep your priorities accordingly and with just reasoning

13. Love

The bond that unites, saves, and inspires.

1-Conflicted Ben! (Final)

When I compared the list of "virtues," anecdotes, and the personal ideals Benjamin Franklin stated in his autobiography, I found several conflicting ideals.

One of those contradictions centered around his appetite. Being one boy among 12 siblings, all born into poverty, Franklin stated that in his youth he took "little to no notice was taken of what related to the victuals on the table...those matters as to be quite indifferent what kind of food was set before me." (347) However, at the age of 16 after reading a book "recommending a Vegetable Diet," Franklin began "refusing to eat flesh." (351) ) His refusal only lasted until he "reasoned" himself into eating meat once again, a revolving pattern he continued throughout his life.
Franklin also displayed contradicting attitudes toward money, claiming himself frugal, and then loaning out what little money he had to people that he knew could not repay. Franklin declares himself frugal; he even named "Frugality" in his list of "Thirteen Names of Virtues," yet when a friend asked to borrow money he loaned it to him without question.

"Chastity," meaning abstention form unlawful intercourse, was also on Franklin's on list of "Virtues." Not surprisingly, chastity, like so many others, was a broken virtue. During a visit with a lady named Mrs. T., also his friend's companion, Franklin "attempted familiarities which she repuls'd." (371) Later, his friendship with Mrs. T's companion ended, and Franklin could do nothing but proclaim it an "Errata" in the story of his life.

The final contradiction (yet another "Errata" in his life) was Franklin's ever changing thoughts on religion. In Philadelphia, while under the apprenticeship of his brother, Franklin wrote articles expressing his "indescrete disputations about religion." (352) In turn, people began to identify him as an Atheist. A couple paragraphs later, Franklin addresses God, thanks God for his attributes, donates significant contributions to churches in his area, quotes frequently from the Bible, and believes that to "imitate Jesus" was a desirable virtue.

In the end, although he claims he merely has "Floppy Morals," (387) I believe Ben Franklin has a deeply contradictory nature.

"The Autobiography of Ben Fankin"-Ben Franklin

This autobiography is like a window to the past. These are the actual words of Ben Franklin, a Founding Father of our country. I have read a lot of literature about Franklin and seen a lot of programs about him, but to read his words seem amazing to me. When recalling what we all learned in elementary school about Ben Franklin, one would think he was, "all business." This autobiography is quite the opposite. He seems to have a sense of humor and surprisingly displays some sarcasm when discussing events and people he finds unreasonable. His humor makes him seem more human and not just a paragraph in a history book. I found this autobiography to be very enjoyable which was not what I was expecting when Mr. Simpson assigned it in class. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by, "The Autobiography of Ben Franklin."

"To a Waterfowl" -Bryant

A "waterfowl" is defined as a swimming game bird ( a Duck or Goose ) as distinguished from an upland game bird or shorebird.
This poem begins with a man lost in the wilderness at night in pursuit his "solitary way." The man spies a waterfowl flying through the dusk night. Enviously, he ponders over the "Power" that drives the waterfowl to find his lone way without being lost. He describes how the waterfowl prepares for his upcoming flight. And when the his preparations are complete the bird makes way to his "summer home, and rest." At the end, the man emphasizes the importance of the bird to him and how it has taught him a life lesson that "shall not soon depart." It has inspired the man in his own personal journey and will lead him in the right direction.

"A Narrative of the Captivity and Resoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson"

It's strange to me that we are reading this story. Just before school started my fiance and I took a trip to Gatlinburg, TN. We had to drive through the Smokey Mountains to get there. They were so massive that I can't help, but think of how scary and overwhelming they must have looked to the settlers, pioneers, and In the case of our story, Mary Rowlandson. The woman witnessed her family, friends, and townspeople being murdered right in front of her. She held her dying six year old daughter in her arms for nine days until she finally passed. She was kidnapped, starved, and beaten. All the while, she was trekking the Allegheny Mountains in February with the same company of Indians that she saw slaughter her family. I COULD NOT IMAGINE! What a feeling that must have been for her? Standing at the bottom of a freezing mountain, knowing you have no choice, but to travel over it. She said, "One hill was so steep that I was fain to creep up upon my knees, and to hold by the twiggs and bushes to keep my self from falling backward." I thought that drive through the Smokies was scary, I guess I don't know the first thing about scary!

Writers I want to write about!

These are my top 3 choices:

#1 Emily Dickinson- I think the story of Emily Dickinson is interesting. She is such an unusual character that it makes me want to learn more about her.

#2 Edgar Allen Poe-I picked Poe as my number two choice simply because his poems and short stories are well known and talked about regularly. I have read only a couple of his works, but I would like to read more.

#3 Herman Melville- The story of "Moby Dick" is one that I heard as a child. Out of my top three choices, it is probably the most recognized piece of literature.

How "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" by Walt Whitman applies to my life

"And you that shall cross from shore to shore years hence are more to me, and more in my meditations, than you might suppose."-Walt Whitman

My daughter is two years old now and considering the direction in which our society is going, I wonder constantly about her future and the future of her generation. I want her to experience the wonderful things I have experienced in my life. I hope they mean as much to her as they once meant to me. I want her to have a fulfilled life, but be aware that with ups come downs. I want her to know that hard times fell upon me and that they will fall upon her as well, but to be strong in knowing that she is not alone. I want her to have to tools to make the smallest or greatest outcome of whatever situation she may encounter. I encourage her to explore and to take on what the world has to offer. I also encourage the world to challenge her and open her eyes to the glories that are within her grasps everyday. What the future holds for Laurel comes into my thoughts throughout the day and like in Whitman's poem, it is the hope of accomplishment and the wishes of great things that keep me bound to the future.

"Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" Walt Whitman

This was the first time I actually sat down to read a Walt Whitman poem. Whatever you do, don't read it in your bed! If you do, sweet dreams. I felt like he kept going and going. I know my complaint about this poem is generic. I'm sure everyone says the same thing. However, I do think it was awesome how he took something so simple, like a ride on a ferry, and turn it into a poem people will read for ages. I will read over the poem a few more times and hopefully my next blog will have something a little more positive to say!