Author: nespenan

An obvious key theme in Stedman’s text is not only religion but religious experiences and beliefs. Stedman shares his story of how he got to where he his today spiritually. Throughout the text Stedman is discussing religious terms and how those make him feel. “The next day I attended my weekly religion class at Loyola University’s institute of Pastoral Studies, a Jesuit Catholic-run program for priests, nuns and lay leaders. (Stedman 12) Another example of Stedman referring to religious terms would be when he is referencing all the different non religious groups. “I imagined secular folks would be difficult to organize; assembling atheist, agnostics, skeptics, freethinkers and other non religious individuals.” (Stedman 3) Overall Stedman has many themes throughout the text I just believe this is the most prevalent.

A literary technique Stedman uses is relating to the reader. The voice he uses in writing is so personable and easy to relate to. “But I had always hoped that someone might offer a more balanced perspective on religion, locating within the beliefs, desires and actions of religious people similar values held by many nonreligious people.” Here we see a prime example of how Stedman is trying to relate to the readers with his beliefs. I feel allot of people are in the same boat here as Stedman so it is definitely interesting to see this. Overall Stedman uses a very unique writing method in his text, it is effective and pleasant to read as well. I believe Stedman’s point of view is very relate able across the board.

There are many themes that a reader comes into contact with when going through the works of Tomas Rivera. From conveying emotion effectively to the reader to the way he formulates his words and ideas to paint a full picture, he uses a wide array of tactics and techniques to reach his full potential as a writer. Reaching our full potential as students, many of us were able to identify these key themes and explain them well.

One of the first themes pointed out was by mmcnulty, who said that “Rivera depicted the terrible working conditions they had to work in, and how those who were in charge seemed to have no regard for human life…” This point was also resonated through rmcgrai’s blog in the very opening sentence, saying “I believe that Rivera captures the suffering and strength of his people, the Bracero workers…”.

The play on emotions and empathy in the reader’s mind is just one of a few reasons of why people come back to his works after reading, but all of that would be reduced to nothing if it weren’t for the next theme he used: the plot. Emotions are well and good, but without a proper story for which to convey those emotions, the entire piece is rendered useless. Jlohr catches Rivera’s plot usage, saying, “The next device Rivera uses is the plot, the sequence of events that play out for Doña María…” With his storytelling abilities, Rivera is able to bring order to a complex and chaotic world around him, while also making the reader feel like they’re right there with the characters.

Finally, the last big theme many of us keyed in on was the use of faith and how events in one’s life can shake that belief. Dbrowni points this out very well saying that he, “uses his writing to portray his suffering and loss of faith throughout this time period in his life.” This suffering comes from the prejudice and hate the character receives as a Mexican trying to survive in the world. Dbrowni also compares the lives of these characters to a constant struggle by quoting Rivera himself from page 110, “That’s how it is, m’ijo. Only death brings us rest.”

In “The little Burnt Victims” Rivera does a fabulous job of portraying the suffering of migrant workers through the loss of two children. Rivera talks about the determination and commitment of the parents to provide for their children. Overall this chapter of the book has an extremely morose / sad ending but if the reader looks back at the author’s broader implications in the text, they find literary techniques implemented by the author to further enhance the short story.

Throughout the text Rivera uses the vivid imagery to describe scenes in the text. The specificity of the imagery is interesting to analyze. For example when the father let them dress up as boxers and let them fight in the house. “He even stripped them down to their shorts and rubbed a bit of alcohol on their little chests, just like they had seen done in the movie.” (Rivera 95) This shows how the father was very lenient with the children and wanted them to learn how to protect themselves. The mother tells them to stop but the father disagrees with her, telling her “Oh, let them fight. Maybe they’ll learn how to defend themselves.” (River 95) This shows how the father wants his kids to be safe. Rivera does a great job in the beginning of the story setting up the characters.

The first time I read the text I did not see this plot twist coming at all, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. By writing the children’s graphic death in the text he forces the reader to feel uncomfortable and by doing that the reader remembers the story. That is why I actually picked this story, because it was the first one i remembered due to the graphic content. I believe Rivera succeeds in portraying the suffering and the strength and the beauty of the migrant workers, through a style of writing that is brilliant and effective for imprinting a lesson in the reader’s mind.

“Howl” by Allen Ginsberg is packed to the brim with literary significance supported by true statements about the society of the 1950’s. Throughout the entire poem Ginsberg makes these words appear to be gibberish. However if the reader can understand the broader implications of what Ginsberg is trying to get across, then the reader will fully understand. One of the main themes I saw in the text was “Madness” Ginsberg opens up with “I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness” (Ginsberg 1) this concept of madness continues on later in the poem. Ginsberg dedicated this poem to Carl Solomon a man Ginsberg met in Columbia Presbyterian Psychiatric Hospital. Ginsberg believed people that the public generally sees as mentally ill, considers misunderstood geniuses. Another way Ginsberg could have interpreted madness is drug induced madness. Later in the first section of the poem he states “Peyote solidities of halls, backyard green tree cemetery dawns, wine drunkenness over the rooftops, storefront boroughs of teahead joyride neon blinking traffic light, sun and moon and tree vibrations in the roaring winter dusks of Brooklyn, ashcan rantings and kind king light of mind,” (Ginsberg 1) This can be interpreted in the complete opposite way than before, instead of claiming Solomon as this genius he might be hinting at the fact that he was also a drug fueled addict. I enjoy how Ginsberg leaves it up to the reader to believe what they want.

A literary technique used in Howl is using symbols, imagery and wordplay. Throughout the text Ginsberg uses these signs, imagery and wordplay to attract the reader. “angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night,” (Ginsberg 1) Ginsberg gives these vivid images throughout the text and it is effective for catching the reader’s attention!

The first paragraph I decided to talk about is the third paragraph of “Cutting my long hair” from Zitkala-Sa. The School Days of an Indian Girl. The writer is being very descriptive here, using these vivid adjectives to give the reader a beautiful description of what is happening in front of here. Throughout this paragraph the writer is describing what a family dinner looks like from someone who has never been to one. The writer explains how she was confused that everyone was standing then sitting and hanging their heads over their plates. “I heard a man’s voice at one end of the hall, and I looked around to see him. But all the others hung their heads over their plates.” paragraph 3 Cutting my long hair. I don’t believe there is any deeper implications being made here. She is just reporting on what she sees due to the fact that she has no idea what is happening.

The second paragraph I would like to bring up is the last paragraph of “Cutting my long hair”. The author describes how her long hair was cut and how “ I lost my spirit.” Zitkala “Cuttting my long hair” once they cut her hair she describes how the people treat her now, tossing her up in the air like some sort of puppet. She explains how her mother never did that to her, she cried out for her mother but no one came. When the writer said she lost her spirit she is talking about her former self, her personality she was raised on, she no longer was that person anymore. It is interesting how she recollects back to her mother as well. “Not a soul reasoned quietly with me, as my own mother used to do; for now I was only one of many little animals driven by a herder.” Zitkala. The author realized that she was no longer a free spirit but a small insignificant being.

For my first paragraph I have decided to discuss paragraph 14 on the handout Professor Sievers gave us in class. The paragraph is short however it does pack a huge message Emerson is trying to get across to his readers. In Paragraph 14 Emerson discusses the character of Jesus and how he is a respectable person. Emerson goes into detail how Jesus appreciated Moses and the prophets. Throughout the paragraph his tone is very poetic and noble more or less. The final sentence concludes with “Thus is he, as I think, the only soul in history who has appreciated the worth of a man.” Emerson finishes the paragraph by saying that the ‘Character” of Jesus is a good person, however he believes that the “Image” of Jesus is way too overhyped.

For my second paragraph I chose paragraph 15 of Emerson’s essay which explains why he thinks Jesus’s image was so blown out of proportion. He claims in paragraph 15 that “Historical Christianity has fallen and into error that corrupts all attempts to communicate religion.” By claiming that he believes that the idea of Jesus is completely false, that he was this amazing being on earth. He further claims that “with noxious exaggeration about the person of Jesus.” This further explains his belief on how Jesus was not this God like man but more or less just an average human among the crowd. Emerson explains how the church is falsifying the real story of Jesus and who he really was! Emerson concludes his statement by saying no one should strive to be who Jesus was but just strive to be the best you can be.

Between the banter of Haley and Mr. Shelby Mr. Shelby makes a comment about Tom’s loyalty and commitment. He goes on to explain how “Well, Tom’s got the real article, if ever a fellow had,” rejoined the other. “Why, last fall, I let him go to Cincinnati alone, to do business for me, and bring home five hundred dollars.” (Stowe 1) To which Tom replied “I trust you, because I think you’re a Christian—I know you wouldn’t cheat.” (Stowe 1) Now if the reader looks back as to why Stowe put this block of text in the opening chapter they might find some contradictions. By that I mean when Tom refers to Mr. Shelby as a christian man that obviously does not make any sense because Mr. Shelby owns slaves. And why does Stowe mention how loyal Tom is to Mr. Shelby. Stowe had the intentions of finding ways to make slavery seem completely irrational and unjust. But she had to make it extremely subtle, for is she did not her writing would be passed on as just another abolitionist book. I feel Stowe says allot of things that are anti slavery throughout the book however they are hidden and in order to get more eyes on her text she would write pros about slavery in her writing as well.

In chapter nine Mary mentions how she does not know politics but she does have a conscience. “I don’t know anything about politics, but I can read my Bible; and there I see that I must feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the desolate; and that Bible I mean to follow.” (Stowe Chapter 9) This quote from Mary happens when she is arguing with John about harboring runaway slaves. Now I believe that Stowe included this in the text to further show how slavery is cruel and unjust my implementing religion into the factor. To the reader they might see that Mary has a point and they feel guilty about slavery. Stowe’s intentions were to make the reader feel guilt or sorrow towards the slaves. By making Mary seem like this innocent, Christian women it really brings the reader back down to reality.

Overall Stowe had many examples of how she managed to show how slavery was terrible subtlely without losing readers.

A quality that every American should have is humility. Without humility most everyone will become some sort of self righteous attention hog. Humility is essential in our society today, if everyone were to seek attention upon finishing or completing a task the world would be full of childish adults. Humility causes maturity and maturity is essential to have in order to respect one another. Ben Franklin makes multiple examples of why humility should be essential. “This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but after all, do not depend too much upon your own industry, and frugality, and prudence, though excellent things, for they may all be blasted without the blessing of heaven; and therefore ask that blessing humbly.” (Ben Franklin Way to Wealth) Franklin is referring to this doctrine. “Get what you can, and what you get hold;’Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold” Franklin says not to depend entirely on your industry, and frugality and to ask for the blessing humbly. Humility is an important quality every American should exhibit.

I find that Franklin is using a number of ways to persuade his audience to accept his views of humility. He uses everything from extreme satire to narcissism even using humor as well. Franklin claims that humility is extremely important but earlier in the text he demonstrates a his narcissistic style of writing. “This pleasure I have seldom enjoyed; for tho’ I have been, if I may say it without vanity, an eminent author of almanacs annually now a full quarter of a century,” here Franklin “toots his own horn” by saying his almanacs have obtained quite a bit of popularity over the past 25 years. Franklin using this writing style to first catch the attention of the reader however he still believes that humility is essential in America’s society.

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