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Homework Journal #15: A poem applicable to class

Title:An unforgettable journey

1.With the blink of an eye,

2. unfortunately the semester has gone by.

3. As I sit here, I recall

4. the many journeys we've been on.

1. This semester, I have joined a family, that to others, may seem dysfunctional.

2. However, as a member I stand tall and proud proving that this family makes me feel all but uncomfortable.

3. Its sad that its come to an end, but let us come together for a brief moment, one last time

4. and quickly recall the most epic tragedies; for it to be unrecognized on our parts would be a crime.

1."Oh, Juliet!", as Romeo beckons, tragedy knocks the door of our hearts.

2. Little did we know that this tragedy was one where he played the role of a woman of no compare to Juliet's smarts.

3. We've watched this love of two star crossed lovers take the lives of theirs beloved.

4. With their demise, we moved to The Great Gatsby a poor helpless lover he remains forever.

1. From the start of the novel, we knew could its end could be happy never,

2. as reunited with Daisy, he could not remain.

3. With only his death, his love could be tamed.

4.With Gatsby’s departure came ours as well which is truly the tragedy; for our separation is inevitable.

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Homework Journal #14 Lemonade

Beyonce’s “Lemonade” visual album was very unique. After reading Romeo and Juliet and The Great Gatsby, I realized that I tend to focus more on the bigger picture. While watching the video, I picked up on the different hints of water and fire symbolism. For example, after the headline: “Denial”, there was alot of water symbolism to relate back to religion. Just like in Romeo and Juliet, water was a form of baptism. In Beyonce’s “Lemonade”, this baptism connection to water is more evident as in the video the “holy bible” is floating around and acknowledged by her. Another comparison I made was between Beyonce and Daisy. Beyonce says that she tried to “be less awake” such as less aware which is something I believe Daisy tries to do. I compared them because Beyonce’s album’s central concept is the fact that she was “cheated” on. Daisy as well has been cheated on by Tom. As the video progresses we see that Beyonce acknowledges that she knows and finds it unacceptable. Through her song lyrics she evidently states the cheating has got to stop other “he” can “find himself a new wife”. Beyonce has the opposite of Daisy’s oppressed voice. During the video, we hear Malcolm X’s voice as he says that the “black woman” is the most “disrespected” and “unprotected” woman.I was really intrigued by the following lines: “I can wear her skin over mine...her hair...sternum as a bedazzled cone.” Another scene where I was reminded of The Great Gatsby, was when after the “Emptiness”, the setting consisted of a dark hallway with a red light at the end of it. This red light was something that I compared to the “green light” that Gatsby always looks out to. It was really impressive how Beyonce managed to recognize so many issues such as cheating, patriarchal views and the possible looking down/ underestimation of “black women”.

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Homework Journal #13 : Literary Theory, The Great Gatsby & Terry Eagleton

Researching the different existing literary theories was not as easy as I thought as the listing of theories is never ending. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines literary theory as “the body of ideas and methods we use in the practical reading of literature.” I began further researching about the feminist theory/view on things because after reading the short story: “Uncle Wiggily In Connecticut”, which focused more on the woman as an individual, I found it more interesting to focus on Daisy’s lifestyle. Something that I came across was Tyson’s concept on how “biology determines our sex as either male or female and our culture determines whether we are masculine or feminine.” This concept struck me because using what I learned in sociology, gender is a concept whose basis or terms of identification have been set by society. The feminist theory can be applied when looking at how Daisy may have been “oppressed” by social restraints. Eagleton’s Chapter One of How to read Literature was quite attention grabbing because of the with much ease he shows that one thing (the characters of Wuthering Heights) can be interpreted in different ways (not as characters of a book but as real people). Eagleton states about how there is no voiceover in Wuthering Heights to help guide the readers as to what is correct and what is wrong. However, The Great Gatsby has Nick Carraway as what seems to be a trustworthy narrator that can guide us which can serve as an advantage or disadvantage when trying to view the book through a specific lens. The way Prospero’s words were analyzed by Eagleton was an unfamiliar view/interpretation to me. When reading The Tempest, I did not imagine that Prospero’s encouragement of the audience’s applause is so that the fiction of the play is acknowledged.In Chapter One, Eagleton touches upon the idea that we as a class have recently explored which is the idea of how each work relates back to another such as Romeo and Juliet- Hamlet- Moulin Rouge. These connection can be made through books, movies, or even music with the songs that we have listened to recently that relate back to The Great Gatsby. One thing I learned so far from Eagleton’s book is that when there is ambiguity there is more allowance/acceptance for the possible variety of interpretation/theory.

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Homework Journal #12: The Nick in Me

Before I could compare Nick and I, I found it important to first characterize Nick Carraway and then myself through either my personal views or the views of others around me. Nick background is bright as he comes from a pretty well-to-do family but remains very humble personality wise. In other words, his background does not get to him nor makes him ignorant. This is one characteristic I’d like to say that I try to share with Nick. I think that everyone is privileged in some way because there is always someone who has less and therefore we should always try to appreciate who and what we have. I see this type of manner through Nick’s words in The Great Gatsby. Nick also represents a more modern and realistic version of an average person. For example, Daisy can be classified as “the perfect/blindfolded wife”. His archetype versus the other archetypes presented in the book, is one that is more attractive to the reader as well as more appealing. Nick develops himself as he narrates and reveals that unlike those around him “who may refuse to accept reality”, he is one to actually acknowledge the problems at hand and he is not afraid to reveal his flaws. To have flaws and not be perfect is something that I feel not only I share with Nick, but everyone does and that is what makes it so easy for us to compare ourselves to him as well as trust his words. Nick’s unique personality and awareness is what ultimately allows him to be able to speak with Gatsby and understand the man who is hurting behind all the riches and lavish parties. 

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Homework Journal #11: OBJECTIVITY!

To be objective is to “not be influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts”. At times, I can be objective. However, I feel that there is a strong attraction towards not being objective that is always present. As Mahatma Gandhi once said “it's easy to stand in the crowd but it takes courage to stand alone.” In other words, the easiest way out is often following the crowd and therefore it's the path most often chosen. This is what I believe causes/contributes to not only my lack of objectivity but possibly everyone’s. Looking back at Raymond Williams’ Modern Tragedy can relate back to how others react to me. Modern Tragedy helped me understand the concept that there is a lack of communication and interaction between people nowadays which is the tragedy. Personally, I feel that along with a lack of communication there is an abundance of judgement. Living in a judgmental society does not allow for much objectivity and in fact actually causes most people to remain quiet about their true thoughts and therefore in a sense forces them to assimilate with the majority. The fear of being judged or looked at differently can cause a person to lack objectivity. A perfect scenario to describe a situation like this would be a classroom setting. Students tend to follow the majority most of the time even if they are wrong. Sometimes a person may know that they do not agree with a statement or idea they will agree anyways which shows they have a lack of objectivity whether they are aware of it or not. Another example, would be when going into a situation or reading a book after a friend has told you about it. It is almost impossible to not take into consideration what you were told beforehand. As presented in Susan Sontag’s Against Interpretations essay, people tend to look for a explanation they are not foreign to and therefore we take away from what is actually there because of our bias (which may be caused by prior-influence). I don't think many people,including me, can say that they have always been objective and have voiced their opinion to their will. My lack of objectivity depends on the situation. However, now as I think of it and become more self aware, I realize my objectivity represents my opinion and I voicing when I objective something will show my belief in my opinion. Hopefully after becoming more aware, like the narrator in the beginning of The Great Gatsby, of my lack of objectivity will allow me to be more objective where necessary. 

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Homework Journal #10: Opening of The Great Gatsby

From the beginning of the story, it is evident that it is in first person. This possibly affects the ways in which we as readers will be able to interpret the story. Seeing or understanding the story through this narrator’s eyes can limit the information we have. Which as I was reading made me think back to Susan Sontag’s “Against Interpretations” essay and how we tend to twist/reinterpret where there is no need for any interpretation, ultimately causing us to take away from the object/subject that is being interpreted. We tend to believe him because of the honesty behind his words. He possesses a truth to his words showing his self-awareness about he grew up privileged. The background he provides is that the earlier generations of his family were “well-to-do people.” A fact that he provides us with is that Gatsby turns out to be successful, however he pays the price (the “foul dust”) that comes with it. As I continued to read, I noticed some of the narrator’s word choice when he uses the word “cardboard” to describe a bungalow which is an hyperbole. He states that 25 years after his father, he graduated from New Haven, which can now be recognized Yale, the college that his family has known for ages. Some other interesting facts the narrator tells us is what he believes are his possessions: a dog, a car and a Finnish maid. The Finnish maid mumbling to herself and the narrator not caring enough to ask what she’s talking about made me think back to Raymond Williams’ Modern Tragedy and the idea of disconnect between people nowadays. There is then some irony at play as the narrator recognizes himself as a “pathfinder”, “guide”, “original settler” to a town he himself is new to.At this point, I started to think there was a probability that the narrator may be a follower who thinks he is a leader. This is because earlier he mentions that because those around him were investing in stocks so he does the same.The story is set in the summer because there is “sunshine” and “bursts of leaves growing on trees.” More details about the setting is explained such as the narrator lives in West Egg and there is another location known as East Egg (both representing real locations renamed), Gatsby’s home is then described as a “colossal affair” and “mansion”. In the first few pages, not only are we indirectly introduced to Gatsby, we are introduced to Daisy and Tom Buchannan. The narrator provides details on their home in East Egg. East Egg seems to be more upper class oriented as the Buchannan home was “cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion” that overlooked the bay. Through a series of ironies, metaphors, similes and hyperboles, the narrator helps develop different ideas (using his own experiences) and explanations on the way of life which ultimately contribute to the development of the story.

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Homework Journal #9: Essay Topic

I intend to show how the importance of the use of natural elements such as fire and water help Baz Luhrmann to highlight as well as further develop the major points that Shakespeare initiates in the play.

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Homework Journal #8: Questions

Four questions about how both your topic [Gender, Sexuality and Sex] and it’s role in the play/film.

It is important to first understand what the distinctions between these three categories/classifications are.

-Gender:“A term referring to social/cultural differences. Set by society.”

-Sex:“Based on physical difference between male,female, or intersex bodies.”

-Sexuality:“Refers to people’s sexual interest in or attraction to others.”

Questions: 1. How do Romeo and Juliet go against the gender stereotypes set in their time period [the 1590s]? 2. Is Romeo’s “love” and his relationship with Juliet, one of true love or is it, in actuality, his lust for her? Can the double meaning of things, help conclude the answer to this question? 3. If the death scene is read again, then there may be some sexual significance behind the words used and their history? Such as Juliet’s use of Romeo’s dagger to kill herself. What are some other examples like this, where in between the lines, lies a sexual meaning? *4. What is the relationship between Sex and Death?

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Homework Journal #7: Favorite songs from R+J

Out of Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet soundtrack, my favorite three songs came down to be the following: “You and Me”, “Young Hearts Run Free” and “Everybody’s Free”. “You and Me” by the Wannadies was one of my favorites because of its lyrics. I think that the lyrics really touch upon some of the ideas that we spoke about in class. For example, though it is a type of love song, something i found interesting is when the song has the lyrics “you tell me I’m a real man and try to look impressed...I love it.” If I were to think of this from Romeo’s point of view,then it is true he is not much of a man. He not only is behind on his thoughts when compared to Juliet, but as we said on Tuesday, had he been a man and acted as one then it’s possible that Mercutio did not have to die. Then the end of the song says “you and me always...forever” which relates back to the idea that Juliet may have known somewhere at sometime, that their actions would go down in the books and their love would in a way last “eternally”. Candi Staton’s “Young Hearts Run Free”, really got me thinking because she points to the negative points of being in a marriage but her technique of using a upbeat song is what got me. She says that women in marriages may end up as “another lost and lonely wife” and that they’ll have their kids but won’t have their “man”. This song makes me imagine if Romeo and Juliet did not die is it possible that this would’ve happened to Juliet, because of the hasty decisions they both made as their “young hearts” ran “free”. When listening to the song, I liked the fact that some negative points were made through such a positive and upbeat song. The last song, “Everybody’s Free” by Quindon Tarver, that I liked was because of the scene it played during. This song was sung by the church choir during Romeo and Juliet’s wedding. I’d like to think that during their marriage Romeo and Juliet were “free” and therefore they got married. The song has the words “Brother and sister...whenever I can”, which i think may have served as what the bride and groom may have been thinking. There’s also an innocence behind the singer’s voice just as their is an innocence behind Romeo and Juliet. These three songs really got me thinking about Romeo and Juliet’s thoughts as well as their marriage which is why they are my favorites from the soundtrack.

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Homework Journal #6

Write a Shakespearean sonnet (3 quatrains and couplet)

The power of a pen

A- Upon the touch of a pen, writers feel alive. B-As the ink smoothly spills on the page, in the form of words, A-into different mental journeys, we as readers, dive. B-Our thoughts begin to roam freely and fly as if they were birds. C-With many words, the writer hopes to get across a message. D-Readers assume the jobs of any, such as that of a detective. C-Determined to connect all the words as though they are a presage, D-readers can become to the world somewhat disconnective. E-With the flip of each page, readers become more engaged. F- There is an inexplicable thrill to find out what is next. E-Readers for a time period become to a book, unknowingly enslaved. F-Despite all these factors being signs of a book’s success, I am now perplexed. G-Can the power of words, a pen, paper or even another mere mortal, G-be enough to bring me or anyone else to another world portal?

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Homework Journal #5: A real Romeo thru the eyes of Shakespeare

Before connecting Shakespeare’s Sonnet 1 to Romeo, I found it necessary to interpret all the lines and understand their meaning. The sonnet,by itself, can be interpreted to be about one lover[the narrator ] asking another, to stop torturing himself. This lover may be characterized as self absorbed. This idea can be related to Romeo because in the beginning of the play, we are introduced to the idea of Romeo’s immaturity and his tendency to move too fast . For example, he claims he’s in “love” with Rosaline and then realizes he is actually in love with Juliet. When with Juliet, Romeo stills try to move too fast which is evident when Juliet says “but to be frank and give it thee again;…” (2.2.131). Ultimately, knowing the end of the play as well, Romeo rushes to conclusions about Juliet’s death and therefore he causes his own demise as well as Juliet’s. Sonnet 1 seems to be all about how one causes one’s own end and Romeo could be described as a self-inferno to which he himself adds “self-substantial fuel.” A more direct connect between sonnet one and Romeo, is when Montague makes a reference to a flower bud and Romeo. Montague says “As is the bud bit with an envious worm….his sorrows grow” (1.1.140-145). In other words, Montague says that Romeo is like a flower whose beauty is slowly fading away which is also expressed by Shakespeare in sonnet one. In Scene two of Act two, Juliet says that their love is "a bud of love...meet". The sonnet speaks about beauty and how over time beauty may fade away, Juliet's statement is contradictory to this idea because she believes with time the "flower/bud" will blossom into something beautiful. What is impressive is that Shakespeare cleverly includes hints/key points to the play in his sonnets.

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Homework Journal #4

*Responding to first viewing of Romeo and Juliet

Baz Luhrmann’s interpretation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is unique and therefore well known. Watching the movie for a second time, reminds me of Luhrmann’s tendency to put a comedic spin on play’s lines. For example, reading the text, a character may say “draw your sword” and the reader imagines an actual sword. However, in the movie, a gun will represent a “sword” because it says so on it. The movie successfully captures the youth of the characters. and tends to move much faster on screen. There is a modern feel to the scenery such as the clothes(Hawaiian Shirts) the Montague boys are wearing. However, Romeo is introduced wearing a suit, which can be interpreted as a representation of his “maturity” compared to the others in his family. After doing some research, I found that during the Renaissance there was a peak in art production with the use of colors like red and blue which is seen in the Montague boys’ shirts. The somewhat “comedic” spin on events, can at times be cartoonish such as the way the characters pull out their guns and are very dramatic because of the camera angles used. Despite all the drama and comedy, one can only wish to continue watching while remaining on the edge of their seat.

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Journal #3: The library

Responding to a few lines of where you are and making it a poem.

A place where all types of people are welcome. Where race, color, age, and size don’t mean anything. Everyone walks in with hopes of achieving a goal. All around there are students, they work deep in concentration, the silence to attest for it. Others taking mental journeys, by the simple act of reading. Reading words on papers held together by the seams of a book. Hundreds of others have been here and have overcame the small obstacles of being a student and some have moved on to places unimaginable. This, a place with so much history and meaning, remains to be but a “library”.

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Homework Journal #2: Williams’ Modern Tragedy

When I first read Modern Tragedy by Raymond Williams, I was very confused as the chapters were difficult. However, when I reread the chapters, after the discussion in class, it became easier to grasp what Williams was saying. The idea that relationships no longer exist and that humanity is beginning to cease in existence is one that is clearly evident in modern times. The fact that society is allowing for humanity to slowly decline, is truly devastating. Reading Modern Tragedy, made me think for once about how my silence in certain situations is contributing to this loss of humanity. Aristotle says tragedy is something that must evoke pity and fear. So for us to have pity on others instead of actually making attempts to help them is a loss of humanity. What humanity is, is to actually speak up and help those who are in need of help. Williams introduces an idea that was not too foreign to me; the idea that there is a loss of connection between people which is tragic. Everyone is aware that there’s a disconnect between people nowadays an evident situation is when people are at a family party where everyone has gathered for “quality time” but yet everyone remains on their phones, not even aware of their surroundings. Williams’ Modern Tragedy proposes the ultimate question: “What is justice?” After reading these chapters, has changed my way of thinking and I will definitely try to no longer contribute to this loss of humanity in small ways.

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Homework Journal #1: Susan Sontag

Susan Sontag's "Against Interpretation" calls for a new and unique twist on what the definition of interpretation is as well as what its effects are. Through her essay, Sontag explains how interpreting a work of art is a way of questioning its true meaning. For example, Sontag says "Interpretation thus presupposes...resolve that discrepancy" meaning because we do not see a clear and or immediate definition, as a means of solving the confusion, we tend to come up with our own possible definitions. This is why in the essay, interpreters are labeled as being the "defenders of art". Sontag's theory of interpretation being "an altered meaning" of the text, is a key point to remember throughout the semester. In other words, while reading different tragedies, it is important to remember that if the text is not the original, then what is being read is simply only "one" interpretation or one take on what is being said. Romeo and Juliet is a perfect example of how one text may have many different versions. In fact after reading Sontag's essay, one may feel the necessity to always read the original text and allow for their own understanding and interpretation to take play as discussed in class. Sontag proposes that there are two styles of interpretation (old versus new) that exist, which is a valid as well as an agreeable point. However, one contradictory statement made by Sontag is that the interpreter alters the text, "but can't admit to doing this." This is contradictory because as she says, people automatically tend to make assumptions and look for a deeper meaning whether it be in artwork, texts, or even actions. Nowadays society, possibly unknowingly, tends to be more judgmental and over analytical. We must remember that without setting up a "shadow world of 'meanings'", it does not seem, as Sontag says, possible "to turn this world into this world."