Week 10: Final  Blog

I want to end with these:  1.  I very much enjoyed the Lit. Circles...both of them were a great joy to me as I learned from others about our readings and how they applied to life in general. I very liked the opportunity to meet others, even if it was virtual.  2.  I DO NOT enjoy blogging---I cannot see what people see in this.  I must say that I much rather read and do quizzes than blog.  It could be that this feels like a diary and I don't like doing that.
3.  I do think this is a course I would have better enjoyed as an in-class.  This would have allowed me a direct link to classmates and the instructor, which is what I do best with, so anything above a D in this class will be SUPER for me considering Literature is not my best subject.
4.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Summer--what remains anyhow---and a very safe one.  I hope all of you graduate with better than expected grades and go out into this world prepared to "Conquer it"!  God bless you all and I am blessed/honored to have met you as a chapter in my book of life.

Week 10: Overall Thoughts

As I think over the past 9 weeks, it has been a blur...of course, taking multiple classes at the same time doesn't help that out at all---especially at at 41, where times seems to go, too, fast anyhow.  I don't read much, okay, not at all unless it is work or class related and therefore required...this class has inspired me to want to begin reading, even if it just a little at a time.  It was great to be challenged in this course to look at material more closely than one would if reading for enjoyment.  This will be helpful as I begin reading books down the road here.  The most enjoyable reading was, "fences" the play we just finished.  There was so much content for me to relate with and I seemed at ease as I read and imagined the scenes, as though I was the director.
I am certain this course will be one that helps me to become a better reader as well as a better listener, as I believe both are crucial in life.

"Fences" My Personal Thoughts

Fences brought out some reminders of my own childhood as I related to Cory and his relationship with his father, Troy.  There were many similiarites I could relate, too, such as how Troy spoke to Cory and even how Troy felt as though he was always right and could tell Cory, in fact anyone, what to do. 
Really enjoyed Gabe as well...his innocence and imagination rolled all up in one.  He brought a wonderful joy to the story with his enthusiasm and ability to talk about God no matter what.  I liked how he spoke of Heaven and the Book of Life...of course, we can't see Heaven nor can we see whose names are or are not in the Book of Life, but I imagine and hope my name is in it. 
Lyons reminded me of a brother I have.  Through Lyons I felt some pity and yet animosity because he, like my brother, had no problem asking for money..unlike Lyons, my brother doesn't pay it back. 
I felt myself being pulled to Rose also.  She always seemed so level headed, but yet strong-willed.  I believe her strength was present only when she felt it was necessary.  I particuliarly liked the part where she graciously accepted Raynell, even though Raynell came about through an affair.  Rose realized that Raynell was innocent in all of this, so why should she grow up without a mother figure just because the father was unfaithful?    She reminds me of my aunt on my father's side.
Wilson did, I believe, a great job of allowing imagination and emotion to be brought to life in the readers.

"Fences"

I want to blog on my thoughts on the play for this portion.
Overall, I felt the play was a good one...Wilson does a great job of giving details for me to imagine not only what the people look like, their surroundings, but also to imagine their very demeanor.  I found myself not being able to put the play down...in fact, I have never read over 50 pages in one sitting until now.  I imagined as a director would when it came to "getting into character", which I feel helped me to better understand the play and be able to immerse myself into it.
Although the play had moments of hardcore discussions mixed with vulgarity, the play's dialogue was good and easy to follow/understand.  I felt it was easy to go from scene to scene and be able to understand every moment in the play and every character. 

Wk 8, part II:
Last night we had our Lit. Circle Chat group...apparently all of the groups met with only our group being fully successful with the LMS site, the other 2 groups had to get creative in order to complete their task of meeting.
As for our group, I believe it went quite well.  I was the Director this time, a task I found more difficult than Passagist for last time.  We did have a very brief moment where a discussion fell outside of our assigned task, but it was, with the help of another classmate, brought back on task quite quickly.  Our discussions I felt were better than the last Lit. Circle...I contribute that to the knowledge we all had of what it was were to do, which last time was more of a learning curve.  I very much appreciated the various points of view we all brought to the table regarding the content of each poem.  I learned something new that was quite intrigueing...one: Frost had a rather difficult life, thus, would explain his poetry, a life of sadness and turmoil.  Second: I learned that the poem Harlem was written just after the Civil War and that the poet was writing about the dreams of slaves and how difficult it was for them to realize their dream(s), whatever they may be. 
All and all, I really enjoyed our discussion group again last night.  This enhances the learning more than just doing homework on my own.

Week 8:

This week we have our Lit. Circles and Thesis Statement in particuliar.  Although I have written several papers, I am finding myself having difficult writing a Thesis again... I imagine due to not writing for roughly 6 weeks now, so I have gotten out of practice.  I wonder if anyone else is finding this part hard or not?
I am looking forward to the Lit. Circle--this was a great time of learning in week 4, so I am eager to see if will be again.   This time, however; I am the director, which is bringing some anxiety as I want to do well and be able to foster good discussions.  If anyone has any suggestions, let me know! 

Week 7 Poems:
The Road Not Taken, by Frost is one that I remember reading in high school and believe a few times since.  As I read it now, I can't help but think of the Biblical aspect I am able to relate it to.  Christ tells us that the road to heaven is narrow and difficult...not many will take it.  As I read this poem, I thought of how many people both alive and dead(perhaps) can look at their lives and say, "The road not taken".  One one side, we have those whom for them, the road not taken leads to Hell, and on the other, is the road not taken that leads to Heaven.  Which road am I on?  Can I tell the difference---do they both appear to be the same for me or is there a distinct difference?  I must say, that right now, I seem to be in the median at this time of my life, but perhaps I can be truthful enough to say that I am at least, and better off, hugging the road that leads to Heaven.  I hope soon that instead of being on the shoulder, I will be on my way again, having repaired what it is that needs fixing, moving on at high speeds towards our Heavenly Father.  I believe I can see the tow truck coming now, Christ, coming to fix the problem...Oh how I can hardly wait, so I can once again be moving!

Week 7 Poems
"When I was One-and-Twney" by Brooks was very interesting and fun to read.  It brought back memories of when I was one and twenty, but it also relates to my family right now as we have one that is that age now.  Both when I was 21 and now with my oldest being 21, this poem rings soooooo true.  It is amazing as I watch my daughter and hear her sigh at my wife and I when attempting to guide her in better directions...a sigh that is obviously telling us that she already knows what is best and we don't understand anything, afterall, we are "old" and "Don't get it".  Oh how I wish I had listened more when I was one and twenty!

Week 6 Part II:

I knew there were various things to think about when it came to poetry, however; I had no idea of so many things.  Imagery, Abstract, Denotation, Connotation, Lyric poetry vs. Dramatic poetry.  There is so much to think about, but when I just read a poem, such as those we had for this week, I truly enjoy it more that way than worrying about the above and then some. 
Looking at the selections for this week, I found the poem, "The Unknown Citizen", as the best.  I enjoyed how it can relate to any person who can put themselves in that person's shoes.  I find it relates to many people I know, but also brings me to think of those I wish would be that unknown citizen.  I saw not as a poem about any one person, but rather that this poem can relate to anyone that has those same characteristics.  I hope that some day my family and friends will be able to describe me just the same as this unknown citizen.  I want to be known as being trustworthy, genuine, even keeled, and family oriented.

Week 6 Poetry thoughts Part I:

I must confess that in High school, or grade school for that matter, I didn't enjoy poetry very much, in fact, not at all...mostly because it meant reading!  However, having grown a bit older and hopefully wiser(not sure about more mature yet), I find poetry having a wonderful appeal to my mind and senses.  Reading through our first selections I found myself relating and thinking.  I could relate to, "The Fish" from my own experiences, and watching my children's experiences as well.  I found "White Lies" very interesting as it brought me back to my very early childhood days and my siblings.  These readings brought me back to some wonderful and not so wonderful days, but in all, very fun to read and intellectually challenging.

Ivan: Part II
I can't imagine what it must be like to be marched around every day all day like cattle.  Obeying every word or else feel the consequences.  I have a newfound appreciation for my own personal clothing...coats and boots.  I can say I know what it's like to be cold without hope of warming up, well, no hope for maybe a day, but not for days like Ivan.  I found myself grateful that I live in a country with freedom of speech and life.  When reading the part about him laying bricks and being cold doing it, it brought me back to my child hood days when I would be forced to to stay outside during bitter cold and work...my hands would be so numb I thought they would never warm up again. 
something that surprised me a bit was how he held onto that spoon.  I often think of how prisoners might make and maintain a knife or two(which he did have), but that spoon was his lifeline.  He was very good at hiding things, it was obvious his years in prison brougt a skill for this. 
Ivan had quite an outlook on life...but was very interesting was the ending.  It was great that even amid this awful place, Ivan could see the good things.  I wonder if he would have realized this w/o Alyosha's discussion?  This was a great insight for not only Ivan, but me, too!  Something I realized a long time ago that this reminded me is:  Life is full of dissapointments, it how you handle them that defines who you are.

A day in the life of Ivan Denosovich:
I thought the story was actully going to be worse.  What I mean is, I was anticipating reading things that would make my jaw drop, things of a prisoner's life that one could only imagine.  However, I was pleasantly surprised to read about a 'normal' day in prison...a practical one. 
I found myself often remembering the tv show, Hogan's Heroes.  There was the dress code, the way they walked around the compound, etc that brought back those memories.  Of course, I realize that Hogan's Heroes was television, but perhaps there was some truth to the show.  Ivan's daily life was quite mundane and very harsh...at least in the winter time.  I would like to know how summer would differ.  I was surprised to read about how they would lay bricks in such cold weather.  I understand the prison needed to make sure the prisoners kept busy, but as Shukov put it, winter isn't exactly the best time to be laying brick if one wants the wall to be put together well.
I'll post more about my feelings/thoughts on the book in my next post.

I just fnished with the lit. circle.  I really enjoyed the insights and input by everyone...as I am not much of a reader, it was great to see that I was intune with everyone else, but also learned new things about the story, "The Things They Carried," by Tim O'Brien.  One insight I liked, and learned, was the one where perhaps Martha is seeing her relationship with Lt. Cross as complicated...the part of the story where she writes to Cross about the pebble she sent from the beach...the place that gives light to being seperate but together. 
An observation, or link in the story I saw, that was interesting, is how the pebble Lt. Cross brings memories of Martha and home...which keeps him unfocused with the war at hand, particuliarly the men he is leading, but how later in the story, he will now carry a Rock in his stomache as a reminder of Ted's death, a death that he feels responsble for happening and which will now be the emotional weight he will bear for this, one that he will never be able to get rid of.  This Rock in the stomache, is also now his new focus on the war at hand and his men...a focus he will take seriously.
That was one part I really saw as a connection.  Perhaps others of you agree or perhaps not.

Week 4: The things they carried
I read, The Things They Carried, for the lit circle.  I found it very interesting.  These men carried gear that was very heavy, but the emotional weight had to have been much heavier.  I imagine the emotional weight lasted much longer, since it can never be 'taken off' like their gear.  I have family members that served in Vietnam, and they have told very similiar stories...thus bringing this story to life and demonstrating its reality and trueness to what happened over there. 
The part about the tunnel reminded me of Forest Gump where Forest enters the tunnel...I see that segment of the movie being exactly how O'Brien painted it in this story.  Eerie really.
I imagine, too, that our men and women today that have served in Iraq and Afghanistan experience the same emotional burdens.  We have heard on the new how they physically must carry all the equipment along with the flak jacket, so I suppose it goes without saying, they have/are experienced(ing) the same things.  I don't read much...only when mandated...but this story is one that I am intending to go out and get from the library and read it all...or, I can probably borrow the one from someone at work.

The Lottery:
At first I was thinking this was the "Hunger Games" under a different name!  I guess it is in a manner of speaking...just no game and no opportunity to survive, it simply goes from being the one that picks the final black dot to--death.
What was interesting and what reeled me into the story was all the induendos to the end for Tessie, and yet, not really sure if what I was thinking was happening was actually happening...I caught myself wanting to jump to the end like a young child just to know what happens, but found myself grateful for waiting to know the stories end w/o jumping to the end first.  I actually found myself intrigued by each sentence/paragraph and excited to see how each one ended, giving me a clue to the end. 
I also am grateful we don't do this today.  I do wish I knew the whole story and would know why they had the lottery.  Perhaps if someon reading this knows, please, let me know!!!

Dead Men's Path:
I really liked this story.  I seem to relate to it personally as well as an observer.  What I mean about my personal experience is that I have, unfortunately, done similiar things as Michael.  I once let my leadership role go to my head and instead of listening to those around me when attempting to implement change, I decided "I knew best" and proceeded with my own agenda...this like Michael's experience, did not go well...at all.
This is a great example of youth and age clashing..when it ought to be an opportunity for both to listen and learn and then discern the best possible outcome.  I learned this lesson the hard way in life..and truthfully, I forget it at times, only be knocked back into place afterwards.

The readings this week for me were difficult to read from the standpoint that they seemed so choppy.  the only story that didn't feel that way was, A Pair of Tickets.  However, once I had them all read through, I did enjoy each one.  the all gave me the opportunity for creating my own pictures and using my imagination for both understanding the story and for my own feelings/thoughts when I put myself in different individuals' places.  for example:  I found myself wondering how I might react if I were in Emily's shoes...I found myself thinking I might not be as kind as she was, in fact; I probably would have taken a more "in your face" approach.  Looking at the story about Sammy, I think I would have spoken my mind, but i don't know that I would have quit...not because of how it would have impacted my parents and myself in society, but rather because I think back when I was younger and I would have tried to change things while still working there.  Overall, I found the stories inspiring and grateful these weren't my experiences.  I also found myself thinking of people I know who can call these experiences, or similiar ones, their own.  Perhaps this week's stories are a reiteration of me, probably because I've found myself being older lately, asking the various people I know from a wide array of backgrounds their story, their life story.  I am amazed at what I hear.

Hello fellow classmates.  My name is Pat and I live North of Sioux Falls on an acreage with my beloved wife of 22 years, 3 children and 1 grandchild.  I work full time, go to college full time and participate in  various other community and church activities.

Chapter 29 of Backpack Literature

I do some of the same things as this chapter was suggesting.  I like to take notes as I read, highlight important words/sentences or even whole paragraphs.  I will even circle important sections and draw a line to another section, if it is within the same page(s), write a note and then I can go back to it for my source of reference. 
What I learned to do about a year ago in another course was to read Actively.  However, I won't say I do it consistantly. 
What will be challenging for me is writing MLA when I have been writing papers for a year now in APA.  Especially since I just finished writing a 40+ paper in APA style, now my brain is stuck on that formatting.  Fortunately, I have a MLA book here at home to refer to when I need to.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn

I enjoyed the part on Freedom and Lying.  I think he is saying that there is freedom in putting words on paper and that by doing so, you keep oneself honest, because as others read your material, they will certainly tear it apart if what you have written is inaccurate.  Truth, like writing, can set you free. 
I also like what he had to say in part 4 about scales.  I think of my own life and must agree.  When something close to home affects me, say, like a tornado hits near by, I am inclined to think that this is terrible, but yet, when Japan had the Tsunami hit and created all the devastation it did for that country, then on the 'scale' of things, I didn't think it as bad, because it didn't affect me directly.  I did think it was bad, on the scale, it was very low compared to when a tornado hit close to my home some years ago.  I think then he is saying our minds are mysterious and that he hits on a good topic:  why dosn't terrible things far from me affect my life the same way as something near by?