final blog

I feel like my writing has improved significantly since the beginning of the semester. I hav been getting graded harder on my papers, but getting the grades I want, most the time.  I really think that my being able to enter an academic discussion has improved, and writing a thesis statement.  I feel like when we group peer review it helps me more, but it doesn't seem to work for a lot of people. It worked better for me last semester because we had more time , and everyone had time to go.  I love the class discussions, and they were always key in helping me out.  I thought the second paper we did was the easiest because we had leeway in which story we wanted to choose.  I picked the Cuba story, and I feel like I liked that story, so it was easy for me to write about it.  I think the most beneficial lessons were anytime when we got into a class discussion because I seemed to take the most from talking about things.  I definitely feel more prepared to write college-level papers, and I am way more confident than I was last semester. 

poetry reading

I thought that the poetry packet was a good mix of different poems.  I knew both songs and like both of them.  If I were a boy is a great songs and has good lyrics because it shows what a girl would do different if she were in the position of the male.  I like sold also because it talks in an auctioneer style about how a guy would do anything to be with this beautiful girl he met at the auction.  The children's rhyme was very simplistic, and reminds me very much of grade school.  I thought the most interesting piece in the packet was the poem on sexism because everything in it seemed to be true.  That is how boys and girls act it seems after sex because in movies this is how it is portrayed and in real life that is how it goes. 

The Flea

I believe the enitre poem of the flee is talking about virginity an losing it.  In the poem it states," This flea is you  and I, and this [o]ur marriage bed and marriage temple is" (Donne 12-13)  This is showing that the flea is both two in one, and after losing your virginity essentially that is what you are supposed to be because you are supposed to lose your virginity after marriage.  When it states "Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?"(Donne 20), I feel like it is trying to show the innocence that left the two who were making love.  I also saw it in a different way.  I perceived some parts as the Holy Trinity and Christ's Death because in some parts it said three in one, and the innocence quote would work for showing an example of God's death.  I am not sure if either of these are practicle, but I enjoyed the poem. 

poetry

I have read some poetry in high school.  We read some short poems, but I am not into things I cannot understand.  We read some Emily Dickensen, but I don't really understand that kind of stuff either.  I don't have a favorite poet really because I never really liked it enough to remember the names.  I did like when we did poetry over songs in highschool.  We each got to do a powerpoint and bring the song into class to listen to, and we had to explain different aspects of the poem and what the overall meaning was.  I think the definition of a poem is a piece of literature that is rather short that tells some type of story and has some meter or rhyme.  I think it would be really cool if we could do rap songs in class because I think some rap and even just plain old songs tell a great story. 

research question

I am contemplating over possible research questions.  I was thinking something maybe like Is Mephostophiles for or against Faustus selling his soul?  I was thinking this one because I think that is a huge issue in the play and in comes up in almost every scene.  Another question I was thinking was How is religion tied into the plot of Dr. Faustus?  This is a more broad question, but I was thinking Christianity and would explain where I think Faustus is against God and for what reason and is for God and for what reason.  I would really appreciate inpute, because I don't know which one to do. Thanks!!

faustus

I thought the discussion we had today in class was extremely interesting when we talked about the internal and the external conflict.  There are multiple parts in the story that show that Faustus is battling his own conflict with him mind.  A great part that shows this is when the good angel and the evil angel converse back and forth.  There is also the main conflict going on of whether Faustus should sell his soul or not.  Both conflicts overlap because Faustus is trying to figure out for himself what he should do, while he is also conversing with other characters who are trying to influence his decision. 

scene V

Scene V basically is where Faustus officially gives his soul to the devil, so that Mesostaphiles will be his servant and help him with black magic.  Meph warns Faustus that he will burn in hell in his afterlife, but Faustus doesn't believe him because Meph wasn't in hell, Meph was on earth helping Faustus.  The good angel and the evil angel also partake in this scene a little each trying to persuade Faustus to either doing the right thing or doing the wrong thing.  I think it is really interesting how the devil is almost trying to help Faustus by warning him of the dangers of hell. Meph says that Faustus should go to heaven because it is a lot more pleasent there.  As much as Meph warns Faustus, Faustus refuses to listen and chooses to stab his arm and bind the contract of selling the soul to the devil with his own blood. 

Dr. Faustus

I think what they meant in the last part that we read in dr. faustus is that becaus dr. faustus is skilled in so many different things he will be very good at magic.  His friends were telling him that they would teach them how to do black magic like the greats.  I think that the play will be good because I have read plays before, and if you know what is going on usually it is pretty interesting. 

semester

I think this semester is going pretty well.  I feel like I am more on my own now with homework and papers, but I am past first semester, so I understand more of what is expected of me.  One of my favorite things about this semester is the class discussions.  I understand things a lot more if we discuss them in class and I like to hear other people's opinions.  I think this semester is going by super fast and if I keep up with the homework I will be fine.  The hardest thing I think to do in this class it to read literature in a scholarly manner and understand underlying symbolism and pick up on it by myself.  I really need to work on getting the entire point of the reading more. 

The Little Mermaid

I decided to read the little mermaid because it is my favorite childhood story and movie.  I will say I didn't like that the ending wasn't as happy as the movie, but it was still a very good read.  The setting was partly in th ocean and partly on land.  The characters that affected the setting were definitely the sisters.  The little mermaid wanted to be on shore the most, but she, of course, had to wait the longest.  The point of view in my opinion was third-person limited omniscient because it mainly focused on the little mermaid.  It makes me sad that the little mermaid doesn't marry the prince, but I can always just watch the movie to see the happy ending.   

character and plot

The characters in Bartleby were not motivated at all; whereas, Almyer was very motivated to get the birthmark off his wife's face.  The characters in Bartleby had no good reason why they couldn't do things.  The wife was motivated to please in the birthmark and Almyer wanted to get the birthmark off her face, so they could move past it.  The characters in Bartleby were very consistent because Turkey, Nippers and Bartleby did everything the same.  Almyer was very consistent, but the wife in the story wasn't.  The lawyer in Bartleby was dynamic because he changed a lot.  Bartlebee was static which means he was constant in what he was saying.  Nippers and Turkey were flat because they didn't go into depth.  This could also be true about Bartleby.  In the birthmark Georgiana was dynamic.  Amnidab was a foil.  Alymer was static because he doesn't change.  The plot in Bartlbee said that people in society today are only useful to a certain extent.  The plot in the birthmark said that almer is trying to use a potion to get rid of birthmark.  The birthmark in the story symbolized nature.  The structure in both stories seemed to be in medias res because they both started in the middle of the story.  I would have chosedn flashback for Bartleby to see more of his thoughts.  I would have kept the plot in media res for Almyer because I think the story would be easier to write.  I think by comparing these two stories I learned that a story can be a lot alike through the plot structure, but can change dramtatically by how the characters act.  The characters are what gives each story its uniquness. 

discussion

I thought the discussion in class was a huge eye opener.  I have never thought of myself as a racist.  I think that skin color makes no difference, but the stereotypes I associate with different races is actually racisim.  I had no idea that I was doing this. I would never intentionally segregate or make a group feel ackward because of the color of their skin.  I definitely think South Dakota and many other states are conservative and close-minded.  They don't realize what is going on in the world, so they are very ignorant.  I agree with the whole racism thing, but the counter-argument to that everyone should be treated equal.  This may seem like a weird counterargument, but the Constitution/government said everyone was created equal, but why is there more money handed out to minorities such as Native Americans, African Americans, etc.  I understand that there are opportunities for caucasions to get money, but not as many. For example, on the SAT there is a box that says check if you are: african american, mexican, native american, or other.  There was not a box for whites, because that box was to see how many opportunities for that specific group were available.  That specific group must be a minority.  Now, how can people argue that all people are created equal, yet give certain groups extra privelages.  I realize that I am lucky to be caucasion and never have had to fight for my freedom, other than women's rights, but we should all get the same opportunities.  It's almost like the government is for seperating groups out.  I think that people who need the money should get help, but also I think every race in some way takes advantage of what they can get.   

Students learning in college

I thought the article was very good.  It made a very valid argument that I would have to agree with.  I mean ,of course, I don't want to do extra work, but I definitely want to receive what I am paying for.  I think there research is very true because how mnay people remember things after they have taken a course.  Sure, you may remember some things, but some isn't good enough.  We need to be able to call specific things that occur in our field to succeed.  If someone doesn't remember something while working in a doctor's office, you may not want to be relying on that person.  The point is kid's need to understand the material to pass a class, and some classes are too slack these days.  I also think that it has nothing to do with wheter if it a graduate student or a professor.  One of my best teachers is a graduate student.    

twitter accounts

I felt that the fake twitter article was a good way to point out what is happening.  I don't think they are hurting anyone, and I think they are giving the world a different point of view of American politics.  Creating a fake twitter account definitely may not be the best way to do this, but I think this way gets the point across the best.  People are into the internet.  Facebook and Twitter have become some of the most popular sites on the world wide web.  By displaying their own opinion through parody, people of the world are definitely getting the message acrossed.  I think it is a good idea, and it does in fact keep the people in Washington's ego in check. 

first paper

I thought that writing my first paper in intro. to lit. went pretty well.  I will say that I had a hard time trying to figure out if I put a lead in all the sentences if they were right after one another.  I think the worst part about writing the paper was making sure I incorporate my information in a way that supports my argument well.  It is a lot different from last semester because we had to do a ton more revision before fianlly turning in our paper.  This semester it didn't seem like we barely did any revision, but I really hope I get a good grade because I spent a good amount of time making sure my paper was an A.  Hopefully that is what I receive. 

The Metamorphosis

After reading the book for a second time I understood the symbolism better.  I also understood the story better after being paired into groups.  Gregor wasn't really a bug.  Gregor had contracted a disease from being so stressed out all the time.  His mind went insane, and he forgot how to function.  After the pressure from the family built for so long, Gregor couldn't take it anymore.  Even the part where it says Gregor is secreting sticky stuff from his hands is symbolism. He is actually excreting waste from his own body, because he forgot to control himself.  I felt after going back through the book thoroughly, I understood some parts a lot better.

topic

My topic is going to be about the way that the Russian government compared to the book.  I also am planning on talking about the resistance groups and what happened to them if they didn't conform to the group.  I found two really interesting articles about these topics.  I plan on going into how I-330 didn't care what the government was going to do to her, so she stood up for what she believed in.  The government also seemed to have no mercy towards people who didn't conform.  At the end of the book they don't actually reveal what happens to I-330, the author just wants you to make your own conclusions about it.  I am guessing that she got taken in for surgery to the brain, and if that didn't work she would be executed for good.

story

In the story I have only gotten to page 90.  I really think I-330 is a greatly potrayed character because she is so mysterious.  I like how D-503 is actually falling in love with her and he can't help himself.  I feel like that is how love is in the real world.  Even if you know you shouldn't love someone, sometimes we do anyways.  Sometimes we don't do what is best for us cuz we take the risk, and D-503 is willing to take that risk.  I can see how I-330 would seem like a predator because the way she is described is perfect for a predator.  I noticed her teeth seem to be a big deal, and I think the author is trying to portray that exact feeling of a predator, but who knows.  This book definitely does keep you guessing though. 

State of the Union

The state of the union address covered the topics for this year that Obama thought needed covering.  He wants to unite people together, spend money on roads, education, and government projects.  Americans need to win the future by out innovating, out buiding, and out eduacating the world. Obama wants to build a high speed railroad to improve transportation, and to give more jubs to people.  Education was also a big part of the address.  He wants to make new electrical vehicles, and eco friendly transportation.  He wants to freeze domestic spending.  I think his address was very good in thought, but I don't know if he will go through with everything that was stated.   

worst aspect

I think the worst aspect of living how the people in We do would be afraid to love, and not being able to.  Love really does make the world go around, and without it we would all be lost.  Whether it is family love, true love, or just friendship love, everyone has it in their life.  Love is an emotion that we cannot mask very easily, and is true to the heart.  If the world was without love, what would be the point of living.  The equation in the story should have been: the world-love=death.  I know for sure that for me living without ever loving would be hard, but then again if you never had it, would you really miss it??

hello

Hello Everyone my name is Whitney Berendes.  I was previously in Lindsey's English class last semester.  I am going to USD to become an Anesthesiologist.  One of my favorite hobbies is dancing.  My favorite class is Biology, but I also like English.  I hope this is a better semester, and less of a learning experience from last semester.