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.