About 180 million Americans have access to the internet (Greer 11). Eastin, Yang and Nathanson report that a study done by the Pew Research Center found that “44% of Internet users have created content for the Internet, and only a small portion of them update their content on a regular basis” (211). These statistics are frightening because millions of us are relying on internet sources for factual, accurate information however, much of the information we find online is created by people lacking proper credentials or adequate knowledge.
My inquiry question therefore is how do we know what we read online is credible and is online information affecting our perception of fact/truth? Since the internet and online searching is only growing in popularity, my conclusion is that the public needs to understand the factors affecting their perceptions of credibility, the process in which information is accepted as fact and the importance of ethical coverage of information in the media.
1. Many factors affect people’s perceptions of internet credibility. One study found that when researching health information in particular, users relied on source expertise and knowledge of content when assessing credibility (Eastin). A problem associated with credibility on the internet is that the internet itself is structured internally. Burbules writes that “when we do try to judge the credibility of an information source, we frequently must rely on other information gleaned within the network” (443). In other words, in order to determine whether a source is reliable, oftentimes we search on the internet itself for that information which leads us to the question whether or not that secondary site is credible. Site sponsor, contact information, currency of information, customer service response time, and site structure are also influential factors in people’s perceptions of site credibility. These sources report similar information. Whatever the factor may be, the information presented is not the only thing people are basing credibility on. People need to be aware of the tactics that websites can employ to distract from the quality of their information so that they will be less likely to fall victim to false reporting.
I conducted two interviews to get an understanding of what the public sees as factors affecting credibility online. The first interview, conducted with a college student, returned the following information: She explained that “for many websites, there is no lengthy publication process to guarantee credibility and while the act of internet research may seem like a convenience as it is so easily accessible, it is this accessibility that requires an almost more difficult and certainly more critical reading to guarantee credibility” (Nash) The second interview, done with an employee in a school district who works as a media technician in a school library. She said “too much is being taken at face value as truth simply because it's on the Internet. We are just so inundated with information that it becomes difficult to sort fact from fiction” (DeLand). She also went on to explain that it is good that people question the information they read, however, with all of the unreliable information out there, we are forced to question too much and can stall a person out.
2. So, after a person has located information online and has taken the factors listed above into consideration, just how exactly does information become fact? Peer review is a term that means people with credentials and knowledge have reviewed the information and deemed it credible. This is a fairly reliable means of sorting through “good” information from the rest of it. Bruckman explains that students and other users of internet information need to understand the theories of what makes something “true.” She explains that truth is socially constructed and “social acceptance is what makes something a fact” (Bruckman 36). She goes on to say that “an idea is not much of a fact if only one lonely person believes it” (36). The notion that everything we consider to be a fact came about my means of a social process is a little disconcerting. However, until the information is widespread enough that it is accepted by a large group of people, it probably would never have been known at all, as Bruckman suggests. What is important to recognize though, is who is accepting the information as a fact and what their credentials to do so are. This will help weed through the millions of opinion polls to the knowledgeable, credentialed people who are likely to be accurate in their information.
3. The nature of the media right now is that each network, each site and each reporter wants to be the first with the latest information. This hurried style of reporting reduces the importance of checking your facts in order to get the story out as soon as possible. Unfortunately this doesn’t always lead to an ethical, reliable and accurate form of reporting. A good example of unethical media coverage lies in the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. The story depicts a society of people whose qualities and individual characteristics are being controlled through various means to make everyone exactly equal. Intelligence, strength, skill, etc. are reduced to an equal level among all members of the society. The story is about a husband and wife whose son is exceptionally talented and imprisoned for his resistance to controlling his abilities. The husband and wife watch his escape and eventual death on television. The media has an obligation to get information out to the people, however, where should the line be drawn? Does personal privacy get thrown out the window in the interest of sharing information? Is information being catered to certain population groups instead of a comprehensive approach?
I would like to further discuss the following questions: Can the American public continue to rely on internet sources as a credible and reliable medium for facts? If so, how can the public be educated on credibility so that fewer people are misinformed or swayed by biased and incorrect information?
Works Cited
Bruckman, Amy S. "Student Research and the Internet." Communications of the ACM 48.12 (2005): 35-38. Web. 15 Nov 2009.
Burbules, Nicholas C. "Paradoxes of the Web: The Ethical Dimensions of Credibility." Library Trends 49.3 (2001): 441-53. Web. 15 Nov 2009.
DeLand, Diana. Personal Interview. November 10, 2009.
Eastin, Matthew S. "Credibility Assessments of Online Health Information: The Effects of Source Expertise and Knowledge of Content ." Journal of Computer Mediated Communication 6.4 (2001): n. pag. Web. 15 Nov 2009.
Eastin, Matthew S., Mong-Shan Yang, and Amy I. Nathanson. "Children of the Net: An Empirical Exploration Into the Evaluation of Internet Content." Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media 50.2 (2006): 211-30. Web. 15 Nov 2009.
Greer, Jennifer D. "Evaluation the Credibility of Online Information: A Test of Source and Advertising Influence." Mass Communication & Society 6.1 (2003): 11-28. Web. 15 Nov 2009.
Nash, Monica. Personal Interview. November 9, 2009.
Vonnegut, Kurt Jr. “Harrison Bergeron.” Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Eds. X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. New York: Pearson-Longman, 2007. 198-202.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Quote Response
Othello: "To fetch her fan, her gloves, her mask, nor nothing?"
Emilia: "Never, my lord."
Othello: "That's strange." (Shakespeare 1011).
This scene is where Othello is basically interrogating Emilia as to whether or not she has seen anything going on between Cassius and Desdemona. I chose this portion of the scene because it seems as though Othello's last line of my quoted passage gives the impression that he starts to doubt the allegations against his wife. Emilia ensures Othello that nothing is going on between the two and that Desdemona is completely honest and trustworthy.
To me, I would think that Othello would take Emilia's word into consideration over that of Iago's. Although, since Othello and Iago are closer, he may suspect that Emilia is simply trying to cover for Desdemona by lying to Othello. Of course we know that ultimately Othello believes Iago's story, but he does seem to have a moment in that quoted passage where he begins to question the accuracy of the claims that she is cheating on him. It's certainly too bad that this wasn't the feeling he kept, of course then the play wouldn't be much of a tragedy!
Emilia: "Never, my lord."
Othello: "That's strange." (Shakespeare 1011).
This scene is where Othello is basically interrogating Emilia as to whether or not she has seen anything going on between Cassius and Desdemona. I chose this portion of the scene because it seems as though Othello's last line of my quoted passage gives the impression that he starts to doubt the allegations against his wife. Emilia ensures Othello that nothing is going on between the two and that Desdemona is completely honest and trustworthy.
To me, I would think that Othello would take Emilia's word into consideration over that of Iago's. Although, since Othello and Iago are closer, he may suspect that Emilia is simply trying to cover for Desdemona by lying to Othello. Of course we know that ultimately Othello believes Iago's story, but he does seem to have a moment in that quoted passage where he begins to question the accuracy of the claims that she is cheating on him. It's certainly too bad that this wasn't the feeling he kept, of course then the play wouldn't be much of a tragedy!
Scene Response
I chose to respond to the 1995 version of Othello.
First, I noticed that this was the only version that cast Othello as a black man. I was surprised that the other two versions did not because I thought that the play made it very clear about Othello's race, not that it necessarily contributes, but Shakespeare does make sure the reader knows Othello is black.
Also, with regards to the lighting, I noticed that as the two characters went further and further into their discussion, the lighting got darker and darker. The scene began with the two of them outside in the bright daylight, then as Othello pushed Iago to reveal the details of his suspicions, the scene got darker. I thought that this technique was especially effective because as the dialogue got darker, so did the scene. It really helped as the viewer to understand the situation as a serious one (in case I missed some of the dialogue that gave it away).
Finally, I noticed the use of close-ups on the actor's faces. When Iago was whispering into Othello's ear about Desdemona and Cassius, the camera was zoomed in very close on their faces. This allowed the viewer to see the look of shock, disbelief and horror on Othello's face and the mischevious look on Iago's. Also, near the end of the clip when Othello has the nightmare about seeing his wife and Cassius together, the camera is on a close-up of his face to see both the physical and emotional pain Iago has caused him.
First, I noticed that this was the only version that cast Othello as a black man. I was surprised that the other two versions did not because I thought that the play made it very clear about Othello's race, not that it necessarily contributes, but Shakespeare does make sure the reader knows Othello is black.
Also, with regards to the lighting, I noticed that as the two characters went further and further into their discussion, the lighting got darker and darker. The scene began with the two of them outside in the bright daylight, then as Othello pushed Iago to reveal the details of his suspicions, the scene got darker. I thought that this technique was especially effective because as the dialogue got darker, so did the scene. It really helped as the viewer to understand the situation as a serious one (in case I missed some of the dialogue that gave it away).
Finally, I noticed the use of close-ups on the actor's faces. When Iago was whispering into Othello's ear about Desdemona and Cassius, the camera was zoomed in very close on their faces. This allowed the viewer to see the look of shock, disbelief and horror on Othello's face and the mischevious look on Iago's. Also, near the end of the clip when Othello has the nightmare about seeing his wife and Cassius together, the camera is on a close-up of his face to see both the physical and emotional pain Iago has caused him.
Freestyle
Another post about a reading that I've done in one of my nursing texts!
This week I read a chapter about how best to manage and deal with problem employees from a manager's point of view. The text listed various theories and strategies behind different problem solving methods that I was completely unaware of.
I think we are all taught basic problem solving techniques (don't kick your brother, hitting is bad, don't take what isn't yours, etc.) but I had no idea that there were theories and research behind those basic principles.
Obviously the work setting can be a bit more complicated than those problems I mentioned above, but really the bottom line usually is that one employee dislikes another and they aren't being productive at work due to this conflict. It seems like a manager could simply work off common sense or intuition, but this wouldn't always result in a fair, ethical decision.
We all have our own bias when it comes to situations, so I would suppose that theory and research certainly does have a place in managing workplace conflict so that managers don't have to rely solely on their personal feelings when dealing with conflict. I would wonder though how often managers employ these strategies instead of going with their gut feeling.
This week I read a chapter about how best to manage and deal with problem employees from a manager's point of view. The text listed various theories and strategies behind different problem solving methods that I was completely unaware of.
I think we are all taught basic problem solving techniques (don't kick your brother, hitting is bad, don't take what isn't yours, etc.) but I had no idea that there were theories and research behind those basic principles.
Obviously the work setting can be a bit more complicated than those problems I mentioned above, but really the bottom line usually is that one employee dislikes another and they aren't being productive at work due to this conflict. It seems like a manager could simply work off common sense or intuition, but this wouldn't always result in a fair, ethical decision.
We all have our own bias when it comes to situations, so I would suppose that theory and research certainly does have a place in managing workplace conflict so that managers don't have to rely solely on their personal feelings when dealing with conflict. I would wonder though how often managers employ these strategies instead of going with their gut feeling.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Quote Response
Iago: "Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me for making him egregiously an ass and practicing upon his peace and quiet even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused. Knavery's plain face is never seen till used" (Shakespeare 968).
This seems like the moment where Iago is outlining his plans against Desdemona and Othello. He is alone during this monologue and appears to be planning it all out loud for himself, perhaps before he involves the other characters. I'm assuming that the play will go similarly to the movie, which is why I believe that this is the moment where Iago defines his future actions for himself and then manipulates and coerces the others into his plan, as the characters in the movie did.
The words that stand out for me are in the last sentence. I take knavery to mean trickery or dishonest, and Iago is saying that dishonesty is never seen till used which I understand as his way of saying that none of the other characters will ever see it (Iago's scheme) coming until it is too late.
This is probably a very profound moment in the play since it is giving the audience or reader an insight into the upcoming events. It also makes the reader feel uneasy and afraid for Desdemona and Othello, as they become aware of Iago's plan and know that those two characters are in danger, and they have no idea. They trust Iago and see him as a friend, which is what makes his plan so compelling for the reader.
This seems like the moment where Iago is outlining his plans against Desdemona and Othello. He is alone during this monologue and appears to be planning it all out loud for himself, perhaps before he involves the other characters. I'm assuming that the play will go similarly to the movie, which is why I believe that this is the moment where Iago defines his future actions for himself and then manipulates and coerces the others into his plan, as the characters in the movie did.
The words that stand out for me are in the last sentence. I take knavery to mean trickery or dishonest, and Iago is saying that dishonesty is never seen till used which I understand as his way of saying that none of the other characters will ever see it (Iago's scheme) coming until it is too late.
This is probably a very profound moment in the play since it is giving the audience or reader an insight into the upcoming events. It also makes the reader feel uneasy and afraid for Desdemona and Othello, as they become aware of Iago's plan and know that those two characters are in danger, and they have no idea. They trust Iago and see him as a friend, which is what makes his plan so compelling for the reader.
Freestyle
While some may not consider this a reading issue, I absolutely do. This happened a few days ago at the grocery store:
A young married couple were discussing a certain product at the grocery store. I was in the same aisle and couldn't help but overhear their discussion. They were obviously trying to watch their calorie in take and were studying the nutrition label on the side of the package. One of them said, "Oh good, look at this. There are only 200 calories in this! This would be great for me to take to work." They put the product in their cart and went on their way. I couldn't tell you what made me walk over and pick up that same product to see if they had been correct. They were correct in that 200 calories was present in each serving, which there were 4 of. The couple completely misread the nutrition label and little do they know, one of them was going to consume the whole product for 800 calories, not 200.
Now, I will admit that it was good that these people were looking at food labels and making selections accordingly..but what good is that going to do anyone if they don't know how to properly read the labels?
As a healthcare worker, obesity is an absolute epidemic that robs people of their quality of life. It was encouraging to see that people are trying to be more aware of what their are eating, but ignorance about food labels is setting people up for failure, and that is hard to watch.
I think that it should be absolutely mandatory for students to take some sort of nutrition and wellness class that teaches people how to properly read food labels (at the very least). I honestly believe that the knowledge deficit that so many people have is contributing to the obesity problem and though I know it won't eliminate the problem, if we can get people educated about simple things like healthy shopping, it will certainly help.
A young married couple were discussing a certain product at the grocery store. I was in the same aisle and couldn't help but overhear their discussion. They were obviously trying to watch their calorie in take and were studying the nutrition label on the side of the package. One of them said, "Oh good, look at this. There are only 200 calories in this! This would be great for me to take to work." They put the product in their cart and went on their way. I couldn't tell you what made me walk over and pick up that same product to see if they had been correct. They were correct in that 200 calories was present in each serving, which there were 4 of. The couple completely misread the nutrition label and little do they know, one of them was going to consume the whole product for 800 calories, not 200.
Now, I will admit that it was good that these people were looking at food labels and making selections accordingly..but what good is that going to do anyone if they don't know how to properly read the labels?
As a healthcare worker, obesity is an absolute epidemic that robs people of their quality of life. It was encouraging to see that people are trying to be more aware of what their are eating, but ignorance about food labels is setting people up for failure, and that is hard to watch.
I think that it should be absolutely mandatory for students to take some sort of nutrition and wellness class that teaches people how to properly read food labels (at the very least). I honestly believe that the knowledge deficit that so many people have is contributing to the obesity problem and though I know it won't eliminate the problem, if we can get people educated about simple things like healthy shopping, it will certainly help.
Quote Response
The scene from O that stands out the most for me is when Hugo explains his plan to Odin to kill both Desi and Michael. He explains that Odin is to "make up" with Desi and then kill her when she is alone in her dorm room (after her roommate leaves for the basketball game) while Hugo will recruit Roger to shoot Michael and then make it look like a suicide. The plan was to frame Michael for Desi's murder by placing a glass that Michael drank out of in Desi's room. Then, Roger and Hugo will kill Michael to make it appear as though he took his own life out of guilt.
Hugo was pretty obviously manipulative throughout the entire film, but I think this particular scene was the product of an accumulation of manipulation that occurred with all of the characters. Hugo effectively intertwined each character into his scheme and ended up the only one standing at the end. I was surprised that he managed to brainwash everyone without much opposition or hold-ups in his plan. I think that the fact that everyone went right along with what Hugo had to say was most shocking about this scene (and the rest of the movie). I would like to think that people have more independence and autonomy than they displayed in the film, but I also know that a strong personality and charisma is enough to sway a large group of people.
This scene brought all of the events of the movie to a head and the crazy sprial of Hugo's plan was in motion. The film techniques that I noticed were that the camera was at about eye level with Hugo and was zoomed in on him during this scene. It really showed the emotion that the character was portraying and allowed the viewer to understand how serious and and menacing the scene really was.
Hugo was pretty obviously manipulative throughout the entire film, but I think this particular scene was the product of an accumulation of manipulation that occurred with all of the characters. Hugo effectively intertwined each character into his scheme and ended up the only one standing at the end. I was surprised that he managed to brainwash everyone without much opposition or hold-ups in his plan. I think that the fact that everyone went right along with what Hugo had to say was most shocking about this scene (and the rest of the movie). I would like to think that people have more independence and autonomy than they displayed in the film, but I also know that a strong personality and charisma is enough to sway a large group of people.
This scene brought all of the events of the movie to a head and the crazy sprial of Hugo's plan was in motion. The film techniques that I noticed were that the camera was at about eye level with Hugo and was zoomed in on him during this scene. It really showed the emotion that the character was portraying and allowed the viewer to understand how serious and and menacing the scene really was.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Quote Response
"Wonder how they are finding things upstairs. I hope she has it a little more red-up there. You know, it seems kind of sneaking. Locking her up in town and then coming out here and trying to get her own house to turn against her!" Mrs. Hale (Glaspell 843).
I thought that this passage was a good example of some of the irony in the play. In a previous passage, the women had criticized the men for their comments about the lack of cleanliness in the kitchen. The men had made fun of the dirty pots and pans and towels and the broken fruit jars in the cupboards that hadn't been cleaned up. The women remarked that they understood how things are for a woman on a farm; that she was awfully busy and sometimes didn't have a lot of time to clean.
Only a few pages later, these same women were hoping that Mrs. Wright had straightened and tidied up the upstairs part of the house. Perhaps because they didn't want the men to judge Mrs. Wright further for her skills as a homemaker, or because they were also somewhat appalled at the condition Mrs. Wright kept the house.
I think it is important to the play because, as I mentioned before, it is another example of irony. It also depicts the standard for women in the setting of the play with regards to their duties around the home.
I enjoyed the line about trying to get the "house to turn against her". It was a humerous line, though I'm not sure it was necessarily intended to be so. The women were having a difficult time with what they perceived to be an invasion of privacy, though clearly the sheriff and the attorney were just scanning the house for evidence and doing their jobs. I think this also plays into the era in which the play took place.
I thought that this passage was a good example of some of the irony in the play. In a previous passage, the women had criticized the men for their comments about the lack of cleanliness in the kitchen. The men had made fun of the dirty pots and pans and towels and the broken fruit jars in the cupboards that hadn't been cleaned up. The women remarked that they understood how things are for a woman on a farm; that she was awfully busy and sometimes didn't have a lot of time to clean.
Only a few pages later, these same women were hoping that Mrs. Wright had straightened and tidied up the upstairs part of the house. Perhaps because they didn't want the men to judge Mrs. Wright further for her skills as a homemaker, or because they were also somewhat appalled at the condition Mrs. Wright kept the house.
I think it is important to the play because, as I mentioned before, it is another example of irony. It also depicts the standard for women in the setting of the play with regards to their duties around the home.
I enjoyed the line about trying to get the "house to turn against her". It was a humerous line, though I'm not sure it was necessarily intended to be so. The women were having a difficult time with what they perceived to be an invasion of privacy, though clearly the sheriff and the attorney were just scanning the house for evidence and doing their jobs. I think this also plays into the era in which the play took place.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Freestyle Entry
Lately I have been thinking a lot about a passage that I read in one of my nursing textbooks regarding change. In particular the text said that "change should only be implemented for good reasons" in a paragraph discussing planned change.
The term "planned change" interested me a lot. I don't think much change, in my life anyway, has been planned. Sure, I decided to come to college, get a house, etc. Of course those things are a change, they were planned and therefore less stressful. When I think of change, I think of the unforeseen, crazy things that happen in life that you have to change to adapt to. If every change was planned, change wouldn't seem like such a scary thing. But it is.
I totally don't deal with change well. In fact, when I think about a few months from now when I will be graduating, expected to be a real grown up, start a career (where I have people's lives in my hands) and start all over on my own in a new place, I quickly like to think about something else. All of that change that is going to be dealt to me at once is completely overwhelming.
I find it rather amusing that my nursing textbook preaches planned change whenever possible. The reality is, you can't always plan change and people have to be adaptable and open minded in order to survive change.
The term "planned change" interested me a lot. I don't think much change, in my life anyway, has been planned. Sure, I decided to come to college, get a house, etc. Of course those things are a change, they were planned and therefore less stressful. When I think of change, I think of the unforeseen, crazy things that happen in life that you have to change to adapt to. If every change was planned, change wouldn't seem like such a scary thing. But it is.
I totally don't deal with change well. In fact, when I think about a few months from now when I will be graduating, expected to be a real grown up, start a career (where I have people's lives in my hands) and start all over on my own in a new place, I quickly like to think about something else. All of that change that is going to be dealt to me at once is completely overwhelming.
I find it rather amusing that my nursing textbook preaches planned change whenever possible. The reality is, you can't always plan change and people have to be adaptable and open minded in order to survive change.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Quote Response
"That night I stayed a very long time in the bath. I wanted to know what it felt like to be in a cell filled with water" "What are you doing?" "My hands were wrinkled when I came out, like Grandpa's" (Satrapi 25).
This exchange between Marji and God occurs after Marji's mother tells her about her grandfather. Her mother explains that her grandfather was once a prince and then was named prime minister. After some conflict, as Satrapi describes, her grandfather became a communist and was imprisoned. Marji's mother explained that as torture, sometimes Marji's grandfather was put in a cell filled with water. Shortly after this exchange, Marji says that she would like to take a long bath.
I thought that this quote really demonstrated the innocence and youth of Marji's character at this point in the story. In order for her to emmulate her grandfather's suffering, she did her best to recreate the situation for herself, regardless of how much different a long bath and torture really were.
What stood out to me in this quote was how profound the last sentence is. She is making the connection that the wrinkling of her hands due to water exposure is similar to the wrinkling of her grandfather's hands from his old age. She is a young child who has had to be exposed to so much at such an early age, and she is doing her best to understand her situation and circumstance.
I think that this quote is a perfect example of the kind of traumatic events that the people of Iran had become accustomed to and how young children had to try and incorporate this knowledge into their daily lives and survive anyway.
This exchange between Marji and God occurs after Marji's mother tells her about her grandfather. Her mother explains that her grandfather was once a prince and then was named prime minister. After some conflict, as Satrapi describes, her grandfather became a communist and was imprisoned. Marji's mother explained that as torture, sometimes Marji's grandfather was put in a cell filled with water. Shortly after this exchange, Marji says that she would like to take a long bath.
I thought that this quote really demonstrated the innocence and youth of Marji's character at this point in the story. In order for her to emmulate her grandfather's suffering, she did her best to recreate the situation for herself, regardless of how much different a long bath and torture really were.
What stood out to me in this quote was how profound the last sentence is. She is making the connection that the wrinkling of her hands due to water exposure is similar to the wrinkling of her grandfather's hands from his old age. She is a young child who has had to be exposed to so much at such an early age, and she is doing her best to understand her situation and circumstance.
I think that this quote is a perfect example of the kind of traumatic events that the people of Iran had become accustomed to and how young children had to try and incorporate this knowledge into their daily lives and survive anyway.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Quote Response
From Langston Hughes' "I, Too"
"Besides, they'll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed --I, too, am America" (720).
After reading this poem I thought it was a particularly unique and interesting way to portray the desire for equal rights and to not be discriminated against. Then I looked at the date in which it was written and though it to be especially profound. In 1926, to publicly take such a strong and matter of fact approach to racism is really impressive to me.
I enjoyed the poem a lot, and this quote which comes from the last lines of the poem, is so powerful because he is saying so much. He is saying that he is beautiful not despite of his African American heritage, but because of it and that the people who told him to eat alone in the kitchen for so long will be ashamed when they see just how beautiful he is. He is also stating that he is every bit and just as much of what makes up America as the next person and he is proud of that.
I like that the author took a more subtle approach to his point. Instead of openly saying that racism is hurtful and he is tired of being discriminated, the author is using the forced isolation as a way to grow big and strong and show the people that have kept him down just how beautiful he has grown to be. This different approach to a topic that has been written about so much seems to make his point stand out even more.
"Besides, they'll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed --I, too, am America" (720).
After reading this poem I thought it was a particularly unique and interesting way to portray the desire for equal rights and to not be discriminated against. Then I looked at the date in which it was written and though it to be especially profound. In 1926, to publicly take such a strong and matter of fact approach to racism is really impressive to me.
I enjoyed the poem a lot, and this quote which comes from the last lines of the poem, is so powerful because he is saying so much. He is saying that he is beautiful not despite of his African American heritage, but because of it and that the people who told him to eat alone in the kitchen for so long will be ashamed when they see just how beautiful he is. He is also stating that he is every bit and just as much of what makes up America as the next person and he is proud of that.
I like that the author took a more subtle approach to his point. Instead of openly saying that racism is hurtful and he is tired of being discriminated, the author is using the forced isolation as a way to grow big and strong and show the people that have kept him down just how beautiful he has grown to be. This different approach to a topic that has been written about so much seems to make his point stand out even more.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Quote Response
From W.H. Auden's "As I Walked Out One Evening"
"You shall love your crooked neighbor with your crooked heart" (757).
I chose this quote not for its meaning within the poem or even because I fully understand what the author was intending the quote to mean. It stood out to me because of the wording and what I understood it to mean in life in general. Crooked to me can mean one of two things; twisty and imperfect or malicious and bad-natured. I took this quote to mean that we are all sort of crooked in that we all have flaws and imperfections and because we share that quality with every single other person in this world, we should love one another.
It is not often that a person can say that they have something in common with every other person, in fact, when people think of similarities they tend to think of hobbies, interests, goals, etc. We don't think of that which makes us human and unique; our flaws and overall crooked way of life. There is something quirky or different about all of us, and for the whole world to have something in common is pretty profound and deserves recognition.
Again, this may or may not have a single thing to do with the meaning of the poem, but this particular quote I think goes far beyond just this poem and has meaning to all aspects of life.
"You shall love your crooked neighbor with your crooked heart" (757).
I chose this quote not for its meaning within the poem or even because I fully understand what the author was intending the quote to mean. It stood out to me because of the wording and what I understood it to mean in life in general. Crooked to me can mean one of two things; twisty and imperfect or malicious and bad-natured. I took this quote to mean that we are all sort of crooked in that we all have flaws and imperfections and because we share that quality with every single other person in this world, we should love one another.
It is not often that a person can say that they have something in common with every other person, in fact, when people think of similarities they tend to think of hobbies, interests, goals, etc. We don't think of that which makes us human and unique; our flaws and overall crooked way of life. There is something quirky or different about all of us, and for the whole world to have something in common is pretty profound and deserves recognition.
Again, this may or may not have a single thing to do with the meaning of the poem, but this particular quote I think goes far beyond just this poem and has meaning to all aspects of life.
Poem Paraphrase
I chose to paraphrase the poem "Siren Song" by Margaret Atwood on page 755-56 in our textbook.
The song is described as irresistable and the author believes that everyone wants to learn this song. This song has the power to lure men into even the most dangerous and life threatening of situations. This song evidently is unknown to everyone because of everyone that has heard it, they are either dead or can't remember the song. The author suggests that she will reveal the secret of the song if the reader will get her "out of this bird suit" (later explained that sirens were half women, half bird nymphs). The author expresses a distaste for being beautiful and mythical and would like to leave the island that she is trapped on with two others. She also expresses a lack of satisfaction with the song and her duty to sing it. The author again says that she will reveal the secret only to the reader as long as they come closer. She says that the song is a cry for help and that only the reader can help her. She closes by saying that though the song is boring, it works every time.
Literally, the poem is supposed to be written by the siren herself as she is singing another man to his death. She seductively makes the song seem appealing and portrays herself as needing to be rescued or saved from her duties on the island. She lures the men in by saying that she will tell the secret to just him if he comes just a bit closer--clearly this is where all of the men go wrong in believing that the secret is just for him and that she has good intentions. She is alluring and mysterious and overwhelmingly persuasive and leads men to their deaths with her song.
Just as a note, this poem was really entertaining to read and I thought was quite humerous as well. My favorite quote is at the end of the poem where Atwood writes "Alas it is a boring song but it works every time" (756).
The song is described as irresistable and the author believes that everyone wants to learn this song. This song has the power to lure men into even the most dangerous and life threatening of situations. This song evidently is unknown to everyone because of everyone that has heard it, they are either dead or can't remember the song. The author suggests that she will reveal the secret of the song if the reader will get her "out of this bird suit" (later explained that sirens were half women, half bird nymphs). The author expresses a distaste for being beautiful and mythical and would like to leave the island that she is trapped on with two others. She also expresses a lack of satisfaction with the song and her duty to sing it. The author again says that she will reveal the secret only to the reader as long as they come closer. She says that the song is a cry for help and that only the reader can help her. She closes by saying that though the song is boring, it works every time.
Literally, the poem is supposed to be written by the siren herself as she is singing another man to his death. She seductively makes the song seem appealing and portrays herself as needing to be rescued or saved from her duties on the island. She lures the men in by saying that she will tell the secret to just him if he comes just a bit closer--clearly this is where all of the men go wrong in believing that the secret is just for him and that she has good intentions. She is alluring and mysterious and overwhelmingly persuasive and leads men to their deaths with her song.
Just as a note, this poem was really entertaining to read and I thought was quite humerous as well. My favorite quote is at the end of the poem where Atwood writes "Alas it is a boring song but it works every time" (756).
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Song Quote Response Assignment
Here are all of the lyrics to the song "Hey Soul Sister" by Train, I'll put in bold the lyrics I'm going to respond to.
Your lipstick stains
On the front lobe of my left side brains.
I knew I wouldn't forget you,
And so I went and let you blow my mind.
Your sweet moonbeam,
The smell of you in every single dream I dream,
I knew when we collided,
You're the one I have decided
Who's one of my kind.
Hey soul sister,
Ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo,
The way you move ain't fair you know.
Hey soul sister,I don't want to miss a single thing you do...
Tonight.
Heeey, Heeeeey heeeey!
Just in time,
I'm so glad you have a one track mind like me.
You gave my life direction,
A game show love connection, we can't deny-i-i-i.
I'm so obsessed,
My heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest.
I believe in you, "Like a Virgin," you're Madonna,
And I'm always gonna want to blow your mind.
Hey soul sister,
Ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo,
The way you move ain't fair you know.
Hey soul sister,I don't want to miss a single thing you do...
Tonight.
Heeey, Heeeeey heeeey!
The way you can cut a rug,
Watching you's the only drug I need.
You're so gangsta, I'm so thug,
You're the only one I'm dreaming of.
You see, I can be myself now finally,
In fact there's nothing I can't be.
I want the world to see you'll be with me.
Hey soul sister,
Ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo,
The way you move ain't fair you know.
Hey soul sister
I don't want to miss a single thing you do tonight,
Hey soul sister,
I don't want to miss a single thing you do...
Tonight.
It was really tough to choose just a few lyrics to respond to from this song. I think the lyrics are really unique and it has a really sweet and endearing message that is hard to narrow down to just a few lines. However, I chose the first few lines because of the unique wording and imagery that the writer employs.
The song is clearly about a woman who has got all the right moves and is the writer's soulmate. I like the first two lines, "your lipstick stains on the front lob of my left side brains" because it shows just how much of an impact this woman has had on the narrator. She has managed to imprint herself into his mind and she is all he can think about. It is a unique way of saying what has been said many, many times in other works and songs. The writer uses interesting word choice (lipstick stains, front lobe, left side brains) to paint a picture that could easily, but not as effectively, be painted with simpler words.
I also like that the writer doesn't just say that he dreams about the woman every night or even specifically say what he dreams about. In the last few lines of my selected lyrics, he says "the smell of you in every single dream I dream." This shows the reader/listener exactly how this woman affects all of his senses, even in his subconscious. He vividly remembers her smell and that memory even affects him in his sleep.
I think that the word choice and the description of how deeply this woman moves this man is especially romantic, and the song accomplishes this with its catchy rhythm and great lyrics. One of my favorites, for sure!!
Your lipstick stains
On the front lobe of my left side brains.
I knew I wouldn't forget you,
And so I went and let you blow my mind.
Your sweet moonbeam,
The smell of you in every single dream I dream,
I knew when we collided,
You're the one I have decided
Who's one of my kind.
Hey soul sister,
Ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo,
The way you move ain't fair you know.
Hey soul sister,I don't want to miss a single thing you do...
Tonight.
Heeey, Heeeeey heeeey!
Just in time,
I'm so glad you have a one track mind like me.
You gave my life direction,
A game show love connection, we can't deny-i-i-i.
I'm so obsessed,
My heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest.
I believe in you, "Like a Virgin," you're Madonna,
And I'm always gonna want to blow your mind.
Hey soul sister,
Ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo,
The way you move ain't fair you know.
Hey soul sister,I don't want to miss a single thing you do...
Tonight.
Heeey, Heeeeey heeeey!
The way you can cut a rug,
Watching you's the only drug I need.
You're so gangsta, I'm so thug,
You're the only one I'm dreaming of.
You see, I can be myself now finally,
In fact there's nothing I can't be.
I want the world to see you'll be with me.
Hey soul sister,
Ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo,
The way you move ain't fair you know.
Hey soul sister
I don't want to miss a single thing you do tonight,
Hey soul sister,
I don't want to miss a single thing you do...
Tonight.
It was really tough to choose just a few lyrics to respond to from this song. I think the lyrics are really unique and it has a really sweet and endearing message that is hard to narrow down to just a few lines. However, I chose the first few lines because of the unique wording and imagery that the writer employs.
The song is clearly about a woman who has got all the right moves and is the writer's soulmate. I like the first two lines, "your lipstick stains on the front lob of my left side brains" because it shows just how much of an impact this woman has had on the narrator. She has managed to imprint herself into his mind and she is all he can think about. It is a unique way of saying what has been said many, many times in other works and songs. The writer uses interesting word choice (lipstick stains, front lobe, left side brains) to paint a picture that could easily, but not as effectively, be painted with simpler words.
I also like that the writer doesn't just say that he dreams about the woman every night or even specifically say what he dreams about. In the last few lines of my selected lyrics, he says "the smell of you in every single dream I dream." This shows the reader/listener exactly how this woman affects all of his senses, even in his subconscious. He vividly remembers her smell and that memory even affects him in his sleep.
I think that the word choice and the description of how deeply this woman moves this man is especially romantic, and the song accomplishes this with its catchy rhythm and great lyrics. One of my favorites, for sure!!
Haiku
This is my nursing school inspired haiku poem (yes, I counted the syllables out on my fingers!) :-)
All-night clinicals
We live in our favorite
Stethoscopes and scrubs
All-night clinicals
We live in our favorite
Stethoscopes and scrubs
Poem Paraphrase
Last Words of the Prophet -Anonymous
Farewell, my younger brother!
From the holy places the gods come for me.
You will never see me again; but when the showers pass and the thunders peal,
“There,” you will say, “is the voice of my elder brother.”
And when the harvest comes, of the beautiful birds and grasshoppers you will say,
“There is the ordering of my elder brother!”
The author is addressing his younger brother as he has died, as though this poem is his final message to his brother before he crosses over. He wants his brother to recognize that he lives within the elements of nature and his brother can look to these elements and remain close to him, though he has died. The author also wants his brother to know that he will continue to care for him and all people for that matter, through bountiful harvests and the wild animals. In this way, the author never really dies. He simply lives in another way, through that which affects the earth and his people.
Farewell, my younger brother!
From the holy places the gods come for me.
You will never see me again; but when the showers pass and the thunders peal,
“There,” you will say, “is the voice of my elder brother.”
And when the harvest comes, of the beautiful birds and grasshoppers you will say,
“There is the ordering of my elder brother!”
The author is addressing his younger brother as he has died, as though this poem is his final message to his brother before he crosses over. He wants his brother to recognize that he lives within the elements of nature and his brother can look to these elements and remain close to him, though he has died. The author also wants his brother to know that he will continue to care for him and all people for that matter, through bountiful harvests and the wild animals. In this way, the author never really dies. He simply lives in another way, through that which affects the earth and his people.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Freestyle Blog Entry Week 3
For one of our freestyle reading assignments this week, I read Sandra Cisneros' "The House on Mango Street."
One of the more powerful quotes that stood out to me was "the way she said it made me feel like nothing. There. I lived there. I nodded" (Cisneros 329).
The narrator of the story describes moving from place to place with a family of six. Each of the family's residences were somewhat less than ideal, either being too small or faulty in some way. The narrator desperately wanted a house of their own "and we don't have to pay rent to anybody" (Cisneros 328).
A house they could all be proud of so that when they pointed it out to passerbys on the street, they didn't have to feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit it was their own. Even though this quote I selected is near the end of the story, after the family had moved into a house of their own (though it was only slightly better than some of the previous residences), I really felt a sense of sadness for the narrator and the family. I found myself rooting for them, though the story is very short. When they finally got the house on Mango Street, I hoped it was what they had all dreamed of. When the house fell short, my heart sank for them.
Of course material possessions are not all-important, that certainly is not what I'm trying to say here, being proud of what your family has and wanting to show it off is a feeling I think everyone deserves. This family struggled but stayed together and perservered through it all. Cisneros does a great job of getting the reader on the narrator's side and hoping right along with the family that the house on Mango Street can live up to their dreams.
One of the more powerful quotes that stood out to me was "the way she said it made me feel like nothing. There. I lived there. I nodded" (Cisneros 329).
The narrator of the story describes moving from place to place with a family of six. Each of the family's residences were somewhat less than ideal, either being too small or faulty in some way. The narrator desperately wanted a house of their own "and we don't have to pay rent to anybody" (Cisneros 328).
A house they could all be proud of so that when they pointed it out to passerbys on the street, they didn't have to feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit it was their own. Even though this quote I selected is near the end of the story, after the family had moved into a house of their own (though it was only slightly better than some of the previous residences), I really felt a sense of sadness for the narrator and the family. I found myself rooting for them, though the story is very short. When they finally got the house on Mango Street, I hoped it was what they had all dreamed of. When the house fell short, my heart sank for them.
Of course material possessions are not all-important, that certainly is not what I'm trying to say here, being proud of what your family has and wanting to show it off is a feeling I think everyone deserves. This family struggled but stayed together and perservered through it all. Cisneros does a great job of getting the reader on the narrator's side and hoping right along with the family that the house on Mango Street can live up to their dreams.
Quote-Response Assignment Week 3
"When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease--of joy that kills" (Chopin 327).
I chose this quote from Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" simply for irony's sake. I really enjoyed reading this story, probably because it took a turn that I wasn't necessarily expecting. Upon the news of a husband's death, most wives would be heartbroken. Louise Mallard had quite a different reaction. She was overcome with a newfound sense of freedom and opportunity that she had not felt since her marriage to her husband.
I especially liked the detail of her excitement about "spring days, and summer days, and all sorts of days that would be her own" (Chopin 327).
The irony of the quote I selected is that when her husband returns home, indeed very much alive, she herself dies. The doctors assumed it was overwhelming joy that did in Louise's weak heart..however the reader knows that it was the overwhelming sense of loss and disappointment that killed Louise.
It certainly was not the joy of seeing her husband alive that killed Louise, in fact it was very much the opposite. With his arrival home, her aspirations and dreams vanished. Heartbreak for Louise was the death of her life, the way she wanted to live it, not the rumored death of her husband.
I chose this quote from Kate Chopin's "The Story of an Hour" simply for irony's sake. I really enjoyed reading this story, probably because it took a turn that I wasn't necessarily expecting. Upon the news of a husband's death, most wives would be heartbroken. Louise Mallard had quite a different reaction. She was overcome with a newfound sense of freedom and opportunity that she had not felt since her marriage to her husband.
I especially liked the detail of her excitement about "spring days, and summer days, and all sorts of days that would be her own" (Chopin 327).
The irony of the quote I selected is that when her husband returns home, indeed very much alive, she herself dies. The doctors assumed it was overwhelming joy that did in Louise's weak heart..however the reader knows that it was the overwhelming sense of loss and disappointment that killed Louise.
It certainly was not the joy of seeing her husband alive that killed Louise, in fact it was very much the opposite. With his arrival home, her aspirations and dreams vanished. Heartbreak for Louise was the death of her life, the way she wanted to live it, not the rumored death of her husband.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Freestyle Blog Entry Week 2
For one of our freestyle reading assignments, I read Happy Endings by Margaret Atwood. I chose to write this entry about that story (how fitting, right? Freestyle reading for a freestyle blog entry!)
First off, what an interesting way to write a story! I thought it was fun following along with the different options for the story. I thought it was a really clever and enticing idea that Atwood had to present her story in this way.
The quote that is most important to me and has the most meaning about the message of the story, is definitely "The only authentic ending is the one provided here: John and Mary die. John and Mary die. John and Mary die" (Atwood 312). She makes a valid point, in each scenario, no matter who the characters are, their fates are all the same. Eventually, regardless of the plot in the middle, the characters die at the end.
It is an intriguing, and slightly morbid, way of looking at life. Although, it does certainly make you think about things. Really, all of our stories are vastly different and every person's life story is different but in the end, we all have one very important thing in common, we all die.
First off, what an interesting way to write a story! I thought it was fun following along with the different options for the story. I thought it was a really clever and enticing idea that Atwood had to present her story in this way.
The quote that is most important to me and has the most meaning about the message of the story, is definitely "The only authentic ending is the one provided here: John and Mary die. John and Mary die. John and Mary die" (Atwood 312). She makes a valid point, in each scenario, no matter who the characters are, their fates are all the same. Eventually, regardless of the plot in the middle, the characters die at the end.
It is an intriguing, and slightly morbid, way of looking at life. Although, it does certainly make you think about things. Really, all of our stories are vastly different and every person's life story is different but in the end, we all have one very important thing in common, we all die.
Quote-Response Assignment Week 2
"Tessie Hutchinson was in the center of a cleared space by now, and she held her hands out desperately as the villagers moved in on her. "It isn't fair," she said. A stone hit her on the side of the head (Jackson 221).
I was absolutely shocked that this was the eventual end of the town's lottery. In the beginning of the story, when it described the boys gathering stones into a pile, I didn't even come close to making the correlation that those stones would be used to kill one of the people in the town.
When I think of a lottery, I think of a lucky individual winning something of great value. Perhaps a large sum of money, maybe a car or even a new home. This lottery is, in every single way, exactly the opposite. No one wants to be the chosen one, and the chosen one is dealt a horrible, painful death by stoning.
The words that stand out to me is that the character "held her hands out desperately" to describe how terrifying the experience must be. "It isn't fair" also stands out because, well, it isn't. What an appalling tradition to continue to uphold for the characters of this story. I think Jackson puts it quite well in the short introduction about her at the beginning of the story. She says that the purpose of the story is "to shock the story's readers with a graphic demonstration of the pointless violence and general inhumanity in their own lives."
Not long ago, I remember seeing on the news a small bit about a documentary film about women in the middle east who are sentenced to death by stoning. The small clips of the film that were shown were gruesome and terrible.
The story certainly achieves its purpose and, after the initial shock, does prompt one to examine their own lives and the crazy, violent things that go on in the world that we live in.
I was absolutely shocked that this was the eventual end of the town's lottery. In the beginning of the story, when it described the boys gathering stones into a pile, I didn't even come close to making the correlation that those stones would be used to kill one of the people in the town.
When I think of a lottery, I think of a lucky individual winning something of great value. Perhaps a large sum of money, maybe a car or even a new home. This lottery is, in every single way, exactly the opposite. No one wants to be the chosen one, and the chosen one is dealt a horrible, painful death by stoning.
The words that stand out to me is that the character "held her hands out desperately" to describe how terrifying the experience must be. "It isn't fair" also stands out because, well, it isn't. What an appalling tradition to continue to uphold for the characters of this story. I think Jackson puts it quite well in the short introduction about her at the beginning of the story. She says that the purpose of the story is "to shock the story's readers with a graphic demonstration of the pointless violence and general inhumanity in their own lives."
Not long ago, I remember seeing on the news a small bit about a documentary film about women in the middle east who are sentenced to death by stoning. The small clips of the film that were shown were gruesome and terrible.
The story certainly achieves its purpose and, after the initial shock, does prompt one to examine their own lives and the crazy, violent things that go on in the world that we live in.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Freestyle Blog Entry
Reading "A Rose for Emily" was very interesting and very different from what I had expected. The title had me thinking it was a light-hearted story, perhaps about a romantic courtship or other love story. I suppose there was a love story in this, however much darker than I had expected.
My favorite quote from the story is "We did not say she was crazy then. We believed she had to do that. We remembered all the young men her father had driven away, and we knew that with nothing left, she would have to cling to that which had robbed her, as people will" (Faulkner, 31). This passage is in reference to Miss Emily hiding her father's body and refusing to admit his death. I thought the quote was powerful in its message and really insightful into human nature. To cling to that which robs us is an interesting concept, but certainly very true. An similar example that comes to my mind is of a controlling, abusive relationship where someone robs the other person of their hobbies, their spirit, their friends, etc. and that person in turn clings onto the abusive person because that is all they have left.
It is an interesting facet of human relationships that is surprisingly easy to understand. This character, Emily, was sheltered by her father for so long and deprived of human contact in any substantial amount, that her father was basically her only companion, the only person she had left. So, upon his death, it makes sense why she would cling to what was left of him and deny his death, as the quote says.
My favorite quote from the story is "We did not say she was crazy then. We believed she had to do that. We remembered all the young men her father had driven away, and we knew that with nothing left, she would have to cling to that which had robbed her, as people will" (Faulkner, 31). This passage is in reference to Miss Emily hiding her father's body and refusing to admit his death. I thought the quote was powerful in its message and really insightful into human nature. To cling to that which robs us is an interesting concept, but certainly very true. An similar example that comes to my mind is of a controlling, abusive relationship where someone robs the other person of their hobbies, their spirit, their friends, etc. and that person in turn clings onto the abusive person because that is all they have left.
It is an interesting facet of human relationships that is surprisingly easy to understand. This character, Emily, was sheltered by her father for so long and deprived of human contact in any substantial amount, that her father was basically her only companion, the only person she had left. So, upon his death, it makes sense why she would cling to what was left of him and deny his death, as the quote says.
Quote-Response Assignment
"The sheep pushing their carts down the aisle--the girls were walking against the usual traffic (not that we have one-way signs or anything)--were pretty hilarious. You could see them, when Queenie's white shoulders dawned on them, kind of jerk, or hop, or hiccup, but their eyes snapped back to their own baskets and on they pushed" (Updike, 16).
This quote stood out to me and struck me as important because of how much is said in just two sentences. When Updike describes the regular customers as "sheep" a picture is instantly painted in my mind of customers, single file, going about their shopping without straying. The quote also includes the words "jerk, or hop, or hiccup" to describe the customers' reactions to seeing the girls scantily clad in their grocery store. The quote effectively describes just how much of an upset these girls' presence had to the normal day to day in this market.
The story is based on young girls coming into a grocery store in swimsuits and basically turning the place upside-down without ever making an overt attempt to do so. This quote alludes to the girls' attire ("Queenie's white shoulders") and how the customers reacted. In two sentences, this quote sums up the source of conflict for the story and how the characters react to the conflict. It also describes how the narrator feels about the conflict and the characters in the store. Clearly the narrator finds humor in the customers' reactions. The customers were obviously taken aback by the girls and we can infer that they were probably appalled by the upset to their normal expectations and routine. The narrator finds all of this "hilarious" and continues watching the girls move throughout the store with a sort of awe and appreciation.
I wonder if this is where "No shoes, no shirt, no service" got its start.
This quote stood out to me and struck me as important because of how much is said in just two sentences. When Updike describes the regular customers as "sheep" a picture is instantly painted in my mind of customers, single file, going about their shopping without straying. The quote also includes the words "jerk, or hop, or hiccup" to describe the customers' reactions to seeing the girls scantily clad in their grocery store. The quote effectively describes just how much of an upset these girls' presence had to the normal day to day in this market.
The story is based on young girls coming into a grocery store in swimsuits and basically turning the place upside-down without ever making an overt attempt to do so. This quote alludes to the girls' attire ("Queenie's white shoulders") and how the customers reacted. In two sentences, this quote sums up the source of conflict for the story and how the characters react to the conflict. It also describes how the narrator feels about the conflict and the characters in the store. Clearly the narrator finds humor in the customers' reactions. The customers were obviously taken aback by the girls and we can infer that they were probably appalled by the upset to their normal expectations and routine. The narrator finds all of this "hilarious" and continues watching the girls move throughout the store with a sort of awe and appreciation.
I wonder if this is where "No shoes, no shirt, no service" got its start.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Reader's Autobiography
Hi everyone! My name is Marybeth Nash. I'm a senior in the OHSU School of Nursing here at the La Grande campus. I'm from the Portland area (Beaverton, for those of you who are familiar with the area) where I grew up and went to high school.
I came to EOU to complete my pre-reqs for the nursing program and compete for the track and field team as a thrower (shot, disc and hammer). Thankfully, OHSU and EOU have a contract worked out so I can be an OHSU student and still do athletics for EOU.
I'm very excited to get my senior year of school and athletics underway and see where it all takes me!
I live close to campus in La Grande with my roommate and two dogs, Duke and Cooper, that I adopted from the shelter here in town.
In the small amount of free time that I do get, I enjoy spending time with my friends, being outdoors, riding my bike, etc.
I can vividly remember my first and second grade reading experiences. I have always been a strong reader/writer/speller and I remember finishing all of the books on my teacher's shelf and being the first to learn to spell the word "metamorphosis." Unfortunately, for most of my life I've taken my reading skills for granted because I've always been more preoccupied with sports and other activities. I'm typically a very active individual and sitting down to read always seemed more boring than intriguing.
I remember loving it when my mother would read to my sister and I when we were little. We would each pick a book from our collections and then my mother would read them to us before we would go to bed. Somehow though, that fascination with literature faded when I had to do the reading to myself. I spent most of my education trying to avoid reading and/or doing the minimum amount to get me by.
This last summer actually, I was working for a home health agency and had a lot of down time during some of my shifts. I started bringing books to work to read in my free time and I found that with the right book, I would finish a book per shift! (Granted, the shifts were usually 12-24 hours long, but I was still impressed!) I probably read 6-8 books this summer and to my surprise, found that I was really enjoying it.
I'll be the first to admit that I LOVED the Harry Potter books. It just wasn't like reading a dry, monotonous textbook, it really painted a picture. Even if that picture was of witches and wizards and other magic beings, I was entertained. That's what I found with the books I read this summer, I was always entertained. Sometimes the books were funny, some sad, some so riveting that (as cliche as it may be) I couldn't put it down. As long as the reading can hold my attention and prove that it is worth my time to sit and turn the pages, I am all for it!
My sister is an avid reader. She will read absolutely anything that falls into her lap. She is an English major at Gonzaga, so I suppose she uses that side of her brain a bit more than I do! She has always been a reader, which clearly differs significantly from my experiences with reading. She reads for pleasure, for school, for just about every reason you can come up with. Also, she reads/has read just about every genre. She really enjoys reading her friends' work and editing and revising it.
My boyfriend has a very pinpointed interest when it comes to reading. He enjoys athletics and working on cars, so he subscribes to just about every car and fitness magazine available. He has piles of magazines that he reads religiously for tips and techniques to assist him in his hobbies. I read magazines rarely and admittedly, they are usually the trashy tabloid magazines. I doubt I would be very interested in reading magazine article after magazine article, even if it catered to my interests. I like to be entertained while I read, rather than reading for extending knowledge.
My father is what I would call an average reader. He starts a book or two at a time and reads a few chapters a night before bed. He prefers fiction novels (Clive Cussler, I believe?) and western themed books. He always "has a book going" as he says, which is also different from my preferences to reading. Once I start something, including a book, I like to get it finished as soon as possible. He is perfectly content with a few chapters here and there and spending weeks finishing a book.
I came to EOU to complete my pre-reqs for the nursing program and compete for the track and field team as a thrower (shot, disc and hammer). Thankfully, OHSU and EOU have a contract worked out so I can be an OHSU student and still do athletics for EOU.
I'm very excited to get my senior year of school and athletics underway and see where it all takes me!
I live close to campus in La Grande with my roommate and two dogs, Duke and Cooper, that I adopted from the shelter here in town.
In the small amount of free time that I do get, I enjoy spending time with my friends, being outdoors, riding my bike, etc.
I can vividly remember my first and second grade reading experiences. I have always been a strong reader/writer/speller and I remember finishing all of the books on my teacher's shelf and being the first to learn to spell the word "metamorphosis." Unfortunately, for most of my life I've taken my reading skills for granted because I've always been more preoccupied with sports and other activities. I'm typically a very active individual and sitting down to read always seemed more boring than intriguing.
I remember loving it when my mother would read to my sister and I when we were little. We would each pick a book from our collections and then my mother would read them to us before we would go to bed. Somehow though, that fascination with literature faded when I had to do the reading to myself. I spent most of my education trying to avoid reading and/or doing the minimum amount to get me by.
This last summer actually, I was working for a home health agency and had a lot of down time during some of my shifts. I started bringing books to work to read in my free time and I found that with the right book, I would finish a book per shift! (Granted, the shifts were usually 12-24 hours long, but I was still impressed!) I probably read 6-8 books this summer and to my surprise, found that I was really enjoying it.
I'll be the first to admit that I LOVED the Harry Potter books. It just wasn't like reading a dry, monotonous textbook, it really painted a picture. Even if that picture was of witches and wizards and other magic beings, I was entertained. That's what I found with the books I read this summer, I was always entertained. Sometimes the books were funny, some sad, some so riveting that (as cliche as it may be) I couldn't put it down. As long as the reading can hold my attention and prove that it is worth my time to sit and turn the pages, I am all for it!
My sister is an avid reader. She will read absolutely anything that falls into her lap. She is an English major at Gonzaga, so I suppose she uses that side of her brain a bit more than I do! She has always been a reader, which clearly differs significantly from my experiences with reading. She reads for pleasure, for school, for just about every reason you can come up with. Also, she reads/has read just about every genre. She really enjoys reading her friends' work and editing and revising it.
My boyfriend has a very pinpointed interest when it comes to reading. He enjoys athletics and working on cars, so he subscribes to just about every car and fitness magazine available. He has piles of magazines that he reads religiously for tips and techniques to assist him in his hobbies. I read magazines rarely and admittedly, they are usually the trashy tabloid magazines. I doubt I would be very interested in reading magazine article after magazine article, even if it catered to my interests. I like to be entertained while I read, rather than reading for extending knowledge.
My father is what I would call an average reader. He starts a book or two at a time and reads a few chapters a night before bed. He prefers fiction novels (Clive Cussler, I believe?) and western themed books. He always "has a book going" as he says, which is also different from my preferences to reading. Once I start something, including a book, I like to get it finished as soon as possible. He is perfectly content with a few chapters here and there and spending weeks finishing a book.
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