Puttermesser Papers & Fredrick Douglass

In reading about both Puttermesser and Douglass, I found that they share characteristics and can be contrasted. In my opinion, Douglass is more of an aggressive person than Puttermesser who remains more reserved and not as asssertive. Similarly, both Puttermesser and Douglass have a desire and deep love for something. While Puttermesser had a love and dedication to the law, Douglass desires a life of freedom; free of slavery.

Puttermesser & A Room of One's Own

In the beginning of Chapter 1, Puttermesser turns to Plato as the narrator in "A Room of One's own" turns to history in Shakespeare for answers. They each find inspiration in the literature they read and one can observe a connection between the history or fiction they read through their actions. I'm not as to what answers they are exactly looking for, but I believe they trust that the literature they pretain to will be their source of help or guidance.

The Golem & Yet Do I Marvel

The connection between these two pieces is the struggle to understand the acts of God and the Golem. The Golem describes a creature created to protect the Jews while Cullen describes his frustration with the cruelty African-Americans face as an act of racism. I feel as though both pieces depict the struggle a group of people must face who are in desperate need of help. We are not always reluctant to understand these helpers purpose, but we must trust in their acts to save us.

The Golem & The Tyger

Although, the Golem and the Tyger represent the same elements of fire and water, I believe they both have different purposes. The Golem was created in order to protect the Jews from harm representing a sense of hope for the Jews while the Tyger represents deadliness. The tyger is a creature that people grow to fear and must operate with caution around it, unlike the Golem who is there to protect. I see it as the Golem was created to protect the Jews from creatures like the Tyger.

Perestroika Act V & The Dream of the Rood

I noticed a comparison between Prior and the dreamer. They both have visions that feel them each with hope and desire. Prior's vision of heaven finally feels him with hope and helps him to realize that he is not ready to die. He desires life and wishes to continue his life on earth because he is not ready to go yet. While Prior desires life on earth, the dreamer desires eternal life. The dreamer's vision of Jesus and the cross feels him with hope and desire to one day be able to see the cross again.

Perestroika Act IV & No Worst, There in None

I was able to get the same feeling in reading both pieces. Each had a depressing and harsh tone which brought out the misery experienced in each character. Not one character is not going through some type of pain whether it be emotional or physical, internal or external. I've learned that everything comes to an end and there is no comfort in death.

Perestroika Act III & Spring and Fall

My interpretation of Spring and Fall with Act III of Perestroika was that Prior and Harper’s struggle with reality and fantasy can be interpreted through Spring and Fall. Spring is their escape from reality because it is a lively place, filled with beautiful blossoming trees. While Fall is the reality they cannot escape, where the ugly truth is experienced through the decaying and death of these once beautiful trees. Spring represents to me the beautiful life they once lived before the horrific truth of Fall ruined that world for them.

Perestroika Act II & Thou Art Indeed Just, Lord

In reading these two pieces, I feel as though both Prior and the speaker share a connection. They both feel as if they are being mistreated, whether it be through God or someone else. My interpretation is that Prior and the speaker of the poem are disappointed by these people. Their disappointment comes from abandonment or being mistreated. Further, I interpreted that the speaker is indirectly describing Prior and Louis. Hopkins speaks these bad people who seem to prosper while the good people seem to suffer. Louis, who has abandoned Prior when he needs him the most, seems as though he is moving on with his life as though nothing is wrong with no hardships. While Prior has done nothing wrong, must not only suffer from dying of AIDS, but deal with the abandonment of someone who he loves more than anyone.

Act III & Ash Wednesday

In reading Ash Wednesday and Act III, the only character I could think of was Roy. Roy is a man who needs God's mercy for all the terrible deeds he has done, whether it be past or present. As it explains in Ash Wednesday, judgment is upon and I hope at Roy's hour of death that his judgment will not be too heavy upon him. In my opinion, Roy lacks faith and needs to move more towards God, where he can find salvation.

Act I & Pied Beauty

In these scenes of the first act we see just how the world is full of many imperfections as explained in Pied Beauty. Yet, there can still be beauty found in these imperfections through God. I feel as though that the spiritual world is what connects all these characters, regardless of their flaws. This "pied beauty" of the world is praised by Hopkins and exploited through the characters who live in this world.

Scenes 1-6 & Batter My Heart

I compared the speaker in the poem to Prior. They both seem to need someone in order to help them get through something. I realized the speaker was in a desperated need for God's help in the lines that read, ""I can't do this by myself," and "I need a violent, conquering God to get me out of this." Then in Act II, Scene 5, Prior proclaims to Belize that he wants his boyfriend because he's dying and he needs him. Both characters to seem to be dependent on others and won't be able to overcome a rough time without them.

Scenese 5-9 & A Hymn to God the Father

I feel as though both pieces have to do with acceptance. Whether it be accepting death or that your husband is a homosexual, each character has a difficult truth that he or she must face. It isn't always easy to face these truths. Some people cover up the truth with denial or avoid it all together, but theres a point in time when a person must face the truth no matter how hard it may be to accept.

Scenes 1-4 & Air and Angels

Connecting these two pieces was not easy, but I feel though both related to love. I sensed that the characters in the first four scenes of Angels in America and the speaker in Air and Angels, do not have a full grasp on love or how to project it in the way they desire. The characters especially in Angels in America seem as though they are not fully comfortable with their relationships and shared mixed feelings. Additionally, I feel as though love is going to become connected to the spirtual world, which will help these characters to express the feelings they truly desire.

The Grand Inquisitor & Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

My connection between these two readings includes redemption. From the Grand Inquistor, I was led to understand by the Inquistor that the freedom God has provided us with keeps us from redemption. The Inquisitor implies that we are unable to handle the freedoms given to us and as a result hold us back from redemption, which causes as to suffer. However, Edwards believes their is a method of redemption and proposes we follow his method to escape the horrifying effects of sin.

The Grand Inquistor & The Breaking of Nations

I could not find a clear connection between both pieces, but have found a similarity between the two. In the Inquistor he speaks about the three temptations that the Devil put Jesus through, where he rejected the Devil in favor of God, just as Hardy divided his poem into three sections. Additionally, I feel as though both pieces suggest that people can overcome the temptations of the Devil or even hardships of society and war through their own personal freedom. God has given us Free Will, and it is through that freedom that we choose which course we wish to prevail upon.

Sermo Lupi ad Anglos &The Second Coming

In reviewing both readings I believe that I may have been able to indirectly connect them through God. Though Yeats does not directly imply that God is discussed in The Second Coming, I sensed that God is represented through the falconer. Just like the falcon, the people in Sermo Lupi are pushing themselves further and further from God or the "falconer". God released us into the world like the falconer released the falcon, and our sins or wrongdoings are bringing trouble into the world and turning us away from God. As a punishment for their sins, these people have endured troubles back at them for what they have done and a revelation is needed to save them. In Sermo lupi, the sermon declares that they people must change and follow God, but I believe that The Second Coming reveals that Jesus is their revelation. It wasn't until the end where Yeats mentions Bethlehem that I made this discovery and realized that this "second coming" was going to the save the people from their sins.

Assignment #7

I was able to find a direct connection between Beowulf and the Yeats in Easter 1916. This connection is sacrifice for the protection of their people. Through this time of battle, these warrior sacrifice their lives to evoke change on their people and land. This bravery amongst these warriors established identity through the sacrifice made. These men, alothough from different times or places, are connected by their reluctance to die for their people: a true sacrifice.

Assignment #6

In reading lines 2200-2723 of Beowulf and The Negro Digs Up His Past, I am filled with a morunful feeling. In the beginning of these lines in Beowulf, we read of the last member of his group. He explains how he buries the treasure because there is no use for it in this lonely state he finds himself in. The burying of the treasure is a symbol of burying his past for me, and hence moving on with the future. I believe that Schomburg tries to deliver the same message through the story of slavery. The African-Americans must bury their past of the future in order to be willing to move forward with the future. By burying the past, both people from these pieces are leaving the defeat of their people behind and striving ahead in their honor.

In Class Assignment

In recent passages of Beowulf, I have come to an understanding that women hold the sexual desire for men. These women are able to control their own sexuality until they married. However, even through marriage women still maintain erotic power. Before marriage to the king, Modthryth holds a sense of fear and desire toward these men that she attracts. Modthryth seems quite strong in defending her sexuality until her sexuality becomes her partner’s. In chapter 3 of Dracula, the women vampires play a part in the sexual aggressors as well. The three women hold a desire for Jonathan as he’s terror is mixed with feelings of lust. Women are of course a sexual desire for men and unknowingly hold the erotic power to control their sexuality.

Assignment #5

Queens Wealtheow and Hygd

I am most intrigued by the women's role that the queens play in Beowulf. I admire both Wealtheow and Hygd for being devoted women to their kings and the way they present themselves to others. They both represent a positive behavior for women (minus the bedmate topic-that though was funny, I still did not like) and show that women too can have a honorable status in society. Further, I have come to realize that both lands are mainly male-dominant, where they are violent because they seek to gain respect. However, I enjoy the fact that these queens and even women of today act as the peace bearers between men. These are connections that I'm sure many women can relate to because it is usually their job to calm down the men and seek peace.

Assignment #4

After class on Wednesday, I was happy to leave class with a much better understanding of the previous lines. I believe that going over the readings as we did in class allows me to better interpret parts of the story I might misinterpret or not understand. The explanation about Wealtheow was reasonably helpful to me and I was able to get a sense of her role in the poem. I admire her as a queen until she was referred as a bedmate. Before calling her by that, readers had a remarkable image of the queen and the duties she performed. Once she was referred to in the story as a bedmate, I felt as though it degraded her position as queen and made her seem as her duty as a queen was to pleasure Hrothgar. Additionally, this part of the story led me to believe that Hrothgar isn't the best king a well. This is because he rather fulfill his sexual desires than worry about the protection of his people. This part of the story had a negative effect on me.

Assignment #2

Beowulf & McKay: If We Must Die

In reading Beowulf and If We Must Die, I was able to make a relation between the character Beowulf and McKay. Both men are indeed fighters and are not to fight, even under dangerous circumstances. They are both strong and courageous men who are willing to stand up to protect the lives of others. Though McKay and his people may be outnumbered while Beowulf is not even a quarter of the size of Grendel, neither will go down without a fight.
I admire both Beowulf and McKay for their bravery because they fought to secure the safety of others. Putting your own life on the line for others takes courage and must be rewarded with honor.

Assignment #1 & 2

Beowulf: Lines 1-606

I had difficulty connecting the past two supplemental readings to Beowulf, but from lines 1-606 I was able to identify a centralized theme. I felt as though whether I was reading about Beowulf or Shield Sheafson, I was learning about the importance of identity. Identity is interpreted through one's ancestors or one's individualism. In the beginning of the poem, we learn of Sheafson's family history and the importance of names; each is not presented without referring back to their family royal line.
Then, as Beowulf is presented to the Danes, he is also viewed as a noble hero because of his father. Referring back to his ancestors, has allowed the Danes to have an already established identity for Beowulf. Now, Beowulf must live up to his father's standards by battling Grendel and proving to all that he is truly a noble hero. Furthermore, with the history of his father and his own self-accomplishment, Beowulf is be able to achieve his own identity amongst the people.

Assignments #11

I was unable to get to the library to get the books on Reserve, but upon reading Books XI and XII I was having some difficulty with the passages. I did not understand the connection as to why God felt as though Adam needed to see the future. If there was no way of changing the future and everything was already predestined, then why further expose this world of sin and evil to Adam. Further, I was curious to know why Eve could not come along with Adam and Michael. Again, I see this continous pattern where women appear to be not as important as the men. Both Adam and Eve were to be the father and mother of humankind, so shouldn't Eve have a right to see what her wrong doing has brought upon Earth.
The only understanding I can take from these last two readings is the idea of repentance. Milton shows Adam all the evil that will enter the world and expresses through the archangel Michael that obedience to God is vital. This because only repentance and obedience towards God will provide humans with everlasting, glorious life in Heaven with God.

Assignment #10

"Book X and Acquainted with the Night"

Book IX presents to us the climax of Paradise Lost, while Book X presents its resolution. The Son tries to bring back order to the world by adminstering punishments for the fall. Milton elminates Satan and the other supporting characters from the rest of the poem. In doing so, the source of human temptation is taken away, allowing there to be complete focus on Adam and Eve's regret.
Both Frost and Milton use symbolism to portray lonesome feelings of isolation through the speakers. These feelings come from awful deeds performed, through which the speakers feel ashamed of. It is in Book X where Adam and Eve repent, asking God for forgivesnesss in order to redeem humankind.

Extra Credit

"Adam the while waiting desirous her return had wove of choicest flow'rs a garland to adorn her tresses and her rural labors crown as reapers oft are wont their harvest queen."

I believe that the wreath of flowers he makes for Eve is a symbol of his love for her. Then, once Eve returns to him, Adam sees that she has eaten from the Tree of Knowledge. As he drops the wreath, we can connect this to her fallen state and disobedience against God. Further, the dropping of the wreath may also show Adam falling out of pure love with her. Adam becomes disappointed in Eve as a spiritual lover and companion. As a result, Adam falls under temptation, choosing Eve over God, allowing his physical and emotional impulses to overtake.

Assignment #9

"Paradise Lost, Book IX and Blickling Homily, Easter Day"

In reading Book IX and the fall of Adam and Eve, I once again see Milton's portrayal of women as the weaker sex. After a few compliments, Eve allows the serpent to win her over. She portrays to me that she cares more about superficial things such as beauty than profound things like God's grace. Instead of attempting to repent and take full responsibility for her actions, she goes to Adam to bring him down with her. Eve wants Adam to share her suffering, thus becoming an immoral and harmful being.
Adam and Eve's fall brought death upon us, and as explained in Easter Day, it was Jesus's suffering and death that saved us. Those of us who choose to follow God's way shall live eternally with God after death. However, those you choose a path of evil shall suffer eternally in Hell.
The disobedience of Adam and Eve may have brought an evil to mankind, but because of the Son's sacrifice, we still have the chance to receive everlasting life.

Assignment #8

"Paradise Lost: Books VII & VII and Plato: Timaeus"

In reading books VII and VIII of Paradise Lost, I was able to make comparisons that connected them to Timaeus, as well as separate them. Comparably, each speaks about the beauty of God's creation and the good that was inteneded. As readers, we picture an elaborate image of God creating this world for mankind and grow to appreciate its beauty through each author's interpretation of Creation.
A difference I was able to distinguish between Milton and Plato was the explanation of the creation of man and woman. Milton explains in Book VIII that Eve was created from a rib of Adam while Plato had a different explanation. He tells us that females are created through weak men. When a male becomes weak, he in turn becomes a female.
Milton and Plato each had their own interpetation of Creation, as do many people in the world. What we make of these explanations, further our understanding and own interpertation of Creation

Assignment #7

"Plato: Timaeus and Pastan: The Keeper"

This was the first assignment where I can say I had trouble understanding the dialogue or interpreting the meaning of the writing. For each piece I decided to break down the writing into separate parts and analyze what I undesrstood. In addition, I used outside sources as a reference to help me better understand what I was reading. I had trouble with close reading more for "The Keeper", but felt as though I might have found even a small connection between each. Each author presents an elaborate wrought image or account with clear narratives or dialogue. I felt as though both of the writers' included personal observation, especially in Plato's "Timaeus." Plato's account for the formation of the universe presented order and beauty in the universe that I never was aware of. Though I ran into some trouble while reading, I realize that if I have patience and break down the writing I have a better understanding and over all interpretation.

Category Paragraph

A category I associated with Satan's description of Adam and Eve is pure. He proclaims, "The image of their glorious Maker shone." I interpreted that because Adam and Eve are made in the image and likeness of God, they are in turn pure. Satan expresses that these two creatures hold: "truth, wisdom, and sanctitude," making them pure and giving them divine beauty. I agree with his description and in reading it I can sense Satan's envy towards Adam and Eve. However, Satan is able to find beauty and purity in God's creation, regardless of his jealousy and anger towards God. I feel as though this description stands to be true because all of Satan's past speeches have been full of anger, while this speech is expressed in more of a comendable way. In my opinion, if Satan is able to find and express the good in something, then it must be something undeniably true because he is unable to express any hate towards their description.

Extra Credit

Extra credit: 1 point

In Book V, a particular phrase caught my attention. From lines 538-540, the angel Raphael proclaims, "Freely we serve because we freely love as in our will to love or not: in this we stand or fall." I believe that in this proclaimation Raphael is trying to explain that like the angels, humans choose to freely serve God because they love God. It is because of our own free will that we choose to love God. Raphael further expresses the understanding to mankind that we are not forced by God nor our own nature to serve or love Him. I have interpreted that God has given us freedom of our own will. We are not obliged to serve God, but our desire for happiness and love from God directs us toward Him. Like Raphael and the other angels, we choose to follow God by our own free will.

Assignment #6

Assignment #6: Books V -VI and Pastan: Angels

In reading Book V and VI along with Pastan: Angels, I found it quite difficult to understand the pieces. I had to refer to outside sources to get an explanation of what they were about in order to better understand the writing. The only connection I could try to make between the two was the beauty of the angelic world. As described in Angels, I believe though we are at the "interface between the human and angelic" like Adam and Eve were. Angels describe the beauty of the angelic world, a place where humankind hopes to one day will in paradise with God.

Extra Credit

Extra Credit: 1/2 point

At the beginning of Book IV, Satan says a phrase in which I was able to interpret on my own.
On lines 58-61 Satan exclaims, "O had His pow'rful destiny ordained me some inferior angel!
I had stood then happy: no unbounded hope had raised ambition." When reading this statement
I feel as though Satan is proclaiming that he wished God had made him a low-ranking angel. I
came to the conclusion that Satan explains that if God haddone so then he would never felt the
need to rebel. Satan would have been content with his position and would have felt no desire to
rebel against God.

Assignment #5

Assignment #5: Book IV and Tea in the Palaz of Hoon

After reading Book IV, I chose to read the poem Tea in the Palaz of Hoon. At first, it was difficult to find a connection between the two. However, upon reading each piece a second time I discovered a connection I believed they might have in common.I am not sure of how true this connection may be, but I believe that in each piece the characters were in search of self-discovery.Adam and Eve are still on the path of discovery who they really are and their purpose while the man in Tea in the Palaz of Hoonis on a mission of self-discovery as well. Additionally, in both Book IV and Tea in the Palaz of Hoon, a subconscious mental domain was present which influenced the conscious mental life of the characters. This mental domain include the serpent for Adam and Eve, and the man's conscience.

Assignment #4

Assignment #4: Book III and Sunday Morning

In my opinion, I felt as though the poem "Sunday Morning" by Wallace Stevens had more of a connection to Book III of Paradise Lost than "Evening Without Angels". Book III of Paradise Lost is where the reader first really learns about Heaven and God. We learn of this place that the Father has prepared for Man after death. Additionally, we learn that it if we are to have faith is His Son's sacrifice, we shall live eternally in paradise. In "Sunday Morning", the woman dreams and feels the horrors of Jesus's sacrifice. After her dream, the woman comes to realize that a devotion to Earth's pleasures will redeem her with the divine bliss of eternal life in Heaven. The poet teaches us that,=2 0"Death is the mother of beauty," because death gives our life a meaning. If we choose to follow God's way it shall lead us to a better life in Heaven after death, but as we learn in Book III, those who do not follow God's grace shall be condemned to Hell.

Assignment #3

Assignment #3- Book II and Embracing the Exile

When reading these two pieces of work, I felt as though I was able to understand each more easily than the previous pieces. Book II and Embracing the Exile each had a message to deliver because I believed to find them both as debatable topics. Additionally, I saw that in both works, those involved were trying to turn the curse of being in exile to their own personal benfit. Although I noticed in both pieces the character involved were trying to gain a trust in themselves, in Embracing the Exile they also were trying to achieve a trust in God and his creation. However, in Book II of Paradise lost the devils are trying to find a trust in each other to wage another war on God and do not wish to try and connect with God like those in Embracing the Exile. I hope in then future I can read more pieces like these where I am more capable of understanding the message each piece was trying to present.

Assignment #2

Assignment #2: Book I and The Snowman

In reading the rest of Paradise Lost Book I and The Snowman, I was able to
find a connection between the two. Each reading included descriptive details
that made it simple for me to paint a picture in my mind. When reading Book I of
Paradise Lost, I was able to envision Hell through the Hells of the Devil and
his followers. Then, in reading The Snowman I was able to feel the real, bitter
effects of winter through a snowman's perception. The desciptive details from
each piece, assisted in helping me become one with the scene. I have come to
realize that I enjoy a piece better when the author allows the reader to feel a
part of the story. Whether I feel one with the characters or one with the scene,
I find myself more interested and able to understand the story.

Assignment #1

Assignment #1: Paradise Lost, Book I lines 1-26 and Tennyson: Ulysses

In reading both of these pieces, I sensed that each character had an
important task that he set out to do. Both characters were motivated and
determined to accomplish an idea they believed in. In Tennyson's Ulysses, a
mariner decides to give up his throne, in order to set sail again in search of
excitement. This mariner is driven by a desire for an exciting life, away from
the boring, unfulfilling life he currently lives. Then, in Paradise Lost Book I
lines 1-26, the speaker informs the reader that he wants to be filled with the
knowledge of the Holy Spirit. The reason the speaker wants to be inspired by the
Spirit is because he wants to present to man the idea that the fall of humankind
into sin was part of a greater plan of God. The speaker, like the mariner, is
driven as well by a force of motivation to prove to man that God's plan is
justifiable.