Blog Post #9

Image taken from Beloved 1998 film

I have given much thought to my Humanities Book Analysis lately, (and not just because the deadline is approaching), but because I want to make sure the book I select will be the perfect choice. After much consideration, I have landed on "Beloved" by Toni Morrison. I analyzed our class list of pre-approved books to make my selection. I knew the book had to come after the 19th century because anything before that doesn't quite interest me. At first, I was set on Madame Bovary because I have read it before and actually enjoyed the read so I figured it would be easy for me to revisit. However, I realized that I'd much rather choose something I have not read to expand my literary knowledge and engage in a new setting. So then I decided, okay, maybe I'll skip realism and romanticism because I want something heart wrenching and abstract (if that makes sense?). So, I decided Beloved would be a great fit because of its abstract, ghostly point of view dealing with very surreal issues of slavery. The novel bases itself on the life of African-American slave, Margaret Garner a historical figure I briefly learned about it high school. 

I cannot wait to engage in research to learn more about Margaret Garner and her story and be able to compare it to Sethe in the novel. I expect this novel to open my eyes about the raw truth of slavery, the history that for most of my educational life, has been sugarcoated or omitted. It might sound odd, but I truly hope this novel will make me cry because then I'll know, I've been able to understand and feel a connection to not only the novel, but the history it holds.

Blog Post #7

#TeamLocke

I personally believe that in the battle of political philosophy, John Locke paints a more accurate picture of the human being and here is why:

Locke:                                                                                                Hobbes:    

Man has rights by nature                                               You give the government your rights

The state should only make sure justice is done           The state knows what it's doing,                                                                                                                 whatever it does is just

If a ruler fights with his subjects, we have the               We do not have the right to rebel

right to fight back

Society creates order and legitimizes the states               Civil society is a creation of the state

We must allow one another to live in peace                    Men does not know good and evil, we                                                                                                      can only live in peace through subjection                                                                                                   to absolute power

I think Locke shows a much more realistic picture of what humans and human behavior is truly like. I think that humans are born with a sense of good and evil. This actually reminds me of a study I learned about in my PSY class last semester. This study was conducted by Yale University's "Baby Lab" to uncover the origin of morality. Long story short, they concluded that these little humans did have a sense of good vs bad even though at this young age, they can't truly comprehend their moral philosophies.

(Here's the link to the 60 Minutes with CBS if you'd like to read about this study)

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/born-good-babies-help-unlock-the-origins-of-morality/

Also, I do not think humankind is as compliant to absolute power as Hobbes suggests. He says the state is basically the ruler of us all and to live, we have given away our rights. I think the foundation of this country shows the opposite of this mindset. This nation (at least tries to) enforces the idea that man is born equal and man is born with rights which I think is fundamental in a functioning society.

Overall, in my opinion I think Locke takes the win. 

John Donne

The Apparition

Related Poem Content Details

BY JOHN DONNE

When by thy scorn, O murd'ress, I am dead  (A)

         And that thou think'st thee free (B)

From all solicitation from me, (B)

Then shall my ghost come to thy bed,(A) 

And thee, feign'd vestal, in worse arms shall see; (B) 

Then thy sick taper will begin to wink, (C)

And he, whose thou art then, being tir'd before, (D)

Will, if thou stir, or pinch to wake him, think (C)

         Thou call'st for more, (D)

And in false sleep will from thee shrink; (C)

And then, poor aspen wretch, neglected thou (E) 

Bath'd in a cold quicksilver sweat wilt lie (F)

         A verier ghost than I. (F)

What I will say, I will not tell thee now, (E)

Lest that preserve thee; and since my love is spent, (G)

I'had rather thou shouldst painfully repent, (G)

Than by my threat'nings rest still innocent. (G)

What does this poem mean? 

To me, this poem is about a man who was wronged by his ex lover. I do not get a clear sense of what she did to him exactly (I'm guessing she cheated, that's the first thing that came to mind) but he is definitely hurt about it. So much so that he haunts her when he's dead. She sees his ghost one night at the flicker of a candle while she's with her new lover and she tries to wake her lover but he ignores her. She is now faced with the ghost and is terrified. I like when he says "And then, poor aspen wretch, neglected thou

Bath'd in a cold quicksilver sweat wilt lie

 A verier ghost than I" because he shows how afraid she is as she faces her wrongs in this physical form. She is so petrified that she begins to look like the ghost. For a moment I even thought that maybe the ghost was her mind manifesting her guilt into the form of a ghost to show her repent. My favorite part of the poem is perhaps the triplet it ends in because the speaker is basically saying, "I'm not going to tell you why I'm here because I want you to suffer in your own", which I think is so powerful.

I think in this poem Donne is warning humanity that our wrongs will follow us and literally haunt us. I think he is saying that we cannot escape the pain we cause and we will pay for it sooner or later.

What?

Okay so a couple of things in this poem really made me think "what?!" but I think I've gotten the idea of what this poem is about. I've an understanding of his message and the story he conveys but these lines still baffle me:

"And he, whose thou art then, being tir'd before

Will, if thou stir, or pinch to wake him, think

 Thou call'st for more"

So, her lover will think she's asking for more...more what? Sex? Attention? And if she tries to wake him, he will pretend to be asleep? (as suggested in the lines that follow). I think this means that her lover will grow tired of her and by ignoring her he basically makes her face the apparition. 

How did I feel?

The tone of the poem is very spiteful, revengeful and a bit cynical. It's almost taunting and I deeply enjoy that sense of mocking torment. It makes me feel vulnerable in a way because I see how much power this nonliving  form has over this woman. Also, I can see how powerful the human mind is in taking control of our very being.

Did I like it?

I can honestly say that I enjoyed deciphering the messages in this poem. I did not understand it at first and did not enjoy the darkness of the poem. After reading it a few times I appreciate the challenge and the abstract view of the world. Seeing this poem through the eyes of a ghost was quite interesting because he has deep and profound feelings which is quite intriguing to me.

The Prince

Qualities of a Prince:

-He should be feared rather than loved
-He should have the support of his people
-He should hold good virtues or at least appear to
-He should never turn to outside auxiliary or mercenary units, but always rely on his own arms
-He should be intelligent

Personally, I agree that a successful leader should have the support of his people and be intelligent. I believe it is important for a leader to have the support of his people because it is only then that he will be able to assert his power. I think loyalty is important because his people's devotion will allow him to grow as a leader and expand his power. Also, intelligence is important because a leader should be cunning and knowledgeable. The greatest power is the power of knowledge and his people will create a better sense of trust towards him through his intelligence. I do not agree that a successful prince should be feared rather than loved. I personally believe that love for a leader goes a long way. I feel that a leader should be loved rather than feared because he runs less chances of being replaced. If people are content with their leadership, there should not be a reason to want to change in leadership.

A leader that embodies Machiavelli's traits is Donald Trump. He uses fear to assert his power. He also appears to hold good virtues t appeal to the American people.

Personally, I think a successful leader should:

-Lead for a cause
-Speak for the people
-Show honesty and compassion
-Be strong willed/know when to make difficult decisions
-Be intelligent

These are a bit different from Machiavelli's qualities because I focus more on positive elements of a leader. I believe leadership means being able to connect with people thus guiding them through a path. I think it is essential for the leader to connect with his people and have a positive relationship with them through communication and loyalty. Machiavelli's principles are a bit darker and strict in a way.

One leader I believe exemplifies my traits for a successful leader is Michelle Obama. I think Michelle is someone who is true to herself and to her people.Michelle is honest, educated and works for her people. I think these traits have truly made her popular among the masses, has asserted respect and contributed to a legacy she will leave behind.

Consumer of Culture

In today's society it is often difficult to create your own identity as the social world around us tells us what we should like or dislike. Individualism seems like a stretch as it is simpler to conform with the status quo. However, I choose to embrace my individuality and create my own culture. I do not indulge in the commercial, money oriented world. Instead, I am a consumer of art, music, and current events. 

My personal culture is unique, and controversial. I am attracted to art and music that depicts the beauty of the world, the flaws in humans, and the injustices we live in. I enjoy debatable topics because I believe that my mind expands every time I challenge it. Every time I analyze and experience a new piece of music or art, I believe my mind rewires itself to a new way of thinking and that fascinates me. I seek challenges in different art and music because I believe these two are universal forms with many interpretations. In respects to this course, I cannot wait to explore the impact of industrialization to the humanities. I believe this is era is one that has brought a lot of what I am living today. In a way, it has stripped the world of many beautiful components of life. Industrialization intrigues me because oddly enough, it is a man made concept which has truly evolved the world to what I know of it today.