Emotions

  Recently, we began to read the book The Stranger. The main character of the book reflects a personality seen in few books. He is an emotionless person who takes life for what it is. He shows little attachment and interest in people and what they have to say. Although, he displays this emotionless persona to people as readers we have an inside look at to what he really is thinking. He seems to give people the benefit of doubt. Why shouldn't he help them? People seem to feel as if he doesn't care, but in reality he has no reason to. It makes us question our relationships with people. Does what we say always reflect how we are truly feeling? Some people rely on the words of others to reflect on certain people's opinions or feelings towards them. Words really have a lot more value than we depict.

Insanity.

 

  In class, we are discussing the Shakespearean play, Hamlet. With the sudden mysterious murder of his father and the marriage of his mother to his uncle, Hamlet falls into a deep depression. Many think he is mad with grief of the events that just occurred while others feel as if he is mad due to the rejection of Ophelia. We see two sides to Hamlet. At times, we see him display traits to those who are mentally unstable. He talks to himself, has sudden outbursts, and takes on weird behaviors. He also becomes isolated from his family and loved ones. However, on the other side we see a more intelligent side to Hamlet. He knows that he has to avenge his father by killing his uncle, but he also know that this is something that requires much deliberation and patience. He needs a just cause to kill his uncle rather than just acting on pure emotions. So, he devises a plan to guilt his uncle into confessing that he killed his father. As a reader, you question whether Hamlet is sane or insane? Where is the line drawn? Is Hamlet mad or is he tactful?

Rap or Poetry?

   When we think of poetry, we typically think of poets such as Shakespeare, Walt Whitman, or Ernest Hemingway. These are classical poets that we are exposed to in grade school and are well renown throughout the world. They are applauded by critics for their use of language, poetic devices, and are accredited for being the pioneers for the basis of poetry. Few people realize that they are not the only classic poets out there. Many times musical artists are poets also, but the difference is their art is said to a beat. These artists or lyricists are familiar to the people and more easily understood then say the works of Shakespeare which is written in Old English. A prime example of this would be the rapper known as Tupac Shukur. The rapper addressed issues within the community and made people aware of these situations. He his famous for his use of assonance and alliteration in his songs. His raps told stories. Artists such as him are famous for conveying urban issues by a use of a small anecdote.
      I feel as if as students we should not only be exposed to the classic poets, but also the more modern ones. Few people can relate to the diction and situations depicted within poems in history. Today, a lot has changed and a lot more issues have arose. Students should be exposed to both (of course, the less vulgar forms of lyrics for today's music).

Body Language

     Body language is something that few people discuss, but everyone pays attention to. The way people carry themselves helps distinguish who they are as a person. This is one of our first impressions when meeting a person. You can come off as welcoming or "stand off-ish." It also can depict certain traits of your personailty such as, confidence, self-conscienceness, or shyness. The use of body language as a form of communication is just as strong as using your words. It is your own personal form of silent communication. We see examples of this in everyday life. We even base our "next moves" off the body language of someone else. If a girl gives a guy, "the eye" you know she likes him. If she doesn't pay attention to what youe saying, she's not interested. We use body language sublimenly all the time. It is our way of expressing our emotions without physically saying them. It even provides emphasis to certain emotions or situations. Not every word, needs to be said.

Breaking Dawn.

   Tomorrow is the last movie to be released to the Twilight Series. The movie is called Breaking Dawn Pt. 2. In 2008, the first movie of the Twilight Saga was released. Millions of teenagers camped outside of movie theaters across the nation in excitement. The twilight craze swept the country. At first, I paid little attention to the book and movie. I felt as if the whole concept was rather stupid. Vampires? Werewolves? I'll pass. One day I actually decided to stop being lazy and investigated what all the hype was about and read the book. I was hooked. Some feel as the books have literary merit, while others considered it a classic of this time period. The real question is where is the line drawn? When is a book considered popular? When is a book considered a classic? The answer to that question would vary from person to person. As the reader, I became more intrigued in the plot rather than the literary devices the author used (if any). There are different types of classics that vary throughout the time period. We see this in examples such as Shakespeare and Homer. These are two contrasting ideas, works, and time periods, but both still to be considered classical pieces of literature. Classics appear to shift with the time period. How do we know when to classify one and when not to?

The Classics/

     In school, we are forced to read and analyze different works of literature. These works include plays, novels, epics, and short stories. As we read, I realize how the author constructs their works of art is meant to be viewed a specific way by the audience. Plays are meant to be seen, while short stories and novels are meant to be read. But on the other hand, some epics were meant to be told orally. These are key factors that we must pay attention to while reading these works. But the real question is, why we even read them if their purpose was to be heard or seen? The answer is the techniques that different authors used. Shakespeare's poetry and use of other literary devices was unprecedented. The literary culture had never seen works like his before which make them unique and impossible not to study. Oral epics are classic and encompass much of a specific culture. Not only do they serve as a literary device, but also as an historical one. In conclusion, classics are classic for a reason and should be read.  

The Best Stories Ever Told.

   

   I have to admit, I still am in love with Disney movies (mainly the classics). I faithfully watch at least one a week, as my "relaxation" period of the week. Few people know that many Disney movies are based upon numerous components of classic literature such as Shakespeare (The Lion King), the Brothers Grimm (Snow White), Greek mythology (Hercules) , and Charles Dickens (Oliver Twist). These works provide the pre-cursor to movies we all love and cherish today. My personal favorite is The Lion King. The plot uses elements from Shakespeare's, Hamlet, and takes us on Simba's journey to re-conquering what belonged to him even while he attempted to escape his destiny. 

   Although, Disney gives little credit to these literary works without them there would be no story. Disney gives us the illusion that these classic stories were created and illustrated by them, but in reality are just "re-makes" of someone else's works. I do have to give credit to the Walt Disney Production company for providing such vivid images in a kid-friendly way, just not for the story line. Classic works of literature are classic for a reason. They not only are notable works of art, but also help spark other ideas that provide the basis for other stories and films.