The Blog to end all Blogs (Thankfully)

If there is one thing we must comprehend about the connection of the mind and literature, it is that it changes so completely from person to person that it is almost pointless to try to comprehend. While one person might write something a certain way to bring a point across, that doesn't guarantee that the reader will see it that way. From analyzing works of alphabetic art to writing and developing stories of our childhood, we tried to convey or figure out what others tried conveying messages to the reader. We tried showing our own personal take on literature and what we deem as truth and meaning in what we read.

In some of our very first (and last) post, we concentrated on examining our own way of writing and reading. Not only did we tell others about what we learned, but on the way learned a lot about ourselves. I learned that, as much as I enjoy sitting down and reading, I really don't like having to take apart a book piece by piece and dissecting it just to find "literary devices" then writing a long essay to appease the school system. Although this did throughout the year increase my standings and abilities as a writer, I also sacrificed much time for that ever hard to work for A.

After analyzing ourselves we started analyzing works by professional writers, starting off with Robinson Crusoe (a deathly boring book) to Romeo and Juliet (a messed up story if ever one has been told). From imagery to motif, metaphors to characterization, no literary devices could hide from us, but with this intense hunt came great effort on the individual student, for it was never blatantly clear because

“A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.” (Oscar Wilde) {more quotes at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/o/oscar_wilde.html}. In this quest for self enlightenment of every single thing we could possibly find in every single book we could cram into our school year, we found ourselves looking back all the wiser and much more capable in deciphering and writing upon almost any genre or form of literature.

As the posts went on we had to look not only deeper into what we read but also ourselves. As we went from post to post we couldn't just rely on literal questions and answers, for the writers began dealing with things that truly where moral issues that can't be fathomed without bringing in personal philosophies and beliefs, even sometimes religious ideals.As we did this we began to see ourselves in a better light and as such we have been able to more fully write in our own voice, because you can't be yourself unless you know who you are, in other words your some total of you ideals, beliefs and priorities.

The penultimate post of this long and at times grueling experience of Blogging looked back on how all this work had compiled into my near if not conquering of some of my biggest obstacles in writing (read the post for more) and for that end I thank everyone who has helped me through this year, my teacher, my peers and others who all put up with the time I bounce ideas off them. With this note a put this blog to rest for the last time (hopefully).

Conquering Writing

To say one is a accomplished essayist is no small boast in the world of literature, and as such I'll say that I'm not going to say that I am. That is not to say that I can't write a thoroughly informational, interesting or enjoyable passage, it's just that the delivery isn't quiet there. As such I know I have much to learn in the way of grammar, proper punctuation and the likes. One great method to improve you're shortcomings is (if you're not me, I personally don't find it to exciting) to analyse the works of authors you enjoy and really pick apart what's being said (again not my favorite thing in the world to do). It can be hard work (and boring), but you can come away with some great insight to the author's intentions, making the whole reading experience a lot more deep and thoughtful.

Now back to me and my shortcomings as a writer. Since it probably is a nice hefty list of essayist faults, I'm gonna focus on my long set hatred of correct grammar usage. Me and grammar have had plenty of run ins to know we don't like each-other, to the point where in my normal speech I use my own certain twist of normal speaking. This occasionally comes out in my writing (as you may have already seen). All the same I hope people find my essays something to be enjoyed, rather than suffered through, like so much of the dry reading material of this world.

Summer Read'in

This summer I plan on reading at least a decent pile of books, partially for enjoyment, and partially out of necessity. Nothing keeps off summer dumbness than reading a good book. This summer I plan on reading two books by Tom Clancy, The Sum of All Fears and Rainbow Six. I've started both these books before but never finished, they are over 900 pages long and require some thought when reading. All the same they're good books, I just want to start what I've finished. The Sum of All Fears is a book about the USA trying to settle religious violence in the Holy Land and insurgents trying to insight war. Rainbow Six is about an elite anti-terrorist outfit who is being targeted by people inside the US government who wants them out of the way (I think, its been a long time since I started it).

Signs in the Stars

I was born on the Third of October, meaning I'm of the sign Libra. This supposedly means that I'm sociable, intellectual, peace loving, seek the middle ground, and strive for inner equilibrium. I am not saying that I don't strive to do these things, but who doesn't. I personally believe that these "signs" have no bearing on my life, because although I could be said to lean towards this side after all, I believe that man is free to interpret their fate, that it is their choice, not a predetermined force that forces you to act a certain way. The only reason someone would turn out to be like their sign is sheer luck, interpreting it a way that it worked, or purposely leading your life down a certain path, but no path is to hard too change direction.

These ideas are quite contrary to the views as some of those in Romeo and Juliet. Over and over again people blame fate for their troubles, it's not our fault, it was doomed to be so. Whether it being Romeo cursing fate's ill humor after his fateful duel, or Juliet lamenting over fate destroying her attempts of love, they believe nothing they can do can change their own lives. This is where they are wrong and fail to stop the death spiral of their lives.

A love-struck Romeo sings the streets a serenade

Nothing says timeless than a veritable slough of media and cultural icons that bear semblance or pay homage to a single idea, or in this case a play. Romeo and Juliet has been redone, seen in different light and endless other things for over four hundreds of years. One such example of summarizing the story in song is Dire Strait's Romeo and Juliet.

NARRATOR:

A love-struck Romeo sings the streets a serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made.
Finds a streetlight, steps out of the shade
Says something like, "You and me babe, how about it?"

Juliet says, "Hey, it's Romeo, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"
He's underneath the window, she's singing, "Hey la, my boyfriend's back.
You shouldn't come around here singing up to people like that...
Anyway, what you gonna do about it?"

ROMEO:
Juliet, the dice was loaded from the start
And I bet when you exploded into my heart
And I forget I forget the movie song.
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?

Come up on different streets, they're both the streets of shame.
Both dirty, both mean, yes, in the dream it was just the same
And I dreamed your dream for you and now your dream is real.
How can you look at me as if I was just another one of your deals?

When you can fall for chains of silver,
You can fall for chains of gold,
You can fall for pretty strangers
And the promises they hold.
You promised me everything, you promised me thick and thin, yeah!
Now you just say, "Oh Romeo? Yeah, you know I used to have a scene with him".

Juliet, when we made love, you used to cry.
You said, "I love you like the stars above, I'll love you 'til I die".
There's a place for us, you know the movie song.
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?

I can't do the talk, like the talk on TV
And I can't do a love song, like the way it's meant to be.
I can't do everything, but I'll do anything for you.
I can't do anything, 'cept be in love with you!
And all I do is miss you and the way we used to be.
All I do is keep the beat... and bad company.
Now all I do is kiss you through the bars of a rhyme,
Juliet, I'd do the stars with you any time!

Juliet, when we made love you used to cry.
You said, "I love you like the stars above, I'll love you 'til I die".
There's a place for us, you know the movie song.
When you gonna realize it was just that the time was wrong, Juliet?

NARRATOR:
And a love-struck Romeo sings a street-suss serenade
Laying everybody low with a lovesong that he made
Finds a convenient streetlight, steps out of the shade
He says something like, "You and me babe, how about it?"

ROMEO:
You and me babe, how about it?

Not many other media can as quickly and qualitatively sum up the story of these two "star crossed lovers" as this song. Not only does it speak of important events of the play (balcony scene anyone?) but it speaks of key points of the conflict (dice was loaded from the started i.e. their's was a doomed love). Even Romeo is characterized by his signature identity of being love struck and serenading women.

Fufilling Expectations Why?

Of the many characters in Great Expectations, the one that puzzles me the most is Able Magwitch. What I just cannot fathom is the amount of devotion he shows towards Pip. What fuel's that obsession to make Pip a gentleman. It can't just be that Abel feels indebted or that he sees himself in Pip. What makes this man forgo all thought of furthering his life to better the life of the blacksmith's boy. "Look'ee here, Pip. I'm your second father. You're my son-more to me nor any son. I've put away money, only for you to spend." ( 321)

Questioning Expectations

"...brought in by degrees some fifty adjuncts to refreshment, but of tea not a glimpse....which the waiter staggered in with, expressing in his countenance burden and suffering...and so from the whole of these appliances extracted one cup of I don't know what for Estella." (269)

Is this passage describing the fact that you can never recognize things you want after long periods of time, or is it speaking on the fact that you never get what you want from life right away, or a combination of the two? I honestly don't know what exactly Dickens is trying to get across, the first and last bits make sense but the added facts about the anguish of the waiter baffle's me. Please help me in my quest to understand this cryptic message.