Reflection: Last Blog

     Before taking this class, I had never given much thought to who I am as a student of literature. High school was the first place that I first really started reading literature. It was there that I would have to say my foundation for literature was formed. However, this semester has caused me to really realize what literature is all about. Since this is the first time that I have really taken a book and looked past the story line, I struggled some at first to really get into analyzing what the author was trying to say to me between the lines. I found myself reading, taking time to process what I had read, and then developing ideas about what I had read. What helped me a lot is the discussions we would have in class over the readings. It gave me a chance to voice my ideas and then to view things from others perspectives and ideas as well.
     This class has forced me to take a deeper look at the impact literature can have on the reader. I have been reading for years, but it was not until this semester that I really took the time to process much of what I was reading. The fact that most of the works we read had a great deal to do with current issues made the readings have even more of an impact. I think this class has taught me to look much deeper at what the author is really trying to convey to the reader, not to take things so much at face value anymore. It has also taught me to appreciate a much broader range of authors and writing styles, as well as content.  Ultimately, I walk away from this class being less ignorant about the different backgrounds and styles that make up literature, and also with a better knowledge of what makes literature powerful.
     I also learned that although one may see a certain point on one light, another reader may see it in a very different light. What I gained from the works we read may not be what the next reader walks away with and I find that idea very powerful. Literature has something to offer everyone at whatever stage they are in their life. Different parts apply to different people differently. Each person can find something that they like and take that piece away with that.

No Books...No Kindle?

In today's world there is "dog-eat-dog" competition in every industry. Education is the top priority for everyone. People from agricultural backgrounds, business, artists, doctors all want their children to have the best of education. Books can offer this.  Books provide the necessary basis for communication.  If we didn't have books, we wouldn't have media. We wouldn't know about the historical monuments and culture. We wouldn't have any doctors, engineers etc.  Therefore, people would die faster and would suffer.  We get a great amount of information from books, which makes our minds sharp and make us intelligent.

 

If I wasn't allowed to read books, I would be significantly affected.  I don't read everyday, but books are a healthy way to exercise the mind and escape the stresses of reality.  It is nice to take a break from the constant movement of society to just sit down and read a book.  It helps me to relax and enjoy a story.  Also, it makes me feel good and accomplished when I finish the book, because it actually took time to read it and it was something not just handed to me.   

 

We metaphorically burn books everyday by indulging in the lastest technologies of the century.  Decades ago, radio signaled the demise of the book. Then came television and today, the Internet.  Instant gratification has taken over society leading people to not want to waste time on a book.  Also,  people rather go see the movie then read the book.  This is a blatent example of metaphorically burning books, because they have been replaced with a presented visual video that only lasts an hour and a half at most.  It cuts out important details that you get from the books and it eliminates the use of the human imagination to visualize and question for themselves.       

 

As Miguel Syjuco, author of Illustrado, puts it best..."Literature is the story of ourselves, the record of who we are, where we came from, and where we’re going. Non-fiction illuminates the world for us and fiction explains what non-fiction cannot. Through books we first travel. In those wanderings we become best acquainted with humanity through the characters we come to know more intimately than anyone else – whether we love, loathe, fear, or fawn over them.  Reading is our deepest connection to what makes us human, and part of a larger society."

Analyzing The Hunger Games

     I started this book thinking the idea was absurd: a government choosing to eliminate rebellion by forcing its citizens to give up their children as participants in the ultimate reality show of death to the last survivor.  I soon found myself hoping for a certain outcome that would certainly bring about the death of many children but save the brave little heroine. Complete with an impossible love interest, twists in the arena to keep you guessing, and both sympathy and hatred for the other characters, the book keeps you on the edge of your seat. In some ways the story reminded me of The Lottery, because people were picked for death.  For example in The Lottery, the wife was picked to get stoned and in The Hunger Games, Katniss took the place of her sister who was picked to participate in the Games.      
     I found it interesting that even in this life and death situation, the kids refused to do anything that would displease the capitol and make them look rebellious or unwilling to play, or worse emotional and disturbed by death. They did not bond with each other, help each other, or ever want to be indebted by anyone's kindness.  Even after I closed this book, I found myself relooking at the statements about society, our gruesome need for reality TV, how much a community will let others suffer as long as they are safe, and the strength of the human spirit when backed up against the wall. I enjoyed Katniss' emotionally detached character, Peeta's vulnerable goodness, and Rue's small but fighting spirit.

I chose this painting titled Pollice Verso by Jean-Leon Gerome, because it represented how Katniss and the other 11 tributes fought until death.  Also, the audience in the arena represent the Capitol watching and being entertained. 

Are you not Entertained?

Jersey Shore Episode  I watched Jersey Shore (season 2) the 26th episode when Sammi gets in a fight with her boyfriend about texting this guy Arvin to meet up with her at a club.  Mike the Situation blows it way out of control calling Sam a "sneaky bitch" and making a scene.  Lots of yelling and "he said she said" statements are repeated as the night goes on and more alcohol is consumed.  It is live people in real situations, but the behavior is fake and out of the ordinary.  The way they talk and act is not normal and you don't see that everyday.  The only attributes that are valued in the Jersey Shore are being tan, muscular, and sexual, because that is what the public wants to see.  If people didn't want to watch it, they wouldn't.  The show has brought about more social competiton where teens and adults compete to get the most attention.  The lack of intelligence in the show is astronomical...you never see the cast talking about educational ideas like politics or the news.  Most of the time they are creating their own language.  They work at the simplest jobs like an ice cream shop and a clothing store and yet they still don't take anything seriously.  Sex appeal is extremely displayed every night they go out.  Sammi, Jwow, Snooki, and Deena wear little to no clothing with high heels and a mask full of makeup.  They poof their hair and shorten their skirts so more skin is shown.  The guys take forever to get ready just to come back, get their girls in their pajamas, and have sex.  It is a reoccuring trend with all of them.  I enjoy watching the show sometimes, because some of the dumb stuff they say makes me laugh, but if I question what I am getting out of watching the show, there is nothing.  What makes the show alluring is the wide fan base it has and all the popularity and attention it draws.  There is always a fight, always drama, always something eventful that keeps the attention of the audience.  My role as a viewer is to analyze what I'm watching and not be influenced by what I'm seeing, but more by what I believe. 

Big Brother is Watching You

Freedom is slavery; War is peace; Ignorance is strength.  This is the motto describing an Orwellian society in 1984.  This might as well be the motto for our government today.  "Big Brother" can definitely be seen existing today through actions of our government. 
     
I believe we have lost our right to privacy.  Everything that we post on the computer can be seen and brought up on any other computer in the world.  People can hack into things and find whatever information they want.  A robber could go onto facebook and see the best time to break into your house, because you're dumb enough to write going on vacation for the next two weeks.  To a robber that is code for big empty house with nice things in it to steal.  They say watch what you put on the internet for a reason. 
     This website actually talks about Facebook's automatic face detection where you put a photo into Iphoto and it easily tags you in the picture based off of face recognition from other photos on your profile.  In other words, if you're in the background of a photo doing something illegal you could get in a lot of trouble.  Is this an invasion of privacy?  I think so.  Nothing is private these days.  It is either spread by the internet, news, magazines, television, radio, or word of mouth.  Things get around fast.  For example, the government can tap into your phone conversation.  They have cameras set up everywhere from stop lights, to on college campuses, to stores, to atm machines.  They do have their benefits, but is it right for the government to be watching that closely to what Americans are doing.  Why is it that we have to give up our basic freedoms in order to feel safe?  Why do we feel unsafe in our nation?  Could it be the constant supply of negative information the news and media feed us everyday?  I'm not sure what it is, but I know it is in my own responsibilty to keep myself safe. 

Read my Feed

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C1I-IrOgyg

     This would be one of the ads in my feed.  Not only do I love pepsi, but I love Aretha Franklin's singing as well.  This is an old pepsi advertisement, but I picked this one because when I was younger everyone use to tell me I looked like the Pepsi girl.  It reminds me of my childhood when I watch the advertisement and brings back good memories.  I would like to replay this in my feed, because it brightens up my day. 

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsoP6bjADic
 
     This would also be another one of the ads on my feed.  I love Nike, I love swimming, and I love watching Lebron James play basketball.  Sports and physical activity is a very important part of my life.  Just watching this ad on my feed each day would motivate me while working out.  I've been on the swimteam almost my whole life and participated in field hockey and basketball in highschool.  This ad also has points that remind me of my childhood which is another reason I like it.

3.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quH5G_Tw8sY&feature=related

    This would definitely be on my feed.  It has one of my favorite games to play...Just Dance 2.  If you can't tell I love dancing.  I think it is fun and energetic and a source of good fun.  The advertisement also shows two celebrities that I like to watch on television, Whitney Port from The Hills and Kim Kardashian from Kim and Kourtney Take New York.  Also, I could listen to the Pussycat Dolls music all day if I could. 

4.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eaNUYG3ogc

    Finally, this would be the fourth advertisement on my feed.  I have an obsession with ice cream.  It is probably my favorite food in the world.  It is one of my weaknesses especially if I have no one to celebrate Valentine's Day with.  It seems to fix all my problems and make me happy.  My favorite kind happens to be chocolate chip cookie dough.  I don't know if I could live with Ben and Jerry's ice cream. : )

Finally Done

The no technology week is finally over and I am so glad.  I learned a lot from this experience.  It has showed me what a heavy dependence technology has on America.  We use it for entertainment, for sources of information, and distraction.  I remember when I didn't have texting before I use to think it was so rude when you were talking to someone and they would whip out their cell phone to text another person, but now that I have texting I find myself doing it.  It isn't polite and isn't a good habit.     Having multiple technology sources can sometimes be hard to juggle.  For example, someone might have a cell phone, a PDA organizer, a computer, multiple social networking site, video game systems, and an ipod system.  You not only have to keep track of everything, but keep up with all the people associated with them.  If you don't text someone back they worry and think you're dead.  If you don't post a comment on someone's facebook wall they don't think you're friends.  When I went back to using technology I had 24 text messages and 41 facebook comments.  It was ridiculous.  Although having all of those comments made me realize the benefits of technology.  Technology allows me to keep in touch with important people in my life which adds to my mental health and happiness.  I like feeling wanted and significant and like a person who you can talk to.  I didn't go insane without technology, but I found it very difficult to find other sources of happiness.  Now that I have completed the challenge, I have a variety of ways to entertain myself and be content.  It was certainly a challenge, but what does not kill you makes you stronger.