Swimming

Sliding my little feet onto the metal steps i had never been so nervous before. My feet were soon to touch the cold and  dark body of water, something i had been dreading for longer than any of the other campers. Slowly making my way into the mysterious liquid of the lake, i prayed my feet wouldn't touch the seaweed resting at the bottom of what i wished was warm sand. At our best efforts in attempting to stay afloat, my friends and I were in this together. It was the annual swimming test at Long Lake summer camp, we all had to pass if we wanted do any water activities. I saw our lifeguard bring his red tool to his lips, and i knew it was time to show my skills. Swimming back and fourth from dock to dock as fast as i could in my one-peice, i was sure i impressed. Next, we all had to tred water for 3 minutes. I could feel my body getting closer and closer to the bottom, my biggest fear of all. As I could not hold myself up as high, my foot reached the leaches and sea monsters i knew were at the bottom of the lake. I let out a scream, but was determined to finish my swimming test. The water may not have been remotely close to paradise, or even close to clear water swimming at all. In fact, my experience was probably more dreadful than anything else. Regardless of how painful feeling the seaweed on my feet was that day, what mattered was that i passed the aiming test.

Power

In the Storm, The chrysanthemums and Pauls choice there is a clear struggle for the main characters to fight social society in different time periods. In the storm, a form of power is gained within the main character, a female, through her ability to create desire. She knows that a man from her past wants her for her body, and because of this she feels an element of control over him. This 'control' becomes her sure of power which she was unable to find elsewhere. In the Chrysanthemums, the main character, also female, finds an artificial power within her ability to garden. A salesman pretends that he is interested in her abilities to garden and, because of this she feel a sense of power. Never gotten the interest of attention before, artificial or not, this is her short term "power". Lastly, in Pauls choice, the main character, Paul is trying to escape social society, in return for how he doesn't "fit into" the mold. He finds power in his ability to block people out, and at the end of the story he finds the "great escape" from the uncontrolled limitation of society.

The chrysanthemums

The main character, a female, struggles with the sexist opinions and views which hold her back from doing what she wishes in life.  Wanting to work as a male would in her time, she is quickly rejeted as this idea of hers is surfaced. In return to this rejection, she runs away and attempts to get away from the common view in society. As this is clearly impossible to escape she soon returns home. With her arrival, she unsuccessfully runs away from this problem and difference in opinion has bothered her the most. Succumbing to society she falls back into the normal pattern of a woman in her time, a reality check of the ideal she can not escape from.

Pauls Choice

Throughout Pauls Choice, the description of Pauls life and how he interacts with others is a key point towards why he commits suicide.  It is clear that Paul has mental struggles but unclear of how he can be helped, and more unclear what he will do to escape his problems. Paul is trying to run away from his life and the lack of interest or love he feels. He is well off, and on the outside may seem to live a life of normal standards. Eventually the reader can identify that Paul doesn't feel enough reason to live, he doesn't value the things he has or any aspect of his life enough to dominate his depression. You could view his suicide as a "success" in his desire to escape, although this was not the only way out of Pauls problems.

The yellow wallpaper- what is the form of rebellion?

In the yellow wallpaper the biggest form of rebellion for the wife is a combination of two things. Continuously, the wife secretly writes letters and stories when her husband isn't watching. In this time period, the way that women rebel is by going against tradition or the normal guidelines for what a housewife should be doing.  Throughout the story the wife is getting sick, and looses even more of the ability to do things on her own or take care of herself. She doesn't necessarily want to be taken care of but, she also doesn't have much of a choice. Her way of rebellion is writing, which she can't keep from her husband for long.

8 lines of analyzation- the storm

"My! what a rain! it's good two years sence it rain' like that," exclaimed Calixta as she rolled up a piece of bagging and Alcée helped her to thrust it beneath the crack. She was a little fuller of figure than fig years before when she married; but she had lost nothing of her vivacity. Her blue eyes still remained their melting quality; and her yellow hair disheveled by the wind and rain, kinked more stubbornly than ever about her ears and templed. The rain beat upon the low, shingled roof with a force and clatter that threatened to break an entrance and deluge them there. "(page 143)

At first glance and read through of this short story the thing which i picked up on most clearly was the language use and accent presented through quotes. This southern family has a very heavy accent and communicates with a somewhat strong 'southern twang'.  In addition to the language and accent established in this story is the great use of detail. I noticed how the author placed notice on visual appearance and the connection to that throughout the story. In addition to points on visual focus, there was a good amount o detail placed on the wether and the way that connected to the characters visually.

The real thing- Perspective Change

While reading The Real Thing by Henry James, the reader can identify a perspective change within the narrator. Originally, the Monarchs come to the painter and present themselves both visually and verbally as being 'high up' or 'high class'. The painter sees that the Monarchs did not come to him to pay for a portrait but to get paid for modeling. the Monarchs financial class is revealed throughout the story to be at a point where they are struggling, and need any money they can get. The monarchs are not very good models, and soon shift their work force for the painter. As the financial standpoint of the couple is revealed further, both the reader and painter see 'the real thing'. If the couple had accepted and been honest about what they were dealign with from the beginning it would have been more authentic or 'real'.  Henry James depicts a clear change in perspective as the truth comes out about the Monarchs. As 'the real thing' is revealed, a new perspective comes into play.

Writing Persspective

Hawthorne:

Writing should not only include ones perspective in a clear way, but it should be done with concern to  ones morals. A writer should not focus on the way they feel alone, or their perspective with a base made up of only emotions. the more interesting way of depicting these aspects through writing is to focus on more the belief and the personal moral which come with that. Poes writing was consumed by the dark emotions he felt, and had no sense of his personal morals. Poe focussed on what we do because we can, not the consequences that come along with succumbing to certain temptations. Within Poes writing were cleverly hidden hints and secrets, but what dominated was his insensitivity to what is morally correct and incorrect. When a perspective in writing is overpowered by one specific emotion, with no awareness of anything else, it becomes the only point of the writing.

What does Benjamin Franklin stand for?

- He had power

- Made and impact with the way he spoke and wrote

- Presented his ideas and outlooks with passion 

- Addressed issues and conflict directly

- wasn't afraid to face fears in his representation of the U.S.

- Knew how to get through to people, had a very strong sense of communication

- Avoided conflict but had a good tactic in handling it

Ideals:

- wanted good trade with Britain 

- Avoided war with Britain but, knew the availability of peace between them was limited

- Wanted a system of law enforcement 

What is American Literature?

In my eyes I think that American literature is a collection of writing, which concerns different pieces on Americas history and the people who have been involved in that. In addition to the countries history, main events and people who we remember or know that have made a difference American literature is also writing from individuals who lived in America. American literature tells stories and points in time, which takes place in America and involve the countries community. Overall, American literature includes a wide variety of topics and can range from free verse poetry to textbooks.  In particular, the part of American literature, which seems to have a bigger impact are letters. Reading letters and primary writing that connects to turning points in Americas history is the American literature we rely on to understand how our country works today. American literature tells not only the past, but the history from different perspectives.