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(2013
midterm assignment) Index to Sample Student Midterm answers 2013 #1: Long Essay |
LITR 4232 |
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Briana Perry
The Trouble with Reading
I decided to take this class because I enjoy
reading classic literature, but I am not exactly well versed in understanding
the novels’ intended meaning. When I say that, I mean that reading older books
requires insight into literature most people do not have. There are many
subtleties that can go unnoticed if you do not know where to look. That is
usually what I do if I try to read the classics. I have little idea what is
going on or why it is even happening. So, I had hoped this class would help me
understand and enjoy more classic readings. Thankfully, I was right.
My first challenge as you may have guessed would be
a lack of education on the subjects I am studying. Initially, when I would try
and read I would forget to take my "modern" mind out of the situation. I was
reading books from the 1800s and looking at it from a 2013 point of view. I
learned that a lot of these stories had purposes beyond just entertainment. They
often were historical texts to some extent, or even commenting on society as a
whole. Last of The Mohicans is a book
I had already read in high school, and quite honestly I remember none of it.
From my point of view, there was nothing remotely remarkable about it. However,
in this class I learned it was not some boring Western. It was discussing the
French and Indian war during a time where race was a much bigger issue. It was
not explained to me that Cora was of mixed race. Without this class I doubt I
would have discovered these things on my own. On my own I would actively avoid
that book. having disliked it in high school. Truthfully I am still not a fan,
it is still a Western, but now I am able to enjoy the text beyond the story that
it tells.
Now, my favorite part so far of the course has been
learning the different terms and what they mean in literature. I have heard many
of these words before, but before now I was unaware of their true meanings. For
example, I had heard the word Sublime before. Most often in use of the band
named Sublime. As a result I thought it was similar to nirvana because Sublime
is a very pro-marijuana type band. So, I was interested to find out that the
sublime had more to do with experiencing something magnificent as well as
horrifying, something so shocking you cannot look away. This was shown in
Rip Van Winkle in the description of
the amphitheatre and the waterfall with feathery foam that falls into a deep
black basin. These things are frighteningly beautiful, thus, Sublime.
In addition to this I learned that Poe is not only
a Gothic writer, but also a Romantic one. High school taught me that Poe was
creepy, writing horror classics like the
Tell-Tale Heart. After learning that Romanticism is being away from the here
and now it is obvious that Poe is an incredibly Romantic writer. He constantly
laments about lost loves and better times as though he is an old man beginning
many of his sentences with “back in my day.”
Sonnet – to Science is like this.
This short poem discusses the sadness that follows when imagination is replaced
with logic. I loved this poem because of his use of Roman mythos. It reminded me
of the line in Simon and Garfunkel’s Mrs.
Robinson where he sings:
“Where have you gone Joe Dimaggio?
A
nation turns its lonely eyes to you
What’s that you say Mrs. Robinson
Joltin’ Joe has left and gone away”
The line is interpreted as a loss of a simpler
time. Joe Dimaggio is a symbol of a wholesome idol, now replaced with the racier
celebrities and icons of the 60’s. When Poe talks of dragging Diana from her
car, he is mourning the loss of creativity we once had when we created the gods
as a way to explain the unexplainable. Both lines in a way are wishing things
were still as simple.
I will most likely find most
use out of what I have learned with the Gothic. This class has made me aware of
the signs of Gothic styles.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
uses much of this imagery, like the use of light and darkness. Shadows are, of
course, a natural outcome of this. Ichabod sees shadows while he walks alone in
the dark, and they are still present when he meets the Horseman. I have now
begun to notice some of these themes in popular shows.
The Vampire Diaries
is an incredibly Gothic television show. It deals with supernatural entities so
as a viewer you expect some Gothic elements to it. When I first started watching
it I was put off by how dark all the scenes were. I could barely see the
characters sometimes. I know now that is the Gothic element at play. All of the
supernatural characters seem to be in constant shade with their faces are
covered in shadows even in direct sunlight.
Ultimately, I have learned
many things from this class, more numerous than I can mention. I feel like
researching historical significance and knowing what the Sublime and Gothic are
would help me greatly in reading future books. It may have seemed insignificant
at first, but knowing the terminology adds extra dimensions to what would have
otherwise been another boring book.
I am excited to use more of what I learned in the
books I read in the future.
