(2013 midterm assignment)

Index to Sample
Student Midterm answers 2013

#1: Long Essay

LITR 4232
American Renaissance
 

 

 

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.