Nolan's Blog

This Semester

2006-05-04T05:49:00.000-07:00

This class has helped me gain a better understanding of Soutern Literature and writing styles and techniques that authors use. Before taking this class I did not have many views on the South, if any at all. I was able to learn about Southern stereotypes, dealing with race and gender. It gave me a look at how the South used to be and also a look at the modern day south. I knew nothing about, the "Southern Belle" or gentleman. Other subjects I've been able to increase my knowledge on from some of the presentations were how the south is portrayed in film, the food, and family. Class discussion and everyone's thoughts and opinions helped me gain a better understanding of the Sout.

Bastard Out Of Carolina

2006-04-26T15:57:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed reading this book so far. It seems much easier to understand for me, compared to the other readings we have looked at this semester. It is interesting to look at Bone's relationship with the Boatwrights and how she views herself. It must be difficult for her to view herself as truly being a Boatwright and fitting in with the family, when she feels she looks different and acts differently from them.

Revelation

2006-04-19T17:45:00.000-07:00

Today's discussion about the Oconnor reading was interesting and helped me get a better understanding of the storyline. I overlooked the signifgance and storyline that involved with Mrs. Turpin being called a hog. Todays discussion helped me better understand the message with that and the role it plays in the story.

Presentations

2006-04-12T04:46:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed seeing the presentations on Monday. I thought that the presentation on the family life was very interesting and it is true that the family life is very different in the north and the south. In the north and even in the case of my family, the whole family doesn't get together too often besides holidays. In the south it does seem that occurs much more often. Also, Rosewood, looks like a very good and interesting movie. I have never seen the movie so it was nice to get an overview of it and learn about it, and it made me definitely want to watch it. All the presentations were really well done.

A Streetcar named Desire - Movie

2006-04-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

After watching the movie, it gave a better idea of what the characters are like and it was interesting to see them being portrayed and in action on screen. Stanley, Stella and Blanche were how I would have expected. With Stanley, masculnity, and agressiveness is made evident. Sexuality also plays a large with role with all the different characters and there seems to be a lot of sexual tension that you can see more clearly on the screen rather than in the readings. The movie was good to watch and gave a better understanding of the reading.

William's Reading

2006-03-22T16:53:00.000-08:00

In a Streetcar Named Desire, there are some very agressive and masculine characters. Stanley and Stella's relationship was one of the main parts of the first five scenes in the story. Stanley seems to have a lot of control over Stella for her to remain with him, after he hit her. It shows how much of a presence Stanley might possess, but also the connection that Stella feels towards him, that she is not able to leave him, even with his short temper. Masculinity and sexuality are two main themes early on in the story, and the stereotypes with gender and the "southern belle" also comes into play in this story.

The ethics of Living Jim Crow and How It Feels to Be Colored Me

2006-03-14T17:18:00.000-08:00

The two readings that we discussed in class on Monday differ in many ways and the views that the author's have. In How If Feels To Be Colored Me she feels that she is an American and she doesn't look at herself as being any different from any other race. It seems to me that she is not concerned with her race and believes everyone is equal.
In The Ethics of Living Jim Crow it is a different feel. It's as if he is always looking over his shoulder to not do anythin wrong, or just try to get by. He doesnt have the feel of an American or really has self pride due to the way he is treated by others

Porter Readings

2006-02-28T19:20:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed the Porter readings, and found them much more easy to understand then the Faulkner readings, and it was nice to fully understand the stories. They did not have me constantly trying to figure out what was going on. He focused on the past and how times were changing in some of his writings, and I think it was one of his main intentions to the reader, to show how people and things change over time

More Of Go Down Moses

2006-02-15T17:35:00.000-08:00

I'm still finding this to be a confusing read. It is hard to tell who is related to who and what the storylines are

go down moses

2006-02-08T14:02:00.000-08:00

Go Down moses has started as a very confusing reading for myself. Discussing the readings in class helped, but it is still a tough read. I haven't read any of his work before, so his writing style is all new to me and is hard to follow or understand. It's hard to concentrate on the writing or plot when his vocabulary and writing style are confusing. The plot was hard to follow in my opinion, with things like the poker game. I hope that the readings are not as hard.

Frederick Douglas

2006-02-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

Reading the narrative of the life of Frederick Douglas was very interesting. Reading a first hand view of slavery and life during the 1800's and how life was then is compelling. Throughout my education in middle school and high school, I learned a lot of historical facts, but its different to see it from someone who lived that life. His life must have been very difficult with slavery, and also so much prejudice and racism. It makes glad to not have lived during that time. To have to watch your mother be taken away from you or watching people being whipped has got to be a horrific experience, and makes people realize how times have changed and how fortunate we are to live in a better world

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2006-01-22T12:55:00.000-08:00