Final Reflection

  In the article we read earlier this year, called Why Literature, the author suggests that society will fail us if we do not incorporate literature in what we do. He writes, “The autonomous individual would not have been created, science and technology would not have progressed, human rights would not have been recognized, freedom would not have existed.” (Why Literature, page 44). In response to this quote earlier in the course, I concluded that the writer, Mario Vargas Llosa, was 'suggesting that there are many things in life that would have never existed without literature.’

I’ve noticed that while we read about the many issues that are or were taking place in our world, we focused a lot about what each of us are going to do about it. "So what?” is something people would ask if they didn’t care to talk about the things we did in class. But the answer should stick in our minds forever. We study the subject of Humanities because the future of humanity relies on what we’re going to do about solving the issues associated with our world today.

Obviously when you put minds together some may collide, argue, or create complicated conversation. But that is what made Humanities fun for me. There is no way anybody would get anywhere unless they truly thought critically about the world and everyone in it. As a class we discovered cultures. Learning about even our own was important because that is the culture where we have the most influence. 

I was glad to read sections of sacred books that mean so much to people around the world, because that’s something I probably never would have done otherwise.  I enjoyed learning about individual people and the many ways we act, love, believe, and suffer. There are so many different views about the many aspects of life. 

Going through this Humanities class really expanded my critical thinking. I’ve learned that without it, many things would have never been accomplished. I never thought that I would be pondering these issues the last couple terms of my senior year, but it has proven to be very beneficial to lead into what lies ahead of me for the future. I can remember the answer to all of my “so what?” questions so that I can make a difference in the world and strengthen humanity.

Miscellaneous Artwork

I am very into Photography, and just recently got excited about doing photomontages. This is a photo comprised of 134 separate photos digitally stitched together to make one scene. So each square is a separate picture. It was fun to try to fit them together, and I also had fun making it not match up exactly to give it some character. This piece was entered into an art show at Fashion Place Mall and received an Honorable Mention. Since then I have done another photomontage with black and white film photography, where I developed each photograph in a dark room. That montage received first place in the Murray High School Arts Fest Art Show. I currently do not have a photograph of that one because it is being entered into my portfolio. 

Qur’an

“There are some who say: ‘We believe in Allah and the Last Day;’ but they do not (really) believe.” (pg. 232)

When I read this verse I can think of many people who are examples of this. This is very true about people belonging to my own religion. I think it is interesting to listen to other’s conversations when I pass them on the way to seminary, while they are on the way back. Some of their language and topics of conversation are appalling to me. There are so many people that stand with those that believe just because their family is a part of it, but are not really into it themselves. It is sad to see people who attend but hide their true feelings and actions elsewhere to their loved ones or teachers. Yes it’s their choice, but it really is a two-faced act and is very interesting to watch. 

Tristan

"Their high feast was Love” (pg. 304). I find it so amazing that love does provide “nourishment”. In the excerpt from Tristan, written by Gottfried von Strassburg, my favorite portion is “The Nourishment of Love”.

I connected this “nourishment” to something that I ponder a lot. I think about how children that are brought up feeling love are healthier. There have been many studies about this. It’s like mothers have the ability to provide such nourishment more than any body else. “Hidden away in [a mother’s heart she] carried the best nutriment to be had anywhere in the world.” (pg. 304)

Two lovers can carry this same type of sweet, life sustaining love for each other. It’s amazing what one look at your love will do for you. “Love made sweet as balm that consoles body and sense so tenderly, and sustains the heart and spirit--this was their best nourishment.” (pg. 304) Attitudes change, and even health increases because you know the person is there so you don’t worry as much. I know that sometimes people feel sick when the one they love is away.  Tristan vows to take care of himself while they are apart for her sake because he is her life.

Tristan also explains how love can endure. It’s the increase that makes it, when the one you love becomes even more beautiful, and more fairer, every day. It’s constantly growing and growing.

This piece of text is so beautifully worded. The way love is described and what it doe for the soul really does make you appreciate it more when you experience it!

Gender

Male Privilage Checklist

“If I’m careless with my driving it won't be attributed to my sex" (pg. 537).
I’ve noticed that when people see one girl driving bad it’s blamed on the fact that she’s a girl. there is a lasting stereotype that women aren’t very good drivers. I’ve also noticed that if a man is seen driving recklessly on the freeway, or anywhere else, comments are only made on how crazy that guys is. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it said the same way that it is about girls. People just comment about the one guy, and not the sex.

Media Portrayals of Men and Masculinity

"The Joker is a very popular character with boys, perhaps because laughter is part of their own 'mask of masculinity.' A potential negative consequence of this stereotype is the assumption that boys and men should not be serious or emotional. However, researchers have also argued that humorous roles can be used to expand definitions of masculinity." (pg. 539). picture of somebody that has a role like that.

Jim Carry, Bruce Almighty


"The Jock is always willing to 'compromise his own long-term health; he must fight other men when necessary; he must avoid being soft; and he must be aggressive.' By demonstrating his power and strength, the jock wins the approval of other men and the adoration of women." (pg. 539).
300 Spartan

"The Strong Silent Type focuses on 'being in charge, acting decisively, containing emotion, and succeeding with women.' This stereotype reinforces the assumption that men and boys should always be in control, and that talking about one’s feelings is a sign of weakness." (pg. 539).
Hitch

"The Big Shot is defined by his professional status. He is the 'epitome of success, embodying the characteristics and acquiring the possessions that society deems valuable.’ This stereotype suggests that a real man must be economically powerful and socially successful."(pg. 539).
Zucherburg, Facebook owner

"The Action Hero is 'strong, but not necessarily silent. He is often angry. Above all, he is aggressive in the extreme and, increasingly over the past several decades, he angles in violent behavior.'"(pg. 539).
Hulk 

"The Buffoon commonly appears as a bungling father figure in TV ads and sitcoms. Usually well-intentioned  and light-hearted, these characters range from slightly inept to completely hopeless when it comes to parenting their children or dealing with domestic (or workplace) issues."(pg. 540).
Raymond

All images were retrieved from Google Images. 


Looking for my Prince Charming
This piece of literature written by Shalmali Pal simply illustrates the way of life for a single girl. She’s looking for the perfect one, but has specific limitations to the one that will be hers. Is she too critical to have a set list of things that she prefers? I don’t think so. I think it’s great to set goals or standards because they are the one you will be spending a lot of time with so they better fit something you like! I wonder what it is like to attend BYU where there are people like this all over the place that are just ready to get married. She points out that it’s been two years that she has “phoned, e-mailed and dined with three potential ‘ideal husbands.’” Seems to me it’s a bit exhausting to be a bachelor/bachelorette and find that Prince Charming. 

Diversity: Race

Graduation

This excerpt from “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, written by Maya Angelou, gave me some interesting new insights on how life would have been while separate was equal. Being so close to graduation it definitely applies to me. Even though in the book she is talking about her 8^th grade graduation, I still would have reacted the same to the speakers that she did if something with the same type of insults.

Angelou writes, “The white kids were going to have a chance to become Galileos and Madame Curies and Edisons and Gauguins, and our boys (the girls weren’t even in on it) would try to be Jesse Owenses and Joe Louises.” (pg. 616) Even though the speaker was trying to tell them that they could become like this “idol”, they also did the opposite. Those who are not athletic or not male have no chance to become what they viewed should be their example. It was interesting to me when she talked about how she responded to the quote, “to be or not to be”. She stated that they just told her that she COULDN’T be, so she doesn’t even have that choice.

Two different songs were sung at the graduation. Because of this separate anthem for the country America, I thought about “I, too, am America” from the Langston Hughes poems on page 594.  Are they acknowledged as Americans if they are to sing a different anthem for their country?

Selected Poems

“I, too, am America” is only one of the many poems selected to highlight Langston Hughes’ poems. It really is my favorite as well. I like how he describes the day when he will gain his rights as a citizen. He talks about how nobody will tell him to eat, breath, or basically do anything somewhere else, and that they will be ashamed because they once did. This poem is also quoted in “The Great Debaters”. I believe that people really did quote him to keep each other strong. His works must have influenced many.

The Shocking Story of Approved Killing in Mississippi

I am having a hard time responding to this article by William Bradford and I’m not sure why. I guess it could be because it really is a “shocking story”. This is the first time that I learned about the things that people got away with in those days just because they did it to a black man, especially murder. Its crazy to think that there were no penalties for things that were done in that time of our history.

Our discussions in class about the incident in “The Great Debaters” where a scholarly and very wise black man is still trumped by scraggly, farmer, white men made me think about this a lot. They could have killed him and his whole family right there and gotten away with it. I think the father knew that. That would be so stressful to know that at anytime somebody has the right to kill you.

Of course in this story, Emmett Till did make a choice to go and get himself into trouble. I’m not sure that he understood, at the time, that he really could be killed for doing what he did to that girl. I wonder if he ever fully thought about that.

Passion and Romance

The Art of Courtly Love

Now days, there really aren’t any set rules about love. It seems that in the past love was a simple thing. You didn’t have to wonder what to look for, you just were surrounded with your options in your rank. And if there was an exemption, you followed those rules. It is amazing to me how much this ideal has changed over time. 

We have worked around these rules and found out a way of living that permits the opposites. TV has definitely played a huge role in deciding our society’s views about love. The way Males and Females interact now is completely different. It is less strict. There used to be very set rules on the way gentlemen had to treat women. We here about how knights used to be punished for not doing sertain gentlemen-like actions.

The idea of “Courting” is almost nonexistent nowadays. When my brother was going to school at Murray High, I attended the musicals that he preformed in. One of which was Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I remember loving this musical and the music. The song “Going Courtin’” made me a bit confused though because I had never heard of such a word. I even asked my mom what it meant. It just goes to show that “Courtly Love” is no longer an “Art”.

Sonnet: Love Is Not All

There are people who are bitter towards love. I believe that this author is either bitter or have done experiments with other people that are bitter about love. She explains that love isn’t everything, just by giving a few small examples of things that love cannot fix. 

I think the most interesting line written in this poem is, “ I might be driven to sell your love for peace, or trade the memory of this night for food.” (page 320) It definitely explains deeper than the words alone. It is different for me to hear about love in a negative way. We often hear about how the love of the beloved is peace and everything to those that feel of that love. Maybe thats how people feel when they are in a poor relationship? They probably feel as though they would feel more peace if they were not with a certain person. 

This poem puts love on a smaller scale. When reading you realize that the things the author explains it cannot fix really are true, but why does love make us feel like it does fix everything, and is everything?

Symptoms of Love 

I love the name of this poem. It gives another way to explain the common phrase, "Love Sick". When you hear about an illness, you also look up what symptoms to look for to diagnose the problem. That is the same with Love and this poem.

Something I can definitely relate to is "Listening for a knock, waiting for a sign" (page 318). Sometimes I literally stand next to the window waiting for him to get to my house. I feel anxious and excited to see him walk up and knock on the door so that I can open it and see him there. Just hearing the door knock and knowing that he is there is a real exciting thing for me! I get butterflies! It's the same feeling I get when I hear his ringtone, telling me that it is him calling. The waiting is the hardest part. And I think that is where the "migraine" comes in to play. Sometimes worrying about your loved one, for me, is the most nerve-racking.

It was funny to realize that people really can tell when you are giddy about somebody, just by the way you act. There really are symptoms of love.