3
http://lwithforce.blogspot.com/2011/09/homer-analyzed-or-interpreted.htmlIn this post i talk about my discovery of the idea that Homer can be Analyzed but not interpruted. It opened my mid and remined me that everybody comprehends a reading differentley than the other.
2
I talk about who I thought was the tragic hero and why and it was interesting to see who fellow classmates picked as their tragic hero. Each person interpretation of Antigone was different.
1
In this blog post I talk about Dante's version of Hell and how his version of Satan was different from the cliche that I am used to. Satan is punsihed rather than reigning over Hell. This was an amazing idea that i had not realized before.
I liked number 2 alot. I was able to write down my thoughts and interpretation of Antigone and also see the thoughts and views of others. Other students had different thoughts and ideas and it was very interesting to hear them on what was my second favorite reading we read this semester. Some considered Antigone to be the classic hero and others Creon. I felt that Creon was the tragic hero but I could not help but agree with fellow classmates argument that Antigone was the tragic hero.
My favorite blog post of the semester #1. It is not my favorite out of the shear fact that the topic was on The Inferno but because I had a breakthrough in thought and outlook. My vision of Satan had been changed from a Satan that was tortured in Hell but still reigned over the souls of the damned. Dante's Satan is one that is punished just as much if not more than any other soul damned to Hell. Maybe it was just me and the images Ive seen in movies but Satan was held captive in Hell rather than reigning in Hell in The Inferno and I thought that was an amazing idea that I was unaware for.
I believe that these three posts were my best work of the semester because they were from the three topics I was the most passionate about. i enjoyed our other readings from the semester. i really enjoyed Beowulf, and learning about the different creation myths and their different meanings. The topics from these three blog posts spoke to me the most and I was able to form a connection to them and was sucked in. I think that's important to be passionate and existed on a topic you write about. especially if that topic is for a midterm essay or final essay paper. There may be readings and topics that may not excite us as readers but English 257 has changed the way I look and think about literature. I may not like a reading as much as others but 257 has taught me that there is meaning, worth, and importance in each literary work. It is there and we can find it if we try and put our nightmare's of high school literature behind us.
Many are are often not taught how to read The Iliad or Shakespeare in high school which often makes a bad reputation for literature. My views on Literature Have certainly changed after this class and I have learned to be excited and passionate about readings and English Literature over all. There is meaning and beauty and o much depth in the words in stories that is there for the enjoyment of it's readers.
Even while trying to avoid bias I believe my performance in English 257 has been very good. I have had a few speed bumps throughout the semester but overall i think I have done pretty good. I have spoke up in class on several occasions which is rare for me in other classes but i am learning to be more vocal and less timid or quiet in class. I have learned a lot about literature and about writing as well. I did not do so great on the Mid term paper but its opportunities like that that help us improve and learn.I have learned how to be even more of a critical thinker and that to do often times means to accept the different interpretations and viewpoints of others to be a well balanced thinker. I have learned more about writing an argument and just how important adding support and evidence to your argument and paper is. I am very grateful that Scott is so willing to work with us on our papers and help prepare us for future college writing which is one of the most important skills of the college student. The small group discussion workshop was a very valuable lesson that helps students understand the importance of reading material before class and coming prepared. It is true that at times students will learn the most from each other by contributing to discussion rather then only the instructor.
As a writer I need to remember to add evidence and proof to my papers to backup my argument and make sure that my readers are able to connect my arguments with examples from the text. As a thinker I need to remember to look at writings in different ways and viewpoints. By thinking about things from different ideas and viewpoints a reader and writer will be able to learn new things and derive different meanings from anything they read.
I took Theater 101 and English 257 to fulfill a requirement at Boise State for my area 1 of arts. I admit I was a little nervous about a literature class but am so happy I took the risk it was worth it. I am 10 classes away from getting my Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and English 257 has further helped me prepare for the upper division Criminal justice classes I am taking. Classes that contain discussions and term papers of 15 pages and lots of writing, citing and including evidence to your arguments. This class has been a huge help for me and am grateful I took it from such a good instructor. Now its time for the awkward part of saying what my final grade should be. I believe I should get an A or at a high B. I tried my hardest on each assignment and learned a lot form English 257. I missed two days because I had to get my Wisdom teeth out and a Migraine on the 2nd class meeting. This was a class that I never wanted to miss. I love the topics and discussions that came out of this class. I was saddened to learn that I'd miss the 2nd discussion of Dante when i got my Wisdom Teeth out but I guess they wanted to come out then!. I learned a lot from this semester and will take the lessons I learned on readings and writings with me down my road of criminal justice. Thank you for a great semester!!! :)
Matt,
ReplyDeleteIt was really great reading your posts on Dante; your engagement and excitement really shown through in the writing. I think you hit on a big idea in thinking about the nature of Satan in The Inferno. Dante's conception of sin and evil and Satan is very different than our traditional ideas of these things.
It was also great to see you engage with Jake and others about the nature of sin and the afterlife. It's been a pleasure reading your blog this semester. Good luck with the Criminal Justice degree!