Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Chapter 3 Response SOBF
Given the times that people had in the past as a result of racism, times were rigorous. The dark night of oppression was always seen and felt everywhere, like the never-ending night. In some instances, though, and beam of light would flash through the veil of racism and give people hope. Booker T. Washington was one of these flashes of hope; he was not the only one though, there were many others. Through detail and tone Du Bois gives a structural view on the morals of freeing black people from the slavery of discrimination. Understanding the idea that every idea is not best and detailing the specific problems people have can help people realize what is wrong and pick the best solution.
The tone that Du Bois gives off is that of constructive criticism. He gives background information that allows the reader to get into an in-depth meaning of what people are feeling. This gets you into the author’s mind and allows you to see why he is assessing the actions of other black leaders, specifically Booker T. Washington. He gives without much detail, the basic description of Washington’s proposal which is to give up, “political power, insistence on civil rights, higher education of Negro youth,” (Du Bois 87). The lack of detail in this proposal reflects the lack of support it has from many of the African American race. Du Bois goes on to say that these things are exactly what we need to make our community a group of, “teachers, professional men, and leaders,” (Du Bois 90). If we were able to make a league of these types of men, then we could easily overcome any tribulation that comes our way. Within three pages of the story Du Bois uses a numbering method of a teacher that numbers the complaints she has with an English paper. Like a teacher he is telling Washington what is wrong with his proposal, what it needs, and the mistakes that could have been avoided. He does not say that his proposal is totally wrong; he even concludes that the disfranchisement, civil inferiority, and withdrawal of aid from the Negro are not proven, “direct results of Mr. Washington’s teachings (Du Bois 88). The way he says it keeps it professional and respectful.
The tone soon changes to resentment near the end when the Declaration of Independence is put into the end of the chapter. The same quote that has been verbally crucified is the “all men are created equal” clause (Du Bois 95). This is overused so much because it was the foundation and backbone of our country when we had nothing else; it has survived through the Civil War and many others and has been the standpoint of nationalism everywhere, but it is ripped apart like the 300 year old paper it is when it comes to skin color. Why a dark human, cannot be equal to a lighter human is beyond understanding to many. America is seen as the land of the free with slaves. This is a contradiction, not even one fully agreed on because this immoral act brought us to the Civil War. How can everyone pursue life, liberty and happiness if it is only for a select few of color? Why ignore such a moral law that could bring everyone to happiness? Why must it be made an additional law when it is wrong in moral and governmental standpoints? Alas, with all this, we are still in opposition today. Racism has only moved from a usual topic on everyone’s minds to a subtle thought that passes by. We must still press on to keep this viral idea from ever resurfacing.
The tone that Du Bois gives off is that of constructive criticism. He gives background information that allows the reader to get into an in-depth meaning of what people are feeling. This gets you into the author’s mind and allows you to see why he is assessing the actions of other black leaders, specifically Booker T. Washington. He gives without much detail, the basic description of Washington’s proposal which is to give up, “political power, insistence on civil rights, higher education of Negro youth,” (Du Bois 87). The lack of detail in this proposal reflects the lack of support it has from many of the African American race. Du Bois goes on to say that these things are exactly what we need to make our community a group of, “teachers, professional men, and leaders,” (Du Bois 90). If we were able to make a league of these types of men, then we could easily overcome any tribulation that comes our way. Within three pages of the story Du Bois uses a numbering method of a teacher that numbers the complaints she has with an English paper. Like a teacher he is telling Washington what is wrong with his proposal, what it needs, and the mistakes that could have been avoided. He does not say that his proposal is totally wrong; he even concludes that the disfranchisement, civil inferiority, and withdrawal of aid from the Negro are not proven, “direct results of Mr. Washington’s teachings (Du Bois 88). The way he says it keeps it professional and respectful.
The tone soon changes to resentment near the end when the Declaration of Independence is put into the end of the chapter. The same quote that has been verbally crucified is the “all men are created equal” clause (Du Bois 95). This is overused so much because it was the foundation and backbone of our country when we had nothing else; it has survived through the Civil War and many others and has been the standpoint of nationalism everywhere, but it is ripped apart like the 300 year old paper it is when it comes to skin color. Why a dark human, cannot be equal to a lighter human is beyond understanding to many. America is seen as the land of the free with slaves. This is a contradiction, not even one fully agreed on because this immoral act brought us to the Civil War. How can everyone pursue life, liberty and happiness if it is only for a select few of color? Why ignore such a moral law that could bring everyone to happiness? Why must it be made an additional law when it is wrong in moral and governmental standpoints? Alas, with all this, we are still in opposition today. Racism has only moved from a usual topic on everyone’s minds to a subtle thought that passes by. We must still press on to keep this viral idea from ever resurfacing.
HW For Those Who Need It
1. Read Ch. 3 in Souls of Black Folk.
2. Do dialogue journals (20) based on pathos, tone, and detail.
3. Do 2pg lit response.
2. Do dialogue journals (20) based on pathos, tone, and detail.
3. Do 2pg lit response.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Souls of Black Folk
African Americans have come a very long way. We have hit the very bottom in the beginning and have rose despite all of the opposition we faced, but this rise was not by any means easy. The depressing times were enough to weigh anybody down to their inevitable doom and this is how upsetting the story is. Using a realistic mood, this story reveals the turmoil that many knew about during the rise of blacks after slavery. The topic is a staid one with both good and bad illustrations of the life of the African American.
One of the reasons this story is how blacks are just shut down. They see no way of coming up in the world or in people’s eyes. The story brings out that, “Throughout history the powers of single black men flash here and there like falling stars, and die sometimes before the world has rightly gauged their brightness,” (Du Bois 47). This is a disheartening fact in our people’s minds. No matter what was done, throughout all time, it was forgotten before it even began. Our people have suffered greatly and have been put down many times. This adds a historic discouragement as if the European can kill thousands and be a hero, but an African can save tens of thousands and not be considered at all. Knowing that your own kind has been shunned for generations makes you wonder why you should keep going on, but this can be a wake up call as well. This sad fact can awaken the idea of reformation in our minds and give us the power to change the fact that our people were held down. The thoughts of many were to give up, “what need of education since we must always cook and serve?” while this evil was turned to good by teaching us the true ideas of social responsibility and a real meaning of progression, because they not only saw it, they lived it (Du Bois 51).
Another tone shown towards the end is that of faith and slight touch of mockery. America is mocked for its bitterness towards the race that was below the Europeans by the statement, “Would America be poorer if she replace her brutal dyspeptic blundering with light-hearted but determined Negro humility?” (Du Bois 52). America could still have its precious money if it were kind to others. Greed empowers our country and makes those who have it knock others down and those who do not knock others down in their way. In actuality, all people need to do is work together and they will be richer than ever in more ways than one. This entails hope towards many of the African descent. The other entail of hope is the progress that is being made by our own people. While we slowly learn and realize what we must learn, we become more powerful and able to go to the next level. These levels are entitled to the tone that is in levels itself—from the bottom up. These levels imitate the levels taken by black people to reach the heights it has come to today and ends with a heart-warming tone by saying, “let me on the coming pages tell again with loving emphasis and deeper detail, that men may listen to the striving in the souls of black folk,” (Du Bois 53).
One of the reasons this story is how blacks are just shut down. They see no way of coming up in the world or in people’s eyes. The story brings out that, “Throughout history the powers of single black men flash here and there like falling stars, and die sometimes before the world has rightly gauged their brightness,” (Du Bois 47). This is a disheartening fact in our people’s minds. No matter what was done, throughout all time, it was forgotten before it even began. Our people have suffered greatly and have been put down many times. This adds a historic discouragement as if the European can kill thousands and be a hero, but an African can save tens of thousands and not be considered at all. Knowing that your own kind has been shunned for generations makes you wonder why you should keep going on, but this can be a wake up call as well. This sad fact can awaken the idea of reformation in our minds and give us the power to change the fact that our people were held down. The thoughts of many were to give up, “what need of education since we must always cook and serve?” while this evil was turned to good by teaching us the true ideas of social responsibility and a real meaning of progression, because they not only saw it, they lived it (Du Bois 51).
Another tone shown towards the end is that of faith and slight touch of mockery. America is mocked for its bitterness towards the race that was below the Europeans by the statement, “Would America be poorer if she replace her brutal dyspeptic blundering with light-hearted but determined Negro humility?” (Du Bois 52). America could still have its precious money if it were kind to others. Greed empowers our country and makes those who have it knock others down and those who do not knock others down in their way. In actuality, all people need to do is work together and they will be richer than ever in more ways than one. This entails hope towards many of the African descent. The other entail of hope is the progress that is being made by our own people. While we slowly learn and realize what we must learn, we become more powerful and able to go to the next level. These levels are entitled to the tone that is in levels itself—from the bottom up. These levels imitate the levels taken by black people to reach the heights it has come to today and ends with a heart-warming tone by saying, “let me on the coming pages tell again with loving emphasis and deeper detail, that men may listen to the striving in the souls of black folk,” (Du Bois 53).
HW For Those Who Need It
1. Read the 1st chapter of Souls of Black Folk and do dialect journals (20) based off of logos, tone, and detail.
2. Do a 2 pg literary response for the first chapter.
3. Complete grammar worksheet
2. Do a 2 pg literary response for the first chapter.
3. Complete grammar worksheet
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Booker T. Washington Response
Booker T. Washington gave a terrific speech called the Atlanta Exposition Address. This address spoke of the unity that all blacks dreamed of and all the ways we can progress. His review of the events afterwards was very interesting. The reacts of the people proved that many were moving away from segregation. This should have never happened though. Washington gives us an explanation of the stupidity of the disunity of the human race. With the many literary methods he used he got through to the public and left the subject to the people to decide.
Washington gives simplistic examples of the people’s idea of separation themselves from their brethren. He uses a mind-boggling simile that is so simple and refers to us in every way, “We can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things,” (Washington 2). Like the hand, it has its individual fingers. Each finger has its own structure, its own space, its own differences, its own height, size, skill, etc. and no one finger is perfect while the others are flawed. Yet they are all a part of the same thing. They are separated but at the same time unified in all that they do. The hand is not complete or functional if there is even one finger that does not work with the other four. This is how our people should be; we are all from different places, know and can do different things, have different abilities but we are all human beings. Everyone on this planet is a part of the most intelligent species and nothing less. How can you change, separate, degrade, or judge those that share your very qualities. We all came from the same two human beings, Adam and Eve, making us in some way down the line brother and sister.
Washington gives another good example, a story/metaphor, about men begging for water on a ship when they are surrounded by a freshwater river. This reveals another type of ignorance within people. Why would you ignore the existence of something so important, as the men did of water, when it is vital to your existence? As water is to the men, friendship is to humans. We cannot just ignore the myriads of people around us because such a powerful force cannot be ignored. Your neighbor will not allow you to ignore them just as you will not let them ignore you. We all need friends and a friendship. Humans are not meant to live alone and they should not. It would be so idiotic to ignore the 6 billion and counting people on the Earth and near impossible. With an infinite amount of personality to choose from, the atmosphere is perfect for someone to just reach out because it will be hard for you to not catch one out of 6 billion people. Washington is just saying that the chances are on your side, the opportunity is here, all that is in your way is you.
To conclude, Washington uses stories, metaphors, similes, symbolism, and much more to discard the option of separating from people. There are too many people to just let alone and it is not right to try and isolate one group. Most animals will not harm their own kind unless they endanger their territory, family, or themselves. Humans are the most intelligent species on the planet and we are also the ones most known to kill our own kind. This is wrong; we should not kill or isolate our own people into groups because we are one group: human. We are people made under the image of God and he is colorblind, so why can’t we be?
Washington gives simplistic examples of the people’s idea of separation themselves from their brethren. He uses a mind-boggling simile that is so simple and refers to us in every way, “We can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things,” (Washington 2). Like the hand, it has its individual fingers. Each finger has its own structure, its own space, its own differences, its own height, size, skill, etc. and no one finger is perfect while the others are flawed. Yet they are all a part of the same thing. They are separated but at the same time unified in all that they do. The hand is not complete or functional if there is even one finger that does not work with the other four. This is how our people should be; we are all from different places, know and can do different things, have different abilities but we are all human beings. Everyone on this planet is a part of the most intelligent species and nothing less. How can you change, separate, degrade, or judge those that share your very qualities. We all came from the same two human beings, Adam and Eve, making us in some way down the line brother and sister.
Washington gives another good example, a story/metaphor, about men begging for water on a ship when they are surrounded by a freshwater river. This reveals another type of ignorance within people. Why would you ignore the existence of something so important, as the men did of water, when it is vital to your existence? As water is to the men, friendship is to humans. We cannot just ignore the myriads of people around us because such a powerful force cannot be ignored. Your neighbor will not allow you to ignore them just as you will not let them ignore you. We all need friends and a friendship. Humans are not meant to live alone and they should not. It would be so idiotic to ignore the 6 billion and counting people on the Earth and near impossible. With an infinite amount of personality to choose from, the atmosphere is perfect for someone to just reach out because it will be hard for you to not catch one out of 6 billion people. Washington is just saying that the chances are on your side, the opportunity is here, all that is in your way is you.
To conclude, Washington uses stories, metaphors, similes, symbolism, and much more to discard the option of separating from people. There are too many people to just let alone and it is not right to try and isolate one group. Most animals will not harm their own kind unless they endanger their territory, family, or themselves. Humans are the most intelligent species on the planet and we are also the ones most known to kill our own kind. This is wrong; we should not kill or isolate our own people into groups because we are one group: human. We are people made under the image of God and he is colorblind, so why can’t we be?
Monday, November 17, 2008
Yellow Wallpaper
Realism has a definition as plain as the word itself. It is the real deal on life. Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote a tale called “The Yellow Wall-Paper” that describes certain realism within the female society. Gilman uses a simplistic object to protrude her ideas about the woman’s place in a household. Her ideas are leaked out throughout her story and as easy as it is to read, it has a very sensible depiction.
From beginning to end she describes this hideous wallpaper that is in a room she usually sleeps in. It has lurid patterns and a disgusting yellow that make you deny yellow as a color of something gracious. She also gets angry every time she sets her eyes upon it because it is so disturbing. This, in fact, is her imprisonment. As a woman in that era, she was suppose to do everything her husband told her to do and was unable to rebel against him. She uses this wallpaper to show her imprisonment as a terrible thing that she detests and it makes her sick. Her husband constantly denies her illness because, as doctors sometimes do, he does not see that he is the cause of it and he lets it got along telling her that she is improving. She angers herself constantly while trying to solve the mystery of the wallpaper because she is beginning to realize her situation in social imprisonment. She soon realizes it because the paper, “becomes bars,” at night and she sees a woman behind them (Gilman 9). This calms her now that she knows as she says after find out, “I feel ever so much better now!” (Gilman 11). She usually sees this woman in a surface that reflects images back at the observer like the windows hinting that is actually herself that she sees trying to escape that hideous prison.
She also begins speaking of the woman rattling the cage trying to get out. Obviously this is Gilman attempting to be free, but this not only done with the rattling of the figurative cage; Gilman does this with her paper as well. All of her thoughts, emotions, and feelings are revealed in that rebellious biography she writes all the time. The cult of true womanhood is once again attacked here. Charlotte does not like the idea of being second-hand to her husband and it makes her sick. She loves her husband and does what she must, but like other women, her sacrifices were not enjoyable. She speaks her pain by saying, “John does not know how much I really suffer,” and tells the audience, to prove it is not her that is just complaining, that her brother is also a doctor and says she is fine as well, showing that it is not just her husband, but all men who are like that (Gilman 3). Also notice that she never speaks down about her husband, but she just says he does not understand and he never hurts her, but just does not think anything is wrong. Anger and hate were not always involved in the feelings of women and their spouses; men just did not know how it felt to be in their shoes. Also at the end her husband faints when the prison is torn away from her. This is symbolic toward the realization of a problem. Many times when people find out an overwhelming truth about something, it is so much to think about that they are left unconscious. He did not realize his wife was so imprisoned so, in his misunderstanding, he is bombarded with thoughts in his mind. He cannot believe what has truly been going on.
Gilman gave a very similar message in her writing of “The Yellow Wall-Paper” telling the world about an unfortunate situation in society. She wanted out as the constant shaking and rattling of the bars symbolized in her writing. Also, in a way, the room is concealed thoughts of her mind and the wallpaper the barrier keeping her from breaking free. It is said that bottled up (or imprisoned) emotions are bad for health. At least she found a way to release herself and become free.
From beginning to end she describes this hideous wallpaper that is in a room she usually sleeps in. It has lurid patterns and a disgusting yellow that make you deny yellow as a color of something gracious. She also gets angry every time she sets her eyes upon it because it is so disturbing. This, in fact, is her imprisonment. As a woman in that era, she was suppose to do everything her husband told her to do and was unable to rebel against him. She uses this wallpaper to show her imprisonment as a terrible thing that she detests and it makes her sick. Her husband constantly denies her illness because, as doctors sometimes do, he does not see that he is the cause of it and he lets it got along telling her that she is improving. She angers herself constantly while trying to solve the mystery of the wallpaper because she is beginning to realize her situation in social imprisonment. She soon realizes it because the paper, “becomes bars,” at night and she sees a woman behind them (Gilman 9). This calms her now that she knows as she says after find out, “I feel ever so much better now!” (Gilman 11). She usually sees this woman in a surface that reflects images back at the observer like the windows hinting that is actually herself that she sees trying to escape that hideous prison.
She also begins speaking of the woman rattling the cage trying to get out. Obviously this is Gilman attempting to be free, but this not only done with the rattling of the figurative cage; Gilman does this with her paper as well. All of her thoughts, emotions, and feelings are revealed in that rebellious biography she writes all the time. The cult of true womanhood is once again attacked here. Charlotte does not like the idea of being second-hand to her husband and it makes her sick. She loves her husband and does what she must, but like other women, her sacrifices were not enjoyable. She speaks her pain by saying, “John does not know how much I really suffer,” and tells the audience, to prove it is not her that is just complaining, that her brother is also a doctor and says she is fine as well, showing that it is not just her husband, but all men who are like that (Gilman 3). Also notice that she never speaks down about her husband, but she just says he does not understand and he never hurts her, but just does not think anything is wrong. Anger and hate were not always involved in the feelings of women and their spouses; men just did not know how it felt to be in their shoes. Also at the end her husband faints when the prison is torn away from her. This is symbolic toward the realization of a problem. Many times when people find out an overwhelming truth about something, it is so much to think about that they are left unconscious. He did not realize his wife was so imprisoned so, in his misunderstanding, he is bombarded with thoughts in his mind. He cannot believe what has truly been going on.
Gilman gave a very similar message in her writing of “The Yellow Wall-Paper” telling the world about an unfortunate situation in society. She wanted out as the constant shaking and rattling of the bars symbolized in her writing. Also, in a way, the room is concealed thoughts of her mind and the wallpaper the barrier keeping her from breaking free. It is said that bottled up (or imprisoned) emotions are bad for health. At least she found a way to release herself and become free.
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