Langston Hughes(1902-1967)

Poetry, as compared to novels or short stories, are a great way to get to know the author without actually meeting them (at least in my opinion). In a story, sometimes it can be harder to understand a deeper meaning especially when you have to take parts and dissect the language,and use different perspectives in order to even make a wise guess at what the author is trying to say. Perspectives become fun at this point, because we realize that sometimes it is not about what we can see that makes a story, but what we can't see, or didn't realize before. Poetry however, makes this concept radical, as we get first hand sight into the mind and heart of individuals who show through their experiences what their feelings were, and tell us blatantly, in each's own beautifully scripted language, their story, which we can especially connect with. 

This is how I feel about Langston Hughes' work as he speaks out loudly against the racial criticism going on in America during the 1960s; a period of time that I will never be able know fully as he did. I have to say that for my own interests I am a bit of a history nut, and wish sometimes that I could go back in time to certain periods just to know how what it was like then, and for people like Hughes, who was born and lived in a time period where his "people"  were viewed as social outcasts,I can know a little bit about how he felt, though there is a definite possibility that I would still not fully understand his position. This is why he has something to say to the world.

When looking at one piece of his poetry, we get a clear message of the social degradation he experienced. I kind of twisted it up a bit, and put this into the perspective of a white person during that time, and how they view Hughes by replacing words throughout. I think this shows a lot about his position as well, and the self views of those who were white. Unfortunately this perspective shows a white arrogance through the dialect!

"I, Too."

"I, too, sing America.

I am the [whiter] brother.
[Who] sends [the darker] to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
[So] I laugh, 
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow, 
I'll be at the table [again]
When company comes.
[And] Nobody'll dare
Say to me, 
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.
[Because],
[They] see how beautiful I am
And [are] ashamed--

I, too, am America."

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The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Through it's dramatic content, portrayed in the the heart of a young, inexperienced Civil War soldier, The Red Badge of Courage, has captured the hearts of countless readers throughout the decades who face battles in their life, similar to that of Henry Flemming; both in and outside of war. Not only does the novel display the true essence of courage in the life of Flemming, but Crane also stamps out his ideals behind true glory and honor in those battles of life, which turns him into the mature soldier he wants to be. This is something all of us can relate to. For these very reasons and more, I found the novel to be a favorite, and chose to look at it from a different angle outside of the main character. 

Crane writes the story in the third person, from the perspective of a youth, who is trying to "find himself" as a new soldier, in which he seeks the encouragement and advice from his comrades in his journey. Though there is much incite that we can learn from through his friends, and their viewpoints of the war, we are never really given that chance to totally understand their perspectives. Though it is obvious that his friends are young and inexperienced soldiers like he is, we know for sure that they saw the war differently then Henry. By looking through the eyes of Henry's friend, Wilson, we gain something about the concepts of glory and honor in manhood, that Henry eventually learns himself. (The dialogue is taken from the end of the thirteenth chapter, and the beginning of chapter fourteenth in the book). 

Finally Wilson bent and picked up his blankets. He spread the rubber one upon the ground and placed the woolen one upon the youth's shoulders.  
"There now, " he said, "lie down and get some sleep."
The youth, obeying quietly, got carefully down. He stretched out with a murmur of relief and comfort. The ground felt like the softest bed. 
But suddenly he said, "Wait a minute. Where are you going to sleep?"
His friend waved his hand impatiently. "Right down there next to you."
"Well, but wait--" continued the youth. "What are you going to sleep on? I've got your--"
The young soldier answered: "Be quiet and go to sleep. Don't be making a fool of yourself," he said firmly. 
A long gaze of concern crossed the young soldiers face at Wilson, but he silently turned to lay down, and started resting peacefully. Wilson continued to look at his friend with tender eyes, and wished he could have been with him when he got shot. He felt great sympathy for the poor fellow, and was glad he had not further argued with him. Besides, he did not feel much like sleeping anyway, though he was dead tired, and felt that Henry needed it more. Stretching his legs out, and propping his torso up with his hands behind his back, his gray face lifted to the sky, and Wilson looked up into the shining black, and thought about the past events. The hot and sweaty men all standing behind the forest trees, firing their guns so heavily, turning out fire and smoke as if the whole place was red in flames, came back to him in a clear exuberant picture. He really thought they had them. He was sure of it. He remember the silence that came and went as if a storm was rolling in, and became angry at himself for ever thinking he could somehow conquer it. He saw the boys run at the second attack, and found himself too plastered behind a dead gunman at the foot of the run, where he stayed until the the firing had stopped. "Only God can control the storm," he thought, "all I can hope is that I don't end up blasted to smithereens!" Something inside of him seemed to take a second look at his wounded friend. He didn't know why, but he had a deep concern for his countenance, and contemplated a fact. "If I could have been there... I would have taken it for him." 

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A New England Nun by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

I think the best thing about a good story is when I can find myself living out the same lives as the characters; almost as if I were there myself. Though not every story is like this, each does have its own unique outlook on life that forces us to see things that we may not have before.

This is so true of the New England Nun, because when I read it, I had a very hard time relating to it. Despite the fact that I have never been in the same sort of relationship Louisa Ellis had with Joe Dagget, I also found it extremely hard to imagine myself following her around as she almost mechanically went about her day to day duties. I could not understand why she was the way that she was. So for this post, the perspective change comes into play actually in myself, because Freeman's character Louisa, helped me realize my own quirks and oddities too. So here it what I realized... I am a lot like Louisa... just in my own way, and it makes me wonder how other people reading this story relate to it. How do you see the characters, or the story in general, from your eyes?

There is a saying that says, "no one is perfect." That is to say that, no one has it all together at every moment of every day. However, as Freeman portrays Louisa, it sounds as if she really is perfect, and is exempt from this.  However, even though Louisa's character seems perfect, her relationship with Joe is far from it. What is the author trying to say?

There is an important lesson in this story, that teaches us how to be ourselves, no matter the cost. The reality is, is that no one is perfect. And even people who have similar lifestyles like Louisa, still wish there was something different about their life in some way or another. I think Freeman then had something to say about our own perspectives of life, and how easily they can change. So even if we have a not so perfect life, this is normal... and there is always a hidden blessings to found!

Image URL: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/680024.A_New_England_Nun_and_Other_Stories

Editha by William Dean Howells

I had never heard of William Howells before, but I have to say that after reading Editha for the first time, I am hungry for more of his work. Though his writings are not quite as physically dramatic as the plots of other authors, Howells chooses to engage his audience on inward conflicts between his characters, and their interactions with one another. Similar to The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane though, he identifies a deeper struggle within the hearts of his character(s), and two lovers, Editha and George, as they try give up their own personal ideals of war for that of the other. This is a struggle, and one that signifies true love as giving up everything for the good of someone else. It is here that Howells, as a realist, not only wants to say something about the cause and purpose of war, but about the nature of the heart.

In this story Howell's chooses to write from the perspective of Editha who longs to see her lover become a real man worthy of her love, by joining the fight and cause for war. But for George, there is a different story to be told; one that may reveal something about the point Howells is trying to make.

George kept his head down as he walked towards the lane that led to his Editha's estate, and felt the soft breeze tickle him, seemingly pushing his legs toward an unknown destination across the silent field. "It's quiet out for the middle of the day,... at least under the circumstances", he thought, and wondered what the reason for it was. The efforts for war were in the air, there was no doubt about that, and he could feel its painstaking effects on him, with every post and notice for recruiters. His thoughts attacked him, "what good was the war anyway, except to hurt and destroy people and strip them of their livelihood? What good was it for men to go and give their lives, and always be bound to this undesirable, expected end of death? Was not there a way, that a person could contribute for freedom in the safety of his home and community? Why was it him they were calling for this, and not someone else?" George felt within himself a sense of loss, for he did not wish to go to war at all, and thought it better to honor himself and his country by becoming an honest worker at home. He was shocked at his cowardliness. But he knew Editha, and wanted to marry her. His feet grew heavy with each step at this thought. He knew what she would ask him, and he was not sure himself what he would say. Of course she would be in a pleasant mood, as she always likened to be, but he pondered what the result would be. George, approached the gate that led to the Balcom's house, and pushed it open against the beckoning wind. He had to be honest with her. He had to let her know how he felt despite her upcoming contradictions, for he could not, and would not love a lie. He caught sight of her, and his heart quicken. She was picture of beauty and elegance as she came down the veranda and called to him in her sweet voice. He felt his love pour out. She deserved someone to truly love her, and he wanted to be that someone. 

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Another link to an exciting take on the story!

Hey everyone!

This semester is a fresh new start for my blog postings, and I am super excited for them! I love literature, and love being creative with them. One of the things that I have always secretly wanted to do is to be a short story writer, but, among other things, I just have not had time for it. Since taking this class last semester though, I had learned a great deal, and have enjoyed looking at stories through new perspectives! This semester, we are reading some of my favorite stories, like: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Red Badge of Courage, and The Great Gatsby, and so I am hoping to continue my writings on the different perspectives of each by either looking at scene from a secondary character, or just looking at the book as a whole through the eyes of the author. Either way, there is no telling what we might discover! And to all you knew bloggers out there... I just want to say that I hope you all will enjoy blogging too! :)

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Poetry

As we have been reading the works of Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson, something has caught my attention through the works of one of my discussion posts dealing with the style of Emily Dickinson's work. When I posted my original discussion, I have to be honest and say that I did not much care for Emily Dickinson's poetry, simply because I could not understand some of her poems, of which I explained was because she got so expressive and figurative in her language, that I was not sure at all what her meaning was. In response to my post though, I got a revelation of an answer, that is honestly so simple, it shocked me.

The response was simply to look at it from the author's perspective, which is what this blog is supposed to be about; looking at literature from a different perspective! I missed something somewhere along the line, and thought I guess that poetry does not apply, but O BOY! does it apply, because when I started doing as this response suggested, I started appreciating poetry so much more! Both authors are uniquely written, but we can't truly appreciate them until we see what they see. Is not this what literature is all about anyway?!

THIS ALSO APPLIES TO REAL LIFE AS WELL! How many times have you thought, maybe just throughout one day, "I wish my life was different!" "I wish I didn't have to do this today..." Here's a hint, trying looking at your life differently.Think about the people that you see on a daily bases, and think about what they may be seeing in the same situation. As you are doing a task, think about how what you are doing may affect someone else. Did you know that we as human's are always thinking about something. Truly,... and what we think about moves us. Did you know, that you could have the worst day in the world, but if you make up your mind to look at from a positive perspective, it will change how you handle the day, and of course how you see it! 

I encourage you to find some area of your life, whatever it maybe, and look at it from a different perspective... I think you will be amazed too as you see your life change! 

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The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, displays a great depth into the realities of early society, and the Puritan perceptions of sin. Though the story is told through the eyes of a surveyor to the Custom- House of Salem, who happens to stumble upon a document and a scarlet in the attic of the House (giving him the notion to write a story based upon it), he tells it in such a way that helps us understand the extreme shame the town places upon Hester Prynne, and her secret lover's agony over the concealment of his adultery. Added with the princes of Church and State, as well as characters of Witchcraft, and Revenge, these themes of the novel peer into the depths of human hearts, as they search for love and understanding, through trials, shame, and despair.

For me this one of my favorite novels, just because it can be so easy to relate to. No, I have never committed adultery in my life, but there is no doubt that many times throughout my life I have done things that I wish I would have never done, and have been forced to bare the shameful consequences that came with it. I am sure there are many of us that have. But just like in this story, there is always redemption for those who choose to repent of their sins, and turn back to God.

What I want to do for this story is to look at it from a more personal perspective of the Minister. We are told several times, that Mr. Dimmesdale is haunted by the sin he has committed with Hester, yet is afraid to reveal it publicly because of his high position as spiritual leader of the town. Anyone who has every committed any sort of sin, and then has tried to hide it for one reason or another understands exactly how Dimmesdale feels in this case. I wonder if many of us would have done exactly the same thing as he does in reaction to his sin? I know that if I was in Dimmesdale's shoes I would have done the same thing, When it is something as big as that, I know that I would have been afraid of the stern looks of the towns people, and their waging heads of disappointment. For myself, I know that I care too much about what people think about me, and so I can in a way relate to insecurities of Dimmesdale's attitude toward the town. Unlike Dimmesdale though, I probably would have run away long before those seven years agony. It goes to show though, that it is better to be honest about my sin, and rely on the grace of God to endure the consequences as I have often experienced in my life.

Now for you.... what would you do in Dimmesdale's shoes? Or any character for that matter? If you feel like commenting tell us about a character that you think you would have reacted differently in their circumstance... or maybe the same.

Image URL: http://www.amazon.com/The-Scarlet-Letter-Signet-Classics/dp/0451526082