While reading the excerpt from "The Awakening," I was struck at how similar the writing seemed to be to romanticism, instead of realism. I mean, I could tell the author was using some naturalism as well as realism, because the character was acting quite human. It was just that the excerpt had an Edgar Allan Poe feel to it, instead of a typical realism style. What I mean to provide for an example is when Kate Chopin says, "It was then past midnight. The cottages were all dark. A single faint light gleamed out from the hallway of the house. There was no sound abroad except the hooting of an old owl in the top of a water-oak, and the everlasting voice of the sea, that was not uplifted at that soft hour. It broke like a mournful lullaby upon the night" (Chopin 491). That short passage right there shows that although romanticism is no longer being used as a writing style, the way of writing occasionally pops up again every once in a while, as demonstrated above. Chopin is giving the reader insight through that very short passage, and helps set the tone for the rest of the short little story. I could tell after reading that that what I was about to read was not going to be all that pleasant, but instead sad and dreary. Come to find out, the lady is crying her heart out because of her marriage, and needs to cry by herself. I think that Chopin wrote this partially so that she would be able to get the females of the reading population, and get them to be able to sympathize with the woman, for whatever her reasons for crying might be.
I think Kate Chopin is an author of the realism time period that wanted the sympathy of the women, so she wrote about issues that woman at that time faced a lot, mainly death. In The Story of an Hour, the woman's husband has died, and she must face the grief and pain of not having a husband anymore. Although that displays realism, it more strongly demonstrates naturalism, because death is something natural in the world, same as crying. It is human nature to cry when we are feeling insecure, or upset, or just feel as if there is no other way to express our emotions. Although women tend to cry more often then men, I feel that Chopin was trying to get more of her women readers as opposed to the men. Especially because, many of the women Chopin was trying to get to read her stories had probably lost their husband, or someone close to them, in the war, therefore, they need someone or something to relate to. Here comes Chopin with her sad stories of crying and loss, and the women are happy because they finally have something to be able to relate to.
Although both of these two stories by Chopin were sad and somewhat depressing, they were still interesting to analyze to try and find out why the stories were written, and what message Kate Chopin was trying to get across.
Works Cited:
Chopin, Kate. "from The Awakening." American Literature Textbook. Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 491. Print.
Chopin, Kate. "The Story of an Hour." American Literature Textbook. Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 553-555. Print.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Willa Cather – O Pioneers! and A Wagner Matinée
I personally enjoyed reading the excerpt from O Pioneers! While reading the short little part, I was struck at how similar The Grapes of Wrath was to O Pioneers. The author talked of the hardships and what exactly the pioneers went through during that time. I got to thinking about how history just tends to repeat itself over and over again. The conditions upon which those pioneers lived under had not changed, even after several years of learning to adapt. The pioneers were still just getting by.
Realism was, of course, displayed in this excerpt, as well as regionalism. This excerpt takes the reader away from the comfort of their home and puts them instead into a situation that they would have most likely not have ever experienced through the course of their normal, everyday life. The reader is taken to a place where men and women are just barely getting by, the food supply is scarce, and the conditions upon which they live under are gross and dirty. One point I found interesting as well as kind of sad is when Cather says, "The settlers sat about on the wooden sidewalks in the little town and told each other that the country was never meant for men to live in; the thing to do was to get back to Iowa, to Illinois, to any place that had been proved habitable (Cather 489). That sentence right there shows the disparity with the men, and how they are truly feeling, providing the sense of realism, as well as regionalism.
A Wagner Matinée was another interesting story to read. It took me a while to read it, but I actually enjoyed this one as well. I especially like how Cather used the music references to tell of what music's effect had on each person, because that is almost exactly what I do. When I listen to music, usually from movies or classical, I tend to listen for the story that goes along with the music, which is what Aunt Georgiana seemed to be doing, which I thought was neat, as well as a good insight to what Aunt Georgiana was going through. She had not listened to music in quite some time, and yet she goes and listens to this orchestra, and seems to be left speechless. I personally thought that Cather did a good job with conveying the emotions and Aunt Georgiana's story through music and words.
Overall, both stories conveyed realism and regionalism, because the reader was taken away from the comfort of their own imagination and taken to a place far different than what they are used to. In the excerpt from O Pioneers, we were told about the different experiences that occur for actual pioneers, and how they try to survive. Then, in A Wagner Matinée, music was what took the reader away and got them to start thinking outside the box, as cliched as that statement may be. Both of the stories were interesting and definitely made the reader think afterwards.
Works Cited:
Cather, Willa. "from O Pioneers!" American Literature Textbook. Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 489. Print.
Cather, Willa. "A Wagner Matinée." American Literature Textbook. Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 521-526. Print.
Realism was, of course, displayed in this excerpt, as well as regionalism. This excerpt takes the reader away from the comfort of their home and puts them instead into a situation that they would have most likely not have ever experienced through the course of their normal, everyday life. The reader is taken to a place where men and women are just barely getting by, the food supply is scarce, and the conditions upon which they live under are gross and dirty. One point I found interesting as well as kind of sad is when Cather says, "The settlers sat about on the wooden sidewalks in the little town and told each other that the country was never meant for men to live in; the thing to do was to get back to Iowa, to Illinois, to any place that had been proved habitable (Cather 489). That sentence right there shows the disparity with the men, and how they are truly feeling, providing the sense of realism, as well as regionalism.
A Wagner Matinée was another interesting story to read. It took me a while to read it, but I actually enjoyed this one as well. I especially like how Cather used the music references to tell of what music's effect had on each person, because that is almost exactly what I do. When I listen to music, usually from movies or classical, I tend to listen for the story that goes along with the music, which is what Aunt Georgiana seemed to be doing, which I thought was neat, as well as a good insight to what Aunt Georgiana was going through. She had not listened to music in quite some time, and yet she goes and listens to this orchestra, and seems to be left speechless. I personally thought that Cather did a good job with conveying the emotions and Aunt Georgiana's story through music and words.
Overall, both stories conveyed realism and regionalism, because the reader was taken away from the comfort of their own imagination and taken to a place far different than what they are used to. In the excerpt from O Pioneers, we were told about the different experiences that occur for actual pioneers, and how they try to survive. Then, in A Wagner Matinée, music was what took the reader away and got them to start thinking outside the box, as cliched as that statement may be. Both of the stories were interesting and definitely made the reader think afterwards.
Works Cited:
Cather, Willa. "from O Pioneers!" American Literature Textbook. Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 489. Print.
Cather, Willa. "A Wagner Matinée." American Literature Textbook. Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 521-526. Print.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Robert E. Lee – Letter to his Family
"How his spirit would be grieved could he see the wreck of his mighty labors! I will not, however, permit myself to believe, until all ground of hope is gone, that the fruit of his noble deeds will be destroyed, and that his precious advice and virtuous example will so soon be forgotten by his countrymen. As far as I can judge by the papers, we are between a state of anarchy and civil war. May God avert both of these evils from us! I fear that mankind will not for years be sufficiently Christianized to bear the absence of restraint and force. I see that four states have declared themselves out of the Union; four more will apparently follow their example. Then, if the border states are brought into the gulf of revolution, one half of the country will be arrayed against the other. I must try and be patient and await the end, for I can do nothing to hasten or retard it" (Lee).
"A Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets, and in which strife and civil war are to take the place of brotherly love and kindness, has no charm for me. I shall mourn for my country and for the welfare and progress of mankind. If the Union is dissolved, and the government disrupted, I shall return to my native state and share the miseries of my people; and, save in defense, will draw my sword on none" (Lee).
Lee is writing to his son either during the Civil War and is talking of the Union and their upcoming victory, or so he hopes. Lee is telling his son of what is going on with him and in the first excerpt Lee tells his son that he enjoyed reading a book that his son had sent him and by using examples and instances in the novel, he is able to give me an insight and idea as to how he feels about specific occurrences that happened in the book and how he can relate them to his own life and what he is currently experiencing in the war. Which, although Lee is not giving a play by play on the events happening in the war, I am still getting an idea as to what is going on, as I should, and he tells the readers, and more specifically his son, about his feelings toward the North and South. That demonstrates realism I believe, as well as regionalism throughout this letter. Just because, Lee is trying to tell his son of what exactly he has going on with him where he is at, and possibly get his son to better understand how his old man is doing. That way his family, and more specifically his son feel more involved with the man of the house and how exactly the war is affecting not only Lee himself, but the others around him (Lee). That is just my opinion on it, however. Lee is using realism with a sub writing style of naturalism to tell his family of his difficult and interesting experiences.
Works Cited:
Lee, Robert E. "Letter to His Son." American Literature Textbook. Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 384-385. Print.
"A Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets, and in which strife and civil war are to take the place of brotherly love and kindness, has no charm for me. I shall mourn for my country and for the welfare and progress of mankind. If the Union is dissolved, and the government disrupted, I shall return to my native state and share the miseries of my people; and, save in defense, will draw my sword on none" (Lee).
Lee is writing to his son either during the Civil War and is talking of the Union and their upcoming victory, or so he hopes. Lee is telling his son of what is going on with him and in the first excerpt Lee tells his son that he enjoyed reading a book that his son had sent him and by using examples and instances in the novel, he is able to give me an insight and idea as to how he feels about specific occurrences that happened in the book and how he can relate them to his own life and what he is currently experiencing in the war. Which, although Lee is not giving a play by play on the events happening in the war, I am still getting an idea as to what is going on, as I should, and he tells the readers, and more specifically his son, about his feelings toward the North and South. That demonstrates realism I believe, as well as regionalism throughout this letter. Just because, Lee is trying to tell his son of what exactly he has going on with him where he is at, and possibly get his son to better understand how his old man is doing. That way his family, and more specifically his son feel more involved with the man of the house and how exactly the war is affecting not only Lee himself, but the others around him (Lee). That is just my opinion on it, however. Lee is using realism with a sub writing style of naturalism to tell his family of his difficult and interesting experiences.
Works Cited:
Lee, Robert E. "Letter to His Son." American Literature Textbook. Columbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 384-385. Print.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Sojourner Truth – And Ain‘t I a Woman?
And ain't I a woman? Look at me, look at my arm! I have plowed and planted and gathered into barns and no man could head me. . . And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man--when I could get to it--and bear the lash as well and ain't I a woman? I have born 13 children and seen most all sold into slavery and when I cried out a mother's grief none but Jesus heard me. . .and ain't I a woman? (Truth).
This section of Sojourner Truth's speech was touching to me and also demonstrated realism. Truth is talking about how she can work just as hard as a man, and if not harder, but she is still continuing to be overlooked regardless. Truth is giving real life examples to prove her points and show the readers what exactly her life was like as a slave.
Given the time period, it is understandable as to why she would write about slavery. Truth grew up in slavery, so she would have plenty to write about. Also, I can understand that Sojourner would have a lot of emotions and feelings towards slavery because she has spent a long time being a slave, but then went on to help organize the Underground Railroad. By doing that, she was able to help harbor her emotions toward slavery and the cruelty that was bestowed on her and the rest of the slaves. She did not choose to be put into slavery, it was something she was basically born into, so she ended up retaliating by writing and organizing the Underground Railroad to help with her feelings.
She demonstrates realism through her writing so that the reader can get a better understanding as to what exactly Truth was going through and why life was so difficult for her. For starters, she is a woman, which they did not have life that good to begin with. Then, add on top of that that she is a slave, and things just are not looking up for her anytime soon.
The one thing I found interesting in her poem/speech is when she said that she was born into a family of thirteen kids. Life must have been difficult for her because she had to actually do something to make a name for herself, and then she went and got sold into slavery at the age of nine, so it is not like she was able to actually do anything before she was sold into slavery (Women in History). That just goes to further prove my hypothesis that she helped start the Underground Railroad to make a name for herself. Which, she did, as she is one of the most well known women in history.
In addition to being a big part of the Underground Railroad movement and helping to abolish slavery, she did write a very moving speech which has been adapted into a poem and read throughout the nation. I actually liked the speech, although I thought I would not. She wrote and conveyed her feelings very well and I was able to understand how angry she was.
Works Cited:
Truth, Sojourner. "Ain't I A Woman." Sojourner Truth. 14 July 1998. Web. 8 Feb. 2011..
Women in History. Sojourner Truth biography. Feb. 8 11 . Lakewood Public Library. Date accessed 2/8/2011 ..
Given the time period, it is understandable as to why she would write about slavery. Truth grew up in slavery, so she would have plenty to write about. Also, I can understand that Sojourner would have a lot of emotions and feelings towards slavery because she has spent a long time being a slave, but then went on to help organize the Underground Railroad. By doing that, she was able to help harbor her emotions toward slavery and the cruelty that was bestowed on her and the rest of the slaves. She did not choose to be put into slavery, it was something she was basically born into, so she ended up retaliating by writing and organizing the Underground Railroad to help with her feelings.
She demonstrates realism through her writing so that the reader can get a better understanding as to what exactly Truth was going through and why life was so difficult for her. For starters, she is a woman, which they did not have life that good to begin with. Then, add on top of that that she is a slave, and things just are not looking up for her anytime soon.
The one thing I found interesting in her poem/speech is when she said that she was born into a family of thirteen kids. Life must have been difficult for her because she had to actually do something to make a name for herself, and then she went and got sold into slavery at the age of nine, so it is not like she was able to actually do anything before she was sold into slavery (Women in History). That just goes to further prove my hypothesis that she helped start the Underground Railroad to make a name for herself. Which, she did, as she is one of the most well known women in history.
In addition to being a big part of the Underground Railroad movement and helping to abolish slavery, she did write a very moving speech which has been adapted into a poem and read throughout the nation. I actually liked the speech, although I thought I would not. She wrote and conveyed her feelings very well and I was able to understand how angry she was.
Works Cited:
Truth, Sojourner. "Ain't I A Woman." Sojourner Truth. 14 July 1998. Web. 8 Feb. 2011.
Women in History. Sojourner Truth biography. Feb. 8 11 . Lakewood Public Library. Date accessed 2/8/2011 .
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Anonymous – Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Go Down, Moses, & Keep Your Hand on the Plow
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin' for to carry me home!
I looked over Jordan and what did I see,
Comin' for to carry me home!
A band of angels comin' after me,
Comin' for to carry me home!
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin' for to carry me home!
If you get there before I do,
Comin' for to carry me home,
Jess tell my friends that I'm acomin' too,
Comin' for to carry me home.
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin' for to carry me home!
I'm sometimes up and sometimes down,
Comin' for to carry me home,
But still my soul feels heavenly bound
Comin' for to carry me home! (Sound).
That poem/song has become quite well known, and is one of my favorites. Swing low sweet chariot uses regionalism throughout because this was written during the time when the Underground Railroad was around. It is fitting with almost any time period, however, because the poem is telling of how someone just wants to get home, and they are going to be getting in the chariot to help get them home. I think that is part of the reason why this song was so popular, especially during the times where people were unhappy and just wanted to be home.
Verse 1
When Israel was in Egypt's land
Let my people go
Oppressed so hard they could not stand
Let my people go
Chorus
Go down (go down)
Moses (do down Moses)
Way down in Egypt's land
Tell old, Pharoh
Let my people go!
Verse 2
Thus saith the Lord, bold Moses said
Let my people go
If not, I'll smite your first born dead
Let my people go
(repeat chorus)
Verse 3
No more shall they in bondage toil
Let my people go
Let them come out with Egypt's spoil
Let my people go (Go Down Moses Lyrics).
This song also has to do with regionalism, because I can tell by the lyrics that this song was written by an African American. He or she was probably an escaped or free slave and was mad just like all the other slaves that they had not been set free yet. Therefore, he or she wrote a song regarding their feelings and that they should be free, just like everyone else. These two songs so far have illustrated the African Americans' feelings regarding slavery and that they are just like everyone else and want to just be at home.
Keep Your Hands On The Plow was an interesting song to read. The lyrics had to deal with slaves working out in the field, and despite everything that was going on, they had to stay working. The author of the song used biblical references throughout the story, however, I picked up on the fact that the author was actually talking about people he or she knew and his or her experiences of working as a slave (Keep Your Hands On The Plow Lyrics).
All three of these songs were quite interesting in the fact that they all had the common theme of slavery. However, that is quite common for that time period, I believe, because slavery was the big issue back then. So, people were writing songs about it and trying to get rid of it. They used the songs to make themselves feel better and get through the tough times, which makes sense.
Works Cited:
"Go Down Moses Lyrics." Music-Lyrics-Gospel. RecordFly LLC. Web. 6 Feb. 2011. http://www.music-lyrics-gospel.com/gospel_music_lyrics/go_down_moses_586.asp.
"Keep Your Hands On The Plow Lyrics." GospelSongLyrics.org. 2006. Web. 6 Feb. 2011..
Sound, Owen. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." Owen Sound's Black History. Web. 6 Feb. 2011..
Comin' for to carry me home!
I looked over Jordan and what did I see,
Comin' for to carry me home!
A band of angels comin' after me,
Comin' for to carry me home!
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin' for to carry me home!
If you get there before I do,
Comin' for to carry me home,
Jess tell my friends that I'm acomin' too,
Comin' for to carry me home.
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Comin' for to carry me home!
I'm sometimes up and sometimes down,
Comin' for to carry me home,
But still my soul feels heavenly bound
Comin' for to carry me home! (Sound).
That poem/song has become quite well known, and is one of my favorites. Swing low sweet chariot uses regionalism throughout because this was written during the time when the Underground Railroad was around. It is fitting with almost any time period, however, because the poem is telling of how someone just wants to get home, and they are going to be getting in the chariot to help get them home. I think that is part of the reason why this song was so popular, especially during the times where people were unhappy and just wanted to be home.
Verse 1
When Israel was in Egypt's land
Let my people go
Oppressed so hard they could not stand
Let my people go
Chorus
Go down (go down)
Moses (do down Moses)
Way down in Egypt's land
Tell old, Pharoh
Let my people go!
Verse 2
Thus saith the Lord, bold Moses said
Let my people go
If not, I'll smite your first born dead
Let my people go
(repeat chorus)
Verse 3
No more shall they in bondage toil
Let my people go
Let them come out with Egypt's spoil
Let my people go (Go Down Moses Lyrics).
This song also has to do with regionalism, because I can tell by the lyrics that this song was written by an African American. He or she was probably an escaped or free slave and was mad just like all the other slaves that they had not been set free yet. Therefore, he or she wrote a song regarding their feelings and that they should be free, just like everyone else. These two songs so far have illustrated the African Americans' feelings regarding slavery and that they are just like everyone else and want to just be at home.
Keep Your Hands On The Plow was an interesting song to read. The lyrics had to deal with slaves working out in the field, and despite everything that was going on, they had to stay working. The author of the song used biblical references throughout the story, however, I picked up on the fact that the author was actually talking about people he or she knew and his or her experiences of working as a slave (Keep Your Hands On The Plow Lyrics).
All three of these songs were quite interesting in the fact that they all had the common theme of slavery. However, that is quite common for that time period, I believe, because slavery was the big issue back then. So, people were writing songs about it and trying to get rid of it. They used the songs to make themselves feel better and get through the tough times, which makes sense.
Works Cited:
"Go Down Moses Lyrics." Music-Lyrics-Gospel. RecordFly LLC. Web. 6 Feb. 2011. http://www.music-lyrics-gospel.com/gospel_music_lyrics/go_down_moses_586.asp.
"Keep Your Hands On The Plow Lyrics." GospelSongLyrics.org. 2006. Web. 6 Feb. 2011.
Sound, Owen. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." Owen Sound's Black History. Web. 6 Feb. 2011.
Abraham Lincoln – Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865 and The Gettysburg Address
"One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union, even by war; while the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war, the magnitude, or the duration, which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has his own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offences which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South, this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope--fervently do we pray--that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether"" (Lincoln: Second Inaugural Address).
That main excerpt is taken from Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address and deals greatly with the writing style of realism. Lincoln is telling of the different experiences that occurred during the Civil War and the different emotions, thoughts, and feelings that were going on and how they might have upset God. Also, Lincoln talks greatly of how God must have been reacting to everything that was going on, and how can a nation be torn apart like this. Therefore, it was quite an interesting speech to read as it made me stop and think about everything that Lincoln was trying to say.
The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the most violent, and also well known battles during the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln gave a very moving, touching, and sentimental speech for the many men that had lost their lives on the battlefield during the Battle of Gettysburg. Although it was short, the Address was still very well written and used realism once again.
"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" (Lincoln: Gettysburg Address).
Lincoln is telling the people gathered there that the men who fought and died on the battlefield did not and should not have died in vain. Instead, they fought so that the nation would become stronger and be a better place for everyone to live in. Once again, Lincoln is using real life events to make people realize that what they have done is not really beneficial or for the better. But in the end, regardless of the many lives lost, people should mourn and not forget those who lost their lives fighting.
Works Cited:
Lincoln, Abraham. "The Gettysburg Address." Abraham Lincoln Online. Web. 6 Feb. 2011. http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm.
Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugural Address." Abraham Lincoln Online. Web. 6 Feb. 2011..
That main excerpt is taken from Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address and deals greatly with the writing style of realism. Lincoln is telling of the different experiences that occurred during the Civil War and the different emotions, thoughts, and feelings that were going on and how they might have upset God. Also, Lincoln talks greatly of how God must have been reacting to everything that was going on, and how can a nation be torn apart like this. Therefore, it was quite an interesting speech to read as it made me stop and think about everything that Lincoln was trying to say.
The Battle of Gettysburg was one of the most violent, and also well known battles during the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln gave a very moving, touching, and sentimental speech for the many men that had lost their lives on the battlefield during the Battle of Gettysburg. Although it was short, the Address was still very well written and used realism once again.
"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth" (Lincoln: Gettysburg Address).
Lincoln is telling the people gathered there that the men who fought and died on the battlefield did not and should not have died in vain. Instead, they fought so that the nation would become stronger and be a better place for everyone to live in. Once again, Lincoln is using real life events to make people realize that what they have done is not really beneficial or for the better. But in the end, regardless of the many lives lost, people should mourn and not forget those who lost their lives fighting.
Works Cited:
Lincoln, Abraham. "The Gettysburg Address." Abraham Lincoln Online. Web. 6 Feb. 2011. http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm.
Lincoln, Abraham. "Second Inaugural Address." Abraham Lincoln Online. Web. 6 Feb. 2011.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Frederick Douglass: The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro
""By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yea! we wept when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there, they that carried us away captive, required of us a song; and they who wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? If I forget thee, 0 Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth"" (Douglass).
Douglass' statement near the beginning of his speech is using the writing style of realism, as well as the sub style of naturalism. Throughout his entire speech Douglass is telling of what his experiences and feelings are on the Fourth of July. He is saying in the above passage that the Fourth of July is foreign and unknown to him, and how can he recognize it properly if he does not know what exactly he is recognizing, because of the fact that he is African American.
"My subject, then, fellow-citizens, is American slavery. I shall see this day and its popular characteristics from the slave's point of view. Standing there identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future. Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slave on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity which is outraged, in the name of liberty which is fettered, in the name of the constitution and the Bible which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery the great sin and shame of America! "I will not equivocate; I will not excuse"; I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, or who is not at heart a slaveholder, shall not confess to be right and just" (Douglass).
About halfway through his speech, Douglass begins putting America down, mainly because of slavery. This passage alone was quite moving and interesting to read, because Douglass really shows his emotions through his words. As I was reading, I was imagining Douglass yelling and slapping the podium as he made each point regarding how America is false and continues to be even after making many mistakes. This excerpt from Douglass' speech demonstrates realism very well because he is giving opinions, but describing situations and instances that are occurring at that time. Many people, especially slaves, would be able to relate to Douglass and how he is feeling during this time.
Therefore, this speech does demonstrate realism, as Douglass is not going off into a fantasy world to get his point across. Instead, he is using his real life experiences that many people, more specifically slaves, will be able to relate to and agree on.
Works Cited:
Douglass, Frederick. ""The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro"" Africans in America. PBS. Web. 6 Feb. 2011..
Douglass' statement near the beginning of his speech is using the writing style of realism, as well as the sub style of naturalism. Throughout his entire speech Douglass is telling of what his experiences and feelings are on the Fourth of July. He is saying in the above passage that the Fourth of July is foreign and unknown to him, and how can he recognize it properly if he does not know what exactly he is recognizing, because of the fact that he is African American.
"My subject, then, fellow-citizens, is American slavery. I shall see this day and its popular characteristics from the slave's point of view. Standing there identified with the American bondman, making his wrongs mine, I do not hesitate to declare, with all my soul, that the character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker to me than on this 4th of July! Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future. Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slave on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity which is outraged, in the name of liberty which is fettered, in the name of the constitution and the Bible which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery the great sin and shame of America! "I will not equivocate; I will not excuse"; I will use the severest language I can command; and yet not one word shall escape me that any man, whose judgment is not blinded by prejudice, or who is not at heart a slaveholder, shall not confess to be right and just" (Douglass).
About halfway through his speech, Douglass begins putting America down, mainly because of slavery. This passage alone was quite moving and interesting to read, because Douglass really shows his emotions through his words. As I was reading, I was imagining Douglass yelling and slapping the podium as he made each point regarding how America is false and continues to be even after making many mistakes. This excerpt from Douglass' speech demonstrates realism very well because he is giving opinions, but describing situations and instances that are occurring at that time. Many people, especially slaves, would be able to relate to Douglass and how he is feeling during this time.
Therefore, this speech does demonstrate realism, as Douglass is not going off into a fantasy world to get his point across. Instead, he is using his real life experiences that many people, more specifically slaves, will be able to relate to and agree on.
Works Cited:
Douglass, Frederick. ""The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro"" Africans in America. PBS. Web. 6 Feb. 2011.
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