The Lesson of the Hour

Frederick Douglas gives this speech criticism of how the blacks are being treated now, and gives a major focus on the lynchings happening in the south, which is obviously the most horrific even to focus on. Honestly I cannot remember the speech as well as I would have hoped, but one thing I do remember sticking out in my mind was how vast and extensive the vocab was in his speech for a black man who educated himself, especially in this time period. But I think for me to honestly get the full effect of this speech I need to read it all so I can subtract the over done aspect from the movie we watched.

A Triple Paradox

Mr. W.E.B. Dubois shows to his readers the mistakes made by Mr Washington in his "Atlanta Compromise". Dubois basically says that the things that Washington asks for in turn for giving up on black civil rights contradict with the good for the black race. Asking for normal and job related schooling for blacks, in the mind of Dubois, means regressing and putting the black youth in a unproductive environment for their future, and also says that their scholarly society needs higher education to further advance, so to ask for lower education angers Dubois. Washington also says that in the compromise, that blacks will stop the fight for equal rights for the opportunity to be workers and land owners, but Bubois says that there is no way, without enfranchisement, that blacks can protect the little rights the want or have. The final point Washington talks about, is having blacks accept a view of social inferiority, but Dubois declares that a race that gives up their pride, deserves no rights at all, and should not be civilized at all.

Up From Slavery

This story so far is slightly bland to me, and it seems to take forever to get from page to page. The syntax and dictation make it an easy read, but also make it seem like I am reading a text book instead of an story. Although at first glance it seems boring at first, B.T Washington makes observations and tells us small instances that make me think about the view of the master from the slave's perspective; I would think most people keep in mind the mindset that all slaves hated their masters in a fiery show of angst, but Washington gives us a complete opposite view that shows us how slaves would lay down their lives in service to their masters needs. I also liked how he laid out the setting and environment that the slaves live in every day; their houses were poorly built with holes and missing parts, and he even described how poorly every meal seemed in comparison to his white masters in the "big house".

Naturalism

Naturalism has plagued our class these last two weeks, and has managed to turn our brains inside out and upside down in an effort to comprehend such an abstract topic. Although I have yet to present anything to the class, everything I have looked up for Naturalism has made my understanding of the topic less and less clear in comparison to my previous "comprehension". I do not like to say that anyone in our class, besides you of course, has a clear understanding of Naturalism because it seems that the more we learn our previously bullet proof ideologies are instantly questioned and torn apart. It seems that Naturalism is not only a branch of Realism, but a concept that has been around since the Greek times, who in science and in mostly in their mythology have very similar styles like the Naturalism we are looking at. Right now my understanding, if you must say, is very varied, and needs to worked on because it seems that almost every day it changes when introduced to new ideas and new information.

Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge

I thought the movie was well made and from the very start created a dark and solemn atmosphere. But in comparison to the text, the movie seems to try to make a over done eerie feeling for the tv show it was on. I liked how the story really did not need diolouge to get the tones across, and stress the point of view opposite the author's.

If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking: Emily Dickinson

I like this poem because it is different from her other works; her other poems seem extremely depressing or sorrowful, but this one doesn't exactly have a flamboyant and uplifting tone, but it has a positive message. This poem also gives us a little insight into her personality which at first I thought was almost self destructive, but this shows that she has a caring and sensitive nature about her, and that she wishes to help those around her. Even though the message or substance of the poem is different from her others, it follows the similar style of writing, choice of wording, and length of the others. This poem also makes me think that she must have gone through some sort of major heart break or some very bad times to want to protect others so much.

Class Disucssion on Rappichini and Industrialization

Rappichini tried to play God through his science, and the concept of having no metaphysical presence in the world, and that the world is solely based on science, is thought to be bad by many, such as our founding fathers. Im confused about we talked about in class yesterday, I understand the concept of the "Watch Maker", but I don't understand how industrialization ties into the story. I understand what industrialization was, but in relation to the story im totally lost. I understand what we talked about but im not sure what to write about here. I think that im missing the connection between the concept of Hubris we talked about and Industrialization.