It was...

It was not what I had expected. Going from a small charter school with only 15 students in my grade, to a school with not just hundreds, but thousands of students was a major change. Everything was new and interesting. Heck, I have never even been in a cafeteria before. New school, new friends, new opportunities. Millbrook has been a home away from home for the past 4 years and has taught me so much. Being involved in clubs and sports at Millbrook has truly made my high school experience memorable and worth while. Although, I can definitely say that I am ready to say goodbye. 

These four years have taught me so much, but I am ready for new endeavors. I was so nervous and excited for high school before, and now I get to feel this same anticipation as I head off to college. As I look back at my time at Millbrook, I can confidently say that I feel as though I have left my mark on the school, and it has definitely left it’s mark on me. As I say goodbye to the many that I have become so close to, I remember all that they have taught me. Such bittersweet moments occur every day, as I remember that each day is another last. My last high school football game. My last dance concert. My last tennis match. The last time I’ll drive off to lunch with my friends. It is hard to imagine not being able to drive to my friends’ houses with ease or saying I love you to my parents each night before bed. 

People tell you that high school is a time of change and growing up, but I didn’t expect it to impact me so much. The memories that I have made will stick with me for years to come. I knew it would be great, but it was not what I had expected.

Witty Whitman

The aspect of Walt Whitman’s notes that I found to be the most intriguing were the sketches that he drew, depicting his vision for the poetry that accompanies them. The evolution of the man seen in varying pages is very interesting, as you can see first hand the development of Whitman’s thinking, and how he contrasted each picture to match how he envisioned the character. Although the sketches are drawn in a lacsidasical fashion, it is obvious to the viewer what the intentions of the pictures are, and the character traits that the man may possess. The most prominent change that I noticed was the man’s eyes. His eyes are open in the first picture yet progress to being hidden. This may be because Whitman noticed that the portrayal of this specific character was important because of his closure or secretevity.

After getting a view into a further analyzed version of the text, it is noted that there is a slim possibility that the pictures were even drawn my Whitman himself. Rather, it is probably a sketch of Whitman himself. This piece of information is extremely interesting, as it infers how Whitman was perceived by others- as a jolly figure who may have had something to hide. This connection could be made through the large hat he is seen wearing, and the bashful mood he sets for the audience by the closed eyes. 

The American Dream

1. I imagine the American Dream as the freedom to pursue life the way you want it to be lived with equal opportunity to do so, which may be skewed by the perspective of the individual. Those pursuing the American Dream seek a successful life in means of wealth, status, or happiness as seen from their point of view. In the 1920’s, more commonly, monetary status reflected society’s perception on an individual, as their income had a significant influence on their image, and image meant everything because of the influence of materialism. 
2. The first thing to come to mind when mentioning the word “wealth” is the monetary value associated with this word choice. Although to many, wealth can be interpreted in varying ways. In my mind, wealth may determine how someone fulfills their life, and the quality of their actions rather than the monetary perspective on wealth. 
3. Americans strive for wealth, whether this is monetary or happiness, and most make it their primary goal in life to reach. This is because many correlate the idea of wealth to a person’s value in society, and allows it to represent how successful they are. People seek wealth because they believe it gives them power or pride. Poverty, however, may be seen as the lowest point and is something that nobody wishes to pursue because of the negative connotation. 
4. My attitude towards wealth and poverty aligns with the general American view, although I like to think I stray away from the idea of only allowing a certain percentage of people to obtain wealth. The American Dream should be available to everyone who wishes to pursue it, although obviously not everyone can be the richest of the rich. Basic necessities can go a long way, and preventing as many people from reaching poverty as possible is a central goal, as far fetched as it may seem. 

Translations

As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.

The use of the word “uneasy” infers that the subject of the text was not resting well, but nothing too traumatic had yet occurred, “transformed” allows the reader to believe that the event that happened was scientific in origin, and the term “gigantic insect” places imagery in the readers mind of what Samsa has turned into. The syntax of the sentence is a bit wordy, as there is no punctuation to help guide the reader through the words. The imagery implied with this sentence is a more abrupt awakening of Samsa because of the diction used, making the reader believe that the transformation was more of a surprise. 

Gregory Samsa woke from uneasy dreams one morning to find himself changed into a giant bug. 

Again, the use of the word “uneasy” infers that the subject of the text was not resting well, “changed” brings up a varying connotation from the first sentence as it makes the process seem more casual, as does the term “giant bug” because of the simple vocabulary. The syntax is very to the point and gets the message across clearly without becoming wordy. The simple wording makes the reader believe that the awakening was more slow and steady rather than abrupt, and that the transformation was one that he took the time to comprehend. 

When Gregor Samsa awoke from troubled dreams one morning he found he had been transformed in his bed into an enormous bug. 

The word “troubled” makes the reader believe that Samsa is having issues regarding his sleep, “transformed” allows the reader to believe that the event that happened was scientific in origin, and “enormous bug” also carries the idea of a simple vocabulary having an influence on the reader’s perception of the bug and seeing it as less terrifying. Because the translator chose to begin the sentence with “When”, there is a storytelling narrative that is developed that changes the meaning of the sentence, making the syntax extremely important. The imagery of this translation makes him seem more confused by the abrupt transformation. 

One morning, upon awakening from agitated dreams, Gregor Samsa found himself, in his bed, transformed into a monstrous vermin. 

The use of the word “agitated” over other options like uneasy or troubled is significant because it relates more to the frustration regarding the dream. “Transformed” is used again, keeping it’s meaning. “Monstrous vermin” has more of a dramatic appeal to it and makes the reader imagine a more horrific creature. The use of commas throughout the sentence give the words a better flow and allow the sentence to become more comprehendible. The imagery of this sentence is more violent and makes the reader see Samsa as a more vicious creature, rather than a large one as depicted in the other sentences. 

The diction used in this first selection predetermines the mindset of the reader for the duration of the text, and sets the mood that the reader comprehends by adjusting the understanding that they take in. By changing specific diction in the text, the entire holistic meaning of the sentence could change. For example the use of the words “gigantic” and “monstrous” may be similar, but when placed in context, they change the meaning drastically, making the reader take a varying perspective on a character. Although when skimming over these four sentences at first they do all seem very similar, they are actually extremely contrasting in their meanings, which is influenced only by a few minor word changes. The drastic changes that occur over translation is overwhelmingly present in comparison, yet when viewing each of them as individuals they each seem correct.

The tone expressed by the author also may be adjusted by the translator, giving the translator an abundance of responsibility. By adding in or taking out certain punctuation, the text may be given new meaning. The variation among word choice relates directly to the intended ideas expressed by the author, and how this may vary depending on who translated the text. In just a single sentence it is evident the changes that are made because of the process. There is no straight forward way to translate an entire book because of the plethora of synonyms for words and the language barrier that is provided because of this. It is important that the translator understands the original intentions of the author so that they do not skew the meaning of the text. 

Freebie

It has been a busy week/weekend so I'm using my freebie for this blogpost!

Never Let Me Go

In the first image, a young girl is seen sitting peacefully. The title and author do not come across as significantly as the girl does, as her long blonde hair is clearly noted. The intended purpose is not to give information about the text that would spoil the plot, as there are no regards to cloning or Hailshem. The second selected image portrays what I interpret as a young Kathy dancing to her music. The yellow background is symbolic of happiness and the cover depicts a happy girl. Her face is not seen, signifying that the intention of the cover is to show her inner spirit rather than give away any significant detail about the novel regarding plot synopsis, and the author and title are the most captivating aspect of the cover. The third cover (similar to the first) is very peaceful, yet there is more of a creepy feel to it. This cover is much more intriguing in it's mysterious spirit, as it leads to many more follow up questions based on it’s relation to the title. If I had not had experience in reading the text already, I would not have guessed that the title is related to the song that signifies so much to her. Rather, I would have assumed there was an escape being planned because of the connotation that is relevant with the cover. Lastly, the fourth cover is the most gruesome in relation to the others. The dark and eery feel that radiants from this depiction explicitly states how something is off in Kathy’s life, as in the beginning her life seems decently normal. With this cover in mind, it would be easier to identify that there must be something that would transform the “world" that Kathy lives in, giving the audience a better idea of what is to come. 

At first glance, the cover depicting the girl in the blue dress comes across as portraying a “happy” novel, one set in a time and place similar to something expected of a modern audience. Although, looking closer after having read the novel, it is accepted that the dancing girl is symbolic of Kathy’s past before accepting her fate or realizing what made her so different. Before, though, I would have noted that the title was symbolic of a love story, rather than an internal struggle. It seems as though Kathy is the one portrayed, based on the idea that she was a joyful spirit, especially when she was dancing to her favorite song. The perspective that I deem this was taken from is Kathy herself, because she was the only one who truly understood what the music meant to her. The others could have taken the tape, also stealing these joyous moments from her, so she kept it a secret. And anyone like Madam would have shuttered at the sight, completing a more dark or fearful image of Kathy. There is not much intel into the culture of the book from the picture or the title, but it is evident how the audience is expected to be adult based on the washed out cover (it seems like something my mom would read). Yet, once I began reading the text, I realized how much more relevant it is to someone of my generation based on the significance of events regarding growing up. 

The second the cover I chose to analyze is the most dark of the four, extremely contrasting to the first. The first word that came to mind when seeing this cover is “grim”, based on the dark colors and font. Before reading the novel, I would have assumed that the book has something to do with a group of people being captured or kept in a confined space based on the barbed wire fence entrapping what could be interpreted as a brain, symbolizing the control that that is kept over this group of people. This symbol foreshadows the idea of cloning in a more discrete way. The viewpoint that I assume the cover is taken from is one of a guardian, because they understand the events that are constantly occurring yet also comprehend how important it is that the children are kept away from the important knowledge regarding who they are and the importance of their existence. The only cultural significance I could gain from the cover is that it seems like something that would happen in the past or the future, not an event that could happen in a more modern context. The cover reminds me of one developed by Tim Burton, which leads me to believe it would be enjoyed by someone who also is intrigued by his other works. 

"say YES to life"

In Isabel Allende’s inspiring speech, “How to Live Passionately- No matter your age”, she describes what she and others have gained from living a fulfilling life. Allende explains to the audience how no matter your age, there is always more to earn from life. No matter your literal age, we are all spiritually aging. She goes through in more detail the four main aspects that she has gained from taking this step: freedom, lightness, softness, and spirituality, and adds insight on the positive affects on her personal life and her relationship with others. Allende shares, “It’s great to let go, I should have started sooner.” 

Isabel Allende begins her presentation appealing to the audience with pathos, as she states her information about herself, her husband, her parents, and even her dog. By doing this, we already feel a connection to Allende. She is constantly spewing personal thoughts on her keys to success in life, grasping the viewers attention. This spunky story teller gives us a new perspective on the future and presents the information in a way that allows us to unleash a positive attitude and the emotions that are presented with it. Ethos is also a primary use of Allende’s, as she uses specific information regarding the personal achievements of many, including the work done by greats such as Olga Murray. She applies the success stories of many to her real life situation of turning your life around to experience the new no matter how old you may be. 

Once I saw the title of this TED talk, I instantly knew it was something I would be interested in, as passion is something that applies to everyone no matter their age or culture. No social standing or gender has more of an advantage to live passionately, as it is a decision we choose to make daily- do we aspire for all that life has to offer? or do we stay comfortable? It is evident that Allende is a very happy woman and has chosen to live her life to the fullest, and that she understands the importance of sharing this wisdom to others. She truly captivates the audience with the charming personality she presumes, and I aspire to live as she does. 

https://www.ted.com/talks/isabelle_allende_how_to_live_passionately_no_matter_your_age/transcript?language=en#t-93418

Double Indemnity

#5

From the start, it is evident that the male lead, Walter Neff, is a weak man in comparison to the charming, young Phyllis Dietrichson. Not in terms of status or wealth, but in his inability to resist temptation from this future love interest. In the 1944 film, Double Indemnity, it is clear that women’s appearance is used to lure in the focus of the man. Dietrichson is constantly being sexually objectified by other lead characters, which is accepted by the audience. There is no doubt that her true motives are shielded by her flowery feminine cover up, as she appears to an outside perspective as the damsel in distress. She directly addresses the situation of being objectified when she notes the lack of respect her own husband has for her. It is not her morals that give her the attention from her male counterparts, but their desire for her based off of the sexual attraction she gives off. 

It is evident that the way Phyllis Dietrichson is portrayed in the film is reflective of how the vast majority of women in the 1940’s were treated- not as powerful or dominant, rather, they were seen merely for their outer appearance. This could be noted by the light colors she wears, representing her elegance and femininity or by the sly and flirty tone she uses when speaking to Neff. She also poses in positions showing off her legs rather than staying seated in a productive manner. It is for her looks that the men fall weak, but also the standards for gender that are set by society in this time period. She understands the position she is put in here and acts on it, as she manipulates the men and uses her stature as a woman to her advantage.