I think that Rian found a very interesting take on the existence of melancholy in literature and on how that leads to epiphantic experiences, which in turn can lead to great works of art.
I found her presentation to be very thoughtful and inspiring. I would definitely be interested in reading her final project because she did such a fine job of presenting it to the class.
Her use of quotes were particularly well chosen. I see that T.S. Elliot had the same affect on Rian and the Bhagavad Gita had on me. Indeed it is most interesting to see how various writers had such profound influences on the class.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
My Capstone Project
My capstone paper was probably one of the hardest papers I ever had to write during my college career. My capstone was probably so difficult to write because I knew that this would be the last English paper that I would ever have to as an undergraduate.
When I was first told that the capstone would have a minimum of 10 pages I was overjoyed. I heard horror stories of previous English majors who have taken the capstone course talk about having to write a 20+ or even a 30+ paper. However, I soon found out that just because the page limit was much shorter than previous capstone courses - it didn't mean it would be any easier to write - especially since one of the criteria of the paper was that it had to be the best paper that I ever wrote.
After reading a blog from Mick I had a much stronger sense of what direction I wanted my paper to go in. I chose to write 5 poems, each containing several wisdom statements, each poem would be modeled off of the 5 Chinese elements, instead of the 4 western elements like in Elliot's The Four Quartets. I titled my paper The System of Five - I know it seems kind of lame but I like it. Despite the confidence that I had gain after reading Mick's blog I realized how difficult this paper would be to write. I mean this would be the last English paper that I would be writing as an undergraduate. WOW!
At first I tried to put off writing the paper but eventually I realized that I had to get started writing it and the sooner I finished it the better off I would be. When I did start to write it I found myself struggling to finish each poem greatly. Sometimes everything seemed to mesh well together but for the most part it was one big headache. But when I was finished with it I felt a strong sense of accomplishment - after all the poem wasn't to bad. And then I let a close personal friend read it, as well as some co-workers of mine who hate poetry. I told them that the poems were from another student in the class and I had to critique them and I asked them to help me out.
They all read the poems and I was pleasantly surprised when each one told me that they really like the poems and even helped me correct them some. When I told them that I had actually written the poems one co-worker told me that I should write poetry for a living instead of writing books for children - like I plan on doing. I did not know whether I should take that as a compliment or an insult.
When I was first told that the capstone would have a minimum of 10 pages I was overjoyed. I heard horror stories of previous English majors who have taken the capstone course talk about having to write a 20+ or even a 30+ paper. However, I soon found out that just because the page limit was much shorter than previous capstone courses - it didn't mean it would be any easier to write - especially since one of the criteria of the paper was that it had to be the best paper that I ever wrote.
After reading a blog from Mick I had a much stronger sense of what direction I wanted my paper to go in. I chose to write 5 poems, each containing several wisdom statements, each poem would be modeled off of the 5 Chinese elements, instead of the 4 western elements like in Elliot's The Four Quartets. I titled my paper The System of Five - I know it seems kind of lame but I like it. Despite the confidence that I had gain after reading Mick's blog I realized how difficult this paper would be to write. I mean this would be the last English paper that I would be writing as an undergraduate. WOW!
At first I tried to put off writing the paper but eventually I realized that I had to get started writing it and the sooner I finished it the better off I would be. When I did start to write it I found myself struggling to finish each poem greatly. Sometimes everything seemed to mesh well together but for the most part it was one big headache. But when I was finished with it I felt a strong sense of accomplishment - after all the poem wasn't to bad. And then I let a close personal friend read it, as well as some co-workers of mine who hate poetry. I told them that the poems were from another student in the class and I had to critique them and I asked them to help me out.
They all read the poems and I was pleasantly surprised when each one told me that they really like the poems and even helped me correct them some. When I told them that I had actually written the poems one co-worker told me that I should write poetry for a living instead of writing books for children - like I plan on doing. I did not know whether I should take that as a compliment or an insult.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Today's Presentation
I really liked today's presentation. Craig's was very interesting. Kari's was most amusing. And Jenny Lynn's was most refreshing. However, out of all the presentations that I saw today I must admit that I particularly liked Doug's rehashing of the meeting of his wife and the tale that he told of how she jumped the gun in regards to their seemingly unplanned wedding.
I thought that when Doug read a paragraph, or two or three, of his capstone that it was full of passion and excitement. I enjoyed the all too human tale of having trouble with the future in-laws and the struggle and difficulty with the girlfriend and future spouse.
I have three sisters and my mother was very concerned about her daughters obtaining a good education. When they would bring over their boyfriends she made it absolutely clear to them that she expected them to go college and if they objected in any way then she would disapprove of their union.
Today two out of my three sisters are attending college and both of their husbands received an earful about the importance education for women and both husbands wholly support their education.
Doug's capstone was very interesting and I wouldn't mind reading the entire finished product.
I thought that when Doug read a paragraph, or two or three, of his capstone that it was full of passion and excitement. I enjoyed the all too human tale of having trouble with the future in-laws and the struggle and difficulty with the girlfriend and future spouse.
I have three sisters and my mother was very concerned about her daughters obtaining a good education. When they would bring over their boyfriends she made it absolutely clear to them that she expected them to go college and if they objected in any way then she would disapprove of their union.
Today two out of my three sisters are attending college and both of their husbands received an earful about the importance education for women and both husbands wholly support their education.
Doug's capstone was very interesting and I wouldn't mind reading the entire finished product.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Regret For My Time in College
I realize that I have not really lived the college experience here at MSU. You see I originally thought that I would be transferring to another university and in another state. In planning to do so I guess I thought to myself "Why put down roots and make friends when I am not going to stay in Montana long enough to enjoy them." The more roots I put down the harder wit would be for me to leave and at the time staying here was the last thing on my mind.
As a result I have let several possible opportunities for friendship pass me by. I focused primarily on my studies, not that that is a bad thing by any means mind you, and even some of the friendships that I had formed had suffered. The closer I get to graduation the more I think back on this. I see a lot of my classmates in close personal relationships and the more I see this the more I reflect on how I failed to connect and form my own friendships with my classmates.
As a result I have let several possible opportunities for friendship pass me by. I focused primarily on my studies, not that that is a bad thing by any means mind you, and even some of the friendships that I had formed had suffered. The closer I get to graduation the more I think back on this. I see a lot of my classmates in close personal relationships and the more I see this the more I reflect on how I failed to connect and form my own friendships with my classmates.
A Night at The Baxter Hotel
It was quite an interesting experience watching the many different stages of my fellow classmates in regards to the struggles and difficulties memorizing their lines.
Some classmates only just memorized their six lines. Other students had memorized a great deal of their lines. One student only just learned that they had to memorize 6 lines and had originally thought that only one had to bring quotes and interesting facts about their section. While one had memorized all their lines but one illusive line.
Watching these students go through their own individual methods and strategies helped to take the pressure off of me. I was nervous and didn't know what to expect. Like other students I went through my lines without a glitch when the cameraman went through a rehearsal.
However, like other students when the cameraman came by a second time, only this time he was actually recording, I struggled and I think that might have messed up my lines - at least a small part of it.
I am glad that I had the courage to go through with this. It was a memorable experience for I was able to overcome my fear of performing before a camera.
Realizing that I was not alone in my fear - that my fellow classmates were also struggling with their own fears was a source of comfort for me. I took strength in that - I took solace in that.
Ah, it was an interesting night at the Baxter hotel. The cookies were good too.
Some classmates only just memorized their six lines. Other students had memorized a great deal of their lines. One student only just learned that they had to memorize 6 lines and had originally thought that only one had to bring quotes and interesting facts about their section. While one had memorized all their lines but one illusive line.
Watching these students go through their own individual methods and strategies helped to take the pressure off of me. I was nervous and didn't know what to expect. Like other students I went through my lines without a glitch when the cameraman went through a rehearsal.
However, like other students when the cameraman came by a second time, only this time he was actually recording, I struggled and I think that might have messed up my lines - at least a small part of it.
I am glad that I had the courage to go through with this. It was a memorable experience for I was able to overcome my fear of performing before a camera.
Realizing that I was not alone in my fear - that my fellow classmates were also struggling with their own fears was a source of comfort for me. I took strength in that - I took solace in that.
Ah, it was an interesting night at the Baxter hotel. The cookies were good too.
Monday, April 5, 2010
A Brief Entry On Mentors In The Bhagavad Gita And Hamlet
In the Bhagavad Gita and Hamlet there is a character who acts as a mentor to the troubled hero in each story.
In the Bhagavad Gita that role is portrayed by the divine being Krishna and he is consoling Arjuna.
In Hamlet the role of a mentor is portrayed by Hamlets deceased father in the form of a ghost. Both Hamlet and Arjuna display some reservations as to the validity of the claims that both Krishna and the ghost make and struggle to come to terms with the advise and counsel that they offer.
Hamlet struggles to accept the claim that the ghost is actually his father and in a similar way Arjuna questions whether of not Krishna was in fact a divine being instead of just his chariot driver.
Both Arjuna and the ghost plunge Hamlet and Arjuna into a world of doubt and confusion as they dispense their knowledge to their unwitting students.
Oh well I have to get ready to leave for class. I did mention that this would be a brief posting and I meant it. I wonder where students find the time to write such wonderful blogs? I certainly have very little time to post blog entries. Between working close to 40 hours a week, going to school full time, and being a family man I guess my situation is a bit different than most students but still I do wonder!
In the Bhagavad Gita that role is portrayed by the divine being Krishna and he is consoling Arjuna.
In Hamlet the role of a mentor is portrayed by Hamlets deceased father in the form of a ghost. Both Hamlet and Arjuna display some reservations as to the validity of the claims that both Krishna and the ghost make and struggle to come to terms with the advise and counsel that they offer.
Hamlet struggles to accept the claim that the ghost is actually his father and in a similar way Arjuna questions whether of not Krishna was in fact a divine being instead of just his chariot driver.
Both Arjuna and the ghost plunge Hamlet and Arjuna into a world of doubt and confusion as they dispense their knowledge to their unwitting students.
Oh well I have to get ready to leave for class. I did mention that this would be a brief posting and I meant it. I wonder where students find the time to write such wonderful blogs? I certainly have very little time to post blog entries. Between working close to 40 hours a week, going to school full time, and being a family man I guess my situation is a bit different than most students but still I do wonder!
Monday, March 29, 2010
My Project
I hate to miss class but here I am and class is already in session, so it is with great dismay that I must miss today's class for as much as I hate to miss class what I hate even more is coming into a class at least ten minutes late, and today I would have been at least twenty-five minutes late.
Well for my project and am going to write a series of five poems, in a similar manner as The Four Quartets. The poems in the Four Quartets used themes that had to do with the four Western elements while poems will be focused on the five Eastern elements - Earth, Water, Fire, Metal, and Wood.
Each eastern element has an emotion that accompanies it and a color. I will be incorporating at least one aspect of these into the poems that I will be writing and maybe even both.
That is all for now - I have to go to my next class and I hate to be late!
Well for my project and am going to write a series of five poems, in a similar manner as The Four Quartets. The poems in the Four Quartets used themes that had to do with the four Western elements while poems will be focused on the five Eastern elements - Earth, Water, Fire, Metal, and Wood.
Each eastern element has an emotion that accompanies it and a color. I will be incorporating at least one aspect of these into the poems that I will be writing and maybe even both.
That is all for now - I have to go to my next class and I hate to be late!
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