Here are my top 5 links for The Spartan Reader magazine.
After browsing my classmate's blogs, I have come up with 5 different links that I really enjoyed...
1)http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/picturing_the_century/postwar/postwar_img76.html -This one if from Book Blathering
2)http://lightbox.time.com/2011/12/07/time-picks-the-top-10-photos-of-the-year/#1- This is from, More Cowbell, Please ( Great series of photos def. one of my favorites)
3)The Next is on Don't Sweat my Swag. Any of the articles are interesting
4)The next one is an interesting onehttp://reasonstoliveproject.tumblr.com/ this is from WonderStruck
5) the Last link that was my personal favorite is from Lets get rich and give everybody nice sweaters! http://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/nancy-fouts
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Potential Articles for Magazine
I have not recently posted due to my illness; however, I am back and have a great list of things that I would personally like to write about for the new up-and-coming Spartan Reader.
1- Leaving Rockwell. This is an idea that I am very much excited about. Ive talked to all of the members of this local homestead band. Some of the members are close friends of mine and would obviously love the potential advertising, but would also like to share what it means to be in a band and create your own music. Music, to me, has been a very big part of my life, I have been involved in a couple of bands but it never really stuck. A podcast project for this particular idea would be perfect, it allows for a one-on-one conversation with the members and allows them to express how they feel about music and why they make music the way they do.
2-David Richard Contemporary Art Gallery- This, is more of an abstract culture idea. Falling under the Spartan Reader category of culture and potential art? This gallery is a contemporary, abstract gallery. Sometimes the paintings are just a collage of colors that are indecipherable, sometimes they are photographs of lone pots or vases. Perhaps the disarray of art is a testament to our own unruly minds and this would be a fantastic collection of pieces to analyze and to connect to our own disorderly and non-perfect lives, breathing a fresh breath of interpretation and imagination.
3- David Sedaris. Mr. Sedaris is an accomplished essayist and novelist, combining his works with short little anecdotes and personal opinions. Most of his stories come from life experiences, sometimes they are humorous and flashy, and other times they are saddening and horrifying. His essays have been called groundbreaking and he speaks to our very souls and all the problems that we as humans have but has the courage to write about them. He connects, with his writing, on a personal level to the audience and would be great to write about and analyze potential short essays in some of his books. I guess I am attracted to this type of writing, letting me know that there are other people outside of my close-knit circle of friends who share some of the same problems. David Sedaris, is one to read and one to watch for in the future.
These are, for this week anyway, the topics I would like to potentially write about, and a podcast series I would like to potentially create and keep creating and adding to.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Our Man in Havana Second Post
pages read: 99-(closest chapter around 100 pages in length) ~ 200ish
In my earlier post, I established the fact that Our Man in Havana, written by Graham Greene, is BOTH
popular fiction and literary fiction. This statement means that the novel is character focused as well as plot focused and since the characters feelings influence the action of the novel, it's no surprise that this novel exists as both types of fiction. Last week I had analysed the main character Wormold, and explored in depth the meaning of his character and how it influences his choices surrounding his daughter, Milly, and close friend Dr. Hasselbacher. In more simpler terms, I analysed the literary fiction aspect. This week I am taking time to really shed light on the plot of the novel. First, this novel is an espionage thriller, so at some points in hard to develop the action in the story. Multiple characters work against and with each other at different times, and to understand the story you have to understand how these character relationships change according to new events unfolding. At the stop of page 99 or around that area, Wormold had started falsifying reports to his superiors in London. He was given an assignment to uncover intelligence in Cuba. The fact that this novel written around the time where Cuba became a huge international concern only heightens the hastiness of the action in the novel. As soon as Wormold is given the assignment, he is clueless on how to perform it. Although given certain instructions, he is still adamant about the entire operation. He sends requests for money, and even has the good graces to cut his assistant manager in on the deal. Soon he starts adding 20 pasos to his salary(granted that 20 pasos in that time is a life sustaining salary). But he [Wormold] does not even attempt to gather information. He starts sending false reports about factories in the mountains and the plains and about all the new sketchy people he has made contact with at his local country club( one of the perks he got when he assumed the job). This is all fine for a great summary of the story, but what is a critical analysis without analysis? And what is analysis without questions? One of my questions is simply why? Why does Wormold choose to falsify these reports, just to humor his superiors in London, or does he have some alternate motive? One of my conclusions is that, living a life in Cuba is difficult. And since Cuba has become the target of high international scrutiny, he is trying to make enough money to keep his family alive and his business afloat. But soon things turn for the worst when these reports start coming true!- but thats for a later post when I am done with the novel. One of the things I would like to point out is the way that Wormold communicates with London. They use a simple book code( something I cannot even begin to explain). But the book code isn't important. It is the BOOK that they use. They use a copy of Charles Lamb's Tales of Shakespeare. When I first read this part my curiosity was peaked as to why this is the book they use. Wormold mentions that he had read it before and that it was not of particular interest to him. However, that does not stop me from questioning Graham's reasoning for choosing this specific author and title and the source of important communication. My conclusions to this important fact will also be revealed in my next post which will also serve to illuminate the final truths about the characters and final moments in the falling action and I will eventually analyse the resolution of the novel and how it all ends. Until next time. This is Stephen Colbert Jr. Signing off.
In my earlier post, I established the fact that Our Man in Havana, written by Graham Greene, is BOTH
popular fiction and literary fiction. This statement means that the novel is character focused as well as plot focused and since the characters feelings influence the action of the novel, it's no surprise that this novel exists as both types of fiction. Last week I had analysed the main character Wormold, and explored in depth the meaning of his character and how it influences his choices surrounding his daughter, Milly, and close friend Dr. Hasselbacher. In more simpler terms, I analysed the literary fiction aspect. This week I am taking time to really shed light on the plot of the novel. First, this novel is an espionage thriller, so at some points in hard to develop the action in the story. Multiple characters work against and with each other at different times, and to understand the story you have to understand how these character relationships change according to new events unfolding. At the stop of page 99 or around that area, Wormold had started falsifying reports to his superiors in London. He was given an assignment to uncover intelligence in Cuba. The fact that this novel written around the time where Cuba became a huge international concern only heightens the hastiness of the action in the novel. As soon as Wormold is given the assignment, he is clueless on how to perform it. Although given certain instructions, he is still adamant about the entire operation. He sends requests for money, and even has the good graces to cut his assistant manager in on the deal. Soon he starts adding 20 pasos to his salary(granted that 20 pasos in that time is a life sustaining salary). But he [Wormold] does not even attempt to gather information. He starts sending false reports about factories in the mountains and the plains and about all the new sketchy people he has made contact with at his local country club( one of the perks he got when he assumed the job). This is all fine for a great summary of the story, but what is a critical analysis without analysis? And what is analysis without questions? One of my questions is simply why? Why does Wormold choose to falsify these reports, just to humor his superiors in London, or does he have some alternate motive? One of my conclusions is that, living a life in Cuba is difficult. And since Cuba has become the target of high international scrutiny, he is trying to make enough money to keep his family alive and his business afloat. But soon things turn for the worst when these reports start coming true!- but thats for a later post when I am done with the novel. One of the things I would like to point out is the way that Wormold communicates with London. They use a simple book code( something I cannot even begin to explain). But the book code isn't important. It is the BOOK that they use. They use a copy of Charles Lamb's Tales of Shakespeare. When I first read this part my curiosity was peaked as to why this is the book they use. Wormold mentions that he had read it before and that it was not of particular interest to him. However, that does not stop me from questioning Graham's reasoning for choosing this specific author and title and the source of important communication. My conclusions to this important fact will also be revealed in my next post which will also serve to illuminate the final truths about the characters and final moments in the falling action and I will eventually analyse the resolution of the novel and how it all ends. Until next time. This is Stephen Colbert Jr. Signing off.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Our Man in Havana First Post
Pages read this week: pgs. 1-99
Our Man in Havana, written by Graham Greene is a novel centered around the actions that happen to a character called Wormold. I consider this book to be literary fiction combined with a sense of popular fiction. I base my conclusions around three central truths to this novel.
1) The characters are explored in depth, their actions scrutinized by the narrator, and their feelings have an ever increasing impact on the novels plot line. ex "He was a familiar figure near the National Square, where he would sometimes linger and stop his counting long enough to sell a packet of pornographic photographs to a tourist" This indicates the story is more of a character study of certain key and secondary figures within the story.
2) In keeping with the style of popular fiction this story is also plot based, driven by the choices the characters make within the confines of the main action.
3) The setting is KEY to the structure of the story and plays a heavy part into how the characters act and react with one another, causing the narrator to explore the feelings of these characters based upon the setting in Cuba.
To start off the first post, I would like to explore the character that is Wormold, for obvious reasons he is the character to meticulously scrutinize because the essential action is centered around him. Wormold, on the surface, is an uninteresting man, selling vacuums in the poor conditions of Havana's streets. One of the big essential parts to his character is the knowledge that Wormold is English and not Cuban. This is important to the reader because it sets up biases for the characters about Cuban's and the Cuban way of life. Ironically enough, his best friend Dr. Hasselbacher is German, although the question arises as to which part of Germany Hasselbacher hails from, a question he so readily avoids, Wormold finds a sense of intrinsic value about Dr. Hasselbacher. Perhaps his friend reminds him of himself? Perhaps his friend reminds him of a life better lived elsewhere than poor Cuba. We will never seem to know. Because the narrator is 3rd person limited, we can only infer the true feelings of Wormold, which is real drawback to the essential point of the novel but the exact point Greene implies throughout the novel. " It had been long before Wormold realized that the duenna was not always by her side. Milly as meticulous in her behavior at meals and had never neglected her night-prayers, as he had good reason to know since..." The third person limited POV limits the amount of information we receive from the characters, but because the plot is driven more toward Wormold it makes up for it. Wormold constantly questions his motives and eventually comes to makes decisions he never would have thought to make, were it not for the pressuring nature of his dire economic situation combined with the complexity of his new found spy game. His life now thrust into a downward spiral of lies and deceit, his mind ultimately pays the price as he reaps the benefits of informing but gets into trouble when he starts sending fake reports. But for what purpose? Wormold, in a pragmatic sort of way, sends what the agency wants to hear but in the process could he destroy his ethical and moral code? We wont know until later.
Our Man in Havana, written by Graham Greene is a novel centered around the actions that happen to a character called Wormold. I consider this book to be literary fiction combined with a sense of popular fiction. I base my conclusions around three central truths to this novel.
1) The characters are explored in depth, their actions scrutinized by the narrator, and their feelings have an ever increasing impact on the novels plot line. ex "He was a familiar figure near the National Square, where he would sometimes linger and stop his counting long enough to sell a packet of pornographic photographs to a tourist" This indicates the story is more of a character study of certain key and secondary figures within the story.
2) In keeping with the style of popular fiction this story is also plot based, driven by the choices the characters make within the confines of the main action.
3) The setting is KEY to the structure of the story and plays a heavy part into how the characters act and react with one another, causing the narrator to explore the feelings of these characters based upon the setting in Cuba.
To start off the first post, I would like to explore the character that is Wormold, for obvious reasons he is the character to meticulously scrutinize because the essential action is centered around him. Wormold, on the surface, is an uninteresting man, selling vacuums in the poor conditions of Havana's streets. One of the big essential parts to his character is the knowledge that Wormold is English and not Cuban. This is important to the reader because it sets up biases for the characters about Cuban's and the Cuban way of life. Ironically enough, his best friend Dr. Hasselbacher is German, although the question arises as to which part of Germany Hasselbacher hails from, a question he so readily avoids, Wormold finds a sense of intrinsic value about Dr. Hasselbacher. Perhaps his friend reminds him of himself? Perhaps his friend reminds him of a life better lived elsewhere than poor Cuba. We will never seem to know. Because the narrator is 3rd person limited, we can only infer the true feelings of Wormold, which is real drawback to the essential point of the novel but the exact point Greene implies throughout the novel. " It had been long before Wormold realized that the duenna was not always by her side. Milly as meticulous in her behavior at meals and had never neglected her night-prayers, as he had good reason to know since..." The third person limited POV limits the amount of information we receive from the characters, but because the plot is driven more toward Wormold it makes up for it. Wormold constantly questions his motives and eventually comes to makes decisions he never would have thought to make, were it not for the pressuring nature of his dire economic situation combined with the complexity of his new found spy game. His life now thrust into a downward spiral of lies and deceit, his mind ultimately pays the price as he reaps the benefits of informing but gets into trouble when he starts sending fake reports. But for what purpose? Wormold, in a pragmatic sort of way, sends what the agency wants to hear but in the process could he destroy his ethical and moral code? We wont know until later.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Nighthawks Interpretation
Elements to analyze in "Nighthawks"
1)Lighting Effects-bright inside store, more dreary on the streets, building across street appears uninhabited due to shadows surround shops etc.
2)The people's demeanor's- one couple sitting at bar- appear indifferent, man sitting alone looks sullen, the waiter(man in white) looks content, and attentive.
3)Space surrounding buildings and people-"seems" crowded, although only 3 people sitting. The bar is "filled" with items and people. Outside place, empty space between buildings.
4)General color scheme- bright inside bar. Fanciful colors. Dull and brooding for empty building across street. Also seems more dark.
5)Actions of the patrons themselves- boring and lack of movement among patrons. The husband seems stoic, and the man sitting alone seems fixed into place.
Claim:
"Nighthawks", painted by Edward Hopper, conveys a contrast between the bright and seemingly lively shop with the dark, brooding tone of the empty building in order to express a sense of animated joviality and grim loneliness.
1)Lighting Effects-bright inside store, more dreary on the streets, building across street appears uninhabited due to shadows surround shops etc.
2)The people's demeanor's- one couple sitting at bar- appear indifferent, man sitting alone looks sullen, the waiter(man in white) looks content, and attentive.
3)Space surrounding buildings and people-"seems" crowded, although only 3 people sitting. The bar is "filled" with items and people. Outside place, empty space between buildings.
4)General color scheme- bright inside bar. Fanciful colors. Dull and brooding for empty building across street. Also seems more dark.
5)Actions of the patrons themselves- boring and lack of movement among patrons. The husband seems stoic, and the man sitting alone seems fixed into place.
Claim:
"Nighthawks", painted by Edward Hopper, conveys a contrast between the bright and seemingly lively shop with the dark, brooding tone of the empty building in order to express a sense of animated joviality and grim loneliness.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
My Reading Autobiography
To start things off, I would like to consider myself an avid reader. I read all types of literature from science fiction all the way to biographies and everything in between, but it this wasn't always the case. I began to read at an early age mostly because my parents wanted me to become an intelligent individual. However, I would like to think that the teenage rebellion phase set in much earlier for me and I went against my parent's wishes from an early age as well. When I was younger I could never see the value in books, I'd like to think this is so because I grew up in the technological age where video games and television dominate the entertainment market, and I always associated books with boredom. My mother and father always saw that I would rather play mindless video games than read a good book, and up until the beginning of my sophomore year at Homestead, this was indeed the case. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I began to see the value in picking up a good book and reading it for a couple of hours. Earlier, in my freshman year, I was one of two people to test into the Sophomore block program here at Homestead which signaled the necessity for a solid reading base, which in my case, was non existent. Throughout my sophomore year we read around 6 books, which doesn't seem like a lot but in my case it was, and this sparked my new lifelong journey for the search of new and invigorating literature. Now, I read for fun and for school. One of my favorite things to read is poetry, Alfred Lord Tennyson is, in my mind, a master of the English language, is one of my favorite poets. Reading poetry is a way to unlocking the hearts secrets and, in the process of reading it, a way to find out more about yourself. If I could read more, which I plan on doing, I would like to read more modern and contemporary poetry, dating around the post World War II era, and before the post-modernist movement. This is where I would like to spend my time reading and analyzing. Well, this is my first post and a little about my reading Autobiography. This is Steven Colbert Jr, signing off.
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