Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Technology
The role of technology played a huge part in this class, especially because it is all online based. Online learning is so much more self driven than learning in the classroom. With online learning, if you have a question it is your responsibility to get it figured out in advance by emailing an instructor, in class you usually have someone else that has the same question and raises their hand. It is really up to the student to do all of the assignments and turn them in, there is nobody really making sure that you are turning those in. You need to be structured and organized for online learning. Some benefits to taking English online versus in the classroom, are that you are able to do it more on your time schedule, I work full time so online English works best for me to have time to accomplish work and school at the same time. Some challenges of taking English online is that I am usually someone that gets A's on my English paper, writing essays became a challenge for me with online, because communication is a little bit more different than in the classroom, and I have 4 other online classes, each require a lot of work because everything that would normally be accomplished in the classroom is assigned, plus other assignments. I thought that the best technology that was used this semester is the different ways to visually present topics. I think it is great because although organization of ideas is more difficult, you are able to connect more with the audience, and it is faster. Overall this was a great learning experience.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
My Reflection
This semester in English 102, I feel that I learned a lot of different ways to write some of these papers. Organization is key in writing a good essay, as well as knowing how to analyze. I think the most important thing that I learned about was how to analyze. I had always known what an analysis was, but really struggled with the concept. I also feel that analysis has been the hardest thing for me to grasp, unfortunately that was what most of the semester was focused on. I had a difficult time analyzing the readings. I could summarize them, but analyzing was different. With the analysis I had a difficult time organizing my thoughts into something that could reach the page requirement. I have had a difficult time with this semester, because I am not always able to devote much time each week due to my heavy work schedule. This semester I feel kind of down on myself about the struggles I have had. I take my grades very seriously, and when I see them decrease, it just breaks my heart. This English class has definitely challenged me, as well as taught me new forms of writing, and different types of books to read. I can not believe that the semester is over, and I am glad that I was able to learn so much in this class.
I will now be able to go through my other classes and take away some of the information I have learned here. We use analysis in many different ways, and it is nice to know the thought process of how to put it on paper. I also really liked how we had a couple of grammar tests, that helped me notice the mistakes I make when I go to write a paper. I also thought that the reading selection was interesting. I am usually a very happy person, and these essay topics as well as books that were assigned to read were all from the gothic era, and were rather depressing to me. Although the are beautiful and famous, they are just so dark and dreary that I have a difficult time really getting into them. I am kind of excited this semester is almost over with so that I can practice the skills learned, as well as devote more time to my work schedule, and not have to worry so much about school work. I hope that everyone had a great semester, and will have happy holidays.
I will now be able to go through my other classes and take away some of the information I have learned here. We use analysis in many different ways, and it is nice to know the thought process of how to put it on paper. I also really liked how we had a couple of grammar tests, that helped me notice the mistakes I make when I go to write a paper. I also thought that the reading selection was interesting. I am usually a very happy person, and these essay topics as well as books that were assigned to read were all from the gothic era, and were rather depressing to me. Although the are beautiful and famous, they are just so dark and dreary that I have a difficult time really getting into them. I am kind of excited this semester is almost over with so that I can practice the skills learned, as well as devote more time to my work schedule, and not have to worry so much about school work. I hope that everyone had a great semester, and will have happy holidays.
Reflection
This semester in English 102, I feel that I learned a lot of different ways to write some of these papers. Organization is key in writing a good essay, as well as knowing how to analyze. I think the most important thing that I learned about was how to analyze. I had always known what an analysis was, but really struggled with the concept. I also feel that analysis has been the hardest thing for me to grasp, unfortunately that was what most of the semester was focused on. I had a difficult time analyzing the readings. I could summarize them, but analyzing was different. With the analysis I had a difficult time organizing my thoughts into something that could reach the page requirement. I have had a difficult time with this semester, because I am not always able to devote much time each week due to my heavy work schedule. This semester I feel kind of down on myself about the struggles I have had. I take my grades very seriously, and when I see them decrease, it just breaks my heart. This English class has definitely challenged me, as well as taught me new forms of writing, and different types of books to read. I can not believe that the semester is over, and I am glad that I was able to learn so much in this class.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Zombies
Zombies now days are viewed in so many video games. They are becoming more and more popular in the video games that are being sold in stores, and some of the movies that are coming out. The zombie article did a great job of expressing the literary significance of Zombies, and their role in literature. Zombies are fleshy, smelly creatures that have risen from the dead. They are rotting corpses, without a brain technically. They are after the brains and flesh of others. There is something so fascinating about the concept of them. When I play video games where the characters are suppose to kill the zombies I get such a rush. The art that goes into creating what one of these creatures looks like amazes me. The Zombie article makes me want to read more literature on these creatures. The walking dead. I am so excited to be able learn even more about zombies. The following link is talking about a zombie Apocalypse
http://www.cracked.com/article_15643_5-scientific-reasons-zombie-apocalypse-could-actually-happen.html
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Rough draft of essay 3
Kendra Smith
Cline
Eng. 102
11/6/2011
A Dark Reflection
Most people have wondered and fantasized the stone cold, blood thirsty monsters that we call vampires. They are depicted as conniving, malicious individuals filled with dread and sorrow. They are usually thought of as having bloody fangs, pale skin, and wearing all black clothing. Vampires are depicted in so many ways, many of the cultural and through time eras. Vampires are viewed so differently throughout history up until the present, but overall represent one weakness that mankind cannot control, desire.
Some brief history on how the vampire came about dated back to 300 A.D when the Slavic people came about and started to for Bulgaria. Although there were no vampires yet, the era that started to formulate the foundation for vampires was present. “The all important development in the Balkan Peninsula... was the influx of the Slavic people” (Stavrianos). After the foundation of Eastern Europe was formulated the next stage took place. Vampires were in fact the last addition to Eastern Europe’s folklores. There was believed to be incubus and succubus spirits present that were believed to haunt the European people and cause them harm. The Incubus were the male spirits, and succubus spirits were female. It is unclear weather the Incubus or Succubus came before the vampire or not. A great quote from John Milton talking about the incubus and succubus spirits follows:
With these came they, who, from the bordering flood
Of old Euphrates to the brook that parts
Egypt from Syrian ground, had general names
Of Baalim and Ashtaroth, those male,
These feminine; for spirits, when they please,
Can either sex assume, or both; so soft
And uncompounded is their essence pure,
Not tied or manacled with joint or limb,
Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones,
Like cumbrous flesh; but, in what shape they chose,
Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure,
Can execute their aery purposes,
And works of love or enmity fulfill. (Milton, 419).
Of old Euphrates to the brook that parts
Egypt from Syrian ground, had general names
Of Baalim and Ashtaroth, those male,
These feminine; for spirits, when they please,
Can either sex assume, or both; so soft
And uncompounded is their essence pure,
Not tied or manacled with joint or limb,
Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones,
Like cumbrous flesh; but, in what shape they chose,
Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure,
Can execute their aery purposes,
And works of love or enmity fulfill. (Milton, 419).
In the book Paradise Lost by John Milton he talks about these evil spirits that are later known as demons. J. Melton, the author of the vampire encyclopedia states the European Hypothesis on how the demon incubi and succubi came to be, “The incubus seemed to have originated in the ancient practice of incubation, where a person went to the temple of a deity and slept there overnight. During the course of the evening, the person would have contact with the deity. Often that contact involved sexual intercourse, either in a dream of with one of the very human representatives of the deity. Christianity, which equated the Pagan deities with devilish demons, viewed the practice of intercourse with the deity as a form of demonic activity”.( Melton) It is said that Vampires were created out of wrongful acts in life that god damned these people to suffer like all those that suffered from their greed and desire. The way that the folklore goes is that if you see a corps of a murdered body with holes in the neck or a severed head that it could have been the making of a vampire. They are said to be cold and icy like stone, with ugly features such as greenish hair all over their body. These monsters were said to have wreaked havoc in England during the medieval times.
Since that time period many different types of literature has come out talking about vampires and how they are portrayed. There have been books such as Dracula which had many films and different versions written. This story is about the vampire Dracula who has the insane thirst for blood, but an even more insane desire for love. Vampires from within the last 200 years have been depicted much different from the historical folklores from Europe and England. Vampires are now a big role in all the hit movies, shows, and Books. The vampires are idolized and fantasized about for their attractive looks. The shows and movies that I personally have seen are Vampire Diaries on ABC Family, and the anime Dance in the Vampire Bund. Both of these shows demonstrate vampires to be human like. They are depicted as both good and evil. Although still having the thirst for blood, they have more of a desire to have love and acceptance in society. I am a huge fan of the book and movie Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. This is a perfect example of how Vampires are pictured today. Edward Cullen and his family are a covent of vampires. They are seen as stunning by all who lay eyes on them and are envied. Many people cant even tell that they are vampires. The Cullens go to school like normal teenage kids, and the father Carlslisle is a doctor who is seen as very attractive unlike the vampires from the first folklores ““You should see the doctor; it’s a good thing he’s happily married. A lot of nurses at the hospital have a hard time concentrating on their work with him around.(Meyer, 37)” . The Cullens are what is termed as vegetarian vampires, meaning they don’t drink human blood. Edward Cullen meets and falls in love with a Bella Swan. Bella soon learns that Edward is a vampire because he and the rest of his family have special powers that other humans don’t have. Edward desires more than blood the love and safety of Bella. The vampires skin is white and cold with a glittery complexion in the sun. The cullens throughout the book are fighting off the vampires that are blood thirsty or what they call “newborns”. The love and acceptance is the only thing that is important to this covenant.
In historical times the vampire folklores were frightening. The vampires were unattractive, mangled, and hairy. They were said to have committed many murders with signs such as bite marks on the necks of the innocent and to have been demonic in nature. The current vampire books are filled with love and romance. The desire for love is above the desire for blood. The vampires are also viewed with beauty and kindness. With all eras of the vampire history and knowledge vampires are desiring something whether it be normality, blood, love, acceptance, or all of the above.
Work Cited
"Step 1--The History of Eastern Europe." Angelfire: Welcome to Angelfire. Horrorfind.com, 12 Mar. 2000. Web. 07 Nov. 2011. <http://www.angelfire.com/tn/vampires/step1.html>.
Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and, 2006. Print.
Milton, John, and Philip Pullman. Paradise Lost. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2005. Print.
Melton, J. Gordon. The Vampire Book: the Encyclopedia of the Undead. Canton, MI: Visible Ink, 2011. Print.
Arthen, Innana. "Real Vampires." The EarthSpirit Community. Web. 07 Nov. 2011. <http://www.earthspirit.com/fireheart/fhvampire.html>.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Final Project Sources
Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and, 2006. Print.
I plan to use the twilight saga to help demonstrate my thesis about desire. I also plan on using this saga to demonstrate the historical differences of vampires. Twilight is about the desire of love. Edward Cullen and Bella Swan are the perfect examples of those who are in true love. This is the modern vampire desire. This has changed from centuries because way back vampires were viewed as horrid and demonic. I want to make sure that I am able to find a valid example to prove my thesis.
Milton, John, and Philip Pullman. Paradise Lost. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2005. Print.
I want to use this book to demonstrate the historical period in which vampires were first thought to evolve and why. This sort of differentiates the historical time periods from which this book is referring to versus the modern times. I feel that it is important to do a little research on the thought process of earlier times, rather than just referring to the modern day vampire. This book has a couple great quotes about the evil spirits from Eastern Europe at the time, and how they correlate.
Melton, J. Gordon. The Vampire Book: the Encyclopedia of the Undead. Canton, MI: Visible Ink, 2011. Print.
I want to kind of skim through this book a little that I found in the library. It helps me determine the historical relevance of vampires, and what they are caused from. It also talks a little about their appearance. I want to be able to find out what may have created the evil spirits and vampires to have evolved and cause problems in the folklores, and how people formulated the concept that the murders were being caused by vampires. I feel that an encyclopedia is always a good source if research when doing a paper or report.
I plan to use the twilight saga to help demonstrate my thesis about desire. I also plan on using this saga to demonstrate the historical differences of vampires. Twilight is about the desire of love. Edward Cullen and Bella Swan are the perfect examples of those who are in true love. This is the modern vampire desire. This has changed from centuries because way back vampires were viewed as horrid and demonic. I want to make sure that I am able to find a valid example to prove my thesis.
Milton, John, and Philip Pullman. Paradise Lost. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2005. Print.
I want to use this book to demonstrate the historical period in which vampires were first thought to evolve and why. This sort of differentiates the historical time periods from which this book is referring to versus the modern times. I feel that it is important to do a little research on the thought process of earlier times, rather than just referring to the modern day vampire. This book has a couple great quotes about the evil spirits from Eastern Europe at the time, and how they correlate.
Melton, J. Gordon. The Vampire Book: the Encyclopedia of the Undead. Canton, MI: Visible Ink, 2011. Print.
I want to kind of skim through this book a little that I found in the library. It helps me determine the historical relevance of vampires, and what they are caused from. It also talks a little about their appearance. I want to be able to find out what may have created the evil spirits and vampires to have evolved and cause problems in the folklores, and how people formulated the concept that the murders were being caused by vampires. I feel that an encyclopedia is always a good source if research when doing a paper or report.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Final Project Proposal
http://www.fanpop.com/spots/kristen-stewart/images/3684360/title/kristen-bella-photo
I will be completing Option 2 for the final project. I want to choose this option because I feel that I have more flexibility with what I read and write, and because I will be more entertained by what I read and write. I want to do mine on Vampires. I am not yet completely sure what I want to read or write, but plan to go to the library this week and find some good vampire books. I am really excited about this. I will also be watching movies along with the readings that I choose. I will be able to tell Mrs. Cline more about my ideas next week in an email because I need some help sorting my thoughts on how to do this essay. I hope that everyone does well. I hope that everyone is happy with their essay, and I look forward to reading them soon.
I will be completing Option 2 for the final project. I want to choose this option because I feel that I have more flexibility with what I read and write, and because I will be more entertained by what I read and write. I want to do mine on Vampires. I am not yet completely sure what I want to read or write, but plan to go to the library this week and find some good vampire books. I am really excited about this. I will also be watching movies along with the readings that I choose. I will be able to tell Mrs. Cline more about my ideas next week in an email because I need some help sorting my thoughts on how to do this essay. I hope that everyone does well. I hope that everyone is happy with their essay, and I look forward to reading them soon.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Midterm Post
Dear Mrs. Cline,
So far during this semester, as I am sure you have noticed, I have really been struggling with this whole literary analysis concept. I start out with an idea for each writing assignment, and then I seem to get lost and overwhelmed somewhere in the middle of writing my essay. You have definitely provided useful information on our weekly assignments pages though, which is becoming more helpful. It is also difficult for me because I work about 50 hours a week at a Hospice Care Unit as a CNA, which I absolutely love. Working this much does make it more difficult for me to accomplish assignments to my full potential though, especially since I work nights. I just hope to improve now that I have cut back my hours to 40 hours a week nights. I feel that my strengths are punctuation. I have been feeling very discouraged lately, so I honestly cannot see that I have many strengths currently. As far as the readings go, I feel intrigued by the dark themes that they have had so far. I have had a difficult time being able to analyze them though. I think a lot of my issue is that I have not had a ton of spare time to actually try and understand the concept more, that is going to change from here on out. Literary analysis is so different from the other writing I have done in college. I have had a very difficult time for some reason applying this concept to essays. I am usually a very strong descriptive writer, as well as the other types of writing that was used in English 101. My goals for this second half of the session is to build a stronger understanding, spend more time on each assignments, finish assignments early, and of course do well on each and every assignment, including blog posts. Overall for the entire term I would really love to get an A. I know that I can do it. I want to get my RN and eventually move to my BSN at a university. I want to get above the minimum gpa allowed to be in the nursing program due to the reputation I will maintain as well as other opportunities such as a shorter time on the possible wait list. Have a great week and thank you for your help and patients with me this semester.
Sincerly,
Kendra Smith
Sunday, October 16, 2011
VERY VERY VERY Rough draft
I Could really use some insight on my essay, but I am super embarrassed by the quality.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=frankenstein&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=664&tbm=isch&tbnid=zAfOBn8BuMbExM:&imgrefurl=http://www.doncapone.org/modelkits/Frankenstein-Billiken-model-kit.php&docid=E8SQ5y6KdZ_ZNM&imgurl=http://www.doncapone.org/modelkits/images/Frankenstein-Billiken-3.jpg&w=450&h=600&ei=P86bTpKHGebIsQK4uNHHBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1051&vpy=299&dur=395&hovh=258&hovw=194&tx=105&ty=117&sig=100105364114978339392&page=1&tbnh=136&tbnw=102&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=frankenstein&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=664&tbm=isch&tbnid=zAfOBn8BuMbExM:&imgrefurl=http://www.doncapone.org/modelkits/Frankenstein-Billiken-model-kit.php&docid=E8SQ5y6KdZ_ZNM&imgurl=http://www.doncapone.org/modelkits/images/Frankenstein-Billiken-3.jpg&w=450&h=600&ei=P86bTpKHGebIsQK4uNHHBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=1051&vpy=299&dur=395&hovh=258&hovw=194&tx=105&ty=117&sig=100105364114978339392&page=1&tbnh=136&tbnw=102&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0
Kendra Smith
10/14/2011
Laura Cline
English 102
Mirrors Image
Frankenstein is a book written by Mary Shelley about a creature that was born out of experimentation by a doctor who is in fact afraid of his own creation. Dr.Frankenstein has given life to a monster made up of decayed limbs dug up in a graveyard, but is this creature really considered a monster? The gargantuan deformity has no clue about life or the mysteries that surround him. He only knows his creature and that certain feeling of affection that a baby chick has for its mother when it hatches and imprints on the first living being it sees. Heartbroken after being abandoned by his master, he seeks compassion and is led towards the town’s people that emerge fearful of his horrific disfigurement. After being shunned by everything he’s ever know he his self-hatred was reiterated and thus starting his vengeful rage. Had being risen from the dead, Frankenstein the monster had just started his life then and there. Frankenstein is shunned by even his creator, and throughout the entire book tries to prove that what the exterior seems to demonstrate, the inside can truly be a beautiful disaster.
“When I look around I saw and heard of none like me. Was I, the, a monster, a blot upon the earth from which all men fled and whom all men disowned” (Shelley, pg. 105). This book follows the theme of monstrosity; Frankenstein appears to be a disastrous towering beast sent to earth from the underworld. People run in the opposite direction at the mere sight of this monster.
Baffled by the reactions that the surrounding members of the village had having once laid eyes on the beast. “One of the best of these I entered; but I had hardly placed my feet within the door, before the children shrieked, and one of the women fainted. The whole village was roused; some fled, some attacked me, until, grievously bruised by stones and many other kinds of missile weapons, I escaped to the open country, and fearfully took refuge in a low hovel, quite bare, and making a wretched appearance after the palaces I had beheld in the village” (Shelley, pg.70-71). Victor Frankenstein was obsessed with uncovering the truth about generation and life, so he created a monster whose hideousness made people recoil.
Throughout the process of being rejected and humiliated the monster became lonely. Being the only one of his kind began to take control of the so called monster. People were shunning him, and he was truly alone. “I am alone and miserable: man will not associate with me; but one as deformed and horrible as myself would not deny herself to me. My companion must be the same species and have the same defects. This being you must create” (Shelley, 129). Desperately seeking companionship and some sort of acceptance, the monster became angry.
“You can blast my other passions, but revenge remains revenge, henceforth dearer than light of food! I may die, but first you, my tyrant and tormenter, shall curse the sun that gazes on your misery” (Shelley, pg 153). After being lonely for an amount of time, the monster began to curse his creator, for he was the reason he was alive and alone. Victor Frankenstein was terrified by the appearance of what he had created that he lived locked away in fear. The two could relate to each other’s emotions, for Victor was use to rejection and lack of companionship. Tragedy was normal to him, so aside from his curiosity he had attempted to create a companion and a friend. Once the monster came alive Victor wanted revenge as well.
Reference
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein: A Norton Critical Edition. Ed. J. Paul Hunter. New York: W. W. Norton, 1996
Monday, October 3, 2011
Revisions
I think that the revision process is extremely important. I really like being able to turn in rough drafts, I feel like its kind of like a second chance. I usually try and plan out an idea in my head, and then just let the juices flow as I write. I also like to be able to have someone proof read my essays for errors and tips. I have been having alot of issues with the essay I am currently writing about poems. I had an idea in my head and at first it felt alright, but as I started writing I started getting confused and frustrated with the essay and feel that it is slightly unorganized. I think the length is the biggest issue. I feel like I need to throw in enough to make the page length, and it has instead become unorganized. Any suggestions?
http://www.sparknotes.com/college/admissions/page16.html
Monday, September 26, 2011
Frankenstein Quotes
"a flash of lightning illuminated the object and discovered its shape plainly to me; its gigantic stature, and the deformity of its aspect, more hideous than belongs to humanity, instantly informed me that it was the wretch, the filthy demon to whom he had given life."(shelly,60) This to me seems like it will be an important quote throughout the entire book. I have never read Frankenstein all the way through, nor have I ever seen the movie, but what I understand so far is that he is considered a hideous monster and most people are terrified by his presence. He is the gentle monster in my eyes. Another quote that I feel is important "'All men hate the wretched; how then, must I be hated, who am miserable beyond all living things! Yet you, my creator, detest and spurn me, they creature, to whom thou art bound by ties only dissoluble by the annihilation of one of us."(shelly,83) This is important because even the creator was fearful of what he had created. This brought me to a random question involving religion....is our god/ creator possible afraid and shocked by what was created?
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Rough Draft
Kendra Smith
09/18/2011
English 102
Laura Cline
Poetry Analysis
“Fairy-tales are full of impossible tasks” (Stallings 2). The poem “Fairy-tale Logic” written by A.E Stallings is following the theme of monstrosity. The theme of monstrosity appears to be dark and mischievous. We have all grown up with fairy tale books and movies, with characters such as goblins, princes, and mutating toads, is there any truth to these tales? Fairy tales are used to bring hope and imagination to our youth, but they can also influence people to fulfill the human desire to do whatever it takes to make their dreams happen.
The poem “Fairy-tale Logic” is a poem revealing the true tragedy of the fairy tales that we have all grown up with. Stallings uses imagery as well as scenarios from each of the stories that we have all read “The language of snakes, perhaps, an invisible cloak” (Stallings 11) is from Harry potter, a perfect example. Stallings seems to believe that fairy tales influence people to go to extraordinary lengths to accomplish anything. Whether the thing that a person desires is winning a prince, seeking revenge, or fighting off an a person or creature whom belongs with the darks side, Stallings is using examples to demonstrate that the characters in these novels do tremendous things to reach their goal. The desire to succeed is what makes people do extreme things like “Marry a monster. Hand over your firstborn son”. That quote is taken from the tale rumplestiltskin, a tale of a girl who is trapped and in order for the great Rumplestiltskin to grant her wishes and her last hopes she must turn straw into gold, a final price to pay for winning the true love of a great prince, is to hand over her first born son. This is a demonstration of what people will do to achieve what they want at the time.
True love is something that we learn from what we hear or see before we feel. Fairy tales such as Sleeping Beauty makes love seem beautiful and desirable to the point where true love can wake a person up from a deep sleep caused by disease. Stallings on the other hand demonstrates these love tales in a unique way that inspires a reader to read on and second guess these lovey feelings for a moment and realize the fantasy more “Select the prince from a row of identical masks”. The ability to find your prince out of identical looking men is nearly impossible and Stallings uses that as an example.
Fairy tales can also have battle and revenge concepts. People come up with crazy things out of anger, most seem impossible “Tiptoe up to a dragon where it basks/and snatch its bone; count dust specks, mote by mote”. (Stallings 5-6) It seems impossible to go through so much just to win a battle, but A. E Stallings is able to demonstrate this through imagery. The entire poem is filled with imagery “Gather the chin hairs of a man-eating goat, /or cross a sulphuric lake in a leaky boat,” (Stallings 2-3) in that sentence I can completely see the imagery, I see a handsome warrior going through hoops of fire to fight evil and recover his love or reputation. In that moment the impossible seems possible, which is why fairy tales seem to hold so much logic in the moment.
“Fairy-tale Logic” is such an interesting piece of poetry because it keeps you on your toes and really gets you thinking. Stallings seems to have a very interesting and diverse view on this topic and has many different ideas and beliefs about fairy tales. In some lines the author seems to hate them, and in others Stallings seems to accept them and use methods of encouragement “You have to fight magic with magic.” ( Stallings 8) and in others the author doubts them “You have to believe/That you have something impossible up your sleeve”. This poem has kept my mind racing and made me think about my views on love and victory and which side I take on fairy tales through the voice and imagery that this poem has to offer.
Works Cited
Stallings, A.E “Fairy-tale Logic” Poetry Foundation, March 2010
http://www.poetryfoun Kendra Smith
09/18/2011
English 102
Laura Cline
Poetry Analysis
“Fairy-tales are full of impossible tasks” (Stallings 2). The poem “Fairy-tale Logic” written by A.E Stallings is following the theme of monstrosity. The theme of monstrosity appears to be dark and mischievous. We have all grown up with fairy tale books and movies, with characters such as goblins, princes, and mutating toads, is there any truth to these tales? Fairy tales are used to bring hope and imagination to our youth, but they can also influence people to fulfill the human desire to do whatever it takes to make their dreams happen.
The poem “Fairy-tale Logic” is a poem revealing the true tragedy of the fairy tales that we have all grown up with. Stallings uses imagery as well as scenarios from each of the stories that we have all read “The language of snakes, perhaps, an invisible cloak” (Stallings 11) is from Harry potter, a perfect example. Stallings seems to believe that fairy tales influence people to go to extraordinary lengths to accomplish anything. Whether the thing that a person desires is winning a prince, seeking revenge, or fighting off an a person or creature whom belongs with the darks side, Stallings is using examples to demonstrate that the characters in these novels do tremendous things to reach their goal. The desire to succeed is what makes people do extreme things like “Marry a monster. Hand over your firstborn son”. That quote is taken from the tale rumplestiltskin, a tale of a girl who is trapped and in order for the great Rumplestiltskin to grant her wishes and her last hopes she must turn straw into gold, a final price to pay for winning the true love of a great prince, is to hand over her first born son. This is a demonstration of what people will do to achieve what they want at the time.
True love is something that we learn from what we hear or see before we feel. Fairy tales such as Sleeping Beauty makes love seem beautiful and desirable to the point where true love can wake a person up from a deep sleep caused by disease. Stallings on the other hand demonstrates these love tales in a unique way that inspires a reader to read on and second guess these lovey feelings for a moment and realize the fantasy more “Select the prince from a row of identical masks”. The ability to find your prince out of identical looking men is nearly impossible and Stallings uses that as an example.
Fairy tales can also have battle and revenge concepts. People come up with crazy things out of anger, most seem impossible “Tiptoe up to a dragon where it basks/and snatch its bone; count dust specks, mote by mote”. (Stallings 5-6) It seems impossible to go through so much just to win a battle, but A. E Stallings is able to demonstrate this through imagery. The entire poem is filled with imagery “Gather the chin hairs of a man-eating goat, /or cross a sulphuric lake in a leaky boat,” (Stallings 2-3) in that sentence I can completely see the imagery, I see a handsome warrior going through hoops of fire to fight evil and recover his love or reputation. In that moment the impossible seems possible, which is why fairy tales seem to hold so much logic in the moment.
“Fairy-tale Logic” is such an interesting piece of poetry because it keeps you on your toes and really gets you thinking. Stallings seems to have a very interesting and diverse view on this topic and has many different ideas and beliefs about fairy tales. In some lines the author seems to hate them, and in others Stallings seems to accept them and use methods of encouragement “You have to fight magic with magic.” ( Stallings 8) and in others the author doubts them “You have to believe/That you have something impossible up your sleeve”. This poem has kept my mind racing and made me think about my views on love and victory and which side I take on fairy tales through the voice and imagery that this poem has to offer.
Works Cited
Stallings, A.E “Fairy-tale Logic” Poetry Foundation, March 2010
http://www.poetryfoun
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