Under Construction
Restoration Neo-classical Literature
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Friday, October 13, 2017
Blog Post # 6: The Anonymous Lady
My Reflections on - The Anonymous lady
I really enjoyed her writing style. The rhyme scheme in "A Letter to my Love..." creates cohesion through out the poem, which in turn, makes it a very uncomplicated poem to decipher. She is so effective in this particular work in expressing emotion. As I went through each line, I felt her anguish and pain, perhaps because this particular scenario is something we can all relate to at some point or another.
In her other poem, "On Being Charged with Writing Incorrectly", her style remains, which is a plus, I really enjoy that I don't have to turn the encyclopedia every other word to understand what is being said. I love that she stood up to the rigid writers, who lived by rules governed by the monarchs and such. She is so good at letting us know that if one cannot exercise freedom in writing, there is no joy in doing it and the end result is a dull piece of literature, which, no one can enjoy. She also makes it clear that it is not of her concern, whether the "mighty dull" and "mighty wise" hate her for her way of thinking and writing style.
I really enjoyed her writing style. The rhyme scheme in "A Letter to my Love..." creates cohesion through out the poem, which in turn, makes it a very uncomplicated poem to decipher. She is so effective in this particular work in expressing emotion. As I went through each line, I felt her anguish and pain, perhaps because this particular scenario is something we can all relate to at some point or another.
In her other poem, "On Being Charged with Writing Incorrectly", her style remains, which is a plus, I really enjoy that I don't have to turn the encyclopedia every other word to understand what is being said. I love that she stood up to the rigid writers, who lived by rules governed by the monarchs and such. She is so good at letting us know that if one cannot exercise freedom in writing, there is no joy in doing it and the end result is a dull piece of literature, which, no one can enjoy. She also makes it clear that it is not of her concern, whether the "mighty dull" and "mighty wise" hate her for her way of thinking and writing style.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Blog Post # 5: Captains and Slaves
Can they just make up their minds?
It is amazing to see that since
the 1600s there were people who openly opposed slavery. It is also amazing and
disheartening that even though, that was the case, slavery still became such a
huge business all over the world. As seen in Oroonoko and in Captains and
Slaves, slavery was not thought of as being a bad thing, instead it was some
fait that resulted from a lawful war that was lost. If your side lost, the
opposing side could take you as a slave (regardless of race) and it would be
considered morally right. The problem began when only the black population of
the world started to be taken as slaves, and they were not a result of a lawful
war. According to Aprah Benh and John Locke, the way in which slavery is done
is what makes it wrong or right. The thing that supports the idea that Aphra
Benh is not opposed to slavery is due to the fact that Oroonoko is described as
one who captured, owned and traded slaves. This makes a lot of sense if seen
from that point of view, however, it is still not enough to conclude on that. I
still don’t feel comfortable o say that she was an advocate of slavery.
Tryon,
John Duston and Richard Baxter, unlike Aphra Benh and John Locke, make it very
clear that they think slavery is a horrible crime. John Duston said that
‘making a lawful purchase of slaves was no less culpable than a slave trader.
Accessory is just as bad as the thief’; John Duston said that slavery is
‘inconsistent with Christian principles’.
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Post #5
Blog Post # 4: John Locke
The thrill of the hunt
John
lock was one of the most influential philosophers in a time of turmoil in
science and religion. The enlightenment period was a time where new ideas were
introduced, and old ideas (such some by Aristotle) were replaced. John lock’s
idea called Tabla Rassa (blank slate) is perharps the most crucial of his
contributions. John locke challenged different ideals and perhaps posed as a
threat to the monarchy. Tabla Rassa, an existential way of thinking may be what
inspired our constitution.
What
I found most amusing in his essay is how he says that we are supposed to enjoy
the process that takes us to having a finished work, rather than the actual
finished product. So, when he wrote that letter, he told the reader how much
much he enjoyed writing it, and he hoped that they did as much also. When he
mentions that writing should be straight to the point and easy to understand,
it made me think of how much literature has changed, since then. I wonder
sometimes if it has to do with his ideals. Writers began to be more focused on
being more direct rather than using all sort of extravagant words and beating
around the bush. Literature has evolved incredibly and I think it is thanks to
people like John Locke.
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post #4
Blog Post # 3: Religion and Science
The Pursuit of
Salvation
Everything
goes out of style: music style preferences change, fashion changes, everything
changes! One of the only things have remained constant throughout the centuries
is the bible and other religious texts. We always wonder, how come we are still
holding on to these practices so dearly? What is the reason behind that?
In John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress”, we are taken through the journey of
a man that is in search of salvation. This man wants nothing in this world,
except to reach the heavens and join with the angels. There is a fear of not
attaining salvation and ending up in hell. He gives the characters of the story
very descriptive names, that depict their current standing in relation to
Christian values.
Even though “The pilgrim’s progress” is almost 400 years old, it is still very
relatable today. The reason for that is the Bible. The bible is considered holy
and the word of a God that is unchanging. Humans are capable of so much
“wickedness” that if there wasn’t such a text and such level of spiritual
connection (that gives hope and comfort to so many), this world would be so
much more chaotic. One can’t say with 100% certainty whether the bible is true
or false, however, we do know that it is one of the most crucial things to
shape humanity into what we have become today.
We are in the 21st century, and Christians all over the world,
like 'Christian' are in pursuit of salvation. This salvation is achieved in the
same way that 'Christian' would have achieved it. 'Ignorance', the character is
used as an example to portray that ignorance is not an excuse, and it appears
ignorance is just as bad as a willful sinner. Just as today, it is taught in
Christian churches that those that have knowledge have the duty to spread
Jesus’s word to the ignorant, if not, their blood is in the Christian person’s
hand. Everything in “The Pilgrim’s Progress” is relatable to today because
Christianity is fully alive and growing every second.
Blog
post #3
Blog Post # 2: Dryden
Dryden; Why so Dry?!
If
only Dryden would have stopped worrying about what others thought of him? I
wonder if he would have had the same impact? I think one of the biggest
differences between him and current satirical works is that in today’s satire,
the writers seem very little worried about what the haters think. Nowadays,
writers will get a laugh out of you at anyone’s expense without any regrets.
There is no concern with appeasing a person/group in power or anything of that
sort. In contrast, Dryden seemingly was very concerned with being in good
standing before the kingdom, he even changed his religious practices, which, I
find very entertaining.
Dryden
and today’s satire engage in the business of attacking, judging and poking fun.
The game is still the same, the way in which the game is played is what has
changed. In Dryden’s time, since there were no digital media outlets, all was
done in writing. His writing style was what we call heroic verse, it always had
to involve an elevated character for it to be considered and interesting read.
In today’s world, way satire is done is very differently, I think we have
become so less interested in royalty and people in power that we don’t need to
always make fun of them. Maybe we have come to realize that the middle and
lower class, have more interesting things going on. I don’t know, I am just
guessing! Well, in a way that can be true, but, we all know that we love making
fun of our governmental figures and their off the wall decisions, especially in
recent months. We just love our President! What can I say?!
Overall,
I am so thankful for writers that try to make us laugh at the expense of Donald
Trump or king whatever. I am also glad that we are not stuck with only using
elevated characters. A writer can be just as successful, using a moose as their
main character. No one cares if the moose is of royal blood or if the moose is
rich. All we care about is how the moose managed to go shopping at the local
grocery store.
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post #2
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Blog Post # 1: Initial Impressions
Initial Impressions
The
enlightenment period opened the door to many opportunities. I get the
impression that it was a chaotic time, however, during this time many things
took place that set the stage for the things we are so fortunate to enjoy
today.
The
expansion of literacy was extremely crucial to the advancements of the
movement. When the opportunity for education became available to the public,
those that had been oppressed for ages were able to (in a way) grasp a chunk of
that power, that in the past, only the rich would have. Thanks to that, in
today's world, even a poor person has the possibility to move up in society.
Generally, there are no laws or rules that would prohibit someone of poor
upbringing to take any position of power anymore.
Ideas
stemming from this time influenced our daily lives today. That idea, that every
human is capable of reasoning in order to mold their life as they see fit, is
one that we see in the constitution today. Even though, the constitution was
written a few hundred years ago, it still holds true in the depiction of the
21st century American way of life.
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post #1
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Blog Post # 7 - The Evolution of Journalism
Under Construction
-
Can they just make up their minds? It is amazing to see that since the 1600s there were people who openly opposed slavery. It is also ama...
-
The Pursuit of Salvation Everything goes out of style: music style preferences change, fashion changes, everything changes! One of the on...
-
The thrill of the hunt John lock was one of the most influential philosophers in a time of turmoil in science and religion. The enlig...