Tone/Mood

The tone and mood of a literary work is the general sentiment of the piece. There are obvious tones-angry,sad,depressed,happy,etc-in most poems we have read. For example in Stafford's "Traveling through the Dark" the tone is dark and morbid. It begins with the mention of a dead deer and throughout the poem there is a haziness that lingers. The "warm exhaust turning red" adds to an eeriness in the mood and tone. And the attention given to the dead deer and its description such as "stood by the heap, a doe, a recent killing.... she had stiffened already, almost cold." adds to the depressing nature of the poem. These are just a couple examples. I leave the poem in a more saddened state.Tone and mood certainly give a piece a specific feeling which oftentimes impresses itself upon the reader.

Diction

Diction is the manner in which an idea is portrayed through speech. Language is of course the most crucial part of literary works. As seen in "Ozymandias" diction adds a great deal to a work. The lines "Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown/And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command" reveal this. It is really descriptive and vivid language which portrays an artistic view of a general idea that could be stated more simply. Diction is what adds artistic value to a work.

Imagery

Imagery is a literary tool that engages the senses. Imagery consisits of descriptions that help a reader better sense the way things look, feel, sound, smell, or taste in literature. "Traveling through the dark" is a poem in which imagery adds meaning. From the title which also begins the poem we immediately picture darkness. This poem is packed with strong images such as "a deer dead on the edge of the Wilson river road," "roll them into the canyon," "that road is narrow," "by glow of the taillight," "the heap," "almost cold," "large in the belly," "fingers touching her side," "warm exhaust turning red," etc. In almost every line of this poem there is something that lends itself to the larger picture-temperature, size, the way something is handled or experienced, position, etc- and the reader feels as if he is almost there. This is the major function of imagery.

Sounds of Poetry

The sounds of a poetry work set the tone, mood, and theme for the poem. The sounds of a poem are considered to be "the musical quality of poetry." In many poems rhyme scheme guides and alters the mood and overall meaning of the poem. In Housmans's "To an Athlete Dying Young"  the rhyme scheme creates a flow that the poem continues on until it changes pace, and slows, in the end because of different sorts of punctuation and a changed scheme. The sounds of the poem shift and alter the meaning, mood, and tone of the work.

Symbol

Symbolism is  extremely important because symbols reveal much about the literary works they are found within. In the drama Hamlet, which is a play that focuses on dark things such as death and revenge we see symbols that point to this eerie theme such as the ghost, skulls, and a general darkness that looms over the play. In the fictional novel Pride and Prejudice, which has a major theme of status and class, we see symbols that reveal this. Grand estates versus modest ones, attire and property are all important symbols in this novel. Their purpose is to reinforce the general theme of the book. In my opinion, symbolism has the same function in both types of works.

SETTING

The setting of a play or novel does exactly as it implies. It sets the stage for the action that will be taking place in the story. In Hamlet the setting is mainly a castle and other spooky and gloomy places which is fitting because the action that takes place in Hamlet is dark. In Pride and Prejudice the settings we see are mainly high class estates or the Bennet household which harbors middle class living. The setting of Pride and Prejudice has much to do with status and class which is appropriate because it is from what most of the action in the novel stems. Setting is a crucial aspect of a work and it is important to consider it in the greater scheme of the action.

Protagonist as seen in Pride and Prejudeice and Hamlet

The protagonist of a story or play is,simply put, the main character of the work. It is the character on which much of the action depends. In Hamlet the eponymous character is obviously the protagonist whereas in Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth is the protagonist. These two characters share similarities and differences. A major similarity is that there is conflict involving both of them. Hamlet is trying to avenge his father while Elizabeth is trapped in dizzying love circumstances. Irregardless they both must figure out a way to resolve conflicts they find themselves within. Hamlet's soliloquies exhibit his path to resolution while Elizabeth's internal struggles and interactions with other people exhibit hers. It is clear after reading both of these works that the protagonist is what everything depends upon.

PLOT-with a focus on rising action

The plot of literary works includes the exposition, rising action, climax, and then the denouement. In my opinion plot is basically how the story unfolds. It is interesting to compare plot in fiction (Pride and Prejudice) vs. Drama (Hamlet). In Pride and Prejudice the story unfolds through the gossip of other people; however, this contributes to the rising action of the story. It can be argued that the climax of the story comes however, through the veracity revealed through Darcy's letter to Elizabeth. The climax is the most honest part of the novel. Elizabeth's realization of her love for Darcy and the fact that she has been foolish up until this point can be seen as the denouement. In Hamlet as the play unfolds there is increasing tension based on deception and Hamlet's desire to avenge his father. The climax of the story comes when the sword fight occurs. This is what Hamlet has been waiting for. The denouement is everything that follows--which is the ultimate deaths of many characters. Plots in drama and fiction as revealed to us in Austen and Shakespeare's works, share many similarities they follow the same basic structure;however, in drama the rising action is much more intense.

Essay comment

I am happy with my essay; however, my sentences could of been more developed. I could of fixed a couple grammatical mistakes and deleted or changed some of the shorter sentences in my essay. Other than that I am content with this essay and believe it shows my growth in writing this year.

INTRO- To An Athlete Dying Young," "To His Coy Mistress

Time is an idea explored by a number of writers in various works.. One sees this in both Housman and Marvell's poems. Embracing the present is a major theme in "To An Athlete Dying Young" and "To His Coy Mistress." In both poems the present is glorified while the future is acknowledged as relativeley doomed. These poems share this major thematic similarity as well as other more basic features such as poetic form. However, it is interesting to note that the actual subject matter of these poems differ greatly. Nevertheless, both trumpet seizing the day and celebrating the present before it's too late.

"Ulysses" as compared to "To An Athlete Dying Young"

Time is the major theme of both "Ulysses" and "To An Athlete Dying Young;" however, opposite points are made within them. In "To An Athlete Dying Young," Housman focuses on an athlete's glory dying before the athlete. He states "glory does not stay.....it withers quicker than the rose." He also states "the name died before the man." Housman is making it clear that glory is quick to come and also quick to go. In "To An Athlete Dying Young" Tennyson writes of living in past glory. So in a sense, this poem seems to promote the fact that glory will live on. Tennyson states that "myself not least, but honored of them all" and "little remains; but every hour is saved from that eternal silence, something more....." The last lines of the poem seem to sum up the major point of the poem: "Though much is taken, much abides; and though we are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven, that which we are we are--one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." He seems to truly be clinging on to past glory. He lives and still prides himself in his past triumphs. In comparing poetic forms,  one can see that in "Ulysses" there are longer sentences which could be seen as reflecting a longer life. Tennyson also speaks in first person whereas in "To An Athlete Dying Young," sentences are shorter and there is a very set pattern (couplets) that can be observed and Housman speaks in second person. It's interesting to compare and contrast these poems.

Ozymandias vs. Ponder These Busted Statues

Both poems deal with time and the relatively timeless nature of meaningful relics. Both poems recognize and place importance on what "remains." In Ozymandias it states "half sunk, a shattered visage whose frown, and wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, tell that its sculptor well those passions read which yet survive...." and states "nothing beside remains." In Ponder,darling, Cummings writes of the statues "notice what hath remained-- the stone cringes clinging to the stone, how obsolete lips utter their extant smile...remark a few deleted of texture....."Its interesting that both poets seem to acknowledge the fact that creations outlive their creators but the passion behind such creations shan't be ignored even in their absence. I particularly enjoyed the imagery of "vast deserts and sands" found in Ozymandias because of this imagery's role as a metaphor for eternity. Just as deserts go on forever so too will these relics in some form.

My Polonius Performance Choices

I am acting as Polonius in Act II Scene 2 Pg 754. I started acting in the scene with an apologetic tone towards the King. It seems my character wishes to please the King in any way possible throughout the play. I shifted tone when Polonius, in my opinion, began to sound overconfident. He states "Hath there been such a time-- I would fain know that-- that I have positively said "'tis so" when it prov'd otherwise?" And he continues "Take this from this if this be otherwise: if circumstances lead me, I will find where truth is hid...." Polonius is also a conniving character and in this particular part of the scene he is indeed scheming and so my choice to act mischievous I feel is an appropriate one. An alternative to my acting style would be to act a bit crueler and maintain a viciousness throughout the scene.

#9 & 7

9. Act III Scene I Line 56: At this point in the play, Hamlet has truly become obsessed with avenging his father and is plagued by "madness." In this soliloquy Hamlet ponders death and questions whether it might be easier to die. The imagery that Shakespeare uses to convey such a message is easily found within this text. The "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune," the "sea of troubles" the " thousand natural shocks," and mention of "flesh" and "grunting and sweating" are all images that carry negative weight. Diction is of course important " oppressor's wrong," "the insolence of office," " the sleep of death" and the "mortal coil" are all choices made by Shakespeare to reinforce Hamlet's state. Hamlet states and repeats here "to die: to sleep." He is implying that death may be the only way he can actually rest and find peace. This is a powerful soliloquy.

7.Honesty & Deception: Honesty and Deception is a conflict that is ever present in Hamlet. From the beginning, the audience sees Claudius being dishonest and essentially deceiving the general public and his family about the death of the king. He pretends to be in mourning when really he is eager to move on and obtain more power. Polonius is a character in the play who is constantly playing tricks and deceiving others. Finally Hamlet also pretends to be mad in order to carry through with avenging his deceased father. He is, however honest with himself and with his true friends before he begins his plot. It is clear that honesty and deception play key roles in this play.

Hamlet's "Antic Disposition"(#7 & 14)

7. Hamlet tells his companions he is likely to put on an "antic disposition" to inform them of his strategy. Hamlet is confiding in Horatio and Marcellus. In a way, him confiding in them is a natural reaction to his anger and grief after receiving the news from his father's ghost. He certainly wants to include his friends in his scheme in some way- it would be difficult to have to go through it completely alone.

14.Hamlet is implying that he knows that his friends have been sent for by his "uncle father" and "aunt-mother." He claims that there is nothing good or bad in his current circumstance but that over-thinking would make it seem one way over the other. Hamlet's statement is meant to reveal to his old friends that he has everything under control. I agree with his belief. He has a clear strategy to avenge his father and his "madness" is part of the plan. In the second quote Hamlet is in a way confessing that he is not actually mad. He states "when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw" which is a way of stating that he still has his wits about him. He is capable of seeing things for what they are. His "antic disposition" is one of convenience.

Advising Ophelia

Both Laertes and Polonius object to Ophelia's relationship with Hamlet because they feel Hamlet's high status and position to the state is incompatible with Ophelia's. They both claim that it would be nearly impossible for Hamlet to actually love her. Laertes is more gentle with Ophelia and offers her the typical and caring brotherly advice; however, Polonius is more stern and more brash with Ophelia in relaying caution. It is almost as if Polonius is trying to scare her into agreement. Both Laertes and Polonus seem to place women beneath men. It is interesting because status(including class and station) play big parts in their arguments. It is clear they feel no one should overstep their boundaries.

Burning desires fortified by the flames of speech: an exploration of Claudius and Hamlet

Shakespeare's Hamlet is a tragic tale of murder, sorrow, and revenge. From the beginning of the play the different intentions of the characters are evident. Claudius and Hamlet both have very different yet extreme goals. Claudius is a power driven, conniving, and generally mean character while Hamlet is a character obsessed with avenging his father. Shakespeare uncovers their various desires through their distinct speech patterns. Through diction, punctuation, syntax, and repetition, their individual intentions are revealed and reinforced. The speech patterns certainly contribute to the success of the plot and the play, raising the emotional stakes. This makes it more exciting for actors and audience members alike.

Prufrock

Something that I found interesting in "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" is the third stanza in which we see the introduction of a "yellow fog." The use of personification is really intriguing. Elliot states that the yellow fog "rubs its back upon the window panes" and "rubs its muzzle on the window panes" and "licked its tongue and let fall upon its back" and finally "curled once about the house and fell asleep." The characterization of the yellow fog as a living being (as a feline creature most specifically) is extremely unique and absolutely catches the attention of the reader. The mention of a moving fog is spooky and could be said to add to the eerie nature of these beginning stanzas- there is mention of fog, evening, soot, and chimneys, October nights, and a general haziness. The tone that is set by this stanza prepares the reader for the rest of the poem quite well.

Coy Mistress - Shifting tones as crucial to the central claim

In Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" the subject of the poem is easily discovered: Seize the day, embrace the present beauteous states of life before it's too late. In each stanza Marvell employs a distinct change in tone to strengthen this point. In the first stanza the tone is a more light-hearted one. We find a lot of uplifting and more positive and gentle language. For example he speaks of rubies, the tide, and a growing love. The nature of the senses are explained in a delicate way. For instance "thy forehead gaze" and "two hundred to adore each breast." The first stanza is all about a present love, one which is growing and adored. The tone of the second stanza is a drastic change from the first. The first word "But" signals this important shift. Language starts to deteriorate as Marvell makes the point that nothing (beauty, love, virginity) lasts forever. There is a mention of deserts, a beauty that "shall no more be found," of a vault, worms, a "quaint honor" turning    "to dust", and finally ashes and the mention of a grave. Marvell states that "none there do embrace." He has taken the reader on an emotional roller coaster at this point. We land at the final stanza beginning appropriately with "Now therefore" which seems to be an urgent resolution. Marvell brings in both tones from the preceding stanzas. He states "while the youthful hue sits on thy skin like morning dew and while thy willing soul transpires at every pore with instant fires now let us sport us while we may." So here we see a mention of a gentle "youthful hue" alongside with a "fire" which is a direct merging of the two tones. The urgency of seizing the day comes with diction such as "Prey,"  "time devour" and "tear our pleasures with rough strife." Marvell's last sentence is a fitting way to end his poem as he encourages the reader to take advantage of all the aforementioned bright qualities of life before its too late. Carpe Diem. It is clear that Marvell's use of tone completely strengthens and reinforces his central point and the poem would absolutely be weaker without these shifts.

A One-liner

"Thus, though we cannot make our sun stand still, yet we will make him run." The last line in the poem is an appropriate ending, for it sums up Marvell's entire poem "To His Coy Mistress."Basically, Marvell is talking about embracing the present state of love, lust, and beauty because nothing lasts forever. All of these things will ultimately deteriorate. And so in this case the "sun" about which he speaks represents all of these things-the brighter and more vibrant things in life. He implores us to seize the day, taking advantage of these relatively temporary but powerful elements while we can.

Comments on Student Blogs

I agree with both Brynn and Tim's blog posts about Mr. Collins. Brynn's make points arguing that Austen's characters are products of the society in which the novel is set and also that the reader is intended to laugh along with Mr. Collins' character because he is so outrageous. With Tim's blog I agree that Mr. Collins is a woman's worst nightmare and makes several mistakes such as the proposal. Also he continues to be clueless of how annoyed the Bennets are with him and his harassment of the girls.

Nightmare or Comic relief?

In the novel Pride and Prejudice Austen not only uses Mr. Colllins' character to show some of the characteristics of an obnoxious and pompous rich male in the 18th century, but also utilizes him as comic relief. The novel is intended to be a comidy and back then characters such as Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins would be considered very funny. Mr. Collins is just an outright ridiculous character who makes  a fool of himself in front of the Bennets and his own wife. The only person who can seem to stand him is Lady Catherine De Bourgh who is also incredibly pompous and prejudice. He also seems to cause an inormous amount of trouble for everyone because of his love to gossip and socialize. Thus the character of Mr. Collins provides both conflict and comic relief.

Strengths and Weaknesses

I was overall pretty pleased with my performance on this first essay. I was happy that my thesis sentence was noted as a strength, as this is what my paper was based on. A couple of my body paragraphs were highlighted as strong paragraphs-ones in which I integrated ideas and made claims of my own. These paragraphs, I believe, exhibit important analysis. Although it's clear that I have the right idea in these body paragraphs, in the others I see where I fall short. Short, in-concise sentences and the list like quality of them leave these paragraphs feeling empty. I agree that it's critical for me to introduce more analysis and more of my own unique ideas instead of simply stating Austen's. The conclusion, which should really be a strong ending to my paper was not as strong as it could of been and I will work on making it a finale rather than a lackluster wrap up. I was annoyed by my grammatical mistakes because most of them were really silly(inappropriate use of semicolon, indentation, and the plural). These things are easily corrected with more careful editing and I am confident I will improve this aspect of my paper next time.

The Supporting Evidence

The most important aspect of a strong essay is the supporting evidence and analysis of the thesis. Obviously, when writing an essay, one must produce a thesis. The thesis is what will be developed and expanded upon within the piece. However, without information to support and reinforce this thesis, it remains a simple claim. Therefore, concrete examples and background information that strengthen the idea introduced by the author, are truly the most important part of any solid essay.

In the student essay "Precise Introductions for Individual Interpretations" the writer's thesis involves Green's different approach to the character introduction--an approach which forces the reader to formulate their own opinions on the importance of a character. Oftentimes, this leads the reader to think the opposite of what actually is. This is an important claim, but it will be just that, without solid examples. Luckily, the writer does reinforce his thesis with great background information. For example, in the first body paragraph, the writer discusses the whiskey priest and Green's intentional and somewhat ambiguous introduction of him as seemingly unimportant. However, in actuality, he is the opposite as the reader comes to find out.

Support for the claim

The most important aspect of a strong essay is the supporting evidence and analysis of the thesis.  Obviously, when writing an essay, one must produce a thesis. The thesis is what will be developed and expanded upon within the piece. However, without information to support and reinforce this thesis, it remains a simple claim. Therefore, concrete examples and background information that strengthen the idea introduced by the author, are truly the most important part of any solid essay.

In the student essay “Precise Introductions for Individual Interpretations”  the writer’s thesis involves Green’s different approach to character introduction—an approach which forces the reader to formulate their own opinions on the importance of a character. Oftentimes, this leads to the reader to think the opposite of what actually is. This is an important claim, but it will be just that, without solid examples. Luckily, the writer does reinforce his thesis with great background information. For example, in the first body paragraph, the writer discusses the whiskey priest and Green’s intentional introduction of him as seemingly unimportant. However, in actuality, he is the opposite as the reader comes to find out.

Liz's Blog: And the best essay is....

Liz's Blog: And the best essay is....: "I preferred essay B: 'Its All About the First Impressions: How Austen and Greene Introduce Characters'because the writer analyzes and develo..."

And the best essay is....

I preferred essay B: "Its All About the First Impressions: How Austen and Greene Introduce Characters"because the writer analyzes and developes her points thoroughly. Also she clearly states her main point and provides us with a coherent thesis.