Witty Whitman

   As I scrolled through Walt Whitman's journal there are many scribbles and drawings that appear eccentric and rushed. I noticed many words crossed out and the drawings appear to have developed from scribbled lines on the paper. As I am unable to read most of the writing at this point, I assume this is indicative of his interesting personality and fondness of things out of the ordinary. The journal appears random and disorganized, but the pages were written by a literary genius that was ahead of his time. I noticed the classic Abraham Lincoln hat on what appears to be Walt Whitman.

  After reading through the little yellow boxes to discover what Whitman wrote I am only more convinced of his odd personality. I thoroughly enjoyed the puzzle of his writing that went from Lincoln to religion to freedom and spanish. I think it is really interesting how these all connect and how his mind explored this imaginary conversation to explore such different ideas. His political believes about ideal liberty and the current political status are intertwined into his work. The ending of, "And you?" is very indicative of Whitman's writing style. He is writing this for others and to inspire thought. He wants to create conversation. He also has a knack for metaphor.

The American Dream

     There are no three words that inspire more hope and opportunity than the concept of The American Dream. This is something that has developed into the foundation of our country and the pride of most Americans. It is hard to not feel the potential in the future when one considers living or aspiring to live the American Dream. Actually defining this dream is something that may differ for every citizen of this country. I believe that the American Dream is a combination of the luxuries of our current lives and our aspirations for the future. The opportunities we are given and the so to speak "lucky breaks" of our careers and lives are the fundamental aspects of the American Dream. In America, everyone has the potential to be great. We all have at least a sliver of possibility to become the next Bill Gates or Barack Obama. It is this possibility that is summed up in those three little words. However, this does leave out the blood, sweat, and tears that it takes to truly make these dreams come true.

 

     Wealth is something that is targeted all over the world in every culture and every person on this earth. Of course, wealth itself is an extremely broad concept that, at least to me, encompasses the goals of every person. We all aspire wealth, because wealth can include anything that makes us happy. In America, this is strongly associated with money and riches. Wealth and fulfillment in life is intertwined with the amount of money one has; therefore, it is money that we try to earn. I think this obsession with more green paper counters the actual purpose of wealth. We all just want to be content and happy, and this does not come with money. I think wealth is measured in happiness, not bank accounts. How much one achieves depends on what will make them happy. This in turn plays onto the idea of poverty and money. There is a direct correlation between extreme poverty and extreme struggle. However, this does not mean they cannot be happy. Americans focus too much on the idea of being wealthy or poor in terms of material goods, when they could find a different kind of happiness if they just accept their position in economics and strive to find it. 

Blog Post

FREEBIE!

IOC

Here is the link on youtube if that doesn't work: http://youtu.be/rZsg2_wxCBo

Oh and ignore the fact that its on Sarah's account- I forgot to log her out!

Grade:

Knowledge and understanding of the extract: 5

I think I showed a little understanding of the extract by explaining where in the novel it is. I knew the scene and what the purpose of it was, as well as what happens later in the novel. However, I think I could have discussed the context more and specified how the examples applied to the text as a whole. I also think I could have talked about major themes in the novel and connected this passage to these.

Appreciation of the writer's choices: 6

I pull many examples from the text and talk about how they impact the text, but I do not talk about the overall effect enough. I think I focused too much on the individual examples and what they mean and I didn't talk about the reason Shakespeare made these choices. I also think I repeat a lot and my thoughts don't make much sense sometimes. I never concluded anything either. 

Organization and presentation: 3

I tried to organize this presentation and I think that I succeeded in the basic outline. However, I brought up tone and irony and never went into depth about these. I think I need to organize a lot more when I actually do this, because I got lost a lot and I ramble about random stuff too much. 

Language: 2

I don't even know what I am trying to say sometimes. I think I use appropriate language sometimes but most of the time it was nervous rambling and I should probably fix that. 

Please ignore the part I talk about restless ecstasy! I realized as I was saying it that it made no sense...

Oh and sorry for the awkward pauses!

I think this might be too blurry to read and it is a total mess but here is my article!

TED Talks

The Louise & Brenna Show: Season 1, Episode 1- Pilot

https://www.ted.com/talks/the_jill_and_julia_show

We realize this makes no sense, but what do you honestly expect from us?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdb9NKJcK5U

(In case the video above doesn't work.)

Double Indemnity

   2.  Film noir literally means “black film.” As you are watching the film, keep track of all the elements in the picture that seem dark or depressing. Think about the characters, the setting, and the storyline.

Double Indemnity is full of dark, twisted ideas that surprise and capture the audience. The film itself challenges the distance a seemingly good guy will go with the encouragement of a woman. The first depressing aspects of the film come out in the setting and lighting. The opening scene consists of a street at night and a character with a dark hat and a black jacket. This may have been the traditional attire of the time, but the set up of a "murky and dark street" with low lighting accented the theme. Moreover, many of the scenes happen at night including the murder of Mr. Dietrichson on the train. The lighting is an important element of any film that may be directly manipulated by directors to add to the core themes, these being dark and depressing. There is a creepy silence that adds to the suspense felt by the audience throughout. The number of people in each scene is kept to a minimum, for example in the confession by Mr. Neff at the closed insurance office. This eliminates the happiness felt by social chatter and adds to the secrecy of the plans. 

There are dark motiffs found in the very characters themselves as well. One important example is the flirtatious nature of Phyllis to a man other than her husband. Walter Neff plays along and is quickly swept up in her manipulative ways. She has a secret motive to the majority of her actions and this is shown by her immediate interest in accident insurance for her husband. Neff finds himself falling for Mrs. Dietrichson despite his suspicions about her plans for her falling marriage. The talk of murder and the guilty confession throughout are all elements that fit into the idea of a "black film". 

The storyline of the film is obviously not that of a traditional cheery film. Double indemnity has lots of key characteristics of Film Noir found in the events themselves. The story is told in a "confessional, first person narration about the downfall of an innocent everyman who fell victim" to the evil plotting of Neff and Dietrichson. The attraction that is felt between the two main characters is twisted in the murder plans of Phyllis' husband, and emphasizes the "brutal, unhealthy, seamy, shadowy, dark and sadistic sides of the human experience." 

*All of the quotations come from the sheet we received on Double Indemnity and Film Noir. 

Netflix

Recommended for Lady Macbeth:

The Wolf of Wall Street- Recommended based on your interest in Power and Corruption

Lady Macbeth is not one to reach the top of the food chain without bitting off a few heads (or killing people). She understands the price that comes with power and goes for it anyway. This movie is based on a mega-rich stock broker who goes from Mr. Nice to Mr. Drugs&Hookers. The money destroys him and takes away all he ever had. This would be a film to watch before the third scene in Macbeth when Duncan is killed, and could possibly prevent the whole fiasco. She wants the power more than anything but forgets about the corruption that accompanies it. Maybe a vivid reminder like this movie would help open her eyes, and if not, it is still a truly entertaining few hours (something she doesn't get too often).

Criminal Minds- Recommended based on your interest in Crime and the Mindset of Macbeth

These FBI profilers are getting into the minds of some of the most twisted criminals in their time. This show will give Lady Macbeth insight into the insane workings of her disturbed husband's mind. The entertaining series will provide plenty of insane criminals to compare to herself and make her actions seem like child's play. Learning about these crimes and how to get away with them will help Lady Macbeth hone the craft and gather insight into her own crazy thoughts. Also, the action and crime present in the show will distract Lady Macbeth and allow for her long nights awake to be spent pondering the fiction crimes of the FBI. 

Desperate Housewives- Recommended based on your interest in Drama and Powerful Women

These housewives are stirring up the quiet Wisteria Lane through their impossibly dramatic lives and intense relationships. Lady Macbeth will not only fall in love with each character for their individual personalities, but they will disintegrate her every desire to become a "simple" housewife. Their sins and problems will ease her troubled mind and justify her deeds. These women play off each others strong characters (regardless of the title) and Lady Macbeth will be able to form a sort of friendship with each. Through the last few chapters Lady Macbeth becomes a desperate housewife herself, and an opportunity to see others in action is a great way to learn how to handle it. 

               
   

Mocking Jay- Recommended based on your interest in Power and Revolution

MockingJay is the third movie in a trilogy of three about a dystopian society called Panem. This particular one is about the revolution and the rise of the people. Lady Macbeth will be able to connect to the powerful main character, Katniss, and appreciate her masculine ways. However, it may seem odd to connect her to a movie about the people rising up; watching this may be seen as necessary research to help prevent this very thing from happening to herself. She will avoid becoming the Capital and be a Katniss herself. Not only does this movie have enough drama to satisfy a Queen, but it has enough action to raise her lowered spirits.