Ode to Literature-Perspectives

I love you!

You’re horrid

You fill my life with new adventures!

Why can’t you just stay home???

She said what? No way!

Deal with your own problems!

I’ve never thought about it that way before…

Seriously? Now you’re just ranting

Oh! Oh! Watch out behind you!

Really? The author’s going for that old trick?

That’s so sweet… true love at last!

I think you’re making me sick!

A new chance! A new story!

Another one? Why do you keep assigning us these when you know we don’t read?

I’m so excited!

Somebody poke my eyes out….

Thank you!

Thanks again… (for NOTHING)

Finals :(

My blog post this week is about how to relax and not stress before finals, which I know people are stressing. So I'm just going to start off to tell you to take a deep, slow breath. After researching the best ways to de-stress, here it is.
It tell you the top ten ways to de-stress and I think it will actually work. Instead trying to cram a semester's wroth of knowledge in one week, I think it would be better off to relax and think positive, even though cramming helps you learn a little. The mayflies in "Time Flies" had only a day to live and they enjoyed their day, why can't we enjoy life without the final stress. I know this post is really short but I'm trying to follow my advice and relax. :)


-Pavneet K.

The Misperception of the Shark

The shark is known to be a majestic creature that virtually glides through the oceans.  This fish is credited to be one of the greatest predators of the seas.  These rogue fish roam usually unaccompanied.  Sharks dominate most parts of the oceans and even appear to have emerged as a universal human fear.  However, humans bestowed this title of the exceptional scoundrel of the deep.  Sharks are truly beautiful independent creatures that enjoy their solitude and isolation from humans.

            One reason for this characteristic misperception is the history associated with the word shark.  It was understood to be a “dishonest person who preys on others” in the early sixteen hundreds.  The word was associated with deceivers and villains.  Currently people refer to them as con artists.  The term “shark” applies to bandits, frauds, and cheats.  Then in the seventeen hundreds it evolved into “voracious persons”, further decreasing the reputation of the magnificent creature that actually possesses the name.

Alicia M.

Frankenstein

"When I found so astonishing a power placed within my hands, I hesitated a long time concerning the manner in which I should employ it . . . I prepared myself for a multitude of reverses; my operations might be incessantly baffled, and at last my work be imperfect: yet when I considered the improvement which every day takes place in science and mechanics, I was encouraged to hope my present attempts would at least lay the foundations of future success."

 With the amount of innovation in technology today, we must constantly reflect on the power we hold and how we choose to use that power. Although it may not seem like it, the world has advanced quite rapidly in the past century and will continue to do so. Computers, cell phones, televisions, video game consoles, and more have dramatically changed forms in a matter of years. Scientists and engineers have developed robots to optimize production and simplify common jobs and have already started to explore the possibilities of android robots, or human-like robots. Although engineering a mechanical robot and bringing a creature to life are different, they raise questions about human limits and boundaries.

The quote above can be applied to modern science. Current research and development in math and science "lay foundations [for the] future" of our world. What struck me the most about this quote was Victor's hesitation. His hesitation is not surprising, however it does speak a lot about how many of us respond in positions of authority. The ability to bring life into an inanimate creature is definitely a powerful ability to hold. As leaders, researches, engineers, and people, we must be careful and responsible with the power we withhold. Although this is debatable, we must take into consideration what is collectively better for everyone. Would this technology do more harm than good? Does this item improve society? Technology is a wonderful thing and it has without a doubt benefited society in numerous ways, but as always we must consider the consequences of the decisions we make.

-Matt A.

Frankenstein

“I had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart.”

Frankenstein is a dark and tragic novel and this quote is the start of Victor Frankenstein’s tragedy.  He was so consumed with creating life that he neglected everything else and just focused on that. It’s like us being consumed with facebook or texting that we don’t pay attention to anything else. Though he wasted many years trying to create life that he was blinded by his newly gained knowledge. Once the monster was animated, Frankenstein’s eyes finally opened and he saw the creature he created for what it was. Even though it had life, it was still a bunch of disproportional body parts that wasn’t even close to looking or being like a human. I think Frankenstein having the option to create was what destroyed him. So far this novel is really interesting and I can’t wait to find out what the monster is thinking.  I wonder how much knowledge the monster and what he would be capable of besides terrorizing Frankenstein.

-Pavneet K. 

SHPAM's Literary Theatre

Welcome to Literary Theatre with SHPAM. Today’s lesson will be Figurative Language: Why the Written Word Speaks to Every Level. In other words, it says whatever the heck you want it to. Who knew Six Degrees of Separation was also for analyzing writing?

Think about it: “You have 20 minutes, class. I want a full response, several paragraphs, on images or metaphors in this piece of work and what they mean.” You’ve heard it before. And maybe once, twice if you’re stretching, you actually had an idea that you believed in while you were writing the paper. Odds are, you’re like me, making it up as you go along. I keep a little checklist of likely suspects. Sooo… Animals? Colors? Names? I can always find something to say about one of them. I don’t know about you, but when the teacher gives us one of these, I pray the author mentioned water or snakes.

OK, that didn’t work. It’s some random poem on why kitchens are cool. Dang. Time for a game of “Six Degrees”! Kitchen…. Kitchens have food…. Hey, wasn’t food a symbol of community? In How to Read Literature Like a Professor, way back in sophomore year. Yes! One paragraph down. Next you move into what happens in a kitchen. You already talked about food, so it’s onto what happens next. Washing dishes happens in the kitchen, right? There you go! Water! Your favorite topic when “responding” to literature. You’ve made it back to your safety zone. The work is obviously about rebirth. Come to think about it, every work you’ve ever analyzed somehow connects to water and rebirth. Must be a popular topic.

You’ve got the deeper levels down, or at least your English grade says you do. And the surface level seems crystal clear, but is there more? Here at SHPAM’s Literary Theatre, we support the third level of Literature: Confounding Your Classmates. Try it sometime. Pick the randomest line you can find, and think of a really strange topic. Then see if you can convince a classmate next to you to believe that the line clearly supports that topic. If your English teacher catches you, tell her that you’re trying to help them think deeply about the poem by analyzing to the Third Level of Literature. Just don’t blame us if she hasn’t heard of it.

That’s it for Literary Theatre with SHPAM. Tune in next time to hear SHPAM say:

“Did you know that Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, “The Bells” argues that students should have naptime in class?”

-Shannon D.

"One can only save oneself — and whatever else happens, one can still always do that. But it takes a willingness to be unpopular."

Solitude is still around

            Though it may not be as extreme as Thoreau’s or Emerson’s view of solitude, solitude is still around.  How many times do you beak plans so you can spend a little time at home by yourself?  Sometimes we need that alone time.  For example, sometimes it’s nice to spend a Friday night alone to slow down time and recognize what is really important.  Without a little time alone humans tend to get cranky and unpleasant to be around.  This time is to save ourselves from the realities of the world every once in a while.  Like William Deresiewicz said in his article, “One can only save oneself- and whatever else happens, one can still always do that.”  As much as we hate to be alone sometimes we demand it to just let life cool down and make time stop.  We use the time to release emotions bottled up and find away to relieve some of the pressures we are under.  Solitude never left us.


Alicia M.