Close Reading #3 (11/18/12)

http://thegloss.com/beauty/eva-braun-hitler-biography/

In a biographical article about Eva Braun (wife of Adolf Hitler), Ms. Jennifer Wright follows the ups and downs of Ms. Braun's life with a dry sarcasm and poignant voice. Through the use of syntax, language, and details she eloquently communicates, not a dull biography, but a story, riddled with facts, reflection, and...strong...opinions in this addition to thegloss.com's Shelved Dolls series with: Shelved Dolls: Eva Braun - Satan's Bride.

Throughout the article Wright utilizes syntax through sentence length. Using short/medium sentences for the factual portions of the article. she keeps the readers jumping from fact to fact, keeping the information relevant and concise. "Political problems. Months went by with no letters from him. Eva fell, once again, into deep despair." When used to show the author's opinions this use of short, almost abrupt, sentence length effectively mimics one's thinking patterns, helping the reader hear Ms. Wright's voice. For example, when reflecting on Ms. Braun's teenage years she uses short sentences like "I don't think she started out that way," and when describing her first meeting with Hitler, transitioning from thoughts to reflections, "This kind of makes sense. I firmly believe that if anyone comes into contact with someone whose poster hung on their wall as a teen, despite the fact that that person might be weird...we would still experience a certain amount of desire for them."
The only times Wright uses longer compound and complex sentences is when she is hashing out her own thoughts and opinions on Ms. Braun's actions, building an idea or theory. For the most part, the rest of the article's contents are stated in a concise, straightforward manner, showing her thought process during the parts of the article that spark a reaction.
Following the sentence patterns, Wright uses a distinct sentence pattern when starting her reflections. The repetitive use of "I" often begins an arrangement of ideas in each paragraph. Starting with a fact of summary of Ms. Braun's life, Wright will then transition into a reflection, and end with stating her opinion towards the end of the paragraph.

Another aspect of literature that looks at an entire body of work is language. Throughout the article Wright uses emotional language to get her point across. Practically screaming her opinions at you, she isn't afraid to use italics, bolded words, and all-caps to communicate with emotional writing. On Ms. Braun's meeting with Hitler she states: "How? How was that possible? She saw this photo first thing every morning?" and "Dude. HIS PHOTO WAS IN ALL IN THE WINDOWS." With rhetorical question scattered throughout, Wright almost prompts a writer-reader interaction. Through the use of literal language, she builds an informal back-and forth banter with the reader. On the topic of Hitler becoming Chancellor, she states "However, Eva seemed oblivious. She was doing yoga. Seriously." This repetition of up-front candid facts and opinions builds an informal tone.

Wright inserts specifics and opinions about the factual information through the use of detail.  Entwining facts with opinions she creates an up-front analysis of Ms. Braun's relationship with Hitler. For example, when describing their letters Wright says "She wrote him love letters telling him how much she missed him. Hitler was the kind of asshole who didn't write back. I mean, I know he was busy, but I think Hitler is someone we can use the word "asshole" about without fear or judgement." And when describing Ms Braun's persuading Hitler NOT to stop cosmetics and hair products form being produced in Germany Wright says "So she had influence. Influence which she applied terribly." Through the use of personal detail Wright adds tone and opinion.

Overall, Wright takes a sarcastic, humorous approach to something few people would find funny. Connecting to readers through syntax, language, and detail, she brings forth a distinct voice in the article Shelved Dolls: Eva Braun - Satan's Bride.


PS - On a side note, I almost chose the article about Coco Chanel being a Nazi, but decided against it because it included orgies and car crashes.

Open Prompt #3 (11/11/12)

2010, Form B. “You can leave home all you want, but home will never leave you.” —Sonsyrea Tate

Sonsyrea Tate’s statement suggests that “home” may be conceived of as a dwelling, a place, or a state of mind. It may have positive or negative associations, but in either case, it may have a considerable influence on an individual. Choose a novel or play in which a central character leaves home yet finds that home remains significant. Write a well-developed essay in which you analyze the importance of “home” to this character and the reasons for its continuing influence. Explain how the character’s idea of home illuminates the larger meaning of the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.

   In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller character Biff Lohman moves out West in an attempt to find himself, but ends up coming back home. Holding both negative and positive associations, his ties to his father and mother's home in Brooklyn are something he picks up from his father's mindset.Willy states, "Work a lifetime to pay off a house. You finally own it, and there's nobody to live in it." Although Biff living back at home is full of tension, it is vital for his development in financial drive, personal goals, and spiritual realization.

     The Lohman family is constantly struggling with money. Whether it's a broken refrigerator or the final down payment on a car, the Lohman's are always bringing up money. Happy and Biff, in their late twenties/early thirties, are not yet financially independent. One of the face value reasons Biff returns from his time out West is to live with his parents while he tries to find a job as a salesman. 

     One of Biff's main reasons for moving West and working on ranches and farms was to get away from his father's shadow and find himself. Although that's where he claims to be happiest, he returns home because he feels like he isn't accomplishing anything with his life. “And whenever spring comes to where I am, I suddenly get the feeling, my God, I’m not gettin’ anywhere!” Not trusting in himself enough to make his own decisions, feeling lost, he moves back home, hoping to find a purpose. Unfortunately he states "And now, I get here, and I don't know what to do with myself." He's lost, and sees home as an attempt to find himself again.

     Although Biff frequently reflects on, and talks about, his time in the West, Willy is ashamed of his son's venture away, stating "Tell him you were in the business in the West. Not farm work." This is only one small point in the tension between father and son. Very much alike in demeanor, the two have different mindsets - Willy strives to be the best in his business, while Biff is content being "a dime a dozen". Coming back home to his father's expectations and disappointments, although painful for both, was necessary for Biff to find himself. While trying to live up to his father's expectations he realizes "I even believed myself that I’d been a salesman for him! And he gave me one look and – I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been!" A question of fiscal vs. personal success, their differences come to light with the two of them living in the same house.

   Biff's mixed feelings regarding his home are rooted in his past issues. Although he may move away, Biff's problems keep taking him back to his family's house in Brooklyn, N.Y., proving that no matter how far away you are, your home will always have an influence on you.

Response to Course Material #3 (11/4/12)

So...I know I'm posting this two days after the due date, and I just wanted to say that I'm not making habit of turning in my work late. (I'm really not Ms. Holmes! I promise!) I was in cold-induced coma this weekend/Monday. There was coughing, a sore throat, drippy snot, and lots and lots of sleeping. It wasn't pretty. But I'm back and (kind of) functioning again, so back to work!

Focusing: covering the tail end of the The American Dream, I really, really liked this play. I didn't understand half (most?) of the little details but that's what I loved about it! I feel like I could read this over and over and notice something new each time. I'll be keeping an eye for a theatrical production of the play. I think it'd be interesting to see this in action.

Another play I think I'd want to see in person is Death of a Salesman. I'm not really sure what to say about this...I mean, it's interesting...but I don't really have much of an interest in it. The American Dream was weird! Questionable! Absurd! I made me really think.
And although Death of Salesman is a little more...normal, it's so far it doesn't seem as interesting! The characters are so annoying. I mean, I hate whining. If you have a problem, I think you should do whatever you need to to deal with it - think about it, cry about it, talk about it, whatever - but eventually you have to take action, and do something! There will always be more problems around the corner, so deal with what you have going on right now so you can be open to what life has to offer. (I am obviously one of those people. Glasses are always half full and logically speaking, no matter where you are the grass will always seem greener on the other side...so what's the point in worrying about your neighbor's grass? Ah, to be young and ignorant!)
But as far as the actual content of Death of a Salesman is concerned, I understand that because the characters are more normal they're more relateable (sp?), and they're facing real-world problems. Depression, age, debt, family tension - it's something most people have experienced, whether directly or indirectly. Because I find psychology and sociology interesting I really like looking at the development/structure of societies and relationships. Death of a Salesman characters present themselves as a perfect springboard for me to bounce ideas off of.

And finally...the terms test. This is so frustrating! I mean, I did horribly. Worse than my first time around! But I don't care as much about my grade - I'm frustrated because I can't keep things straight. Each word has a specific definition that only works with a specific type of example. But there are so many words and definitions and their differences are oh-so subtle and then everything gets all jumbled up! It's a little frightening.
I'm much better at approaching things with broad "what do I feel about this?" ideas, not straight-up text book facts and definitions. Which is great for creative writing, not so great for AP classes.

Sticking true to my "no whining" policy, I'll just keep reviewing, keep looking up examples, and hope this doesn't come back to bite me in the butt when the AP test rolls around.