The Yellow Wall Paper

This was the second time I have read The Yellow Wallpaper. Before I read this time, I could only remember that some crazy lady was stuck in a room. After reading it again, I have some o the same feelings. However, I put most the blame on her husband and the other doctor for her declining cognitive abilities. If I were locked in a yellow stripped room for months I might go crazy too. 

I'm guessing the women had postpartum depression. It sounded like she recently had a baby. It is unfortunate that treatment such as this was the norm. Thankfully, medicine has improved greatly over the years. Doctors thought they were helping patients by isolating them, taking away their family, and implementing all kinds of restrictions. Today treatment is the opposite. Isolation is not recommended and having family around is a huge benefit. We also have drugs now that will enhance depressed moods. 

This short story seems like a good depression awareness article. Thankfully now Doctors can treat depression effectively. 

Harper's New Monthly Magazine Volume 0071 Issue 421 (June 1885)

I really enjoyed this read. I choose an issue from Harpers New Monthly Magazine from 1885, exactly 100 years before I was born. Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to live 100 years ago? I like to imagine what it would be like. Would life be more or less stressful? The article I read was called "Ladies Day at the Ranch". It was in no way what I expected to be in a magazine. Magazines have really changed over the past 100 years. Today, magazines are shorter and mostly deal with gossip, sports, politics and advertisements. Some things never change. This article related the experience of a millionaire's life on a ranch. I guess people always wanted to know what the rich and famous are doing.

            The article first described a millionaire who loved to travel. The narrator questions why the millionaire would want to spend any amount of time in the middle of nowhere on a ranch in Kansas. I like the narrator assumed ranch life was harsh and unpleasant. It would be miserably hot. There would be lots of bugs and you would be lonely in the middle of nowhere. As the article continued, a new picture of ranch life began to appear in my mind.

            The land was beautiful, filled with rolling hills painted with bright colors from wild flowers growing in every direction. Acres and acres of sunflowers, wheat, barley and corn filled the ranch with splendor. An amusing part of the article told a story about the millionaire getting lost. He came across a hut and asked a man whose land is this that I am I on. The man replied that it was the millionaires land. The millionaire turned and walked away quickly so he could hide the smile he had on his face. He had to be told he was on his own land. I can't imagine having that much wide open space. People came from miles around to join the millionaire for frequent parties. The ranch staffs joined the recreational activities and were treated with kindness.

            The men and women on the ranch joined in exploration and discovery of new places and things. They found Indian hieroglyphics, shark teeth and discovered new flowers. They were all constantly amazed by their surroundings. They were not malnourished or starved in any manner. Supposedly, they ate better than the people in New York. They often successfully hunted for ducks and other pheasants. The threat of dangerous weather kept the ranchers watching the sky. Fortunately, the tornados they observed never turned their direction. Occasionally fires would threaten their crops. All the neighboring ranchers would work together to put out fires.       

            The article really made ranch life sound fun. The millionaire really enjoyed his time there. If a millionaire enjoyed it, why would anyone else not enjoy it? The last paragraph included what I consider a disclaimer. In short, it said all ranches are not like this. I am not responsible for anyone who goes to a ranch and does not have the same experience. Maybe I should reconsider how this article described ranch life. Can you really trust the view of a millionaire about the quality of life on a ranch?     

          http://digital.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=harp;cc=harp;rgn=full%20text;idno=harp0071-1;didno=harp0071-1;view=image;seq=13;node=harp0071-1%3A1;page=root;size=100

“The Luck of Roaring Camp”

                I enjoyed reading “The Luck of Roaring Camp”. Harte’s words really brought the story to life. I find the day to day life of people from the 1800s fascinating. It was easy for me to imagine a small mining camp of men. It is easy to see how a group of only men could resort to living in such cruel and unhealthy conditions. What did they have to live for? What could have compelled them to live differently? Harte described the men’s clothes as snake’s skin. It was shed and replaced instead of cleaned. I think Harte portrayed the importance of women, children, and love.

                I believe this short story specifically points to the importance of love and family. The miners had no family. It seems the only thing that motivated them was gold, gambling, and smoking. They had no desire for hygiene, a nice home, or anything more than they needed to survive. I do not think men are the only sex at fault. Men just happen to be the subject of this story. Kentuck is the best example in the story. He is characterized as being rough and tough.  He is the stereotypical man. While all of the men filed through the room he reached toward the baby. The “dammed little cuss” grabbed his finger. The Crude language seemed to be a cover-up for his true feelings and change of heart. Over a short amount of time the camp was greatly improved. The men cleaned their clothes, fixed up the home of the baby and even imported nice things. Instead of gambling and fighting, the men sang lullabies under shade trees. The whole atmosphere changed. The men named the baby and cared much for him.

                The miners loved the baby. Why did they love the baby so much? Did Kentuck and others feel responsible because it was possible they could be the father? I don’t know why they felt the way they did. I do believe this story is a great example of how love makes the world go around. Love doesn’t always mean we give up our lives like kentuck did for Luck. Love should better our lives.  Love is what makes the human race progress. 

Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson found ways to make words come to life. Many lines from her poetry are simple, but convey a deeper message. I enjoyed some of her poetry. The majority, I found fairly easy to follow. Some lines in her poetry I find difficult to understand. What did she mean the words to say? Her writings are easier to follow than Whitman's. Dickinson found a way to make me contemplate deep feelings and thoughts.

                Success is counted sweetest is my favorite poem from the assigned readings. She explains success, triumph, and victory are not savored to their fullest by those who obtain them. She explains a dying soldier appreciates victory more than the men shouting for victory. I think she has a valid point. I understand her thinking. However, I believe the soldiers are probably ecstatic and appreciative that they are alive. Does Dickinson believe success is not satisfying? Does success mean more to the loser? I believe success is satisfying. Some situations could cause success to be less satisfying. What is success? Who decides what success is? Only an individual can gauge their own success. I believe success should be measured by happiness, not gauged by accomplishments or victories.             

Walt Whitman

I do not claim to have a clear understanding of all or any of the selected readings by Walt Whitman. I think of poetry as an outward expression of personal feelings. Does anyone ever really know what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes? The reader does not know exactly what Whitman felt on different subjects or what his deepest feeling were. Yes, we know the main subject of his poems. Do we know what he thought about the writings? I am sure if I researched Whitman's life his writings would be clearer to me.

                How much can you really know about what a man who died over one hundred years ago? Some may argue you can know lots, but do you know his deepest most personal thoughts? Whitman uses nature in his writings almost constantly. What did the waves on the sea mean to Whitman? What do they mean to the reader. Someone from Indonesia may think of the waves of the sea as terrifying. Those waves wiped away Cities, property and family. To me, the waves of the sea are calming and I look forward to relaxing while listening to them crashing  on the sandy beach. This is a extreme example. I do believe it applies  on a lesser scale. Whitman's many writings  can help readers understand how he felt. I do not believe anyone knows exactly what all the words on the paper were meant to say.

                I have little knowledge about Whitman as a person or a poet. I do believe he had a strong relationship with nature. He constantly refers to birds, wind, plants and the sea. He uses  the images of nature to describe every situation. I imagine him writing while sitting in the middle of the wilderness. I believe Whitman loved nature and thought it was pure. If I were to attempt to interpret his writings further, I feel it necessary to try to understand who he is first.  

Edgar Allen Poe

                Edgar Allen Poe had a brilliantly warped mind.  The two selected readings were creative, but very dark. Poe's ability to portray the characters thoughts was amazing. While I read his words, I felt like I was truly reading the mind of a murderer. How did Poe come up with this stuff? Did he sit around all day thinking about murders? What made him want to write about such dark subjects? His stories feel like they are alive. His descriptions make the reader feel like they witnessed the gruesome horrifying acts.

“The Cask of Amontillado”

                I enjoyed this read. Montresor clearly stated he wanted revenge in the first few lines of the short story. Montresor was a man with a purpose and a plan. The reader is left to wonder what caused him to desire vengeance. He manipulates Fortunato from the moment they first talked. He easily enticed him to become intoxicated. Montresors clever plan worked very well. Fortunato wasn't very fortunate. He had no clue what was happening until it was too late.

“The Tell-Tale Heart”

                This short story is a glimpse into the mind of a crazed killer. I could not help but think of the recent theater shooting. Did the shooter have similar thoughts? The killer in Poe's story was infatuated with the old man's eye. It seemed to torture him in some way. The eye spoke to him. Further into the story he became obsessed and tortured by the sound of the man's beating heart. Why did this man kill? Did the old man do something to him? Maybe he did or maybe he just couldn't stand his eye. In the end admitted to his dead. Apparently the old man was not the fix to his own problems.

                Both these stories are vibrant with thought provoking details. I see two men who think the solution to their problems lies in taking another person's life. Is there good and evil? The old man seemed pretty innocent, but Fortunato seemed like the kind of person who may have wronged some people. Does Poe mean for there to be underlying messages?  I don't know.  I see two murderers and two victims. Poe made these stories come to life. Now we are left to decide or speculate why he wrote such dark stories. 

Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave

             Speechless........ What more is there to say! It is awful that any human being went through so much torment. Animals were treated with more respect. I admire Fredrick Douglas for surviving and persevering when the world was against him. He was raised by various masters, none of which truly cared for him. I cannot imagine growing up without my mother. Fredrick grew up without a mother, father, or anyone who loved him. I am amazed at his will to survive.

                Fredrick described having no clothing as a child. He only had a shirt that went to his knees. I am shocked he survived the cold winters. I just imagine him curled up in a burlap sack with his feet hanging out bleeding from cuts and frostbite. I have never tried to keep warm with a burlap sack. I'm pretty sure it would not keep me warm or even break the wind on a mild winter night.   How could someone see a child in that condition and not feel pain in their heart for the child. Fredrick described good masters as feeding their slaves enough and bad ones as not feeding them enough. We complain when we have to wait five minutes in a fast food drive through. while we sit in our warm car listening to our favorite music. Slaves did not starve for one  or two days or even a month. They were starved for their entire lives.

                Fredrick suffered from beatings and exhaustion. He learned at an early age the consequences of disobeying or dissatisfying his master. I cannot understand how someone could survive such savage beatings. I am sure his wounds from lashings and heavy labor were often infected. It is a miracle he did not die from a, infection. Mr. Covey was described as a good slave holder because he actually fed his slaves. I'm fairly certain his opinion of Covey changed. Just when it seemed like Fredrick had no will left to fight, he found some inner strength to battle with Covey for two hours. Where did this  will to fight come from? He defeated Mr. Covey physically and somehow gained the privilege of being treated in a slightly more respectable way.   

                I believe his knowledge and thirst for knowledge is what set him free. Fredrick was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. He learned the alphabet, writing and reading with little help from others. Knowledge is power. Knowledge started a fire in Fredrick's heart. He realized that there was a whole world out there waiting for him. Without that small flame of knowledge Fredrick would have never found the strength to resist oppression. I will never suffer as Fredrick did while being enslaved. I can learn a lesson from his experience. Knowledge is power. Knowledge will set you free.  

Hawthorne, “Young Goodman Brown,”

This was an interesting read. I usually like writings that are straight forward, but Hawthorne’s descriptive words make the story come to life. At first I thought the story was going to be romantic. The newlyweds were deeply in love. Faith could barely stand having her husband leave for one night. The tone of the story quickly changed from newlywed love to the deep dark spookiness of the forest. I had no idea why Goodman Brown was going to the forest. I really like how Hawthorne used his words to make the forest seem so scary. The “forest seemed to close around him” and it seemed anyone could be hiding behind the trees.

While reading, I had no idea what was going on. Was this a fictional story? Was this about witchcraft? What was Goodman doing in the forest in the middle of the night? I was a little frustrated as a reader because I had no idea what was going on. I thought this was just another deeply symbolic story that I did not understand. Eventually Goodman returned home. Hawthorne then suggested that maybe the whole forest experience was just a dream.

Did Hawthorne really mean he had a dream? Maybe he was referring to a spiritual awakening. I feel like the suggestion that it was a dream brought the whole story together. Goodman began to see the world differently. Who were these people he thought he knew? Do they practice what they preach? Are they who they say they are? Goodman even seemed to question his wife Faith. What caused Goodman to have this dream or realization?

I think everyone at some point realizes the world is not as it always seems. People do not always practice what they preach. Not just in a religious way, but in all aspects of life. It is a gamble to trust someone. Goodman must have trusted Faith. Did she lose his trust? Why? Unfortunately, we have to be careful who we trust. This mistrust can also bring problems. Did Goodman’s dream cause him to lose faith in humanity? Did his wife Faith do anything to lose his trust? I feel like this story is about a man who has come to realize everyone is not who they say they are. Now, he questions everyone.

The world is the same today. Be careful who you trust. However, would a life be complete without a trusting relationship? This story makes it sound like everyone is up to something. There are many people who may not be trust worthy, but there are plenty of people in this world who we can build trust with and have good relations.           

An Indian's Looking-Glass for the White Man

I really did enjoy reading An Indian's Looking-Glass for the White Man. It was refreshing to read something so straight forward. His words were plain and simple. I wish all writings could be so straight forward. Apess purposefully spoke with power and simplicity. Apess obviously was passionate about the subject. Apess spoke up for all people who are treated with inequality in a time that it was widely accepted. I question myself, would I be that brave and stand up for what is right? I hope so. What did the people of his time think about him condemning their life styles? Did he change their minds about treating other humans so poorly based on looks? I imagine his words were felt strongly by those who listened to him or read his words.

                Apess used many quotes and examples from the bible to prove his point. Most of his readers were probably Christian and believed in the bible. I would assume that his readers were deeply impacted when they read the familiar verses he quoted. Were his word meaningful enough to change the way people acted? I don't know what immediate impact Apess had on improving inequality. I do know that he inspired other and is admired today for standing up for equality.

                Apess knew the bible well and quoted it frequently. Another major factor that added to the power of his sermon was his ability to reason. "If black or red skins, or any other skin of color is disgraceful to God, it appears that he has disgraced himself a great deal--for he has made fifteen colored people to one white, and placed them here upon this earth". Apess was very good with his words. I do not believe anyone could read his words and deny that treating others so poorly was against Christian teachings.   

                I would have enjoyed listening to Apess give a sermon. He spoke with power. He was not afraid to speak harsh words when no one was on his side. Apess was a brave man. If he were alive today he would be excited about the improvements we have made as a society. I do not think he would be completely satisfied. We do not suppress entire races or people of certain colors. We do not treat everyone with love and kindness. The world today would benefit if we all treated each other with a little more equality.    

Self-Reliance

I believe Emerson is correct in portraying mans instinct to appease and please the people who surround him. Emerson's theory is that men need to think for themselves. He describes men as "dismissing without notice his thought, because it is his." Men should think for themselves and not adhere to what other think. Emerson's thoughts remind me of Crevecoeur's words "men are like plants". Emerson believed most men are shaped by their environment. Unlike Crevecoeur, Emerson believed men can overcome their environment and become great. Emerson recognized mans weakness but, also recognized mans ability to overcome weakness.

            Emerson said we need to act on our own thoughts. "Else, to-morrow a stranger will say with masterly good sense precisely what we have thought and felt all the time, and we shall be forced to take with shame our own opinion from another". What makes great men great? They act on their own ideas. They are not afraid of what other people think. They perceive no limits. I really like how Emerson describes a infant conforming to no one. An infant often has numerous adults around it entertaining it. Adults conform to the infants. His point is slightly comical but, the truth. We are not required to conform to anyone's way of thinking or doing. So why do we conform? Fear of rejection? Fear of being wrong? sometime we just need to take a step in the dark and go against the flow. When men think freely they possess power.

            "The force of character is cumulative." "The voyage of the best ship is a zigzag line of hundreds of tacks. This is only a microscopic criticism. See the line from a distance, and it straightens itself and will explain your other genuine actions." Conforming to others opinions will lead to a straight, defined, and predictable path. Thinking for yourself may cause your path to zigzag but, the path will lead to greatness.

            I hope I can follow Emerson's guidance and think for myself. Limiting myself to the opinions of others would be doing myself a disgrace. In the world we live in information is pushed to us constantly. It is easy to take on other people's opinions. When we watch the news are we really thinking for ourselves? Do we conform to the same opinion as our family and friends? We are all guilty in some degree. It is my goal to do as Emerson says and think for myself.              

The Wild Honey Suckle

                I am not a huge fan of poems. I do not claim to understand what the writer meant them to mean. The Wild Honey Suckle reminds me of my childhood. I enjoyed the small Honey suckle bush that grew by my childhood home. As I continued reading Freneau words turned from summers light into falls decline. He says “I see your future doom”. Freneau obviously was contemplating life while he wrote this poem. To me he was describing our journey through life. Lastly he says “the space between, is but an hour,  The frail duration of a flower”. Life is short. There is beauty in life but, we quickly return to the dust of the earth  

Pennsylvania Gazette July 22, 1742

                I read through a few editions of the Pennsylvania Gazette. The majority of the main articles were about wars, exploring and political affairs. I am quick to admit I am nothing close to a historian. Most of the main articles I had difficulty following because of my lack of understanding all the happenings of the time. Also I found the lowercase s to be slightly annoying. It looks like an f. Obviously I could read it and I know it was an s but, it just increased my frustration while reading the article. The edition of the Pennsylvania  Gazette which I will be referring to is from July 22, 1742. I did find the advertisements interesting and thought provoking. Yes, I know you can learn a lot from the historical information and political affairs but,  I believe that the ads contain a history about how people lived. Look at the ads in our newspapers today. Even more relevant look at the ads in TV commercials and on the internet. When I don't fast forward through the commercials I see mostly ads for phones, phone companies,  cars, medicines, military, and politics. In the future people could look at our ads and see we love technology. They could see we depend on technology. I enjoy reading the ads in the Gazette because it describes who they are and how they lived their daily lives.

                 "TO BE SOLD, A Negro Girl, about 17 years of age, fit for either Town or Country. Enquire of printer hereof." A majority of the ads seem to deal in some way with slavery. A little ironic America was labeled a place to go and be free and most of their ads are about slavery. Slavery in every form is wrong. The thought that this 17 year old girl was forced to be a slave from childhood is horrifying. Another ad " TO BE SOLD, A Likely Negro Man, about 25 years old, bread to the sea: Also a Negro Woman, about 30 years of age , that can do all manner of household Work." About 25 and about 30. Could they not ask the slaves how old are you? Maybe it is just a selling tactic to avoid their true age. Either way they did a good job at trying to dehumanize the slaves.  They sold slaves like we sell cars. My car is only about ten years old and it still runs great! I just can't imagine browsing the paper looking for a good deal on a couple of slaves. There are plenty of political fights today over what rights and freedoms we should or shouldn't have.  Thankfully we don't have to be enslaved to anyone.

                Another common ad is for Bohea Tea. Tea seems to be a popular item. This ad published many years before the Boston Tea party. The frequent ads for Tea portray how much they enjoyed it. I couldn't help to notice the lack of food ads. No McDonalds. What? I'm not sure there was really much of anywhere to eat out. Even if there was I doubt it was somewhere you would take a family. It was surprising to see almost no ads for things like flour, wheat, beans or other staples. Was it because they grew their own? Maybe there were no advertisements needed for food because of the necessity for it.

                Lastly, I found the ads about crime interesting. Sometimes it's easy to picture a newly established America where everyone enjoys their freedom and gets along. One ad really caught my eye. Someone broke into the church and broke open a chest. They stole a bible and other religious items. I'm sure bibles were a lot harder and more expensive to come by because of limited printing capabilities.  I still consider it pretty low to steal a bible or any other religious item from any type of church. Another ad described a horse that was thought to be stolen. This just proves that no group of people is perfect.

                How is this edition of the Pennsylvania Gazette relevant to me? At first glance it has nothing to do with me. With a deeper examination I found meaning. We claim our lives are so busy because of technology. Are we really busier? Are we slaves to our employers? Do we depend on our own gardening to survive? Do we even cook our own food? The first settlers of this country suffered all kinds of afflictions. Do we have it easy? All generations have their own challenges. Hopefully we can do as those before us and contribute to the future of our country.

     

Harriot, from A Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia, from “Of the Nature and Manners of the People,”

I am always fascinated with the history of the native Americans in this country. I am a American and I feel connected to them because in the end we both called this continent home. Even more important is my relationship to them. I have a small part of Native American in my blood. Most likely I am not related to the people Harriot wrote about. I do feel do feel that my heritage brings me greater interest and sympathy on the subject. I really try to understand how Harriot's writings are relevant to me. The two subjects that caught my attention were the spread of disease among the Natives and the odd relationship between Harriot and the Natives.

                I'm not sure anyone really knows how long the Native Americans had actually lived in the Americas. We do know they must have been separated from other major civilizations for years. Apparently their immune systems had adapted very well to the climate they dwelt in. I have to wonder what kind of bacteria or virus the early explorers carried with them that caused death to the Natives. I'm sure there is some long detailed scientific theory about why and how this could happen. I am grateful  for all of the advancement of technology and medicine today. We no longer have to be mystified and confused by disease. The Natives were terrified they offended the colonist and or God. They were helpless and confused.

                The relationship Harriot Described between the colonist and the Natives were mostly innocent. Harriot described the Natives mostly as simple and not well educated. Although he did admit they were skilled at doing what they do. His descriptions would lead anyone to believe that the Natives were just as kind and loving as any other culture. They welcomed explorers with gifts and mistakenly identified them as Gods. Harriot's description paints a picture of peaceful interaction. Other writers also describe initial contact with Native Americans in a similar manner. Unfortunately we know this peace did not last. Explorers would eventually murder and plunder everything the Natives owned including their land. Harriot's description makes me wonder what would the world be like today if good relationships with the Natives had never ceased.     

                   

What does is it mean to be an American?

• To be free.
• To have citizenship.   
•  Being an American is a privilege and something you need to honor. Americans are free do what they want. 
•  Being American means you uphold the United States Constitution and believe and fight for freedom.