Blog 13

What was your favorite poem? Your least favorite poem? Why?
My favorite poem was my Papa's Waltz, just because I felt like I took a different interpretation of it than a lot of people did. My least favorite poem was Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird. I didn't have any interest of learning about a blackbird.

What was your favorite short story? Your least favorite short story? Why?
My favorite short story is Girl. I really enjoyed how it's written, and mostly how it relates to her life to a T.
My least favorite is Bartleby, because I felt like there was so much more information left to be known. It was a similar feeling of wanting to tell someone something and then forgetting what it was. That feeling of missing something is what I got throughout the whole story.

Should next semester's ENGL150 students read Death of a Salesman?
I'm rather indifferent. If there is another play/film that capture the aspects that you are trying to teach, I would go with that. Probably something that will capture the attention of the viewers more quickly.

How did you feel about watching Hollywood versions of Bartleby and Death of a Salesman? Is there utility in seeing a visual version of something you're responsible to read?
I definitely think being able to see them, rather than just reading them. I was able to get more out of watching it than just reading, definitely!

What was your favorite in-class activity? What was your least favorite in-class activity?
I didn't really have a favorite or non-favorite part of class.

You'll notice that I didn't have your small groups present (even though the syllabus claimed you would). Did you miss that? Would you have rather that whole-class discussions were led by students doing presentations?
No, I am the type of person who does better in small groups. Presenting in front of everyone would pretty much make me forget any knowledge I learned. I am fine in small groups, but being in front of everyone is not a good deal for me. I would almost consider skipping class, rather than presenting in front of everyone.

Finally, what are your feelings on the creative blog entries? Which entry did you enjoy most? Least?
I feel like writing the blog was easy itself. But, because I've never done if for a class, I always ended up forgetting about it until last minute because it was something I was not used to doing or having to remember. I liked the aspect to not have to type something up and hand it in, and rather just have it online.


I can honestly say none of them were my favorite, but my least favorite would having to post as if I were the character.

Grandpa Willy

"Son, you know I couldn't be more proud of you taking after your ol man, playing football like you do! It reminds me of how proud my old man was of me. The only thing was he thought me being good at football was all I needed to be successful in life, but I want you to know, thats not entirely true. Take football as far as you can, but have a back up plan. Papa Willy didn't have a back up plan, and even though he worked his but of for Me, Grandma and your Uncle Happy, he realized a little too late in life that he was not as "liked" as he thought he was which kinda ended his life. He was not happy with what he had thought was his "American Dream" and he realized a tad bit too late. He was a great man, but don't get too sucked in life you Grandfather did, alright?"

Linda's posts

Back then:

I just want Willy to be happy. He works his butt off to provide for his family. He wants Biff and Hap to be successful and well liked, and If thats what he wants, I want it to. They should do what their father wants them to do, considering what he has done for them. I know we don't got a lot of money right now, and that's our first problem. But, Willie just can't accept that, so we don't mention it much.

Now:

I understand Willie has hopes and dreams for his boys, but sometimes you've got to just let them go and do what THEY want to do. If they're happy by accomplishing whatever they accomplish, than I am satisfied and Willie should be too. Not everyone is the same. We are all different and we can't be expecting everyone to go along with what another person wants them to... If the boys become farmers, they've achieved their goals and that's what I'm proud of! We don't got a lot of money now either, but money isn't everything. I've got my family and that what I am most proud and excited about.. We will survive of that I'm sure.

Mrs. Mallard's Facebook

1) How life is but a dream?

2) Is this reality?

3) Please, don't be true?

4) I can't live a life without him...

5) Prayers.

6) What does this mean?

7) Can this be real?

8) My life is a trainwreck

9)  I'm so over this feeling.

10) Dang..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_wreck

Dialogue

"Olivia, guess what I heard my parents say last night!" - Waverly

"What?" - Olivia

"I'll just start right at the beginning, I was pretty sure they were discussing my birthday, so I got my ear real close the the door, and first I heard my mom say..."

Mother:  "We only have a few month to decide..."

Father: " I know, I just want to make sure its the right decision."

Mother: "Either way, it's a good decision."

Father: "But, we got to decide on money, school/work time, and make sure we're prepared!"

Mother: "Well, if we do our first choice, it would be less costly, money and time wise, but the second option is what I want to do."

Father: "I know, but we don't always get to do what we want to do, dear..."

Mother: "But, its her birthday, and growing up I always imagined my daughters 5th birthday being a certain way, and I am just set on it, Michael."

Father: "I'll check at work to get the time off of work, and you talk to her school."

"So, I know were going somewhere and I figured we were gonna go visit my grandma, but I kept listening.. " - Waverly


Mother: "Oh my gosh, I am so excited. Where should we stay? I'll look online and decide where, okay?"

Father: "Well, you are the big planner in the family. I assume everything should be set and ready to go my midnight!"

Mother: "I might be more excited than Waverly will be when she finds out."

Father: "Why don't we tell her?"

Mother: "She's asleep, Michael!"

Father: "You haven't been hearing all the movement in her room?!"

Mother: "I must have been too excited! Waverly, come here, please."

"And, then they told me that we are going to WALT DISNEY WORLD during my birthday! I am so excited, Olivia!"

Test Prep

The statement "form follows function" has been brought up many a time in class and I still wasnt exactly sure how it applied to poetry.

These video is about architecture, not poetry but the way its defined still kinda could fall into poetry.

Test Prep.

I have a hard time figuring out how to measure a poem in feet. THIS website is rather informative.


This video is a fun way to learn about the IAMBIC PENTAMETER.