The Blind Man

"Cathedral," by Raymond Carver opens with the narrator telling the reader in a conversational tone that a blind friend of his wife's is coming to visit them. The narrator is clearly unhappy about the upcoming visit. He then flashes back to the story of how his wife met the blind man when she worked for him as a reader. It was during this same time that she was getting ready to marry an officer in the Air Force. When a new chapter in her life is ready to unfold, she tells the blind man goodbye and he asks if he can touch her face. When Robert touched her face, it became is a very important moment in her life. The narrator has a hard time understanding this. Although his wife has kept in touch with the blind man for the past ten years before the story takes place sending each other tapes because Robert wouldn’t be able to read a traditional letter. This will be the first time she has seen Robert since her first marriage and remarriage. Robert himself has just lost his wife and thought that traveling to Connecticut to visit with her family will help deal with his hardship.

There is a sense of loneliness among both the narrator and Robert in this story. The husband is clearly jealous of his wife’s reunion with an old friend from her past, and being a man doesn’t help the situation either. "I wasn't enthusiastic about his visit.... A blind man in my house was not something I looked forward to." Robert’s wife had just died so he is feeling alone too and tries to find comfort by visiting the wife. The story comes to an end when the two men, the narrator and Robert, sit down to start a drawing of a cathedral. The narrator is interested in what Robert actually “sees” while he is blind. Robert’s intension was to put the husband in his own shoes. He had the husband close his eyes as they began to draw. It was at that time that the husband, in a way, felt peace. “It’s really something,” He said.

Make It Right: Special Entry

Joel, of the Old Testament in the Bible was written by the prophet Joel, himself. The name Joel means, “The Lord is God.” Joel urges the people of Judah to turn back to God. With Joash’s corrupted father and grandmother out of the way, Joel took the opportunity for renewal in the land. However, he also warned the people of Judah that there would be judgment, in the form of agricultural disaster as well as severe consequence, if they did not repent. Using the plagues of locusts as an example, Joel sends an image to the people on the coming wrath of God. If there is an interest to personally experience God’s power and work, readers will find that Joel’s prophecies are right on target. His predictions, though can scare a reader at times, will also create inspiration. Joel prophecies the coming of the Holy Spirit, linking God’s work to the Old Testament with the New Testament Church. Reading Joel will display God’s intense for an intimate relationship with all those who love Him and follow His ways. Watch for God’s double-barreled plan for His people. There is a specific plan of punishment for sin, but also a promise to eagerly defend His people. In both of these situations, look for God’s passionate concern for his people.

In the first chapter, verse 4, Joel goes into detail that locusts mean business. They will destroy anything and everything that is in sight. God has a strong desire to bless His people, He wants to, but cannot allow for people to turn from Him and not receive judgment. A clear consequence that the people of Judah can see as an act of God because of their disobedience is, in fact, locusts. While making a loud, terrifying noise with its wings, it brings extreme economic ruin to a people.

In the same chapter, verse five, God speaks through Joel to those living a life of sin in particular. He says “Wake up, you drunkards, and weep!” There were people that had become so comfortable and used to a sinful life, or “drunk,” that it had become a tradition or routine for them. Not only then, but this still occurs today. People become so comfortable with a life they think are “pure” or “honest” in the eyes of God, but in reality, have it all wrong. We take for granted what God has blessed us with and do not, in return, give Him the praise that He is suppose to be given. Joel goes to tell all of Judah to show God their seriousness by declaring a national day of fasting and prayer. In chapter one, verse fifteen, there is talk about “…the day of the Lord…” What is the day of the Lord? I believe that it refers to anytime God decides to deal with a nation or generation is a way He sees fitting so that it will return to its spiritual senses. The final day of the Lord, however, will obviously be when He returns for the second time.

At the start of chapter two, verse one, the locusts come. When readers get to verse twelve, God gives the people of Judah the opportunity to render their hearts to Him and follow in His ways. I feel that people living in sin, or basically in any way in which is not pleasing to the Lord, must repent. God has the ability to perform spiritual surgery. I mean, if repentance does not follow after one sins, judgment will. When there is repentance sought after sin God’s wrath is fully restrained. Repentance restores a relationship with Christ.

Verse eighteen reads, “Then the Lord will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people.” Why the sudden shift from punishment to blessing? God graciously shifts from declaring punishment to displaying divine pity for His people. In verse twenty-five, “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.” The plagues of locusts destroyed years worth of crops. Joel used this as a symbol of the devastation the people brought upon themselves through unfaithfulness and sin. If the nation choose to repent, God promised to make the lands fruitful again in an abundance that would more than make up for what the locusts destroyed. Now, I think that this is a fair trade, would readers agree?

Living a life of sin prevents us from receiving and being able to use all that God has planned for our lives. A specific plan, separate from others, that God has for no one else, is being disrupted all because of disobedience. At the end of chapter two, God reveals to those people and even to us in present day that if we follow in all of His ways then Christ pour out His spirit. He desires for us to have special gifts and to use those gifts for Him.

When we read Joel in class, had activities related to Joel, and then reading the book aloud, I looked at my own life and began to reflect on the message God is displaying. I thought about my daily sins and how I disobey Christ everyday and asked forgiveness on the spot. At that time I just began to think, I realized that sin is the easy way out. It’s hard to think about all the blessings He has placed in my life, and then how I repay Him. It does not add up. We, myself included, have to completely surrender our lives to God. Christ is coming for a second time and we need to be ready. Start now and learn from Joel that punishment and judgment will come. Do you know where you will spend eternity?

tuesday film

Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along was definitely an interesting film. At first I thought there was no way I could take this movie seriously. It was stupid. The humor was dumb and they acting was silly. That is, before I made the attempt to take it seriously and try to take out a realistic issue. For the next 40 minutes or so I sat and watched as the story and message of the movie began to unfold.

I started to see certain things revealed and issues that have been discussed in class. Love and hate, as well as life and death seemed to be the themes of the movie. Dr. Horrible was in love with a girl from the laundry room and Captain Hammer ended up winning that battle. It was made clear throughout the entire movie that “good” prevailed over “evil.” When Dr. Horrible made an attempt to do an evil deed Captain Hammer was there to stop him. The girl was impressed with this and fell for Captain Hammer’s “good heart.” But were his feelings real? Dr. Horrible truly cared about this girl and held her and his arms when she took her last breath. Is that a display of evil? When Captain Hammer ran away?

All in all, this really makes you think about how people really are and/or can be. Some people have a “soft” side and other people are, in a way, “fake.” Judging a book (or a person) by their cover upon first glace doesn’t show who that person really is. However, there is always more to someone than meets the eye. Hatred is a strong word and a feeling. Did Dr. Horrible really have a genuine hatred for Captain Hammer? Question you’re feelings for others and ask yourself if you really hate that person.

Lake Bonny Park

My recent adventure to Lake Bonny Park is something I will never forget. As I started on the path that leads around the park, I began to seek out God and thank Him for what He was made for us to enjoy. Do we really enjoy it? I mean, everything that God has created. I know that being grateful for what God has made in His image has been a “theme” in recent classes, but for me, the time spent in Lake Bonny Park was what I really needed to clearly understand.

I began to really notice, everything, and just thank God for the beauty of nature. As I saw all of His creation, the birds, water, trees, everything, I noticed everything had a purpose, even in nature. I prayed aloud, just seeking out God and trying to have an encounter that would open my eyes, in some way, just to live a better life for Him. I continued on the path and I felt God speaking to me. I had a feeling that I have not before.

He revealed to me a message about peace. Looking at the nature that He created and how peaceful it was ended up meaning something to me. I tend to be “tense” or “uptight” about certain issues or situations in which I feel uncomfortable and/or cannot predict an outcome. He revealed to me that worrying about problems do not make them any better, but to remain calm and push forward. Finding peace and not having this chaotic mindset definitely hit me hard. I smiled. At that very moment, I just felt happy. I felt that God is almost putting before me a trial or challenge. Could it be something that has an effect on my future? That’s just it. Why worry about it? It won’t reveal itself until the time is right. I feel that God wants me to enjoy my life and my surroundings day by day and not try to predict the future. So much was lifted off my chest when I realized what He was trying to have me understand.

On my way back to my car I was given two scriptures that popped right into my head. It was amazing!

Isaiah 40:31
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Mathew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

GOD IS GOOD! That’s all I have to say about that. Trust in Him, live for Him, have faith in Him, and He will give you peace!

In our last class we read, discussed, and analyzed "State of the Planet," written by Robert Hass. Again, I was impressed with another way nature was revealed to me. I learned how to appreciate it more and at the same time had an influence on me. This connected to the video clips we watched in class too. Watching nature, observing the creativity and originality of what God created in His image is truly remarkable.

Not only as Christians, but as a people, we need to realize how blessed we are to even have natural resources. I mean, did God have to do that, for us? We take for granted what God has made for our enjoyment.

On the other hand, there is another way to look at this. Some people are over protective of nature, babying it more than their own child(figuratively speaking). At the same time shouldn't that be the way in which we need to treat one another? I mean, there are so many people that need someone, that need actual love like nature is given.

All in all, the overall message i took from "State of the Planet" and the videos was to not think of myself but also my surroundings, people and nature. To appreciate everything more whether I know about a specific part of nature or know a particular person or not. To, in a way, "love" without judging, knowing, assuming, and not let pride take over. To sum it up, "world peace" i guess.

The Garden

En robe de parade.
Samain

Like a skien of loose silk blown against a wall
She walks by the railing of a path in Kensington Gardens,
And she is dying piece-meal
of a sort of emotional anaemia.

And round about there is a rabble
Of the filthy, sturdy, unkillable infants of the very poor.
They shall inherit the earth.

In her is the end of breeding.
Her boredom is exquisite and excessive.
She would like some one to speak to her,
And is almost afraid that I
will commit that indiscretion.


For the first time this semester I analyzed our reading before being asked to, on my own, to see what I could pull out of The Garden before given any direction. I’d say it was a success. Although at first I was having trouble fully understanding the poem but using imagination and making the attempt to “dig deeper” I got something. The first line that caught my attention as “And she is dying…” This seems to be the overall message of the poem, that “she” is dying and a description of the time, feelings, and surroundings is, in a way, given. “She would like someone to speak to her,” following the previous line tells me that she is alone.


I feel that she really does want someone to speak to her. What if she was of the clergy, being isolated from the rest of society in order to keep her high expectation of a noble woman. In many similar stories most of us have heard throughout our lives, the young girl that is born of nobility seems to grow up alone, meeting depression and a lack a social life at a young age.


Where did I get the noble part from? “She walks by the railing of a path…” could that be a private garden?


“In her is the end of breeding,” only shows that all hope may be gone soon. She is alone and needs someone there for her.


Professor Corrigan had a very insightful reflection on this poem as well, applying similarities to events and situations that have happened in his own life. This is something that I did not think of doing. Actually comparing what we read to our own lives to try to make a “better” or “different” kind of connection. I really enjoyed reading Corrigan’s essay because I was introduced to yet another way of looking at, analyzing, and reading literature

Enemy of the People

I actually enjoyed this play, it was very interesting and grabbed my attention from the start. I was impressed with the acting and the stage setup.

I would like to start out talking about my least favorite character in the play, Peter Stockman. I know, surprise surprise, he is probably everyone's least favorite character, but he annoyed me. I'm aware that this play takes place in a different time period but think about it. If that SAME EXACT character lived among people in today’s society how long would he last? He aggravated me, he really did. Peter Stockman was extremely selfish and his main focus seemed to make people continue their visits. He was the one to turn the whole town against Dr. Stockman. The truth is that the springs had a bacteria in them but Peter would not let this get out to the public.

In reality, this could’ve possibly helped the town. If more people were seeing that they were going to fix the problem and actually did, I believe people would still visit the town.

Dr. Stockman was awesome. He never took anything less than what he thought was right no matter how many people were against him. He is, in fact, the character of the play that I definitely relate to. I stand behind what I think is right until it’s proven otherwise no matter what, however, I have not yet had an entire town come against me. In that case, even more respect to Dr. Stockman. He did not “give in” to what the rest of the town had to say because he had proof in the palm of his hand and no one’s word was going to change that.

What really caught my eye is that Dr. Stockman taught his children to stand firm in what they believe and never let other people influence you when you have the facts. That is what real men do.

It was 8:50am, everyone was ready for the start of the a long ride on that Saturday, kickstands go up at 9. There were twelve motorcyclists that had their gear packed, helmets strapped, keys turned, lined up ready to go. During a group pre-ride discussion everyone agreed to using the buddy system. They would ride in groups of three and be sure to check every 10 to 15 minutes and make sure their buddies were all together. The final destination for the day would be Universal/Orlando CityWalk.

The clock struck 9am and off the went. It was a beautiful day with clear skies, light wind, and a high of 85 degrees for the day. There were twelve different motorcycles present on the ride. This goes to show that everyone had an original interest in a particular bike. The buddy system was working very well and were well on their way to Clearwater Beach until late in the afternoon. After they had stopped for lunch at Chick-fil-A, they had arrived at the beach ready to spend a nice part of the day enjoying the water and soaking up the sun. It was 5pm and the guys were back on their motorcycles headed back to get a quick shower before they started off to CityWalk. It was 7:30pm and all of them were going east on I-4.

They were all having a great time on that Saturday. Everyone was enjoying the weather and the fun at the beach and CityWalk. Around 10:30pm all the guys were ready to head back home for the conclusion of the day. They got on their motorcycles, turned the keys, hit the ignition and off they went. Everyone was extremely tired from the long day and had their minds on getting home, nothing else mattered. I-4 west was the next turn. They would all get on I-4 at Exit 72.

Everyone would get home safe except for one rider. Riding on the overpass going about 80mph, Tyler hit a pothole and lost control of his motorcycle. He went down and slid close to two hundred fifty feet with his motorcycle before it hit a light pole. He was thirty feet from his motorcycle and Tyler's helmet had came off at impact with the road. It was forty yards from where he laid on the ground, unconscious. Luckily, Tyler was second from the back of the pack and Manny had seen the entire accident happen. He stopped on the side of the exit ramp near Tyler and immediately called 911. The ambulance came and saw the bike in a thousand pieces after rolling over and over during the crash. They found Tyler face in the dirt, totally knocked out, not responding to anyone or anything.

Manny told the police everything that had happened and did everything that he could to help his friend. Tyler was breathing. He was quickly rushed to the hospital where he was put in the ER. He looked just about dead because for the first time since Tyler started riding, he decided to set out without his usual protection. He left his gloves and jacket at home. Tyler had gravel dug so far into his hands that doctors had to perform surgery in order to get it all out. He suffered a broken shoulder, two broken ankles, and the road rash took his skin completely off.


Almost 14 hours after the crash he regained consciousness. He had no idea what had happened. The last thing Tyler saw was his body about to hit the ground. He was in excruciating pain. It's a miracle that he lived to talk about it. The other ten riders that were with Tyler and Manny, didn't even know about the crash til they were back in Lakeland. None of them checked, the entire time while riding, to see if everyone was still together. The buddy system, the only rule of the day, was ignored because everyone just wanted to get home. The "what ifs" started to come up in everyone's head. What if Tyler was the last person on the ride and no one had noticed? What if?

Since the accident Tyler has scares and recurring pains that will remind him of what happened for the rest of his life. He has gotten back on his repaired motorcycle and is riding again. This time wearing all of his protective gear and is much more cautious than before.

Expression

This past Thursday, while on another fun trip planned by Professor Corrigan, we went to the Polk Museum of Art. This had been my first time to an actual art museum. There were so many paintings that definitely surprised me. The creativity of the paintings were so original and meaningful in their own way. Not only was a painting well put together and creative but there was also a sense of passion by the artist. I could feel that their was so much meaning and time put into each piece of art. Being able to really appreciate what these artists have put together was definitely, in a way, overwhelming. Walking through each exhibit changed me not only in how to react to each painting but also altered my overall view of art. Prior to this trip I had to interest in art but after past activities in the class I have learned to appreciate it more. Going to the Polk Museum of Art was the "icing on the cake" for me. It is such a outgoing and straight-forward way of expression for those who have a particular passion for art. The physical paint is only half of the art. There is so much meaning when one looks through the canvas.
Bono said, "There's no retirement for an artist, it's your way of living so there's no end to it." Ain't it the truth. It's a gift. It's a special talent.
The more and more one views it, studies it, and connects with art, he or she can really feel for what the artist is expressing in the work.
There is a need for more unity among people today and I feel that it can be found in art. There are many ways of doing this and art seems to be, by far, one of the most effective. I believe that art has the ability to express reality and communicate it to people and make people realize reality. This can allow people to really look into themselves and see who they really are and to make an impact in the life of another.

How?

He walks out of the tunnel. Then starts a steady jog as his adrenaline begins to pump from the noise the fans are making. He is confident yet worried. The team captain has more than just the duty of playing his position. He plays both sides of the ball and special teams. He leads his team with more experience and talent that they all look to in a time like this. Kickoff, he returns it to his own 42 yard line. He looks to the stands and sees a wild crowd, chanting 22!, wearing 22 on their face. He's ready for what could be the best game of his high school career. First play, the quarterback hands him the ball to the left, it's a run! He refuses to take minimal yards. He fights his way through 3 defenders and breaks lose down the sideline for a 58 yard touchdown! He is going crazy, his team is going crazy, the fans are going crazy. He scores 3 touchdowns in the game before it happened. His third touchdown would lead to the most devastating time of his life. 11 Spartan players came out for the extra point. The kick went up, it was good. Only 10 players returned to the sideline. Number 40, laying on the field, was holding his ankle. He immedeatly ran to see what was wrong with his best friend. 40 had a broken ankle in a few places, not a big deal. "I'll win this for you Mark, we WILL win this for you," Adam said. After the ambulance had left the game resumed. 22 would then go crazy as he collected 9 consecutive tackles on defense to lead the team with 16 for the game. 252 total yards and 4 touchdowns was the best game of his high school career. He called Mark's brother on the way home. Brother said everything was alright and Mark would be out of hospital in the morning. He had a bad gut feeling but he did not know what it was. He couldn't sleep that night, tossing and turning, he knew something was wrong. He woke up the next day and a meeting was called at the high school, on a Sunday, for the entire football team. Mark had died in the hospital of an overdose to pain medication by the doctors. He was furious, sad, confused, depressed. How?

Chapter 2

Homework! Oh, homework!
I hate you! You stink!
I wish I could wash you
away in the sink.
If only a bomb
would explode you to bits.
Homework! Oh, homework!
You're giving me fits.
I'd rather take baths
with a man-eating shark,
or wrestle a lion
alone in the dark,
eat spinach and liver,
pet ten porcupines,
than tackle the homework
my teacher assigns.
Homework! Oh, homework!
You're last on my list.
I simply can't see
why you even exist.
If you just disappeared
it would tickle me pink.
Homework! Oh, homework!
I hate you! You stink!

taking today's off

Sacred Reading or Lectio Divina

The exercise the class did together on Tuesday, Lectio Divina, yet again changed my view of how one can approach and participate in literature. Not only does this require in-depth attention and quality time but also deep meditation of the mind and heart. I think that majority of those not "into" literature only think about the amount he/she has read. Instead, take a little more time to really "tune in" to what message literature is trying to relay to its readers.

Lectio Divina can be a repeating reading of the same work 4 times and each time looking at it from a different perspective. 1st, capturing any word or phrase that stands out to you, reflect on the reading, think of a prayer you are familiar with that you can connect to the reading, and lastly, simply rest in the spirit.
One could ask, because I certainly did at first, "why in the world are we doing this?" But you realize that the physical words on the paper are only half of the meaning in literature. If we as readers will see with our eyes, hear with our ears, focus with our minds, and reflect with our hearts we will truly be able to see how there is a deep meaning behind literature that is only revealed through an open mind set and devotion to the work.
This exercise was another addition to a great activity that opens up readers to really experience more than just simple words on paper

painting scripture

My painting is currently in the process off being scanned(havent figured out how to use it yet) it will be up shortly, hopefully. My painting from class illustrated
Joel 2:1
Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on my holy hill.
Let all who live in the land tremble,
for the day of the LORD is coming.
It is close at hand.

This verse captured my attention as soon as i read it and inspired me in which this passage led me to paint. I am always drawn to scripture that refers to a time that God is coming again.
I started my painting off by painting the trumpet. To me, this is what stands out in Joel 2:1. "...sound the alarm on my holy hill..." just think, that the entire world will be able to hear it, isn't that cool? I'm excited, are you excited?
This is something I have never done before. Painting an illustration of certain scripture? I realized that it allows me to think and, in a way, meditate more in depth on a particular verse and really understand the message that God is trying to get across to us.

The activities in the class is really opening my mind to look at literature from a different angle. In the beginning, I read something and put it away. I didnt try to understand it as long as i read it cover to cover. I am realizing that literature does have meaning behind it, including the Bible, and I am actually looking beyond the words of everything I read now. I'm excited and look forward to more activities that give me more insight and interest in literature.

by the lake

As I read Joel aloud while walking the campus on Tuesday I was also trying to figure out how to approach scripture in the Bible as literature. Also, reading aloud was something different for me, I enjoyed it. This allowed me to read every word and not skip lines and I was able to speak in a way that made the Bible make more sense to me. I sensed emotion and a different feeling that could not have happened reading it to myself and not aloud. i was able to truly look into the scripture and find its meaning as well as the message God is trying to relay to readers in Joel. Nature itself is talked about in Joel and being outside and reading, basically directly to nature, opened my eyes to something new. He has blessed us with nature because He loves us.

Reading aloud has a different meaning from one person to another. Each person reading aloud can create their own way tone, pauses, and emotion in reading the scripture. People can use their own imagination to have an understanding of what the message portrays. The Bible is unique in its own way and even so different people can interpret the Bible in their own way.

JOEL

A prophet of God, Joel, was in fact, the author of the book of Joel. Joel is not one of the books of the Bible that many people have clear knowledge about. It actually is all about God's specific plan of punishment for those who sin but also His promise to defend his people and love them. In the book of Joel, God displays a passionate concern for His people.

In reading Joel, a Christian will realize that a relationship with God is not an easy one and there are many trials that need to be overcome.

Joel 2:12-13 says "'Even now,'" declares the Lord, "'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.'""
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
This passage caught my attention and made me think that God does get angry when we, His people, fail and disappoint Him BUT He will still love us and bless us.

Joel starts out the book by sending His army of locusts across the land, but turns them far away when His people come to realize that God means business. He blesses them with in return with all that they could need and a full stomach.

The love of God is real and in Joel when it reads, "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm on my holy hill," in chapter 2 verse 1, there is a reminder to people that God is returning for His people. This could happen at any time and I believe that now is the time for true repentance. God loves us and in return just wants us to love Him and live by His ways to enter Heaven. I do not think He is asking to much. As Christians, we need to realize that God is real and He will be back

"When Lylacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd"

A) Favorite or most challenging lines:
Song of the bleeding throat,
Death’s outlet song of life,(for well, dear brother, I know
If thou wast not gifted to sing, thou would’st surely die.

In trying to pull something out of these lines and still slightly confused, I would say that there is an automatic invitation to death if one could sing. "Song of the bleeding throat, in a way, gives a "heads up" for the next line which can be read as if one was given a voice to sing, they will die.


And the singer so shy to the rest receiv’d me,
The gray-brown bird I know, receiv’d us comrades three,
And he sang what seem’d the carol of death, and a verse for him I love.

Similar to the lines above, these lines also describe a song of death, "...the carol of death," line 128. In a way, this could be a repetitive message with different use of words.

B)Personal Response:
I can relate to this poem having to deal with death quite a bit in my life. I have large families on both sides and in the past 5 years there have been 8 deaths in the family. Although death is part of life, it is extremely hard to deal with after losing those that are loved most. Those who have brought the family so close together are now gone. This poem sends a specific message about death and I understand that there is a feeling of loneliness and sadness for awhile. I easily forget the death of someone close in my life but always remember the impact that he or she has had on my life.


C) Historical Information:
This poem is part of a series of poems that were written after Lincoln's assassination. This poem also makes reference to problems that occurred during the time of the Civil War. This is said to be a poem of mourning, which makes sense, of the death of a high ranking public figure(Abraham Lincoln). In reading "When Lilacs Last in the Doorway Bloom'd" I believe Whitman is attempting to figure out the best way to mourn the death of someone significant.
http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/whitman/section7.rhtml

Since love is something that my professor,peers, and i have discussed in class, Im taking this to go more in depth. What is love?

Who really knows what love ACTUALLY is? I mean, is there ONE solid definition that puts all other "loves" to shame? There was one case in one of our readings in which love between a man and a woman involved physical abuse, emotional abuse, threats and so on. There was a situation in another text in which a man thought he was in love with the "girl of his dreams" but in reality is was more like an unhealthy obsession because the feelings were not mutual.

In the real world today, love more often then not seems to "make or break" and individual or couple. I believe that in order for two people to truly love each other they must both have the same opinion on what "love" really is.

All in all, people need to understand God's love. The love He has for us. More often then not love is not returned.
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5

When you are in Love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams.

The Things They Carried

Tim O'Brien's story ,"The Things They Carried," Lieutenant Jimmy Cross is in charge of a platoon including seventeen men during the Vietnam War. All his attention seems to be drawn to a girl named Martha, who is a junior in college back home and has no involvement in the Vietnam War. LT. Jimmy Cross loves Martha and knows she will never return the same feelings however, he continues to love her even after the war. He thinks about her all the time. He wonders what she is doing, thinks about boyfriends she might have and becomes jealous. It was during one of the times that he is "spaced out" that one of the men in the platoon is shot in the head. Jimmy realizes that it was because of his lack of attention that one of his men was lost. He is now dedicated to the safer well-being of his men and tells himself not to think of Martha anymore. He thinks that the men might possibly become irritated with Jimmy because he is suddenly enforcing more rules for the better safety of the platoon.


Jimmy's desire to be a strong leader for his platoon was disrupted by the "love" he had for Martha back home. Was it really love? It seems to me that it was more of an unhealthy obsession that he wanted to be a reality. They were thousands of miles apart and the "love" only went one way too. She wasn't one of those girls that were "waiting for a man to come home to him." Yes, she wrote letters to Jimmy and he had a picture of her but she never expressed emotions towards Jimmy.


This is a familiar issue, love that is given but not always returned. God's love for us, more often then not, is not returned despite all that he does for us. Another issue is that of not letting emotions get the best of you, this is all around even today. Especially in Vietnam, most men had fears, concerns, and hurt that they not dared let be seen in front of the rest of the platoon. They put on their "war face" and head into battle like many of us today. Many people today act different on the outside, but are crushed on the inside. This could potentially be very hard on a person because of built up emotions, fear, hurt that is never let out.

"What We Talk about When We Talk about Love"

In Raymond Carver's short story titled, "What We Talk about When We Talk about Love," two couples are gathered around a table with a bottle of gin. Something said by the narrator very early in the story, "...somehow got on the subject of love," (901) would become the subject for the entire story. Mel, the main character of the story, seems to have a very open mind on love. However, there are times in the story when he is sometimes rude and inconsiderate to those around him. The first story talked about was from Terri and how the man she was with prior to Mel "...loved her so much he tried to kill her" (901). Whether you want to call it love or not, the thought of beating up your significant other and constantly threatening her does not seem like love at all but more like dominance and control. Terri made an attempt to defend her prior lover whenever Mel would criticize him for what he had done. Terri went on to say, "Sure, it's abnormal in most people's eyes. But he was willing to die for it. He did die for it" (903). For the first part of the story most of the talking went on between Mel and Terri while Nick and Laura would question them and ask to continue their stories. Mel believed that real love was, in fact, simply spiritual love. Both couples continued to drink and loosen up a tad more on the main subject, especially Mel. The other story was about the old couple that had been in the crash. That was real love, that the husband was depressed because he could not see his wife. The story is left with the couples sitting around the table in absolute silence. What were they all thinking about?

Assignment 1

I have many memories of Literature throughout my schooling career. My earliest memory leads back to 1st grade when the class read a Clifford book aloud. Obviously, a story about a giant red dog would catch the eye of most 6 year old children, and it did. I remember that book like I read it yesterday. My most recent memories of literature are the short stories titled "Yellow Wallpaper," Charlotte Perkins Gilman and "A Good Man is Hard to Find," by Flannery O'Connor. Both of these were pieces of literature that will always remember because I became interested while reading them. Many people forget what they have read if there is no significant interest in the piece.
From a view that literature does matter, people could look at literature as a written form of art in a way that they are expressing themselves through written words rather than traditional art, or pictures. People also seem to find it hard to talk about a painting whereas talking about a character in a story is something that almost everyone is able to do.
There are also ways in which literature does not matter. Some may say that it is to improve reading skills, period, the end. There is no need to "read between the lines" or "take literature to your heart." I have heard people say that there is no need to analyze most pieces of literature because they have no meaning, no real thought put in to the work. I am going to side both ways on this one. Yes, I think that literature is, in a way, a form of art. Something that authors actually do put their lives into in order for many to express themselves. On the other hand, I do not believe that literature needs to be analyzed to death. There is no need to try to get into the authors mind and try to figure what his or her purpose was in writing a work or going "deep into the books roots" to understand the piece of literature better.