Carnival Post

This last section of American Literature has focused primary on works from the postmodernism period. Postmodernist literature contains a broad range of concepts and ideas that include: responses to modernism and its ideas, responses to technological advances, greater diversity of cultures, society and history.There are a few similarities to modernist literature. Like modernist literature, both are usually told from an objective or omniscient point of view. Both literatures explore the external reality to examine their characters thoughts and feelings. Some common themes include irony, playfulness, and black humor. 

The first postmodern author we encountered was Theodore Roethke. We focused in particular on his poem "My Papa's Waltz." Like most postmodern authors, Roethke tends to reject outright meanings in his poems, and, instead, highlights and celebrates the possibility of multiple meanings, or a complete lack of meaning, within a single literary work. While reading "My Papa's Waltz," there are vague references in word choice to a possible darker situation then simply a child dancing with their father. However suspicions are never confirmed or clearly identified. 

The second postmodern author was Robert Lowell in his poem "Skunk Hour." One identifiable postmodern device Lowell uses is intertextuality, or the acknowledgment of previous literary works within another literary work. Specifically Lowell wrote "Skunk Hour" in response to Elizabeth Bishop's "The Armadillo." Both authors reference a lack of control of their situation in their poem. Lowell is also known for his confession poetry. 

We read Alice Walker's "Every Day Use" next. In this short story the postmodern philosophical perspective is pretty cynical and takes nothing that is presented at face value. While reading, the reader is drawn to the character Maggie and the mother, because of their struggle. The other sister Dee easily becomes the villain in most minds, when in reality all characters represent equally acceptable points of view. 

Later, we read Sylvia Plath's "Lady Lazarus" which used the postmodern concept of faction, or the mixing of actual historical events with fictional events without clearly defining what is factual and what is fictional. Throughout the poem, references to the Holocost are written in a mirrored fashion to the narrator's own personal plight. We know for a fact that the author is both not Jewish or a Holocost survivor, but it's obvious she identified with certain elements of war. The line between what actually happened and what is fictional is blurred. 

One of my favorite short stories from this section was Flannery O'Connor's "Good Country People." O'Connor renounces the possibility of 'grand narratives' and, instead, argues that all belief systems and ideologies are developed for the express purpose of controlling others. This is evident in the don't-judge-a-book-by-it's-cover vibe throughout the entire story. In the story, all the characters are fooled by the unassuming bible salesman. 

Another author we read was Philip Roth in "Defender of the Faith." Minimalism, or the use of characters and events which are decidedly common and non-exceptional, is used in this short story. This is apparent in Roth's focus on the character Marx's internal struggle between taking care of his fellow jewish soldiers and his service and dedication to his country. 

Lastly, we read Don DeLillo's "Mao II." This book encompassed one of the most apparent postmodern themes. The various disasters that occurred in the last half of the 20th century left a number of writers with a profound sense of paranoia. They also gave them an awareness of the possibility of utter disaster and apocalypse on the horizon. This is evident in DeLillo's focus on both terrorism and a desire for seclusion. 

Don DeLillo: Mao II (Chapter 3-End of part 1)

While reading this section, I thought a lot about the idea of conforming to society, something the characters in this book seem very adamant about not doing. Why do we feel the need to be identical copies of each other, all under the false guise of individuality? I think of the term "hipster." When you think of a hipster, you think of one of those out-of-the-box, against-the-grain type people. Hipsters wear scarves in summer and drink iced latta's in the middle of blizzards. I don't know anyone personally who identifies as a hipster, but my impression is that they believe they are the most unique human beings. But are they? Are you truly unique if your simply following a movement?

James Wright: A Blessing

Reading this poem was like reading my thoughts from when I was a young girl. Growing up on a hobby farm, we always had plenty of ponies around. One in particular was very important to me.  This poem reminded me of her (minus the last 2 stanzas). She was an old pony, miraculously living to be 32 years old. But of all our horses, she was the nurturer. When young children rode her, she seemed to be extra aware to tread lightly and never spooked. Once when my saddle slipped and I fell off, she stood over me like a big guard dog until my mom was able to unmount and help me back on. She also looked out for any of the younger horses, like a surrogate mother. 

The way that James Wright depicts the two ponies in this poem is very whimsical. I read that he modeled many of his poems after Robert Frost, which makes sense. Overall, I found it to be a refreshing change from some of the harsher poems we have read for this class.

Don DeLillo: Mao II (Intro-chapter 3)

"The future belongs to the crowds"


When we talked about this in class, I really started to ponder the significance of being apart of a crowd. Sometimes, we are apart of crowd to support a common goal. Other times we are simply all enjoying the same concert. Most often, we are in a crowd to experince somthing bigger then ourselves.


 I think of a high school graduation. For the graduate, the day is about you, but you are not really the main attraction. The graduate is simply their to recieve their diploma and exit high school. For the members of the crowd, you are there to support someone typically, but the day is not about you. All the people at the graduation are important in their own way. Everyone probably experiences the same feeling of pride when the graduates cross the stage.


In Mao II, Karen is similar to a graduate. The day is about her and the others getting married, but she is not a main character in the events. They are all simply apart of the crowd, each with their own purpose.

Raymond Carver: Cathedral

I have had the privlage of working with some truly amazing students and young adults with the organization Handiriders (now called Horse Power). A majority of these people were blind. Though their sight is nonexsistent often, they had some of the largest imaginations I have ever encountered. I think that is the lesson that the husband in this story learns. His wife's friend initialy makes him uncomfortable, because of his blindness. But once he "sees" things from Robert's eyes, his whole perspective changes.


I don't think this is a limited lesson. I believe we encounter situations often where we already have preconcieved notions only to be perplexed by our misunderstanding.

Philip Roth: Defender of the Faith

I'd like to focus on the the very end of this short story. Up until this piont, Sergent Marx has been almost a jewish savior for the men under his command. He has time and again stood up for their faith and protected them from discrimanation. That is why it is almost tragic when you realize that all along he has basically been manipulated. Faith has not been their true motive, but an emotional vehical in which they can steer Marx with.


This is so relevent to today. How often do we claim to use our faith to fuel a belief/movement/cause when truly our intent is anything but a faithfull response? If our true intent is to hold fast to our faith, our actions should not contradict that. In the same way, Marx sees the actions of Grossbart as almost a failure of their faith. If he truely stood by his convictions, Marx would not had to work to see his plans changed.

Flannery O'Connor: Good Country People

As I read this short story, I reflected on the most common assertions I make in my own life. For example, I often expect that someone working at McDonalds is in high school, that my mailman is trustworthy enough not to look through my mail, and that my college professors genuinly care about how I am doing in their class. For the most part, I believe these assumptions are normally true, but their are exceptions. In "Good Country People," Joy/Hulga, the bitter one-legged daughter of Mrs. Hopewell, along with all the residents of the Hopewell house, are tricked into believing that Manley Pointer is a simple Bible salesman for the same reason that I believe my mailman is a good man. In no other words, we judge books by their covers and people by their apperance. My mailman was well dressed, friendly, and always on time. This lead me to believe he will always deliver my mail unmolested. However, a week ago I recieved a letter from the post office informing me that credit card statements had been found opened in his vehical from myself and others on his route. He certainly was not what he appeared. Manley has the whole package: a convincing story, unassuming appearance, and relatively simple demeanor. But, he also is not what he appears.