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.

Sylvia Plath: Lady Lazarus

Similar to the reasons why I disliked Howl, I also disliked Lady Lazarus. It is hard to read the words of someone so obviously struggling with suicidal thoughts and feelings. The way in which the author carelessly describes her attempts at ending her own life as well as continueing to pursue death is depressing. I read from the biography that she did in fact kill herself eventually. How horrible. How horrible that someone could so obviously be writing poems about wanting life to end, and no one took it upon themselves to watch out for her. The way in which she describes her sufferings to the suffering the jews faced in their inhumane deaths at the hands of the Nazi's is truly horrifing. In the end of the poem, the way she describes the remains as mearly her ring, a filling, and bones makes it seem like she truly see no value in her life.

Allen Ginsberg: Howl

I did not like this poem. That may seem childish, but I truly did not enjoy reading this poem. Possibly my biggest reason for disliking this poem was the the subject matter. The people in this poem were suffering at the hands of their drug, like slaves to a master. The imagery was vulger and horrible. It would truly hurt me to see someone I know experience the lifestyle that is described in part one. The last two sections of this poem were very confusing to me. I imagine the author may have had some delusions. Specifically in the second part, it bothered me that their seems to be blame placed on the parents of these indivuals. In my experience, when you do drugs, that's your choice, not a consequence of the way you were raised. That is simlar to saying that if you weren't hugged enoungh as a child, surely you will become a sociopath. The last part was the only part I minutly enjoyed. It was the saving grace of this awful poem. At least in the midst of all this struggle and choas, one person has someone looking out for them. One person has someone to heed a little encouragement from.

Alice Walker: Everyday Use

This story reminds me of  my great-grandparents estate sale. Estate sales seem to bring all kinds of people out of the woodwork. My family attened, because we hoped to each purchase a piece of my great-grandparents legacy. There were also antiquers who attended hoping to find different antique treasures to add to their collections or display in their homes. Another group of people showed up specifially to purchase the farm equipment and land. Lastly, there were the people I like to call the scavengers. The scavengers were hoping to buy items cheap at the estate auction so they could turn around and sell for a profit. Throughout the day, they would talk down certain items to other interested people so that no one would bid. It was strange seeing so many different people look at your families possesion with so many different desires. Some items which held sentimental value to us, was look at as junk by the others.


In Everyday Use, Maggie sees the quilts and other items for what they are. She will use them in the way they were created to be made. Her sister Dee would make them displays, as well as use them to remember the past and preserve that way of life. Neither are in the wrong! All the poeple at the estate auction were there with perfectly sincere intentions, even though some of their intention may have seemed frusterating to us as the family. When you read this story, part of you wants to dislike Dee, but at the same time you must realize that in reality both desires are truly okay.

Robert Lowell: Skunk Hour

I was captivated by this poem. There is a sense throughout the entire poem that you are standing on the edge of the end. The narrater describes a pleasent location, but you can easily decipher that things are changing. There are no longer lovers parked at the top of the hill, or shops open along the main strip. The poem is named approipriatly, because it would seem the skunk and her kittens are the only ones left who still care.

Theodore Roethke: My Papa's Waltz

Reading the poems by Theodore Roethke, I found myself relating to My Papa's Waltz. My grandpa used to take us down to his farm and have us help with anything and everything. Sometimes, the tasks would be, to most concered parents, a little too much for children of our age. I remember one such occasion in which we were cutting wire off an old fence. My grandpa had my cousin holding a stip of barb wire about twenty yards away from the strand he was working on cutting. My grandma was watching with an exasperated expression, but had realized years ago argueing with him probably wouldn't change his mind. Sure enough, my granpa cut the wire and it rolled right into my cousin giving him a nice cut on his chin that ended up needing stiches. Similar to in My Papa Waltz's I know my grandpa cared for all of us grandkids, but probably didn't know the bounderies between what we were capable of doing and what we were too young for. Like the narrartor in the poem, I both loved my grandpa, but also recognized the strange ways that he would put us at risk unkowingly.

Zora Neale Hurston: Their Eyes Were Watching God (Chapter 17-20)

The theme of the novel is summarized by Janie in three sentences: "you got tuh go there tuh know there...Two things everybody got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves." These sentences empower direct action by all people, women and men alike. Janie has discovered that she must live for herself in order to be self-fulfilled.

More difficult to understand, perhaps, is the theme of "going to God" or "watching God." Why would Janie recommend that all people find God? Janie "finds God" in the hurricane. The might and fury of the storm causes Janie and her friends to seek a larger meaning behind the storm. They watch God to try to glimpse a meaning behind nature's fury, nature's creation, and their own destinies.

Zora Neale Hurston: Their Eyes Were Watching God (Chapters 11-16)

In the beginning of these chapters, the love between Janie and Tea Cake is tested for the first time, and they reveal their true selves to one another. To start, Janie hides money in her dress in case the relationship with Tea Cake does not work out. She has smalls doubts that his feelings for her are fueled by her wealth. Her withholding of the money, at Phoebe's advice, suggests that Janie is not prepared to be completely vulnerable and honest with Tea Cake. Tea Cake, too, holds back part of himself. He does not reveal his real friends to Janie, thinking that she would dislike him once she knew them. By the end of this section, however, Tea Cake and Janie finally are able to be more honest with one another.
Unlike her relationship with Jody, it seems that Tea Cake is willing to be more of a companion rather then a domineering partner. For Janie, this is in her mind her first real chance at happiness despite what others may think. 

Zora Neale Hurston: Their Eyes Were Watching God (Chapter 5-10)

In these chapters, Janie and Joe take the train from Maitland to Eatonville. When they arrive in Eatonville, both are disappointed with the town. Joe demands to talk to the mayor, but one of the men tells him that there is no mayor. Joe tells Coker that he thinks that the town is too small and that he will buy land from Captain Eaton, the gentleman that owns the neighboring land. Joe calls a meeting on his porch the next day to discuss his desire to build a post office and put up a store. The townspeople agree that building a store is a good idea. Joe earns back all the money he invested in building the store by selling land to people who want to move to the town.
Joe has established himself as "important" from the very beginning in this town. His character in these moments foreshadows his actions that will follow throughout the rest of the book. He is a control freak to a degree. He controls the town, he controls the store, and he controls Janie. 

Zora Neale Hurston: Their Eyes Were Watching God (Chapters 1-4)

The novel begins with a passage about the differences between the dreams of men and women. Men's dreams are like distant ships. For few men, the ship comes in and the dream is realized very quickly. For other men, the ship sails for a long, long time on the horizon. By the time these dreams finally can be realized, so much time has passed that the dreams are worthless. Unlike Men, women don't wait and watch for their "ship to come in." However, some women have dreams and some do not. And for the women, the mere possession of the dream is what matters.

T. S. Elliot: "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"

What a bizarre love poem, or I suppose I should say lack of love poem. The narrater, J. Alfred Prufrock, is quiet the odd character. He appears to genuinely want to find this "love," but his self-doubt, stands in the way. Rather then seeing himself as the romantic character in this story, he sees himself as more of a fly on the wall. In the end, he sincerely regrets his decision. I think he recognizes that he has lost his chance to grab life in that moment. It's almost sad that he concludes that he will most likely not find "love."
I find it's probably a very realistic situation though. How often do we chicken out, if you will, when we are faced with monumental moments in life. The narrater will question his decision to not act for the rest of his life.

Wallace Stevens: "Sunday Morning"

While reading "Sunday Morning" by Wallace Stevens, I found myself reminded of funerals. Frequently the notion of death before beauty is brought up multiple times throughout the poem. Stevens seems to hint that death is apart of an eternal cycle. The seasons mimic this relationship as the Earth dies in the fall and comes back to life in the spring. He mentions the idea of paradise almost as a negative, since he sees the lack of change as imperfect. He concludes that death is needed in order to truly understand and appreciate beauty. This beauty is designed to be the final reality.
Conceptually, Steven's ideas seem to question Christianity. The fundamental christian belief of resurrection echoes the ideal of death before beauty, because Christ death on the cross was necessary for our salvation. However, unlike the seasons, Christ doesn't need to keep dying.  

Robert Frost: "Mending Wall"

We have all heard the saying "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors." My dad quotes it yearly every time we go to harvest the hay field that boarders our neighbors property. So I find it extremely interesting that Frost seems to be challenging this firmly held belief rather then conform to it. The narrater of the poem asks "why do they make good neighbors?" He proceeds to wonder about the purpose of a fence, specifically a fence between apple trees and pines. He questions what is being kept in/out. I find this extremely interesting. The fence between my dad's hay field and the neighbor was built to keep the neighbor from accidentally crossing the property line with his hay cutter. In a way, the fence was built to avoid any possible conflict that could result from forgetting the "fence." Frost, I believe, understands this. He knows the fence somehow makes his neighbor feel safe. The fence contains what is theirs.

Jack London's To Build a Fire

Jack London has created an unforgettably tragic tale which illustrates a modern philosophic theme. This story’s theme speaks of human kind's need to find meaning in the sufferings of our solitary existence. The environment which is both hostile and indifferent to our sufferings. London illustrates this theme in three ways: through his choice of setting, his imagery, and his placement of irony within the story.

The story is set in the wilderness of the frozen Yukon during the harsh winter months when “there was no sun nor hint of sun” in the sky. London places character in the perilous setting of the wilderness of the Yukon. When London combines this unforgiving environment with the deadly cold of the Yukon winter, he creates a setting which is the definition of hostile.

Imagery is also an important element that London uses to emphasize his theme. Earl Labor sees the “mood and atmosphere, which is conveyed through repetitive imagery of cold and gloom and whiteness,” as being “the key to the story’s impact." He simply cannot imagine a more careless environment. 

Lastly, London also uses irony. The man is “keenly observant” as he moves through the treacherous terrain of the Yukon. He is constantly on the lookout for signs which tell of the hidden dangers that he wishes to avoid, but, ironically, the man “falls through the ice” in an area which is absent of any “treacherous signs." The man gets a further dose of the impassive nature of the universe when, after painstakingly starting a fire, the fire is ironically snuffed out by falling snow just as he is about to begin thawing out his freezing feet. 

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn-The last Chapters

I would like to write my post not focusing on the literal ending of the book, but rather identify some of the lasting impression left after reading this book. First, let's look at reasons why this book may be considered controversal.


"Many people see Adventures of Huckleberry Finn not as an attack on racism, but as inherently racist itself. African Americans and others, led by the NAACP, begin to challenge the book in the 1950s, appalled by the novel's portrayal of the slave Jim and its repeated use of the word "nigger.""


I grabbed this quote off of PBS, a pretty recognizable organization. Understandably, this books use of language has impact on the reader. Simply speaking, we know that it would not be ethical to call people the "n" word. As far as the portrayal of racism in the treatment of the slave Jim, I believe we need to all remember that this books "voice" is that of a fourteen year old. How did you see the world at that age? I would argue that Huck does in fact wrestle with complicated feelings about the right and wrongness of what to do about Jim. To suggest that Huck should have a complete metaporphasis of character would go against the history of the book.


Others, including me, I think are more likely to see this book in a different light. Living in South Dakota, where I can pretty resonably say I have not been exposed to much racisim, I do not recognize racism in Twain's novel. I recognize a the transition between boy and man, as well as the begining of self-accualization. As a reader, we may hope that this book concludes in a specific way, but ultimately we are mearly along for the reader. We may be ready to add up all the injustice we notice throughout the book and make a decision to change, but Huck may not.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Chapters 23-33

  One of the major themes of the novel is the separation of races. Over the course of the novel, Huck's opinion of Jim changes. In the beginning of their voyage, Huck feels he shouldn't be helping Jim to freedom and almost turns him in to slave catchers.  Huck says on page 160, "I was paddling off, all in a sweat to tell on him; but when he says this (that Huck is his one and only friend) it seemed to take the tuck all out of me." Huck soon realizes that he enjoys Jim's company and when the duke and the king sell Jim, Huck breaks down and cries. When asking the duke where Jim was, Huck says on page 236, “‘Sold him’ I says, and begun to cry; ‘why he was my nigger, and that was my money. Where is he? -- I want my nigger.’" Jim was important to Huck because he knew all kinds of signs about the future, people's personalities, and weather forecasting. Even more important, Huck feels a comfort with Jim that he has not felt with the other major characters in the novel. With Jim, Huck can enjoy the best aspects of his earlier influences. Jim allows Huck freedom, but he does it in a loving, rather than an uncaring, fashion. 

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Chapters 15-22

This section has some downright confusing things happening throughout. First, we follow Huck and Jim further down the river. A great fog causes them to separate and spend hours whooping trying to track one another's movements. Huck is confronted with the fact that Jim genuinely cares about his whereabouts after he tries to trick Jim into thinking that their separation was just a dream. Then they are separated once again, when a boat rams them causing Huck to wind up on shore with the Grangerfords, a family with a vendetta against the Shepherdson family for reasons unknown. After a shootout, Huck leaves the Granderfords and reconnects with Jim. Not long after, Jim and Huck meet two deceitful characters, the Duke and the Dauphin. But the part that most confused me was the murder of the town drunk and Sherburn's speech that follows.

Sherburn's speech is one of the most profound statements on human nature in the entire book. He attacks the cowardice of the crowd and behavior of his fellow citizens. Like Huck, we are moved by his speech but confused. After all, he just killed a man in cold-blood!

Even though this section is confusing, it leads me to believe a very important fact about human kind. We are all incredibly imperfect. A murderer can cannot society's flaws just as easy as a paster can preach about brotherly love. 

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Chapters 6-14

My absolute favorite chapter in this book is by far the chapter in which Huck dresses up like a girl. I like to imagine that if had seen him I also would have been able to see through his clever costume.  

One thing I have observed throughout this entire book is that Huck is an incredibly last liar. When confronted with sticky situations, he is always capable of creating a semi-plausible scenario that either absolves him instantly from trouble or covers a mistake from his initial lie. I do not have this ability. Once, when I was caught decorating a basement for a friends surprise party, my only explanation for my presence in that basement was "it was raining." Huck seems to have developed this initial talent through interactions with his father. I recall his quick explanation to why his clothes were wet after finding the canoe. What does this say about him as a character? It leads me to assume  he does not often feel comfortable with the truth. It will be interesting to see if he continues to smudge the truth throughout the rest of the book, or if he confronts reality.

The Adventure of Huck Finn, Chapter 1-5

The first time I read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn I was nine years old. It has occured to me, since that first read, that I in no way understood what I was reading. I have read the book twice since then, and each time I have aquired a bit more knowledge.

My goal as I read this book for the fourth time for class is that I will begin to understand Mark Twain more as an author. I look forward to hearing my classmates reactions to the characters and events in the book as well.

The first five chapters of this book are mostly an introduction into the world that is Huck. We learn that he lives with the Widow Douglas and her sister Miss Watson. We also learn that Huck and his friend Tom Sawyer have recently found a large some of money as well as caught a group of robbers. For Huck, his whole world has just changed. His new guardians have high hopes to educate and civilize him. He has reservations, but overall seems to enjoy some of the luxuries of his new life. His father, who has been in and out of the picture, makes a re-appearance mostly because he wants the money Huck has been promised.

I don't necessarily want to try to "find meaning" from these first few chapters. (I don't want to be shot.) However, I do want to make some observations. My first observation is Huck's character seems to be almost opposite from the Huckleberry Finn character from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In the first book, he is portrayed as a bad boy, rebellious, instigator. In this book, he seems more cautious as well as he has become more of a follower of Tom. My second observation is Huck is very superstitious. He does not believe easy, and speculates a lot about the workings of the world. Lastly, the people in Huck's life seem to lack great connection with him. He does not relate to any of the other characters on a personal level. It would seem he thinks of himself as separate from others.

Whitman/Dickinson Day One

I will be responding/commenting specifically on Emily Dickinson's 

1263 [1129]

Tell all the truth but tell it slant

Success in Circuit lies

Too bright for our infirm Delight

The Truth's superb surprise

As lighting to the Children eased

With explanation kind

The Truth must dazzle gradually

Or every man be blind

This poem caught my attention the most out of everything we were asked to read for class. I found the subject in general, truth, to be very interesting. Some things I noticed or struck me as "different" were the words throughout the poem that are capitalized, the rhyming lines, and Dickinson's use of imagery. 

The words that are capitalized (Success, Circuit, Delight, Truth, and Children) almost seem like subjects within the poem, because of the emphasis put on them. Which makes me wonder if Dickinson wants us to relate these subjects to truth, or if they are just used as examples of moments that involve truth. (?)

 Mostly, I find I can relate to this poem within the context of education. There are so many instances when students are confronted with truth. One example I could think of was plagiarism. While proof-reading a paper for a friend once, I discovered her paper was almost entirely copied from a book in which we had both read. I was then faced with the decision of whether or not to confront her or even possibly the teacher. I identify with the line "tell all the truth but tell it slant." How do we decide what is our truth to tell?