Saturday, August 25, 2012
Welcome to Eng 4U1
I entitled this blog "Literature is about Humanity" because in the day to day learning of English Lit. it's easy to forget that literature is ALWAYS about WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN.
Stories, poems, essays, all attempt to probe, question and discover who we are as humans. For example, themes look at issues such as: Ambition (Macbeth), love and hate (Romeo and Juliet), Revenge (Hamlet), how racism is wrong (To Kill a Mockingbird), who we are when civilization is stripped away (Lord of the Flies).
In fact, I will go so far as to say that all literature- poems, shorts stories, essay, plays, novels- attempts to answer the question: WHO AM I? Who am I as an individual, as a woman/man, as a Canadian, as a member of the human species, as a global citizen. Who am I as an ethical being who has to make difficult choices in life?
This is a living question that we continue to be ask and answer throughout our lives, whether we are 50 years old or 15 years old. It's much deeper than the roles we live out like father, mother, son, daughter, uncle, aunt, sister, brother...
A Separate Peace, and Hamlet, two works we'll be looking at, both deal with the main characters attempting to understand themselves within the context of their lives. Of course, both stories are just fiction, but their implications, their themes are as real, as human, as personal, as can be for the reader. And that is because these stories let the reader think about their own lives in terms of vengeance, forgiveness, and how we as readers love and get along in our own contextual lives with our friends, family, enemies...
Activity #1
Write a comment/reflection on this blog. Make it one paragraph, in sentence form, and use your own examples of how literature, stories, movies, novels, art in general (choose an art that you love- music, painting, drama, fiction, poetry), is about humanity. What has been your experience in the English classroom? Do you have favourite stories, movies, shows, songs, etc. How does art and creativity inspire you? Would you like to write your own poems, stories in this course?
Call it Activity #1 and include your first name and initial so I know who wrote it. Also, comment on one other person's response. we'll look at these in Class Wednesday. Assessed out of 10.
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ReplyDeleteI commented on this yesterday ! I wrote two paragraphs!!
ReplyDeleteActivity 1; Caitlin
ReplyDeleteas seen in many forms of art and literature
, authors base the 'story' of the piece about humanity. Either about society and its faults, a person's struggle in life, or some positive aspect that is the reason for our drive for survival. One artwork (la pieta) from the mid-Renaissance period, by Michelangelo is a sculpture of mother Mary holding the dying Jesus in her arms while she is sitting. Although in reality his mother would not be able to hold or handle his weight, Michelangelo uses exaggerated proportions to display love and compassion. The unrealistic sizes send the message across that while strength and muscle may not proceed the person, their love and compassion exceeds their bodies' limitations. While Michelangelo could have had jesus on the cross alone, he portrayed the loving bond of mother to son to bring out the humanity of his death.
In English i have felt we will be taking a different approach to English instead of the normal essay novel essay novel way.
Although creativity and art may inspire me i have two other courses (writers craft and art) that allow me to do so. so poetry and similarly does not excite me.
CT
I agree with your comment about how many forms of art or literature are very commonly about a person's struggle in life and how that is the reason for our drive for survival. I like the example you used, that is a very beautiful piece of artwork. I agree that Writer's Craft will also be a great course to help us with our creative writing. :)
DeleteActivity #1 Michelle S
ReplyDeleteIt is seen in stories, movies, novels, etc. that the majority of these examples are about humanity. My favorite example of humanity is the art of poetry, and my favorite poem about humanity would have to be the poem Why Try by Deanna Ziebarth. This poem displays the weakness humans experience when feeling alone or without purpose. It shows how even though there will come times in life where all you want to do is give up out of fear that things will get tougher, perseverance and faith will lead you out of life’s challenges. My experience in the English classroom has been good so far, and I am looking forward to reading Hamlet and getting the most out of this course to prepare me for University. My favorite stories were Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth; my favorite movie is Les Misérables; my favorite show is Friends; and I have way too many favorite songs. Art and creativity inspire me when there are messages about never giving up and making life worthwhile. For example, inspiring poetry or quotes motivate me with my own life goals. I would most definitely be willing to write my own poems or stories in this course.
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ReplyDeleteActivity #1
ReplyDeleteScottie S
I feel that literature is about humanity in the way that we can express our feelings through many different forms such as you listed above (Poetry, music, stories, plays..etc). Movies for examples can show many different expressions. Love stories convey romance, horror convey dark and horrific thoughts maybe even with a deeper meaning, comedies create laughter and happy feelings. Personally for me Music is my favorite form of art because songs can change moods by lyrics, tempo and form of genre. I've had many experiences in the English class room by listening to music, poems and watching videos. Art and creativity inspire me to be more expressive with my thoughts and ideas in certain projects. I suppose writing poems/stories would be an interesting experience I wouldn’t mind trying.
Well said, Scottie. Mr. J
DeleteAny form of writing or art does depict humanity as the mind is unable to create something from nothing. Anything experienced in a dream comes from the dreamer's experiences. Stories, no matter how outlandish therefore depict humanity. Some of the greatest books of all time outline the faults that each and everyone of us deal with every day. These includes work such as The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Both of these novels outline the faults and dificulties that each of us have and deal with each day, but they also illuminate the joys of being human and the great aspects of our character and our ability to live life to the fullest. To appeal to an audience each book, movie, play, piece of art is made more dramatic then an average person's life and it magnifies our characteristics. The highest grossing films of all time play on people's fears and desires. Titanic shows the social class issues we must deal with and true love and loss, pain, suffering. Every human being will experience these emotions and restrictions throughout their life and that is why the movie was so successful, it was extremey relatable and showed a microcosm of society. Real music by artists like Adele tell beautiful stories that speak ofhuman emotions. Music can also show how humanity is shifting with fads and social change. I have had great experiences in the Englsh classroom. I enjoy righting and critical thinking is one of my favourite things about school. My favourite books are probably the Hunger Games, the Harry POtter series and pretty much any book with a thrilling plot and a loveable protagonist. My favourite movie is Gladiator (which is the greatest movie of all time). Everything about that movie is amazing. I love Family Guy, Big Bang, How I Met Your Mother and Departures. Books, songs, quotes have inspired me. Music gets the blood pumping and quotes inspire me to better myself and to live life with purpose. I would love to write my own stories in this class, I'm awful at poetry, but always have fun doing it so I'm open to anything.
ReplyDeleteNick E
Who am I. The Big question. You spend the majority of your life trying to find out who you are and how you can continue living your life as that person. But do you ever really know who you are? Is there a set ‘You’ to actually be? After being stranded on an Island at the age of (around) 10, with a large group of other boys your age, that would be something that would traumatize you for the rest of your life. If the plane never crashed, and the boys had made it safely to where they were headed, they would probably just play games, go through school, get married… they would have lived a normal life, gotten a normal job, and did what they wanted. Though, the plane did crash, forcing these boys to give up their child hood, grow up, and do what was needed to survive.
ReplyDeleteEvery character you see in a movie, read about in a book, or even hear about in a legend, they all show different aspects of humanity. For example in stories, characters are always faced with choices either good or bad, that really conflict with their personality and emotions, but ultimately the good choice wins because no matter how hard the situation is, humanity is what is morally right. We see humanity shown in many different examples from different points of views. It gives us hope that good things are possible and that there is always a silver lining and that we can seek and strive for a better world
I agree that in most stories there is a set event that will throw the track of the character's life off so they go through a tragedy or other big event. That is part of how a character or in real life, a person changes. The person will grow and build on themselves to hopefully better themselves and so they will grow morally. Humans will always have their humanity and it is in the subconcious to do the right thing in situations and these feelings are what makes us human. In stories it touches base on these feelings which is a large part of why they are read in the first place is to make people believe that there is a better world and bettering yourself can be accomplished.
DeleteActivity #1 - Hank M.
ReplyDeleteWhat is humanity? The human race, the fact or condition of being human; human nature. What is literature? Books and writings published on a particular subject. (source: Google) All literature is created by humans and reflects our human nature. From conveying ideas from utopia and dystopia to the faults of power and corruption, to upbeat comedies and everlasting love.
For example in the fictional book/movie "The Hunger Games" the main character "Katniss Everdeen" (female) plays the role of having to take care of the male character "Peeta Mellark" when he is injured during the hunger games. Stereotypically, the male character would be the one who plays the role of the hero, but in this case it is the female, Katniss who takes charge of the situation and is known as the hero. This displays how humanity is never the same and this being a more recent publication indicates a change in our society as humans. The fact that this change can be displayed through literature proves the point of literature being about humanity.
My experience in the English classroom has been positive as far as learning and discussing certain topics and reviewing our society as a whole. This has given me a good point of view and be informed of different things that have an effect in our general ways.
I have a broad amount of favourite types of literature and movies TV shows, etc. From the satire comedy of Trailer Park Boys show and Strange Wilderness movie to fantasy novels such as Artemis Fowl and The Supernaturalists, I enjoy reading Canoeroots magazine about my favorite hobby and reading on online forums too.
As a writer on websites, I do look forward to the future writing in this course. Although I don't have much experience with poems, I would like to learn more and write more and enjoy doing so too.
I believe that different types of media texts, types of literature, and art have the ability to inspire us and to encourage different feelings inside of other people. For example movies such as the Titanic can connect with those who were involved, or romantic comedies have the ability to give people hope for a happy ending. Those who watch genres such as horror are given a sense of thrill that would normally be dangerous in real life.
ReplyDeleteThese types of movies show humanity through their stories and how they are written. The writers incorporate real life feelings that every person is capable of feeling and tries to draw these feelings out of the audience. Movies focus on different genres that show different meanings and life lessons that are learned. For example In the movie Pahntom of the Opera it sends the message of how some people are different and are not accepted into our society even though they are just like anyone else.
My experience in the english classroom has been a positive one I have thus far enjoyed it. I like the books we have read such as Animal Farm. There were many connections to the Russian Revolution that would not normally be picked up on.
I like a large genre of movies with movies from the Avengers, to the Notebook. I listen to a lot of music so I don't have one particular favourite song and stories I enjoy are Harry Potter, I grew up reading them, and books that have a meaning to them and have a story line that has substance to it, like Stones, or Right Behind You. Art and creativity in many forms inspire me such as music because it is easy to immerse yourself in it as well as seeing paintings and noticing how the artist has seen what they are making and putting their own interpretation into it.
In this course, I am not a big fan of poetry so I wouldn't like to write my own. I'm more interested in short stories and other types of writing.
You make a good point about things that are exciting in fiction but would be very traumatic in real life. Frye distinguishes this in his writing.
DeleteIn fiction we love to see all kinds of tragic and horrific events. But we are well aware that fiction and art are much different than real life.
And that's an important thing to remember.
But there is always the issue of whether art mirrors reality or vice versa.
I agree with what Scottie is saying about people expressing their feeling using Poetry, music, stories, plays and more. Also I feel that if you took someone you didn’t know and looked at the genres of each that the person likes or is interested in then you can start to see what interest they may have or their personality without having to meet them. An example of this is my brother David, you said he was a poet but by looking at him he looks like he should be into just beating people up and stuff (I’ve never seen him fight anyone) but if you were to see that he is good at writing poems likes country music and comedies more than movies with violence you would be able to see a bit deeper and realize he may be a nicer guy than you thought at first sight. As to writing poems I never was a fan of it in elementary school when we had to write them then but I’d be willing to give it another try.
ReplyDeleteYes, I definitely agree that we shouldn't pre-judge people based on surface appearances. I try very hard to keep an open mind when I meet someone new.
DeleteThroughout our lives, we continue to change as a person emotionally, mentally and physically. In all renowned, famous literature, this is the same. In famous works such as Shakespeare's play MacBeth, we see the transformation of the Lord and Lady Macbeth, how their hunger and greed for absolute power eventually push them both over the edge into the deepest depths of insanity. Were it not for this dark change, Macbeth would not be the play that has enthralled humans for centuries and continues to do so.
ReplyDeleteAll great forms of art involve a type of discovery or change in the subjects or the audience. A book that affects someone in such a way that they will never see the world the same way again, such as Lord of the Flies or Animal Farm, is a book that will have long lasting longevity because its lessons are timeless. They are about the discovery of the self. Once civilization or order is stripped away, only then do we find the answer to the unanswered question: Who am I? The true self emerges as we read in Lord of the Flies when the boys had crashed on the island and had only themselves with no form of organization or order.
Who am I?: The question we may never know the answer to. Who knows what path your life will take, where you will live, what you will do, who you will marry... These are things we one would think one can control but through circumstances that are in fact, beyond our control, we may end up somewhere completely different, doing something we never would've thought of, with the person we least expect. These unexpected turns of events shape who we are as a human, as a global citizen.
I have enjoyed my English class experiences in the past. I enjoy reading books and being able to relate them to real life as I believe they hold many valuble life lessons. I love learning about different cultures and about the way things are around the world because we are all humans and share that. I like comedy in TV and books and as I am sure most people know, I love stage musicals! Its a form of escapism that everyone can enjoy, but must first accept. Keeping an open mind is important in all forms of art. These decisions to remain open do, after all, shape who we are.
Some excellent observations Veronica, I would add that the question of identity is something we always question but never completely answer.
DeleteMaybe the people who have spent a lot of time thinking, reading, discussing, creating, introspecting, are the ones who find the deepest answers to the question of identity.
I think identity is more than just your goals, although they do play a big role.
Literature is about humanity. It is written for humans by humans to communicate their emotions and thoughts all while trying to make connections to their audience. Humans write to inspire others imaginations. To expose them to what they have not thought of.
ReplyDeleteHumans want the here and now, something new and exciting, that they have never seen. This is how literature, stories, movies, novels and art in general is about humanity.
I may not know a whole lot about music, but it is one of my favourite arts. As I put my headphones in, I zone out. At that moment I am listening to the artist’s emotions and thoughts, as they are trying to connect with their audience. A recent song I just heard over the weekend was Taylor Swifts song ‘Ronan’. Taylor performed this on Friday for the event ‘Stand up For Cancer’. This song is a detailed portrait of a mothers love, heartbreak and loss of her son who she lost to cancer in 2011. Taylor wrote this song to express the love this mother has for her son. This inspired a lot of people, showing love in humanity through literature.
Humanity does not just entail love and compassion. Such genres as: thrillers, horrors, mysteries and comedies express thoughts but just expressed differently.
My experience in the English classroom has always been more independent than group related. I am used to writing essays, and am very familiar with essay structure. As for writing poems and stories, I haven’t really written any to know what it is like, so it would be interesting.
Emily L :)
Great example of how music connects us through difficult issues like cancer and heartbreak. I have a lot of respect of musicians who, through their art and creativity, try to make the world a better place.
DeleteThere is one question that we all ask ourselves at one point in our lives or another. Though it is a question we all come to face, there are an infinite number of reasons we might find ourselves asking it. The answer to this question, however, is not something we can find. The answer must be lived, and though each of us lives our own separate lives, there are many similarities that can be observed about humankind. I believe this is why we turn to stories, poems, songs and art. Experiencing literature, in any form, allows us to appreciate humanity, taking us one step closer to answering that undying question; who am I?
ReplyDeleteBy expressing ourselves through literature and art forms, we are exposing what it is to be human. The smooth rhythmic beat of music, for example, can be manipulated to convey any sort of feeling or mood. The somber music of a broken heart, or the fast and eccentric beat of a party song, are both examples of humanity, and how we are affected by what’s around us. This is my favourite type of art form. I love the way music gets into your soul and has the power to change your mood entirely. I do, however, love to engage in other types of literature as well.
I have had great experiences in the English classroom. I love plunging myself into new stories and entering a sort of new reality. I think this is an important part to answering the big question, “Who am I?” When we read about characters and the decisions they are faced with, we are learning about ourselves. When we think of the ambition driven decisions of Macbeth, for example, we put ourselves in his shoes and ask, “Would I have done the same? Am I that type of person?” It’s as if we are living and learning through the words on the pages, each story bringing us closer to finding ourselves.
It is important to engage the works of others, but I also believe that it is important that we express ourselves, and our own feelings, in as many ways as possible. This is why I would love to write my own poems and stories in this course. I admit that the idea scares me a little, but I think it’s important to explore the creative side of our minds. We must take the inspiration from others and explore all aspects of ourselves in order to truly find out who we are.
Wow. Well said Meagan. So true that the answer, as you say, is not something we can find. The term 'search for self' is misleading because it's something we develop; however, we often use the metaphor of seeking and finding.
DeleteI also like the fact that you point out that we have to be, not only an audience of art, but we also need to participate in the creative process if we want to really 'get the most out of life', I suppose.
In this age of technology we have the opportunity to write, draw, sing, and play and have an instant audience to give us feedback on our creative endeavors.
I am really hopeful that this generation will be participants in creativity and not just spectators like a television audience.
The human being is intrigued by questions such as WHO AM I and WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE which explains why our sources of entertainment such as books and music reflect people pondering with these same questions. Because we as people are most interested in our selves it is only logical for an artist or writer to produce something that can relate to people in deep personal and emotional levels. Because all people are different we all have our preferred styles of entertainment.
ReplyDeleteJake N
I agree that many forms of literature show us characteristics of humanity. Often characters in books, plays or movies are pushed to their physical or mental limits. It is discovering these limits that teach us about humanity and discovering your true self. The characters may be confused or unconfident at first but being pushed to their limits shows them who they truly are and what they are capable of. A good example of this is Lord of the Rings. When Sam gets the ring, he has to take it all the way from the Shire to Mordor and the journey nearly kills him. By the time he destroys the ring he has discovered that he is much more than a regular peaceful Hobbit and he now knows his true self.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with what Meagan said about expressing ourselves through the type of literature we are interested in. Different types of music and genres of movies can create different moods depending on what the listener or viewer desires. If you want to laugh you could watch comedies like Ted or if you want to scare yourself you could watch horror movies such as Cabin in the Woods.
In english class I have usually been better at structured writing such as formal essays. I do not enjoy creative writing as much and i dont think I would enjoy writing poems.
Good example with Lord of the Rings (Sam and Frodo). It really shows how characters grow in adversity and even though it's Fantasy we can relate to it in our own 'real world'
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