"Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler," Juan Felipe Herrera
Pg.93
"Do it on the road, Red
Feed it on the bracnch, Beaulah
Knead it on the berry, Bobo
Braid it on the forest, Freydo
Lose it on the water, Waldo"
I particularly liked this pass age in Juan's poem mainly because it is very unique from any other poem I have read. As I noticed, the last two words in every phrase has the same first letter. This makes me think, why would Juan put the poem in that particular order? It sounds to me as if the words actually make music if you read it out loud to yourself. The way Juan uses words for music is incredibly talented. This poem is great because it doesn't need to make sense. It's not a poem in which you think of the meaning, but actually hear the meaning.
"Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler," Juan Felipe Herrera
Pg. 94
"Battles, missions, random intersections, chaos, time and culture boosters, explosions; I want writing to contain all this because we contain all this--is this closer to what you mean by saying we are Americanos? Is this your mission? You know Víctor, I am going to say it--no more movements, nothing about lines or metaphors or even about quality and craft; you know what I mean?
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
NOACVS 56-80
"Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler", Juan Felipe Herrera
Pg.64
" Everyone is talking about growing the brain by the age of I; grow the brain! I suppose the brain is the ultimate sale, product, frontier, capsule, coin, cow, chick, river, horse, train, rubber, wheel, map slop, over yonder there is a brain to plow, to sell & sew, carry to market! Who owns the market?"
This quote is interesting because it really improvises on society and the corporate way of advertising the brain. Society, without people noticing, creates standards for people with intelligence to those that are considered "dumb". Those that are intelligent are advertised and used only to support the corporates and societies.
"Notebooks of a Chile verde Smuggler," Juan Felipe Herrera
Pg.72
"A lie in the algebra"
This is interesting because what happens if there was a lie in the algebra? Then everything that anyone learned mathematically would be incorrect. Also, anything scientific would be mathematically wrong. So, what would happen? Society would fall and humans would have to restart from the beginning. This is an interesting concept.
Pg.64
" Everyone is talking about growing the brain by the age of I; grow the brain! I suppose the brain is the ultimate sale, product, frontier, capsule, coin, cow, chick, river, horse, train, rubber, wheel, map slop, over yonder there is a brain to plow, to sell & sew, carry to market! Who owns the market?"
This quote is interesting because it really improvises on society and the corporate way of advertising the brain. Society, without people noticing, creates standards for people with intelligence to those that are considered "dumb". Those that are intelligent are advertised and used only to support the corporates and societies.
"Notebooks of a Chile verde Smuggler," Juan Felipe Herrera
Pg.72
"A lie in the algebra"
This is interesting because what happens if there was a lie in the algebra? Then everything that anyone learned mathematically would be incorrect. Also, anything scientific would be mathematically wrong. So, what would happen? Society would fall and humans would have to restart from the beginning. This is an interesting concept.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
NOACVS 30-55
"Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler, " Juan Felipe Herrera
Pg.31
" I look at myself put letters on paper and all I can conjure is the loss of time, the delving into bodiless terms and the thousand layers of empty space around me. The ink is mind. The mind has no barriers. The paper is breath. The word is deep silence."
It seems as though Juan is in a deep meditation when writing poems or anything in particular. "The ink is the mind" relates to the fact that whatever you think is written down with ink. I believe that not only is the ink the mind but also the translator. The ink is responsible for making your thoughts visible to the world. It releases the unknown questions of life, the emotions you feel, and just about anything your mind thinks about. Since the mind has no barriers neither does the ink, so there is no barriers for writing. There are no guidelines or rules to writing. It all simply comes from the complex compositions of unanswered questions, prophecies, and philosophies. The contradictions and simplicity of writing comes from the set mediation of the mind when the paper is a symphony of breaths that let out the thoughts and the words describing them efficiently in silence rather than speech.
"Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler," Juan Felipe Herrera
Pg.42
"Is it the fact that we never did fall, truly alone and shivering, into the furnace of an authentic experience and explosion of community across assigned boundaries and voices, into the colossal and marvelousn thing called change, called reality, this Thing-just-like-this? Wipe my face, squint, make sure I say what I meant."
In this quote, Juan appears to be questioning the genuineness of this modern day world. This world filled with monotonous societies and dream-like lives with the hopes of no consequences. Has human's in the modern day really felt the experience of falling of maybe making a mistake? Society has always been afraid of change, but whats to fear about change? It just throws a curveball at the way things are or have been for the past millenium or so. Why do we fear adjustment, unknown, and difference? The reason why things remain monotonous is because society is afraid of taking chances with the possibility of failing. So society continues to stay unoriginal and remain neglecting diversity.
Pg.31
" I look at myself put letters on paper and all I can conjure is the loss of time, the delving into bodiless terms and the thousand layers of empty space around me. The ink is mind. The mind has no barriers. The paper is breath. The word is deep silence."
It seems as though Juan is in a deep meditation when writing poems or anything in particular. "The ink is the mind" relates to the fact that whatever you think is written down with ink. I believe that not only is the ink the mind but also the translator. The ink is responsible for making your thoughts visible to the world. It releases the unknown questions of life, the emotions you feel, and just about anything your mind thinks about. Since the mind has no barriers neither does the ink, so there is no barriers for writing. There are no guidelines or rules to writing. It all simply comes from the complex compositions of unanswered questions, prophecies, and philosophies. The contradictions and simplicity of writing comes from the set mediation of the mind when the paper is a symphony of breaths that let out the thoughts and the words describing them efficiently in silence rather than speech.
"Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler," Juan Felipe Herrera
Pg.42
"Is it the fact that we never did fall, truly alone and shivering, into the furnace of an authentic experience and explosion of community across assigned boundaries and voices, into the colossal and marvelousn thing called change, called reality, this Thing-just-like-this? Wipe my face, squint, make sure I say what I meant."
In this quote, Juan appears to be questioning the genuineness of this modern day world. This world filled with monotonous societies and dream-like lives with the hopes of no consequences. Has human's in the modern day really felt the experience of falling of maybe making a mistake? Society has always been afraid of change, but whats to fear about change? It just throws a curveball at the way things are or have been for the past millenium or so. Why do we fear adjustment, unknown, and difference? The reason why things remain monotonous is because society is afraid of taking chances with the possibility of failing. So society continues to stay unoriginal and remain neglecting diversity.
NOACVS 1-29
"Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler", Juan Felipe Herrera
Pg.8
"As I walk, I drop my burdens. As I walk, I melt with the snow."
This excerpt from Juan's poem is simple, yet has many meanings and interpretations. As he drops his burdens he melts with the snow. This metaphor relates to when he relieves any stress he goes out and becomes one with nature and finds himself blend in with the simple delicacy of nature. The snow may be a metaphor to his burdens, and instead of having the burdens weighing him down he actually blends with it. This an exceptionally hard characteristic to obtain. Instead of being controled by stress and burdens, he acknowledges these hard times and becomes one with it. Realising what he has to do and maybe making it possible to achieve these hard to reach goals or maybe he just lives in a moment where stress cannot reach.
"Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler", Juan Felipe Herrera
Pg. 27
" I worry about the day having hours, minutes, and seconds."
This quote is particularly significant and displays a great point. It makes me question why does the day have hours, minutes, and seconds? Time is time, right? Well, in the looks of the human eyes time is divided which makes me think about time itself. Time continues on no matter what speed it travels in. So why do we split time into these sections? it's really interesting and in my opinion a very significant quote. In the eyes of time, seconds are hours and minutes and vise versa. We live in it and no matter what we may divide time into, time will still go at its same speed in its own way.
Pg.8
"As I walk, I drop my burdens. As I walk, I melt with the snow."
This excerpt from Juan's poem is simple, yet has many meanings and interpretations. As he drops his burdens he melts with the snow. This metaphor relates to when he relieves any stress he goes out and becomes one with nature and finds himself blend in with the simple delicacy of nature. The snow may be a metaphor to his burdens, and instead of having the burdens weighing him down he actually blends with it. This an exceptionally hard characteristic to obtain. Instead of being controled by stress and burdens, he acknowledges these hard times and becomes one with it. Realising what he has to do and maybe making it possible to achieve these hard to reach goals or maybe he just lives in a moment where stress cannot reach.
"Notebooks of a Chile Verde Smuggler", Juan Felipe Herrera
Pg. 27
" I worry about the day having hours, minutes, and seconds."
This quote is particularly significant and displays a great point. It makes me question why does the day have hours, minutes, and seconds? Time is time, right? Well, in the looks of the human eyes time is divided which makes me think about time itself. Time continues on no matter what speed it travels in. So why do we split time into these sections? it's really interesting and in my opinion a very significant quote. In the eyes of time, seconds are hours and minutes and vise versa. We live in it and no matter what we may divide time into, time will still go at its same speed in its own way.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
CCC Interview
Questions:
1) How has being an Anarchist changed your lifestyle?
2) How have you been able to adjust to a lifestyle that secludes itself from government?
3) What made you choose to believe in anarchy?
4) Is it difficult to live in modern society as an anarchist?
5) Has it been somewhat difficult to live up to the ideal dream of living without any type of government?
6) Has being anarchist changed your life for the better, and if so, how did it change your life?
7) What do you personally think about governments today?
8) What would be an alternative to living without any form of government?
9) What are people's reactions when you tell them you are Anarchist?
10) How does it affect you when people make harmful comments about your belief?
11) Have you ever felt a time where you actually would rather live a lifestyle surrounded by government?
12) Do you believe that Anarchism brings out an aspect toward life that typical Americans today don't quite have?
13) Has this lifestyle been an experience worthwhile, if so, how?
1) How has being an Anarchist changed your lifestyle?
2) How have you been able to adjust to a lifestyle that secludes itself from government?
3) What made you choose to believe in anarchy?
4) Is it difficult to live in modern society as an anarchist?
5) Has it been somewhat difficult to live up to the ideal dream of living without any type of government?
6) Has being anarchist changed your life for the better, and if so, how did it change your life?
7) What do you personally think about governments today?
8) What would be an alternative to living without any form of government?
9) What are people's reactions when you tell them you are Anarchist?
10) How does it affect you when people make harmful comments about your belief?
11) Have you ever felt a time where you actually would rather live a lifestyle surrounded by government?
12) Do you believe that Anarchism brings out an aspect toward life that typical Americans today don't quite have?
13) Has this lifestyle been an experience worthwhile, if so, how?
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
The House on Mango Street
The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros
pg.748
" You live there? The way she said it made me feel like nothing. There. I lived there. I nodded."
It seems although the narrator does not like the feeling of being considered inferior and does not feel comfortable considering that he is neglected by the inhabitants of society. The statement lowers his self esteem and he seems to be personally distraught with the statement on his household. However, he seems to be defiant and show that indeed he does live there. Yet, he still seems to want to live in that lifestyle of a personal home with all the materialistic necessities.
pg.748
" You live there? The way she said it made me feel like nothing. There. I lived there. I nodded."
It seems although the narrator does not like the feeling of being considered inferior and does not feel comfortable considering that he is neglected by the inhabitants of society. The statement lowers his self esteem and he seems to be personally distraught with the statement on his household. However, he seems to be defiant and show that indeed he does live there. Yet, he still seems to want to live in that lifestyle of a personal home with all the materialistic necessities.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Seeing
Seeing, Annie Dillard
Pg. 695
" But the artificial obvious is hard to see. My eyes account for less than one percent of the weight of my head; I'm bony and dense; I see what I expect."
This quote is emphasizing on our typical nature of seeing what we expect instead of taking everything, including the unknown, into consideration. We take things we see with our eyes and expect to see what we picture in our minds. We see a dandellion and we expect it to be yellow. We don't take into consideration the hints of brown shown on the tips of the peddles or the different shades of green that flow parallel in the stem. We just look at what we see dully and don't take into account the intricate design of the objects created by nature. This relates to how we look at life, we just visualize the opportunities and expodential peaks in life when we obtain success. Yet, we never look at life intricatly, we never visualize the upsets, hard moments, of life changing decisions because we choose to neglect the obvious in order to focus on the things we want to see.
Seeing, Annie Dillard
Pg.697
" But shadows spread, and deepened, and stayed. After thousands of years we're still strangers to darkness, fearful aliens in an enemy camp with our arms crossed over our chests."
Annie really emphasizes on the fears of the human race. It's kind of ironic how most people are afraid of the dark. Why is that? Mostly because people simply cannot see visually what inhabits the dark or if their is anything in the dark. People are afraid of what they cannot see and what they cannot comprehend and the typical fear for the dark is an excellent metaphor to show the fears we have towards things we do not know.
Pg. 695
" But the artificial obvious is hard to see. My eyes account for less than one percent of the weight of my head; I'm bony and dense; I see what I expect."
This quote is emphasizing on our typical nature of seeing what we expect instead of taking everything, including the unknown, into consideration. We take things we see with our eyes and expect to see what we picture in our minds. We see a dandellion and we expect it to be yellow. We don't take into consideration the hints of brown shown on the tips of the peddles or the different shades of green that flow parallel in the stem. We just look at what we see dully and don't take into account the intricate design of the objects created by nature. This relates to how we look at life, we just visualize the opportunities and expodential peaks in life when we obtain success. Yet, we never look at life intricatly, we never visualize the upsets, hard moments, of life changing decisions because we choose to neglect the obvious in order to focus on the things we want to see.
Seeing, Annie Dillard
Pg.697
" But shadows spread, and deepened, and stayed. After thousands of years we're still strangers to darkness, fearful aliens in an enemy camp with our arms crossed over our chests."
Annie really emphasizes on the fears of the human race. It's kind of ironic how most people are afraid of the dark. Why is that? Mostly because people simply cannot see visually what inhabits the dark or if their is anything in the dark. People are afraid of what they cannot see and what they cannot comprehend and the typical fear for the dark is an excellent metaphor to show the fears we have towards things we do not know.
Friday, April 27, 2007
CCC Links
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/1931/
http://www.spunk.org/library/writers/goldman/sp000064.txt
http://flag.blackened.net/antinat/
http://www.anarchy.no/
http://www.spunk.org/library/writers/goldman/sp000064.txt
http://flag.blackened.net/antinat/
http://www.anarchy.no/
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Dharma Bums 100-123
The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 201
" Ah the Public ain't so bad, they suffer too. You always read about some tarpaper shack burning somewhere in the Middlewest with three little children perishing and you see a picture of the parents crying. Evern the kitty was burned. Japhy, do you think God Made the world to amuse himself because he was bored? Because if so he would have to be mean."
Ray makes a strong statement in this particular quote. This specificic dialogue in the story between Ray and Japhy is probably the most profound. Ray actually sees both side of the coin and expresses to Japhy the struggle on both sides. What Ray does that Japhy ignores is the realization of the lifestyles on both sides. While Japhy is only rigid to his own Dharma Bum Philosophy, and would like for everyone to follow this Buddhist path, Ray is more sentimental and see the goods and bads between both lifestyles. However, throughout the story Ray has only mentioned these contradictions and beliefs in his mind, but in this case he actually expresses his thinking and his acceptance towards both sides of the lifestyles. Ray contradicts what Japhy believes quite rigidly, which is a huge turning point in the story.
The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 203
" East'll meet West anyway. Think what a great world revolution will take place when East meets West finally, and it'll be guys like us that can start the thing. Think of millions of guys all over the world with rucksacks on their backs tramping around the back country and hitchhiking and bringing the word down to everybody."
" That's a lot like the early days os the Crusades, Walter the {enniless and Peter the Hermit leading ragged bands of believers to the Holy Land."
In this specific conversation between Japhy and Ray, one can really observe Japhys rigid philosophy on the way lifestyles for all should be. Japhy seems to be so caught up in his Dharma Bum and religous lifestyle that he simply can't understand why others do not follow the same paths as himself. Japhy shows his dreamlike vision of a land of all hitchhikers and Buddhists. Yet, Japhy criticizes those with goals and dreamy notions, however, in this particular statement from Japhy he is actually expressing his dream of a content land of hitchhikers and buddha believers. Therefore, this is another contradiction from what he states and believes. However, Ray seems to be extremely open minded and seems to never sway from one opinion to the next, he just simply observes and acknowledges. Japhy as he expresses his hatred towards society seems to actually become very similar to society because he neglects and diminishes the lifestyles of others simply because they do not follow the same path as himself.
Pg. 201
" Ah the Public ain't so bad, they suffer too. You always read about some tarpaper shack burning somewhere in the Middlewest with three little children perishing and you see a picture of the parents crying. Evern the kitty was burned. Japhy, do you think God Made the world to amuse himself because he was bored? Because if so he would have to be mean."
Ray makes a strong statement in this particular quote. This specificic dialogue in the story between Ray and Japhy is probably the most profound. Ray actually sees both side of the coin and expresses to Japhy the struggle on both sides. What Ray does that Japhy ignores is the realization of the lifestyles on both sides. While Japhy is only rigid to his own Dharma Bum Philosophy, and would like for everyone to follow this Buddhist path, Ray is more sentimental and see the goods and bads between both lifestyles. However, throughout the story Ray has only mentioned these contradictions and beliefs in his mind, but in this case he actually expresses his thinking and his acceptance towards both sides of the lifestyles. Ray contradicts what Japhy believes quite rigidly, which is a huge turning point in the story.
The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 203
" East'll meet West anyway. Think what a great world revolution will take place when East meets West finally, and it'll be guys like us that can start the thing. Think of millions of guys all over the world with rucksacks on their backs tramping around the back country and hitchhiking and bringing the word down to everybody."
" That's a lot like the early days os the Crusades, Walter the {enniless and Peter the Hermit leading ragged bands of believers to the Holy Land."
In this specific conversation between Japhy and Ray, one can really observe Japhys rigid philosophy on the way lifestyles for all should be. Japhy seems to be so caught up in his Dharma Bum and religous lifestyle that he simply can't understand why others do not follow the same paths as himself. Japhy shows his dreamlike vision of a land of all hitchhikers and Buddhists. Yet, Japhy criticizes those with goals and dreamy notions, however, in this particular statement from Japhy he is actually expressing his dream of a content land of hitchhikers and buddha believers. Therefore, this is another contradiction from what he states and believes. However, Ray seems to be extremely open minded and seems to never sway from one opinion to the next, he just simply observes and acknowledges. Japhy as he expresses his hatred towards society seems to actually become very similar to society because he neglects and diminishes the lifestyles of others simply because they do not follow the same path as himself.
The Dharma Bums 171-199
The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 175
" That was a very wise cartoon, it reminded me of my own experience, trying to tame my mind in the woods, then realizing it was all empty and awake and I didn't have to do anything, and now I was getting drunk with the butcher Japhy."
Previous to this quote, Ray experiences the high intensity of hitchhiking cross country. Ray uses this journey as a method to become more devoted to his philosophy and tame his mind to become that of a quite central buddhistic thought process. Although Ray tries tremendously to force his mind to acquire the "middle way" characteristics, he finds that the solution to live the bhuddistic way is to not think at all. The way to tame the mind is to let it roam frequently without any assumptions, questions, or contradictions. It is simply to acknowledge the surroundings, maintain a balance with all that is given on earth, and become one with everything without mental contradictions.
Pg. 175
" That was a very wise cartoon, it reminded me of my own experience, trying to tame my mind in the woods, then realizing it was all empty and awake and I didn't have to do anything, and now I was getting drunk with the butcher Japhy."
Previous to this quote, Ray experiences the high intensity of hitchhiking cross country. Ray uses this journey as a method to become more devoted to his philosophy and tame his mind to become that of a quite central buddhistic thought process. Although Ray tries tremendously to force his mind to acquire the "middle way" characteristics, he finds that the solution to live the bhuddistic way is to not think at all. The way to tame the mind is to let it roam frequently without any assumptions, questions, or contradictions. It is simply to acknowledge the surroundings, maintain a balance with all that is given on earth, and become one with everything without mental contradictions.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Dharma Bums 120-142
The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 137-138
" O wise and serene spirit of Awakenerhoo, everything's all right forever and forever and forever and thank you thank you thank you amen." What'd I care about the tower of ghouls, and sperm and bones and dust, I felt free and therefore I was free."
In this scene, Ray is praying and also seems to be trying to convince himself of his happiness in life. Previously before this scene, Ray was thinking negative thoughts of emptiness, lonliness, and actually claiming that he wants to die. It seems as though his dream like vision of a content Zen life is not provided him the positive outcome that he is expecting. As reality of the world kicks in, he seems to realize that his dream is not perfect, and that provides him with anguish. Ray gets to the point where he begins to question whats reality and not. He tries to reassure himself that since he feels free he was free, and that this temporary anguish is just an obstacle that he can go around.
The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 132
"And I though of Japhy as I stood there in the cold yard looking at her: "Why is he so mad about white tiled sinks and 'kitchen machinery' he calls it? People have good hearts whether or not they live like Dharma bums. Compassion is the heart of Buddhism."
This is one of the very rare transition points in the story. Ray seems to be looking at all sides of the coins, and noticing people for their hearts, not for their lifestyles. Ray in this particular quote, seems to go against the contradiction of Dharma Bum philosophy. He sets aside the lifestyles and looks towards the personality. He actually lives the Buddhist way of life, and shows the true characteristics of the buddhist philosophy. This way of thinking actually seperates Ray from the other Dharma Bums, because he actually lives by the true philosophy (without contradiction).
Pg. 137-138
" O wise and serene spirit of Awakenerhoo, everything's all right forever and forever and forever and thank you thank you thank you amen." What'd I care about the tower of ghouls, and sperm and bones and dust, I felt free and therefore I was free."
In this scene, Ray is praying and also seems to be trying to convince himself of his happiness in life. Previously before this scene, Ray was thinking negative thoughts of emptiness, lonliness, and actually claiming that he wants to die. It seems as though his dream like vision of a content Zen life is not provided him the positive outcome that he is expecting. As reality of the world kicks in, he seems to realize that his dream is not perfect, and that provides him with anguish. Ray gets to the point where he begins to question whats reality and not. He tries to reassure himself that since he feels free he was free, and that this temporary anguish is just an obstacle that he can go around.
The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 132
"And I though of Japhy as I stood there in the cold yard looking at her: "Why is he so mad about white tiled sinks and 'kitchen machinery' he calls it? People have good hearts whether or not they live like Dharma bums. Compassion is the heart of Buddhism."
This is one of the very rare transition points in the story. Ray seems to be looking at all sides of the coins, and noticing people for their hearts, not for their lifestyles. Ray in this particular quote, seems to go against the contradiction of Dharma Bum philosophy. He sets aside the lifestyles and looks towards the personality. He actually lives the Buddhist way of life, and shows the true characteristics of the buddhist philosophy. This way of thinking actually seperates Ray from the other Dharma Bums, because he actually lives by the true philosophy (without contradiction).
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Dharma Bums- 94-120
The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 119-120
"...But then more fog and smog again and horrible damp white cloud of dawn and my bag too hot to sleep in and outside too raw to stand, nothing but horror all night long, except at dawm a little bird blessed me."
Ray, in this quote, is actually sensing the reality compared to his assumptions on a pleasent dream-like journey. As he sleeps in the dense smog of LA, he finds that this journey isn't as smooth and peaceful as he intended it to be. In this particular scene, the concepts of reality and dreams take shape. Ray's dream of peace and tranquility is not the reality of the world. He finds that the world is not peaceful as he intended for the world to be, but that places in the world are rough and a hard habitat to live in. Also, not all things contain that peacefullness that he believes, but that some things can contain horridness. It's not all smoot and tranquil a journey as Ray expects.
The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 104
"But there was a widom in it all, as you'll see if you take a walk some night on a suburban street and pass house after house on both sides of the street each with the lamplight of the living room, shining golden, and inside the little blue square of the television, each living family riveeting its attention on probably one show; nobody talking, silence in the yards; dogs barking at you because you pass on human feet instead of on wheels. You'll see what I mean when it begins to appear like everybody in the world is soon going to be thinking the same way and the Zen lunatics have long joined dust, laughter on their dust lips."
In this quote, Ray is describing the mundane lifestyle of citizens inhabiting the urban lives of society. He describes the monotonous lifestyle of regular everyday citizens and comparing them towards the Zen dharma bums. He explains their sort of need for materialism to vill their void. However, throughout the story Japhy and Ray find that comparisons are odious, yet they can't help but compare their lifestyle to the lifestyle of society. They believe that their lives are the better of the two, yet how would they be able to judge that comparison? Maybe a citizen of society may think that their monotonous lifestly is the best suitable option of the two. So by comparing the society to their dharma bum lifestyle they are contradicting their own beliefs.
Pg. 119-120
"...But then more fog and smog again and horrible damp white cloud of dawn and my bag too hot to sleep in and outside too raw to stand, nothing but horror all night long, except at dawm a little bird blessed me."
Ray, in this quote, is actually sensing the reality compared to his assumptions on a pleasent dream-like journey. As he sleeps in the dense smog of LA, he finds that this journey isn't as smooth and peaceful as he intended it to be. In this particular scene, the concepts of reality and dreams take shape. Ray's dream of peace and tranquility is not the reality of the world. He finds that the world is not peaceful as he intended for the world to be, but that places in the world are rough and a hard habitat to live in. Also, not all things contain that peacefullness that he believes, but that some things can contain horridness. It's not all smoot and tranquil a journey as Ray expects.
The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 104
"But there was a widom in it all, as you'll see if you take a walk some night on a suburban street and pass house after house on both sides of the street each with the lamplight of the living room, shining golden, and inside the little blue square of the television, each living family riveeting its attention on probably one show; nobody talking, silence in the yards; dogs barking at you because you pass on human feet instead of on wheels. You'll see what I mean when it begins to appear like everybody in the world is soon going to be thinking the same way and the Zen lunatics have long joined dust, laughter on their dust lips."
In this quote, Ray is describing the mundane lifestyle of citizens inhabiting the urban lives of society. He describes the monotonous lifestyle of regular everyday citizens and comparing them towards the Zen dharma bums. He explains their sort of need for materialism to vill their void. However, throughout the story Japhy and Ray find that comparisons are odious, yet they can't help but compare their lifestyle to the lifestyle of society. They believe that their lives are the better of the two, yet how would they be able to judge that comparison? Maybe a citizen of society may think that their monotonous lifestly is the best suitable option of the two. So by comparing the society to their dharma bum lifestyle they are contradicting their own beliefs.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
The Dharma Bums 72-94
The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 90
" Come on Ray, everything comes to an end." In fact I realized I had no guts anyway, which I've long known. But I have joy. When we got to the alpine meadow I stretched out in my belly and drank water and enjoyed myself peacefully in silence while they talked and worrieed about getting down the rest of the trail in time."
In this particular scene, even though they all disagree with routine and deadlines in society, it seems that in particular cases they all turn towards the concept of schedualing. Japhy and Morley are racing to get to the car on time, while it seems that Ray is making the most of time and enjoying the hike peacefully and in solitude. However, although they spent there trip trying to get away from society, it looks as though they race to get back to society. They seem to not realize that they are rushing to get back to the one thing that they despise.
The Dharma Bums, Jack Keouac
Pg. 92
" Poor Japhy, it was here finally I found out his Achilles heel. This little tough guy who wasn't afraid of anything and could ramble around mountains for weeks alone and run down mountains, was afraid of going into a restauraunt because the people in it were too well dressed."
Japhy, who is very athletic and is extremely dedicated to his religous practices seems to have a weakness. Although he does not care about society, it seems as though he still fears being judged by society. In this particular quote, he fears going into the restauraunt because of how the other people dressed compared to what he looks like. Japhy, like everyone else, has a weakness that may bring him down from his targeted objective in life. Japhy fears being crticized and judged at for who he is. So in some cases, people who try to avoid society end up still trying to look good in their eyes. These people still try to be accepted in society rather then trying to neglect society, which in this case is a complicated paradox. Japhy who has always been against society still feels the worry of being criticized for who he is.
Pg. 90
" Come on Ray, everything comes to an end." In fact I realized I had no guts anyway, which I've long known. But I have joy. When we got to the alpine meadow I stretched out in my belly and drank water and enjoyed myself peacefully in silence while they talked and worrieed about getting down the rest of the trail in time."
In this particular scene, even though they all disagree with routine and deadlines in society, it seems that in particular cases they all turn towards the concept of schedualing. Japhy and Morley are racing to get to the car on time, while it seems that Ray is making the most of time and enjoying the hike peacefully and in solitude. However, although they spent there trip trying to get away from society, it looks as though they race to get back to society. They seem to not realize that they are rushing to get back to the one thing that they despise.
The Dharma Bums, Jack Keouac
Pg. 92
" Poor Japhy, it was here finally I found out his Achilles heel. This little tough guy who wasn't afraid of anything and could ramble around mountains for weeks alone and run down mountains, was afraid of going into a restauraunt because the people in it were too well dressed."
Japhy, who is very athletic and is extremely dedicated to his religous practices seems to have a weakness. Although he does not care about society, it seems as though he still fears being judged by society. In this particular quote, he fears going into the restauraunt because of how the other people dressed compared to what he looks like. Japhy, like everyone else, has a weakness that may bring him down from his targeted objective in life. Japhy fears being crticized and judged at for who he is. So in some cases, people who try to avoid society end up still trying to look good in their eyes. These people still try to be accepted in society rather then trying to neglect society, which in this case is a complicated paradox. Japhy who has always been against society still feels the worry of being criticized for who he is.
Friday, April 13, 2007
The Dharma Bums 49-72
The Dharma Bums, Jack karouac
Pg. 50
"...Red-pristne shafts of sunligh coming in over the hill and slanting down into the cold trees like cathedral light, and the mists rising to meet the sun, and all the way around the giant secret roar of tumbling creeks probably with films of ice in the pools."
This quote really explain the essence of being in the mountain in early dawn. It really expresses the beauty of nature and how life is really interpreted in the beauty of dawn. Dawn is always an interesting concept because it represent the rejuvenation of the soul and the restart of a new day (of a new time in life). In this particular quote Ray is just waking up and although he may be a bit lethargic from a light sleep, he still is caught by suprise by the reflection of early light and pleasant sound of dawn.
The Dharma Bums, Jack Karouac
Pg. 55
"Comparisons are odious, Smith," he sent sailing back to me quoting Cervantes and making a Zen Buddhist observation to boot. "It don't make a damn frigging difference whether you're in The Place or hiking up Matterhorn, it's all the same old void, boy."
In this quote Japhy reallly explains the void and that these moments of happiness are just concepts that hide the stuggle of life momentarily. Japhy states how comparisons are odious, or harmful and bad. What Japhy means is that no matter where you are and what interpretation of happiness you might be experiencing they are all the same thing. There is no room for comparison because there is no such thing as comparison. Whether you are having fun with family or hiking the mountains, its all the same momentary happiness that continues to fill the void.
Pg. 50
"...Red-pristne shafts of sunligh coming in over the hill and slanting down into the cold trees like cathedral light, and the mists rising to meet the sun, and all the way around the giant secret roar of tumbling creeks probably with films of ice in the pools."
This quote really explain the essence of being in the mountain in early dawn. It really expresses the beauty of nature and how life is really interpreted in the beauty of dawn. Dawn is always an interesting concept because it represent the rejuvenation of the soul and the restart of a new day (of a new time in life). In this particular quote Ray is just waking up and although he may be a bit lethargic from a light sleep, he still is caught by suprise by the reflection of early light and pleasant sound of dawn.
The Dharma Bums, Jack Karouac
Pg. 55
"Comparisons are odious, Smith," he sent sailing back to me quoting Cervantes and making a Zen Buddhist observation to boot. "It don't make a damn frigging difference whether you're in The Place or hiking up Matterhorn, it's all the same old void, boy."
In this quote Japhy reallly explains the void and that these moments of happiness are just concepts that hide the stuggle of life momentarily. Japhy states how comparisons are odious, or harmful and bad. What Japhy means is that no matter where you are and what interpretation of happiness you might be experiencing they are all the same thing. There is no room for comparison because there is no such thing as comparison. Whether you are having fun with family or hiking the mountains, its all the same momentary happiness that continues to fill the void.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The Dharma Bums-1-24
The Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Pg. 7
" Happy. Just in my swim shorts, barefooted, wild-haired, in the fire dark, singing, swigging wine, spitting, jumping, running--that's the way to live."
This quote is very significant to the story. The idea of living in a way that is one's own is what the story is mainly about. Just living as one with the wilderness and being happy is the essence to Ray's (Jack Kerouac) life. While others try to live the life of others and try to seek a happiness that will not occur in the life of someone elses. Instead of living a suburban lifestyle of materialsm, Ray finds happiness in a way that is different from the similar routines of society.
Pg. 7
" Happy. Just in my swim shorts, barefooted, wild-haired, in the fire dark, singing, swigging wine, spitting, jumping, running--that's the way to live."
This quote is very significant to the story. The idea of living in a way that is one's own is what the story is mainly about. Just living as one with the wilderness and being happy is the essence to Ray's (Jack Kerouac) life. While others try to live the life of others and try to seek a happiness that will not occur in the life of someone elses. Instead of living a suburban lifestyle of materialsm, Ray finds happiness in a way that is different from the similar routines of society.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Are These Actual Miles?
Raymond Carver, Are These Actual Miles?
Pg. 586
"He listens to the traffic on the highway and considers whethe he should go to the basement, stand on the utility sink, and hang himself with his belt. He understand he is willing to be dead."
In this specific quote, the narrator is in a financial issue that is almost certain to become bankruptcy. The narrator is saying how instead of being filed for bankruptcy, he would rather just take his life. This shows mostly the average citizens desire for reputation and materialistic necessities. The idea of being in bankruptcy is taken very seriously in society. If one is bankrupt in society, people seem to neglect and see them as more of an outkast with a false show of pity. Since materialism was a huge aspect in this time setting, it was important to buy the latest necessities in order to show wealth and therefore raise ones reputation. Without money and a bad reputation, many people (including this narrator) would rather kill themselves.
Raymond Carver, Are These Actual Miles?
Pg. 590
" He remembers waking up the morning after they bought the car, seeing it, there in the drive, in the sun, gleaming."
The narrator is remembering the day when they first bought their new car. However, I feel that Carver used this car as a metaphor to their lifestyle and marriage before the file for bankruptcy. Their life when they bought that car was lavished in materialistic necessities, they exceeded their previous reputations, and they were in the blend of society. The similarity in the society was relevant for them, they lived the perfect suburban lifestyle. With no question in mind about loosing money, they spent their money on everything and the car is an example of their uncontrollble spending of money. The car represents the narrators dream for that perfect lifestyle and yet never looked at the costs for living a lifestyle that one cannot afford.
Pg. 586
"He listens to the traffic on the highway and considers whethe he should go to the basement, stand on the utility sink, and hang himself with his belt. He understand he is willing to be dead."
In this specific quote, the narrator is in a financial issue that is almost certain to become bankruptcy. The narrator is saying how instead of being filed for bankruptcy, he would rather just take his life. This shows mostly the average citizens desire for reputation and materialistic necessities. The idea of being in bankruptcy is taken very seriously in society. If one is bankrupt in society, people seem to neglect and see them as more of an outkast with a false show of pity. Since materialism was a huge aspect in this time setting, it was important to buy the latest necessities in order to show wealth and therefore raise ones reputation. Without money and a bad reputation, many people (including this narrator) would rather kill themselves.
Raymond Carver, Are These Actual Miles?
Pg. 590
" He remembers waking up the morning after they bought the car, seeing it, there in the drive, in the sun, gleaming."
The narrator is remembering the day when they first bought their new car. However, I feel that Carver used this car as a metaphor to their lifestyle and marriage before the file for bankruptcy. Their life when they bought that car was lavished in materialistic necessities, they exceeded their previous reputations, and they were in the blend of society. The similarity in the society was relevant for them, they lived the perfect suburban lifestyle. With no question in mind about loosing money, they spent their money on everything and the car is an example of their uncontrollble spending of money. The car represents the narrators dream for that perfect lifestyle and yet never looked at the costs for living a lifestyle that one cannot afford.
Friday, March 30, 2007
The Persistence of Desire
John Updike, The Persistence of Desire
Pg.563
" Well, that if I hurt you, it was stupidity, because I was young. I've often wondered since if I did, because it seems now that you were the only person outside my family whoever, actually, liked me."
In this particular passage, the main character (Clyde) is having a conversation with his ex-girlfriend Janet. Since this story takes place around the 1950's, its clear that people in this time period believed in society living similar lifestyles and hiding their diversity under a fascade. When Clyde states that, "you were the only person outside my family whoever, actually, liked me", he means that Janet was the only one who accepted him for his diversity and his true personality in life. Clyde regrets leaving Janet for a life of similarity and routine. His "young" dreams of achieving that American Dream of the 1950's led him to believe in his mid-stages of life, that maybe this American dream isn't the zenith of his life. Janet, who showed him to be himself, was the one that brought happiness to his life. Janet is actually a metaphor of his true personality under his fascade casted in society.
John Updike, The Persistence of Desire
Pg. 569
"Ringed by the judging eyes of the young and old, he felt like an actor snug behind the blinding protection of the footlights; he squinted prolongedly at the speedometer-clock, which, like a letter delivered on the stage, in fact was blank."
In the beginning of the story, Clyde looks at the "speedometer-clock" and notices time slipping bye with each movement of the hand. However, ironically, towards the end of the story when he recieves glasses and a letter from Janet he turns towards the clock and finds that it is blank. This shows that now that he has found his personality, his inner self, once again time seems to stop. Instead of living in routine and hopes of living similar lives, while time is effortlessly passing by, Clyde finds that while in finding his true self, time never seems to pass by. Every second of time while living a life of his own, is made worthy, instead of effortlessly flying by uncontrollably.
Pg.563
" Well, that if I hurt you, it was stupidity, because I was young. I've often wondered since if I did, because it seems now that you were the only person outside my family whoever, actually, liked me."
In this particular passage, the main character (Clyde) is having a conversation with his ex-girlfriend Janet. Since this story takes place around the 1950's, its clear that people in this time period believed in society living similar lifestyles and hiding their diversity under a fascade. When Clyde states that, "you were the only person outside my family whoever, actually, liked me", he means that Janet was the only one who accepted him for his diversity and his true personality in life. Clyde regrets leaving Janet for a life of similarity and routine. His "young" dreams of achieving that American Dream of the 1950's led him to believe in his mid-stages of life, that maybe this American dream isn't the zenith of his life. Janet, who showed him to be himself, was the one that brought happiness to his life. Janet is actually a metaphor of his true personality under his fascade casted in society.
John Updike, The Persistence of Desire
Pg. 569
"Ringed by the judging eyes of the young and old, he felt like an actor snug behind the blinding protection of the footlights; he squinted prolongedly at the speedometer-clock, which, like a letter delivered on the stage, in fact was blank."
In the beginning of the story, Clyde looks at the "speedometer-clock" and notices time slipping bye with each movement of the hand. However, ironically, towards the end of the story when he recieves glasses and a letter from Janet he turns towards the clock and finds that it is blank. This shows that now that he has found his personality, his inner self, once again time seems to stop. Instead of living in routine and hopes of living similar lives, while time is effortlessly passing by, Clyde finds that while in finding his true self, time never seems to pass by. Every second of time while living a life of his own, is made worthy, instead of effortlessly flying by uncontrollably.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
McCarthy and 2nd Red Scare yeahh
My Topic is the McCarthy Hearings and I am partners with Johnny who is doing a similar topic on the 2nd Red Scare in the 1950's.
"The Swimmer"
John Cheever, "The Swimmer"
Pg. 1492
"His arms were lame. His legs felt rubbery and ached at the joints. The worst of it was the cold in his bones and the feeling that he might never be warm again. Leaves were falling down around him and he smelled wood smoke on the wind. Who would be burning wood at this time of year? He needed a drink."
As Ned in the beginning of "The Swimmer" goes off on a journey across pools back to his home, one can clearly see that the tone set from the beginning of his journey towards the end of his journey changes significantly. At the beginning he is met by kind residents of the pools he crosses and is offered drinks continuously, and Ned feels in a state of content. Yet, the farther he swims the more he realizes the changes of time and the bitterness of the people he passes by on his journey. This quote represents his realization in pain and the loss of time. When Ned states, "He needed a drink", it clearly states that he might have a dependence on alcohol. That dependence maybe took part in his loss of time and the sudden realization of the present. As he slowly becomes sober, he realizes physical pain and observes the autumn leaves when he believes that it is summer. However, he ignorantly pushes the thought of passing time towards the side. This quote is the beginning of Ned's soberness, his realization of pain and time, and shows his dependence on alcohol.
John Cheever, "The Swimmer"
Pg. 1496
"Looking overhead he saw that the stars had come out, but why should he seem to see Andromeda, Cepheus, and Cassiopeia? What had become of the constellations of midsummer? He began to cry. It was probably the first time in his adult life that he had ever cried, certainly the first time in his life that he had felt so miserable, cold, tired, and bewildered."
Ned finally comes towards reality of the passing of time. Although he believed that it was summer, now he is noticing that it is currently fall. Ned feels a sense of confusion and distraught which makes him begin to cry. Now that he is sober, he is realizing that life has changed, and time has passed unnoticed. He feels reality which makes him become so miserable, cold, and tired. His dream of happiness and perfection is shattered as he uncovers the truth of the present. He notices he has missed days, months, years of time that may have been critical to his content in life.
Pg. 1492
"His arms were lame. His legs felt rubbery and ached at the joints. The worst of it was the cold in his bones and the feeling that he might never be warm again. Leaves were falling down around him and he smelled wood smoke on the wind. Who would be burning wood at this time of year? He needed a drink."
As Ned in the beginning of "The Swimmer" goes off on a journey across pools back to his home, one can clearly see that the tone set from the beginning of his journey towards the end of his journey changes significantly. At the beginning he is met by kind residents of the pools he crosses and is offered drinks continuously, and Ned feels in a state of content. Yet, the farther he swims the more he realizes the changes of time and the bitterness of the people he passes by on his journey. This quote represents his realization in pain and the loss of time. When Ned states, "He needed a drink", it clearly states that he might have a dependence on alcohol. That dependence maybe took part in his loss of time and the sudden realization of the present. As he slowly becomes sober, he realizes physical pain and observes the autumn leaves when he believes that it is summer. However, he ignorantly pushes the thought of passing time towards the side. This quote is the beginning of Ned's soberness, his realization of pain and time, and shows his dependence on alcohol.
John Cheever, "The Swimmer"
Pg. 1496
"Looking overhead he saw that the stars had come out, but why should he seem to see Andromeda, Cepheus, and Cassiopeia? What had become of the constellations of midsummer? He began to cry. It was probably the first time in his adult life that he had ever cried, certainly the first time in his life that he had felt so miserable, cold, tired, and bewildered."
Ned finally comes towards reality of the passing of time. Although he believed that it was summer, now he is noticing that it is currently fall. Ned feels a sense of confusion and distraught which makes him begin to cry. Now that he is sober, he is realizing that life has changed, and time has passed unnoticed. He feels reality which makes him become so miserable, cold, and tired. His dream of happiness and perfection is shattered as he uncovers the truth of the present. He notices he has missed days, months, years of time that may have been critical to his content in life.
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