Essay 1 - Impact Essay
Everybody's Protest Novel
Author: James Baldwin
# marks the beginning of my essay
Yes, I am choosing the same essay twice. I honestly thought the highest of this essay, mostly because of the fact that I could understand it. Much of the other writing's did not use the modern type of English, and where hard to in fact. I choose this essay mostly out of process of elimination, however that is not to say this is not a bad essay.
#Even if there where other essays, I would continue with my choice for the impact essay. This is because I am very aware of the issue of current day racism. This essay does not directly focus on that, but rather the hidden discriminations and racially based decisions of the 1940-1960 era. He gives clear examples of hidden racism throughout the essay, as the entire writing is focused on the issues of lower respect for African-American's, even in such famous novels such as 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. This still applies to current day issues, just not as obviously. This essay impacted me the most because I was happy to see a piece of writing that could open the eyes of others to indirect racism. Racism still exists in America, even though people deny it. This essay also related connected to me on an emotional level, because I am to aware of the slightest racial discriminations in films and writings. I think the author is somewhat similar to me, and that is was really made this essay stand out. The language he uses on page 17, 'black equates with evil and white with grace' was a very strong piece of writing as it spoke the true mind of racist's in the 1940's, and possibly even today. I think he may of been taking a psychological point of view towards racism, as black is generally associated with darker or bad places you don't want to be. White is generally associated with Heaven, and other bright happy places. With the combination of personal connections, strong language, vivid sensory, and the ability to take multiple points of view really left the biggest mark on me.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The Book Report - The Essays - Part 1
Essay 1 - Mode Essay
Everybody's Protest Novel
Author: James Baldwin
# marks the beginning of my essay
#This essay was particularly well written. It was not only short and to the point, and easy to read, but did it also make a very productive use of the modes of writing. I will proceed to give you 2 individual examples of what I thought this essay expressed the best.
The first mode this essay really expressed was 'Exposition'. This is not a hard mode to express, but this essay really hit the nail right on the head. Several other examples of exposition can be found through this essay, such as the author beginning his disgust with the opinion of Miss. Ophelia's review of the book 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. The author later progress's to his opinion of the actual book itself, and what he thinks of the author, Mrs. Stowe. The exposition to these opinions can be found within the first 2 pages of the book. For more specific exposition detail on the Miss. Ophelia reply, see the bottom of the first page.
The second mode this essay really expressed was 'Description'. The author vividly described the hatred he has towards this specific novel, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin', by giving the main issue's he has with this book throughout the essay's. He clearly states, in fact as clear as one can be be, on page 14 2nd paragraph; 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' is a very bad novel, having, in its self-righteous, virtuous sentimentality, much in common with 'Little Women' I find that to be most descriptive to my 6th sense, my brain. The word choice he used in describing his opinion was not only eye opening, but also very precise and intelligently stated.
Everybody's Protest Novel
Author: James Baldwin
# marks the beginning of my essay
#This essay was particularly well written. It was not only short and to the point, and easy to read, but did it also make a very productive use of the modes of writing. I will proceed to give you 2 individual examples of what I thought this essay expressed the best.
The first mode this essay really expressed was 'Exposition'. This is not a hard mode to express, but this essay really hit the nail right on the head. Several other examples of exposition can be found through this essay, such as the author beginning his disgust with the opinion of Miss. Ophelia's review of the book 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. The author later progress's to his opinion of the actual book itself, and what he thinks of the author, Mrs. Stowe. The exposition to these opinions can be found within the first 2 pages of the book. For more specific exposition detail on the Miss. Ophelia reply, see the bottom of the first page.
The second mode this essay really expressed was 'Description'. The author vividly described the hatred he has towards this specific novel, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin', by giving the main issue's he has with this book throughout the essay's. He clearly states, in fact as clear as one can be be, on page 14 2nd paragraph; 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' is a very bad novel, having, in its self-righteous, virtuous sentimentality, much in common with 'Little Women' I find that to be most descriptive to my 6th sense, my brain. The word choice he used in describing his opinion was not only eye opening, but also very precise and intelligently stated.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The Book Report - The Assignments - Part 4
The Harlem Ghetto
Chapter 4 (Pg. 51-64)
Summarization -
As foreshadowed by the title, this chapter focus's on the issues with Harlem. The author shows an acknowledgement of the issue's with Harlem. The author uses this chapter to describe the unhealthy and simply inhumane living conditions of Harlem. He says that the condition's have not changed much since his childhood, which may be a taunt at authorities to clean it up. He also goes into grueling detail focusing on the lives of the citizen's living there, creating a mental scenery that was obviously implemented to fire up the readers into taking action for the cause.
Narratives & Details -
The main details of this chapter can easily be found within' the first page alone, such as the phrase 'All of Harlem is pervaded by a sense of congestion, rather like the insistent, maddening, claustrophobic pounding in the skull that comes from trying to breathe in a very small room with all the windows shut.' I find this to be a clear example of 'Description', 'Internal Monologue' and maybe even a bit of 'Diction'. Another possible taunt at authorities, or expose to the public, is in the first paragraph of page 51 where the author writes 'Rents are 10 to 58 per cent higher than anywhere else in the city.' This could be read as an expose to the public as if the author was trying to get people to fix the issue current in Harlem. I also find this statement to be a clear example of 'Exposition', as it presents the issue at hand in a clean and quick sentence, without actually going into detail.
Chapter 4 (Pg. 51-64)
Summarization -
As foreshadowed by the title, this chapter focus's on the issues with Harlem. The author shows an acknowledgement of the issue's with Harlem. The author uses this chapter to describe the unhealthy and simply inhumane living conditions of Harlem. He says that the condition's have not changed much since his childhood, which may be a taunt at authorities to clean it up. He also goes into grueling detail focusing on the lives of the citizen's living there, creating a mental scenery that was obviously implemented to fire up the readers into taking action for the cause.
Narratives & Details -
The main details of this chapter can easily be found within' the first page alone, such as the phrase 'All of Harlem is pervaded by a sense of congestion, rather like the insistent, maddening, claustrophobic pounding in the skull that comes from trying to breathe in a very small room with all the windows shut.' I find this to be a clear example of 'Description', 'Internal Monologue' and maybe even a bit of 'Diction'. Another possible taunt at authorities, or expose to the public, is in the first paragraph of page 51 where the author writes 'Rents are 10 to 58 per cent higher than anywhere else in the city.' This could be read as an expose to the public as if the author was trying to get people to fix the issue current in Harlem. I also find this statement to be a clear example of 'Exposition', as it presents the issue at hand in a clean and quick sentence, without actually going into detail.
The Book Report - The Assignments - Part 3
Carmen Jones: The Dark Is Light Enough
Chapter 3 (Pg. 23-43)
Summarization -
This chapter focus's on the 1955 Hollywood production of 'Carmen Jones'. Similar to the first summary, this article shows a disgust with the aforementioned production, as it inaccurately represents the historical culture of 'Negroes', and the production disgusts the author as it is often referred to as a work of art. This chapter was somewhat hard to understand as to what exactly the author is angered over, but from what I can tell it is the disrespect this movie had for historical figures.
Narratives & Details -
As said before, the main idea is the author displaying his strong hatred towards the production 'Carmen Jones'. Said on page 44, the production inaccurately represents 'Negro dance'. Also quoted on page 45 'that they (actors) sound ludicrously fake false and affected'. That is referring to the poor acting of historical figures showing no respect for Negro's. On page 46 the author mentions the playwright thinking of Opera's (which this was) as a fantasy and a tragedy, meaning the playwright cannot accurately portray slavery when he writes fantasy plays. This is one of the best 'Narratives' you'll find in this book, as the author uses descriptive thoughts to describe one another.
Note: All times the word 'Negro' is used are not meant to be disrespectful or rude in any manner, but rather used for the most accurate representation of thought that I had at that time.
Chapter 3 (Pg. 23-43)
Summarization -
This chapter focus's on the 1955 Hollywood production of 'Carmen Jones'. Similar to the first summary, this article shows a disgust with the aforementioned production, as it inaccurately represents the historical culture of 'Negroes', and the production disgusts the author as it is often referred to as a work of art. This chapter was somewhat hard to understand as to what exactly the author is angered over, but from what I can tell it is the disrespect this movie had for historical figures.
Narratives & Details -
As said before, the main idea is the author displaying his strong hatred towards the production 'Carmen Jones'. Said on page 44, the production inaccurately represents 'Negro dance'. Also quoted on page 45 'that they (actors) sound ludicrously fake false and affected'. That is referring to the poor acting of historical figures showing no respect for Negro's. On page 46 the author mentions the playwright thinking of Opera's (which this was) as a fantasy and a tragedy, meaning the playwright cannot accurately portray slavery when he writes fantasy plays. This is one of the best 'Narratives' you'll find in this book, as the author uses descriptive thoughts to describe one another.
Note: All times the word 'Negro' is used are not meant to be disrespectful or rude in any manner, but rather used for the most accurate representation of thought that I had at that time.
The Book Report - The Assignments - Part 2
Many Thousands Gone
Chapter 2 (Pg. 23-43)
Summarization -
This chapter focus's on the broad generalization on the word slavery. The main subject of this chapter is to help people focus on the other aspects of the word slavery, as it was not just picking cotton in the deep south. It was written to open the eyes of people to the slavery in factories in the north, indentured servant positions everywhere, and the general discrimination and neglect that still occurs to this day.
Narratives & Details -
The main idea of this chapter, as said before, is too widen the view of whites towards our history and what still occurs today. As said on page 23, 'the story of the people is never very pretty'. which references the down attitude and negative history the people have experienced in the past and current times. The reference on page 24 'the loss of our own identity is the price we pay for our annulment of His.' is referring to the Christianizing of African's*, which caused the African's* to become conformed into American ways of life, and in return losing their own culture.
*When the 'African's' is said, it is referring to the African people that would soon become slaves through deportation; not the people of Africa today.
Chapter 2 (Pg. 23-43)
Summarization -
This chapter focus's on the broad generalization on the word slavery. The main subject of this chapter is to help people focus on the other aspects of the word slavery, as it was not just picking cotton in the deep south. It was written to open the eyes of people to the slavery in factories in the north, indentured servant positions everywhere, and the general discrimination and neglect that still occurs to this day.
Narratives & Details -
The main idea of this chapter, as said before, is too widen the view of whites towards our history and what still occurs today. As said on page 23, 'the story of the people is never very pretty'. which references the down attitude and negative history the people have experienced in the past and current times. The reference on page 24 'the loss of our own identity is the price we pay for our annulment of His.' is referring to the Christianizing of African's*, which caused the African's* to become conformed into American ways of life, and in return losing their own culture.
*When the 'African's' is said, it is referring to the African people that would soon become slaves through deportation; not the people of Africa today.
The Book Report - The Assignments - Part 1
Everybody's Protest Novel
Chapter 1 (Pg. 13-23)
Summarization -
This chapter was short and to the point. It focused on the author's hatred and disgust with the novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. The author finds Mrs. Stowe (author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin') to be masking the true violence of slavery through a harmless novel she had written. The author of this article also accuses Mrs. Stowe of being a simple pamphleteer, who wants nothing more than to show slavery is bad, which is nothing near enough to create a novel, but rather a pamphlet.
Narratives & Details - The main idea of this chapter was the disgust the author had with 'Uncle Tom's Cabin', and the evidence she has for making such claims against Mrs. Stowe. As seen on page 14, the author accuses Mrs. Stowe of being a pamphleteer, and not a novelist. She also says on page 13 that the book was nothing more than a weak attempt to show slavery is bad, but only mask the true violence in the process.
Chapter 1 (Pg. 13-23)
Summarization -
This chapter was short and to the point. It focused on the author's hatred and disgust with the novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. The author finds Mrs. Stowe (author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin') to be masking the true violence of slavery through a harmless novel she had written. The author of this article also accuses Mrs. Stowe of being a simple pamphleteer, who wants nothing more than to show slavery is bad, which is nothing near enough to create a novel, but rather a pamphlet.
Narratives & Details - The main idea of this chapter was the disgust the author had with 'Uncle Tom's Cabin', and the evidence she has for making such claims against Mrs. Stowe. As seen on page 14, the author accuses Mrs. Stowe of being a pamphleteer, and not a novelist. She also says on page 13 that the book was nothing more than a weak attempt to show slavery is bad, but only mask the true violence in the process.
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