Final Blog :)

At the beginning of the semester, I really did not know much about writing, especially writing literary analysis papers. This class taught me what a literary analysis was and how to write one. My researching skills became better developed also. The grammar lessons that we did, clarified some of the grammar things that I struggle with. The most helpful guides were the quotes and comma lessons. Strategies that helped were when we just talked together as a class, because we listen to each other and realize things on our own. That helped me think more about those types of things when I read by myself. The easiest paper for me to write was the Dr. Faustus one. This was probably because I had already done two papers, but I think I actually liked what I was writing about because it was kind of weird. It made me feel smart that I had looked at the play in a way that I could not find other sources on. I do not really like writing about things that have already been written about. The most helpful lesson was the one on commas, because I always use them wrong. I definitely feel more prepared to write college papers.

Poetry Packet

All of the poems portrayed women as the victim. Beyonce claims that if she was a boy she would know how to treat a woman right, insinuating that men don't know how. Well, if you have ever heard the remix where Beyonce features R. Kelly, R. Kelly claims thats if she really was a boy then she would understand,but she is not so there is no way she knows. The second poem, "Sold" by John Michael Montgomery clearly portrays a woman as an object. I do not think that was his intentions but after reading it, that is exactly how it appears. He bids on her and describes only her exterior appearance. He does not even know her and claims he would give her anything to make her his. "Sexism" by David Lehman talks about the different emotions of men and women regarding sex. A male wrote this and portrays men as not really caring about the woman they are with, all they really care about is getting laid. The woman though, is just happy that he came to see her, even if he is drunk and going to leave in an hour. The final poem is a children's poem. I got out of it that boys are slimy and dirty, and women are sweet and nice.

"The Flea"

The flea is told by a girl who's first love was of the boy who is symbolized by the flea. The flea ventured off and cheated on the girl. This is apparent because it says he bit her first and then moved on to another and bit her too. The flea is happy with himeself because "Yet this enjoys before it woo." The girl was hoping to marry the flea. Her parents dislike the boy but they meet again, and she falls in love once again. She is weaker now because she let him get away with it once so he knows he can do it again, and she is worried he will do it again. In the end, the flea dies and she is miserable now.

Poetry

I did not learn much of anything about poetry in high school. When we were on poetry units we would read poems and then they would ask us what they were about. We would tell them what we think and then usually they would be like no this is actually what is being said. But I think that is wrong because some poetry should be completely up for individual interpretation. I don't like poetry because it is too abstract. I feel like if you have something to say, say it. The only poems I like are fun ones, like Dr. Seuess's. Defininging poetry is difficult because there are the ones who follow specific rules, and then there is a category for poems who don't follow any rules. I guess I would say a poem is anything that someone writes that flows out of them, with no real reason.

End of Faustus

In the last scenes of Dr. Faustus realizes he made a mistake in turning to the dark arts. He was encouraged to repent many times, and the question was is it too late? Since he never did really try to repent until the end of the story, no one really knows. We are left thinking about how far is too far. In the end Faustus lived his life happily with the dark arts but when it was over and he was damned to Hell, he wanted to be forgiven and taken back. He wanted to the have his cake and eat it too, in a sense. He gained knowledge from working with the Devil but didn't want to pay the consequences.

Dr. Faustus 6-10

When Dr. Faustus sees Lucifer, he calls him ugly. Then the Seven Deadly Sins appear and tell Dr. Faustus about themselves which makes him really excited. He asks Lucifer to take him to hell. Dr. Faustus asks Mephistopholis to make him invisible and bring him to Rome, so he does. Once in Rome, he goes to the Pope and taunts him. He steals his meat, steals his drink, warns him not to do the cross, and finally hits him.The friars start singing and Mephistophilis and Faustus beat the friars too. Ralph and Robin attempt to do magic too, but Mephistophilis gets mad and turns one into an ape and one a dog. The emperor comes and asks to see Faustus do his magic because he has heard he is the best. Faustus denies being the best and brings Alexander the Great and his Paramour up.

Dr. Faustus Scene 5

In scene five the good angel and the bad angel come back. the good one does not want him to continue doing magic and the evil angel tells him to. Mephistophilis comes back and then goes to hell. He tries again to warn Faustus that working with the devil is not very much fun. The devil dresses up as a woman because Faustus wants a wife.