Blog 10

The short story "The Red Badge of Courage" by Stephen Crane is about a man who just joined in the military. He is fighting in the Civil War for the Union. The man’s name is Henry Fleming and the regiment that he has just joined has not done any fighting yet since he has joined. All that he has done so far is sit around and wait for the order to move. There have been rumors spreading that they are going to move soon and fight soon, but no official orders have been given. While he is sitting around Henry thinks about how good of a soldier he will be in battle and if he has the courage in him to fight. He fears that when the time comes, he will be a coward and run away. Finally, his regiment is called to fight. The first time that Henry fights, he feels like he is “ a cog in a machine”. He finds that even if he wanted to, he would not be able to run because he is packed in by all the other men in his regiment who are fighting alongside with him (Crane). The next time that his regiment is called to fight, Henry remembers the fear that he had in his last battle and he flees before it is too late. While he is running through the woods, he sees many wounded soldiers, even some who have familiar faces. He is jealous of these soldiers and their wounds because he feels that these wounds are “badges of courage” (Crane). He feels very guilty for leaving his regiment to fight without him, and regrets running. His regiment wins the battle without Henry and he is ashamed of himself. Henry watches the battle from a distance and when the other regiment is abandoning the battle, a soldier accidently hits Henry on the head with his gun, causing him to have a huge wound on his head. Henry pretends that his wound is a gunshot so that he does not feel like a coward. Stephen Crane and Ralph Waldo Emerson share the philosophy of freedom. Ralph Waldo Emerson writes about freedom a lot and I think that Stephen Crane also liked the idea of freedom because he wrote about a regiment fighting for the Union, which is the side that wanted to abolish slavery.

Bibliography
Crane, Stephen. The Red Badge of Courage. London: Penguin, 1994. Print.

Blog 9

“The Story of An Hour” by Kate Chopin is about a young woman, Louise Mallard, who lost her husband in a train accident. She was told the tragic news by her sister and her husband’s friend. When she heard the news, Louise was very devastated and she immediately started to sob uncontrollably. She cried a lot and then she went to her room to be by herself. As she is crying by herself in her room, a very strange feeling comes over her. She is looking out the window when she begins breathing very heavily and starts to repeat the word “free!” over and over again. At this point, Louise is realizing that now that her husband is dead, she does not have to live for him anymore. She realizes that men and women who are in a relationship are always living for each other and trying to control and change each other. Suddenly she is happy that she can now live for herself and she is looking forward to the rest of her life. She comes out of her room and meets her sister and her husband’s friend at the front door. Someone opens the door and Louise is shocked to see her husband walk through the door. Turns out, he did not make it on that train and he was not even aware that there had been an accident. Louise screams and ends up dying from a heart attack.

In the story, Louise thinks that men and women hold each other back when they are together and she looks forward to living the rest of her life for herself. Louise valued individualism and I believe that Kate Chopin also does since she writes about it. Ralph Waldo Emerson also values the individual. In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay “Self Reliance”, he writes a lot about how it is important to be an individual and not conform to what other people are doing. “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” (Emerson). I think that Emerson’s beliefs that it is important not to conform with what everybody else is doing relates to Kate Chopin’s belief that living for yourself is better than living for someone else.

Bibliography

Chopin, Kate. ""The Story of an Hour"" Virginia Commonwealth University. Web. 21 Feb. 2012.

Emerson, Ralph W. "Self Reliance." Emerson Central. Emerson Texts. Web. 21 Feb. 2012.

Blog 8

The short story “A Wagner Matinee” by Willa Cather is about a boy who takes his aunt to an opera. He receives a letter in the mail that says that his aunt is visiting and to take care of her and keep her entertained. Clark lives in the city but he grew up in the country with his aunt. Clark loves his aunt. She taught him how to read and about music and many other things. She educated him so that he would be able to go live in the city. When his aunt visits, Clark decides to take her to the opera because he knows that she likes music and was educated in it when she was younger. When she goes to the opera, she gets very emotional because it reminds her of why she had to go live in the country away from her family. She used to be very wealthy, but she left that life to elope with her husband, who her family did not approve of. Clarks aunt leaving her wealthy family to pursue her own happiness reminds me of what Henry David Thoreau left his home to live by himself in the woods. He wanted to live by himself to escape society. He left on July Fourth saying that he was “symbolically declaring his independence from society” (Grant) . Henry David Thoreau decided to leave society because he believed that society was "ruined by luxury and heedless expense." (Grant). I think that what Thoreau and Clark’s aunt did was very similar and I think that they would each approve of what the other did. I think that they had similar reasons for leaving their homes. They both wanted to be more independent. I think that Clark’s aunt wanted to achieve independence from her family because they did not approve of her husband.  She did not want to deal with their disapproval so she eloped. She left her life of luxury and wealth for a life of hard work in the country just so she would be able to be with the one she loved. Thoreau was just tired of society being so focused on material things and things that he did not find important. He did not want to be associated with society because he disagreed with a lot of their values that they had. I think that Clark’s aunt and Henry David Thoreau probably shared a lot of beliefs.

Bibliography

Cather, Willa. "A Wagner Matinee." Willa Cather's Short Story:. Web. 21 Feb. 2012. 

Grant, P. B. "Individual and Society in Walden." McClinton-Temple, Jennifer ed. Encyclopedia ofThemes in Literature. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2011. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc

Blog 7

The short story “An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce was written during the time of the Civil War. This story describes the thoughts of a man, Peyton Fahrquhar, who was being hung for trying to blow up Owl Creek Bridge. Peyton Fahrquhar was a plantation owner who wanted to help his country during the time of the Civil War. That is why he blew up the bridge. He got some information from a soldier that the “Yanks” were fixing the railroads and bridges so that they could make another advance. The soldier told him that if any civilian messed with any bridges or railroads that they would be immediately hung. Fahrquhar of course thought that he would be able to get away with it and he wanted to be able to help the South out during the war, so he decided that he would try to burn down the bridge. Turns out, the soldiers who were advising Fahrquhar were actually Yanks. They had tricked Fahrquhar into trying to burn down the bridge, and they caught him doing it and hung him. This story is all about Fahrquhar’s thoughts as he is about to be hung. It shows how he imagines that he will escape his fate.

Ambrose Bierce was against slavery. He worked as a printers apprentice for an antislavery newspaper before fighting in the Civil War and eventually becoming a lieutenant. I think that Ambrose Bierce was against slavery because he wrote this story about a man who was a plantation owner and also owned slaves, being hung. “An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge” shows a couple soldiers from the North tricking this plantation owner into being hung. I think that his experience writing for an antislavery newspaper probably influenced his views. Ralph Waldo Emerson was also against slavery.  He believed that people should be equal. "All men have my blood, and I have all men's.” (Emerson). This quote from Emerson’s “Self Reliance” shows that Emerson believes that all men are kind of like brothers. I think that Emerson  feels the same way about slavery. He feels that all men should be treated the same, like family. I think that Emerson and Bierce both share this idea.  

Bibliography

Emerson, Ralph W. "Self-Reliance." Ralph Waldo Emerson Texts. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. 

Bierce, Ambrose. "An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge" Page By Page Books. Read Classic Books Online, Free. Page By Page Books. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. 

Blog 6

When I was looking for Robert E. Lee’s letter to his son, I saw that he had written many letters to his family members. He wrote letters to his wife, sister and his son during the civil war.

In the letter that Robert E. Lee wrote to his son, he talked about how much he did not want the union to be divided. “It would be an accumulation of all the evils we complain of, and I am willing to sacrifice everything but honor for its preservation” (Lee). Robert E. Lee feels very strongly that the union should stay together.

Another thing that Robert E. Lee feels strongly about is that if a nation has to fight to preserve itself, then it is not a good nation anyways. Although Robert E. Lee feels that the nation should stay together, he does not think that it is worth it if he has to continue fighting for it. “Still, a Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets, and in which strife and civil war are to take the place of brotherly love and kindness, has no charm for me” (Lee).

In his letter, Robert E. Lee talks about how he is proud of his country and he says that he would do what ever it takes to defend it. “As an American citizen, I take great pride in my country, her prosperity and institutions, and would defend any state if her rights were invaded.” (Lee).

Robert E. Lee was fighting in the civil war so that his country could stay together and not be divided. Robert E. Lee was against slavery and so was Ralph Waldo Emerson. This is a philosophy that both of these men shared. Ralph Waldo Emerson believed that owning slaves and enslaving people was immoral and wrong. He did not own slaves and he had sympathy for the anti- slavery movement. “It was because the life of the American people was low,vulgar,mean, that slavery was possible” (Cooke). Emerson believed that people were valuable and that the only reason that slavery existed was because American people had very bad morals.



Bibliography

Cooke, George Willis. Ralph Waldo Emerson His Life, Writings, and Philosophy. Boston: J.R. Osgood and, 1881. Print.

Lee, Robert E. "Letter To His Son." 23 Jan. 1861. Wikispaces. Web. 14 Feb. 2012.

Blog 5

Sojourner Truth’s speech, “And Ain’t I A Woman?” was given at a women’s rights convention in 1851 in Akron Ohio (Sojourner). When people found out that she would be giving a speech that day at the convention, they were very angry and they all complained about it to the person who was in charge. Nobody wanted to hear the words of Sojourner Truth because they thought that since she was a black lady, instead of speaking about women’s rights, that she would speak about slavery and abolishing slavery.

When Sojourner approached the stage to speak, she was greeted with disapproval and people who did not want to hear what she had prepared. When Sojourner spoke, everybody’s mind was changed. Everyone became quiet and listened to what she was saying. Sojourner Truth’s speech was inspirational to everybody who heard it that day and it even brought tears to the eyes of the people in the audience. She shot down all the things that the men who were against women’s rights had been saying that day, including the thought that since Christ was a man, men should be superior to women.  “Whar did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothin' to do wid Him." (Sojourner).  The audience went crazy when Sojourner made her speech. She had said what all the women were thinking, but could not put into words.

Sojourner Truth believed in speaking her mind and saying and doing what she truly believes no matter what other people thought of her. For example, that day, even though she knew very well that nobody wanted to listen to her and nobody believed in her, she did what she came to do and she made her speech. I think that Sojourner and Emerson shared this belief. Emerson was a strong believer in individuality and saying and doing what is in your heart (Brugman). "Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles." (Brugman). This quote from Emerson sums up how he feels about the importance of doing and saying what you believe and I think that this is a belief that Emerson and Truth shared.

Bibliography

"Sojourner Truth Speeches Menu." Sojourner Truth.org. Web. 11 Feb. 2012.

Truth, Sojourner. "Ain't I A Woman." Sojourner Truth.org. Web. 11 Feb. 2012.

Brugman, Patricia. "Individual and Society in 'Self-Reliance'." McClinton-Temple, Jennifer ed. Encyclopedia of Themes in Literature. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2011. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Blog 4

The three hymns “Swing low, Sweet Chariot”, “Go Down Moses”, and “Keep Your Hands On The Plow” were written by anonymous authors and were very popular during the time of slavery. They are all folk songs and are thought to be written by a community, instead of just one individual person (Galens). They were sang by slaves while they did their work, rested, and sometimes when they prayed (Galens). They are all religious and were inspirational to the slaves.


“Swing Low Sweet Chariot” is a very spiritual song that was one of the most popular songs sung by the slaves. The song can be interpreted as the slaves singing about wanting to go home back to Africa, or wanting to go to their real home in heaven (Galens). “I looked over Jordan, and what did I see? Coming for to carry me home, A band of angels coming after me, Coming for to carry me home.” (Swing). This passage is just one of the religious references in the hymn. It talks a lot about religious figures carrying them home. This is why I think that they are referring to their home as heaven, and not Africa.


“Go Down Moses” is a hymn about Moses freeing the slaves in Egypt. It is said that the hymn was sung by abolitionists to signal escape and rebellion (Galens). “The Lord to Moses what to do, Let my people go; To lead the children of Isreal through, Let my people go.” (Go). This hymn is talking about the story in The Bible when Moses is sent by God to force the Pharaoh to free the slaves. I think that the slaves probably sang this song because they wanted to be free too and they believed that God wanted them to be free.


“Keep Your Hands On The Plow” is another slave hymn. This hymn contains a lot of biblical references, like in lines 15-18, “Peter was so nice and neat Wouldn't let Jesus wash his feet Keep your hands on that plow, hold on” (Keep).


Each of these three hymns contain a lot of religious references. The slaves at this time were usually very religious. Their faith helped them keep hope when their situation was pretty hopeless. Each of these hymns have Christian references. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s philosophy of religion was “All writing comes from the Grace of God” (Cooke). He believed that religion is “a motive and a law of life”(Cooke). I think that Emerson was religious and did not like slavery, which is a philosophy that he shared with each of the writers of these hymns.


Bibliography


Galens, David. "Swing Low Sweet Chariot Study Guide - Anonymous - ENotes.com."ENotes - Literature Study Guides, Lesson Plans, and More. The Gale Group. Web. 10 Feb. 2012.


Cooke, George Willis. Ralph Waldo Emerson His Life, Writings, and Philosophy. Boston: J.R. Osgood and, 1881. Print.


"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Hymn." Hymns. Web. 10 Feb. 2012.


"Go Down Moses." Hymns. Web. 10 Feb. 2012.


"Keep Your Hands On The Plow - GospelSongLyrics.Org." GospelSongLyrics.org - Lyrics and Music to All Your Favorite Gospel Songs. Web. 10 Feb. 2012.


Galens, David. "Go Down, Moses Study Guide - Anonymous - ENotes.com." ENotes - Literature Study Guides, Lesson Plans, and More. Web. 10 Feb. 2012.