Monday, April 27, 2009
Figurative Language Entry
Figurative language is often seen in advertising slogans as a way of obtaining consumers in an appealing way. Specifically, this is seen in the use of cereal box slogans. Kellogg’s slogan “Eat a bowl of sunshine” is an example of metaphor. Sunshine is not an edible word to use but Kellogg uses it because it sounds appealing to customers who may buy the product. Naturally the word sunshine is desirable to people and brings happiness to them. By using this slogan, Kellogg’s is telling its customers that by eating its cornflakes, they will be eating a bowl of goodness that pleases them. Figurative language is also seen in TV commercials. In an 80’s Diet Coke commercial women in an office take a specific “Diet Coke Break” at 11:30 to look of the office building down at the attractive construction worker who has his shirt off and is drinking a diet coke. The song in the background is saying not to work all day and to make love. The background song combined with the actual commercial gives watchers a sense that you will be thought of as attractive if you drink Diet Coke. Further, at the end the commercial the line “THIS IS Refreshment” is displayed in front of the man drinking the Diet Coke. “THIS IS” refers to the attractive man saying that he is refreshing which is appealing to viewers. Another commercial that is an example of figurative language is one for Lenovo powered by Intel. The commercial displays a large group of sumo wrestlers walking down a city street where they bang hard on the pavement representing how heavy they are. However, at the end they become light and fly into the air in the shape of a plane which represents how while they are heavy they can be light too and fly. The narrator closes the commercial by saying, “Heavy on features, light on weight”. This ties the sumo wrestlers being both heavy and light, with the computer having heavy features with an appealing light weight. This commercial displays metaphor and comedy to appeal to its viewers and potential customers. These three examples show how figurative language is used by advertising all over to gain customers.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Intertextuality
The piece of intertextuality that I found is the popular movie, 10 Things I Hate About You, which is based on the widely known Shakespearean play, The Taming of the Shrew. While the movie changes significant aspects of the play, the storyline is considerably the same. In an article that I found that discusses the relationship between the two texts, it points out clear references that are displayed in the film from the play. In the play Lucentio wishes to marry Bianca but can’t until Bianca’s sister, Katherine, is married. As a result, Lucentio pretends to be a tutor so he can become closer to Bianca. In the movie, Bianca is not allowed to date unless her sister Kat is dating someone. Cameron, a boy who is attracted to Bianca, acts as a French tutor to her so they can become closer. Another example of intertextuality between the two texts, is when in the play Petruchio, who is somewhat of a wild character, agrees to marry Katherine simply for the money that comes along with her. Similarly, in the film Pat agrees to date Kat in exchange for money that Joey bribes him with. Additionally, the characters personalities can be related between the two texts. Like Petruchio, Pat has a mysterious background; rumors roll around the school about how Pat once ate a live duck and the spent a year in prison. Examining these examples allows one to see how the film is a great example of intertextuality, in that it is shaped by the meanings and story of another text, in this case the play.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Blue Highways
After reading the first assigned pages for the book Blue Highways I have mixed feelings. I found it quite difficult to really get into the book to the point that I was interested in turning the page. While this may just be because I was very pleased with the last book we read, I am unsure of. I felt as though the author in a way throws the reader right into his journey at the beginning rather then uniquely and attractively reeling the reader into the book first. I did notice however, that the author commonly discusses the beliefs and stories of his native people and family. He mentioned where his name came from, as well as the belief of his people that mixed-blood is a “contaminated man who will be trusted by neither red nor white” (5). These examples from the book exemplify how the author mentions race throughout the beginning of the book, and there is a likelihood that race will remain a part of his journey across America.
Although, I found it difficult to get into the book at first, it was more interesting relating how similar William Least Heat-Moon from this book and Clarissa from Northern Lights are. Like Clarissa, Least Heat-Moon is running away from home as an attempt to forget and try to heal. Clarissa left NY and Pankaj to get away and find her mother, and in this book Least Heat-Moon packs up and leaves home after facing his turning point in life; when he loses his job and his wife due to a failed marriage he realizes that the chances of them rekindling their marriage are slim to none. Both characters decision to run away from their lives for which they are unhappy with prove the comparison between each other. They believe that running away will allow them to forget about parts of their past that they wish not to remember. I am interested to see how this similarity between characters plays out as I continue to read Blue Highways.
Although, I found it difficult to get into the book at first, it was more interesting relating how similar William Least Heat-Moon from this book and Clarissa from Northern Lights are. Like Clarissa, Least Heat-Moon is running away from home as an attempt to forget and try to heal. Clarissa left NY and Pankaj to get away and find her mother, and in this book Least Heat-Moon packs up and leaves home after facing his turning point in life; when he loses his job and his wife due to a failed marriage he realizes that the chances of them rekindling their marriage are slim to none. Both characters decision to run away from their lives for which they are unhappy with prove the comparison between each other. They believe that running away will allow them to forget about parts of their past that they wish not to remember. I am interested to see how this similarity between characters plays out as I continue to read Blue Highways.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Northen Lights Rough Draft
“Like Mother, Like Daughter”
If you have ever acted in a way that your mother would have, you are evidence that holds the known phrase, “Like mother, like daughter”, to be true. Often in life daughter’s tend to act in a way that is similar to their mother’s actions or personality; whether it may be eating habits, drug problems, simple patience or confidence daughter’s tend to be a mirror image of their mother’s . While many may argue that daughter’s with mother’s who aren’t thought of as role models, fight not to become a split image of their mother’s, there are only so many aspects of your mother that you can change about your ownself. Your mother is in your blood, your mother is in your soul and whether she is a large part of your life or not, she still effects the type of person you grow up to be. Vendela Vida, the author of Let The Northern Lights Erase Your Name, uses Clarissa and her mother’s relationship as clear proof to this philosophy, especially when they both reason why they left their originial lives.
Throughout the book Clarissa’s mother is presented as a hated person who is selfish and practically has no care for her children. Clarissa struggles to find her mother for an explanation as to why she left, but along the way flashbacks to when she was a child growing up around her mother. Towards the end of the book when Clarissa finally is met with her mother, her mother gives her an excuse as to why she left Clarissa and their family that terrible day in the mall.
Even though the author portrays Clarissa as someone who thinks of herself as different from her mother and someone who holds some hatred for her, Clarissa.........
If you have ever acted in a way that your mother would have, you are evidence that holds the known phrase, “Like mother, like daughter”, to be true. Often in life daughter’s tend to act in a way that is similar to their mother’s actions or personality; whether it may be eating habits, drug problems, simple patience or confidence daughter’s tend to be a mirror image of their mother’s . While many may argue that daughter’s with mother’s who aren’t thought of as role models, fight not to become a split image of their mother’s, there are only so many aspects of your mother that you can change about your ownself. Your mother is in your blood, your mother is in your soul and whether she is a large part of your life or not, she still effects the type of person you grow up to be. Vendela Vida, the author of Let The Northern Lights Erase Your Name, uses Clarissa and her mother’s relationship as clear proof to this philosophy, especially when they both reason why they left their originial lives.
Throughout the book Clarissa’s mother is presented as a hated person who is selfish and practically has no care for her children. Clarissa struggles to find her mother for an explanation as to why she left, but along the way flashbacks to when she was a child growing up around her mother. Towards the end of the book when Clarissa finally is met with her mother, her mother gives her an excuse as to why she left Clarissa and their family that terrible day in the mall.
Even though the author portrays Clarissa as someone who thinks of herself as different from her mother and someone who holds some hatred for her, Clarissa.........
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Northern Lights Journal Entry 2
While reading the rest of the book I had so many mixed feelings about all the characters, especially Clarissa and her Mom. I was also somewhat surprised by the ending and wasn’t expecting to find out what happened with the rest of Clarissa’s life.
Although, I had a confident feeling throughout reading the book that Clarissa would find her mother, I didn’t expect for their encounter to be so rough. I found it upsetting how when Clarissa found her mother, one of the first things her mother said was that she had every right to leave them because that wasn’t the life that she signed up for or belonged in. Often in life people are faced with situations that they don’t want to be in or paths of life that they didn’t hope to go down, but that doesn’t give anyone the right to use it as an excuse to leave their lives and the people involved because they are unhappy. While I do have sympathy for what the mother went through when she was young and raped, I think leaving her child because it reminds her of that terrible point in her life is a bit extreme. I found it quite ironic how all through the book, Clarissa complains about her mother’s actions and reasons for leaving, but yet at the end of the novel she uses a similar excuse for why she shouldn’t return to NY and to Pankaj because that’s her old life that she wasn’t happy in. This part of the book holds truth to the saying, “Like mother, like daughter”.
I was also quite surprised by the ending. I wasn’t expecting for Clarissa’s whole future to be thrown out like that in a span of a couple of pages. I expected for Clarissa to realize how wrong she was for leaving Pankaj like her mom left her, and would end up returning to NY to him. When Clarissa talks about how her future life ends up turning out and how happy she is, it compares to how her mother seems content with her new life at the cabin running the tourism excursion. I finished the book pleased with the ending, because sometimes I hate finishing the book wondering what happened with the characters; although, it allows the reader to be imaginative, it can be annoying not knowing what the author was thinking when finishing the book and what would happen to the characters afterward.
After reading the Narrative Sequence assignment I have decided to do the option where I have to examine a close reading in the book. I am considering looking at the close reading where Clarissa gives herself reasoning for why she shouldn’t return to NY and Pankaj, and how this relates to her mother’s explanation for leaving her family when Clarissa and her mother have their encounter at the cabin. I think it would be interesting to examine the whole “Like mother, like daughter” aspect that I mentioned before; how all through the book Clarissa complains of her mother’s actions but yet replays some of them herself. Mother-daughter relationships are very unique in how similar both people are, and how even if the daughter doesn’t want to be like her mother, it’s likely that she will at least act in similar ways as her mother. I was wondering if I could use direct quotes from both parts of the book (Clarissa/mother encounter at cabin when her mother says why she left and when Clarissa decides not to go back to Pankaj at the end of the book), even though they aren’t in the same close reading?
Although, I had a confident feeling throughout reading the book that Clarissa would find her mother, I didn’t expect for their encounter to be so rough. I found it upsetting how when Clarissa found her mother, one of the first things her mother said was that she had every right to leave them because that wasn’t the life that she signed up for or belonged in. Often in life people are faced with situations that they don’t want to be in or paths of life that they didn’t hope to go down, but that doesn’t give anyone the right to use it as an excuse to leave their lives and the people involved because they are unhappy. While I do have sympathy for what the mother went through when she was young and raped, I think leaving her child because it reminds her of that terrible point in her life is a bit extreme. I found it quite ironic how all through the book, Clarissa complains about her mother’s actions and reasons for leaving, but yet at the end of the novel she uses a similar excuse for why she shouldn’t return to NY and to Pankaj because that’s her old life that she wasn’t happy in. This part of the book holds truth to the saying, “Like mother, like daughter”.
I was also quite surprised by the ending. I wasn’t expecting for Clarissa’s whole future to be thrown out like that in a span of a couple of pages. I expected for Clarissa to realize how wrong she was for leaving Pankaj like her mom left her, and would end up returning to NY to him. When Clarissa talks about how her future life ends up turning out and how happy she is, it compares to how her mother seems content with her new life at the cabin running the tourism excursion. I finished the book pleased with the ending, because sometimes I hate finishing the book wondering what happened with the characters; although, it allows the reader to be imaginative, it can be annoying not knowing what the author was thinking when finishing the book and what would happen to the characters afterward.
After reading the Narrative Sequence assignment I have decided to do the option where I have to examine a close reading in the book. I am considering looking at the close reading where Clarissa gives herself reasoning for why she shouldn’t return to NY and Pankaj, and how this relates to her mother’s explanation for leaving her family when Clarissa and her mother have their encounter at the cabin. I think it would be interesting to examine the whole “Like mother, like daughter” aspect that I mentioned before; how all through the book Clarissa complains of her mother’s actions but yet replays some of them herself. Mother-daughter relationships are very unique in how similar both people are, and how even if the daughter doesn’t want to be like her mother, it’s likely that she will at least act in similar ways as her mother. I was wondering if I could use direct quotes from both parts of the book (Clarissa/mother encounter at cabin when her mother says why she left and when Clarissa decides not to go back to Pankaj at the end of the book), even though they aren’t in the same close reading?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Northern Lights #1
Since beginning to read the book Let The Northern Lights Erase Your Name, I have really come to enjoy it and surprisingly have a difficult time putting it down. This is especially ironic considering in my reading inventory I said I generally dislike reading the books that are assigned in school. Although, we aren’t too far into the book I have already developed multiple opinions about the characters, especially the main one Clarissa.
First and foremost, I am having a difficult time having any sympathy for Clarissa while continuing to read her story. She is quite stubborn and won’t allow others who are important in her life to help her out or provide some sort of explanation for the so called “betrayal” that she feels. While, I do have strong feelings for Clarissa’s unkindly behavior, after reading the last group of assigned pages her behavior is becoming more understandable. She describes the moment her mom left her and how when she went to go meet her mom in the mall to go home, a woman told her that her mom left and said that she had gotten tired of waiting. This moment must have had a terrible affect on her, making her feel as though her mom was tired of caring for her. Often people use being tired as an excuse to get out of doing something; “I am too tired to clean my room so I will do it tomorrow”, or “I’m too tired to do my homework now so I will do it later tonight”. These excuses usually prevent someone from getting things done because he or she thinks it’s a justifiable reason for not doing something. In the books case, Clarissa’s mom is using being tired as a reasonable excuse for her kids as to why she left them. She believed that saying she was tired would be enough explanation for her kids for her reason for leaving. Personally, I think this is the worst excuse ever and provides no explanation for her kids. After reading this segment of the book I realize why Clarissa just got up and left Panjak without saying anything or thinking that she needed to say anything; because her mom left easily without an explanation she feels that it’s ok for her to do it to and to have someone else feel the pain that she felt.
Generally in life people tend to justify their actions by repeating those actions that one’s close to them have done. Clarissa feels that because her mother leaving her hurt her so much that others around her must experience that pain too and to feel what it is like to be her.
First and foremost, I am having a difficult time having any sympathy for Clarissa while continuing to read her story. She is quite stubborn and won’t allow others who are important in her life to help her out or provide some sort of explanation for the so called “betrayal” that she feels. While, I do have strong feelings for Clarissa’s unkindly behavior, after reading the last group of assigned pages her behavior is becoming more understandable. She describes the moment her mom left her and how when she went to go meet her mom in the mall to go home, a woman told her that her mom left and said that she had gotten tired of waiting. This moment must have had a terrible affect on her, making her feel as though her mom was tired of caring for her. Often people use being tired as an excuse to get out of doing something; “I am too tired to clean my room so I will do it tomorrow”, or “I’m too tired to do my homework now so I will do it later tonight”. These excuses usually prevent someone from getting things done because he or she thinks it’s a justifiable reason for not doing something. In the books case, Clarissa’s mom is using being tired as a reasonable excuse for her kids as to why she left them. She believed that saying she was tired would be enough explanation for her kids for her reason for leaving. Personally, I think this is the worst excuse ever and provides no explanation for her kids. After reading this segment of the book I realize why Clarissa just got up and left Panjak without saying anything or thinking that she needed to say anything; because her mom left easily without an explanation she feels that it’s ok for her to do it to and to have someone else feel the pain that she felt.
Generally in life people tend to justify their actions by repeating those actions that one’s close to them have done. Clarissa feels that because her mother leaving her hurt her so much that others around her must experience that pain too and to feel what it is like to be her.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Reading Inventory
There are several different types of texts that I enjoy “reading”: watching movies and TV, listening to music and reading books. I love going to the movies from time to time with friends or family not only because it’s fun and relaxing, but usually I can walk away with some type of lesson or opinion from seeing the movie. Specifically, I recently saw the movie “Seven Pounds” which left a huge impression on me; I walked out of the movie having a greater appreciation for the life and health that I have been given. Though I left the theatre in tears with my mom, I was mesmerized by how powerful one person could be to change the lives of others for the better.
In addition to watching movies, I also enjoy watching specific TV shows. Though, I don’t gain much from watching the shows other than the satisfaction of being able to relax and have time to myself, my weekly ritual shows are important to me. Every week I watch the same specific shows at night like Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy, and Desperate Housewives. I always make sure that I get all my work done before my nighttime shows so that way I can sit down and relax for some down time. I don’t mind watching the shows with friends as long as no one is talking throughout the show.
When it comes to actually reading books and writing pieces my opinion is interchangeable. In high school I always had a book in my English class that I had to read; usually, these books were popular boring books like The Scarlet Letter or The Taming of the Shrew. I have never been one to like reading books that I am forced to read, especially if they share to topics of no interest to me. The book we are currently reading in ENG 112 is the first book I have had to read in college so I can’t say how much different it is to high school other than the number of books I have been required to read. Although, I dislike reading the books that are usually assigned in school, I do enjoying reading books that I pick out; great “beach reads”. Reading on the beach in the sun is by far my favorite place to read. I find myself getting involved in the book the most if I read it on the beach or in a plane, rather than reading on a couch where I usually end up making myself fall asleep. Overall, I enjoy the freedom of reading rather then being confined to one book just because it is in the curriculum.
In addition to watching movies, I also enjoy watching specific TV shows. Though, I don’t gain much from watching the shows other than the satisfaction of being able to relax and have time to myself, my weekly ritual shows are important to me. Every week I watch the same specific shows at night like Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy, and Desperate Housewives. I always make sure that I get all my work done before my nighttime shows so that way I can sit down and relax for some down time. I don’t mind watching the shows with friends as long as no one is talking throughout the show.
When it comes to actually reading books and writing pieces my opinion is interchangeable. In high school I always had a book in my English class that I had to read; usually, these books were popular boring books like The Scarlet Letter or The Taming of the Shrew. I have never been one to like reading books that I am forced to read, especially if they share to topics of no interest to me. The book we are currently reading in ENG 112 is the first book I have had to read in college so I can’t say how much different it is to high school other than the number of books I have been required to read. Although, I dislike reading the books that are usually assigned in school, I do enjoying reading books that I pick out; great “beach reads”. Reading on the beach in the sun is by far my favorite place to read. I find myself getting involved in the book the most if I read it on the beach or in a plane, rather than reading on a couch where I usually end up making myself fall asleep. Overall, I enjoy the freedom of reading rather then being confined to one book just because it is in the curriculum.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)