thchiodo’s Blog

I saw the man approach. I watched him, studied him. He was dressed gravely and carried a serpent cane. He was only a mere 50 yet seemed younger. I knew who this man was but hoped I was mistaken. It couldn’t be… and yet I believe it was.

We walked into the darkened forest, deeper and deeper. How we managed to go so far I did not know. He told me to rest and attempted to give me his staff but I did not accept. To grasp the head of the serpent would mean to accept him. I did not trust the man, the man who spouted lies after lies. He never knew my father of my father’s father! They were good men and pious. This man was anything but that. The beatings, the murders, the massacres these were not done by my family, liar he was.

State secrets he cried, I though not. He speaks of associations with the church but the devil cannot be associated with the pious, the holy. Salem was a good place, a place of peace, this man does not understand that. I watched him closely. He was trying to corrupt me. My soul. He mocks me and my wife. Monster, yet I cannot ignore him I need him.

While viewing the Armory show I had noticed that almost all the pieces displayed were of modernist origins. It has been regarded that “the Armory Show of 1913 as an authentic starting point for American modernism”(Prompt). This show dating from February 17th to March 15th, 1913, was the beginning of a period of history. Portraying works that could be deemed ‘radical’ and ‘innovative’ for the time many did not appreciate the works.

While the pieces were created almost a century ago there are pieces that still remain in the minds of many. One of such is Galley Q Old woman with a Rosary. This painting ‘was perhaps one of the most memorable pieces from the Armory Show. Fifty years later, Paul Burlin cited Cézanne’s work as the only painting he could remember: “The memory of its strange subjective manner stirs me even today, and I can visualize it on the floor, on the table, on the wall” (Munson-Williams-Proctor 95)’. The portrayal of a woman in the praying stance alludes to either mourning or piety. This picture brings for the an emotion that makes you sympathize with the woman. Something many paintings fail to accomplish.

In addition to the memorable there were many pieces that could be interpreted to have various deeper meanings. It was the paining in Gallery J that caught my immediate attention. Silence in Gallery J portrays a character that is being hushed. The yellow contrasted with the black and grey of the figure give it a mystical appearance. This appearance also alludes to innocence when coupled with the pale blue of the exterior. While the figure is un-gendered it appears to be either in mourning or in deep thought. The murkiness of the message is probably one of my favorite aspects of this paining. It allows the viewer to see what they wish.

The show is unique due to the fact that all these paintings range from the innocent (Gallery J) to the demonic (Galley A). Their pieces are fresh to view even for being over about a century old. If it was portrayed in an art gallery today I believe that they would receive the recognition that they truly deserve.

The most basic viewing of this tale having both victory and defeat is at the end. Our narrator has accomplished a victory as she is free from her physical constraints but also suffers defeat as her husband has fainted due to the overall situation. He believed she was recovering but that is not the case as see, she did not recover and remained in the unchanging volatile state she had been in previously.

During out wiki project I had found that there were something’s that I liked and others that I disliked. During this assignment one of the things I enjoyed was viewing other readings of Whitman thru pictures. Everyone perceives certain things differently and this allows a culmination of all those views. While I enjoyed leaning of other views I am not a big fan of doing online work, so the fact that things had to be uploaded might have been a bit annoying for me. Doing this project helped me as I got to see how people view different aspects of Whitman differently. Some of the photos chosen I would have never through of choosing. If I could change anything I would suggest that the project was done in a more group setting and ‘pods’ chose pictures for specific parts. Otherwise I rather enjoyed it.

1. Dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix
2. Who poverty and tatters and hollow-eyed and high sat up smoking in the supernatural darkness
3. who go busted in their public beards returning through Laredo with a belt of marijuana for New York
4. With dreams, with drugs, with waking nightmares, alcohol and cock and endless balls
5. Listening to the crack of doom
6. Supernatural ecstasy
7. Who burned cigarette holes in the arms protesting the narcotic tobacco haze of capitalism
8. wild cooking pederasty and intoxication

In Allen Ginsberg’s controversial poem “Howl” there are at least eleven distinctive references to drugs. the poem begins:

“I Saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by

madness, starving hysterical naked.

Dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn

looking for an angry fix,”

It is at this moment that the poems tone is set. The portrayal of a man being “destroyed by madness” creates a tone of helplessness. These were the greatest monds who will never be known as they hide behind a bottle. Drugs as we all know can be viewed as both good and bad; but Ginsberg focuses on the destructive power rather tehn their healing. When this poem was composed in Berkley in the mid 1950′s the bay area was on the brink of an all out drug-happy decade. While drugs are alluded to in this powm there are few times where a specific drug is names. one drug was that of Marijuana:

“Who got busted in their public beards returning through

Laredo with a belt of Marijuana for New York,”

The ‘Who’ that is refenced in this poem is the ‘wasted mids’ of the 50′s. A second drug or allusio to one is the repetitive mention of ecstacy; “Supernatural ecstacy” and “Natural Ecstacy”. Drugs have the ability to enhance ones senses and the ‘ecstacy’ one feels, especially supernatural, could be the product of outside influences; specifically of the illegal persuasion.

Ginsberg poem takes on the active voice as he attempts to portray a harsh life not only using his words but also his tone. The tone of the poem allows the reader to feel helpless as they witness the ruin of minds. Ginsberg repeatedly refers to this motif of drugs as a way to portray their destructive nature. Even when they are not specifically talked about the are just one of the causes of a man losing everything. The use of a single sentence for an entire part is unique and effective as everything mentioned is part of a problem and should not be viewed separately. Drugs, Madness, Suicide and more are all the causes of on joint problem.

While the poem only mentoins drugs a few times it is a running theme that is used throughtou the entire poem. Drugs as well as madness, starvation/hunger, the body, geography and suicide are additionl themes that Ginsberg explores in his poem and in the life he had lived on the west coast.

In Millers the view from the bridge one of the main characters, Eddie, felt as if his family no longer held any loyalty to him; but this is not true. The issue of loyalty never really came up as his family stayed loyal to his throughtout the play it is jus this own actions that allowed tehm to display their emotions differently. His niece Catherine, while placed in the middle of the battle between the two factions (Eddie and the italians) still had time to state that she missed htew old Eddie. this right here showed that she was loyal to hte memory of her uncle that she missed dearly.

At the time that this was written the Us Was encountereing what was then known as the red scare. Communism became a problem to the governemnt and Hollywood was systematially questioned about their invovement. The HUAC and their interrogations forced many to point fingers to others that might have affiliations with hte party and thus breaking their loyalty as friends. While many actors, writers and directors did this there were few who stood against them. while Miller was not placed on the Hollywood 10 black list he was on the Red channel list that showed he had ties to the political party and thus was not to be trusted.

In American Culture loyalty is a big aspect as it is noy part of the basic principles that an american asks of it;s family and friends. To be loyal is to be trustworthy and that is a skill that many do not possess. Teh world is filled with individuals that only think about theirselves and how they will survive and little to think of how thier actions affect anyone else. Eddie found this out as he reveled the locations of the ‘italians’ to the government and subsequently lost his right to his families loyalty eventhough they still volunteered it.

I wouldn’t claim that Hemingway portrayed the indians as primitive it is my opinion that the white men, especially Uncle George, were the neanderthals in the story. The story centers around a young biys apparent ‘journey’ with his father to n indian camp but when he gets there it is the white men who act savagely towards the indians. When taken at face value the Indians appear primitive (no distingusihing names, language, and overall appearance) but it is the reaction of the husband towards his hurting wife that strikes me as unique. He killed himself because he felt the pain his wife endured, a connection deeper then anything otherwise encountered. additionally the character of Uncle George is an obnoxious man who cares very little for those around him, similar to that of the doctor. The idea of a man being apathetic towards the pain of a woman makes me view them as being the primitive ones of the story. They are so single minded in their views that they are not capable of seeing in the eyes of man/woman but of white/other or superior/ inferior. When an individua lviews the world in thsi very black and white mentality it is that mind that has regressed to a that of a primitive state.

613

They shut me up in Prose –

As when a little Girl

They put me in the Closet –

Because they liked me “still” –

Still! Could themself have peeped –

And seen my Brain — go round –

They might as wise have lodged a Bird

For Treason — in the Pound –

Himself has but to will

And easy as a Star

Abolish his Captivity –

And laugh — No more have I –

Commentary

They shut me up in Prose –

How does one get shut up in prose? Prose is known as the common speech. The thought that someone can shut an individual up in prose could mean a verbal assault. They shut her up by threats. Maybe the thought of using such ‘vulgar’ language is enough to halt her from completing her work.

As when a little Girl

The line begins as when a little girl the thought of her as a child alludes to innocence. The thought of a little girl brings forth the classical view of a little girl in pigtails and a summer dress. But this line coming directly after the thought of being ‘shut up in prose’ shows a halt of innocence. A violent action ‘shutting up’ being contrasted with an innocent vision “child” is interesting it is almost a contrast between light and dark.

They put me in the Closet –

The uses of the house motif being me back to the idea of the light v the dark. The Closet is generally used as a euphemism to show a secret. Closets are dark, dank places that one hides their secrets from. The line previous used along side this shows that as a child she was halted in her development. She was placed in a metaphorical closet never fully grasping the world. This could also mean a sheltered life, removed from outside resources.

Because they liked me “still” –

The use of the quotations around the word still brings the readers attention to the true meaning of the word. The work could be used as sarcasm. That while an individual had been shut up and locked away the perpetrators liked her still. Almost as if she were telling the readers that the individuals were trying to convince the young girl that it was for her own good. Maybe they viewed her in a negative light maybe as a dark force but still liked her. It could also be viewed that the dark force is intelligence and people fear that about the girl. They feared her inquisitiveness and tried their hardest to halt the mental development of the girl, as many children are naturally curious.

Still! Could themself have peeped –

The author seems angry that the others judged her before really understanding her. The use of the exclamation gives the readers a vision of a woman either slamming her fist down or making some sort of gesture that signifies annoyance. What is peeped? Such an innocent word to use, to look quickly or even secretly could show that no one knew her no one even bothered to look at her even for a second. This is one of the first signs of real emotion that is portrayed in the poem, both annoyance and incredulousness.

And seen my Brain — go round –

The completed line reads ‘could themselves have peeped and seen my brain’ how could one ‘peep’ into the brain of a child. It might show that the individual was never truly understood. Going back to the last two lines ‘Because they liked me “still” – Still! Could themselves have peeped’ then add this line ‘And seen my Brain – go round-’ just solidified the belief that she was misunderstood and that no one really got around to understanding her fully. The body motif about the brain is used to give the reader a more intimate reading of the poem. In addition the use of the brain (the source of intelligence) makes me think that she is referring to intellectual stunting. That she was shunned because of her knowledge.

They might as wise have lodged a Bird

How does one log a bird? Maybe she contrasts her self to the bird. A pet bird is caged, stunted and never really learned how to fend for themselves, while she is a woman who desired freedom. She is comparing the treatment of a caged bird to herself. By the line above ‘they put me in the closet’ the closet can be a euphemism for a metal cage. She might feel like an animal with the basic primal desires and no real identity.

For Treason — in the Pound –

Now this line confounds me. The act of treason is more commonly known as being either disloyal or being betrayed. While in addition the term pound has various meanings such as to strike or beat something, a throbbing action, bombardment, or teaching something repeatedly. The line “for treason in the pound’ could mean a ‘betrayal’ of fault in the teachings of an idea into the writer. The treason in the pound could be an adverse reaction to the teachings. By trying to instill one idea in to the ‘brain’ they created an alternate reaction, an opposing opinion to the one they tried to instill. An example could be the idea that women were not to be educated, by this many women sought to be educated just to prove the idea wrong, essentially meaning that the original teaching committed treason by granting the birth of a radical idea.

Himself has but to will

A wish of desire, the change in gender draws attention to the thought that the ‘himself’ might be a secondary individual. At first we are granted the line “as when a little girl” but now we see the lime begin with the word “himself” it is more the likely that the ‘himself’ refers to the bird that the writer alludes to earlier. Almost as if they are partners in this hellish prison. As if the freedom of the duo depends on the birds will and desire to be free thus going against his teachings.

And easy as a Star

How can something be as easy as a star? How is a star easy? Maybe it refers to the actions as being as easy as seeing the sky? At night the stars are the brightest and easiest to see while in the light of day they becomes invisible but will always be there. It could allude to the underlining thoughts that are present in the subject always there but sometimes hidden and all it takes is to look at them to become free.

Abolish his Captivity –

Abolishing captivity is something that is referred to as being easy. Becoming free is something that is not very easy to do. The action of becoming mentally free is another action. To become mentally free from captivity one must go against all teachings that they have previously abided by. By the reader telling ‘himself’ to abolish his captivity she is instilling a radical idea, an act of ‘treason’ in its own right. To stand on his own and become free.

And laugh — No more have I –

She has aided in another being becoming free and at this prospect they both feel joy at their new freedom. By saying “no more have I” it gives an idea of being in sync that they are now kin for surviving and triumphing against the evil that they had suffered together and now both fully embrace the light.

Quick Observations:

1. She refers to herself indirectly as a slave. By using the terms ‘Abolition’ and ‘Captivity’ it brings back the idea of slavery.

2. She refers to the bird as a human allowing it to have human choices almost as if she feels pity for the animal for it has no choice in it’s life. It is solely dependent on the master for its survival and thus to be free it mutates into a smart humanistic bird that has human consciousness.

In Whitman’s ‘Songs of Myself’ he feels contempt in the life he leads and this is easily seen in the lines “I am satisfied…. I see, laugh, dance and sing” he is satisfied being a loafe. I chose the picture of the couple spinning in the grass because of the carefree nature of the action. When was the last time an individual can say that they had spun with reckless abandon embraced in the heart of nature removed from artificial interruptions (cell phones, laptops, cars, I=pods….) I know that I can’t ever remember a time. When ever I am in nature I always bring some piece of society with me and I can assure you that I am not part of the minority. People are to absorbed with their work to stop and relax, they are always moving forward never moving in any other direction. In addition the previous lines to the one I am referring to speak of the purity of an individual “Welcome is every organ and attribute of me, and of any man hearty and clean, Not an inch nor a particle of an inch is vile, and none shall be less familiar than the rest”. The reference that ‘not an inch is vile’ shows a complete belief that he or his love are pure and unaltered from the industrialist lives that they are surrounded by. Sometimes it is beneficial to stop and look at your surrounding and embrace the natural world around you.

In Emerson’s “The American Scholar” he gives the reader the indication that while books are fine and dandy to learn many rely heavily upon them to create ideals of their own. While they can be used as a secondary source it is important that an individual creates their own ideals and beliefs separate from the words many have so heavily depended on. While he wrote this hundreds of years ago when education in the United States was still relatively new it just shown that in today’s educational ‘scene’ his own words had been lost in translation. Many professionals in academia analyze words and texts differently and by teaching a student or assigning a student a specific view they limit that student to think in a linear pattern and not create their own views. A good example of this is the topic of Shakespeare. While Shakespeare was a great playwright he did not leave the earth with everyone loving him, while some critics regarded him as the silliest writer to hit the circuit. An example of a popular shakespeare critic is Samuel pepys who wrote in his September 1662 “This day my oaths of drinking wine and going to plays are out, and so I do resolve to take a liberty to-day, and then to fall to them again. To the King’s theatre, where we saw “Midsummer’s Nights Dream” which I had never seen before, nor shall ever again, for it is the most insipid ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life. I saw, I confess, some good dancing and some handsome women, which was all my pleasure”. If a ‘bookworm’ read this first they would already have a negative view on the play just because of one view and would never have a creative reading of the works. To have a creative reading one must put aside everything they read and understand the underlining point that what is written is one persons view and should not be the view of the collective. In regards to pop culture according to Emerson academia is most like the Star Trek characters ‘The Borg’ they share a collective mind and all believe the same thing, there is no deviation of their views and thus can be viewed as disastrous.