Where did Cummings get his start?

E.E. Cummings is one of the most recognized poets from the 20th century. Cummings destiny to become a poet was evident even as a small child. [http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/e-e-cummings] However, Cummings explored many different avenues and gained experience from many experiences in his lifetime.

As a child, Cummings already liked to view the world in his own way. When Cummings was just four years old, he was very interested in drawing. He showed a love of animals in his sketching, but with hints of perspective. Sketching became a lifetime hobby of Cummings. Cummings also enjoyed going to his family farm; where he would cut wood, go for long walks, and take bicycle tours. [http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/eecummings.html]

It was when Cumming’s first attended the Agassiz school that he realized his love for poetry. While attending school, he realized he had a talent for memorizing the poems of Longfellow and Emerson. This inspired Cummings to begin writing a few of his own poems. [http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/eecummings.html] However, it wasn’t until college that he began to take his studies seriously. At Harvard, Cummings studied Greek and English classics. While in school, his poems were often ran in the Harvard Monthly and Harvard Advocate. [http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/e-e-cummings]

[http://theinspiredcafe.com/tag/e-e-cummings/]

After Cummings received his M.A., he moved to New York, where he worked at a publishing company. Cummings endured many hardships in the years to follow; however, the 1920s were the time of his greatest productivity. During this time he helped write an autobiographical play and later published a book of poetry. [http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/eecummings.html]

One poem Cummings wrote was The Cambridge Ladies Who Live In Furnished Souls. This poem describes women who never think for themselves, who never question society, and who are unaware of anything bigger than themselves. These women have no values or ideas of their own, nor do they question values. They also have no understanding of Christ, but show superficial excitement. [http://blue.utb.edu/gibson/cambridge%20ladies.htm] Basically, the poem talks about wealthy women who are only living by the social standards of society, not their own understandings. Cummings probably wrote this poem because he was such a free-thinker, that women with this persona were frustrating and hard to accept.

(representation of the ladies of Cambridge above)

[http://foldedvictory.blogspot.com/2011/08/cambridge-ladies-who-live-in-furnished.html]

The Snows of Kilimanjaro

Often when comparing the film production of a novel, people are let down and disappointed. Most books turned into movies have been condensed and changed in order to keep the attention of the audience. While movies help give the audiance a visual picture of the story, I believe that they are usually more harmful than helpful.

In the case of the novel The Snows of Kilimanjaro, Ernest Hemingway, the author, sold the screen rights to the story. However, he, could never bring himself to watch the production. [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/snows_of_kilimanjaro/] Hemingway was unsatisfied with the change of the ending from his novel. In his original works, the main character dies from his wounds. This was changed in the hollywood production because the producer preferred the character survive, and go on to write something of lasting value. [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/snows_of_kilimanjaro/] Simple issues such as these, are what lead to the distortion of stories turned into film.

 

[http://missdarcyslibrary.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/the-snows-of-kilimanjaro-1936/]

[http://www.bernardherrmann.org/music/the-snows-of-kilimanjaro/]

Another comparison of a book turned into a movie with vast changes is Dear John. Nicholas Sparks wrote the original book focusing on a young man serving in the military and the struggling relationship he has with his father. The main focus of the book was that “John” found love, but she also helped teach him to love his father by the realization of his father having Asperger Syndrome. The movie version told a similar story, however, to draw in more viewers the story was focused more on the love story alone. [http://www.traceycramerkelly.com/dear-john-by-nicholas-sparks-book-versus-movie-which-is-better/]

 

[http://bookablereads.blogspot.com/2011/07/cravings-13-dear-john-by-nicholas.html]

[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0989757/]

I feel that both these examples prove that a film can be harmful to portray an authors depiction of their story. Considering that the film is not written or directed by the author, it’s impossible that the exact image the author had can be depicted. However, for some people who do not have creative imaginations, it may help them visualize the story if reading the book does not explain circumstances thoroughly enough.

Blanche Dubois

Blanche Dubois, from A Streetcar to Desire, can be viewed from many different perspectives. Some critics may view Dubois as an angel victimized by her surroundings, while others view her as a harlot. [http://www.bu.edu/writingprogram/journal/past-issues/issue-2/seigle/] To me, Blanche plays a very similar role to that of Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With the Wind. Both were stories of women who would do whatever it takes to better their lives.

[http://www.moviefanfare.com/vivien-leigh-scarlett-ohara-vs-blanche-dubois/]

Both Blanche and Scarlett share the same characteristics, that they will do whatever they have to do to get what they want. Both characters also manipulate men to keep their social status and financial needs.[http://helenroulston.com/scarlett.html] Even when comparing story lines, Scarlett O’Hara had no troubles before the war and was considered a true southern belle, much like Blanche. Later on throughout the stories, both women come across hardships and have to take care of their families.

To me, while the stories are very different, the characters are very similar. Both play roles of women who are lost, confused, conflicted, and living in their own fantasies. [http://www.shmoop.com/streetcar-named-desire/blanche-dubois.html] The concept of reality causes them many struggles in life, including spending the family money, and losing their one great loves. These women lived priviledged, then tragic lives.

[http://whshonors9.wikispaces.com/A+Streetcar+Named+Desire]

    

Langston Hughes and the Modern Period in American Literature

American literature of the past was always defined by certain styles and similar trains of thought. However, the modern period broke all of the traditions literature had previously set, and changed the focus of literature to American life. [http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/1914-/lit/] The modern period, itself, reflected a loss of faith in traditional values and beliefs, including the American Dream. [http://www.slideshare.net/jhazle/american-literature-introduction-to-the-modern-period] One of the most influential writers of this period was Langston Hughes.

[http://www.last.fm/music/Langston+Hughes]

Hughes received most of his inspiration from Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Carl Sandburg, and Walt Whitman. His works are known for being vivid depictions of what black life in American was like during his time period (the twenties to sixties). Hughes wanted to represent African-American culture and their lifestyle during the time; showing both the suffering and the finer aspects of their lives. [http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/83]

Hughes was a main contributor to the Harlem Renaissance, which made the African-American race a powerful attribution to the literary society. Hughes wanted to give African-Americans the power to express themselves through writing. [http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/1914-/lit/] He wanted to be able to tell stories that showed their culture and reflected their love of music and life. [http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/83]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhvlyc_langston-hughes-theme-for-english-b_creation

[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhvlyc_langston-hughes-theme-for-english-b_creation]

The above video is a reading of Hughes poem “Theme for English B”. In this poem Hughes talks about being 22, going to college, and being the only colored student. In the poem he explains how he feels like an outcast because of his color, even though he really is no different from the other students. He wanted people to realize that during the modern period many Americans had trouble accepting cultures and skin colors. [http://thisibelieve.org/essay/78305/] He also wanted them to realize, that we are all the same. Hughes tried really hard to put into perspective to other people what it was like to be an African-American of this time.

God’s Garden by Robert Frost

Robert Frost was clearly a very religious man. However, he liked to make his own interpretation of the Bible, so he often wrote poems about God’s word. Frost wrote “God’s Garden” in direct comparison to the Genesis story, Garden of Eden. [http://suite101.com/a/robert-frosts-gods-garden-a231018] In the video below you can hear Frost’s poem and it’s similarities to the Bible story.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1j1O7OZwog]

In Frost’s poem, he talks about how God gives one straight and narrow path in the garden, which is to be interpreted as how Adam and Eve were to follow God’s word to guide them alone. However, the poem also states that there was another creator, in reference to the devil, and that he planted alluring gold flowers. The gold flowers represented the forbidden fruit from the Biblical story. The poem talks about the flowers by saying, “that poison the bone and blood”. This line refers to the fall of mankind; Adam and Eve having been deceieved by the devil, or “gold flowers”, caused them the horrors of humanly pain and suffering when God removed them from the garden. [http://suite101.com/a/robert-frosts-gods-garden-a231018]

Within the poem it talks in-depth about the flowers. One stanza states, “And when life’s night came on, they still were seeking gold flowers, lost, helpless and alone”. What Frost was referring to is that the flowers represent the impurity and harmful nature of the world that leads us astray from God. [http://chisnell.com/APEng/LitCrit%20Wikis/God’s%20Garden.aspx] It is within our sinful nature that we seek out unrighteous pleasures that are opposed to Christian-like behavior. However, the last stanza reads “Tend flowers that God has given and keep the pathway open that leads you on to heaven”. Frost was trying to say that by keeping our hearts open to God and staying with the faith we can still find the clear path to heaven. [http://chisnell.com/APEng/LitCrit%20Wikis/God’s%20Garden.aspx]

I personally, really enjoyed Frost’s interpretation of Garden of Eden. A lot of times reading the Bible, people only view the story as a parable of how mankind fell into sin. However, Frost used the storyline to show how even though we have sinful nature, we can keep our minds and hearts open to God to avoid it, and still find our path to righteousness. I think was a good way to view the world and how God wants us to react accordingly.

[http://heavenawaits.wordpress.com/the-garden-of-eden-and-the-%E2%80%9Cpit%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%93-tioran-land-drift-theory/]

Chely Wright’s music… Anti-War or Pro-War protesting?

Chely Wright is very well established country singer who has written many songs expressing her inner feelings. However, when her hit song Bumper of my SUV came out, it raised some controversal issues. People began questioning if this was Wright’s way of protesting to be pro-war. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-willman/chely-wright-comes-out-as_b_561103.html]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mtVU_IcL8M

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mtVU_IcL8M]

In the above video, Chely performs her song for the first time, explaining that the lyrics are based on a true story that happened to her. Chely has also stated that she does not want to be associated with the connotation of being pro-war. However, she is speaking freely of her appreciate for military families and against mindless attacks from the angry antiwar left. [ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-willman/chely-wright-comes-out-as_b_561103.html]

[http://thefuntimesguide.com/2004/11/bumperofmysuv.php]

Wright’s album ironically arrived during the same week as the Dixie Chicks’ statement on former President Bush, stating “We’re ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas.” However, Wright’s song was stated to not be an act of “protesting” but an apolitical pro-troops song.  [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/arts/music/06country.html] Many people still judged Wright accordingly in either positive or negative outlooks on her view of the war from this single.

In my opinion, Wright is making a smart financial choice by not giving details of what political party she supports and by saying she is neither pro or anti-war. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-willman/chely-wright-comes-out-as_b_561103.html] However, I believe that Wright is pro-war in the sense that she cares and supports our military and wants others to see her viewpoint. I also believe she does not support that treacherous outcomes of war, but understands that sometimes it is the necessary steps that need to be taken. I feel that this song was definitely a political statement Wright wanted to express to others on behalf of her own views.

Historian: What was daily life like for Ida Wells Barnett and how did it shape her writing?

Ida Wells Barnett was born in 1862 and lived part of her life as a slave, then later became a journalist. [http://www.cbn.com/special/blackhistory/bio_idabwells.aspx]During Well’s lifetime, she faced many challenges because of her skin color. However, this led her to become actively involved in civil rights and post many articles about the subject.

[http://pr-diva.com/2011/02/celebrating-black-history-month-ida-b-wells-barnett/]

Ida Wells Barnett was born into slavery, and even after the end of the Civil War, her parents remained at their original jobs. However, they had great expectations of their children getting quality educations. This is what led Ida to become a teacher at the age of 18, and then furthered her education at Fisk University. [http://www.cbn.com/special/blackhistory/bio_idabwells.aspx]

Life was not always easy for Wells. In her daily life she still faced many struggles with racial issues. One particular instance even lead to her suing the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad company when she was told she would have to move to a segregated car. [http://www.idabwells.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=64] These situations caused Wells to begin her journalism career by writing articles under the name “Lola” in  black publications. [http://www.cbn.com/special/blackhistory/bio_idabwells.aspx]

This was just the start for Wells in her new career path. She then purchased partial interest in the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight and became its editor. Wells then became very interested in writing controversal articles about things such as separate but not equal schools. [http://www.cbn.com/special/blackhistory/bio_idabwells.aspx]

Wells writing lead during her time period however soon became an issue for her daily life. Angered by some of her articles, a mob attacked and destroyed her newspapers offices and threatened Wells’ life. However, this did not stop Wells, she later went on to write an anti-lynching pamphlet called “A Red Record”. [http://www.cbn.com/special/blackhistory/bio_idabwells.aspx]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_B._Wells]

Wells went on in life to achieve many great successes in the movement for equal rights. Wells participated in the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, helped with movements to give blacks the right to vote, and gave many inspirational speeches. [http://www.cbn.com/special/blackhistory/bio_idabwells.aspx]Wells daily life truly became devoted to helping with racial issues and equality.

In my opinion, Wells life was greatly influenced by issues of her time period. Wells gave her time and dedication to help in the support for equal rights. This affected how she was treated, and made life difficult for her by receiving death threats. However, Wells continued to write, inspired by her want for racial equality. To me, Wells is a great inspiration in standing up for what you believe in.

Why did Samuel Clemens pick the name Mark Twain?

Samuel Clemens is a very well known writer. However, many people do not know him as Samuel Clemens, but rather they know him as Mark Twain. But just how did this alias delevop? Mark Twain is a name in American history, that’s purpose should have a defined meaning.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens had a variety of jobs long before he ever became a writer. One of his many jobs included being a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River. [http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/twain/aa_twain_name_2.html] This job helped with the delevopment of his pen name, Mark Twain.

It was in 1863, when a shipmate shouted out “mark twain!” This phrase was often used to test the depth of the water. His shipmate was trying to say the depth was 12 feet, which is barely deep enough for a boat to travel safely. From that moment, Clemens decided to write a travel story and for the first time, use Mark Twain as his pen name. [http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/twain/aa_twain_name_2.html]

[http://www.twainquotes.com/RiverWater.html]

Clemens also used other pseudonyms such as Sieur Louis de Conte for “Joan of Arc” and Thomas Jefferson Snod for pieces he did for the “Keokuk Post”. [http://classiclit.about.com/od/marktwainfaqs/f/faq_mtwainpen.htm] However, once Clemens settled on Twain, it was a name that just stuck. Even Clemens gravestone reads of both names. [http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/2011/1130/Mark-Twain-and-29-other-great-pseudonyms/Author-pseudonyms]

[http://en.paperblog.com/how-8-famous-writers-chose-their-pen-names-561190/]

In my opinion, Clemens changed his name just like most other writers of the time, because they were afraid their works weren’t good enough. However, i feel Clemens picked the name Twain because it fit closely with his own lifestyle. Also, it could relate back to some of his stories. The name “Twain” to Clemens, represented a simpler life.

How did Walt Whitman get into journalism?

Walt Whitman is known as one of one of America’s greatest poets. However, he did not always start out writing poetry. Whitman was had many careers before he got involved in the journalism field. Whitman was truly a hard worker and self-made.

[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whitman_at_about_fifty.jpg]

Walt Whitman finished his formal education at the age of eleven. From then began his life working as a laborer, working as an office boy for lawyers (this helped with his self-taught education). Through this job Whitman obtained knowledge from many museums and disputes held within in-depth conversations.  [http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/s_z/whitman/bio.htm] Whitman then became an apprentice for a newspaper where he learned the printing trade and how to expose writing to numerous readers simultaneously. This is when Whitman first began to get hands-on experience writing short articles. [http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/s_z/whitman/bio.htm]

By the age of sixteen Whitman was a full journalism printer and compositor in New York City. By this time in his life, Whitman was ready for a career change. Whitman then became a teacher. This was a job more so forced upon him because of the economic struggles of the times. However, Whitman could not stay away from journalism for long. [http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/s_z/whitman/bio.htm]

Whitman was an artisan publisher all through his teacher career, up until he left it in 1841. He then began working as a newspaper man, followed by being an editor in 1848. Whitman’s true love, however, was always poetry. In the early 50’s is when Whitman began his journal of poetry for which we all know him famous for today. [http://history1800s.about.com/od/authors/ss/Walt-Whitmans-Journalism-Career.htm] Below is a picture of some of his original manuscripts.

[http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20969]

In my opinion Whitman taught himself a lot about writing and poetry, but he was also taught a lot by the world around him. He was constantly influenced by the experiences he encountered. I feel that having worked so closely to the journalism field all of his life definitely influenced his great love and passion for the field.

Link

Emily Dickinson is known as one of the most profound poets to have ever lived. However, her popularity never grew until after her death. Dickinson, herself, was a painfully shy person who felt uncomfortable around most people. [http://jaymarley0727.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/the-secluded-life-of-emily-dickinson/] It can be often questioned that since Dickinson had little contact with the outside world, how did she have the proper knowledge for her writings?

[https://sites.google.com/site/eaglepoetry/emily-dickinson]

The above photo shows the room where Dickinson spent the majority of her life in seclusion. However, just because Dickinson kept herself out of the public eye, does not mean she kept herself from public knowledge. She still had a great love for music, literature, and children. So much, to the point where she would sneak around corners to hear musicians, and lower baskets of sweets from her window to the children in her area. [http://jaymarley0727.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/the-secluded-life-of-emily-dickinson/] Dickinson was also said to have had various significant relationships with men, who were her mentors and friends. Perhaps this too is what helped keep Dickinson updated on daily issues. Dickinson also drew knowledge from her upbringing, having referenced the Bible, classical myths, and Shakespeare in some of her poetry. [http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/ED303/emilybio.html]

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=395790227479

[https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=395790227479]

The video above shows clips of an author talking about Emily Dickinson’s life. He tells about Dickinson’s natural intellect, and how she wrote to soothe herself. A lot of Dickinson’s writings came from her inner knowledge – her imagination. Living reclusively brought Dickinson’s thoughts into a sharp focus. She often wrote about things that dreamed of in her mind, such as faith, love, and heaven. [http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/ED303/emilybio.html]

In my opinion, Dickinson was a very intelligent woman. Living reclusively may have kept her from knowing what was going on in the outside world at times, but it in no way hindered her works. Dickinson found ways to let her mind grow and still live her private life. She also drew upon her own creativity, and for that, today she is one of the most remembered poets.