The assignment I felt most accomplished with was Essay 3, where I designed the flyer. I loved the creative freedom it provided, making the entire process enjoyable and engaging. It gave me the chance to convey my ideas visually , and I was really proud of how it turned out. On the other hand, I think I could have improved on Essay 4. Even though I put in a lot of effort, I found that my explanations of the quotes could have been better organized. I had some difficulty linking them smoothly to my main argument, which affected the overall cohesiveness of the essay. One key takeaway from this semester is the importance of proper planning. I’ve come to understand how crucial a well-structured outline is for crafting a strong essay. While I’ve made progress, I know I need to enhance my planning skills to ensure my ideas connect logically next time. Additionally,I learn that writing essays more frequently will help me polish my style and increase my confidence. All in all, this semester has been both challenging and fulfilling, and I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned in the future.
TranVo
In Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” he really nails Raymond Carver’s point about how precise language can elevate everyday moments into something truly impactful. The poem captures a simple moment: a traveler pausing in the woods on a snowy night. Frost uses clear and simple language, yet it stirs deep feelings and touches on universal themes. The woods, the snow, and the serene atmosphere become something special thanks to his thoughtful word choices. For example, Frost writes, “The only other sound’s the sweep / Of easy wind and downy flake.” ( Frost). In this place, the ordinary sounds of the wind and snow gently falling transform into something magical and soothing, creating a vibe of profound quiet and reflection. The woods themselves, described as “lovely, dark and deep,” symbolize more than just a spot on the map; they evoke feelings of beauty, mystery, and maybe even the tempting idea of rest or escape. Frost chooses simple, clear words to give these objects a surprising strength, encouraging readers to think about the struggle between life’s demands and the pull of a peaceful letting go. .
I think fairy tales are bad for children because they promote unrealistic gender roles, prioritize beauty over character, and discourage independence and self-confidence for young girls.” From early childhood, girls are read fairy tales about princesses who achieve vast riches simply because their beauty makes them special.” – “Experts Say Fairy Tales Not So Happy Ever After” by Liz Grauerholtz in Purdue News. This quote by Grauerholz sticks out to me because often in fairy tales, the plot would revolve around the main female character that ends up being successful because she was simply pretty. It can promote a narrow idea about gender roles and stereotypes on pretty privilege to children. Second quote,” Beautiful girls are never ignored; they may be oppressed at first by wicked figures, as the jealous Queen persecutes Snow-White, but ultimately they are chosen for reward.”- “Some Day My Prince Will Come” by Marcia Lieberman, suggests that traditional fairy tales often reinforce the stereotype that beauty guarantees attention, value, and a happy ending, no matter what challenges the protagonist faces. Although these stories may seem harmless, they have deeper meanings that can negatively affect children’s understanding of self-worth, fairness, and success in life.
The fear that readers feel in Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is more about the mind and emotions, setting it apart from the quick, shocking scares typical of horror films. Oates builds a sense of dread that creeps in slowly, focusing on the unsettling relationship between Connie and Arnold Friend. A key moment that highlights this psychological fear is when Arnold says, “I’m your lover. You don’t know what that is but you will.” This statement is chilling because it hints at something dark and predatory, as Arnold uses both charm and intimidation to manipulate Connie. The fear stems from what’s suggested rather than what’s explicitly shown, pushing readers to use their imagination, which can be even more disturbing than the graphic scenes in a horror flick. On the flip side, horror movies rely on visual and sound effects, like jump scares, creepy music, and shocking images to create quick, intense reactions. In contrast, Oates’ story immerses readers in a lingering, unsettling fear that digs deeper, rooted in the psychological games Arnold plays and Connie’s sense of isolation. In reading, this kind of tension really ramps up, as readers have to imagine the horror themselves, which often makes it strike even harder.
Reading Flannery O’Connor’s article from Activity 1 really opened my eyes to the deeper themes and complexities in “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” that I might have missed otherwise. O’Connor’s insights show how she skillfully builds tension through the interactions between characters, making the grandmother come off as both flawed and relatable. Her manipulative behavior, fueled by a need for validation, highlights important themes of morality and grace. O’Connor’s focus on foreshadowing adds suspense, with subtle hints pointing to the family’s tragic end, pushing readers to think about the characters’ motivations. The article emphasizes how O’Connor uses these techniques not just to engage readers, but to encourage some serious moral reflection. Plus, her use of dark humor and violence adds another layer to understanding the story’s themes. Moments like the grandmother’s last gesture towards The Misfit hint at grace and the chance for redemption. Without O’Connor’s thorough analysis, the complexity of the characters and the rich narrative might not have stood out as much, making the reading experience even more rewarding while highlighting her themes of human nature, morality, and grace.
Lately, I’ve been getting more comfortable with poetry, even though it’s not something I usually familiar with. At first, trying to dissect each line and uncover the deeper meanings felt pretty daunting. But with some practice, I’ve learned to take my time and really enjoy the layers in the poems. Going over them multiple times, like we did in class, has really helped me grasp the content better. I think these skills will be super useful when diving into Oedipus the King. One poem that really sticks with me is Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken. The way he uses the paths as a metaphor for choices and their consequences reminds me a lot of how Oedipus’s choices lead him to his tragic end. Realizing how Frost creates deeper meaning from something as straightforward as a road has made me notice how even small details in Oedipus—like the crossroads—hold significant symbolic meaning. All in all, the readings has boosted my confidence in tackling the complex themes in Oedipus the King and looking for the hidden messages beneath the surface.
While working on Essay 1, I came to understand just how important it is to be specific and clear in my analysis. The feedback I got pointed out that some of my wording was a bit vague, which made me think about how I express my ideas. One major lesson was the need to accurately represent my sources and really grasp the material I’m analyzing. For example, I accidentally attributed quotes to the wrong source, which taught me to be more diligent in cross-referencing my citations. I also realized that making statements without solid support weakens the overall argument. This experience will definitely influence how I tackle future writing assignments, encouraging me to plan more thoroughly, double-check my sources, and ensure my thesis is clearly linked to the rest of the essay. I’ll specifically focus on structuring my paragraphs for a smooth flow and making sure every point I make ties back to my main argument.
In an essay focused less on socio-economic issues and more on other important elements in Toni Cade Bambara’s “The Lesson,” I would explore the themes of personal growth and mentorship, particularly through the lens of childhood challenges. The story highlights Sylvia’s journey of self-awareness, as she navigates her environment with growing curiosity and observation. Miss Moore, with her appearance and approach—”nappy hair, proper speech, and no makeup”, serves as a symbol of individuality and defiance of societal norms, pushing the children to question their surroundings and aspire for more. While Sylvia’s educational background remains ambiguous, her sharp observational skills show her potential to transcend the limitations of her upbringing. The real focus of the story is on internal struggles and the awakening of perception, as Sylvia begins to grasp that her circumstances don’t have to define her future. The title for this essay would be “The Awakening of Perception: Navigating Childhood Challenges and Mentorship,” highlighting how mentorship helps shape a deeper understanding of the world beyond material inequalities.
From my understanding, this prewriting assignment is designed to help us generate and organize ideas for the essay. It’s a multi-layered process meant to guide us in brainstorming, outlining, and narrowing down our focus. By working through activities from Week 1, we’ll learn how to effectively structure a literary essay, incorporate quotes, and use MLA style. For this specific essay, we’ll be using “The Most Handsome Drowned Man” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Dean Rader’s Overview to come up with our own thesis. Prewriting helps break down the story and guides us in understanding its deeper meaning, which will be essential as we develop our essay. This preparation lays the groundwork to ensure that when we start writing, we already have a clear plan and focus, making the writing process smoother and more effective. This thorough prewriting approach not only shows our writing process but also enriches our engagement with the text, allowing us to craft a more insightful and well-supported literary analysis.”
