My book is called All of the World in Light by Juan Felipe Herrera. It is a collection of poems about Latinos in America. It's really cool because he very vividly describes the life of Latin Americans. You begin to feel what their culture is like and just what life is like for them. In his first poem A Certain Man he describes how life is for a man including what he eats, what he does and what he thinks. Herrera writes "Inside his stomach roast meat..." (Herrera 3). This minor detail about his life really helps develop a lifestyle and makes the reader feel like they know him. It makes eating roast meat seem like a very common thing. Herrera goes on to explain the exile of these Latins coming to America. What I think is really cool is how he then compares them to us and questions where our exile is. Why haven't we had one and they have? It's a beautiful poem describing their entrance into America and how we watch. In the prospective of a non-Latino he writes, "From here we see them, we the ones from here, not there or across, only here, without the bridge..." (Herrera 23). He connects all of us saying we are all the same. We are not from different places having just made a difficult pilgrimage. He explains the details of being on a boat ad entering a world unknown and also describes the details of simply watching it all happen.
I think what Herrera writes is very deep but in a cool way. He leaves some of his poems in spanish to really create the feeling of their culture. This is very different from what we have been looking at in the sense that we have been looking at plays about people who life in a city and have a king. One man to rule over them in a very classical way. This book is all about the new voyages to new places and starting new lives. The freedom to go where you want to but also the experiences you will face. I think the idea behind this book is really cool and the passion behind the poems is amazing.
Herrera, Jaun Felipe. All of the World in Light. Tucson, Arizona: University of Arizona Press, 2008.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Outside Reading #6
Fred was loved in his debutes in the movies and he continued to do them. Him and Ginger Roberts bacame a very very famous duo. They were a hit and people loved them. Fred said he was waiting for, "some small clue from the public as to whether or not they had had enough of it..."(218). There clearly was no clue and the two continued starring in movies together. They worked with the best including Irvin Berlin (White Christmas) and George Gershwin. They were loved so much that the public started to joke about why they had never kissed. They answered this by giving them what they wanted saying, "We held that kiss for about four minutes!" (234), and yes Fred is still married to Phyllis who thought it was funny. Fred learned through the years that he will hit bumps in his career and life, there's no doubt about it, but you just have to get through them. He was advised by a good friend, "...when you hit that slump, just go away, take a breather, get fresh ideas, and you'll get your second wind" (243). Fred found his way back to musicals and eventually flew overseas to play for the soldiers in the army. Fred Astaire trully was amazing. He started at a very young age a years later said, "...things just began to pop for me at about thirty. The movie career started to take off-- and now, 29 years later I'm still at it" (283). He is a good guy and ends his book saying, "I just dance" (325).
Fred endeavored on the journey of a star, and, unlike many others, was incredibly successful. He loved everything about what he did and put his entire life and passion into it. I think he's a good example of how to be trully devoted and in love with something and how to accomplish those dreams, unlike Flick in "The Ex-Basketball Player" by John Updike. Everyone can fulfill dreams if they try and work hard enough. I really liked this book, I feel like I know him now so if you're ever looking for an entertaining book about the journey to becoming a star read "Steps In Time".
Astaire, Fred. Steps In Time. New York: HarperCollins, 1959.
Fred endeavored on the journey of a star, and, unlike many others, was incredibly successful. He loved everything about what he did and put his entire life and passion into it. I think he's a good example of how to be trully devoted and in love with something and how to accomplish those dreams, unlike Flick in "The Ex-Basketball Player" by John Updike. Everyone can fulfill dreams if they try and work hard enough. I really liked this book, I feel like I know him now so if you're ever looking for an entertaining book about the journey to becoming a star read "Steps In Time".
Astaire, Fred. Steps In Time. New York: HarperCollins, 1959.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Outside Reading #5
Fred and Adele pulled off a major success in London with Stop Flirting. They were a huge hit and everyone loved and adored them. They had a great time in London seeing everything they could, meeting new people, even the Prince of Wales, and partying at prestigious places. The show ran about two years and they eventually decided to end the show, although it could have continued on much longer. The Astaire’s feared that being away from America too long could hurt their careers there.
The two returned home to New York and started a show called Lady, Be Good. This also became a hit and they had a long run with it. Critics loved it and had many good things to say about the Astaire’s. The two went through several more plays, some went well but they had a couple major flops. Adele fell in love with a guy named Charlie Cavendish whom she met closing night of Funny Face. Eventually they married which meant Adele’s leaving the business. Fred commented, “I had never felt upset about the prospect of Adele’s retirement because I knew I’d have to face it sooner or later” (168). Fred didn’t give up even though his partner he had always been with was leaving. He continued on and did more shows. Eventually he met a girl name Phyllis and fell in love with her. She had man suitors as he said, “Phyllis had so many beaus and I had to mow them down, one at a time. How I suffered!” (172). The two did end up marrying and started a very happy life together as Fred entered, for the first time, into films. They spent some good time in Hollywood and their life started very well together.
Fred pulled through a lot of rough times. Not only did he have to deal with the critics on his back but he lost his sister as his partner and was focused on fighting for his girl. His journey is definitely a distinct one and he handle’s it well. It proves how even everyday life can follow Hero Quest Pattern and that every journey is different.
Astaire, Fred. Steps In Time. New York: HarperCollins, 1959.
The two returned home to New York and started a show called Lady, Be Good. This also became a hit and they had a long run with it. Critics loved it and had many good things to say about the Astaire’s. The two went through several more plays, some went well but they had a couple major flops. Adele fell in love with a guy named Charlie Cavendish whom she met closing night of Funny Face. Eventually they married which meant Adele’s leaving the business. Fred commented, “I had never felt upset about the prospect of Adele’s retirement because I knew I’d have to face it sooner or later” (168). Fred didn’t give up even though his partner he had always been with was leaving. He continued on and did more shows. Eventually he met a girl name Phyllis and fell in love with her. She had man suitors as he said, “Phyllis had so many beaus and I had to mow them down, one at a time. How I suffered!” (172). The two did end up marrying and started a very happy life together as Fred entered, for the first time, into films. They spent some good time in Hollywood and their life started very well together.
Fred pulled through a lot of rough times. Not only did he have to deal with the critics on his back but he lost his sister as his partner and was focused on fighting for his girl. His journey is definitely a distinct one and he handle’s it well. It proves how even everyday life can follow Hero Quest Pattern and that every journey is different.
Astaire, Fred. Steps In Time. New York: HarperCollins, 1959.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Outside Reading #4
Fred and Adele Astaire continue on their way to becoming big stars. They are offered their first opportunity to star in a performance by a man named Dillingham. They were to star in a play called The Bunch and Judy featuring an array of other famous and talented performers. This was their first experience as starts and their first with a true flop. The situation was made worse because they were the stars and often they were blamed for its disappointing performance. Critics luckily loved Dillingham and tried their best to stay positive in reviews. Fred commented on his thoughts as he headed backstage at the end of opening night saying, “There’s nothing worse than visiting a flop backstage. What can people say? ‘It was lousy’?” (98). The Astaires could do nothing but move on and hope that the next one would be better. They took some time off to regroup and were very distraught over the short run and failure of The Bunch and Judy.
They soon were contacted by a man named Alex Aarons. He wanted them to come to England and do a show in London. He thought they would be a hit in Europe. The Astaires were excited at the idea and eventually plans were made to bring them to London. They had a great time on the ship over and ended up performing, during a storm none-the-less. Dancing on the ship was not easy but ended up being hysterical. “At one point we fell and slid about fifteen feet. The attempts at recoveries were spontaneously hilarious” (104). While in England before the start of their show they soon realized that audiences there were much more verbal than in the USA, whether it was good or bad. This scared them but they soon fell in loved with the country.
This really reminded me of the whole hero quest pattern we were looking at and the journeys of life. Even though this is a true story it applies which I think is cool. The Astiares had to pull through a lot of hard things, some small others quite large. They did their best and never gave up or backed away from something that seemed hard. In the end they were rewarded but other trials will continue to present themselves. I think that no matter what life is a journey and the Astaires are a great example of working one hundred percent towards your dreams.
Astaire, Fred. Steps In Time. New York: HarperCollins, 1959.
They soon were contacted by a man named Alex Aarons. He wanted them to come to England and do a show in London. He thought they would be a hit in Europe. The Astaires were excited at the idea and eventually plans were made to bring them to London. They had a great time on the ship over and ended up performing, during a storm none-the-less. Dancing on the ship was not easy but ended up being hysterical. “At one point we fell and slid about fifteen feet. The attempts at recoveries were spontaneously hilarious” (104). While in England before the start of their show they soon realized that audiences there were much more verbal than in the USA, whether it was good or bad. This scared them but they soon fell in loved with the country.
This really reminded me of the whole hero quest pattern we were looking at and the journeys of life. Even though this is a true story it applies which I think is cool. The Astiares had to pull through a lot of hard things, some small others quite large. They did their best and never gave up or backed away from something that seemed hard. In the end they were rewarded but other trials will continue to present themselves. I think that no matter what life is a journey and the Astaires are a great example of working one hundred percent towards your dreams.
Astaire, Fred. Steps In Time. New York: HarperCollins, 1959.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Outside Reading #3
As Fred Astaire continues to describe his life in Vaudeville and on Broadway he doesn’t seem to have faced many ethical decisions. He still seems young on his path to fame even though he has accomplished a lot. Fred grew up in Omaha and early on in his life his mother takes him and his sister Adele to live in New York. They were going to become stars. This was not decision made by Fred, but his parents had to decide whether or not to separate the family and give the children a better shot, or stay together is little Omaha. “My father was to stay in Omaha and send money to keep us going…As I learned years later, this trip was really a stab in the dark. We were going to New York without so much as a letter of introduction…” (14). The Astaires had to make the choice of doing the more sensible thing and staying together, safely in Omaha, or going on a wire and hope for good results. Mr. and Mrs. Astaire decided to go against what most people would have advised them to do and they moved the children to New York in hope to give the children more opportunity.
Also early on his Fred’s life he describes the first time he danced. He made a decision, whether he realized it or did it thoughtlessly, that would affect the rest of his life. “…I put on a pair of ballet slippers…I had seen other children walk on their toes, so I put on the slippers and walked on my toes. It was as simple as that” (10). Fred doesn’t get too excited over the experience and it doesn’t seem to be a big deal but at the same time it kind of defines his future. Instead of doing what other boys his age did or aspiring to be the same thing as them he went to New York and pursued his life in theater. I think that, even at a young age, Fred went against society and began going after what he believed in.
Later on in his story, once him and Adele and become somewhat big, they begin to get offers from different people to work with them. Decisions have to be made. They sign with a man they call C.B. and their show runs surprisingly short. Then they get another very good offer with Alfred E. Aarons but they are committed to C.B. for the next show. “We called on C.B. when we got back to town and asked him if we could do a show somewhere else and postpone our obligation…”(88). They decided to go against an obligation which would cause some people to call them a type of “traitor” and work with another company because it would be good for them. Eventually they would come back to C.B. after the new engagement was done so following conscience worked out.
Astaire, Fred. Steps In Time. New York: HarperCollins, 1959.
Also early on his Fred’s life he describes the first time he danced. He made a decision, whether he realized it or did it thoughtlessly, that would affect the rest of his life. “…I put on a pair of ballet slippers…I had seen other children walk on their toes, so I put on the slippers and walked on my toes. It was as simple as that” (10). Fred doesn’t get too excited over the experience and it doesn’t seem to be a big deal but at the same time it kind of defines his future. Instead of doing what other boys his age did or aspiring to be the same thing as them he went to New York and pursued his life in theater. I think that, even at a young age, Fred went against society and began going after what he believed in.
Later on in his story, once him and Adele and become somewhat big, they begin to get offers from different people to work with them. Decisions have to be made. They sign with a man they call C.B. and their show runs surprisingly short. Then they get another very good offer with Alfred E. Aarons but they are committed to C.B. for the next show. “We called on C.B. when we got back to town and asked him if we could do a show somewhere else and postpone our obligation…”(88). They decided to go against an obligation which would cause some people to call them a type of “traitor” and work with another company because it would be good for them. Eventually they would come back to C.B. after the new engagement was done so following conscience worked out.
Astaire, Fred. Steps In Time. New York: HarperCollins, 1959.
On the Waterfront
In the film “On the Waterfront” the main character, Terry, seems stuck in the middle of the definition of a traitor and a whistle blower. The reverend and Doogan both had the view that if you know the truth you should tell it. If you know what is wrong with a situation and have the knowledge to fix it, it is your moral duty to do what you can. On the other hand all the men at the dock feel that if they stand up against Johnny Friendly they will be considered a traitor. They have all been in on what going on from the beginning and many of them will lose a valuable place on the dock or even their lives if they stand up. The same situation: is your life worth risking in order to help improve the lives of many others?
The majority of the characters in the film believe that standing up is not worth it. They are willing to put up with it all to keep their jobs and money coming they. They all hold the same general view with the exception of few. I agree with the reverend, where if you know how to help a large group of people you should do what you can. What’s the point in just sitting around when everyone is suffering? Of course nothing in life is guaranteed so I can see how it’s safer to just go along with it all, but I think if you have the opportunity and the resources you should stand up. I also think that no matter what you will be seen as a traitor by some group of people for some period of time. I think it’s important to do what Terry did and follow through all the way with whatever it is you’re fighting for.
The majority of the characters in the film believe that standing up is not worth it. They are willing to put up with it all to keep their jobs and money coming they. They all hold the same general view with the exception of few. I agree with the reverend, where if you know how to help a large group of people you should do what you can. What’s the point in just sitting around when everyone is suffering? Of course nothing in life is guaranteed so I can see how it’s safer to just go along with it all, but I think if you have the opportunity and the resources you should stand up. I also think that no matter what you will be seen as a traitor by some group of people for some period of time. I think it’s important to do what Terry did and follow through all the way with whatever it is you’re fighting for.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Question #2
In Arthur Miller’s play All My Sons many characters face situations where their response will either benefit their family or it will benefit society. These are very real and difficult circumstances and often there is no in between, a decision must be made. The most important decision made by a character in the play was Joe’s decision to ship out faulty parts. He had to either accuse an innocent man or risk the ruin of his entire company. It was either the lives the men in the planes or the life he had planned for Chris. His son eventually finds out and demands to know what happened screaming, “I want to know what you did, now what did you do? You had a hundred and twenty cracked engine-heads, now what did you do?” (69). Joe decided to save his company and blame Steve for what happened. He killed 21 pilots and those 21 families had to mourn the loss of their sons. He wanted a good life for Chris, he did it all for his son. Not only that but he ruined the life of another man stuck in jail and affected that entire family. Kate also faces a decision to make either for society or for her family. She refuses to believe that Larry is dead so she spends the majority of the play fighting for his life. At the end of another argument about his death she insists, “He’s not dead, so there’s no argument!” (32). She goes against the sane believe of society that he his dead and causes much commotion with her different view. She desperately tries to convince them that Larry is not gone and the family will be whole one day and it masks the possibility of Joe being responsible for Larry’s death. Annie returns home for the first time in three and half years after being invited by Chris. It becomes apparent that they intend on being married. Ann is not necessarily welcomed by the neighborhood and Sue remarks when meeting Ann,
“…it’s very unusual to me, marrying the brother of your sweetheart” (43). Ann is faced the decision of being with the one she loves or go with what society wants her to do. The neighborhood does not relish the idea of having her back and many arguments could have been avoided and awkwardness spared if she left. Either she could come back to a neighborhood that does not necessarily want her, or, even if it does not relate to her own family, she can stay and create a new family with the person she loves. Throughout the play these decisions and made and the results are seen but the argument on who is right is still out there.
I believe that there is a point where one must stick up for their family because they are the closest and most important thing you will ever have. At the same time I think there is a thin line on some situations as to what is right and saveing the lives of many seems the right thing to do. In Keller’s case I think what he did was wrong. He put another family through very hard situations that they shouldn’t have had to deal with and Steve himself got falsely put in prison and withers away. He also lies to his son, which is who he claims he did it all for. On top of all that he put many other pilots in danger, knowingly, which seems surprising after going through losing his own son to the same war. I think there are so many variables in a circumstance like that, for example, Chris could have died in war, or maybe the company would not have completely died if they had just told the truth, that his decision was not rational.In Kate’s case I think she did what came naturally to her as a mother, protect her son from knowing the truth, and refusing that a member of the family was gone. I think she had the right to her beliefs but after 3 years she should have started to see where the rest of the world was coming from. As for Ann she did the right thing by being where with who she loved. She wasn’t harming anyone else, just because people didn’t like her it shouldn’t have affected her decision, and she didn’t know better than to believe Chris over George. Nothing is ever guaranteed, anything can go wrong because of the variables in an given situation and I think that’s what makes these decisions so difficult. Many people have said that they would decide society if it saved more people. I totally understand where they are coming from and won't understand a parent's love until I am one. At the same time if I ever had to decide between say my brother and the lives of people I don't know I dont think I could live with myself if I let my brother die. It scary to even think about being faced with something like that.
Miller, Arthur. All My Sons. New York: Penguin Group, 1947.
“…it’s very unusual to me, marrying the brother of your sweetheart” (43). Ann is faced the decision of being with the one she loves or go with what society wants her to do. The neighborhood does not relish the idea of having her back and many arguments could have been avoided and awkwardness spared if she left. Either she could come back to a neighborhood that does not necessarily want her, or, even if it does not relate to her own family, she can stay and create a new family with the person she loves. Throughout the play these decisions and made and the results are seen but the argument on who is right is still out there.
I believe that there is a point where one must stick up for their family because they are the closest and most important thing you will ever have. At the same time I think there is a thin line on some situations as to what is right and saveing the lives of many seems the right thing to do. In Keller’s case I think what he did was wrong. He put another family through very hard situations that they shouldn’t have had to deal with and Steve himself got falsely put in prison and withers away. He also lies to his son, which is who he claims he did it all for. On top of all that he put many other pilots in danger, knowingly, which seems surprising after going through losing his own son to the same war. I think there are so many variables in a circumstance like that, for example, Chris could have died in war, or maybe the company would not have completely died if they had just told the truth, that his decision was not rational.In Kate’s case I think she did what came naturally to her as a mother, protect her son from knowing the truth, and refusing that a member of the family was gone. I think she had the right to her beliefs but after 3 years she should have started to see where the rest of the world was coming from. As for Ann she did the right thing by being where with who she loved. She wasn’t harming anyone else, just because people didn’t like her it shouldn’t have affected her decision, and she didn’t know better than to believe Chris over George. Nothing is ever guaranteed, anything can go wrong because of the variables in an given situation and I think that’s what makes these decisions so difficult. Many people have said that they would decide society if it saved more people. I totally understand where they are coming from and won't understand a parent's love until I am one. At the same time if I ever had to decide between say my brother and the lives of people I don't know I dont think I could live with myself if I let my brother die. It scary to even think about being faced with something like that.
Miller, Arthur. All My Sons. New York: Penguin Group, 1947.
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