Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Open Thread - Brainstorms & Sources.

Place your brainstorms in the comments. Be sure to identify yourself, the text, and your group.

Also use this thread to list your sources - give a sentence or two description, including describing the kind of source.

12 comments:

  1. This is Eric from the Paine group (Age of reason). This isn't quite a brainstorm- i just wanted to say I noticed a lot of my classmates are in my British Literature class with Marisa Klages too. I found that interesting.

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  2. "The Liberator" by Garrison was a testament of truth and integrity that broke the test of time. Many readers of that time believed that Garrison's vision was just an abolitionist who wanted slavery to end. However in reality Garrison's long term vision and goal was to fight for equality in a larger spectrum; human rights. His use of non-violent actions and strong use of words allowed him to influence other abolitionists and civil rights leaders. His form of verbalizing through writing created a fear within a racially tense society. To the public was a popular text because of the controversial topics and style of writing. More recent readers can or wont understand it clearly because they cannot draw a direct connection to the text and the time it was written. Critics would have something negative to say about his choice of words and confidence he had in himself that was voiced through the tone of in his texts in "The Liberator".
    Group:Lorena, Lazaro, Sibel

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  3. Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” is one of his longest and most dynamic poems, and seems to be a paradox between love for one’s self and love for fellow man. Whitman’s poem may seem a little narcissistic; the title alone is enough for one to believe the poem will be nothing more than a selfish ode to self. However, in his own way, Whitman manages to incorporate the unity of man and woman, both black and white, into an image of himself-once again demonstrating his ability to find the unity and beauty of America. Whitman’s poem is not just about himself, it is more about his perception of the world and what he encounters on his travels through America. In verse 10, Whitman describes what he sees as he moves westward-the marriage of a Native American couple, and in that same verse he dictates his encounter with a runaway slave in his yard. Whitman manages to find the beauty in both types of people, even though they are the oppressed minorities, often a negative reference group. I admire Whitman’s unity of man and woman in verse 21, when he claims “…It is as great to be a woman as a man” (425), something the poet may have well received negative reactions for at the time of publication. However, it is impossible for one not to appreciate the equality and democracy Whitman depicts in his version of America, as he spares no citizen and blurs all lines and boundaries.
    -Jaida Triblet, Leaves Of Grass- Karynthia & Robin?

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  4. “The Age of Reason” by Thomas Paine – (Brainstorm)by Roger, Katherine, Eric, Conner, and Nilo

    What conflicts/questions is this author interested in?
    - Individualism vs group faith (or Reason vs Faith)
    - Revelation as truth or lies / Sacred text as hearsay
    - God as non-interfering
    - Christianity as originating (or influenced) by older religions
    - Organized religion as being against true religion
    - Science as being true religion
    - Recognition of God / acknowledgment of a God
    - Man’s own curiosity as a validation of God’s existence

    What does that author want us to understand about this conflict?
    - That the individual has the right to believe what he/she wants
    - That revelation is only valid for individual person who has experienced it
    - Revelation does not have to be taken as truth by those who have not personally experienced it
    - All organized religions are geared toward keeping (and expanding ) power and wealth
    - The individual must follow his own conscience and not feel compelled to always agree with the establishment (the majority)
    - Christianity is mythology
    - God is always present but does not interfere in human activities
    - It is through science that man gets closer to God
    - Reason is what all people should strive for

    How do you think people responded to this text when it appeared? What did other writers say? Did the text become popular?
    - Responses probably ran the gamut from outrage, to those scared (blasphemy), to those shocked, to those indifferent and lastly to those in agreement (especially those who would recognize Deism in Paine’s arguments – such as those long established within Europe)
    - Some writers had to have been outraged (especially theologians / and religious activists), intrigued (those who were beginning to view science as being of more importance than religion), and other’s indifferent (do not care for Paine)
    - The text did become popular – probably more so with those who already considered themselves radical for the time – those who openly sought change in attitudes
    - The text probably became infamous for those who thought it could lead to chaos or open attacks on religious authority and subsequently government

    What impact do you think this text had on the world? What kind of discussions or changes might it have led to?
    - I think this text produced a lot of controversy throughout the world (those in favor of it and those adamantly opposed to it)
    - Brought into question – origins of Paine’s arguments – May back track and rediscover other past writers who may have influenced Paine’s viewpoints (such as the Greek philosophers and so forth)
    - I think it brought into question blind allegiance to religious authority
    - Brought into question concept of religious dominance (subsequently- also issue of religious tolerance)
    - Text may have led to idea of separation of church and state
    - Text may have led to open criticism of church policies and power

    What do you think more recent readers and critics have had to say?
    - I think more modern readers may have validated what Paine was trying to prove
    - I think more modern readers may have praised Paine’s efforts
    - I think some modern readers may condemn Paine for not going far enough in his arguments
    - I think some modern readers may feel that Paine does not completely break from religion (by openly declaring he does believe in a God and that it is connected to science)

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  5. Hi everyone. This is Paola.
    Group 1
    Gurbinder, Mallisha, Paola, Elizabeth
    Appeal to the Christian Women of the South

    Angelina F. Grimke’s text first appeared in 1836. In this time it was uncommon for women to speak about issues such as slavery. Her text is written to inspire women to take a stand against slavery. Grimke’s text received negative and positive feedback; negative because her behavior in those times (1800s) was seen as unwomanly like, and positive because her text inspired many women to take a stand against slavery. This also gave women a voice. “At at time when women in her social class were expected to remain at home and embrace the private realm of domesticity, she was regarded as a particularly shocking and cultural figure for her boldness in lecturing on abolitionism before mixed audiences of men and women” (Norton Anthology - Vol. B, 1692).
    Speaking out loudly and pointing out the flaws in slavery was bound to bring up some questions in people’s mind. The ideas and argument she uses to show why slavery was horrible are strong and were most likely unexpected. Pro-slavery people used the bible to support slavery, yet Grimke pointed out the incorrect uses of that same text.
    Based on Grimke’s interpretation of the bible, her audience would probably have questioned if owning people was truly right or wrong. It also probably started conflicts among people; some were on her side, but some were not. The church and its followers were probably her biggest opposition. Yet those who believe that slavery was wrong, i.e., abolitionists, would be her biggest followers. Because of the mixed audiences, Grimke’s text was probably banned in certain places. But regardless of all the conflicts, this pamphlet most likely began a movement of change regarding slavery and women’s rights.
    Probably more recent readers and critics have had to say that Grimke not only wanted to abolish slavery, but she also wanted to empower some women. Some critics may praise her bravery and persuasive style in writing, yet others may point out that she just appealed to a very specific group of people (as the title suggests) which did not certainly include women of a poorer economic status, or women of color. Also, some opposition may point out that in her attempt to reach everyone in her feminine audience, she probably failed to show her position; she was for abolition, yet she also says that if one decides to keep slaves, then one should treat them kindly. This “neutral” approach was probably because she was a woman, thus she had to choose a "soft" kind of approach.

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  6. The Devastation of the Indies by Bartolome De Las Casas is a narrative that describes the author’s involvement and later his revelation of the enslavement of the Native Americans by the Christian Spaniard. De Las Casas depicts the conditions that the natives were forced to live and in vivid images he conveys the horrific cruelties the Spaniards inflicted upon them. This brief account was an oral speech given by him at an earlier time, however, to convince the monarchy of Spain to abolish the enslavement of the Native Americans he wrote this text and published it into several different languages.
    As a result to De Las Casas’s effort a law was passed on the abolishing slavery, however, people were not welcoming to the idea of setting their slaves free. In addition, this text was used by other nation as a form of attack on Spain which gave the government officials enough reason convict De Las Casas for espionage. Seeing that the author was indicted for espionage conjures the fact that this text was increasingly popular at the time.
    My group (Fredy) and I thinks that this text had a huge impact on the world; causing upheaval amongst slaveholders and government officials. And if the laws stuck and enforced to be carried out the world, as we know it, would be different; to say the least, so many lives would’ve been saved. However, even if things didn’t go according to how De Las Casas envisioned its obvious that people would agree that Casas’s efforts did not go unnoticed.

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  7. "Sleepy Hollow" brainstorm by Lisa Bruno
    What conflicts / questions is this author interested in?

    I think the author was interested in addressing the question and conflict of spirituality versus superstition. The story concentrates on the legend of the Headless Horseman; however, there are many tales of paranormal activity or suspected paranormal activity mentioned in the story. Tarry Town is a town of great mystery and folklore. I sense that he was trying to make his readers think about whether beliefs are based on fact or on the belief itself. If we believe something to be true, does that make it true or does that make it occur? Ichabod Crane believed in the legend of the Headless Horseman. He was frightened traveling home at night. Did that make the horseman target him or would the horseman have targeted him anyway because he truly existed? I think the implication is that he does truly exist; however, the ending of the story leaves the reader in speculation. There are reports that Ichabod Crane simply left town and is doing just fine in New York.The very last paragraph states that the "old country wives" claim that Ichabod was taken away by the horseman and that these women are the best people in town to consult on matters such as these. This leads me to conclude that the author does want us to believe in the legend of the Headless Horseman; however, the reader is left to judge for him or herself which makes for a thougt provoking ending.

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  8. Smith, Greg "Supernatural Ambiguity and Possibility in Irving's 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.'." Midwest Quarterly 42.2 (2001): 174. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 20 Nov. 2009.

    I chose this article because it explores the nature of spirituality versus mythology. It addreses the question whether the Headless Horseman was real or not.

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  9. Hi everyone. This is Paola. Hope everyone is well.
    Here are some of the sources for the group conducting research on Angelina Grimke's, Appeal to the Christian Women of the South.

    One primary source we have is a letter from Angelina Grimke to Catherine Beecher. In letter XI, "The Sphere of Woman and Man as Moral Beings the Same," Grimke asks Beecher: what role has God given to women and men? Grimke claims that when it comes to morality it is the same for both men and women.

    Another primary source is Beecher's, Essay on Slavery and Abolitionism (response from the time period). This essay was actually the reason for the tension between Beecher and Grimke. In this essay, specifically addressed to Grimke, Beecher tells Grimke that it is unwise for women of non slave holding societies to unite themselves with abolition societies.

    Then we have another letter from Grimke to Beecher; letter XII, “Human Rights not Founded on Sex.” In this letter Grimke again emphasizes the moral roles of men and women. When it comes to something that involves the lack of “human rights,” i.e., slavery, all humans, regardless of their sex or gender, have the moral responsibility to do something about it.

    Further, we have a book called Angelina Grimke: Rhetoric Identity, and the Radical Imagination by Stephen Howard Browne. This book serves as a primary source because it contains direct quotes taken from Grimke’s diaries. Also, as a secondary source, it provides an analytical summary and modern criticism (contemporary response) on Grimke’s works.

    I’ll be back soon with the rest of our sources.

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  10. Hello all, this is Katherine from the "Age of Reason" group. These are some of the sources I found that gave me a better understanding of how people have reacted to our text both when it was first published and today.

    The primary source I have chosen to use is a letter addressed to Thomas Paine from Richard Watson, a professor from Cambridge University, in 1828. Even though this letter specifically adresses the contents of the second part of our text and we are only working on the first part for our essay, I still found the introductory couple of pages to give a general idea of how people might have responded to Paine's writing.

    My first secondary source is a book I picked up at the library by Kerry S. Walters titled "The American Deists". There is an entire chapter dedicated to "The Age of Reason" that tells of Paine's influences, history with religion, and impact on America.

    Another source I have is an article written about Paine, Blake and the French Revolution, which gives me an insight to Europe's reactions to the text, as well as what values were held in the times preceding and succeding it being published.

    I have a couple of other texts that give a bit of information here and there, such as one written from a religious point of view calling Paine's writings blasphemous, that will help me see the different perspectives with which people looked at this text.

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  11. Hello all, this is Katherine from the "Age of Reason" group. These are some of the sources I found that gave me a better understanding of how people have reacted to our text both when it was first published and today.

    The primary source I have chosen to use is a letter addressed to Thomas Paine from Richard Watson, a professor from Cambridge University, in 1828. Even though this letter specifically adresses the contents of the second part of our text and we are only working on the first part for our essay, I still found the introductory couple of pages to give a general idea of how people might have responded to Paine's writing.

    My first secondary source is a book I picked up at the library by Kerry S. Walters titled "The American Deists". There is an entire chapter dedicated to "The Age of Reason" that tells of Paine's influences, history with religion, and impact on America.

    Another source I have is an article written about Paine, Blake and the French Revolution, which gives me an insight to Europe's reactions to the text, as well as what values were held in the times preceding and succeding it being published.

    I have a couple of other texts that give a bit of information here and there, such as one written from a religious point of view calling Paine's writings blasphemous, that will help me see the different perspectives with which people looked at this text.

    ReplyDelete