Is there a Right way to Write????

Sorry this is a late post. I was in Oregon and away from a computer but I hope that you all find my blog fun and enjoyable as well as informative.:) While reading the essays I noticed two things... they were both valid points, but can people just start to agree with each other??? That would make life a whole lot easier for the rest of us!! (sarcasm!!!) Well anyways, I enjoyed the comment in the second essay, "But art, the art that matters, is not cement. It is mobile, complex, elusive, disturbing." this really stood out in my mind because this is what we have been taught for years. "Dig deeper into the meaning," "what does that represent," and so on. Teachers have been melting into our heads, in my opinion, the right way to analyze a text. But according to Will, one is just supposed to take the text at face value, without delving in or interpreting the novel on a more learned level. Literature, to most, is art. There is no one correct way to interpret it. if we all had the same thoughts on a matter, there would be no need for personal opinion. with no personal opinion, there is no individuality, with no individuality there is no person. We might as well all wear white overalls and have green hair like an oompa loompa! no one would be able to say, "those overalls look dumb" because everyone has them and there is no opinion. The same is true with literature, different interpretations lead to new discoveries about the hidden meaning in older novels, plays, etc. To be honest I could almost care less either way, i like oompa loompas. but if we want to progress as a society, we need different thougts and interpretations.

Colonazation????

Shakespeare had to believe in colonazation!!! Due to the fact that in the Elizabethan era many of the people who ocupied Europe never saw anyone other than those of their race. Propaganda was used to influence the minds of the people into believing that they were savages who needed to be conquered. Prospero went to look into the island that Caliban's mother left for him. Little did Caliban know, Prospero wasz just plotting to take over the island once he got a feeling for the place. This is a very manipulative tactic that countries use to gain trust before they take over.
    I also find parallels from the video (and other western movies) to the play. Western movies and the play both portray "other" people as weirdos who need help or death at the extreme level. They are taken as slaves and forced to do the work of the superior race. This superiority is prevsalent in many societies and time periods. This is more predominant in the civil war era and earlier. Mainly whites took over and wanted to rule the world... it was no good, and this is coming from a white girl.
     Thanks for listening to my opinions:):)

El Tempisto! Acto One-o!

This first act of "The Tempest" brought many questions to my little head. I believe that Prospero uses many superlatives and hyperbolies in his stories. For example when he is speaking to his slave, Caliban, he tells a story about the creatures past. There is no way for the creature to prove this in the wrong or write so he must remain subservient.
     Also Prospero is  very manipulative towards Miranda. He is constantly making sure she is listening and heeding to his every word with, "Thou attend'st not?" and "Dost thou hear?" (Shakespeare 38) It is almost as if he thinks that his actions are pure heroism and they deserve a trophy... which is not the case. All he has deone in reality is use a few magic spell to create a setting in whch he can dominate. He made it possible to seemingly "rescue" Miranda from a bade situation. Even though he would have been able to get her years later by the use of his storm. He has almost a magical gift of getting people to believe whatever he has to say. He poses her story to her as if he was the knight in shining armor, taking her from her immediate family. His tone while telling this story makes her melt into his manipulation.
     The same is true with Ariel. He was promised early freedom, but Prospero tells his story in the form of threats so that Ariel will be respectful again. These threats are very convincing because the reader notices right away that Ariel swiftly changes his objectives and turns 180 degrees around and thanks Prospero for keeping him as a servant. This  was only half unexpected. I knew something was up from the beginning but Prospero's power really went through the book and into my soul when he could manipulate soooo many with one action.
     This was strange but an altogether great beginning to an interesting play.

SIngle Story

While watching the posted video, it occurred to me how one sided things can be and we don't even notice. Adichie's story of her life spoke of wonderful things the people do not hear everyday. I wish that all people could hear what she had to say. Her definition of power, the ability to say something and have people believe that that is the single story, was really important. It showed that people are unknowingly ignorant to what they hear. Her roommate was a perfect example of a person who has been force-fed single stories. I too know people who have the world and its parts drawn into categories or stereotypes. Adichie also made the remark that, "stereotypes aren't only untrue but they rob people of their humanity." I agree with this statement 100% People who create stereotypes not only hurt the target individual but they hurt themselves as well. 

Adichie helped to identify with her audience by sharing where she got most of her single stories. It is too true that western books mainly depict blonde haired, blue-eyed children and their two-story houses where Mom cooks dinner and has it ready for Dad when he gets home. this clouds the view for many people who live outside the United States. Although America is a land of opportunity, we do have our own domestic problems. We allow, suggest and encourage single stories.  This not only limits the view of others, but it makes us unaware of the other worldly single stories. I agree with Adichie when she suggested making an African television channel. One that showds the culturally diverse daily life of different African countries. Not only should there be an African channel, but also channels devoted to eliminating the single stories from those countries submitted to them.

The last thing the audience was left with really summed up and hit hard the hearts and minds ofthe listeners. 

"When we reject the single story, when we realize there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise."