American Tongues

What is voice in literature?
-Voice is the personality of the speaker.

Being mindful of word choice, tone, and sentence structure, write an example of something you would commonly say or write. Explain how and why this sounds like you.
-I commonly say stuff like, "You're so stupid, or dumb." It is my way of being sarcastic. I only say it to people I know well or else that would be really mean.

According to people in the documentary, people in Kentucky talk around a subject. Identify a topic you would talk around and explain why you would handle the topic in that manner.
- Something I would talk around is if I had gotten a bad grade and I had to tell my parents. I wouldn't want them to know because they would be disappointing in me so I would talk around the subject.

Why is voice important in nonfiction? What are some things we normally avoid in a academic essay?
-I there is no voice in nonfiction then it is just very boring. Therefore, you need voice in it to spice it up and make the readers want to read it. We normally avoid talking around the subject in academic essays.

What are some ways we can develop our own voice?
- We can use sentence structure to develop voice, also we can use vocabulary to develop voice.

SOAPSTone

Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out

By Dave Barry

Subject-

The subject of Dave Barry’s “Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out” is the differences in men and women. Men and women’s differences are illustrated by the author’s use of explanation throughout the article about the main differences in men and women. He mentions that women are sensitive about filth. Women always notice dirt around the and always have to make sure that it gets cleaned up. Men, on the other hand pay no notice to dirt; men are sensitive about sports. If a sports game is on they have to watch it so that they don’t miss a good game. The author explains how these differences are true through one gender and not the other.

Occasion-

“Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out” was written during the 1980’s and/or 1990’s. The essay’s time of creation is displayed in the introductory paragraph that gives some facts about Dave Barry. The paragraphs states that most of his works were published in the 1980’s and 1990’s. This means that this article was probably published in that time period as well. The probable place for the essay’s creation is Miami, Florida. The introductory paragraph states that he lived in Miami and worked for their newspaper. If he lived in Miami this article was probably written there.

The time and place of the essay’s creation influence the essay in the things that he chose to use as stories to provide support for his argument. The author uses baseball to show men's sensitivity for sports and in the 80's baseball was very popular, but it is not as popular now.

Audience-

Dave Barry’s specific audience for “Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out” is men and women that are in a relationship. The author’s target audience is exhibited by the use of examples that he uses about him and his wife. He uses examples such as when he cleans the house or the dinner they went to so that he can target men and women in relationships. His real life stories about his marriage target people that have a partner and influence men and women in relationships.

The author’s general audience for the essay is men and women of America. The author’s general audience is shown by the author’s emphasis on male and female differences in America. His emphasis on these differences in America targets all Americans because it shows how men and women are different.  It doesn’t show differences in a specific group of men and women just men and women as a whole.

Purpose-

Dave Barry’s purpose in “Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out” is to show that men and women are different in the things that they are sensitive about. The contrast between men and women’s sensitivities is revealed by the author saying, “The primary differences between men and women are that women can see extremely small quantities of dirt.” The author mentioning this shows the reader that there are differences in men and women and their sensitivities. This shows that women are very sensitive to dirt while men are not. The purpose is further revealed by the quote, “The opposite side of the dirt coin, of course, is sports. This is an area where men tend to feel very sensitive and women tend to be very callous.” This illustrates how women do not have the sensitivities as men. Men are sensitive about sports and not filth.

Speaker-

Dave Barry, born in Armark, New York, believes that women are sensitive about filth. This value is illustrated by his emphasis on women’s sensitivity about dirt in the article. He says, “The primary difference between men and women is that women can see extremely small quantities of dirt.” This shows how he talks about women being aware of dirt at all times. The author’s value supports the purpose because the author truly believes it therefore he can convince his readers more.

Dave Barry, Haverford College graduate, believes that men are sensitive about sports. This value is illustrated by his emphasis on men’s sensitivity in sports. He says, “This is an area where men tend to feel very sensitive.” This shows how he believes that men really are sensitive about sports and they always have to watch them. The author’s value supports the purpose because the author truly believes it therefore he can convince his readers more.

Dave Barry’s use of imagery is evident in the stories that he tells because the reader can imagine them. The author’s use of imagery helps to get across his point that men and women are different because it makes it more clear for the reader. His piece is also more effective because of it.

Tone-

Dave Barry exhibits a comical and judicious attitude about the differences between men and women in “Batting Clean-Up and Striking Out”. These attitudes are expressed by the author’s humorous tone when telling stories of his past that relate to the differences between men and women. Also the author judges all men and women when he is explaining his argument. He acts as if all men are one way and all women are another way when they are not at all. The author’s humorousness shows that he is very comical and the way he judges everyone shows that he is judicious. This tone helps the author to show how the differences of men and women are important but they can also be funny; for example, his use of the stories about his life.  Also he helps to show that all men and women have differences but women are the same and men are the same by having a judicious tone.

"Eleanor Rigby": The Beatles vs. Pain vs. Dubstep

Which of these do you like better?
-I liked The Beatles version better because it was easier to hear the lyrics. I did not like how the Dubstep was a remix and I did not like how the Pain version was overtaken by the background music. I like being able to hear the lyrics and knowing what they are trying to say.

Which of these is more aesthetically pleasing?
- I believe The Beatles version is more aesthetically pleasing because it didn't change as much. It was pretty much the same throughout. The other two versions had too much going on at one time. I believe it is more pleasing to just listen to one thing not a bunch  of things happening at one time.

Kandinsky vs. Pollack

Which of these fo you like better?
- I like the Pollack better because it is the same throughout. There is not too much going on in it like the Kandinsky. I also like how the colors are very relaxing because they are all neutral.

Which of these is more pleasing to look at?
-I think the Kandinsky is more pleasing to look at because there is always something new you see when you are looking at it. Every time you look at it you notice something you hadn't before. Also, the colors are very bright and they stand out which makes it more pleasing to look at.

Short Film

-The single effect that I got out of the film was that you shouldn't live life not aware of your surroundings.

-Things that showed this single effect were-
 1. "I'm here to point out the less obvious."
 2. The music was very soft and sweet.
 3. "People don't look beyond the neon"

- I would change the fact that the camera was in his face the entire time. I thought the camera was too close to the people in the film. I don't think that this would change the single effect.

"Good Old Desk" Harry Nilsson

SOAPSTone-

Subject- his desk- literally
Occasion- 1972
Audience- other people who own desks
Purpose- to show how useful desks can be
Speaker- the artist
Tone- happy. appreciative, affectionate

What is he talking about?
-He is talking about how God is always there for him no matter what.

Three things that show he is talking about God-
-"its waiting there for me to keep my hopes alive"
-"Such a comfort to know its dependable and slow, but its always there"
-"Its the friend Iv'e got, a giant of all times"

"Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell

SOAPSTone

Subject

The subject of George Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant” is that imperialism causes social pressure. Pressure to please people that are socially below you is illustrated with the story of Orwell shooting the elephant. Orwell shoots the animal because he feels socially pressured by the Burmese. He thought that he ha to please them and do as they wished because of the fact that he had a higher social class. He was British and Britain were imperialists to Burma, therefore he thought as the higher person he ha to do what was expected of him.

Occasion

“Shooting an Elephant” was written in 1936. The essay’s time of creation is displayed through the text when it is stated that Burma was a state that was under the British’s imperial rule. Britain was an imperialist of Burma during the late 1930’s. The probable place of the essay’s creation is in Moulmein, Burma. Orwell says in the beginning of the essay that, “In Moulmein, in Lower Burma..” stating that this is where the essay was probably created.

The time and place of the essay’s creation influence the essay in which the author is sure to make his point clear so that he can change others’ opinions on imperialism. The time period is when imperialism was happening in Burma he writes the article in this time period to try and change opinions about imperialism because he feels it is wrong. Because of his experience with shooting the elephant he realizes what morally wrong things imperialism caused him to do because of the pressure that he felt others putting on him.

Audience

George Orwell’s specific audience for “Shooting an Elephant” is British rulers. The author’s target audience is exhibited by Orwell’s strong views against imperialism. He focuses on British rulers who are the main controllers of the imperial rule on Burma.  Orwell is trying to change the rulers opinions on imperialism.

The author’s general audience for the essay is imperialists. The author’s general audience is shown by his emphasis on how imperialism is wrong. The author focuses throughout the article on how imperialism is evil and causes people to do things they regret. He is trying to target imperialists and change their views on imperialism.

Purpose

Orwell’s purpose in “Shooting an Elephant” is to persuade that imperialism is terrible because it puts people under pressure to do things that they will regret.  Pressure to do regretful things because of imperialism is illustrated by the author’s emphasis on the story about the elephant. The author ended up regretting killing an elephant because it was morally wrong. However in the moment he was pressured to it because of the imperial rule that Britain had on Burma. He says, “The people expected it of me and I had got to do it…” The author felt the pressure to kill the elephant because it is what the people expected of him because it was British. Without the imperial rule he would not have been expected to do such a thing and the pressure would not have been put on him.

Speaker

George Orwell, author of many classic novels, believes that imperialism is terrible. This value is illustrated by the quote in the article, “For at that time I had already made up my mind that imperialism was an evil thing and the sooner I chucked up my job and got out of it the better.” The author puts emphasis on the fact that he hates his job because of the imperialistic role he is under. As a police officer he expected to take care of the Burmese people and this is why he is put under so much social pressure by imperialism.

George Orwell’s, use of imagery is evident in when he explains the situation that he was ut under before he killed the elephant. He describes the people around him as “An immense crowd of…faces all happy and excited over this bit of fun, all certain that the elephant was gong to be shot.” These people put the pressure on him to kill the elephant because they thought it was his job as a British imperialist.

Tone

George Orwell exhibits a pleasant but firm attitude about imperialism in “Shooting an Elephant”. These attitudes are expressed with his pleasurable approach to the article. He wrote the article very pleasantly and was not stern when saying imperialism was wrong. He took a firm approach when saying that imperialism was wrong. He was not criticizing saying that people are stupid for being imperialistic, he was just firm in saying it needs to be changed. This tone showed that imperialism caused pressure on people to do things that they regret; because the tone was pleasant it made people believe it more but it was also firm saying that people needed to realize what was wrong.  He says that he thinks imperialism is evil because of the pressure he is under but also because he feels bad for the Burmans. Here he is pleasant saying he is sorry for them but also firm saying that imperialism is evil. His tone is very helpful in showing his purpose.

Rockwell's "The Runaway"

Norman Rockwell's "The Runaway" shows a boy, a policeman, and a waiter all having a good time in a diner in the 50s. The painting is set during World War II with all of the problems going on in America at this time the painting completely overlooks them. The little boy has run away and been picked up by the policeman. The boy is completely oblivious to all of the big problems in the world and is just trying to have a good time. The three people are all trying to run away from either their small problems or larger problems symbolizing America in this time period. Rockwell's "The Runaway" overlooks the fundamental rift that was rising in America throughout the 1950s, an emerging counter culture that was not concerned with how things were in America but rather how they are.

"Across the Universe" The Beatles"

Identify 3 images in this song.
-The images I saw were "Images of broken light dancing before me like a million eyes" also, "...endless rain into a paper cup" and, " limitless undying love that circles me like a million suns."

Are any of these images symbols?
- I believe that undying love circling like a million suns symbolizes the love that is all around the artist. The artist is saying that he is in love or just has alot of love in his life. He says that "nothings gonna change [his] world" saying that nothing can change the love in his life.

Explain one symbol that you know to be a symbol. What makes it more than a image?
One symbol I know to be a symbol is the cross. It stands for my religion and beliefs. It is more than just an image for me because it symbolizes me as a person. The cross symbolizes my religions which had made me who I am today.