College Essay

Brett Lange Wilson English IIIB May 1, 2013 Discuss how some negative experience has had a positive influence on your life. There have been two instances of failure in my life that stick out to me, and motivate me to prove people wrong. One happened back in seventh grade, when I was a more carefree and not worried about the future. The second one, in eleventh grade, stung a bit more because, in my mind, I knew it could’ve been prevented. I was more experienced and better equipped to succeed than I was back in seventh grade. Fortunately, my experience helped turn devastation into motivation a little easier. I should probably mention that I’m a huge tennis player. Any chance I get, I go out and play, which is why it hurts to fail. My first instance of failure, like I said, came back in seventh grade, when I missed the first cut. Sure, I was a little upset, but I was thirteen back then and I didn’t really care if I made the team or not. It was more of an experiment. The most recent instance of failure cut a little deeper, when my lack luster performance earned me the boot yet again. I think the reason this hurt more was because I had gone through it before, and I didn’t want to feel failure again. I still regret not giving 110% to this day. Although having more experience made this process a little more difficult, what ultimately depressed me was the fact that I had made the team the previous year, when I was a sophomore. I assumed I had ensured a spot because of this, so I didn’t give it my all. Even though I failed to accomplish my goal, I was able to see the positives in my situation. It was fun playing with my friends again, but what rejection did most for me was that it gave me motivation. It gave me motivation to train harder to get ready for next year. In addition to motivation, this experience also gave me the opportunity to focus more on my classes and school work. Because I had more time to study and do homework, my grades significantly improved from the last trimester. I showed excellent initiative and dedication by coming in after school to get extra help. My chemistry teacher noticed this and I was given an award for my independence and leadership. There’s no doubt in my mind that school is more important than sports, and failing gave me the time I needed to get my act together. Although I came up short of my goal of making the High School tennis team, I was able to look at the positives. I was motivated to get better, continue being active, and prepare for next season. More importantly, I was able to excel in the classroom with more time to focus on my core classes. I’m proud of my newfound confidence, my dedication on education, and the hard work that I’ve put into all of my activities.

Gatsby Gala Powerpoint: 1920s Music and Poetry

Reflection on Assessment

One of the ideas from the article that I found interesting was, "Whether you've given it a thought or not, the way you perceive time can influence your happiness today and all your tomorrows." I agree with this quote and I think it's spot on.

After taking the survey, I found that my time-perspective on Past-Negative is 3.20 which is higher than the average. I found that my Past-Positive though, was lower than the average, 3.78. My present-fatalistic is 1.89, which is higher than the average, and my present-hedonistic is 3.00, below the average. And finally, my future perspective was 3.62, which is also above the average score. According to the survey, I am more of a past-positive-oriented person.

I both agree and disagree with some of my results, especially. I thought that my present-fatalistic would've been higher than it was because, in general, I'm a fairly dedicated person. I like it when I get work done before it's due. But I agree with my presnt-hedonistic score because I can get distracted a little more easily than I would like to. Sometimes I might rush a little on my work in order to get to something a little more exciting. I also disagree with my past-negative score because I didn't really have a bad childhood. Sure, there have been a couple of situations that I regret and wish I could go back and change, but I don't really worry or think about it that often. For the rest of the results, I agree with them and I would say that this survey is fairly accurate.

"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" Collage, Essay, Imagery List

“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”

 

In “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”, T.S. Elliot uses imagery, allusion, and diction to convey mood and meaning, as well as describing the scene. The imagery he uses is deep and vivid, which really helps the reader get a picture of what is happening. He uses allusion to compare certain misunderstood subjects to something a little bit more relatable. His diction is very well used for the gloomy, flustered character in the poem. It all comes together to describe how a man who wants love and intimacy, might be too self-loathing to fulfill this desire.

 

T.S. Elliot’s strong use of vivid imagery helps give the audience a visual picture for what is going on in the poem. He describes a yellow fog that is creeping up on Prufrock, making him “yellow” or scared to commit to anything. “The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes, the yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes” (Lines 15-16). This depicts a fog, rolling in around Prufrock, reminding him of his fear of commitment. The color yellow represents his fear. He wants to be happy with someone, but this thought, in the back of his mind, of rejection keeps coming back to him. Elliot then describes how Prufrock is self-conscious about his physical figure.  “And indeed there will be time To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?” Time to turn back and descend the stair, With a bald spot in the middle of my head (They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”) My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin, My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin—(They will say: “But how his arms and legs are thin!”) Do I dare Disturb the universe?” (Lines 37-46) Elliot describing Prufrock’s physical woes gives the reader a picture of how he looks and how he might be afraid of commitment because of these abnormalities. He is afraid that a woman may be put off when glancing upon him and because of this possibility of rejection; he sees no motivation to look for an intimate relationship.

 

In addition to the use of strong imagery, T.S. Elliot also uses various allusions to better explain Prufrock’s negative outlook on love and commitment. At the very beginning of the poem, before Line 1, Elliot writes this prelude; “S’io credesse che mia risposta fosse A persona che mai tornasse al mondo, Questa fiamma staria senza piu scosse. Ma perciocche giammai di questo fondo Non torno vivo alcun, s’i’odo il vero, Senza tema d’infamia ti rispondo.” (Pre-line 1) This alludes to hell and how Prufrock sees himself as well as his life. Prufrock is so loathsome of himself that he is almost certain that he will not find love or intimacy with anyone, let alone a woman. As the poem progresses, he doesn’t change his outlook on himself, in fact, it might even get worse. Elliot also alludes to Prince Hamlet with the following quote, “No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; Am an attendant lord, one that will do To swell a progress, start a scene or two, Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool, Deferential, glad to be of use, Politic, cautious, and meticulous; Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse; At times, indeed, almost ridiculous—Almost, at times, the Fool.” (Line 111-119) With this allusion, Elliot explains to the reader that Prufrock feels that he was never meant to be anyone great, such as Prince Hamlet. He feels as though he isn’t even worthy to advise him or help out in a way. His hatred of himself even brings up the thought that he would be the Fool. Using these allusions, T.S. Elliot helps to give the reader some understanding of how little self-esteem Prufrock possesses.

 

As well as vivid imagery and alluding to well-known situations, T.S. Elliot’s very good diction, or word choice, helps give the reader a more formal way of portraying Prufrock’s attitude towards himself, and the idea of love and intimacy. By using this complexity of word choice, he helps the poem flow without confusing the reader. “Do I dare, Disturb the universe? In a minute there is time For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.” (Line 45-48). Using this quote, Elliot explains to the reader how Prufrock isn’t only worried about affecting whoever he tries to be intimate with, but he is afraid that, in some way, the entire universe will be disturbed by his actions. He acts as though he is the most repulsive creature to ever set foot on this planet, and he is, in his mind. He feels as though he was never meant to be happy with anyone, or have a family. Even though Prufrock’s biggest desire is to find love and intimacy, the idea of doing so is almost sickening to him. Another quote shows how insignificant Prufrock finds himself; “For I have known them all already, known them all: Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons; I know the voices dying with a dying fall Beneath the music from a farther room. So how should I presume?” (Line 49-54). Prufrock’s thought of “I have measured out my life with coffee spoons” kind of makes the reader pity him a little bit. His life, in his mind, is so meaningless that he measures it out with the tiniest of objects. Elliot uses this diction to tell the reader that Prufrock doesn’t just dislike himself, he loathes himself, more than anything.

 

Through the use of strong vivid imagery, well-known allusions, and complex diction, T.S. Elliot, author of “The Love Song by J Alfred Prufrock”, helps explain the meaning of Prufrock’s powerful sense of self-loathing. When all put together, he helps depict a man who desires love more than anything in the world, but his extreme lack of confidence and self-esteem issues prevent him from doing so.

30 Examples of Imagery from “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”

1. When the evening is spread out against the sky, line 2

2. Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets, line 4

3. Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels, line 6

4. And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells, line 7

5. Streets that follow like a tedious argument, line 8

6. The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes, line 15

7. The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes, line 16

8. Licked its tongue into the corners of the evening, line 17

9. Lingered upon the pools that stand in drains, line 18

10. Let fall upon its back the soot that falls from chimneys, line 19

11. Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap, line 20

12. And seeing that it was a soft October night, line 21

13. Curled once about the house, and fell asleep. Line 22

14. For the yellow smoke that slides along the street, line 24

15. Rubbing its back upon the window panes; line25

16. And time for all the works and days of hands, line 29

17. That lift and drop a question on your plate; line 30

18. Before the taking of a toast and tea. Line 34

19. Time to turn back and descend the stair, line 39

20. With a bald spot in the middle of my hair— line 40

21. (They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”) line 41

22. My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin, line42

23. My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin— line 43

24. (They will say: “But how his arms and legs are thin!”) line 44

25. Disturb the universe? Line 46

26. I have measured out my life with coffee spoons; line 51

27. When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall, line 58

28. To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways? Line 60

29. Arms that are braceleted and white and bare, line 63

30. Shall I say, I have gone at dusk through narrow streets

And watched the smoke that rises from the pipes

Of lonely men in shirt-sleeves, leaning out of windows?… line 70-72

Blog Post #4 English 3B

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Poetry Presentation Responses and Reflection

For the poem that I did, "Somewhere I have never travelled", I thought the work distribution between all of the group members was relatively fair. A little more work on my part wouldn't have hurt, but for the most part, I'm happy with my contribution. I think the whole group did a good job of cooperating and not getting flustered if there was something we couldn't figure out. Each of us had a specific task at hand, and if we got confused, we could just go to one of our group members for help. I'm proud of the work that my group and I accomplished and I would consider it a good experience.

As for the performance, I think it could've gone a little better. Maybe if I didn't look at the screen as much as I did, it could've gone a little smoother. Honestly, all of us could've been a little bit more interactive. That would've made it a little more entertaining. Even though the presentation wasn't my strong point, I did learn some new literay devices that I could use in future assignments. If there was anything I could change for future presentations, I'd say that I would try to be a little more engaging in the presentation.


"Helen", by Helda Doolittle; http://amymuellereniiib.blogspot.com/

I found this poem very interesting in the sense that the idea of feminism was kind of flipped on its head. Helda made it out to seem that women, more specifically Helen, are more powerful than men. She backed this up by saying that the whole war in Troy was started over her. She also proved her point through the use of strong imagery, allusion, and repetition. As for the presentation, I thought it also went very well. They didn't look at the screen very often and carried themselves nicely.


"The Garden" and "L'Art" by Ezra Pound; http://kristencherunbini.blogspot.com/

In these poems, Ezra Pound uses imagery, free verse and similes. Using these, the author was able to show that goods and items won't always bring you happiness. Other things, like nature, family, and friends can. I agree with this and it is kind of another way of saying that money can't buy you happiness. It also showed that things aren't always what they seem. I liked the example of the fruit that looked like a cherry, but was actually a poisonous berry.


"Poetry" by Marianne Moore; http://samanthagadart.blogspot.com/

In this poem, "Poetry", Marianne Moore uses symbolism, imagery, repeition, and free verse. Moore was influenced by nature, so her poems always have an outdoors kind of vibe. She explains that poetry is everywhere, that it's not hard to do. All you have to do is make it about something that has a meaning towards someone or something. This doesn't have to make sense to everyone, as long as it makes sense to you. This is true with almost every poem and I think all poems have some sort of connection towards the author that wrote it.


"The Great Figure" "This is just to say" "The Red Wheelbarrow" by William Carlos William; http://domfago83.blogspot.com/

In these poems, Willam uses strong imagery, free verse, and stanza structure. Although short, these poems have bright imagery that paint a perfect picture of what is going on. These are the kind of poems that I think should be read to beginning poets, to give them a sense of basic knowledge for imagery. I can remember back in elementary school when we used to read and write poems like this. They really didn't have a deep meaning about anything, just about something we liked.


"Red Slippers" by Amy Lowell; http://benrandallenglish3b.blogspot.com/

In this poem, Amy Lowell uses similes, strong imagery, and polyphonic prose. I liked this poem because it kind of gave you the idea that just because something might now mean anything to one person, doesn't mean it won't have some sort of meaning towards someone else. It gives you the sense that everything has meaning, no matter how small. For these red slippers, Lowell wanted you to think that they meant something more than just foot apparel. She also set no rhyme scheme, I think, to focus more on the importance of the red slippers.

E.E. Cummings Poem English IIIB

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