Cont. Romantic and Victorian Period

Romantic
Many poets did not mean love with the word romantic. The poets use the romantic meaning to exercise their thoughts. For example showing trust and showing our sense of will and identity. These poets meant more than love when writing in the romantic period. In reading an romantic poem you have to look deeper than love. I believe it’s something more deep within yourself.

Imagination and Nature
When reading poems from the Romantic period having imagination helps. Many poems have nature symbolizing feelings persons, ect. Most poems have imaginative experience as a very powerful or moving, meaning what you read may not mean what it seems. In Romantic poems imagination and nature can move the mind in mysterious ways.

Romantic Lyric
I see it as someone speaking aloud to themselves. Their imagination and emotions flow. The poets speak passionately from their hearts. Many call Romantic Lyric " True Voice". The poets create an artful illusion. The poets have be convincing in order to get their point across. This is based on the relationship between the mind and what the poet is relating to.

Thought
When reading on Romantic Poetry you have to read and think carefully about what you are reading. You have to think outside the box. Everything you read is not always what it seems. Poets were more of teachers of inspiration. These poems was a way for many poets to express themselves to others in a very expressive way.
The Victorian Period

History During this Time
During this time the Civil war was going on bring many families into starvation and pain over loosing family members. This was time that many men had to leave their families to go fight in the war no matter what the outcome. Many women had to leave their families to find jobs to support their homes leaving the children to their duty to take care of their land. This was time of hardship and pain for families. Many men did not come back home. Even after the ending of the Civil war families were still under pressure because of their lost ones.
In 1863 Abraham Lincoln Emancipation Proclamation declared slavery illegal. This was bad and good. This meant that African American’s were free. Many stayed because they were loyal to their master. Even yet many of the slaves moved from the south and migrated to the North to find jobs to try to support their families. Yet, Lincoln had abolished slavery many people did not agree and still hassled the African Americas. So it was still hard on the African Americans to make a life during this time.

The difference between Romantic and Victorian period was that the Romantic period was about allowing you imagination to flow. It was about thinking more outside of the box and allowing yourself to take control of you imagination. The Romantic Period was just not about that it was it was also about using nature to show how they felt. Many times they used certain colors to explain themselves. Any idea that the Romantic poet had they used it to their advantage to express themselves. The Victorian Period was more on the realistic point. Poets expressed any opinion that they had in poetry. At this time more people knew how to read so many would take advantage of this to prove a point to get more publicity. Also at this time the poets expressed many questions about political and materialist needs. Yet, each period expressed themselves greatly.


Authority
Many Victorians brought authority into their writing because of the Central Government trying to take control. With this authority poetry grew into more showing opinion about how the world was turning. This was change for the social order and the political world of the eighteenth century.


Intellectual
At this time many people were learning how to read and write. Over half of the population was able to express themselves in wording. This allowed poets to able to write more in depth because they had a bigger audience to please.


Opinions
During this time poets question the world. They used this to their advantage in their poetry. They question the exploiting earth and human comfort to achieve. Not only this but they question reality and the worlds unknown.


Skepticism and Denial
Many people at this time had a hard time believing any the things that surrounded them. In poetry, poets focus many of the non-believable infinite power and human existence. This was a major topic of the eighteenth century that poets used to their advantage.



To a Mouse by: Robert Burns
To summarize this poem I think that Burns was relating to Men that work very hard to labor their land and the mice would feed off their harvest. I believe that this upset the hard working men because they were not making a profit off their harvest; " Has cost thee monie a weary nibble!" These mice would take advantage of the hard work that the men pursued to make a living; An lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain For promis’d joy. That means to me that the mice brought them hard times but the mice could leap for joy from not starving. I see this as a good Romantic poetry because as he describes the way the men worked and how disappointed they were by the mice taking advantage of their harvest. You can feel the pain of how the men felt as they saw their hard work not pay off.


The Tiger by: William Blake
When I read this poem it makes me feel like I’m reading from someone’s point of view from fight. You can read by his descriptive words that this was fight ‘til death. Yet, this point of view was sad one. It seems as thought this person did not want this fight to continue by continually asking questions; Could twist the sinews of thy heart? It’s as though he saw the fight in secret; Did he smile his work to see? Last but least what really makes me think is the this; Dare frame thy fearful symmetry? ; This really makes me wonder if the person he saw was someone he knew and they were after him next. I see this as a good Romantic poetry because he uses the tiger ( an aggressive animal) as the person who is doing bodily harm to another. He uses parts of the body to describe his ways and harmful instruments which can be harmful.


She dwelt among the Untrodden Ways William Wordsworth
As I read this poem I see that she was among others that were not wanted in the town where she stayed; "She dwelt among the in untrodden ways". In a way it seems as though she did things that were not taken well by the town. It was as though she was an outcast by other except for one; "Fair as a star, when only one is shinning in the sky." This would be a good Romantic Poem because he never uses a name…. She was something more to him if you read in between the lines. He says that when she died it made all the difference to him; "But she is in her grave and oh, The difference to me!" I can imagine him writing in anger because the one that was not accepted by any that she knew of. It was him all along that had felt something strong.


The Destruction of Sennacherib by: George Gordon, Lord Byron
This was a poem of battle of death. It describes how came and died at the field. Their wives became widows and crying because they lost their husbands; "and the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail." It seems as though just one had survived the battle that had fought; "and there lay the rider distorted and pale" I assume that everyone passed except this one yet he lies on the cold ground with nothing to pursue forward to. So he lays there with his soldiers not knowing what to do. This poem is in fact a sad one no victory and no defeat. I see this is as good Romantic poem because of the way he used nature and his imagination as way to describe the way the battle field remained after this battle; "For the angle of death spread his wings on blast"; " And cold as spray of the rock-beating surf". By describing how the battle field looked with colors you know that it was gloomy and not a victorious time. This poet seems as though he used his imagination to take him back during the gruesome battle days.


Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelly
In this poem it seems as though a dead body lies and traveler came up on this horrible sight. In a way it seems as though this dead man had done something to Ozymandias and he punished him with death to warn others not to go down that path with him. The travelers seemed frighten by the actions of this King Ozymandias. This King Ozymandias has the attitude that this was his land and if walked upon you better beware; " My name in Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my work, ye mighty and despair" This poem is an example of Romantic poetry by the way Shelly used his words in very descriptive words to emphasize his meaning in the way the king was protective of his land. He wanted his respect because this was his land. As I read I can see the king’s angry face because the travelers have came onto his land not knowing that had trampled upon his land showing disrespect by not honoring him and his land.


On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer by John Keats
I’m guessing that this was man that traveled near and far and had never been to this Chapman. He heard many good things and he finally saw it for himself for the very first time. This was place that was unexplainable; "Yet I never breathe its pure screne". It’s as though this was heaven; "Then felt I like some watcher of the skies". This is a good example of Romantic Poetry because of the way the words are in order to describe how the man felt by being in a place of royalty.


Tears, Idle Tears by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
This is a poem about a woman that has lost someone she loved about. She is not sad nor upset it’s just apart of life in her mind. She thinks about the good things in life and the bad; "In looking on the happy autumn fields. And thinking on the days that are no more." She thinks of the one she loved in good memory. Then it seems as though she has no regret of her first love; Deep as first love, and wild with all regret. To me this poem was not about looking down on death and being sad it was more of thinking of the good and the bad time you had with your love and letting everything go. This was a good Victorian poem because this person allowed their opinion about death out in such demanding way. He was not aggressive with it. It was more at ease. He was not angry yet; he showed his passion in revealing reality.


Porphyria’s Lover by Robert Browning
This is a sinful poem. It’s seems to me that this was a women messing with a married man. This man had no will to have her so he dealt with her by strangling her; "In one long yellow string I wound. Three times her little throat around. And strangled her. No pain she felt. He did not seem ashamed of what he did it more of getting justice because if her actions." And thus we sit together now". I don’t know if I like this poem so much because of the actions this man took instead of walking away. It seems more of a hate crime rather than getting justice. This is a good Victorian poem because he questions himself before taking her life. He thought about it carefully before making his move. He admired her beauty manly way. In this poem you see the poet mood swings erupt in a violent way.


Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold
As this poets describes the world in his eyes you see that he sees beautiful world filled with life. Later on in this poem you see that his mood changes and he sees the world as a place with no love, no joy, and no light; hath really neither joy, nor peace, nor help for pain. What I think that he meant by this is that he saw that our world was becoming a struggle for our people. This was a good Victorian poem because he brought reality to the eyes of his audience. He did not hold back at all. He just allowed his feeling to flow about the world that we lived in.


Ah, Are you digging on my Grave? By Thomas Hardy
This seems as though this poet had someone had a grudge against him. Then he finds out that it was his own mistress. In his poem he seemed upset once he found out that it was his poet; "O it is I, my mistress dear, Your little do, who still lives near". This is a Victorian poem because he is questioning himself on who is digging his grave; My enemy?- prodding sly? He is showing his authority over his life. This is no laughing matter to him. He puts his foot down and shows his mistress who is on top; Mistress, I dug upon your grave."

The Events of the Romantic Period

During the Romantic Period the United States bans importing slaves from Africa. By doing this it was illeagal to import slaves into America. Yet, the slaves that were already here and babies were born here were still slaves. By doing this it was one step closer to abolish slavery. Also during this time Catholic Emacipation Act which allowed Catholics to hold public office. This was the year 1829. This was something that the Catholic was fighting. Just because of thier religion they were not able to hold office. Now because of this act they were able to hold office without judged by thier religion. During this time it seemed like everyone was trying take step forward to do what is right.


During this time I think that everyone was trying to figure out what was wrong and what was right. Many people seemed to be confused about what was the right things to do. Because there was so much say so from the goverment and churches many had to make up their own conclusion about what was right for themselves. During the Romantic period I think was time for people to come out of closet, and stop listening to others by taking time to actually think what they was right.

What do you think was most important to people living in this time?

I believe that many people in this time did not deserved what happen, but seems that the reason why was because "Someone" was trying to teach these people a lesson. I don't think that death was the right path to go, but I guess I can't say. The man in the story seemed to be on a journey to a safe place because of all the diease that was surrounding him. Many were so sick theey were dying on the side of the street. This seems really on real to me. Just imaginating this makes me wonder if I would have went on a journey to get away from it all.

A Journal of the Plague Year

What I read was sad with a whole lot of death and sorrow. I could not imagine myself seeing death around me literally 24/7. I think that I would go mentally insane. I think that it was a great idea to keep people away from pits full of dead bodies, but who would want to go to a pit full of dead bodies anyway? I understand that this man wanted to go to church, but never says the reason. I'm guessing the reason why is because there was so much death that seemed like the most sacred place, "I got admittance into the churchyard by being acquainted with the sexton who attended".

"This was a mournful scene indeed, and affected me almost as much as the rest; but the other was awful and full of terror. The cart had in it sixteen or seventeen bodies; some were wrapt up in linen sheets, some in rags, some little other than naked", This would have terrified me. This kind of reminds me of the Hulcoast. This breaks my heart that many families went through a horrible crisis like this. I could not imagine my family being destroied by one disease. I think that going to church was a bright idea. Just getting away from it all and letting your heartbeat with God's.

Macbeth Act 4 and 5

Well Macbeth is really starting to get interesting because Macbeth is getting cocky with his authority. He doesn't care about how anybody reacts to his commands he just wants things to be done when he says so.He has such high hopes that no one can kill him, but I beleive that soon enough he will get proved wrong. "Foul is fair is fair is to foul" is what this story is all about. He has killed many people that over wanting power it has destroyed him has a person as a good King.

Act 4 was not as exciting because nothing much happen. The only important events that happen was that Macbeth went togo see the Witches once again and they told him 3 important things:"Beware of Mcduff, for none of woman born shall harm him, and he shall never be vanquished until the Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinanae Hill shall come agianst him". Hearing these word come from Witches that have been telling me no wrong I would be joyful. I think that Mcduff made some bad moves by killing the whole family of Macduff. This is something else that he will have to pay for using his power for evil.

Act 5 was the real turn around for everybody. Macduff said he wasn't going to take it anymore heas going to do something about Macbeth. Lady Macbeth went mentally insane and now everyone is wondering what is really going on. Macduff had became smart and with his army he decided that he did not want Macbeth to know how many soldiers he had so he had them each carry sticks from the Great Birnam Woods. As he and his army approached Macbeth's servent saw them and ran to Macduff to tell him. As Macbeth knows no one born from could harm him so he had no worries. Well at the end of this both Macbeth and I find out that Macduff was "Untimely ripped". That was a huge turn around, but Ithink that Macbeth got what he deserved and Macduff got his justice.

12pm-2pm Sunday November 15, 2007

Well today my Mentor picked me up from my house and on way to Nuci's we decide that we take pet stop at McDonald's for number 1 and double cheese burger and small fry which was pretty nice of him to take me by there. Soon enough we got Nuci's and sat down outside to eat out "healthy" lunch. Which was quite tasty. As we sat there was saw a flyer that looked like a "WANTED" sign, but as it came out to be someone that was showing their artistic talents through a "WANTED" sign. I thought that was very unique and plus it was a great way to catch eyes.

We went inside to play the drums. He played first to warm the drums up and put them in tune. I enjoy to hear a professional drummer play because it sounds so cool. Then I hopped on there as he went out to get a guitar so I can play along with him. I like that a whole lot better than plying with out him on the guitar. It gives me guidance. It also gives me concentration. That's the great part about me playing along with him.

All in all we had a great session. We did talk about the presentation and he thought that I should have a " Reflection" on my experience. I think that would be great idea as long as he helps me with it because I don't think that I could write an "reflection" on my own. It would really help to have his guidance on this since he knows from his own experiences from college.

44. mins. Phone Call with Mentor November 16, 2007

My Mentor and I talk on the phone this evening and we had a very interesting conversation on our cutural differences and how we are connected as Mentor and Mentee. He asked me how I was doing and how my life was going and I responded by saying that I was stressed ( which I still am) and how I'm trying to concentrate on finishing school especially my Senior Project. He told me that his students are enjoying reading time, which I thought was really good.

When I think about our cultrual differences are different and the same. We are both parents and enjoy music in general and also enjoy playing it. Our diffenreces are that he is an succesful musican, has a great career as teacher, and he's married. Me on the other hand I'm a single parent, I'm still in High school and I'm still struggling to figure out if I want to become a probation Officer or a Teacher. Even though we are very different in many ways, we can still come together and have conversations that we can both relate to.

My Mentor has given me many thing so think about such as my future, my child and my musical talents, and how far I can actually go to succed. Even though my Mentor has put his put his musical career aside and concentrate on his family and teacher career he still involves his musical talents with his students and his family. This shows me that even though my child might not understand many things I can show her through the things that I love to do and teach her through things I love to do.