Nature is Beauty

The story that I would like to talk about is that of The Luck of Roaring Camp. In this story we see great detail in the description of nature and how it affects all characters. We see that once the baby is born, the workers seem to take an immense appreciation in nature. In the book they say, "that the baby had brought 'the luck' to Roaring Camp" (19). Since Thomas Luck was born, the workers improved their cabins, took more care of themselves and cleaned up the area which they called their home. The cabins were described as "scrupulously clean and whitewashed" (22) the men changed their attitudes, "profanity was tacitly given up in these sacred precincts, and throughout the camp a popular form of expletive, known as 'D-n the luck!' and 'Curse the luck!' was abandoned, as having a new personal bearing" (23). All of these changes helped the men to notice the true beauty in nature. It is described that, "The men had suddenly awakened to the fact that there were beauty and significance in these trifles which they had so long trodden carelessly beneath their feet" (24). The find that materials in nature can be beautiful and presents to the baby. As described, "It was wonderful how many treasures the woods and hillsides yielded that 'would do for Tommy'" (25). A new person to the camp and new experience helped the men to see the beauty that lies in nature and the natural resources that are available to anyone.

Deeper Reading

After reading these two stories, I realized that I needed to change my way of reading to focus more on points that seemed to stick out or hints that were clues to what it was already foreshadowing.

In The Yellow Wallpaper, it did surprise me that the narrator was telling her story from beyond the grave. I had a feeling that she did like the idea of death, ghost and hauntings but it never occurred to me that she herself could be dead. After re-reading the first part of the story, the whole piece comes together to make more sense of her experiences while in the room and sightings. One part in particular that would give away to the reader that she is dead is when she says, "John is a physician, and perhaps-- (I would not say it to a living soul, of course, but this is dead paper and a great relief to my mind)-- perhaps that is one reason I do not get well faster"(505). She is mentioning the living soul, which she would not say to and dead paper. If I had been reading closer I feel that I might have been able to pick up on this detail.

In Desiree's Baby, I loved the end and was obsessed with how it turned out for Desiree and Armand. I feel that, again, if I had been reading closer to the text, I would have noticed that Armand was the one with black blood in his genes. On the first page, we can tell the difference between the way Armand's father treated the slaves and the way that Armand is more strict on them because of their color. Also, I noticed that when describing the house that Armand lived in, it had a, "roof came down steep and black like a cowl, reaching out beyond the wide galleries that encircled the yellow stuccoed house. Big, solemn oaks grew close to it, and their thick-leaved far-reaching branches shadowed it like a pall"(517). The house is described as being overgrown, thick, dark compared to La Blanche's cabin, meaning white. There are other comparisons of Armand being dark to Desiree always being dressed in white and having pale skin.

For both of these stories, one could pick up on the hints but it takes practice of a deeper reading to truly understand the message the first time through.

What a Shocker!

When I first started reading Little Lord Fauntleroy, I thought that it was written by a man based on what Professor Irvin had told us. I too, was surprised but not really shocked to find out that it was written by a woman. It makes sense when you look at the word choices and emotion shown throughout the story. Knowing the gender of the author changes how you view the story and the meaning you make of the lessons.

Whenever I read a story, knowing the author to me is key for how you perceive their message. If a story is written from a male's point of view, I will try to think how a man thinks or understand that this is a male. The same goes for a female author and her story she is writing. For example, if a male wrote a story about his parent's divorce it would sound completely different than from a female's point of view. There would be less emotion shown, more feelings kept inside and probably more anger than sadness. When you can't tell the gender of the male, you put your own emotions into the story and take their point of view and add how you would feel. It makes the story your own when you don't quite know if the author is male or female.

When reading Little Lord Fauntleroy, I found it strange that a male author would use such girly terms or make Cedric so pretty. In the beginning, we have a description of little Cedric and he is described as having "quantity of soft, fine, gold-colored hair, which curled up at the ends, and went into loose rings by the time he was six months old". Thinking that Frances was a male, I was surprised at how much detail was put and how pretty he made the boy. Later he also added, "He had big brown eyes and long eyelashes and a darling little face". Now knowing that Frances is a woman, it will make the rest of the details more comprehensive. The rest of the story I can picture from a woman's point of view and make more sense of her story.

Show no emotion

Out of what we have read so far, I picked a passage that cracked me up and reminded me of when I was little. I remember having crushes on the boys in my class and being "mean" to them or doing something to get their attention.

After Tom meet his new love, "he pretended he did not know she was present, and began to 'show off' in all sorts of absurd boyish ways, in order to win her admiration. He kept up this grotesque foolishness for some time; but by and by, while he was in the midst of some dangerous gymnastic performances, he glanced aside and saw that the little girl was wending her way toward the house" (419). It is very obvious that Tom is a young boy in love and cannot show his true feelings.

We have learned that it is okay for young ladies to show emotion, but only in a positive light. For the two stories that we had read about young boys, they show all kinds of emotion. As in the passage above, we know that Tom has feelings for this new girl, but he is unable to show his true emotion. Instead, he acts out by doing gymnastics to get the attention because in that time, young men were not allowed to show true emotion. Even today, men are not allowed to show their emotion, as they say "boys don't cry". This saying is still followed today and boys are suppose to grow up to be strong men. This certain stereotype is still around today and told to young boys.

It's a Boy's World

We are able to notice very different views on boys in the 19th century compared to the stories about young girls. Boy's are more acceptable in the respect of growing up on the streets, working hard for their money and playing pranks or cracking jokes with people on the street. There is also a view different view on the relationship between young boys and their parents compared to the importance of parents for young girls.

We have know that it is easier for boys to make money in the city from The Hidden Hand and Capitola's struggle to make money as a young girl. We see from the beginning that Dick makes his money as black-booter and is very good at his job. Dick is able to enjoy the night life by his money as he explains to one customer, "Made it by shines, in course. My guardian don't allow me no money for theatres, so I have to earn it" (334). It is acceptable for young boys to work hard and enjoy their earnings in the night life. It would be a complete disgrace for young girls to work for their money this hard and then spend it late nights in a theatre or in late night bars.

We also see a completely different view of the relationship between parents, young girls and young boys. In our previous stories, parents are a key role in a young girl's life; teaching them manners, religious ways and how to be educated in society. We see a mention of Johnny Nolan's father and see his role as a figure is far away from what we are used to seeing in these stories. It mentions that "He had a father living, but he might as well have been without one." (349). It shows the complete difference between young girls and young boys; it helps the reader see that young boys are able to be more independent without parents and are not dependent on their help.

Whose Truly Mad?

I loved this story so much. It draws in it's readers and keeps them guessing till the very end. At points you don't know who to believe or what exactly is going on. When Sybil was put into an insane asylum, I started to wonder if she was really crazy or if Uncle should of been the one living in that room.

With the introduction of insanity to the text completely changes the story. It starts out as a gushy love story and then turns into an insane gothic mystery. It all starts to get really strange when Sybil wakes up and asked Hannah why she is there. Hannah's reply is "Your uncle sent you. The doctor has the care of you, and that is all I know about it. Now I have kept my promise, do you keep yours, miss, and eat your breakfast, else I can't trust you again"(232). From this point, the audience has no clue what is going on and if Sybil is still going to be telling the right story or exaggerate it. You quickly learn the concept of insanity could be throwing temper tantrums when not having something go your way. Also, we find out that Sybil's mother was the "whisper in the dark" and makes us as the reader wonder if her mother acted the same as her. Did her mother act the same as Sybil and is that why she was in the asylum? There are so many questions as to how this mother and daughter duo relate to each other in the way of narrating their stories.

The use of insanity completely alters our reception of the message. It creates a confusion as to what the true message is. You wonder if it is still that good prevails evil, or if people are to not be trusted. I still think that it is having faith and believing that good does prevail over evil in a strange a difficult way. When Sybil finally breaks free from her jail she is running and "the hand that had seized me tenderly drew me close, the voice that had alarmed cried joyfully, 'Sybil, it is Guy: Lie still, poor child, you are safe at last'"(239). She went through such a struggle and found out the truth about her mother while inside, through all she had a little bit of hope in her that she would not let that happen to her. She was given the chance and was able to break free of the prison that destroyed her soul, mind and body.

This type of story and relationship between the mother and daughter still makes me believe that there is a special unspoken bond between them. Her mother was unaware that it was her own daughter inside the other room and she still tried to save her. "Whisper, urgent, imploring and mysterious, 'Find it! For God's sake find it before it is too late!' Then fainter, as if breath failed, came the broken words, 'The dog- a lock of hair - there is yet time'"(237). Her mother is giving her signs and warnings to help save her life. This shows that there is still such a strong bond between mothers and daughters even when separated.

Good vs. Evil

Reading Uncle Tom's cabin was difficult because of the language and trying to understand the true meaning behind the story. It's hard to write children's literature that is surrounded by slavery and the hardships that slaves in that time had to endure. I feel that the message that was meant to teach children is overcoming obstacles in a positive way.

From the beginning, we see that Eliza tries to overcome her obstacles and arrive to a place that is safe for her and Harry. The main obstacle for Eliza was to overcome the Ohio River and get to the other side to freedom. The moment is played out as Eliza running and jumped on, "the huge green fragment of ice on which she alighted pitched and creaked as her weight came on it, but she staid there a moment. With wild cries and desperate energy she leaped to another and still another cake; stumbling, leaping, slipping, springing upwards again! her shoes are gone- her stockings cut from her feet- while blood marked every step; but she saw nothing, felt nothing, till dimly, as in a dream, she saw the Ohio side, and a man helping her up the bank"(254). Her focus is so strong that she feels no pain or emotion and is keeping her eye on what is important for her and Harry. What we know of, Eliza has reached safety and has been rewarded for the hard troubles she endured.

This story plays on the "good" overcoming "evil" by Eliza's story, but still makes you wonder about the other slaves and their sad endings. Does evil really overcome good?

Gothic Tale

While I was reading The Hidden Hand I discovered that not only is this considered a children's novel but it is a Gothic story. Elements of Gothic can be seen throughout the first 50 pages that we read and create this aspect. From the scenery to the odd number 3, aspects of Gothic literature can be found within this story.

The scenery really lets the reader know from the beginning that it is a Gothic tale. The description of Hurricane Hall is so dark when Southworth says "a large old family mansion, built of dark-red sandstone, in one of the loneliest and wildest of the mountain regions of Virgina"(151). The description of Devil's Hoof and the violent weather are all dark and create an eery feeling for the reader. This type of setting creates a Gothic tale in which there is a creepy sense from the beginning.

The talk of witches and villains also help create this type of story. The paranormal and twisted stories of which Nancy Grewell tells heightens the mood in this story and puts a scare in the audience. The secrets that are not reveal also create a mystery for which the audience long for.

Another Gothic aspect is the damsel in distress that needs to be rescued. This happens when Old Hurricane goes to the city to rescue poor Capitola and bring her back to live with him. She is a poor, young, innocent girl with her life in danger that needs rescuing by a rich old man. While hearing Capitola plead her case in the court room, Old Hurricane can't help but to save her. He tells the judge, "Then, sir, I, Ira Warfield, of Hurricane Hall, in Virginia, present myself as the guardian of this girl, Capitola Black, whom I claim as my ward" (180). He has saved her from prison and from dying on the streets.

Lastly, Gothic stories are known for having the number 3 in them as a sign of evil. The number 3 is mentions numerous times throughout the story from groups of people to number of suitcases. Old Hurricane, Capitola, and Herbert travel together in a group of three. There is a mention of "Only three times in all these years had Herbert found time and means to come down and see them, and that was long ago"(189). Capitola has three suitcases filled with all new clothes from Old Hurricane.

All of these elements and aspects reminded me of a Gothic tale and left the reader with mystery.

Girls just wanna have fun!

After watching the video and reading the Lamplighter and learning about Gerty, I was able to tell some similarities and differences between these 2 little girls that live decades apart. I feel that our depictions of girls today than back then have changed. Today, we do not expect so much out of 8 or 9 year old girls. They might have chores as to make their bed or clean their room but their main job is to be a kid and enjoy their friends. In the day of Cummins, children at that age were portray to have the main duties of the household and carry a large load of responsibilities.

Gerty in the beginning is a wicked little girl who doesn't know how to behave because she was never taught. When she gets angry she is often "not sobbing, as many children do, but uttering a succession of piercing shrieks, until she sometimes quite exhausted her strength" (91). Unlike the rude behavior portrayed by Gerty, Anna, the little girl in the video, turns to meditation to help ease her anger and emotions. She has learned of a way to control and be a lady in today's society by not throwing tempers and fussing.

I feel that if Gerty appeared on Amy Pohler's show today she would of shocked people. She would of been a sweet girl for people who care about her but if Amy brought up the topic of Nan people would see the "wicked" side of her. She would of told the story of how she "quick as lighting, stooped, and picking up a stone from the sidewalk, flung it at the window" (134) and broke Nan's window then ran away. I'm sure today some of us, well most of us would find that amusing knowing how she was once treated, but back in that time this was barbaric and definitely not lady like. The way that young ladies are portrayed today and how they once were are similar in the manners that young ladies should behave, especially when out in public and around guests.

Who needs parents?

I have found that when reading stories, parents either play a major role or have no role at all. In the story "The Wide, Wide World", parents or we should say a parent plays a major role. We see an absence of a father figure and a bond between a mother and a daughter. The text encourages us to view the role of parents and challenge our opinion on the effects they have on children.

If you notice in the story, the parental role is switched between Ellen and Mrs. Montgomery. For example in the beginning it mentions that " To make her mother's tea was Ellen's regular business"(25). Mrs. Montgomery is very sick and needs to be taken care of; Ellen takes care of her mother in a way that shows her maturity at a young age. We already know that this book was written as a type of instruction manual for young women learning to become ladies. Even though Ellen's mother is very sick, she is capable of preparing Ellen for her future. You can see the importance of a mother on a young woman and how in this story the presence of the mother and absence of the father is evident. Ellen sees her mother as a mentor someone she can come to to ask advice. She is envious of her mother and it is obvious when she says "But mamma... you know he is not my friend in the same way that he is yours... Oh, I wish he was"(35).

You can tell that Ellen looked at her father in a different light. She did not want to learn from him or envy what he does. She considered her father someone who kept them comfortable in their home and safe from becoming poor. In one section Ellen and her mother are talking about how her father has lost another lawsuit and the consequences, "It has cause an entire change of all our plans. Your father says he is too poor now to stay here any longer" with Ellen's response being, "Well, mamma, that is bad; but he has been away a great deal before, and I am sure we were always very happy"(23). She is not worried about her father being in her life and is only concerned for her mother.

How do we create children?

After reading MacLeod and Snachez, I feel that it is capable to create your own ideas and theories about children and children literature. Obviously, societies ideas about children and how to raise them have changed drastically over the years even past decade. It's amazing how we can change the way we want to raise our children based on the intellectual progress we have noticed. This change all began "When an American fictional literature for children began to be written about 1820, it was distinctly a product of its time" (MacLeod). From the beginning, we have tried to control and create the next generation the way we see best fit.

One theory that I have found myself agreeing with is when MacLeod said " national feeling required that books for American children should be home products". It is important for children to read books that take place in their own country. When children read books about America they are also learning about their culture and society. If a child was raised on other stories their based culture would be that of another country. Learning American culture is very important for these young minds. They need to grow up reading about and loving the country that they call home.

Secondly, children books used to be based solely on what parents want their children to think and how they wanted them to act in the future. "It will not be an issue here,' Jacqueline Rose writes in her study of Peter Pan, ' of what the child wants, but of what the adult desires- desires in the very act of construing the child as the object of its speech". Parents realized the control they had over children by creating stories that taught children how to act. This is a smart tactic that many of Americans learned and still to this day continue to use. Children need to learn from children books and create from the beginning reasoning behind the moral.

Continuing on with the persuasiveness of young children, Sanchez provides another point that I have to agree with. "Lockean conceptions of childhood as a 'blank slate' upon which parental authority must write, Romantic visions of the child as natural and as innocent as nature vied and mingled with each other" (Sanchez). When children are young, adults are able to create an impact on the way they think. Books and children literature are able to do this, especially when the parents pick out the certain books that their child will be able to read. This again is a smart tactic that was used then and now.

I feel that a reason for the change in children literature is the study of how it effects the next generation. Sanchez states that "this book treats children and childhood as part of cultural studies". Children are a culture of their own, they have their own language, signs, styles and they create them on their own to be distinguished. We still study children today and they way that they interact with each other and do the strange things that we witness. Children literature has changed because of the studies and research that have seen that what children read affects how the next generation will act. Childhood is all a part of science.

One point that I do disagree with is in MacLeod's article. She states that back in the day, "The focus of the stories was extremely narrow. They were written to teach and specifically to teach morality". Children need more than just a narrow boring story. They need to be able to imagine and let their mind wonder off in to new places. This type of imagination is what helps our society create bigger and better things for our community. The creativity helps children in different subjects and allows them to be expressive in whatever they may pursue.

I agree with most of what we have read and am amazed that I have never realized the control authors of children literature have over our future generations. It really surprises me and even though this may sound stupid I feel as though I am being let in on a little secret and I like it.

Introduction

Welcome to my blog!

I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Yes, Texas is far away from home but there is a reason for my decision. Family is very important to me, so when I was looking at schools I looked for places close to where I had family members. One of my brothers lives in Dallas and my mom mentioned looking at TCU. In the fall of my senior year, I took a tour of TCU and completely fell in love (it was magical). I have two older brothers, both of which are married and with children. Having nephews and a niece is pretty special. I am a sophomore with my current major as secondary level English education.

If I was chancellor at TCU the first thing I would change is parking. It's awful! To me a good teacher is one that is comfortable with his/ her class and is able to have fun and enjoy the curriculum. A good student is one who starts with an open mind, is willing to take chances in the class and wanting to succeed to their fullest. If I could have dinner with anyone it would be my friend Loren and my grandparents. Three things that people should know about me are: I'm a huge goof and do not have a problem laughing at myself, I'm very outgoing and can talk to anyone, I seem to be a therapist because people always come to me with their problems. Three things that I would like to know about my class are: who really loves English, if this class will be fun with the group we have and everyone's name!

I choose to take this course because it was a requirement, but besides that I love to find great authors. I'm hoping to be able to find a favorite author because of right now I couldn't tell you one.

Final Statement: I have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus, which I see as a contract for our course.