Read this, and your writing will look like gold in comparison… March 25, 2009

The first five of eight stanzas in Anne Bradstreet’s “The Prologue” reflect the speaker’s strong feelings towards men and women in poetry.  She has noticed that women in poetry can possess the same “skill” as male poets, and makes the point that captains, kings, and wars are “for my mean pen… too superior things” (12, 3).  However, there is a distinct shift in attitude and tone in the last three stanzas.  The speaker shifts from a rampage reflecting her anger towards the situation to accepting both men and women’s roles in the world.  There is a much calmer, more rational tone to the writing while the speaker requests “acknowledgement” (42).  She asks that other poets simply “deign these lowly lines your eyes” rather than voicing her frustration (44).  She compares her poetry to “unrefined ore” in contrast to the “glistering gold” poetry of men (47, 48).  She does not ask for fame, but rather recognition for her work.

            Despite apparent insult, the speaker never exerts gender equality in this poem.  She points out that “men have precedency and still excel” during this time and that women are “what they are” (38, 37).  She requests acknowledgement and respect for her work while recognizing that “men can do best” (40).  She even offers male poets some incentive for recognizing her work, saying that “this mean and unrefined ore of mine / will make your glistering gold but more to shine” (47-48).  The speaker takes the approach of convincing and inciting the male poets in this part of the poem rather than demanding acceptance.

Religion Homework March 5, 2009

1.   At one point, we did need Affirmative Action in the United States.  There was a time in our country during which minorities needed affirmative action in order to have equal opportunities and progress towards equalization.  Our country, and our society even, strive for equality even if we do so subconsciously.  However, now, in the year 2009, we do not need as much affirmative action.  In order for people to gain respect from others and respect for themselves, they must work hard for their achievements.  This fact is the same despite race, gender, or religion.  There are happy and successful people of all genders, races, and religions in the United States.  Affirmative action helped to bring us to where we all are in society today, but now hinders us from our greatest goal: equality.  If affirmative action persists in the United States, it will only spur on more controversy, and maintain a sense of racism in our country.

 

• 2. Affirmative action is a policy or a program that seeks to redress past discrimination against minorities. These programs were established because, at one point in our society, people were so opposed to equality that their prejudices hindered the advancement of our society. Affirmative action has helped women, African Americans, native Americans, Latinos, and all other minorities across the country. We do not still need affirmative action in the United States because
• i) Affirmative action is creating more and more separation between people in our country, keeping us from being truly equal. For example, if more financial aid is offered to African Americans, native Americans, or Latinos, over time, they will naturally assume (as would anyone else) that they are not required to work as hard or do as much as someone who was born with a different skin color. If this separation were gone, everyone would have an equal chance, and thus, equal standing in our country.
• ii) Much has changed in our society since the 1800s or even the 1960s. Hard working people all over the country are respected for their efforts despite gender or race. Views have changed drastically since the times of segregation and male dominance. We must respect this change, and change our actions accordingly. For example, both a woman and an African American made it very far in our last presidential race. Would this have even happened fifty years ago? It is proof that our country is changing.
• iii) Affirmative action has served its purpose in our country. While there was certainly a need for affirmative action in the past, it is not longer a necessity. In order to EARN respect, the government cannot provide a crutch for anyone. While social classes will always exist (or else our entire society and economy would fall apart), this does not mean that there cannot be equality. Personally, I would prefer it if I could PROVE to an employer, school, or social group that I was worthy and respectable rather than it being handed to me. This would give me a priceless feeling of accomplishment, knowing that all of my hard work had paid off.

Bartleby = Joe Branscomb March 5, 2009

            Throughout Herman Melville’s short story “Bartleby the Scrivener A Story of Wall Street”, Bartleby remains a very mysterious character despite his major role.  The narrator, and Bartleby’s employer, is continuously occupied by thoughts of Bartleby, attempting to gain the slightest glimpse into his history, lifestyle, or purpose in life.  Once it is discovered that Bartleby has taken up residence in his office, the narrator begins putting a few pieces of Bartleby’s very complicated puzzle together.   With little more than the occasional “I would prefer not to” from Bartleby’s mouth, much of his background and preferences are left up to the narrator’s imagination and innate talent for pinpointing people’s “histories” (384, 370).

            The narrator has a seemingly awkward encounter with Bartleby one Sunday morning.  On this day, the narrator arrives to his office early in the morning before leaving “to hear a celebrated preacher” only to find Bartleby “in his shirt sleeves” (381).  Upon his return (after following instructions to walk around the block two or three times), the narrator discovers more and more of Bartleby’s limited material possessions hidden out of sight around the small office.  Rather than infuriating the narrator for the invasion of space and improper use of his office, the narrator discovers himself pitying Bartleby, and developing a sense of “fraternal melancholy” (382).  They are both “sons of Adam”, providing the narrator with a proper excuse to justify the loving, protective feelings that contributes to his pathos of Bartleby’s situation.

            Through this important discovery, the narrator discovers for himself that he trusts Bartleby completely, thus revealing a tiny fragment of his character.  He has “confidence in his honesty”, feeling completely safe knowing that Bartleby is always the “the first in the morning…and last at night” (380).  He discovers that Bartleby is a humble gentleman, living without “plate, mirror, or bed” for an indefinite period of time (382).  He also concludes from his stark observations that Bartleby must be “friendless”, leading a “horrible” life of “solitude” (382).  The narrator believes this solitude to be worse than “poverty”, even offering for Bartleby to live in his home (382).  However, Bartleby’s refusal reinforces both his humility and his stubbornness.

            While the narrator’s discovery of Bartleby’s makeshift residence reveals more than meets the eye about Bartleby, it also reveals much about the narrator himself.  Why does he feel such pity?  Why does Bartleby’s presence (or lack there of) have so much power over him and his thoughts?  Despite the narrators talent of classifying the people around him, he still has much to learn about himself.