Albatross is the teacher because the kid didn’t want to be the keeper. The albatross is a predator and that makes her next in line in the hierarchy after a human .  A hierarchy is needed to keep order and control without order it would be chaotic. Albatross is teaching the kid and the animals that in order to live together in peace, everyone must abide by the rules. Education plays a role because the more knowledge you have about the rules one may think that you can live in peace and have a better life.Albatross engages everyone in building the nest to demonstrate that we can all work together complete the task and follow the hierarchy chain (order) to reach their goal.
The kid is alive but doesn’t know what he is ,know one ever told him. therefore he is dead to not have  any knowledge about his position in life. The kid was shifted from place to place and never showed any love. I feel without ever being loved you are dead on the inside  Love is very important it gives you the strength, confidence and determination that you can do all things.
The significance of the Amarillo and badger relationship to demonstrate that although we are different animals we share some of the same qualities (burrowing) They are more alike than different. They do not live in the same burrow because the armadillo talks too much and the Badger is quiet.
The kid-keeper and human  and pet relationship is important, because the one in control (parent) should teach the kid the rules of life in order to live in a peaceful environment to coexist.

Answering Professor Talbird's Questions on Honors Contract

Thank you. What really inspired me to do an honors contract for this class, and to take on the challenge of completing the contract on top of what is to be completed in class was because for once in my life I've wanted to test my abilities beyond what I would normally write, and to also add onto my skills of playwright. It did get stressful after some time, since I had other work from other classes to complete. However, I felt as if this was worth it because this contract basically gives away who  I am as a writer and also gives me an opportunity to sell myself to the public, and to have connections with an audience beyond school.

This contract has also taught me different techniques in writing poetry. It had also made me realize that I can write just about anything without having to think too hard about it, but also a lot of revision had to be done in what I write. My plans after graduating QCC is to become an editorial journalist, a poet, and  a news reporter. I am determined to break out of my shyness, and possibly gain a role of creating movie scripts for companies such as Lifetime or Tyler Perry.

The career in which I would like to persue is journalism. I believe that writing would definetely make me stronger as a person because Im more of a visual and artistic learner other than having to physically speak my mind on a lot of things. Writing has always been a source of comfort as to where I'd feel free and more expressive towards others. It has always been very theraputic for me. Also, my mother loves writing herself, so I guess it was a great skill I picked up since 9 years of age, and  Im highly grateful for that skill.

This week's schedule...

Don't forget to make your four entries on the blog this week. Also...

1. This is our last group crit. Post a draft on Thurs by 2 pm on Blackboard. Make sure to respond to each of your group members--a good-sized paragraph--before the end of the weekend. 
2. Post your Public Writing Project to Blackboard by the end of the day on Thursday. If you can't meet this deadline for whatever reason, it is your responsibility to ask for an extension. 

Have a good week and stay safe.

Finishing up w/ Wunderkammer

Some questions I have as we finish the play:

• Look at Scene 3 again, the "classroom" scene. Why is Albatross the teacher in this scenario? What does that tell us about her character? Why is it important that creatures be put in a hierarchy w/ humans at the top, predators below them, and so on? What is she "teaching" the animals? What does the play, more generally, seem to be saying about education or learning in our world? Why does Albatross engage everyone in building a "nest"?
• These animals are dead, but at the same time living. Can you relate this to the Kid, who is of indeterminate gender?
•  Why is defining the Kid--Keeper, pet, human, etc.--so important, at least to some of the animals? (And what does this say about those animals?)
• What is the significance of the Badger and Armadillo's friendship? Why do they ultimately not live in the same burrow? 
• What do you make of the conclusion?
• What questions do you have?
• Ashley, I thought, made a very interesting observation last week. She mulled over how people might act if stuffed or dead animals came to life. We don't really know since this only happens in stories. So, in a sense, we base our assumptions on other people's (writers' and storytellers') assumptions. Often, it seems that people react w/ delight. How do the various living characters react in this play? Check out this old commercial to see how people might react to seeing an anthropomorphic sun:

"R.E.M" Poem (from Honors Contract)

“R.E.M”

The dainty white feather is what I lay my head on at night.

It floats like a butterfly, so I sleep peacefully and tight.

I drift off into the deepest slumber, letting all my worries flounder,

So, my imagination has all its chances to ponder.

I “Fly like a butterfly”,

“Sting like a bee”

I believe that there is hope beyond the horizons

And the eyes that can see.

I shout over the tallest mountaintops,

And scream the highest pitch,

With all my might, through the tears that I cry,

These wounds are what I beg of Him to stich.

The barriers close,

The waterfall stops running profusely

I awake from my slumber,

Drowning out my sorrows that had become unruly.

I am proud of her.

This is the new me.

Introduction to Honors Contract

I’ve chosen to read a collection of poems by Tracy K. Smith and other authors on behalf of gaining inspiration to compose poems of my own. The ways in which I normally write poems is by ending each stanza with a rhyme. I would say that my technique in writing poetry is to always be lyrical and religious-based, and also including the theme of love. The form in which Smith writes her poetry in the book is similar to how I would normally write my poems. She includes a lot of religious aspects to what an audience may relate to. This book that I was assigned to read by Professor Talbird has influenced me to create more religious-like poetry. I’ve noticed that comparing the various poems I’ve chosen to read found on Poetry Foundation all have similar themes pertaining to religion, self-awareness in race, and possibly culture. There is also a theme of being one with the universe and synchronizing one’s thoughts with God’s “pure force” (Smith, pp. 3) in the author’s life.

What I mean by this is that Smith produces poetry that relates to her strong belief and ideologies in faith, and what the world is really like from birds-eye view, seeing things away from her own perspectives and personal experiences, and having an audience relate to what she conveys, but more in depth and on a deeper and vulnerable level. Smith mentions “that we are blessed, letting go, letting someone, anyone, drag open the drapes and heave us back into our blinding, bright lives.” (Smith pp. 27). She introduces the concept of letting go, and of course, letting God take care of the rest. Growing up, that saying was always told to me repeatedly for reassurance of being able to let go of all the worries in the world and being content within my own mind. The ability to let all of your past complications in life go and being able to start anew. Smith’s quote in one of her poems titled “The Speed of Belief” written as memoriam to Floyd William Smith, reminds me of a similar concept that I included in the very first poem I assembled. My poem concluded with avoiding the habit of having the world and nature around us, compromising our daily thoughts and beliefs of faith, vulnerability and personal life struggles. “Longing for nature’s wrath to condensate such quenching of thirst that this Earth needs” (“Dead to the Bone”; quoted from my poem.). This quote that I introduced exemplifies the ways in which man (all human beings) obliterates the idea of wanting to move on from the past.

As an ideological response going against what Smith brings across for man to let go and become more self-aware, my perspective through the poems I’ve read and also the ones I’ve written on my own links back to Smith’s idea of letting a higher being taking care of all of the  internal and external issues that everyone in life may face. Altogether, with how I’ve interpreted Smith’s collection of poems, and the ones I’ve been inspired to write based upon the poems I’ve read and written (all conveying a similar theme of faith), her poetry along with mines, gives the reader more of a clearer idea as to how us as individuals have the inability to control our thoughts, emotions and actions sometimes, despite being heavily induced by our surroundings and beliefs. Smith’s perspective conveyed to an audience is to be more aware and one with the universe: the ability to converse and confront our biggest setbacks in life in order to move forward. The idea continued by her ideology on behalf of my point of view is that people on a daily basis find it much more difficult to confront their issues upfront. People are constantly worried about what others do, due to lack of self-awareness and incapability to deal with themselves, so, as a result, they are unable to let God fix their problems. I came to a conclusion that we become so often caught up in a whirlwind where the higher being some of supposedly have faith in, is unable to carry out his duties of repairing our internal scars because we are stuck in the past. This brings me to why I have been inspired to create a collection of poems in response to Tracy K. Smith’s ideas of common life interactions, amongst people and daily encounters of life altering events.

Completion in Honors for English 220 (Note to Class and Professor Talbird)

Hello fellow classmates,

I thought it would be a great idea to share my experience with you all on taking this English 220 course as an honors class, on behalf of Professor Talbird and the English Department.

The reason as to why I’ve decided to take this English course for honors credit is to pursue my love for writing poetry much further, as it is a huge talent of mines that I do not mind sharing with the rest of you.

This experience has been somewhat challenging, yet fun and exciting to do, since it has put my writing abilities and skills to the test. It has also been time consuming but flexible at the same time, since I had more than enough time at home, and also time on campus to compose 10 or more poems on my own in such a short time frame. However, I was able to get everything done beforehand and I can proudly say I am impressed with the work I’ve composed.

The way in which I approached and began this project outside of the additional assignments assigned in class, was to compose a total of 10 or more poems, include an introduction as to how several poets have inspired me to write poems of my own, such as Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Tracy K.Smith and several others.

I read a collection of poems by a poet named Tracy K. Smith titled “Life on Mars”, which discusses the trials and tribulations that she undergoes, in relations to Christianity. I have noticed that I had a deep connection with this particular author simply because a common theme in most of my poems consists of religion and personifying God. She also shares her experiences to an audience about her family and personal life, which can also relate to me as a young poet who may also find herself within the same struggles as Smith.

I also decided to make an attempt at this honors project so that I could gain confidence on what I write, how I can fix or revise something that doesn’t fit well, and what I can say that I’m proud of or not fond of, but most importantly, to share my love of poetry with the rest of you who had been astonished by what I write. Not only have I been very proud of the work I developed in this contract, but very appreciative towards those who have helped boost my confidence through feedback I had received.

Also, I would like to thank all of you who have read most of my poems during this Spring 2020 semester, and I am very grateful for all of the feedback I have gotten from all of you and Professor Talbird. It is highly appreciated. I had taken every single feedback into account and have used it towards my writing, which has made me progress into becoming a better writer and poet.

Lastly, this experience has been quite tasteful and very intriguing, especially the moments in class, and the attempts of meeting the requirements for the public writing project. I wouldn’t have done this contract to its completion if it wasn’t for all of you who had helped encourage me by giving feedback during the group critiques every Thursday. It definitely encouraged me as a writer to do better each time when I would create a new poem. The poems I’ve written in this honors contract collection is a completely different set of poetry that I would not normally write. I would love to share my introduction and a poem I wrote from this honors collection. The next two posts will include my poetry and Introduction to this contract. Hope you enjoy reading it!

Also, if you have any questions in mind you would like to ask, by all means, go for it :)

Thank you for an amazing experience in English 220, Professor Talbird and Class. ♥

Yours, Shiann Davis

Wunderkammer

I think my version of the play would be either a film or a live play. The actors I would have in this play would be Jack Black and Ryan Reynolds because they had movie with live animation. I think Francesca decided the genders of the various animals are because of the way of how the animals look. I believe that the bear is a female bear because he treats it like a housewife. He can be undetermined because he is all about action for example kicking his bear, keeper pushing kid around and that can be a reason why he's like this. He is playing this character maybe he wants to show people who deal with now. If this was not a play I can see it being a animation movie or just a normal movie with CGI. The live animals are just people in costumes when it is in a live stage.  I feel like the music dramatic or some kids bop like music.

Wunderkammer 2

From the play, I enjoyed how the dog lady was using a word to end up having a song. So basically the dog lady and the kid gets along, from the genre of the kid I believe is a girl, since the kid knew how to sew, also having a connection with the dog lady, made me think that the kid’s genre was a female. In scene 4, the dog lady mention, how her first impression of the kid was a female but then she gave the kid some joy, so the kid wouldn’t feel that confused. Something that I was confused was when keeper was teaching him how to sew, but in the beginning the kid said he/she knew how to sew. But what was the point of keeper showing him, and teaching him that before sewing, they had to cut bones. I didn’t really get that part of the play.

Wunderkammer

• What is the role of Dog Lady?

The dog lady plays a roll of an owner of a dead dog and she spends her money, trying to keep her dead dog alive again. Fixing it by giving it to Keeper who sees and makes pets or stuffed animals look real. However the Dog lady doesn’t see her pet as a pet, she doesn’t want to admit that she became close to the pet so her husband killed her with food poison. She even knows her genre and she shows affection for the dog even if she lies about it. I believe it’s another world, they leave in a fantasy we’re they want to believe that all the animals are meant to be as if they were status. Killing them to make money out of it. I also think it can relate to our world because when people uses animals, they take something out of it. Sells them to get their profit. Keeper doesn’t like pets because they are pets, they leave with someone and he believes that dogs or cats shouldn’t be stuffed. he prefers animals like bears or armadillos. Kid is confused, he doesn’t really know where he belongs, he doesn’t have like a memory. He just believes that he comes from pits since he last remember dark and pits. He doesn’t really know if the kid is a he/she because he is confused on the meaning of each genre. In scene 4, the dog lady gives a description to him, and also makes him feel special since he believes that he doesn’t feel loved. I was surprised that Keeper died because it seems that he was a main character, since he tells the kid what to do, since he has a shop and sews. He talked like a boss, he is stubborn and he knew how to deal with his stuffed animals but apparently he died by the bear. 

Wunderkammer

Wunderkammer 

The part where I also found it interesting and fun was where the Dog Lady brought in a dead dog but for some reason the Keeper didn't want the dog. They started talking and the keeper told her that he knows her husband and that he and her husband live in the same world since they have similar thoughts. In this part of the play you could also see the Keeper's ambition for money. At last with the special power of the Kid. The Kid was able to wake up the dog and the dog began to call the Dog Lady mama.

Wunderkammer

Wunderkammer

I Have to say that i enjoyed the this story.  I could see it as a 2D animation as appose to CGI. I would go with a Tim Burton directing but i have to go with Danny Elfman for the score.  The setting i feel would be sometime ago like really long ago maybe early c.e. that would help explain the kid.  The kid to me seems to have been born to slavery and probably has gone through a few masters.  I do believe the kid is open for either a male or female to play the part, but personally i see it being a girl. The Keeper seemed to be disappointed because maybe a boy would be more physically capable at first thought.  I am thinking of Mara Wilson who played Matilda.  Despite showing little knowledge at first she is more than meets the eye.  The Keeper i see played by a Patrick Stewart type. With great range.  He begins so bitter and stand offish to the kid but just before he dies you see his joy. The animals coming to life and attacking him came out of nowhere for me but also after thinking about it i guess they held a grudge against him since he was most likely the one that killed them in the first place.

Wunderkammer 2

I'm enjoying the play. It reminded me a little of Dr. Do Little the movie. How Kid is able to talk to the animals. He even told the Dog Lady that her stuffed dog was a girl. How could Kid know when the dog was supposed to be dead? I wonder how the actors and actresses would have looked , playing as live animals. I love how all of the animals came alive and had human characteristics. If the class would of seen this play together, it would of been very entertaining.

Wunderkammer 1

The role of the Kid is confusing. When the Keeper ask Kid what it's good at, it said sew. I immediately said sew. That made me assume the Kid was a female because most females are taught to sew. However, the way Keeper bosses Kid around, it makes think It's a male. like the part when Keeper asks if the drain is clean. If the Kid was a girl, then I think that Keeper would address Kid in a more gentler way. When the Dog Lady came back to pick up her stuffed dog, She bonded with Kid when she wrote that song. It seems like Kid knows nothing bout being loved by anyone at all. Kid didn't have anyone to teach him anything. It doesn't even know what his own gender is. It defended Dog Lady and told Keeper to let go. This showed some sensitivity towards her. However, Kid could still be a boy.

Finder Keeper

What would it be like to have a stuffed animal come to life? I think the only person that could really give an opinion of that would be Christopher Robins. He went to see Pooh Bear and friends and help them with their life issues. The idea that these animals could have lives after death, separates them from other animals. There is even reference to the idea that animals are born into the world and eventually die. Since these creatures cannot die, they are not animals. This is a conundrum that seems like this might be an allegory for transgender or non-identifying people. There are a people ready to place a label on something or someone. Here, the beasts are looking for a Keeper and look for the obvious choice in the kid. The bear is not going to create any offspring so it does not seem like it is necessary to place gender on the furry beast. The two adults seem to be the only ones that have a defined genders because of either society, their lives, or the playwright are the reasons why. I know that I use labels in my life to make quicker decisions. But, I might have to start considering living in a world that may not always have a nice name tag to identify everything.

Wunderkammer

Wunderkammer

I found this play very funny. At first when I started reading I seemed a little confused but then when I read with Michaela I found it very interesting since it is better to read with more people since there you feel that one is really participating in the conversation. In addition to the explanations and questions asked about the play, I can understand more about the plot of the play. Francesca Pazniokas wrote this play in order to introduce characters talking to each other making this play look realistic. The actions of the characters and the way they talk about each other is compared to a realistic play like in real life. Despite the fact that the setting of play is not described, it can be said that it is in a distant place far from urban life. This place could be on a farm. The Keeper character in my impression seemed to me an ambitious person for money, selfish since he treated the Kid like a slave and forced him to do what he wanted. The Keeper just wanted to make a profit and better their economy based on the Kid. Soon after, he discovered that the boy had special powers to revive animals such as the armadillo, the bear, and other animals. The keeper knew that he was going to make good profits through the Kid. At the end of that act I, The Kid did not imagine that the bear that revived with other animals would kill the Keeper, destroying his body after he died. Even though, the Keeper wasn't that good with Kid. The Kid did have affection for him since he shared that place with him.

Wunderkammer

This is a very interesting tale. It is a kin to a twisted fairy tail. I would like to see this performed as a made for TV movie. The characters would be played by CGI animation. This would allow the person playing the kid to remain genderless. The animals would be able to change from stuffed to animated without some sort of weird or elaborate costume change. I would be able to watch the show in my PJ's and eat some soup without people complaining about my slurping. The voice acting could include Lorenzo Music and Morgan Freeman. The music would be scored by John Williams. The director could be Tim Burton.

COVID-19 Update

Hey guys,

So I know I've posted like this before but I feel it is important we discuss how this current pandemic is affecting us now that it has been over a month.  If you feel comfortable please share your experiences as well.

For me, this pandemic has been difficult as I'm sure it is with all of you.  I for one hate that I can't go out and play a sport or hang out with my friends.  Sure I love my family but they also drive me crazy so I find myself isolating myself to my room most days.  Also am I the only one losing track of the days of the week.  I feel as if these weeks keep flying by and I can't even keep track anymore. 

P.S.  My volleyball class where I have to send videos of myself training with or without a volleyball has been going well but it is still very weird for me that I'm making these videos.

Alma Guillermoprieto and the Pandemic

     Alma speaks about how humans destroy nature and the environment because of pollution, cutting down trees etc and she speaks on places being over populated. She also speaks on people struggling to make end meet and survive. People from these countries feel like they have no choice but to rob people and create complete chaos because they’re jobless and feel like they have no choice. Venezuelans claim that the Colombians won’t give them a job, which causes them to take drastic measures. The situation is so unfortunate because the people don’t want to starve but what choice do they really have if they don’t have an income.

Wunderkammer

      I enjoyed this play. After reading some of it with you and Gabriella , plus your explanations, I understood the plot of the play a lot better. Francesca Pazniokas wrote this play with the dialogue of the character basically talking over each other, which is realistic. In conversations in real life, people tend to speak over each other. With the italics and the actions of the characters, the writer wanted to make this seem real. We even discussed that although the setting of the story wasn’t described, you get this idea that this took place somewhere like the country or far from urban life. The “Keeper” character left me the impression that he was selfish, greedy and desperate for money and a little heartless as well. I knew the keeper was desperate for money when he tried to, in a way, “blackmail” or threaten the dog lady but making her feel like if she doesn’t buy the kid, he will tell her husband that she is there with him to basically start issues within her relationship. He was treating “Kid” like a slave by making him do all these things that kids wouldn’t normally do. The keeper wasn’t compassionate or affectionate toward the kid, all he wanted was to make a profit and benefit from him financially. Basically, he looked at him as a walking dollar sign. When he learns that the kid can make animals come to life, I believe that he felt like he’s a “goldmine.” He would be able to use this as a form of entertainment to the public and possibly make money from it. After the keeper is killed, the kid feels somewhat bad because although he didn’t treat him well, he was still a companion to him.

Wunderkammer

The way in which Francesca Pazniokas writes the play is to show the emotion that each character conveys while they talk, and to also show how they feel during what they say in their dialogue. A perfect example is with the Keeper, and some of the actions being in italics when he begins to converse with the kid, and taking him out of the garbage bag  including his inner thoughts shows how he approaches people. This isn't like any ordinary play of course where the dialogue ends with a period and has breaks with the commas. This is different because there are multiple pauses and breaks like how you would actually speak to someone in real time. There are no quotation marks around what the characters say. However, the lines that are in italics are self explanatory when it shows what the character may be saying or doing during that moment in time.

Wunderkammer The Kid (A Possible Backstory)

When I read the story at first and realized that the Kid was sold by someone and given to  the Keeper, I believed that the Kid's backstory was him being given up for adoption by his birth parents (making up a case scenario so that the beginning of the play would make sense)  and was probably taken by force from an adoption clinic by children traffickers, who would hold up clinic workers at gunpoint. His parents would be unable to take care of the Kid, probably because they were in financial debt or possible convicts of a serious crime, and wouldn't have enough time to care for a child. The kid then was  probably sold for profit to the Keeper as the children traffickers bribe him out of money, listing the benefits of the kid and what he can do, but the Keeper wouldn't know that he got scammed. The Keeper would then stuff the child into a bag, then tie him up and shove him into the front of his vehicle as the child panics, on his way back to the Keeper's desired destination. Then that is where the play would begin.

The role of the bear one would think is a male because of the bear size and the way the keeper speaks to the bear. The keeper kicks and calls the bear a son of a bitch. . The undetermined role of the kid one would believe it is a girl the way he’s gentle to her and tells her not to go out into the woods. On the other hand one would believe the kid is male the way he speaks aggressive to the kid and tells him what are you good at. The kids stated I can sew. The writer wants a gender-nonconforming person to play the role because they are free thinkers and do not fit in a specific role (BOX) that society place people into.

God 2

The title God has nothing to religion. Although I think the nick name God came up because of the fact the girl was a virgin so she was pure. This story was about "God" exploring her sexuality, but there was a twist at the end. Oprah wanted to explore his sexuality too because we find out Oprah was fantasizing about Nutella while having intercourse with God. 

God

I don't agree with (God's) actions. That wasn't the right way to loose her virginity. First she went upstairs with (Five), but he was soft and couldn't ejaculate. He was just going to say he wasn't going to kiss and tell. But I think he was embarrassed. However, I think (God) thought she was being cool. So she was showing off in front of the fraternity and became curious about sex. So she probably figured that she wanted to find out what the hype was all about. When she started crying at the end, I guess deep inside she regretted what she had done and she couldn't go back. Was (Oprah) going to brag to his friends that he hit that? Is (God) going to tell that (Oprah) was thinking about (Nutella), or would she keep it a secret? Who knows?

Wunderkammer

Wunderkammer is a play. Maybe we should start by talking about what kind of genre a play is. I think it's important to remember that plays are for performing, not reading. This makes it doubly a shame that the QCC production of this play was canceled. I generally only assign plays that are being performed on campus or have a video version. Unfortunately, this play is so new that there are no video versions. That means we'll have to imagine what it would be like if we performed it.

A good way to think about a play (or a script for a film) is to think about it as directions for how to put on that play. There will always be some interpretation involved by the director/performers. So let's start: What would your version of the play look like? What actors--if you could choose any from the worlds of film/TV/stage--would you imagine that these characters would be played by? Why do you think Francesca Pazniokas has decided what the genders of the various animals are. Why is the bear either male or female? Why is the Kid "undetermined"? And, if they are undetermined then why does the playwright specify that this character should be played by "a female-identifying or gender-nonconforming actor"? Isn't this "determining"?

What does this setting look like? How would you transition between the stuffed animals and the live animals on stage? What music would you play for this production?

Look at the dialogue say, for instance, on p. 24. Why is it written this way? Most dialogue in plays is more like prose--it runs to the end of the line until it's over. For example:

 

But  Wunderkammer isn't formatted this way. It's broken up more like poetry. Why?

Other questions:

• What is the role of Dog Lady?
• Is this our world? Or is it some other world that looks like ours? Explain.
• Why doesn't Keeper stuff pets usually? 
• What do you think Kid's story is? What has happened to them before the story begins? (Note: "Them" has become the generally accepted term for those who don't identify with one gender.)
• Were you surprised that Keeper was killed at the end of Act I, less than half of the way through the play? Why or why not?

What other questions do you have?

For this week:

• Tomorrow (4/21), I will hold a chat session via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra during our regular class time (12:10-2 pm). This is completely optional. We will discuss the class, I can answer your questions, and we can talk about Wunderkammer. 
• Your next draft is due in Blackboard by 2 pm on Thurs. Reminder: You are required to respond to your group's drafts by the end of the day on Sunday. (Don't forget to read the responses by me and your group members.)
• The Public Writing Project is due next Thurs, 4/30. Your final collection is due the following week, on May 7th. Both of these documents must be uploaded to Blackboard. Do not simply email these docs to me. Note: I will accept all formal writing up until the last day of class, May 14th. But that is the final day, no exceptions. 

Let me know if you have any questions.

Mere Reflection of Alma Guillermoprieto and the Pandemic

After reading this intro as a reader at first glance, though it's difficult to read about Latin America especially Bogota Colombia with the isolation and the lack of resources and to make it more difficult the rules or the regulations to be in permanent isolation with only two options of leaving its unbearable. One option is if exiting your isolation your only allowed to shop for food or other house hold items and the other option is, just in case of an emergency you could see you doctor or see to a near by hospital. While reading this passage I realized we were describing our home, our neighborhood and our country. If you eliminate the worlds Latin America and Bogota Colombia you will soon realized its a mere reflection of today's world not just Bogota Colombia nor Latin America but the entire world.


                                         



                                                                                                                         I see it do you?

Response to Alma Guillermoprieto

I agree with Alma Guillermorprieto since in this crisis it has been possible to see that the earth is resting since from the moment the quarantine began most of the people have to stay at home. As we know, all stores are closed only essential businesses are open. In most of the countries, not only in Colombia there is total silence on the streets, people have to stay at home because they have to protect the most vulnerable people. I can also realize that she said that Venezuelans are the ones who make disaster and create chaos. In my opinion, Venezuelans are wrong since they have to respect and understand that if the citizens do not have a job, how can they  give them a job. As we all know, humans are the ones that cause pollution in the planet. Alma focuses a lot on a calm city without polluting the environment. She lives on the edge of the park and loves to listen to the noise of the water since perhaps before because of the movement in the city she had not heard it was very beautiful. Despite this disaster that we are dealing with, we must try to find the positive side.  In this response Alma gave a good explanation of what we are all going through today due to this pandemic.

Response to Alma Guillermoprieto and the Pandemic

Alma said something about how without humans, nature will be less damaged. I can agree to what she had said, humans are in charge of destroying the environment by making more building, taking up space for more thousands of people who are over populating. Also , in bogota where I'm from she talks about the Venezualians, who are in charge of making chaos, making disasters and robbing because "colombians won't give them a job."(statement from the news I read about Colombians) if the situtation is hard and even their own citizens won't get a job, what makes you think that Venezualians deserves a job or even get hired. The situation is badly because of the amount of people who have nothing to it, and their straving. what they find easy to do is go to stores and rob whatever they can. Everyone knows that it still takes really long for this virus to live. but what can be done, is prevent going outside for uneccessery things, make yourself safe and others not taking the risk of being infected.

Alma Guillermoprieto and the Pandemic

Alma Guillermoprieto wrote a brief response to what life is like in Bogota, Colombia. You'll remember that she was the author of our first reading of the semester, "A Reporting Life in Latin America." Enjoy!

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA, March 24—These are the quietest days anyone can remember in Bogotá, ever. More than Christmas or New Year’s Day, more than Easter week, when the city empties out. No car alarms, no motorcycles, no buses panting and screeching to a halt. The criers are gone, too: the one whom I hear punctually, midmorning and midafternoon, offering very sweet rice pudding, still hot; the one who comes by once or twice a week, announcing through a megaphone that he “buys literature, every type of literature.” There’s a weekly ragman who uses a recording to remind us that he will recycle anything and everything—from dead refrigerators to soaked mattresses to spent batteries—that we might care to place in his little beaten-up truck.

Our smart mayor, Claudia López, faced with a sharp escalation of confirmed patients in the city and a tardy and inadequate reaction to the coronavirus crisis by the country’s president, Iván Duque, announced last Tuesday, March 17, that a four-day trial lockdown would begin on March 20. Access roads to the city have been closed to traffic except for trucks bringing in food and other essential supplies. No one is allowed to leave their apartment or house other than to purchase food or seek medical treatment, and people over seventy are expected to stay indoors until the end of the crisis. Following in her steps, Duque declared a similar nationwide lockdown Friday evening from now through Easter, though who knows what will happen after that, or how that will be implemented in the rural districts. Colombia might not be in such straits if a cruise ship had not been allowed to dock in the seaside tourist trap of Cartagena in late February, which then disembarked its passengers, including 120 party-hungry Italians and an unknown, but significant, number of virus-carriers.

What with substantial fines for anyone caught outdoors, and the dawning realization in a sizable portion of the population that this danger is for real, Mayor López’s seclusion orders have been obeyed to a remarkable degree, at least in my neighborhood. Last week, though, I went to buy some toothpaste to add to the stock of supplies I’ve been laying in over the last three or four weeks, and stood in line for half an hour, waiting to be admitted to my local supermarket: stores were trying to avoid the overcrowding of the previous day, when the mayor’s announcement of the lockdown rules led to a surge of panic-buying and, quite possibly, contagion. But as far as Colombians were concerned, the lines were just one more opportunity to socialize.

Partly, this cheerful sociability has to do with a great capacity for self-serving denial, perfected over centuries in the face of this country’s unending violence. But partly, there is also a cultural dependence on closeness and communication. I staged a ridiculous dance with a man who lives in my building as we moved around the building’s garage, him stepping closer and me skipping backward as I tried to achieve what was (for both of us) an uncomfortable but now prescribed distance for conversation. “Oh, I see you’re taking this thing seriously,” he said, arching an eyebrow.

One indication of the impact on those living in extreme poverty or confinement came on the weekend, when prisoners in the nighmarish Modelo jail rioted, leaving at least twenty-three dead. In another incident that same day, we saw on the news a security camera video of a group of skinny young men bursting into a supermarket and grabbing what they could off the shelves. (They were Venezuelans, it turned out, who, caught by the neighbors, were subsequently deported.)

One source of comfort—and paradoxical disquiet—has been the videos showing shoals of tiny fish repopulating the Venice canals; curious foxes and peccaries trotting through empty streets in unidentified cities, dolphins patroling the docks of an Italian seaside town, trying to understand where all the traffic and people and noise went. It looks good, the world without us!

I live on the edge of a park traversed by a tiny trickle of water that turns into a proper stream when it rains, as it has been doing nearly every day for the past few weeks. Even with the windows shut tightly, I can still make out the sound of rushing water. Today, I turned the radio on—and turned it off again almost immediately, because the sound of water coursing through all that clean silence is more beautiful, even though it bodes disaster.

—Alma Guillermoprieto

reply to Aanisah

I agree that the title of the poem can be misleading to someone who hasn’t read the poem. I also believe that the “god” nickname was a bit of a stretch. No one is superior enough for that name , unless it’s on religious terms .

God comment

Form my point of view, the story was difficult to read, it was hard because God made it tricky by confusing what was happening but the it went back to the poem. However, reading it more than once, can really make you think about what is really happening. First, there’s a setting which is a situation in the school and how sororities did not fit in, but the author makes a point on “transport into alternate worlds,” which is challenging. It’s my job or the reader to find the transportation by looking at the setting. 

God

From the story and the poem, I can tell that it was a sad presentation explaining the reality. The poem shows emotions and gives the audience the doubt about what really happens in real life. Is everything with the school related to advance technology? I think it does from what she describes the place, it looks like technology is involve and somewhat I can relate to the school since today technology is necessary in our life’s. There is a reasonable reason about the school that it seems difficult to read but it means the same when they talk about the contemporary society. From Melanie, I believe that she is strong, she is the central character of the story, making Caleb be the weaker, and make her be that one that beats him. Caleb believes in himself, he doesn’t care what others have to say, he cares only about his perfection.

reply to AanisahBissoon

 I agree that I disliked the story since it felt it didn't really have a point other than admit the narrator was in denial for most of the story. I kept thinking that it was unfair for him to call a stranger "god" when it was just a regular person who ended up causing him to have a revelation later. We never find out much about anyone else other than the narrator and his regrets.

repy to steph g

I agree that most of the short story is about the narrator's feeling for Nutella which the reader picked up at the start since it's this odd fixation on him. I admit I didn't think the narrator would ever reason it himself if he hadn't met God since he was deep in the closet for months. It's like they never met the narrator would just be in denial for the rest of his college years about his sexual orientation.

God 2

 What is the poem doing in the story? Benjamin Nugent could have just said the poem existed, described what it was about, and left it at that. But he wrote the poem. How is it as a poem? Is it a good poem?

 I thought as a poem is was fine and I'm glad the writer did include it since there is a time where it's just a placeholder for poem or song. The poem itself could be a lot of different topics and I would have liked it on its own but somehow in the story, it's out of place.

God 1

Why is the story called "God"? What tension does that set up for you as a reader? What kind of assumption(s) do you bring to a story titled "God"?

I thought the story was strange but in the end, the entire reading exp was strange so the title did fit. I thought by the title it would be about finding or losing religion or about self-discovery of the narrator and I thought the overall thought was confusing. In fact, I kept reading thinking it would get better but it just kind of ended and I thought that I would really be reading another story.

melanie/god

What is Melanie/God like as a character? What assumptions did you make about her? It's suggested at the end that she was a virgin until she had sex w/ the narrator. Was this a surprise? Or is that a cliche that the "fast" girl turned out to be a virgin?

I think Melanie was a little hard to read, it seemed like she was aloof throughout the story until the very end when she finally got upset at Oprah for admitting that he had Nutella in mind while they were together. I think I was surprised by her reaction to that. I don't see her as "fast" necessarily.  It seemed a little bit like she was on a "mission" herself. I think she's doing what typical college students do when they're away at school. Her personal style seemed unusual, maybe inspired by 80's pop star? I haven't decided yet. I guess I thought it was interesting that after partaking in the frat activities everyone kind of regarded her as some kind of honorary brother. Toward the end I guess I may have been under the impression that Oprah was the protagonist because it almost looked as if she had the power to blackmail him if she wanted to.

What kind of assumption(s) do you bring to a story titled "God"?

when I see the title "God" I thought it was going to be something religious and it might be interesting .However, it was not what I thought and I find it weird because they name this poem God.  And It starts off with "how Caleb ejaculated prematurely the night she slept with him". It kinda of make me think why would they even think of naming this poem "God".

Reaction to reading god

My opinions of the story is that I was annoyed the whole time reading it. The poem to was was a poem but I found it extra to call Melanie "god"because sure she apparently made a man prematurely ejacuated then proceeded to write a poem. I just didn't get what the plot of the story was suppose to be exactly. Just felt like I was reading a one dimensional character monologue about something that wasn't interesting in the first place.

A rose by any other name...

About nicknames...They are somewhat fun, derogatory, light hearted, and mean spirited at the same time. A person can be called "Shooter", because they cannot hit the broadside of a barn and have impeccable aim at long distance shots. A person could be called "Snookie", because she is from Jersey and because she is short and stout. A nickname is usually bestowed upon a person for an event that happened, an action taken, or a trait that is blown out of proportion. This is used to usurp the individuals normal name and always remind them of what those in the know think of them. These nicknames can be haunting to the individual or incredibly endearing. It all depends on the emotions tied to the name. I am sure there are nicknames about me that I either know about or have been called behind my back. While my partner might call me babe, I might be called bitch by a different tongue. I have no time for the latter, but all the time for the former. What names have you been called? Both the good and the bad. Have you had a nickname that you have tried to shrug off? One that you use only when you're drunk? One that you only use in times of crisis? What do you call the people you love? What do you call the people you hate? Remember: Love and Hate are two faces of the same coin...It's all in a name.

be thy self

    So this is the initial reaction to the story: the guy is gay and he cannot come to terms with his sexuality. When the narrator has a wet dream about Nutella, this should solidify to the reader (and the narrator) that he has some feelings that are not frat approved. In fact, when he made the comment, "If a man kisses Newton, he'll turn into a beautiful woman,"(211) the narrator already had thoughts about    probably being that man. I do not like how the author puts this imaginary person in a position that he is so clueless about what and who he likes. If this person, "Oprah", were real, would he not have already made some sort of decision as to what he likes? I think that college is a place to find ones' self. If this is when Oprah finds out that he likes guys, great. But I disagree with him having to be placed in a situation where he must go through having sex with someone that is not who he is attracted to and only doing so to advance the plot. If the poem in the movie is to be some sort of aphrodisiac for him, let him have it as his own. He does not have to, "memorize it by accident."(212) I would feel better if the main character did not have to embarrass himself before finding out who he really was.

God

At first before I started reading and seeing the title of God I thought it would be about God and his blessings towards us but as I read I realized that it was a student and member of the Delta Zeta Chi fraternity. God nicknamed a young woman named Melanie, her leader Caleb Newtown, also known as "Nutella". Melanie wrote poems about Nutella's problem with premature ejaculation. The power of God moves the hearts of each brother of the fraternity in different ways. The poem seemed very interesting to me in this story since it greatly influenced this story. It did not surprise me personally that she was a virgin since girls of that age seek to attract attention. I believe that the author was the protagonist of the story since he always recited Nutella's poem. At the end of the story, when he and God (Melanie) were intimate. The author was thinking in Nutella during her sexual intimacy with God. In the last paragraphs, the author asked her if she was going to write a poem about their meeting together. At the same time, he did not want his secret to be revealed that he was thinking in Nutella when he had sex with her. Melanie cried and was disappointed to lose her virginity with someone that didn't deserve.

"god"/Oprah

What is the poem doing in the story? Benjamin Nugent could have just said the poem existed, described what it was about, and left it at that. But he wrote the poem. How is it as a poem? Is it a good poem?

I think the poem contributed not just to the veneration of Melanie (“God”) but also to this kind of fraternity legend about Nutella. It’s a pretty good poem. It’s possible that poem could have just existed as a concept but the poem gives us an insight about where “Oprah” is in all of this. Oprah, who seemed most impressed by its descriptions was inspired to add his own lines (about Nutella). He sees Melanie as a “secret collaborator” and you really get the idea that he fixates on this poem to the point of distraction because he harbors at best some romantic feelings for Nutella and had built this fantasy around him, from his “too-imaginative joke,” the consulting firm headed by Nutella, to his “unsportsmanlike dreams.” The poem is also the catalyst for the truth about Oprah’s feelings towards Nutella (and possibly his sexual orientation), which quickly turns into a complicated dilemma – after he and Melanie actually do have sex (and she’s upset after this revelation about what he was really thinking) implores her not to write a poem revealing anything about what he said about Nutella or anything to do with him at all, afraid of some serious consequence, possibly being ostracized from his fraternity. He fears his world will crumble.