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Posted Apr 14, 2013 at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
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This Week's Blogging: How Do You Construct Gender?
For this week's blogging assignment, we're going to get a bit personal. Write about how you construct gender in your own life. This post can take many forms: a reflection of the choices you have made and the person you are or hope to be; a narrative of a moment in which the limits of your gender became clear or when you identified yourself or someone else identified you exclusively by your gender; another form -- video, presentation, etc -- which suits you. When considering how you construct gender, consider in what ways you define yourself or others (individuals or... Continue reading
Posted Mar 11, 2013 at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
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While this is a good example of irony, I'm not sure we have satire here -- since the dark humor doesn't seem to be serving a social purpose.
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on Elephant Irony at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
Elephant Irony
The following story in this link perfectly fits the definition of Irony, it is just like the goldilocks example that Mr. Heidkamp used in class today. The story makes you think that its going to be a happy story with a happy ending, but all of the sudden it slaps you with the good old irony, che...
Great points, Jimmy -- but did you see the prompt you were supposed to be responding to more directly and thoroughly? http://criticsandbuilders.typepad.com/amlitblog/2013/02/an-original-argument-on-race-in-american-culture.html
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on The human race at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
The human race
We know that race is a social construction, but often times do not understand how it was, and still is constructed by people every day. Today most of us don’t try to enforce racial stereotypes or boundaries but end up doing so unknowingly. From the clothes we wear to the music we listen to, we a...
Great points -- and a powerful personal narrative to set it all up. Can you provide more examples, though, to prove your points -- and that would address the prompt more directly?
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on Racism in America at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
Racism in America
I remember the first time I learned that racism still existed in people. I was nine years old and maybe a little bit naive about the subject. My sister was telling my mom and I about how one of her friends had a racist family. I asked my sister what she meant. She said that her friends family th...
Very interesting examples, but can you organize your argument a bit more clearly, taking us through your perspective point by point, providing multiple examples along the way?
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on Racism in Humor at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
Racism in Humor
This video is one of my favorites on youtube. It is called 'Beauty and the Beat'. (Not to be confused with the less clever song by Justin Bieber.) It is very clearly a parody of the Walt Disney movie 'Beauty and the Beast'. The creators decided to add a little twist to this story by making ...
Very good point, Eli. Did you see the prompt you were supposed to respond to: http://criticsandbuilders.typepad.com/amlitblog/2013/02/an-original-argument-on-race-in-american-culture.html
It requires a bit more than you have here.
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on How big is race at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
How big is race
Everywhere you look people are trying to achieve equality. Why, despite all these hard efforts, is this even a problem? Shouldn't equal rights for every race be a no-brainer? Why does race make people "uncomfortable"? Today in media race is a common subject, but is still danced around like it co...
Eli, we know because of our knowledge of history, but within the story itself, we are as clueless as the characters, despite some forboding signs (which some of the characters see). So I'm not sure I agree it's ironic, but can you show/analyze a scene where you think the irony is present?
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on Dramatic Irony/Titanic at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
Dramatic Irony/Titanic
A great example of dramatic irony is the movie Titanic, we know the boat is going to sink in the end but the characters don't.
Great points, Emma -- especially about the Oscars. Can you consider a few more examples, besides Chappelle, that support your thesis?
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on America Isn't Called the Melting Pot for Nothing at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
America Isn't Called the Melting Pot for Nothing
Henrietta Berdanine, a professor of critical Race Theory at the Northern Jackson College, hypothesized that although American society and politics has become racially aware over the past century, our popular culture has not. She argues that representation of other minority races are stuck w...
Good points, Sylvie. Can you think of and analyze more closely more examples from pop culture?
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on The Racial Divide at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
The Racial Divide
Racial divides have been present in America since its birth. From the start, slave traders brought slaves from Africa and sold them to cruel masters who kept them in abysmal conditions, using the race of the slaves as a justification of their treatment. This immoral institution wasn't abolished ...
Many good points, Pierce, although your argument veers away from American culture into politics (where Bernadine would agree with you). Can you provide more examples and analysis from American pop culture?
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on Racial Barriers at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
Racial Barriers
Many racial barriers have been prevelant throughout the history of America. Slavery is noted as the biggest racial barrier in discrimitanory history. Since then our country has overcome many racial obstacles by eventually aboloshing slavery and allowing african-americans, and women to vote. Disc...
Great points. Can you provide and analyze examples that prove those points -- besides the Chappelle Show?
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on Stereotypes at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
Stereotypes
For all the progress in regards to racial understanding, awareness and acceptance within American society and politics over the past 200 or so years, American popular culture -- with only a few notable exceptions -- has seriously lagged behind, continuing to appear mired in the era of minstrel s...
Your discussion of the origins of stereotypes is fascinating, Naren, although you'd have to show me proof that stereotypes grow as equality grows. My experience with history -- and most cultural critics I've read -- would argue the opposite.
In any case, can you provide specific examples from American culture that back up your argument?
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on The Common Misconception of Racial Origins and A Criticism of Berdanine's Racial Statement at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
The Common Misconception of Racial Origins and A Criticism of Berdanine's Racial Statement
A common misconception of racial sterotypes is that they span centuries and have been present in human history since our early birth. In reality, it has usually been social, political, or economic differences between two groups of people that happen to be of a different race. It is only in the m...
Many good points, but any examples you could use to back them up?
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on The Struggle of Racism at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
The Struggle of Racism
Ever since they entered America, blacks have always had a rough time because the racist mindset of society thinks of them as inferior to whites. Not only have they thought of them as inferior, but also they have thought of them as an ignorant, savage-like, and an uncivilized group of people. Sin...
Great points. Can you think of any examples besides Glee? And I'm sure how you see Glee's use of stereotypes as better than our use of stereotypes in the past. Explain that a little more ...
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on A New Type of Stereotype at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
A New Type of Stereotype
When an eleventh grade English class is shown a film summarizing racial stereotypes in nineteenth century pop culture, a silence befalls the classroom that is interrupted only by occasional "What?!"s of disgust. To a group of twenty-first century teenagers, funny racial stereotypes of the Civi...
Great addressing of the opposing argument (breaking down the separation between politics and culture), but you could use a few more examples to prove your point.
Commented Mar 5, 2013 on Racial Stereotypes and a Criticism of Bernadine at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
Racial Stereotypes and a Criticism of Bernadine
Ms. Bernadine of North Jackson College believes that America today continues the racial sterotypes of the past in most, if not all, areas of popular culture. She does admit, however, that there has been much progress for the better in areas of American society and politics. I do not agree with B...
Becoming a Feminist Critic
As noted in class, here is a great example of what we are calling a "feminist critique" -- in this case it's in video form and focuses on the portrayals of women in video games. Quick vocabulary explanation: "tropes" is another name for a stereotype or a common/cliched representation. * * * For the previous blog post, you should have visited at least one of the following sites: The F-Bomb ("TheFBomb.org is a blog/community created for teenage girls who care about their rights as women and want to be heard. All young feminists who are just a little bit pissed... Continue reading
Posted Mar 4, 2013 at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
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A "Meet the Author" Opportunity: Arundhati Roy
The last book we will be reading this year (both before and after the AP exam) is The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, an Indian author who is also well-known as a global activist fighting against both governmental and corporate imperialism and on behalf of the poor. Roy is coming to speak in Chicago, on March 18, at 7:00pm at the Thorne Auditorium, part of Northwestern University's downtown campus. The title of her talk is "Field Notes on Democracy" -- and knowing Roy, it will be controversial and thought-provoking. Anyway, I'll be going -- and I'll buy dessert... Continue reading
Posted Feb 28, 2013 at Word Choices - AP English Literature - Blog
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Race in American Culture
The blogging assignment for American Studies -- due by Friday, 3/1 -- is to write an original argument in response to the following AP-style prompt: For all the progress in regards to racial understanding, awareness and acceptance within American society and politics over the past 200 or so years, American popular culture -- with only a few notable exceptions -- has seriously lagged behind, continuing to appear mired in the era of minstrel shows with their simplistic yet powerful and damaging racial stereotypes. Henrietta Berdanine, professor of Critical Race Theory at Northern Jackson College (1973-) In a well-organized essay, defend,... Continue reading
Posted Feb 18, 2013 at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
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And this is one of those situations where I wish our blog had a like button for comments. Cody's comment -- big like!
Commented Feb 3, 2013 on No Monotony in Metonymy at Word Choices - AP English Literature - Blog
No Monotony in Metonymy
I am neither soothsayer, nor wise woman, nor truth seeker. I comprehend not the intricacies of life, nor do I pretend to. But I would like to think I know quality when I see it. And it is everywhere in Shakespeare. Those who argue that Shakespeare is an overblown baboon, are overblown baboons. ...
You are certainly a wise woman.
Commented Feb 3, 2013 on No Monotony in Metonymy at Word Choices - AP English Literature - Blog
No Monotony in Metonymy
I am neither soothsayer, nor wise woman, nor truth seeker. I comprehend not the intricacies of life, nor do I pretend to. But I would like to think I know quality when I see it. And it is everywhere in Shakespeare. Those who argue that Shakespeare is an overblown baboon, are overblown baboons. ...
Love your ruminations, Kerry. I agree with a lot of what you say, but I would argue that King Lear himself isn't as ridiculous or comedic as you claim -- and that's because his experience isn't just going crazy -- it's growing old and senile -- which is a very tragic, sad moment in our understanding of ourselves and our parents or grandparents. You might read "Queen Lear" -- the article by David Denby in the back of the packet. He certainly saw the tragedy in it all.
Commented Feb 3, 2013 on King Lear: Comedy? at Word Choices - AP English Literature - Blog
King Lear: Comedy?
I am not a Shakespearean scholar. I have landed a total of two roles in my Shakespearean acting career: the first was "Francis Flute" in a scene for my 6th grade humanities class, however you may know me for my timeless performance as "Narrator 4" in our 8th grade production of "The Twelfth ...
Your Assignment: Music Poetry
For this week's blogging assignment, introduce and analyze a song you are willing to defend as poetry. Wondering what makes a song poetry? Well, consider Perrine's definition, but also see below for what you should be discussing about the song. Because we are talking about poetic language, we are focusing on songs with lyrics. Your post should have the following: an introduction to the song: the "title" of the song, the artist, and the album provide any additional context, only if necessary (for example, is the song part of an album-length narrative -- a "concept album"?) link the title of... Continue reading
Posted Jan 14, 2013 at Representing America - American Literature AP - Blog
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Strong choice and good analysis.
Commented Dec 2, 2012 on Man of Iron at Take Control of Your Culture - American Studies - Blog
Man of Iron
Jon Favreau's 2008 film Iron Man, reflects the ideology of rugged Individualism because it emphasizes the dangers of living "close to the edge", toughness, strength, and individuality. The character of Tony Stark, famous for his engineering skills, he creates and designs new weapons and machi...
Watch typos and capitalization -- but a very good choice and a nice analysis.
Commented Dec 2, 2012 on Rugged Invididualism and Shanghai Knights. at Take Control of Your Culture - American Studies - Blog
Rugged Invididualism and Shanghai Knights.
This movie displays rugged individualism because jackie chan and Owen wilson are both strong, brave, inventive, quick at picking things up and individualists. During one scene there is a fight scene jackie chan is thrown across bar tables, punched in the face and beaten with a chair, but he win...
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