One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Blog Post #2

The conflict between Big Nurse and McMurphy is in full swing at the end of "Part One." Who is getting the best of their rivalry at this point? Why do you say that (specific evidence)?
Of the conflict between Big Nurse and McMurphy I would have to say that by the end of Part One, McMurphy is getting the best of their rivalry at this point because he has achieved what he set out to accomplish. The source of the conflict between Big Nurse and McMurphy was over watching the World Series upon which a vote was taken among the patients and it was split down the middle; despite McMurphy convincing a patient to raise his had Big Nurse said the vote was closed. Later when the game was on McMurphy went to the television and turned it on at which point Big Nurse immediately turns it off from her control room; however McMurphy pretends like the game is still on. In doing so he convinces several other patients to do the same until the patients are not working, but rather watching a blank screen as though the game was clearly displayed on the television. Despite Big Nurse ranting and screaming behind them, the patients payed no attention and McMurphy ended up coming on to; as a result, McMurphy was in full swing at the end of Part One.  


What is your perception of the Chief at this point in the story? Why? And how has the presence of McMurphy changed the Chief's character or his narration (be specific)?                 Currently we can see that the 'Fog' that has affected the Chief has become more severe; however Chief is still able to narrate accordingly. From what we can collect at our position in the book, Chief's mental state has worsened; however, the presence of McMurphy has changed this slightly. McMurphy's presence has allowed the Chief to see some things more clearly as proven true by the Chief voting. As for his narration, the 'Fog' does not seem to inhibit his narration skills or perception of dialogue. 



Who are you rooting for at this point in the story and why?
At this point in the story, like most everyone else, I am rooting for McMurphy as he portrays the most interesting character in the story currently. His anti-heroism complemented by his past allows for an intriguing character whose constant conflicts with Big Nurse only adds to the meat of the story. 

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Blog Post #1

Identify the Main Characters as Hero, Antihero, or Villain. 

Chief Bromden

Chief Bromden, narrates One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Although he says that he is telling the story about “the hospital, and her, and the guys—and about McMurphy,” he is also telling the story of his own journey toward sanity. The reason for Bromden’s hospitalization is cloaked in ambiguity. He may have had a breakdown from witnessing the decline of his father or from the horrors of fighting in World War II. Both of these possible scenarios involve an emasculating and controlling authority—in the first case the government officials, in the second the army. It is also possible that, like McMurphy, Bromden was sane when he entered the hospital but that his sanity slipped when he received what is rumored to be 200 electroshock treatments. The paranoia and hallucinations he suffers from, which center on hidden machines in the hospital that physically and psychologically control the patients, can be read as metaphors for the dehumanization he has experienced in his life. In any case, Chief Bromden is easily characterizable as an Antihero. Although Bromden has an unstable state of mind, it is obvious that he is trust worthy because of his position as narrator of the story. As a result he is put in the position of antihero, because though he may be a trustworthy hero, he does not take the path of a normal hero, and therefore must be characterized as an Antihero. 

Randle McMurphy

Randle McMurphy—big, loud, sexual, dirty, and confident—is an obvious foil for the quiet and repressed Bromden and the sterile and mechanical Nurse Ratched. His loud, free laughter stuns the other patients, who have grown accustomed to repressed emotions. Throughout the entire moment of his introduction, not a single voice rises to meet his.McMurphy represents sexuality, freedom, and self-determination—characteristics that clash with the oppressed ward, which is controlled by Nurse Ratched. Through Chief Bromden’s narration, the novel establishes that McMurphy is not, in fact, crazy, but rather that he is trying to manipulate the system to his advantage. His belief that the hospital would be more comfortable than the Pendleton Work Farm, where he was serving a six-month sentence, haunts McMurphy later when he discovers the power Nurse Ratched wields over him—that she can send him for electroshock treatments and keep him committed as long as she likes. McMurphy’s sanity contrasts with what Kesey implies is an insane institution. McMurphy take on the role of a hero because of his outlandish characteristics that are used to propel the story line. However; because of McMurphy's background - much like that of Bromden - he is not characterizable as a true hero, and therefore must be thrust into the class of an Antihero. 

Nurse Ratched

A former army nurse, Nurse Ratched represents the oppressive mechanization, dehumanization, and emasculation of modern society—in Bromden’s words, the Combine. Her nickname is “Big Nurse,” which sounds like Big Brother - The name used in the book 1984 we read to show the menacing force of the government. Bromden describes Ratched as being like a machine, and her behavior fits this description: even her name is reminiscent of a mechanical tool, sounding like both “ratchet” and “wretched.” She enters the novel, and the ward, “with a gust of cold.” Ratched has complete control over every aspect of the ward, as well as almost complete control over her own emotions. In the first few pages we see her show her “hideous self” to Bromden and the aides, only to regain her doll-like composure before any of the patients catch a glimpse. Nurse Ratchet's techniques for keeping McMurphy hospitalized and her menacing characteristics makes her easily recognizable as a Villain. 

Final Great Gatsby Blog Post

How Effectively did Fitzgerald Convey his Theme through his Characters?

The ultimate theme of the Great Gatsby deals with the past in how the majority of the characters in the play have some connection to a past incident they are constantly dwelling upon. Fitzgerald himself has a special connection with the past that he conveys through Daisy in his girlfriend turning him down because of his lack of wealth. Such is conveyed through the rejection of Gatsby by Daisy in the book. As well, Fitzgerald finished the book in concluding that no good may arise from dwelling upon the past - the majority of the characters either ended up dead, in ruins, or no better then when they started.

Why Was the Book Written from the Perspective of Nick rather than a Birds Eye View Perspective like that of the Actual Author?

The Book is written from Nick' Perspective because he serves as an impartial eye to the story. Having Nick as the narrator of the story rather than some ambiguous one allows us to also switch from multiple events with ease. Furthermore, having a more down to earth narrator gives the book more subsistence. As well, through the use of Dramatic Irony, more drama is created throughout the book as we know just as much as Nick had known during that same point in the book.  

What did the Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg Symbolize? 

The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg are a pair of fading, bespectacled eyes painted on an old advertising billboard over the valley of ashes. They may represent God staring down upon and judging American society as a moral wasteland, though the novel never makes this point explicitly. Instead, throughout the novel, Fitzgerald suggests that symbols only have meaning because characters instill them with meaning. The connection between the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg and God exists only in George Wilson’s grief-stricken mind. This lack of concrete significance contributes to the unsettling nature of the image. Thus, the eyes also come to represent the essential meaninglessness of the world and the arbitrariness of the mental process by which people invest objects with meaning. Nick explores these ideas in Chapter 8, when he imagines Gatsby’s final thoughts as a depressed consideration of the emptiness of symbols and dreams.

Now that you Have Read all Possible Information on Gatsby, what would you Classify Gatsby as - Hero, Antihero, or Villain.

I would classify Gatsby as an Antihero. Simply going by the process of elimination, it becomes obvious that Gatsby is an Antihero  - We are originally suspicious of Gatsby's intent and purpose due to our lack of information on him so he could not classify as a Hero. We do hear significant enough information on him by Nick to know that he could not be a villain, so only one choice is left - Antihero. However, were we to go by solely his character, it would be obvious that he is an Antihero as we sympathize for his innocent qualities throughout the book. He is blinding love for Daisy causes the audience to crave their reunion. Furthermore, after Daisy's accidental murder of Myrtle, Gatsby takes responsibility and eventually dies as a result of it. This shows him as a selfless, caring human being who could only be classified as an Antihero through his actions. 

Great Gatsby Blog Post # 2

1) What is the Purpose of Meyer Wolfsheim as a Character? 
Meyer Wolfsheim serves to show Gatsby in a more positive light. Throughout the book Gatsby is portrayed as this mysterious character with little detail to be made of him - this complemented by suspicions of him murdering a man added to the ambiguity of Gatsby. Therefore, Wolfsheim serves the purpose to add suspicion to Gatsby's character.

 2) What Does the Backstory about Jay and Daisy's Past do to our Impressions of Gatsby? 
The Backstory allows us to sympathize with Gatsby. The actual love Gatsby had and the hardship he went through in the past added to the effect of Gatsby finally remeeting Daisy after so many years. This Backstory also asserts Gatsby as an antihero as proven through the fact that we may take pity on him. 

3) What does the Story of the Rest of Gatsby Past do to our impressions of him?
The rest of Gatsby's backstory allows us to sympathize with him further and shows him in a more positive, innoccent light. Gatsby worked as a janitor to pay off his tuition and worked for his money to get where he was. The fact that his reasoning behind doing so was for Daisy, sheds some innocence upon Gatsby as well as our sympathy, thus conveying him as an antivillian once more. 

 4) How Does your Overall Impression of Gatsby Change Over these Three Chapters - Do you Like Him More, Less, and Why? 
Knowing Gatsby's background and the harships he has endured has shed some positive light onto Gatsby for me. As a result, my impression of Gatsby has bettered in how I may now see him as a hardworking, innocent, hopeless romantic, lost in his love for Daisy. 

Jelly Role Morton "Black Bottom Soup"

How Do You Envision this Music Playing a Part of Gatsby's Parties?
This music gives the illusion of a grand get together such as those during the time of the Great Gatsby. It adds a vintage mindset to the party that complements the overall theme of the Great Gatsby.

What is the Mood? How/Why?
The mood seems to be a nostalgic, joyous mood. The Lo-Fi sound of the song creates an older style of music thus adding the the Nostalgic Mood. Furthermore, the range of instruments and variety of pitches add to the joyous mood.

What Activities go Along with this Music?
Activites that go hand in hand with this type of music seem to be dancing, drinking, in depth conversations, and overall livelihood.

Justin Bua

Describe Bua's Style of Painting

Bua uses a Harlem Style of painting through the use of dark, warm colors. He compliments this through the use of longiated feature of inanimate objects as well as people. Overall Bua's artistic technique adds a sense of mystery and culture to his paintings, adding the final jigsaw to complete this Harlem Style Piece. 

Great Gatsby Blog Post # 1

Looking at first three chapters of The Great Gatsby, make some predictions about these characters and (unlike Nick) classify them into one of the three categories - hero, antihero, and villain. Give ample reasons for your classification, with support for the text .

As we progress through the Great Gatsby it is important to sort each of the characters into their appropriate categories as it is of great importance that we, the readers, be able to distinguish between who we can trust and who we cant as we read further in the novel. 

At our current place in the book, we may recognize three distinguishable characters: Nick Carraway, Jay Gatsby, and Daisy Buchanan.

Nick Carraway is a, " seemingly plain, well educated, straightforward, and honest" (pg 12) young man from Minnesota who, after fighting in World War 1, goes to New York City to learn business. Nick appears as the narrator in the book as he asserts himself as the author and the book is written from his point of view mostly. As a result, we have no other choice but to characterize him as a hero, because if we cant trust the author of the book, we cannot trust anyone.   

Jay Gatsby is another focal character of this book - as proven by the title. Gatsby is a young man of extraordinary wealth who is famous for his great get-togethers he throws every week. In the book, it is said that he, "understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey." (Pg 31)We are not yet far enough in the book to make any significant claims about Gatsby, however; in our current position there are many subtle acknowledgments to his character that may support the conclusion that he is a Hero. 

Finally there is Daisy Buchanan, Nick's Cousin and Gatsby's Love. In chapter 1, Daisy is talking about her hopes for her child and says, "I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool." (pg 7) This displays Daisy's Character as it shows her need for conformity. Daisy wants her child to conform to the stereotypes set for women at that time and does not value knowledge, intellect, hard work, or any values that a person truly needs. Daisy acts simply to perpetuate stereotypes and to maintain the social norm. Despite this, it is hard to draw any distinct conclusion as to what Daisy is as it seems still that the audience tries to move in favor Daisy throughout the Book. Thusly, it is logical to characterize Daisy as a antihero. 

3 Commercial Analysis

Commercial # 1
Uses appeal to the common, average, American to grab a hold of it's audience. It creates a sense of warmth within the commercial to make people believe that they can trust in that product.
Commercial #2
Uses the same appeals in the sense that it makes the viewer believe that if he/she wants safety for himself, others, and his/her children, this car is the right choice. As well, it sympathizes with the common American in the fact that  they are insecure about putting their children on the road.
Commercial #3
Uses appeals to patriotism through showing the hard work and labor that the country had to go through to get to where it is now and uses the appeals of progress to show that they product they are trying to sell is symbolic of all of those appeals.

Marie Winn TV Addiction

Questions on Meaning

What distinction does Winn make between the “harmless pursuit of pleasure” and addiction?

Marie Draws a fine distinction between the two, but she concludes in adding on the aspect that the two are not so dissimilar in the fact that something that may be considered harmless pursuit of pleasure like TV watching is an addiction.   

In paragraph 2, Winn poses the question that leads to her thesis. What is the answer to this question? Do you find it explicitly stated anywhere?

Her question that leads to her thesis is, "People often refer to being “hooked on TV.” Does this, too, fall into the lighthearted category of cookie eating and other pleasure that people pursue with unusual intensity, or is there a kind television viewing that falls into the more serious category of destructive addiction?" She explicitly states the anwer to this question in saying, "Not unlike drugs or alcohol, the television experiences allow the participant to blot out the real world and enter into a pleasurable and passive mental state. The worries and anxieties of reality are as effectively differed by becoming absorbed in a television program as by going on a “trip” induced by drugs or alcohol. And just as alcoholics are only inchoately aware of there addiction, feeling that they can control their drinking more than they really do. (“ I can cut it out anytime I want—I just like to have three or four drinks before dinner”), people similarly overestimate their control over television watching."


What does Winn think are the main problems caused by excessive TV viewing? Does Winn think there could be anything good about watching television? How do you know?
Winn says the main problems caused by excessive television viewing tend to be their sheer laziness and anti social personality as they have chosen to watch television rather than maintain a conversation, plant a garden, read a book, crotchet, etc.

Questions on Writing Strategy

Why does Winn take such care to define addiction ? What does this stipulative definition do for this essay?
Winn takes such great care to define 'addiction' as it is what she basis her thesis and the rest of her essay off of.


Winn does not answer her thesis question immediately after she asks it . Why, do you think? What is the effect of this delay?
The effect of this decision is to allow the reader to ponder over his own reason, and then for her to convince the reader otherwise, thus getting her point across efficiently and effectively. 

Throughout her essay, Winn puts a number of words and phrases in quotation marks--- for example, “Hooked on TV” (para. 2), “high” (3), “trip” (7), “ought” (9). What does this punctuation contribute to Winn’s essay?
This allows television to be viewed more as a drug, just as other drugs have alternative names to them like scooby snacks, mary joe, etc. So does television watching.


Other methods. Study Winn’s Comparison between drug and alcohol addiction and TV addiction. How are the similar? Are they different in any ways?
Winn answers this in her essay in saying that not unlike drugs or alcohol, the television experiences allow the participant to blot out the real world and enter into a pleasurable and passive mental state. The worries and anxieties of reality are as effectively differed by becoming absorbed in a television program as by going on a “trip” induced by drugs or alcohol. And just as alcoholics are only inchoately aware of there addiction, feeling that they can control their drinking more than they really do. (“ I can cut it out anytime I want—I just like to have three or four drinks before dinner”), people similarly overestimate their control over television watching.  They are only different in the type of addiction they are - one to TV and one to Drugs.

Mencken/The Death Penalty

Questions on Meaning

1. Mencken's main reasons for his support of capital punishment are that the work of a hangman is just as unpleasant as that of a plumber, that the whole aim of punishing criminals is to thwart other potential criminals, that there is no public demand for the death penalty on ordinary crimes.

2. Some other reasons for punishing offenders of the death penalty include justice - the justice system advocates it, feasibility - its easier than keeping them in prison for life, economicality - it saves money, etc.

3.  Mencken advocates offenders that have committed a crime greater than just murder, such as mass homicide.

4. Mencken's real objection to capital punishment is the 'brutal American habit of putting it off so long.' The fact that the appeals process take so long that those on death row wait years before they are put to death.

Questions on Writing Strategy

2. Mencken employs many fallacies in order to argue against the two 'most common' arguments against capital punishment. An example is when he compares the job of a executioner to that of a plumber in terms of how 'degrading' it is.

4. I do think the author expects his audience to agree with him because he makes his points very agreeable so that people will not debate the logicality of it and he slips in his most debatable points between his solid ones, as to urge people in to agree with it. He recognizes that some people may see things differently throughout the essay and constantly addresses their side and ways to refute it.

Menchken /Vs/ Kroll

Write a Contrast Paragraph on the Effectiveness of the Two Death Penalty Essays. Which of the Two - Mencken or Kroll - Do you Find to be More Effective in Persuading you and Why? 
Because of the effectiveness of both essays in illustrating their points about the Death Penalty, it is hard to come to an accurate conclusion about which one is more effective. 
Mencken and Kroll wrote from two different writing styles and two different points of view, neither of which paralleled the other. Kroll uses appeals to emotion and credibility but succumbing to argument ad authoriatrium and other fallacies to which he uses to make his point. In contrast, Mencken wrote his work with an appeal to logisitcs using statistical information to back up his points.  Despite Krolls many appeals to credibility that most would argue causes him to be reliable and effective, he commited many fallacies that could be easily shot holes through when taken into any sense of meaning beyond the bare surface. As a result, i found Mencken's uniform, yet logical and presis essay much more effective in convincing me as it did not commit to as many fallacies and the evidence was more concrete. 

Sixteen Military Wives - the Decemberists

What is this Song About? 
To me, this song is making a parody out of America. It is saying that no matter what we show people - celebrities, award shows, scientists, they all gobble it up the same way saying 'la da da de da' and it compares the average American Consume to a 'Cannibal King'

"Race for the Prize" by the Flaming Lips

What is the Theme of this Song?
To me, this song is about overambition. How we are always aiming for perfection that will probably never be achieved.
The scientists in the song want to discover the cure, save the world, become superheroes. They'll do anything to achieve their goals. But no matter how far they try to climb, after all "they're just humans, with wives and children." 

Graphs

3 Facts about Graph 1

• There's been a rise in incarcerated Americans from 1970 and on
• The Graph takes place between 1920 and 2008
• The number of incarcerated Americans increased following the illegalization of marijuana and hemp.

 3 Facts about Graph 2

• Drugs were the leading cause of incarceration
• Immigration exceeded 20,000 prisoners
• This Graph displays different reasons for incarceration and how they compare to each other one.

 2 Facts on Both Graphs

• The majority of people in jail in the second graph were there as a result of drug abuse.
• Incarceration has risen drastically since 1960 and it is increasing at an exponential rate. 

 2 Fallacies on Both Graphs

• Drugs have always been the leading incarcerator 
• The majority of people who abuse drugs abuse marijuana

Fallacies in Famous Speeches

JFK Inaugural Address:


Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us. 

     Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms--and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations. 

     Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths and encourage the arts and commerce. 

     Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah--to "undo the heavy burdens . . . (and) let the oppressed go free." 

     And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved. 


He uses parallel structure through the 'Let Both Sides." He also uses an appeal to pathos thorough asking both sides to unite and convincing Americans that under his presidency they can do the impossible : 'explore the stars,' 'conquer the deserts,' etc.

Duck and Cover

What is the Overt Message? Explain. 
The over message is to 'duck and cover' as it is said repeatedly in the presentation of the video and it is used a central plot of the video.


What is the Covert Message? Explain. 
The covert message is dont fear the atom bomb. This is evident in the fact that they compare the dropping of the bomb to such simple disasters and make it seem as though it is nothing, and by simply ducking and covering you could save yourself.


Is this Propaganda, Persuasion, or Rhetoric? Explain.
This is propaganda in the fact that they use to overt message to convince the audience of a false meaning to the video. When the covert message is what actually is trying to be portrayed. Such is propaganda.

Destination Earth

What is the Overt Message? How do you Know?
The overt message is the brilliance of America due to its automobiles and oil. This is evident as the motion picture readily proclaims this throughout and is the center of the plot.


What is the Covert Message? How do you Know?
The covert message is the greatness of American Society compared to others. It shows the alien society which they relate as the opposers of America in their barbaric acts and lack of intelligence, and then it shows America, a work of art in its beauty and creativity and how they have solved all questions the other society had.


Is it Propaganda or Persuasion? Why?
This is propaganda in the fact that it uses the overt message of the brilliance of America as a gate way to show that its greatness comes largely oil and automobiles. This could then be used as propaganda to convince people to buy oil and support America and her greatness. 

Propaganda

What's the Overt Message?
The overt message is to eat less bread.

The covert message is for every person, especially women, to do their part to support the war and the troops. As well during this time period grain was imported from other countries, so it adds an element of patriotism by simply making other foods as to say, be patriotic. 


How Does the Disparity in the Two of these Make it Propaganda?
Because all Propaganda has an overt and covert message that is used to trick the readers or viewers into a false realization and that is exactly what this is doing. 

"Clampdown" by the Clash

What's the Song About? How do you Know?
This song is about the effects of propaganda, and it's effects on society."We will train our blue eyed men" gives a Soviet Russian (because of the time period this was made) effect on the song that leads to the conclusion that they are using propaganda to brainwash these kids. 

 What Musical Elements Add to your Lyrical Interpretation? 
The singer gives a Thom Yorke, twist with his slurred words that are used to convey the havoc and grogginess that is a Utopian society. As the song progressed the singer became more self assured and sounded more confident as to say he was assured of his position and that all the propaganda had started to make sense to him, such is the case of any society when they are readily given propaganda. 


 How Does this Song Relate to Propaganda, Persuasion,Argument, Deception, or Rhetoric?
This song relates to propaganda because it keeps mentions working for the Clampdown and uses elements to show a lack of individuality and promotion of odd items and constantly talking about the youth. 

Quotes on Propaganda, Persuasion, and Rhetoric

330. Condense some daily experience into a glowing symbol, and an audience is electrified. RALPH
WALDO EMERSON (1803-1882), Eloquence, 1877.

331. The moment our discourse rises above the ground line of familiar facts, and is inflamed with passion
or exalted by thought, it clothes itself in images. RALPH WALDO EMERSON (1803-1882), Nature,
1836.

333. The findings suggest that media messages can indeed move audiences in directions counter to their
predominant dispositions...opinion toward the unfamiliar are more susceptible to media influence that
those toward the unfamiliar. ROBERT M. ENTMAN, Democracy Without Citizens, 1989


332. The media do not control what people prefer; they influence public opinion by providing much of the
information people think about and by shaping how they think about it. ROBERT M. ENTMAN,
Democracy Without Citizens, 1989.


The following quote is saying that the cable companies influence the public's opinion by providing what they are going to see and shaping how they see it. For example Fox gives a very republican view of the news, while CNN gives a very democratic view of the news. Furthermore, the media may control the public through its commercialization of different items.