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Ezra Pound List

 The list poem reflects a mentor to a student. The phrasing of most of these statements deals in absolutes, allowing for some interpretation of the wording. Specifically, because the author takes small interpretations, the author comes across as opinionated on most issues. When I read this, it reminds me of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, reflecting the sense of wisdom, but I see this list poem in a much harsher sense. I have to agree with the statement in number 5, reflecting the intricate nature of poetry. I like how he makes sure the reader is aware of the importance and complexity of poetry, which i full heartly agree with. On the other hand, I disagree with 18, laying out rules for how to write a poem (specifically how to rhyme), I feel it is contradictory to number 5, just due to how he defined poetry as art, yet he sets restrictions for the artist. That's like saying you can only use watercolors for art; you limit the potential of an artist. I think it's difficult to...
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The Voice You Hear When You Read Silently." Blog

When I read Thomas Lux's poem "The voice you hear when you read silently", I became aware of a shift in how I think about the inner voice that accompanies one when silently reading. Lux suggests that this voice is an idealized non-physical one, clearer and more fluid than my actual speaking voice due to not being limited by pitch or tone. Since it only exists mentally, it is "heard" by an internal ear rather than produced by the body, similar to thinking to yourself.  Secondly, the poem goes on to highlight how subjective reading is. Instead of encountering neutral or universal meaning, readers are immediately layered with their own memories and emotions within the words. Lux demonstrates the ability to due this by using the example of the word "barn," which can trigger different images for different people. His overall point is that reading is always collaborative between both the reader and writer, and intermixed with personal experience to shape how...
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"There Will come Soft Rain" Blog Questions

The silhouettes of the family burned into the house walls symbolize: A) The power the house has over humans B) The lasting mark humanity has, even after death C) The need to protect the house from the fire D) The dangers of technology How does the story convey the house’s “personality”? A) By showing the house talking B) By describing its routines and reactions to events as if it were alive C) By giving it a visible face D) By showing it controls the dog What role does the fire play in the story? A) It tests the house’s strength and shows the limits of technology. B) It destroys the natural world. C) It saves the house from the dog. D) It represents an average home accident 
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There There blog post #2

     In There There, Orvil Red Feather's story captures a struggle that many Native Americans face today: the search for connection to a culture that history has tried to erase. Orvil was raised by his great aunt, who believes that embracing Native heritage will only bring pain (a common theme within the book). Orvil grows up in silence about who he truly is. But with his aunt's perspectives, this only fueled his interests. His journey somewhat reflects his rebellious nature to dig deep and understand his own roots. For Orvil, being Native doesn't reflect knowing history or tradition, but it's a rebellious tendency to know something he was told to ignore. This mirrors the experience of many Native people today who grew up disconnected from their culture, and are taught to dismiss roots (like through cultural assimilation), but still have the keen understanding that they belong somewhere. When Orvil secretly teaches himself Native dances, he feels he is reclaiming someth...
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There There blog post #1

     Within the first chapter of There There, Tommy Orange introduces Tony Loneman, a younger Native man in Oakland who struggles with the ideology of being defined by fetal alcohol syndrome, which he calls "the drone." Tony's self-sensibility begins from the beginning, as we are introduced; he is constantly stared at, judged, and described before people even meet him. This constant comprehension by looks can apply to how Native people in America have also been stereotyped and misinterpreted. Tony's disability can be seen as a strong metaphor for what it's like to exist with an identity that's not fully visible and respected by society. The manner in which people don't know how to act towards his face reflects the way Americans look at Native people, not fully understanding the tragedy or history, and not as actual people who are multifaceted. When Tony describes the drome, he shows how his body is telling a story that is being interpreted by himself, just...
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Meaning of leadership

 Leadership is defined through David Foster Wallace's detailed description of how the word itself has lost true meaning. Within current cultural norms, some words have become buzzwords, such as "leadership," which can often be reduced to a label rather than a true description or authentic role. Wallce dissects this by reminding us that real leadership isn't about status, slogans, or even agreement with someone's ideas. Instead, it's about the rare ability to overcome self-limitations by the mind, from laziness, fear, or selfishness, inspiring those who contain those qualities to hurdle that mental wall. This perspective reshapes what leadership is and how it represents a quality of life, and not just a resume item or title. Teachers and coaches both represent those who inspire curiosity and help push beyond normal comfort, even to those who didn't know they could. Wallace's views strip away the cliches and point us back to the fundamental truth: leader...
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Ceremony Blog #2

     Even though Rocky and Tayo shared a household, their dynamic was complex. Rocky's mother continuously tried to keep them separate, or at least make it clear that Tayo would be seen as "less than" because he had a white father. That chasm hung over Tayo much of his childhood, never being quite as accepted as Rocky. Yet under the pressure that pushed them apart, the two were able to form a brotherly relationship. Rocky was seen as a golden boy, usually supported by his school teachers and coaches, and his relatives used him as a success story. Tayo, however, had to suffer being half white and forever viewed as an outsider, not being white or black. Tayo, however, admired Rocky and followed him around, even joining the military with him, the connection that made Rocky's war death tragic, not the tragedy for the losing relatives, but the only person that Tayo felt truly connected to. Silko uses this relationship to illustrate that war ptsd and the loss of a brother a...
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