“…Loving Everywhere, but None for You”: Reflection for “A Rose for Emily”

My group members in the final project included Eric Lipsky, Meagan Mier-Garcia and Michelle Umezu. The four of us were pretty open about what text would be the center of our project and what would be our media presentation. In the beginning we tried to decide what we would do for the media production portion of the project. Then we realized it would be easier to choose the text first and then go from there. All of us had similar interests in a few particular texts. We finally made a decision to go with “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner. Each of us felt that writing a blog for Emily would be a bit dry and boring, so we knew we definitely weren’t going to write anything. However, the four of us looked into Twitter.com to see if it was worth the consideration, but we unanimously concluded that it wasn’t. I personally thought that it was a weaker and less interesting version of Facebook.com and Myspace.com. The concept of those particular websites I’ve seen again and again, so I had no interest to work with them in the project. Thus we decided on a music video of some sort. Michelle, Eric and I thought that we would find a song that had relation to the short story and then come up with a music video. We pitched the idea to Meagan and she came up with an even better idea, one that along the same idea and also fit all of our schedules. Meagan suggested animoto.com, a site where we find music and images and then it puts together a video for you. She also found a song entitled “A Rose for Emily” by the Zombies.
Once we all met up we decided that animoto.com was too complicated and didn’t allow much wiggle room for anything. The song by the Zombies seemed perfect for the project. The lyrics match aspects of the story. Whether or not the song was inspired by the Faulkner’s story we never found out, but it is very close. The song talks about Emily not getting any love from those all around her, which definitely relates to Emily’s relationships and interactions in the story. I feel that the song is perfect for our project. Using Windows Movie Maker was our final decision for the media production portion of the project. The four of us searched through Google for various images related to the text. To me this was the most challenging part of the entire project. We wanted to make sure that we came up with images that stayed true to the text. Some illustrations that we as a group thought were important we had quite a bit of trouble finding. After hours and hours of individual work we finally reached a stopping point. The four of us came up with some interesting pictures. In the story, my impression of Emily and her servants’ relationship was like that of Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy in the movie “Driving Miss Daisy.” I found images of the stern looking Jessica Tandy from the beginning of the film and her being driven by Morgan Freeman. I next sought after images of the actress in her younger years and ended up coming across some beautiful pictures. The group and I wanted to show that process the protagonist Emily went through over the years. Once we finally had all of our images together we put them on one laptop and started sorting through them to put them together in chronological order. The four of us decided to present the pictures how they appeared in the story. The order was difficult because none of us wanted to confuse anyone with our video. In the end it all came together.
The group and I are all satisfied with how the video turned out. Working with “A Rose for Emily” wasn’t that hard for me to do personally simply because it was one of the texts I wrote about for my final paper. It was nice to work with Eric, Michelle and Meagan. All seemed very nice people in class throughout this quarter so it was nice to know that I was going to work with them for this project. Despite the difficulties we encountered everyone in the group contributed greatly to the process making it an enjoyable experience.


Link to final media production on Youtube.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xenEseHCWY

Sophocles' Antigone

Antigone is woman who’s with strong principles. She is not afraid to stand for what she believes in, even when death is the consequence. These qualities of Antigone’s character are evident when she sets out to break the King’s orders and bury her dead brother Polyneices.

In the opening Antigone tells her sister Ismene of her intentions to bury their brother. Lines 20 through 22 clearly show that Antigone knew the results of her actions and those that she involved in any way. “I knew it well; that is why I sent for you to come outside the palace gates to listen to me, privately” (Sophocles). Ismene urges her sister not to defy Creon and leave Polyneices’s corpse be, however Antigone will not be convinced otherwise of her actions. In fact Antigone becomes a little angry at Ismene for being so obedient to Creon.

I believe that Antigone is courageous for fighting for what she believes in even with death as a sure result. She believes that she will die as a religious criminal. There is no harm or shame in Antigone wanting to give her brother a proper burial. However, she should be respectful for authority. Creon is clearly wrong, but perhaps Antigone should have gone to him instead. To me dying for your religious beliefs is admirable, however since this is Greece all of their gods were pagan Antigone’s situation doesn’t count in my eyes. She should’ve remained in respect to the authority over her and not willfully defied it in such a matter. Antigone should have heeded the warnings of her sister and have been so disheartening towards her. Perhaps even Antigone should have never involved her sister at all. Who knows if her Ismene too will be found guilty of wrongdoing in simply having knowledge of her sisters’ rebellious intentions? Antigone’s strength is admirable but misguided.

Facebook | Bartleby

If Bartleby had a Facebook it would be really interesting. I believe this because if the reason that he so distant and aloof is that he lives a 'second life' on the internet, then it would be appealing and entertaining. Nobody is going to spend countless hours on the internet and not have something engaging to look at. Thus you have Bartleby having an enjoyable Facebook in contrast with his melancholy outside personae.

Bartleby would have a few close friends that he talked to through Facebook. These friends would be his old co-workers from Death Letters that too moved on to work at different places of business. They’d include Quinn Culkin, Rory Kettlemen, Clementine Trapp, and Oliver Pierce. He would also be friends with Nippers, Ginger Nut, and Turkey. His status would be as follows:

Bartleby would prefer not to, so quit asking.9:00am-Comment

Bartleby is now a fan of Ginger Nut and The Spice Girls.10:23am

Bartleby is writing and prefer you’d not bother him.12:05pm-Comment

Bartleby was super poked by Ginger Nut and Turkey.12:11pm

Bartleby has dropped kicked Ginger Nut and Turkey.1:30pm

Bartleby is now a fan of Herman Melville.1:45pm

Bartleby would prefer to bitch slap his boss.6:00pm-Comment

Quinn Culkin wrote at 11:30pm

Hey Bart! I hope you like the gift basket full of the delicious ginger nut I sent. Can’t wait till you come and visit again.

Clementine Trapp wrote at 1:15am

Bartleby!!!!! What up man?! You need to take a break off of work and go golfing with me. I called Rory and Oliver, they’re both down. Hit me back when you have time.

Bartleby wrote on Quinn Culkin and Clementine Trapp’s wall.

Bartleby is watching X-files online.1:30am-Comment

Bartleby is offline.2:15am

the after picture

Have you ever walked outside during late autumn? If you have, then you’ve seen the familiar scene of fallen dead leaves on the cool ground and a trickle of brightly colored leaves still hanging in the trees. The ground full of those lost and flaccid leaves marks the beginning of a new phase in Mother Nature’s course. The winter chill brings a white sheet of snow that covers the ground. Shakespeare’s “That Time of Year Thou Mayst in Me Behold” is written in a way that is broken down into clusters of four lines ending with a couplet. Each group represents a figure in nature: autumn, sunset, and the extinguishing of fire.

In the beginning Shakespeare is talking about a time that he will hold and or cherish, “that time of year thou mayst in me behold.” The symbol of autumn represents the time that is slipping away. Autumn is the time of year “When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang.” Many of the colored leaves have fallen and turned brown. The leaves from the tree are now dead and will soon be buried by the winter’s snow and forgotten. To Shakespeare the end of this season signifies the ending of his life where he will too be buried, but hopefully not as easily forgotten. Line four says “bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.” Birds fly south for the winter to stay warm. Shakespeare gives the audience a sense that he is lonely. Nature cannot be stopped, as the saying goes “nature must run its course.” You cannot hide from or change death. Shakespeare is well aware of this, but is trying to hold on to what is passing.

Line five says “In me thou see’st the twilight of such day.” Twilight and sunset fit theme of change. Shakespeare’s time on earth grows shorter and shorter just as the days do in winter. Death is used to symbolize sleep in line eight where Shakespeare writes “deaths second self that seals up all in rest.” Death’s second self means sleep. When we die we can think of it as our body resting in a deep sleep. In death we are no longer conscience of anything. Shakespeare will no longer be able to remember all of his achievements, creations, or the people he cared for and loved.

The first line of the third set talks about a fire that Shakespeare sees in him. That fire once bright and glowing is now dimming. He writes “In me thou see’st the glowing of such fire, that on the ashes of his youth doth lie.” The fire which represents life and spirit has burned out and turned to ash. Shakespeare’s life is burning out. Fire gives off warmth which can be associated with life. Up until the tenth line Shakespeare has made the entire poem about the nearing of death. Shakespeare’s insistent message is nearing a climax. The final lines, the couplet, serve as a final warning to hang on to the last moments you have of life. I believe that it speaks of both relationships and experiences gone through in life. Shakespeare is telling the audience to keep the good memories from life close to you till the very end.

Throughout “That Time of Year Thou Mayst in Me Behold” there is a decrescendo of sorts. We have the transition of autumn to winter, then twilight and sunset, and finally the dousing of a fire. All are elements that symbolize the ending of life. Shakespeare uses them as tools to help send his warning of enjoying your life and all of the good times before it slips away. At the beginning of the poem we have things set at a big scope with there still being life with the symbol of autumn. Then there is a tapering down as the poem draws closer and closer to the subject of death. You start off with great health and youthfulness, and then year by year it slowly decreases to the point it’s hardly noticed: before you know it your health gets worse and suddenly you’re not so young anymore. I believe that Shakespeare used this poem as a means to bring this issue to his audience’s attention.

Mother Nature has a set course, and by no means deters from it. Death is but a part of that course. Whether we like it or not, no matter what we do old age and then death will ultimately catch up to all of us. When that time comes we can look back at the beautiful times from our vibrant times as a youth. However, just like leaves they fall and pass away. Shakespeare used autumn as symbolism as the coming of what’s next in life, meaning death. Twilight is the time just before the sun rises and the day starts. Death is like the twilight before the day you might pass on. The sunset is the close of that day, an ending of what has happened. Finally the burning out of fire is Shakespeare’s last plea. Enjoy the time that you have before it’s gone. Autumn, sunset, fire dying are all things a part of a bigger course. They must occur for those courses to continue. None of them can be stopped or avoided. It must happen, just as death must happen. Shakespeare uses great metaphor and symbolism to convey his warning. His life is ending and he can hardly believe it.

poetry essay: the before

Have you ever walked outside during late autumn? You probably see the familiar scene of fallen dead leaves on the cool ground and a trickle of brightly colored leaves still hang in the trees. The ground full of those lost and flaccid leaves marks the beginning of a new phase in Mother Nature’s course. The winter chill brings a clear white picture allowing things to be easily seen making it difficult to hide. Shakespeare’s “That Time of Year Thou Mayst in Me Behold” is a poem about the cycle of life through which he uses metaphor and symbolism to paint a picture of the end of that cycle.

“That Time of Year Thou Mayst in Me Behold” is written in a way that is broken down into clusters of four lines. Each group represents a figure in nature; autumn, sunset, and the extinguishing of fire. Line one is a repeat of the poem’s title. Shakespeare is talking about a time that he will hold and or cherish. That time is slipping away as the symbol of autumn represents. During that time of the season many of the brilliantly colored leaves have fallen and turned brown. The leaves from the tree are now dead and will soon be buried by the winter’s snow and forgotten. Shakespeare uses the beautiful leaves to symbolize better times that have since gone by. To Shakespeare the end of this season signifies the end of his life where he will too be buried, but hopefully not as easily forgotten. Nature cannot be stopped, as the saying goes “nature must run its course.” You cannot hide from or change death. Shakespeare is well aware of this, but is trying to salvage anything left.

The next section in line five is about seeing the twilight of the day where the end comes. Twilight and sunset fit the theme of transition in this poem. Sunset is another cyclical element in addition to autumn and twilight. The poem takes on a new tone and a new picture is painted involving different elements and colors. Line seven where it mentions the black of night parallels the white of winter. In the winter the days are the shortest of the year. The time that Shakespeare has is short and will soon end. Black is of course dark symbolizing death, while white is light and clear. Death is used to symbolize sleep in line eight where Shakespeare writes death’s second self that seals up all in rest.” Self means sleep. When we die we can think of it as our body resting in a deep sleep. In death we are no longer conscience of anything. Shakespeare will no longer be able to remember all of his achievements, creations, or the people he cared for and loved. The last line of this section mentions a fire that Shakespeare sees in him. That fire once bright and glowing is now dimming.

The final part of this poem begins by pointing out the ashes from Shakespeare’s younger years. The fire which represented life and spirit has burned out and turned to grey and ash. Again more colors are introduced and yet another image is given to readers. Red and orange are colors that come to mind when thinking of a blazing fire. Fire also gives off warmth, one that could be associated with living. Grey, charcoal, and white are the colors that signify ash. Up until the tenth line Shakespeare has made the entire poem about the coming of death, the coming of the end. Shakespeare’s insistent message has come to a climax. The final lines of the poem serve up as a final warning to hang on to the last moments you have of life. I believe that is speaks of both relationships and experiences gone through in life. Shakespeare is telling the audience to keep the good memories from life close to you till the very end.

Throughout “That Time of Year Thou Mayst in Me Behold” there is a decrescendo. We have the transition of autumn, then twilight and sunset, and finally the dousing of a fire. All are elements that symbolize the ending of life. Shakespeare uses them as tools to help send his warning of enjoy your life and all of its wonderful times before it fast slips away, just as his life is now doing. Continuing with transition, at the beginning of the poem we have things set at a big scope and then as more and more is read there is tapering down. The same thing can be associated with life. You start off with great health and youthfulness, and then year by year it slowly decreases to where you hardly notice. Before you know it your health gets worse and suddenly you’re not so young anymore. I believe that Shakespeare used this poem as a means to bring this is issue to his audience’s attention.

Mother Nature has a set course, and by no means deters from it. Death is a part of that course. Whether we like it or not, no matter what we do old age and then death will ultimately catch up to all of us. When that time comes we can look back at the beautiful times from our vibrant times as a youth. However, just like leaves they fall and pass away. Shakespeare used autumn as symbolism as for what’s to come next in life, meaning death. Twilight is the time just before the sun rises and a new day starts. Death is like the twilight before the day you might pass on. The sunset is the close of that day, an ending of what has happened. Finally the burning out of fire is Shakespeare’s last plea. Enjoy the time that you have before it’s gone. Autumn, sunset, fire dying is all things a part of a bigger cycle. They must occur for those cycles to continue. None of them can be stopped or avoided. It must happen, just as death must happen. Shakespeare uses great metaphor and symbolism to convey his warning. His life is ending and he can hardly believe it. Perhaps he should’ve held on to his loved memories a little better before his fateful day had approached.