In E. L. Doctorow’s novel Ragtime, the interactions between two characters speak volumes about social expectations of gender and race in early 20th Century America. The characters are the young African-American woman known as Sarah, and the youngish African-American man named Coalhouse Walker Jr. As the story progresses, so their characters develop, and the audience’s knowledge of the social expectations of the time grows.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
On Ragtime - Essay Version - Director's Cut
On Ragtime - Essay Version
Over the course of the novel Ragtime, by E.L. Doctorow, two characters have minor interactions that speak volumes about social expectations of gender and race in 1900’s America. The characters in question are the young African-American woman known as Sarah, and the youngish African-American man known as Coalhouse Walker Jr. As the story progresses, so does their character, and so does the audience’s perspective on the social expectations of the time.
Over the course of the novel Ragtime, by E.L. Doctorow, two characters have minor interactions that speak volumes about social expectations of gender and race in 1900’s America. The characters in question are the young African-American woman known as Sarah, and the youngish African-American man known as Coalhouse Walker Jr. As the story progresses, so does their character, and so does the audience’s perspective on the social expectations of the time.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Placeholder
I apologize for the lack of posts again, but, that is because I am slowly preparing several LARGE posts! Upcoming features include: the essay to conclude the Ragtime portion of the semester, and my ongoing monitoring of #OccupyWallStreet.
Edit: The essay that will be posted to the blog will include the parts that will be cut from the final draft. Consider it the equivalent of the Directors' Cut!
Edit: The essay that will be posted to the blog will include the parts that will be cut from the final draft. Consider it the equivalent of the Directors' Cut!
Monday, September 26, 2011
On Ragtime
I feel like adding some Ragtime Music to this post while I work on the essay. Enjoy!
Ragtime Piano by Royalty Free KingsThursday, September 22, 2011
Dissatisfaction
It was evident to him [little boy] that the world was composed and recomposed in an endless process of dissatisfaction."
This is true for people. People are always trying to make their lives better.
As my (as I am slowly realizing) very wise late grandfather once said: "The richest man in the world is also the most depressed. It is better to acquire than to have."
This is true for people. People are always trying to make their lives better.
As my (as I am slowly realizing) very wise late grandfather once said: "The richest man in the world is also the most depressed. It is better to acquire than to have."
Speaking of the middle class...
I'll let Cory Doctorow (the other Doctorow) do the talking for this one.
Coming Attractions
There is a reason I haven't updated in a while. I'm writing the posts, but they're taking a while.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:St Olaf Ave,Northfield,United States
Friday, September 16, 2011
On Gender
Today, we started our mandatory academic angst phase. In other news, welcome to AmCon.
Questions were asked, mostly along the terms of "Why do people say that something is the natural way to do things?" What is natural? My personal answer after the break.
Questions were asked, mostly along the terms of "Why do people say that something is the natural way to do things?" What is natural? My personal answer after the break.
Social Class
Today we discussed social class. My list of what determines social class:
wealth
appearance
intelligence
being socially adept
interests
philosophy
confidence
REGION
mannerisms
maturity
honesty
wealth
appearance
intelligence
being socially adept
interests
philosophy
confidence
REGION
mannerisms
maturity
honesty
Monday, September 12, 2011
On Ragtime and Plagiarism
The novel Ragtime, by E.L. Doctorow, is our current reading material in AmCon. Now, I have done some digging, and found a juicy bit of info. And I quote from Wikipedia:
"The first name of Coalhouse Walker is a literary reference to the German novella Michael Kohlhaas by Heinrich von Kleist. Many events and plot points are drawn from this story. It has been argued that this is an example of plagiarism on Doctorow's part."
"The first name of Coalhouse Walker is a literary reference to the German novella Michael Kohlhaas by Heinrich von Kleist. Many events and plot points are drawn from this story. It has been argued that this is an example of plagiarism on Doctorow's part."
Sunday, September 11, 2011
9/11
Happy Holidays!
At least, that's what people in the far distant future will be saying about today. In a couple of generations, the true meaning of 9/11 will be lost, just as the true meaning of Christmas has been lost to the greater masses today.
In a few generations, screenings at the airport will be considered to be the most normal thing in the world. I have already embraced it, as a frequent flier from Boston (MA) to Minneapolis (MN) (and sometimes Boston, MA to Owls Head, ME). I have no choice, of course, but at least this time, my limp allowed me to get through security extra quickly. That, and the pain medication. I walked through, using a wooden cane, cynical about everything, somewhat unshaven, and Vicodin-ed up to my eyeballs. Yes, I did a perfect imitation of Dr. Gregory House.
At least, that's what people in the far distant future will be saying about today. In a couple of generations, the true meaning of 9/11 will be lost, just as the true meaning of Christmas has been lost to the greater masses today.
In a few generations, screenings at the airport will be considered to be the most normal thing in the world. I have already embraced it, as a frequent flier from Boston (MA) to Minneapolis (MN) (and sometimes Boston, MA to Owls Head, ME). I have no choice, of course, but at least this time, my limp allowed me to get through security extra quickly. That, and the pain medication. I walked through, using a wooden cane, cynical about everything, somewhat unshaven, and Vicodin-ed up to my eyeballs. Yes, I did a perfect imitation of Dr. Gregory House.
Statue of Liberty (told from her point of view)
Storm
It comes, raging, thundering,
pelting all in its path with rain.
However, I STAND FIRM.
in the calm, before Irene, Hurricane, the
Standing. Waiting. To greet the storm,
head on, facing dark, turbulent skies.
there exists
calm here
but
alas!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Thoughts on the Death of Religion
While reading through Ragtime, I noticed an idea that had been in the news a while back. The exact quote was "Why do you suppose an idea which had currency in every age and civilization of mankind disappears in modern times? Because only in the age of science have these men and their wisdom dropped from view."
A few weeks back, I saw on the BBC News website an article that stated that, within the decade, religion will be extinct in Switzerland.
Now, I'm going to go out on a limb here and state my personal thoughts. (that WAS the original idea here, wasn't it, Prof. Lagerquist?) I've noticed a bit of a trend recently. There are two kings in the world: religion and science. The countries where science is king (Japan, Germany, Switzerland, U.K. etc.) are first-world countries with healthcare, infrastructure, and civil rights. The countries where religion is king (most African and middle eastern countries) tend to be the poorest countries with very high mortality rates and a high tendency to declare war on anything that moves. I can see why religion is dying out.
Thoughts?
p.s. I do believe in a kind of god, one who I have seen with my own eyes. Here is a picture:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
A few weeks back, I saw on the BBC News website an article that stated that, within the decade, religion will be extinct in Switzerland.
Now, I'm going to go out on a limb here and state my personal thoughts. (that WAS the original idea here, wasn't it, Prof. Lagerquist?) I've noticed a bit of a trend recently. There are two kings in the world: religion and science. The countries where science is king (Japan, Germany, Switzerland, U.K. etc.) are first-world countries with healthcare, infrastructure, and civil rights. The countries where religion is king (most African and middle eastern countries) tend to be the poorest countries with very high mortality rates and a high tendency to declare war on anything that moves. I can see why religion is dying out.
Thoughts?
p.s. I do believe in a kind of god, one who I have seen with my own eyes. Here is a picture:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Glen Cove Dr,Rockport,United States
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