Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Macon X

Everything is ending. The school year, season 8 of Grey's Anatomy (tragic), and especially, Song of Solomon. All the good things come to an end. I must accept I've enjoyed the book. At the end it did start to elongate, but towards the end Morrison picked up some speed. I was blown away when Guitar killed Pilate. I mean, Pilate was always invincible. At least this was Macon´s perception of her. And pereceptions change. My perception of Malcolm X shifted enormously today. I always imagined him like Ruby Bridges, a hero since childhood. Instead, I discovered he was one of those African-Americans who try to leave the African partnbehind. And he´s just like Macon Dead. They would literally be best friends. I mean it. both are complex characters that undergo mayor changes throughout their lives. They begin as African-Americans obsessed with resembling the white man. Then, some extaordinary consequence moulds each into new man. Macon stops being self-obsessed and in his search for wealth understands the importance of belonging and family. On the other hand, when Malcolm was a convict he realized what both the Seven Days and the Black Panthers preached: Black is beautiful. Both men then became proud of their roots. 

I didn´t address a more rhetorical perspective because Song of Solomon was quickly outshined by Malcolm X. He is the perfect example of rhetoric moving masses. His ceremonial register, his use of chiasmus (along with othe rhetorcial devices), and concurrent use of pathos and ethos, combined with the sensitive topic many could relate to, made Malcolm X a succesful orator. 

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Black Panther Party vs. Seven Days

So I'm so responsible I'm watching the movie "A Huey P. Newton Story." I'll be analyzing and commenting on it and will try to relate it with Song of Solomon. 

JK. I swear that I can't find a way to watch the movie online. I'll just read a summary on the plot. From what I've understood Huey P. Newton founded the Black Panther Party, a group with the objective of protecting African-American neighborhoods from police brutality. Right off I am reminded of Song of Solomon. Guitar is part of a society called the Seven Days. They murder a white person for every Black person killed. This way they keep the ratio equal. Both societies are groups of African-Americans who fight racism in their own way. 

I was finally able to watch the video! Newton says his party wants equality overall. This means having jobs, food, rights, etc. Sounds like unhealthy African-Americans in Song of Solomon are looking for this. They want to reach this ulterior goal. On the other hand, I don't see Macon trying to achieve these things. He is already satisfied with the material wealth he owns.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Videoloser



I hope you enjoy it! I'm sorry if you feel it's too long I had a lot to say.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

America, the Land of the Free

The Tuskegee Institute in Alabama was a "historically Black university... founded by African-American educator Booker T. Washington." This univeristy was well-known because of its "strong emphasis on industrial education as a way for the black emerging from slavery to gain an economic foothold." He noticed that the leaders of the American indutry were giving jobs to the immigrants that entered the country between 1890 and 1920 instead of the African-American ex-slaves. Washington's bucket concept reminds me of Macon Bacon. Or Macon Dead. Hahaha I was so not paying attention. This concept creates a marked difference between races and in these, between the wealthy and the poor. Without the help of the White after they were granted freedom, many African-Americans strived to improve their lifestyles. This is how people like Macon Dead appeared.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

What is Morrison's objective when naming her characters?


I believe Morrison's objective when naming her characters is ti give them depth based on the Bible. For example the Biblical figure Ruth was "a model of loving-kindness" and that "she acts in ways that promote the well-being of others." She is both loyal and obedient. In Song of Solomon Ruth is obedient to Macon's orders because she is better off withstanding the physical and psychological pain than being poor in such a harsh moment for African-Americans. I believe Ruth is complex because I'm not sure if what she does "promotes the well-being of others" or just avoids including her children in her fights.  






Hagar, on the other hand, was a slave. When her mistress and her husband realized they were unable to have children, the husband impregnated her. She realized this and hated her mistress. Because of this the mistress mistreated her and Hagar fled. I have not finished the book but might think Hagar may flee Pilate's house. That's my prediction. We'll see that it is fulfilled. 

Friday, April 26, 2013

Tree Woman

Not too relevant, but Hagar reminds me of my mom. Milkman says she's one of those people who like everything and prefer nothing." Just like my mom, who likes music but doesn't listen to it, likes doing sports but never practices any of them. Just a small anecdote.
More on Hagar, Milkman's lack of interest in Hagar because she was so easy is like working hard to reach a goal. When your finally achieve it, it lacks all purpose. 

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One of the questions we decided we would ask Morrison about the book was related to the recurrent topic of female weakness. On page 96 Hagar and Milkman are discussing how Pilate slightly stabbed the guy Reba was dating because he hit her. Hagar is convinced women are very weak and aren't able to protect themselves unless they are as big as Pilate who is the size of a tree (Milkman's words!). I'll be on the lookout for more mentions of this topic.




Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Commas Save Lives

"Dangling modifier." Ever sice I wrote my research paper on portmanteau words I pay more attention to the parts that compose a term, their dennotation, and connotation. "Dangling" has a vague connotation and to modifiy is to change. My wild guess would be that a dangling modifier causes a slight and vague change.

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 I must accept I expected the article to just explain what a dangling modifier is. But, being AP Lang, nothing goes straight to the point. From what I understood, a dangling modifier is related to the inclusion of an extra phrase which modifies the meaning of what's being said in a not-so vague way. I did have to Google it. I believe the wrong use of commas is also part of the problem because:
 
COMMAS SAVE LIVES!