Friday, September 21, 2007
Esaay Topic
The essay topic that I have chosen to write about is a comparison between the writing of Ben Franklin, Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Quotation Responses
"Where I Lived, and What I Lived For" by Henry David Thoreau. Page 25.
"Every man is tasked to make his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour."
When I read this quote, I think of the importance of our individual purpose in life. What this quote means to me is that each one of us has a purpose that we strive to accomplish in life, weather it be wealth or fame. What Thoreau says in this quote is that each one of us has a task in life and even when were at the highest hour of our life, we should still seek to achieve what we are striving for. This quote can also be interpreted in the sense that every individual has a role in life and we each need to stick to the task we are given.
"Every man is tasked to make his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour."
When I read this quote, I think of the importance of our individual purpose in life. What this quote means to me is that each one of us has a purpose that we strive to accomplish in life, weather it be wealth or fame. What Thoreau says in this quote is that each one of us has a task in life and even when were at the highest hour of our life, we should still seek to achieve what we are striving for. This quote can also be interpreted in the sense that every individual has a role in life and we each need to stick to the task we are given.
Quotation Responses
"Where I Lived, and What I Lived For" by Henry David Thoreau. Page 24.
"That man who does not believe that each day contains an earlier, more sacred, and auroral hour than he has yet profaned, has despaired of life, and is pursuing a descending and darkening way."
I believe that this quote can easily be related to of daily lives. When Thoreau says this, he means that every hour of our day should be valued only only the people who treat every hour as if it were our last, will succeed greatly. Those who do not live this way shall have a despaired life and continue towards a "darkening way." Also when Thoreau says an earlier hour, I think he is intending to say that we should not waster the early hours of the day either by sleeping in or we will to continue down the "darkening way".
"That man who does not believe that each day contains an earlier, more sacred, and auroral hour than he has yet profaned, has despaired of life, and is pursuing a descending and darkening way."
I believe that this quote can easily be related to of daily lives. When Thoreau says this, he means that every hour of our day should be valued only only the people who treat every hour as if it were our last, will succeed greatly. Those who do not live this way shall have a despaired life and continue towards a "darkening way." Also when Thoreau says an earlier hour, I think he is intending to say that we should not waster the early hours of the day either by sleeping in or we will to continue down the "darkening way".
Monday, September 17, 2007
Quote Interpretations from Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Self-Reliance" -
1.) "The great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."
I think that this quote means, as hard as it is to follow the crowd and try fitting in, it is key that you as an individual maintain your self views and believe what you want without having to worry about no fitting in with the crowd.
2.) "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind."
I think that this quote is one of the strongest points made by Emerson. What is being said here is that it is everyone's duty as and individual to protect our beliefs and stand up for what we believe in. It also states that it is key that we hold on to our integrity because it will always be our last resort.
"Nature" -
1.) "The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and heart of the child."
What this quote means to me is that man has a harsher outlook on life than a child who has not seen what is out in the world. To a man's eye, the sun is just another object in the sky. But since a child is not as developed in knowledge like men, curiousity and imagination takes over, and a child thinks differently of the sun.
2.) "In the wilderness, I find something more dear and connate than in streets or villages. In the tranquil landscape, and especially in the distant line of the horizon, man beholds somewhat as beautiful as his own nature."
What I understand in the beginning of this quote is that when man leaves the streets and villages that clutter his mind, the beauty of the wilderness allows him to think clearly. The second part of this quote means even outside of the beauty of the wilderness, man is still able to see the beauty of the horizon that outlines the streets and villages that occupy the beauty that is sought for.
1.) "The great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."
I think that this quote means, as hard as it is to follow the crowd and try fitting in, it is key that you as an individual maintain your self views and believe what you want without having to worry about no fitting in with the crowd.
2.) "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind."
I think that this quote is one of the strongest points made by Emerson. What is being said here is that it is everyone's duty as and individual to protect our beliefs and stand up for what we believe in. It also states that it is key that we hold on to our integrity because it will always be our last resort.
"Nature" -
1.) "The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and heart of the child."
What this quote means to me is that man has a harsher outlook on life than a child who has not seen what is out in the world. To a man's eye, the sun is just another object in the sky. But since a child is not as developed in knowledge like men, curiousity and imagination takes over, and a child thinks differently of the sun.
2.) "In the wilderness, I find something more dear and connate than in streets or villages. In the tranquil landscape, and especially in the distant line of the horizon, man beholds somewhat as beautiful as his own nature."
What I understand in the beginning of this quote is that when man leaves the streets and villages that clutter his mind, the beauty of the wilderness allows him to think clearly. The second part of this quote means even outside of the beauty of the wilderness, man is still able to see the beauty of the horizon that outlines the streets and villages that occupy the beauty that is sought for.
Monday, September 10, 2007
07-08 American Literature Class
What do you want to get out of this course this year?
The things that I want to get out of this year include expanding my vocabulary to learning more in depth literature. I would like to learn how America's literature compares to other types. I also want to expand my level of interpreting different types of literature. These are the main things that I would like to get out of American Literature this year.
The things that I want to get out of this year include expanding my vocabulary to learning more in depth literature. I would like to learn how America's literature compares to other types. I also want to expand my level of interpreting different types of literature. These are the main things that I would like to get out of American Literature this year.
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