Hello All,
Now that we've finished the resume and cover letter, we will begin discussing and working on the academic analysis and the relevant aspects of effective writing. The first subject we will discuss is the use of rhetorical modes.
1. Read the file I sent via e-mail (and will post to Blackboard).
2. Explain the meaning behind one of the similes or metaphors.
3. Describe one of Joel Sternfeld's photographs from the Strangers Passing slideshow using both sense imagery and figurative description. Your description should be a solid paragraph of 5-10 sentences.
Berkley writes:
ReplyDelete2. “I pounced on every joy like a ferocious animal eager to strangle it.” From “A Season in Hell” by Arthur Rimbaud.
This simile is pretty easy to understand. The author is comparing a ferocious animal pouncing on its prey to how he pounces on every joy. He goes after every joy as though he were acting like a ferocious animal. Although one description (the ferocious animal on prey) can be taken literally and one description (him pouncing on every joy) is more figuratively, the comparison is clear. All in all, he doesn’t let any joy get away from him in the same way that a ferocious animal doesn’t let anything get away from it.
3. I will be describing the photograph “Real Estate Brokers, Westwood, California, May 1988.” My first thought about this picture is, “What a boring job.” These two people looked as bored as a child forced to sit in front of a blank wall. I imagine that this large room is so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. There are so many flowers in this room that the smell is that of an English garden. There are many right angles in this photo, and all of the tables are perfectly lined up. The bland colors of the room are cold.
Thu writes:
ReplyDelete2. "If you were the wind and I the sea". From "After Love" by Sarah Teasdale.
I believe the meaning behind the metaphor is that the author is expressing her relationship between her and her significant other. She calls him the wind and her the sea. It makes me think that they are side by side, however they could never really be together.
3. I will be describing the photograph "A Homeless Man with His Bleeding" New York, New york, July 1994. When I look at this picture, I see a man who is in pain. His facial expression tells me agony, fear, and anger. I see him almost half naked, which fits the description of this picture. His red shoes, capture my eyes and lets me imagine that he is bleeding deep inside. His skin is rough, worn out, and tired. He has no shirt on but only sheets and blankets that he carries over half of his body.
Kimberley:
ReplyDelete2. You were the wind and I the sea." From "After Love" by Sara Teasdal.
When I look at this metaphor two things come to mind. The first thing that I notice is that it is in past tense. The second thing I notice is it is equating two things that are close together. I believe that Sara Teasdal is explaining the connecting that two people use to have. The wind and the sea make contact with each other frequently and I believe that the narrator in this poem is longing for their significant other to come back and make contact with them.
3. I will be describing "Real Estate Brokers, Westwood, California, May 1988". One of the first things I notice about this picture is that everything is set up the same in this room, a mirror like image. The flowers are placed in the same spot on all the desks and the phones as well. The next thing I notice is that the flowers look like they would have little fragrance. When looking at the picture, I get begin to hear phones ringing and a lot of talking all at once. This picture looks like this room would be quite noisy. This room would probably be a warm temperature. Since there are a ton of desks, I assume there would be a ton of people in the room at once, which means lots of body heat. Lastly the people do not look appeased to be where they are at. They look like they had a long night and need some rest. This place does not look peaceful at all.
Chelsey Brown
ReplyDelete“The sun is a red blister coming up in your palm.” From “A Red Palm” by Gary Soto.
This metaphor sets up a scene of pain to joy. Too much of anything good will leave you a scar for life. The sun is the good in life but when not treated right can result in an ugly reminder of pain and stings. Taking in that much sun you need sunblock and some gloves. Slowly it comes about but with too much good without boundaries you will result in pain.
I will be describing, "Surfers Passing, Salmon Creek Beach, California, August 2000" by,Joel Sternfeld. In this photo I can taste the salty air from the ocean. I feel cold because it's overcast out and the ground is dry and lifeless.The sound of the waves lapping the shore becomes soothing to the ear. The definition in the cliff worries me for the safety of the two surfers to make it down to the beach safely. The two guys in the picture are let down by the wave size and are questioning whether to just book it home or wait it out.
Joel Sternfeld's Photographs: Strangers Passing
ReplyDeleteAnguish stricken face of many passing holiday’s that leave a scar upon the sidewalk. The sidewalk who’s true friend is the homeless and helpless souls looking for a place to stop the reality of a gravel laden path. It is the path to redemption, the path to today, and the path of tomorrow. It is the vulnerability of one’s true self and the raw distinguishing features of yesterday’s masquerade which reflects in tomorrow’s stage. The homeless are but actors upon a stage of a play that has yet to be written, and forgotten. A forgotten play that is subjected to the punishment of concrete thespians who have no director’s notice of conscious. It is the conscious that chooses red shoes in the hope of that they will lead out of the concrete world, and out of desperate desires. Desires are but treasures of the heart and a man must be their servant. One cannot love without desire, and one cannot hate without love, and one cannot find their way home without forgiveness.
Val Lewis
English 305
Gaia Yarber
ReplyDelete2. I chose the 5th choice for the metaphor;
“You were the wind and I the sea.” From “After Love” by Sara Teasdale
The author was trying to show the grandeur of two forces that think they need each other to survive but do not. Even though they get so close to each other they do not in fact fully work together. It is a classic case of thinking you need the other to survive but in all actuality they do not. They get very close to being together but unfortunately against their will they never will be. Also the author is talking about two different properties, the wind is something you feel and see the distruction of whereas the sea is fluid something you feel and can tell is there. Maybe she was making a reference to her and her lover that he was flighty and flawed and can only see the aftermath of the dystruction it can bring. As the sea is fluid, blue, and always there, knowing that large bodies of water stay in one place like her.
3. "A Lawyer with Laundry, New York, New York, October 1988"
Photo: Joel Sternfeld, is the picture I’ll be describing. At first looking at the picture you see a man with clothes over one arm and his brief case while trying to get a paper; looks like getting ready for another boring day at the office. My main question where was he coming from with all that laundry, especially for a business man like a lawyer why would he be walking around with laundry since he must be a good lawyer (or we hope he is) considering the clothes he wears he should have someone to take care of that for him. I imagine he is coming home from his mistress’s house, a horrible situation its true but it must be early hours that he is out getting the paper fully dressed and with all his belongings or at least a pile full of clothes over his arms. Or he just might have gotten kicked out of his house from whoever he lives with. We will never fully know but by his face, his posture, and his attitude that the picture grabs he has a secret, something that is wearing on him.
Sasha Velasquez
ReplyDelete" I pounced on every joy like a ferocious animal eager to strangle it." From " A Season in Hell" by Arthur RImbaud
The author uses the imagery of the ferocious aniaml attacking its prey to compare how himself approaches joy in life. It gives the reader a sense of how the author cherishes joy. He is using an expressive way to show the importance of having joy in life. He is using the similie to state that he does not pass up any opportunity of experiencing joy.
I will be describing the "Real Estate Brokers, Westwood, California, May 1988" Photo: Joel Sternfeld. When you first look at this picture you see two workers who are not happy. It looks to me its just another day at the office for them. The repetition of the flowers on the desk and all the vacant seats at desk is symbolizing how those two workers are just another worker in the office. They themselves are just a number in the office of numerous other employes. There is no privacy or serparation. There is no personal relationship between the boss and the employer.
Alberto Panchi
ReplyDelete2.) “A hand turned upward holds only a single, transparent question. Unanswerable, humming like bees, it rises, swarms, departs” from “A Hand” by Jane Hirshfield.
The hand symbolizes the individual. The hand turned upwards holding the transparent question symbolizes life’s unique surprises. Even though each hand has the same look and physical characteristics, we are all individualistic. For example, a mother and son share the same experience from their own perspectives. People experience different things therefore each hand is different based on the character and experiences of the individual. Everything lies on our hands, many thoughts, many questions, but those questions are unknown because no one knows what the right answer really is. The answer could have many definitions, many meanings, and people do not know what will happen in the future, or their destiny. Making up a response for a question that is unseen it’s like fighting to make sense of the impossible. The hand could mean hardships and adventures people go throughout their life; people may have the same questions about life, and they may search for the answer to that question; however, one person may find one answer while another person may find a different answer due to different experiences or different perspectives on the same question. All Those different experiences people encounter during their life are what make the transparent question unanswerable.
3.) As I observe “A Homeless Man with His Bedding, New York, New York, July 1994”, by Joel Sternfeld, my first thought is that I see a man who is going through a lot of hardships, fear, and confusion on the streets. When I look at his face, I can sense anger coming out through his dark eyes. He is mad, tired, and frustrated, but he still standing on his feet fighting for survival. His long gray beard makes him look old and weak, but his rough skin and well build body makes him look strong. The sheet he is holding on his arm seems rough, worn out and dirty as if he’s been facing many obstacles for a long time throughout his life. During the night he probably has a hard time sleeping because he can hear all the noises throughout the city he lives in. He hears the cars passing by, the people wondering around him, the airplanes flying on the sky. Everyone around him going to a certain destination, and all he can do is stand there and watch. It seems that he has no forethought or no logic in his actions as if he doesn’t know how to change his present situation. Throughout the day and night he has to worry about the dangers surrounding him, including gangs, his health, and the weather conditions. His lips look dry as if he is thirsty, and the only drop of water he can taste on the tip of his tongue is the pain he has been going through since he began wandering on the streets. I can see his old age captured on his long sad face, the disappointment, loneliness, sadness, weakness, poverty, and weariness is all projected in the image.
“ I pounced on every joy liked a ferocious animal eager to strangle it.” Arthur Rimbaud
ReplyDeleteIn this simile it is interesting to note the descriptive words that allow the reader to visualize and feel the longing of writer’s heart. The usage of the verb pounced, as in the act of seizing something in this case joy, reveals the immense value joy holds. The writer shows his keen desire for joy by describing his pursuit for it, like an untamed, rapacious creature feasting after his prey. This simile illustrates the writer’s unhappiness and his longing to grab onto any piece of joy that passes his way.
In Joel Sternfeld’s photographs from the Strangers Passing Slideshows, I will be describing “A Homeless Man with His Bedding.”
I stare into the face of an aged man, whose eyes are heavy and face is hard. I see a man who has endured as well as witnessed great sadness and hardship. He seems to be a humble man that goes about his day searching for a nice safe place to sleep on his bedding that once was white. Though he may feel alone, he stands out with his red shoes in contrast to his black pants. The red draws onlookers that pass him by to notice him long enough for a spark of curiosity to discover the story behind the man who wears the red shoes.
Simile: “I would /touch your face as a disinterested / scholar touches an original page” from “The Lost Pilot” by James Tate.
ReplyDeleteThis simile by James Tate has given a picture of a man who does not want to touch someone else’s face by comparing the situation to an unemotional, detached student. There is no real connection between someone touching their face or how a student feels towards a page of text or image. There may be a feeling of hostility from the speaker because when you think of an “original” page it implies that it is important or still significant so maybe the speaker is resisting some kind of temptation or not appreciating the person as they should be.
Picture: "Golfer Teeing Off, Picacho, Arizona, August 1999" Photo: Joel Sternfel.
This photo of a golfer has a lot of bright healthy green grass, trees, and almost clear skies.
The vivid colors and boldness in the photo give the feeling of it being a very succesfull day for the golfer.
The way the golfer himself is standing and the posture he is holding is like he is very proud and victorious.
The surroundings seem very tranquil and calm as there are no other distractions in the photo so all the attention is going to the golfer. The golfing range seems to be so quiet that maybe it is like a prestigious range that professionals or wealthier people are admitted into.
Because the golfer seems so firm looking and confident in himself he is contrasted to the rest of the calm, still surroundings, even by his darker shades of colors his clothes are and his golf club bag.
1. “I pounced on every joy like a ferocious animal eager to strangle it.” From “A Season in Hell” by Arthur Rimbaud.
ReplyDeleteThis simile really caught my attention. I believe the author meant one should not miss or let a good opportunity go by, especially if it’s an opportunity which will bring joy. The author figuratively describes this capturing of joy to an animal eager to pounce and devour its prey. I also think it may mean one should express every joy felt by “pouncing” on it like a “ferocious animal” showing as much eagerness as a animal upon its prey.
2. I will be describing, "Surfers Passing, Salmon Creek Beach, California, August 2000" Photo: Joel Sternfeld. When I look at this picture I can feel the salt in the air collecting on my face and the smell of sand going up my nose. I can hear the seagulls fighting for a scrap of food and feel the cool morning breeze in every part of my skin. I can hear the waves crashing onto the small rocks on the shore. The sand feels cold and wet as it seeps in between the surfer’s toes. The surfer’s hands are cold and feel like ice sculptures as they grip their waxed surfboards and make their way down the chilly chocolate hill. Although the surf does not seem pleasant it’s a perfect morning to be out surfing.
1. "The sun is a red blister coming up in your palm.” From “A Red Palm” by Gary Soto.
ReplyDeleteThis metaphor describes the intensity of the heat and the color of the sun. The writer creates a tactile imagery of the heat felt from the scorching sun by using blister as an example. And he also creates a visual imagery by using the word red to describe the color of the sun. This may be difficult for some people to understand because they may have never had a blister on their hands. Nevertheless, this metaphor uses tactile imagery and visual imagery to create an image for the reader.
"Real Estate Brokers, Westwood, California, May 1988"
This picture depicts a brightly lit office, which is about the size of a concert hall, with two people (man and woman) prominently sitting in the front, sternly looking at the camera. The grim on their faces look like they’re about to have a long night of work in this nearly empty room. Behind them are countless rows of desks that end with a glass window that reflects the room. On top of each table are red and green-colored flowers sitting inside a vase.
2.“The sun is a red blister coming up in your palm” from “A Red Palm” by Gary Soto
ReplyDeleteI believe that this metaphor states is incorporated in the poem to inform us how rough farm labor can be. Sun is used in the context of allowing us to see how intense farm labor really is. Farm labor is done during sunlight, as soon as the sun rises workers are stationed at their job location. The word “sun” can also symbolize the hard work done by the laborers, every day they shall foresee their bodies working extensively. Or the term “sun” can also stand for the blood that rises after a blood blister, implying that it’s a necessity to have blood in our system to live and sun for farm labor.
3. “A Homeless Man with His Bedding” in 1994, picture taken in New York, New York.
This homeless man is conquering the streets of New York in a humid summer day with his bedding that follows him. His face expresses the anger and agony he holds to most New Yorkers. His mouth slightly open lets me think he is angry and wants to speak out. The black wall behind him shows a sign of mourning or perhaps a touch of mystery. The black wall that holds his shadow makes him stand out and allows me to think there is a touch of mystery that we are unaware of. His dirty bedding is the only thing that accompanies him, and the only thing that covers his upper body. This man’s body looks fatigued and rough. His long grayish beard makes him look weak and old. His physique makes his biceps stand out and shows him as a strong man. This man looks puzzled as to why they would be taking a photograph of him, he expresses anger through his facial expression.
"I pounced on every joy like a ferocious animal eager to strangle it."
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this quote I envision a lioness patiently stalking its prey. She hasn’t eaten in days and can’t wait to taste her next meal. She will wait for the perfect moment and then ambush her prey. There is nothing that could make her let go of her prey, save death itself. This can be applied to a person waiting on a joyous moment. They can’t wait for it to arrive and when it finally does, they throw themselves into that moment. They want to soak up every second of the joy. There isn’t anything that would make them miss the excitement of this joyous moment.
“Real Estate Brokers, Westwood, California, May 1988”
The first thought that pops into my head would be pure, monotonous boredom. Everyday, every hour, the same desk, the same chair, the same people. The same white walls much like a prison. No pictures, no visual appeal whatsoever. The flowers brought in for some sort of visual stimulation, to keep the employees from going insane in the dull, drab prison of an office. But even the flowers have blended into the uniformity and go almost unnoticed. These people’s faces say what everyone else wants to scream, “I hate this place!”
John Wilson
ReplyDeletePowell writes:
2. “You are a strewn shattered leaf I’d step on.” From “Abandonment under the Walnut Tree” by D.A. Powell.
Powell is comparing a person to a leaf. Like many metaphors. Few generalizations can be made. The strewn shattered leaf implies that the person is in a state of detachment, physically or mentally. It can be assumed that the person has been through an ordeal that has caused him or her to be scatter-minded; maybe from a heart break or another action that ended with failure or disappointment. The person may have also lost their lively luster just like a leaf would after falling. Stepping on an already scattered and broken leaf suggests that Powell has no remorse or concerns for the person he compares the leaf to. This quote resemble the “kicking someone when they are already down” phrase.
3. I will be describing the photo “A Homeless Man with His Bedding” New York, New York, July 1994” by Joel Sternfeld.
My first thought of this photo was “why does this person have a blanket, but no shirt.” Then I looked up the weather at the time of the picture and the average temperature was 79°F. The blanket suggests cold weather, but it looks as warm as a Bakersfield summer. The shoes that he is wearing are as bright as traffic cones in a construction site. His crossed-posture is that of a frightened child. His pants are so dark that his lower half blends into the wall like a soldier in camouflage. The man’s beard is so white that they resemble icicles. His face screams anguish and sadness. His beddings look as damaged as the wall in the background.
2. “I would /touch your face as a disinterested / scholar touches an original page” from “The Lost Pilot” by James Tate. This simile is interesting because it is simply about someone losing interest in someone else. One key word is "disinterested" and that strongly shows the lack of necessity this person has. When the writer states "like a scholar touches an original page" this shows how even scholars who study and read texts, would want more in depth writings than just an original page. This simile also caught my attention because it sounds cruel in a way. For instance, the writer stating he is disinterested in touching one's face, is not very flattering.
ReplyDelete3. "A Lawyer with Laundry, New York, New York, October 1988"
Photo: Joel Sternfeld
This photo was amusing because there is a man in a suit with laundry hanging from his arms as he is turning the page of a newspaper. This depicts the busy city life and how even those business men are normal like everyone else. He doesn't look very pleased to have his picture taken but the way he is straight in the middle of the photo, makes the picture appealing. The trees and bright sun that cast them in the background also make the photograph look very modern and city-like. It also caught my eye that he leaning towards a dirty pole, but that just gives the New York city vibe.
1. “You were the wind and I the sea.” From “After Love” by Sara Teasdale
ReplyDeleteNoting the name of the poem, I believe the author is referring to a lost love as the wind. The wind stirs up the sea causing waves and tides. She is comparing these waves and tides to emotions felt when they were in love. The use of the past tense, along with the title, gives the reader reason to assume they are no longer together and in love.
2. "A Homeless Man with His Bedding, New York, New York, July 1994" Photo: Joel Sternfeld
A homeless man stands shirtless, his arms wrapped around a dirty blanket. He smells like automotive oil. His skin is dark and salty. His beard, long and graying, looks like the bristles of a scouring pad. His pants rest on his red shoes like black ink on a valentine card. He stands in silence but his story is heard by many. He is homeless. He carries his bedding by day as his bedding will carry him by night.
Stacy Box
“I would touch your face as a disinterested scholar touches an original page”
ReplyDeleteIn this passage, the writer portrays to be an impartial person touching the face of a dead individual whom he refers to as an original page, signifying a clean slate or fresh start. The writer appears to imply that he would treat this individual as he would anyone else in the given situation by setting any differences aside. He would continue to honor and respect the individual despite any possible anger and make that day the first day of the rest of his life feeling free of any agony this individual may have caused him.
“A lawyer with laundry, New York, New York”
New York is a busy city but in this photo, this street looks as uninhabited as the North Pole. The street may reflect how the lawyer feels as well; he is as lonely as an old abandoned house. His facial expression appears yellow as if afraid to face his trials, both literally and figuratively. The fact that there is not any activity on the street could signify that it is a weekend; it is possibly a Sunday morning. His disheveled hair, pale-colored face, and the fact that he is caring his pajamas gives the impression he may have been kicked out of his house and spent the night in a cheap motel and soaked himself in liquor.
Araceli Ramirez
Anita Mejia
ReplyDelete2. “The sun is a red blister coming up in your palm.” From “A Red Palm” by Gary Soto.
The name of the poem is "A Red Palm". The name says it all. I believe the author is referring to his sore/blister in his palm, developed during a long day of work under the sun. The sun is the cause of his blister in his hand, therefore his blister in his hand is the sun.
3. "A Homeless Man with His Bedding, New York, New York, July 1994"
Photo: Joel Sternfeld
A homeless man with a long gray beard. Emptiness in his soul can be seen thru his face. Pain and frustration each minute it passes by. Purpose in life there is none. His blanket represents the dirt found thru the tough roads. His red shoes are as bright as the street lights. No shirt on him is no protection. Loneliness, hunger, and tiredness
lived in slow motion just like the slowly beats on a dying patient.
as the heart beats in each minute
"The wrath of the lion is the wisdom of God."
ReplyDeleteThe lion is seen as the king of the jungle so to speak, of animal kingdom. It is strong, powerful, aggressive, but yet can be gentle when called for. Compared to God who works in the same manner, he is seen as the strong all powerful one. Just as a lion can be strong and aggressive at times, so can the wisdom of God be. At times it may come as gentle as a whisper and at other times as aggressive as the wrath of a lion.
"Real Estate Brokers, Westwood, California, May 1988"
Photo: Joel Sternfeld
Slouched over, shoulders hanging over his body, it is transparent that the gentleman is not excited to be part of this real esate broker team. His body language is clearly stating that he has had a long day and is already exhausted. From the immaculate background it is obvious that the meeting has not even begun to start. The room is perfectly organized with fresh flower vases decorated neatly on each table. The woman's blank stare is saying a thousand words that we cannot hear of her wanting to get out of that office as soon as possible. From the phycial distance between the two employees, it is clear that they do not work closely together and may be competitors. Their faces show frustration, tiredness, and sadness. The employess are not enjoying their jobs at this particular moment. The blank stares on their faces make it very evident that their jobs are stressful and they are in much need of a break.
The metaphor I chose is:
ReplyDelete“You were the wind and I the sea.” From “After Love” by Sara Teasdale.
To me, the author is trying to explain what it feels like to be in a doomed relationship. Here you have to great powers of nature that should be admired in their own right, but each considerably different than the other. The wind is swift, wild, formless, and free; the sea is vast, deep, and unpredictable. Both are powerful and beautiful, but so different that when they come together, a disaster is bound to happen.
“Real Estate Brokers, Westwood, California, May 1988”
Here they are, two real state brokers sitting in this lavish room, looking as lonely as the last two people on earth. They both seemed to be smiling a bit, but you can definitely see the loneliness in their eyes, like a deep chasm with no end. There is no emotion, nor trace of excitement or color in their lives. As if their souls were ripped out of their bodies and only hollow shells stood their in front of the camera. They just sit there looking like statues of a decaying long lost civilization; lonely and miserable.