Writing Across Modes Collection Post Card Home L. earning and reflecting on Self. O. rdering out of my comfort zone. N. eeding friends to connect with. D. own the Thames, the feel of history. O. n top of the London Eye, clarity. N. ever will forget the experience and lovely people. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Poem: A Day in the Life. Perspective. Perspective is stepping on foreign soil and leaping out of my comfort zone from a cookie cutter town home in wake forest North Carolina. Perspective is adjusting to 26 personalities and trying to find your niche, eager to please but at times missing out on connections. Perspective is a beautiful England afternoon inhaling exotic flowers and napping in the shade of a century old tree. Perspective is a pint. Where you can still hear the spirits of patrons clanging their mugs, in the oldest bar in Winchester. Perspective is striking up a conversation with a local and commenting "I do the same thing" Perspective is an evening walk along the Thames, the sound of waves splashing on the bank-surreal. Perspective is experience and gaining insights of self while engaging with a different culture. Perspective is coming to the realization that traveling is a beautiful experience and coming to the realization. “I really do not have anything figured out yet.� Perspective is the journey, not the destination.
Justin Richards _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Literary Character: Biopoem Meyer Shameless, indecent, nefarious, vicious, debauched.
Created from the mind of F. Scott Fitzgerald, based on the 20s gangster Arnold Rothstein,
lover of Power, loyalty, and Being in complete control, who feels manipulative, competitive, and passionate, who needs intelligence, muscle, and a vision, who gives comfort, wealth, and joy through booze, who fears jealousy, disloyalty, and expiring, resident of New York City, New York Wolfsheim *Literary Character Meyer Wolfsheim from The Great Gatsby Sentence Summaries of England
1) (CHRONOLOGICAL SENTENCE REVIEW) The true spirit of England was built in the early centuries with the opening of ale houses, taverns, and inns which united people and allowed them to make connection leading currently to the importance of a pint a day in your local pub. 2) (ZOOM IN SENTENCE) In the northeast corner of the University of Surrey campus, about half way between Tesco and Tesco Express in Guildford, resides NCSU’s writing and technology scholars. Perfect Room The deep, deep sink into the broken in pleather couch puts you at ease. Immediately, relaxation circulates throughout my body as my eyes heavy and all worries allude me. This is home. The blankets are made of a silky, smooth substance; no other type of material is allowed to come into contact with my body. My torso begins to take its shape morphing into a cocoon of comfort. Wrapped up in the scent of cinnamon; Christmas tree candles slowly burn filling the room, setting the mood for the holiday. This is a happy place. Bing Crosby belts another note, heartfelt songs continue to play off Pandora as we sing along to the chorus or hum softly to ourselves. From time to time there is bickering, on a superficial level, among family members because family creates comfort. The Christmas Story is muted on the television as I nod off into a mid afternoon Christmas nap. Exhausted, from doing nothing, but relaxing, in the basement of my childhood home-love.
biopoem juicy luscious, succulent, syrupy, dripping, dewy, dank, slushy, oozy, saucy,wet son of ron and betsy, brother of zach, uncle of hayden lover of scarlett johanson’s lips, beyonce’s hips, and women’s ---, who feels titillating, seductive, sensuous, who needs passion, yearning, tenderness, who gives bliss, gratification, fulfillment who fears unproductiveness, barreness, E.D, resident of Raleigh, philly ct Justin
Expressive: Poetic
Europe. I become concerned when I reflect back on my experiences. Concerned, I am way too fortunate for this opportunity I have been granted. Traveling has made me realize that my own perception, creates life. Life comes in so many different aromas, exotic foods, and hypnotizing street performers. Life comes in the form of a smile from a beautiful face in a small town alley, followed by a friendship made with a person on the other side of the earth. Life is realizing that all people have regrets and have missed out on opportunities. Life is coming to the conclusion that you don’t have to perceive life in the same way as before your travels. The foreign soil that I left boarding the plane still remains under my feet. As I engage with the people at home, I want them to live the way I lived. The recreation of Life based on my travels. Justin Richards _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Expressive: Poetic Education. Returning to teach I feel I can’t give my students a true education. I can’t take them on a walk along the Thames, or watch them pace nervously up in the London Eye. We can read Shakespeare but we cant watch MacBeth performed live in the Globe theatre. Mr. Darcy was a pleasant character to adore on the page, but how about standing in front of Jane Austen’s tomb and hearing the reverberations from the cathedral. I can’t bring this to them. The ultimate education. But I can. Encourage them to go beyond what they see before them. There is more. Far out in the distance. It can’t even be perceived, being stagnant. But it is out there. A beautiful discovery of self. Opportunity more than you can ever imagine. Education taking that step into the unkown and finding out what it has to offer.
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Where I am From...
Where I am fromThere are rows of ranch houses,Each with their own personality and story to tell, Fresh cut back yards waiting to stain your blue jeans, Where I am From Where I am fromdinnertime is determined from your parents whistle, A pet dog is mandatorySo is traveling by BMX or Huffy, Riding until sundown,Squeezing every minute out of the day,To play Where I am from. Where I am from girls are stupid, Boys rule and play with snakes, Down by the creek was freedom, We curse and scratch our selves, Cause that’s what Dad does, Where I am from Where I am fromEating dinner as a family was the foundation, So were holidays, birthdays, and ballgames. My good buds Butt, Bo, and Eat ‘Em Up,AKA. The Four HorsemenWhere I am From Where I am fromNWA wrestling was watched on the Reg,Putting my kid brother in the Figure Four Leg Lock, DDT, Slingshot Suplex off the couch,But the broken furniture was his fault, Where I am from Where I am fromMy family and friends made me,Lessons learned from tough love, Always supportive and it was always US, To the man I am todayWhere I am from.
SCRIBE REPORT: Loseley Gardens Scribe Report: Loseley
Stream of consciousness: Report A left turn was taken and we arrived at Loseley Park where there was a sign posted that read Ramp 15. Cliff, our bus driver, spent a time of his life living around the park. He used to work at the old ice cream parlor that once existed there a good time back. Cliff assured the bus that Loseley was a splendid place which had everyone stoked for the afternoon excursion. There seemed to be a movie being shot on the grounds because we saw some actresses dressed up in costume attire. It was rumored on the bus that the film was Sense and Sensibility and it would be released directly on DVD this fall. As we made our way to our lunch appointment, several members of the group participated in photo jumps. This has been a common theme during our trip as people attempt to become captured in mid air for their photo opt by leaping into the air. It seems that some members of our group are vertically challenged so this can be a huge challenge for the photographer. Some members attempted to photo bomb by leaping in front of the camera to disrupt the action shot. Next stop Chestnut lodge. Nikki greeted us and all gave us red dots for admission and then we all headed in to eat lunch. The spread was impressive with a choice of tomatoes with banging basil, curry chicken, a salad with salad dressing-holler, cole slaw, mushroom and asparagus based quiche, bread, potatoes, quiche, water, and coffee and sugar cubes. There was no lock on the women’s bathroom which set the scene for a couple of embarrassing scenarios. Lunch was going well until one of the highlights of the trip happened at the back table when Justin was trying to pour water into his glass when he was quoted saying,” I pulled it away prematurely and it started dripping.” And this ladies and gentlemen was the ultimate that’s what she said of the trip. This lead us to our guided tour which included a tour of the Loseley house. Many members of the group walked around the gardens to kill time until the tour began. When 2:20 arrived the tour of the Loseley house began which was built in the 1560s and was where Queen Elizabeth I and James I stayed. The tour included these fascinating facts along with others not documented. -It was a Tudor home bought for around 1500 pounds -The family kept strict records since the beginning of the homes existence. -Certain family members valued fashion over everything in life. -There is a rule that the servants had to be cognizant of and not put their backs toward the queen. -The current owner Thomas More recently passed last week and we were the first group to get a tour since. -Edward the VI possibly was poisoned at 16 to empower Mary Tudor who was a Catholic.
-The family still lives in the home and is currently chilling in the kitchen so they can get tax breaks and they also host weddings and shoot films at the park. -The home was fixed up in 1562 and the queen visited in 1570. -The home faces north to prevent the family catching The Plague. -”cost an arm and a leg” was a saying first expressed by people getting a portrait made who could not afford to get their limbs in the shot because it costed more. -Wigs were fly for both women and men but they began taxing wig powder which sadly ended the run of wigs being fashionable. -There were a lot of pineapples that represent welcoming. -King James I stated in the room from 1603-1606. -Posh Spice even stayed in the King’s Room for a short stay. -Queen Mary was a pretty horrible person, always taking things and never returning them. -The house will remain to be lived in and shared with the public to preserve history. Finally, the group made their way to the bus to wrap up our last excursion of the trip. It was bittersweet because our trip in England is unfortunately wrapping up but what a great way to end the trip.
POETRY WITH SALLY BUCKNER her. I feel her presence constantly with me wherever I go, the way a room would light up when she entered, subtly, no need for attention, just present-no words. a smile through bad decisions. a nod of the head of support, desperately needed at lowest of times, unconditional is an understatement. a bond never broken, kept together, through Love.
Austin (1996-2012) straight brim fitted Braves cap, turned backwards on the front row, attentively, ready to lead the team to victory now remains in spirit, and our purpose to march on. Thick Girls thick girls are lovable, plump, and cuddly full of life, buffet champions and always down for bacon wrapped in bacon. skinny girls are lovable, wiry, with bodies you can palm in your hand, exercise buddies and always down with bacon wrapped in bacon.
Summary Paragraph: Regent’s Park Out on the south of the Inner Circle there is a park with the fine views of Westminster and the city. There is a wide range of facilities including a Open Air Theatre which hosts a various amounts of plays. The Italian Gardens include several different types of plants and flowers that fill the air with a fresh aroma that is soothing to the scenes. The most impressive aspect of this part is not the aesthetics though, it is the friendly atmosphere of nearly a thousand people meeting up after a day at work for recreational purposes. They play sports such as softball, rugby, and soccer to get a good amount of exercise after a day at the office. A range of colorful blankets, some new and some worn from many visits to the park, cover the grounds as people unpack their picnic baskets and distribute food portions to their family and friends. I lock eyes with a beautiful brunette who tastes a sip of wine as she continues her conversation with her male companion. The dark stain of her lips as she smiles from something her companion says makes me miss Regent’s Park even before I leave. The truth is this park that releases such a beautiful vibe does not exist in Wake Forest, North Carolina. As I walked through the park, I felt welcomed and thought to myself, this would be a great way to end the day after a day of teaching in the states. Therefore I left the park envious by the sense of camaraderie and friendships that I observed between the Londoners at such a beautiful area of the world, aesthetically and spiritually.
A DAY IN THE LIFE WRITING
Poem Perspective: Perspective. Perspective is stepping on foreign soil and leaping out of my comfort zone from a cookie cutter town home in wake forest North Carolina. Perspective is adjusting to 26 personalities and trying to find your niche, eager to please but at times missing out on connections. Perspective is a beautiful England afternoon inhaling exotic flowers and napping in the shade of a century old tree. Perspective is a pint. Where you can still hear the spirits of patrons clanging their mugs, in the oldest bar in Winchester. Perspective is striking up a conversation with a local and commenting "I do the same thing" Perspective is an evening walk along the Thames, the sound of waves splashing on the bank-surreal. Perspective is experience and gaining insights of self while engaging with a different culture. Perspective is coming to the realization that traveling is a beautiful experience and coming to the realization. “I really do not have anything figured out yet.” Perspective is the journey, not the destination.
Writing Reflection on myself as a writer. Poetry I have been very disappointed with my poetry writing this summer. Recently I have been in a creative rut and feel that has the most to do with my lack of the ability to originally express myself. When I accessed myself as a poetry writer before this course, I would have said I was innovative with my writing style when it comes to poetry. Metaphors would easily come to me in bunches to the point it was like information overload. As I sit down to write now, I feel that nothing I write is good enough and quite bland. The best way to break out of this creative rut is to get out of being so comfortable. My writing is a reflection of my lifestyle and I feel in order to have something to write about I need to experience more. Traveling opened up my perspective on the possible experiences out in the world. Now I have to be able to articulate those experiences in the form of poetry originally. I am frustrated and am going to walk away from forcing myself to write mediocre poetry. My day book will record my daily thoughts and when I feel inspired I will begin to write poetry again. Exposition Currently I feel very comfortable with teaching exposition rather that writing an expository paper. This may sound illogical, but I am so much better at critiquing my students’ writing rather than being able to compose a strong expository essay for a graduate class. Teaching AP English has improved my ability to write some, but I feel like the biggest improvement has been teaching in the classroom. I have arrived to the point that I rather teach writing which is ironic considering the fact I feared teaching writing more than any other area in the Language Arts classroom. The only way to improve my writing is to continue to write on a regular basis. I am going to
have to take my own advice as a classroom teacher and practice, practice, practice.
Expressive I feel the most comfortable with this type of writing because this is what I do in my day book. This goes to show practice polishes your craft, or, at least, makes it easier to write. Everyday, or every other day, I try to write daily observations in my day book to keep a log of what I have experienced that day. If something is bothering me, I grab a pen. This way I feel I can learn from my mistakes and generate ideas for personal growth. I find it funny that I can’t write poetry, but I find it easy to express myself through daily reflections. Hopefully, my I can break out of my rut but I feel I need a lifestyle change.
EXPOSITORY WRITING 1 Hemingway’s Man’s Man: The Formation of the “Code Hero” from The Sun Also Rises to The Old Man and the Sea. The literature that highly influenced America and helped mold its identity was that of the early transcendentalists Emerson and Thoreau. Their romantic notions filled people with the idea that human beings created their own destiny and the possibilities of opportunity were infinite. Thomas Jefferson founded the country with the belief that if a man put his mind to it, he could achieve anything. Americans bought into these ideas and pursued their dreams in this “land of opportunity.” The concept of the American Dream was created as being attainable by all human beings because life was of what man made it. The literature that Americans read at the time reflected the principles they lived by and these values were embedded and passed on to several generations. It was not until the experienced brutality of World War I that our country’s founding principles and values were called into question. Young men found themselves returning to America after the war with a since of disillusionment because the
concepts they were raised on served no purpose after experiencing such horror from war. About this time a new voice emerged in literature. Ernest Hemingway would create the “code hero” in his novels for this lost generation that negated all these romantic beliefs that once defined our country. Instead of embracing nature and looking toward it for inspiration and fulfillment, Hemingway would argue that, “man is a helpless victim of a malevolent environment, an environment that inflicts violence and pain” (Pidgeon p.90). But what really defined the code hero is how he would cope with a life that is unreasonable and unbearably unfair. His protagonists often had no control over their fate because the world would be their to drag them down. Hemingway would define the code hero, “a man who lives correctly, following the ideas of honor, courage, and endurance in a world that is sometimes chaotic often stressfull, and always painful” (Wilson p. 95). In this case the main characters would become men of action and dismiss all abstract qualities and beliefs (like transcendentalism) and live with self-restraint. Discipline would define the individual as they overcame some kind of physical and emotional wound. Ernest Hemingway would stay true with his “code hero” protagonists and this would be apparent from the novels in his early career with Jake Barnes in The Sun Also Rises until the end of his career with Santiago in The Old Man in the Sea. Both protagonists have to overcome life’s physical and emotional wounds by displaying qualities such as courage and endurance which created the epitome of a Hemingway “code hero.”
When Hemingway sat down to write The Sun Also Rises in the early 1920’s, the concept of having a definitive “code hero” for his main character never crossed his mind. This is a phrase that critics would coin later in his writing career because he was so consistent with the characteristics of his protagonists. Jake Barnes is a young man who has returned from the war impotent because of an injury he received in battle. This unreasonable wound prevents Jake from being in a relationship with the love of his life, Brett. When Jake expresses his love to Brett and desire to be with her, she painstakingly replies, “I don’t think so. I’d just tromper you with everybody”(Hemingway p. 62). Jake is unable to satisfy Brett sexually, so she openly admits that she would have to carry on affairs to satisfy her yearning sexual desire. She is unwilling to give up sex even though she is in love with Jake. Gertrude Stein created the phrase “lost generation” for young men like Jake who returned from the war and found there was no true place for them in this postwar American society. The morals and virtues they grew up with and once found honorable now held little importance because of the bitter experiences of war that were embedded in their mind. Jake refuses to allow not having Brett break him as a person. Even though he has feelings for Brett, and loves her dearly, he learns to keep his emotions in check as other men pursue Brett and her flirtatious personality. The “code hero” was known to keep their emotions in check and act cool at all times because displaying feelings was a form of weakness and never lead to anything but pain. Jake has to not only display endurance throughout the novel to remain
Brett’s friend, but he also shows a tremendous amount of courage to remain by her side despite her promiscuous ways. This holds true to the very end when Brett says,” Oh, Jake, we could of had such a damned good time together”(p. 251) and Jake cynically underplays her statement by saying, “Yes, Isn’t it pretty to think so” (p. 251). The reader has to feel for Jake as he comes to the realization that he can never be with Brett.
But, as in these closing lines of the
novel, Jake shows more composure then all of the other characters in the novel and is respected for accepting his short-comings and not letting this control him. As the world around the other characters crashes down on them, Jake demonstrates what it means to be a man’s man. He has faced reality and understands that Brett is a dream that will never become because of his physical limitations which life has dealt him. Hemingway was cruel to his hero and made them endure the unfairness that life had to unfortunately offer. Jake is a victim but has way too much pride to play this role in life. Later in Hemingway’s career he prided over the fact that his protagonists would take form of what had then been labeled by critics as a true “code hero.” In 1951, Hemingway was fortunate enough to publish his most successful work in The Old Man and the Sea. Santiago would soon become the epitome of what a “code hero” was set out to be. The old Cuban fisherman begins the novel by being on an 84 day streak of not catching a fish. Even his fellow fishermen say they would not be able to withstand such a draught, but Santiago views himself as “unlucky” and tries to make the best of the situation by going out even further in the sea. As he returns from the deep ocean with a
gigantic marlin, Santiago says that, “ A man can be destroyed but not defeated” (p. 103). Hemingway’s protagonist risks his life and nearly dies out at sea, but his endurance and pride allows him to return with the biggest fish ever caught on the Cuban coast. Santiago never cursed his life,complained, or pitied himself because of the unfortunate events that happened. He looked at life as an opportunity to prove to himself he was a worthy fisherman as he went back out to sea to bring an end to his draught. Pain and violence surrounded Santiago as his left hand became crippled, “But his left hand had always been a traitor and would not do what he called on it to do and he did not trust it” (p. 71). Jake Barnes also experienced a physical wound which left him as an outcast similar to the way Santiago has become a crippled fisherman. The two characters have to learn how to cope and deal with their disabilities without bringing a lot of attention to them. Instead of making excuses, they both thrive and realize that the card that they were dealt can not defeat them as human beings. This exemplifies how a “code hero” shows grace under pressure when life could have them at its mercy. Santiago continues on with his crippled hand to cut it open so he can pull in the marlin, and Jake Barnes reaches out to Brett and becomes her only true friend in her time of a need of a genuine companion. Literary critic Dwight Eddins adds an interesting quality to the “code hero” as he claims that they set out to prove to themselves that are capable of achieving their highest personal fulfillment (p.68). Santiago realizes that going out too far into sea could possibly kill him and acknowledges this later when he
claims catching the marlin could have been the end of him. But the “code hero” is programmed to never be content and take on challenges to prove their self worth. Eddins observes this quality in Santiago, “ The thousand times he had proved it meant nothing. Now he was proving it again. Each time was a new time, and he never thought about the past when he was doing it” (68). The “code hero” is always seeking personal fulfillment to prove to himself that he is a real man. This pride almost kills “Santiago” as he barely survives his battle with the marlin but that is of little concern to a “code hero” because they are not afraid of death. On the other hand, Jake Barnes exemplifies pursuing his ultimate fulfillment by futilely continuing to chase Brett despite his impotence. He is not successful fulfilling his desire to carry on a relationship with Brett. That does not stop him earlier in the novel, as he must prove to himself that he is capable of attaining a woman as beautiful as Brett. But Hemingway uses Barnes’s failures to help mold him into a humble “code hero” at the end of the novel. From looking back at the main character from Hemingway’s earlier work, The Sun Also Rises, and then the purest “man’s man” protagonist from his later work, The Old Man and the Sea, one can take note how the “code hero” evolved through his literary career. In Hemingway’s early career Jake Barnes was created based on the concept of the “lost generation” as Barnes came home from the war looking for answers to only find life painful and disappointing. Santiago was created by the much mature and wiser Ernest Hemingway in the later years of his career and life. Just like Santiago, Hemingway experienced hardships in life but by no means was it going to have a negative effect and
break his stoic persona. In the end the “code hero” lived life to the fullest despite any short comings and was a true man’s man. Hemingway lived life similarly to the way his “code heroes” did in his novels with a “seize the day” mentality. He strongly believed in the concept he constructed which he referred to as “nada” in which life had an “absence of purpose, order, meaning, and value in the universe and in human life” (Wilson p. 95). His characters were often out to create meaning in their own life similar to the way Santiago went out to catch the marlin. In the end there would be no complaining of hurt feelings and pain because after it was all said and done, death awaited us all. Hemingway stuck by that belief and instilled these qualities in his characters and this directly reflected how he lived his personal life.
Works Cited
Eddins, Dwight. (2001). Of Rocks And Marlin: The Existentialist In Agon In Camus’s The Myth Of Sisyphus And Hemingway’s The Old Man And The Sea. The Hemingway Review, 21 (1), 68. Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner's, 1995. Hemingway, Ernest. The Sun Also Rises: New York: Scribner’s, 2003. Pidgeon, John. (2006). Ernest Hemingway. Modern Age, 48 (1), 90-92. Wilson, Kristine. (2008). “Black Sounds”: Hemingway and Duende. The Hemingway Review, 27(2), 95.
Expository Writing #2: A Review of the People of London England Hospitality As I walked along Regent’s Park after a day of exploring London I came to a realization. There is something different about this place, and I like it. The park was several acres wide with people participating in all types of activities: softball, soccer, paddleball, picnicing, having a afterwork drink on the lawn etc. I noticed a young man who was wearing a University of Carolina at Chapel Hill t-shirt on and I struck up a conversation. Disappointingly, the gentleman was not from N.C and just owned the t-shirt because it was given to him as a gift, but I was eager to speak with someone since I was alone in my travels. He explained to me that the comradery displayed at Regent’s Park was a daily occurrence and was surprised we didn’t have such a place of unity back in the states. Now, reflecting back on our conversation, we could have this type of atmosphere at the bigger parks I have not visited back home but it couldn’t be anything compared to this. I felt the love of everyone just relaxing and enjoying each others’ company after a long exhausting day at work. As I continued to walk along a soccer ball was kicked toward my direction from a friendly game across the field and the participants were so friendly and appreciative that I kicked the ball back, thanking me repeatedly. And to think the months leading up to my trip that all people would tell me was that Londoners were rude. Since I arrived a night early into London waiting for the group, decided to hit the local pub for some fish and chips and a pint. As I sat at the bar, I struck up a conversation with the local bartender since I was dining alone. She was a middle aged woman who immediately took a liking that I asked for her expertise on what beer I should select for the evening. The pub was not crowded so she gave me an explanation of each beer along with the history of her favorite selections. She had spent some time outside of Surrey which is where I was about to study for a couple of weeks and gave me some tips for my upcoming stay in London. She acted interested when we talked about sports and the differences between football here in
America and soccer in the U.K. We shared some similarities in liking the same European soccer players and teams. I ended up staying for a few drinks enjoying the conversation I had with the generous bartender. When I got my bill I noticed that she had only charged me for two pints. And to think the months leading up to my trip that all people would tell me was that Londoners were rude. Overall, everyone I encountered during my travels of London were more than generous and welcoming. I can’t recall a time when a Londoner was rude and not welcoming. From the hostels I stayed at to the places I visited as a tourist. This was a typical case where the people who were giving me advice about how rude Londoners were probably spent a short time in London or had never visited there before. As I was leaving the airport I struck up a conversation with a woman from London who was visiting the states to see one of her very best friends. We had some down time waiting for our flight and ending up hitting it off. We grabbed a pint and had an awesome discussion about the advantages of living in New York and London. What a great way to end my trip. And to think months leading up to my trip that all people would tell me was that Londoners were rude.