Toni Morrison Interview

Summary
During the interview with Charlie Rose, writer Toni Morrison displays immense humility and humbleness when discussing her accomplishments and writings. Morrison then goes into discussing the blights faced by African-Americans in American society today. For example she highlights the lack of black business people and how individuals are forced into jobs that they do not necessarily want, but that they must take in order to sustain a life.

Reaction
I found this interview to be extremely interesting because it does involve a nobel prize winner who is said to be one of the most influential writers of the last half century. I also found it interesting because Morrison offers a brief critique of society, especially dealing with African- American society.

Reflection
In my opinion we should value the opinion of scholars more when it comes to social issues. True they may not have the policy knowledge of a politician but they see the struggles that people face in everyday life, and have the cognitive ability to come up with alternative solution. Also I think the humble attitude speaks volumes about Morrison as a person, and gives American society driven by greed and ego a positive and influential role model.

Simpson Annotation

Summary

In his critique of the Simpsons author, Sam Tingleff, explains that the Simpsons is a critique of middle-class America. He illustrates this by giving examples of specific episodes that offer a satire of specific aspects of American society. One of the main aspects that Tingleff discuss is the critique of American captialism that the Simpsons offer. Also he explains how each character does not display humanistic characteristics, rather they symbolize single ideas. For example Lisa is the voice of reason and logic for all of society and the Simpson family as a whole. Overall, the Simpsons offer much more than entertainment, the shows offers a satirical critique of middle-class America.

Reflection

This reading was extremely enlightnening because, like most growing up, I enjoyed watching the Simpson each and every Sunday. I enjoyed the show for the 30 minutes of entertainment that it offered me, oblivious to the underlining symbolism that was running rampant. It was interesting while reading this article I remembered several of the episodes that the author cited while discussing the real meaning behind the popular television series.

Reaction

This Simpsons is an extremely popular television series because offers families 30 minutes of entertainment, mainly because many families see themselves in the dysfunctial but loving Simpson family. The show offers a satirical look at the methods in which middle-class America operates and the excessive capitalism holds countless families captive. The show is brilliantly written and produce because it tells a entertaining story, but still has an underlining theme of satire and symbolism in every episode.

Time is indeterminate, or undefined.

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2. That individuals who lack confidence feel trapped by their situations, but they should not.
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3. The unfortunate view that individuals housed in institutions are damaged or untreatable.
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Vogler Annotation: 143-173

Summary:
In this portion of the Vogler he begins by discussing the approach to the inmost cave which he defines as the point of the heroes journey where they encounter supreme wonder and terror. In other words this is final approach until the heroes experiences the main ordeal. Vogler then goes on to define a variety of different approaches that the hero may take prior to the ordeal. For example, a romance may flourish or a threshold guardian may stand in the way.

In the second chapter of the Vogler reading he goes into detail discussing the main ordeal that the hero encounters upon his/her journey. Vogler defines the ordeal as the "mainspring of the heroic form and the key to its magic power." Vogler continues on to illustrate the placement of the ordeal, in most stories it exisit in the middle, however some utilize the crisis towards the end as a delayed crisis. Vogler then goes on to exemplifies different types of ordeals that authors employ in their writings such as facing the shadow and youth verus age. Usually the ordeal is a life-threatnening or changing experience that the hero grows from and ultimately shapes the conclusion of the story.

Reaction:
In the approach to the inmost cave we see the hero at their most vulnerable and excited position, just prior to the ordeal. This is where see the hero at face value and can really connect with them on a personal level. As the reader achieves this ultimate connection to the hero the author proceeds to sends them on the most important part of their journey, the ordeal. This is the main obstacle or battle that the hero encounters on his journey and is what ultimately shapes them and the flow of the story.

Reflection:
Vogler does and excellent job of laying the foundation for the inmost cave and the ordeal. He relates the parts of the inmost cave back to a story most everybody can relate to, the Wizard of Oz. In most of our major life expiernces we take part in this approach to the inmost cave, whether it be the summer before leaving for college or studying for final, we all have to prepare ourselves for the ordeal. Vogler illustrates all the different ordeals that a hero may partake in, and we all know what and ordeal feels like, even if it is not life or death.

Questions:
1. What was the approach to the inmost cave in the Kafka readings?

2. Does the subject of the approach effect how strongly you pull for the hero during the ordeal?

3. Does the hero always have to win the ordeal? Or can the villian win and become the hero?

Annotation: Page 127-141

Summary:
In Stage Five Vogler discusses the hero crossing the first threshold which is defined as when the hero commits for the first time to the adventure. There are three basic aspects to the first threshold which include approaching the guardian, threshold guardians, the crossing, and the rough landing.

In the second half of the reading Vogler discusses the allies and enemies encountered during the journey. Vogler implies that at sometime point during the journey the hero will come across an ally to help him accomplish his mission and a enemy that stands in his way.

Reaction:
In my opinion the first threshold can be applied to the heroes journey as Vogler does, but also anything that we encounter in life we must decide whether to partake in or not. Like most aspects of Vogler's heroes journey the crossing the threshold and allies and enemies are instruments that affect every individuals life and decision.

Reflection:
In this particular reading I can really relate to Vogler's text on the heroes journey. I can remember various instances where I had to make vital decisions on whether or not to cross the first threshold. Also I can remember instances where I faced enemies and allies whom I encountered on various journey's. These particular aspects of the heroes journey's can be applied to almost all of life's journey's.

Questions
1. Do all journey's experience the rough landing?

2. Can allies and sidekicks be considered the same things?

3. Vogler defines waterholes as local bars or saloons, can they define any other establishments?

Extra Credit: Week 3

I listened to one of the stories on NPR.com.

Extra Credit: Week 2

I posted my six word memoir on smithmag.net.

Vogler Annotation: The Ordinary World

Summary

In this portion of the Vogler reading the reader is introduced to the first two aspects of the heroes journey, the introduction and the call to adventure. First Vogler demonstrates how the author introduces the hero either through a metaphoric title or prelude, that sheds light on some aspect of the hero and his/her impeding journey. Also Vogler explains that there are various identifications between a hero and the audience, such as the flawed hero or a lacking hero.
Next Vogler explains the second stage of the heroes journey, the call to adventure. Essentially he makes sense of all the different methods authors employ for the call to adventure. For example, the no more options theory which is when the author leaves the eventual hero no more options therefore he must answer the call.

Reflection

This excerpt is extremely eye opening because it illustrate that heroes do not always have to be super human or perfect. Rather in many instances the hero exemplifies flawed or tragic traits that everyday individuals deal with. Also Vogler demonstrates that many times the hero is forced to answer his call to adventure either by lack or need theory or the no more options theory.

Reaction

When we were asked to write a heroes journey tale implementing ourselves as the hero I thought that it would be impossible because I had never considered any of my actions heroic. However Vogler demonstrates to us that any one can be considered a hero because all heroes are not perfect, rather the best or most influential heroes are the average Joe's or the flawed individuals because we as a society can relate to them.

3 Questions

1. How important is the title in foreshadowing the heroes journey?

2. Why would authors employ a prelude to the heroes life?

3. Can you connect with any of the calls to adventure that Vogler list?

Strengths and Weakness

2 Strengths:
My ability to tell the story with detail

The memoir and the connection the heroes journey

2 Weakness

1. Introduction

2. Tying it all together in a cohesive conclusion.

Archetypes: Annotation 2

Summary
In this portion of the reading Vogler demonstrates the different archetypes that characterize the heroes journey. Vogler employs the thoughts of Swiss psychologist Carl G. Jung to define an archetype as a "...ancient patterns of personality that are the shared heritage of the human race." He then goes on to describe a hero as someone who is willing to make a sacrifice for the betterment of society. In conclusion Vogler takes an in depth look at the mentor archetype and how they are integral in advising the hero on their journey.

Reaction
As I stated last week I had never taken the time to step back and investigate the deeply ingrained traits that heroes possess, until Vogler opened my eyes. This reading took that thought to a new level and peered deeper into the heart of the characteristics of a hero. I especially agreed with Vogler's opinion that one of that a main characteristic of a hero is their willingness to sacrifice, because many times we overlook the sacrifices that everyday heroes make.

Reflection
Building on last weeks opinion that we are so inclined to associate with a majority of heroes because they are everyday individuals similar to ourselves. Whether we know it or not, many of us demonstrate heroic behavior on a daily basis through sacrifice. It could be as small as sacrifice your time for the less fortunate to giving your life for your country, each is a heroic act according to Vogler. Also we all can relate to the heroes journey because, like heroes, we all have our mentors who accompany and advise us along our journey.


Questions
1. Can the hero succeed without the mentor?

2. Is becoming a hero a concious decision? Or does that decision lie in the sub-concious?

3. Why is sacrifice so important to becoming a hero? What makes us willing or wanting to sacrifice?

My Childhood Hero

This was a difficult task for me, because as a young boy I was not the type to watch a large amount of television or movies, most of the time I could be found outside with my friends exploring and getting dirty. Then I remembered my grandmother reading me the story of Huckleberry Finn and thinking he was the luckiest boy in the world. I remember wanting to have an adventure similar to Huck Finn where I was out on a river, with my friends (Jim) without a care in the world. This story of Huck Finn affected me because I can not count the times my childhood friends would emulate situations that he did, and explore the woods around our neighborhood.

Then as I grew older and realized the true theme and underlying tone of childhood innocence that runs throughout Huckleberry Finn did I realize that he truly embodies the perfect character of my childhood hero. To this day, I wish that I could find something that made me as happy as pretending to be some great explorer and having no worries, much like Huckleberry Finn.

Practical Guide: Journal Annotation 1

Summary
In Christopher Vogler's essay a A Practical Guide he illuminates the steps that all heroes experience on their journey. Vogler proceeds on to discuss each individual step that the hero encounters throughout his journey. The author illustrates that these steps can take place in real life situations or they involve the hero tackling inner demons and fears. For instance Vogler explains how Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars trilogy defeated his personal demon in Darth Vader, but on the other hand the hero from the Officer and the Gentlemen encounters numerous inner demons that he must defeat to complete his journey. In summation, Vogler offers the reader an illustration of the process each and every individual must complete on their journey to becoming heroic.

Reaction
I found Vogler's opinion on the process it takes to become heroic very interesting and true. I had never taken the time to detach myself from a film, or any instance involving an individual performing heroic deeds, and look at the process it takes to become a hero. It was then I realized that the ten point plan Vogler institutes for becoming a hero did not involve any super human qualities, rather it involved actions and situations that everyday individuals, such as you and me, come into contact with on a daily basis.

Reflection
Continuing with the statement made in the previous section, that, according to Vogler's ten point plan for becoming a hero, it does not take superhuman powers for an individual to obtain heroic status. Rather we all have the ability to become heroes, rather it is a matter of finding oneself in the right environment and making the right decisions. In my opinion, this is why we are so inclined to favoring movies or stories involving heroes, because the majority of heroes do not possess superhuman qualities allowing them to commit heroic deeds, instead they resemble everyday individuals that we can strive to become.

Questions:
Is there more to being a hero than Vogler suggest?

Is it possible for any one individual to become a hero according to Vogler?

Why do we put our mythical heroes on a pedestal? And is this appropriate?

Free Rice

I Have Donated My 1000 Grams of Rice.