The Feminist Movement

http://site.ebrary.com/lib/yavapai/docDetail.action?docID=10053805&p00=feminist%20movement%20united%20states

Ashleigh Seipel
Laura Cline
English 102- Online
6 April 2011
The Feminist Movement
The topic I chose to write about relating to Atwood’s text is The Feminist Movement in the United States. I chose this topic because of how closely it relates to the book, “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The Feminist Movement was a time when women were restricted of all their rights including; no political rights, they were not able to run for office, and they also were not allowed to vote (Magnus Hirschfeld Archive for Sexology). The Feminist Movement relates to one of the main characters in “The Handmaid’s Tale”, Offred. After getting caught at the border with her husband and little girl, she is taken to the Red Center, where she is also restrained from freedom and all of her rights. Offred only job was to serve the Commander and his wife by conceiving a child for the two. Why were these women captured at the border without choice and taken to the Red Center? What women were actually able to get away and not forced away from their families? Learning about the Feminist Movement in the United States will further my knowledge about the novel because of the close relations they share with one another. Many of these women during this revolution disagreed with the matter and wanted to actually be a part of the political world, rather than just to be used for their sex organs in reproduction. What were Offred’s emotions, thoughts, dreams, during this time of her capture and forced being a Handmaid among the Commander and his wife Serena Joy?

My challenges

Ashleigh Seipel
Laura Cline
English 102-Online
22 March 2011
Challenges
In every class, I seem to face many different challenges just as any other student may do the same. Last semester in English 101, I received an A in the class for the hard work I put into the class and completing all my papers, assignments, and tests. We didn’t do too much reading like we do in English 102. I know I am a good writer, especially when I am focused on a subject I am interested in. The biggest challenges I have faced so far this semester in English 102 would be doing the assigned readings for the class. Even though I consider myself a good writer, I still do not enjoy reading for the most part unless I find a book I am greatly interested in. Doing the analysis for the reading can sometimes be a hassle as well. No matter how hard of an assignment or a paper can be I will always find a way to complete it with my best efforts. The literary analysis can be challenging compared to any other writing project in most English classes. Even though it seems like a simple task, I do struggle with it at times. Even if it’s a hard analysis, I will do my best to complete it for a good grade, whether it’s asking for help or re-reading any chapters of the book as needed.
My goals for the second half of the semester would consist of doing a better and more detailed job when writing my literary analysis and work on staying caught up with my readings. I always finish my assignments but sometimes it’s hard for me to stay caught up and not get behind with my online classes. In my opinion, it’s easy to physically go to class, complete all of your assignments, and take tests, etc. rather than having an online class where you aren’t forced to do it at a set time of day. I usually do my online classes when we have to go to study tables for softball that way my mind is set on doing homework in the library so I can block out any distractions. I want to be able to give myself more time to complete papers especially. I procrastinate my writing way too much and I need to set aside more time for planning out my outlines, rough drafts, revising, and finishing it to perfection.
I want to be able to accomplish the grades I want to have, an A. I got an A in English 101 last semester, so that is what I would like to get this semester in English 102 as well. As of right now I have an 85%, so I am inches from getting it up to the grade I would be satisfied with. My grades were also average in high school, but now in college I strive for excellence with everything I do. I want to get at least B’s in my classes, but having A’s would be even greater. I know I can complete the challenge, I just need to keep putting my full effort in all of the assignments that come my way and I will be able to reach the grade that would content me.

The Sand Storm

Ashleigh Seipel
Laura Cline
Enlish 102- Online
13 March 2011
The Sand Storm
After reading the book, “The Sand Storm” by Sean Huze, all sorts of different emotions were going through my head. The book was very powerful and an emotion piece about the war in Iraq. The Sand Storm was a very detailed story that informed the audience about the on-going war. A lot of people aren’t aware of the current situations going on over in Iraq, while The Sand Storm is able to share the information about the war. It’s an incredible and touching story told in the eyes of a soldier. The things the soldiers have to go through are unbearable. The massacres are the most upsetting subject to read about through the book. They don’t have the choice to choose who they can kill obviously, but it’s an emotional setting for them to be doing what they are trained to do. I couldn’t imagine the events that the soldiers have to go through in Iraq. I personally think this book acted out into a play would be a very touching matter, but also an amazing play in general. Sean Huze did an overall amazing job on writing this book.

The Sand Storm Link

http://www.alternet.org/world/20358/

The Sand Storm visual

Visual

Soldiers of War

Ashleigh Seipel
Laura Cline
English 102- Online
20 February 2011
Soldiers of War
In the beginning of the story, “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’ Brien, the audience is introduced to an odd character by the name of Lieutenant Jimmy Cross in the Alpha Company. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross has an eternal love for a girl from his college in New Jersey named Martha. Even though she shows no love in returns, Lieutenant Jimmy Cross carries her letters and a good luck pebble in a reminder of her and one of the emotional burdens he faces. The Lieutenant is one of many soldiers who confront tension between reality and fiction. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross in stuck in a fantasy, believing he will end up with his love, Martha, after the years of war is over. Unfortunately, he becomes negligence after witnessing his fellow soldier, Ted Lavender, die. In the chapter, “The Things They Carried”, may represent a conflict between love and war. The Lieutenant has his mind puzzled on whether or not she is a virgin, and what the reasons are of her ending all of her letters with, “Love”. After finally realizing the true distraction of his problems, he becomes distance with Martha by burning all of her letters and pictures. Lieutenant Jimmy Cross states, “That it is better to be loved than to lead” meaning how the experience reveals the death of his fellow soldier. Tim O’Brien used detailed imagery on what the experience was like in the Vietnam War. The author states facts to benefit him when giving him a clear setting. Tim O’Brien was able to be clear and detailed when writing about the Vietnam War and the struggles of the soldiers.

The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried Link

http://www.jvoegele.com/essays/things.html

The Poems of Wars

Ashleigh Seipel
Laura Cline
English 102-Online
11 February 2011
The Poems of Wars
The two poems I chose to write about is, “Photograph from September 11” by Wislawa Szymborska and “Letter Composed During a Lull in the Fighting” by Kevin C. Powers. My reasons for choosing the first poem, “Photograph from September 11” because the tragic catastrophic event that happened on the 11th day of September in 2001. The terrorist attack that very day affected millions across the world, even if they were not involved in the attack. I remember where I was that day, getting ready for school when I asked my mom what was happening on the television, as she proceeded to panic.
I reacted so strongly to the poem because even though I was not present for the attack, it still affected me as an American. “Photograph from September 11” is an astonishing poem that describes the flight of the falling man and the last moments of their lives.


The author stated:
“The photograph halted them in life,
And now keeps them
Above the earth toward the earth.”
This stanza is powerful because it freezing them within their last minutes of life, their “photograph”. Every line of the poem creates a scene of imagery and description to pay the respect of the victims.
The second poem is a touching poem about a solider at war. Even though the poem, “Letter Composed During a Lull in the Fighting” was only three stanzas, it gives a complete image of a soldiers’ perspective. Kevin C. Powers writes,
“I tell her in a letter that will stink,
When she opens it,
Of bolt oil and burned powder
And the things it says”.
I reacted to this line the most because it gives me an immediate image of a solider writing a letter after long days of battle, writing with anything he can find, just to be able to let his loved one let them know he’s alive. It’s a poem you have to read a few times to understand it’s full meaning, but once you get the idea, the meaning jumps out at you all at once.

"Letter Composed During a Lull in the Fighting"

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/kevin-c-powers

"Photograph from September 11"

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1996/szymborska-bio.html

Sam Hamill Link

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/733

Sam Hamill Blog

Good Reader Visual

What Makes a Good Reader

http://dictionary.reference.com/

Week 2- Reading Questions

Ashleigh Seipel

Laura Cline

English 102

27 January 2011

Week 2- Reading Questions

1.)    What does Nabokov think makes a good reader?
      A good reader is someone who has a good imagination, memory, dictionary, and an artistic sense. Nabokov believes that you don’t “read” a book, but you are simply rereading it, page by page. Nabokov states, “Behave towards a book as we do towards a painting”, meaning use the same depth with our eyes as we look into a picture, as we do when we look into a page filled with words. When it becomes a struggle to starting out to reading a book you are force you read, be open minded and use your imagination, just as the author did creating the book. An artistic harmonious balance between the reader’s mind and the author’s mind is Nabokov’s way of making a good reader.

2.)    Do you agree?

      I agree with Nabokov because he has three strong points on being a good reader: Having a good imagination, a refreshing memory, a dictionary, and an artistic sense. It’s hard to read a book that you aren’t interested in or focused on. Just as Nabokov used as an example, read a book as if you are studying a painting. I agree that you should be attached to the book by using your imagination, putting yourself in the place, and rereading sentences or even pages if that’s what it takes to understand the meaning of the book.

3.)    What do you believe are the characteristics of a good reader?

      In my opinion, the characteristics of a good reader is to be focused, having an imagination, and interpreting the words into a meaning that you can understand for yourself. Without being focused, your minding could be wondering anywhere, which could lead you to missing important details of the book or even not understanding the meaning. Imagination is an important key to reading because you are able to explore the endless possibilities of what could be happening in your book, but not getting mixed up with fantasy and reality.

4.)    Do you consider yourself a good reader?

      I consider myself a pretty good reader, because it always depends on what material I am reading and how interested I am into the book. Whenever I am reading a subject I am not too interested in, I tend to lose focus and day dream about something completely irrelevant to the subject. I need to just stay attached and use my imagination to keep my mind focused on every page. When I get a book I am interested in, I won’t put it down. My imagination will expand and my eyes will be glued to every word on the page.

Intro Video