Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The Mash-Up Sonnet: The Cause



The Cause
To love or not to love is the question.
To express your art of your heart's desire
Will bring you closer to my attention.
Don't close yourself to me and kill the fire,
For that is what I need to move foward.
Oh! don't block me from your FaceBook profile.
What do you have to hide you, you coward?
My heart feels like it was put in exile.
Baby come back you can blame it on me.
I was a phsycopath but now I'm not.
I know this love can grow just let it be.
What?? You think this is a killing plot!?
I guess I will be forever alone.
This thing called love I will just have to hone.


Misconceptions: Power vs. Authority

Power and authority are often misunderstood to be the same thing. They are very similar; however, each word differs in the way it should be used. Power means the ability to cause or prevent an action. Authority means one has the power to enforce laws, demand, and command. You see two very similar concepts, yet used in different situations.

In Act I of the tempest the two most respected characters that fit these definitions are Prospero and Alonso. Prospero has the power to make things happen in his favor. He was able to create a sea storm inorder to desert his brother Antonio and the Royals from Milan onto his island. Why he chose to create a storm  isn't very clear, but the fact that he did emphasizes that he has power and isn't afraid to use others for  his plans. Since he has magical powers he also has the authority to command Ariel to do his dirty work. Ariel becomes a sea nymph to carry the men to shore emphasizing Prospero's authority over Ariel.

Alonso, king of Milan, rules over a grand country which gives him the authority to make and impliment laws. His whole cabinent must follow every word he says and obey what he desires for them to do. His position as king allows him to command those who are below him and his power as king can intimidate people to do what he needs. Although he is a king, he is only king of Milan and the boatswain didn't respect him for it. He doesn't care that he is a king because he doesn't rule over him. This suggests that there is a limited amount of authority and power that one can have.

These two characters exhibit characteristics that make them leaders because of their power and authority. They have different statuses in life, but they are both able to get their way. Prospero has it easier because he has magical powers and is able to manipulate certain situations. Alfonso is limited to only his kingdom and the "friends" around him.

Friday, December 7, 2012

La Telnovela de la Abuela (Gandma's Soapopera)

Since I've been 12 the idea of not doing homework in order to catch my favorite novela hasn't crossed my mind. Those stories always got to me since they are overly dramatic and full of passion. How can I explain. When you hear the cry of a woman and your skin raises because you instantly feel her pain.When the impact of that same woman's hand on the face of her lover stings your heart because you know their relationship is being sabotaged and it's not his fault. In other words you can get so ingrossed into these Mexican drama stories you become a part of the plot. The cause of that epidemic Latinos encounter is due to the Pyramid of Structure which includes the 1.)Exposition 2.) Rising Action 3.) Climax 4.) Falling Action and 5.)  Conclusion. This appiphany occured while I was in Mexico and all my grandma did was watch novels.

Yep, very simple, yet effective. The way these stories work to capture an audience is that the wirter gives the audience time to fall in love with the charcaters then throws a curve ball that the heros must swerve. That obsticle is usually a temptress used to connect the audience to one of the most feared actions: infidility. Through the coourse of 2 months the rising action is in play.The audience is intruiged to tune in the following evening to find out what else is to come. Finally by the 3rd month there is a turning point. Someone unknown to the main character or very close reveals a great dark secret that will help the protagonist fulfill his/her goal. Between months4-5 things either continue to get better. In the love story, by the conclusion the featured couple will get married and live happliy ever after.

All the accounts in thses series are usually never going to happen in real life, but novelas definately provide a story that can distract the audience from their own stressful lives.

Amateur with a Passion

A picture can speak a thousand words. It can capture a peice of time. A picture can melt the sole and bring memories back to life. Senior year is going by as fast as a blink of an eye. Digital Media has allowed me to bond with my senior class and develope photography skills I never thought I could have. Going into this class I didn't know what to expect, and now I have discovered a new passion.

The idea of holding a moment in the palm of my hand is very empowering. Being able to capture someone's beaty as I intake a breath is almost spiritual. The power of that possesed tool can do what I command it to do. It flashes away my stress as I review the final products. Every picture has a unique quality that can exhilerate my senses.

Society and nature are my main subjects. Snapping a shot of a lifeless object, yet brining it to life with just one click is empowering. Being able to look into someone's sole with just one glance of their face. These reasons are why I love photography.


A leaf is like a Performer, vulnerable yet collected.





 





Beautiful: in and out

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Anagorisis and Catastrophe in Ch.21- 23 of Frankenstein

Mary Shelly uses the elements of anagorisis and catastrophe in chapters 21-23 to emphasize the every action has a consequence. As the monster kills off those who Victor loves, Victor becomes more and more guilty as well as repentive. When Victor encounters Henry's dead body he reflects on his actions and admits to the murders os Justine and Willliam. "Two I have already destroyed; others await their destiny.."  He discovers that the monster will not stop until all Victor loves is gone. Although Victor dittaches his emotions from society leaving Clerval as the only moral he has. Clerval's death suggests thata the only pure emotion that characterizes Victor has also been destroyed. This catastrophe was not enough for Victor to quit life. Elizabeth's thoughts lure him to mirrage. He recalls that the night of his wedding the monster will meet him to claim revenge. Again Victor's selfish conclusions seem to be wrong, and due to that Elizabeth is now dead. Her death immediately sparks anagorisis mong Victor Alll along the monster wasn't after him. Like a black hole every vital person in Victor's life is being taken away by the monster.

Hebry Clerval in Ch. 18-20 of Frankenstein

Henry Clerval poses as Victor Frankenstein's jusxtapositon. Although limited to what he can do, Clerval is able to ejoy life and entake his surroundings with pure insight. Victor on the other hand has every possible opportunity available to him, but is tormented by the sinister decisions he has made during the course of his life. While Victor is a dark charcater in the book Clerval is able to bring some innocence and joy to the book. His image of a nice and loving friend portrays him as Victor's white spirit. Clerval is an extention of Frankenstein, someone he will never be; essentially Clerval becomes Victor's clean concience fighting against the devil on the other shoulder. After Clerval's death a huge deal of Victor's conscience dissapeared. There is not a single light that may gleam on Victor's case that would make him seem normal and happy. Those days are over with Clerval; the days of exploring nature and loving life are over.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Virus

Replicate inside my living cells.
Become the infectious agent whom casts his spells.
For there is only one goal;
You must invade my soul.
Whether I live or die,
My last wish is a kiss good-bye.

Let me inside your coat.
Let your feelings afloat.
Inside your hard shell
Hides a whisper who wants to yell.
"Love me for who I am
I promise I am not a scam."

Jonas Salk can't find a cure
For this invasion so pure, so secure.
My blood cells can't bare it.
My heart will split.
The pain in my bones
Have brought me beneath these stones.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Paranormal Activity

Music is the core of every film I watch. It determines whether I am scared, inspired, or hopeful. Music brings life to the actions that can't be brought forth by any words. Music is a language of it's own. When there isn't music there is just silence. Ominous, ere silence. A silence so powerful that it can change the chemical reaction in the brain to feel fear creeping upon the heart.

Paranormal Activity uses the element of silence to convey the mood of confusion and desolation. Emotions that emphasize the supernatural evidence of demons and ghosts. What will happen next? The audience never really knows due to the fact that there isn't any music there to cue them about a certain pop up. All there is in the background is the a humming noise which can cause a bit of paranoia. The director of the piece obviously did this on purpose to give the movie a more realistic feel to it, more like a documentary. I don't think they were certain that the silence would have an effect on the moods of the audience. The power of silence can make a difference in the way people feel and act. It didn't help that the theater only had 8 people in there, so it made the movie a little bit more intriguing.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Chapters 11-12: Abnormal growth and understanding



After two weeks of being created, the monster begins to understand what survival means. His skills were acquired at a much shorter time than that of a child. This suggests that the monster's intelligence is much more advanced than that of a human. Although he was made up of many body parts his abilities were so much more enhanced; however, not beautiful. He is able to make connections with his surroundings that allow him to learn how to make fire, how to cook, and how to speak.

His ability to pick up the words the family would most frequently use emphasizes his linguistic ability of just being able to listen and learn, a trait only certain human have. As humans we have different ways to learn.; some learn visually, others learn auditory, and other have to be hands on in order to learn. His capability to listen to his neighbors speak and learn a language complex like French emphasizes the monster's intelligence supremacy over humans. After two years he is able to tell his story clearly and articulate.

Yes, he is ugly and is shunned for it. Mary Shelly demonstrates that one's appearance does not stop an individual from being smart or from learning. On the contrary when one has nothing more to think about than one's physical appearance that is when one is incapable of learning. The monster is over all incredibly smart and not even the villagers were able to take that away from him.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Classism in Chapter 1-2

In chapters 1 and 2 Victor Frankenstein considers his family the most distinguished in Geneva. His father was respected due to his high honor and reputation. He is juxtaposed by his intimate friend, Beaufort, who was also once distinguished, but fell into poverty. Beaufort is still the same man, however his lack of wealth makes him inferior to an intellectual man. This sort of classism seperates beggars from counsellors. Shelly incorporates the fact that those intimate friends remains friends to emphasize the humble nature of Victor's family. That also suggests that Victor's family moral values are above those classified by society. The family may be looked down for being associated with a beggar, but that does not stop their friendship.

Anguish and despair break the weak. Beaufort could not bear being cast off as a beggar. Victor was cast away from society, yet he remained collected and determined to acheive his goal. Being put in categories does not measure the integrity of each person; how he handles being in that category defines a man.

Society not only put social classes on rank, but it put women inferior to men. In Victor's narrative he uses the word "creature" to suggest Elizabeth's inferiority to him. Although he follows that by emphasizing Elizabeth's purity with diction such as "radiance" and light. Men sought the role of the protector such as Alfonse toward Caroline. After her father's death she became more vulnerable and fell in the arm's of Victor's father. She was to be the bearer and care taker of their children. Society would not allow anything more.