"A Rose for Emily"-- Townspeople vs. Homer

If “A Rose for Emily” were narrated in first person singular by Homer, the contractor and Emily's love interest, there would be drastic changes in overall story line, such as the background of Jefferson, which is the townspeople's thought regarding to Emily. The background is essential to the original story line because it brings up pre-existing relationship between the Grierson and townspeople, leading us to believe that the connection between these two provides some sort of clue that the readers can apply to solve what is going on in the story. Similarly, the relationship between Emily and her father creates townspeople's assumptions, which become the readers' clue as well. In addition, there will be much more background information regarding to Homer.

More subtle change can be made if the new narrator were from Jefferson, like Tobe, Emily's servant, or the druggist. Although Tobe is much closer to Emily than any other characters in the story so Tobe's relatively close relationship with Emily may affect the original pov. of story line, the effect of Tobe as narrator depends on Tobe's characteristic. If he cared for Emily and felt interested in her personal life, story may change; otherwise, Tobe would be just other townspeople.

Going back to Homer as the narrator, Emily's true character will become more visible because Homer would spend more time with Emily getting to know who she really is. On the other hand, the background between Emily and townspeople prior to Homers arrival in Jefferson will be hidden because Homer is outsider who came to Jefferson for his work.

The change in narrator would affect the theme, Emily's madness towards her love, because the townspeople may see that her father might has to do with the cause of her madness but Homer would just think he is just crazy person.

Machines of "Loving Grace"

Without giving much thought reading the poem, Richard Brautigan's All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace, it can be summarized as a wishful poem about the coexistence of machines and nature. However, there are several factors that make the poem to be more of an satire, rather than genuine hope of coexistence between technology and organic components.

Brautigan's poem is divided into 3 short paragraphs and the first two lines of each paragraph begins with “I like to think,” immediately followed by “(and the sooner the better!)” for first paragraph, “(right now, please!)”, for second, and “(it has to be!)” for last. The phrase “I like to think” is a wishful remark but it is used as a sarcasm, because of the parenthesized phrases. The purpose of parentheses are to send the message or meaning of previously mentioned word or phrase as direct as possible. However, In poems, poets use more clever way to express their thoughts or feelings into their work, yet, Brautigan uses parentheses to further emphasize the phrase, “I like to think” shows that Brautigan actually does not want or believe in coexistence of machines and nature.

Although the parentheses might be deliberate part of Brautigan's poem, the description of machine and nature are clearly shown. First paragraph take place in “cybernetic meadow,” “cybernetic forest” in second, and “cybernetic ecology” for the last. There is clear progression in the scale of place where “mammals and computers/ live together in mutually” and “deer stroll peacefully/ pass computers.”

Up until this point, Brautigan's poem can be viewed either pro-coexistence or con-coexistence between machine and nature. However, the last two lines of the poem, “and all watched over/ by machines of loving grace.” which is also the title of this poem brings more negative side of relationship between machine and nature. The last two lines give the feeling of restriction, control, and dominance by the machines. Brautigan brings the possibilities of machines and nature being together and pursuit of peace and harmony; however, natures are “watched over” like they have been checked by surveillance camera throughout this poem. In the end, the wishfulness of coexistence is crushed and nature is full of “machines of loving grace.”

Analysis--“Design” by Robert Frost

Images: design, white, dimpled spider, heal-all (type of flower), moth, witches' broth, height, darkness

Among all the images that I listed above, “design” and “white” are essential images in this poem.

“Design” is, as you can see, the title of this poem and it appears twice in the last two lines, which is provides Robert Frost's, the author, thoughts or reasons for writing this poem. Term “white” appears multiple times in this poem and it connects all species: dimpled spider, heal-all, and moth that appear in this poem. These three species might be similar in color; a dimpled spider is the most distinctive of all.

In the first eight lines, Frost describes the dominance of the dimpled spider, preying on heal-all and moth. Further distinction of the dimple spider heal-all and moth can be seen on line four when Frost mentions “Assorted characters,” showing that the differences of 3 species, regardless of unity in their color white. And in line six, “a witches' broth” is a simile to the dimple spider's web to capture the prey.   In addition, “witch” can be directly referring to the dimple spider itself, emphasizing that the dimple spider is “witch” who takes the form of human being. Although 3 species are similar in color, the dimpled spider is somewhat dominant character compare to heal-all and moth.

From line nine to fourteen, Robert Frost asks question why the dimpled spider is different from the other species and points out what made it so dominant. Although Frost only asks why the dimpled spider is different from other species, “kindred spider” on line eleven shows that having similar outward appearance does not necessarily means having the same ability or power. In last two lines, the word “design” appears twice. My analysis up until this point gives me clues that “design” might be referred to as some kind of structure, possibly a food chain or social structure of these three species. On last two lines, Frost shows how horrified he is with the “design” because such tiny species have the 'survival of fittest' “design.”

Robert Frost is telling us that the “design” is the main structure of ALL the species in this world  

slow start

'Slow start' was originally about my consequence as a result of absent in my very first class of Fall Quarter due to lack of awareness in new school year. But after I accidentally deleted first blog post (yes, unfortunately, this is my second one), I realized that deletion of my original blog might be the true 'slow start' of my Fall Quarter, looking back to these first 4 days of Fall Quarter.

The first 'slow start' was missing my first class, which was ENL 3. The night before I was celebrating the Chinese Moon Festival with my close friends eating Moon cakes and playing card games up until 11pm, unable to get a grip of 'reality' called Fall Quarter approaching. By the time I woke up, it was close to 9:45am, just enough time for me to write apologetic letter to Professor Hageman and to buy alarm clock before the next class.

Second 'slow start' was having flat tire the very next day. With new alarm clock, I woke up on time, looking forward to begin the 2nd day getting off on the right foot. I opened the door and stepped outside looking at inflated rear tire of my bike, which was no condition to be ridden. I got to the class but I was 15min late, standing on the very back of the lecture hall. 

And to top it off, I deleted my original blog post...

Were you able to get off on the right foot in this Fall Quarter?