These week has centered primarily on our final papers and the study of Islam and the Koran. First, I was pleased with how my paper came out. I had a bit of trouble finding sources that worked with my argument specifically rather than simply generalities, but ultimately I believe that it was a good combination of research and original thought. It was very interesting for me to see how the stories were passed down and the effort that went in to preserving them and their integrity. It was also good to see everyone else's papers and get to hear what interested them. It is surprising how many different topics we all looked at when given a bit of leeway and the similarities and differences therein.
Discussing and looking at the Koran and Muhammed's life was the other major emphasis of class this week. I learned some new, interesting things through my own experiences with it. I watched part of the PBS video posted on the main page and it had some very enlightening details as to Muhammed and his life. I find it interesting that they trace their own roots back to Abraham, even though it seems as if Muhammed received these messages through an angel. In a way, however, it reminded me of Judaism in that it identifies with the Judeo-Christian God but does not recognize Jesus as anything more than a teacher or prophet himself.
The community during this time was also very interesting. Noting that Islam provided a way for everyone to be equal, man, woman, child, rich, poor, makes a reasonable explanation as to why it spread so fast. However, it also begs the question of whether or not we choose our own beliefs based on what makes sense for us or by what we truly believe. (If we convince ourselves to live according to how we think we should rather than by what we individually believe.) However, it was a very interesting documentary and provided some fascinating information. I did not realize that Muhammed had experience in the trade industry or was married. It was also new to see how he was able to use mediation among different groups to ensure that violence would not spread. (Though it was striking that he carried a bow and arrows with him, even though he was a prophet; this seemed a bit in contrast to "He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword" idea of Christianity).
Journal 13 - 11/18/11
On Thursday of this week, I had the opportunity to visit the Ball State Art Museum. It was the first time I had ever been there and I was very impressed with the scope and quality of pieces of art available for students and the public here! Especially in the middle of Muncie, IN, it was interesting to see such a broad and diverse collection of works of art. As I approached the building, it was apparent that it had been there a while and was meant to be permanent. The exterior said that it was a hallmark on campus and that it contained some important things inside. Upon entering, the sculpture court was fascinating to me primarily because it combined classic and modern art in one space. The current modern art installation of bottle caps from the ceiling, while ambiguous or confusing in terms of message, was very interesting and soothing to look at. The marble staircase also emphasizes that Ball State puts a value on art and wants to make a good impression on visitors.
The guiding principle seemed to be allowing visitors to look at works of art in any order they wanted. The rooms flowed from one to the other in a fairly logical way, but within each of these the art was in various cases which made it easy to peruse at one's leisure. The lighting was generally good and helped to support the art, but at times the glare was truly bothersome in trying to see the art itself. The highlight of the museum in my mind was a combination of the Latin American pieces of art and craftsmanship, primarily because that is my area of study, as well as the Greek and Roman coin collections. These were in pristine condition and were very interesting to look at. I would love to take some more time and analyze them and get to know them even better.
As far as the master plan goes, it seemed as though there was an original layout for the art museum to progress in one direction or another around the first and second floors in one loop. However, it also seemed as though there were additions or annexations to what was considered part of the art museum which made accessing some of the collections a bit difficult. Overall, however, the high ceilings of the entrance draws visitors in and encourages them to explore the second floor, where most of the art is held. Additionally, the way in which you can not see the main lobby without being directly in front of an entrance or exit piques visitors' interest as they desire to see what other works of art may be just around the corner.
Journal 12 - 11/11/11
Class this week has been very interesting. I am enjoying "The Aeneid" by Virgil as it seems to have much more literary merit than the oral tradition books we have read. Its focus on different aspects of the storyline is appealing and the more intricate nature of character interactions, while a bit confusing, seems to be more pleasing to me as a reader. It is also interesting to read it from the point of view of the losers of battle. The scenes involving the actual fall of Troy were extremely vivid and well said. This gave me a much better idea of what it might have actually been like, rather than the vague generalizations given in The Odyssey, or the over-glorified versions I've seen on movies. This accurate portrayal gives more credence to the emotions of the Trojans themselves and the things Aeneas has to do to not only survive but to flourish and found a new city.
As for our in class work, I very much enjoyed the breaking into groups and supporting various statements with textual evidence. It was very good intellectually for me because I did not agree 100% with the position we had. This caused me to take a new look at the text and while it did not sway my opinion, it did cause me to examine aspects of the text that I had previously looked over because it did not fall with my own personal interpretation of how events unfolded. It was also good to hear other groups talk and to have discussions about them. The statements were not quite controversial, but because of their wording were very black and white, which was good. It was also interesting to note that very few people seemed to have remorse for Dido as we all seemed that she was either acting rashly or we just didn't concern ourselves with her much.
Proposal
For my research paper, I would like to examine the manner in which Greek plays were presented. By studying the physical spaces in which these works, or their direct derivatives, were disseminated to the public, we can understand more why certain choices were made for the text or characters.
**I think I may want to focus more on the manner in which oral stories are passed down and changed over time. After thinking about the greek play approach, I feel like oral traditions would be more applicable directly to what we have read and could also connect to today.
Journal 11 - 11/4/11
This week's examinations of the Tao and of Confucianism have been very interesting. I am obviously more well versed in traditional Western thought processes, so much of this is new material for me. I enjoyed the readings for the most part, though they were a bit cryptic at points. The biggest thing that seems to separate these Eastern philosophies from Western is the acts of moderation and understanding ones place. In my experiences, the doctrines that have played the most important role in America and the way I view history have their roots in Puritanical doctrine. The way in which it states that there are only absolutes and proper and improper ways to live life and worship God. For me, I was raised in the Methodist faith which shares some similarities to the Puritanical views.
Another way in which I saw the similarity or analogy between the two is in the dichotomy of their beliefs but in the similarity of their enactment. It reminded me of fascism and communism in that they both go about entirely separate goals. However, when implemented they look almost identical as the same steps need to be taken to achieve both. While this may not be an exact analogy, it was interesting to note the ways in which Taoism and Confucianism had similar actions, or inaction, to achieve many of the same goals.
I was also surprised by "The Analects" that we read. I was expecting a lot more quips and witty sayings rather than extended portions of prose. This just made it a little harder to parse what the real point of the text was than what I had anticipated. However, the reading was very intriguing and I may come back to these two readings at some point and examine them further now that I have a more general idea of their particular goals.
Journal 10 - 10/28/11
The primary focus of this week has been on examining "the good life" in its various forms. It has been interesting to note the differences between what is presented in the literature we have been reading versus the societal messages we receive today. The messages in the literature stem in large part from a reliance upon the gods and living simply. Care is taken to impart upon the characters that the gods' will is paramount and everything else is a detraction of that. Additionally, learning to live with less is a constant theme as well. There have been examples of monks and characters similar to that which have taken vows of poverty and limited indulgences throughout these stories and history. These people, while content, do not tend to be happy. This raises the question that was asked in class of whether or not happiness is vital to the good life.
In many ways, happiness and the good life are linked. However, we as a society are often fed images and messages which instruct us that having more stuff or having a certain product will make our lives better. As I mentioned in class, I wonder if our society consumes these messages because we want to (media caters to us), or if we change ourselves to consume what the media says is important (we cater and change ourselves to conform to media). This may be the focus of my critique paper, though I am not exactly sure how it would relate back directly to the texts we are reading. However, I believe its implications culturally could be examined very easily. One can also beg the question of whether or not religion is a product of society or the other way around. The Greeks had a very unique culture and a polytheism that was prevalent in the world at that time, while America has traditionally been a very puritanical and monotheistic nation. While there is still plenty of evidence of this in American society today, many people now believe in "whatever makes you happy" mantras. This relates back to the question of the good life in asking whether there are certain, immutable components therein, or if the good life truly is dependent entirely on the individual.
Journal 9 - 10/21/11
So far, this course has been fairly interesting. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that I have a working knowledge of many of the works we are looking at and have studied a few of them in depth. This has helped me understand them better now, the second time in looking at some of the pieces of literature. My largest point of contention, however, stems from what I feel is a lack of true analyzation. We are reading many good and influential pieces of literature, but I feel as if we are not delving into what the true meaning behind these pieces is. Part of that stems from the fact that many of these pieces are relics and written as factual accounts of events that happened. However, I still feel as if we are simply skimming the surface of what all these pieces contain. Part of this may be the sheer breadth of information that is expected to be covered. Personally, I would much rather prefer a course of study that included much more depth. I very much enjoy taking a piece of literature, music, art, or anything else and breaking it down into its various components and understanding how they act together. Once this has been established, the interactions that particular artifact has with the outside world can be modeled after its own internal structure as well as its implications that are larger than itself. In that sense, I guess one could say that I have an engineer's mind in that I love to understand how things work, but also to see and examine the implications that arise from a given works' actions or presence.
Overall, I would say that I feel as if I am reading and being exposed to lots of literature and having good discussions about it, but that I am learning little. Another part that may be affecting this is the fairly chronological order in which we are reading the works. This simply makes it hard to continue reading works that are written in styles that are completely foreign to us without being able to actively see their impact on the world today. In my mind, I would prefer a constant mix of literature across styles and time in order to view the interdependence between them and realize similarities and differences, rather than simply read many pieces of classical literature without balancing it out with its more modern contemporaries.
Journal 8 - 10/14/11
The best part of this week for me was the parody sharing. It was great to see what everyone else had done and the ways in which they viewed the original work. I thought this was a very creative project that allowed us as students to put a bit of ourselves into a presentation, rather than a typical research paper which allows much less style. Overall, I thought the parodies were excellent! I would have loved to have actually been able to hear the songs that were written performed. Additionally, if I were to do my parody again, I may look at making a movie version similar to what I wrote. I think it would lend itself well to a short film type of medium and allow for easier sharing with different people.
The rulers and citizens presentation was also very interesting. It was good to see various viewpoints of how rulers should govern and different pros and cons therein. Seeing the various approaches reflected in the literature we have been reading was also helpful to see how it could be played out. We have been discussing a similar topic in my History 150 course in whether or not rulers should be loved or feared by their subjects. I believe that there should be a slight combination of both. Similar to being a parent, I believe that subjects and citizens should respect the authority and decisions of the government, but only because they have the citizens' best interest at heart. This love for country is absolutely vital from a ruler's standpoint, and should be given mutually back.
Journal 7 - 10/7/11
This week we have primarily focused on the adventures of heroes and what makes certain people epic heroes. Some of the basic qualities are easily established: bravery, intelligence, fighting for the greater good of society. All of these things are quickly agreed upon and the discussion moves on from there. As was brought up in class, it is interesting to note the differences in what constitutes a hero based on your own personal history socially and politically. For example, the point was raised in class that Hitler can be viewed by some as a hero. In many cases, this holds true. While the connotation of hero is generally positive, what is positive or right is highly dependent upon personal beliefs rather than universal human truths. This begins to bet the question of whether or not such universal truths exist or if everyone must create their own reality in which to live. Most people agree that to be civilized, killing other people can not be tolerated. This works fine and dandy for societies until someone threatens them politically or economically. At this point, they often turn to warfare to "defend their beliefs and freedoms." So, is it right to kill to protect your own beliefs? How can anyone ever know that their beliefs truly are correct and everyone is simply not understanding why certain beliefs are superior. While this does pose a problem, I do not believe that it is possible to coexist completely peacefully. Because of the variance in opinion, different people have different hopes and dreams for themselves and for the world. While a certain level of respect and tolerance is necessary for a functioning society, I do not subscribe to the mindset that "as long as you have your own beliefs, then you are right." So, ultimately, I guess it boils down to the fact that I do believe there are certain, universally applicable human truths. However, I do not think that it is my place as a freshman in college to define them now and forever as to what I think is ultimately right and good and what is detrimental to the development of society.
Journal 6 - 9/30/11
To begin with, the book of Job was very difficult to read. I think the first reason is because of this translation. It, I believe, is the KJV which is somewhat antiquated at this point, though it is widely accepted as a true and accurate translation. The problem, however, lies in the fact that its language has not changed for hundreds of years and therefore many of these phrases I am familiar with in terms of their denotation, but any connotation that may have existed has been largely replaced. In terms of the actual story, I thought it interesting that at the end God gave him twice as much on a physical scale. It especially caught me off guard that he received 10 more children. In today’s society, children are not quite as easily replaceable, but it seemed like “all’s well that ends well” seemed to be the overarching theme. [I agree. This ending seems too tidy to me. MH]
As for the Psalms, it was interesting to note the different imagery that is used. As in all the books, analogies and imagery is a primary tool, just as the parables which Jesus preaches in the New Testament. These similarities are interesting to note in that we as humans prefer to have information conveyed by what we are already familiar with. This was just an interesting note in this section.
The Song of Solomon was interesting to read. Again, one of the first points to hit me was the use of imagery to convey meaning. On one hand I question why this book is necessarily in the Bible as it seems, at least from this portion, to essentially just be an extended love conversation. However, many parallels can be drawn between this and the love that God shows to Israel, even though Israel time and time again scorns him and his freely offered gifts. As with many of the older texts we have read, it was interesting to note the repetition that was present in all of these books and the many ways in which society is still very much the same and ways in which it has changed immensely.
Journal 5 - 9/23/11
After discussing the various things this week in class, the thing that stood out to me most was the discussion on the beginning and creation myths. I thought it was most striking to see the differences between Genesis and the other stories. Having grown up in a very Christian household, I am most familiar with the story of Genesis and the way it is used to justify how things are today. I will admit that over my life, I have questioned how valid this can be when there is little empirical evidence as to the literal translation of seven days of creation and so forth. While this has plagued me and caused me to wonder if the rest of the Bible can be valid if there are such gaping holes in the opening few passages, I have come to an understanding that everything in the Bible is true of its own accord. It is unclear whether or not the original intent was for a literal or figurative translation. However, for my own faith, my contingencies lie upon Jesus as the Savior and his deeds, which have nowhere been successfully reputed.
Additionally, it was interesting to note the manner of the other religions starting points. Being related to the culture in which they originated almost makes them seem less valid as it is an ad hoc argument for the creation. Judaism’s creation story, however, is a complete counter-culture in terms of religious doctrine. The people of this time were very scattered and involved in many different things, but the Gospel message ran true and has not changed over time. Rather, it has become strengthened through the activities of those in the church and even those attempting to repute it as there has been no conclusive evidence to suggest that the Bible’s teachings are inaccurate.
Journal 4 - 9/16/11
So at this point we have finished The Odyssey. Again I am struck with the realization that this book is immensely long and I'm trying to relate it to something like Harry Potter which is order of magnitudes longer, but easier to comprehend and enjoy reading. I'm not sure if it is a combination of Harry Potter being written in our present day vernacular, or a different set of story ideals. Along with The Odyssey, HP has a flawed main character. While he is ultimately good, he faces many trials and tribulations that test himself and his personal resolution. I believe that these two stories share many similarities and that both appeal to the fundamental emotional aspect of people which is why they are such successful stories.
Going further and on a slightly different note, I thought it was interesting that Odysseus didn't reveal himself for such a long time. I thought this may have been a product of his pride because he didn't trust the opinions of anyone else as to the character of the suitors and maids/hired help. Even his own son's opinion is only taken into account. While this may have been just an attempt to reach the proper length of story, it just felt like it didn't quite fit and just left a bitter aftertaste; we've seen him work for so long and now he just is on a reconnaissance mission to figure out the suitors' and his help. It just felt awkward and not nearly as important to the story as his previous battles or trials.
The ending also seemed a little anticlimactic in that it was exactly as it was foretold. Growing up with movies like Inception, if a movie doesn't have some sort of huge plot twist at the end or a betrayal of some kind, I feel like the movie isn't as exciting because it happened just as we all expected it to. However, when taken into account the time and manner in which this story was told, it is still a great ending with a note of resolution for the entire story.
Journal 3 - 9/9/11
In reading The Odyssey, the biggest feature that sticks out to me is the lengthy discussion of the gods. They are not only passive beings in the stories whom certain people treat reverently and the rest go about their daily lives, but rather take an active role in influencing and directing mortal decisions. This seems almost odd that they would spend so much time meddling with mortal affairs when, clearly, they have their own set of problems going on up on Mount Olympus. It is also interesting to note that this society in which the book was written believed in fallible gods. Typically, people think of their own God or gods as omniscient and omnipotent; in this case, however, it continually brings up the manner in which the gods attempt to best each other and are even bested by mortal men and women. This interesting switch seems to color the messages in the book and provide for a bit of questioning as to why their deities are treated with such regard.
In response to the article posted on the main page concerning Telemachus' need to prove himself, I disagree with that statement. While adventure and excitement are inherent in all boys and men, I do not believe that is what spurned his sudden need to leave his home. I believe that his motive in this matter was his epiphany that he needed his father to settle the bouts with the suitors. Having grown up with such an out of place situation as his norm, it was not until he was clued in to his surroundings that he desired them to change. In this instance, his best shot of being able to accomplish anything, coupled with his longing to know his father, gives him the confidence and courage to seek out his father; not for his own self-indulgent adventure, but rather to connect with his father for the first time and bring peace and tranquility into his house.
Journal 2 - 9/2/11
We have now progressed to Homer’s The Odyssey completely. Going along, I find this book much easier to understand than Gilgamesh. Transitions are present and it seems easier to discern the gods’ intent, rather than just guessing and trying to make everything make sense. Along with this is the emotional connection present with Telemachos and Odysseus.
As Susanna, I believe, pointed out in last week’s entries, there does not seem to be much which encourages a heroic complex in Gilgamesh. The reader does not engage in any sort of a personal connection with Gilgamesh, but rather judges him based on his ultimately self-serving actions. While he did change a bit, he was still very much a self-absorbed or self-and Enkidu absorbed person with little regard to his subjects. In The Odyssey, on the other hand, Odysseus is presented as the ultimate ruler and a benefactor to his subjects. This, along with the impression of his son Telemachos that the reader has, proves to make Odysseus’ story much more emotionally appealing.
One thing that I found particularly interesting was the manner in which Athena is able to present herself to various people. At this point, I think she has impersonated 6 or 7 different people to influence the actions of others. My main question is why the other gods do not do this as well. It seems to be a very effective manner of communicating and influencing people, while the rest of the gods seem to be acting in a more stand-offish manner.
I also wondered how Odysseus got to Kalypso’s island. I believe it said that he was the only survivor of a shipwreck, but I guess the larger question is why no one else ever went there, even after nine years. It also was interesting to note how he continued to succumb to her powers at night, while tormenting and wallowing in shame during the day. This provided an interesting juxtaposition of emotions and showed that Odysseus was fallible, even though he was great.
Journal 1 - 8/26/11
Thus far the epic of Gilgamesh has been enjoyable for me. It is not overly complicated, and the only real portion which I have trouble with is the names of the gods and goddesses. I also found a few things in the text that I thought were interesting. First of all, the image of the gate kept reoccurring. As I thought about it, I realized that it always signified some sort of crossing a threshold or a change in Gilgamesh's life. It is first utilized when Enkido dies, and a reference is made to a gate. I believe this gate is the transition between life and death, and possibly even a transition between Gilgamesh's motives for attempting to attain eternal life. It is again used when Gilgamesh travels to the land of the gods. He crosses the gate between mortal and immortal living spaces. However, he is not fully welcomed there.
This lack of acceptance of Gilgamesh in the land of the gods, as well as his lack of true place on earth, makes me wonder if there is a deeper connection with the one third man, two-thirds god description given at the beginning. He seems like a man caught between two states, never being completely at home. It can also be argued that he does not wish to relinquish his immortal powers to become human, and instead fights to attain a wholly godlike complex. This may be the basis for his renewed search for immortality.
Additionally, Gilgamesh is trying to cope with the death of his friend and brother Enkidu. The bond they had was separable only by death and this devotion may play into his desire to live eternally. His renewed everlasting life may be spent in devotion and mourning for Enkidu, or he may return to his previous kingly ways (although I suspect he will be a changed person as it would be more likely to be passed down through the generations if it had a positive moral in the end).
These week has centered primarily on our final papers and the study of Islam and the Koran. First, I was pleased with how my paper came out. I had a bit of trouble finding sources that worked with my argument specifically rather than simply generalities, but ultimately I believe that it was a good combination of research and original thought. It was very interesting for me to see how the stories were passed down and the effort that went in to preserving them and their integrity. It was also good to see everyone else's papers and get to hear what interested them. It is surprising how many different topics we all looked at when given a bit of leeway and the similarities and differences therein.
Discussing and looking at the Koran and Muhammed's life was the other major emphasis of class this week. I learned some new, interesting things through my own experiences with it. I watched part of the PBS video posted on the main page and it had some very enlightening details as to Muhammed and his life. I find it interesting that they trace their own roots back to Abraham, even though it seems as if Muhammed received these messages through an angel. In a way, however, it reminded me of Judaism in that it identifies with the Judeo-Christian God but does not recognize Jesus as anything more than a teacher or prophet himself.
The community during this time was also very interesting. Noting that Islam provided a way for everyone to be equal, man, woman, child, rich, poor, makes a reasonable explanation as to why it spread so fast. However, it also begs the question of whether or not we choose our own beliefs based on what makes sense for us or by what we truly believe. (If we convince ourselves to live according to how we think we should rather than by what we individually believe.) However, it was a very interesting documentary and provided some fascinating information. I did not realize that Muhammed had experience in the trade industry or was married. It was also new to see how he was able to use mediation among different groups to ensure that violence would not spread. (Though it was striking that he carried a bow and arrows with him, even though he was a prophet; this seemed a bit in contrast to "He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword" idea of Christianity).
Journal 13 - 11/18/11
On Thursday of this week, I had the opportunity to visit the Ball State Art Museum. It was the first time I had ever been there and I was very impressed with the scope and quality of pieces of art available for students and the public here! Especially in the middle of Muncie, IN, it was interesting to see such a broad and diverse collection of works of art. As I approached the building, it was apparent that it had been there a while and was meant to be permanent. The exterior said that it was a hallmark on campus and that it contained some important things inside. Upon entering, the sculpture court was fascinating to me primarily because it combined classic and modern art in one space. The current modern art installation of bottle caps from the ceiling, while ambiguous or confusing in terms of message, was very interesting and soothing to look at. The marble staircase also emphasizes that Ball State puts a value on art and wants to make a good impression on visitors.
The guiding principle seemed to be allowing visitors to look at works of art in any order they wanted. The rooms flowed from one to the other in a fairly logical way, but within each of these the art was in various cases which made it easy to peruse at one's leisure. The lighting was generally good and helped to support the art, but at times the glare was truly bothersome in trying to see the art itself. The highlight of the museum in my mind was a combination of the Latin American pieces of art and craftsmanship, primarily because that is my area of study, as well as the Greek and Roman coin collections. These were in pristine condition and were very interesting to look at. I would love to take some more time and analyze them and get to know them even better.
As far as the master plan goes, it seemed as though there was an original layout for the art museum to progress in one direction or another around the first and second floors in one loop. However, it also seemed as though there were additions or annexations to what was considered part of the art museum which made accessing some of the collections a bit difficult. Overall, however, the high ceilings of the entrance draws visitors in and encourages them to explore the second floor, where most of the art is held. Additionally, the way in which you can not see the main lobby without being directly in front of an entrance or exit piques visitors' interest as they desire to see what other works of art may be just around the corner.
Journal 12 - 11/11/11
Class this week has been very interesting. I am enjoying "The Aeneid" by Virgil as it seems to have much more literary merit than the oral tradition books we have read. Its focus on different aspects of the storyline is appealing and the more intricate nature of character interactions, while a bit confusing, seems to be more pleasing to me as a reader. It is also interesting to read it from the point of view of the losers of battle. The scenes involving the actual fall of Troy were extremely vivid and well said. This gave me a much better idea of what it might have actually been like, rather than the vague generalizations given in The Odyssey, or the over-glorified versions I've seen on movies. This accurate portrayal gives more credence to the emotions of the Trojans themselves and the things Aeneas has to do to not only survive but to flourish and found a new city.
As for our in class work, I very much enjoyed the breaking into groups and supporting various statements with textual evidence. It was very good intellectually for me because I did not agree 100% with the position we had. This caused me to take a new look at the text and while it did not sway my opinion, it did cause me to examine aspects of the text that I had previously looked over because it did not fall with my own personal interpretation of how events unfolded. It was also good to hear other groups talk and to have discussions about them. The statements were not quite controversial, but because of their wording were very black and white, which was good. It was also interesting to note that very few people seemed to have remorse for Dido as we all seemed that she was either acting rashly or we just didn't concern ourselves with her much.
Proposal
For my research paper, I would like to examine the manner in which Greek plays were presented. By studying the physical spaces in which these works, or their direct derivatives, were disseminated to the public, we can understand more why certain choices were made for the text or characters.
**I think I may want to focus more on the manner in which oral stories are passed down and changed over time. After thinking about the greek play approach, I feel like oral traditions would be more applicable directly to what we have read and could also connect to today.
Journal 11 - 11/4/11
This week's examinations of the Tao and of Confucianism have been very interesting. I am obviously more well versed in traditional Western thought processes, so much of this is new material for me. I enjoyed the readings for the most part, though they were a bit cryptic at points. The biggest thing that seems to separate these Eastern philosophies from Western is the acts of moderation and understanding ones place. In my experiences, the doctrines that have played the most important role in America and the way I view history have their roots in Puritanical doctrine. The way in which it states that there are only absolutes and proper and improper ways to live life and worship God. For me, I was raised in the Methodist faith which shares some similarities to the Puritanical views.
Another way in which I saw the similarity or analogy between the two is in the dichotomy of their beliefs but in the similarity of their enactment. It reminded me of fascism and communism in that they both go about entirely separate goals. However, when implemented they look almost identical as the same steps need to be taken to achieve both. While this may not be an exact analogy, it was interesting to note the ways in which Taoism and Confucianism had similar actions, or inaction, to achieve many of the same goals.
I was also surprised by "The Analects" that we read. I was expecting a lot more quips and witty sayings rather than extended portions of prose. This just made it a little harder to parse what the real point of the text was than what I had anticipated. However, the reading was very intriguing and I may come back to these two readings at some point and examine them further now that I have a more general idea of their particular goals.
Journal 10 - 10/28/11
The primary focus of this week has been on examining "the good life" in its various forms. It has been interesting to note the differences between what is presented in the literature we have been reading versus the societal messages we receive today. The messages in the literature stem in large part from a reliance upon the gods and living simply. Care is taken to impart upon the characters that the gods' will is paramount and everything else is a detraction of that. Additionally, learning to live with less is a constant theme as well. There have been examples of monks and characters similar to that which have taken vows of poverty and limited indulgences throughout these stories and history. These people, while content, do not tend to be happy. This raises the question that was asked in class of whether or not happiness is vital to the good life.
In many ways, happiness and the good life are linked. However, we as a society are often fed images and messages which instruct us that having more stuff or having a certain product will make our lives better. As I mentioned in class, I wonder if our society consumes these messages because we want to (media caters to us), or if we change ourselves to consume what the media says is important (we cater and change ourselves to conform to media). This may be the focus of my critique paper, though I am not exactly sure how it would relate back directly to the texts we are reading. However, I believe its implications culturally could be examined very easily. One can also beg the question of whether or not religion is a product of society or the other way around. The Greeks had a very unique culture and a polytheism that was prevalent in the world at that time, while America has traditionally been a very puritanical and monotheistic nation. While there is still plenty of evidence of this in American society today, many people now believe in "whatever makes you happy" mantras. This relates back to the question of the good life in asking whether there are certain, immutable components therein, or if the good life truly is dependent entirely on the individual.
Journal 9 - 10/21/11
So far, this course has been fairly interesting. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that I have a working knowledge of many of the works we are looking at and have studied a few of them in depth. This has helped me understand them better now, the second time in looking at some of the pieces of literature. My largest point of contention, however, stems from what I feel is a lack of true analyzation. We are reading many good and influential pieces of literature, but I feel as if we are not delving into what the true meaning behind these pieces is. Part of that stems from the fact that many of these pieces are relics and written as factual accounts of events that happened. However, I still feel as if we are simply skimming the surface of what all these pieces contain. Part of this may be the sheer breadth of information that is expected to be covered. Personally, I would much rather prefer a course of study that included much more depth. I very much enjoy taking a piece of literature, music, art, or anything else and breaking it down into its various components and understanding how they act together. Once this has been established, the interactions that particular artifact has with the outside world can be modeled after its own internal structure as well as its implications that are larger than itself. In that sense, I guess one could say that I have an engineer's mind in that I love to understand how things work, but also to see and examine the implications that arise from a given works' actions or presence.
Overall, I would say that I feel as if I am reading and being exposed to lots of literature and having good discussions about it, but that I am learning little. Another part that may be affecting this is the fairly chronological order in which we are reading the works. This simply makes it hard to continue reading works that are written in styles that are completely foreign to us without being able to actively see their impact on the world today. In my mind, I would prefer a constant mix of literature across styles and time in order to view the interdependence between them and realize similarities and differences, rather than simply read many pieces of classical literature without balancing it out with its more modern contemporaries.
Journal 8 - 10/14/11
The best part of this week for me was the parody sharing. It was great to see what everyone else had done and the ways in which they viewed the original work. I thought this was a very creative project that allowed us as students to put a bit of ourselves into a presentation, rather than a typical research paper which allows much less style. Overall, I thought the parodies were excellent! I would have loved to have actually been able to hear the songs that were written performed. Additionally, if I were to do my parody again, I may look at making a movie version similar to what I wrote. I think it would lend itself well to a short film type of medium and allow for easier sharing with different people.
The rulers and citizens presentation was also very interesting. It was good to see various viewpoints of how rulers should govern and different pros and cons therein. Seeing the various approaches reflected in the literature we have been reading was also helpful to see how it could be played out. We have been discussing a similar topic in my History 150 course in whether or not rulers should be loved or feared by their subjects. I believe that there should be a slight combination of both. Similar to being a parent, I believe that subjects and citizens should respect the authority and decisions of the government, but only because they have the citizens' best interest at heart. This love for country is absolutely vital from a ruler's standpoint, and should be given mutually back.
Journal 7 - 10/7/11
This week we have primarily focused on the adventures of heroes and what makes certain people epic heroes. Some of the basic qualities are easily established: bravery, intelligence, fighting for the greater good of society. All of these things are quickly agreed upon and the discussion moves on from there. As was brought up in class, it is interesting to note the differences in what constitutes a hero based on your own personal history socially and politically. For example, the point was raised in class that Hitler can be viewed by some as a hero. In many cases, this holds true. While the connotation of hero is generally positive, what is positive or right is highly dependent upon personal beliefs rather than universal human truths. This begins to bet the question of whether or not such universal truths exist or if everyone must create their own reality in which to live. Most people agree that to be civilized, killing other people can not be tolerated. This works fine and dandy for societies until someone threatens them politically or economically. At this point, they often turn to warfare to "defend their beliefs and freedoms." So, is it right to kill to protect your own beliefs? How can anyone ever know that their beliefs truly are correct and everyone is simply not understanding why certain beliefs are superior. While this does pose a problem, I do not believe that it is possible to coexist completely peacefully. Because of the variance in opinion, different people have different hopes and dreams for themselves and for the world. While a certain level of respect and tolerance is necessary for a functioning society, I do not subscribe to the mindset that "as long as you have your own beliefs, then you are right." So, ultimately, I guess it boils down to the fact that I do believe there are certain, universally applicable human truths. However, I do not think that it is my place as a freshman in college to define them now and forever as to what I think is ultimately right and good and what is detrimental to the development of society.
Journal 6 - 9/30/11
To begin with, the book of Job was very difficult to read. I think the first reason is because of this translation. It, I believe, is the KJV which is somewhat antiquated at this point, though it is widely accepted as a true and accurate translation. The problem, however, lies in the fact that its language has not changed for hundreds of years and therefore many of these phrases I am familiar with in terms of their denotation, but any connotation that may have existed has been largely replaced. In terms of the actual story, I thought it interesting that at the end God gave him twice as much on a physical scale. It especially caught me off guard that he received 10 more children. In today’s society, children are not quite as easily replaceable, but it seemed like “all’s well that ends well” seemed to be the overarching theme. [I agree. This ending seems too tidy to me. MH]
As for the Psalms, it was interesting to note the different imagery that is used. As in all the books, analogies and imagery is a primary tool, just as the parables which Jesus preaches in the New Testament. These similarities are interesting to note in that we as humans prefer to have information conveyed by what we are already familiar with. This was just an interesting note in this section.
The Song of Solomon was interesting to read. Again, one of the first points to hit me was the use of imagery to convey meaning. On one hand I question why this book is necessarily in the Bible as it seems, at least from this portion, to essentially just be an extended love conversation. However, many parallels can be drawn between this and the love that God shows to Israel, even though Israel time and time again scorns him and his freely offered gifts. As with many of the older texts we have read, it was interesting to note the repetition that was present in all of these books and the many ways in which society is still very much the same and ways in which it has changed immensely.
Journal 5 - 9/23/11
After discussing the various things this week in class, the thing that stood out to me most was the discussion on the beginning and creation myths. I thought it was most striking to see the differences between Genesis and the other stories. Having grown up in a very Christian household, I am most familiar with the story of Genesis and the way it is used to justify how things are today. I will admit that over my life, I have questioned how valid this can be when there is little empirical evidence as to the literal translation of seven days of creation and so forth. While this has plagued me and caused me to wonder if the rest of the Bible can be valid if there are such gaping holes in the opening few passages, I have come to an understanding that everything in the Bible is true of its own accord. It is unclear whether or not the original intent was for a literal or figurative translation. However, for my own faith, my contingencies lie upon Jesus as the Savior and his deeds, which have nowhere been successfully reputed.
Additionally, it was interesting to note the manner of the other religions starting points. Being related to the culture in which they originated almost makes them seem less valid as it is an ad hoc argument for the creation. Judaism’s creation story, however, is a complete counter-culture in terms of religious doctrine. The people of this time were very scattered and involved in many different things, but the Gospel message ran true and has not changed over time. Rather, it has become strengthened through the activities of those in the church and even those attempting to repute it as there has been no conclusive evidence to suggest that the Bible’s teachings are inaccurate.
Journal 4 - 9/16/11
So at this point we have finished The Odyssey. Again I am struck with the realization that this book is immensely long and I'm trying to relate it to something like Harry Potter which is order of magnitudes longer, but easier to comprehend and enjoy reading. I'm not sure if it is a combination of Harry Potter being written in our present day vernacular, or a different set of story ideals. Along with The Odyssey, HP has a flawed main character. While he is ultimately good, he faces many trials and tribulations that test himself and his personal resolution. I believe that these two stories share many similarities and that both appeal to the fundamental emotional aspect of people which is why they are such successful stories.
Going further and on a slightly different note, I thought it was interesting that Odysseus didn't reveal himself for such a long time. I thought this may have been a product of his pride because he didn't trust the opinions of anyone else as to the character of the suitors and maids/hired help. Even his own son's opinion is only taken into account. While this may have been just an attempt to reach the proper length of story, it just felt like it didn't quite fit and just left a bitter aftertaste; we've seen him work for so long and now he just is on a reconnaissance mission to figure out the suitors' and his help. It just felt awkward and not nearly as important to the story as his previous battles or trials.
The ending also seemed a little anticlimactic in that it was exactly as it was foretold. Growing up with movies like Inception, if a movie doesn't have some sort of huge plot twist at the end or a betrayal of some kind, I feel like the movie isn't as exciting because it happened just as we all expected it to. However, when taken into account the time and manner in which this story was told, it is still a great ending with a note of resolution for the entire story.
Journal 3 - 9/9/11
In reading The Odyssey, the biggest feature that sticks out to me is the lengthy discussion of the gods. They are not only passive beings in the stories whom certain people treat reverently and the rest go about their daily lives, but rather take an active role in influencing and directing mortal decisions. This seems almost odd that they would spend so much time meddling with mortal affairs when, clearly, they have their own set of problems going on up on Mount Olympus. It is also interesting to note that this society in which the book was written believed in fallible gods. Typically, people think of their own God or gods as omniscient and omnipotent; in this case, however, it continually brings up the manner in which the gods attempt to best each other and are even bested by mortal men and women. This interesting switch seems to color the messages in the book and provide for a bit of questioning as to why their deities are treated with such regard.
In response to the article posted on the main page concerning Telemachus' need to prove himself, I disagree with that statement. While adventure and excitement are inherent in all boys and men, I do not believe that is what spurned his sudden need to leave his home. I believe that his motive in this matter was his epiphany that he needed his father to settle the bouts with the suitors. Having grown up with such an out of place situation as his norm, it was not until he was clued in to his surroundings that he desired them to change. In this instance, his best shot of being able to accomplish anything, coupled with his longing to know his father, gives him the confidence and courage to seek out his father; not for his own self-indulgent adventure, but rather to connect with his father for the first time and bring peace and tranquility into his house.
Journal 2 - 9/2/11
We have now progressed to Homer’s The Odyssey completely. Going along, I find this book much easier to understand than Gilgamesh. Transitions are present and it seems easier to discern the gods’ intent, rather than just guessing and trying to make everything make sense. Along with this is the emotional connection present with Telemachos and Odysseus.
As Susanna, I believe, pointed out in last week’s entries, there does not seem to be much which encourages a heroic complex in Gilgamesh. The reader does not engage in any sort of a personal connection with Gilgamesh, but rather judges him based on his ultimately self-serving actions. While he did change a bit, he was still very much a self-absorbed or self-and Enkidu absorbed person with little regard to his subjects. In The Odyssey, on the other hand, Odysseus is presented as the ultimate ruler and a benefactor to his subjects. This, along with the impression of his son Telemachos that the reader has, proves to make Odysseus’ story much more emotionally appealing.
One thing that I found particularly interesting was the manner in which Athena is able to present herself to various people. At this point, I think she has impersonated 6 or 7 different people to influence the actions of others. My main question is why the other gods do not do this as well. It seems to be a very effective manner of communicating and influencing people, while the rest of the gods seem to be acting in a more stand-offish manner.
I also wondered how Odysseus got to Kalypso’s island. I believe it said that he was the only survivor of a shipwreck, but I guess the larger question is why no one else ever went there, even after nine years. It also was interesting to note how he continued to succumb to her powers at night, while tormenting and wallowing in shame during the day. This provided an interesting juxtaposition of emotions and showed that Odysseus was fallible, even though he was great.
Journal 1 - 8/26/11
Thus far the epic of Gilgamesh has been enjoyable for me. It is not overly complicated, and the only real portion which I have trouble with is the names of the gods and goddesses. I also found a few things in the text that I thought were interesting. First of all, the image of the gate kept reoccurring. As I thought about it, I realized that it always signified some sort of crossing a threshold or a change in Gilgamesh's life. It is first utilized when Enkido dies, and a reference is made to a gate. I believe this gate is the transition between life and death, and possibly even a transition between Gilgamesh's motives for attempting to attain eternal life. It is again used when Gilgamesh travels to the land of the gods. He crosses the gate between mortal and immortal living spaces. However, he is not fully welcomed there.
This lack of acceptance of Gilgamesh in the land of the gods, as well as his lack of true place on earth, makes me wonder if there is a deeper connection with the one third man, two-thirds god description given at the beginning. He seems like a man caught between two states, never being completely at home. It can also be argued that he does not wish to relinquish his immortal powers to become human, and instead fights to attain a wholly godlike complex. This may be the basis for his renewed search for immortality.
Additionally, Gilgamesh is trying to cope with the death of his friend and brother Enkidu. The bond they had was separable only by death and this devotion may play into his desire to live eternally. His renewed everlasting life may be spent in devotion and mourning for Enkidu, or he may return to his previous kingly ways (although I suspect he will be a changed person as it would be more likely to be passed down through the generations if it had a positive moral in the end).