American Gothic

This painting, when taking a closer look, has a very sublte way of setting a tone for the atmosphere suspended within it. The painter paints two people who span the width of the canvas, creating a sort of barrier from the viewer in the direction of the town. What this does is make it seem as though the townspeople are reluctant to let new comers in. Another thing is the pitchfork in the gentleman's hand. Very sharp, and help before him sternly. Almost in the same way a solideir would hold a rifle. This contributes to that overall sense of defense.

Even though this is a frozen image, the manner in which the two people stand and poise themselves suggests somethings that can be expected in their society. First off, the woman does not make eye contact with the viewer, while the man looks at him intensly. She is also slightly behind the man. This suggests that in the society the man is the protector where the woman would be the passive, "proper" person.

In the background one can see a church. What this does is create an explanation and idea of the basic ideals of the townsfolk. First impression i get is that these are god-fearing folk, who are extremely religious, and overly paraniod. It also helps explain the social status of the man and woman--considering the ideals of traditional christians. It also supports the idea that they are reluctant and weary of outsiders. Whom they would describe as sinners and even people of satan!

I'm not sure if any of this is true but the painting does provoke these thoughts. Whether or not it is healthy to assume all of these things but the painter must've realized the strength of these stereotypes.

What the books are trying to say

Obsession for beauty, and the popular definition of what it is; these are some of the bigger themes in both books. The authors show us how these can lead to self-hatred, and the hating of others. Toni Morrison creates a number of characters who handle this inner-struggle differently in an attempt, i presume, to show us how many ways it can lead to destroying us. Two contrasting characters, Claudia and Pecola, each suffer this in their own ways. Claudia wishes to take place of things, and other children (Shirley Temple) while Pecola wants to become them (eating the candy, and hoping to plant Mary in her). A sublte difference, but it depicts how two very different children could both be going through the same conflict. Jin, from American Born Chinese, has the same passive personality as Pecola, and with him we see the desire to become a Transformer...

Personally, i had a tough time swallowing some of the things Toni Morrison said, mainly because I wasn't sure if they were untrue. For example, Cholly and Pauline, It seems to me that their relationship fell apart because they had no one but them selves--or atleast Pauline didn't. I wonder if relationships are better off with or without friends and others to talk to...

Another thing, When Cholly on the day of the Funereal is forced to have Intercourse with Darlene. He was feeling hatred to her and not "Flashlight" and "Lamplight. This puzzles me still, i'd love to hear your thoughts.

The most powerful part of the Video to me happened at the very end. The Little girl (black) says the white doll is "nicer" because its "white" though this was painfull enough to watch i was even more stunned when the examiner asks her which one looks like her, and she pushed up the black one. I thought, maybe, at a younger age, children would not be able to relate themselves or catergorize themselves based on physical attributes--i was wrong. This makes the experiement even more powerful, because it cancels out the question on whether or not the child realizes what he or she is...

On Boredom

My dad always used to say that i should thank God for the blessings he's given me and the opportunity i have to be bored. I usually scoff, roll my eyes, or mutter something about why he keeps using Arabic Proverbs. This is just to spite him. I actually agree with him, and alot of what I do everyday comes with this type of mindset of "being bored is being lucky", and hours you spend "killing" time could be hours spent towards something productive.

Back in the day. Way back when. People had their life's decided at birth, work didn't come in shifts, and the clock was the sun. the public was far to busy, to overworked to be bored. A moment of stillness is a precious moment that they could not afford to notice, but to seize with a swing of a tiller, or savor with a last chop of the wood.

Boredom is leisure, stop complaining.

What Makes Us American

The perception of what makes someone an American is everyday becoming more and more concrete--but is still an undefined matter. the variety in race and religion along with the cultural diffusion that has come from them has made this a hard question to answer. Consequently, this has made the idea of what doesn't make an American sketchy as well. Or has it?

The Melting Pot.

This term is known to us. Its been said, heard, and written. So i won't use it. I will, however, say that America, in the midst of brewing in this pot, has become a culture of its own. A lifestyle different to the rest. And, finally, a definition for the word American.

Blue+Yellow+Green+Orange+Purple+Brown+Red=American, actually its black, but you get the idea.