Final Essay

There were so many aspects of this class that I found engaging.  One of the things I enjoyed was the focus on symbolism.  The aspect about symbolism that sparked my interest was how one story can relate to another because of the symbols involved.  For example, when we read Goblin Market, we saw how fruit was a constant in the poem and it's purpose can relate to the story of Creation - as it was forbidden.  I also loved the story of Macbeth even though we did not read the whole play, it gave me a new found interest in Shakespeare that was not rattled in high school.  I liked finding an image and a video that related to Macbeth, and picking out the symbols there and breaking it down.  Professor X's lecture also was exceptional, and I would LOVE to take her class if I had the time.  She definitely had the wheels turning in my brain in explaining Macbeth to us.  I also enjoyed Coraline very much, and how the "Scottish Play" ended up being mentioned (whether that was intentional or not) made it fit nicely into this class.  The book was a fun read and only wish that Neil Gaiman could have made an adult version that could be scarier.... that would be great!  Every blog that I wrote for this class was something interesting that I wanted to write about, except for the "About Me," portion - only because I think it is a bit difficult for me to write about myself.

The blog entry that I enjoyed very much came from a student in another class:  Thibaut Black.  His video was funny, informative, and kept me interested the entire 7 minutes.  I think it took him a lot of work, but in the end he did a great job.  He probably blew all the students out of the water with his creativity - very cool.  In our class, my second choice of who did a great job would be Benjamin Chivas.  Because I watch reality TV shows like Ghost Adventures, and Paranormal State, I was excited to see what he had made for his presentation since I already knew what an EVP was.  I enjoyed the EVP explanation,as well as how you could do it yourself if you wanted to.  The scare element of the ghost sounds gave it a nice, chilling touch.  I think the class needed to be scared a little for it to live up to it's title!

Overall, I feel that this class was interesting the entire time.  I never got bored and I enjoyed blogging.  I feel like it is an innovative way to teach, and that more teachers should get with it!  I also think it would be especially helpful with younger students who relate to technology another level that older students do not.  Dr. Smith, you are very good at what you do!!! I will miss this class very much.  Thank you.  I had a great time being a part of it!

Lesson Plan Final Project

My final project is a lesson plan on theme, symbols, and archetypes.  You will find that I have a Lesson Plan Outline to show how I set it up and a Slide Presentation on what I would show in class.  If you click on each link it should open up with my work shown.



Sources:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089469/synopsis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend_(film)
http://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/misc/cecmisc/cecmisc001.html
http://scene-india.blogspot.com/2010/07/lilith-first-wife-of-adam.html

Entry 4.2 - Final Project Update

So far, I am finishing up my lesson plan which is including a slide presentation.  I am almost done and I just have to incorporate finishing touches to "tidy" it up.  It will be done next week on time.

Entry 4.1 - Final Project Update

My Lesson plans is geared toward college students and following the archetypes and symbols that come up in the movie. If you view the movie clip, you can see the character known as "The Prince of Darkness," who can symbolize a demon, devil, Satan, et cetera. Also the woman character, known as "Princess Lily," can be viewed as Eve from the story of Creation, or Lillith in Judaism.  I'm finding a lot of research information and it's a little difficult to keep it specific because there are so many avenues I can go on for this movie and it's topic. 

Entry 3.5: The Meaning of Monsters

The Meaning of Monsters

    Monsters in literature have been evident since people have had religion in their lives in my opinion.  We can examine this by looking at history, religion, culture and comparing it to a modern work like Coraline, by Neil Gaiman.  

In the past and present times, religion has always had a strong division of good and evil.  The good is always honest, pure, courageous, and naive while the evil has a dark, deceitful, dishonest, and trickster side.  When we look at the character Coraline in the book Coraline, we can observe all these good things in her and the evil “other” side shows the opposite.  Religion always sets a tone for the “unknown,” whether it be good or bad which can cause our imaginations to run wild.  Going all the way back to mythology, gods and goddesses had specific powers set to them and there were good and bad differences among them.  We can say that example was played out in Coraline, with her normal side; regular parents and neighbors,  and the other side; her other (evil) parents and neighbors.  The concept of the other parents looking like her real parents but not actually, gives them the trickster aspect of evil.  In the end of the story, Coraline realizes that the other mother actually looks nothing like her real mother.  Another example of trickery in Coraline would be when the other mother shows Coraline a image of her real parents in the mirror displaying that they are much happier without her even though deep down Coraline knows this is not true.  Again, this can be traced back to religion when we think of the story of Creation, and how the serpent tricked Eve into eating the apple.  In most literature, even in the Bible, I have noticed two things:  a fight between good and evil, and good always seeming to prevail.  When we read a story or watched a movie and good does not overcome evil, it ends up leaving me unsettled because essentially, we all want a hero to come out on top.  

Culturally, we like to have a fantasy side that shows evil as some kind of monster.  I think we do this because we have a fear of the unknown and if we see something like a shadow moving, we automatically assume that there must be a monster hiding in our closet.  We assign these shadows as monsters and we create works like Coraline that give a “fake” truth to things we cannot explain.  Otherwise, what could it possibly be?  Our fantasies mixed in with religious beliefs, dreams, fears, and a splash of the occult cause us to write great stories about monsters.  In the end of Coraline, she becomes free of the other mother and realizes that the other mother’s hand is still following her.  It reminded me of the Addam’s Family character “Thing,” who was not a bad hand at all.  On the same note, it makes you wonder where in our history or religion that a mythical hand might have came from? Another idea of this hand is in the cult classic 1980s horror flick The Evil Dead.  They all can apparently see (the hands), and want to do harm (except for “Thing,” because the Addam’s Family was a comedy) to whomever got it removed.  What I find interesting about all monsters in our literature is that most of them get recycled and repeated.  How many werewolf and vampire movies, stories, television shows have been created?  I realize that the story lines are different, however, the same monsters seem to be brought to light.  Again, I believe this comes from history, religion, and culture which cause us to believe some of these monsters actually exist.

Personally, I enjoy supernatural stories the best.  I feel like it is a way for my mind to let go of concrete thinking, and enjoy the depths of something from another world that may or may not exist - and a way to scare yourself!  Monsters may have not actual basis for validity however, ghost, apparitions, and/or spirits are a constant question in our lives.  I like the fact that Coraline contained those elements with the three ghosts behind the mirror which gave it a more realistic twist than just a made up monster on the other side.  Rationally, the idea of ghosts being “real” depends on the person - but I do believe!!!!         

Entry 3.4 My Project

1.  My idea for my project is to produce a lesson plan based on the the 1985 movie "Legend."  The lesson plan will ask for the main character's archetypes, as well as how the themes relate to other subjects like religion.
2.  So far, I have checked to see other sample lesson plans, and even emailed my friend who is a teacher to see how she goes about setting it up.  I have also seen this movie plenty of times so I know it pretty well, however, I did look up a synopsis and some Youtube clips for ideas on what I can extend on.
3.  The steps that I am taking to get it done are doing more research to keep the ideas flowing to keep it interesting and supernatural. I want Dr. Smith to maybe want to use it in a class one day so I am trying to make it as realistic as possible!
4.  I would like to have this done the first week of December because I have some heavy subjects to study for and if I could get an assignment out of the way, that would benefit me.  So I am working vigorously to finish it early.
5.  My only anticipated problems with this assignment is that I have never done this before and that makes me feel a little vulnerable, however, I am having fun with the assignment.

Entry 3.3 Project Ideas

-Cartoon Movie Trailer on either the movie "Legend" or "Labyrinth"
-Lesson Plan based on either movie & its archetypes
-Fanpage made for either movie
-Music video for either movie

Entry 3.2 Macbeth Video

     Since my previous post had to do with Lady Macbeth, I decided to stay on her for my video.  I saw another video with Judi Dench that was definitely a better performance however, it was a bit longer and this one is easier to understand.  This video shows Lady Macbeth sleepwalking and sleep-talking while a gentlewoman and a doctor observe her doing so.  What I found interesting is that the gentlelady explains to the doctor what Lady Macbeth has been doing however, refuses to repeat the words she speaks.  After the doctor hears Lady Macbeth speak, he too cannot repeat those words.
     Lady Macbeth again is representing a temptress archetype who is obviously ridden with guilt.  Her unconcsiousness will not let her rest in sleepwalking every night and pretending to "wash her hands" which is symbolic of needing to be cleaned of wrong doing.  She mentions that she can still smell the "blood" of their wrong doing and that "all of the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten these hands." She also "demands" to have a light (candle) on by her every night, which makes me think that she is afraid of something - possibly being caught of their wrong doings?   On the same note, she feels the need to protect Macbeth at the end of the scene, where she is pushing an imaginary version of him to bed in order for him to be out of sight.  I admire that Shakesphere could somehow show the psychological implications of guilt through a person's subconscious can bleed through when he was not living in psychological times.
  

Entry 3.1 Macbeth Image

    

     The image I picked was actually the first one I noticed because of the striking amount of skulls.  Although I did look around for other images, this was the most interesting one to me.  There are not too many symbols in this image however, there are enough to talk about.  Also, this photo is very dark and gives a chilling and ghostly atmosphere.  The skulls are of course dominating the photo, and the first thing that comes to mind about it would be death.  Due to the quantity of skulls, it makes me think of a lot of death, which was consistent situation in the play Macbeth.  The woman the image can symbolize many things.  She could be a virgin and pure, or a vixen and related to temptation.  She seems so be very sad about what is going on or even contemplative. The hand on her chin makes me feel like she may be thinking of what she should do about her current situation. There is death all arounds her so I am guessing that it could even be eating away at her.  With all the women that are involved in murder, I would think it is safe to say that this is Lady Macbeth.  She had become bothered about all the murders that happened because of the prophecies that her and her husband tried to control.  It is assumed (according to Wikipedia), that Lady Macbeth committed suicide.  I would consider her to be a "Temptress" or "Devil" archetype since she was the one who caused Macbeth's murderous rampage. 

Received image from:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2008/Jul-Dec08/macbeth0210.htm

~CHIVAS~: 2.2 The Altruist--Caregiver Archetype

~CHIVAS~: 2.2 The Altruist--Caregiver Archetype: " St. Mother Theresa (picture from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/) The Altruist type is defined by dictionary.com as, 'a person unself..."

Enoch: Blog entry 2.2: Altruist/innoncent

Enoch: Blog entry 2.2: Altruist/innoncent: "My main archetypes are Altruist which is caring for others without expecting anything in return, and Innocent is a lack of guilt, with respe..."

Entry 2.2: The Altruist /Wanderer Archetypes

     My positive archetype is the Altruist.  From what I have read, the Altruist seems like the sucker of the bunch.  Or for a better choice of words, the one who is the most self-sacrificing of the other 5.  I can see this in myself and it is actually one of things I do not like about myself because I am known for being too nice.  Also known as the "caregiver," I also have a very nuturing aspect.  I attribute this to my astrological sign, which is a Cancer.  Cancer's are known to be the "mothers" of the Zodiac.  I do know that an Altruist is not always a bad thing. 

     Many of my friends look to me for comforting them when they are upset and I do like that aspect about the archetype.  I have been working in customer/human service type industries since I was 16 which I believe is evident also in my career choices.  I feel like the influence may come from my mother who definitely fits the martyr role.  She probably influenced this type of archetype on me.

     The negative portion of my archetype is the Wanderer.  I can see this in myself because of how stubborn I can be.  I am very strong in my opinions and also in some ways, very rebellious.  I would not consider myself rebellious in the "run away from home" sense, but more in the "being told what to do" sense.  I believe that no one can make you do something you don't want to.  This can be seen in every relationship I've ever had whether it be family, friends, or a partner.  The 1980s cult classic "Lucas," which was also the name of the lead character, has similar characteristics to archetype that I relate to.  He was considered a bright student (a bit of a nerd) who got picked on but at the same time he marched to the beat of his own drum.  How many kids in high school who were a part of the Science club would try out for football?  This is of course a stereotype however, in high school we all felt the need to fit into one.  The point is, I like the fact that "Lucas" did not care what anyone else thought.  Physically, the character had a very small frame and the coach did not approve.  He still rebelled.  He did not care about what others thought.  I enjoy this aspect of his personality because it relates to mine.




http://www.butler-bowdon.com/herowithin

http://books.google.com/books?id=dQAeXCHjU-4C&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=altruist+archetype&source=bl&ots=sl8DM58RUc&sig=BoYV8T5dUITJwzMNhDmi2U4RlFc&hl=en&ei=VKu0TMG8BsKB8gbTobCZCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Wanderer%20archetype&f=false

http://www.fandango.com/commentator_top10cultcultclassicsfromthe80s_155

Entry 2.1 Symbolism and Archetypes in "Goblin Market"

     Christina Rossetti was a poet born in London in 1830.  Most of her work's are in children's literature and she is best known for Goblin Market.  She comes from Italian descent and most of her family were poets and artists as well.  Her writings may be considered in a feminist perspective which have been speculated. 

     In the poem Goblin Market, by Christina Rossetti, is a narrative about a woman who is somehow lured by evil and which ends up ruining her.  The story mention two maids who are walking by a goblin market in which the goblins are selling fruit.  The fruit look very appealing and the goblins do their best to sell them to the maids.  One maid named Laura separates from her sister, Lizzie, and she ends up selling a lock of her hair in order to taste the goblins fruit. Her sister Lizzie warns her that she should not eat the fruit and explains to her what happened to another maid who did.  Laura ignores her sister and becomes deaf and blind (line 259). Essentially, Laura lost her spirit and felt nothing but heartache growing old and gray.  She became somewhat worthless and wishes she could taste the same fruit again.  Her sister Lizzie still heard the goblin's calls and tried to go buy some fruit to possibly heal her sister's heart.  The goblin's did the same in trying to lure Lizzie as they did Laura, except Lizzie resisted when offered to sit and eat with them. The goblin's got angry from her resistance and ended up attacking her trying to force the fruit down her throat.  Lizzie stood firm against them and showed great restraint.  In the end Lizzie saved her sister and was very brave in facing the goblins on her own.  This story is shows how one person cannot stand against temptation and another who resists.  It also shows what people will do when then they love someone dearly.

     Some of the symbolism in this story get repeated very much like the abundance of fruit (line 3-28).  Fruit may have to do with sexuality, being sweet, deceiving, and/or forbidden.  The maids (line 2) make me think of virgins and goblins (line 2) make me think of mythical, evil trolls, and magic.  Some of the goblins exhibit a cat's face (line 71) which makes me think of something sneaky, evil, malicious, and/or nocturnal.  It also mentions a snail in line 74 which makes me think of something sluggish, slimy, and gross.  And according to http://www.teleflora.com/, a lily (line 83) can represent many things depending on the color; such as chastity and virtue, friendship and devotion, wealth and prosperity, and humility and devotion.  One of the most interesting symbolism I found about lilies which was also on the Teleflora website was that "...most often associated with funerals, lilies symbolize that the soul of the departed has received restored innocence after death" which seems to make sense in this poem completely as well as the other symbols for it that I mentioned.  Some other symbols that stood out to me was "vessel" which makes me think of a womb and golden locks (line 126) which reminds me of something angelic and pure.  Another finding is the symbol for pearl (line 127) in which, according to the website:  http://www.umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolismproject/symbolism.html/P/pearl.html, "The pearl is a symbol of perfection and incorruptibility; it is a symbol of long life and fertility ...represents hidden knowledge and it is highly feminine."

     The archetypes in this poem seem very obvious.  My references for my archetype findings come from:  http://changingminds.org/explanations/identity/jung_archetypes.htm. There seem to be many archetypes for each character depending on what roles you see them in.  Laura, definitely can be seen as the maiden which she actually is.  This can mean purity and desire for the particular archetype which makes sense in Goblin Market.  Her sister Lizzie can be seen as the hero and the wise old man.  She can be seen as the hero for obvious reasons like saving the day, as well as the wise old man for trying to point her sister in the right direction.  The goblins can be viewed as 3 archetypes:  the magician, witch, and trickster.  These all can be considered mysterious, tempting, evil,  and magical in which they seem to be.

     This poem reminds me of the story of Creation in the Bible and original sin.  It brings "Forbidden Fruit" and the goblins remind me of the "Serpent" in trying to tempt the women in doing his bidding.  I feel that it shows much innocence in the woman, and that once the fruit was touched, that was taken away from them.  It also reminds me of some kind of heartache a woman might go through after being hurt by a lover.  Laura did not care to do her daily duties in the house and did not care to take care of herself either because her spirit was broken.  I think it also has to do with a sister's love and what one would do to save another because of it.


Sources:   

http://www.teleflora.com/about-flowers/lily.asp

http://www.umich.edu/~umfandsf/symbolismproject/symbolism.html/P/pearl.html

http://changingminds.org/explanations/identity/jung_archetypes.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Rossetti

Entry 1.3 Poetry Symbolism

     The poem I chose is called The Amulet, by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803- 1882).  He is an American poet, philosopher, lecturer, and essay writer.  He was influenced in Eastern philosphies as well as Romanticism during that period and was know to be very spiritual.  He started the American Transcendental Movenent which had to do with individualistic intuition and self reliance.

The Amulet
by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Your picture smiles as first it smiled,
The ring you gave is still the same,
Your letter tells, O changing child,
No tidings since it came.

Give me an amulet
That keeps intelligence with you,
Red when you love, and rosier red,
And when you love not, pale and blue.

Alas, that neither bonds nor vows
Can certify possession;
Torments me still the fear that love
Died in its last expression.

Symbols

amulet:
connotation- talisman, for protection. used in different religions.
denotation- lucky charm, threatened by evil, spirits,

picture:
connotation- representation by various means: painting, photograph, drawing.
denotation- memories

ring:
connotation- solid, circular object. jewelry around a finger.
denotation- continuous, infinite, love, marrige, unity, a well

letter:
connotation- a symbol in the alphabet, a printed message
denotation- missing someone, poets, love, romanticism

child:
connotation- a young person
denotation- mischevious, innocent, pure

intelligence:
connotation- the ability to learn
denotation- divinity, God, aliens

red:
connotation- like a rose in color, one of the primary colors
denotation- love, sensuality, sexuality, excitement

pale:
connotation- light in color
denotation- death, dying, decay, sullen, sad

blue:
connotation- like the sky in color.  one of the primary colors
denotation- sad, depressed, strength, masculine

vows:
connotation- one by which a person is bound to an act, service, or condition
denotation- marrige, promises

possession:
connotation- to belong to
denotation- exorcism, abuse, smother, demons

fear:
connotation- to be afraid of
denotation- scary, alone, darkness, shadows

     In this poem, I feel Emerson is missing someone he once loved.  He talks about a picture of someone who is smiling in which it seems he misses the smile the person had.  Also, that The ring gave is still the same, makes me believe there might have been some kind of marrige involved.  It has to do with someone who is also not near since a letter is received and that the person is a changing child, so they must be turning into an adult. 
     In the 2nd stanza, Emerson asks for an amulet that keeps intelligence in it which could mean something that will protect and have a divine nature to it.  He uses the word red in talking about love and how when it is absent, she is pale and blue- which could only mean sad and depressed. 
     In the last stanza, it seems that Emerson is stating that no connection or promises could prove that she belongs to him.  He seems heartbroken when he wrote,  fear that love Died in its last expression - which only seems that the love he had for this person may not be mutual anymore which tortures him now.


Sources:

www.emersoncentral.com/poems/amulet.htm

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Transcendental+movement

http://www.online-literature.com/emerson/

Entry 1.2: Internet Research

I'm interested in the history of Vampires and where the folklore/myth came about.  I found some interesting websites and there is much information out there so it can be a little difficult to narrow down.  I have used Google in the past for my quest of information on the subject and found it to be quite helpful so I decided to use the same search engine.  This particular website:  http://www.vampiresamongus.com/history.html had a lot of information in a chronological order as far as how the myth might have been created.  It discusses how the demon/Satanic relationship to Vampirism in the beginining and/or black magic throughout the begining of history.  Many people used blood sacrafice or when past murders came up, the person responsible may have been called a similar name.  This particular website:  http://www.hellhorror.com/vampires/history_of_vampires/ has a very nice timeline reflecting the beginining of th vampire myth dating all the way back to 5000 BC!  I find it interesting that some of the information I'm finding all somehow mixes in religion with this myth.

About Me

Where do you start when talking about yourself?  It would be nice to sound fascinating and interesting but how do you do that without sounding like you're boasting?  Let's see how I sound...  I am 30 years old, returning back to school for a second degreee in Nursing.  I have taken English 102 before however, I need a better grade to get into a Nursing program - so hear I am.  I work at a hospital as an Auditory Screener for newborn babies which inspired into return to school for Nursing.  I have majored in Art & Psychology, which are also some of my interests.

I am excited to be in a class that involves the Supernatural which are one of my interests.  I love the show "True Blood" as well as the sappy, romanitc, "Twiilght" movies.  I am also excited in maybe doing research in the supernatural end of religion such as Voodoo and/or Santeria.  Horror movies are definetely my genre of choice when deciding what to watch.  Some of my alll time favorites are "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," "Phantasm," "The Ring (terrble storyline, but great scare factor),"Children of the Corn," "The Serpent and the Rainbow" and many more.   I would love to see what Dr. Smith has in store for this class since it does not seem like a very typical version of English 102.