Journal 10: Theme, Questions and Quotations

Theme: Judging others by comparing them to yourself gives you the sense of power and superiority from those whom you are judging.
Comments : wording need changing, explain how power is connected to judgment.

Quotes:
1. Page 35: "Two men who were sitting on their shoulderblades huge live oak trees almost sat upright at the tone of his voice. They stared at Joe's face, his clothes and his wife"

2. Page 39: " Us talks about de white man keepin' us down! Shucks! He don't have tuh. Us leeps our own selves down."

3. Page 41: " She had her first taste of presiding over it the day i was complete and finished. Jody told her to dress up and stand in the store all that evening. Everybody was coming sort of fixed up, and he didn't mean for nobody else;s wife to rank with her. She must look on herself as the bell-cow, the other woman were the gang. So the put on one of her bought dresses and went up the new -cut road all dressed in wine-colored red. Her silken ruffles rustled and muttered about her. The other woman had on percale and calico with here and there a headrag amont the older ones."

4. Page 43: "Thank yuh fuh yo' compliments, but mah wife don't know nothin; 'bout no speech-makin'. Ah never married her for nothin' lak da."

5. Page 50: " They bowed down to him rather, because he was all of these things, and then again he was all of these things because the town bowed down."

6. Page 67: " You can almost hear it by looking at the way she walks. She is black and she knows that white clothes look good on her, so she wears them for dress up. She's got those big black eyes with plenty shiny white in them that makes them shine like brand new money and she knows what God gave woman eyelashes for too...."

7. Page 75: " "Sometimes God gits familiar wid us womenfolk too and talks His inside business. He told me how surprised He was 'bout y'all turning out so smart after Him makin' yuh different; and how surprised y'all is goin' tuh be if you ever find out you don't know half as much 'bout us as you think you do. It's so easy to make yo'self out God Almighty when you ain't got nothin' tuh strain agaisnt but woman and chickens"

8: Page 81: " He didn't really hate Janie, but he wanted her to think so."

9:  Page 104: " Naw, Ah never gazes at 'em in de lookin' glass. If anybody else gits any pleasure out of 'em Ah ain't been told about it." " See dat? You'se got de world in uh jug and make out you don;t know it. But Ah'm glad tuh be de one tuh tell yuh."

10: Page 147: " Not because her behavior justified his jealousy, but it relieved that awful fear inside him. Being able to whip her reassured him in possesion."

Journal 9: Pastiche of Hurston duplicating theme

Theme: Judgement of  others by comparison to one's self gives humans a feeling of power and superiority.

He opened the door with shakey arms as a look of mixed despairity flashed on his face.  He thought back to this time last year, the cold walk followed by the warm welcoming entrance into the miniature society called "high school".  But times were much different now.  The warm California sun dumped him into a cold air conditioned room, filled with pockets of people dressed in all different colors and clothes.  Clothes that were bright, that were dark, and clothes that didn't even count as clothes back in Wisconsin.  They talked different, acted different, yet somehow were all the same.  He estimated about 500 people held simply in the one room.

As people poured in he overheard words he'd only seen on the television, "dude" and "tight".  They spoke an alien language to him.  Peter advanced on and pushed through the crowds to his locker 164-B.  He opened his new locker when a small boy of heavier proportion who looked far too young to be anywhere close to being in high school walked up to him.  He reached over him with his sweat stained t-shirt and noted Peters existence with a questioning gaze. 
"You new here man?"
"Uh...sure am," Peter replied.
 "Where ya from?"
"Wisconsin."
"DUDE thats way far.  You skateboard?"
"Huh?"
"Skateboard?  4 wheels, 3 foot piece of wood?  Ya know?"
"Oh uh..no." 
The bell rang as Peter walked away confused by this new encounter.  These people spoke so differently, quick and imformal. 

-The motifs explained in this patiche are clothing and speech. Throughout this passage the narrator is explaining the differences in clothing and the way the two boys talk. They are different based on the places these two boys live. The imagery of the diffent clothing is also portrayed throughout the passage for example " the pockets of people"
-The dialect is also different helping give more emphasis on how the two places are so different. The dialect from Wisconsin is more formal and proper where as in California slang words play a huge role in their everyday vocabulary.
-The tone is set in the opening paragraph of this pastiche. "He opened the door with shakey arms as a look of mixed despairity flashed on his face. " It is explaining how nervous and different Peter felt. By using descriptors like shakey and desparity we can almost feel how nervous Peter was being placed in this new situation.

Journal 8: Three different stylic attributes in Hurston's writting

1. Page 114: "She was borned in slavery time when folks, dat is black folks, didn't sit down anytime dey felt lak it. So sittin' on prches lak de white madam looked lak uh mighty fine thing tuh her. Dat's whut she wanted for me- don't keer whut it cost. Git up on uh high chair and sit dere. She didn't have time tuh think whu tuh git dere. So Ah got up on de high stool lak she told me, but Pheoby, Ah done nearly languishedtuh death up dere. Ah felt like de world wuz cryin extry and Ah ain't read de common news yet"
In this passage i can really see the distinction in dialect. It is clear especially in this passage how much of a difference the different spelling and prounoucation makes a different to explain not only the situation but also the characters.
2. Page 104: "Naw, Ah never gazes at 'em in de lookin' glass. If anybody else gits any pleasure out of 'em Ah ain'tbeen told about it"
"See dat? You'se got de world in uh jug and make out you don;t know it. But Ah'm glad tug be de one tuh tell yuh." The playfulness and understanding of the African American people is a good demonstration of tone. It also helps explain their characters based on Hurstons stylic choice.
3. Page 106: "He could be a bee to blossom a pear tree blossom in the spring. He seemed to be crushing scent our of the world with his footsteps..." This passage helps me further understand the Motif of Judgment and how it is expressed though in animate objects.

Journal 7: Pastiche based on Death paragraph

Then Anna began to imagine the idea of Love. Love that fantastical feeling of ocean pouring onto the grains of sand on the beach. The huge waves blown into every direction like a paintbrush flowing across a blank page. Why would Love need protection when tehre is so must heartache? He looks upon the cold water flowing to every stream. Contemplating the power of the great waves crashing agaisnt the rocks, awaiting a ship to arise in the dusk. He lingers with every moment, before the sun peeks up above the mountains. Staying there, listening, watching, waiting. Anna was suseptable to feeling the rush of waves crashing agaisnt her walls preparing a defense. She felt magical but confused. Oh John! He ought to conceive the emmotions he is causing. He offered a man to sail to her but Anna refused. The doctor proved to cure aching, but he couldn't cure such a feeling. It enfolded her pulling her deep beneath the surface. She knew that this feeling would overtake her but not with such entity. She truely believed it. Everyone told her otherwise but she persisted. And then if they were fallacious she would be adheared to the Originator.  People who woud challenge to walk on the sea did not return then. Simply resided on the shore awaiting. Jealousy, that ship hidding in the darkness, had set sail once again.

Journal 6: Stylic choices in the passage of Death

Passage on page 84:

Death, that strange being with the huge square toes who lived way in the West. The great one who lived in the straight house like a platform without sides to it, and without a roof. What need has Death for a cover, and what winds can blow against him?He stands in his high house that overlooks the world. Stands watchful and motionless all day with his sword drawn back, waiting for the messenger to bid him come. Been standing there before there was a where of a when or a then.She was liable to find a feather from his wings lying in her yard any day now. She was sad, and afraid too. Poor Jody! He ought not to have to wrassle in there by himself. She sent Sam in to suggest a visit, but Jody said No. These medical doctors wuz alright with the Godly sick, but they didn't know a thing about a case like his. He'd be alright just as soon as the two-headed man found what had been buried against him. He wasn't going to die at all. That was what he thought. But Sam told her different, so she knew. And then if he hadn't, the next morning she was bound to know, for people began to gather in the big yard under the palm and china-berry trees. People who would not have dared to foot the place before crept in and did not come to the house. Just squatted under the trees and waited. Rumor, that wingless bird, has shadowed over the town."

Analysis:

1. Not only in this passage but throughout the whole book it seems as though death not only represents the end of a life but also the birth of a new one.

2. Death is also personified as a figure rather then a event."He stands in his high house that overlooks the world."

3. The author compares emotions to elements of nature throughout the book. She compares death to feathers and birds. "She was liable to find a feather from his wings lying in her yard any day now"

4. It seems as though the buzzards funeral ceremony for the mule is much more sincere and orderly then that on the people ( the buzzards are waiting for theit leader )

5. Death also marks changes in Janie's life and things that she overcomes. For example soon after marrying Joe he passes away.

6. "Rumor, that wingless bird, has shadowed over the town.", not onle does Hurston compare death to animals and objects but she also expresses different feelings through them aswell.

Journal 5: Thesis Statement

Hurston uses many symbols throughout Their Eyes Were Watching God to explain the unreal but clear effects that our emotions have. For example she uses materialistic things such as food and clothing to symbolize her emotions. This can help the reader relate and more clearly understand what the author is trying to express.

Journal 4: Three Patterns that appear throughout the book

There are many patterns that appear all throught this novel.
The first pattern I found was how the physical senses of the human body represent different emotions and feelings. The word eyes and sight is written not only in the first few chapters but all throught the book. The eyes have been discussed as judging and have been shown as a way to explain power. I think that this same theme is represented in all of the senses. For example on the first page Hurston writes " These sitters had been tongueless, earless, eyeless conviniences all day long."
The second patter I found was the idea of food replacing Janie's emotions. On page 21 Janie's wedding with Logan is described "Janie and Logan got married in Nanny's parlor of a Saturday evening with three cakes and big platters of fried rabbit and chicken. Everything to eat in abundance." Fast foods i think, are heavy and weigh you down and it seems as though Logan gives her many merterial things but never gives her love. I think this explains that the absence of people and other feelings are replaced and described by food. The friends and significant others that should be described at the wedding are replaced with three cakes and fried rabit and chicken. I think this is used throughout the book aswell.
The third pattern i found is the reference to sun. The sun is explained to go up and down everyday. I think that she is demonstrating that every day is a new day and there is always room for a new begining.For example on page 31 " The sun from ambush was thretening the world with red daggers, but the shadows were frey and solid-looking around the bar"

Journal 3: Background on a Harlem Renaissance figure and write a dialogue between that figure and your own creative dialect

Harlem Renaissance feature:
An important figure in the Harlem Renaissance is Jacob Lawrence who was as African American painter from America. Lawrence was also married to a fellow Renaissance painter named Gwendolyn Knight. His paintings were very well known all throughout the 20th century, and he describes his painting style as  "dynamic cubism". Now he is known for being a great artist, teacher and humanitarian and was even featured in Fortune Magazine in 1941.

Rules:

3 Pronunciation Rules:
- Th is Tw
- single e is spoken as short sound
- all vowels are prounouced

3 Phrase Changes:
- Every noun is either masculin or feminine
- Every reference noun has a specific quantity ( if quantity isn't know reference to size)  
- Sentence structure : Posession, quantity, gender, noun , tense, affirmation, action, object, interogatory spoken if appropriate.

3 Word Differences:
- Painting is Canvasing
- Museum is the resting place
- Adaration, refrenced by color

Ella, a young woman, is intrigued when she sees an advertisement for the new Museum opening down the street. She goes to visit this museum, soon realizing that some of her favorite artists are being featured, such as Jacob Lawrence. She carefully opens the large door to the museum, walking in with the overwhelmed feeling of beauty.
"Ella one she museum now is bright!" she said, overwhelmed by the museums' beauty.
"Why hello twere miss, welcome to the museum." Lawrence said with a smile."Me know he one he name is Jacob Lawrence, one he Canvaser is colorful." Shaking Lawrence's hand, her eyes gleaming with delight. "Why thank you ma'am, that's very nice."
"You one he canvaser in twis is bright she resting place?" she asked, starting to move closer to the paintings. "Why yes, the colorful ones, I describe them as dynamic cubism paintings" he says pointing to his first painting on the wall. "Ella one she canvas she girl combine of blue and bright" she says intrigued by the swirls of colors and shapes. "Why thank you miss, it is one of my favorites. It is called THE BUILDER - THE FAMILY".  "Me one he canvas one me family at one she house" she said thinking back to her own family at home. " I see miss" he said in wonder. "Me one she family at one she house past she relate" she said staring into the colors of the painting. " Are you alright?" Lawrence asked watching as she stared into the painting. "Me one she family not live coloful past she house." she said sighing and looking away now. "I'm sorry miss, I'm afraid my painting has brought back some difficult memories" he said now also looking away up to the great glass window above in the roof of the museum. "You one he pain not but grey. Me many she memories bring colorful one she hope twat many she life now bring" she said smilling now. Thinking back on her past she realizes, that as hard as it was, she was never alone because regardless of her struggles, she was never alone. " That miss, is all  I can ask for. That people can relate and understand that things aren't always as complicated when in color." With that, he smiled, leaving her to keep looking throughout the new museum.

Journal 2: Analytical Journal, Pick a passage in chapter 1 and 2 type passage. Analyze the passage.

Chapter 2 page 10 and 11

"Pheoby's hungry listening helped Janie to tell her story. So she went on thinking back to her young years and explaining them to her friend in soft, easy phrases while all around the house, the night time put on flesh and blackness.
She thought awhile and decided that her conscious life had commenced at Nanny's gate. On a late afternoon Nanny had called her to come inside the house because she had sped Janie letting Johnny Taylor kiss her over the gatepost.
 It was a spring afternoon in West Florida. Janie had spent all her time most of the day under a blosomming pear tree for the last three days. That was to say, ever sinceever since the first tiny bloom had opened. It had called her to come and gaze on a mystery. From barren brown stems to glistening leaf-buds; from the leaf-buds; from the leaf-buds to snowy virginity of bloom. It stirred her tremendously. How? Why? It was like a flute song forgotten in another existance and remebered again. What? How? Why? This singing she heard that had nothing to do with her ears. The rose of the world was breathing out smell. It followed her through all her waking momentsand carressed her in her sleep. It connected itself with other vaguely felt matter that had struck her outside observation and buried themselves in her flesh. Now they emerged and quested about her consciousness."

Analysis:
1) The line " It was like a flute song forgotten in another existence and remembered again" expresses purity. The song of the flute is pure just like the woman.
2) " From barren brown stems to glistening leaf buds is personification.
3) "her through all her waking moments and caressed her in sleep" is also personification.
4) "hungry listening" eager to learn, and intreeged.
5) "Bloom had opened". Something transforming into something new, more powerful. ( flower)
6) "snowy virginity" is a metaphor for the innocence a woman can have.
7) This entire passage is a flashback and reflecting on that flashback.
8) Throughout this passage many question are asked, but they are not answered until later.
9) There is the common theme of blossoming throughout this passage. Showing things coming of age innocently and purely.
10) "the rose of the world was breathing out smell" is personification.
11) Throughout not only this passage but the entire book there is a series of senses portrayed and how they affect and reflect our feelings.
12) The senses also give the text description more humanity.

Journal 1: If you could tell your life story to anyone who would you tell it to and when would you start your story?

If I were to tell anybody my life story it would be the person I trust the most. I am a relatively sheltered person and do not share many of my life experiences with just anyone. To know all of the details and to compleatly understand there has to be trust between me and the listener. In order to tell my story the person has to understand me as a person and to be able to listen. I also have to bea ble to trust that the person I am sharing my story with will keep it to themselves for not just anyone can be trusted with the one thing that makes us each individual; our personal stories.
I would start my story at the climax giving the reader the hook to be interested into learning more about my story. This hook at the climax would show the reader the most interesting part wanting them to learn more about the main character, or me. After intreaging the reader I would start at the beginning.