ENL 003 Post #4

The short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce details the execution of a Southern man by Union troops. Though the reader is eventually given a cause and a conclusion, it is Bierce’s effective use of transitions in narration and chronology that guides a particular first impression of the text. With a cold opening in third person objective, the reader is thrust into the story as the narrator denies us an explanation from either exposition or internality, leaving us to only absorb the facts of the grim scene. This distant approach also prevents any identification with the characters since no thoughts or feelings are explicitly addressed. However, the perspective appropriately shifts to third person subjective just as Peyton pensively looks at the river below. Exploring his final thoughts the reader can sympathize with Peyton as they are unselfish and human, picturing his dear family and desperately reasoning he could free himself.
Another fitting transition occurs, this time chronological, as the sergeant steps aside from the board holding Peyton up. Focusing on the past we are finally given the protagonist’s name as well as background, giving us insight into the motivation of the crime that would cost him his life. Again, the reader can sympathize with Peyton as he was without an opportunity to defend his viewpoint in battle and only disobeyed orders to support the cause he passionately believed in. This creates a bittersweet feeling since the reader is given a glimpse into Peyton’s life right before it comes to a close.
The chronology suitably shifts to the present as Peyton is dropped from Owl Creek bridge. The reader, however, is reprieved from parting with him as Peyton is described to have barely survived due to the rope breaking and dropping him into the river below. From here the narration adopts a suspenseful and daring tone as the limited perspective constantly informs us of Peyton’s thoughts while facing overwhelming odds eluding the troops overseeing his execution. Though the reader becomes immersed in the hectic nature of Peyton’s escape, the perspective abruptly returns to third person objective revealing that he was hung and his escape was merely a vicarious fantasy. The limited perspective concealed the truth of Peyton’s execution, his thoughts and emotions falsely suggesting that his escape plan had worked, giving the conclusion the impression of a twist ending.

ENL 003 Post #3

The poem “Suicide’s Note” by Langston Hughes recounts the brief but compelling reason behind a man’s decision to end his life. Portrayed by Machinima Poetry Theater using the videogame Halo 3 and the song “Mad World”, this video tribute effectively conveys the forlorn tone inherent in the poem as well as presents the text in an engaging style. Also, using the Halo character and setting to express the actions described by Hughes, it seems to improve the poem from a narrative perspective since the audience can use the series’ mythos to fill in the story behind the suicide note. However, due to the complex storyline of strife, humanity, and technology associated with the Halo franchise and the song “Mad World” describing a chaotic world through the eyes of a teenager, it foregoes the anonymity that was originally associated with the original text only allowing us a glimpse. Applying this background the poem appears to have an anti-war outlook, showing a lone soldier standing post that, after finding himself a stranger in a strange land, examines a river and, tantalized by its tranquil temperament, drowns himself in it to find peace. In these respects, the video heavily diverges from the tone and emotions one perceives when reading Hughes’ poem by itself.
As for an example of poetry referenced in popular culture, in the classic “Simpsons” episode “Old Money”, Grampa recites a portion from the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling as he tries to convince Homer that gambling his inheritance is for the greater good. Aside from bringing an element of culture into the moment, the quote admirably gives insight into Grampa’s decision and presents a rather uplifting message for his son regarding experience. However, the humor quickly follows as Homer immediately dismisses it as foolish and pulls his father’s bet. In my opinion it makes the scene memorable by telling a relatively realistic lesson about maturity and reinforces the humor as the flaw within the poem’s logic is quickly pointed out. Also, it brings a smile to older viewers familiar with Kipling’s poem and playfully urges younger viewers to read it.

ENL 003 Post #2

The poem “All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace” by Richard Brautigan carries a tone and theme of anti-technology. Although the imagery suggests otherwise, with its seemingly optimistic outlook on a blending of the two worlds, the sarcasm at the start of each strophe along with the demotion and patronization of man disagree with this. The first piece of evidence is shown in the first two lines as a parenthesized and impatient comment following the phrase, “I like to think”. Delivered in an impatient and exclaimed fashion, the statement comes off rather as a sarcastic remark than a genuine comment on his initial proposal. This restlessness is repeated in the following two strophes, bringing a sense of doubt and reluctance into each of his supposed visions. Aside from this placement of text, the saccharine images of humanity conceding its position of observer in life also support this anti-technological theme. While mankind is envisioned to become merry by rejoining the natural world and allowing technology to merge with the environment, it begins to illustrate a world where humans are no longer in control, having been reduced to the same role as an animal, and machines gaining the dominant presence.
However, this poem can also be interpreted as having a pro-technology tone and theme. The bulk of this evidence comes from the abundant imagery depicting a peaceful future where organic and artificial life can coexist peacefully. In the first strophe an optimistic vision of a harmonized world between man and machine is illustrated through an effective use of serene scenery. This is repeated in the second strophe, albeit with animals and machines, showing that once technology has merged with civilization it is prepared to merge with the natural world. This concord culminates in the third strophe where a dream of humanity, wildlife, and machinery coexisting as a peaceful cohesive unit is visualized. The exalting adjectives used to describe the possible benefits of embracing technology also support this claim, with the final line, “by machines of loving grace”, a clear example.
Regarding both guided interpretations, I believe the anti-technology reading is more convincing. Although the imagery initially contradicts this, the poem is overly bright with the apparent belief that all of humanities difficulties would end should we only return to nature and allow technology to take our place and supervise our future. Reflecting on that, it seems that technology’s fusion was overly embellished in order raise suspicions of its true purpose. The interjection after the first line of each strophe also gives the anti-technological perspective more credibility since it is not only unnecessary for the latter but is impatient as to create a sense of urgency. As the pro-technological stance relies on a superficial reading, whereas most text depends on a deeper analysis as a whole, it simply comes off as a much weaker argument. However, this could also stem from the fact that most writers assume every work has a hidden meaning, often disregarding their initial grasp of the text.

ENL 003 Post #1

The sonnet “Design” by Robert Frost emphasizes the grim device of design that appears to coldly dictate the actions in nature. Although Frost’s “Volta” is fairly abundant in imagery, the images of the defeated moth in the grip of an icy spider atop a flower, the simile of a witch’s broth and the positioning of predator and prey seem to best express the poem’s theme. Established in the first three lines, the scenario of the spider holding its catch on a flower relates to the theme of design in a literal sense because the physical designs of the organisms are described. However, the bleak fate of the moth also connects with the darker aspect of design pondered at the conclusion since it is implied that design precisely directed the spider to seize and the moth to fall.
The ghoulish comparison made in the following three lines between the role of the organisms in nature and the ingredients used by a witch for sorcery again correlate with the dark law of design that is being explored due to the wicked imagery and specificity both sets possess in creating affliction. This description of grim roles given in the fourth line also implies that design is characterized by a lack of compromise since each creature had a part to play in this callous scene, whether predator, prey, or witness, without any being spared responsibility. An example of imagery introducing outright sinister elements, it would support the hypothesis that the speaker regards design in a negative light for the ill it associates with nature.
The third image of the spider climbing atop the flower and the moth heedlessly flying in the dark in lines eleven and twelve is important to interpreting the poem since it creates an opportunity for the speaker to offer design as a reason for these calculated actions, reinforcing the negativity of design. Since each creature is almost described to have been obligated to possess such properties, it also solidifies the recurring concept that the darker aspects of design imbued in living organisms are unavoidable and necessary, even on a minute scale.