I find it interesting that the Yankee is still pressing democracy on people who are not prepared to accept this completely new form of government, where they are actually given rights and control over their own lives. While I can see that the Yankee would want all the glory of forming this famously productive type of government, it seems confusing to me that he would want a revolution against higher powers, especially since he has gained notoriety as “The Boss”. As the introduction of the seven knights is presented in the girl’s story, I wanted to recognize that seven if often distinguished as an important biblical number, further emphasizing the incorporation and significance the church has in the Yankee’s journey to a revolution. We are reminded the the Yankee has gained loyalty and respect, even fear from all when he is presented with Queen Morgan Lee Fay’s prisoners. His acts of kindness towards the prisoners, releasing those who do not deserve his or her incarceration, provide almost a religious aspect to the Yankee, almost adopting the label of savior. As a new savior, one not presented to civilization by the church, I believe Hank is beginning to cleverly pilfer the power that the Church is currently holding over this naïve society.
His belief in training the common man, to accept a new sense of self-right is an interesting them that continues with his attempt to refurbish this culture. I actually find it ironic that in the process of trying to create a democracy, Hank constantly rises higher and higher in the social status, almost dictating the people through mind games and trickery.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Week Two
Erica Schweiger
Reynolds
Engl 1102 P4
January 18, 2008
Blog Two
As I first starting reading A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, I initially thought there was the theme of “the outsider.” The character, making his first appearance in the world of King Arthur’s Court, believes himself to be the only normal individual in this area full of insane people, however, at that point, he adopted the role as the outsider. I am not sure yet why Twain may be using this theme, but it seems to continue throughout the chapters we have covered as the Yankee uses his label to his advantage. Because the Yankee is from a different era, we can observe the change in dominant behaviors that develop in a human nature’s “political animal” throughout the years. I felt like Twain was highlighting how the ambitious nature of people has developed into a greed or hunger for power. While the naïve citizens of the court seem content in living a simple life, believing any word from a higher power, people from the Yankee’s time are driven in a more conflicted and industrial world.
As the Yankee gains power, respect and fear of all people, I feel like his character may evolve into a tragic hero. While using his business and bargaining skills from his own time, he understands the manipulative qualities that are fresh to the people of the court. While he may not later meet a failure, his rapid gain of strength and arrogance seems to foreshadow a possible demise. I found it surprising that the Yankee seemed somewhat offended that the Church still reigned over both his status as well as the king’s, even after gaining greater recognition than even the king himself. As he builds upon new aspects of civilization, I feel that he only makes these progressive improvements in order to limit the power of the Church, and further increase his status in society.
Reynolds
Engl 1102 P4
January 18, 2008
Blog Two
As I first starting reading A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, I initially thought there was the theme of “the outsider.” The character, making his first appearance in the world of King Arthur’s Court, believes himself to be the only normal individual in this area full of insane people, however, at that point, he adopted the role as the outsider. I am not sure yet why Twain may be using this theme, but it seems to continue throughout the chapters we have covered as the Yankee uses his label to his advantage. Because the Yankee is from a different era, we can observe the change in dominant behaviors that develop in a human nature’s “political animal” throughout the years. I felt like Twain was highlighting how the ambitious nature of people has developed into a greed or hunger for power. While the naïve citizens of the court seem content in living a simple life, believing any word from a higher power, people from the Yankee’s time are driven in a more conflicted and industrial world.
As the Yankee gains power, respect and fear of all people, I feel like his character may evolve into a tragic hero. While using his business and bargaining skills from his own time, he understands the manipulative qualities that are fresh to the people of the court. While he may not later meet a failure, his rapid gain of strength and arrogance seems to foreshadow a possible demise. I found it surprising that the Yankee seemed somewhat offended that the Church still reigned over both his status as well as the king’s, even after gaining greater recognition than even the king himself. As he builds upon new aspects of civilization, I feel that he only makes these progressive improvements in order to limit the power of the Church, and further increase his status in society.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Week One
Erica Schweiger
Reynolds
ENGL 1102
January 11, 2008
“Engineers and the New South Creed” opened new information to me about the origins of Georgia Tech and how my school developed before my entrance this year. Previous to the reading, I had not given much thought to the reason why a strictly technical school had been created and located in Georgia, especially at its time of inception. I found it interesting to learn how Georgia Institute of technology had begun to change its surroundings, as well as the economical boost that spread throughout the South. It seemed to me that the foundation of the school was under the idea of beating the North at its own game. I never saw my college as a protest of Southern Strength, and I found it interesting how Georgia Tech has evolved from its first years to the point at which it is today. The addition of numerous majors over the years has expanded the technological field, and worked in my benefit as Architecture major, since I came to a school where I am surrounded by people with creative minds. I especially liked the quote in reference to Thurston that suggests that “graduates of the technical schools would be members of a profession that would be served by the trade school graduates.”
In continuing our reading with the introduction to Black Metropolis I developed a lot of questions. I was not sure whether to be somewhat insulted by the category in which the white race has been placed, or to gain understanding with the subject of the book, African Americans in the urbanized world. As I read through I saw that white men are “built upon greed, exploitation, and a general denial of humanity” and I hoped I would not be categorized with the slave owners of early America (XXV). I feel that it is unfair for anyone to be judged by the color of their skin, and I don’t believe that my foundation as an individual has been corrupted by an act that happened much before my time. I do however agree that the author formulated a background on the way in which hopeless people are preyed on by society in reference Hitler’s power. People who are being corrupt by their surroundings should receive attention, especially in a country that emphasizes security for the growing populations.
Reynolds
ENGL 1102
January 11, 2008
“Engineers and the New South Creed” opened new information to me about the origins of Georgia Tech and how my school developed before my entrance this year. Previous to the reading, I had not given much thought to the reason why a strictly technical school had been created and located in Georgia, especially at its time of inception. I found it interesting to learn how Georgia Institute of technology had begun to change its surroundings, as well as the economical boost that spread throughout the South. It seemed to me that the foundation of the school was under the idea of beating the North at its own game. I never saw my college as a protest of Southern Strength, and I found it interesting how Georgia Tech has evolved from its first years to the point at which it is today. The addition of numerous majors over the years has expanded the technological field, and worked in my benefit as Architecture major, since I came to a school where I am surrounded by people with creative minds. I especially liked the quote in reference to Thurston that suggests that “graduates of the technical schools would be members of a profession that would be served by the trade school graduates.”
In continuing our reading with the introduction to Black Metropolis I developed a lot of questions. I was not sure whether to be somewhat insulted by the category in which the white race has been placed, or to gain understanding with the subject of the book, African Americans in the urbanized world. As I read through I saw that white men are “built upon greed, exploitation, and a general denial of humanity” and I hoped I would not be categorized with the slave owners of early America (XXV). I feel that it is unfair for anyone to be judged by the color of their skin, and I don’t believe that my foundation as an individual has been corrupted by an act that happened much before my time. I do however agree that the author formulated a background on the way in which hopeless people are preyed on by society in reference Hitler’s power. People who are being corrupt by their surroundings should receive attention, especially in a country that emphasizes security for the growing populations.
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