Contemporary Literature

[johnnycurnin-blog]

I’m posting this a little late again. If only I lived in a world where time was basically irrelevant like how it is in the road. I think there is a lot of symbols like all the clocks being stopped at 1:17. You know what time “it” happened but after that time just stopped. Also the train in the...

[anna-webber-blog]

When it comes to deadlines I too wish time were irrelevant. However I cannot imagine what life was like for the people in The Road to exist in a world where things like time did not matter. The way society is nowadays it’s near about impossible to function without some sort of time schedule. I also think it’s interesting how gold and money is meaningless to the characters when right now people all over are wishing they could find a little gold or money. The Road really put things into perspective for me to re-evaluate what I put stock in in my life, what I hold as valuable. 

[anna-webber-blog]

The End

As the class comes to an end and I look back on my experience I find myself more satisfied than I ever expected to be when I initially signed up for the class. Not only were the books very interesting and out of the norm from what I would usually have chosen, Professor Clark made the class fun and exciting. My favorite book this semester definitely has to be The Things They Carried. I find myself wanting to recommend it to my friends and family for their next read. I also will be highly recommending to my friends to take this class. 

[juliabeckman-blog]

As I’ve read this book it does make me wonder if something like this could actually happen. With the technology available today it would only take one extreme personality to cause a worldwide catastrophe. Scary thought. Maybe this is why writers pen these types of novels, as a type of wake-up...

[anna-webber-blog]

That is a very good point. How would I act should those circumstances occur and also how would the people I’m closest to react? You think you know someone and then in the face of something major people have a tendency to change, for the better or the worse. I hope I would be one to keep my humanity. I think the thought of world ending or some major catastrophe is something near about everyone is at least a little concerned with. It seems people have this sense that we live in a finite world, but that it would never cease to exist while they are still alive. 

[anna-webber-blog]

The Road

Both the book and movie version of The Road we just ok to me. I didn’t necessarily not like either one, but I didn’t find pleasure out of reading the stories either. The story just seemed kind of endless and monotonous and it was a very dark story. Although the characters did not have names, I don’t really care as much now that I finished the book as when I started it. I guess the part of the story that really got me was we never get to find out what happened to the little boy after his father died. I know that is the purpose of the author to leave you hanging but still, I want to know. 

[eaglefan4life]

After finishing The Road I have to say that all in all I liked the book. The book does an incredible job of showing how good men and women act in times of total chaos. While others were selfishly killing for supplies and resorting to cannibalism the father managed to keep a good moral sense and...

[anna-webber-blog]

I agree with you that I was very happy to see how the father kept his good moral compass even in the face of having no food, shelter, or clothes sometimes. A lot of people tend to push aside their standards when it’s a life or death situation, especially when it’s their child they are trying to take care of. Like you, I was confused as to how the man found the boy. Also I want to know where the man and boy went and how life was where they went. I hope that the man was apart of some refuge for the “good guys” and that the boy is well taken care of. 

[anna-webber-blog]

The Road

McCarthy’s, The Road, about a boy and his father living in post-apocalyptic America trying to make their way south while struggling to survive is a book that I feel requires persistence, on the readers part, to finish. Reading about how the boy and father are constantly starving, cold, and near death can be very draining at times because the book is just so dark. What compensates for the book feeling so dark is the hope the father brings not only to the son but also to the reader that they will make it south, find food, shelter, clothes, and find the “good guys”.

Apart of the story that plays kind of a major role is “carrying the fire”. While sometimes that was literal, they had a way of creating fire by using a lighter or other tools; there was more of a metaphorical meaning to the word. My interpretation of the fire comes from my Christian background where the Holy Spirit is associated with being a fire burning inside you. Because there is talk of God throughout the story I thought maybe the father was referring to always having God, the Holy Spirit, with them all the time, they carry the fire and that’s why it was so important to always have the fire. The fire was also their driving force to keep going and gave them hope to not give up. 

[mallorynedwards-deactivated2013]

As I finished up the last chapter in “A visit from the Goon Squad”, I found myself to have really enjoyed this book, and how it ended. I’ve never read another book that is basically a bunch of little stories in one, like this. I find it very interesting that all the characters in the book are some…

[taylorrhastings-deactivated2013]

At first, I found myself not really liking this book, but as I finished it I also found myself enjoying it more than I thought.  I admired how Egan was able to develop each and every character and give them their own small story in this novel.  I also enjoyed how even though you hear one character’s story in one chapter, that same character can play a role in the very next chapter.  I agree with you that it is much like Panama City.  Even though they might not all know each other, they all tie in together.  I have to give Egan props for being able to do that because I certainly would not be able to do that!

[anna-webber-blog]

Although I did not care for the story, I agree that Egan was very creative in the way she developed the characters and how she related them all in some way. Her ability to tie certain characters together while giving each of them their own stories and history without getting them confused as she wrote would have been very difficult for me, had I been the writer. I got slightly confused keeping all the characters in order. The fact that they all stayed related in one way or another so far into their adult lives seems a little unrealistic to me, but maybe since they were all in the music, celebrity, social scene it was easier to tie them all together.

[anna-webber-blog]

The final chapter of AVFTGS was a good ending to the story. It shows how time really does move on to newer generations with the older generations feeling nostalgic at times as to what their lives used to be like. It is interesting how Bennie and Alex met and became friends as mature adults with kids but in their younger partying days they had no idea who the other was, even though they were tied to the same person, Sasha.

I feel like the last chapter of the book was a little foreshadowing of the future, today’s time, because of children using technology. Who would have though that young toddlers would be operating iPads, cell phones, televisions, and any other technological devise given to their disposal today? 

[caitlinjateff-blog]

Jennifer Egan, in her novel A Visit From the Goon Squad, explains how each of the characters change from when they were all young adults in high school and college up until present day when they are in their 40’s plus. She introduces a new character in each chapter and relates it to a character...

[anna-webber-blog]

To me the characters seem a bit exaggerated. I have a hard time imagining the things the characters do is actually how some people act in real life. Maybe I don’t have enough life experience to really know what other people are life outside of my small life here in Panama City Beach.

The way Egan writes is very complex and very PoMo. She introduces new characters every chapter and not only does she do that, she then changes the time period, location, and plot giving small amounts of insight into peoples lives that all has to be pieced together carefully. 

[anna-webber-blog]

A Visit from the Goon Squad

I am finding A Visit from the Goon Squad to be a very difficult read. The way that the book is set up jumping around the way it does and the weird story line makes it near about impossible for me to enjoy the book. What I think my ultimate issue is is the sex, drugs, stealing, violence, and anger along with others that I really don’t care to read about.

I’m not sure I relate to any of the characters in the book so far. I can’t say that I share any connection with them and their lifestyle. Most of the bands they talk about or even just things they say I don’t understand. I suppose all this stems from the very sheltered life I have lived because of my parents. 

[soniapham21-blog-deactivated201]

Generation X

I can honestly say that I really don’t understand this piece that much.

I really feel like you are sitting with a kid while they are explaining this weird magical world of her’s. I really felt like one those adults that somehow get stuck sitting next to a little kind on the bus…

[kurtbarger-deactivated20130701]

  REBLOG #9

I know exactly how you feel about this story (so I think haha). When I read this short story I felt as if I was observing two little kids (roughly around the age of 6 months old) talking or should I say goo goo ga gaing, and I was just some spectator trying to figure out what they were saying to one another. Another example that I think may also let you know how I feel is when girls are talking about make up or some sort in class and I’m over hearing (key word haha) their conversation and I’m like what in the world are they talking about I don’t know anything about no eyeliner, foundation makeup, and some weird device they call a compact (the first thing that went to my mind was some sort of compact car? Totally kidding but I think it’s kind of funny). Pretty much my mind felt as if someone had dropped a M80 into my brain and then it blew up. To put that in simpler terms my head freaking hurt after I read this short story and that pretty much made me not like the story lol.

[anna-webber-blog]

I agree! This story was confusing and I couldn’t figure out what it was talking about or the point of the story. When I finished reading I said to myself “what?” It just didn’t make sense to me, nor did it hold any meaning to me. It was just a strange story that I suppose was too out there for me to really get into. Maybe if I had read the whole story instead of just a small piece from the story it would make more sense or it would reveal some sort of alternate story with a purpose. Sometimes I wonder what writers are thinking when they write a story. What do they want me, as a reader, to get from their story? 

[anna-webber-blog]

Generation X

Generation X didn’t really do anything for me. I didn’t make any sort of connection with the story and society or anything like that. I just found it to be an amusing short story. I suppose maybe there could be a “love conquers all” thing going on. One of the girls eventually fell in love with the guy who looked ugly, like a monster, enough to be willing to die for him with the chance of him saving her. Other than that to me it was just a story that seemed kind of out there. 

[jmbeezley-blog]

Blog 9

We just finished the midterm exam and are headed into the final stretch of this semester. I think I did pretty well on the exam but am anxious to get my grade on the exam as well as the essay. I have enjoyed this class so far; however I wish they had an online version. Attending...

[anna-webber-blog]

I too have enjoyed most of the readings we have done in class. I understand how you could want the class to be online. I don’t work full time like you and I don’t have any kids but I do work 4 days a week 4 until midnight or later so it can be tough making it to class. I feel however, if the class were online we would miss the interaction of the in class discussion that we do so much. To me the in class discussion really helps me understand not only the stories but how the stories relate back to being POMO and how the elements of fictions fit in. 

[anna-webber-blog]

This is a class? I thought it was book club...

Like most of my fellow classmates I too am really enjoying the book selections so far. Now that we all have our first essay and the midterm under our belt, I can breathe a little easier during spring break knowing I gave them both my best shot. I am pleasantly surprised that I enjoy this class as much as I do and don’t dread the books I have to read. In the past when teachers assigned books I was never able to really get into the stories and feel any sort of connection with the characters, but Mrs. Clark has showed that it is possible. I am usually very quiet in class but I enjoy listening to everyone have discussion about the book and give insight on to some aspects I may have missed. 

[onceuponanovel-blog]

When I signed up for this class I didn’t know what to expect other than hopefully it wasn’t going to be boring. I believe taking this class probably was the best decision I made as far as classes yet. I was really excited about the books, confusing as they may be. I’m really enjoying the class…

[mallorynedwards-deactivated2013]

Couldn’t agree more with you about everything! I too am so glad that I am enjoying this class as much as I am. Looking forward to see what the next books will be about and to see what everyone has to say about them! And yes, making tumblr posts by far beats writing tons of papers!

[anna-webber-blog]

I agree with both of you. I am so pleased with how this class is turning out. When I picked it I was a little hesitant about having to read 4 books in one semester but it turns out that it’s really easy and I love the fact that I’m being exposed to books I otherwise would not have chosen for myself. I will say that so far my favorite book out of the two we have all read as a class has been The Things They Carried.

            On the first day of class when we were told we would have to keep a weekly blog I have to admit I was terrified at the thought. I’m not really big on posting things on the internet so I was very nervous about how this all would play out. Although I’m still a little rough, I’m starting to get the hang of it and it’s not so bad. Plus like previously stated, it beats doing a ton of other assignment and writings!

[anna-webber-blog]

Now that Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is over I feel bad for ever having looked down on Oskar’s mom. There was so much more to her than I realized while reading the book. A loving mother helps her children cope when in the face of tragedy. That is exactly what Oskar’s mom did when she called every Black before Oskar went to visit them. She knew all about Oskar’s plans even though he never hinted at anything because that’s how good of a mom she was. What makes her such a good mom also is that she didn’t neglect her own needs. She went to group grief counseling and made friends to help her cope as well. Oskar didn’t need to know that his mom was being helped, and maybe the reason she didn’t tell him sooner was because she wanted him to think she was strong and could be that rock for their family. 

[cameronowens-blog]

Thank you for your letter. Because of the large volume of mail I receive, I am unable to write personal responses. Nevertheless, know that I read and save every letter, with the hope of one day being able to give each the proper response it deserves. Until that day, Stephen Hawking

Why don’t...

[anna-webber-blog]

I feel like those people do care about the people that write to them but they genuinely don't have enough time to reply to every letter. Stephen Hawkins and the other people Oskar writes to have their own lives and I imagine it is very difficult to respond to people who write them. The fact that Stephen says he reads all the letters and has the intention of writing everyone back to me is a very polite response. Oskar seems to be understanding of the response, or lack of response, he receives when he writes the famous people. He doesn't act like he is hurt really. However I know he would be over joyed to receive a real response.