Bildungsroman: A novel that recounts the development (psycholigical and sometimes spiritual) of an individual from childhood to maturity, to the point at which the protagonist recognizes his or her place and role in the world. (Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms)
Sarah Jewett's, A White Heron, is a wondeful story of a young girl faced with the decision to either make money for her family or save the life of a bird. Although a very short story, Jewett does a remarkable job of speedily bringing the young girl to the maturation stage. The story begins with the young protagonist Sylvia searching for her Grandmother's stray Milk cow. From the start, Sylvia is portrayed as a very carefree little girl who is entertained rather that perturbed at their milk cows antics. "Sometimes in pleasant weather it was a consolation to look upon the cow's pranks as an intelligent attempt to play hide and seek, and as the child had no playmates she lent herself to this amusement with a good deal of zest." (Jewett)
Once the milk cow is discovered Sylvia begins her trek home. It is on this journey that Jewett paints a very spiritual reliationship betwen Sylvia and her environment. Sylvia is very self conscience of the birds, the whispering wind, and the plants themselves. "She waded through the brook as the cow moved away, and listened to the thrushes with a heart that beat fast with pleasure." (Jewett) Her serinity is abruptly halted however, with a shrill noise. "Suddenly this little wood girl is horror stricken to hear a clear whistle not very far away." (Jewett) Jewett uses the words child and little to help the reader identify Sylvia's age.
The sound is a foreigner, and immediately young Sylvia is aprrehesive. The gun toting stranger ask's where he can find lodging and a meal. Well mannered Sylvia takes him to her Grandmother's. Upon meeting Slyvia's grandma the man reveals that he is an ornithologist seeking to kill a rare white heron. The stranger looks directly at Sylvia and offers payment of ten dollars for any hints as to whereabouts of this bird Although Sylvia is present for the entire conversation her young mind is oblvious. "But Sylvia was watching a hop-toad in the narrow footpath." (Jewett) Up to this point in the story it is clear that Sylvia is merely a little girl, she's not even conscience of her opportunity to drastically improve the quality of life for her family.
The next day Sylvia spends hunting with the stranger, "having lost her first fear of the friendly lad." (Jewett) As the two tramp through the wood looking for their querry Jewett begins to mature the young mind of Sylvia. "She had never seen anybody so charming and delightful; the woman's heart, asleep in the child, was vaguely thrilled by a dream of love." (Jewett) This line indicates that she is beginning to grow up a little. Yet, perhaps even more revealing is the fact that "she could not understand why he killed the very birds he seemed to like so much." (Jewett)
From this point on in the story the once carefree Sylvia is overwhelmed with excitement. So much in fact that she can't sleep. She has designed a plan to climb the tallest tree in forest with they hope that this high vantage point will produce the heron she and the stranger have been seeking. Just before first light the little girl makes her way to the tree and begins to climb. It is during the climb that Sylvia's mental and spiritual growth takes shape. Jewett beautifully describes her climb through the tree as a spiritual journey. "The tree seemed to lengthen itself out as she went up, and to reach farther and farther upward. It was like a great main-mast to the voyaging earth; it must truly have been amazed that morning through all it ponderous frame as it felt this determined spark of human spirit creeping and climbing its way from higher branch to branch." (Jewett)
Once atop the tree, Sylvia spies the bird she seeks just as the sun protrudes over the horizen.. Elated at her discovery and the beauty of the view, "she wonders over and over again what the stranger would say to her, and what he would think when she told him how to find his way straight to the heron's nest." (Jewett) Sylvia is very enamored with the stranger, clearly emotions of a young woman and not those of a little girl.
She climbs down the tree, exuberent with her news. All the while the stranger and her Grandma have been worried, not knowing where she has run off to. When she gets home they inquire, but suddenely Sylvia's new's isn't so great. In fact, she refuses to tell them where she's been. Her Grandmother rebukes her, "and the young man's kind, appealing eyes are looking straight in her own. He can make them rich with money; he has promised it, and they are poor now. He is so well worth making happy, and waits to hear the story she can tell."(Jewett) Amazingly, Sylvia has chosen to save the life of an innocent creature, over both money, and her desire to please a man; making Jewetts, A White Heron, a wonderful example of the literary bildungsroman or coming of age story.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Girls should'nt wear pants.
Well now, where to begin? My grandmother and aunt both worked for Levi's Strauss in New Mexico for over 40 years. The company is an American icon, much like Coke or baseball. Sadly, not a single pair of blue jeans is made in the United States today.
The claim that advertisers now play the cultural role that poets once did, is unfortunately probably true. The mass of society is a shallow, fickle, ignorant bunch, easily manipulated and conned. If Tiger woods wears Nike apparal it must be the best. Yet, he himself is less than a dog. There's no doubt, that certain American products have established notoriety, this is only due though to the excellence of the product. Levis corporation, clearly was a manufacturer of denim when the "Made in the USA" meant something. Today, however, for them to brainwash the feeble witted American populace is damnable.
"Urge and urge and urge.
Always the procreant urge of the world.
Out of the dimness opposite equals advance, always substance and increase, always sex,
Always a knit of identity, always distinction, always a breed of life.
To elaborate is no avail, learn'd and unlearn'd feel that it is so."
(Whitman "Song of Myself" 3)
The nature of man and woman is more. Whitman seemed to recognize this, not as an evil, but something to be embraced, focused though. Centered, in pursuits of truth and appreciation of beauty, and self. With these lofty ideals all things are possible and surmountable.
"Do you see O my brothers and sisters?
It is not chaos or death-it is form,union, plan-it is eternal life-it is happiness."
(Whitman "Song of myself" 51)
The "Go Forth" ads imagery does an excellent job using Whitman's words. The focus on different ethnicities together and in nature, coexisting shouts of hope. The distortion though is in knowing that the ad was purchased by Levi in attempt to sell pants. Since, I am not an employee of Levi, it would be presumptous of me to believe they only want to make money. Indeed, perhaps orientation of new hires is rooted in this new mission statement. I somehow doubt this however. Well done, advertisers: equality, nature, and hope are excellent tools to use to induce ratings.
If Whitman's statement " The proof of a poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it" is true, then advertisers, themselves are probably in essence artisians. The fact that Walts statement was written at a time when the written word and art where the only mediums of self-expression deserves some consideration. Granted some advertisers have been able to create originality. The rest though, just exemplify a society consumed with materialism. I don't think Whitman would be pleased at all with what so large a percentage of American's have become, nor proud of their ignorance.
Perhap's I'm to pessimistic, blinded by opinion. The first ad is a celebration of life. A life grown in laws aimed at freedom and the pursuits of happiness. Our diversity is what makes America unique, and though America's history has been fraught with trials and tribulations, America is a "centre of equal daughters and equal son's, all, all alike, endear'd." Amen.
This truth then demands resolution. The second ad commerates initiative, insists on action. A call to arms, we "the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend." America's creed:freedom or death. It is now, today that we must continue to carry freedoms torch, oppossing tyranny and despotism anywhere it rears it ugly head. Freeing our brothers and sisters, so they atleast may have the same chances to pursue happiness.
Do I like the ad? Definetely.
Do I believe freedom demands the death of those that would oppose it.? Yes
Will I buy Levi's? Only, if they fit good and are on sale.
The claim that advertisers now play the cultural role that poets once did, is unfortunately probably true. The mass of society is a shallow, fickle, ignorant bunch, easily manipulated and conned. If Tiger woods wears Nike apparal it must be the best. Yet, he himself is less than a dog. There's no doubt, that certain American products have established notoriety, this is only due though to the excellence of the product. Levis corporation, clearly was a manufacturer of denim when the "Made in the USA" meant something. Today, however, for them to brainwash the feeble witted American populace is damnable.
"Urge and urge and urge.
Always the procreant urge of the world.
Out of the dimness opposite equals advance, always substance and increase, always sex,
Always a knit of identity, always distinction, always a breed of life.
To elaborate is no avail, learn'd and unlearn'd feel that it is so."
(Whitman "Song of Myself" 3)
The nature of man and woman is more. Whitman seemed to recognize this, not as an evil, but something to be embraced, focused though. Centered, in pursuits of truth and appreciation of beauty, and self. With these lofty ideals all things are possible and surmountable.
"Do you see O my brothers and sisters?
It is not chaos or death-it is form,union, plan-it is eternal life-it is happiness."
(Whitman "Song of myself" 51)
The "Go Forth" ads imagery does an excellent job using Whitman's words. The focus on different ethnicities together and in nature, coexisting shouts of hope. The distortion though is in knowing that the ad was purchased by Levi in attempt to sell pants. Since, I am not an employee of Levi, it would be presumptous of me to believe they only want to make money. Indeed, perhaps orientation of new hires is rooted in this new mission statement. I somehow doubt this however. Well done, advertisers: equality, nature, and hope are excellent tools to use to induce ratings.
If Whitman's statement " The proof of a poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it" is true, then advertisers, themselves are probably in essence artisians. The fact that Walts statement was written at a time when the written word and art where the only mediums of self-expression deserves some consideration. Granted some advertisers have been able to create originality. The rest though, just exemplify a society consumed with materialism. I don't think Whitman would be pleased at all with what so large a percentage of American's have become, nor proud of their ignorance.
Perhap's I'm to pessimistic, blinded by opinion. The first ad is a celebration of life. A life grown in laws aimed at freedom and the pursuits of happiness. Our diversity is what makes America unique, and though America's history has been fraught with trials and tribulations, America is a "centre of equal daughters and equal son's, all, all alike, endear'd." Amen.
This truth then demands resolution. The second ad commerates initiative, insists on action. A call to arms, we "the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend." America's creed:freedom or death. It is now, today that we must continue to carry freedoms torch, oppossing tyranny and despotism anywhere it rears it ugly head. Freeing our brothers and sisters, so they atleast may have the same chances to pursue happiness.
Do I like the ad? Definetely.
Do I believe freedom demands the death of those that would oppose it.? Yes
Will I buy Levi's? Only, if they fit good and are on sale.
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