"The Word Picture"

Reflection 4

(In place of Analysis #2)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

          The streets were filled to capacity as the carnivalesque protestors went into action. It was a protest against the government officials receiving an extremely high salary while the low and middle class people were losing everything. They approached the Unions and asked the officials to come to the bargaining table, but they just sneered and laughed. So this time the people decided to enjoy themselves while performing the “parody of hierarchy” with hope that it would enlighten the officials as to their contemptuous attitude and unconcern toward the citizens in need.

          The carnivalesque is the work of Mikhail Bakhtin, a Russian critic, noted for the introduction of this theory which is tied to the genre of the ancient Menippean satire of Greek mythology. Carnival took place one time a year offering the people relief from the austerity of the feudal system and the Roman Catholic Church. They were allowed to offer non-conformist views or acts of rebellion using a satirical flare with all inequalities dispersed. This was a time of position reversals—fools became wise, kings became beggars, and opposites mingled while fact and fantasy was mixed for implementation of their cause. This event was used to resist authority and allow hope so that cultural and potential political change could transpire. Bakhtin’s popularity grew in the postmodern critical arena when he widened the gap allowing the theory of carnival to go beyond a single folk event and designated it as a semiotic cultural code. This method of approach is still used today by groups wanting change and an allowance of time to be heard with no reprisals attached.   

          In analyzing the theory of carnivalesque, the concept of defamiliarizaion enters the equation when grotesque realism (adding a grotesque person as king or queen) is mixed creating a complete distortion of unusual events. By taking art that is familiar and “making it strange” allows people to view the world in a different perspective and it can generate a new concept in thinking. The technique of defamiliarization is the work of Victor Shklovsky in his essay “Art as Technique.”     

Word Count: 352

Works Cited

“Carnivalesque.” En wikipedia.org. Wikipedia, 3 November 2010.

          Web. 1 March 2011.

Leitch, Vincent B., ed. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism.
          New York: W. W. Norton and Company,
         2010. Print.
“Mikhail Bakhtin.” En wikipedia.org. Wikipedia,
         23 March 2011. Web. 2 February 2011.
“Revellers on St. Charles Avenue, 2007.”
         En.wikipedia.org. Wikipedia, 19 October 2007. Web. 12 April 2011.

Reflection 3

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

        Today Classical Literary Criticism, the first group presentation, used clips online to show the different sides of sublimity. It was quite interesting how it was arranged. The five sources of sublimity were discussed which include: conceived of great thoughts; strong and inspired emotion; certain kinds of figures; noble diction; and elevated word arrangement. Sublimity is difficult or impossible to resist because it has a strong impression on the memory. Real sublimity contains much “food for thought.” The group emphasized that it is better to look for a lesser real diamond than for a perfect zirconium.

          I liked Dr. Wexler’s lecture about Rene Descartes (1596-1650) who was responsible for the phrase, “Cogito ergo sum” (“I think; therefore I am”) (Lacan, Norton 1164). Descartes was emphasizing—one thing you can be sure of is that you exist, thereby setting up a dualistic system. The things that make it a dualism are self and other things. Descartes was a rationalist who believed in autonomy—a severance from self and what. At this time in history rationalism, imperialism, and skepticism existed. Descartes believed that if you knew the world, than you could manipulate the world. This one statement holds a lot of impact on society, as was “Cogito ergo sum.”

          Mc Keon was in the Romance/Idealism era; however, it was giving way to Naïve Empiricism (through the senses). During this time it was all about whether it was fact or truth. Sociological shifts were parallel to epistemological shifts going from Naïve Empiricism to Extreme Skepticism. The progression was from aristocratic to progressive ideologies to conservative to aristocratic (romantic).

          Alexander Pope had another word of advice in “An Essay on Criticism” stating “Make use of ev’ry Friend—ev’ry Foe" (Pope, Norton 351). This statement is quite a mouthful and has been used by many throughout the past and continues to be upmost in a lot of minds today. Pope did not want to offend anyone by leaving them out of his lengthy critical essay, yet in one short sentence, includes everyone!

          Immanuel Kant was an interesting German idealist from the 18^th C. who taught phenomena (see on a daily basis); noumenon (something as itself); and, synthetic (an a priori and a posteriori combo). In “Critique of Pure Reason,” Kant was the first to introduce the terms “analytic” and “synthetic,” dividing the propositions into types. Enlightenment to Kant was man emerging from immaturity that was self-imposed. I thought it was interesting how he spoke of beauty as a disinterested judgment and desire as interested (I want X). He said that if you appreciate something, you do not desire it and it is a judgment of art. There is much wisdom in this statement.         

          Class today was on the move and packed full of information and advice!

Word Count: 460

                                          Rene Descartes

Works Cited

“Analytic—Synthetic Distinction.” En.wikipedia.org.
          Wikipedia, 3 April 2011. Web. 22 February 2011.
“Immanuel Kant—What is Enlightenment.”
          30 September 1784. Web.22 February 2011.
            http://www.english.upenn.eduu/~mgamer/Etexts/kant.html.
Leitch, Vincent B., ed. The Norton Anthology of
           Theory and Criticism, New York: W. W. Norton &
           Company, 2010. Print.

Analysis #1
Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Inspiring Awe of Sublimity

          Rhetoric coupled with sublimity meshes to form a loving family as seen in the romantic musical Sound of Music. The musical includes philosophies of Gorgias, Plato, Aristotle, and Longinus thereby compiling a moment of awe.

          In the study of Ancient Greece, the art of persuasion versus the act of sublimity had a separation point. Rhetoric allows the human factor of controllability whereas sublimity denotes a blending of amazement and wonders created by invincible power and force to sweep through like a whirlwind.

          The backdrop for Gorgias’s Encomium of Helen was his method of persuasion through performance. In the Sound of Music such persuasion can be seen when Maria approaches Captain Von Trapp requesting an allowance of time for play to be mingled with discipline. Merely asking him in a respectful manner did not work, so she proceeded to compile performances necessary to obtain her wishes. Aristotle’s method of categorization with the use of logical differentiation helped when she presented some straightforward propositions regarding this matter. Maria was not afraid to use eunoia; sophrosyne; or arêtes to obtain the enthymeme of acquisition.  Each performance was a little different, therein using Longinus’ five sources of sublimity:  conception of great thoughts; strong and inspired emotion; diversified usage of certain kinds of figures; noble diction; and finally, word arrangement in a dignified and elevated manner. Plato viewed poetry as a mimēsis (an imitation or representation) of nature, merely a copy of a copy. He believed that an ideal citizen was just, rational, and virtuous and in his Republic specified that morality is the major cause of happiness. In the Sound of Music these attributes were maintained throughout their lives and in the eventual relationship of Captain Von Trapp and Maria. A virtuous lifestyle was that of the Von Trapp family. Maria loved nature and its beauty and her songs included these moments. She related nature in her nurturing of the children and made clothes for them to fit the occasion which defined the setting.

          Throughout the Sound of Music echoes of the Encomium of Helen can be heard as Gorgias stated that Helen’s actions could be related to: historical events; physical overwhelming; love; or persuasive speech. In like manner, Maria’s life imitated these same issues in a breathtaking propriety unlike Helen of Troy. At least the ethics of Plato were upheld by virtuous conduct. Also, he required that all literature should teach goodness and grace and thus the inception of ancient quarrels betwixt philosophy and poetry. The Sound of Music encompasses these requirements and eventually reaps the harvest of sublimity as taught by Longinus.

          This romantic love story is not just of two people, but of an entire prominent household who suffers at the hand of others yet continues to clasp heart and hands to gain their goal—happiness!  Aristotle stated that in order to understand rhetoric, one must understand desire and emotions. This movie openly displays desires and emotions meshing all content and creating a sublime performance.

Word Count: 505

                        Helen of Troy

Works Cited

Leitch, Vincent B., ed. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism,

          New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 2010. Print.

Gabrich 68. Sound of Music. YouTube.com. YouTube. 14 December 2006.

          Web. 15 February 2011.

Reflection 2

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

          Learning more details about classical rhetoric was the topic of Dr. Kevin O’Neill, professor of philosophy at the University of Redlands. He began with an in depth study of Aristotle’s rhetoric and ancient Greek culture. Greeks lived in Agon and known as anAgonistic culture that was eristic, characterized by disputes or arguments. Oh, for the joy of an argument! Their lifestyle was to enjoy interaction with their countrymen in their polis or city made in speech. They even participated in intercity speech contests that resulted in a slaughter. Greeks liked arguing over the unnecessary things of life. The key to this philosophy was the non-necessary risking of one’s life through public actions performed in a short memorable fashion because you only got to do it once! Speech was a public activity central for survival—no talk, no city. The requirement for being a good Greek citizen was to have a good mouth on you!

          Aristotle’s three specific types of speech were deliberative (future), forensic (past), and epideictic (death). In conducting a speech (logos), the use of epagoge or induction were principles drawn from a pattern of experience. The dialectic portion of a speech was the use of syllogisms to make a declarative sentence or claim about the world. Out of 256 forms of syllogisms, only 24 were considered “bad.”

          In classical rhetoric it is necessary to understand desires and emotions. Ethos, or character, has three portions to consider. In order to be plausible, it takes three parts. First, sophrosyne or wisdom, means somebody who knows how to get around. Second, eunoia or goodwill, and last, arêtes or virtuous conduct completes the plausibility curriculum. The key to Aristotle’s viewpoint is the enthymeme which means something taken to heart or that gets to the heart of the matter—the center. It is masking the assumptions within the argument. His rhetoric also includes: logos (reason), and pathos (emotion). It was very interesting to discover some fine points about the Greek culture and Professor O’Neill did a fine job.

          After the speech, Dr. Wexler reviewed and went on to discuss the three parts of poetry which are: comedy (ugly, or worst of the people); epic (the best of today); and, tragedy (people—better than today). The means consists of language, rhythm, and harmony. The objects have actions and agents while the modes have narration or characterization. There are six parts to tragedy, and they are: plot (the most important), character, diction, thought, spectacle, and song. Tragedy is the mimesis or “the imitation of an action.”

          The final reflection of today is on Longinus and sublimity, the art to amaze or wow! Sublimity has a reputation as the most influential classical works in European tradition. To be able to please all men at all times is truly sublime. Longinus uses five sources of sublimity and they are: power to conceive great thoughts; strong and inspired emotion; certain kinds of figures; diction; and word arrangement. Today has proven to be very resourceful.

Word Count:505

Aristotle

Works Cited

Leitch, Vincent B., ed. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism

          New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 2010. Print.

Reflection 1

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Hi Everyone!

 Welcome to the evolving arena of Theory and Critique
 in English 436!

          Our first class last week was exciting and profitable despite any previous causes of anxiety. Professor Wexler has a unique process of introducing students to the dreaded theory class. He allows everyone to feel at ease so that the subject matter can be absorbed. It reminds me of Mary Poppins singing, “A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down…” Viewing and discussing “The Doll on a Music Box” from “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” was very interesting and enjoyable. The doll and the mime played fantastic parts portraying their desire to be human and feel love. The variety of opinions leaves no stone unturned along with the opportunity of keeping your viewpoint, enlarging the perimeter or changing it altogether.

          Today’s class began with some history of Ancient Greece, the sophists, and the rise of rhetoric which parallels the political transformation in Ancient Greece. Gorgias, the most famous sophist, used his speaking ability, saturated with rhetoric, to try and exonerate Helen of Troy. He made great allowances for her actions: historical events, physical overwhelming, love, or persuasive speech; however, the matter is open for discussion! After viewing the movie, I have found that all the blame does not belong to Helen. A long yearning of Agamemnon to conquer Troy came to fruition when Paris abducted Helen with her permission. Agamemnon used Helen as a pawn to declare war. It is much easier to have someone else take the blame; however, Helen’s actions spoke loud and clear heralding the news that it was “all about her.” In all fairness, it does take two people to dance a tango. Her greed for position caused her to make a poor decision of marrying Menelaus, a much older man. She tired of him and desired youth, thereby committing adultery. She could not change her place in mythological history, but she could have changed who she allowed within her boundaries to tug with her heart strings; however, love is a very powerful force. Rhetoric worked in this case without any effort. Gorgias made a great appeal on her behalf, but whether the outcome was or was not correct falls upon the reader.

Gorgias

            Plato, a student of Socrates, filled today’s arena with talk of his Republic. According to Plato, he wanted everyone to be an ideal citizen, rational and virtuous, allowing morality to be the major cause of happiness. Critiquing art through Plato’s eyes means that objects from the physical world are mere copies or mimesis’ of universals called Forms or Ideas. He is known for his mastery of dialogue form and a stylist of prose of the Greek language.

          Class today has filled our plates with much food for thought while preparing us for our next adventure in this wonderland of theory.

Word Count: 472

Works Cited

Leitch, Vincent B., ed. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism.

            New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 2010. Print.

Greetings!

Welcome to the Sparkling Speculative Arena of English 436!