with a little help from my friends

Friends, not to become confused with the entourage.

MY friends, or peers rather, of which a couple this week joined in my bewilderment of Picasso by Stein.

Outside of my normal discussion group, I am breakin the rules and am including a couple comments from others in the class pertinent to Picasso. Good to broaden the circle,

Meagain's blog begins to break down the details of what is going on in the poem. What IS going on?

Follows, something to gain by following, leaders getting something, or working towards something else entirely,

all notions that speak to my initial friends vs. entourage theme. Obviously, Stein observed much the same pandering and ass kissing we see in our own Art(rock) Stars of today. It is comforting to know, that as much changes, some things do remain the same. Huh, interesting notion, Historical personages are people too.

Decker

Oh, and I gather, that Hanna Is just as confused as I

it is, perhaps after all, a simple matter of perspective

Cubism, that wacked out confusing jumble of images portraying different aspects of a thing or person, is a visual invention made famous by Picasso. Most anyone viewing his work will find themselves either loving it or hating it,  few remaining unaffected. Picasso garnered a following that crossed many professional boundaries, with more than a few taking bits and pieces of his fragmented style incorporating it into their own work. 
Picasso developed  a way of viewing the world around us. Seemingly bits and pieces are more of angles and representations of different aspects of the thing that he was depicting. (Usually paintings, but there are quite a few sculptures as well.) Many of the individual parts and pieces in the art were repeated over and over again in the same painting, slightly changed. 


Gertrude Stein’s “Picasso” is certainly more than a commentary of Picasso himself. It is also a homage to that repeated fragment style of perspective. At first, one read the text as simple repetition of the same line over and over. Lines upon lines of identical phrases are laid out, in a sort of hypnotic pattern. But then one realizes that the lines are NOT the same, but rather, slightly changed in subtle ways. A sentence would be repeated word for word, with only one word changed, omitted, moved in the sentence to create a slightly different meaning or reinforcing the meaning. 


Over a series of lines, the meaning changed more and more revealing more and more, as well as less and less. Over a series of lines, the meaning revealed more and more changing more and more, as well as less and less. Over a series of meanings, the lines changed more and more revealing changes more and more, as well as less and less.


Sort of like the telephone game we played as children, and the exaggerated story telling we play as adults, Steins prose repeats and alters at the same time, leading the reader down a merry chase until, at the end, it is revealed that Picasso’s work, works for some, while some work, for some, very little.  


The beginning lines speak of Picasso’s charm, as well as the effect that charm had upon the viewers. By the end, the narrative spoke towards the influence of Picasso’s work upon the viewer. How their own perceptions had changed over time and how time had changed their perceptions and how their perceptions changed their perceptions. Does time change time? Or does change change time? Or is it, that how we view things/time differ from our perception of that time/change?


If I have confused you; 
made you think, 
then right back at ya, 


because at times, 
the best of times,
you do it to me


             - Decker      

big 2 hearted followup

This weeks class work was engaging to say the least. Interesting how a few short stories can elicit such stimulated conversation. Then again, if these stories failed at such, then they wouldn't be included in a survey right?

I found myself reviewing what I wrote in my blog prior to class in an effort to see what we learned from Scott as well as each other would influence a followup. Finding lots and little, (meaning that I like what i wrote, and that there was a seemingly overwhelming amount of additional information gleaned from class) i wandered over to my small group blogs to see if their thoughts could add some clarity.

kassie's blog mirrored many of my own thoughts; a good place to gain some perspective. She has some good questions specific enough to attempt to answer.

i was interested in her questions about the significance of the grasshoppers. I too was struck by Hemingway's use of a simple creature. Is it so simple? Having read some Hemingway, especially when I was living in Sun Vally one year down the way from his old house, as well as spending the following spring in the Bahama islands drinking at one of his old houses now turned into a bar, led me to some of his stories; he is not as simple as he leads on.

I am going to cut and paste part of Kassie's blog, inserting some comments about her observations

My other pondering question is the grasshoppers.  What do the grasshoppers represent?   do they represent other people? or us the reader? hopping through life, no genderal direction or goal other than to survive another day? In the beginning he is stretching his legs and having a smoke when he sees a grasshopper but it’s black.  He picks it up and inspects the grasshopper and it has absolutely no color.  Later he walks on and when he sets up camp he goes and gets grasshoppers so he can use them as bait.  Was he just inspecting them for bait or do they have some symbolic reason for the description and how much detail Hemingway goes into when he is fishing?   only the ones that were black or adapted to black amongst the ashes of the fire live on. Birds have obviously eaten the light green and white ones. Survival narrative? Nick goes to get the grasshoppers and they are cold and the dew is still on the grass so he is grabbing them and putting them into a bottle.  Bottle seems to represent a prison for the grasshoppers. One which each attempts to escape from as Nick plucks them from it to bait his hook. Most find the business end of that hook and are used to obtain something larger and more nourishing. One does indeed escape, but is sucked into the depths, eaten by a fish. Does this speak to the futility of avoiding one's fate? A useful fate? Is Hemingway saying that it is better to have a use even if it is a doomed one? Nick finds a log and there is a grasshopper lodge where there are hundreds.     we all seem to hide amongst our peers. Much good that it does us when the hand of God, (or his representative) reaches down and plucks you from your existence to begin a new function.

 

I would add one grasshopper idea for comment.

 

When Nick shoves the fishing hook up the grasshopper's body. he describes the grasshopper reaching around it's hands in a sort of prayer. is the hook religion? is religion then a tool and trap of some other force with which to utilize us?

 

Decker

 

 

 

 

 

Boyz 2 Men

This week’s readings were all about the concept of boys becoming men. A virtual coming of age narrative reflected in the writings of Hemingway’s “Big Hearted River”, Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” and Wright’s “Almos’ a Man”. Each focused upon a male character going through a rite of passage defining themselves as a man. Self awareness. Who I am and whom do I want to be?

Reading the stories in order, I found myself quickly and easily enjoying Hemmingway’s “Big Hearted River.”  I found common ground with Nick with similar experiences upon wooded rivers far away and untouched by civilization. He, in Michigan, myself in Montana, differed only in geographical location and the fact that he was an accomplished fisherman while I catch lots of snags.  Looking deeper, I realized that the story wasn’t about catching fish, but more about making changes to one’s self adapting to one’s environment. I have a habit of “filling the room”, as my father would have said, exerting my own perspectives upon my surroundings, changing them to suit my wishes. Self awareness and experiences similar to Nick’s have taught me that it is not only easier to change one’s self, but is enlightening.

Nick changes and adapts in a myriad of ways that may seem hidden at first. To begin with, he goes to the wilderness. The storyline gives the reader nothing to reflect about the why’s about this trip, other than that Nick has visited before. I suppose, that to catch fish, one must go to where the fish live. Arriving, he manfully struggles to move all of his stuff, in one trip, to his camp. Is Hemmingway implying that we all have baggage? Heh, of course he is.

Once set up, our hero pulls from his surroundings the items he requires for success. The catching of grasshoppers takes me back to my childhood. Hemmingway does a terrific job of explaining to the reader that taking from nature respectfully is acceptable. There is PETA remorse for using another life as bait for another life to feed yet another life. Death is part and parcel to life. He takes what he can use, then places the log back for future grasshopper collections. Ouch. How many times have I failed to take care of my surroundings respectfully?

Nick fills his day with the pursuit of big trout. You will notice that I say big, but not BIGGEST. The really big one gets away, but instead of relentlessly pursuing it, like Ahab would have in Moby Dick, he reflects, relishes the experience then moves on to catch two other fish that may not be as huge, they are certainly large enough to suffice as his coming dinner and breakfast. This idea of, take what you need but no more. Excess food is a waste. Excess pride is equally wasteful. For instance; I have to ask myself; If Nick had pursued the trout (whale), who had easily defeated him already and would most likely do again, what would he do for meals? I suppose he could live off his civilized fare, but that would defeat the whole meaning of the trip now wouldn’t it? Instead, he adapts his methodology.

While there are some additional examples of large adaptions, such as his decision to wait before exploring the dangerous depths of the swamp, there are a myriad of little changes that Nick makes in his realation to his enviroment. Instead of fishing from stream, he wades right into the river. No waders, nothing to keep himself from immersing himself fully into nature. He uses his hat to drink  from; excess water running back into the river.  Utilizes the tree trunk as a cutting table. Heck, he uses it first as a blunt object to knock out the two fish he caught before gutting them. This idea of respect for everything living. He even takes the offal from the fish flinging it onto the bank for the mink to eat. Sharing…. What a concept.

His actions are deliberate. His responses to things that do not go as planned are calm. His motions are actually a combination of good habits and muscle memmory (such as how he doesn't even have to think about how to make the perfect fly cast) freeing up his mind to observe his surroundings. How many of us simply go through life, absorbed in details and drama, head down, oblivious to what is going on around us? For myself, overly so.

There is little in the way of PAST. Even fewer references to the FUTURE.  Mostly, Nick is experiencing the PRESENT which is of his own creation. Is it any wonder that critics have labeled Hemmingway a narcissist? I always found that word to be negative, but perhaps, just perhaps.... a little "self-narcissism", (I just made up that word), defined by - the ability to change one’s self to fit one’s environment in an effort to create a perfect moment. Maybe that self divinity is a meaning of life. (I say "a meaning" rather that "the meaning" since I get the feeling that there are multiple meanings out there. But then again, what do I know, I have difficulties most times catching fish.......

maybe, I need to refine my grasshopper catching skills first..... ya think?

Decker

opps

I say, opps, because this week my posts are all out of order,

by all rights, this should be one post down, as it concerns the essay. (So if you are looking for my answers for this weeks questions, move one post older and voila, or viola, mmmm which is the stringed instrument and which is the exclamation?)

Things have a way of working out; uninspired lately, I was in limbo about what to discuss in a 7 page essay. However, reading Frost’s poetry this week got my mind awhirlin. (I know that “awhilrin” is a made-up word, MSOffice even underlined it in red for me however, awhirlin describes my mind quite well; which is the intent of literature right?)

Years ago I fell in love with Frost. The spiritual and physical connectivity between Man and Nature with little inclusion of standard religion. Sure, there are a great many religious allegories present, the essay would identify as well as highlight attempting to explain Frost’s references.  Nature as God/goddess. Man as part of Nature. Connections existing between mankind through nature.

I would propose looking at several of his works, attempting to ferret out that “connection”. Attempting to find out, where I am headed, what I am doing, who am I, who do I wish to become?, with whom? and for how many jelly beans.

All art seeks to convey a message; good art makes a connection between the artist, the viewer as well as the subject matter. Sort of a Ménage à trois love triangle. Literature, being a visual art in it’s own right, seeks just this ideal. I would enjoy delving into what message(s) Robert Frost is attempting to say to both ourselves as well as himself. Look for commonalities in structure, theme, metaphors, analogies as well as some of his biographical history.

Decker

Frosty

                                                                 picture credits

Robert Frost’s “the road not taken”,

wait, I will not take that road,

instead I will take the road less traveled by exploring “After Apple Picking”

As I read the poem, I could not but help but being caught up in the same dreamy and surrealistic feelings generated whenever one reads just about anything by Frost. Recurring themes of nature coupled with man’s place (both intended as well as unintended place) within nature. What am I doing here, where am I going, was it all worthwhile? Questions that haunt Frost’s work, “After Apple Picking” being no exception.

He begins by coupling man with heaven then sliiiiides into the synonymy of heaven and nature being one and the same. It is the man’s perception of these places that differs. Tools begin to pop up in the poem. Work (man’s labor towards a goal) begin to dot the poetic landscape. I use that artsy term “landscape” since it implies a very larger than life very real place, that for the most part is taken for granted. It is there in the background, we look at it in passing, but rarely appreciate it fully, not even realizing that we and our immediate surroundings are a landscape for others that are far away and looking towards us. The landscape kind of sneaks up on a viewer at times, whilst other times it exerts a powerful spiritual and emotional impact. Much like Frost’s poetry.

Close read questions

1.    The title is kind of boring. I suppose that it implies work of picking, not the fun of eating the apples. However, when one reads the poem, it IS actually about the labors and efforts with not much about the rewards. “After”? why after? To be literal, it should read “during” or ‘the process of”. But then, frost could be tricking us, with post tense used to imply that it really IS after, with the speaker dreaming or remembering past exertions.

2.    The words I know. Some used little in this day and age, such as hoary or russet. But are fun to see conjuring images of an older age.

3.    There is a rhyme scheme, easier to pick up when read out loud. Abba ccded , but then it jumps, odd later it starts in line 14 with aaabcdcb as close as I can tell. Is it a mixture of a weird rhyme with free verse? I am no poet and could use some help please.

4.    Work dream. Most people have them. We takes elements of our everyday world, then inserts them as puzzles for our subconscious mind to sort out. Why am I doing this? What good is it? Where am I going? Couples our activities with more important “work” of even perhaps a divine nature. Could picking apples be saving souls?

5.    Images. This poem is nothing but images conjured from the speaker (dreamer) inside his own dream imaging in a surrealistic way, events from his day job.  Images set to conjure double meanings.

Ladder sticking in a tree – (journey towards heaven?)

Barrel - (unfilled, his work is never done)

Apples  still left – (also unpicked, more tasks)

Scent of apples –(scents conjure memories)

Hoary grass – (frost on the grass)

Pane of glass – (ice from the frozen water)

6.    Facts inferred

a.    The speaker is a dreamer. Later I found that he is a Pisces, or rather born just after this sign, like he almost is but not quite, we fish are notorious dreams, fail at times with the ‘doing”, but fabulous dreamers.

b.    Experience on the farm.

c.     Experience in nature. May sound the same, while a farm is rural, it is not always wild.

d.    Has had experiences with work that is never done.

e.    Has had this dream before

f.     Sets lofty goals

g.    Obsessive compulsive

h.    Wastes not. (even bruised apples have a place making cider at least)

i.     Harvest time is over, winter coming on.

j.     Loves his apples

7.     Tones – Frost uses words that are descriptive of nature, reality items that at the same time are metaphors for surrealistic ideas and ideals or spirituality. These well recognized forms such as apples coupled with everyday chores such as picking them gain a connection with the reader. For instance, if he was working at an electronics assembly line soldering connections on a circuit board, well most of us would not be able to relate.

a.    Reverent

b.    Weary

c.     Ambitious

d.    Philosophical

e.    Buddhist

f.     Dreamer

g.    Surrealist

h.    Lulling sounds of words

i.     Nature lover

8.    Structure – I can not pick up the formality of the poem. It sounds like water running, each sentence running into the next most of the time, then it rhymes like waves pounding on the beach.  Is this the poet trying to tell us that there is an underlying order to nature but that there is disorder as well? Chaos and order coexisting? Both have a role? Or am I reading too much into things?

9.    He falls asleep. Works in his sleep. This surrealistic world is like a puzzle that he is attempting to put together. The answers to his seemingly endless work is the tension, the release of that tension is sleep.

10. Images and sounds that resonate;

a.    Pane of glass. It is cold and blurry, OF nature, showing only part of what actually is. Reality showing a perception, a filter.

b.    Two pointed ladder in the tree. Journey towards divinity.

c.     Apple. Images of the garden of Eden. Temptation and life giving at the same time.

Reading, re-reading, writing about the poem has me in development. That is, my eyes are beginning to open that there is more to this dream. There is a great deal of religious overtones, questions about what we are doing here, nature of man, nature of god, nature of nature. Has my brain rolling almost to fast to put down on paper. Perhaps I should follow this train of thought and make it the topic of my essay.

Decker

Timing with Black History month (response

Reading  Kassies blog this week, I was struck initially by references to both of these men as "Conservative". At first I was,.... huh, isn't someone fighting for new ideas and social change usually considered a liberal? opps, now I have cast liberals as the militants. Ok, I am confused......  So, I went back and reread both her posts. I am getting the feeling that the conservatism she is referring to is that they were not even more outspoken and radical.

On a different note, Kassie mentions at the end that she likes Washington and what he had to say. What parts? I also liked what he had to say but my favorite was the "Let down your bucket" alluding to a more holistic approach to change, being that a persons answers are usually of their own devise. My grandfather used to say that he believed that when ever there was a problem, that the answer was within your grasp. Literally, if his car broke down, he would find/make/cobblestone a piece together to make it run. And usually something right out of his shop. Washington is appealing to the artisan and craftsmen mentality prevalent with people of any race that are hard working and survivors.

Onward to AJ's blog

Ok, I do believe that my classmates are in agreement, feeling that these men were not radical enough, which makes them conservative. I think that both men dress like black republicans, so indeed they are conservative.

Interesting comments and observation about Du Bois hostility towards racism. Funny, I caught that too. Interesting thing about hostility. Hostility perpetuates hate. Hate being the very thing that makes racism so particularization bad. Now if there was a word that described some one LOVING a person because of their race, well that word would be kind of opposite to racism right? If racism is evil then it's opposite must be good right? Is this called circular thinking? I am back to being confused. simple this,  when you hate the haters, you become just like them.

My link this week is from someone that is a different color from most and seems to love everyone despite some that hate and despise him.

Bar Nei'

Decker