Whitman's Poetry

Another poet I really enjoyed reading about this semester was Walt Whitman.  Walt Whitman is a genuine poet because he writes his expression freely about his sentiments. Even though his poetry did not rhyme or seemed wordy it was still very powerful.  He has a free verse to make it meaningful and understanding.  He was an American poet whose collection Leaves of Grass is recognized in the history of American Literature.   I will always love his beauty and how truthful he is when it comes to poetry.  I have definitely enjoyed this semester and have learned a lot about American Literature. 

Uncle Tom

One book I would recommend is Uncle Tom's Cabin.  I am glad to have read this book because of the historical significance and the positive impact it had on American history.  Uncle Tom's Cabin was meant to illustrate all the evils of slavery .Some may argue that from a literacy aspect it was not very well written.  However, I found Uncle Tom's character and struggle to be heroic.  I can not help, but feel sorrow when I read this book.  I can not see how people justified owning another person.  I really liked that last chapter in the book where the author reminds us that even if they are not participating in slave owning they are just as guilty when they turn their backs with what's going on.  I feel that part is very true because too many peole are afraid to stand up for what they believe is right.

E for Emily

One of my favorite poets we learned about this semester was Emily Dickinson. I feel she was such a unique poet. Her poems have a great deal of meaning, but she used a very small number of words. At first I had trouble understanding some of her poems, but when the meaning does reveal itself it explodes my mind all at once and is unforgettably clear.  She is loved by millions and I liked how she did not title any of her poems. I could definitely not be as creative as her!

The Letter A

I remember reading The Scarlet Letter when I was in high school and did not care for it to much.  I personally do not think they should force students in high school to read the book because many have a hard time understanding it and a lot of students do not want to read something that they are forced to.  However, after reading the story again I have a better understanding and appreciation for it.  I found the story, not bad, but the style or the sentence structure to be unreadable.  I think the story displays the changing role of a woman and the hardships Hester Pynne had to endure.  I really enjoyed Hawthorne's use of symbolism throughout the novel when describing the letter, Pearl, light, darkness and the scaffold.  I think at least in high school, it requires a teacher who is willing to break it down and explain the setting, background and definitely the use symbolisms!

The Truth About Truth

An evangelist, abolitionist, and women's rights activist are only a few of the many remarkable words to describe Sojourner Truth.  Sojourner was born in to slavery in 1797.  She was bought and sold four times and spent her first twenty-nine years as a slave.  Truth finally become free after she ran away to an abolitionist family who bought her freedom.  It was not until 1851 where Sojourner was recognized by society with delivering her famous speech Ain't I a Woman?  She delivered this speech at a woman's rights conference in Akron, Ohio.  In her speech, she attacked the idea of women being viewed as "weak".  One of my favorite lines from her speech is "Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man."  Truth was a powerful and well respected speaker whos legacy of women's right and racial equality still lives on today.  Her words inspire others to be able to achieve the impossible.  The fact that Truth was illiterate, but still able to accomplish many hardships is remarkable.  Besides delivering her famous speech she became active in the Underground Railroad by helping blacks seek freedom.  During the Civil War Truth traveled throughout many states encouraging young men to join the Union cause.  After many decades of lecturing and changing the way people perceive the world, Sojourner spent her last couple of years residing in Michigan.  She died at the age of 86 in 1883.  Because of her courage to be strong she inspired many others to believe in their abilities.