I created this=I am God

Read the peom carefully. Then write a coherent essay in which you analyze how the author uses imagery and diction  as it relates to the peom's meaning Ground Swell-Mark Jarmon Is nothing real but when I was fifteen, Going on sixteen, like a corny song? I see myself so clearly then, and painfully-- Knees bleeding through my usher's uniform Behind the candy counter in the theater After a morning's surfing; paddling frantically To top the brisk outsiders coming to wreck me, Trundle me clumsily along the beach floor's Gravel and sand; my knees aching with salt. Is that all I have to write about? You write about the life that's vividest. And if that is your own, that is your subject. And if the years before and after sixteen Are colorless as salt and taste like sand-- Return to those remembered chilly mornings, The light spreading like a great skin on the water, And the blue water scalloped with wind-ridges, And--what was it exactly?--that slow waiting When, to invigorate yourself, you peed Inside your bathing suit and felt the warmth Crawl all around your hips and thighs, And the first set rolled in and the water level Rose in expectancy, and the sun struck The water surface like a brassy palm, Flat and gonglike, and the wave face formed. Yes. But that was a summer so removed In time, so specially peculiar to my life, Why would I want to write about it again? There was a day or two when, paddling out, An older boy who had just graduated And grown a great blonde moustache, like a walrus, Skimmed past me like a smooth machine on the water, And said my name. I was so much younger, To be identified by one like him-- The easy deference of a kind of god Who also went to church where I did--made me Reconsider my worth. I had been noticed. He soon was a small figure crossing waves, The shawling crest surrounding him with spray, Whiter than gull feathers. He had said my name Without scorn, just with a bit of surprise To notice me among those trying the big waves Of the morning break. His name is carved now On the black wall in Washington, the frozen wave That grievers cross to find a name or names. I knew him as I say I knew him, then, Which wasn't very well. My father preached His funeral. He came home in a bag That may have mixed in pieces of his squad. Yes, I can write about a lot of things Besides the summer that I turned sixteen. But that's my ground swell. I must start Where things began to happen and I knew it.

Senior project=evil

    I don't really see a way to make things easier.The senior project is helpful in forcing you to research more than you already did about a career you're interested in. In terms of everything else, it's useless.I already knew what colleges I wanted to go to in junior year so the college research form had no use for me.I applied for scholarships already and compared my chances of receiving them so what's the point of me writing it down on a piece of paper? The bib cards were a complete waste of time and went on forever;they didn't help me at all.So yeah...The senior project as a whole is a conundrum.It is designed for the stupid kids who don't know how to do anything or how their future looks like(I mean to offend) and is horribly asinine for those of us that aren't like that. The way it ends up is that the kids who are already well off do well, and the kids who this project is designed for don't learn anything besides "hey I have to do this because I don't want a zero." I could be wrong,but that is the way I've seen it through other students.Considering other schools don't force students in AP classes to do this I am already bothered by the fact that Clarkston does.

      There is no way to really make things better because at the end of the day, we are forced to do things that seem redundant and useless and do those things multiple times. I think the way it is now is good. Get the boring forms out of the way first semester,take a break, then get back to it in April. I don't mind the presentation because, although I had nerves, I think it is good for us.The binder on the other hand.....is crap. At the end of the day the time we spent on this hasn't helped me grow or evolve, really, not as much as when we have discussions and debates. Sorry to be a downer, but it's how I feel. I am so glad to get back to our regular schedule.

      

Oedipus Remix!

Odfeipus questions 1, 3, 5-9, and 11-12.

1.How explicitly does the prophet Tiresias reveal the guilt of Oedipus? Does it seem to you stupidity on the part of Oedipus or a defect in Sophocles' play that the kin takes so long to recognize his guilt and to admit to it?

*Tiresias stated openly that Odeipus is the murderer.Oedipus,the best momma's boy there is, reflects many human errors and bad judgment.His refusal to realize his true self is like many of us;we all don't want to admit our faults and sometimes we push ideas out of head because we don't want to think about it(starving children in third world countries,anyone?).

3.."Oedipus is punished not for any fault in himself, but for his ignorance. Not knowing his family history, unable to recognize his parents on sight, he is blameless; and in slaying his father and marring his mother, he behaves as any sensible person might behave in the same circumstances." Do you agree with this interpretation?

*I agree with that in the sense that his fault is his ignorance.We can't use the excuse that we didn't know for everything," Well,I didn't your name on this jar of Nutella before I ate it.Sorry" is not a good excuse.I wills shank you.Ignorence wont always save you.Sometimes,in a lucky fashion,Oedipus isn't ignorant.He cries that Creon want to kill him and take over.Now this is the rumblings of a man who has just heard bad news,but the reader of Antigone knows it's the truth.In the end,he gouges his eyes because he doesn't want to see the world now because he knows he truth.

5. Consider the character of Jocasta. Is she a "flat" character - a generalized queen figure - or an individual with distinctive traits of personality? Point to speeches or details in the play to back up your opinion.

*Jocasta is a pretty flat character  because she doesn't change during the play,she just finds out information and then kills herself.Not that that is her fault, the play is really about Oedipus and his internal struggles.Considering that she's not the evil Creon or the harbinger of doom,she surprisingly has a good number of lines,so that's something.Yay women! But she isn't the typical queen figure either. She tells Oedipus many things and helps him. So half and half.

6. What is dramatic irony? Besides the example given on page 732, what other instances of dramatic irony do you find in Oedipus the King? What do they contribute to the effectiveness of the play?

* Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something that the characters don't, like the fact that they're watching a play... When Oedipus accuses Creon of treason  that is all dramatic irony. He cries that Creon want to kill him and take over.Now this is the rumblings of a man who has just heard bad news,but the reader of Antigone knows it's the truth. It makes you invested in the characters and the story.

7. In the drama of Sophocles, violence and bloodshed take place offstage; thus, the suicide of Jocasta is only reported to us. Nor do we witness Oedipus' removal of his eyes; this horror is only given in the report by the second messenger. Of what advantage or disadvantage to the play is this limitation?

*By not showing us the actual violence and tragedy,we are more focused on the characters and their reaction to the evils around them.

8. For what reason does Oedipus blind himself? What meaning, if any, do you find in his choice of a surgical instrument?

* In the end,he gouges his eyes because he doesn't want to see the world now because he knows he truth.It's interesting because everything that has happened to him now has been because of ignorance and fate;this is the first act that he truly,knowingly did to himself.Not that I'd recommend that,but its good to see a character who has a flaw,take control and in any way,get rid of that flaw.He is now blind like the prophet and will hopefully gain the wisdom that the prophet has.But it sucks because now he cant watch t.v.

9. What are your feelings toward him as the play ends?

*Oedipus,although he's very blah to me,represents a lot of what humans are.Many times in literature we are inclined to put in our heads that there's a good guy and a bad guy.Oedipus is neither.I personally don't hate him nor like him and that's what makes the story the teeniest bit good.We are shown a man that although prideful,is sincere and and earnest and are left to wonder if he is good or bad. As the play ends,I still feel like I cant relate to him but maybe that's not the point.I am shown a character that although at times unrealistic, grows and changes.That's what we like to see in people so it's nice to see it in a character.

11. With what attitude toward the gods does the play leave you? Be inflicting a plague on Thebes, by causing barrenness, by cursing both the people and their king, do the gods seem cruel, unjust, or tyrannical? Does the play show any reverence toward them?

*The gods in the play bring justice and teach people in an unconventional way.Although they bring some good,a lot of people suffer through that good,just like in real life.Sometimes messages are not strong enough so you have to do something that will  make people listen.That's why I always carry a gun so people wont cut me in line.

12. Does the play end in total gloom?

*In the end,this play does end on a sad note.However,its not dismal,at least for me.I have learned a lesson and so has Oedipus.Often times we learn lessons through unfortunate circumstances like when I realized that you will be sent to juvie even if you pretend to cry....long story.

Theme: Oedipus Rex, to me, can only be enjoyed as a fable.It is an over exaggeration,much like The Boy who Cried Wolf, that shows an extreme fault and shows the consequences that arise from it.Readers are supposed to read the play and come with an understanding that we all have flaws(some more tragic than others), but the most important thing is to not let them ruin your life.And that sometimes,no matter how hard we go against it,fate will rule all of us. 

Dear Pip,


You are the sweet girl who defends her abusive boyfriend;you are the person who still believes he can become a successful actor after being rejected for ten years.You grow,make mistakes,and infuriate us all, but I guess that's what makes you human.Just a human that I would never get along with. I can't relate to you because I believe I am a realist.I have always wondered how people can lie to themselves(something you have done,whether you believe it or not) and have at times wished I could do it to myself.I realize,though, that that will get you nowhere. Many of us have wanted what you have wanted:A luxurious life,a beautiful partner. Unlike you,it doesn't take some of us ten years to realize what is good,bad,important and not important. I do not claim to be the best at figuring it out,but I surely am better than you.That's saying a lot for a teenage girl who's obsessed with bunnies to be smarter than a grown man....


I had a very enjoyable conversation today with a group of people that made me think about my judgement.I have never minded my judgement because I just said out loud what people were thinking and I never judged someone for things they can't control, such as their parent's income or their nationality. I believe I can still enjoy your story without enjoying you(still judging,but not that in a way that it gets in the way).I love the themes that are present in your journal and that is the only reason that I semi enjoy it. You are just begging to be judged because you are,in an infuriating way, realistic. You aren't a murder or a saint; you are the person that we all know that all we can do is shake our heads at.


PS. I understand that  a lot of people were confused with your new partner.I see why you got with Estella.She finally became honest with herself just as you had.You by no means had a happy ending(she's divorced,you're old and not rich),but I guess that's how life is.You got what you always wanted in a way that doesn't make your story seem predictable or cliche. Plus,who is better for you than Estella?You guys are both ridiculous and vain.After all, if people like Michelle Bauchman can get married I'm sure a couple of idiots like you too can as well.Also,you should name your daughter Pippi and make her deal with stocks...preferably long ones.