Today's New Class Experience

I really loved today's class. I felt like when there wasn't a main authority more students were involved. We were so engaged with the conversations and topics that were brought up, it was great. I loved how when one person would start or throw out an idea, immediately there would be 2 or 3 other people who would begin to add on and to elaborate on that idea, and contribute their own thoughts. Basically, I felt like we really came together as a class today and worked really hard. It was nice to see people who usually keep their thoughts to themselves (sometimes, me included) really come out and express their opinions. I loved the class! We should operate more classes like this!!

Essay Ideas

I want to write about the cannibals and the people on the ship. And compare and contrast their differences and how they are actually similar. Although right off the bat we assume that actually the cannibals are theworse people in the situation, who is actually worse? The people who kill each other, but who are honest or the people who are dishonest and sneaky. I want to explore around this idea and see how I can exaggerate on this point. Also possibly comparing the Thames to the Congo River.

The Physical Journey...

It is interesting to notice how Marlow's speech pattern, and word usage differs and changes as he goes through his physical journey and as he gets deeper into the heart of darkness. Examining what we have read so far, one can notice the more staccato and short phrases and sentences, often separated by a hyphen, even. This demonstrates Marlow's uncertainty, and fear. He isn't quite positive about what he will endure next in this journey, and his language expresses that. It is interested to see how his emotions reflect from his  words.

Heart Of Darkness (Q. #2)

In the Heart of Darkness, Marlow (in much detail) describes the setting of London during the time. And I believe it's connection to Africa is actually positive. Marlow describes the grey, dark, drab London, when the Romans were present, and talks of how it once was disease filled and depressed but soon after colonization by the English people, it became a powerful city with growth and rapid improvement. He is insinuating and hinting that with English colonizing Africa as well as London, Africa can grow in power as well. And be changed from its dark society, to something brighter and more powerful.

tone/mood

The tone and mood of any written piece is exposed through the diction. While analyzing the words and listening to the way they sound, and understanding what they mean, it is easy to detect what the author had in mind for the tone and feel of the poem. But sometimes you have to dig a little deeper, because tonal shifts can often occur, and the author suddenly changes his or her tone. For example, in the poem "To his Coy Mistress", the poem starts out using words like "love" "adore" "grow" vast". These words signify a growing love, while he speaks of time, and loving in the moment. But really there's a twist. He proves that he doesn't truly love her, throughout the tonal changes in the poem. And when words like "iron gates" "rough" "strife" and "instant fires" appear, so does a shift in mood and tone. Just using words and phrases alone, a tone and mood is set and revealed.

Diction

Diction is very important in all forms of written work. Diction often helps develop the tone and the attitude in the written work. Be it a poem, or a novel, or whichever. For example in "As I Walked Out One Evening", the diction is very smooth yet at points staccato. Because of the different dictions within the poem, they help with the transitions of tones. Also, another example, in Hamlet's classic, "To be or not to be," speech his harsh words help to express the confusion he is facing. Diction allows the readers to hear the tone and get the writing without breaking down every sentence, phrase, or word. Without Diction, there would be much more analyzing of the piece of written work before actually comprehending the poem, novel, or whichever.

Sounds of Poetry

The sounds in poetry truly make the poem, and bring it to life. "Rhyme Scheme" is one of the most popular techniques and tools to use in poetry. It adds some spice, and a certain unique attitude to the poem. It also makes the poem more fun to read and it slips off the tongue as well. Each poem has their unique tools that they use. Another common tool is onomatopoeia. Examples of this tool are words like "Bang! Zap! Swoosh!". Words with sounds bring the poem to life as well. The language in the poem and the tools that the author uses are key to its uniqueness. Sounds and tools are key to a good poem, and one we haven't heard a billion times before.