Dune by Frank Herbert. berkley Books. 1965.
So the Atreides are still preparing for their move to Arrakis. Paul is having more encounters with the Reverend Mother who thinks he may be the Kwisatz Haderach. The Kwisatz Haderach is a kind of chosen one - a male who is powerful enough to be able to join the otherwise exclusively female Bene Gesserit. Obviously this test involving the poisoned needle had some significance. Not only is Paul finding out more about the Bene Gesserit, but the reader also gets a glimpse into the Harkonnens plans. the Harkonnen house is the sworn enemy of the Atreides House. For one reason or another the incredibly fat Harkonnen Baron despised Duke Atreides and wants nothing more than to see him defeated. The mastermind behind the Harkonnen plot divulges this plan to the Harkonnen Baron's heir. He tells of several distractions being created once the atreides arrive on Arrakis. There will be an "attempt" on Paul's life, which if all goes as planned will not succeed and serve only as a distraction. In addition to this the Harkonnens will stir up uprosings in various areas if the planet. One House Atreides has been thoroughly distracted and stretched thin, the harkonnens will swoop in with two legions of Imperial soldiers disguised as Harkonnens. I am not entirely sure as to why Imperial soldiers are going to be used. the Baron says they are doing the Emperor's dirty work... Anyway, there should be some excitement coming up. I can feel the tensions building.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Independent Reading Journal 12-9-08
Dune by Frank Herbert. Berkley books. 1977.
So I've read on, and so far the biggest development has been the discovery of what the "gom jabbar" is. The Atreides are still on Caladan. The reader learns that Paul's mother Jessica is a member of the Bene Gesserit, some sort of secret group or society comprised of women who seem to have some sort of supernatural power. The Emperor's truthsayer is a Bene Gesserit herself. In fact she is the Reverend Mother. Paul is supposed to meet with her, which he does. As Jessica had said, he does indeed learn what the gom jabbar is. Jessica leaves him alone in a room with the Reverend Mother, an old woman. She is not intimidated by his royal status, but rather treats him and speaks to him as if she is the superior (which she very well may be). Paul doesn't like this very much but he goes along with what she tells him to do. She informs him that he must undergo a test. The same test that his mother underwent. He is forced to place his hand inside a mysterious cube-like box. Once his hand is inside the box, the Reverend Mother informs him that he cannot move or take his hand out of the box. this is because she is holding the gom jabbar up to his neck and if he moves she shall kill him with it. The gom jabbar is a poison filled needle. A needle filled with the most poisonous of poisons. Paul's hand inside the box begins to experience extremely excruciatingly bad pain. It burned. "He thought he could feel skin curling black on that agonized hand, the flesh crisping away until only charred bones remained." Reverend Mother reminds him that he may not remove his hand for fear of death by the gom jabbar. Suddenly the pain ends, he withdraws his hand, and sees that his hand is perfectly OK. When asked what the purpose of the test is, the Reverend mother says it is to sort out the humans from the people. "Like sifting sand through a screen. ' She apparently used her Bene Gesserit gift of observation to examine him while he was in pain. Jessica then returns and is delighted to see that her son is alive. The Reverend Mother seems very excited about the result as she thinks in her head "could he be the one!?" I'm not entirely sure what all this means, but it certainly sets the reader up for an exciting and revealing remainder of the story. Dune wastes no time getting off to a good and interesting start.
So I've read on, and so far the biggest development has been the discovery of what the "gom jabbar" is. The Atreides are still on Caladan. The reader learns that Paul's mother Jessica is a member of the Bene Gesserit, some sort of secret group or society comprised of women who seem to have some sort of supernatural power. The Emperor's truthsayer is a Bene Gesserit herself. In fact she is the Reverend Mother. Paul is supposed to meet with her, which he does. As Jessica had said, he does indeed learn what the gom jabbar is. Jessica leaves him alone in a room with the Reverend Mother, an old woman. She is not intimidated by his royal status, but rather treats him and speaks to him as if she is the superior (which she very well may be). Paul doesn't like this very much but he goes along with what she tells him to do. She informs him that he must undergo a test. The same test that his mother underwent. He is forced to place his hand inside a mysterious cube-like box. Once his hand is inside the box, the Reverend Mother informs him that he cannot move or take his hand out of the box. this is because she is holding the gom jabbar up to his neck and if he moves she shall kill him with it. The gom jabbar is a poison filled needle. A needle filled with the most poisonous of poisons. Paul's hand inside the box begins to experience extremely excruciatingly bad pain. It burned. "He thought he could feel skin curling black on that agonized hand, the flesh crisping away until only charred bones remained." Reverend Mother reminds him that he may not remove his hand for fear of death by the gom jabbar. Suddenly the pain ends, he withdraws his hand, and sees that his hand is perfectly OK. When asked what the purpose of the test is, the Reverend mother says it is to sort out the humans from the people. "Like sifting sand through a screen. ' She apparently used her Bene Gesserit gift of observation to examine him while he was in pain. Jessica then returns and is delighted to see that her son is alive. The Reverend Mother seems very excited about the result as she thinks in her head "could he be the one!?" I'm not entirely sure what all this means, but it certainly sets the reader up for an exciting and revealing remainder of the story. Dune wastes no time getting off to a good and interesting start.
Independent Reading Journal 12-9-08
Dune by Frank Herbert. Berkley Books. 1977.
I have heard great things about this book and I have read part of one the prequels, so I decided to give it a go since I have read some nonfiction already. In a poll in 1975 Dune was voted as the greatest novel of imagination of all time. A pretty tough feat to accomplish when there are books like Lord of the Rings out there. From what I know of the story I understand that the books takes place on the desert planet of Arrakis, also known as Dune. The planet is home to the royal Atreide family as well as the Fremen and the giant sandworms. Sounds pretty exciting to me. Anyway, in the beginning the Atreides family is preparing to leave to go to Dune from their home of Caladan. Paul, a 15 year old son of the Duke, seems to be one of the main character. The readers are left with many questions at the end of chapter one. Paul seems to be having strange dreams. His mother tells him that he must tell the Emperor's truthsayer about his dreams. Paul is also left wondering what a "gom jabbar" is - a term he heard from an old crone who came to visit his mother. When Paul asks his mother what it means she hesitates ans then replies "you'll learn about it soon enough." Very mysterious.... It really draws the reader in.
I have heard great things about this book and I have read part of one the prequels, so I decided to give it a go since I have read some nonfiction already. In a poll in 1975 Dune was voted as the greatest novel of imagination of all time. A pretty tough feat to accomplish when there are books like Lord of the Rings out there. From what I know of the story I understand that the books takes place on the desert planet of Arrakis, also known as Dune. The planet is home to the royal Atreide family as well as the Fremen and the giant sandworms. Sounds pretty exciting to me. Anyway, in the beginning the Atreides family is preparing to leave to go to Dune from their home of Caladan. Paul, a 15 year old son of the Duke, seems to be one of the main character. The readers are left with many questions at the end of chapter one. Paul seems to be having strange dreams. His mother tells him that he must tell the Emperor's truthsayer about his dreams. Paul is also left wondering what a "gom jabbar" is - a term he heard from an old crone who came to visit his mother. When Paul asks his mother what it means she hesitates ans then replies "you'll learn about it soon enough." Very mysterious.... It really draws the reader in.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Independent Reading Journal 12-1-08
Science Fiction Today and Tomorrow edited by Reginald Bretnor. Harper and Row. 1974.
Well as you probably could have gathered from my last post, I have built up some negative feelings towards this book. I started out reading it because I thought it would be interesting. It is interesting. What I did not anticipate was the dry essay style in which the different pieces are written. This probably should have been expected since the book is a symposium including essays by scholars and such dealing with science and fiction. I have held off these complaints, but I am now nearing the end so I feel free to let them be heard. Anyway. The last essay is by Jack Williamson who I suppose is some sort of writer I should have heard of. He writes about the teaching and criticism of the genre. I hadn't really realized this, but apparently in 1974 there were hundreds of science fiction and fantasy courses being offered at various universities. Williamson is a science fiction teacher himself. He claims that the first science fiction course was taught at Colgate in 1962. Williamson says that academic science fiction is gaining ground and that the "unorthodox innovations" used in the classes make them fun to teach and take. According to Williamson, before WWII science fiction was regarded as "crude pulp stuff." Early searches for scholarly discussions about science fiction were hard to come by. He then goes on to say that the recent abundance of criticism about science fiction is thanks to H.G. Wells-"the chief inventor of the genre." Wells was once misunderstood and seen as a hollow-headed utopian. Eventually critics began to notice the "dark philosophic pessimism beneath the life and wit and rich invention of Wells's great fiction." They realized that his writing was not "crude pulp stuff." Many books were published about his work and the realm of academic science fiction took off. I suspect that even today, 34 years later, there is an even greater abundance of academic science fiction in the world and in America's universities.
Well as you probably could have gathered from my last post, I have built up some negative feelings towards this book. I started out reading it because I thought it would be interesting. It is interesting. What I did not anticipate was the dry essay style in which the different pieces are written. This probably should have been expected since the book is a symposium including essays by scholars and such dealing with science and fiction. I have held off these complaints, but I am now nearing the end so I feel free to let them be heard. Anyway. The last essay is by Jack Williamson who I suppose is some sort of writer I should have heard of. He writes about the teaching and criticism of the genre. I hadn't really realized this, but apparently in 1974 there were hundreds of science fiction and fantasy courses being offered at various universities. Williamson is a science fiction teacher himself. He claims that the first science fiction course was taught at Colgate in 1962. Williamson says that academic science fiction is gaining ground and that the "unorthodox innovations" used in the classes make them fun to teach and take. According to Williamson, before WWII science fiction was regarded as "crude pulp stuff." Early searches for scholarly discussions about science fiction were hard to come by. He then goes on to say that the recent abundance of criticism about science fiction is thanks to H.G. Wells-"the chief inventor of the genre." Wells was once misunderstood and seen as a hollow-headed utopian. Eventually critics began to notice the "dark philosophic pessimism beneath the life and wit and rich invention of Wells's great fiction." They realized that his writing was not "crude pulp stuff." Many books were published about his work and the realm of academic science fiction took off. I suspect that even today, 34 years later, there is an even greater abundance of academic science fiction in the world and in America's universities.
Independent Reading Journal 12-1-08
Science Fiction Today and Tomorrow edited by Reginald Bretnor. Harper and Row. 1974.
So far I've been blogging about pieces included in the book written by the editor Reginald Bretnor. While much of the book is written by him, not all of it is. I thought I'd talk about a piece written by Poul Anderson. Anderson was an author who wrote People of the Wind and There Will Be Time as well as other books. He received several awards dealing with science fiction writing from various organizations. This piece included in Bretnor's symposium is entitled "The Creation of Imaginary Worlds: The World Builder's Handbook and Pocket Companion." To be quite frank this piece (much like most of the book in my opinion) is interesting but quite dry and boring. Anderson begins by criticizing science fiction writers for creating imaginary worlds that make no sense. He states that John Campbell created a planet which is "simply a chemical impossibility," saying that the two gases found in the atmosphere would "unite promptly and explosively." If this sounds boring that's because it is. Later on he is at least kind enough to exclude the creator's name when he criticizes a world devoid of plant life but full of thriving animal populations. I will not do too deep into detail, but Anderson spends a few pages giving tips and guidelines for creating science fiction worlds. He claims all that is needed is "a basic knowledge of current scientific fact and theory which any person must have before he can-in this day and age-call himself educated." He gives information on how bright the planet should be based on the distance from the nearest sun-like star, how important the content of the atmosphere is when deciding what type of life forms to have, as well as what the geography should look like. Anderson declares "the designing of a planet is fascinating-sheer fun." If you say so Anderson.
So far I've been blogging about pieces included in the book written by the editor Reginald Bretnor. While much of the book is written by him, not all of it is. I thought I'd talk about a piece written by Poul Anderson. Anderson was an author who wrote People of the Wind and There Will Be Time as well as other books. He received several awards dealing with science fiction writing from various organizations. This piece included in Bretnor's symposium is entitled "The Creation of Imaginary Worlds: The World Builder's Handbook and Pocket Companion." To be quite frank this piece (much like most of the book in my opinion) is interesting but quite dry and boring. Anderson begins by criticizing science fiction writers for creating imaginary worlds that make no sense. He states that John Campbell created a planet which is "simply a chemical impossibility," saying that the two gases found in the atmosphere would "unite promptly and explosively." If this sounds boring that's because it is. Later on he is at least kind enough to exclude the creator's name when he criticizes a world devoid of plant life but full of thriving animal populations. I will not do too deep into detail, but Anderson spends a few pages giving tips and guidelines for creating science fiction worlds. He claims all that is needed is "a basic knowledge of current scientific fact and theory which any person must have before he can-in this day and age-call himself educated." He gives information on how bright the planet should be based on the distance from the nearest sun-like star, how important the content of the atmosphere is when deciding what type of life forms to have, as well as what the geography should look like. Anderson declares "the designing of a planet is fascinating-sheer fun." If you say so Anderson.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Independent Reading Journal 11-20-08
Science Fiction Today and Tomorrow edited by Reginald Bretnor.Harper and Row. 1974.
In one of the included pieces written by Bretnor, he identifies a problem that the definition of science fiction has been confused by many. He states that the tendency of people is to "derationalize the field and give it a non-scientific orientation." He goes on to give his definition of science fiction. "Science fiction: fiction based on rational speculation regarding the human experience of science and its resultant technologies." I agree that the genre has been given a non-scientific field. Really, science fiction is based on real science and not made up stuff. If something is just made up entirely then it is fantasy. Science fiction deals with technology and reason.
In one of the included pieces written by Bretnor, he identifies a problem that the definition of science fiction has been confused by many. He states that the tendency of people is to "derationalize the field and give it a non-scientific orientation." He goes on to give his definition of science fiction. "Science fiction: fiction based on rational speculation regarding the human experience of science and its resultant technologies." I agree that the genre has been given a non-scientific field. Really, science fiction is based on real science and not made up stuff. If something is just made up entirely then it is fantasy. Science fiction deals with technology and reason.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Independent Reading Journal 11-17-08
Science Fiction Today and Tomorrow edited by Reginald Bretnor. Harper and Row. 1974.'
In 1972 a book entitled The Limits to Growth was published. This book is a study conducted by MIT students on the future of our society (the society of the early 70s). I, like Bretnor find this idea to be interesting. According to their research with the help of computer models and statistics, the study concludes that a catastrophic disaster awaits humankind within a century. So 34 years later we have less than 70 years to go. This conclusion was based on a population increase which goes virtually unchecked as well as natural resource consumption and pollution. Some saw this book as a "mathematically accurate forecast of doom," while others brushed it aside as meaningless. I, like Bretnor, remain skeptical of the accuracy of computer models in the early 70s when trying to compute the end of the world as we know it. What Bretnor uses this example to do is to distinguish science from science fiction. Over the years the line has blurred, but Bretnor redraws the line. He says that science fiction writers do not predict the future the way these MIT students did. Science fiction writers show many possible futures. Science fiction creates the future from imagination. Not from statistics and computer models.
In 1972 a book entitled The Limits to Growth was published. This book is a study conducted by MIT students on the future of our society (the society of the early 70s). I, like Bretnor find this idea to be interesting. According to their research with the help of computer models and statistics, the study concludes that a catastrophic disaster awaits humankind within a century. So 34 years later we have less than 70 years to go. This conclusion was based on a population increase which goes virtually unchecked as well as natural resource consumption and pollution. Some saw this book as a "mathematically accurate forecast of doom," while others brushed it aside as meaningless. I, like Bretnor, remain skeptical of the accuracy of computer models in the early 70s when trying to compute the end of the world as we know it. What Bretnor uses this example to do is to distinguish science from science fiction. Over the years the line has blurred, but Bretnor redraws the line. He says that science fiction writers do not predict the future the way these MIT students did. Science fiction writers show many possible futures. Science fiction creates the future from imagination. Not from statistics and computer models.
Independent Reading Journal 11-17-08
Science Fiction Today and Tomorrow edited by Reginald Bretnor. 1974.
In 1953, Bretnor edited his first symposium on science Fiction. It was called Modern Science Fiction, Its Meaning and Its Future. In the time from that book to 1974, science fiction proved to be enduring. The genre gained acceptance and importance.This symposium reflects on the science fiction of that day as well as taking an insightful look into the science fiction of the future. Now, 34 years later, I am interested in seeing what he has to say about the future of science fiction, because that future is now.
In 1953, Bretnor edited his first symposium on science Fiction. It was called Modern Science Fiction, Its Meaning and Its Future. In the time from that book to 1974, science fiction proved to be enduring. The genre gained acceptance and importance.This symposium reflects on the science fiction of that day as well as taking an insightful look into the science fiction of the future. Now, 34 years later, I am interested in seeing what he has to say about the future of science fiction, because that future is now.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Independent Reading Jounral 11-6-08
The Chrysanthemum and the Bat by Robert Whiting. 1977. Avon Books.
Chapter 8 is entitled "Big Fish, Little Pond." This chapter examines the presence and impact of American player sin the Japanese league. For some Americans, once their career in the Majors is over, they head to Japan to play. This includes both players and coaches. For example, Braves great Warren Spahn left America and went on to become the pitching coach for the Hiroshima Carps. American players tended to dominate in Japan. The chapter begins with "The burly, hirsute American spits contemptuously into the dirt and steps into the batter's box. He towers over the frail youth on the mound..." The Japanese admire the Americans for their size and impressive strength. American players dwarf the Japanese, and there's definitely a size advantage when it comes to pitching and hitting. The Japanese teams often sought out American expertise in coaching and specialty roles on the team. After all, baseball is America's pastime.
Chapter 8 is entitled "Big Fish, Little Pond." This chapter examines the presence and impact of American player sin the Japanese league. For some Americans, once their career in the Majors is over, they head to Japan to play. This includes both players and coaches. For example, Braves great Warren Spahn left America and went on to become the pitching coach for the Hiroshima Carps. American players tended to dominate in Japan. The chapter begins with "The burly, hirsute American spits contemptuously into the dirt and steps into the batter's box. He towers over the frail youth on the mound..." The Japanese admire the Americans for their size and impressive strength. American players dwarf the Japanese, and there's definitely a size advantage when it comes to pitching and hitting. The Japanese teams often sought out American expertise in coaching and specialty roles on the team. After all, baseball is America's pastime.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Independent Rading Journal 10-21-08
The Chrysanthemum and the Bat by Robert Whiting. 1977. Avon Books.
So I've been talking a lot about how baseball differs from America to Japan. I found the perfect quote which does a great job of contrasting the two countrys' leagues by offering two contrasting similes for each one.
"American pro-baseball teams are run like corporations, with their members united by a common ability to play and their desire to make money. Not so in Japan, where a baseball team is more like a cohesive extended family unit held together by a complex web of interlocking personal obligations. The kind of intersquad bickering that characterizes some U.S. teams is virtually unknown."
This quote was great. It took the ideas I was already getting and put them on paper in a way that just presented information staright up through two similes.
So I've been talking a lot about how baseball differs from America to Japan. I found the perfect quote which does a great job of contrasting the two countrys' leagues by offering two contrasting similes for each one.
"American pro-baseball teams are run like corporations, with their members united by a common ability to play and their desire to make money. Not so in Japan, where a baseball team is more like a cohesive extended family unit held together by a complex web of interlocking personal obligations. The kind of intersquad bickering that characterizes some U.S. teams is virtually unknown."
This quote was great. It took the ideas I was already getting and put them on paper in a way that just presented information staright up through two similes.
Independent Reading Journal 10-21-08
The Chrysanthemum and the Bat by Robert Whiting. 1977. Avon Books.
In the last blog I touched on "Baseball Samurai Style." The game really is quite different in Japan. There is such an overwhelming sense of honor involved with Japanese players, where often times American players in the MLB would lack self responsibility and refuse to admit their accountability. Here's a couple of quotes:
"(On losing seven in a row): 'I apologize to the fans for this disgrace. I just hope we will get better. I don't know what has come over my pitching staff. they have lost their fighting spirit.' "
An American player would have expressed disappointment, but they probably would have said something like "well you know things happen and lady luck just wasn't on our side tonight." Not nearly as much responsibility is taken by American players.
"(A pitcher on pitching while sick and winning): 'It was very painful...From now on I am not going to think about my health anymore. I vow to think soley about pitching to help the team win the championship for our fans.' "
Rarely do you find such devotion in American baseball. I am not saying that pitching while sick is a good idea, but there is a difference between the two country's styles.
In the last blog I touched on "Baseball Samurai Style." The game really is quite different in Japan. There is such an overwhelming sense of honor involved with Japanese players, where often times American players in the MLB would lack self responsibility and refuse to admit their accountability. Here's a couple of quotes:
"(On losing seven in a row): 'I apologize to the fans for this disgrace. I just hope we will get better. I don't know what has come over my pitching staff. they have lost their fighting spirit.' "
An American player would have expressed disappointment, but they probably would have said something like "well you know things happen and lady luck just wasn't on our side tonight." Not nearly as much responsibility is taken by American players.
"(A pitcher on pitching while sick and winning): 'It was very painful...From now on I am not going to think about my health anymore. I vow to think soley about pitching to help the team win the championship for our fans.' "
Rarely do you find such devotion in American baseball. I am not saying that pitching while sick is a good idea, but there is a difference between the two country's styles.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Independent Reading Journal 10-14-08
The Chrysanthemum and the Bat by Robert Whiting. 1977. Avon Books
This is yet another book dealing with Japan that my dad recommended. I was in need of a nonfiction and I enjoy baseball and Japanese culture, so this book seemed like a nice fit. Though a bit dated, this book still offers an interesting look at Japanese culture through the game of baseball. The title is a play on words which alludes to a book entitled The Chrysanthemum and the Sword, which was a book which presented studies on Japanese culture.
The subtitle of the book is "Baseball Samurai Style," which made me laugh at first, but it actually makes sense. The sport is played in a completely different style that can be related to the ways of the samurai. There is an incredible sense of honor in Japanese baseball. After a terrible defeat or finishing last in the division, managers, coaches, and sometimes players will resign from their position rather than accept defeat and live in shame. This makes one think of the way samurais used to commit suicide when defeated because they could not live in shame. There are quotes from players cited from Japanese newspapers which convey this extreme sense of honor. I will touch on these in the next blog.
This is yet another book dealing with Japan that my dad recommended. I was in need of a nonfiction and I enjoy baseball and Japanese culture, so this book seemed like a nice fit. Though a bit dated, this book still offers an interesting look at Japanese culture through the game of baseball. The title is a play on words which alludes to a book entitled The Chrysanthemum and the Sword, which was a book which presented studies on Japanese culture.
The subtitle of the book is "Baseball Samurai Style," which made me laugh at first, but it actually makes sense. The sport is played in a completely different style that can be related to the ways of the samurai. There is an incredible sense of honor in Japanese baseball. After a terrible defeat or finishing last in the division, managers, coaches, and sometimes players will resign from their position rather than accept defeat and live in shame. This makes one think of the way samurais used to commit suicide when defeated because they could not live in shame. There are quotes from players cited from Japanese newspapers which convey this extreme sense of honor. I will touch on these in the next blog.
Independent Reading Journal 10-14-08
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. 1971. MacMillan Company
I finished Screwtape Letters a while ago, but I haven't blogged about it in a while, so I'll get in one more blog before I move on to the book I am currently reading.
Screwtape: "We produce [a human's] sense of ownership not only by pride but by confusion. We teach them not to notice the different senses of the possessive pronoun–the finely graded differences that run from 'my boots' through 'my dog', 'my servant', 'my wife', 'my father', 'my master', and 'my country' to 'my God'. They can be taught to reduce all these senses to that of 'my boots', the 'my' of ownership."
This quote really caught me by surprise. I had never thought of any such idea before. Never before had I thought about the significance of "my God." Do people really use all these possessives the same way? I think not. While Screwtape's point may be interesting, I do not think it is entirely accurate. People do not use all possessives in the sense of "my boots." Otherwise there would be nothing wrong with saying "my God." This is often seen as swearing by many Christians, because the significance is much greater than a simple "my boots" possessive. Althoug, looking at it again, I see that Screwtape states that humans can be taught to reduce them all to "my boots." So, this is probably true.
I finished Screwtape Letters a while ago, but I haven't blogged about it in a while, so I'll get in one more blog before I move on to the book I am currently reading.
Screwtape: "We produce [a human's] sense of ownership not only by pride but by confusion. We teach them not to notice the different senses of the possessive pronoun–the finely graded differences that run from 'my boots' through 'my dog', 'my servant', 'my wife', 'my father', 'my master', and 'my country' to 'my God'. They can be taught to reduce all these senses to that of 'my boots', the 'my' of ownership."
This quote really caught me by surprise. I had never thought of any such idea before. Never before had I thought about the significance of "my God." Do people really use all these possessives the same way? I think not. While Screwtape's point may be interesting, I do not think it is entirely accurate. People do not use all possessives in the sense of "my boots." Otherwise there would be nothing wrong with saying "my God." This is often seen as swearing by many Christians, because the significance is much greater than a simple "my boots" possessive. Althoug, looking at it again, I see that Screwtape states that humans can be taught to reduce them all to "my boots." So, this is probably true.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Independent Reading Journal 10-7-08
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. 1961. Macmillan Company.
Screwtape: "Your man has been accustomed, ever since he was a boy, to having a dozen incompatible philosophies dancing about together in his head. He doesn't think of doctrines as primarily true or false, but as academic or practical, outworn or contemporary, conventional or ruthless."
This statement seemed interesting to me. I think, for the most part i agree. There are so many different doctrines and philosophies people are introduced to now a days. Mostly people see new ideas as conventional or contemporary. For instance, Scientology. Scientology may be seen as wrong to some, but I think mostly people look at Scientology as unconventional and contemporary. Christianity isn't necessarily seen as correct by most Americans. It's just been around long enough that people have accepted it as conventional.
Screwtape: "Your man has been accustomed, ever since he was a boy, to having a dozen incompatible philosophies dancing about together in his head. He doesn't think of doctrines as primarily true or false, but as academic or practical, outworn or contemporary, conventional or ruthless."
This statement seemed interesting to me. I think, for the most part i agree. There are so many different doctrines and philosophies people are introduced to now a days. Mostly people see new ideas as conventional or contemporary. For instance, Scientology. Scientology may be seen as wrong to some, but I think mostly people look at Scientology as unconventional and contemporary. Christianity isn't necessarily seen as correct by most Americans. It's just been around long enough that people have accepted it as conventional.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
List
Things I Like: Soccer, Baseball, English Premier League, Newcastle United, Atlanta Braves, Video Games, Movies, Music, The Outdoors- Camping, Hiking, Canoeing and Kayaking, Food- Pizza, Subs, Chicken, Chinese Food, UGA, GT, Appalachian State, Traveling, Foreign Countries, Maryland, Georgia, Japan, Television- Discovery Channel, ESPN, AMC, Daily Show, Colbert Report, Hanging out with Friends, Sleeping, Chilling and doing Nothing.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Independent Reading Journal 10-1-08
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. 1961. Macmillan Company.
So I was talking the other day and I mentioned I was reading Screwtape Letters. I had always heard a lot about it because of people I knew and my family all knew about it, but this person I was talking to had never heard of it. it occurred to me that maybe not everyone knows about this book even though it's pretty well known. Here's the basic premise of the book: Screwtape a demon working for Satan writes a series of letters to his nephew Wormwood. Wormwood is sort of a demon in training, so Screwtape's letters usually talk about how to handle human subjects (people the demons are responsible for getting to Hell). He gives Wormwood lots of good demon advice of how to sway the person and defeat their enemies working for Him (God). So far I have only seen Screwtapes side of the correspondence between the two, but apparently Wormwood writes back because Screwtape references letters he received. It's interesting, witty, and philosophical. At times some things seem to go over my head and I need to go back and re read and re think for a while. It's definitely a book that makes you think.
So I was talking the other day and I mentioned I was reading Screwtape Letters. I had always heard a lot about it because of people I knew and my family all knew about it, but this person I was talking to had never heard of it. it occurred to me that maybe not everyone knows about this book even though it's pretty well known. Here's the basic premise of the book: Screwtape a demon working for Satan writes a series of letters to his nephew Wormwood. Wormwood is sort of a demon in training, so Screwtape's letters usually talk about how to handle human subjects (people the demons are responsible for getting to Hell). He gives Wormwood lots of good demon advice of how to sway the person and defeat their enemies working for Him (God). So far I have only seen Screwtapes side of the correspondence between the two, but apparently Wormwood writes back because Screwtape references letters he received. It's interesting, witty, and philosophical. At times some things seem to go over my head and I need to go back and re read and re think for a while. It's definitely a book that makes you think.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Independent Reading Journal 9-17-08
Shogun by James Clavell. 1975. Dell Publishing Inc. / The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. 1961. Macmillan Company
Well I have some bad news. I seem to have misplaced Shogun. I lost it a while ago actually. I just haven't posted in a while...that's another story... ahem. But anyway I think it's in my house somewhere but I'm not sure. So sorry highfiverobber- you won't be able to know what happens and neither will I. In a way this is kind of a good thing. I was rather intimidated by the 1300 pages that book contained, and I wasn't so sure if I was going to be able to finish it. I guess losing it is bad, but this has allowed me to move on to a book I am more likely to finish without feeling like a quitter. So, I have moved onto "The Screwtape Letters," yet another book my dad recommended. This book is very interesting, but there's more on this book to come. I apologize if highiverobber or cmenglish was getting into Shogun, but now you will just have to get into The Screwtape Letters.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Narrative Essay
Well I posted my essay this weekend, and when I tried the link it worked. But when someone else tried it they said it didn't work... Hopefully this will work.
Narrative Essay:
Narrative Essay
I have been fortunate to experience so many different foreign cultures in my life. I have Japanese relatives. I have been to Guatemala twice for mission trips. I visited Korea when I was ten. I have befriended refugee families from The Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Burundi, and Afghanistan. All of these experiences have played major roles in shaping the way I live my life. I cannot overstress the importance of establishing intercultural relationships and experiencing the wide world. Without these experiences I would not be who I am today, and there is one experience in particular that has had a lasting effect on me.
I was in Guatemala for a church mission trip. We were there building a school for girls in the village of Santa Maria de Jesus. The week was coming to a close, and we had been divided into groups to go have lunch at the home of a Guatemalan family. We piled into a van and were driven to the other side of Santa Maria.
Once we arrived I stepped out onto the cobblestone street and navigated my way around the fecal matter of horses. I was led down a crowded narrow passage between two cinderblock houses. At the end of the passage I found myself in a courtyard. The sun’s rays peeked through the clouds and shone through the tangle of clothes lines stretched out above my head. The courtyard, like the passageway, was crowded with crates and boxes. Chickens pecked at the ground all around me as I stood there and took in the scene. On the ground to my left was a wire cage containing a rabbit. “Big enough to eat in about two months” I was told. There were puddles here and there leftover from the recent rain. Mirna’s mother, a dark and elderly woman, greeted us with a nearly toothless grin. Her traditional Guatemalan dress was woven out of brightly colored yarn.
We were guided into the dining area, which was fairly nice compared to many Guatemalan households. The floor was tile rather than dirt, and there was a nice wooden table for us to sit at. After a prayer we were served our food. I was very taken aback when the plate was placed in front of me. I had come to this meal expecting to be served tortillas and beans. What I saw on the plate in front of me was spaghetti. The tortillas were present, in addition to some fried potato wedges. The helpings were small, but the food was delicious.
As I sat there and ate, I was suddenly struck with a realization. I realized just how much trouble these people had gone through to serve me, a foreign stranger, a decent meal. These people who normally ate nothing but beans and tortillas had spent a very substantial amount of money to purchase a lot of food. They then stood by and watched as we scoffed down our meals. Mirna’s mother smiled and talked with us, but she never ate anything. Despite this apparent lack of wealth, Mirna’s mother continually talked about how she was so thankful for everything she and her family had been given. I couldn’t help but admire this woman and her family for their sense of gratitude. These people had so little, and we had so much.
On the ride back to the work site I couldn’t stop thinking about the disparity between what we had and what they had. I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for everything I personally had. I lead a much more comfortable life than Mirna’s family. It was Mirna’s family though that taught me to truly have a sense of gratitude. Now, to this day, I think about this experience. When I complain about not having the newest video game, or the coolest shoes, I remember Mirna’s mother. By our standards she had next to nothing, but she was thankful. This intercultural experience has truly had a lasting effect on me. I will never forget Mirna’s mother. I will never forget that lunch in a Guatemalan household.
Narrative Essay:
Narrative Essay
I have been fortunate to experience so many different foreign cultures in my life. I have Japanese relatives. I have been to Guatemala twice for mission trips. I visited Korea when I was ten. I have befriended refugee families from The Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Burundi, and Afghanistan. All of these experiences have played major roles in shaping the way I live my life. I cannot overstress the importance of establishing intercultural relationships and experiencing the wide world. Without these experiences I would not be who I am today, and there is one experience in particular that has had a lasting effect on me.
I was in Guatemala for a church mission trip. We were there building a school for girls in the village of Santa Maria de Jesus. The week was coming to a close, and we had been divided into groups to go have lunch at the home of a Guatemalan family. We piled into a van and were driven to the other side of Santa Maria.
Once we arrived I stepped out onto the cobblestone street and navigated my way around the fecal matter of horses. I was led down a crowded narrow passage between two cinderblock houses. At the end of the passage I found myself in a courtyard. The sun’s rays peeked through the clouds and shone through the tangle of clothes lines stretched out above my head. The courtyard, like the passageway, was crowded with crates and boxes. Chickens pecked at the ground all around me as I stood there and took in the scene. On the ground to my left was a wire cage containing a rabbit. “Big enough to eat in about two months” I was told. There were puddles here and there leftover from the recent rain. Mirna’s mother, a dark and elderly woman, greeted us with a nearly toothless grin. Her traditional Guatemalan dress was woven out of brightly colored yarn.
We were guided into the dining area, which was fairly nice compared to many Guatemalan households. The floor was tile rather than dirt, and there was a nice wooden table for us to sit at. After a prayer we were served our food. I was very taken aback when the plate was placed in front of me. I had come to this meal expecting to be served tortillas and beans. What I saw on the plate in front of me was spaghetti. The tortillas were present, in addition to some fried potato wedges. The helpings were small, but the food was delicious.
As I sat there and ate, I was suddenly struck with a realization. I realized just how much trouble these people had gone through to serve me, a foreign stranger, a decent meal. These people who normally ate nothing but beans and tortillas had spent a very substantial amount of money to purchase a lot of food. They then stood by and watched as we scoffed down our meals. Mirna’s mother smiled and talked with us, but she never ate anything. Despite this apparent lack of wealth, Mirna’s mother continually talked about how she was so thankful for everything she and her family had been given. I couldn’t help but admire this woman and her family for their sense of gratitude. These people had so little, and we had so much.
On the ride back to the work site I couldn’t stop thinking about the disparity between what we had and what they had. I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for everything I personally had. I lead a much more comfortable life than Mirna’s family. It was Mirna’s family though that taught me to truly have a sense of gratitude. Now, to this day, I think about this experience. When I complain about not having the newest video game, or the coolest shoes, I remember Mirna’s mother. By our standards she had next to nothing, but she was thankful. This intercultural experience has truly had a lasting effect on me. I will never forget Mirna’s mother. I will never forget that lunch in a Guatemalan household.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Narrative Essay
Ok this should work...
Narrative essay can be found here:
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Cameron/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.IE5/H7OCMOMM/NoremacRecnepsNarrativeEssay%5B1%5D.htm
Narrative essay can be found here:
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Cameron/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.IE5/H7OCMOMM/NoremacRecnepsNarrativeEssay%5B1%5D.htm
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Indepedent Reading Journal 8-26-08
Shogun by James Clavell. 1975. Dell Publishing Inc.
So I've progressed in the story, and so far so good. Blackthorne has found himself in a Japanese home under a sort of house arrest. He had been brought ashore by the "natives" who seem to be allied with one of his fiercest enemies, the Portuguese. Blackthorne encounters a rather obnoxious Portuguese priest who accuses him of piracy. Blackthorne then reveals to the reader that he and his crew truly are no better than pirates. They went from town to town burning and plundering- but only against the Spanish and Portuguese, which seems to make it just, at least to Blackthorne. Blackthorne is the first English sailor to reach the Japans. He finds himself learning what samurais and daimyos are. He even learns to bow when bowed to. This lesson (the need to bow) he learns in a rather gruesome way. When a samurai addresses a crowd of people, including Blackthorne, everyone bows to the earth. When the samurai instructs everyone to leave everyone keeps their heads bowed as they stand. Everyone except one unlucky man who neglects to keep his head bowed. This man is swiftly met by the sword of the samurai. He is decapitated and then hacked into pieces while everyone else goes about their business. This scene led me to pose a question. This is historical fiction, meaning it should seem somewhat real and believable. I found myself questioning whether or not a samurai of the 1600s would have been so swift and merciless in killing the man for a seemingly petty crime. I don't really know if the samurais were quite so savage, but my initial reaction was that this scene was a little too far fetched. Who knows though. This scene could have been based off an actual event for all I know.
So I've progressed in the story, and so far so good. Blackthorne has found himself in a Japanese home under a sort of house arrest. He had been brought ashore by the "natives" who seem to be allied with one of his fiercest enemies, the Portuguese. Blackthorne encounters a rather obnoxious Portuguese priest who accuses him of piracy. Blackthorne then reveals to the reader that he and his crew truly are no better than pirates. They went from town to town burning and plundering- but only against the Spanish and Portuguese, which seems to make it just, at least to Blackthorne. Blackthorne is the first English sailor to reach the Japans. He finds himself learning what samurais and daimyos are. He even learns to bow when bowed to. This lesson (the need to bow) he learns in a rather gruesome way. When a samurai addresses a crowd of people, including Blackthorne, everyone bows to the earth. When the samurai instructs everyone to leave everyone keeps their heads bowed as they stand. Everyone except one unlucky man who neglects to keep his head bowed. This man is swiftly met by the sword of the samurai. He is decapitated and then hacked into pieces while everyone else goes about their business. This scene led me to pose a question. This is historical fiction, meaning it should seem somewhat real and believable. I found myself questioning whether or not a samurai of the 1600s would have been so swift and merciless in killing the man for a seemingly petty crime. I don't really know if the samurais were quite so savage, but my initial reaction was that this scene was a little too far fetched. Who knows though. This scene could have been based off an actual event for all I know.
Independent Reading Journal 8-26-08
I'm not sure if this is the right format, but I'll give it a try... (I forgot my notebook containing the sheet with formatting instructions).
Shogun by James Clavell. 1975. Dell Publishing Inc.
I've recently had a lot going on in my life so I'm a little behind as far as the blogging goes. I plan on reading this evening and posting another reading blog later tonight. For now, here's this blog:
I just started reading this book and I'm not far along, but from what I can tell Shogun is a novel about an English ship navigator in 1600 who sets sail on a Dutch ship bound for Japan. I chose this book mainly because my dad recommended it. My dad grew up in Okinawa Japan, so we have a lot of Japan related stuff at my house. I'm pretty interested in Japanese language and culture, so I thought I would trust my dad and give this book a try. Apparently the book was made into a big TV series on CBS in the 70s, so it should be pretty good-it was good enough for CBS. My taste is also similar to my dad's taste when it comes to media. Clavell doesn't waste any time. In the prologue the reader is plunged into a severe storm at sea. Blackthorne (the English navigator) and the crew are forced to fight for their lives as they attempt to navigate through coral reefs while fighting harsh winds and rain. I'm looking forward to progressing in the story and getting to know more about Blackthorne.
Shogun by James Clavell. 1975. Dell Publishing Inc.
I've recently had a lot going on in my life so I'm a little behind as far as the blogging goes. I plan on reading this evening and posting another reading blog later tonight. For now, here's this blog:
I just started reading this book and I'm not far along, but from what I can tell Shogun is a novel about an English ship navigator in 1600 who sets sail on a Dutch ship bound for Japan. I chose this book mainly because my dad recommended it. My dad grew up in Okinawa Japan, so we have a lot of Japan related stuff at my house. I'm pretty interested in Japanese language and culture, so I thought I would trust my dad and give this book a try. Apparently the book was made into a big TV series on CBS in the 70s, so it should be pretty good-it was good enough for CBS. My taste is also similar to my dad's taste when it comes to media. Clavell doesn't waste any time. In the prologue the reader is plunged into a severe storm at sea. Blackthorne (the English navigator) and the crew are forced to fight for their lives as they attempt to navigate through coral reefs while fighting harsh winds and rain. I'm looking forward to progressing in the story and getting to know more about Blackthorne.
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