The Yellow Wallpaper

I definitely think that writers definitely write to affect change. This brings us back to stories that have a didactic meaning. Most of the time stories are written not only to entertain their readers but also to share a deeper meaning. This brings me to the story that we discussed on Tuesday. The Yellow Wallpaper was definitely a unique story written not only to entertain the audience but also to promote lots of different meanings. The one that I want to concentrate on is the way Gilman used this story to promote women’s rights. During this time period husbands controlled their wives and made important decisions for them. “If a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression-what is one to do?” This statement is an example of just how men control anything they are able to. Not only is this story a good example of women being controlled but The Wide, Wide World is an even better example. Even though Ellen’s father is not around in the story he still finds ways to control Ellen and her mother. “It was a great relief to Ellen when her father ended his talking and left her to herself; for she felt she could not dress herself so quick with him standing there and looking at her, and his desire that she should be speedy in what she had to do could not be greater than her own.” Both of these stories are not only written to entertain, but are written with the thought of just how women were being treated during this time period.

Tom Sawyer Prompt

I really want to look at the national parenting aspect of this story. During our discussion we noticed that in the previous stories we have read, none of the children that we were focusing on were raised by their biological parents. This is very interesting to me considering children’s literature of the nineteenth century really focused on the relationship of elders and children yet none of these stories had the ideal parent to child relationship.
One thing that was mentioned in our discussion that I would like to focus on is the comparison between Nan Grant as a mother figure and Aunt Polly. These two characters were raising children that were not biologically theirs but yet they had a huge impact in the children’s lives. I think it’s ironic how in each story Nan Grant and Aunt Polly still took care of their biological children along with Gerty and Tom. It makes me wonder if their biological children were ever favored over Tom and Gerty. “Aunt, you don’t whack Sid when he takes it.” This quote is Tom referring to the fact that Aunt Polly never punishes her biological child Sid like she does Tom. “Her only chance of obtaining any share of the meal was to be on the spot when they had finished.” This quote is in The Lamplighter and is referring to the fact that Nan Grant’s son’s get to eat before Gerty. I believe that some parents who have mixed families have a real tendency to favor their own biological children over ones that have been adopted into their family. I think this problem is something that can be deeper looked into even today.

The Yares of Black Mountain

There were two very different significant things that struck me as interesting in this certain piece of literature. One of them is Mrs. Cook’s continuous bitter attitude throughout the story no matter the circumstances. Another interesting aspect to this story was the sick baby.
First I would like to discuss Mrs. Cook’s attitude. They never give a specific reason for her bitterness. I thought this was very interesting. Throughout the story she gripes continuously about everything. “What a queer tribe we have fallen among!” said Mrs. Cook is scarcely lowered tones. This comment was made by Mrs. Cook along with many other unnecessary comments. This was very frustrating to me, especially after the people opened up their home and provided them with what Davis made it seem a delicious dinner. It seemed that no matter how good the dinner was Mrs. Cook would always find something to gripe about. I don’t know if there is really any certain meaning to this attitude at all but it was very distracting throughout the story.
Another aspect of this piece of literature I found very interesting was the little information we were given about the sick baby. We get connected to this baby from the mother’s drive to save her sick babies life by going up the mountains. I found it very interesting that even though we are given so little information about this one little character how big of an impact he plays in the story. “There was a certain purity in the cold damp air that eased his breathing, and the red petticoat was snug and warm.” This is one of the few comments made about the sick baby. It does not directly refer to it yet you still form a connection with it because the textual detail is so vivid. I think that the author really gave you less information about this sick child for a certain reason. I believe this child was the main purpose for the story yet was not the main character which is not very often seen in literature. I believe it was his mother’s burning drive to save him that made this story complete.

Ragged Dick

There are many drastic differences between girls and boys in American literature. As we’ve seen in many of the stories we’ve previously read, girls are very predictable and proper while they boys we’ve been introduced to are adventurous and spunky. One major aspect of their differences is how the role of religion plays a part in their everyday lives. When we read the Wide, Wide World, we were introduced to Ellen a young girl in the nineteenth century who strived for a relationship with God and the knowledge of religion. When reading Ragged Dick the tables are completely turned. “Did you ever read the Bible? Asked Frank , who had some idea of neglected state of Dick’s education. No said Dick;” this quote shows that the importance of the Bible and religion had no impact on Dick’s life at all.
The representations of boys in the nineteenth century not only adds a unique element to American literature, but also the comments made about society. In my opinion, boys add a fun, edgy sense of style to literature. They are a breath of fresh air compared to the strict, straightforward little girls. I think it gives society a sense of hope and really shows them all the different opportunities that are out there for not only boys but girls too.

A Whisper in the Dark

The concept of insanity is definitely not something we have ever seen before. It definitely fits perfect with this story but not so much when considering the nineteenth century. In all of our previous novels the reader has had either a very strong bond with their mother or not one at all. We’ve never really gotten the opportunity to have the concept of insanity connect a mother and a child the way it does in this story. I don’t believe that insanity is seen very often in the nineteenth century and that is one of the important aspects that draws you in to this story.
This really alters the reader’s reception of the story many times. At first Sybil really represents herself as a normal girl with no mental problems (besides the issues with her uncle) you can somewhat assume that she has been raised normally. After one turn of the page Sybil is in an insane asylum. With this aspect being brought into the story who wouldn’t start to have mental issues? “Child! Woman! Whatever you are, leave this accursed house while you have power to do it.” This is a quote from Sybil’s mom’s letter. After reading this you can definitely see one of the many issues that Sybil is having to deal with as a eighteen year old girl. This really shows just how the insanity in this story really actually seems to make sense and pull the whole story together. This story really struck my attention and really brought in another aspect of children's literature in the nineteenth century.

The Hidden Hand

When looking at this novel it is very difficult to pick out just one aspect that really caught my attention or just one part that I found particularly interesting. With that being said, there is one specific quote in this literature piece that caught my eye and really contrasted everything we’ve read thus far.
“Yes, sir and the only thing that made me feel sorry was to see what a fool I had been not to turn to a boy before, when it was so easy! And from that day forth I was happy and prosperous! I found plenty to do! I carried carpet bags, held horses, put in coal, cleaned sidewalks, blacked gentlemen’s boots and did everything an honest lad could turn his hand to!”
This quote really makes you look at the role of little girls through a different lens. Capitola was so passionate about doing the works of a boy, this makes you realize the strict roles that society had placed on little girls. So far this semester we’ve really only looked at little girls and their roles and expectations in society. Some being proper, (Ellen) while some being rebellious, (Gerty) but we have never really had the opportunity to look at a girl this age being able to open her own eyes to the role of a boy. Southworth was really able to completely turn around children’s literature of the nineteenth century which is why this certain piece of literature became so popular at the time.

The Lamplighter

There are many very obvious different expectations that society has placed upon young girls today than in the nineteenth century. With this being said I would like to focus more on the similarities that Gerty and Anna both portray. On the show, a major element that Anna stressed was balance. She seemed to use that not only in everyday life but also in her activities like yoga. This was Anna’s way to relieve stress and meditate. I believe that when Gerty was pushed out of the way by Nan Grant, she also had her way of escaping stress and meditating. “Near the top was a little sheltered recess, overhung by some long planks, and forming a miniature shed, protected by the wood on all sides but one, and from that looking out upon the water. This was Gerty’s haven of rest, her sanctum, and the only place from which she never was driven away.” This in my opinion is Gerty’s version of yoga. I believe that if Gerty had appeared on this show she might have mentioned her hiding spot as her way to keep balance in her life. I think it offered her a safe place to go not only physically but mentally. I do believe that this shows a good example of just how important it was and still is for girls not find their own place in this world where they feel comfortable and welcome. I think this aspect of young girls will always remain the same.

Stowe

When reading a traditional piece of children’s literature, many lessons are being taught. Like we have mentioned before, early children’s literature always had a didactic purpose. Most of the time the author was striving to teach children a moral lesson through the use of good and bad characters. When reading Uncle Tom’s Cabin, this moral lesson being taught by the author through children is mainly thrown completely out of the window. I have not had a chance to read the full novel but from the few chapters I have been able to read, nothing presented in them really shows a moral lesson that is being taught through children or for children. With the horrors of slavery being displayed, it is very hard to be a child and look past the fear of the unknown. In the novel, Harry the young boy is clearly frightened to sleep in the beginning of chapter seven. “But, mother, if I do get asleep, you won’t let him get me?” This statement shows not only the fear that is running through Harry but also the harsh thought of if he is caught what will become of him next. As a child, your mother is one of the only things that you are comforted by. You feel as though they can take on the world. Stowe is not afraid to hide the reality of slavery and really shows this through the fear in both the mother and child. Unlike most of the children’s literature we have read, I do not think this novel at all teaches a moral lesson for or through the children.

The Wide, Wide World Prompt

When considering the role of “parents”, many things come to mind. In our society today the role of parents differs throughout households. Many children today don’t have parents or are left alone to be the parent to a younger sibling. In Ellen’s case this is similar. Even though Ellen had both of her parents present, neither of them seemed to take on what I consider to be a parental role. Ellen was somewhat of the backbone in the family at times. Ellen always seemed to be concerned more with her mother’s health and well-being than herself. An example of this is shown in the text when Ellen is begging her mother to let her go to the store alone to get the merino. “You are not afraid of the wind?” “I should think not,” said Ellen. This shows Ellen’s bravery and motivation to please and help her mother when she is not able. Many other examples are presented throughout the text that shows Ellen’s responsibilities taking on a more “parental” role. A major one that is mentioned several times is when Ellen continues to make tea and toast for her mother.
When reading this text little is mentioned about Mr. Montgomery. Yet, when he is mentioned, it is in a very superior way hinting towards that fact that he takes care of most of the important decisions around the house. Since he is not around much and Mrs. Montgomery is sick you want to assume that he is off at work making a living for his family. When Ellen is crying in her room upstairs she refuses to come down until her dad is gone. “I’ll not go down till papa is gone; he’ll ask me what is the matter with my eyes.” This shows that Ellen perceives her father as someone she does not want to show much emotion towards. With that being said you can assume that Mr. Montgomery is a man with little understanding. When comparing the role of the father and mother in this case, many obvious differences stand out. It seems as though Ellen is more connected with her mother on an emotional level. These roles stand out many times throughout the text when Ellen is comforted by her mother but on the same page is afraid to show any type of emotion in the presence of her father. With this being said the roles of the mother and father are easily portrayed as the father being a strong, solid, superior man while the mother is caring and humble.
I believe that Ellen perceives her parents as most children do in this time period. Even though Ellen herself takes on many of the actual “parent” roles during the day because her mother is not able, I still believe she looks to her mother as a role model like most young girls her age. Ellen thoroughly explains this when she says, “I trust every word you say entirely I know nothing could be truer; if you were to tell me black is white, mamma I should think my eyes had been mistaken.” This is one of the many times Ellen explains her feelings towards her mother. When looking at her father I don’t think she really expects anything more out of him and that him not being around is probably normal to her.

Children's Literature

When analyzing children and children’s literature there are many theories that can be concluded through reading and observing this theme of literature. One main theory in children’s literature that can be observed is the didactic element in most of the stories. In Dependent States: The Child’s Part in the Making of American Culture, this example is presented when Sanchez states that children are being “…taught to conform to social expectations by child-rearing experts, by parents, by schools and by didactic stories.” This seems like authors were striving to teach through literature what parents or schools could not. This brings me to my second theory. With the thought that children’s literature is written with a didactic element, this didactic element was mostly written to teach a moral lesson. Moral lessons seemed to pop up everywhere in children’s literature throughout the nineteenth century. In Children’s Literature for a New Nation, Macleod mentions this lesson many times. “They were written to teach, and more specifically, to teach a moral lesson.” With all of the lessons being taught in children’s literature it seems as though these books were not written at all for entertainment but strictly for education. This was not necessarily true. These pieces of literature had to somehow form a connection with the child in order to grasp their attention. This leads me to my third theory that children’s literature was also written for entertainment. Macleod earlier contradicts this theory by mainly stressing the education side of children’s literature, but Sanchez states that “Assumptions about the most appropriate stories to tell to children varied with these changes in perspective didacticism giving way to humor and fantasy.” With that statement it is easy to conclude that authors were not just writing for education purposes but to also form some sort of connection with the child with fantasy and humor. My last two theories mainly focus on the adult side of children’s literature. This side of it is mainly about what the author as an adult is trying to get through to the child. When analyzing children’s literature you sometimes have to take a different approach. My fourth theory is how the piece of literature for children sometimes turns into training for the “adult world.” Macleod puts this in perspective when stating that “Childhood was wholly preparation, entirely a moral training ground for the adult world.” When authors look at childhood as a lesson for the entire world it seems as though literature was written as a training manual. This brings me to my final point. With having adults in mind, children literature quickly turned into not only training for the “adult world”, but also adults claiming through literature their ideal future society. Macleod states this early on in his writing by saying, “Less directly, but just as surely, the books offer insight into what Americans wanted of and for their society.” With all of this being said, when analyzing children’s literature you have to looks past the entertainment aspect, through the didactic meaning and even sometimes putting yourself in the adults shoes.

Introduction

Hello everyone, my name is Caroline Dunn. I'm from a small town south of Houston very close to the coast called Lake Jackson. I'm a sophmore nursing major here at TCU and couldn't be happier. English is definitely not my strongest course and I have lots of room for improvment! I come from a family line of hardcore aggies and I just couldn't see myself in College Station and that's what brought me to TCU. I love the small personal enviroment and enjoy the Fort Worth area. If I was Chancellor of TCU the very first thing I would change/improve on would be the parking lots. I would add much more accesible parking lots or even a parking garage. Parking here is a little ridiculous. I'm a strong believer in that what makes a good teacher is someone that can connect with you and understand you as a student. I also think that if the student understands where the teacher is coming from makes class a much better enviroment. If I could go to dinner with any three people tomorrow I would go with my cousin who passed away that I never got to say good bye to, Marilyn Monroe, and Angelina Jolie. The last two for obvious reasons:) Three things that I think you should know about me is that I love good food and hate diets, I love diets and I hate it when people smack their gum or food! Three things I'd like to know about the class from this blog is where everyone is from and their hobbies. I chose to take this course because it is required, but I hope to become a better student, better reader and writer. I don't really read much but I love to read good books that are made into movies and compare the two. Writing just scares me and the only form of it that I do is through email or facebook and it is never formal. I'm definitely not a strong writer so I'm not really confident in any of the papers that I've ever written. From this blog I hope that it lets you get a peak into my life and learn a little bit more about my experience I've had with english and writing. This blog is simple and straight to the point and I strongly believe that is just the kind of person I am. When choosing the colors for this blog I didn't want to do something too bold at first because like I said I'm never confident in anything I write so I chose olive green because it's one of my favorite colors and does not tend to stand out as much. That should give you just a little clue on my style as a blog author and my future participation in this course.

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