Professor Reiss and Classmates,
As I had pointed out in my introductory letter to the class, I did not know anything about American Literature at the beginning of the semester. This course has been a highly educational and enjoyable experience. I think I found a very healthy outlet for my writing and have also developed my writing skills. Thoughts about literature that I have expressed throughout the semester, I didn’t think possible to convey but now I realize that writing is a very powerful medium that can be comforting while allowing oneself to grow.
In choosing my artifacts, I started with the analysis of Crevecoeur’s “Letter from an American Farmer” because I thought it would be best to start out with an important question relating to both literature and questioning our nature – What is an American? Although there are very diverse answers to this question, I think there is an underlying trait that seems to present itself through the writing and analyzes of various works by authors, critics and others in the literary world. Shawn’s letter about “Unity and Harmony in Transcendentalism” provided a good question in terms of what is defined as an individual in the natural sense – especially asked to a minority of the time, women. This is highlighted by the point Shawn mentions – “Fuller also wants women to be in touch with the nature around them “. The next artifact, Ralph Waldo Emerson's “Self-Reliance” brings up the idea of our natural selves being the best form of living. “The idea that nature is not a toy of Man is an interesting point. Nature and its wonders are, in fact apparent in long-lasting creations of
For my 4th artifact, I chose my original composition written in the style of Emily Dickinson titled “This light buzz I’m feeling”. Dickinson was notorious for her poetry style because she wrote provocatively. Her description of human nature and her defiance of established institutions are a testament to her love of the free spirit and nature. The two aspects I focused on were the rhyme scheme and the capitalization of certain words. This idea of the love of freedom resonates not only from Dickinson but also Harriet Ann Jacob’s “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”. Here’s an excerpt from this piece – “In all of Jacob’s character’s experiences, there was a difference in the way she perceived her bondage in society. This difference was a testament to her commitment to true freedom.” It is said that one can only value that which one lacks and this is very much true in the case of Jacobs. Again, we see freedom as an underlying theme, as is also seen in other works.
Another classic example of the idea of freedom is Langston Hughes’ “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”. I thought this was a very powerful medium of an expression of freedom. Again, the lines blurred are not of sexuality but racial. From the artifact – “All in all, this poem has a very river-like flow to it – free, overcoming and calm. It has a simple yet though-provoking slant to it that is very striking.” The speaker uses symbolism to portray a style of living that is very much in tune with nature. The use of the river as a symbol provides a powerful symbol of freedom.
Melissa wrote a response to William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” which was a very well written piece. The main point that stood out for me was the dichotomy of a decision as highlighted in this excerpt – “Although the story doesn't really discuss the anguish Sarty [the protagonist] must have felt inside, debating whether he should stay with his family or leave, the narrative leaves the reader wondering all the pros and cons Sarty must have considered in his decision to leave.” This is a very important aspect of the responsibilities that come with a freer state of mind. To break out from the bondage in society, be it in family relations of those established by the State, a free entity is always faced with the dichotomy of choice.
Lastly, I chose a letter written to my classmates on Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” which also very well brings out the aspect of abstinence versus free living. When one realizes of the dichotomy of choice, there is a tendency to abstain from living out our life freely. Some would characterize this as fear, others prudence. Whatever the reason be, in my opinion life in all its power and diversity must be let lose on the stage of the world, in all its natural forms.
Sincerely,
Arjun Thakur
ENGL 214
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