He Who Binds Himself to Joy

by William Blake
He who binds to himself a joy   Doth the winged life destroy.  He who kisses the joy as it flies,  Lives in eternity's sunrise. Though short in length, I believe that this poem contains a host of meaning and significance.   According to Blake, those who become too enamored and attached to the pleasures and joys in life will only end up in a dissatisfying life.  They become "chained" and will be "destroyed by the winged life."  However, those who instead accept the joy when it comes to them will be  free to "live in eternity's sunrise."

"It is difficult to get the news from poetry, yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there." ~~William Carlos Williams

I believe that this quote rings true for many situations in everyone's life.  Though poetry can almost never provide one with any news or tidings of current happenings, it can still teach important lessons and wisdom about life.  Any worthwhile poem contains themes that are universal whether they are about joy, depression, love or life in general.  Ergo, those who do not enough poetry will miss out a multitude of important lessons and wisdom that could drastically change the way they go through life.  By learning from the mistakes, triumphs and other experiences of poets , it is possible to change how one's life is led.    

Reaction to "Cathedral" and "Everyday Use"

During the past week, our class has read two short stories, "Cathedral" and "Everyday Use".  Both of these stories have their own unique significances and meanings.  

In "Cathedral", the unidentified narrator is described as a simple man who has little understanding of anything that is not a direct part of his life.  For example, his mental of image of and information on blind individuals is almost completely based what he has seen in movies.  He doesn't understand how a blind man can truly love a woman whom he has never laid eyes upon.  Towards the end of the story, the narrator has his "eyes opened" to how "blind" he had been when asked to describe a cathedral to that same blind man.  Unable to give an adequate description with words, he instead was asked to draw the structure.  Though he claimed his drawing was "not very good", the blind man encouraged him and guided the pencil with his hand.  During this moment, the narrator was able to "see" the beauty of the structure as the blind man did.

The author of this story is trying to convey to the readers the idea that we often take things like our eyesight for granted.  Those of us who are given this gift more times than not do not use it to its full potential and fail to see the simple beauties of the world.  We can look an object and still not be able to give a description that gives justice to its appearance as the narrator had.  What we all should take away from this story is to realize that there is beauty in everyday life is we only take the time to realize it's there.

The main theme "Everyday Use" deals with how to honor one's heritage.  The character Dee was never satisfied with her life with her family.  She had a haughty demeanor and felt she made for better things.  Leaving home and going into the world on her own was probably one of the happiest moments of her life.  However, one day she returns sporting a new fashion style stylized after African clothing.  She had decided to change her name to an African-sounding one to cast off the one given by "the slave owners".  She believes the heritage of her African ancestors is her "true heritage".  Later on, Dee wishes to take two quilts from her mother that were made by her grandmother in order to properly "honor their heritage".  However, her mother decides to give them to her younger sister Maggie.  Enfuriated, Dee storms off telling them using the quilts is not way to honor their past.

This story brings up several interesting points I would like to address.  First of all, I feel that Dee's desire to find her roots is not entirely genuine.  It seems like she is just following a fad in order her separate herself from "the masses".  The fact that she seemed to always want to be part of the "elite group" with her condescending nature supports this theory.  Secondly, I do not see how the usage of a semi-worn quilt dishonors the ones who made it.  As long it still in serviceable shape, using the quilt is best thing you can do with it.  Thirdly, the idea of what one's true is, is quite intriguing.  Personally, I believe one's heritage consists of the culture and history of all ancestors no matter what country they lived in.  For Dee and her family, their "true heritage" is a combination of the heritage of their ancestors in America and Africa.  Finally, the fact that both of the quilts went to Maggie instead giving one to each of the two daughters helps support the message the author tries to convey.  Though it would make perfectly logical sense for each to receive one quilt, doing so would have given the story a neutral tone in this manner.        

Winter: A Dirge by Robert Burns

The wintry west extends his blast,

And hail and rain does blaw;

Or the stormy north sends driving forth

The blinding sleet and snaw:

While, tumbling brown, the burn comes down,

And roars frae bank to brae;

And bird and beast in covert rest,

And pass the heartless day.

"The sweeping blast, the sky o'ercast,"

The joyless winter day

Let others fear, to me more dear

Than all the pride of May:

The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul,

My griefs it seems to join;

The leafless trees my fancy please,

Their fate resembles mine!

Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme

These woes of mine fulfill,

Here firm I rest; they must be best,

Because they are Thy will!

Then all I want--O do Thou grant

  This one request of mine!--

Since to enjoy Thou dost deny,

Assist me to resign.

Memorable Short Story

A short story that has left a lasting impression on me is W. W. Jacob's The Monkey's Paw.  In the story, one is granted three wishes if they possess the monkey's paw.  However, something is usually lost in exchange for the wish.  For example, when the main character wished for money, he received it in the form of compensation for his son's on-the-job death.  

This is meant to ingrain the idea of a set fate and that if one tried to escape it, they would be punished for such an attempt.  I am not quite sure if there is fate or not seeing that we live in the here and do not have any foresight.  By being trapped in the here and now, we cannot truly know if we have "free will".  However, if there is indeed a predetermined fate, than there was at least one decision made by someone or something in the "beginning" and everything that has occurred up until now are simply the effects of the decision.  In this case, "free will" is an illusion that has been put before us by the effects of the first decision.       

So how do we deal with this quandary?  Well I think you should try your best not to concern yourself with it as you really can't know for sure.  But of course, if the effects of the decision compel you to discover the answer, than there's not much I can do for you, can I?

Do you think young people today value their education as much as Sara Smolinsky does? Why or why not?

Sara Smolinsky was excited about and greatly valued the education she was receiving in college.  I believe that in today's world many people see education differently.  Often times young people take education is often taken for granted and see it as a "chore" that they are forced to do in order to better there future.  Education is merely a means to an end for numerous individuals.  

Many do not have the "hunger for knowledge" that Sara displayed numerous times in the novel.  They go to class not out of the drive to learn, but because they "have to".  That excitement Sara had when she was learning a topic is often non-existent in many of the students of today.  Since young people are not as driven to have an education, they will therefore give it a lesser value.       

Bread Givers

During our group's discussion, we spoke of the Father's role in his family and his beliefs.  He fancies himself as a pious holy man who is the "light" of his community and family.  I believe he uses this status as an excuse to extort and take advantage of his wife and daughters.  The man does not earn any money and relies on others for an income.  

The father is naive and refuses to take the blame even when he is clearly at fault as he did when two of his daughter were married to two swindlers.  Instead of realizing his mistake in the judgement of the men, he blamed his daughters for not realizing that they were liars.  I greatly sympathize with them and hope that Sarah's decision to run away will turn out to be a smart one.  I enjoy reading this book and am anxious to see what happens next.