I have to say that the author was a little harsh on PowerPoint. Instead of indicting the program itself, I think the author should examine how some user's lack of creativity with PowerPoint.
A couple of years ago, I had to take a public speaking class. I had avoided the class as long as I could because I was so terrified of public speaking. One of the requirements was that you had to prepare a PowerPoint presentation for every speech. I didn't know PowerPoint and had to learn it very quickly. I did and I am glad that I did. I found that I was good at it and really made a point of being creative with the tool. It was my PowerPoint presentations that got me out of that class, because my delivery surely did not. And I guess this is one of the points that the author is making, but still, I cannot criticize the program.
What I criticize more is the lack of creativity that is used. People tend to go to the pre-set layouts and the 'screen beans' or basic clip art and think they are doing a truly mindblowing presentation. Most don't realize that PowerPoint doesn't automatically make the content more interesting, you have to make it work. And of course, the mother who resorted to a PowerPoint to get her kids to use chores needs to be banned for life from the tool.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
WIKIPEDIA
"Wikipedia is not a reliable source!"
I have heard that from professors more times than I can remember since starting back at KSU a couple of years ago. Because of that, I used to always shy away from it and look at anyone who did rely on it as somewhat ignorant. But now, I am beginning to be more receptive to Wikipedia.
Although I do believe that one should not rely on it as a direct source that is credible, it can still be an excellent research tool. For example, for my class on African American Literature, I had to write a paper about literature and black feminism. I started my research online and of course when you type in any type of phrase, Wikipedia is usually at the top of the results page. So with skepticism, I read what was posted. But what I noticed more was the link to references at the bottom of the article and through that was able to find all of the credible sources that I needed. So now, I use Wikipedia often as a way to find resources quickly.
I have heard that from professors more times than I can remember since starting back at KSU a couple of years ago. Because of that, I used to always shy away from it and look at anyone who did rely on it as somewhat ignorant. But now, I am beginning to be more receptive to Wikipedia.
Although I do believe that one should not rely on it as a direct source that is credible, it can still be an excellent research tool. For example, for my class on African American Literature, I had to write a paper about literature and black feminism. I started my research online and of course when you type in any type of phrase, Wikipedia is usually at the top of the results page. So with skepticism, I read what was posted. But what I noticed more was the link to references at the bottom of the article and through that was able to find all of the credible sources that I needed. So now, I use Wikipedia often as a way to find resources quickly.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
PYGMALION ACT 5 AND SEQUEL
"The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she's treated." - Eliza
This quote by Eliza sums up the play for me. Higgins went through the trial of transforming Eliza into what he deemed as an "acceptable" member of society only to destroy her in the end by stating that it was him and only him that deserved credit for her transformation. He totally disregarded Eliza's own intelligence, the fact that she was able to become someone who was the total opposite of what she originally was. Eliza was smart, witty and tenacious but Higgins only saw someone who was dirty, poor and illiterate. At first I thought that Higgins intentions were admirable, but now I think that they only reason he did this was so he could prove that proper speech and clean clothes could change the fact that Eliza was a commoner in the eyes of society.
In the end, Eliza made the right decision in leaving Higgins and pursuing her own life. Higgins never would have let her forget where she came from. Even though Freddie was not really the man of her dreams, at least he treated her with respect and admiration.
This quote by Eliza sums up the play for me. Higgins went through the trial of transforming Eliza into what he deemed as an "acceptable" member of society only to destroy her in the end by stating that it was him and only him that deserved credit for her transformation. He totally disregarded Eliza's own intelligence, the fact that she was able to become someone who was the total opposite of what she originally was. Eliza was smart, witty and tenacious but Higgins only saw someone who was dirty, poor and illiterate. At first I thought that Higgins intentions were admirable, but now I think that they only reason he did this was so he could prove that proper speech and clean clothes could change the fact that Eliza was a commoner in the eyes of society.
In the end, Eliza made the right decision in leaving Higgins and pursuing her own life. Higgins never would have let her forget where she came from. Even though Freddie was not really the man of her dreams, at least he treated her with respect and admiration.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
TO HIS COY MISTRESS
Wow!
Men have been begging women to give in for a long time, huh? And women have been playing hard to get for just as long, too. What struck me the most about this poem is that it was, in my opinion, trying to pass itself off as a romantic declaration of love when in actuality is was a declaration of lust. For example:
An hundred years should go to praise
Men have been begging women to give in for a long time, huh? And women have been playing hard to get for just as long, too. What struck me the most about this poem is that it was, in my opinion, trying to pass itself off as a romantic declaration of love when in actuality is was a declaration of lust. For example:
An hundred years should go to praise
Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze;
Two hundred to adore each breast,
But thirty thousand to the rest;
An age at least to every part,
And the last age should show your heart.
So he will take thousands of years to admire her face and her body and once they lose their luster, then the heart will have to do. His urgency to pressure her into a intimate relationship is so obvious. And I think that she likes it. Being coy is different from outright rejection.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
WUTHERING HEIGHTS - MARXIST CRITICISM
I have to admit that I had to do a little more research on Marxist criticism in order to truly understand it. Now that I have, I can see why "Wuthering Heights" would be a excellent subject for this particular type of criticism.
Before reading the passage on Marxist criticism, I thought that "Wuthering Heights" was just another love story and that the revenge saga was just a way to fill up space in the novel. But the more I think about it, the more I am beginning to realize that Emily Bronte was using her novel as a social commentary about the disparages between the rich and the poor and the lack of rights given to women. Heathcliff served as a catalyst for both.
In the beginning, Heathcliff is brought to "Wuthering Heights" by the kindhearted Earnshaw. He was starved and unkempt and it was obvious that he was not in the same social class as the Earnshaws. As indicated in our class discussion, even though he was fed and clothed and allowed to live with the Earnshaws, he was still an outsider to the original family. And when the father died, Hindley immediately removed Heathcliff from his position as "family member" to servant. This was also reinforced by Edgar Linton as well. As soon as he saw Heathcliff, he knew that he was not in the same class as he and immediately despised him. And the constant reference to the term "gypsy" made me think of another term that's used to remind someone of their class - "nigger".
Bronte also used Heathcliff as a way to comment on the role of women in her society. Heathcliff's revenge on Hindley and Edgar rested solely on the fact that women were not allowed to own property and whatever they acquired through death immediately went to their male counterparts, whether it be brother or husband. If it wasn't for this norm in their society, Heathcliff's plan would have never come into fruition.
Before reading the passage on Marxist criticism, I thought that "Wuthering Heights" was just another love story and that the revenge saga was just a way to fill up space in the novel. But the more I think about it, the more I am beginning to realize that Emily Bronte was using her novel as a social commentary about the disparages between the rich and the poor and the lack of rights given to women. Heathcliff served as a catalyst for both.
In the beginning, Heathcliff is brought to "Wuthering Heights" by the kindhearted Earnshaw. He was starved and unkempt and it was obvious that he was not in the same social class as the Earnshaws. As indicated in our class discussion, even though he was fed and clothed and allowed to live with the Earnshaws, he was still an outsider to the original family. And when the father died, Hindley immediately removed Heathcliff from his position as "family member" to servant. This was also reinforced by Edgar Linton as well. As soon as he saw Heathcliff, he knew that he was not in the same class as he and immediately despised him. And the constant reference to the term "gypsy" made me think of another term that's used to remind someone of their class - "nigger".
Bronte also used Heathcliff as a way to comment on the role of women in her society. Heathcliff's revenge on Hindley and Edgar rested solely on the fact that women were not allowed to own property and whatever they acquired through death immediately went to their male counterparts, whether it be brother or husband. If it wasn't for this norm in their society, Heathcliff's plan would have never come into fruition.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
THE END OF WUTHERING HEIGHTS
Over the weekend, Turner Classic Movies showed the 1939 version of Wuthering Heights with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. As I read these final chapters of the book, I notice that the two vehicles tell a very different story. The movie was a love story. The book was a revenge plot. At no point while I have been watching the movie for years, did I think that Heathcliff was consumed with revenge the way that he is in the original novel. He was able to get back at Hindley, but Thrushcross Grange still belonged to Edgar at the end of the movie. And of course, Cathy nor Heathcliff had any children in the movie version. The writer responsible for drafting the script was brilliant. There was a lot that he had to omit and rework in order to make the movie work and it did. It's a pity that the movie came out in 1939 along with other classics such as The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind, it would be much more well known if it had been released another year.
As for the end of the novel, I found it disheartening that Heathcliff was so consumed by hatred and envy that he sacrificed his own son in order to enact his revenge. The way that he played on Cathy's emotions in order to get her to visit Linton for his own benefit was disturbing, not to mention kidnapping her in order to force her to marry Linton. I also find it interesting how Bronte turns the tables and makes Edgar a hero for being willing to sacrifice his wealth for Cathy's happiness and makes Heathcliff the villain for sacrificing his son's life for revenge. However, in the end revenge does not give him the happiness that he thought it would, because he is reminded of Catherine through the children's features and personalities. This, along with Catherine's haunting drives Heathcliff into a deep depression and he eventually dies from a broken heart. His love for Catherine conquered his hate for Edgar.
As for the end of the novel, I found it disheartening that Heathcliff was so consumed by hatred and envy that he sacrificed his own son in order to enact his revenge. The way that he played on Cathy's emotions in order to get her to visit Linton for his own benefit was disturbing, not to mention kidnapping her in order to force her to marry Linton. I also find it interesting how Bronte turns the tables and makes Edgar a hero for being willing to sacrifice his wealth for Cathy's happiness and makes Heathcliff the villain for sacrificing his son's life for revenge. However, in the end revenge does not give him the happiness that he thought it would, because he is reminded of Catherine through the children's features and personalities. This, along with Catherine's haunting drives Heathcliff into a deep depression and he eventually dies from a broken heart. His love for Catherine conquered his hate for Edgar.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
WUTHERING HEIGHTS
I first came into contact with Wuthering Heights through the movie staring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon, when I was a teenager. My mother loves old movies and we used to watch them together. Now, almost 25 yrs later after seeing the movie for the first time, I am now reading the novel behind it and find myself really engrossed in it. I tend to shy away from books from this era because I am not familiar with the history or culture. I am pleasantly surprised by this novel and find it hard to put down. There are some discrepancies between it and the movie, and I find myself thinking "hmmm....that's not what I remember from the movie", but anyone who has read a book and then witnessed the movie that it was based on, knows that this is true to form.
I also find the back story of the Bronte clan very interesting. Especially how the women had to assume masculine identities in order to get their works published. We tend to think that the practice of marketing and spin is a new concept, but I can see that this is an old practice. It's tragic that Emily never knew that impact that her novel has had on the generations that followed her, having died so young. It's also interesting to see how her life is somewhat mirrored in the novel Wuthering Heights. As we continue to study this volume, it will be interesting to see how the story unfolds and how it relates to Emily's personal history.
I also find the back story of the Bronte clan very interesting. Especially how the women had to assume masculine identities in order to get their works published. We tend to think that the practice of marketing and spin is a new concept, but I can see that this is an old practice. It's tragic that Emily never knew that impact that her novel has had on the generations that followed her, having died so young. It's also interesting to see how her life is somewhat mirrored in the novel Wuthering Heights. As we continue to study this volume, it will be interesting to see how the story unfolds and how it relates to Emily's personal history.
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