Opening Up New Perspectives with Literature by Katlyn Saganski

"Girl" By: Jamaica Kincaid

saganskk — 2020-05-26 03:28:50 UTC

"Girls" emphasis on gender-based stereotypes opened my eyes to the current expectancy of women roles in the Caribbean. Kincaid opened a window to expose the commonality of how a young, impressionable girl can easily be shaped into a mold for what a husband's expectancy of her would be. The window is a bold display of how the Caribbean and many other countries portray women. This story also acted as a mirror when the girl's mother told her she couldn't dress the way she wanted, couldn't speak her mind, and taught her the domestic chores of a housewife. Growing up, my grandmother was my teacher, and showed me how to take care of myself, but not to the extent to please a man. I believe the mother in the story needed the daughter to eventually find a husband and establish financial stability. This work of writing opened my eyes to the presence of people's beliefs of women being inferior to men.

Sources

saganskk — 2020-05-26 05:47:38 UTC

"Girl" Picture
A Man's World
Domestic & Submissive
"Eveline" Picture
Eveline's Final Decision
"Those Winter Sundays"
Dad and Daughter
"Speech to the Young, Speech to the Progress-Toward"
Fish Conformity
"The House On Mango Street"
Confined to House
"ARITS"
Relating Racism
12 Angry Men
Fallen On Deaf Ears

"Eveline"By: James Joyce

saganskk — 2020-05-26 14:51:13 UTC

This story served as a mirror to certain parts of my life. I related to specific characteristics and events that happened to Eveline. Sometimes people get so used to living in a toxic environment, that they believe they can never escape it, and that they don't deserve better. Eveline lived with her abusive father all of her life and finally has a chance to escape the daily routine of having to go to work to provide for him, and then come home to care for him. Yet she still struggles to decide once she gets the chance to leave, and live a happier life. She is used to living in the same repetitive lifestyle. Like Eveline, I find comfort in repetitiveness, even if I don't like the environment I am in. Like Eveline, I tend to hold onto past events.

"Those Winter Sundays" By: Robert Hayden

saganskk — 2020-05-26 16:17:46 UTC

Although it was difficult to decide, "These Winter Sundays" is my favorite piece of Literature that I read throughout this course.
Although it was difficult to decide, "These Winter Sundays" is my favorite piece of literature that I read throughout this course.
Robert Hayden does a remarkable job of giving the reader a visual representation of the imagery used in this poem. Not only does this poem serve as a mirror to my life, but it also serves as a window to the man's past life events. The grown man is reflecting upon his past life as most people do. He is thinking upon his father and how he silently sacrificed everything for their family. As a child, he didn't think to appreciate his father or even to thank him until he got older. As an adult he finally understands the meaning of hard work, selflessness, and love his father had for him and his family. This particular poem, made me reflect upon my life. Growing up, my father wasn't really in my life. My stepfather practically raised my brother and me. Even though he had four children of his own, he didn't hesitate to bring my brother and me into the family. To this day, he has supported us, loved us, and gave us everything we needed without even expecting anything in return. This poem made me truly appreciate him.

"Speech to the Young, Speech to the Progress-Toward" By: Gwendolyn Brooks

saganskk — 2020-05-26 16:39:25 UTC

As I reach adulthood, this poem becomes an identical mirror to my own life. I do believe every child, teen, and adult should read this poem. It has a lot to do with being yourself and teaching people not to settle or conform to what other people want them to be. Like many teenagers, I was very self-conscious and had a horrible self-image. I would spend hours shuffling music and surfing the web for quotes to relate to. I believe I would have connected very strongly to this poem as a teenager.

"The House On Mango Street" By: Sandra Cisneros

saganskk — 2020-05-26 17:20:45 UTC

"The House On Mango Street" represented a window for people who feel like they don't belong.The story represents people who grew up in poor, close-knit towns. The story can also be interpreted in many ways from diverse people. Most of the women in the town are trapped by the men in their life. Then comes Esperanza, a young woman, with a new, fresh face, and a different name who comes to break the cycle. Throughout the story, Esperanza struggled with her identity in her new neighborhood. The story acts as a window into Esperanza's life. The reader witnesses great achievements and horrific situations. We see Esperanza conform to the people and situations she encounters. The author does a great job representing all different types of people in the neighborhood. The diversity makes you feel as though you are a neighbor observing the town. It gives the reader a perspective of all types of people. The story depicts why some people became the way they were, and how events affected people's lives.

"A Raisin in the Sun" By: Lorraine Hansberry

saganskk — 2020-05-26 18:07:13 UTC

"A Raisin in the Sun" is a window into the lives of the Younger family. The Younger family represents the lower-class families stuck in the never-ending grind of trying to achieve financial independence. The reader gets to view the perspective of a poor African American family. We see the families struggle with racism and poverty. Those are two of the biggest problems even with society today. Although not as segregated as it once was, racism is still a big problem.

"Fences" By: August Wilson

saganskk — 2020-05-26 18:51:37 UTC

"Fences" is a window that represents troubled families, no matter their social class. Although the Maxson's can be categorized as poor in the beginning, most of their problems have nothing to do with money. Many people can relate and connect with Troy and Rose's marriage. Although Troy cheats and ultimately has a child with another woman, Rose doesn't leave him. This gives the reader another point of view of the outcome of infidelity. We see Rose overcome the pain and embarrassment of having been cheated on for the well-being of a child that is not her own. Readers also can relate to the relationship between Troy and Cory.

12 Angry Men

saganskk — 2020-05-26 21:08:16 UTC

Recently I watched the film 12 Angry Men and thought it would be a perfect fit for the literature that I have read in this course. Even though it is more than 60 years old, it is undeniably suited for present society. 12 Angry Men depicts 12 jurors who are faced with the complicated decision to sentence a young man to death for the implied murder of his father. 11 out of the 12 jurors believe the case to be a straightforward guilty verdict. At the displease of everyone else, one juror votes not guilty. This commences to the investigation of every second of what happened that night. This movie incorporates nearly every theme that we have read thus far. The movie is a window for racism, prejudice, troubled families, justice, innocence, and social class. I saw this entire film as a window for people who have been kicked around all their life. This film is a great advocate for people to stand up for what's right, even if you stand alone.