Background

Thursday, October 31, 2013

My Apologia by Brianna Crampton

Dear Reader,

Have you ever considered the meaning behind the word "Apology?" Most individuals hear that word and they naturally think it refers to an  "admittance of guilt." I recently  read "The Apology" created by Socrates and recorded by Plato, and I was impressed with Socrates's ability to defend his choices. Basically, this amazing piece of literature is a DEFENSE of the charge that he had corrupted the youth of Athens, by helping them to question the questions. He wanted the youth to think for themselves. He chose to die, because he would not refute his belief system.   I was inspired to write my own "Apologia," where I defended one of Socrates's quotes, " The Unexamined life is not worth living." Let me know what you think of my defense.


MY APOLOGIA
by Brianna Crampton

"The unexamined life is not worth living" represents a valid and logical statement. In order to truly exist, one must actively examine his life. If an individual does not think about how he wants to live, then he gives up those decisions to others; consequently, becoming like an animal, or even a machine, in that he has no self, and no agency to act independently. An unexamined life has no "author." To live a meaningful life doesn't one need to claim it as their own and actively "author the rest of the story?" This is why the unexamined lif is not worth living. Every individual has aspects to their existence that need examination and hopefully change for improvement. One most realize that if they exist without seeking change and improvement, then they become stagnate. If one fails to reflect upon his life and values, and just exists to "go through the motions," or "follow the crowd" then that life is actually not owned by that individual. Such a person is not a true agent until they stop and question what drives them and what actions reshape their character. Isn't living about being conscious, and isn't consciousness about examining ones choices and the consequences that follow? A life full of reflection and reevaluation leads to growth and discovery, and the more one "knows the more he realizes that he does not know." Individuals must question for growth, and then evaluate the answers to the questions. Constant examination of one's life adds meaning and worth to it; consequently,making an examined life a better one.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Reach for the green light, even if you can't touch it! by Brianna Crampton

Dear All,

When you hear the words "green light," you probably think of something associated with traffic, right? Or maybe you are reminded of the childhood game "Red Light/Green Light."  Either way you think of something in motion. So, what about the green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan's dock? Have you ever considered the meaning behind that light? Does it relate to motion? What do you think?   I am so glad that my junior English teacher asked us to read The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Through reading this amazing piece of literature I feel that I am in motion. I have learned to perceive, and not just see, what Fitzgerald meant with his green light, and the many other symbolic choices he created throughout the text.  I value you this work of art because it makes you think!

SYMBOLISM used within THE GREAT GATSBY:
  • "The Green Light"...The green light located at the end of Daisy's dock represents the hope that Gatsby has that the relationship he and Daisy once had will be renewed and begin again  
  • "A single green light,minute and faraway, that might have been the end of a dock." The Great Gatsby, Chp. 1

  • "Daisy Buchannan"....An actual Daisy, as in the flower, doesn't last very long. This is why florists rarely use or combine them with other flowers. Daisy "doesn't last" long with Gatsby. As soon as she realizes Gatsby could lose his wealth as quickly as he has gained it, she "wilts" on him, and decides to return to Tom. She stays "open" to him, as long as the prospect of his money "buzzes" around you.
  • "The king's daughter, the golden girl." The Great Gatsby, Chp.  1
  • "What do we plan....What do people plan? 
  • "Her voice was full of money." 
  • "They were careless people." 
  • There’s something in that voice of hers….
    The exhilarating ripple of her voice was a wild tonic in the rain
    ‘Her voice is full of money,’ - See more at: http://quote-companion.com/daisy-buchanan-quotes-and-analysis/#sthash.5ZOL3Aea.dpuf
There’s something in that voice of hers….
The exhilarating ripple of her voice was a wild tonic in the rain
‘Her voice is full of money,’ - See more at: http://quote-companion.com/daisy-buchanan-quotes-and-analysis/#sthash.5ZOL3Aea.dpuf

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

"I am WOMAN; hear me ROAR!" Welcome to Antigone! by Brianna Crampton

Dear Reader,

How many of you are familiar with the drama  entitled  "Antigone" by Sophocles.? I love this story, because I think individuals who stand up for what they believe in, even if they stand alone, are so amazing.  What are you willing to do for others? What are you willing to do for your own integrity? If each person had half the fortitude of Antigone, then we would definitely have less problems in the world. I wonder if Sophocles created her based on someone that he actually knew, or perhaps she is his concept of the ideal woman? INTELLIGENT! CONFIDENT! PRO-ACTIVE! CARING! HONEST! I admire her so much. This is the power of literature. We can connect with imperfect characters, and through their cathartic (I learned that word in my Mythology class) moments, we want to become better ourselves. Catharsis, by the way, is a Greek term that means to purge of emotion. So, when we experience pity and fear through Antigone's choice to bury her brother, we make a connection to ourselves. Would we do the same for our family members? I know that I would!

Allow me to give you a basic plot summary....

 Antigone has spent time caring for her aged father, Oedipus, who experienced a horrible fate. He learned that he unknowingly killed his father and married his mother. Upon learning this, he decided to punish himself, by taking away his sight. He poked out his eyes with the belief that he had "never truly seen, even though he had sight." 


 Antigone takes care of her father until his death, at which time she returns to her city-state of Thebes to find it in chaos. Her twin brothers have been arguing for the throne, and they have killed each other. One brother, Eteocles, has fought for Thebes and the second brother, Polyneices, has fought against Thebes. Her uncle, Kreon, has now taken the throne and he honors Eteolces with a proper burial. Polyneices's body, on the other hand, is left to rot in the streets, because Kreon does not believe he should be honored when he was fighting against Thebes. Kreon decrees that if anyone attempts to take care of Polyneices's body, that they too, will perish. Antigone tells Kreon that he is a fool. She reminds him that the "laws of the gods" are worth more than the "laws of man," and that she will take care of her brother's body, even if it means she will die. She buries Polyneices, and is placed in a dungeon, where she chooses to take her own life. 

This drama really pertains to the value of family over authority. Antigone knows that her brother's body needs to be cared for, and she also knows that breaking the laws of the land, or rather Kreon's laws, will cause her death. She chooses the "higher law," by taking care of her brother's remains. 





These are some of my favorite lines from the drama:


  • "I transgressed your law, Kreon, but not the laws of the gods. Their law is the law of justice. The unwritten laws of heaven are not of today or yesterday, but of all time."
  • "Behold me, what I suffer. Because I have upheld that which is high."
I highly recommend you read this exceptional piece of literature!

Monday, October 14, 2013

Welcome to "Pursuit of Perocity" by Brianna Crampton

Dear Reader,

My name is Brianna Crampton, and I love to read and write! I thought that blogging would be a valid way for me to share my love for literature. I am so fascinated with this art form, that I wanted to share my passion with others. You're probably asking, "Why is literature an art form?" or even better, "What does "Perocity" mean?" I hope you enjoy my title. "Perocity," by the way, means "intelligence." So, if you were to translate the title of my blog it would be; "THE PURSUIT of INTELLIGENCE," and what better way to strengthen a mind than through reading and writing.  Back to my initial question, "Why is literature an art form?" Well, the answer is quite simple...it creates change in peoples lives. It causes us to consider different perspectives. It cause us to feel emotions based upon the characters that we encounter. Literature is not a science, but an art that gives us the ability to improve. Have you ever considered language as a power? What would happen if I magically turned off your computer right now, and as soon as you attempted to turn it back on, you realized that you could no longer read or write? What would happen? Could you function? We rarely consider the art of reading and writing as powerful, but they are...two powers that can make us want to improve, at least for myself, anyway.


These are some of my favorite quotes about the power of literature: 


  • “That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.” F. Scott Fitzgerald
  • “Stories of imagination tend to upset those without one.”  Terry Prachett
  • When I look back, I am so impressed again with the life-giving power of literature. If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young.”  Maya Angelou
  • “Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry.”Cassandra Clare
  • “From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss the lack of intimate friends. Books became her friends and there was one for every mood. There was poetry for quiet companionship. There was adventure when she tired of quiet hours. There would be love stories when she came into adolescence and when she wanted to feel a closeness to someone she could read a biography. On that day when she first knew she could read, she made a vow to read one book a day as long as she lived.”  Betty Smith