Category: American Literature

America is a Nation of Paradoxes

On By Anna CastagnellaIn American Literature, Summative EntryLeave a comment

Through engaging with diverse variations of American literature, I have gained a deeper knowledge on the historical and cultural context of the United States. This unit has given me profound insight on a number of issues in America, and society in general. The texts studied greatly differ in the sense that the writers’ perspectives and commentary on civilisation are distinctly positive or negative, highlighting that America is a nation of paradoxes. America claims liberation and prides themselves on such ideals, yet through an exploration of literature in this unit, it is unequivocal that many Americans remain oppressed.

In blog 1, I analysed Henry David Thoreau’s Walden. Thoreau comments on the passivity of human existence, confronting a society that is concerned with materialistic desires and is indifferent to the true purpose of life. Thoreau goes into the woods to “live deliberately”, separating himself from oppressive civilisation in order to find freedom and a sense of self. This is ironic to me as America speaks of attaining “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (qtd. in unit outline) yet Thoreau felt it was crucial to distance himself from American civilisation in order to fulfil these aspects of his life, highlighting the paradoxical nature of America. Thoreau’s tone is dichotomised by Whitman who I explore in blog 2, using his poem ‘Crossing Brooklyn Ferry’ to inspire my own poem. I had to focus on small details in Whitman’s poetry such as the repetitive exclamations and romanticised language which portray his excitement as he observes the beauty of people and the experience of being in a vibrant city. A similar city to which Thoreau felt the need to separate himself from, elucidating that America is a nation of paradoxes through these two writers whose perceptions on the same society contradict each other.

In blog 3, I examined Du Bois’ statement; “the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the colour-line”. This depicts the oppression felt by many Americans as it refers to the continuous discrimination that African American people encounter, despite being in a country that advocates the belief that “all men are created equal” (qtd. in unit outline). In blog 4 I got creative again, extending on the anger felt by Du Bois, by using William Faulkner’s character Jewel as inspiration for a short story. This blog allowed me to try something that was new to me, which is significant to understanding this unit as many American writers, such as Walt Whitman, broke away from traditional writing styles.

I came to conclude my analysis of American writing in blog 5 with T.S Eliot’s ‘The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock’. Here the city is described as “dull”, and its protagonist is a disconsolate man who is afraid of judgement and feels oppressed by mundane society. He talks about being in a state of emotional paralysis and being disconnected from people. By this point I realised a similar message being made by all these writers on American civilisation being oppressive in some shape or form.

Conclusively, this unit made me realise that America is a nation of paradoxes as it is a country that claims freedom and equality, yet leaves so many people oppressed according to its literature.

The Lovesong of J.Alfred Prufrock

On By Anna CastagnellaIn American Literature, Critical Blogs2 Comments

T.S Eliot’s modernist poem ‘The Lovesong of J.Alfred Prufrock’ is set in a dull city, and its protagonist is a disconsolate man who is afraid of living and therefore feels bored within a monotonous society. In ‘The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock’, Eliot insightfully explores how the mundane, ritualistic nature of modern society can leave one in a state of emotional paralysis. This is conveyed through the dramatic monologue of the protagonist Prufrock which directly spoke to me as it epitomised the universal feelings associated with monotonous routine. The romantic imperative gesture “let us go then” is immediately juxtaposed by the immobilising simile “like a patient etherized upon a table,” which to me highlighted the inherent struggle between action and inaction. This stuck with me as I constantly feel like I am going through the motions of life, but not truly being present in the moment. Also, the metaphor “measured out with coffee spoons,” allowed me to understand that the daily rituals of modern society reduces life to a meaningless, mechanical repetition. Therefore, Eliot’s poem resonated with me as it allowed me to comprehend how our mundane society leaves us emotionally stilted.

Eliot also employs his masterful poetic style in Prufrock to express that one’s insecurities and fear of judgement can lead them to a state of isolation and disconnection from others. This is apparent as insecure Prufrock fails to make meaningful connections with those around him. For example, the anaphoric line “the women come and go; talking of Michelangelo,” alludes to a great Italian artist who is known for idealising the male form; its repetition elucidates to me Prufrock’s feelings of ineptitude by subsequent of these ideals. This notion has stuck with me as I questioned how many people, including myself, can fall into the trap of allowing other people to determine our insecurities, leading us to isolate ourselves as a defence mechanism. Eliot further establishes this through the metaphor “chambers of the sea” which amplifies his state of deep depression and isolation that he is drowning in.

Overall, this modernist poem enabled me to comprehend how insecurities can cause one to turn away from the external world as a protective response to the fear of judgement. This poem also stuck with me as it confronted me, a member of society, into realising the ritualistic nature of my life which disallows me from truly living.

One Hundred Years Of No Solitude, The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock.

Using any one of Faulkner’s characters, create a paragraph in their voice. Use inspiration from people you might have overheard on the bus and invent their life and consciousness.

On By Anna CastagnellaIn American Literature, Creative BlogsLeave a comment

The bus is late… again. I am left shivering on the side of the street… again. Thirteen minutes pass before I see the graffiti-stained bus speeding down the street; it shrieks as it arrives at a sudden halt in front of me and the doors burst open. Obnoxious school kids fill the bus, laughing and talking loudly. I grit my teeth in annoyance, biting down my tongue to stop myself from screaming profanities at them. Not that they wouldn’t deserve it.

A short, makeup-indulged girl tumbles into me and laughs. I grunt irritatedly and shove her off.
“Watch it!” I snarl; my face probably turning greenish by now. I ignore the glares of the bus driver and the snickers of school kids gossiping about me. I just wish everyone would shut up, but instead, I am greeted by students avoiding eye-contact with me and moving their school bags onto the seats next to them, disallowing me from sitting. Arrogant, undisciplined, slimy little-

“Hey loser, on yer way to the nearest homeless shelter are ya?” a sweaty teenage boy in sports clothes arrogantly yells at me. I glare directly at him, looking into his beady black eyes that are laced with amusement. He pompously sits with his legs spread-out and arms folded in his self-entitled throne at the back of the bus. The kids around him giggle but continue to avoid looking at me for longer than a quick glance. The furious tides of my despair rise to the surface and I prepare to lash out – but I am interrupted by the screeching of the bus tires as they stop at an excruciating pace. The doors open and the cold, cruel wind wraps itself around me, I am just as unwelcome out there as I am on this bus.

“The problem of the Twentieth Century is the problem of the colour-line”

On By Anna CastagnellaIn American Literature, Critical Blogs3 Comments

After listening to this week’s lecture and closely analysing Du Bois’ writing, I am able to realise the power and essentiality of his message. Du Bois confronts the pervasive issue of racism through the infamous statement; “the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the colour-line”. This significant statement refers to the continuous discrimination that African American people encounter on a regular basis, despite countless historical movements and icons that have advocated for equality and freedom. Subsequently, Du Bois seeks to gain answers as to why racism still exists within the twentieth century, and establishes the concept of the ‘colour-line’. To me, the ‘colour-line’ essentially refers to the division between Europeans and African Americans due to the colour of one’s skin. It is the notion that human nature prevents us from acquiring equality and acceptance, as it is human nature to think that anyone or anything that is different from us, is bad. Du Bois confronts society into questioning their morality, and how one can justify the act of mistreating people and refusing them from attaining their human rights due to the colour of their skin. Du Bois’ statement demands us to take notice of the racism that is still present in a contemporary society as well as the inequities of power. The concept that a person can be inferior to others simply because of their race is brought into question. I think that Du Bois’ teaching is a pivotal one, and that society must be reminded of the way we judge and mistreat one another, and how this prevents us from living in a liberated society built on acceptance and equality.

Write a poem in the style of Walt Whitman

On By Anna CastagnellaIn American Literature, Creative Blogs1 Comment

This Old Mandarin Tree

I celebrate and sing myself as I climb through the tree!
Climb a little higher!
Children’s laughter rings through my ears.
The gorgeous sun beams against my back,
A sensational feeling!
My name is called but I run farther away, determined to make it to the top.

I slide from branch to branch,
Gliding with ease, every movement memorised.
Arm, leg, lift. Left arm, right arm. Pull.
Green leaves, summer breeze, wonderful life!
My small steady hands. Swift and quick!
I reach the tree’s end and gaze at the top of passing strangers’ heads.
The summer sky is luminous for the grey clouds have gone home to rest.
Birds flying, people gathering, and the wind is singing!
It sings a melody so euphonious, my ears are in Heaven!

From the top of this old mandarin tree I am invincible!
I can see everything from here but nothing sees me.
I will never come down!
I rest against a branch and pick a mandarin to eat.
Peel its skin, let its divine flavour fill my insides.
Bliss! Every one of my senses is ignited!
The leaves move in the wind and I close my eyes,
Embracing her gentle hands that push my hair back.
The sky has turned a mesmerising orange!
The sun kisses my nose!
We hold each other tight and find comfort in one another’s company.

This is home. Right here. This feeling is home.
From this soil, these roots, these leaves;
They are me.
I celebrate and sing them!

Some photos of my cousins and I in my Nonno’s garden, besides “the old mandarin tree” 🙂

What do you understand by Thoreau’s intention to ‘live deliberately’? Can you possibly explain this basing it in your own experience of life right now?

On By Anna CastagnellaIn American Literature, Best Blog, Critical Blogs4 Comments

What does it mean to ‘live deliberately’? It is the realisation that there is a difference between truly living and merely existing, and thus choosing to take control of your own life in order to ensure a sense of fulfilment. It is a hunger to live a life that exceeds the societal barriers which force people into complacency and monotony. It is a question we all ask ourselves in one way or another, stemming from a universal fear of the uncertainty that comes with death. Thoreau comments on the passivity of human existence, urging us to seek purpose in our lives and live life with intent. He reflects on his decision to embark on a journey within the woods as he seeks to live a life away from materialism, distancing himself from an indifferent society in order to establish spiritual enlightenment as he believes this will bring him ‘purpose’.

Thoreau’s essay ‘Walden’, or ‘Life in the Woods’ profoundly intrigued me and was strangely relevant to me during this time in my life as I too have been pondering on such existential ideas. I have questioned the meaning of life countless times; and whether or not I’m even doing it right as if there is a correct way to live. You do not truly acknowledge the frailty of life until it is almost taken away from you. When encountering a near-death experience, at first you are shocked and overwhelmed at how short life really is. Next, you find the motivation to grasp onto the aspects of life that you enjoy and focus only on them; this is what I believe Thoreau means by “front only the essential facts of life”. Recently, my mum and I were in a frightful car accident and because of this Thoreau’s intention behind writing this essay genuinely resonates with me as he highlights the importance of truly engaging with life rather than simply going through the motions as one day there will be an end. The line which resonated with me the most after enduring such an experience was, “when I came to die, discover that I had not lived”. An underlying tone of regret is present to me in this particular quote, perhaps Thoreau had a similar epiphany to me and realised the changes he must make in order to ensure that when his life ends, it will have been one that he was proud to have lived. This thought provoked me to reconsider my own awareness of my intent to live deliberately, and I encourage you to do the same.