Final Blog Post

I chose these blog post as my three as my best because I used the text best when I wrote these pieces.   Instead of going off of other information or off on a tangent, I actually used the text.

In Looking at Hell through Dante's Translators Eyes,  I picked apart one word of Dante’s inferno.

In Beowulf- the static hero,  I examined Beowulf the character by looking at what the text says about his actions. 

In The Flood Story,  I used passages from the Bible to describe the character of Yahweh. 

I love using the literature itself and I think that this tactic produces the best work.  Why weren't all my posts like this?  Probably because I always get lost on Rabbit Trails. 

Rosa Celeste: Dante and Beatrice gaze upon
the highest Heaven, The Empyrean

Ideas about literature

My ideas about literature have changed.  Not in the “we went from hate to passionate love” kind of way.  Instead my scope of literature simply broadened.  I think my vision and understanding has changed through reading and thinking about these pieces. 

I had no idea that some of these pieces even existed (Gilgamesh, Tale of Genji, Li  Bai).  Now, they are some of my favorite pieces of literature.  I will admit this class has left me with a school girl crush. . . . on Dante’s Inferno of course.  I can’t help it.  Good poetry makes me feel all fluttery.

My skills in reading and writing have improved dramatically this semester.   To be honest, it makes me feel a little stupid.  I find myself thinking “I should have known this so how come I didn’t realize this”.  I would learn from class.  Actually learn and feel stupid.  I love this combination in a class!

 I think my writing is naturally getting better with practice.  However, understanding what makes these pieces “tick” helps me to be able to create the perfect “tick” for my essays.  After all essays are often like complicate (sometimes boring) clocks.  

  

Before I start flattering a particular teacher, I will move on.

I could have done better this semester, however considering everything else (my four other classes and two kids) I did pretty well. 

Weaknesses

• Procrastinating — self explanatory
• Insecure— I have been known to call myself a genius, brilliant and one who possesses great literary prowess.  However, I don’t feel confident about my writing at all.  I have to tell myself to just “get it done” in order to even turn in a paper.    
• Chicken — I feel nervous in class.  I try to hide it, but sometimes it means I just sit in class not participating.  I don’t let people read my poetry, neglect to voice my ideas, and I am scared of trying new things with my writing . . . the list goes on.
• Bad Grammar—I am working on this problem.  Someday I will turn in a paper with no grammatical errors.  When will that day come? Not sure.
• and— I am indecisive, easily distracted, and keep mentioning things like Korean pop music in my writing.

Strengths

• Relatively Intelligent— Let’s face it.  Even “it’s not bad” writing requires a certain level of intelligence.  I am not saying that other people are stupid.  I am just saying that I am not dullest knife in the drawer.  I am not going to be falsely humble (right now anyways).
• Listening – I am fairly good at clearing my brain and listening openly.  I take criticism and try to learn from it.  I crave constructive criticism. The other kind I fear.
• Love –I love writing.  It makes me feel all tense and relaxed at the same time.  Writing is like taking a shower after two weeks of camping.  Like rain in the summer, the first taste of autumn.  I like the control and the submission.  I think this is a strength. 
• The ability to function on limited sleep-- self explanatory    

Beaufort Sea: C-- Sea. get it? Sí! 

[Disclaimer—I would be the type of teacher everyone hates]

I would give myself a 76%.  Yep. I would give myself a mid C.  I did work hard sometimes (like on the essay), but I missed several blog posts and often stayed silent in class.  I could have worked harder on the essay.  I spent long hours on bigger projects, but I often read the texts on the bus while going to school.  

Rabbit Trail---The Word Reading

I decided to go to The Word reading.  In all honesty, the offer of extra credit was a huge factor.  I like feeding my kids dinner every night, and I had to miss a dinner in order to attend.

 I love going to things like this, but without extra credit being offered I would not have had a strong enough reason to go.  Anyways, I went to The Word reading and learned a few things.

this tea looks a little different
Longjing (Dragon Well) tea steeping

Leave Grandma at Home. 

Unless your grandma is an ex-hippie free love type or currently in a wild faze that makes the rest of the family feel uncomfortable, this will not be your grandma’s cup of tea.  I would also advise you to leave your pre-teen/teens at home as well (the car ride back would be quite awkward). 

Why?

Well, the short stories at this semesters reading were. . . .how do I say this. . .  a little on the risqué side.  Hell, I felt downright awkward during the several very sexual parts of two of the short stories.  

My thoughts:  “wait. . . . what? The opening of the story was a description of that? . . . . In public you’re talking about that?”

The writing was quite good, but I was really distracted by a feeling of discomfort during the two more graphic short stories.  It isn’t like the stories would need to be published with a half naked Fabio on the cover; I am just not used to hearing that kind of thing in public.  Maybe it just surprised me.

Question:

Are the readings always that sex filled?

Based on this semester I would not recommend The Word reading to:

·         my parents

·         fellow church members

·         children

·         those with a heart condition

·         recently clean coke/sex addicts

·         men who have recently taken Cialis

Who would I recommend it to?

·         almost everyone else

I did think several of the pieces were amazing.   And I have to give props to the writers/readers who were willing to read their works like that.  I can’t even give a presentation without feeling awkward.  I could never read something so specifically about naked, sex, lust stuff in front of a bunch of strangers.

Would I go again?

Sure. Well, maybe. There are certain restrictions on the life of a single mom of two.  I shall see.

What did I learn about writing?

Bravery is as Key to writing as Kim KiBum is to Shinee fans (ha ha ha).  I think I need to be brave.

I do LOVE constructive criticism, but I always think my work is horrible so I don’t let others read it.  I am not going to get any better if I don’t let other people help me improve. 

Maybe I need to follow the lead of my fellow CWI students, and bravely expose my writings to the harsh, cold and demented world.  Or just let a few people read them.  

                                                                                (\__/)

                                                                                (='.'=) – “Chicken!”

                                                                                (")_(")

                  

                                (The bunny is not very supportive) 

Looking at Hell through Dante's Translator’s Eyes

The Translator is Important

Dante--- I'd call this one a heavily edited
glammer shot. 

It would be hard to prove that translation of a text like Dante’s Inferno is irrelevant.  In fact, the translation of a text is massively important on many levels.  A writer composes a piece of literature in a specific language and chooses words, rhythmic flow, structure and so on from that language. 

Putting that text into a new language requires a person (usually a different person) to choose new words, rhythmic flow, structure and so on.

 Translator's Voice 

Sure, a translator’s intent should be to, as closely as possible, transmit the same work into a new language.  

But the act of translating even one word into a different language requires the translator to choose a word.  This word choice is part of the translators (hopefully quite) voice in the translated work.   

Example 1:

I will give an example from Korean because I am a nerd.

형(pronounced/Romanized as “Hyung”) is a term that younger brothers or friends use to call/ speak politely to an older brother or friend. It denotes a certain level of respect or closeness between male friend relationships and/or brotherhood.  Many translators simply use the person’s name in subtitles instead of “Hyung”.

They have a good reason for doing so (makes it less confusing for a Korean newbie).  But the way one speaks to someone (honorifics), or what someone calls someone else in the Korean language speaks volumes about their relationship.  If one chooses not to translate this a lot is lost.

Example 2:

I think that the English language must be particularly difficult for translators.  Because of how the English language developed, we have a lot of different words that mean the same thing.

Attribution: Michael Gäbler

Pig   

Swine

Hog

Boar  

all describe the animal commonly associated with mud and bacon.

On page1516 in our books, Canto XIII line 107, the text reads “wild boar”.

Why not “wild pig” or “swine”?  Because the translator chose “boar”

From some searching on Google translator (not exactly the most accurate source) I can see that the Italian language also has quit a few words for this animal.

I am assuming that either “Verro” which according to Google translate is literally “boar” or “cinghiale” which means “wild boar”, was what that the translator was working off of, but I have no idea.  I don’t speak Italian. 

Could the translator have chosen to put “wild pig” and kept the meaning the same but perhaps made it more readable? Maybe.  I saw a translation that just said “boar” not “wild boar”. So was the original “verro” or “cinghiale”.  

Remind me to never be a translator!  

Either way my point is loosely proven, the translator has far more input in the way a piece turns out then given credit for. 

Oh and. . . .

the end of Canto XIII is particularly lovely! though I could easily name 50 other parts that are particularly lovely.  

Rabbit Trail-- Catholicism in the time of Dante

I noticed many people discus on their blogs and in class the role of Christianity in Dante's Inferno.  Perhaps, I will start by clarifying that Catholicism in the middle ages was far different then it is now and is even more dramatically different the modern protestant Christianity.

Started when Dante was about 31 (1296),
 the Florence Cathedral was not competed
until 115 years after his death (1436).
 The story of  it's dome is quite interesting. 

I think one can safely assume that no one who is a true protestant Christian would ever claim to be the same religion(spirituality) as even a modern day Catholic, let alone one from the middle ages.

It is good to point out that the Bible was not translated into the vernacular (common people language).  And it was not fitting for someone besides the Catholic church leadership to read the Bible.  

Therefore, the Bible itself had far less influence on beliefs than the Catholic church ( it had practically no influence at all until the protestant reformation and even then the influence of the Bible was dramatically limited until literacy rates improved world wide because if one can't read it they have to rely on other peoples interpretations).  

I think Dante influenced to a greater extent by "Dark Age" Catholic doctrine than the Bible (though middle age Catholic doctrine was influenced to a small extent by the Bible)  

There are some good videos on YouTube that explain the role of the Catholic Church and the "Dark Ages". 

This is the most compact video on the subject I could find. 

If you YouTube search "Dark Ages" you can probably find the History channel's documentary on it, which is very good.   However, I can not encourage watching copyrighted material on YouTube.  Here is the Link to the History Channels page  ---->  History Channel -- Dark Ages 

(\__/)

(='.'=) – “Who needs College when one has the History Channel?”

(")_(")

                  

(the bunny doesn't understand why I can't put "has watched massive amounts of History Channel and National Geographic programming" on a job resume) 

       

Looking at Hell Through Dante's Eyes

Fraught with Background  

Unlike the Odyssey, Dante’s Inferno is extremely fraught with background.  Even the structuring of the poem is fraught with background.  Three is an extremely important number in Catholicism (as well as protestant Christianity). Not only is the poem separated into three line stanzas, but one cannot go even a short time without seeing that things in the poem are often grouped in threes.  

The work is filled with references to people.  Understanding these people’s place in history, their sins, and their relationship to Dante is important in order to understand the inferno. 

     

Doesn’t Lean on Background

It is important to note that just because a piece is “fraught with background” does not mean the work leans on background.  Dante’s Inferno does not in any way shape or form lean on background.

The piece is lovely in structure, idea and imagery apart from the background.  The Inferno does not need the background it simply makes it more complex and beautiful.

This adds to the incredible readability of the Inferno.  If the poem needed the background, it would be hard to understand the work without understanding the background. 

This is not simply because the piece is lovely, but also because the ideas of the inferno can stand without leaning on the background.

Bible and Inferno

One could say that the Bible leans more heavily on background than the Inferno.  I see this point.  However, I think this is only the case because most readers drag more presumptions along when reading the Bible than when reading the Inferno. 

One could (if they allowed themselves) read the Bible simply for its amazing poetic and literary accomplishments.  I think most people read the Bible assuming they already know what it says and what it means.  The inferno does not have this problem (or at least not nearly as dramatically).  The Bible (because it is a Religious text) is far more polarizing. 

Response Post

Biblical Afterlife

I was extremely happy to see the Biblical perspective of what happens after death on Jake’s Blog (http://jakeslitblog.blogspot.com). 

Biblical Afterlife vs Dante's Inferno 

How does this relate to my post? You tell me! :)

We don’t get to study the Biblical perspective on the afterlife in class and it would be amazing to be able to compare and contrast what the Bible says about heaven and hell to Dante’s Inferno. 

One could infuse so much into an essay that leans on the text and meaning of the Bible and Dante’s Inferno.  One could even end up comparing works based and grace based Christian theology just by examining this texts! 

Or for an even more dramatic theological dialogue one could compare Dante’s understanding of why one goes to heaven/ hell   or what makes a one evil (an medieval Italian catholic perspective heavily affected by his personal life) with what the Bible says (even looking at the Greek/Hebrew text).

Essay?

Either way I think this would make a great essay.  Hmmm my final essay? Maybe, maybe not. I always have at least 10 ideas for essays brewing in my head at any given moment (and like 15 poems).  Which English teacher can I blame for making me enjoy writing essays??? How could this possible be my natural state? 

Killing a Goddess

Inanna’s Decent into the Underworld

   

In the Sumerian tale of Inanna’s decent into the underworld, Inanna journeys down into the underworld is stripped of her power and killed.  The gods are then forced to bargain with the underworld for her return.

Basis for Greek Myths?

This piece reminded me of the story of Aphrodite’s lover Adonis.  Who, I have to mention, she was a surrogate mother too (creepy Greek mythology with all its incest and sorta incest—Adonis was also the result of incest). Well I think the tale goes something like this—

Aphrodite (I chose one who was clothed) 

Aphrodite finds baby Adonis, pities him and sends him to the underworld to be raised.  He grows  up to be very attractive so she goes and takes him back.  He ignores her advise and is castrated by a bear resulting in his death (why so much castration in Greek myth?). Then Aphrodite has to share him with the Queen of the underworld and Adonis spends half the year with each of the woman. 

                                                                                    Similarities and Differences

The spending half the year in the underworld reminds me of the myth of Inanna in which her husband has to spend half the year and his sister volunteers for the other half (I think that is how it goes) and that is also that story of a goddess descending into the underworld.

The big difference is the reason for the journey, upholding burial rights vs. love/lust.  Another big difference is that Aphrodite, while not strong enough to reject the will of the underworld, is not harmed like Inanna.

Inanna-- Ishtar 

Inanna, Ishtar, Aphrodite, Oh my!

There is a further connection because Inanna is a goddess of the same type (perhaps same goddess just different views) as Ishtar and Aphrodite.

And in the Ishtar version of the story, Ishtar descends into the underworld to retrieve a dead lover (like Aphrodite and Adonis).  Furthermore Inanna isn’t exactly dressed in funeral garb as she descends into the underworld and everything else is Inanna’s story is strikingly similar to Ishtar’s.  

They were all the same goddess right? (I left out Venus since it is well known to be a copy of Aphrodite.)  Do the later myths make the simply take the same character--  the goddess and make her stronger because she is not killed?

Repetitive Nature

I love the structure and flow of this piece.  Its repetitive nature makes it songlike and enchanting.  It feels creepy and ethereal when read aloud.  I understand this help memorization of what was likely an oral myth for a long time before it was written.  But it also adds to the beauty of the piece.