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. 

Preparing to Discuss Beowulf

Step 1 – Coffee

3 extra shots of espresso please 

Both before reading a long and sometimes drawn out piece of literature it is helpful to insure ones ability to stay awake.  This is especial important because I do most my school work at night. 

Step 2—Read

I will admit that I hardly ever read my textbooks. This doesn’t mean I don’t use them just that I don’t read them.   Literature classes are a huge exception because you pretty much have to read the text book.   Even still, I often read quickly for the sake of time and only look back if it is needed for an assignment.   When preparing for this discussion I actually tried to READ the text and come to some deeper understanding before I started working on the assignment.  Also, I marked up my book as I do even if I am just scanning.  My English 102 professor would be pleased to know he created such a habit, but I will point out that this tendency makes it really hard to read library books. 

Step 3—Research (attempted)

After reading I tried to some basic research on a few of the handout questions.  My basic Ebsco host/Google scholar search did not easily give me the answers I was looking for so I abandoned this mode of thought. 

Step 4 – Explore the questions

Next, I scanned and flipped through the text to answer the questions on the handout and in my head.

Step 5—Mark up, Write down

I then went through my book and further highlighted (I always write books when reading it anyways) the passages I might want to find easily in a discussion and tabbed the pages according to subject matter.   After which I wrote down answers for most of the questions on a piece of paper.

Step 6—More Coffee

Self explanatory!

And what did I learn?

Preparing for class/discussing literature is not in itself a difficult task.  It is overcoming my own innate and sometimes excusable (relaxing keeps a single mom from madness) laziness.  I have also once again noticed my undeniable knack for stressing myself out (to the point of a tension headache) over a school assignment when I have nothing to worry about.  I am not the brightest bird in the blueberry bush but if I even try I always end up doing fine.  So I was again reminded not to stress because most of the time it is not necessary.  

Beowulf- the static hero

One of the things that struck me about the character of Beowulf was that he was not a dynamic character.   He was unchanging and shockingly void of emotion. Before I get accused of bashing one of the greatest pieces of ancient literature I will elaborate.

The reason I am so turned off by Beowulf is that he fulfills an entirely different role as a character than the characters I am so fond of (i.e. Gilgamesh and Genji <3). 

Beowulf’s purpose seems not to be a character but a cultural ideal.  I say this because I am bias and feel that if a character is multi-dimensional he/she should at least either

•          change or develop (static vs dynamic)  
•           give the reader some kind of emotional cues (be they cold and distant- or warm) 

It is possible these elements were lost in translation.  And that Beowulf sending away his men at the end could have been his change or development.  However, this is not a new attribute of Beowulf.

Because one cannot throw whatever opinion they want onto a text and call it valid without being able to support it with the text or at least a good dose of logic based on the text, I will try to prove my point.

Release from Comitatus

The release from Comitatus definitely adds tension to the story; however I do not feel that it necessarily adds any depth, tension, or change to Beowulf’s character. 

When Beowulf and his men prepare for the coming of Grendel, Beowulf says they must “forego our swords” because Grendel does not know the “arts of war”(1209).  While this is different than sending your men away he is still making himself (or his side) weaker to fight a villain.  This means that Beowulf sending away his men is not necessarily the result of a shift in his character.

Learning from Beowulf?

There are lessons to learn form the story of Beowulf however; Beowulf is not the one who teaches us.  Wiglaf teaches us comitatus is so important that one is never released from it. 

It could be said that Beowulf teaches us this lesson though his “mistake” this point is valid, but I side with the idea that Beowulf represents the ideal leader who is willing to repeal comitatus when needed.  

 

Which leads me to ask is a leader tied to the same type of comitatus as his/her subjects?

I say no because Beowulf is never vilified in the text for releasing, only his men for running. Beowulf releasing his men seems A-okay culturally but the men using the release as an excuse to run is not okay!     

 Does Gilgamesh display hubris?

Again he is never vilified or spoken ill of because of his pride.

The release from Comitatus definitely adds tension to the story; however I do not feel that it necessarily adds any depth or tension to Beowulf’s character.

This leads me to believe Beowulf is a stagnant character.

The fact that Beowulf is stagnant character does not mean he is a poorly written character as I said earlier he serves a different purpose as a character.  The character himself is a an ideal and the reader does not need details about his emotions or personality or him to change. 

 I think Beowulf serves more as an ideal, while Gilgamesh’s growth and emotion give us an example and a lesson to learn and Genji gives a struggle between society, the individual and emotion.      

Beowulf- First half

Christianity

The influence of Christianity is obvious from the first section of Beowulf which gives a brief interpretation of the Creation story from Geneses. Then it describes Grendel as a member of Cain’s race.

All through the first part of Beowulf references are made to the “Maker”, “God”, the “Lord”, “the Lord God”, “the Father”, the “holy God” all in a pretty Christian way.

Grace

The concept of grace is also mentioned several times such in the last part of section IV with the line “almighty Father— guard you in his grace” (1201). Section VI gives us another example of the usage of grace “. . . Holy God—In His grace has guided him to us” (1202). This idea of God’s grace is pretty decidedly a Christian concept.

Another interesting point is regarding the use of weapons. When Beowulf and his warrior companions are awaiting a certain confrontation with Grendel it is chosen that they should fight without the use of weapons. Beowulf states that if Grendel decides to use weapons that is would be up to the judgment of God to decide who wins. I don’t think I am taking too much liberty in saying that this is faith.

It is also important that in Beowulf (or the sections I have read so far) there is a clear separation between Evil and Good and further more between people who are purely pagan and those who have been influence to some degree by Christianity.

Mythical Creatures

I also notice quite a few mythical creatures mentioned in Beowulf (as to be expected). I did however have a few points of only slight and probably irrelevant confusion. The first section lists several mythical creatures as descendants of Cain, including trolls, elves and “the living dead”. My question is does “living dead”= vampires? I am thinking is does :)

Next, are the evil underwater creatures Beowulf describes slaying 9 of in the section IX mermaids? Again it sounds like a pretty clear mermaid reference to me.

Rabbit Trail-- The Tale of Genji

  

There is a Japanese movie coming out in December based on The Tale of Genji.  Toma Ikuta stars as Genji( yay!!! love him!).  And there are a few important twists. Shikibu Murasaki, the woman who wrote The Tale of Genji is featured as a character in the movie.  It is a Japanese move and based on The Tale of Genji, so it is pretty much doomed to end tragically.

                                                                                (\__/)

                                                                                (='.'=) – “Toma-kun!”

                                                                                (")_(")

(the bunny wants to go watch a show called Hana Kimi now, but has to help "master" write an essay!) 

The Tale of Genji

So here is my essay pitch. . . . .

I would like to write my essay on The Tale of Genji.  So I have a few different angles I could approach this essay from.

1. Exploring what it means to be a man ---- and feminized

In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh is feminized is specific and impactful ways.  Both his physical appearance and actions are described in feminine way.  He loves Enkidu as a woman would love Enkidu and is quite beautiful.

In The Tale of Genji (or the sections I have read so far) I found that Genji was similarly feminized.

I realize that the feminization comes from completely different ideas, because these two pieces come from completely different times and cultures.  In Japan there is an ancient idea of Bishonen (beautiful men—androgynous-- mostly adolescents back in the day!!) and men with feminine features are even to this day considered very attractive. 

(google search J rock-- If you dare. I wanted to add a picture and chose not too-- You're welcome  :D

 

Also Genji actually has sex with another man (or I should say boy—creepy pedophile!) a practice that was actually not that strange in ancient Japan.  It seems being male or female was determined more by their place in society than their sex (Leupp pg. 26).  Anyways, this angle could be so fun and filled with gender and culture!

2. Exploring what it means to be a hero—or should the main character be a hero?

This could take so many forms (how exciting!)

I could compare Genji with Gilgamesh again but this time show how their characters develop into heroes or don’t ever develop into heroes.  

• How does the novel differ from myth (or epic) in showing heroes?
• In both of these I could explore how the fact that The Tale of Genji was written by a woman for women.
• I could also compare The Tale of Genji to The Pillow Book which was also written by a woman around the same time and place.

There are countless ideas I could explore just using The Tale of Genji, I don’t even need Gilgamesh or any other main text.  The novel is like 1,000 pages, extremely complex and still has a huge impact on Japanese culture!

Some Sources---  

Keene, Donald. Japanese Literature: An Introduction for Western readers. Charles E. Turtle          Company. Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo. 1955.  

 Leupp, Gary P. Male Colors: The Construction of Homosexuality in Tokugawa Japan. University of California Press. Berkley and Los Angeles, California.1999. pp. 26.

Rabbit Trail— The Epic of Gilgamesh

While researching for another class, I stumbled upon a little article claiming that Gilgamesh and Enkidu have a homosexual relationship in The Epic of Gilgamesh.  I would think that what Ninsun says to Gilgamesh about Enkidu “you will love him as a woman and he will never forsake you” is probably their best evidence.  

However, I would argue that this claim is quite a bit of a stretch.  There are many stories of strong and passionate brotherly love in other ancient texts as well (a lot in the Bible). I do not think Eros (passionate love/intimate love) has to be sexual in nature.  Can’t brotherly (sisterly) love be powerful?

 Now, we might call this type of relationship a “bromance”.  Just in case you don’t know what a “bromance” is I have added a video that explains. 

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(='.'=) – “Can you feel my heart beat?”

 (")_(")

                  

                          (The bunny is making an only slightly obscure Korean pop music reference) 

Cain and Abel--- Rabbit Trail

Rabbit Trail---

There is a Korean Drama (television show) called “Cain and Abel” based on the story of Cain and Abel from Geneses.  I have never seen the show (even though I watch a lot of Korean Dramas) but It got high ratings when it came out.  The themes in Cain and Abel are as relevant and relatable now as they were in Ancient times.  You can watch “Cain and Abel" on http://www.dramafever.com along with a whole lot of other amazing shows.

(\__/)
(='.'=)– “소지섭오빠!"
(")_(")

Dial “M” for murder— ext. 408 if you plan to kill your brother

Cain and Abel

I am going to talk about a few elements of the story of Cain and Abel.  When reading Geneses 4 there are many things we just assume that are not in the text. Centuries of cultural interpretations, mutilations of the text in children’s stories, wonky church doctrines, movies, you name it, have impacted our understanding of this story.

So I am going to list somethings that we tend to assume but that are not actually in the text. And then show that they are either disproved by the text or not elaborated upon enough to assume one way or the other.

• Cain did not care as much about presenting a good offering to the Lord (he just gave him whatever).

Says who? The Bible doesnt speak clearly on this point, it simply states that Cain gave the “Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground” (Gen 4:3). It doesn’t say why God found favor in Abel’s offering just that he did.

• Abel was perfect

Was he? The Bible goes into very little detail about Abel, the only things we know about him are that he was a “keeper of sheep”, his offering was pleasing, and he talked to and was killed by Cain. For all we know Abel provoked Cain.
• God hated Cain
I do not see in evidence of God hating Cain. In fact God warns Cain in verse 7 stating that sin was "crouching" at his door and he must overcome it. God’s punishment could also be seen as merciful; he prevented Cain from being killed at the hands of men. Nothing is written stating that God hated Cain even though at other times it is written that God hates someone. It says Malachi 1: 2-3 that God loved Jacob but hated Esau. (These twin brothers are discussed in Geneses starting in chapter 25) However, nothing like this is stated about Cain.

• God was asking Cain a question because he did not know the answer
I don’t see why asking a question and not knowing the answer are mutually exclusive, like I said in class I ask questions of my children all the time that I know the answer to. “Did you hit your brother?” instead of “I saw you hit your brother”.

It is a judicial process (a really merciful one at that). God is giving Cain the opportunity to fess up without any prying.

But if he is omniscient wouldn’t he know Cain wasn’t going to fess up?

So What? One of the most annoying things is when someone tells you “I’m not even going to ask you this question because I already know you are going to lie to me.” Parents often use that line and boy is it frustrating, makes one want yell “So what, just let me speak for myself!!!”

God gives Cain the ability to speak for himself by asking this question, the fact that God knew he wasn’t going to fess up wouldn’t change the purpose of actually asking the question. Like I said it is a judicial process.

• Cain’s Anger was his undoing

Cain is never punished for his anger; instead he is given a warning not to sin. Anger in itself is not considered a sin in the Bible. There are many times when God is Angry and “Be angry and do not sin” is repeated twice in the Bible (Psalms 4:4 & Ephesians 4:26).

*One last thought*
Does anyone else find what God says to Cain filled with love?
A clear warning, then “What have you done?” instead of “You killed your brother!” I don’t think Cain is the massive villain he is painted to be, but instead a man who sins and finds his “guilt (punishment)* to great to bear”(Gen 4:3)
 *“punishment” and “guilt” are both given as possible words for the text.