The 'Tude That Creates Verisimilitude

Langston Hughes author of "I, Too, Sing America" expresses the jazz centered themes of the time. Highest promotes the idea that marginalized minorities can find relief through jazz. The first person narraration proves the speaker proudly associates himself with all those marginalized. Through struggles, the narraration sings with the rhythm of the poem. The author creates a believable tone of versimilitude. He uses everyday, concrete items to create the symbol of a "table" of America representative of everyone gathering together to commune as one people. The use of imperative commands such as "eat in the kitchen" adds to the verisimilitude because of the natural and expected nature of the imperative demand. These blues prove to be outlets for African Americans to share their pain and sorrows of the broken American Dream. These peoples use of jazz as a relief or saving grace is exhibited in the melodic rhythm of the poem. The well known African American hope through tribulation is seen in the use of future tense verbs, creating the image of possibility.The attitude of peaceful determination to overcome prejudice distinctly identifies with the role of African Americans of the time. 

Fight for it.

This Black Friday I watched two women fight over a pair of Victoria's Secret underwear. Although there were many more of different colors, patterns and sizes these women wanted THAT pair. They made a huge ordeal over something that goes UNDER your clothes. At the time I laughed at the preposterous scene, but now looking back these women don't differ much from Jay Gatsby. There's no doubt these shoppers knew they were being ridiculous and the situation could've been avoided, but sheer bullheaded determination prevented that. Quite like Gatsby, who knew his quest to win Daisy back was a lost cause since his reunion with her at Nicks house. Even though he knew things were different his determination to rekindle what was lost prevented him from seeing clearly

and acting rationally. All the hype surrounding Black Friday riles people up in preparation for a 24 hour war zone. Determination to get the best deals or the love of your life both may lead to rash actions. As natural hunters and carnivors we exist by fighting for what we want. Sometimes, if we're lucky; we get it.

**I'm sorry that this was a little while ago, but I didn't realize my phone didn't post it over break so here it is!

Flip Flaps👠

Flappers of the Roaring 20's are symbols of deserving women from all over who chose to break free from conformity and embrace their independence. Although viewed as raunchy and 'loose' at the time, these women are seen as heroes today. They went against social norms in order to represent the marginalized women of their time, despite social persecution. But do modern day flappers exist? As time progresses it is becoming more and more acceptable- under the name of style-  to wear less and less clothing. Halloween is a prime example of girls all over wearing costumes that cross the line between "sexy" and plain inappropriate. The media also promotes woman marked by their sexuality and often leaves views to perceive women as permiscuous. Are these risky clothing choices making a statement like the revolutionary flappers or are women just allowing themselves to be degraded? The question has been debated back and forth and in all honesty no one really knows what's going to happen or why it's happening but it seems unstoppable at this point. The only solution, if need be, is to be aware and proceed with caution.

Stress: My Life's Motif

 

What's the difference

by Sunita Ramocan  

What's the difference between

a rap,

 spoken word,

 and a poem?

 The answer is nothing.

 So why are they all viewed so differently?

 Is it because of the messages they send

or the people who send them?

 Rap is poetry,

spoken word is poetry,

  poems are poetry.

Regardless of the beat or rhythm,

 these are all forms of poetry

made by the composer

to donate a message

 or an idea

or a question

to readers.

 Emily Dickinson, a well known and well liked (by me) poet, is often associated with her undeniably original thinking process illustrated in her pieces. Her infatuation and ever occurring motif of death can be traced through most of her 1,700 published poems. Her odd but intriguing view on life and death quickly landed her a spot as one of my favorite poets. After making these inferences, I began to think of what motif or reoccurring theme would my writing entail if I were to become a famous poet. While brain storming all I could think about was the unbelievable amount of stress this year has me under. I'm sure everyone in the Junior class can vouch for that; we are told this year is the one that defines are future (no pressure). No doubt this year is tough, but I can honestly say I've never been more stressed or terrified. Hopefully I'm not the only one! Although grades are always in the forefront of my mind; for the sake of my sanity I try my best not to let them define me. So a little advice for any of the AP student or fellow Juniors out there, despite what this year symbolizes, grades aren't everything; what you learn from the things you are taught is all that matters in the real world. You are more than your GPA!

 

Shh... It's a Secret

Everybody has a secret. Whether it be big or small, everyone has something that they'd rather no one know about. The only problem with that is this little thing called a consience. I recently started watching my newfound guilty pleasure; a show called Prison Break. The plot of the series is based on a trail of secrets created to protect someone's reputation. The issue with keeping secrets is not only that they can eat you alive but eventually, in order to keep them, they force you to lie. While keeping certain things private may be healthy, locking away secrets can only create problems. Like the well known series Pretty Little Liars illustrates; secrets only create more problems. The well known slogan attached to the show, "two can keep a secret if one of them is dead" exemplifies the danger, internal and external, that secrets create. As cliché as it is, the truth will set you free. The blog post secret is a prime example of people who just need to vocalize their secrets. Getting things off your chest is healthy and natural; keeping things in, not so much. Even if it's just whispering your secrets to yourself or writing them on a sheet of paper you'll rip up, secrets aren't meant to be kept.

The Scarlet Alphabet

In the Scarlet Letter the denotiation for the letter A introduces the wearer as an adulterer. However, throughout the book the letter becomes a symbol of shame. Much like a person with leprosy, illustrated in Bible didactics, Hester and Pearl (guilty by association) are shunned to the outskirts of town. Although this type or segregation bring Hester to a whole other level of enlightenment. She sheds light on the fact that she may be the only one wearing a scarlet letter, but she is also the only one who got caught and had their sin publicized. Had that not been the case ester would be eaily accepted into society and her and Pearl would live happily ever after. If everyone's transgressions were publicized as well how many other oeople would be shunned on the outskirts of town as well. Maybe it would even create a whole new town of pure sinners and outcasts. In everyday life we are quick to judge and point the first finger while none of us are really blameless. The real question is what makes us want to single out certain people and point out their flaws and wrongdoings. Dimmesdale and Chillingsworth are both public figures, because they are on display it is easy for them to become the focus of scrutiny thus why they are so resistant to publicizing their sins. Everyone sins and none of us have the right to judge. It is up to each individual as to whether they choose to publicize their wrong doings or not, a choice that should not be robbed by anyone.

Bound by a Name

 Whether it is breaking out the baby pictures, public displays of affection, or just plain embarrassing you; we've all had those days where we'd just love to divorce our families. As painful and annoying as being a child and/or sibling can be we have no choice but to suck it up and stick it out. However, the Hathornes had a different strory. After falsely accusing numerous people of witchcraft, William Hathhorne brought disgrace upon his family and town. Nathaniel Hathhorne a descendent of William was so ashamed he changed his name to Hawthorne! Bringing disgrace to your family is one thing, but disowning it is another. In the movie Mulan, Mulan disgraces her family by going to war. Much like William, she thought she was going the right thing. The difference is, Mulan killed rightly, to save lives and her country. William, while his intentions were good, failed at his responsibility to keep order and fairness in Salem. After all that has transpired and all the years that have passed, everyone still knows William and Nathaniel are relatives and no one judges Nathaniel for this relation. Family is more permanent than a tattoo regardless of how annoying, embarrassing and upset you may get, your family is your blood- something you'll always have.