Yuen M. Ho
English 48B
January 31, 2007
Journal #18 Mark Twain
I. Quote
“The humorous story is strictly a work of art—high and delicate art—and only an artist can tell it; but no art is necessary in telling the comic and the witty story; anybody can do it. The art of telling a humorous story—understand, I mean by word of month, not print—was created in America, and has remained at home.”
II. Summary
Mark Twain tried to make a distinction between humorous stories, comic and witty stories in “How to Tell a Story.” In this particular quote, he referred humorous story as a form of art that can only be mastered by artist—not everyone can do it. But since the effect of both comic and witty stories depends on the content, not the way they are told, any average person is able to tell them with the same result.
Other than regarding humorous story as an art form, he also regarded it as a pure product of America. He mentioned in his article that no other country has shown their ability to master this art form, France and Britain not withstanding.
The third important point Twain has made is that a humorous story should be passed on orally, but not in written form like any other kind of story. That is why when Twain tried to present a humorous story in written form, he often adopted colloquial kind of writing to imitate the oral effect.
III. Response
While I have never been able to tell the difference between humorous, witty and comic, I agree with Twain on the distinction he is trying to make. I can easily relate these two kinds of stories and their tellers with people I have encountered; thus, I can also comprehend the points Twain tried to make.
Twain is really a brilliant writer. Even in written words, he is able to “tell” two kinds of stories and “show” their obvious differences. His language is vivid. There is no denying that he is the artist among the artists of humor stories.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
On Mark Twain's The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County (1)
Yuen M. Ho
English 48B
January 31, 2007
Journal #17 Mark Twain
I. Quote
“But, by your leave, I did not think that a continuation of the history of the enterprising vagabond Jim Smiley would be likely to afford me much information concerning the Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley, and so I started away.”
II. Summary
When the narration comes to this point, the story has almost come to an end. Yet, as if Mark Twain was not sure whether readers have forgotten his original intent to meet Simon Wheeler, he reminded us again at the end of the story that he talked to Wheeler to inquire about Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley, but not to hear the story of Jim Smiley, whom Wheeler has been reminiscing without interruption for three written pages.
III. Response
The whole plot of “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” in a nutshell is about Mark Twain coming up to Simon Wheeler to ask about a man named Leonidas W. Smiley, so as to do a favor for his friend. Yet, Wheeler did not seem to know anything about this guy, and decided to talk about another man with the same last name, Jim Smiley, instead.
The story undoubtedly has a simple plot. Nevertheless, Twain, like a magician, with his ward (words) was able to turn this plain plot into a humorous story. I was amused by the colloquial “conversation” between Wheeler and Twain; I was enthralled by the interesting betting stories of Jim Smiley. Twain has proven to us with his work that humor is a kind of art. It is not the matter that makes a story humorous, but the manner the author tells the story.
While the story does not seem to impose any moral implication, I relish reading it because it is casual and simply fun. The use of conversational language also makes the story heard, not read, as if I was Mark Twain talking face-to-face to a genuine, but garrulous man. It is one of those neighborhood tales that you want to share with your friends, and perk up their day too!
English 48B
January 31, 2007
Journal #17 Mark Twain
I. Quote
“But, by your leave, I did not think that a continuation of the history of the enterprising vagabond Jim Smiley would be likely to afford me much information concerning the Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley, and so I started away.”
II. Summary
When the narration comes to this point, the story has almost come to an end. Yet, as if Mark Twain was not sure whether readers have forgotten his original intent to meet Simon Wheeler, he reminded us again at the end of the story that he talked to Wheeler to inquire about Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley, but not to hear the story of Jim Smiley, whom Wheeler has been reminiscing without interruption for three written pages.
III. Response
The whole plot of “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” in a nutshell is about Mark Twain coming up to Simon Wheeler to ask about a man named Leonidas W. Smiley, so as to do a favor for his friend. Yet, Wheeler did not seem to know anything about this guy, and decided to talk about another man with the same last name, Jim Smiley, instead.
The story undoubtedly has a simple plot. Nevertheless, Twain, like a magician, with his ward (words) was able to turn this plain plot into a humorous story. I was amused by the colloquial “conversation” between Wheeler and Twain; I was enthralled by the interesting betting stories of Jim Smiley. Twain has proven to us with his work that humor is a kind of art. It is not the matter that makes a story humorous, but the manner the author tells the story.
While the story does not seem to impose any moral implication, I relish reading it because it is casual and simply fun. The use of conversational language also makes the story heard, not read, as if I was Mark Twain talking face-to-face to a genuine, but garrulous man. It is one of those neighborhood tales that you want to share with your friends, and perk up their day too!
Friday, January 26, 2007
On Sarah Winnemucca (2)
Yuen M. Ho
English 48B
January 26, 2007
Journal #16 Sarah Winnemucca
I. Quote
“You would make war upon the whites. I ask you to pause and reflect. The white men are like the stars over your heads. You have wrongs, great wrongs, that rise up like those mountains before you; but can you, from the mountain tops, reach and blot out those stars? Your enemies are like the sands in the bed of your rivers; when taken away they only give place for more to come and settle there.”
II. Summary
This quote was actually prophecy made by Sarah Winnemucca’s cousin Numaga. Numaga objected the use of violence and wars for her tribe to express their resentment and anger. Although the Whites were the first to evoke war and break their friendly bond, there were just too many of them; they easily outnumbered their tribal troops in terms of fighters and weapons. Thus, she wisely suggested the adoption of peaceful means to handle conflicts with the Whites.
III. Response
This quote from Numaga prompted me to ponder over the eternal conflict between life and justice, and the question of the meaning of life. When one’s dignity of living is forfeited, should one continue to pursue a life without freedom, or should one fight for one’s deserved rights, even when there is great possibility that the outcome will be futile?
This is the question faced by the Native Americans. The whites were conquering their land and slaying their people—basically they were brutal murders and robbers taking away their property: life, family, and land. Nevertheless, since they came in great number and were exceedingly advanced, there was slim chance for Native tribes to fire back. While Numaga predicted that any effort would end in vain, I wondered whether it still deserved a try—they might not be able to get back their land, but at least they wouldn’t lose their dignity.
Some people call those who escape from the problem coward, while others may think they are heroes. Even though I would say I am more like the former type of people, I am grateful that some of the Natives managed to escape and accept the reality of defeat and surrender. Otherwise, their culture could not have been preserved un
English 48B
January 26, 2007
Journal #16 Sarah Winnemucca
I. Quote
“You would make war upon the whites. I ask you to pause and reflect. The white men are like the stars over your heads. You have wrongs, great wrongs, that rise up like those mountains before you; but can you, from the mountain tops, reach and blot out those stars? Your enemies are like the sands in the bed of your rivers; when taken away they only give place for more to come and settle there.”
II. Summary
This quote was actually prophecy made by Sarah Winnemucca’s cousin Numaga. Numaga objected the use of violence and wars for her tribe to express their resentment and anger. Although the Whites were the first to evoke war and break their friendly bond, there were just too many of them; they easily outnumbered their tribal troops in terms of fighters and weapons. Thus, she wisely suggested the adoption of peaceful means to handle conflicts with the Whites.
III. Response
This quote from Numaga prompted me to ponder over the eternal conflict between life and justice, and the question of the meaning of life. When one’s dignity of living is forfeited, should one continue to pursue a life without freedom, or should one fight for one’s deserved rights, even when there is great possibility that the outcome will be futile?
This is the question faced by the Native Americans. The whites were conquering their land and slaying their people—basically they were brutal murders and robbers taking away their property: life, family, and land. Nevertheless, since they came in great number and were exceedingly advanced, there was slim chance for Native tribes to fire back. While Numaga predicted that any effort would end in vain, I wondered whether it still deserved a try—they might not be able to get back their land, but at least they wouldn’t lose their dignity.
Some people call those who escape from the problem coward, while others may think they are heroes. Even though I would say I am more like the former type of people, I am grateful that some of the Natives managed to escape and accept the reality of defeat and surrender. Otherwise, their culture could not have been preserved un
On Sarah Winnemucca (1)
Yuen M. Ho
English 48B
January 26, 2007
Journal #15 Sarah Winnemucca
I. Quote
“You call my people bloodseeking. My people did not seek to kill them, nor did hey steal their horses—no, far from it. During the winter my people helped them. They gave them as much as they had to eat. They did not hold out their hands and say: -- ‘You can’t have anything to eat unless you pay me.’ No, -- no such word was used by us savages at that time.”
II. Summary
In the above quote, Sarah Winnemucca was trying to protest for her people by clearing out some stereotypes many White people might have at that time. Most White Americans had no understanding of Native Americans and deemed them as ferocious and primitive. Winnemucca felt very disappointed, or even furious at these labels and misunderstanding behind them. Therefore, she tried to present a true picture of her people by telling her story.
III. Response
I admire Sarah Winnemucca for her courage and strong conviction. As an ethnic minority living on foreign soil, sometimes I can also detect some unfriendly glances or meet with blank-faced rebuff when initiating a conversation. Instead of making an effort to help others better understand my culture, I tend to stay behind the curtain refraining myself from unnecessary social contact.
Stereotypes often arise from lack of understanding and knowledge. People tend to rely on what they have heard, rather than from their own experience. In the international community, Chinese are often labeled as being dirty and lousy. I do not demur that these labels reflect part of the reality. Nevertheless, there are many Chinese who are cultured, gentle and well-behaved. It is unfair if bad behavior from some Chinese is generalized to represent the image of all Chinese. There are also Whites who are dirty and lousy, but not all of them are, right?
The use of the word “savages” in this quote is notable because it implies a double meaning. Not just was Winnemucca using it to express her anger towards this untrue label, she was also being sarcastic by implicitly referring the White people who gave them this label as savages themselves, for some White people back at her grandfather’s time had cold-bloodedly killed her community.
English 48B
January 26, 2007
Journal #15 Sarah Winnemucca
I. Quote
“You call my people bloodseeking. My people did not seek to kill them, nor did hey steal their horses—no, far from it. During the winter my people helped them. They gave them as much as they had to eat. They did not hold out their hands and say: -- ‘You can’t have anything to eat unless you pay me.’ No, -- no such word was used by us savages at that time.”
II. Summary
In the above quote, Sarah Winnemucca was trying to protest for her people by clearing out some stereotypes many White people might have at that time. Most White Americans had no understanding of Native Americans and deemed them as ferocious and primitive. Winnemucca felt very disappointed, or even furious at these labels and misunderstanding behind them. Therefore, she tried to present a true picture of her people by telling her story.
III. Response
I admire Sarah Winnemucca for her courage and strong conviction. As an ethnic minority living on foreign soil, sometimes I can also detect some unfriendly glances or meet with blank-faced rebuff when initiating a conversation. Instead of making an effort to help others better understand my culture, I tend to stay behind the curtain refraining myself from unnecessary social contact.
Stereotypes often arise from lack of understanding and knowledge. People tend to rely on what they have heard, rather than from their own experience. In the international community, Chinese are often labeled as being dirty and lousy. I do not demur that these labels reflect part of the reality. Nevertheless, there are many Chinese who are cultured, gentle and well-behaved. It is unfair if bad behavior from some Chinese is generalized to represent the image of all Chinese. There are also Whites who are dirty and lousy, but not all of them are, right?
The use of the word “savages” in this quote is notable because it implies a double meaning. Not just was Winnemucca using it to express her anger towards this untrue label, she was also being sarcastic by implicitly referring the White people who gave them this label as savages themselves, for some White people back at her grandfather’s time had cold-bloodedly killed her community.
On Emily Dickinson's Poem #341
Yuen M. Ho
English 48B
January 24, 2007
Journal #14 Emily Dickinson
I. Quote
“After great pain, a formal feeling comes—
…
As freezing persons, recollect the snow—
First—Chill—then stupor—then the letting go—”
II. Summary
This poem is about the feeling of pain and its aftermath. Pain can represent physical pain, and can also symbolize pain in the heart—the feeling of being hurt or upset by a person, or an incident. She used the process of recollection of snow to explain a similar pain process. The first one is chill—meaning feeling painful. Then one will experience a period of stupor—meaning not being able to relieve but suffer greatly from the pain. After all, one will be able to let go—of chill or of the painful experience.
III. Response
The ability of Emily Dickinson to make connections between things that we are seldom able to relate in our daily life leaves me in awe after reading the poem. I could have never thought of relating the feeling of great pain with the recollection of snow. Yet, when Emily Dickinson connected the dots, I was inspired to discover more connections, especially implicit ones, between different objects, actions, feelings, places and people.
The poem demonstrates how Dickinson conceived and handled pain—she was not an optimistic person who regarded painful experience as a lesson earned. Yet, she saw it just as a natural process— any effort to manipulate or alter it will just end in vain.
She also delivered a positive message to all of us. We should not take incidents or people that cause us great pain too seriously, because the nature dictates that the feeling will go somehow. If that’s so, why don’t just chill out and let go?
English 48B
January 24, 2007
Journal #14 Emily Dickinson
I. Quote
“After great pain, a formal feeling comes—
…
As freezing persons, recollect the snow—
First—Chill—then stupor—then the letting go—”
II. Summary
This poem is about the feeling of pain and its aftermath. Pain can represent physical pain, and can also symbolize pain in the heart—the feeling of being hurt or upset by a person, or an incident. She used the process of recollection of snow to explain a similar pain process. The first one is chill—meaning feeling painful. Then one will experience a period of stupor—meaning not being able to relieve but suffer greatly from the pain. After all, one will be able to let go—of chill or of the painful experience.
III. Response
The ability of Emily Dickinson to make connections between things that we are seldom able to relate in our daily life leaves me in awe after reading the poem. I could have never thought of relating the feeling of great pain with the recollection of snow. Yet, when Emily Dickinson connected the dots, I was inspired to discover more connections, especially implicit ones, between different objects, actions, feelings, places and people.
The poem demonstrates how Dickinson conceived and handled pain—she was not an optimistic person who regarded painful experience as a lesson earned. Yet, she saw it just as a natural process— any effort to manipulate or alter it will just end in vain.
She also delivered a positive message to all of us. We should not take incidents or people that cause us great pain too seriously, because the nature dictates that the feeling will go somehow. If that’s so, why don’t just chill out and let go?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
On Emily Dickinson's Poem #754
Yuen M. Ho
English 48B
January 24, 2007
Journal #13 Emily Dickinson
I. Quote
“My life had stood—a loaded gun—
In corners—till a day
The owner passed—identified—
And carried me away—
…
For I have but the power to kill,
Without—the power to die—”
II. Summary
The phrase of “loaded gun” strikes me. I ponder over its meaning, trying to comprehend the underlying message of the entire poem—whether it is discussing about her relationship with another man or is trying to bring about other implicit messages.
A loaded gun is ready to kill; it is destructive. It is a weapon ready to be used by anybody, but has no choice over its owner. In regard of the relationship between the gun and the owner, the latter has complete control of the gun. Besides, in other parts of the poem, the author also reflects her happiness in serving and working with her owner.
This can be a complicated relationship if the author was referring to her relationship with somebody. It can be someone she loved and enjoyed being with. That person might be a dominant person who had control of her. Nevertheless, she was willing to serve him/ her and make sacrifices.
This can be one method to understand this poem.
III. Response
Emily Dickinson is hard to read—I cannot but admit the truth in this statement. For over 30 minutes, I read the poem over and over, looked up in dictionary for every new word, and analyzed the meaning of “a loaded gun” so as to understand the feelings of Dickinson when she wrote this poem. Nevertheless, I failed to relate the characteristics of this object of description to Dickinson and her life—probably because I just know a smattering of her background, which remains largely as a mystery.
Yet, her poem can reflect her personality. She is emphatically more critical than romantic, as reflected by her choice of words, which are strong and piercing. They cut deeply into readers’ mind and hearts, leaving one startled, amazed and awaken.
English 48B
January 24, 2007
Journal #13 Emily Dickinson
I. Quote
“My life had stood—a loaded gun—
In corners—till a day
The owner passed—identified—
And carried me away—
…
For I have but the power to kill,
Without—the power to die—”
II. Summary
The phrase of “loaded gun” strikes me. I ponder over its meaning, trying to comprehend the underlying message of the entire poem—whether it is discussing about her relationship with another man or is trying to bring about other implicit messages.
A loaded gun is ready to kill; it is destructive. It is a weapon ready to be used by anybody, but has no choice over its owner. In regard of the relationship between the gun and the owner, the latter has complete control of the gun. Besides, in other parts of the poem, the author also reflects her happiness in serving and working with her owner.
This can be a complicated relationship if the author was referring to her relationship with somebody. It can be someone she loved and enjoyed being with. That person might be a dominant person who had control of her. Nevertheless, she was willing to serve him/ her and make sacrifices.
This can be one method to understand this poem.
III. Response
Emily Dickinson is hard to read—I cannot but admit the truth in this statement. For over 30 minutes, I read the poem over and over, looked up in dictionary for every new word, and analyzed the meaning of “a loaded gun” so as to understand the feelings of Dickinson when she wrote this poem. Nevertheless, I failed to relate the characteristics of this object of description to Dickinson and her life—probably because I just know a smattering of her background, which remains largely as a mystery.
Yet, her poem can reflect her personality. She is emphatically more critical than romantic, as reflected by her choice of words, which are strong and piercing. They cut deeply into readers’ mind and hearts, leaving one startled, amazed and awaken.
On Emily Dickinson's Poem #435
Yuen M. Ho
English 48B
January 24, 2007
Journal #12 Emily Dickinson
I. Quote
“Much madness is divinest sense—
To a discerning eye—
Much sense – the starkest madness—
‘Tis the majority
In this, as all, prevail—
Assent – and you are sane—
Demur—you’re straightway dangerous—
And handled with a chain—”
II. Summary
The poem revolves around two major themes of sense and madness. In Dickinson’s view, sense indeed represents madness; madness is really sense. If you agree with her, then you have sense; but if you disagree, then you are likely to be mad.
Emily Dickinson plays around with words related to these two concepts in this short poem consisting of merely eight lines. In line six, the word “sane”, which means rational, prompts readers to immediately relate to “sense.” In line seven and eight, the mentioning of “dangerous” and “handled with a chain” also reminds readers of the common treatment of people deemed to be mad.
III. Response
This short poem elicits my speculation with regard to the myth of why Dickinson stayed in her room all the time. One possible explanation is that Dickinson had certain kind of emotional or mental disorder. But there may also be possibility that she was suspected to have disorder, and was thus judged harshly and discriminated by the society, contributing to her solitary life. This latter assumption may shed some light to the understanding of this poem. She used her words as a way to resent the societal standard of madness. She was protesting against the label given to her, and in turn named those people, who regarded her as mad but they as sensible, as mad and “dangerous.” Few people understood her at that time, and she apparently wished to gain rapport and understanding from them.
English 48B
January 24, 2007
Journal #12 Emily Dickinson
I. Quote
“Much madness is divinest sense—
To a discerning eye—
Much sense – the starkest madness—
‘Tis the majority
In this, as all, prevail—
Assent – and you are sane—
Demur—you’re straightway dangerous—
And handled with a chain—”
II. Summary
The poem revolves around two major themes of sense and madness. In Dickinson’s view, sense indeed represents madness; madness is really sense. If you agree with her, then you have sense; but if you disagree, then you are likely to be mad.
Emily Dickinson plays around with words related to these two concepts in this short poem consisting of merely eight lines. In line six, the word “sane”, which means rational, prompts readers to immediately relate to “sense.” In line seven and eight, the mentioning of “dangerous” and “handled with a chain” also reminds readers of the common treatment of people deemed to be mad.
III. Response
This short poem elicits my speculation with regard to the myth of why Dickinson stayed in her room all the time. One possible explanation is that Dickinson had certain kind of emotional or mental disorder. But there may also be possibility that she was suspected to have disorder, and was thus judged harshly and discriminated by the society, contributing to her solitary life. This latter assumption may shed some light to the understanding of this poem. She used her words as a way to resent the societal standard of madness. She was protesting against the label given to her, and in turn named those people, who regarded her as mad but they as sensible, as mad and “dangerous.” Few people understood her at that time, and she apparently wished to gain rapport and understanding from them.
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