Response

I would like to respond to how in the Berger essay, it described how the caption of a painting can make a differnce in the way a viewer views the painting. That is something that never really crossed my mind until I looked at the example of the two pictures in the essay. It made me realize how important titles of paintings really are. By just looking at the title, it can change the whole way a viewer interprets a painting. This all ties in with perspective and can be related to literature as well. In novels we have stories that are written in different perspectives, from a first person narrator to a third person narrator. And the story that is told is seen differently from whatever perspective you are in. Same with paintings, the way you look at a painting may depend on what perspective you are looking at it. At the High Museum, there was one painting of Dali that up close it just seemed like a bunch of dots, but if you moved further back you were able to see the face of a woman. Technology has enabled us to see in different perspectives. Yet, back in the day, artists were still able to create works from a different perspective without the aid of these modern technologies that we have today.

High Museum Visit

Even though I have lived in Atlanta for a while, I have never been to the High Museum, so when I went there a few days ago, I didn't really know what to expect. But as soon as I walked inside, I was really amazed. The first thing that I saw was the 3-D sculptures of the fruit on the main floor. They looked so real, but just a lot bigger. Then we went to see the Dali Exhibit, and I have to say that it was really amazing. I realized that from what we were discussing in class, that art is all about perspective. And Dali is definitely an artist who took perspective into thought. The way that he did some of his paintings just made it look as if it were 3-D. Not only did I see art in the High Museum, but also as Ashley and I were walking to the museum itself. We were going to take Marta, but then we just decided to walk it. And I have to say it was worth it, because it was a very scenic tour.

What is art?

Art is something that you see in everyday life, but there is more to that. In art, there is a message that is being delivered. But it depends on the individual as to what that message is that the artist is trying to convey. There are times where one person may perceive one thing and another person might perceive another. For example in the photo below, art is created from rocks into the shape of an eagle. What makes this art unique is the message it is conveying. To some people, it just may be an ordinary eagle, however there is also a cultural message depicted. This art contains designs and patterns. Yet it is also one’s perception of a culture or society. Art is an escape from society and is based on the creativity of the artist.

THe Great GAtsby- symbol

Dr.TJ Ecklebyrg is one of the symbols that Fitzgerald uses in his novel. The doctor who is looking down from a billboard into a valley of ashes is something significant. The billboard itself is one that is no longer of use; the eye doctor/place that it advertized for no longer exists. Yet, the blue eyes and the yellow framed glasses are still standing out amongst the dull colors of the area. The doctor sort of represents God looking down on everyone. And since he's looking down at everyone, he knows everything that is going on, so you can't hide from him. In a way it relates to Nick because Nick knows the truth about Gatsby. He knows that Daisy was actually driving the car and that Gatsby just took the blame for it becuase he loved her. Even though Gatsby got shot, and Daisy ran away with Tom, in West Egg, there is still someone who knows the truth about who killed Myrtle. THe doctor also represents Nick becuase the doctor and even God doesn't interfere with anything. In a similar manner, Nick is just telling his story, which is all about Gatsby. Even though Nick shows his interactions with Gatsby, it is just to show us more about Gatsby. The story is mostly about the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy; Nick is just there to tell it from his POV.

The Great Gatsby

In his novel, Fitzgerald uses many colors. Some of the colors that he uses include gold, white, red, blue and green. The gold that is in the novel represents happiness and it is used as a rich color. It is like in the movie that we watched about Fitzgerald in class, and of the “golden dream girl.” In the novel, Jordan can be considered as Nick’s golden dream girl. Fitzgerald uses several occasions where he has Jordan “wearing gold”: with Jordan’s slender golden arm resting on mine” (Fitzgerald 43). Nick also puts his “arm around Jordan’s golden shoulder” (79). I think that Fitzgerald uses gold around Jordan’s arms because she’s a golf player, and thus uses her arms in playing. The gold around her arm might also symbolize how good of a golfer she is. White is also another color taht is used quite often. It symbolizes innocence and pureness. Nick is a character who is innocent in the novel and we see him wearing white: "dressed up in white flannels I went over to his lawn a little after seven" (41). THe moon is also a symbol. And it is seen as an innocent character as well, " the sidewalk was white with moonlight" (110).

A Raisin in the Sun- Overall impressions

Overall, I thought that A Raisin in the Sun was a very good play. One thing that was very important throughout the play were the dreams that everyone had. It is what the story is based upon and named from (Langston Hughes poem) . Mama has her dreams in her children. Walter and Beneatha both represent their father’s dream. Everyone in the play has a dream of their own. Mama’s dream is for her children’s wellbeing. Walter’s dream is to buy a liquor store and to help his family in the best way her can. Beneatha dreams of becoming a doctor. She wants to be “somebody.” When Mama told the family that she has bought a house for them, Ruth got all happy about it. Even though she doesn’t express it in words, she dreams of living a happy life. Ruth is very tired and weary about the life that she is living right now. Mama also dreams of a garden where she can have a lot of plants growing. THe plant that she has on her window sill represents her big garden that she wants to have. Everyone’s dreams are in a way realized in the play. Mama’s dream is realized from the garden tools that Ruth, Walter, and Bennie buy for her. Walter invests in his liquor store. But that money that he invests goes away with Willy. Ruth's dream comes true becuase in the end, the Younger family goes and moves into their new home.

A Raisin in the Sun

In the first act of A Raisin in the Sun, all the characters appear and amongst all of them, there is some argument or tension going on. THe most evident one is between Ruth and Walter. Ruth is tired and weary. Where as Walter wants to be something. He wants to open a liquor store with the money that Mama is going to get. But Ruth just doesn't want to take that risk. There is also an argument between Mama and Beneatha. We see that Beneatha is independent and she stands up for what she believes. When she told Mama that she doesn't believe in God, Mama got real mad at her. There was even some tension between Ruth and Travis. Travis wanted some money to take to school, but Ruth didn't give it to him. It wasn't until Walter came out of the shower and gave the money to Travis he got the money. Walter gave his son the money just to show his son that they're managing. He doesn't want Travis to think that they dont have any money at all. One theme that is presented is the use of dreams. Walter and Beneatha represent their father's dream. ANd Mama's dreams are in her children and grandchild. Walter has his dream of buying that liquor store, but RUth doesn't support it. And Beneatha has a dream of becomming a doctor.