Uncle Tom's Cabin

Throughout each of the stories we have read so far there have been clear reoccurring themes that each of the stories in common. We’ve seen the authors in each of these stories use the children in these pieces as an example or a guide for all children of the time, almost acting as the acceptable standard for children’s behavior of the specific period. These children serve as a medium through which the author can spread his or her ideals concerning morals, ethics and the qualities it takes to be a good person. In Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe does not as clearly convey this message or make an attempt to teach the American youth. This story revolving around as horrid a subject as slavery did indeed complicate things and made making the connection between this reading the others we have already covered a difficult task. But I think that within this story there is a underlying positive message, it is simply not as evident as in previous readings. Throughout or previous texts one of the reoccurring themes has been the idea that some kind strangers have been a source of support and help for our trouble children. This theme is illustrated in Uncle Tom’s Cabin through the generous and dangerous actions of the individuals risking everything in trying to help runaway slaves in their pursuit of freedom

The Lamplighter

The video clip we watched of nine-year-old Anna on Amy Poehler’s show illustrates the differences in young women’s’ culture from the 1800’s to present as well as a few similarities between the young TV guest Anna and Gerty from The Lamplighter.

In the video clip Anna is faced with the question of whether she preferred butterflies or rainbows, two items most modern young girls are fond of. If the roles were reversed and Gerty appeared on the Amy Poehler show In place of Anna, I feel that she would be stumped when fielding a response because she has never had the opportunity to truly be a kid and enjoy rainbows and butterflies as other young American girls were. She was never able to make the connection with childish ideas like these in her young age. Instead Gerty spent day and night slaving away for Nan Grant and praying for a meal.

When asked what advice she would give to girls about being themselves, Anna responded, “Don’t really think about what you have to do for people to like you or to have more friends you probably want people to like you for who you are.” I feel that this quote is illustrated in The Lamplighter through the close relationship between Gerty and Emily (pg. 61). Gerty, up until she met Emily, had no real close friend like connection with anyone. “Glad!’ said Miss Emily, “O yes! So glad you can’t see me! - because now perhaps you’ll love me” replied Gerty (pg. 62) Emily was the first person that did not judge Gerty by her ragged appearance like the rest of the world had so harshly done, but for you she was and her personality something completely new to Gerry.

In the video Anna explains that in yoga if you are not flexible enough for a position, “try your best and try harder.” In a lot of real life situations the same can be said, this is the same advice Emily passes along to Gerty when she is struggling with her battle with whether or not she is a “good” person on pg 63 of the text. “Do you think I can be good?” said Gerty. “Yes if you try.” replied Emily. “I will try,” said Gerty.

Intro

My name is Phillip Halliday and I am from San Antonio, Texas. I am currently a junior Advertising/Public Relations Major here at TCU with a Business minor. I have one sister, who will be graduating high school next year and most likely attending TCU in the fall. I love being outside any chance I get and spend nearly every free moment of the fall hunting in south texas. Im also a music fanatic, San Antonio Spurs fan, and fly fishing enthusiast.

From my high school in san antonio a large number of kids attend TCU every year, so my interest in the university began through word of mouth. To be completely honest I was dead set on going to Texas A&M but I never made it off of the wait list. I was somewhat disappointed when I had to go with my second choice, TCU, but looking back I feel that I could not have made a better decision.

I am looking forward to getting to know everyone through this course, in the classroom and through our various blogging assignments. Also, Im looking forward to becoming familiar with the work of many of the key american writers. I chose this class over all of the other english courses because I had no previous knowledge concerning the history of american literature and it is something that I find very interesting.

Other than books and reading assignments from different classes, I also enjoy reading during my free time. I am currently reading "Asegai" By Wilbur Smith. My dad introduced me to the Wilbur Smith series and his captivating adventures have had me hooked since.

In school, my writing is mostly limited to my english related classes and the hundreds of text messages i send every week. Writing essays in the past is something I have always dreaded, but I feel like this blogging assignment will be a cool new alternative to long research papers. Writing has never been my strongest asset but it is definitely something that I have been working on to improve.

My blog is going to be pretty chill and laid back, I plan on really personalizing my blog so that my classmates can get a chance to get to know me. Im excited to start begin this project and Im eager to get to know my classmates and take in all of their ideas.