Reading Interactions
When I started this class I anticipated a lot of reading, but I did not expect the material that was assigned. I was expecting to read entire novels (not just one for the Literary Analysis) and to break them down to every symbol, metaphor, and other hidden meaning behind every page. Instead, the majority of the class reading assignments consisted of academic articles that were connected to something specific that we need to learn whether it was about research, plagiarism, or an essay about the short stories we were assigned. A first I found reading these types of reading to be difficult and monotonous. But as time progressed I learned how to read these articles in a way that I could understand, by understanding where and what the author's thesis was which ultimately leads to understanding what he/she is analyzing or discussing.
Favorite Articles
Over the course of the semester there have been two articles that have become my favorites. My first favorite article is Gloria Anzaldúa's article "The New Mestiza" from her book Borderlands/La Fontera. I felt a special connection to this article because I feel that I can relate to what she says about the battle of borders over one's identity. Being a Hispanic woman living in America I understood what she meant when she discusses not being Mexican enough for Mexicans and not being American enough for Americans (not in those exact words, of course). What I agree with the most in this article is her stance to have one foot in each border, not allowing anyone to tell her who she can or cannot be.
My second favorite article that I read this semester is the first that was assigned, Bartholomae's "Inventing the University." I feel that this article speaks the truth about beginning writers. I found this work to be honest, funny, and enlightening. Before I read it, I thought that I was the only one who "bluffed" on my writing assignments. After discovering that it is something everyone starts out doing, I felt more comfortable with my writing.
My second favorite article that I read this semester is the first that was assigned, Bartholomae's "Inventing the University." I feel that this article speaks the truth about beginning writers. I found this work to be honest, funny, and enlightening. Before I read it, I thought that I was the only one who "bluffed" on my writing assignments. After discovering that it is something everyone starts out doing, I felt more comfortable with my writing.
Favorite Stories
During this semester there were a total of six short stories that were assigned to read, and out of those six my two favorite stories were "Children of the Sea" from Krik? Krak! by Edwidge Danticat and "This Blessed House," from Jhumpa Lahiri's collection Interpreter of Maladies. There are many things about "Children of the Sea," that I like. Although the story is very sad, I love that the love between the two main characters was so tangible through the letters that wrote for each other even though they would never read each other's letters.
My next favorite story, "This Blessed House," I found to be somewhat funny because of the disagreement between the newlywed couple over such a trivial subject. I felt that this story is lesson towards all relationships say that no matter what irritating things your significant other may do, you chose to be with that person for one reason or other. Although there may have been many others to choose from you chose them in the end.
As one can, I tend to see the the "lovey-dovey" parts of stories.
My next favorite story, "This Blessed House," I found to be somewhat funny because of the disagreement between the newlywed couple over such a trivial subject. I felt that this story is lesson towards all relationships say that no matter what irritating things your significant other may do, you chose to be with that person for one reason or other. Although there may have been many others to choose from you chose them in the end.
As one can, I tend to see the the "lovey-dovey" parts of stories.