Lane says that “space” and “place” should be considered two different words, however they are dependent on each other in order to exist. He says that place brings us stability and security while space brings us openness and freedom. He says that through the comfort that place gives us, we can take on the unknown which space provides.
We need both place and space to find our sacred area because, as Lane says, it is a human essential to “reify experience.” Humans always feel a desire to go back to a time we cherish, and we look for places or items which can represent those experiences. This is a big reason why people use art to demonstrate their emotions. People write poetry, sketch, and paint to create their feelings and history.
That is definitely true for me. I am a big fan of drawing and using art to experience parts of my past. It is incredibly therapeutic if the particular memory is unpleasant, and if the memory you are trying to represent is a good one, then you not have a tangible object to express that moment and all of its glory.
Using art is a great facet to go back and look through your history, and to have place's comfort to help relive those moments can let you discover the rawness that space has to show you.
- Emily Schulz -
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Lane's Spider Symbolism
The last idea that stood out to me in Landscape was the metaphor of the spider and how it resembles the symbolism of a sacred place. Lane discusses how a spider is know for his web-spinning. The webs are ambiguous to understand, as are many human concepts such as philosophy, theology, and psychology. Also, although these webs are intricately constructed, they are not delicate. They become concrete forms and make live experiences, both in the process of building and their inevitable capture of prey.
As Lane says, the spider and his web, much like the symbolism in a sacred place, can be admired and awed while also feared. The spider spinning a web is also a demonstration of how symbols are made and then interpreted later. We can look at a web and wonder its purpose, how it was created, what fate it will bring to some, and how we feel about it, just like how we think about a symbolic place and its affect on us.
Lane finishes this by saying “we must attend to the interior operations of the symbolic life and to the larger cultural web,” which to me say we must acknowledge the building blocks and origins of a sacred place so we can recognize how its symbolism and history impact the bigger picture today.
- Emily Schulz -
As Lane says, the spider and his web, much like the symbolism in a sacred place, can be admired and awed while also feared. The spider spinning a web is also a demonstration of how symbols are made and then interpreted later. We can look at a web and wonder its purpose, how it was created, what fate it will bring to some, and how we feel about it, just like how we think about a symbolic place and its affect on us.
Lane finishes this by saying “we must attend to the interior operations of the symbolic life and to the larger cultural web,” which to me say we must acknowledge the building blocks and origins of a sacred place so we can recognize how its symbolism and history impact the bigger picture today.
- Emily Schulz -
Friday, February 3, 2012
Outside Reading Blog #3
For my third and final blog on my outside reading, I though I would discuss my favorite quote. Not only does it demonstrate how much of the book is written, it shows how in such simple writing (as I've mentioned prior) can still form complex ideas.
"Sometimes, I look outside, and I think that a lot of other people have seen this snow before. Just like I think that a lot of other people have read those books before. And listened to those songs. I wonder how they feel tonight."
This is my favorite concept of the whole book. Although this barely has any relation to the theme of PBW, it is a concept I can relate to a lot. The thoughts that Charlie has on a daily basis are ones that I too think, and a thought like this is a great example of my own imagination. I think I'm so intrigued by Charlie's small yet insightful thoughts such as this one because I have always thought that I was the only one who had those ideas in my head. Even if Charlie isn't a real character, Chbosky created Charlie to have those cognitive patterns, and to know that Chbosky at least has thought like I do is very interesting.
I always think of these small scenarios. I look at chairs and think about all of the people before me who sat in them, or as I sit in my dorm, what other people have lived here before me and called it home? And where are those people? Do I know them? Have they grown and become successful?
I think about every object I touch, and who else may have interacted with my own items, whether it was intentional or not. Whenever I hold my textbooks or drive on the highway and see the people passing me, I wonder how many of the others unknowingly involved think in this way too. That concept alone is something that always draws me back to Charlie's character and PBW in general.
- Emily Schulz -
"Sometimes, I look outside, and I think that a lot of other people have seen this snow before. Just like I think that a lot of other people have read those books before. And listened to those songs. I wonder how they feel tonight."
This is my favorite concept of the whole book. Although this barely has any relation to the theme of PBW, it is a concept I can relate to a lot. The thoughts that Charlie has on a daily basis are ones that I too think, and a thought like this is a great example of my own imagination. I think I'm so intrigued by Charlie's small yet insightful thoughts such as this one because I have always thought that I was the only one who had those ideas in my head. Even if Charlie isn't a real character, Chbosky created Charlie to have those cognitive patterns, and to know that Chbosky at least has thought like I do is very interesting.
I always think of these small scenarios. I look at chairs and think about all of the people before me who sat in them, or as I sit in my dorm, what other people have lived here before me and called it home? And where are those people? Do I know them? Have they grown and become successful?
I think about every object I touch, and who else may have interacted with my own items, whether it was intentional or not. Whenever I hold my textbooks or drive on the highway and see the people passing me, I wonder how many of the others unknowingly involved think in this way too. That concept alone is something that always draws me back to Charlie's character and PBW in general.
- Emily Schulz -
Class Summary
In class on Wednesday, we spent a majority of the time discussing the significance in specific objects. For example, the symbolism behind Route 66 has a strong sense of sacredness for many people in many aspects. It was not only a big part of introducing industrialization to our country, but as the first highway, it brought easier transportation to all people. It was such a big part of our history that it’s importance was carried for decades, throughout the changes of music and to this day is still known.
This conversation began after Redick showed us a “Route 66” sign that was displayed on a hill which holds several trinkets, which hikers have left behind on their trips. On the same hill as the road sign lay many stones and small items which hold personal significance, and Redick had us analyze why each item may by important to hikers. For example, there was an empty beer bottle left on the pile, and we questioned why that bottle was something a hiker carried with him on the entire trail. One suggestion was that he left the drink there in honor of a friend whom had passed.
This brought Redick to the story of how he met one hiker who was walking for his late friend, Charlie. For Charlie, Redick said the hiker took a beer and poured it out and left the bottle to his friend on the hill. I think if I had to leave a trinket up on that hill, one of the first things I would leave would be a picture of me and my grandfather. He passed away when I was seven, and because the hill is so close to the sky, I would have some inner belief that having that meaningful item closer to Heaven would show others my desire to still be in touch with him.
- Emily Schulz -
This conversation began after Redick showed us a “Route 66” sign that was displayed on a hill which holds several trinkets, which hikers have left behind on their trips. On the same hill as the road sign lay many stones and small items which hold personal significance, and Redick had us analyze why each item may by important to hikers. For example, there was an empty beer bottle left on the pile, and we questioned why that bottle was something a hiker carried with him on the entire trail. One suggestion was that he left the drink there in honor of a friend whom had passed.
This brought Redick to the story of how he met one hiker who was walking for his late friend, Charlie. For Charlie, Redick said the hiker took a beer and poured it out and left the bottle to his friend on the hill. I think if I had to leave a trinket up on that hill, one of the first things I would leave would be a picture of me and my grandfather. He passed away when I was seven, and because the hill is so close to the sky, I would have some inner belief that having that meaningful item closer to Heaven would show others my desire to still be in touch with him.
- Emily Schulz -
Outside Reading Blog #2
In “Perks of Being a Wallflower,” one of Charlie’s constant ideas is making other people happy before himself. This concept really strikes a chord with me because I relate so well to it. Just like Charlie, I am always a people pleaser before I worry about what makes me happiest.
I see Charlie get in many situations that I have seen myself in where everyone around him is happy, just as Charlie and I would wish for, however we are not as excited or satisfied as those around us. There are many references to Charlie helping the one he has feelings for end up with another guy. I know the feeling all too well of wanting the one I like to be happy before even considering that they should be with me.
Throughout the book, I see how this affects Charlie, both positively and negatively. Positively because he is praised for being such a selfless soul, but also negatively because of the internal damage and stress it adds for him, both emotionally and mentally. This to me is something I know all too well, and I think because I find familiarity in that part of PBW, it is why I always go back to this book when I’m looking for an interesting read.
- Emily Schulz -
I see Charlie get in many situations that I have seen myself in where everyone around him is happy, just as Charlie and I would wish for, however we are not as excited or satisfied as those around us. There are many references to Charlie helping the one he has feelings for end up with another guy. I know the feeling all too well of wanting the one I like to be happy before even considering that they should be with me.
Throughout the book, I see how this affects Charlie, both positively and negatively. Positively because he is praised for being such a selfless soul, but also negatively because of the internal damage and stress it adds for him, both emotionally and mentally. This to me is something I know all too well, and I think because I find familiarity in that part of PBW, it is why I always go back to this book when I’m looking for an interesting read.
- Emily Schulz -
Outside Reading Blog #1
In Stephen Chbosky’s “Perks of Being a Wallflower,” one of my favorite aspects is the writing style. It is incredibly simple, without an extensive vocabulary and many simple sentences, sometimes even just fragments. This style is to represent the inner monologue of Charlie, a fifteen year old. Although Charlie has some very deep and complex thoughts throughout the book, most of the writing stays consistent and maintains its simplicity. This writing is meant to be in the “voice” of the character, however sometimes when I’m reading this, the simple aspect gets mistaken for oversimplified, making Charlie sound younger than he is.
There are portions of this book meant for an older audience, such as Charlie’s first-time experiences with marijuana and homosexuality. In these sections of the book, Charlie’s “voice” seems too immature and youthful to even be considered simply naive for his age. His almost-too-young maturity level is justified in other sections of the book. Chbosky shows Charlie hanging out with friends who, although are only a year or two older, seem to be very mature for their age compared to Charlie. There are parts where Charlie’s friends calm him down by getting him an ice cream, or they tell him to keep situations a secret, almost as if they are taking care of him. They are also there to talk him through very innocent scenarios where many people do not need guidance.
This is something I really do not like in “Perks of Being a Wallflower,” but I find that ironic because even though I don’t like it, I love the simplicity of the writing. What’s interesting about that is the part of Chbosky’s book that I hate, Charlie’s abnormal innocence, is what encourages the aspect of PBW which I love, the simple and easy to read writing style.
- Emily Schulz -
There are portions of this book meant for an older audience, such as Charlie’s first-time experiences with marijuana and homosexuality. In these sections of the book, Charlie’s “voice” seems too immature and youthful to even be considered simply naive for his age. His almost-too-young maturity level is justified in other sections of the book. Chbosky shows Charlie hanging out with friends who, although are only a year or two older, seem to be very mature for their age compared to Charlie. There are parts where Charlie’s friends calm him down by getting him an ice cream, or they tell him to keep situations a secret, almost as if they are taking care of him. They are also there to talk him through very innocent scenarios where many people do not need guidance.
This is something I really do not like in “Perks of Being a Wallflower,” but I find that ironic because even though I don’t like it, I love the simplicity of the writing. What’s interesting about that is the part of Chbosky’s book that I hate, Charlie’s abnormal innocence, is what encourages the aspect of PBW which I love, the simple and easy to read writing style.
- Emily Schulz -
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Steven Chung: Route 66 Sign on British Memorial
At the end of our last class period, Dr. Redick presented to the class several pictures of his visit to a British war memorial that was located on top of a mountain. One particular picture he showed the class was of a Route 66 highway sign at the memorial. As we were all getting ready to leave the class room, he asked us why someone would put that sign at the memorial. My guess is that someone (probably an American citizen) thought it would be something funny to do, and thought it would be cool to put that sign there. Or he or she could of had put that route 66 sign there for a specific reason. Perhaps Route 66 was a road he or she traveled on many times in his or her life. Route 66 is a major highway that stretches from California all the way to Illinois; perhaps he or she had many memories on that road and that road is a special historic route for him or her. And to leave that highway sign at the memorial could of been a gesture for his/her's appreciation for that route. These are just some of my thoughts as to why someone would place that road sign there.
-Steven Chung
-Steven Chung
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