- Old stories tell of a pirate called Pirate Kidd who buried treasure under a big tree; people say the devil hid the money. Kidd never returned to the treasure because he was hung for being a pirate.
- 1727, Tom Walker and his wife; they are miserable together and cheat on each other. She is very secretive. They live in an old, abandoned, moss covered house.
- Tom's wife was fierce of temper, loud of tongue & strong of arm.
- One day Tom takes a shortcut home, through a swamp. There is an old Indian fort in the swamp. He stopped there to take a break from walking. He is about to sit on the ground when he sees something halfway buried in the ground. It is an old Indian axe, so he goes to pick it up. As he does, he hears a voice say, "Leave that skull alone."
- Tom looks up and sees a black man sitting not far from him. The man is neither black, nor Indian. His skin seems to be covered by soot.
- The ground they are on belongs to Deacon Peabody, but the Indian man says Peabody is dead so it's his land. The Indian does not feel bad for cutting down Peabody's timber.
- The man goes by various names; black miner, wild huntsman. He talks to the Quakers & Anabaptists.
- Tom thinks the man is Old Scratch who is talked about in old stories. The two talk for a long time and become friends.
- The man tells Tom of Kidd's treasure. The man owns the tree it is buried underneath. The man burns his thumb print in Tom's head before he part. (Showing he is the Devil)
- Tom goes home, tells his wife of the stories, and she wants to go and find Kidd's money. Tom tells her no, just to make her mad, so she sets off on her own to go find it.
- Stories came about of her going to the swamp. She spoke of the black man. Eventually she disappears in the swamp. Rumors of her death flared, but the most famous story was a man with an axe on his shoulder was seen coming out of the swamp carrying a bundle in an apron.
- Another rumor is that Tom goes in search of her. He is about to give up when he sees an apron and a vulture hanging in the tree. Tom retrieves the apron because it looks like his wife's. He unfolds the apron to reveal a heart and liver inside.
- Tom thinks the man helped him because his wife was dying. Tom wanted to give the man thanks.
- He sees the black man, they talk, say thanks & begin talking about the treasure again. Tom wants to give the money to a slave ship, but the man said no. The man says to open a broker's shop in Boston.
- Later, Tom begins to attend church, he still believes the devil has something in store for him. One day, Tom says he just wants the devil to take him. He goes a little insane. Just then, the devil appears on his doorstep on a black horse. The devil sweeps Tom away never to be seen again.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Devil and Tom Walker
Setting: Deep inlet, winding through Charles Bay, dark grove, gigantic tree, Massachusetts
Gothic Literature Notes
Elements of Gothic Literature:
.Writers saw basic elements of nature, limitation of reason
.Celebrated the individual spirit
.Emotions
.Imagination
.Splendors of nature rather than the fear of God
.Fascination of Supernatural
.Washington Irving: Prominent writer in the United States
Transcendentalists:
.Forms of truth beyond reason and experience
.Every individual is capable of discovering this higher truth on his or her own through intuition." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dark Side of Individualism:
.Gothic architecture
.Gothic cathedrals
.High stained glass windows, gargoyles (Gothic mascot)
.Imaginative distortion of reality
.Shadowy, demonic region
.Gothic tradition can be called the Dark Side of Individualism
.Romantics looked at the individual and saw hope
.Gothic saw potential evil
Poe
- Grotesque characters, bizarre situations & violent events
- Began in Europe
- Came into the United States in the 19th century
- Famous writers include Edgar Allan Poe & Hawthorne
- Age of reason, fear of Gods
.Writers saw basic elements of nature, limitation of reason
.Celebrated the individual spirit
.Emotions
.Imagination
.Splendors of nature rather than the fear of God
.Fascination of Supernatural
.Washington Irving: Prominent writer in the United States
Transcendentalists:
.Forms of truth beyond reason and experience
.Every individual is capable of discovering this higher truth on his or her own through intuition." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dark Side of Individualism:
.Gothic architecture
.Gothic cathedrals
.High stained glass windows, gargoyles (Gothic mascot)
.Imaginative distortion of reality
.Shadowy, demonic region
.Gothic tradition can be called the Dark Side of Individualism
.Romantics looked at the individual and saw hope
.Gothic saw potential evil
Poe
- Many of his stories took place in Gothic castles, decaying ancient estates which provided a eerie setting for terrifying events
- Male characters are crazy
- Female characters are beautiful but usually dying or already dead
- Plots are extreme murders, crazy situations
- Live burials, physical and mental torture, retribution from the grave
- Romantics show the good side, the evil side is brought out by the Gothic
- Examined human fear under many conditions: fear, vanity, mistrust, betrayal
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Crucible Acts
Act One:
You get introduced to the setting and many characters in the story. It is set in Salem, Massachuttes in the late 1600's. The town is ruled a little differently than most. It is called a theocracy. It is the ruling of God through religious officals; like priests. The town of Salem revolves around their church, which their town is run by.
The story starts off when you meet a girl named Betty Parris and her father Reverend Parris. Betty is unresponsive and isn't moving. Rumor is that Betty has been afflicted by witchcraft. Reverend Parris asks for the help of Reverend of John Hale, who is an expert on witchcraft, to come and help him figure out what is wrong with Betty for sure. You also meet Abigial Williams, one of Betty's friends. Reverend Parris questions her about what is wrong with Betty because he saw those two girls and many others dancing in the forest in the middle of the night. Reverend Parris' slave Tituba is also present in the forest. Abigial denies anyone who tries to accuse them all of witchcraft.
You then meet Thomas Putnam and his wife. Mr.Putnam's wife thinks she knows quite a bit about witchcraft and thinks she can help out Reverend Parris and Betty. You also meet two maids. Mercy Lewis and Mary Warren.
While all these people are walking into Betty's room, she wakes up screaming that she wants her mother. The strange part is that her mother is dead...(not until the end of the book does she snap out of it.)
Act Two:
You meet John Proctor and his wife Elizabeth. Whoever Abigail and her friends say is involved in witchcraft, is convicted of it. John Proctor knows that Abigail has been trying to get Elizabeth convicted of witchcraft because Abigail wants John Proctor all to herself. Him and her have had an affair before, but Abigail just can't seem to let go of him. Mary Warren lives with the Proctor's and one night when she comes home she gives Elizabeth a doll that she made during a witchcraft court ruling. John gets angry at Mary for continuting to attend the trials. But Mary has been defending Elizabeth in court when she was accused by Abigail.
John Hale shows up at the Proctor's house because he wants to talk to Elizabeth. Some of his men get a search warrent for their house and they ask Elizabeth if she owns any dolls. She admits to only having the one that belongs to Mary. The men find a pin stuck in the doll. It seems like voodoo because Abigail also stabbed herself in the same spot with a sharp object. Parris finds the needle and accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft. They take Elizabeth away to be trialed as being a witch.
Act Three:
Court is in session. Here is the twist. John Procotor and Mary show up where Mary claims the girls were all only pretending to be afflicted by witchcraft. Everyone is shocked. John Proctor is just trying to free his wife. The judge tells John that Elizabeth has to wait to be hung now because she claims to be pregnant, and will be killed after she delivers. The judge send for Abigail and the other girls. Abigail says that everything Mary has told them is a lie. All the girls begin to panic while they are being pressured by the judge to tell the truth and blame it on Mary by saying she sent a cold wind upon them.
Proctor now gets very angry with Abigail and calls her a whore. He admits to their affair. He says that Abigail is only blaming Elizabeth so that she will be hung and Abigail can take her place in John's heart. Abigail is now totally against Elizabeth and John Proctor and say that Mary is sending the devil at them through spirit. John tries to comfort Mary but she tells him that he in touch with the devil.
Act Four:
Parris has been put into jail. Reverend Hale nows feels guitly for accusing so many people of witchcraft. He tries to get the innocent released from jail but none will confess. All of the people of Salem are still terrified that if they do anything they will get accused of witchcraft.
Proctor goes and visits Elizabeth in jail. She tells him over one hundred people have confessed to witchcraft. He wonders if he should confess. He wants people to feel guilty for wanting to hang an innocent man if he confesses. He eventually decides to confess. John Proctor is then executed, Elizabeth goes on to remarry years later, Abigial becomes a prostitue, and the town of Salem seems to become empty.
You get introduced to the setting and many characters in the story. It is set in Salem, Massachuttes in the late 1600's. The town is ruled a little differently than most. It is called a theocracy. It is the ruling of God through religious officals; like priests. The town of Salem revolves around their church, which their town is run by.
The story starts off when you meet a girl named Betty Parris and her father Reverend Parris. Betty is unresponsive and isn't moving. Rumor is that Betty has been afflicted by witchcraft. Reverend Parris asks for the help of Reverend of John Hale, who is an expert on witchcraft, to come and help him figure out what is wrong with Betty for sure. You also meet Abigial Williams, one of Betty's friends. Reverend Parris questions her about what is wrong with Betty because he saw those two girls and many others dancing in the forest in the middle of the night. Reverend Parris' slave Tituba is also present in the forest. Abigial denies anyone who tries to accuse them all of witchcraft.
You then meet Thomas Putnam and his wife. Mr.Putnam's wife thinks she knows quite a bit about witchcraft and thinks she can help out Reverend Parris and Betty. You also meet two maids. Mercy Lewis and Mary Warren.
While all these people are walking into Betty's room, she wakes up screaming that she wants her mother. The strange part is that her mother is dead...(not until the end of the book does she snap out of it.)
Act Two:
You meet John Proctor and his wife Elizabeth. Whoever Abigail and her friends say is involved in witchcraft, is convicted of it. John Proctor knows that Abigail has been trying to get Elizabeth convicted of witchcraft because Abigail wants John Proctor all to herself. Him and her have had an affair before, but Abigail just can't seem to let go of him. Mary Warren lives with the Proctor's and one night when she comes home she gives Elizabeth a doll that she made during a witchcraft court ruling. John gets angry at Mary for continuting to attend the trials. But Mary has been defending Elizabeth in court when she was accused by Abigail.
John Hale shows up at the Proctor's house because he wants to talk to Elizabeth. Some of his men get a search warrent for their house and they ask Elizabeth if she owns any dolls. She admits to only having the one that belongs to Mary. The men find a pin stuck in the doll. It seems like voodoo because Abigail also stabbed herself in the same spot with a sharp object. Parris finds the needle and accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft. They take Elizabeth away to be trialed as being a witch.
Act Three:
Court is in session. Here is the twist. John Procotor and Mary show up where Mary claims the girls were all only pretending to be afflicted by witchcraft. Everyone is shocked. John Proctor is just trying to free his wife. The judge tells John that Elizabeth has to wait to be hung now because she claims to be pregnant, and will be killed after she delivers. The judge send for Abigail and the other girls. Abigail says that everything Mary has told them is a lie. All the girls begin to panic while they are being pressured by the judge to tell the truth and blame it on Mary by saying she sent a cold wind upon them.
Proctor now gets very angry with Abigail and calls her a whore. He admits to their affair. He says that Abigail is only blaming Elizabeth so that she will be hung and Abigail can take her place in John's heart. Abigail is now totally against Elizabeth and John Proctor and say that Mary is sending the devil at them through spirit. John tries to comfort Mary but she tells him that he in touch with the devil.
Act Four:
Parris has been put into jail. Reverend Hale nows feels guitly for accusing so many people of witchcraft. He tries to get the innocent released from jail but none will confess. All of the people of Salem are still terrified that if they do anything they will get accused of witchcraft.
Proctor goes and visits Elizabeth in jail. She tells him over one hundred people have confessed to witchcraft. He wonders if he should confess. He wants people to feel guilty for wanting to hang an innocent man if he confesses. He eventually decides to confess. John Proctor is then executed, Elizabeth goes on to remarry years later, Abigial becomes a prostitue, and the town of Salem seems to become empty.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Gothic Literature
Definition of Gothic Literature:
Gothic fiction (sometimes referred to as Gothic horror) is a genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance...
History of the word Gothic and Gothic Literature:
‘Gothic’ refers to a mode of fiction dealing with supernatural or horrifying events. However, not all Gothic literature is concerned with the supernatural, and not all Gothic literature is horrifying. Rather, the term ‘Gothic’ as applied to literature refers to a kind of atmosphere or aesthetic that is hard to define.
Gothic literature is generally believed to have begun in the year 1765 with the publication of The Castle of Otranto, by Horace Walpole. It should be noted that this novel was published in the 18th century, after the philosophical movement known as the Enlightenment had attempted to bring reason to the world, and to banish superstition.
It is said that the Gothic writings originated from Europe, or they would set their stories in Southern Europe. They say this because most gothic writers were Protestants. Catholicism was seen as a superstitious form of Christianity, therefore closer to barbarism.
The Castle of Otranto is about an Italian prince who schemes to avert the curse brought on his family when his grandfather usurped the principality of Otranto.
All top information came from: http://my.opera.com/quentinscrisp/blog/show.dml/11604
Characteristics of a Gothic work:
1. There is a victim who is hopeless against their torture.
2. There is a victimizer who is related with the evil and who's powers are accused to be supernatural.
3. The setting of the gothic story is at some point within impenetrable walls (physical or psychological) to heighten the victim's sense of hopeless isolation. The central gothic image is the cathedral or a haunted mansion within the walls which the victim is impristioned.
4. The setting is of mystery, darkness, and fear.
5. The victim is in awe of how powerful the victimizer is.
Romanticism has very little to do with things popularly thought of as "romantic," although love may occasionally be the subject of Romantic art. Rather, it is an international artistic and philosophical movement that redefined the fundamental ways in which people in Western cultures thought about themselves and about their world. It was partly a revolt against aristocratic social and political norms of the Age of Enlightenment and a reaction against the scientific rationalization of nature, and was embodied most strongly in the visual arts, music, and literature.One of the fundamentals of Romanticism is the belief in the natural goodness of man, the idea that man in a state of nature would behave well but is hindered by civilization.
Characteristics of Romanticism:
Resulting in part from the libertarian and egalitarian ideals of the French Revolution, the romantic movements had in common only a revolt against the prescribed rules of classicism. The basic aims of romanticism were various: a return to nature and to belief in the goodness of humanity; the rediscovery of the artist as a supremely individual creator; the development of nationalistic pride; and the exaltation of the senses and emotions over reason and intellect. In addition, romanticism was a philosophical revolt against rationalism.
(Enlightenment is a term used to describe a time in Western philosophy and cultural life centered upon the eighteenth century, in which reason was advocated as the primary source and legitimacy for authority.)
Gothic fiction (sometimes referred to as Gothic horror) is a genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance...
History of the word Gothic and Gothic Literature:
‘Gothic’ refers to a mode of fiction dealing with supernatural or horrifying events. However, not all Gothic literature is concerned with the supernatural, and not all Gothic literature is horrifying. Rather, the term ‘Gothic’ as applied to literature refers to a kind of atmosphere or aesthetic that is hard to define.
Gothic literature is generally believed to have begun in the year 1765 with the publication of The Castle of Otranto, by Horace Walpole. It should be noted that this novel was published in the 18th century, after the philosophical movement known as the Enlightenment had attempted to bring reason to the world, and to banish superstition.
It is said that the Gothic writings originated from Europe, or they would set their stories in Southern Europe. They say this because most gothic writers were Protestants. Catholicism was seen as a superstitious form of Christianity, therefore closer to barbarism.
The Castle of Otranto is about an Italian prince who schemes to avert the curse brought on his family when his grandfather usurped the principality of Otranto.All top information came from: http://my.opera.com/quentinscrisp/blog/show.dml/11604
Characteristics of a Gothic work:
1. There is a victim who is hopeless against their torture.
2. There is a victimizer who is related with the evil and who's powers are accused to be supernatural.
3. The setting of the gothic story is at some point within impenetrable walls (physical or psychological) to heighten the victim's sense of hopeless isolation. The central gothic image is the cathedral or a haunted mansion within the walls which the victim is impristioned.
4. The setting is of mystery, darkness, and fear.
5. The victim is in awe of how powerful the victimizer is.
Romanticism has very little to do with things popularly thought of as "romantic," although love may occasionally be the subject of Romantic art. Rather, it is an international artistic and philosophical movement that redefined the fundamental ways in which people in Western cultures thought about themselves and about their world. It was partly a revolt against aristocratic social and political norms of the Age of Enlightenment and a reaction against the scientific rationalization of nature, and was embodied most strongly in the visual arts, music, and literature.One of the fundamentals of Romanticism is the belief in the natural goodness of man, the idea that man in a state of nature would behave well but is hindered by civilization.
Characteristics of Romanticism:
Resulting in part from the libertarian and egalitarian ideals of the French Revolution, the romantic movements had in common only a revolt against the prescribed rules of classicism. The basic aims of romanticism were various: a return to nature and to belief in the goodness of humanity; the rediscovery of the artist as a supremely individual creator; the development of nationalistic pride; and the exaltation of the senses and emotions over reason and intellect. In addition, romanticism was a philosophical revolt against rationalism.
(Enlightenment is a term used to describe a time in Western philosophy and cultural life centered upon the eighteenth century, in which reason was advocated as the primary source and legitimacy for authority.)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Early Puritans & Salem Witch Trials
Early Puritans:
Picture 4: Reverend Parris, who's daughter and niece were the ones who claimed their slave to be a witch.
Picture 3: Two puritans, very similar to pilgrims but just the religion is different.
Picture 2: A witch trial.
Picture 1: Witchcraft symbol.
The early puritans were colonists from England, who left England in order to keep their religion. They fled to America. The puritans had some interesting rules that they called the Puritan Code which stated that males and females had to sit on opposite sides in the church during worship and they couldn't attend Sunday worships. Puritans worked toward religious, moral and societal reforms. John Calvin was the one who wrote down the laws of the puritans. They saw the bible as God's true law & that is what they wanted to live by. They tried to tweak & strip Christianity and purify it. They have strict rules on sexual morality, and many other things.
Puritan Beliefs:
1. Total Depravity-A wicked or morally corrupt act- They say everyone is born with sin.
2. Unconditional Election- God only saves the ones he wishes.
3. Irresistible Grace- God's grace can not be freely given or not accepted.
4. Perseverance of the Saints- If God wants a certain man to speak God's word, he must do so and not reject the wishes of God.
Function of Puritan writings:
1. Transform and interpret the mysterious God.
2. Make God more known to everyone.
3. Glorify God.
Puritans main focus was that they were to work hard and not express emotions. They could not express their own ideas. They believed every sin should be punished. They believed God would punish sinful behavior. For example, when a family had a sick child, people would not feel sorry or try to help them because they believed it was God's will. They believed the Devil was a real God. Everyone struggled between good and evil. Women, children, and the insane were most targeted by Satan because they were weaker forces. The Devil would carry out his work through them. The people who followed Satan were said to be witches. Witchcraft was a huge crime, and was usually punished by death. Puritans believed witches and their ability to hurt others.
The first women accused of being witches were:
1. Tituba, a slave. She was African-American and had experience in Voodoo.
2. Sarah Good, a homeless beggar. If when she begged at your door and you didn't give her anything, she would leave saying nonsense words to herself.
3. Sarah Osborn, a sick old lady who married her servant. She had not been to church in over a year when she was convicted.
(If you were accused of being a witch, you would be hanged.)
More on Tituba's story, she was a slave for Reverend Parris. During the winter, Parris' daughter Betty and his niece Abigail started acting strange. Doctors couldn't find anything wrong with the girls and he called them "bewitched". They blamed Tituba for witchcraft because she would tell the girls stories of when she was living the Carribbean and voodoo. During Tituba's trail for being a witch, she talked about red rats, talking cats, and a man dressed in black that made her, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborn all sign a book. All three women were taken to jail.
1962, Salem, Massachusetts, was were the witch outbreak started. More than 200 people were accused and 20 ended up being hanged. They were killed for practicing the Devil's magic. Even two dogs were killed for being suspected to be part of the Devil's works.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Native Americans
Picture one: Indians believe everything is sacred. A lesson can be learned from all of Native American stories. Native spirituality is mostly based around honor, love and respect.
The ten Indian commandments:
THE TEN INDIAN COMMANDMENTS!
Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect!
Remain close to the Great Spirit
Show great respect for your fellow beings
Work together for the benefit of all mankind!
Give assistance and kindness wherever needed
Do what you know to be right
Look after the well-being of mind and body
Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good
Be truthful and honest at all times
Take full responsiblity for your actions.....
About the Kiowans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5LpzJC38hA&feature=PlayList&p=53BC97FAA9CB115E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=3
Kiowa flag song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvMm5zjSgRo&feature=PlayList&p=53BC97FAA9CB115E&index=4
Kiowa buffalo song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wiZkxh6PT0&feature=PlayList&p=53BC97FAA9CB115E&index=5
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Laguna Pueblo Indian facts & Leslie Marmon Silko infomation
Picture one: Laguna Pueblo Indian flag
Picture two: Laguna woman with a pot on her head
Picture three: Leslie Marmon Silko
Laguna Pueblo Indian Facts:
- The name Laguna means "Lagoon" refurring to a lake located on their reservation.
- Lagunas speak a Keresan language.
- There are around 7,000 in their tribe.
- Their economy exits of trade and agriculture.
- Born 1948 in New Mexico
- Grew up on Laguna Pueblo Reservation
- She has defined herself as a Native American writer concentration on the Laguna ethnic themes.
- Her first book told all about the Laugna people's traditions & legends.
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