Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
A thought
Zora Neale Huston’s piece, There Eyes Where Watching God is an exemplar of literary magnificence. The plot and its literary devices are so intricately intertwined that it provides a delicate taste to the palette of even the most rudimentary reader. With a voice that is bound by no barriers, Hurston takes us on an incredible journey, a wave like rollercoaster through the physical and emotional expedition of the works’ amiable protagonist.
Often wondering the use of frame narratives, one finds the unequivocal explanation buried within the depths of Janie Crawford’s life. Although her role as protagonist is one that immediately draws a reader’s attention, instead a close examination of Hurston’s writing style shows that rather than the plot it’s her own style that captures the imagination and brings forth the storyline. A casual reader might mistake this piece for a well written novel, yet its accolade doesn’t end with just a simple sentence.
Hurston buries subtle hints within her writing; the description of Janie’s journey from her own city to another is mirrored by her inner emotional disposition. Hurston’s choice of frame narrative puts into perspective and places emphasis on Janie’s transformation from a girl to a woman in a manner in which another writing style might not have exemplified. Interestingly, the hidden meanings behind Hurston’s words are ironic and debatable. As she portrays Janie’s transformation to betterment she contrasts it with her inner emotional self as a woman wanting to become a child again. Janie is always in need of the romantic high school type love which she gains but twice from amongst her three romances in the novel.
The unexpected repetition of romances coupled with the aforementioned romantic fantasy shows us as readers in what Hurston believes. She makes it clear that although we may grow old and weary and live out life as it comes through hardships and trials we are all in need of a little love and caring. When we don’t find that care we move on in life sleeplessly exploring wanting to be whole again.
But transformations do not always lead one to become a happy person. The surrounding gossip and torn friendships always come back hunting us. Janie’s life story teaches a learning lesson to pursue of happiness, disregarding the barriers around us.
Using an African Women as the protagonist brings to light the subtle message many of us readers miss on our first read. Although an emotional novel, There Eyes Where Watching God is a window that shows us the hardships of the time. From Janie’s slavery experienced grandmother to the last man, Tea Cake, she shoots the trials and tribulation, the degrees to which Africa Americas would go at that time to peruse and secure their loved ones is miraculous.
A breath taking revelation to man, an emotional appeal and the pursuit of an African woman amalgamated with exquisite prose Hurston presents to us a masterpiece with no comparison. A light read to the tongue, a raveling enigma to the mind and a beautiful romantic journey to the heart There Eyes Were Watching God is a masterpiece every student should explore, understand , learn from and take to heart.
Howard University Abdul A MukatiSunday, November 27, 2011
My Freshman Experience viewed through the lens of Freshman Seminar has been okay I guess. The class was seemingly interesting although it is not what I thought it would be. I thought Freshman Seminar classes were supposed to prepare you for the freshman/college experience and get you more acclimated with the school. This class was more of an African American studies class I feel. The speakers were interesting, I enjoyed that each person spoke on a different topic and it was not repetitive. I did not understand the link between the presenters and the group projects. I think we should have been given more time to work on the project because many people were unsure of what was actually expected of them. I would have also liked if the classes were a little smaller, but I understand that is not possible. I think if I would have taken the class at a later hour I might have enjoyed it more. I am not very alert at 9 AM. The class was overall interesting and stimulating.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Disappointed HC
Maybe I didn’t attend the same homecoming that a lot of other people did because I honestly didn’t find Howard Homecoming to be worth half of the prices that they wanted me to pay. I woke up bright and early and went to the football game which felt like any other football game I had been to. The game was cold and tiring as we stood up and sat down constantly. I enjoyed lively dancing and cheering for my mighty mighty Bisons as the game played on in the Blue Crew section. Sadly I was more excited to hear the other band play than our own when North Carolina A&T came out with so many members. Once the game ended I hung around campus with the girls until leaving for the step show. (Another overpriced event with mediocre seats.) The good thing about the step show was the concert pictures I got of Travis Porter. It was probably the only good thing about homecoming for me. My night consisted of failed club attempts and impatient females. So, as you can see my homecoming experience was not as fun as I had wanted it to be. Especially when compared to that of my many friends attending other colleges, Howard’s homecoming didn’t appear to be the number one homecoming in the nation.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Free Write/Homecoming
So... I don't understand the point of having a "free write" if it's supposed to be about Homecoming. But, whatever. Actually, I was slightly upset about Homecoming. Couldn't Howard have it when it's warmer? (or at least when it's not 65 degrees outside?) Freezing weather aside, Homecoming was what I expected it to be: another Howard party. It was a BIG, LOUD, WEEK-LONG party, sure, but a party nonetheless. Thus, (as I'm not what you would call a "party person") I stayed away from most of the Homecoming "activities". However, I did attend the Homecoming parade (because it was free) and Yardfest (because it was free, and it gave out free food). Both were nice, but I didn't stay very long at either one. I believe I watched about ten minutes of the parade before I took off with some of friends to Potbelly's on Georgia Avenue to escape the biting cold. And Yardfest... yeah. As soon as I got some food, I rolled out. Sorry Howard, but I just wasn't feeling it. Ugh... it's hard to talk about Homecoming when I wasn't a part of it! Um, I believe that Howard won the game against North Carolina A&T during overtime, which is a miracle in and of itself. It would have been nice if I... you know... actually went to the game, but those tickets were just a wee bit pricey for me. All in all, Howard's Homecoming as all right, for a non-party animal like myself.
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