Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.
Summatative Entry
“The Twentieth Century gives me real insights into human and social issues that are still current in the 21st century.”
Throughout the blogging of this unit, many mediums that explore into the 20th-century literature has taught me insight about the prominent social issues at its time. From issues that plagued the 20th century such as the First World War and British Imperialist colonialism. Consequently, this resulted in numerous human and societal issues. Nationalistic propaganda had heavily influenced the perceptions of war and the beliefs regarding nation and race. This led to an array of movements that rebelled against these instilled perceptions, through art, literature and activism from assailants affected by these conflicts. However, the propaganda influence has reappeared and remains evident in the 21st century.
My first blog is an intrapersonal piece where I self-reflect my own life to a moment were, I was personally touched compared to my daily norm. My self-reflection is reminiscent of connecting with nature, and through its connection, I can spiritually connect with it and be at peace. I refer to the indigenous monument from the aboriginal’s sacred monument, Uluru. Colonialism named Uluru, as ‘Ayers Rock’, I felt it was appropriate to refer my spiritual connection, due to the recent announcement of respecting the Anangu’s wish for Uluru to no longer be climbed. I believe ‘Ayers Rock’ is a reflection of the imperialistic influence that oppressed many indigenous in the 20th century due to the colonisation.
Alternatively, in my second blog, I explore British war veteran, Siegfried Sassoon’s provocative poem, ‘On passing the New Menin Gate’ re-evaluating my beliefs on war memorials. In this poem, Sassoon claims that the Menin gate doesn’t serve to remember the fallen soldiers as it claims. Instead, Sassoon argues it is a government cover-up made to romanticise the war in a favourable light instead of acknowledging what he believed to be the atrocities. In my blog, I personally questioned his intentions for degrading a war memorial, before sympathising upon introspection. Through this blog, I as someone I the 21st century have gained insight towards what war veterans had to deal with regarding citizens that had skewered views of war due to nationalistic propaganda.
My third blog attempts correlate emotions felt from returning war soldier in T.S Eliot’s poem, ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ to my own. I discuss how the poem embodies many emotions from its surroundings that I believe remain prevalent in the 21st century. Whilst, the returning war soldier refers to the abrupt newfound abandonment upon reflecting a reformed society. I empathise with emotions taken from such an occurrence referring to a feeling of abandonment and isolation. I correlate these emotions to the current generation’s obsessions expressing how we are in an age where we can be connected anywhere, and yet we are still isolated. Whilst, the circumstances are different, the emotions remain the same whether in the 20th century, continuing in the 21st century.
My fourth blog is a comment on Virginia Woolf’s beliefs in the power of imagination to liberate human beings from the enslavement. I explore ‘enslavement’, connotating to societal norms that we assimilate towards, causing a utilitarian mindset. Prevalent with Woolf’s, ‘Mrs Dalloway’, I explore Septimus, a war veteran with trauma from war. The doctor fails to consider the psychological health causing Septimus to spiral, feeling isolated, and later committing suicide. Issues regarding isolation and improper mental health treatment continue into the 21st century. This blog suggests that we need to dream and imagine a better future to ‘liberate’ ourselves from these shackles that are the social norm.
In my final blog, I take a retrospective outlook of my hopes in life, with a starting sentence by James Joyce. My outlook focuses on the emotions that embody my life and give me the incentive to keep on living. I suggest that what motivates me to live on is not having a definitive purpose in terms of use, but rather being connected with my emotions. Notably, I believe that my phrasing of never forgetting the past and moving on is crucial in acknowledging the atrocities that came from war and imperialism. Censorship or ‘bleaching’ of these events would only lead to them repeating in the 21st century.
In conclusion, the exploration of societal issues of the First World War and Imperialism in the 20th century has made me aware of its contingency into the 21st century. We still romanticise war, failing to fully comprehend its devastation and have issues in properly acknowledging those that suffered under colonial imperialism. These modern social issues reflect into the 20th century.
Peer Review 4
Hi Sarah, I read your creative blog, in which you reflect your own experience described by “The love song of J.Alfred Prufrock”, when referring to the stifling silence in a zoom class. You provide some background context regarding the circumstances you’re in, referring to your entry at ACU university and inexperience with zoom, and the silence that came from no one answering any of the questions. You utilise colour, bolded and CAPS LOCK text, to make words pop, creating a more dynamic reading experience, and allowing me to better understand the situation you were attributing to the poem. You also go so far as to use quotes from Prufrock’s poem mending it to your description of contemplating at unmuting yourself to answer the questions, better correlating your experience and the poem itself more proficiently. A suggestion I’d make would perhaps to refer to the dilemma you deal with in a breakout room where everyone else has their camera off and are mute, scarring you to submit. Well for me at least… Overall, I found your blog to be extremely enjoyable and I hope you make more!
Blog 5
Write a paragraph that continues this sentence by James Joyce and the expresses your own hopes for your life
”I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can…”
I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can, whilst I still can. Because life’s greatest truth is that there is no point looking to things that have past, instead I must look at the gift of the present that never wavers, before the future takes me from its’ moving pages. Who I am, what I am, and why I am, can be answered through outliers; but how I am, is an exploration of the intrapersonal, a question that only I can answer. By reflecting to my moments in time, I neither forgive nor forget, about the past that held me back, as I have no choice but to move on. Perhaps that is the art of life, the lack of stillness, the in-betweens that sprawl itself so spontaneously, contradictory to the portraiture found in art museums. Unlike history, like God, unlike machines, I recognize my creation, and cringe at its imperfection. Yet I acknowledge that my ‘art’ cannot be conveyed in a single frame, my life cannot be contained by a museum’s case. That as much as I hate it, I mustn’t change it, because it was the sapling that allowed me to grow. My mortality shines a distinctive light that can only be seen as ‘me’, a light that consists of a spectrum in different colours that cannot be created with perfection. My finite life is colour, and immortality is just a grey scale with no room for abstract decimation. My hope in my life can only exist from my despair. Moments of conflict, distress and hurt that have stemmed from my flawed interpersonal connections, but allow me to reflect, to move on and to grow into contemporary ‘art’. Thus, for the past that cannot be met and, in the future, were I’m forgotten, my hope is a gift that can only be found in the present, in my current life.
Peer Review 3
Hi Caitlin, I read your critical blog, where your analysis Wilfred Owen’s poem “Anthem for Doomed Youth” exploring the themes of illicit effects of war. You break down the structure of his poetry by delving into the subject matter on the nature of war, explaining the intended effects of the destructive nature of war. You also provide historical and cultural insight in order to explain the provocative nature the poem held towards the reader who would’ve viewed war as a patriotic act. You also provide detail in noting many literary techniques and their purposes in dehumanizing soldiers and only highlighting the satire Owen provides in his controversial poem about war, in its time. A suggestion I have would be to reference revelations that many war veterans experienced in the aftermath from experiencing the war, further emphasizing it’s devastation. Other than that, I enjoyed your blog and can’t wait to see more!
Blog 4
Virginia Woolf believes in the power of the imagination to liberate human beings from the shackles of their enslavement. Do you have a comment on this statement?
To liberate, is to set free from ‘enslavement’, as such what I will attempt to interpret what Virginia Woolf means by enslavement. I hypothesis that the Woolf’s idea of enslavement is taken from the cultural societal norms that presents itself to humanity. Through assimilation and subjugation, we as human individuals that live in a society can often suffer from its prevailing ailments, we are made to question are distinctive differences in a world filled with logical dispositions. Those unable to assimilate to the norm are considered defective, hopeless cogs to the intended blueprint of being a civilian. Many may feel comfort in a familiarity, fearing uniqueness. However, in consequence individuals that assimilate must subjugate their own differences, and those unable are treated to the greatest offence, solitary confinement.
This is best reflected in Woolf’s ‘Mrs. Dalloway’, where Septimus Wallen Smith is unable return to society as a broken cog that’s experienced the trauma of war. Leaving Septimus unable to feel, being suicidal, his wife seeks treatment by societies highly praised occupation doctor. The treatment proposed is not just ineffective, even furthering his suicidal tendencies, feeling further isolated. Woolf is perhaps suggesting that by following societal norms there is more harm than good.
Irregardless of what it is meant by enslavement, Virginia Woolf’s belief in the liberation, through the power of imagination, has valid plausibility. I’ve found the most literal interpretation of Virginia Woolf’s statement would be the activist Martin Luther King and his philosophy in pursuing the reformation of African American rights. For Luther King’s ‘dream’ to exist he must’ve first imagined a place where equality and proper opportunities were presented to those enslaved. Imagining such a prospective not only inspired King himself but many of those that followed him in protest, demanding change against the social norm. Indeed, Virginia Woolf’s belief of liberating enslavement through imagination is not a simple prospect to dismiss. As human history has proven time and time again, from those that have been enslaved, imagining liberation.
Martin Luther King, Jr
Peer Review 2
Hi Jessica, I read your creative blog, writing a letter to Wilfred Owen and I found your use of correlating the protests from America involving Black Lives Matter in reference to Owen’s own poetic themes. Your letter acknowledges the consequences that have stemmed from war, correlating it to modern politics, in contemporary America with the Black Lives Matter Civil movement as an example of how many themes Owen referred to remains relevant to this day. Whilst, I would’ve adjusted some of the sentences. Such as “many images describe” I feel would not be needed in the letter instead of going straight to the poem’s verses. Other than that, your letter was especially well done, going as far as to cite a line within Owen’s ‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’ explaining Its themes of romanticising war. Reflecting Owen’s own conviction of imagery into what, Black Lives Matter protestors are going through in demanding reformation and change to a dystopian society. A well-written letter, I hope to see more!
Blog 3
Have you experienced, or do you know someone who has experienced any of the situation described in “The Love Song of J.Alfred Prufrock”? Tell their or YOUR story about what it feels like to be him.
T.S Eliot’s poem, ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’ describes the erratic experience of tortured psyche of the 20th century modern man, a survivor of WW1 with a romantic interest to which he hesitates to pursue. The language is reflective of many traits that can perhaps be found in the modern centennial, with overeducated, neurotic and emotionally stilted.
Whilst, I cannot empathize with the revelations that took place such as men traumatized by war having an abrupt new outlook, on newly educated women reflecting reformation in society. I can somewhat empathize the perception of a fractured and alienated outlook towards life where we are hesitant to make even the slightest of changes. Whether we should bite the “peach” causing radical change, or if we can bite in the first place?
Many issues have taken place in the modern world reflective of the surrounding circumstances affecting not just me but many individuals around the world. In the modern age there are not many I know that hold a faithful nor positive outlook to the future of their world, me included. Bleached of any real hope that may remain. Some may fight for radical change yet whether efficient or not has remained to be a debate.
And yet, I am hesitant in radical change because I mourn in concern over the inconsequential effects it may have. Prufrock says in the last stanza “Till human voices wake us, and we drown.” suggests inevitability of the destructive nature of the modern world. Many man-made objects have shown their toxic effects on the individual.
The most progressive of humanities contemporary inventions is the internet, that has shown a toxic effect towards my views through its overtly inhumane information processing. Viral misinformation has become the norm, with journalism being rendered as mere click-bait with provocative articles made to get attention rather than truth. All this information presented to me, makes me neurotic at the thought that none of it may be true due lack of fact-checking made, saturating it with overly processed information. I cannot bring myself, someone overtly aware of these vicious cycles, to correct those misled because It has spread like wildfire, unable to be suppressed till the damage is done.
Much of it presents itself as social media and yet I feel the loneliest when I am on Facebook, envious of others’ lives as reflect neurotically at my own in pessimistic spite. I feel more incompetent at my inability to communicate with another individual, to reconnect in a time of need. In a space where all can access none can truly signal one another. It is a barren feeling.
Peer Review 1
Hi Cameron, I just read your Ekphrastic poem and I was intrigued by the provocative imagery you portrayed painting imagery of the cycle of life. Your poem creates refers to the devastating aftermath as you describe the surroundings of ‘blackened stumps’ to the contrast of what was once there with “tall standing native trees”. You unveil a pessimism referring to this cycle, like a natural disaster, as inevitable as the sun’s movement, indicating the passing day. And yet you end it on a more optimistic note. Referring to green flocks and their regeneration causing me to imagine a new beginning, in the cycle. The only thought of improvement would be to have the actual painting you used for reference when creating this poem. Whilst also leaving a footnote as to how it motivated you and your perceptions of it, detailing some of the techniques it spawned you to use for your poem. Other then that the poem itself is very well made, excited to read the next one!
Blog 2
How does your response to Sassoon’s “On Passing the New Menin Gate” make you reassess your reaction to war memorials in your own country? Try to be as honest as you can about this.
Siegfried Sassoon
Author and War Veteran
My perceptions and views of war memorials have always been one of a sacred nature and a peaceful space, where we respect those that have lost their lives. I have always perceived these spaces to be an opportunity to show remorse towards those that have fallen to war, so to witness a war veteran criticize this space was quite shocking. However, I cannot refute many of the claims made to the space made for those who have gone through the ‘Gate’.
The first stanza is provocative in challenging whether the war memorial set in place will actually serve its purpose in remembrance. In commemoration to the “victorious ones” soldiers placed thousands of names are engraved intended for those that have no grave. And yet, I cannot dismiss Sassoon’s question, but rather confirm these anxieties as I who have visited war memorials in commemoration of Anzac Day, or even as an excursion in school cannot remember as single name in all my times visiting these memorials.
When initially reading the second stanza, I assumed that Sassoon was even ridiculing the “dim defenders” who gave their lives, which I found to be quite aggravating. Though now in hindsight I realize that he is criticizing the memorial itself. Those that are supposed to be remembered for fighting are instead relegated to a “peace-complacent stone”, is his disdain for country paying back their defenders.
The third stanza made me realize that Sassoon as a war veteran did not perceive these memorial spaces as a place that truly respects what these “dim defenders” went through. Sassoon had felt that instead of truly reflecting the atrocities that came from war, these war memorials had only romanticized it, holding it with ‘pride’.
Upon realizing this grievance my perception of war memorials had changed. I realized that these “dim defenders” entered the war with a nationalistic view in mind for the patronage of their country, a heroic deed. Men as young as 12 entered these ‘sullen swamps’ unaware of what was their ‘immolation’. Oblivious to the graves they buried they were seduced by their pomp. Sassoon is perhaps the most reflective of these “dim defenders”, only difference being his survival to the fallen plastered on the “peace-complacent stone”.
Hence, my perception of Sassoon’s “On Passing the New Menin Gate” has altered my perception of war memorials, from sacred and reverent, to that of parody and mockery to those that are fallen. Sassoon wished that the atrocities of war would be acknowledge rather than the romanticized glorified rendition presented. With all the men that are named, none of which will ever properly be remembered. War memorials in consequence serve no other purpose then to glorify the ‘world’s worst wound’ oblivious to its ignorance.
Blog 1
Describe an experience in your own life where you seem to have touched something much deeper than your ordinary everyday experience
An experience in my own life which touched something deeper than my every day would have been my school trip to Uluru. In which, we were guided by the indigenous to learn about the importance they held for Uluru. During this tour I was made to take notice of many of immaculate shapes and shadowed forms created from the sacred rock, resembling a living being. One most distinct to me was a birthmark of a foetus, naturally engraved, highlighting a liveliness I’ve never felt in the cityscape.
This only intensified when we were allowed our separate ways to travel around Uluru, absorbing all its circumference. I witnessed the Uluru living and breathing as I walked around it. From desolate land where no other living existing other than I and Uluru. I saw a serene yet sacred region, of pale white, enveloped where the sun could not reach. This magnitude cannot be reflected in simple imagery that is taken of the Uluru, the heart of Australia. Distinct in its contrast from how one would picture Uluru in its prominent orange glory. I took notice of shy greens that occupied its crevices, shades that enveloped me from the bloodlust of the sun. It was in these moments that I felt as though Uluru was guiding me.
Perhaps, it is why after this walk around Uluru, being so close and taking notice of its underappreciated crevices that I felt awe that could not be replicated, from a mere photo. I am not insinuating that Uluru’s beauty cannot be noticed from afar. However, it is by seeing it from so close that it evolves from a beautiful landmark to a spiritual connection. Is witnessing its transformative colours during the suns setting.
From the fiery red,
to the omniscient orange,
to the torpid purple,
To the bye-bye blue.
Like a kaleidoscope these colours that presented itself to the world all at once served as an unforgettable event, watching the heart of Australia, live from morning day, until sleepy night. These moments I have mentioned are highlights, come to create the entire picture of an experience, of what it’s like to spiritually connect with the land of Australia. A feeling that has touched me the deepest, which I cannot recuperate as I returned from my trip to Uluru.
Image found Via: https://parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/discover/highlights/
Dylan Versola 