Reminders: As you respond to your class’s post, review the expectations for thoughtful, valuable, and timely communication outlined in the “Discussion Forum Rubric.” Additionally, even though you are only responsible for responding to your assigned topic, we will use all four posted topics in our class discussions; as such, prepare accordingly.
Both Tan and Angelou, in “Fish Cheeks” and “Champion of the World”, write about cultural differences from white Americans, but their points of view are not the same: Tan’s is a teenager’s lament about not fitting in; Angelou’s is an oppressed child’s excitement about proving the injustice of oppression. As you respond, analyze the two authors’ uses of narration to convey their perspectives. CONSIDER: What details do they focus on and what internal thoughts do they report? Is one author‘s style more effective than the other? Why, or why not?
The difference between Maya Angelou’s point of view compared to Amy Tan’s is their maturity level. Because Maya is a small child at the time of her narration, she is very observant and follows closely in the footprints of the people around her. For example, there are so many older African Americans at the store chanting for the wrestler, Maya sees them and copies their emotions of excitement and anxiety. Maya is proud of her race because she sees that the others around her are just as proud. On the other hand, Amy is a teenager at the time of her narration and at that level of maturity (or immaturity) Amy is very self-conscious. With that in mind, Amy is not as proud of her race because she is faced with trying to impress a boy while her family is behaving in a manner not like a typical American family. Because of this obstacle, Amy is very ashamed of her background and her family, but as she matures she later realizes the importance of appreciating her race. For me, Amy Tan’s story was more effective mainly because I can somewhat relate. Because I feel that Amy’s story is more effective, I believe that an author’s narrative is more efficient when it is aimed at a specific age, race, or possibly just some type of specific “group” of people. For example, “Fish Cheeks” related to me because I am a teenage girl, and being a teenager, embarrassment and shame are big factors in my daily life due to all the peer pressure. The way Amy conveys her narration through her thoughts of shock, embarrassment, shame, and guilt spoke to me because I am also that teenage girl who sometimes finds it difficult to hold my head up high.
ReplyDeleteThere are several similarities and differences between Maya Angelou's "Champion of the World" and Amy Tan's "Fish Cheeks." In both stories, the main character is trying to fit in with a group of which they are inherently not a part of; Angelou tries to fit in with the elder African Americans in that she copies their feelings of hope that Joe will win the fight, and Tan tries to become a typical white American girl in order to attract a boy that she likes. While Angelou is successful in her attempts to mimic the other members of her race, Tan is not able to, and eventually realizes that she is better off accepting her heritage. Also, while Angelou is very proud of her heritage, Tan rejects her heritage and tries to be something that she is not. I find that both Tan's and Angelou's styles of story telling are equally effective because both are successful in identifying with their respective audiences; Tan is trying to identify with individuals who try to change who they inherently are, while Angelou identifies with individuals who pin their hopes and dreams upon another person who can raise them up above their current station and make them feel accomplished.
ReplyDeleteMaya Angelou and Amy Tan both utilize narration to express different point of views on the cultural differences found in living in America. Angelou’s use of direct quotations makes her story seem as if the event was happening live; as each comment of the match occurs, Angelou observes the reactions of those around her. Angelou’s thoughts are identical to those of the whole group. Angelou, being so young, mirrors the adults’ desire for the triumph of Joe Louis, who is viewed as the representative and hero of the oppression experienced by all black people. Because of all the blacks gathered in the store, Angelou is surrounded by blacks who are proudly rooting for Louis’ triumph, the African-American victory over decades of oppression suffered at the hands of whites; she is filled with this desire to win and is unashamed to take pride in her ethnicity. Angelou narrates of the cultural difference of the African-American people as a whole while Tan’s narration is more centered on her personal problems and is of the lesson her mother gives her. Unlike Angelou, Tan is ashamed of her race and wants to fit in with Americans. Being a teenager, Tan struggles with finding her own identity; she wants to change who she is in order to become like the Americans around her. Tan looks back on the lesson that her mother taught her to accept and be proud of her heritage and that it is okay to be different from those around her, helping Tan to finally recognize her true identity.
ReplyDeleteThe main difference between Tan and Angelou are their motives for fitting in. Both stories deal with wanting to be accepted by a group they are not included in. One story contains the need for a positive change and embraces culture while the other story shows a want for their culture to change for the simple reason of embarrassment. Angelou’s character has a more mature want for change while Tan’s is more superficial and non-understanding of culture. Angelou focuses on how a huge group nationally is trying to change how they are viewed in the world for a lasting change and uses quotes to show how her culture acts. These quotes also help to make the reader feel like they are in the story and are present to witness major change in the world. Tan’s character’s change would only benefit her for a short time with a single boy. Both styles are effective, however, because they show major problems in the world: discrimination and pressure. Both “outsiders” want to be accepted by a group they are not included in and even Tan’s character admits to wanting an “American nose.” Their motives for change differ, but both show their wants to be accepted by fellow races.
ReplyDeleteTan and Angelou use narration to demonstrate their different perspectives on racial and cultural differences. Neither, Angelou nor Tan, fit into their environment and they both take a different approaches. Angelou embraces her culture and tries to fit in with the older African Americans. As Angelou is very young she tries to imitate the actions of the elders by cheering for Louis. Louis symbolizes the "champion" who proves the injustice of oppression. Her immature perspective is visible in her lack of knowledge, but nonetheless, tires to understand the hardships the African Americans have endured.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand,Tan is ashamed of her Chinese heritage, and tries to become Americanized to impress a boy. Tan being older and more mature has a more opinionated response than Angelou, as Tan's situation is more personal. Tan targets teenagers who are experiencing the same type of embarrassment, trying to find their own identity. She tries to be accepted into this new society and leaves her old beliefs. But as her mother said, she can be American on the outside but must remain faithful to her Chinese heritage on the inside. When Tan matures she realizes her mother is right and learns to embrace a Chinese culture.
Each author's style is equally effective if read by the right audience. Tan's style is more for teenagers having the same problem while Angelou's relates more to the racial tensions between Blacks and Whites.
Angelou and Tan differ in how they convey their perspectives of wanting to fit in. Tan uses an emotional approach by describing how the Christmas dinner, personally affected her. While, Angelou uses a more practical approach, and showing how the fight affected a whole race of people. Angelou shows how the fate of Joe's fight determined the fate of the African American race. It not only affects Angelou, but her whole race. However, Tan wishes she could fit in with a different race, for emotional pleasure. Her mother tells her, "You want to be the same as American girls on the outside. But inside you must always be Chinese. You must be proud you are different. Your only shame is to have shame." Tan was even blinded enough to not realize her mother had included all of her favorite dishes in the Christmas dinner. Tan was to embarrassed of her culture, to look at the bigger picture. Angelou's style is more effective than Tan, because her purpose for wanting to fit in was not so superficial or selfish.
ReplyDeleteTAYLOR PAWL=====>Though Angelou and Tan elaborate on the aspect of race and it's diverse concepts, Angelou exposes the struggle of acceptance and discrimination of the black race, where as Tan elaborates on not the social acceptance in her society, but how the Asian customs differ from American customs, embarrassing her. Angelou focuses primarily on the description of the environment to make the reader feel the suspense and the pride for her race that was tied to the outcome of the fight. The thoughts conveyed through out the passage were more of a general collection presence of the black race itself, rather than a specific individual's point of view because it was all collective. Tan focuses more on the emotional and perceptive side of race and the inability to accept different customs and the unnecessary embarrassment of recognizing who you are in the face of difference. Tan as a young girl expresses longing to be white to impress and entrance the American boy and his family. Angelou's style of writing seems to be more effective in displaying discrimination of races. Tan's passage makes you relate to yourself as a child when you were becoming aware of who and what you were, making you embarrassed if you weren't like everyone else. Angelou elicits a greater impact of social injustice that is still occurring to this day.
ReplyDeleteTan and Angelou's stories each describe wanting to belong to a group they are not included in. They both use the same types of narration, starting their stories off with a powerful first sentence that grabs the attention of the audience from the very beginning. Angelou's story is about a young African-American girl who tries to fit in with the crowd watching a fight between a Caucausian male and an African-American male. Angelou uses dialogue, a strong point in narration, to maintain the attention of the audience. Tan's story is about a young teenage girl who wishes she was not her original Chinese race. She did not want to be Chinese in fear of being embarrassed while trying to impress her crush over Christmas dinner. She knew her rituals were not the same as the American boy. Later in her life she realizes just how right her mother was. She should be proud of who she is, always. In my opinion, I feel like Angelou is more effective in her story because of how she uses dialogue. I felt more drawn to the story because I could better visualize what was happening.
ReplyDeleteAngelou’s narration is extroverted and focuses on the environment and what the people in the store are saying. Angelou is proud of her race, and her narration conveys the exhilaration felt by the African Americans in the Store, when Louis wins the fight, through her descriptions of everyone celebrating. Also, the radio announcer’s descriptions of Joe Louis’ fight are energetic and help to create the air of enthusiasm and excitement. For Angelou, Joe Louis’ fight symbolized the struggle of African Americans to prove their worth in America; Angelou captures the intensity of this struggle through her metaphors comparing Louis being injured to the injustices that African Americans have been dealt. In contrast to Angelou’s narration, Tan’s narration is introverted and is mainly composed of Tan’s thoughts. Through Tan’s wishes for her family to appear like a “normal” American family and for a more American appearance, Tan reveals her insecurities about her race and her traditions, and her immaturity. The tone of Tan’s narration is one of agitation and embarrassment, and it is achieved through her mortified reactions to the events at dinner, such as when her father belches to show appreciation for the meal. The styles of Angelou and Tan are both effective, but each appeals more strongly to different groups of people. Angelou’s narration targets people who struggle against adversity, while Tan’s narration targets people who want to fit in and are embarrassed with who they are. Depending on which narration someone better relates to, either Angelou’s or Tan’s narration could be more effective to them.
ReplyDeleteThe differences between Angelou's story, "Champion of the World", and Tan's story, "Fish Cheeks" are illustrated through their perspective of their culture. Angelou, being a little girl, follows the excitement and tension of the older people around her without truly understanding the situation. Even though she does not fully comprehend the struggles that her people have gone through, she is still proud of her nationality. Tan, a teenager trying to impress her crush, is embarrassed of her ethnicity and desires to be a different race. Although Tan longs to fit into a group in which she does not fully apprehend, she lack the maturity to appreciate the tradition behind her culture until years later.
ReplyDelete"Fish Cheek" is very effective when targeting an audience of adolescents who are struggling to figure out their identity. Where as "Champion of the World" targets individuals who craves for someone to be proud of and someone to give them a name. In my opinion, "Fish Cheek" was more compelling because I could actually relate to Tan. At times I am ashamed of my ethnicity and wish to be something I am not. I used to avoid bringing friends over my house because of my embarrassing parents. However, as I grow everyday, I begin to embrace my culture. Just like Tan, I am able to fully appreciate my asian pride.
Taylor,
ReplyDeleteI liked the way you brought out the purpose of both writers in the end of your posting. I like to think that each of us can relate to Tan's story. I know that I did not fully appreciate all the lessons that my mother attempted to teach me, but I ultimately think that we all realize that we need to hold fast to whatever culture we are a part of. Your statement about Angelou's essay is also both true and powerful. Her narrative stops us in our tracks reminding us how hard different groups have worked to gain a status equal to their fellow man. Anyone who doesn't find himself move by the closeness of this group is missing something powerful about the spirit of man.
Mrs. Field
In both "Champion of the World" and "Fish Cheeks," Maya Angelou and Amy Tan use narration to convey their perspectives on their cultural differences from white Americans. However, while Angelou expresses pride and the will to fight for her race, Tan shows embarrassment about her Chinese culture and expresses her desire to to be American. Angelou focuses on the suspense of the fight, which is created by the details in the direct quotations of the announcer on the radio that make one feel as if they are in the scene and involved in the situation. Angelou thinks and worries about the struggles of African Americans that could continue if the African American fighter were to lose to the white man, but she does not once wish that she was of another race. Tan, on the other hand, stresses her desire to be American. She focuses on the details of the gross but traditional Chinese foods that her mother chooses to display for the American guests and dwells on her shame in the presence of her American crush. Tan uses transitions between paragraphs to create a feeling of stress as the events of the evening with her crush unfold and she becomes embarrassed further. Tan later realizes that her mother went out of her way to create the strange Chinese dinner in order to teach her to embrace where she comes from and who she is. Angelou's use of narration seems to be more effective because of the use of dialogue that places one in the situation and the feeling of suspense that is created to give insight into the struggles and fights of African Americans, rather than Tan's emotional appeal to feelings of mere shame for her Chinese culture.
ReplyDeleteTan and Angelou both express a minority race's member trying to make sense of the world around them but in different situations and times in their life. Angelou's use of describing the scene in detail to set the stage for the high tension fight provides the reader with a deeper attachment to the story and is layer continued with her quotations from the announcer relaying the fight, which further heightens the importance of the fight for the African American community. Her use of an extended metaphor to parallel the fight between the young black man and white man makes her story more complex for the reader to grasp, but once understood much more thought provoking. If just one African American winning a boxing match could liven the spirits of an entire community what could a person from their community becoming an influential leader cause?
ReplyDeleteTan's story resonates with a much different audience than that which Angelou targets. Tan's writing is simplistic, but the overall meaning profound. Teenagers who read about the struggle the young Chinese girl endures can easily identify with her as many of them have experienced similar issues of their parents embarrassing them. The story also serves as a sort of parable to teenagers warning them that in the future they may realize their parents were correct and meant well in their actions, besides how horrid the consequences of their actions had seemed at the time. Both authors set out to prove a point, that point being to take pride in who you are, no matter where that pride comes from or how short lived it is. Angelou and Tan both accomplish their goal, although utilizing radically different methods.
In “Fish Cheeks” Tan focuses styling sequence of events on a single day to let out her inner thoughts on her culture and environment. The use of hindsight and irony portray how she had wanted to be a white American and even lose her identity through her desired transformation, but learned from her misunderstandings. Her thoughts consist of her embarrassment of her family and their traditions. She goes into detail about the “strange” food her mother makes when ironically, that very food is her favorite meal. Her family’s mannerisms disgust her because of the shocked faces of the American guests. She can only see what Americans think of her and her family, not what she thinks of herself. In contrast, Angelou in “Champion of the World,” is proud of her heritage and race, but the white Americans attempt to oppress the African Americans in every aspect. Angelou sees the strength within her own people and culture. The metaphorical “lynching, hanging, ambushing, raping, whipping, maiming, and slapping” add to Angelou’s attempt to convey the subjugation of the black population under the whites. The tone of the story is anxious because Angelou exemplifies the triumph of the black race over her oppressors. Although the authors’ styles differ, they are equally effective. Tan provides the mortification and shame from thinking she is inferior to the white Americans. Angelou illustrates the pride and victory of her race by having a role model and hero rise above the white American beliefs. Overall, each author learns more about his and her identities from their previous encounters with the white American culture.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are similarities in "Champion of the world" and "Fish Cheeks", there are many differences when it comes to the way Maya and Amy handle their individual situations and their individual feelings. Both stories are about culture and how different each is from the white American culture. Maya's culture is described to be a culture with a great deal of fight behind it and the unwillingness to back down. While Maya's culture stands strong, Amy's culture to her is embarrassing. The authors focus on details such as how Brown Bomber did not give up in the fight because the African American freedom depended on him and how Amy was more concerned on impressing the minister's family than participating in her own cultural traditions. Angelou's narrative is an overall racial feeling while Tan's is more so one person's overall embarrassment towards the culture. Angelou is proud of her culture and it gives the reader a sense of pride while reading it. I personally feel a deeper connection to Tan’s narrative because Amy was embarrassed of her culture and the story shows that there is no reason to be embarrassed of who you are or where you come from. “Fish Cheeks” is more effective because it gives the audience a sense of discomfort but yet Tan fills the discomfort with the confidence to not be embarrassed of where you come from.
ReplyDeleteAmy Tan’s “Fish Cheeks” and Maya Angelou’s “Champion of the World” seem to be polar opposites. In their stories, Tan tries to fit in with American culture by singling herself out from her family and attempting to impress the son of a Christian minister, and Angelou associates herself with her African American counterparts while rooting for Joe Louis in a symbolic boxing match against the American white man. In “Fish Cheeks,” Amy Tan tries to distance herself from her family as much as possible in a type of “coming-of-age” story. One way she does this is through her negative and repulsive diction; Tan describes the traditional Chinese food as “fleshy,” “rubbery white sponges,” “bicycle tires,” etc… Tan’s narrative focuses on what she believes to be the negative aspects of her life at that time, however, what she thinks is negative- her family, food, tradition, culture- defines who she really is and what makes her “her.” However, in “Champion of the World,” Angelou relies more heavily on her fast and terse syntax to provide her story its oppressing and frantic feel. The way she writes her story and the way it flows is almost like she is trying to insert the reader into the fight; both the physical Joe Louis fight and the race struggle. But in her story, Angelou is surrounded with people she is trying to connect with, which is unlike Tan because Tan was trying to distance herself from the people that were associated with her culture. But with Angelou, she puts the boxing match on a much higher scale. She points out that this match determines how others will view her people. That is why I think I prefer Angelou’s story over Tan’s narrative; “Fish Cheeks” just seems so trivial, while Angelou’s is much more serious and concerning. This could also be the fact that I am not a girl and have never felt the way that Tan feels, or it could also be the fact that Angelou’s involves boxing and beating people up, but I just prefer “Champion of the World” more.
ReplyDeleteAs a seemingly more mature adolescent than her naive counterpart, Tan gives the reader an insight to the life of a Chinese family in regards to customs, culture, and particular cuisine. Whereas Angelou, from the viewpoint of a young child, provides the reader with certain activities the African American community would have participated in during the heavy oppression of blacks in the United States. The difference in points of view between both women is that Angelou contributes details gathered based on the observations of others. She states that "[her] race groaned" for "another black man hanging on a tree" and "one more woman getting ambushed and raped." Although she had a right to feel anger towards white Americans for causing African Americans difficulties in society, she did not completely understand why her relatives and peers felt abhorrence towards the white. The observation can be proved because she recalls the actions of the African Americans as a collective group. Angelou and her people "didn't breath...didn't hope...[and] waited" for the fight to end, as if the entirety of the people listening to the fight were one entity. The childlike perspective of Angelou in "Champions of the World" is significant because of the author's thought processes as being the same for all of the people around her. On the contrary, Tan includes details based solely on her own observations. Instead of including pronouns such as we, us, and our, she recalls the events with personal pronouns, which makes "Fish Cheeks" a more relatable anecdote, as if the narrative is an excerpt from a diary of a teenage girl. Tan sulks about not being able to impress her crush, but is this really something so abnormal? Most adolescents are embarrassed when they cannot fit into society, so Tan was especially ashamed about her family's behaviors, even though the antics are normal for Chinese customs. The fact that she "want[ed] to be the same as American girls on the outside" gives the reader a huge insight on exactly the way she felt about her ethnic background. Her level of immaturity reveals what she lacks: a respect for how her race behaves and a point of view that is one-sided, for she really only wishes to impress the pastor's son. Even though Angelou is portrayed as a child in "Champions of the World," she provides a deeper understanding of her ethnic background attempting to fit into American culture than Tan does in "Fish Cheeks." Angelou's sense of unity that is present throughout the narrative proves effective in the way she reveals her point of view because it tells of all the major details about the event instead of just how one person felt about not fitting in.
ReplyDeleteRachel- I like how you portrayed the authors’ perspectives in relation to age. I would add to how growing up changes the way people view life and situations. A young child will always be proud of a good family with a well-developed culture, different from the surroundings. A teenager’s view consists more on identity and also what you said about impressing a boy.
ReplyDeleteKajal- Though I agree with the way you perceive Angelou as a child, I do not think that she “tries to understand the hardships” because I believe she is already living the hardships. She is still a black American in a white oppressing society, so I think she has felt the prejudice and pain of being treated as inferior.
Jacob- I think that the stories are not polar opposites, but I can understand how you would say they are. You are correct that both authors view their situations and much differently. Tan is ashamed of her identity and culture and Angelou feels proud and triumphant towards her race and identity. Yet, both authors undergo prejudice and are a minority in white America. So, personally, I believe that the stories are not exactly the same, but they do have similarities.
Ana- I think your post was one of my favorites. I enjoyed how you connected each author with their surroundings and thoughts. The way you compared the situations and ages when you state that “the difference in points of view between both women is that Angelou contributes details gathered based on the observations of others” depicts your grasp of Angelou’s perspective. I liked how you connected the maturity level of each of the girls by the type of oppression they receive from the white Americans.
Marie- I agree that the tension that Angelou creates through the announcer's comments throughout the fight makes her story much more interesting as it allows the reader to grasp the importance of the situation and genuinely hope that Joe will win his fight.
ReplyDeleteSharon- While I agree that Angelou is mimicking the excitement that she sees the elder members of her race displaying, I do not really see that she "craves for someone to be proud of and someone to give them [her] a name." Maybe I am just having trouble seeing this idea from your point of view, but it seems as though she is simply copying the adults because she sees them as important, but it does not really seem to me that she wants them to give her a place of importance, but simply wants to be included in their activities.
Avery- I thought that yours was very uniquely observant and I like how you noted that the "disgusting" meal was actually her favorite meal and that she only based her embarrassment on the reactions of others around her, not paying attention to how she personally felt about herself. Your reflection made me think about those two things that I had not really caught on to before.
ReplyDeleteTaylor- I like how you distinguished the big picture differences between the two narratives. Angelou does indeed present a bigger picture that affects society largely and continuously, while Tan relates to an emotion that everyone has felt at some point in their lives but are usually able to come to terms with.
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ReplyDeleteAustin – Though I agree with your interpretation of Amy Tan’s “Fish Cheeks”, I disagree with how you analyzed Maya Angelou’s narrative. I think that Angelou is not mimicking the emotions of the adults, but is genuinely experiencing the emotions of anxiety during the fight and elation when Joe Louis wins. I like your conclusion regarding Tan’s narrative: that you should not change who you inherently are.
ReplyDeleteSharon - I really like how you related Tan’s narrative to your own personal experiences. I also agree Tan’s narrative is effective for adolescents trying to define themselves because they can relate to the narrative. However, I think that Angelou’s narrative does not relate to individuals who crave for someone to be proud of and someone to give them a name, but instead, relates better to people who are struggling against adversity.
Avery - I like how you considered and used the irony in Tan’s narrative to explain Tan’s perspective. I also agree with your analysis of Angelou’s metaphors regarding the subjugation of the black population under the whites. However, I disagree with your statement t hat Angelou herself exemplifies the triumph of the black race over her oppressors. In my opinion, she is simply an observer and celebrator of when Joe Louis, the person who I think exemplifies the black race’s struggle, triumphs.
Caroline, I completely agree with your statement describing the stories with "the need for a positive change and embraces culture while the other story shows a want for their culture to change for the simple reason of embarrassment." Also, your statement relaying that Angelou's more mature want for change is evident while Tan's is more superficial and non-understanding of the concept of culture.
ReplyDeleteKajal, in the grander scheme of things, these stories display more of the multiple aspects of racial and cultural differences and is not about fitting in but establishing one's own heritage. I disagree with your statement claiming that Angelou had an "immature" grasp on the situation. On the contrary, her understanding of the concept issuing social justice for her race and stating the horrible accounts of racially motivated hate-crimes done to other African Americans, promoted by bigots and racists, is evidence of her comprehending the situation. You do not have to be a certain age to recognize hateful crimes done to your people and your people only.
Taylor
Lexi-- I agree with how you have a deeper connection to Tan's narrative because it's normal for teenagers in today's society to be self-conscious about if they fit in or not. It makes one realize, that no matter of your culture, there is no reason for you to be ashamed of who you really are.
ReplyDeleteTaylor-- I really like the points you present about how Tan focuses more on the emotional and perceptive side in regards to race. I agree with the contrasting purposes behind the authors narrative. The statement you made about Angelou's style of writing made me realize how deep of an issue that is presented versus in Tan's narrative where since it is approached through emotions.
Michael- I like how you described the two different narratives as introverted and extroverted. That is a really good way to summarize the different characteristics of the stories.
ReplyDeleteAvery- I liked your comment on the irony of the situation in Tan's story, as her mother prepard her favorite meal, yet it was so utterly disgusting to her in the presence of the minister. I also strongly agreed with how you commented on the fact that the metaphors of the fight with the struggle for black independence really deepened Angelou's story, however i thought it did so more specifically to the emotional appeals.
Taylor – I like the way you stated the purposes of each passage. It is true that Angelou used her narration to look at the bigger picture of racial injustice as a whole while Tan focuses on one individual’s emotional struggles of identity that every child has gone through before finally accepting his or herself. I think that Angelou’s style does fit her purpose of telling the discrimination between blacks and whites, and Tan’s style is more effective in viewing an individual’s efforts with figuring out who she is.
ReplyDeleteSharon – I think that Angelou does have a grasp of the situation around her and comprehends the struggles of Black Americans. Because she is around people of her community who all carry the same sentiments of racial inequality, Angelou seems to understand what her people has and is going through. I liked that you used your personal experience to connect to “Fish Cheeks.” I have also had similar experiences and have learned to just accept my culture.
Austin: You stated that "Angelou identifies with individuals who pin their hopes and dreams upon another person who can raise them up above their current station and make them feel accomplished." However, I do not agree with this statement because Angelou is not pinning her hopes on another person. She is supporting a fellow memember of society who is also fighting for civil justice.
ReplyDeletemichael: I really like how you discussed how the descriptions and metaphors that Angelou used impacted the storty. I completely agree with your statement thats reveals the metaphors compare "Louis being injured to the injustices that African Americans have been dealt."
Kajal: I do not feel that Angelou is trying to imitate the actions of the elders by cheering for Louis. I feel like she is genuinely proud of her race and the struggle they are fighting through. She is discussing how her race as a whole is excited and that they are all celebrating the win, not her copying them celebrating.
Rachel, I liked how you compared the different perspectives through their maturity level. Angelou, being a small child, soaks up the emotions around her, while Tan is a self- conscious teenager.
ReplyDeleteJacob, I liked how you pointed out Tan's "repulsive diction" and how you stated that everything she was once embarrassed about, defines who she is. What I don't agree on is that the two stories are polar opposites. I believe that they have several similar aspects, but I can understand why you might feel that way because of your distant connection with "Fish Cheeks".
Avery- I like how you incorporated irony in your response regarding Tan and her point of view. I also agree with the way you brought metaphors into Angelou's narrative, however i disagree, when you portray Angelou as the one that triumphs. I believe, that Louis is the one that is the "hero" of that story and the one that triumphs.
ReplyDeleteLexi- I agree with you when you say that Maya's has a great deal of fight behind their culture and their unwillingness to back down making them strong. I also like how you found a connection to Maya's because of the way she found a sense of pride in her point of view.
Dana: I agree with you on your feelings towards Kajal's response. I do not believe that she is trying to "fit in" with the adults. She feels the same way as them, as it was automatically rooted in her blood. Even as a young child, she faces the hardships that the others face and desires to be seen as equal to whites as much as anyone of any other age.
ReplyDeleteAna: I really enjoyed your post and how you related Tan's story as an entry in a diary. I agree that her descriptions and personal connections make it more effective to read because her direct feelings are easily understood from her statements. I also liked how you explained that her feelings of impressing a young crush are normal for teenage girls, which makes the reader, especially a girl, understand her ashamed feelings towards her background and culture.
Grace: I never thought of the fact that Tan uses direct quotations in her narrative and Maya does not. That is a wise thing to point out and the quotations do make the story seem more heartfelt. Another idea you mentioned was the fact that Tan, being a teenager, is struggling to find her own identity. I feel like this idea (searching for an identity) is the message of Tan’s narrative and it really spoke to me because it is so true that teenagers have such a different mindset because of the things they are experiencing such as crushes, maturity, social status, and other factors.
ReplyDeleteDana: I agree that Maya focuses more on her culture and the people around her while Tan focuses plainly on herself as an individual. That was a neat thing to say that the effectiveness of their own personal narratives depends on the audience. I think that one of the most important things to consider when writing the narrative is who the audience will be, and how should I (the writer) appeal to my audience.
Sharon: I really like how you related to “Fish Cheeks” and how you finally began to “appreciate your Asian pride.” One very important thing to understand when creating a narrative is targeting the audience. I think for most of us teenagers (maybe girls especially), we can very well relate to the embarrassment and troubles Amy is going through as she is trying to impress her crush.
grrrr. I just deleted 20 minutes worth of commenting to Taylor's, Marie's, Avery's, Jacob's, Catherine's, and Ana's posts! Whhhaaaaa!
ReplyDeleteIn a nutshell:
Taylor and Marie--Wow!! I love your nuggets of wisdom...I'll post them for us to review tomorrow.
Avery--I agree with your response to Kajal, but more importantly, I especially like your "...she's [Angelou's] already living the hardships."
Jacob & Catherine--You have your DADDISSPAARRRT lens on...we can count on the two of you to challenge us in our own narrative writings to employ the techniques of the experts.
Ana--"...Tan sulks..." you're on target with identifying her tone. I think it's purposeful for her "teenage" audience. Let's extend this in discussion.
4th period: Looking forward to discussion tomorrow!
Dylan, while we teasingly and affectionately, have begun to initiate you into the South, I challenge and encourage you to read the posts from Mrs. Field's 5th period class. kfsages5.blogspot.com. I think you will quickly be able to assess the diversity and the "culture" that makes us Lakeside! Welcome. LWeaver
ReplyDeleteSharon- I loved how you tied in your own ethnicity with Tan's "Fish Cheeks". It really brings home how people of different ethnicities feel differently because of his or her race. I like how you admit that at times you are embarrassed yourself. It seems as if Tan allowed you to realize how you grow everyday allowing it to touch base with our peers.
ReplyDeleteRachel- I agree with you on how being a teenager there are times when it is hard to hold your head up high. When you say this is really puts every teenage girls' life into perspective because we all have the moments where we are unsure or insecure. I love the fact that you included peer pressure because that is an obvious and correct force of everyday life for a teenager.
Dana, you claim that the perceptions Angelou had as a child "deal more with society as a whole," whereas Tan focuses solely on her own feelings as an individual. I agree with this statement and appreciate the examples that you provide as evidence for this assertion. You state that "[Angelou] is revealing what it is like for her people as a whole to prove themselves" through her internal thoughts. For a young child to comprehend information such as this is impressive, especially when compared to the level of immaturity Tan shows in "Fish Cheeks." I agree that both narratives are effective in each point they are conveying to the different audiences.
ReplyDeleteDylan, I believe that you were one of the few who commented about the introduction of each narrative. The opening sentences leave the reader yearning to know more information about each story. When "people continue to wedge themselves against the walls," I literally imagine being stuck in between various persons and the wall of the Store. However, you state that you "felt more drawn to the story" because of the imagery. Perhaps next time you could provide more examples of the effective imagery or connect the strong use of details to the introduction as a reason you were drawn to "Champion of the World." In regards to "Fish Cheeks," I enjoyed your analysis of the reason why Tan was embarrassed at dinner. You assert that it is only a normal feeling for a teenager to be easily ashamed for not fitting in. This argument is very believable because her audience is primary adolescents, and as teenagers, we can relate more to Tan's experiences.
Lexi: I loved how you contrasted the two different backgrounds of their heritage. I believe that is a strong difference between the two stories, much like you do. "Angelou's narrative is an overall racial feeling while Tan's is more so one person's overall embarrassment towards the culture"- I think that this quote sums up the difference between the two perfectly. I also liked how you subtly talked about modern times (teenage embarrassment) and related it to Tan's story.
ReplyDeleteMichael: Even though you won the debate, I decided I liked how you incorporated the symbolism of black Americans proving their worth and the metaphor of the fight. I also liked how you acknowledged the difference between the two stories by who they affect and difference in tone.
Catherine--- I like how you point out that in Angelou’s she, “does not once wish that she was of another race.” I think this is a great observation in the sense that it is the defining difference between the two stories- which is something I guess I realized it but couldn’t put my finger on when I said that the two were “polar opposites.” I also like how you point out that, “Tan uses transitions between paragraphs to create a feeling of stress.” I believe that the style of writing in these modes plays a much larger role than in most of the other readings we have analyzed up to this point.
ReplyDeleteSharon--- You said that I have a distant connection to Tan (which is very true!) but I like how you relate it to yourself. Not only is it interesting that this story can relate to someone so closely, but just the fact that you posted that is brave. I also really like how you recognize the audiences in the two stories; adolescents for “Fish Cheeks” and people in search of a hero for “Champion of the World.”
LWeaver - I looked through 5th periods' post and I could not tell you how moved I was from the posts each one of them wrote. They all connected through their own personal stories and yet, they still brought the point of their own post back to the main topic, which was "Champion of the World" and "Fish Cheeks". I see that although I may think that no one else has gone through situations that I have been through, there will always be someone out there that I can personally connect with.
ReplyDeleteJacob - I like how you incorporate directly from the beginning that "Champion of the World" and "Fish Cheeks" are polar opposites. I didn't quite think about this point until I read your post. I also like how you describe the difference between the two although all the other posts state that they are common. It helps me and maybe others understand that there is a difference.
To All - I can't explain how overwhelmed I am to read all of these amazing posts. This never happened back in Indiana. I can't wait to learn more of the "Southern Heritage."
After reading through the comments both on this page and in other class periods I have discovered one main thing. Each of us, though we appear very diverse in the way we think and comment, our comments illustrate that our experiences are similar to eachother. The way we relate the stories to our own personal lives shows that we can easily connect not only with certain experiences/situations but we can also connect with eachother. Narratives prove to be very personal but at the same time, narratives can also relate to many people.
ReplyDeleteNarration as a mode of writing has several key features that distinguish it from other the other modes. In narration, the author tries to incorporate a central theme that drives their story in a direction that will successfully deliver that theme to the audience. In the stories that we read, the authors tried to use topics or stories that most people could relate to, whether it be fitting in with members of one's own race or a different race, or dealing with prejudice and racism. The author then uses those topics to deliver the moral of the story in a way that the audience will understand and appreciate.
ReplyDeleteThe ideas that I have taken from the blogs, posts, and class discussions are that narrations show how we, as human beings, come to be who we are today by reflecting back on our experiences. Angelou and Tan use their narratives to illustrate that we learn to take pride in our heritage and accept it as an undeniable part that characterizes us. We cannot change who we are; it might take a negative situation, like Tan's dinner, to make us see that. Even though the whole world may seem to criticize you because of race, that criticism can be used to triumph. Each triumph, like the boxing match, will lead to hope and maybe inspire someone to rise up and change the way others think. Alexi took his experiences of racial prejudice and stereotypes and used it to succeed; he rose above the preconceived ideas and images that were placed onto him because of his culture. Huttmann's experience with her patient has allowed her to proudly stand up for what she believes in. Narration is used to show all of these ideas, and experiences are what feed narration to be able to clearly impact the reader with the lesson or moral that the author has learned.
ReplyDelete(Marie's computer is not letting her post, so she sent this as an email for me to post for her.)
ReplyDeleteThrough these blogs I have learned that narration has one main goal: share an experience so that if affects everyone who reads it in some way. This effect may be teaching a lesson, relaying emotions, distributing knowledge of an event on a personal level, or a variety of other things. The key to writing a good narrative is to share whatever event you are attempting to recount in a manner that all people can draw some from it. Creating a universally resounding narrative can be done through sharing multiple sides or perspectives of a story or telling a story that applies to everyone.
Our daily experiences often contain deeper meaning behind them. Through Maya Angelou and Amy Tan’s narrations, we can glean important messages and lessons. In Tan’s narrative, Tan reflects on a dinner that she was embarrassed about at the time; upon reflecting, she realizes that her mother was trying to teach her to be proud of her heritage. In Angelou’s narrative, she fondly recalls a memory from her childhood, a night where she was proud of her race and when her race won a symbolic victory. Narrations are effective at conveying messages and life lessons because their personal nature allows the reader to connect with the author and empathize with the author’s emotions and thoughts. By examining the authors’ memories, the reader can recognize the significance of the author’s actions and thoughts and learn from them.
ReplyDeleteAfter i read through the posts from this class period and the other class periods, i realized no matter how different the narration they all need the same components. They all are have a central theme, they all are somehow personal and very relatable. For example, many of first periods personal stories had a similar plot. Also, Tan and Angelou both used the narration mode to focus on race and religion and how they end up proud of their heritage. One of my favorite things about the mode of narration is that I can personally connect myself to that narration.
ReplyDeleteUpon the closing of our class discussion about the effects the mode of narration has when various authors use it, many observations had been established. For example, a major point made through the blog posts and discussion during class is to accept who you are, which includes embracing your culture, ethnicity, and background regardless of what the rest of society thinks. By analyzing the reasons behind Angelou's approach in her narrative, we see that the use of ethnically diverse dialogue and eye-catching imagery makes her African American background a part of who she is as a person because she embraces it whole-heartedly. While Tan also uses descriptive imagery to establish her culture, she does not accept it as strongly as Angelou does, but we still see how different the two women's backgrounds are. Another observation made in the discussion was that no matter what others think, one can still rise over the challenges to be who you want to be, just as Alexie does in his narrative. While the stories by Angelou, Tan and Alexie all share a common theme, the point made by Huttmann is just as strong as accepting one's culture. She makes it clear that we as people "do not have the right to die," even though we should be able to choose the right to live, and she uses her narrative to justify her crime of compassion. In relation to the other three narratives, Huttmann feels isolation among her colleagues as they misinterpret the crime that she committed out of compassion for her death-ridden patient, Mac. A common theme among these narratives is a misinterpretation from the rest of society. Whether it be appearances, stereotypes, or a general mishap, the blogs and discussion have brought me to realize that the authors all use narration so their voices may be heard, so to speak, by those who are patient enough to find out.
ReplyDeleteAfter our class discussion and reading through the blogs of reflection on the four narrative stories, I have realized that narratives must contain emotional appeals that everyone can relate to in some way. I have also noticed that each narrative contained some form of changing, whether it be changing the outside world or changing as a person. Each narrative reached every person's heart in some way with a central method: Angelou's suspenseful dialogue, Tan's transitions, Huttmann's details, and Alexie's comparing and contrasting.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading through the class's blog posts I've realized that even though everybody has a different view, a good narrative is one which can relate to anybody who reads it. Tan and Angelou capture that emotional detachment perfectly, which enables each of us to sympathize with the protagonist.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading through classes' posts and through our class dicussions, I have come to a conclusion that narration is a method to bring all of us together in multiple ways even though we all have our own opinions, heritages, cultures, families, etc.. Angelou's the coming together of a race, Tan's acknowledgment that we have to take pride in our race no matter what which race it is, Huttmann's descriptive details that yearn the readers for more, and Alexie's prejudice and racism of an outcaster. Through each of these extremely talented writers, their use of narration have a moral "behind the scenes." You accept who you are for what you are, no matter what anybody else says or thinks.
ReplyDeleteAfter reviewing all four AP Lang class blogs, I found that a main point of narration is to use a story to uncover and connect personal emotions and experiences for a reader. If a person reads a story they can not relate to at all, it will bore them. Mrs. Fields second period class discussion had a serious, very personal question of religion and the role of God. I found it interesting to open up to the views of different believers and nonbelivers. The topic also brought about different views of the use of God in the story, shown by Mary who states that "Huttman's use of God in her narrative represents something more like the laws of nature." I found it interesting that Mary connected death and God with the very nature of human beings. Mrs. Weaver's first period also had a discussion of school experiences. Taylor shows that we become ashamed of ourselves and try to fix whatever seems broken, but in the end, we are who we are, which connects back to "Fish Cheeks." Mrs. Fields fifth period talks about feeling like an outsider, a very personal subject. Yet, because of our readings that many students can relate to, it is easier to show and explain the emotion they felt. Lillie states that "(she)can almost physically feel a quiet sort of judgment coming from (her) family members for not having a secure sense of belief in a higher power" which also ties into Mrs. Field's second period discussion. Lillie shows that there is judgement, even in a family, if one does not follow the norm. While narration has physical structures to abide by, it also has emotional aspects that can open up many discussions and underlying emotions a reader might have. Narration is much deeper than telling a story, shown through Tan's "Fish Cheeks" and Angelou's "Champion of the World."
ReplyDeleteAfter reviewing the discussion posts, I found these four comments to be the most insightful:
ReplyDelete-Ana's conclusion of the effects of the modes of narration is probably the best comment, along with her other posts. She really digs deep into the meaning of the stories, and results with insight about multiple aspects and all of the authors, instead of just one or two that was asked of us. Her main point in the last post was to accept who you are, which is a feature that relates to everyone. She uses Angelou’s narrative “Champion of the World” to prove that cultural dialogue and informative imagery work together to produce a powerful message of pride for one’s background and the acceptance of one’s culture.
-Rachel Martin’s last words about the narration stories present a good point about Huttman and her “murder.” I never thought about it in the sense of murder, since I believe it to be better for Mac and his family. I like how Rachel initially calls the actions of the nurse murder, but justifies it as a positive connotation, instead of the usual negativity of the word to portray how Huttman’s decision was right because it relieved the pain of this man she deeply cared about.
-Suraj’s personal connection to “Fish Cheeks” is a very compelling response. His thoughts prove that Tan’s narrative is valid and does actually connect to real life, instead of just being a story in a book. Since he is an Indian, he used to feel discouraged and embarrassed of his background, but now is proud of his ethnicity and fits in well, which is the same events that Tan describes in her narrative. I really enjoyed this connection because it opened my eyes to the feelings of people with foreign cultures.
-Mary’s (from 1st period) reflection of Sherman Alexie’s narrative thoroughly and effectively proves the power of this story through the good and bad times of his life as an Indian. I like this point that Mary presents because there will always be good and bad times throughout a person’s life, but Alexie displays the use of the bad times to transcend to the future and make a better life for himself than the ways he grew up and the bad treatment of Indians by whites. Using bad times also creates a truthful connection to the messages of the story since life is not always picture-perfect.
Upon reading the narratives and the discussion posts, I have found multiple techniques and styles that the authors utilize to create an effective message to the reader that we can use to write our own stories in the narration mode. The theme present in all of the narratives is the ability to connect to the reader, no matter what age or ethnicity. This style portrays significance because everyone that reads it can connect to the message of the story, and when one is able to personally relate, he or she will show a liking for the story since he or she feels like a part of it. Tan presents this theme through the thoughts of her character because everyone is embarrassed of their family at some point in their life, but needs to realize that family and culture are the most important pieces of life that will stay with you no matter what. Narration should also unite the differing cultures of the world into one because God created each one of us equal, so no matter what the color of your skin is, we should all be one entity, which is a major aspect of America. All of the authors utilize this accord by demonstrating the struggle of fitting in, or overcoming the fear of being accepted into society. This harmony will easily mix into our stories since people of all different backgrounds surround us every day. However, in order to incorporate this aspect, we must present the message of accepting one’s culture. Background and ethnicity are unable to be changed, so it’s prominent that we accept our culture and make it a part of everyday life, creating pride and honor for your family and color of your skin. Like I said before, this part of narration is very effective since your family will never change and always be there whenever you are in need. I believe that we should use these main themes to think about as we write our own narrations.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading through the class's posts, I've realized that narrations are effective because they allow us to connect with the author and listen to their thoughts and emotions. For example, Tan was really east for me to connect with because I had the same callow understanding of how unique my culture is. Angelou was proud of her race, another concept that I can personally relate to. Narrations also shed light on life lessons in which we could learn from.
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