Lit 216 - Chicago

This was a poem I'd read before but I certainly didn't mind reading it again. Sandburg's use of personification to describe Chicago as a working man is done very well. When you read this poem you can tell that Sandburg really loved his city and he wanted to defend its name no matter what. It describes chicago as a hard worker, the place where the things everyone needs are built and made. Sandburg says Chicago is tough and raw, unlike eastern cities. He admits that it has flaws but what city doesn't?

Lit 216 - The Storm

I want to start of by saying I think it was super brave of Chopin to write a story like this in her time. Although much of the story has that sort of cheesy romance novel feel to it, it's still revolutionary because women in her time did not talk about these things. I think Chopin dared to tell a story that was realistic but again, was not meant to be talked about. In her time, it was very often that women weren't able to marry the person they really wanted to. I think the fact that there were no real consequences for Calixta's adultery bothered a lot of people. But Chopin understood that this wasn't a black and white situation. Neither Calixta or Alcee had married the person they wanted to be with, they married because of social status, not love. I don't want to condone their adultery but I entirely understand why they would have done it. I really think that their adultery is going to continue based on the foreshadowing done by Alcee writing to his wife to stay away as long as she wants. I also believe that if Alcee and Calixta lived in modern times, they would have been married.

Lit 216 - The Beast in the Jungle

When I was reading this story I really related to the character May Bartram and I think anyone who's been in unrequited love would. I felt such sympathy and sadness for May because over several years she never yielded in her love for John Marcher even when she was dying. The whole time I was reading this I was just wanting May to say something, to come forward with her feelings or for John to realize she loved him. His character was entirely dense and self centered. In the end it was Marcher's loss for never realizing the love of his life before it was far too late. The entire story was pretty bitter and melancholy. Personally I think James is trying to send out a message to people to make sure not to  ignore what they should do in life; what's right in front of them.