Response #3

One class lecture that stood out to me was Professor Brady’s lesson on Egalitarianism. This lesson is about a belief in human equality. She ties her lesson on equalitarianism to the short stories “Children of the Sea,” by Edwidge Danticat, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” by Charlotte Perkins Gillman, and “White Women of Color,” by Julia Alvarez. She mentions the four main institutions of where we seek quality which are, government, family, religion, and education. De-humanization, deprivation, isolation, and dis-enfranchisement are all forms of silence. She taught us about marginalization and dis-enfranchisement which include neglect, poverty, violence, and exploitation. Also, that Marginalization can be viewed on a micro level and dis-enfranchisement can be viewed on a macro level.

From this lecture I learned to apply the concept of egalitarianism with respect to current events. This lecture mimics what we are currently seeing in the news. Her lesson has broadened my knowledge on the current issues and lighted a deeper compassion in me for people. For example, the presumed police brutality and Black Lives Matter Movement. People often view information on the news and feel upset or angered. However, after her lesson, I have acknowledged the concept of oppression and I have learned to have a much deeper appreciation of this movement and the struggles of black lives. I understand the anger, the riots, and the marches in the fight for equalitarianism and to overcome the feelings of oppression.

Response #2

One of Professor Brady’s class fishbowl that stood out to me was gender inequality. This fishbowl was about how gender inequality played a big role in the play “Antigone,” by Sophocles. In the play, Creon, the king, was a dictator and feared by his people. He made comments that women shall not rule while he is alive. During this time, it was a male dominated society.

One of the biggest things I took away from this lecture was the awareness of gender inequality. Being a part of modern day society, I had not recognized how many struggles went into women’s rights to get to the point of where we are at now. I can walk into a job and not even consider there was a time I was not equal with men. After making the connection between Antigone and Malala Yousafzai, it also arose another outcome in me. I recognize that gender inequality still exists in this world and I learned how strong a women can be. Malala and Antigone have truly inspired me to realize that I need to work hard and fight for what I want. Not in society for equality, but instead for success. This lesson and concept in particular has prepared me to be a stronger person and recognize the strength of women.

Response #1

One of my favorite lessons/fishbowls was on the play, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” by Tennessee Williams. This play is about the reluctance or inability to accept the truth; the despoliation of the sensitive and feminine by the feral and masculine; the reality verses the illusion. In so many ways this play was a product of its time in that female brutality and gender inequality is present. Stella, the main character, was abused by her husband, Stanley, but stayed with him because of what society would think of her if she left him.

It is difficult in modern times to imagine that abuse was acceptable and that women did not have a voice. This play and the fishbowl was a reminder of how progressive society has become and how this would never be accepted in today’s world. In modern day, the abuse Stella faced is punishable by extreme measures of the law and is exposed publicly. There is, now, a tremendous support by family and friends towards abuse. Unlike what Stella faced with her own family and friends.

Reflection to English Class

Reflection:

Leaving high school, English was not only my least favorite subject, but it was also my most difficult. I knew I had lacked the creativity with writing and I had difficulty understanding the meaning of stories and poems. I entered my first year of college with extreme anxiety and expressed this to my first professor. Through his kind words and guidance, I began to have a better understanding and started to build on my creativity with interpretation. This gave me some confidence to enter a class that I again would have anxiety over.

Through this semester I have not only learned to break apart stories, but to analyze and to make connections. My writing has become more creative and well-written. Although my grammar has still to improve, I have learned much about where commas do and don't belong. I have also learned how to broaden my analysis on the subject I am talking about. I know how to look for theme, tone, mood, and all the elements needed to have an understanding. This has allowed me to expand on my thoughts and interpretations and gain the confidence needed to be able to write pubs and papers. I have recognized that this is my interpretation of a story based on what I have learned and that it is not right or wrong.

What I truly liked most about the class is how confident I was able to be when standing in front of my classmates. It was a very comfortable environment and professor Brady made it possible to be able to express yourself without judgement from our peers. It is very hard to stand in front of your classmates and express yourself and I loved how easy it had become. I have become a more well-spoken person because of her class. I also enjoyed class fishbowls because it was a nice break from being lectured all class and I enjoyed to hear what my classmates had to say. Professor Brady really cared for students and was very passionate about what she was teaching. This made me interested in class lectures and also excited for the next.

I will take away the confidence from this class through all the elements that I have learned to have an understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in literature which I had lacked. I went from apprehensive to strength and through this I know that I will be able to apply this towards my future endeavors. This material will be particularly useful with the upcoming reading comprehension chapter on the TEAS exam. This was my weakness on the SAT in high school and to this class and my professor I am extremely thankful for their knowledge. I see myself as a well-spoken talker and thinker in 5 years.