Proficiency exercise 4
A summary of Peter Barry’s: ”Tackling Textuality- With Theory”
Keywords:
Close reading
Structural pattern
Deconstructive reading
Macro- and micro patterns
Similarity
The real content
Literal or metaphorical reading
Peter Barry is writing in his article in The use of English Volume 52, number 1, Autumn 2000 about teachers assumed skills to analyze texts. He proposes a solution to problems about traditional interpretations of texts. Close reading is according to him the central to the study of literature. Peter Barry suggests four areas to show what traditional way of analyzes does not cover.
There is a check-list of operations which literary critics use, such as:
• Looking for micro-and macro patterns and what is breaking them.
• Looking for similarity - on first - but find up differences later.
• Overt and covert content - what is the text really about?
• Distinguishing between meaning and significance –meaning remains but significance shifters.
• Genre or literary type – During different age’s characters can act as they are supposed to in that period of time.
• What is literal and what is metaphorical- is a bullet a real bullet or something else?
• Accurate reading – not changing the precise literal words.
• Identify stages, phases and the linguistic period, being aware of semantic changes.
According to Peter Barry these are “…the main ways in which readers and critics engage with literary texts…” Peter Barry still thinks there are some things that are missing. He suggests not only looking inwards the text but also outwards. By using deconstructive reading there is an opportunity to analyze even more.
He uses the example of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 73 to illuminate a texts four other major aspects. These aspects are:
• Literature and history – what were the historic references when the text was written?
• Literature and language – what is the underlying meaning of the text, the undercurrents?
• Literature and gender - Is the writer man or woman? How does it show?
• Literature and psychoanalysis – The mental process between literature and underlying feelings
The most important of them all is according Barry: Literature and language. It makes it possible to use deconstructive reading, which is a “powerful tool in literary theory.” It makes the deconstructor to work like a person “stroking the cat wrong way”. That will be like the text in war with it self. A de constructor of a text is searching for things like: contradictions, linguistic quirks, aporia, shifts or breaks, and absences or omissions.
Barry gives an example of a poem by Hilda Doolittle: “Oread”, as a poem already deconstructed itself. Barry claims that the poem “resists reading” and is an object with pure textuality.
He also quotes the poem of Adrienne Rich: “Transit”, as a poem “which actively resists reading”. The resisting is about: contradictions, odd language, shifts in person/attitude and the absence and omissions. The fundamental in the poem is: Who is the skier?
To sum up the most important: Peter Barry asks the readers why even try to do literary theory since it “throws up more problems than it is capable of solving.”
The reasons he comes up with are the really complexity of academically analyses that really exists, and not to forget, the real joy of reading.
torsdag 18 februari 2010
tisdag 9 februari 2010
Assignment 3: Proposal to solve the problem of unhappy pigs
There have been several scares about pigs in Sweden being unhappy and unkempt. Upset people have protested and demand something to be done. There are a lot of non-serious pig farmers who never should be allowed to have anything to do with animals! The causes to cruelty to animals are mostly because of insufficient supervision and control of the animal holders. Unfortunately there will be a lot of new similar exposures if nothing is done by this problem.
It is surprising how little we know about our fellow animals and sources to their welfare.
And yet surveys had done on pigs and their living, show how intelligent and sensitive animals they are. In fact they are very much alike humans, both bodily and emotional. So it should not be difficult to make pigs happy again. A Spa for Pigs must be as much relaxing for pigs as for people in common. Of course the spa would be accommodated for pig’s special needs, but a lot of pigs needs sure are the same as ours.
This Pig Spa could have almost the same service as the regular for people. Soft music – pigs react on classic music and have their favourites. Mud treatment – must be heavenly for pigs.
Bubble pool – pigs really are clean animals despite of their piggishness. Solarium – pigs as the only animal achieving suntan could be ideal customers. They should not complain so much about the dangers of solariums. Christmas time The Pig Spa’s could advertise with: “Let your pig get a tan, create your own ginger bread Pig!”
The dream of a Pig Spa could of course be crossed by the fear of large costs. Yes of course it would take a penny to change a number of Spa’s to more “hoggish-level”. But considering the costs of decreasing returns on pig market, the costs are surmountable. Inventive farmers could surely find some EU- subsidy to appeal for Pig Spa. Animal lovers can also object because of the UV radiation from sun beds. Well, considering the radiation from a barbecue roaster, the radiation is quite negligible.
The Pig Spa’s would be a revolution for all meat producers! And of course for the pigs themselves. Maybe this sounds like a little step for a pig (from pig transport truck to a sun bed) but it could be huge step for the humanity. Then of course there is the aspect of the social progress this can create. A whole bunch of new professions, like: a pig manicure, pig masseur, and all allergic persons who would love to work with animals without fur.
On the whole, a Pig Spa is more than an institution for getting pigs happy again. It is a promise for us and our children to return to a basic respect and caring that we all, men and pigs should show to each others. So instead of “Carpe diem” I challenge all of you: “Carpe Sus" (=pig in Latin) and take it to a badly needed Spa stay!
There have been several scares about pigs in Sweden being unhappy and unkempt. Upset people have protested and demand something to be done. There are a lot of non-serious pig farmers who never should be allowed to have anything to do with animals! The causes to cruelty to animals are mostly because of insufficient supervision and control of the animal holders. Unfortunately there will be a lot of new similar exposures if nothing is done by this problem.
It is surprising how little we know about our fellow animals and sources to their welfare.
And yet surveys had done on pigs and their living, show how intelligent and sensitive animals they are. In fact they are very much alike humans, both bodily and emotional. So it should not be difficult to make pigs happy again. A Spa for Pigs must be as much relaxing for pigs as for people in common. Of course the spa would be accommodated for pig’s special needs, but a lot of pigs needs sure are the same as ours.
This Pig Spa could have almost the same service as the regular for people. Soft music – pigs react on classic music and have their favourites. Mud treatment – must be heavenly for pigs.
Bubble pool – pigs really are clean animals despite of their piggishness. Solarium – pigs as the only animal achieving suntan could be ideal customers. They should not complain so much about the dangers of solariums. Christmas time The Pig Spa’s could advertise with: “Let your pig get a tan, create your own ginger bread Pig!”
The dream of a Pig Spa could of course be crossed by the fear of large costs. Yes of course it would take a penny to change a number of Spa’s to more “hoggish-level”. But considering the costs of decreasing returns on pig market, the costs are surmountable. Inventive farmers could surely find some EU- subsidy to appeal for Pig Spa. Animal lovers can also object because of the UV radiation from sun beds. Well, considering the radiation from a barbecue roaster, the radiation is quite negligible.
The Pig Spa’s would be a revolution for all meat producers! And of course for the pigs themselves. Maybe this sounds like a little step for a pig (from pig transport truck to a sun bed) but it could be huge step for the humanity. Then of course there is the aspect of the social progress this can create. A whole bunch of new professions, like: a pig manicure, pig masseur, and all allergic persons who would love to work with animals without fur.
On the whole, a Pig Spa is more than an institution for getting pigs happy again. It is a promise for us and our children to return to a basic respect and caring that we all, men and pigs should show to each others. So instead of “Carpe diem” I challenge all of you: “Carpe Sus" (=pig in Latin) and take it to a badly needed Spa stay!
lördag 6 februari 2010
Assignment 2
Mark Lewengood deserves to be Christmas Gift of the Year 2010
Stop immediately this nonsense of hysteric hunt for Christmas gifts! Do we not know more about the real human values – what really is important – the year of 2010?
There is an abundance of required things you are supposed to own. Most of them allude to our lack of time or the stress that overstaff us. There is a competition every year between tradesmen, who try to figure out: What on earth is the thingamajig that is a response to all our prayers?
Stop panicking! Stop wasting your money! Stop contributing to build up mountains of useless garbage! When December comes, sit down and take a deep breath because the answer is simple. The only thing and the only answer to all your prayers is: Ta-da…! Mark Lewengood. The Mr. Feel Good himself! Maybe there are some exhausted shopaholichs who still object: What has Mark Lewengood that makes him a better Christmas gift than bed of nails or gift check to a Spa?
The answer is of course easy! What is the most urgent thing in our days we all want to achieve? Of course: relaxation, attention, sensitivity and verification. These things are something that Mark Lewengood is really good at.
Relaxation is a mis-used word today. It is almost a sin to not be able to achieve the point of relaxation. Mark Lewengood is a personalized relaxness. Just listen to his laidback. “Good morning Sweden” and most of us turn back in the door on our way to work, and jump in sofa again.
Attention is also a word mis-used by many. Who really pays attention to his fellow human like Mark does? When his gentle cow-like eyes are directed on you with the question: “How are you doing, really deep inside you?” he really makes one feel like the only and selected person in the whole world. What is this thing about Finland-Swedish dialect that makes us so disarmed?
Sensitivity is now more like a trademark for Mark. Not many men in such a powerful position can show both the strength and sensitivity like Mark Lewengood. That makes him a good role model for boys who grow up with these endless battles in video games. It is good to know that not all fights and threats are solved with weapons. A smile can be enough. First and foremost: the whole concept of a man speaking like a moomin - who can resist it?
Those who try to find him as a threat burst out laughing. Those who admire him, melt like butter in sunshine. So, as I told, he is a prayer to all mankind:
People today use vastly of time trying to get some verification. I think Mark Lewengood deliver a lot of verification for all of us:
* Women do find him attractive
* So do men
* Children love moomin
* His peace keeping subtleness makes us forget to fight
As I have shown, there is no need to panic in December. There is a thingamajig who solves all your gift troubles. Ok, here it comes. The question on all lips: How to share Mark fair? It is simple: Now it is the time for all our scientists to think: “What was the thing about cloning?”
Mark Lewengood deserves to be Christmas Gift of the Year 2010
Stop immediately this nonsense of hysteric hunt for Christmas gifts! Do we not know more about the real human values – what really is important – the year of 2010?
There is an abundance of required things you are supposed to own. Most of them allude to our lack of time or the stress that overstaff us. There is a competition every year between tradesmen, who try to figure out: What on earth is the thingamajig that is a response to all our prayers?
Stop panicking! Stop wasting your money! Stop contributing to build up mountains of useless garbage! When December comes, sit down and take a deep breath because the answer is simple. The only thing and the only answer to all your prayers is: Ta-da…! Mark Lewengood. The Mr. Feel Good himself! Maybe there are some exhausted shopaholichs who still object: What has Mark Lewengood that makes him a better Christmas gift than bed of nails or gift check to a Spa?
The answer is of course easy! What is the most urgent thing in our days we all want to achieve? Of course: relaxation, attention, sensitivity and verification. These things are something that Mark Lewengood is really good at.
Relaxation is a mis-used word today. It is almost a sin to not be able to achieve the point of relaxation. Mark Lewengood is a personalized relaxness. Just listen to his laidback. “Good morning Sweden” and most of us turn back in the door on our way to work, and jump in sofa again.
Attention is also a word mis-used by many. Who really pays attention to his fellow human like Mark does? When his gentle cow-like eyes are directed on you with the question: “How are you doing, really deep inside you?” he really makes one feel like the only and selected person in the whole world. What is this thing about Finland-Swedish dialect that makes us so disarmed?
Sensitivity is now more like a trademark for Mark. Not many men in such a powerful position can show both the strength and sensitivity like Mark Lewengood. That makes him a good role model for boys who grow up with these endless battles in video games. It is good to know that not all fights and threats are solved with weapons. A smile can be enough. First and foremost: the whole concept of a man speaking like a moomin - who can resist it?
Those who try to find him as a threat burst out laughing. Those who admire him, melt like butter in sunshine. So, as I told, he is a prayer to all mankind:
People today use vastly of time trying to get some verification. I think Mark Lewengood deliver a lot of verification for all of us:
* Women do find him attractive
* So do men
* Children love moomin
* His peace keeping subtleness makes us forget to fight
As I have shown, there is no need to panic in December. There is a thingamajig who solves all your gift troubles. Ok, here it comes. The question on all lips: How to share Mark fair? It is simple: Now it is the time for all our scientists to think: “What was the thing about cloning?”
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