Literature

Spending a day without my cell phone, iPod and Facebook seemed almost impossible to me. Just the thought of doing away with them made me cringe already even before disregarding them. I would say it was an empty feeling I first had when I took away these important gadgets. How was I going to contact my friends and family during the day without my cell phone How would I know the latest happenings on campus without Facebook Wouldnt I get bored without my iPod These are some of the questions that kept running through my mind when I begun this experience.

As if to confirm my initial fears, reaching my friends and colleagues was quite a challenging task. This was especially manifested when I had to pick my book from my friends room only to find that she would not be around till late that evening. I could have avoided this situation if I had my cell phone. Apart from that, I was not settled throughout the day. This is because I kept thinking that maybe there was an emergency yet my people could not reach me. What is more, it was very hard to make any plans since without my cell phone I could not reach my friends so as to establish what they are up to.

Further still, spending the day without Facebook was also quite challenging. I could not tell what new developments had occurred on campus, in my social affiliations or even among my friends. What is more, I felt like I had completely lost contact with my peers. Some of my friends on Facebook are from distant countries there was no way I could bump on them on my way. This was even intensified by the fact that I did not have my cell phone therefore there was no way I could reach them. In just a day, I was already missing my peers. I felt like I had completely lost contact and was missing out on important happenings.

Switching off my iPod for the whole day was also not an interesting thing to do. This made me realize how much boredom I manage to cut off with my iPod. I must admit this was one of the most boring days I ever experienced. What is more, I could not stay away from conversations I didnt want to participate in. In such situations, I would normally just turn on my iPod and enjoy my music. On this day, I was compelled to listen to conversations I was not interested in just because I had no iPod to bail me out of the situation.

On the other hand, though, I also realized how I spent so much of my time using these gadgets. The experience helped me to realize how much I usually cut myself off from my family. On a normal day, I would only have short conversations with them before turning to my social applications. On this day, I spent more time with my dad and we even had a long conversation. A day without these gadgets helped me to bond with my family better than I usually did.

Still on the same note, I also realized that I managed to complete most of my assignments. These were finished quite on time and I even had more time left to do other things. It was clear to me that most of my time was spent on all or one of these gadgets such that I barely had time to finish my assignments or even do other things such as bonding with my family and close friends. At the end of the day, I realized that as important as these gadgets are to me they also had a negative impact on my life. While it may be difficult to completely discard these gadgets, I could still try to spend less time using them. This will help me to ensure that I do not compromise my relationships with family and friends or any of my responsibilities.

Separated by two centuries Geoffrey Chaucer and John Milton were two very different authors, who nonetheless reflected the lessons of classical myth and literature, as well as the more contemporary influence of Christianity. In his poem  Ode on the Morning of Christs Nativity  Milton uses allusions to classical figures such as Apollo, the Fates, Pan, and other mythical deities to juxtapose the emergence of Christ in both a religious and cultural context. Similarly, Geoffrey Chaucer in  The Friars Tale  from the Canterbury tales uses religion and classical imagery such as Dante Alligheris tales of hell and purgatory and Virgil to compliment and at times mock one another. While Chaucers use of mythical and classical imagery is more subtle, in both instances we can see how the influences of ancient and classical cultures and civilizations influenced not only the building of modern civilization but the foundations of literature.

Centered around the birth of Christ  Ode on the Morning of Christs Nativity  is a mixture of the divine and the ancient. There is no doubt that Milton wishes to impart the sacredness of Christs birth as a catalyst for humanity,  That glorious form, that Light insufferable, And that far-beaming blaze of Majesty   here with us to be, Forsook the courts of everlasting day, And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay. Humanity itself is base, becoming only divine through its relationship with God and his son. Milton prompts the Muse of classical myth to sing a praise to the birth of Christ, this event that acted not simply as a beginning for Christianity but also as an end for some more ancient forms of religion and culture. The Muse is not simply the Greek ideal of creativity but also Miltons own creativity. He is showing the convergence of two sides of himself, both the learned and the religious. More importantly, he uses this type of classical imagery to show a continuity of thought. While Christianity is certainly a divergence from the type of religion that created the idea of the Muse as a physical being, Milton is illustrating how the two can work within a complimentary manner,  join thy voice unto the Angel quire.

In the hymn part of the poem there is almost a historical progression of beliefs and imagery Milton moves from imagery of nature to the more classical images of Greek and Roman mythology and legend. When Christ is born, he is greeted with a personification of nature herself, she is a being unto herself who  had doffd her gaudy trim to greet the birth of this savior. Like the pagan belief in Nature as a living being, Milton plays on this imagery to show the move from one belief to another but also to show a unification between the two. God is Natures  Master. However, even as Milton illustrates a unity between nature and God, he also condemns this personification as no longer in  season   To wanton with the sun, her lusty paramour. Nature is the baseness of human nature, in Miltons view she is not rebirth and life but rather the animal tendencies of humanity. The Sun receives equally harsh treatment. Perhaps indicative of the more ancient beliefs of Egypt, where the sun was the supreme god, in the light of Christianity this belief becomes diminished,  As his inferior flame The new enlightend world no more should need He saw a greater Sun appear Than his bright throne, or burning axle tree could bear. The natural sun becomes a product of God as well. The world no longer revolves around the sun but both the sun and the earth revolve around the concept of God.

As much as Milton condemns some of the ancient religions and beliefs, utilizing their own imagery, he also employs it within the context of this new belief. In doing so he gives new life to some of the old beliefs. An excellent example of this is the use of the imagery in lines 133-150, where Milton uses the image of ideas such as mercy, justice, fate, truth and vanity which are commonplace in classical works. The underlining message of the poemhymn however, is pointedly clear as he switches once more to the use of classical imagery as a way to illustrate the decadence and falsity of the past while promoting the truth of Christianity. Turning his sharp tongue to Greece, Milton states,  The Oracles are dumb No voice or hideous hum Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving. The lessons learned from the ancients and the great thinkers of the classical age become based in folly, their belief in such things as Oracles and great gods such as Apollo who  from his shrine Can no more divine is made false by the birth of Christ and the rise of Christianity.

The Greeks are not the only ones to suffer this fate, as Christianity moves farther to the east great ancient kingdoms and their beliefs fall to the wayside with the influence of Christianity,  Peor and Baalim Forsake their temples dim, with that twice batterd god of Palestine. What Milton primarily appears to be saying is not that these beliefs have died but have become irrelevant. A god who was once strong due to the belief of its followers will weaken and eventually disappear as people begin to forget. However, Milton himself in using the images and names of these ancient and classical deities and virtues is in effect keeping them alive. Language, as Milton shows, is the basis of belief. Without the stories, there is little to inspire belief. More importantly, without someone to pass the stories along the legend dies. In his discussion of the birth of Christ, Milton is molding these traditions to Christianity and Christ, even if it is only to show how they have become debunk in the face of a newer ideology.

Religion is as much culture as faith, finding its way into everyday understanding and logic. The practices of a people, the rise and fall of civilizations can be tied to the rise and fall of their beliefs. In comparing Christianity to Greek mythology or eastern religions, Milton may be pointedly marking their downfall but is also showing a kinship between the ideals of faith that hold all of their beliefs together. Based on these rules, Christianity could as easily find its downfall in the advent of another more powerful and pervasive basis of faith. But faith is the central tenet of this poem, because there is no doubt concerning Miltons own faith in Christianity and that Milton does not contemplate a similarity between his faith and those of the past shows how he believes it to be a culmination of understanding.

Chaucer, coming before Milton, saw religion in a more practical light. Seeing the abuses of the clergy and recognizing the hypocrisies that sometimes arise between faith and the practice of faith, his characters were based in human nature and not the divine. Perhaps having been chronologically closer to the older pagan religions of Britain, Geoffrey Chaucers  The Friars Tale  shows more of a pessimism towards Christianity and its ability to abide by its own values and beliefs. The summoner, working on behalf of the church, summoning those who owe debts or have created transgressions to come before the courts for judgment. This is the court of man and not of God, which Milton speaks of. Finding a kinship with the demon along the roadside, Chaucer exposes the hypocrisy of a man who supposedly works for the church but exploits his fellow man for his own benefits.

Unlike Milton, Chaucers use of the classical allusion is much more subtle. The conflict between good and evil, the eventual fable-like karma of the summoners demise is an old context but is not as specific as that presented by Milton. Instead of relying heavily on allusion like Milton, Chaucer brushes lightly against the history of thought and belief. At one point he makes reference to the great classical thinker Virgil, who takes Dante through the levels of hell in Aligheris Inferno,  For you shall, of your own experience, In a red chair have much more evidence Than Virgil ever did while yet alive, Or ever Dante  (Chaucer). A man such as the summoner would know the truths of Dantes hell more thoroughly and completely than the observing Dante and Virgil as they went down through the levels. In his misdeeds, in his inability to live up to the standards not simply of his own faith but of common decency, the summoner is eventually pulled into hell. Like Milton, Chaucer is providing a continuity in literature and in the idea of retribution. For his sins, the summoner does indeed suffer. The satirical nature of the piece lies in the summoners connections to the church which reveal Chaucers own pessimism and distrust.

Despite the varying degrees of use, the allusions to the past and to classical heroes and imagery effect the overall impact of both Milton and Chaucers work. In laying the ideas of the past beside the ideology and the human applications of religion and belief, both Milton and Chaucer show the continuance of knowledge. While Milton seems to want to trump the past, he also draws on it as a source for inspiration and his understanding of his faith in Christianity while Chaucer views the future within the context of the unchanging precepts of human behavior.

These our actors,  As I foretold you, were all spirits and  Are melted into air, into thin air Prospero

This tale of The Tempest by William Shakespeare deals about the staging and orchestration. Just like all the other works of William Shakespeare, The Tempest was able to receive positive critical regard since the time it was first published. The Tempest talks about one of the most wondrous association ever tackled in a romantic play. The aforementioned passage from the play speaks of the main protagonist, Prosperos thoughts about actors. In this story, it can be recalled that Prospero once has to stage a mock tragedy so as to save his life from his assassinators. At this point, Prospero regarded the people involved as actors.

Majority of the play consisted of fantasy and elements of magic. In fantasy novels, magic has been a common element as it involved supernatural and bizarre phenomena. In this story, Prospero as the main protagonist also served as the main object of fantasy and supernaturality. In this play, Prospero was depicted as a man with extra-ordinary and magical capabilities. This can be specifically observed in these lines

Of whence I am nor that I am more better
Than Prospero, master of a full poor cell,
And thy no greater father
Tis time
I should inform thee father. Lend thy hand,
And pluck my magic garment from me. Prospero (Shakespeare 11)

Magic appears to be a fundamental element in this play. Since the main protagonist held some supernatural capabilities that altered some of the events in the play, the play was actually made up inter-woven supernaturalities and bizarre phenomenon such as a man turning into an invisible nymph, ship men surviving a ship wreck, and two individuals suddenly falling in love through a mystic tune. Apart from this, the significance of magic as an element of this play also appears very evident with how Prospero creates an identity through his relationship with his magic. It can be observed that most of Prosperos relationships have been implicated by his supernatural abilities. For one, he has always put his daughter Miranda to sleep, through a spell since ever since she was a little girl. As Miranda grew up, Prospero used to meddle with Mirandas dealings still, through his magical capabilities. Moreover, his relationship with the invisible sea nymph, Ariel was also bound by magic. Prospero once saved Ariel from a miserable fate, and as a deed in return, Ariel submitted to most of Prosperos demands that usually involved. Considering these, it can be inferred that indeed magic and supernaturality played an elemental role in this play. The main protagonists relation to magic made the impact of fantasy more perceivable in the plot. Dymkowski, a critique of Shakespeares plays even remarked

Prosperos relationship to his magic often plays a crucial role in our perceptions of the characters humanity its importance is neatly highlighted by the different approaches taken by Michael Redgrave, who played Prospero in Michael Benthalls 1951 Stratford Production  (Shakespeare and Dymkowski 24)
Apparently, every depiction of this story goes with the element of magic in it. It is evident that whoever plays the role of Prospero will always be connected to fantasy and supernaturality as Prosperos character has been deeply intertwined with it. The strong impact of magic in this play can also be observed in Prosperos language. During Shakespeares time, a lot of plays about sorcery and fantasy have been produced however, not all of them made lasting impacts to the audience through the characters dialogues. In this play however, it was observed that Prosperos dialogues appear to be some of the most stirring forces that strengthened the role and implications of magic in the entire plot.

Prospero also uses language as a weapon against his slave, the monstrous Caliban. He constantly threatens to torture Caliban, but the audience does not witness these events. Instead, Prospero describes them in exact detail Tonight, thou shall have cramps, he tells the man-beast in Act 1, Scene 2. In both of these cases, Prospero holds power over other characters onstage because of his mastery over language.

Apparently, through spells and captivating dialogues that relate to magic and sorcery, the story directed the audience to an amusing world of fantasy. The story was filled with characters that all had connections to supernaturality, and this connection moved the plot forward.

Obviously, magic played a fundamental role in this story by Shakespeare as what the abovementioned proof show. However, as what the introductory quote entails, there is still one elemental feature which made this story fascinating. In the introductory quote, it can be recalled that Prospero, the main protagonist, mentions about actors. Literally, by actors, he meant the individuals who participated in the tragedy he had to stage in order to save the life of his and his daughters life. In this story, these two elemental aspects appear to have a significant relationship and connection to each other. Considering the aforementioned quote, what could the author meant when he associated magic to actors And how could these two elements be related when it comes to the plot These issues shall be addressed in the succeeding parts of this discussion

Aside from magic, it could be observed that Prospero made a meaningful mention of actors. Although Prospero literally pin points the persons who contributed to the staged tragedy, in consideration of the story, it could be observed that this symbol may hold a deeper explication. If a reader would observe the story in a deeper and a more critical perspective, he or she will see that the story was actually made up of actors who stages different kinds of orchestrated or directed situations. In this story, almost all these situations were directed by Prospero himself. One specific example is when Prospero planned the meeting of Miranda and her supposed love interest, Ferdinand. In order to arrange a pleasant marriage for her daughter, Prospero was forced to command Ariel to use his music spell to enchant the Miranda and Ferdinand into falling in love with each other. At first, Miranda and Ferdinand were greatly puzzled as they wonder where the music goes on. However, it was evident that Ariels enchantment worked as Ferdinand immediately sought Mirandas attention.

Most sure, the goddess
On whom these airs attend  Vouchsafe, my prayer
May know if you remain upon this island
And that you will some good instruction give
How I may bear me here my prime request,
Which I do last pronounce is  O you wonder
If you be maid or no Ferdinand, The Tempest (Shakespeare 37)

At this point, the two strangers started becoming acquainted, and Prosperos plan was again working toward his will. In this situation, the role of Ariel was that of an actor which also serve as an accessory to a secret plan which has to be done. Ariel played as an actor who guised himself as the music in the wind as to enchant the supposed lovers through his mystical music. Aside from this, there are also several instances where Prospero had to stage situations in order to achieve something which is supposed to work for his advantage. One of the most observable is the staged tragedy at sea where Prospero and Miranda had to appear like they died. In this situation, Prospero had to fix a plan with several shipmen which will show his assassinators that he and his daughter died in a tragedy at sea. A ship was set sail consisting Ferdinand, Antonio, Alonso, Gonzalo, Sebastian, Stephano, and Trinculo. They were on their route to the wedding of Alonsos daughter when the ship was destroyed by a horrible storm. It was made to appear like everybody on board died so as to make the people from Milan believe that Prospero died from the accident too and that there was no need to assassinate him anymore. Just like the previous situation where Prospero staged the meeting of Miranda and Ferdinand, this situation is again another depiction of actors staging a situation which actually changes the course of the plot. Apparently, just like magic, actors also appear to elemental aspects of this play. Most of the situations in this story were staged, which also means that such situations involved characters that had to play as actors. It appears that without this role, some of the protagonists plans would not have been achieved.

Magic and actors appear to have a contributing relationship in this story. Considering the persona of Propero, it could be assumed that making magic and acting cannot are essential elements that make up his identity. Without these elements, most of his ventures would not have been successful. Hence, considering the introductory quote, it could be inferred that Prospero actually meant that actors are like music which blends into the air in order to enchant people. However, without magic this would not be possible. This also appears to imply that manipulating destiny and fate can oftentimes be effective in working toward ones impossible goal however, again without actors and magic, this may never be feasible as well.

The greed of power blinds human conscience and provokes an individual to commit unethical acts. The character of Claudius in the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare succumbs to his greed for power and acts maliciously. The play focuses on the revenge exacted by Prince Hamlet of Denmark on his uncle Claudius. Claudius had killed Hamlets father, the King and taken the throne. Claudius even marries Gertrude, Hamlets mother. Prince Hamlet resolves to kill Claudius when the ghost of his father reveals to him that Claudius has murdered him and he wants his son to avenge his death. Hamlets revenge is justified because the manner in which Claudius seeks to fulfill his selfish desire of ascending the throne is not only unethical but also demeaning.

The evil actions of Claudius are revealed to Hamlet by the ghost of his father. Sleeping within my orchard, My custom always of the afternoon,Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole, With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial. Upon knowing the truth, Hamlet avenges his fathers death by killing Claudius. Considering Claudius evil intentions and greed for power, Hamlets revenge is justified, for Claudiuss behavior goes against the ethics of humanity. Claudius is a man who gives significance to the fulfillment of his desires more than his brothers life and morals. For the fulfillment of his selfish desire of acquiring the throne of Denmark, Claudius commits the unethical act of killing his own brother whom he is supposed to protect and care for.

The behavior of Claudius as a brother is shameful and pusillanimous, for he chooses to poison his brother when he is asleep, a time when one is most vulnerable. The cowardly way, in which Claudius brings an end to his brothers life, is demeaning. Even after his brothers death, Claudius goes on to carry out the shameful act of marrying his brothers wife. During a time, when he is supposed to be mourning the death of his brother, Claudius decides to marry his brothers widow. Hamlets revenge serves as an appropriate and just punishment for Claudiuss debasing act of murdering ones own brother.

Claudius even plans to kill Hamlet when he realizes that Hamlet has become a threat to his throne and his life. He hatches a plan to kill Hamlet by utilizing Laertes hatred for Hamlet. Here also, Claudius chooses to kill Hamlet through deceit and utilize a poisoned wine for achieving his aim. And that he calls for drink, Ill have prepared him A chalice for the nonce, whereon but sipping, If he by chance escape your venomd stuck, Our purpose may hold there. Claudius does not display any kind of regret or guilt for committing an atrocious act of murdering his own brother. On the contrary, he plans to kill Hamlet so that his life and throne are secure. By killing a man like Claudius, Hamlet brings an end to his crimes.

Upon knowing the truth regarding his fathers death, Hamlet makes up his mind to avenge his fathers murder by killing Claudius, his fathers murderer. Hamlet succeeds in accomplishing his aim of revenge when he kills Claudius. Hamlets revenge is justified, for Claudius poisons his own brother for fulfilling his desire of becoming the King of Denmark. Claudius act of cowardice of killing his brother while he is sleeping, and later marrying his brothers wife is unethical and demeaning. Hamlets revenge puts an end to the life of an individual who is so blinded with his greed for power that he goes to the extent of committing the appalling act of killing his own brother.

Night is an autobiographical book by the award-winning writer Ellie Wiesel that contains the account of the authors experience in a prison camp during World War II. Elie almost gives up, but the people he interacts with, one way or another, keep his hope alive and strengthen his will to survive.

Elie witnesses countless horrifying sights in the camp that are more than enough to churn the stomach of even the most hardened man. One of those is the hanging of a very young boy, who dies slowly because his weight cannot break his neck. As the boy struggles for half an hour, Elies spirit begins to sink and his faith in God starts to diminish. However, his will to survive does not leave him. I was no longer able to lament. On the contrary, I felt very strong. His mind becomes rebellious against the unimaginable cruelty of their captors. This makes him strong, and, after that incident in the gallows, surviving becomes his main goal.

Aside from the poor young boy, Juliek and the French girl contribute significantly to strengthen Elies will to survive. Juliek does not know Elie personally, but the music from his violin gives tranquillity to Elie. How could I forget that concert, given to an audience of dying and dead men. More importantly, it shows Elie that everything is not lost there is still hope. The French girl, on the other hand, is soothing, calming his heart when he is about to burst.  Keep your anger and hatred for another day...but not now....Wait.She symbolizes serenity amidst the chaos, and her words keeps Elies sanity.

The life in Auschwitz prison camp is hellish it can drive anyone to insanity or to invite death as the only escape. However, despite of all this madness, Elie survives because of the people he meets or interacts with. It is not justifiable to assume that he survives by his own merit. Those people are there to remind him not to lose hope everytime he falters.

There are many different forms of literature but perhaps most famous and most loved of the many kinds is poetry. Compared to other forms of literature like short stories and  even that of the novel, poetry has been famous dating back to the time of Ancient Greece until now wherein even poems are converted into modern songs. The wonderful thing about poetry is that not only would the readers be able to imagine the images conjured by the carefully selected the words, the lines in poems would also appeal to the hearing of a person as it involves rhyme and rhythm. After all, poetry is both sights and sounds sights being the images imagined by a reader and the sounds being the playful or melodramatic onslaught of words. These sights and sounds are what both appears in Lisa Parkers Snapping Beans, Mary Olivers Answer and Glenis Redmonds Naming. But more important than these images and sounds are the lessons or messages that the poems want to show the readers, in this case, the essay will discuss the theme of the three poems as well as what the readers can infer from and between the lines which makes the unquestionable truth of the poems as well as its message.

In the poem Snapping Beans by Lisa Parker, the usual problems of a student who is at lost over a new culture and new life is portrayed. The persona (though it is questionable whether it is male or female) comes home from school for a vacation as what appears in lines 4-5 of Lisa Parkers Snapping Beans  I was home for the weekend from school, from the North . The descriptions of the surrounding seem to suggest that the home is located in the countryside or province  as the sun rose, pushing its pink spikes through the slant of cornstalks. The main issue that the poem presents is the dishonesty of the student as hisher grandmother wants to know hisher school life and though the student wants to tell the real things that happens in school and the feelings that heshe has about it, heshe opted not to. The poem concludes when the grandmother makes an ominous statement about how funny  things blow loose like that which could just mean that the student might suddenly explode one day and hisher feelings of misery might take over himher entirely.

On the other hand, in Glenis Redmonds Naming, a misunderstanding (though not quite seriously) happens between a mother and the child over the  naming  of a flower. The persona who is also the child (and again, is not identified of whether being a girl or a boy) tries to explain to the mother about the  Forsythia  but the mother tells the child that they  call it Yellow Bell and the other word is too hard. This naming of the same flower is what causes the conflict as the child uses a more complicated term most likely learned from school and the mother uses a much simpler term most likely learned from their community. The persona goes on about the differences that the two words cause to both of them with the mother being able to look back on her life caused by the mention of the flower and the child being able to appreciate the simplicity of life brought on by the mention of the simpler term for the flower.

In Mary Olivers poem, Answers, the same sentiments were expressed as that of the poems of Parker and Redmond. The persona in the third poem seems be a person to have advanced in the ways of the world and this persona recalls hisher time with the grandmother who has encouraged himher with such ways.  The poem features the wide gap between the grandmother and the grandchild like the lines of the grandmother being  uneducated  with  faulty grammar  and how there is such  confusion  within her. The grandchild meanwhile is the one who is supposedly educated with hisher  books and music and circling philosophies  and with the  lofty career  that the grandmother even encouraged. But even if the grandchild and the grandmother are very different from one another, the grandchild still envies the grandmother while the grandmother is very much supportive of the grandchild and even cooled...hisher wild sauces.

A deeper understanding and appreciation for the poem can be done with a comparison of the three poems. First of all, the theme revolves around a disagreement of the persona with the other character mentioned in the poem. This disagreement can be seen as that of a conflict between youth versus the elderly or even to a greater and specific extent, the differences between tradition and that of modernity. In Naming, the term used for the flower causes conflict and the fact that the younger person used a more complex term manifests that heshe has had an education while the mother is more used to the simper and non-complex things provided by her being uneducated or just not knowing a lot of technical things. For example, like the way the persona perceives that  foreign words anguish her mothers tongue. On the other hand, Snapping Beans also has the same theme that revolves around the conflict between the old versus the new or the ignorant versus the educated.  The student was in conflict of whether informing the grandmother the reality of things about life and school such as  the evening star was a planet that my friends wore noserings and wrote poetry About sex, about alcoholism, about Buddha. As what transpired in the poem of Parker, the student in Olivers Answers also has the same situation wherein the student has changed because of what heshe has experienced but the student still relies on the grandmother to comfort and console himher with the innocence and naivete that the grandmother knows with her being  uneducated.

In conclusion, the three poems revolve around the young and the educated telling the old and the ignorant about the complex, the real and the technical and yet even if the young knows more, they are not that happy compared to the old nor do they want their situation. Both poems give out a lesson on how things are with the young and the ability to not be contented with who they are, what they have and what they are undergoing through. Though the old and the provincial would seem ignorant of things, it does not mean that they are unhappy. Naming, Answers and Snapping Beans give out an invaluable lesson of life as what poems always do, in this case, it is about how the old, though they are ignorant, would always be there for the young no matter what.

The Futurists Manifesto is an art movement in the early 20th century that rejects the ideals and foundations of the past, but upholds and worships the dynamism of the future. Filippo Tommaso Marinetti was the one who originally wrote the manifesto, but he was later joined by Umberto Boccioni, Carlo Carr, Luigi Russolo, Giacomo Balla, Gino Severini.

The tone of the Futurists Manifesto is rebellious in nature. They deviate from the principles of other art movements that are mostly influenced and rooted from the past. As young artists, they overwhelmed by the fast changes in society and science in a sense that they apply these changes and development in their art works, be it a painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphic design, industrial design, interior design, theatre, film, fashion, textiles, literature, music, architecture or even gastronomy. That is their purpose to eradicate the standard, imitation, worship, obsession, and ideals hinged on the past and surface the novel and the innovation.

Personally, I do not agree with this art manifesto. Of all the art manifestos I have read, I think that this is the most illogical of all. Futurism discards the past while promoting the future. I believe that this is very irrationally unsound since in whatever field, whether it is art or science, philosophy or religion, history or literature, the past is always important because it explains and foreshadows what is in the present or in the future. Hence, it is impossible to move on to the future without looking back to the past.

From the moment John Waters bought his first art print at the Baltimore Museum of Art at the age of eight, he began forming his manifesto. The print was a mass-produced Mir copy which he took home and hung proudly on his wall. Instead of being impressed, his friends taunted him for purchasing such an ugly painting. From this devastating experience John Waters learned that art does not exist simply to induce a pleasant feeling. Instead, according to him, art should both  provoke and inspire.

Waters tone is both enlightening and entertaining. His story regarding the Mir is meant to be found amusing, but the lesson that he took from that experience is very real. Despite the teasing from his friends, Waters did not give up his pursuit to define what art is, and what good art should do. Instead, he translated what he had learned into the films he created. Rather than creating films based on beautiful people, he chose to focus his work on the bottom-feeders of society.

John Waters manifesto in regards to both art and film seems to be that as long as a piece of art inspires some sort of reaction, it can be considered good art. John Waters states in the clip that  art is not about pleasing people, but about making connections. To him, art is all about feeling. Whether the emotions evoked are disgust, disdain, intrigue, or peace, its the evocative nature of art that he finds to be important.