I'm a sophomore at The Ohio State University and I'm currently majoring in Strategic Communications. The fun fact that I shared is I enjoy and prefer being a homebody. My ideal way of relaxing is to curl up on the couch with heavy blankets, a bunch of pillows surrounding me, and a bag of popcorn.When I'm not watching Scrubs on Netflix you can bet on finding me at work or at my boyfriends house. I'm currently working at bd's mongolian grill and I've been a server there for 6 months.More than likely I will be working there throughout my college career.
I took the time to research Frances E.W. Harper. One of Harper's many accomplishments is publishing her first book of poetry at the age of 20 and 47 years later publishing her first novel, Lola Leroy. I find these things to be particularly interesting because being a black woman in the 1820's was a hardship, and then to be able to publish a book of poetry at such a young age is very impressive. Having waited 47 years to publish any other kind of writing is a long time, which makes me wonder why she waited so long. Lola Leroy is a novel that deals with serious social issues of education for women, abolition, temperance, social responsibility, and more. I'm deeply enlightened that after 47 years of not publishing anything that her first novel is about something powerful and educational. These things have intrigued me to research more about Frances Harper. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Harper
I read "Songs for the People" by Frances E. W. Harper. The way that I interpreted the mood of her poem is it took on a more lighthearted and hopeful tone rather than depressing and melancholy. Harper talks about how she wants to sing for all the people, the old and the young, in good and in bad times. I interpreted this poem as a form of prayer in song. Harper says "I would sing for the poor and aged, When shadows dim their sight; Of the bright and restful mansions, Where there shall be no night." Harper is saying that she will sing or pray for the poor and the older people that have lost their sight. I believe that when she refers to "sight" she is referring to losing their way or have lost the sight of their path. "Of the bright and restful mansions, Where there shall be no night." Harper is also singing to the bright and restful mansions, the people who have what they need and what they want, to the people who will never see the darkness in their lives. Harper says that the world is torn and weary and what the world needs is strong and pure music. She will be the one to sing to all who are out in the world, no matter who they are, because that's what we need.
The most interesting word I found in "Song for the People" by Frances E.W. Harper was Jangle. This word is interesting because jangle is a verb meaning chatter or jabber, but it derives from the word Jangler which is a noun meaning "one who jangles" or the storyteller.
My sentence using jangle: The noise in front of me was the jangle of two young girls, loudly being entertained by their own thoughts.
hey Caitlin, I also researched Harper. I did not realize, however, that she waited 47 years to publish her second work! I also agree that it is awesome that at such a young age, she was able to publish her book of poetry.
ReplyDeleteHi Caitlin. I think it is very interesting the Frances Harper waited 47 years to publish her second work. I wonder why she waited? The word you chose is an unique word that I have never heard before, well that I did not realize was a real word.
ReplyDeleteI also read Songs for the People, and from it I took a completely different view on it. To me it was almost as if she was calling on the people so that they could unite, and come together. Since I couldn't find out the exact time she wrote this poem, I figured it was during the Civil War time. She was calling on the people to help end the war. No matter who they were, young or old, rich or poor. I think its amazing how both of us read the same poem, but took different meanings from it.
ReplyDeleteI think that's amazing too, I love your look on the poem! Your view makes so much sense to me.
DeleteHey Catlin! I wanted to say that I Iove how you interpreted the word "sight" in your second paragraph. I think that finding the light and creating a stronger world using songs and music is a wonderful interpretation.
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