Poem Comparison Essay

Essay viewing David Whyte's "Working Together" compared to Yehuda Aichai’s “The Place Where We Are Right"

The Interworking's 

Poetry, by design, is made to evoke emotion from it’s readers. No matter what form, poetry allows us to gaze through a colorful lens as it shines light onto the elements of the world we could not see before. “Working Together” by David Whyte exploits these vary elements in his work as he captures the essences of the intagibles of the world around us, and compares it to the intangibles inside us all. Yehuda Aichai’s “The Place Where We Are Right,” discusses the battle between following what you know to be true, and having enough wisdom to accept defeat. Both Whyte’s and Aichai’s poems share common traits while displaying two contrasting themes, tones, and morals. Both poems explore the interworking of humanity through emotion, thought, and psychological understanding of the individual to paint a clear message of what it means to be human. 

One fo the first few lines, “…Flowers will never grow,” immediately sets the tone of the story. Aichai’s reveals a tone of despair, sadness, regret, and loss of hope for having to sacrifice her beliefs. The poem takes on a heavily negative and depressing tone. On the contrary, Whyte’s poem states, “Working together in common cause to produce miracles.” This is an uplifting line that is opposite of that in Aichai’s. The tone of Whyte’s poem can be described as hopefull, patient, faithful, and trusting. The tone of “Working Together” can be viewed as almost of a mirrored oppsoited of that of “The Place Where We Are Right.” From these two poems, it’s easy to see the tone of the poem leaves a lasting impact on the reader and can amplify the message the author is trying to convey. Both of the author’s tones represent their veiw on the subject, while in the process are able to call forth emotion. 

Whyte’s poem, “Working Together” is psychologically developed and carries a deeper understanding of human nature. He states in the final line, “Imagine and look for the true shape of our own self by forming it to the great intangibles about us.” This is one of the most powerful lines of the whole poem. He compares “intangibles” of the world, to the “intangibles” we hold to be true inside us all. he explains how something unable to be grasped and lacking a physical appearance can actually define us and give us insight into the unknown of what lies ahead. “The Place Where We Are Right” by Aichai share in this universal message. “But doubts and loves dig up the world…” This line of the poem is so powerful because it explains the struggle of human nature. The poem explains the inner struggle we all experience from “doubt” or “love.” There is never a clear answer about what to do or how to handle it. That is what makes life worth living, to solve these unanswered questions for ourselves. What we look like does not define us, how was react, what we say, the actions we take, and the intangibles inside us are the things that actually define us. 

“And a whisper will be heard in the palce where the ruined house once stood.” The idea of thought is simply just an inner conscience. So this line of Aichai’s poem spell out the inner workings of our thought process. The poem depicts having to sacrifice what you believe to be fair or “right” to move on leaving behind what you held close. Symbolically, the house Aichai is describing represents the things she had to let go of. And the “whisper” represents the memory she will always have and be associated with that specific event in her life. Whyte’s working together states, “I am thinking of the way…to trust to those elements we have yet to see.” The poem blatantly says that he is thinking of things that are unexplainable, things that do not add up but yet still happen like miracles. Both poems highlight the key elements of thought we all possess, but Aichai is focuses on the ones we keep locked away, forced to carry on through life’s obstacles. While Whytes’s focuses on the good that is yet to come and to revel in the hidden wonder that we already have coiled inside us. 

Poetry is a powerful form of self expression and allows insight to the mind fo the author and creates an emotion connection to the reader. David Whyte’s “Working Together” illistrates the journey we all take to understand ourselves on a deeper level and know there is more to the world than just ourselves. While Aichai’s “The Place Where we are Right” demonstrates the struggle we all take in knowing right from wrong and triumphing over life’s mental obstacles. The auhtor’s relay these simalarities and differences through tone, emotion, and thought. Both these poem’s have relatable themes of creating a better verison of ourselves, furthering our knowledge, and to have patience in what lies ahead next.

Poem Multimedia Remix

 David Whyte's, "Working Together," is such a beautiful poem that evokes advanced philosophical thinking as it questions the "intangibles" of the world by comparing it to the "intangibles" inside us, and the unknown elements that lie even beyond us all.
I created this video for the purpose of mixing multimedia to the words of the poem to add even more impact to Whyte's work.

-Enjoy!

Intro to Poetry

Poem: 

Working Together
by David Whyte

We shape our self
to fit this world

and by the world
are shaped again.

The visible
and the invisible

working together
in common cause,

to produce 
the miraculous.

I am thinking of the way
the intangible air

passed at speed
round a shaped wing

easily
holds our weight.

So may we, in this life
trust

to those elements
we have yet to see

or imagine,
and look for the true

shape of our own self,
by forming it well

to the great 
intangibles about us.

Answer the basics on your own paper/blog:

• What is the significance of the title?

The title is, "working together". This is a sinificant title as it relates back to the theme of the unity in the poem.

• What is the tone of the poem? 

The tone of the poem is hopeful. It has a touch of sadness, but as you read is over came with dreams of a better tomorrow caused through people coming together.

• What is your mood as you read it?

My mood matches the tone, I feel Hopeful that we will some day unite and find common ground with each other on a world-wide scale. To find a deeper understanding of ourselves, and eachother. And to realize we are all in this together to further humanity. 

• Is there a Shift?  Where?  From what to what?

The line, "So may we, in this life trust..." Begins a shift in the poem. The impact the reader gets starts from addressing a problem, then shifts in discussing how to fix it, and then transitions to the conclusion of what could be if we are successful. 

• What is the theme of the poem?

I find the theme to be unity.As I read, I feel the author is trying to create a universal message that we are all in this together. No matter how different we are on the outside, we are all part of the same picture. In addition to this essence of unity, it also speaks a theme of self revelation. The story calls for creatin. Yourself, even if you don't fit in with the crowd. The story craves creativity and uniqueness unlike any before. 

Hamlet Notes: Act 4 Scenes 1-7

Hamlet Essay #1

Thin Lines of Insanity

Shakespeare’s Hamlet has been kept alive for generations. It’s complexity is enticing as it depicts some of human natures darkest qualities. The key issue of the play is the sense of ‘madness’ the characters possess in the play and the actions they commit that follow. This struggle is most prominent on the main Character Hamlet who battles his madness in both a mental and physical state. We connect madness to insanity or even anger. Hamlet certainly has anger, but has he really gone mad? He walks so perilously on the wire between sanity and insanity that he eventually hits his breaking point falling back into the reality and consequences of his actions. Or perhaps that’s only what he wants you to think. Perchance he is actually beyond intelligent and it’s all part of his big elaborate plan for revenge and everyone else is just along for the ride until he attacks. To explore Hamlet’s true intentions, we must first fully understand the play through plot and it’s characters, diction and syntax, and the mental state of madness that Hamlet has been cast under. From these critical viewpoints, we are able to comprehend Hamlet’s true intentions.

Shakespeare is known for his incredible dramas and captivating tones of despair in his plays. Hamlet embodies some darker moods and tones. Death of the innocent, denied love, and revenge for wrong doings are the building blocks of the play. Because the play has a dark twist in it’s plot, the characters also take on a dark side within themselves. Hamlet has become a misunderstood icon of nothing more than a teenage boy who can’t make up his mind. On the contrary, Hamlet is far from it. Consider one of the most well known and misinterpreted Shakespeare quotes: “To be or not to be, that is the question.” This quote has stood the test of time because it can be related to everything and anything. In the sense of Hamlet however, it’s relating back to Hamlet’s decision to act on his thoughts. The quote shows Hamlet is conflicted about suicide. He is debating if death would be easier than the efforts to follow through with taking revenge for his father’s death. Hamlet is constantly viewed as some indecisive kid, when in truth he’s just conflicted with putting his words into actions. 

Towards the middle of the plat, Hamlet finally confronts his mother about her scandal with Claudius,  but things escalate rapidly leaving Polonious dead. In addition to Hamlet, Polonious is a character who often conceals his true intentions. Polonious question’s Hamlet’s madness constantly throughout the play up until his death. He has fallen into Hamlet’s plan and is fully convinced he has gone mad, but fails to see the true reason as to why. This scene is often overlooked but it’s actually one of the most important scenes of the play for so many different reasons. This the first time Hamlet takes action. He is no longer just a boy with mad thoughts because now he is acting on them. Another important detail to this scene is Poloniou’s  death. He only died because Hamelt was anticipating Claudius. Polonoius being killed heightens the stakes making Hamlet a murderer. In this same scene Hamlet comes into contact with his father’s ghost yet again, this time in front of Gertrude. A critical detail is unveiled when Gertrude is unable to see the ghost. It seems everyone can see it but her. The ghost symbolizes not a mere spirit, but Gertrude’s crime against her once husband. She can’t see the ghost because she is unable to see what she did is wrong.

Hamlet’s master plan is to create a play closely depicting how Claudius killed his father. Depending on Claudius and Gertrude’s reactions, Hamlet will be able to prove they are filled with guilt. Well, Hamlet did manage to pull a reaction out of them. Claudius question’s the play almost immediately and Hamlet responds with a witty and shrewd response stating that anyone with a guilt free conscience would enjoy it. This causes Claudius to erupt. Hamlet is following through with action yet again, except this time Claudius is forced to endure Hamlet’s wrath. Hamlet’s elaborately devised plan is slowly unraveling and it’s working. Hamlet has successfully convinced everyone that he is no threat and is just a kid, when he really is a mad genius hiding his real evil intentions to kill Claudius. His charade has enabled him to be viewed completely innocent and has put attention onto Claudius. Hamlet is not mad, he has just flawlessly put on this act fooling everyone around him to get revenge against Claudius who has finally realized his plan.

Hamlet is not mad, he is forced to make difficult and irrevocable decisions. Nor is he indecisive, he is just extremely careful in planning. Hamlet managed to fool all these people into thinking he is just crazy and an ignorant kid. Hamlet is beyond complex and highly intelligent. At the beginning of the plat, Hamelt does have trouble deciding what’s wrong from right causing him to hesitate on putting his words into action. But once he overcomes this, he is basically unstoppable. Everyone over looks him and sees him as harmless. Once he takes action against taking down Claudius, everyone will see what he has done. Hamlet walks a thin line between insanity and sanity through the entire play, but he is never actually insane, it’s all just part of the plan. 

Hamlet: Act 3 Scenes 1-3 Notes

"Performative Utterance" Notes

Notes:
-Hamlet often viewed as a kid who can't make up his mind, when really we should consider it a play about a man who could not make real what was found in his mind.
-Hamlet is trapped within his knowledge/understanding and unable to move/act convinced of his duty and yet unable to move that duty from mental to real.
-Shakespeare's character's reveal themselves to the audience through speeches, soliloquies, etc. These "self overhearing" moments paint a picture of the character's thoughts and relay them to the outside.
-One important utterance being between hamlet and his father's ghost. They create a "promise/oath" set into the world. Whether Hamlet acts on this oath that exists in the world is concerned with a "perlocutionary force" -Requires action in simpler words.
-So whats the problem?!- Hamlet does NOT swear to avenge his father if you read closely. Hamlet swears to remember, not necessarily to act.
-Hamlet's utterances actually teach him a lot about himself, not just the audience.
-Consider the interaction between the first player and Hamlet. What moves Hamlet is verbal/emotional action not physical displaying his mourning for his father/mother
-All these utterances such as "I mourn", "I promise", etc. establish a connection between language and emotion.
-From here, we connect emotions to belief-An important distinction.
-It can be said that the main problem in the story is that it's characters represent their feelings/intentions in ways that contradict reality.
-Consider This: Hamlet's madness designed to hide his murderous intent, to cover his uncle's crime, and then to punish him. -Unrealistic right?
-Hamlet tells the actors (acting out the play-within-a-play) to not over exaggerate and to speak naturalistic. This makes the situation delicate. Hamlet doesn't want to over do it and make it obvious that it is a sham/comic. "Hold a mirror up to nature.."
-what difference does Hamlet's madness have to actual madness? It comes back to "pretending." To pretend you can't follow through with what you said you were going to do. In Hamlet's case, he's pretending to go through the motions in the play, but no one actually knows his real intentions/what he's "really" doing... murder.
-He's convinced Polonious of his "fake" madness.
-Hamlet has gone so mad, that he now hopes to find himself within his own madness. along the way of his self exploration, he considered suicide as it is the only true way of formless self.
-There's a line between emotional and moral realities.
-Summary: After all the bloodshed at the conclusion of the play, Hamlet's evolution reached"action" but rather to "faith, closure, and acceptance." Hamlet's utterances didn't contribute to him taking action, but rather shaped him. He opened his eyes to self realization. Powerful in the mind, but mercy to those around him that actually do take action. Hamlet finally grapes rarity, letting go of his mental/feelings/emotion etc.bringing his understanding of himself as well as everything else to completion as well as his life to an end.

Document Link: http://www.academia.edu/383737/The_Performative_Utterance_in_Hamlet

"To be or not to be: that is the question"

Sorry for the few pauses and stumbles, but here is me reciting Hamlet's soliloquy from Shakespeare's play.

-Enjoy!

Literature Analysis #2

1.) Exposition:

Primary characters include: Amir who is the main character of the story, the narrator, as well as the protagonist. Hassan who is Amir’s Servant. And Sohrab who is Hassan’s son. Setting: The story takes place in the city of Kabul located in Afghanistan during the 1970’s. During this time, the Taliban has taken over the country and caused drastic damages to it’s people and the culture they once thrived in. 

Although servants during this time played a low role in social class, they played an important role in the story’s plot. Amirs childhood friend was his servant Hassan. But Amir slowly built up some resentment towards Hassan living in his shadow through the eyes of his father. 

The resentment grew stronger as the story developed. The boys entered a kite flying tournament  where Amir took first place. Amir finally got attention from his father, turning his back on Hassan in the process. 

Hassan was sexually assaulted as a child and it haunts Amir and fills him with guilt 

As politics began to crumble in Afghanistan, Amir and his father fled to America. 

Amir learns the Hassan has died, and returns to Afghanistan to look after his son. 

Sohrab is being held against his will by criminal Assef and Amir risks his life to help/save him. Sohrab saves Amir’s life and they escape together. 

Sohrab refuses to really talk due to being abused, until Amir gains his trust. Amir discovers that he and Hassan actually were brothers. He thinks he is the reason the family fell apart. 

After Sohrab’s failed attempt of suicide, Amir brings him back to America. But Sohrab resents Amir for not helping Hassan when he had the chance

Years pass, to a day where Amir and Sohrab are flying kites together. 

The final scene of the story shows Sohrab exchanging a smile to Amir

2.) Theme: 

-“Running from the past” is a theme expressed in the novel due to Amir’s relationship with Hassan. Hassan being sexually harassed haunts and guilts Amir through out his life. At first he tries to ignore and forget, but knows he has made mistakes, and by the end of the novel he faces them when trying to save Sohrab.

-“Political battles” are descriptively described throughout the novel; Particularly the Taliban taking over Afghanistan. Historical/political events impact the story a great deal. It sets the stage of tension and damages for the story’s setting. These are valuable and important key details that  the reader experiences when reading the novel. 

-“Redemption” is definitely one of the biggest themes of the novel. Amir is trying to find forgiveness and future salvation in his life to redeem for his bad choices in his past. Although he made mistakes he can not take back for Hassan, he works to save himself through bettering the life os Sohrab. 

3.) Tone: 

The tone of the story can be described as hopeful. Hope is the driving force for the character’s in the novel. Hope for a better tomorrow (one without their country being at war and destroyed). Hope for a better life for those wronged. Even hope for those who made the mistakes. The tone always reveals a sense of sorrow and longing due to Amir’s struggles throughout the novel overcoming his mistakes. 

4.) Important Quotes

-“For you, a thousand times over”

-“It may be unfair, but what happens in a few days, sometimes even a single day, can change the course of a whole lifetime...” 

-“And that's the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.” 

-“There is only one sin. and that is theft... when you tell a lie, you steal someones right to the truth.” 

“It always hurts more to have and lose than to not have in the first place.” 

Hamlet (Paper Cartoon Remix)

• A paper cartoon video representation of Act 1 and 2 of Shakespeare's Hamlet. -Enjoy!

Literary Fiction and Empathy

A study was done and discussed in this article explaining how children/young adults were given fictional novels to read that intentionally pulled emotion out of them reading. Basically, the conclusion was that the readers gained a sense of understanding other people's thoughts and feelings by use of their body language. The kids were given a test that displayed several pictures of eyes captivating a different emotion. for example, does a squinting eye show focus or indecisiveness? The test scores proved the study to be a success as the kids had a better understanding of emotion. 

This is difficult and critical social skill that we now have a way of letting people gain all through the use of reading! 

Although, there are some grey areas. One critic argued that the books assigned were limited and aimed towards what they wanted as a conclusion, not aimed towards the test itself. Another point on the opposition was that the kids somehow took the test inaccurately. Also some raged the test itself wasn't enough valid proof that the students did change their understanding of evaluating emotion. One question that did make me think differently about it was how long would there understanding last? The test was given shortly after reading. Would the affect wear off or last long term? 

"The idea that what we read might influence our social and emotional skills is not new. Previous studies have correlated various types of reading with empathy and sensitivity." 

I think the test is accurate, regardless of the arguments presented. Whether it lasts or not, the purpose still took affect and worked. Reading can enhance our ability to understand/evaluate emotion from the text to reality- that's a powerful thing. 

Now taking that one step further and comparing it to Skakespear's play, Hamlet, there are some key similarities. Hamlet has been acted out in a wide range of different personas. During his soliloquy, his personality has been portrayed as cowardly while crying during the speech and dropping to his knees collapsing on himself in woe. While another version shows him almost yelling the words in anger and embarrassment for his parents actions slamming things near by. Hamlet serves as the prime example of the study done about emotion. Hamlet's personality, no matter what version,  is lived out through body language. Once again, this is a critical social skill, that has derived from literature on paper and enhanced to real life into society. 

Hamlet: Act 1 Scene 2

Hamlet: Act 1 Scene 1

Canterbury Tales Remix (Transmedia Remix)

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is a story told through framed narrative. Due to it's structure, the story allows for an endless amount of different interpretations varying from reader to reader. Because of this, the story has lived on for generations. It explores the theme of irony as it's characters contradict themselves in variety of ways. This idea is stressed even further into reality's own society. Society sets its standards of what is to be considered normal as oppose to abnormal amongst it's people. Chaucer's use of juxtaposition, irony, and characterization blend to make the perfect story of human nature revealing common flaws among us all.

We all try so hard to fit in with our peers. Why? we live in a work that stresses uniqueness and originality, and yet when we feel outcasted, we change who we are to find belonging. The characters in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales are all not only contradicting, but all try to impress the group through their stories. Now, on the reverse, we see the story through the eyes of the narrator. This becomes an important aspect to the story. He symbolizes the opposite, he is neutral in the fight and does not try to be someone he is not, and does not try to stand alone, but instead is accepting of all. This connects back to society in every way. We have the "popular" ones, the outcasts trying to fit in, and the people in between. The idea of this social ladder is portrayed within Chaucer's characters and their strong characterization.

The Canterbury Tales are a prime example of irony. From the character's, to their actions, to their won tales. This story is drenched in irony. Consider the chef. He is obese, oily, gross, and not the person you want handling your food; And yet he is a cook! A closer look at the miller reveals that he is greedy, a thief, and shrewd. But yet he is producing grain to be shared. Also, the Knight, he is the symbol of honor. But yet he is at times cowardly and without confidence. The biggest truth of life is that even it is filled with irony. When we think of a fulfilled life, we think of love, happiness, and success. Such vague definitions for such idolized things! And more importantly, just like Canterbury Tales, irony can be found in all of them. Life is ironic.

     

If you take away the humorous tales the characters tell, your left with the root of the plot; A journey. Well, life is also one big journey. Chaucer's characters one by one are all on a journey, metaphorically and literally. They are all literally going somewhere for a common purpose, but they are all individually living for a purpose. Whether it be to just die later, to find success or happiness, or to just get through the days. Everyone and everything has a purpose one was or another. Any person you see out on the street is living proof of this theme. From students attending college, to adults getting careers, to the elderly finding a place to settle down at last. Life is a competition from person to person, but take all these people and put them together and they will all have a journey. Now look at how each individual lives, now they have a purpose. Life is about finding a purpose, finding meaning, the journey is what we all take to find it.

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales explores the dark and bright side of human nature. The dark being the search for acceptance and belonging. The light being the finding of purpose and meaning. And it's all done through a journey. The Canterbury's characters model this very journey. Due to its framed narrative perspective we are able to draw connections from a neutral standpoint as if we are in the story ourself. We are no different than the character's in Chaucer's story. The social ladder, irony, and human nature are in all of us. We are all just along for the journey that is life.