Sissy

In reading Sissy, I found that this kid broke the mold of any American child we've read about this semester! Sissy defies the 'normal' American boy in so many different ways! He's the all American woman in so many ways! "The school boys went to him as at home they went to their mothers or sisters" (546). Here is Sissy, a boy who is not mischievous or ambitious in the way we saw Dick or Tom act this past semester. But the boys don't even give him a hard time for being the way he is! I feel like Sissy would be the typical character in a movie who would get bullied because he is different from everyone else.

At the same time, I think that's what makes him so intriguing, "he made no effort to conceal his tastes and preferences, but openly pursued his girl-work and good naturedly maintained that it was more respectable and enjoyable than getting into the dirt "to mumble the peg", or than hopping about o none foot, and kicking a bit of china or brick across lines, as in "hop-scotch" (546). What is normal isn't appealing to him which I think makes him awesome and puts a new spin on the American child. This invites in the idea that people can follow their dreams and don't have to fit into this mold. Isn't this what the American dream is? Success and making things happen for yourself and Sissy does both. He is successful in things such as sewing, "Sissy was as expert with scissors and needle as if he had been born with them in his hand" (549) which alone gives him the tools to success but he also is well liked and is a loyal and obedient child! I feel like Sissy in a major way raises the bar behaviorally for the American child.

Short Story vs. Novel

The way I read novels, or longer stories, verses short stories are very different. I tend to find that when I read novels, it is easier for me to skim over the smaller details so I can get go for the bigger picture of what might be going. In short stories, I see the need to look further into what is being presented because what is being presented is a fraction of what we encounter in longer pieces. I also find that in short stories, the details grip you more. In The Yellow Wall Paper the woman describes the paper as having "a recurrent spot where the pattern lolls like a broken neck and two bulbous eyes stare at you upside down"(507). While this might seem like a trivial detail, it is the little things I find grip me in short stories. However, in longer novels such as the Wide Wide World, it is so easy to skim over the details especially when Ellen is crying...again. Missing out on the smaller details in the bigger scheme of things is not as big of a deal but in short stories, the it is in the details that the richness of the stories are found. Because of this I look for the details more carefully and therefore read more into the stories to seek out the details so that there can be richness in the plot lines. I feel like it is easier to get lost in a exert from a long novel where as because short stories are short, my attention is able to be kept for that short amount of time!

What's in a Name?

The difference of authors genders in this time period is essential to further understanding the texts. Gender roles were so well differentiated in the 19th century that there SHOULD be a difference in the ways in which they write. In the Wide, Wide World, it was quite obvious that it was written by a woman because of the emotions of Ellen and the intimacy between her mom and her. This could only be articulated as well as it is by a woman who has experienced similar relationships. In the way people and places are described we see chosen descriptive words that could indicate the gender of the author.

I find it interesting that Lord Fauntleroy was described as having golden locks of hair and the "greatest charm was this cheerful, fearless, quaint little way of making friends with people" (446). I feel like discussing interpersonal relationships in such a way is a very feminine thing to describe. Everything is "quaint" and "beautiful"...words that are entirely appropriate for women to use but may not be as acceptable coming from men. It is interesting how in the readings we have had, it is women talking about the American girl and men about the American boy. I feel like in the readings about the American boy, up to this point, everything is so straightforward and laid out for us. In writings with female authors, however, there tends to be more details and more attention spent to settings and relationships. We see this displayed in The Hidden Hand when setting of Hurricane Hall was described with such careful detail as was the features of Old Hurricane which set the stage for many interactions to come. I think that the readers approach to the text is different when the gender of the author is known.

Parenting

I found it interesting looking at the role of parents in the 19th century. Aunt Polly was Tom Sawyer's primary caregiver which I find interesting that in a lot of these novels we've read, many of the caregivers have not been a mom or a dad but given by someone else. Nan Grant was the wretched old woman who took care of Gerty and she "pulled the child into the house, amidst blows, threats, and profane and brutal language" (81). Gerty was beaten for no reason, she was just seen as an inconvenience to Nan Grant so Nan seemed to take any chance given to release her emotions on Gerty.

We see a sharp contrast with Aunt Polly who though she beats Tom, she feels remorse. "then her conscience reproached her, and she yearned to say something kind and loving; but she judged that this would be construed into a confession that she had been in the wrong,and discipline forbade that. So she kept silence, and went about her affairs with a troubled heart" (421). Tom probably deserved more than he got simply because he is a little stinker but seeing the compassion and remorse in Aunt Polly helps us to be able to understand the emotions behind the actions. Not that this justifies it, but it helps keeps the readers view of Aunt Polly remain positive. We can see that in a moment of fury, Aunt Polly let loose on her emotions but then was very sorry for what she did. For the audience that read this novel,it spoke to the parents because I'm sure that many parents feel bad about spanking their children after but don't apologize because then that means that their kids are above discipline and have no need to respect their parents. At the same time, seeing Aunt Polly remorseful can help to encourage children that being disciplined does have an effect on the discipliner and that getting a spanking doesn't mean that their parents or caregivers are bad and terrible people.

Ragged Dick

The image of the American boy is so drastically different than that of the American girl. I love the fact that Dick is so charismatic and funny! On page 336, it says "in spite of his dirt and rags there was something about Dick that was attractive". Nothing about a girl being in rags was ever portrayed as attractive. In fact, much of the time that was what made them damsels in distress. Even our fearless Capitola was taken in by a wealthy old man and cleaned up. It's almost this image that the boys of the 19th century were meant to get dirty! Living for yourself on the streets and making money and building a personality along the way builds character.

Dick is a hard worker. After cleaning three men's shoes "he had been up an hour, and hard at work..."(343). He earned his money and even said that "you don't catch me stealin..."(334). He was honest, for the most part, for the money that he possessed. This teaches boys that they are to work hard to support themselves while the American girl was meant to be provided for. We see the gender roles here clearly marked as one day the American boy will provide for his American girl and they are socialized into that at a young age!

Dick was very independent, he lived by himself, worked for himself and supported himself and even managed to have a little fun. The lack of discipline and structure in Dick's life allows him to live with a sense of independence that wasn't heard of with the American girl. The girls had very structured lives that gave way to proper young ladies while boys were encouraged to assert their independence and make something of themselves.

Insanity in the 19th Century

The introduction of insanity in the text adds a darkness that hasn't been introduced yet. In class it was briefly mentioned that back then, it was acceptable the lock up a woman in an asylum if she was viewed as crazy...not really taking into account if she REALLY was! It also plays into this "things are not as they seem" idea because it makes us read into her reasons for being there: is she REALLY legitimately crazy,which would call into question how much we can really trust her OR is she being put there for unjust reasons? I feel like Dr. Karnac played up to this: "He never answered my questions or entreaties regarded me as being without sense of will, insisted on my trying various mixtures and experiments in diet, gave me strange books to read and weekly received Hannah's report of all that passed" (234). He made her FEEL crazy, I know at least I would! Changing my diet, knowing I was being watched, and giving me strange books to read and ignoring me would be enough to drive me insane!!

The mother daughter relationship seen is very unique. "I believed her dead, yet I had seen her, knew where her solitary grave was made, and still carried in my bosom the warning she had sent me, prompted by unerring instinct of a mother's heart" (240). In the "Wide Wide World", Ellen and Mrs. Montegomery were very very close. Ellen adhered to her mother's teachings and advice because she wanted to make her mother happy. In the same way, Sybil stuck close to the warning her mother had sent her and in that adhering to what had been told of her. However, this is very different because it is almost like Sybil very much feels an intimate connection with her dead mother. That is something not seen in any other book that we have read! It brings up an interesting point of view of a relationship with the deceased. It changes my previous idea of mother/daughter relationships because the relationship wasn't one where both people were necessarily present. Sybil was present but the warnings of her mother and whispers were merely something Sybil FELT, there was no relationship is the physical sense which I believe makes it special and very intimate in it's own way!

Uncle Tom's Cabin

I just wanted to start off by saying that I believe that though this novel is a much darker piece of literature than what we've read before, I believe that the image of children in the novel are an image of hope and potential. In the beginning of the novel, Eliza was escaping for the sake of her son. He was going to be sold, taken from her and she wouldn't have it. In that, this boy is an image of hope in that because of him, freedom was the end goal. We also see the boy's compassion: "the boy wondered and grieved that she could not eat; and when, putting his arms round her neck, he tried to wedge some of his cake into her mouth, it seemed to her that the rising in her throat would choke her" (245). This boy's compassion and concern evoke a response of hope and potential not in the aspect of slavery but for humanity, that at such a young age, this child would tend to the needs of his mother.

I feel like in this story, though the horrors of slavery are discussed, there IS hope of a way out. When Eliza escaped and Sam and Andy were assisting Haley in the search for her Sam said that "I'd rather be 'clined to 'magine that Lizy'd take de dirt road" (251). In that, we see this support amongst the other slaves that they would willingly lead their master astray for a better chance of freedom. It's like they're saying "good for them for taking the opportunity to escape" and they're rooting for them the whole way. However, dealing with the realities of slavery in this time period was a very sensitive subject. We see the dark side and portrayal of slavery from Aunt Chloe before Uncle Tom goes "He owed ye yer freedom...I feel it's wrong. Nothing can't beat that ar out o' me. Sich a faithful crittur as ye've been..."(291). Injustice is seen here and the fact that Aunt Chloe knows she deserves freedom and no beating is going to change that, that sheds light on such a dark reality of this time. It is so hard to see the good and to see a "good" message come of this novel.

I think it is necessary though. Every piece of literature we've read so far has a good message, a good moral to it. This IS a good story with the GOOD message of facing the realities that slavery is horrible! However there were people of this time who did support slavery. I can imagine that this novel was the cause of much controversy of this time period.

Stranger Danger?

I found it so interesting that in these passages, we seem to know the strangers well AND they are not always too friendly. Old Hurricane was a stormy old man in fact he was "arrogant, domineering and violent-equally loved and feared by his faithful old family servants at home" (151) his demeanor caused for a respect of him and a fear of getting on his bad side. Old Hurricane even had a sister who was "unaided, unsought and uncared for by her cruel brother" (152). He was not a friendly man but we see this selfish and cruel man become a friendly stranger to some. We see him engaging in the story that Nancy Grewell tells him on her deathbed and even "dispatched Mrs. Condiment with a carriage filled with provisions for the sick woman" and he even volunteered himself to go find Capitola. We see Old Hurricane's compassion as his eyes first fall on the "boy" that is Capitola "It is probable Old Hurricane did not hear this irreverent speech, for he continued to gaze with pity and dismay upon the ragamuffin before him"(169).We see for the first time Hurricane's soft side and this is when my opinion of Old Hurricane begins to change. He even offers this "boy" a job. He is the friendly stranger that takes Capitola in and provides for her, even though she doesn't appreciate it. Old Hurricane's compassion is again displayed when Herbert Greyson explained his friends situation and Hurricane offers to take them in, however once he finds out just who it is we see his stormy side again. We also see the danger side of strangers when we see the people who kidnapped Nancy Grewell at gunpoint and also because of Hurricane's stormy side, he could be seen as a dangerous stranger as well. Which is so different and new from the other domestic novels we've read!

Good Little Girls

In this video, the eight year old girl explains how she relaxes and finds a balance in the stresses of life. Though the stressors faced by today's children ARE a lot more different than in the 19th century, the way we are encouraged to handle ourselves despite being in stressful situations remains the same. I feel like the underlying message of the video is finding healthy ways to manage stress levels and control our impulses, we, as the little girl said need to "try our best and try harder". In the readings, it says that Gerty "had other less pleasing impulses" (p.133) that needed to be controlled that required conscious effort. When Gerty threw the rock at Nan Grant's wall, that was completely impulsive as just minutes before, Gerty was afraid to as much as pass the house. After, "she felt unhappy in her little heart. She did not understand herself, or her own sensations" (p.134) The need for balance and way to handle our impulses properly is displayed here.

In the same way, the little girl in the video was introduced with impressive credentials, even before we meet this girl, our expectations were high. People today are held to a high standard by what we do and it wasn't different in the 19th century. Finding balance and ways to promote that balance is important in dealing with events in our lives that are stressful.

I believe that things would have totally been different if Gerty was on the show. Anna, the girl on the show, handled her stress in a healthy way. Gerty acted on her impulses and I think that would be the focus of her interview instead of ways in which Gerty does promote the balance in her life. I feel like the show would be very humorous and would focus on what Gerty did such as throwing rocks at Nan Grant's window and her desire to beat up the girl from school. However, we see here that Gerty controlled her impulses by running from what she wanted to do instead of working through it. I feel like if Gerty would be in today's society, she would be encouraged to work through the situation in order to control her naughty impulses instead of being encouraged, as she was by Miss Emily to "be good, and love everybody" (p.149). In today's society, she would have been given a "how to" in doing better and would have more guidance. Just as in the video the girl SHOWED Amy Poehler how to do yoga and taught proper techniques. She didn't just say go do yoga to release negative energy, there were lessons involved.

Parental Figures in The Wide, Wide World

I found it very interesting that in The Wide, Wide World, the role of the parents fell in the lines of strict obedience. Even in the parental figures of the story, such as the doctor, Ellen is constantly following commands and doing as she is told. However, the role of obedience looks different for every parental figure we've met so far. In the relationship between Ellen and her mother, we see, as we discussed in class today, that the "forces of nature overcame them" when both mother and daughter were crying uncontrollably when Mrs. Montgomery announced that she was leaving and Ellen was being left behind. However, the moment Mrs. Montgomery commanded that the tears stop, Ellen obeys. Not for any other reason than that she cares for her mother's well being and doesn't want to upset her. Mrs. Montgomery says on page 26 after Ellen had been crying " Ellen, my love, I cannot bear this much longer" and so "Ellen was immediately brought to herself by these words. She arose, sorry and ashamed that she should have given occasion for them, and, tenderly kissking her mother, assured her most sincerely and resolutely, that she would not do so again". This obedience did not come from a place of fear of punishment but out of care and concern from her mother.

The doctor and Mr. Montgomery on the other hand is a different story. I feel that there is a sense of fear of punishment if their instructions were not obeyed. The doctor gives Ellen strict instructions on how to care for her mother and she fears that if she does not follow them, her mother might die. Although Mr. Montgomery is rarely in the picture, we can still get a sense of the authority figure he is by the reverence in which he mentioned. For example, when Ellen awakens the next day after recieving her mother's news that they wouldn't be together much longer, Ellen asks her mother "Need I go to school today, mamma?" to which the mother replies "No; I spoke to your father about that' you shall not go any more; we will be together now while we can". We can see here the reverence in obeying what the father's wishes were and in Mrs. Montgomery from seeking approval of Ellen not going to school.


We see in the reading that Mrs. Montgomery is always with Ellen. Back in the 19th century, women didn't work and were with the children all the time. We see the relationship between Mrs. Montgomery and Ellen as a very intimate and nurturing relationship. The mother is very present in Ellen's life and is constantly guiding Ellen's thoughts about what is right to be thinking about; to do this, Mrs. Montgomery's faith is always brought into discussion when she is instructing Ellen. The role of the father is portrayed as being one that is distant. Mr. Montgomery is not really in the picture at all, but when he is, he fulfills to role of authority and sets the standards of the rules that are to be followed. Mr. Montgomery isn't in the picture very much because we presume that he is working which adds to the distance in the relationship between Ellen and him. In the 19th century, it was probably much like this because the father figures would go out and work long days, leaving the mother with the children and come home to enforce rules just as Mr. Montgomery does in the reading.

I think that Ellen views her mother as someone who needs to be respected however someone she can rely on. We also see a role reversal in that relationship because Ellen cares for her mother in a way that a mother would care for a sick child. Ellen takes on a lot of responsibility to care for her mother and in doing that I think she views her mother as someone to have a great deal of compassion on. She is very careful to make sure everything is perfect for her mother (from the toast to promptly having tea ready) to ensure her mother's health remaining stable. Ellen also seeks a lot of approval from her mother. Ellen tries not to be upset around her mother because she doesn't want to upset her mother. She also seeks her mother's approval in other things such as Bible's and desk tops. She will follow her mother's advice if she gets the sense that her mother does not approve of what her eyes are fixating on. Ellen's father on the other hand, I got the sense of respect. She doesn't mention him much and when she does it is out of following what orders he has put out there.

Five Theories in Analyzing Children's Literature

There is much more to children's literature than meets the eye. First of all, adults are the ones writing these children’s books and there is a grave concern about pouring into the younger generations because they are the future for the country. In Karen Sanchez-Eppler’s article, she expresses that one role of the adult is instill a “sense of what is important” and this is portrayed in children’s books in the sense that there is normally a moral lesson to be learned from a story. “[children’s literature is] Written out of concern for children and country, the literature could not but embody something of its authors’ expectations and apprehensions for the future of both” (Macleod)


“Children matter then not as selves, but as stages in the process of making an adult identity-as if childhood could only be meaningful in retrospect” (Sanchez-Eppler). A great point is made there in that from childhood to adulthood many lessons are learned and some are very difficult to grasp. It’s like “if I knew then what I know now” and in writing children’s literature, perhaps this is one way the older generations are imparting their wisdom about lessons learned for the younger generations to learn from now and not down the road after hardship. In analyzing children’s literature, that is of importance to search for the undertone of what is being said, to look for and hold onto any piece of wisdom the older generations are trying to leave behind the younger generations.


Another theory in analyzing children’s literature is that these stories were intended to lead by example instead of simply lecturing children about morals and living virtuous lives. Macleod points out that nineteenth century theorists were always pointing out that “children learned much better by example than by precept”. Whether this was teaching morals or teaching children gender roles in society, the intention was to demonstrate expectations through the literature of the time.

In analyzing children’s literature I think it is also important to read between the lines and get a sense of the tone of the piece of literature. Macleod points out that “when American writers undertook the moral and social instruction of children through fiction, they necessarily documented their own attitudes, both conscious and unconscious, toward childhood and society”. This can assist in making the literature more meaningful if we understand the attitude the author had towards the subject that was being written about. In doing this we can more deeply grasp the lessons that are trying to be taught and the ideals of what the author deemed as important for the future of society.

Finally, it is important to point out that in analyzing children’s literature, there is very little information about the plot and the settings surrounding the story. Mainly because the authors didn’t want to take away from the moral lesson of a story, however, recognizing where the story takes place can be important in identifying the author’s attitude toward society at the time. “Most writers of juvenile literature regarded cities with suspicion, if not with outright hostility. They saw them as dangerous, corrupting, and immoral” (Macleod). Because the purpose of many children’s literature at the time was to instill morality, the setting of a story is not going to be set in a place that represents upheaval of morals. From this, we can further gage the attitudes of authors towards society at the time.

All About Anna

My Name is Anna Koch and I am a junior nursing major from Austin, TX. I love Austin so much and hope to live there again some day.

I've wanted to be a nurse since I was nine years old. When I was fifteen my uncle married a woman who graduated from TCU nursing school and she recommended that I look into going there. I visited the campus when I was a senior and immediately felt at home on campus and knew that this was the school for me. It was the only school I wanted to apply to but to appease my mother, I applied to one other school. If I were the Chancellor of TCU I would bring Frog Bytes lounge back. That was my favorite place to run into friends before and after class, both those who lived on and off campus. Now with the way things are laid out, if you live off campus it is harder to "run into" people you because there isn't a central place that people will gravitate to between classes. I feel like a good teacher is one that allows a level of vulnerability so that they make themselves relatable to the rest of the class. I feel that this evokes response out of students and I believe it allows for a more effective learning environment.

If I could have dinner with three people I would pick my three co- counselors from camp this past summer. We all go to school in different states so to be all together for a meal would be fantastic! Three things you all should know about me is that I am a very passionate person with a lot of energy. I am passionate about social justice, God, and caring for others. Second, I worked at a summer camp the past two summers and have made the best of friends from working out there. Third, I love to laugh...a lot.

I am taking this course to expand my knowledge on literature. I enjoy reading a lot but feel that I limit myself in what I read. I also feel that this class is a good change of pace to all the nursing classes I am taking!

Being in nursing, I read a lot of textbooks and because of that I don't do much reading outside of that. I do enjoy books that challenge my way of thinking. Most recently I have read Crazy Love by Francis Chan and Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Both of those books connected my passions for social justice and God and how to make a difference in the world we live in. I did read the Twilight Saga and enjoy quick reads like that!

In this course I hope to be more comfortable with sharing my own thoughts, for the extrovert I am, in a setting where I have to share my opinions and thoughts I can become very shy. I have read, understand, and agree to the syllabus of ENGL 20503.