on Humans are creatures that instinctively crave approval and acceptance from a wider group; thus, individuals will often base their actions on the influence and pressure placed on them by others. Within Ken Liu’s short story, “The Paper Menagerie,” the characterization of Jack and his internal conflict between pursuing the contrasting aspects of his mixed heritage… Continue Reading Folded Into Conformity
on And so it was that I entered the broken world. To trace the visionary company of love, its voice. An instant in the wind (I know not whither hurled). But not for long to hold each desperate choice. “The Broken Tower” by Hart Crane We live in a cruel world and I’ve noticed that sometimes… Continue Reading Love Strife
on Desire is an significant theme in Billy-Ray Belcourt’s poem “If Our Bodies Could Rust, We Would Be Falling Apart,” which addresses the yearning for closeness, connection, and understanding. In the poem, desire emerges as a motivating factor in search of meaning and connection as it explores the vulnerability of the body and the ego. … Continue Reading Desire – Poetry Seminar Response
on Introduction: “The Paper Menagerie,” Ken Liu’s powerful short tale, discusses the dilemma between pursuing personal goals and conforming to cultural standards. The story follows Jack, the son of an American father and a Chinese mother, as he struggles with his cultural identity and the implications of his decisions. Liu explores themes of lineage, familial ties,… Continue Reading The Struggle for Identity: Pursuing Personal Desires vs. Conforming in Ken Liu’s “The Paper Menagerie”
on Fear and foresight frequently interact in intricate ways when individuals make life-altering decisions. When faced with uncertainty, risk, or danger, fear is a normal and frequently strong emotion that humans experience. The capacity to prepare for and foresee the future, as well as to balance the advantages and disadvantages of various alternatives, is known as… Continue Reading The Interplay Between Fear and Foresight
on “Our desires always disappoint us; for though we meet with something that gives us satisfaction, yet it never thoroughly answers our expectation.” Elbert Hubbard Paris syndrome is the term used to describe a peculiar set of psychiatric symptoms that a small percentage of tourists experience when visiting Paris. Those who experience this may feel an… Continue Reading Dissatisfaction & Chasing Desire
on Responding to “Choose either Stella, Stanley, or Blanche and write a journal entry about what he or she is really thinking, feeling, fearing, hoping….” I feel sad, absolutely gutted that Blanche doesn’t see Stanley the way I do. I didn’t think they’d be at each other’s throats the entire time. I may have added… Continue Reading The Choices We Make
on One-sided Love, Dyann Ayy, 2017 For you, I would have rent apart the very world that you hated so. The winter winds, piercing and boisterous, The fathomless seas, tumultuous and unforgiving, The scorching sun, scornful and cruel, For you, I would have faced them all, tamed their fury that raged against you, extinguished their glares… Continue Reading For You, My Everything
on “It is wise to always desire something, to keep something of a flame, an energy, to one’s life and heart.” – Tennessee Williams Desire is like a flame, as Tennessee Williams has pointed out in this quote. It keeps us warm and helps light up our lives. It is wise to keep it and it… Continue Reading Desire’s Fire
on Response to journal: “And so it was that I entered the broken world To trace the visionary company of love, its voice An instant in the wind (I know not whither hurled) But not for long to hold each desperate choice.” – The Broken Tower, by Hart Crane … Continue Reading Broken