Comments for MODL 5304 Postings http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org "He did not know that the new life would not be given him for nothing, that he would have to pay dearly for it, that it would cost him great striving, great suffering" - F. M. Dostoevsky Tue, 17 Apr 2007 22:41:10 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 Comment on Unsound Body Equals Unsound Mind? by mavsfan http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/04/05/unsound-body-equals-unsound-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-22 mavsfan Tue, 17 Apr 2007 22:41:10 +0000 http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/04/05/unsound-body-equals-unsound-mind/#comment-22 I also did not understand the Latin phrase either when I read the story. It makes so much sense to use this phrase in relation to Cuellar's both physical and psychological destruction. I agree that much of Cuellar's problems result from his attitude towards the others from the barrio. He constantly feels pressured to get a girlfriend and be "normal" and he chooses to listen to the others, resulting in jealousy and frustration from not succeeding. I think your writing style is really nice. Good job! I also did not understand the Latin phrase either when I read the story. It makes so much sense to use this phrase in relation to Cuellar’s both physical and psychological destruction. I agree that much of Cuellar’s problems result from his attitude towards the others from the barrio. He constantly feels pressured to get a girlfriend and be “normal” and he chooses to listen to the others, resulting in jealousy and frustration from not succeeding.
I think your writing style is really nice. Good job!

]]> Comment on Unsound Body Equals Unsound Mind? by Sally Garcia http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/04/05/unsound-body-equals-unsound-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Sally Garcia Sat, 14 Apr 2007 23:55:03 +0000 http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/04/05/unsound-body-equals-unsound-mind/#comment-21 I think you do a great job of summarizing the story and giving us some insight into what could have happened to Cuellar's mind after having been mutilated by the dog. Certainly the psychological scar to his persona is evident in the downward spiral of his life after that and his alienation from his friends in the barrio. I missed the connection you made to the Latin phrase from Juvenal, so I'm glad that I happened on your blog and was able to see another side of the story that this quote permits. Sally I think you do a great job of summarizing the story and giving us some insight into what could have happened to Cuellar’s mind after having been mutilated by the dog. Certainly the psychological scar to his persona is evident in the downward spiral of his life after that and his alienation from his friends in the barrio.

I missed the connection you made to the Latin phrase from Juvenal, so I’m glad that I happened on your blog and was able to see another side of the story that this quote permits. Sally

]]> Comment on Unsound Body Equals Unsound Mind? by J.D. http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/04/05/unsound-body-equals-unsound-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-20 J.D. Mon, 09 Apr 2007 04:54:06 +0000 http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/04/05/unsound-body-equals-unsound-mind/#comment-20 Thank you for being (apart from me) the 3rd person on the whole blog list to be caught up for this week as of Sunday night at 12 midnight. I give you an A....as if I am the giver of grades. Concerning your comment, I enjoyed the different take you had on it. I don't know if I would say he had mental and emotional derangement although that is an interesting take....derangement seems really strong. Also, I believe society did play a part in ostracizing him for not having his male sexual organ....society had conditioned him and all his friends to think that no PP=not a man. Of course, once that condition is set up by society, he runs with it to the very end to the extreme. Thanks for not causing me to have my own mental breakdown by clicking on everyone's blogs and finding Pedro Paramo or for heaven's sake Endgame and even Jose Marti..what a hoot. Thank you for being (apart from me) the 3rd person on the whole blog list to be caught up for this week as of Sunday night at 12 midnight. I give you an A….as if I am the giver of grades. Concerning your comment, I enjoyed the different take you had on it. I don’t know if I would say he had mental and emotional derangement although that is an interesting take….derangement seems really strong. Also, I believe society did play a part in ostracizing him for not having his male sexual organ….society had conditioned him and all his friends to think that no PP=not a man. Of course, once that condition is set up by society, he runs with it to the very end to the extreme. Thanks for not causing me to have my own mental breakdown by clicking on everyone’s blogs and finding Pedro Paramo or for heaven’s sake Endgame and even Jose Marti..what a hoot.

]]> Comment on Uprooted, Domesticated, and Christianized: Aimé Césaire’s perception of Colonialism by mavsfan http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/04/05/uprooted-domesticated-and-christianized-aime-cesaire%e2%80%99s-perception-of-colonialism/comment-page-1/#comment-19 mavsfan Mon, 09 Apr 2007 04:47:25 +0000 http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/04/05/uprooted-domesticated-and-christianized-aime-cesaire%e2%80%99s-perception-of-colonialism/#comment-19 Your post is interesting because you try to examine all sides of the slavery issue, dating back to ancient slave trade. It is true that placing blame is difficult since it resides in the imperfection of human nature, not just one specific "race" or ethnic group. I think that Cesaire is returning to Martinique because his heart lies in bettering the lives of his people. Therefore, his cries for true liberation of mind and soul of the Martinique people does not apply equally for all, but he does recognize that hatred towards others is not the answer. Your post is interesting because you try to examine all sides of the slavery issue, dating back to ancient slave trade. It is true that placing blame is difficult since it resides in the imperfection of human nature, not just one specific “race” or ethnic group. I think that Cesaire is returning to Martinique because his heart lies in bettering the lives of his people. Therefore, his cries for true liberation of mind and soul of the Martinique people does not apply equally for all, but he does recognize that hatred towards others is not the answer.

]]> Comment on Beckett and Existentialism by christopherconway http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/03/19/beckett-and-existentialism/comment-page-1/#comment-17 christopherconway Sun, 01 Apr 2007 14:48:22 +0000 http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/03/19/beckett-and-existentialism/#comment-17 OK, I left a long comment on the modernista post and it looks like it disappeared... Postmodernism vs. modernism. I'm glad you worked through that issue as you read Beckett. The content of postmodernism is not a message but a technique, a question or a form that leads to the questioning of a message. That's the message of postmodernism: themes are constructed and contingent. In a super boiled down manner. Criminally boiled down. OK, I left a long comment on the modernista post and it looks like it disappeared…

Postmodernism vs. modernism. I’m glad you worked through that issue as you read Beckett.

The content of postmodernism is not a message but a technique, a question or a form that leads to the questioning of a message. That’s the message of postmodernism: themes are constructed and contingent. In a super boiled down manner. Criminally boiled down.

]]> Comment on Dario, Marti, and Florescano: Modernismo and God by christopherconway http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/02/24/dario-marti-and-florescano-modernismo-and-god/comment-page-1/#comment-16 christopherconway Sun, 01 Apr 2007 14:44:51 +0000 http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/02/24/dario-marti-and-florescano-modernismo-and-god/#comment-16 The religious syncretism connection with Martí and Darío makes sense. Historically, the Modernistas always got a bad rap for not being American enough (especially Darío and co., not so much Martí whose American credentials were established by his political activism). For decades, they were seen as the most europeanized and conservative of writers but in the last 25 years scholars have reappraised them and valued them as the earliest and most complex critics of Latin American modernization at the turn of the century. The religious syncretism connection with Martí and Darío makes sense. Historically, the Modernistas always got a bad rap for not being American enough (especially Darío and co., not so much Martí whose American credentials were established by his political activism). For decades, they were seen as the most europeanized and conservative of writers but in the last 25 years scholars have reappraised them and valued them as the earliest and most complex critics of Latin American modernization at the turn of the century.

]]> Comment on Between Life and Death – Pedro Paramo by amylittlemac http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/03/22/between-life-and-death-pedro-paramo/comment-page-1/#comment-15 amylittlemac Fri, 30 Mar 2007 19:32:27 +0000 http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/03/22/between-life-and-death-pedro-paramo/#comment-15 I really enjoyed reading your post. I wrote of a similar topic concerning the religiousness and forgiveness these. Upon the death of Miguel Paramo, the priest Renteria refuses to grant Miguel’s father’s wish to bless him and pray for his soul. In speaking to God Fr. Renteria says, “For my part, I hope you damn him to hell” (26). The Paramo family was not the only ones denied forgiveness. I find it interesting one of Rulfo's most read books was the bible, yet he writes of such sadness and corruption of the bible through his characters in Pedro Paramo. I makes me wonder Rulfo's intention. Was he making a mockery of the church? Or, was he trying to point out the church's weaknesses? I would really like to read the book again, or investigate further into Rulfo's thoughts on relgion, Catholocism, and forgivness. I really enjoyed reading your post. I wrote of a similar topic concerning the religiousness and forgiveness these.

Upon the death of Miguel Paramo, the priest Renteria refuses to grant Miguel’s father’s wish to bless him and pray for his soul. In speaking to God Fr. Renteria says, “For my part, I hope you damn him to hell” (26). The Paramo family was not the only ones denied forgiveness.

I find it interesting one of Rulfo’s most read books was the bible, yet he writes of such sadness and corruption of the bible through his characters in Pedro Paramo. I makes me wonder Rulfo’s intention. Was he making a mockery of the church? Or, was he trying to point out the church’s weaknesses? I would really like to read the book again, or investigate further into Rulfo’s thoughts on relgion, Catholocism, and forgivness.

]]> Comment on Between Life and Death – Pedro Paramo by Christa http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/03/22/between-life-and-death-pedro-paramo/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Christa Thu, 29 Mar 2007 23:57:17 +0000 http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/03/22/between-life-and-death-pedro-paramo/#comment-14 From a religious perspective, I think it it also important to remeber the Mexican aspect of Catholicism. I mean that in the way the Mexican people interject their unique heritage into the Catholicism. Although Catholicism is a religion practiced in many countries, it is interesting to see how each culture inserts its own traditions into the religion. As a Catholic myself, and knowing that we all have the same Pope, the same Catechism and the same Bible, I find it very interesting how different certain practices and beliefs can be. It's really fascinating. From a religious perspective, I think it it also important to remeber the Mexican aspect of Catholicism. I mean that in the way the Mexican people interject their unique heritage into the Catholicism. Although Catholicism is a religion practiced in many countries, it is interesting to see how each culture inserts its own traditions into the religion. As a Catholic myself, and knowing that we all have the same Pope, the same Catechism and the same Bible, I find it very interesting how different certain practices and beliefs can be. It’s really fascinating.

]]> Comment on Between Life and Death – Pedro Paramo by Catherine http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/03/22/between-life-and-death-pedro-paramo/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Catherine Sat, 24 Mar 2007 07:27:47 +0000 http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/03/22/between-life-and-death-pedro-paramo/#comment-13 Good post. I agree that the question of redemption is essential in understanding this work. Good post. I agree that the question of redemption is essential in understanding this work.

]]> Comment on “It’s About Nothing”: Flaubert and Seinfeld by Catherine http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/02/16/%e2%80%9cit%e2%80%99s-about-nothing%e2%80%9d-flaubert-and-seinfeld/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Catherine Mon, 19 Feb 2007 15:15:23 +0000 http://readerdaniel.edublogs.org/2007/02/16/%e2%80%9cit%e2%80%99s-about-nothing%e2%80%9d-flaubert-and-seinfeld/#comment-12 There must have been quite a few "Frédérics" rolling around for Flaubert to have made this guy the protagonist! I loved the irony of him commenting on the emptiness of "high society's" conversations when he was the epitomy of vulgarity in so many ways. I agree with Dr. Conway that the greatest merit of this novel are the elaborate descriptions of that historical period and how it evolved. There must have been quite a few “Frédérics” rolling around for Flaubert to have made this guy the protagonist! I loved the irony of him commenting on the emptiness of “high society’s” conversations when he was the epitomy of vulgarity in so many ways. I agree with Dr. Conway that the greatest merit of this novel are the elaborate descriptions of that historical period and how it evolved.

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