I will provide a brief narrative for six pieces of work that I have done so far in this course. These six pieces represent a culmination of my deepest thoughts and most flourishing works. Each piece plays a significant part in my overall learning so far this semester. I will begin with the most stimulating assignment we were given, and will reveal how each piece builds upon the other. I will present my illustrations based on what I learned from each assignment.

Friday, January 29, 2010 “Living Life”

I wrote this assignment after reading Walden, and Thoreau. I felt their passion for nature and was moved to write about my own thoughts on nature. For me being in touch with nature allows me to delve deep into my soul and discover the things that make me who I am. In this post I discussed a time in my life when my local river had a dramatic influence on the way I was living. As I wrote, I felt a deep connection to Thoreau. Though I had struggled to master his literary style, after writing this piece I went back and re-read his works. I had a much more clear understanding of the message he was trying to convey.

Sunday, January 24, 2010 “Sublime”

This piece on the sublime was assigned after having read some of the bone chilling works by Poe. My impression of Poe was that he must have been mad maybe insane. I decided to visit The Poe Museum downtown to learn more about this crazy man. What I learned there about Poe’s life and upbringing taught me that you do not have to be a monster or a mad man to have a sublime experience. Events that words cannot describe happen to ordinary people every day. I wrote of my surgery and the awe-inspiring, no word can describe experience, which happened to me.

Monday, February 8, 2010 “My Ideal me”

Again influenced by Thoreau, I found that part of the ideal me was being a non conformist. I do not follow rules very well. I am extremely independent. I prefer the company of ME. This assignment also taught me that everything I just wrote was not entirely true today. Today I am a hard working family first kind of guy. I still have my rebellious moments. Unfortunately those wild thoughts of protest and revolt usually never make it to reality.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 “these are my ten rules for living a good and virtuous life”

Franklin’s virtues were a bit difficult to read the first time through. I had to read through it again to fully grasp the impact it had on me. Once I seized the main concepts I was more than prepared to write my own virtues. I try to read this post once in a while and remind myself of my own virtue.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 “How to improve upon one of my weakest virtues”

Well it should come as no surprise that this piece would naturally follow the former. Thinking about and writing about my weakest virtue has taught me a great deal in understanding my flaws. One thing thought that this class has taught me is people will argue. Fellow classmates have made several attempts e by way of the discussion board to lure me into argument instead of a discussion. I have had to restrain myself since giving in is not one of my strongest virtues. On a lighter note, my wife tells me that I am improving.

Sunday, April 18, 2010 “Major Themes and lessons”

To conclude this post on what I have learned about reading, writing, and understanding literature I felt it only appropriate to revisit last week’s post on Major Themes and Lessons. I believe that this piece truly summarizes the impact that this course has had on my life as a critical thinker and reader. To quote myself;
“So far in this course I have discovered several major points that I feel Professor Brandon is attempting to convey. First I feel that we have been given a chance to think critically about the written text that we have examined. All of the blogging that we have done has increased our ability to write clearly, effectively, and concisely.”
Learning of our not too pretty past has opened my eyes to my questioning of so called authority and experts. Through the writings and reading in this course I truly feel more aware of my suspicious nature. I don’t believe that I will ever fall into the trap of going with the flow ever again.