Uncle Tom's Cabin

In Uncle Tom's Cabin, we come across a new issue within this novel that we have not yet seen: slavery. The problem with this is that there are major complications when you are talking about slavery because it is not a light hearted issue to discuss with anyone. These were times of heartache and pain for hundreds of years for African American families. So what message is Harriet Beecher Stowe trying to send out to her readers with this novel? Perhaps that the reader needs to look closer into seeing that family and God are held above everything else, and that it makes no difference what is going on in your life.

The reader first learns about Eliza, and how she is running away from her 'master' with her young child. Both her and young child were to be separated in the morning, however Eliza could not stand the mere thought of parting her young one and decides that running would be the better choice. In my opinion, the message was loud and clear at this point: never separate from your loved ones. Eliza did just that, and although she is struggling and scared for both of their lives we learn that her child is truly the one thing that keeps that 'fire' in her going because she wants to bring both of them to safety...together. This is not like the typical literature from the 19Th century that we have been reading so far. Stowe wanted to make clear that not everything in life is simple and easy, but that there are dark times and moments when you want to just want to give up. However, we also see another character in the novel, Tom, who is also a slave, but comes across as the 'Christ like figure' in the novel. We learn that Tom is the father figure to his own master, and that they even have a close relationship compared to most 'slaves' and their 'masters'. I would say that Tom is the foundation of this novel when it comes to his religious views and beliefs. He never wishes anything bad upon anyone, no matter what they have already done or what is in their past. On page 105 in the text we learn that Tom is scolding the children for wishing evil upon their tormentors, and tells them that they should be praying for them instead. Stowe uses Tom as a strong hearted character to show the reader that even if you are placed in a bad position that God will still be there no matter what happens to you. I see a few similarities with this reading and the others that we have read, but in Uncle Tom's Cabin I felt more pain while I was reading than I did comfort.

"A career is wonderful, but you can't curl up with it on a cold night." - Marilyn Monroe

Parental Roles in The Wide, Wide World

In The Wide, Wide World, Susan Bogart encourages the reader to explore the traditional family lifestyle in order reveal that family should be held as one of the highest priorities to anyone. In the definition of 'traditional family' meaning that there are both a mother and a father, and it is the father's role to provide for the family and the mother to teach the children, and take care of the household. However, in Ellen's situation the reader can assume that her family was a regular traditional family for quite some time until her father can no longer provide the essentials for their family, and her mother becomes drastically ill. Ellen is now faced with becoming a young lady at the age of only eight, and being throw over to her Aunt's possession because her parents are forced to travel overseas.

The 'average' American father during the nineteenth century did not play a key role in his children's lives. His main responsibilities were to provide an income for his family, and the mother would be the one who take of the children, as well as take care of daily household duties that needed to be done. Mr. Montgomery fits the stereotype of the 'average' father during that time period to the "T". In The Wide, Wide World, the reader does not hear of Mr.Montgomery very often due to the fact that he is constantly at work, and usually will leave before Ellen comes down for breakfast in the mornings. However, the reader can conclude that money is tight for the Montgomery family because Mr Montgomery is being transferred overseas, Ellen does not have suitable clothing, and the mother sells one of her pride processions in order to get Ellen the things she truly desires before she is forced to leave her. The problem is that Eleen is particularly close to her mother, but does not even seem the least bit affectionate to her father. Also, Ellen has such a difficult time in trusting God that her mother tells her to visualize their relationship, and compares to what it should be like with God. Clearly, Ellen does not have the proper father figure role in her life.

"Don't you trust me, Ellen?"
"Certainly, mamma."
"How do you trust me?- In what?"
"Why mamma,- in the first place, I trust every word you say- entirely- I know nothing could be truer; if you were to tell me black is white, mamma I should think my eyes had been mistaken. Then everything you tell or advise me to do, I know is right, perfectly."

Because her constantly absent father, Ellen has trouble in trusting in God.

However, because Mrs. Montgomery is so extremely ill she is not viewed as the ideal mother. Susan Bogart actually reversed the roles of Ellen and her mother since Ellen is the one who is caring more so for her mother than the other way around. Ellen far too delighted in pleasing her mother, as if she is actually the parents caring for her child. The Highlight of Ellen's day is when she makes her mother her toast and tea because she does it ever so gently, and makes one hundred percent sure that it is perfect for her mother. Since her mother is ill, she is not able to go out without growing tired quickly. Ellen is sent out to gather the things that are needed for her own clothing because her mother is in able to do this for her. She is forced to grow up much faster than is needed, but because of her situation Ellen must face the challenges ahead of her.

In my opinion, Ellen sees her mother as the most amazing person on the face of the Earth. She would never wish to displease her in any manner what so ever. She would do anything for her, and trusts in ever world that comes from her mouth. Also, Ellen attempts to be so strong in order to allow her mother to assume that she alright with both of her parents leaving her. However, when it comes to her father I believe that Ellen does not care nearly as about him as much as she does for her mother. She tells of how her father is gone for periods of time, and shows no discomfort towards his absence. Clearly, the reader can see that her mother is her only friend that she can confide in.

Childhood

It is difficult to grasp only five theories that make up children's literature because I feel that there is so much more that goes into it for that age group. When you are young, you look up to the main people in your life, you want to be an action hero in a comic book and you soak up everything like a sponge. However, the imagination of a child can go beyond any piece of paper and pen. Therefore, there are numerous key factors that go into play when it comes to children's literature. I am going to give my opinion on which I believe stand out more than the rest.

My first theory is that every child's book is family based. This could be because the authors want to get the message of a family unit across to the children. Every children's novel has some sort of family member to the main character. Also, the author wants to get the message across to the children of how important being a family is. Secondly, I feel that responsibilities play a key role in a children's novel. There is always something in a child's novel that relates to responsibilities that the main character had not taken care of. This is wanting to teach a child that there are always consequences of your actions in not taking responsibility. By doing so, children will want to be viewed as an adult or a more mature individual because they are taking care of their responsibilities, "stages in the process of making an adult identity". ( Sanchez- Eppler) Next, when it came to the characters in each novel they were meant to "teach, and more specifically, teach morality".(Macleod). Meaning that the child would be able to learn right from wrong, and instilling in thier minds to make the correct moral discions fro the rest of their life. Also, repitive stories were told with "good characters contrasted with bad"( Macleod). What is the reason for doing so? This is done to insure that the child knows the good character will always end up the content one, and the bad character would always have the sad ending. Fouthly, my theory comes from Eppler's Dependent States which goes into detail about why adults were the ones who wrote the children's literature because they wanted total control over what the children were being exposed to and learning. They felt that children were not mature enough to write or express any issues of importance into a story. Adults did so because they were attempting to slowly mold together the perfect children, but that did not happen. My last theory is that children are "forces of socialization: ideas about childhood and the innocent figure of the child evoked in wide range of cultural and political discourses in attempts to reform, direct, or influence thenation" (Sanchez- Eppler). This tells a person a little bit about what was going on for the Average American during the 19th Cetury. The Unites States was going through a shift in this time era because more famers were leaving everything behind and taking theirfamilies into the larger cities with moral corruption. However, the authors would try to lead the children to treat others the way they would want to be treated, and have higher values and morals because they felt that is what was getting lost. The authors were attempting to bring back the more family valued times, and they were trying to bring it back through the children.

Bonjour!

Hi!

My name is Rachel Fisher and I am a sophomore here at TCU this year. I have a CRAZY schedule, but I would not have it any other way. I am a cheerleader, and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha as well! I am an Education major, and I would love to end up teaching history at a University. I am the oldest of three girls, and yes I know my poor poor Daddy :( We are all cheerleaders, and I used to compete. ( the young ones still do!) Jessica, one of my sisters, is a senior this year, and is looking at TCU as one of her options. My youngest sister, Kylie, is only a freshman this year in high school, and colleges are already looking at her for cheerleading.

At first I had no interest in TCU because I wanted to go to a school that cheerleading was a huge honor and compete... OU, OSU, UT were a just a few I got asked to look at, but my grandparents ALL went to TCU. They begged to apply and once I got accpected wee took a tour of the school, and well TCU had stolen my heart the moment I stepped onto campus.

My mom has been a teacher for as long as I can honestly remember, and I love the vibe that you get from walking into her classroom. She interacts with her students, and the flow of everything is mellow but also to the point. From a student I believe that just doing the work does not cut it. I enjoy being pushed out of my element and forced to think out of the box.

Three people I would LOVE to have dinner with or spend any amount of time with would be:

1) Anthony Kiedis: He is the lead singer in Red Hot Chili Peppers, which happens to be one of my favorite bands ever. However, I was very interested in him and read his novel Scar Tissue. I was blown away, and have never read anything like it before and would love to have a conversation with him about his life experiences and how he is still alive today.

2) Marilyn Monroe: She is absolutely breath taking in my opinion. She may have been a bit over the top, but she got noticed and her name still lingers. She left a mark on society for sure, and I love how out spoken she was.

3) My grandfather: Sadly, I only remember bits and pieces with him, but I wish I had so much more. He dies when I was four years old of lung cancer, and had never smoked in his life. My mom said that my younger sister and I were his pride and joy. He spoiled us like there was no tomorrow coming, and I can only imagine what my life would have been like growing up with him. My wish would be to know if I am making him proud by the young woman I am becoming.

Three things to know about me that are some what interesting:

1) My main language was french growing up, until I was put in public school. (6th grade)
2) I am half french and half American, I have dual citizenship.
3) I skipped a grade when I was younger, and I am about to be 19!!

Honestly, I love to read. I read just about anything and everything as well. I am not that confident in my writing, but I am hoping that will change throughout this semester. I hope that my blog reveals a little more of myself to who ever is reading it.

I have read and understand what is expected of me in this course.

"I don't mind living in a man's world, as long as I can be a woman in it."

- Marilyn Monroe