Neuromancer, Chiba City

Cyberspace, the home of Case. In William Gibson "Neuromancer", Case lives in a city of Japan called Chiba. It is a very dark and gloomy place, dark and gray clouds look over it, as Case will describe it. He goes and visit many place in Chiba, to one find the information on a cure for his nervous system, and two to find out whether that Wage (a person Case owns money to) is really out to do him in. Many illegal and dangerous activity happen in Chiba; such as prostitution, drugs, and mercenaries. It is not a safe place to be, yet Case ventures into the deeper and more darker part of Chiba, Night City. Ninsei is where Night City is, sure the place is filled with arcades, massage parlors, and coffee shops. But it also where the "street samurai" (a group of mercenaries) and the black market is as well. Case goes to Ratz bar often, to gather information on where people are going, where they been, and what is up. He also goes to an old man by the name of Julie, who is more then 100+ years old, and seems very attached to old belongs.It had many old furniture and lamps, and stuff that Julie doesn't even have time to reassemble. Case lives in a cheap hotel, which seem like a pod (coffin) where they store stuff and sleep.

However dark and dirty cyberspace is, Case feels more at home in this dangerous space. The thought of getting chased, buying guns, doing all these illegal things excites him. Compare to the external world, cyberspace is where Case prefers to be despite its depressing atmosphere. In cyberspace, Case feels more at home, most likely due to past experience in cyberspace and things he can not do in the external world.

Owl Creek POV

In Ambrose Bierce's short story, "An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge," Bierce use of different point of view leads the reader into an unexpected ending. The chronological order of the story is also unusual, as the short story in a time line will go Part II,I,III.

Part I is told through a third person narrative point of view, this only lets the reader know the circumstances of the story at this point. They only know that there is a gentlemen, with a family, that is about to be executed. Through this point of view and captivating cliff hanger, Bierce draws in the readers and forces them to continue reading to know who is this innocent man and what did or did not do to be executed.

In part II the story is switched to a limited third person view. However, Bierce also use dialogue to tell his story. This thus lets the reader know the tone of the situation and how the characters are feeling. The readers now know who the man was, and what his profession is. The family he has, and most important why he is being hanged. It turns out that Peyton Farquhar is a planter, a gentlemen, and a supporter of the opposite side of an opposing army. He wanted to burn down the bridge to support the troops. Through this point of view and information, the readers may not feel as sympathic toward Peyton Farquhar, because we now know that he has an intent to do harm.

Part III is told through the eyes of Peyton Farquhar. Through this point of view, Bierce recreates the sympathetic feelings within the readers from part I. Where we know that he is a gentlemen, who has a family to raise, and is being executed despite of that. However, though its told through Peyton Farquhar point of view, it is not true. Because in the end its is revealed that he is only imagining this. The parts where he escape, swim, walked to his house, and was about to kiss his wife and live with his family, all false hope. In reality, Peyton Farquhar was already dead, and this was his last thought. Bierce use of Peyton Farquhar POV created false hope for the readers and made the ending a bigger impact.

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Poetry in Pop Culture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNh6i7ehukg&feature=player_embedded#
^ Link to the audio, couldn't find a legitimate copy of the movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNIb5Q6ZSdU&feature=related
^ Link to the video, its in spanish, but this is the scene from the movie.

The scene from the movie "In her Shoes" really brings out the message of the poem. The poem "i keep in my heart" by e.e. cummings isn't just about couple love, but about love in general. Through Carmen Diaz isn't the one getting married, the poem was directed toward her friend ( I believe she hated her before), showing that even friends can have a strong love bond. This poem wasn't just for lovers, but for anyone who is loved or love someone. Whether it be mom, dad, lover, or friend.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_d8FKgrZ1E

This scene of the sunset from the movie "the Outsiders", where Ponyboys recite the poem "Nothing can stay gold" by Robert Frost really capture the main poem's theme. Its about the moment in lifes, though they can not stay gold, the moment that it does, it is beautiful. The image from the movie, such as the sunset, really represent the meaning of nothing can stay gold.

"All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace" Anti or Pro Technology?

One may view this poem "All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace" by Brautigan, in a anti technology standpoint because of Brautigan reference the human race as mammals. Brautigan reference of human being mammals shows that the machines are superior in a godlike matter. That humans are "all watched over by Machines of Loving Grace". But this statement rather than being pro technology is more anti technology. Its an example of when something goes to extent of extreme that it becomes sarcastic. As well as his use of phase and urgency, like " the sooner, the better!" or "right now, Please!" after hopeful statement like "I like to think", really pokes fun at the need of technology, that if his life depended on it. However, the strongest anti technology statement in Brautigan poem is within the last stanza. "And joined back to nature/returned to our mammal/brothers and sisters/and all watched over/by machines of loving grace." In this stanza suggest that Brautigan rather not live if the word is going to be "cybernetic" and being watched over by "computer gods".He would rather go back to the dark age or being an animal, because there would be no point in life when everything is done for oneself. And that a human being can't be living, if they are active in any part of there life.

However, one can also look at this poem in a pro technology fashion. From the first line of the first Stanza, one can say that Brautigan is hoping for technology. He starts each stanza with a "I like to think", showing hope in the future for technology. Also, images such as the "strolling deer" passing the computers as they were "flowers with spinning blossoms" suggest that Brautigan might actually believe that nature and technology can co-exist. Lines like " live together mutally" and "where we are free of our labors" suggest that Brautigan doesn't mind having a easily life where they are watch over by Machines. The machines aren't all bad either, at least they are capable of a "loving grace"

Though this poem can be both pro technology and anti technology, I still stand on the anti technology. Because my own interpretation of the last stanza being so powerful. The question that Brautigan oppose to all readers of this poem is, what is living without being activate. Letting a machine do all your labor, what is there left to do? Is it life without doing anything? If a person is satisfied they are unhappy. Humans are born to chase their goal, but never archive it. Why is it only a chase? Because when a person is satisfied, what is next? Nothing is left for them, but to be watched over. In short, I felt Brautigan suggest that technology can't satisfy what humans need, and that technology is not the answer to all the worlds problem. Sometimes things have to be done by humans, because its meant to be there to satisfy and be done by humans.

A image is worth 300-350 words, Imagery in Poem.

CASABIANCA

by: Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793-1835)

Imagery list:

ship, fire, flag/banner, the sea

There is alot of striking image in the poem Casabianca written by Hemans. The main images being, the growing flames that ultimately end the life of both the captain and the gallant son. The banners and flags that represent their courage until their dying breaths. And the vast unknown watery grave, the sea. And through these image, Hemans try to convey a message to the readers about the the valor, coming of age, and rebirth in real life.

Throughout the poem, one image continue to grow in power. The flames was growing with each line, engulfing the ship. Hemans use this image to represent the ever growing problems/pressure/troubles that people face in their life as they grow. That if they are not dealt with will stack on and becoming overwhelming. The flames develop the young man character, it helped matured him. Because as the flames grew, the approach of death quicken as well. And with the flames already taking his father away from him, what does a young, scared, and inexperience boy do on the verge of death. Does he stand tall or ball up into a fettle position and hope for the best? The young boy didn't choose the latter, but instead did a "gut check" and found the valor deep within him. He stood tall and pride with flags burning down with him. The flags used by Hemans represents the pride of the boy and that he is now the captain of the ship. Though, in history flags burning means disrespect of the nation or others. This flag burner used by Hemans represents more of ones last stand. Like the wounded solider in battle who refuse to give up until he breath his last breath. Though the flame used by Hemans isn't just the negatives of life, but also the positives. In order to move on in the future, sometimes one need to erase the past. And in Hemans poem, the flame may take away life, but in a way reborn and redeem them. That you must start a new, and try to do the right thing again. All in all, Hemans use of image tells a very useful, rich, and powerful poem about life.

On a sidenote, Hemans might have been a big fan of popular culture, "Superman return", how even though an indestructible man has died, his love one cremate his ash and dump into the ocean. And because his ash was return to the ocean he was reborn. And like superman, the young man and his captain though has made their mistakes in this life, may be reborn through their ash being return to the ocean.