Nick Bolyard
Mrs. Reidenbaugh
Humanities 6-7
22 April 2008
Paving the Way for the Future: The Works of Allen Ginsberg
The exuberating works of Allen Ginsberg has amazed many people and has influenced people throughout the world. Three specific poems I have been lucky enough to have come across. These poems are: Feb. 29, 1958, Hum Bom!, and Five A.M. These works and many others have paved the way for modern day poets.
First, I read and studied the poem Feb. 29, 1958 is a one stanza poem that brings the works of deceased poets such as Zanzibar, Lindsay, and others such as Mayakovsky. In this poem, Ginsberg uses figurative language to describe a dream that he had about T.S. Eliot. Towards the end of the poem, Ginsberg begins to ask questions after awakening from the dream. At the end of the poem, Ginsberg writes “Last night I dreamed of Allen Ginsberg. T.S. Eliot would not be ashamed of me(40-41).” This brings that you can dream that you are going to be something great, as long as you remember who you are.
Next, I came across the poem Hum Bom!, which is about the bombing on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. In this poem, Ginsberg uses a style that resembles a conversation between a Japan and America. A negative that sticks out is that the poem repeats the same concept throughout, without changing many of the words. I think that this would seem more like a children’s song during school recess. I can see this because at the time this poem was made, many children wanted to support the war effort.
Finally, I had the opportunity to come across the poem Five A.M. One main concept of the poem is about being above the clouds. Ginsberg begins the poem with “Elan that lifts me above the clouds(1).” Ginsberg uses figurative language to control the mood of his poem and also the pace of the poem.
Allen Ginsberg was an excruciatingly detailed poet, who used many styles and forms during his work. In all of the poems that I came across, I believe that Ginsberg is an outstanding poet who wrote many great poems. In all of his poems, he paved the way for modern day poets.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Cumulative Self-Assessment
- What is the easiest part of writing for you? The most difficult?
The easiest part of writing for me is using my research in a paper and also keeping a good flow. The most difficult is developing a hook sentence and also a thesis statement.
2. As you look over your writing, select one particular essay with which you are satisfied. Below, discuss the specific effective traits of your piece. In other words, what did you do well? What do this particular essay have that the others don't.
I am most satisified with my poetry project. This piece has a good hook sentence, and thesis statement. I also believe that I did well in describing the works of Allen Ginsberg. This particular essay is better than the rest because it flows better.
3. Over the past year, in what ways have you grown or changed as a writer? What sort of things do you now do more effectively? What specific skills have you learned? Do you have the "hang" of the five-paragraph essay? Will you be prepared for the OGT?
I have improved as a writer by improving my spelling, grammar, paragraphs, and also my conclusion. I can create a concluding sentence better and I have learned to draw the readers' attention. I believe that I am used to the five-paragraph essay after writing eleven. Due to the amount of projects that we have had, I believe that I am better prepared for the OGT next March.
4. Set a goal for next year. What do you still need to work on? What areas of your writing would you like to strengthen?
A goal for me for next year is to improve my hook and thesis statements in the introduction.
Humanities 9: Vietnam Interview
Nick Bolyard
Mrs. Reidenbaugh
Humanities 6/7
27 May 2008
On the date of May 26th, 2008, I had the opportunity to interview Larry Cunningham, a veteran of the United States Army. While in the Army, Cunningham reached the rank of supply sergeant of the Army. Sgt. Cunningham fought in the Korean War while in the Army, and talked to me about his perspective on the Vietnam War. Sgt. Cunningham had retired from the Army five years prior to the beginning of the Vietnam War, and had returned to a normal lifestyle when the war in Vietnam started.
Question: What was your location during the Vietnam War?
Sgt. Cunningham: Columbus, OH
Q: What did you think of the Vietnam War?
S.C.: We had no business being there, like the Korean War. It was a civil war and was none of our business.
Q: What was your first reaction when you heard of the war?
S.C.: What is my government getting us into now?
Q: Were you still in the military? If so, were you involved, if not, how long were you out?
S.C.: No, I had been out of the Army for about five years.
Q: What did your family think of the war?
S.C.: That we had no business being there.
Q: When people talk about to the war, what do you think?
S.C.: I don’t approve of the treatment towards the veterans. The public blamed the soldiers for the war. They were just doing their job.
Q: Why do you think that people don’t talk about the war?
S.C.: Talking about it brings back too many memories.
After this interview, Sgt. Cunningham stated that the media is partially at fault because all that was shown was the negatives about our soldiers, instead of showing the great things that they did. After the interview, I had learned that the Vietnam War was not approved by the public, and that there was a lack of respect towards the veterans. I think that this can relate to the current war because much of the public seems to disagree with the war, and my fear is that there will also be a lack of respect towards the current troops when this war ends. Some would say that the veterans do not speak of the war and hide it because it brings memories back that are unwanted. For example, they could think of a friend who had died, that had been very close to them. I don’t believe that this interview will break or make the silence worse. Instead, I believe that this interview will prove to the public why these veterans are the way that they are.
Mrs. Reidenbaugh
Humanities 6/7
27 May 2008
On the date of May 26th, 2008, I had the opportunity to interview Larry Cunningham, a veteran of the United States Army. While in the Army, Cunningham reached the rank of supply sergeant of the Army. Sgt. Cunningham fought in the Korean War while in the Army, and talked to me about his perspective on the Vietnam War. Sgt. Cunningham had retired from the Army five years prior to the beginning of the Vietnam War, and had returned to a normal lifestyle when the war in Vietnam started.
Question: What was your location during the Vietnam War?
Sgt. Cunningham: Columbus, OH
Q: What did you think of the Vietnam War?
S.C.: We had no business being there, like the Korean War. It was a civil war and was none of our business.
Q: What was your first reaction when you heard of the war?
S.C.: What is my government getting us into now?
Q: Were you still in the military? If so, were you involved, if not, how long were you out?
S.C.: No, I had been out of the Army for about five years.
Q: What did your family think of the war?
S.C.: That we had no business being there.
Q: When people talk about to the war, what do you think?
S.C.: I don’t approve of the treatment towards the veterans. The public blamed the soldiers for the war. They were just doing their job.
Q: Why do you think that people don’t talk about the war?
S.C.: Talking about it brings back too many memories.
After this interview, Sgt. Cunningham stated that the media is partially at fault because all that was shown was the negatives about our soldiers, instead of showing the great things that they did. After the interview, I had learned that the Vietnam War was not approved by the public, and that there was a lack of respect towards the veterans. I think that this can relate to the current war because much of the public seems to disagree with the war, and my fear is that there will also be a lack of respect towards the current troops when this war ends. Some would say that the veterans do not speak of the war and hide it because it brings memories back that are unwanted. For example, they could think of a friend who had died, that had been very close to them. I don’t believe that this interview will break or make the silence worse. Instead, I believe that this interview will prove to the public why these veterans are the way that they are.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Seeking Reflection, Evaluating Your Process(10/23/07; 5/30/08)
Nick Bolyard
Mrs. Reidenbaugh
Humanities 6/7
30 May 2008
In a time span of two years, I had very many changes occur in my life. One of the biggest changes was the respect or the treatment toward me throughout my eighth and ninth grade year. The classmates that I had in eighth grade were the same in ninth grade, but their change from bullying me to treating me like a person. In the three months between my eighth and ninth grade years, I learned who I really am, and who my friends really are.
One of the reasons that this change in feeling toward me occured was that I played football. This caused a change because in eighth grade, none of my classmates believed that I would last. However, I went against all odds and played the sport that I loved. During my eighth grade year, many of my classmates also believed that if I did indeed play football, I would quit by two-a-days. Again I proved them wrong by making it all the way through the season. All of this changed their view because the people during middle school thought that I would not do anything because I was "soft, and weak". All of this did not stop me like they hoped, but motivated me to prove them wrong.
Another reason that changed their feeling was that I able to go through all of this and take the reality that my brother had enlisted and left for the Marine Corps. The person that had motivated me to not deal with people picking on me, and stand up for myself, had left. This made me want to work harder for him, and make him proud of me when he came home. This proved to people that I have dedication, pride, and heart.
Between the years of my eighth and nineth grade year, I learned that no matter what happens, I have a friend with me. The lesson I learned from this is trust. I learned that I have to be able to have trust in someone to be good friends with them. Another lesson that I learned from having friends is that I have to be able to be myself. If my friends don't like the true me, then they don't like me. If this is true, then people may talk bad about me behind my back.
Mrs. Reidenbaugh
Humanities 6/7
30 May 2008
In a time span of two years, I had very many changes occur in my life. One of the biggest changes was the respect or the treatment toward me throughout my eighth and ninth grade year. The classmates that I had in eighth grade were the same in ninth grade, but their change from bullying me to treating me like a person. In the three months between my eighth and ninth grade years, I learned who I really am, and who my friends really are.
One of the reasons that this change in feeling toward me occured was that I played football. This caused a change because in eighth grade, none of my classmates believed that I would last. However, I went against all odds and played the sport that I loved. During my eighth grade year, many of my classmates also believed that if I did indeed play football, I would quit by two-a-days. Again I proved them wrong by making it all the way through the season. All of this changed their view because the people during middle school thought that I would not do anything because I was "soft, and weak". All of this did not stop me like they hoped, but motivated me to prove them wrong.
Another reason that changed their feeling was that I able to go through all of this and take the reality that my brother had enlisted and left for the Marine Corps. The person that had motivated me to not deal with people picking on me, and stand up for myself, had left. This made me want to work harder for him, and make him proud of me when he came home. This proved to people that I have dedication, pride, and heart.
Between the years of my eighth and nineth grade year, I learned that no matter what happens, I have a friend with me. The lesson I learned from this is trust. I learned that I have to be able to have trust in someone to be good friends with them. Another lesson that I learned from having friends is that I have to be able to be myself. If my friends don't like the true me, then they don't like me. If this is true, then people may talk bad about me behind my back.
During my eighth grade year at Dominion, I was the main target of eveyone to bully. From this I learned that I cannot trust eveyone, just the ones that I know are my true friends. Also from being the victim to most bullies in eighth grade, I learned that I needed to be able to face my fears. In ninth grade, this lead to me being able to play sports and not be afriad of someone who is criticing me. I learned who my friends really were by being able to watch all of them carefully while I was around them.
Going into ninth grade, I did not believe that so many people would be behind me. Others did not see much, but I saw an improvement from my eighth grade year. I saw people who saw a change in me. That change was that I was not going to let them pick on me anymore. Instead, I would stand my ground and not take it. Although they were the same people to others they were different to me from the people I knew in eighth grade, to the people in ninth grade.
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