Closed Reading

Article Title: BIPOLAR: SCOTT STERNBACH AT THE EARTH’S EXTREMES

Article Link: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/photobooth/2011/12/scott-sternbach.html


          The ambition drive of human beings has forced us to go the extreme and explore the earth's pole. In this article, photographer Scott Sternbach journeys to the south pole to bring back pictures of the developments due to human involvement with respect to oil exploration and mineral mining. In essence, Sternbach utlizes this article as a means to comment on the effects of the natural as well as human-driven effects that have ensued in the region, to both the people as well as nature.

          One of the most significant literary techniques used by Sternbach is imagery, where the article explicitly includes a photo gallery that highlights some of the conditions that the indigenous populations live in, in addition to the human developments due to external involvement. Some of the pictures, especially that of a lone girl and another of a family with a small child, evoke sympathy in the reader to convey the negative manifestations of the worldly involvement in the region in the name of research. In addition, diction is also included in the writing to illustrate the motive for Sternbach's journey. The two words that stand out in the second paragraph are "consideration" and "balance", both alluding to a sense of harmony that is essential for paying deference to all groups and communities in this world equally. Last but not the least, certain details are used in the piece, such as how "thirty-odd researchers, biologists, cooks, pilots, and boat captains [who] [were] involved in a federal project to study the effects of global warming on the region", demonstrating the magnitude of involvement and interest that the "civilized" part of the world was taking to further global understanding while at the same time overlooking the significance of change for the indigenous populations.


          Overall, Sterbach's purpose in journeying to the south pole was to experience the lives lived by the native populations, experiencing pressure under the man-made negative effects through oil exploration and mineral mining that diminish their livelihood along with the detrimental effects of global warming. Through the course of the piece, the literary pieces of evidence show how the priorities of the world in comparison with the livelihood of the indigenous population conflict. The importance of balance in nature is overlooked for the sake of increased scientific understanding and satisfying the world's needs for economic stability. In the end, the motive behind Sterbach's efforts is the sustenance of the indigenous populations along with their land in order to preserve their identity, their livelihood, and eventually their posterity.    

Responses to Course Material

          The highlight of the last few weeks has been reading Ceremony, by Leslie Marmon Silko. Over Thanksgiving break, reading the novel was very challenging. The syntax was one that I had not encountered before, being different in the aspect of the organization and writing style utilized by Silko to portray the narrative in a very disjointed format, conveying a sense of continuity and at the same time hinting at the underlying conflict that developed throughout the novel. During my individual reading, I was only able to analyze the motives and desires of the characters at the superficial level, preventing me from connecting their role to the larger theme of the novel. The incorporation of a long poem that spanned the length of the novel was very interesting as it allowed the reader to see the narrative in light of an old Native American narrative.

          Once we started discussing the novel in class, especially the first day when Ms. Holmes described the deities and their interactions and inter-relations, I started to develop a firmer grasp on the novel. By acquiring the views of my class, I was able to see the characters and the novel as a whole through a different literary lens that delved deeper than the superficial level to the symbolic level, analyzing each instance in the novel extensively. Moreover, breaking into groups and discussing each section separately allowed me to enhance my understanding of the novel and bring points to the table that necessitated further discussion.

          Lastly, I feel that the forums augmented my understanding of the novel by offering a new perspective through the eyes of learned individuals in the field of literature. I was responsible for reading Nelson's and Costa's piece, which demonstrated the overall importance of the novel as well as analysis of a particular theme of the novel, respectively. Upon reading their commentaries, I was able to understand and apply their reasoning to the class discussions and offer a nuanced perspective on a few of the various themes of the novel.

Open Prompt

2001. One definition of madness is "mental delusion or the eccentric behavior arising from it." But Emily Dickinson wrote

    Much madness is divinest Sense-

    To a discerning Eye-

Novelists and playwrights have often seen madness with a "discerning Eye." Select a novel or play in which a character's apparent madness or irrational behavior plays an important role. Then write a well-organized essay in which you explain what this delusion or eccentric behavior consists of and how it might be judged reasonable. Explain the significance of the "madness" to the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

          One only need to modify one's perspective in order to view madness through a different lens and see the inherent meaning within. In the Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, the central character, Willy, displays his eccentricity in order to allow the audience to perceive him in a different light that penetrates his persona and illuminates his inner soul. Looking beyond the superficial madness of Willy, at a deeper level, his eccentricity is a testament to his dependence on the past in order to find hope for the future, a place which he has transformed into his irrational reality.

          Throughout the course of the play, Miller depends on the literary technique of diction in order to portray the underlying purpose of Willy's madness. The word "Willy" itself indicates, Willy's will to live in adherence with optimism. Several times during the play, Willy states that it is very important to be "well-liked", reflecting on his struggle through life that has left him squandering for recognition of his talents and skills to progress. Furthermore, this piece of diction also sheds light on Willy's brother, Ben, who is a star character on his way to greater and greater success, indirectly overriding Willy's efforts and constantly reminding him of the hopeful future that Willy could have molded for himself. Transition from the past to the present several times during the play, Willy finds himself to be in a trance-like state where, in the past, he is confident for the future.

          The setting of the play itself is also a conduit to highlight the eccentricity of Willy Loman. Living in a quaint American style cozy and compact house, Willy is constantly reminded of the past, when he dreamt of being the richest among all, relishing the riches he would gain. In one instance, when Willy is recalling the past, he is in a scene with Linda, recounting the bills to be paid and expressing anger at the non-functioning refrigerator, which further enhanced Miller's point in demonstrating how Willy's eccentricity is exacerbated by his frequent trips to the past in his own mind, reminding him of what could have been and what is. While Willy Loman may appear to be nothing but a disturbed and demolished man, by closer inspection, one can see how he is merely lost in time and trying to find his place in society where he is well-recognized and accepted by society's standards.