In the beginning of the story, the narrators uncle sends him a letter telling him that his Aunt Georgiana will be visiting Boston from Nebraska because of some real estate that she inherited from a family member of hers that passed away. The story has a lot of moments of comparison with Boston, and especially the music and symphonies from there, with Nebraska, and the everyday life of Aunt Georgiana. Her life seems almost colorless and bland when described in the story. Aunt's appearance has a negative connotation because the author made it seem like she was growing very old and worn out. On page 672, the narrator describes his aunt like, "One of those charred smoked bodies that firemen lift from the debris of a burned building." Aunt Georgiana seemed really touched by visiting Boston. What moved her the most was when she went to the concert with her nephew, and she began crying by how powerful the music felt to her. I think the music reminded her of the different things in life as opposed to just the everyday farm life she lives back at home.
An Account of Experience with Discrimination:
I think the "old slave holding spirit" was basically the idea that even though slavery may have been abolished after civil rights activists such as Sojourner Truth fought for equality, there was still peoples personal opinion about how things should work. Although it wasn't technically legal for slavery, there may have been people who believed in racist antics anyways. This may have segregated communities unintentionally because of similar moral beliefs within people. The fact this reading was a primary document makes it all the more interesting, I believe, because it shows the exact view point of the author. In this case, we read first hand how although Truth faced some pretty hard times with discrimination, she kept on fighting for what she believed in.
Here is New York:
White begins by describing New York as what it isn't because the main idea of the whole passage is that although New York has some flaws, its still in amazing place in some peoples eyes. Some flaws include traffic congestion, noisy and sleepless nights, public transportation. But the author makes it known that the residents learn to deal with it. Things like this are what make New York a unique place to live or visit. White describes New York as being a city within a city because you are able to find common places on every block, such as barer shops or grocery stores. This sort of reminds me of Chicago because if you go downtown, you can find places like Starbucks, or small convenient stores on basically every corner. I guess bigger cities have a different feeling to them, whereas smaller communities are more reserved and schedule based.
Song:
"Homecoming" by Kanye West ft. Chris Martin
Yeah And you say chi city chi city chi city I'm coming home again Do you think about me now and then Do you think about me now and then Cause I'm coming home again Coming home again I met this girl when I was three years old And what I love most she had so much soul She said Excuse me little homie I know you don't know me But my name is Windy and I like to blow trees and From that point I never blow her off ------ come from out of town I like to show her off They like to act tough she like to toe em off And make em straighten up their hat cuz she know they soft And when I grew up she showed me how to go downtown And in the nighttime her face lit up so astounding I told her in my heart is where she'll always be She never mess with entertainers cuz they always leave She said it felt like they walked and drove on me Knew I was gang affiliated got on tv and told on me I guess that's why last winter she got so cold on me She said, 'Ye, keep makin keep makin that platinum and gold for me I'm coming home again Do you think about me now and then Do you think about me now and then Cause I'm coming home again Coming home again Do you think about me now and then Do you think about me now and then Oh Now I'm coming home again Maybe we can start again But if you really cared for her Then you wouldn't of never Hit the airport to follow your dreams Sometimes I still talk to her But when I talk to her, it always seems like she talkin about me She said you left your kids, and they just like you They wanna rap and make soul beats just like you But they just not you and I just got through Talkin bout what ------ tryin to do just not new Now everybody got the game figured out all wrong I guess you never know what you got till it's gone I guess that's why I'm here and I can't come back home And guess when I heard that when I was back home Every interview I'm representing you making you proud Reach for the stars so if you fall you land on a cloud Jumpin in da crowd spark your lighters wave em around If you don't know by now I'm talkin bout Chi-town I'm coming home again Do you think about me now and then Do you think about me now and then Cause I'm coming home again Coming home again Baby do you remember when Fireworks at Lake Michigan Oh Now I'm coming home again Coming home again Baby do you remember when Fireworks at Lake Michigan Oh Now I'm coming home again Maybe we can start again Loy oy oy oh Loy oy oy oh Comin home again Loy oy oy oh Loy oy oy oh Comin home again Maybe we can start again
Response:
The entire song is about Chicago, and how Kanye West grew up there. He refers to Chicago as a girl throughout the song, and describes different aspects of the city. For example, he talks about Downtown, and the weather at some point. Kanye basically describes how he left Chicago to pursue his career, but he still comes back to visit sometimes. He raps about how Chicago made him who he is today, and how he is so proud to be from Chicago. He represents where he's from still now that hes famous. He sort of personifies the city, and makes it seem like "she's" disappointed that as soon as people get famous, they leave, and tend to just forget about where they came from. Kanye uses negative and positive aspects from the city, and embraces them both in a proud sense.
Great analysis of Kanye's lyrics. For the most part, I agree with your analysis. Such as when you say that Kanye refers to Chicago as a female and is describing it using human characteristics. When you say that he left Chicago to pursue his rap career, that part is a very important aspect of the song because it almost shows that the city is not the same without him. Also, great point by saying that the city is disappointed when people get famous they leave their hometowns. Great analysis.
ReplyDeleteI like how you fully explained to the reader the analogy of Kanye's lyrics, along with analyzing his metaphorical usage of Chicago as a girl. One thing that I would fix is the "sort of", which makes your point weaker.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, your analysis is of White's Here Is New York is quite strong; due to the city of New York's vast size and the magnitude of its population, this leads to an inevitable diversity and the development of a distinct cultural identity for each neighborhood. Additionally, your subsequent examination of the parallels between the community structures of Chicago and New York is accurate as well.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the song you chose is very relevant to the project that we are working on. I like you're response to the song as it shows a clear understanding of what the lyrics are saying and the way you compared Chicago and New York really makes the analysis much better and gives the reader a better picture of what is being said in the song.
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