Final Project

Alan Moore's "Light of Thy Countenance"

Blog Assignment #8-

Alan Moore’s Light of Thy Countenance is a graphic novel unlike I have ever read. I was initially confused by the story line of the novel, but Moore cleverly and slowly revealed the idea behind the story’s plot. Because the style and the graphics of this novel, some may question it’s classification of literature. At the beginning of the quarter, we talked about how we define literature. I think that Moore’s graphic novel can be identified as literature because of it’s message it sends to it’s readers and how the message is presented. Here, Alan Moore is trying to tell his readers about the significance of watching TV and how it affects our lives. On average, people spend four hours watching TV a day and can even begin to confuse the fiction we see on TV with the reality of our lives. Just like any classic novel recognized today, Alan Moore’s graphic novel has a similar layout. It leaves the reader in suspense about the outcome of the beginning events of the story. From this graphic novel, we become more aware about watching TV. Although I am not an avid TV-watcher, I have seen many people become so enthralled by a TV series and become very involved in it. As TV includes more and more information about our society and other cultures, we begin to experience them just through TV. Instead, we should go out into the world and experiences these things for ourselves. This is a more enriching way to inform ourselves about different aspects in our world. Overall, I believe Alan Moore’s graphic novel can be classified as literature because of its message sent to the readers. In all literature, I believe that the message and plot of the text is more significant than layout of the text. In this case, the message of Light of They Countenance is more important than the graphics included in it.

Blade Runner

Blog Assignment #7-

The movie Blade Runner had a very similar story line to Rossum’s Universal Robots. Both involved the creation of robots to benefit production and humanity as a whole. The robots in Blade Runner were referred to as Replicants and were hard to distinguish from humans. Once the Replicants started to revolt and kill off humans, officers were assigned to kill all of the Replicants. This story line is similar to RUR because the robots in the book also revolted against the humans for the way they were treated. In connection to my essay topic of technophobia changing to technophilia, the creators of the Replicants were initially obsessed with their creations. Every time they accomplished a new improvement to them, they started creating a new addition to them. This obsession of always creating a bigger and better Replicant resulted in their downturn. Their creations questioned whether or not their work imitated or replaced the work of God. This raises the question that if because humans are creating their own creatures, this resulted in the flaws of their creations. This is also shown in Frankenstein as well because his monster goes against humans. Can this be because Victor Frankenstein takes up the role of God? The change between technophilia and technophobia in Blade Runner occurs before the time of the movie. However, the movie shows the continuation of the fear of the Replicants. The creators of the Replicants regret their creations once they revolt against the humans. As they created them, they only thought about how they can benefit the society, and failed to think about what kind of hazard they may bring to humans.

I think that Roy Baty’s decision to spare Deckard’s life showed a more sensitive of the Replicants and how they can be more caring towards humans rather than the portrayed fight against humans. When Roy tells Deckard about living in fear and being a slave, I believe he is trying to explain to Deckard reasoning towards the actions of the Replicants. As the last surviving Replicant, he hopes to give reason for their actions regarding how they were treated and seen by other humans. After seeing Roy spare Deckard’s life, I felt a little more compassion towards the Replicants and saw that maybe their involvement in society was not easy and resulted in their revolt. However, it did not completely change my apprehension about the Replicants and their abilities to hurt humans and the society.

Frankenstein vs. RUR

Blog Assignment#6-

When reading both Frankenstein and Rossum’s Universal Robots, I saw many similarities to the studies of the characters in each book. Both show the beginning of a love for technology and new ideas in the world. Then they both transition into a fear of new things they created. In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein begins with an obsession over ideas of the creation of life and wants to build his own live creature. As a young child, he is not interested in “typical” areas of study, but rather wants to explore the ideas of philosophy. RUR also begins with the directors of the company explaining their fascination with the robot creatures they have created as well. Their creation may stir up questions about ethics and if it is right to create robots to do the work of humans. Although the directors are aware of this question, they are more concerned with efficiency and productivity of work. Characters from both books are initially very enthralled and excited about their studies and creations. Victor Frankenstein keeps his creation a secret; while on the other hand, the directors of RUR are very open to telling others about the robots. However, by the end of both books, this love for their creations turns into a fear of their creations. This shift occurs fairly rapidly in both books. Frankenstein fears the evil that his creature can cause, for example, his ability to kill a human such as William or Elizabeth. Once Victor discovers what the creature had done, he instantly fears it and regrets his decision to out him together. The Robots in RUR do a similar evil. They decide to take over the factory and kill off all of the directors and other humans present. This obviously leads to the fear of their founded technology. Both books show a transition from technophilia to technophobia once they realize the outcome of their creations.

Frankenstein Evidence

Blog Assigment #5-

Frankenstein has many examples of technophilia, a love technology, and technophobia, a fear of technology, and how one’s perspective on these two views can change. The story starts out with young Frankenstein interested in many types of mystical and philosophical studies. Frankenstein did not have the desire to learn typical areas of study such as politics or literature, but about “the secrets of heaven” (33). He continues to study the works of scientists such as Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Albertus Magnus. He also says about himself that he has “always (had) been embued with a fervent longing to penetrate the secrets of nature” (35). Frankenstein’s love for this philosophical view on life started early, but later changed.

After much research and experimentation, Frankenstein finally creates his creature. He obsessed over this creation for many years and at last reached his goal. However, once he creates this new life, he instantly fears it. He describes his feelings in a vivid way by saying:

“(he) had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that (he) finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled (his) heart” (51).

Frankenstein also quickly refers to his experiment a “catastrophe” (51). His change from technophilia to technophobia occurred very rapidly once his ultimate goal was reached and the creature was produced.

The regret and fear towards Frankenstein’s creature continues later on in the book once he discovers that his creature was the cause of William’s death. He blatantly states that he “wished to extinguish that life which (he) has so thoughtlessly bestowed” (81). His fear of this new creature was enhanced once he discovered that his own creation was the “author of unalterable events” (81). Frankenstein’s fear of his creature was exemplified because of its actions.

These three parts of the novel show Frankenstein’s view of technology and experimentation change over time. The initial love for his studies changed once he saw the outcome of his experiments. The results changed his point of view to a fear of his experiment. It was hard for Frankenstein to see how his creation would affect him and others around him as well.

"An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce

Blog Assignment #4-

The beginning of Ambrose Bierce’s story is told from a third person objective point of view. From this point of view, it seems as if an outsider is describing the scene to the reader. By starting the story out this way, the reader is given a descriptive view of the setting and situation. In this case, readers are given details about the man, Peyton Farquhar, about to be hung off of Owl Creek Bridge and about his surroundings of soldiers and captains. However, this point of view may also suppress from the story because this way, the reader has no insight on the inner thoughts and feelings of either Peyton Farquhar or the soldiers sending him to his death. This insider view can help to make the reader feel more involved in the story.

The last three paragraphs of part one switch to a third person limited point of view. Peyton Farquhar’s thoughts about his coming death are now revealed. The first paragraph of this transition reveals his point of view of where he stands; the reader is told about the soldiers around him and the water below him. The next paragraph brings the reader into Peyton Farquhar’s thoughts about how to save him from this seemingly inescapable fate. He also thinks about his wife and kids back home safe. By being allowed into the thoughts of this man, the reader now has an emotion connection to him.

Part two of Ambrose Bierce’s story returns to a third person objective point of view. The reader is brought back out of the mind of Peyton Farquhar and can now see how he got into the situation previously presented. In terms of chronology, the reader is brought back into the past, before the hanging occurs. By doing so, it is shown how the situation and hanging came to happen.

"Suicide's Note" by Langston Hughes

Blog Assignment #3-

The first time I watched the machinima video tribute to Langston Hughes poem, “Suicide’s Note,” I thought it was sad to see a video game character so lost in his fight that suicide was his only escape. However, the more I watched the video, the more I began to think that maybe machinima art is not the way to depict serious poems such as this one. Suicide is something I do not take very lightly, and to see this poem portray that action like it did is not how I would respond to the poem.

One part of the video that I did think was effective was the background song. It set the mood in a calm and depressed way that properly could parallel the feelings of someone considering suicide. Having the meaning of this poem acted out by a video game character detracts from the meaning of the poem. In one way, the video game setting partially makes the situation feel lighter and less solemn. The machinima version diverges from the tone of Langston Hughes poem because it is not a proper depiction on the seriousness of the poem.

The Simpson’s is always full of references to popular culture whether it is a reference to politics, literature, or other areas. In the episode The Secret War of Lisa Simpson, Lisa mentions Emily Dickinson and her great works. She then refers to her as “crazy as a loon.” Later in the episode, John Keats’ poem, “Ode On a Grecian Urn,” is being studied in her class. These references can be important to this pop culture moment because it a short, but good reference to well known poets and their works. References like these can inform the audience of key works in poetry and can help them become familiar to them.

"All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace" by Richard Brautigan

Blog Assignment #2-

Richard Brautigan’s poem “All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace” can be interpreted with an anti-technology message because of the sarcasm he uses when describing nature and technology. For example, he compares “computers as if they were flowers,” which people today may find silly. Brautigan makes it sound like technology intertwined in nature is ridiculous and that technology has no use of purpose in nature. It seems that Brautigan is stating that technology cannot and should not be accepted into nature. Therefore, he can be trying to convince his readers of considering an anti-technology point of view.

On the other hand, Brautigan may be sending a pro-technology message to his readers. Phrases such as “programming harmony” may be used to explain that technology and nature should be able to work together in our society. He is hoping that in the future, technology can be less of a part of life associated with busyness and stress, and more related to comfort by saying we can be “watched over by machines of loving grace.” Technology can possibly become helpful to nature and the environment. From these points, Brautigan may be trying to convey a message towards pro-technology.

After reading this poem many times and considering both sides of the argument, I believe that Richard Brautigan is trying to communicate an anti-technology point of view. The tone in this poem is sarcastic and said in a joking matter. When he uses phrases such as “the sooner the better” and “right now, please!” he is saying that soon technology can become intertwined in our society when it should not be. He is saying that we should be aware of technology becoming too big of a part of our lives whereas we should still be able to appreciate nature and the environment around us. Richard Brautigan is trying to prove that technology and nature are not equal and should not be one in the same in our society.

"Design" by Robert Frost

Blog Assignment #1-

Images:
Spider, fat and white, moth, satin cloth, witches’ broth, flower like a froth, dead wings, white, innocent heal-all, night, darkness, design.

The first stanza of this poem describes the image of a spider on a flower waiting for the moth to come. To the spider, the dead wings of the moth are part of being able to eat and survive. This is a part of the spider’s life that is crucial to survival. From the point of view of the moth, this is a dark time because its death is near. The spider may not be aware of the impact it’s actions have on the moth. From this, it is clear that events in our lives cannot just be looked at from our own point of view, but in the larger picture as well. The second stanza explains the two sides of this encounter. When describing the flower that the spider waits upon, encouraging words like white, representing purity, and innocent heal-all are used because the spider is accomplishing the task of surviving. On the other hand, words such as witches’ broth and darkness are used when describing the fate of the moth. The underlying meaning of this poem is revealing that the simple designs of aspects in our lives can be both helpful to some but catastrophic to others. It can teach us that parts of our every day lives can affect others without us being aware of it. We should not only be aware of the details in our lives, but also how it relates to others in the big picture. In parallel with the Robert Frost’s poem, the spider understood the details of its own situation without being aware of the impact on the moth. Everything in life has a purpose that we can learn from and grow from. In our own lives, we must always be aware that even the smallest things in life have its own story and train of events that may occur afterwards.