Comments for edublogging

Comment on Surrealism by Ana Washington

Ana Washington — Mon, 04 May 2009 10:37:37 +0000

you have an interesting family line. it is nice to know that you have a wonderful cultural background.

Comment on El Realismo by Christopher Conway

Christopher Conway — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 21:27:58 +0000

You answered your own question:

Q”Why not write a novel that would stir up the emotions of the lower classes? ”

A “The novel portrayed a lack of energy or want among the elite to better conditions for those less fortunate.”

To recreate a world in the past to present a critique of it and its attitudes can be as deep or deeper as a more transparently ideological novel.

Also, poor people –the proletariat–normally did not read novels. They were too busy being overworked. Reading and writing novels in the 19th cnetury was a middle and upper class activity.

Interesting post.

Comment on Surrealism by citlali

citlali — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:20:04 +0000

Oh I think it is an accurate one. Remember one of the reasons Pancho Villa entered the Mexican Revolution was because he murdered an hacendado after he dishonored/raped his sister.

Comment on Surrealism by Sally Garcia

Sally Garcia — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 01:30:36 +0000

I am like Catherine and think that your perspective on the story is interesting, since you have experience with the culture described in Pedro Paramo. I personally do not like to judge the people in the story so harshly, but if I had relatives who experienced the kind of treatment that Pedro Paramo and his son meted out to their neighbors, I might feel differently.

I’m curious to know if the description of the sexual exploits of Pedro and his son Miguel is accurate for that time in Mexican cuilture. What do you think?

Comment on Surrealism by Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 23:58:11 +0000

How interesting that you have that cultural background and relatives who pass down their stories of the revolution. It helps you to “feel” the book even more. My husband is Mexican, and he fills in a lot of my cultural gaps. He is also a huge fan of Juan Rulfo and was ecstatic when I told him I was reading it for this course; it’s practically his favorite book. I definitely agree with him that, in spite of being well-translated, much of the “local pueblo flavor” is lost by not reading it in the original.

Comment on Existentialism by Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 23:51:17 +0000

I don’t have much faith in the ‘unpopular political move’ if it is what I think it is, but I would sure like to think you are right. Regardless of the outcome, I think we will probably need to change our mentality and learn from counties that have been dealing with terrorism for decades. One day the human race might learn, but we still have wars in the 21st century. One thing that gives me hope, strangely enough, is instant mass communication. It’s much harder for countries to attack each other when they know the whole world is watching every move they make… pretty much simultaneously.

Thanks for reminding me of Profiles in Courage. I have not read that in years, and would really like to read it again.

Comment on El Realismo by st2007

st2007 — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:57:42 +0000

I agree that he could have used his writing talents to persuade the lower classes into some kind of action but we’re being too practical.

Poets were not social activists and so he apparently seemed content to merely describe what he saw. He wasn’t sure what to make of everything and so this is where the people had to make up their own minds to act or not to act.

Comment on Humanism by VJ

VJ — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:04:12 +0000

Hey “Medea”

I’m so sorry I didn’t remember asking you this question. I guess the reason is that the answer did not come directly to me. Anyway, I wish I had read the book myself; I would have better appreciated your answer and reasons for identifying with this character. Are you talking about fighting to change things in society or just working hard to get through with your degree for example? Anyway, you look like a tough kind of person(compliment). Would you also identify with the CHE? I think I like the Marti type you know, not Dario. Marti, for his committment to the people. A poet, if he is gifted, should not separate himself from the people; he should be the voice of the voiceless. I thought the modernistas hated materialism because it encourages the exploitation of the people and other cultures, but it looks like they saw materialism as an obstacle to the expansion of their Art for Art stuff. Is that right?

Comment on El Romanticismo by J.D.

J.D. — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 01:25:26 +0000

I agree with that romaticism feeling of awe in the midst of Nature…remember the self is in nature also and not just a “look at the pretty picture feeling” Thats interesting to put yourself into Nature

Comment on El Romanticismo by briones

briones — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 22:43:06 +0000

I also felt like you in my last trip to El Paso. I saw things diffrently during my last trip.