Category: English HL Lit

Hitler’s First Photograph by Wislawa Szymborska

Rachel Jung

Think about:

– Transformation: translating from Polish to English; how does English translation differ from Polish (rhythm, connotation of words, etc)?

– Identity: content of poem

– Usage of dramatic irony (in a sense): Szymborska didn’t have to mention at all what Hitler would do when he was older, didn’t even hint at it, but the message/impact of the poem lies in what Hitler became; the audience already knew Hitler for the Holocaust but the narrator of the poem, as well as the characters mentioned (mother, history teacher), do not

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Poetry Unseen Practice: Moon by Kathleen Jamie

Rachel Jung

In the unseen practice analysis of Moon, I wanted to talk about how the author uses personification of both the moon and the room to compare the mother to the moon, revealing to the audience the persona’s relationship with the mother, as well as to show the differences between the moon and the mother, possibly to highlight the transformation of the persona.

Things to work on:

– Time management

– Organization, in both the actual writing and in planning

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Fun Home Reflection

Rachel Jung

September Goals:

  • Focus on technical language
    • Analyze/mention framing and content of panels
      • Shading, contrast
      • Spacing
      • Details of pictures
    • Use key vocabulary
  • Be detailed
    • Zoom in on the ‘how’ rather than being brief
      • Be more direct in explanation/analysis
    • Use more specific terms
      • ‘postive’ is too vague; should describe in more detail
        • What specific emotions are brought up
          • Nostalgia
          • Contentment
          • Happiness
  • Write in pen, not pencil
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Panel Analysis

Rachel Jung

First Panel:

Shows relationship between young Bechdel and her father; scene of the father’s “soft side” is juxtaposed with the reveal of his violent reactions; shows how, despite how cruel and scary the father appears to the child especially when angry, he had his nice moments.

Of course, it’s my opinion that it doesn’t matter that he was nice sometimes. He still terrorized and abused his kids, whether through physical assault or through emotional neglect, especially in early childhood. He wasn’t a good father. But I think that no matter what my thoughts are, I can still see that this memory is somewhat important, albeit maybe not remembered clearly, by Bechdel.

Second Panel:

I think this shows the effect her father left on Bechdel, even after his death; it kind of shows that she mimics some of her father’s habits, such as being emotionless or numb, or at least her interpretation of his habits. I think it also gets the message that Bechdel never really got over the trauma of being nonchalantly being introduced to a corpse, even years after the event and years after her father’s death. So, the audience can see some negative consequences being left in Bechdel’s life.

Categories: Academic, English HL Lit, Identity and Representation, PerspectiveLeave a comment