Today In Class:
Examine a particular passage by William Lloyd Garrison. You may find the passage on the previous blog posting.
We will examine, "Successful" by Drake feat. Trey Songz in class. We will watch the video and listen to the lyrcis.
We will review and summarize the reading, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.(Chapter 1 through Chapter 4) If you have not read up to Chapter 4 in the book,please make sure you do.
For tonight's assignment, write an analysis of William Lloyd Garrison's passage (examined in class). In your analysis, think about the following things:
1. Examine and explore the style of Garrison's writing.
2. Why do you think Garrison wrote the passage in that particular style?
3. What is the usefulness of the word "fortunate," what are the multiple intrepretations of this work?
Guidelines for the assignment:
1. Typed Documents: 12pt Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins and MLA format
2. Handwritten work is fine, please make sure work is neat and readable. Document should be at least 1 1/2 pages of written work.
or
3. Write a response on the blog!
There is not a maximum of how much should be written, but your thoughts should be expressed clearly and thoughtfully regarding the work.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
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Garrison chose to write the passage in a way that is up for interpertation. Some people may think that Frederick Douglass shouldn't have gotten so much recognition and praise, and he was only "fortunate" he was able to do the things that he did. Although others may feel that because he was a man with intellegence and he was able to preserver he deserved that praise. Garrison himself seems to be questioning Douglass's credability in his preface to Frederick Douglass's book.
ReplyDeleteAnd as a side note, Douglass, is often referred to as "The Lion of Anacostia" which goes back to the fable that Phillips breifly talks about.
Garrison, prefacing this novel, it almost comes off as being rude. Garrison's use of the word "fortunate" is used in almost a bitter tone, saying, 'yes, its fortunate that he did what he did... I suppose'. It's (like molly said), like he's trying to question Frederick Douglass' reputation. To many people they might not think twice about this, but Garrison may have slipped in his personal bias on Frederick Douglass.
ReplyDeleteAnd as a side note, I want the money, the money and the cars, the clothes, my nose, the hoes, and my toes.. I suppose.
Garrison has an almost sarcastic tone. The way he repeats "fortunate" shows that he is angry that these things happened, that he believes slavery should never have taken place and he is very bitter about it. It seems to me that Garrison is jealous of Fredrick Douglas' achievements, "it's a good thing F-Doug. came around to save us all..." He can be seen as discrediting Douglas for him work, making fun of his "pathos.... eloquence..." But from a more optimistic point of view Garrison is praising Douglas to no end, basically thanking him for ending slavery. They are very fortunate for Douglas. In the following paragraphs he regarded Douglas with respect and admiration. Between these interpretations, Garrison mostly likely used this Preface to express the extreme good-fortune he felt because of Douglas' actions. Garrison and many other praise Douglas for the good "fortune" he brought to slave.
ReplyDeleteAnd as a side note, Moses supposes his toeses are roses, but Moses supposes erroneously.
To add to both Molly's and Louis's response. Garrison does come off to sort of question Frederick Douglass's reputation and capabilities. Yes, he comes off a bit negative with his form of questioning him with the word "fortunate", but he eventually answers that open minded question of the word "Fortunate" and what it can symbolize. He goes on to sort of Praise Douglass by stating how he can bring his crowd to tears, persuade them and educate them the horrors of Slavery. He after all his verbiage sides with Frederick and insists he is the right candidate they need for Abolitionist groups and has good opportunities. So he represents the people that do doubt Frederick douglas in this paragraph by stating "fortunate" but eventually coincides with his own people, and those are the people who think Frederick Douglas should get praised.
ReplyDeleteI liked the connection of the song Successful by Drake Ft. Trey Songz to this lesson about the preface. Good job MS. ANDERSON!!!
Garrison is indeed praising and acknowledging Douglass's work, but seeing the word fortunate appearing makes it look like he was lucky enough to have the ability to do so many things, seeming like he's just receiving too much credit for his work. Garrison does certainly look up to Douglass as a great man for his actions, especially as one who was a fugitive slave who rose up to fight against slavery itself. He also goes to great lengths to show great Douglass is, for example, by comparing Douglass to Patrick Henry.
ReplyDeleteThe passage shows Garrison questioning being fortunate but it also seems that he really respects Douglass and admires him even though it seemed kind of offensive.
ReplyDeleteGarrison is reluctantly commending Douglas for "ending slavery" but is also coming off as very rude because he does not believe that Freddy Doug tried to hard. He believes that it was very "fortunate" in the ways that douglas accomplished his goals and seems to believe hes got what it takes to be "successful"
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading all of your comments very interesting perspectives.
ReplyDelete@Spencer: Great use of blogger language "Freddy Doug." I hope for an academic style paper you will complete Frederick Douglass' first and last names.
@Sebastian: I liked how you acknowledged your peers' writing and then giving your opinion; great writing skill. Your points are clear and concise. Oh, and thank you for the compliment! :)
@Molly: Excellent comment Molly and yes your side note is true.
@Louis: Your final words of your comment are hilarious. I like how you are trying to connect the song viewed and listened to in class to the passage by Garrison. GREAT!