- Sep 2024
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pressbooks.pub pressbooks.pub
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her
Now using female pronouns
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with my poor sick babe in my lap.
This is going to sound / be worded harshly but since she is describing them as so barbarous and savage I would have thought they would have killed the sick baby off by now. This is based off my past history knowledge of people killing off the sick to stop the spread of disease or something like that.
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way.
Where?
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they
I don't really like the vagueness of who exactly she is talking about. I can assume the Natives but it would be easier to read if she was more direct
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pressbooks.pub pressbooks.pub
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with my sick child in my arms, looking that every hour would be the last of its life
I'm starting to wonder if this sick child she is carrying around is actually real? I don't know if maybe I missed or aren't understanding something but could this sick child maybe represent something from her faith? Such as this sick baby is her holding onto her faith through it all because she said before that her children were gone.
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through the wound) fallen into a violent fever. My own wound also growing so stiff
The word "wound" specifically is used a lot, obviously because they are wounded but I'm wondering if there is a reason she is stuck on using the word "wound"
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One of the Indians carried my poor wounded babe upon a horse; it went moaning all along, “I shall die, I shall die.” I went on foot after it, with sorrow that cannot be expressed. At length I took it off the horse, and carried it in my arms till my strength failed, and I fell down with it. Then they set me upon a horse with my wounded child in my lap, and there being no furniture upon the horse’s back, as we were going down a steep hill we both fell over the horse’s head, at which they, like inhumane creatures, laughed, and rejoiced to see it,
Her beliefs are definitely playing a role in her writing. I am still confused about the wounded babe.
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but God was with me in a wonderful manner, carrying me along, and bearing up my spirit, that it did not quite fail.
There is a pattern of these texts mentioning God whenever they are in the perspective of the English. Religion is obviously a big part in keeping her going.
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But now, the next morning, I must turn my back upon the town, and travel with them into the vast and desolate wilderness, I knew not whither.
So they let her live
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pressbooks.pub pressbooks.pub
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as the Indians told me.
If they are so "savage" why would they tell her anything?
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Those seven that were killed at Lancaster the summer before upon a Sabbath day, and the one that was afterward killed upon a weekday
Is there a reason to these numbers or is it just random? Odd that only one was killed later on.
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one-eyed John
Who is this? Significance?
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There remained nothing to me but one poor wounded babe, and it seemed at present worse than death that it was in such a pitiful condition, bespeaking compassion, and I had no refreshing for it, nor suitable things to revive it.
Who is this "babe"? I thought her children were gone? Was she pregnant possibly and has had a miscarriage since she mentions having nothing refreshing or suitable to revive it?
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(at least separated from me, he being in the Bay; and to add to my grief, the Indians told me they would kill him as he came homeward)
Another new perspective compared to other readings I have read about the English and Natives. This is sounding very similar to how the natives were treated by the English. I understand where her fear and sadness is coming from though, no matter who the speaker is.
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And as miserable was the waste that was there made of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, calves, lambs, roasting pigs, and fowl (which they had plundered in the town), some roasting, some lying and burning, and some boiling to feed our merciless enemies; who were joyful enough, though we were disconsolate.
I thought Natives never wasted food? This is a very different view of what I've read so far.
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Oh the roaring, and singing and dancing, and yelling of those black creatures in the night, which made the place a lively resemblance of hell.
Here we go again with "creatures" - dehumanizing once again. Interesting comparison to hell. I would like to know more about what exactly is happening and what is making her so vile towards the Natives.
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“What, will you love English men still?”
Im very confused as to why this is being asked...
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them
Who is "them"?? Very vague
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(deserted by the English before, for fear of the Indians)
Colonizer acting as the victim, not surprised. Is there a valid reason to why the English feared the Indians or are they just racist? Im assuming the latter.
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About a mile we went that night
Who is "we"??
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Now away we must go with those barbarous creatures
Wow who are these "barbarous creatures"? Native Americans? The emphasis on "must go" and "barbarous creatures" is so dehumanizing and disgusting language
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pressbooks.pub pressbooks.pub
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It also allows for us to take pride in our hard work and dedication throughout the semester, as we make our voices heard in a public context.
I really like this ending line. It really sums up everything perfectly.
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The current version of this anthology represents each and every student’s thought process and deeper reading skills.
I like that it says "current" because overtime the anthology will change
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It seems imperative that scholars continue to question what truly characterizes American literature within and beyond national boundaries.
Is this talking just physical boundaries or characteristic boundaries that are generalized within the nation? (if that makes sense)
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There is a lot to be considered when anthologizing a text in an American literature anthology.
Like what?
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that is meant to be a free resource for all.
So glad its free!! It makes it so much more accessible, useful, and helpful to those who cannot afford it
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make our own, new anthology
I want to know more about this process of building this anthology
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even weave some comedy and sass in there.
this is the way to go always
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keeping it full of new and fresh ideas.
I love this especially with everything continuously evolving
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we chose to question every way it could be anthologized.
I wonder if there is anything that hasn't been questioned yet....
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we hope that future PSU English students will feel inspired to contribute to, annotate, and continue this project, constantly refining, remixing, and reworking it going forward.
It's going to be so interesting to see what future PSU students have to say and how similar or different it may be
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Since learning is a collaborative exercise
And so is trying to define something
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that explore and question the underpinnings of American literature as a corpus.
I like how this is worded
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We do not claim to have a “perfect” or “complete” representation of American literature.
Will we ever? I don't think so because I believe that there is no such thing as perfect.
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How can we possibly define American literature without comprehending the fragility, complexity, and pride that accompanies such a term? “America” can mean the United States and all that comes with being a resident in such a nation, but it is also the entirety of two continents and wherever their influence spreads. To what extent does American literature emerge from a collectively shared identity rather than a set of arbitrary geographical constraints?
It is so hard to come up with a definition for something that hasn't already been defined before. Think about it, we have all of this knowledge about words because growing up we were taught that things and words have definitions. We are now at that point where something we "know" doesn't have a definition and it is causing chaos to try and understand and define this "thing" that we know so much about, yet cannot simply define it something that we all agree on. (I'm not sure if any of that made sense)
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Moreover, this anthology asks us to consider what it means for literature to be “American.”
What does it mean to be American? Notice how it says the anthology asks us to "consider" and not "define"
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It provides insight into what has happened in the past, while also giving students the tools to think critically about what’s happening within the field of American literature in the present.
Is there a way to predict or prepare this anthology for what may or may not be in American literature in the future?
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In this way, this anthology is relevant to students today.
It will have to keep updating though because as it has been mentioned before, American literature is always changing and evolving.
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ever-shifting
i like this descriptor for American literature
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specific details and insights into multiple texts from diverse authors
Definitely better than vague non-diverse authors. For real though, different perspectives are always so much more helpful to our understandings and give us more to go off of.
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it moves beyond the voices of old white men talking about even older white men.
I agree we 1000000% need more diversity in literature and less white-washing of everything but I think this statement could be worded less disrespectfully, as true as it is and as funny as it sounds
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This anthology is unique because it was made by students, for students.
Students have contributed to this, yes, but what are the parameters? I assume everything gets filtered through the professor?
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“what is American literature?”
Will there ever be an answer to this? Will it ever be defined?
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Many of these questions remain unanswered and continue to engage scholarly debate.
Will there ever be a time these questions are answered? Will it remain unanswered forever? I just wonder how long we can keep debating these questions until there is either an answer or it fizzles out or maybe we'll never stop debating.
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How does the in-depth study of early American literature prompt us rethink representations of American culture today?
I think because it really emphasizes and shows the evolvement of American literature and American culture throughout the years to what it is now.
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What is the difference between American literature and American history?
Is there a difference? Do they go hand in hand?
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very parameters
What exactly are the parameters because I'm not sure even I know what these parameters are?
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pressbooks.pub pressbooks.pub
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lo!
I was wondering what the meaning of this is but it's pretty much just "used to draw attention to an interesting or amazing event" - from google
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Clouds of blue and white pigeons rushed from the smoke.
Is there significance to the color of things or significance to what is happening? I would love to know more.
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He came out a tall, handsome man, but without the power of speech.
Woah this happened fast...how exactly? How is what she did the reverse for the enchantment/curse?
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the dog had asked
Verbally ask or like how we say our pets "say" something or "talk" to us but they aren't really? I guess I'm just wondering whether he can actually talk in this dog form or not.
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when he took it home and told his wife to fetch it in, she found only a black stick.
I'm assuming the magic is not in the White Feather like the giant thinks it is.
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which was turned into a beaver
Is there significance to it turning specifically into a beaver?
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Crystal Stone invited the dog into her lodge—her sister had shut him out—and was kind to it, as she had always been to dumb creatures.
This is reminding me of Beauty and the Beast with the whole message of "Don't judge a book by its cover"
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White Weasel
Is her name meant to match the name of "White Feather"? Like she's the "White Feather" of the giants but "Feather" is replaced with "Weasel"? I could be overthinking this.
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a woman’s journey
Is this meant to be derogatory????
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he wished to make the tribes honor him as the great warrior they had long expected.
I have a feeling this isn't going to work....
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she reproached him for changing himself from a tall and handsome man to such an ugly creature.
How did she know it was him?
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this beautiful woman was really the giant in disguise
What made him decide not to listen to the old man of the oak tree? I get he had never seen a woman before but is that all it took for him to not listen to the man/spirit who has been protecting him?
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would therefore try to deceive him and work enchantment on him.
Isn't that what the boy has been doing this whole time? Wow with the double standards.
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so on until all but one were killed
I would think that they would stop trying to fight him after witnessing what he could do but I guess not...
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When his enemy was almost at the goal, the boy, who was only a few feet behind, threw the enchanted vine over the giant’s head, which caused him to fall back helpless.
Sooo...he cheated.
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Whoever reached this first was to beat the other’s brains out with it.
Who decided these terms? Why would the human agree to this when the giant seems to have the upper hand, with size and strength?
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he should try first with the smallest and weakest of their number.
Usually in fights, more so in boxing, I am pretty sure they match the weights of the fighters so that one is not stronger than the other. Them putting him with the "smallest and weakest" is them calling him small and weak.
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When they saw the boy coming they made fun of him among themselves; but when he entered the lodge they pretended that they were glad to see him and flattered him, telling him that his fame as a brave had already reached them.
Being two-faced. Why though? How does being fake nice to him help them out in any way?
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little spirits
Who are these little spirits? What are these little spirits?
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White Feather
I think it's a huge part of his identity to now be referred to as something else; something with more authority / meaning
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enchanted vine which you are to throw over the head
Significance of the vine?
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Put the feather on your head
Ah okay so he is the next chosen chief?
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He had never been told why he was living with an old man so far away from others, or of his father,
This reminds me of the movie Maleficent in a way. They sent Aurora away because of her status and to protect her, so is this the same case with the boy? He is next to be chief so he was sent away to be protected?
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he soon recognized the roots of an old oak that he well knew.
I know he likely recognizes it because he knows the woods well but could it also be showing that he has a spiritual connection to maybe past chiefs or something of that nature?
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you wearer of the white feather. You do not yet wear it, but you are worthy of it.”
So...he is the future great chief? What exactly makes him worthy of wearing the feather? I am also still wondering the actual significance of the feather....
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This was the child whose home was in the forest.
This story is starting to make just a little bit more sense, now knowing the missing child is the boy in the beginning.
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one child was missing.
How many originally were they supposed to be given? all children? If so are the giants really that obsessed with them that they know exactly how many children there are?
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to fetch and carry for us all our days.
So basically they are trying to get leverage over their predator by winning. However, thats not really how the food chain works. Who's to say this enemy (who they find so evil) will abide by the deal, especially when it puts them below the people they eat? (Hopefully this makes sense)
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The giants believed the story and sought to prevent it coming true.
Why would they so easily believe the word of their enemy?
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should be known by its name.
I notice it says "its" name. As in the feather, not the chief? Why must the feather be known by its name? What is the feather's name? The Magic Feather?
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white feather
I know white feathers can be a symbolism of purity, usually spiritually, so is this the reasoning behind the great chief wearing specifically a white feather?
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whose mother had brought him there to escape the giants.
Who are the giants and why are they escaping them? Very vague.
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The old man who had been known to live in it was supposed to have died
Why was he supposed to die??
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Dacotahs
Translates to "friend, ally, allies" and symbolizes unity and friendship.
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