Reading Notes: Ovid’s Metamorphoses Part A

Ovid’s Metamorphoses Part A

My reading analysis

Upon reading this Roman mythological tale, I wasn’t as excited about it compared to the Cupid and Psyche story that I had read last week. Though the content for the story is very interesting and keeps the reader entertained, I feel as though the flow of the story from section to section is not very uniform. The only things that seemed to keep me moving forward were the notes that Professor Gibbs had left above each story before getting into the rest of the read. Aside from possibly me just not focusing enough while reading, I loved the imagery! Some of my favorite writing is when authors will personify objects so that their adjective usage connects to the setup in a complex way. The way that Kline would describe the water, the doors, the clouds, even the light was something that I thoroughly enjoyed. 

When it comes to character development, it doesn’t seem to be as great. There could be more moments in the story where Kline described more of what each character was feeling rather than everything around them or the bystander characters and their emotions so vividly. One example is during his “Io” story. She became meta-morphed into an animal and seemed to have lost raw emotion until left alone and given thought. How was it that she was so reluctant to graze like a cow and move as a cow but once her reflection was shown and her voice did not sound like it should is when she discovered her metamorphosis? Maybe they could have had her discover the fact that she had changed and then show her living her life out like the creature she had become. Overcome with depression in that state could be the push she uses to seek out her family and ultimately try and be saved and reverted back.

There were also issues with how quickly the change seemed to resolve itself. I thought there would be a more dramatic ending considering the wrath that Juno was written to have about the havoc being placed before her, yet everything went to be a more smooth process instead. It was hard to wrap my head around because I do like happy endings but at the moment it didn't seem like the right lead-in. Maybe in the future, there could be more dialogue as to how a resolve happened so seamlessly?

Bibliography: Ovid's Metamorphoses translated by Tony Kline (Un-Textbook)
Image: Crying Cattle (Picryl)

Topic Research: Japanese Grimm Fairytales?

Japanese Grimm Fairytales

Let's do a mash-up and see what we get!

After the comments that I was provided by Professor Gibbs, I'm thinking of going the route of combining two of my style choices into one. Japanese Fairytales and Grimm Fairytales into one genre seems to be a great take on some of the folklore and myth that stems from Japan in a creepy or twisted way. When I was younger, I really liked to indulge in horror games that were made in Japan. Some like the Fatal Frame games or even the video game interpretation of Ju-On. So with that, I looked into the Freebookapalooza and came across some stories that I think would help to inspire my writing for my end project! 

The first story I came across was the book "In Ghostly Japan" by Lafcadio Hearn which can be accessed from the Freebookapalooza site. This book is a recount of many supernatural stories and oriental mysteries that are centered around Japanese imagery, speech pattern, and slightly mirrored religion. What I liked about this book that helped in providing me with inspiration is that it isn't solely focused on scaring the reader or being overdone. It really draws out stories so that you may not know if something is good or bad, whether you should be scared or not scared, even how far the writer is going to go with the story so that it could be a happy ending or an unsettling ending. Since I wanted to take a Grimm approach to my storytelling, this was a great choice to stumble upon for future reference.

The second story I wanted to use in order to help with my semester project was the "Dragon Jewel" by Teresa Pierce Williston which can be found at the Sacred Texts website. This is a short story that accounts for the blind ego of a prince who wants to prove that he is not a coward to his people. He has a quick foil which is something I appreciate about fairytales because they often bring forward raw character development in such a short amount of time. Based on just the genuine feeling you can get from the prince's character made it inspirational to me because I want to be able to inject that much into a reader of my stories regardless of how long or short it may be. This one is more of a Japanese fairy tale that doesn't necessarily follow myth and lore.

The last story that gave me some inspiration is more on the Grimm Fairytale side of things. The passage I read was from Brothers Grimm (Hunt) section for "Thumbling" translated by Margaret Hunt and found on Un-Textbook. This story tells the journey of a small boy no larger than a thumb being separated from his parents and using his quick wit and small size to make his way home. All the while causing misfortune to the beings that have unintentionally helped guide him home. I like that not only is this a pretty serious story that has gruesome circumstances for some characters, but it also shows the evils in the world from both the main characters acts and the thoughts of the side characters throughout the story. It kept me interested and hopeful the whole time because I wanted to see if he would make it home before actually not being smart enough to keep going.

Image 1: Ghostly Scene (Pixabay)

Image 2: The Prince (Wikimedia Commons)

Image 3: Thumbling (Wikimedia Commons)

Feedback Strategies

Feedback Strategies

After reading about how to accept feedback last week, it helps to see that a majority of the feedback in this course is from peer reviews. That being said, I should probably get better at providing feedback to others as well as how I receive it. After reading Six Tips for Providing Constructive Feedback and The Difference Between Praise and Feedback, I feel a bit more confident in my ability to give feedback. My fear is that I don't want to hurt someone or cause them to lose their creativity because it feels like it's been challenged or judged. Good feedback is feedback that you can tell is given because that individual wants to help better you and place you in the right direction. Strategies that I liked after reading the suggested methods from last semester were the ones that involve asking questions and providing suggestive solutions to those questions. I like having the options to provide feedback and then give examples as to what I mean because then it shows that I'm trying to help enhance the work that is already up and open to the public. I also really like reaching and looking at things that may not confuse me at the moment but could potentially confuse others without any context of the situation or the meaning of some words. Feedback should be seen as a positive but not strictly as praise because then the writer is less likely to put in more effort to create an even better version of their story than they currently have. 


Image: I have not failed quote from Edison (Garydhenderson.com)

Week 3 Story: The Queen Meets Diana

The Queen Meets Diana

The tale of a mother who believes her new daughter-in-law is unfit to wed her son

Young Diana was a peasant girl that often helped around her home village and took care of the tasks her parents could not accomplish due to their age. Her beauty was unmeasurable and her heart as pure as the finest gold. While tending to her parents flock one morn, she was greeted by a wandering prince who had left home due to an argument with his mother. He happened to stumble upon her acre on accident but was left captivated by her gentle heart and astonishing beauty. "My what a beauty. Not even  Pandora is necessary to drop more radiance on thee. How is one so mesmerizing left to tend to creatures so foul," said the prince. "For these are my parent's flock. I tend to them in hope of allowing my loved ones rest after such labor they choose to endure day by day," stated Diana. "A kind nature such as yours only intensifies your lovely aura. I do not think I can leave the likes of you," said the prince as he ogled Diana with passionate eyes.

For days, the prince would come by in secret to visit and talk with Diana. As time went on, their attraction to one another grew to new heights. Love taking over, they decide to wed in secret. "My mother would not approve of you my dear. She refuses to live with competition for the admiration of the people. She would not dare sully her lineage with the likes of those unroyal. My love for you is so strong that I wouldn't be able to go on if I don't have your hand. Please stay with me in secret forever," exclaimed the prince. So moved by his words, Diana agreed regardless of the fact that she could not be public with her new husband.

Months later, the queen happened to find out about her son's rendezvous outside of the palace with a peasant girl named Diana. She was furious to hear of such a secret being kept from her. When spies would return to deliver details of their encounters, most would recount her beauty and kindness in a way that felt hypnotized. Feeling challenged to maintain her reputable image amongst the people, the queen sought to find the girl and knock her down a few notches. After searching and kidnapping, the guards of the queen brought in Diana for questioning.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't my new daughter-in-law. A herd girl without even a cent to her name. Mommy is so very proud," says the queen with a wicked, almost crazy look in her eyes. "Why haven't you journeyed to meet your new mom? Was he ashamed of you? Did he know you weren't worthy? Shall I make you worthy?" All of a sudden guards brought in large heaps of grains both brown and white. These heaps so tall that poor Diana could not see over them. "You want to show your worth field rat? Sort these grains into separate piles of brown and white. You have until nightfall. If such a task if not completed for your new mother-in-law, oh the consequences you'll face." With that, the queen laughed and disappeared beyond doors that lead into the room.

Tears fell Diana's face. While this torment was set to happen, the prince had already made way to meet with his dear wife for the day only to realize she had gone missing. Panic and distress had captured both the young lovers.

Diana began sorting, despite the overwhelming amount of the grains she had been given. Seeing such determination and will so that she may reach her husband once more, small birds flew in from the windows and began to gather to her feet. It wasn't until about 50 birds had appeared until once walked forward and spoke to her. "We sympathize for you sweet girl. Your heart is pure and your plite is so treacherous. Allow us to help you. Please let us assist." The army of birds started to sort with her, decreasing the heap immensely and finishing the task before nightfall. The queen returns hopefully for failure but, is greeted by the success that puts a sour taste in her mouth.

"Well - I'm shocked. I don't believe that you were able to complete this within the hours given. What magic is at your disposal? You can't be serious!" The queen becomes frantic and after some time in this state her son appears at the door. "Diana!" he screams. Rushing in to grab his bride, he retorts to his mother saying that he must access his new partner regardless of her status. That he will not leave her even if he is stripped of all his royalties. Defeat came about the queen's eyes, but with her reluctant acceptance came new found ideas for torment of the girl she would call daughter.

Author's Notes: This story was inspired by an excerpt from the Golden Ass, which accounts for the tale of Cupid and Psyche. Psyche is a young girl whose beauty defies even the Goddess of Beauty, Venus. So upset from the people ignoring her because Psyche is so beautiful, Venus decided to have her son Cupid put her in an unhappy situation. Cupid and Psyche eventually fall in love and hide their matrimony from Venus. Venus discovers their secret wed and hunts down Psyche to torture her and cause her great anxiety and distress. The first task that Psyche is given is to sort out out a large mountain mix of grains and nuts into their own heaps. She is helped in the end by ants but the queen has many more tasks up her sleeve to try and cause Psyche tragedy. 

Author Bibliography: The Golden Ass wrote by Apuleius and translated by Tony Kline Un-Textbook

Image: A little help from the birds (Wikimedia Commons)

Reading Post: Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche Part B

Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche Part B

Completing the story and final thoughts

On completing the story, everything seemed to flow better in the second half. My favorite things to analyze were these tasks that Venus, the mother of Cupid, had requested Psyche to do for her in order to torment the girl. The imagery to couple the immense work she'd have to endure was very well done in my book. The author would use words that would make the end goal seems to worthy and magical like golden, sweet, pure, etc. It brought back into perspective that although Psyche is having to commit to these dangerous tasks that would normally be asked by some sort of beast or vile being, they are being asked by the Goddess of Beauty. A goddess that is loved by most all. When the author begins to use imagery words like dangerous, fierce, death, and other words of the sort it causes the reader to think about how human even an immortal god can feel. The reason behind Venus wanting to hurt Psyche so much is because she didn't want to feel outcasted by someone who the people deem to be more beautiful than she. She also has stolen the heart of her son and all these things created torment for Venus due to her own vanity. You can be a god with supernatural abilities but there's nothing that says you can't have raw and vulnerable emotions. Not everything about you needs to be pure and perfect. Considering she is also the goddess of infidelity. While going forward with the story, I was also more impacted by Cupid's love for Psyche. Everything seemed so rushed before that without knowledge of him being pricked by an arrow, it was hard to understand how much he already loved his bride. After being apart and hearing of his wife endure sure distress and pain he was able to accept his new-found health and resolve these issues as quickly as you can say, Hermes. Overall, this was a good read and had sweet resolve, no matter how quickly it all seemed to happen.

Image: Cupid finds Psyche (Wikipedia)

Author Bibliography: The Golden Ass wrote by Apuleius and translated by Tony Kline Un-Textbook

Feedback Thoughts

Feedback Thoughts

How I perceive the comments of others 

After reading two articles over the idea of "feedback" it kind of puts into perspective how I have learned to take feedback throughout my years in college. The two articles I read were Seven Ways to Crush Self-Doubt in Creative Work, as well as How to Mentor a Perfectionist. Both articles hit right at home to me because I try so hard to be the book definition of "perfect" sometimes. My goal seems to always want to impress everyone, regardless if I'm proud of what I did or inspired by what I did or anything of the sort. They both touch on learning to trust yourself and your gut when it comes to your creativity and that your work can be successful regardless of someone reaping over it or it not passing the "perfect" definition. I want to look at what is being critiqued and take it as help to go in the right direction so that I'm still on a successful path, not the "only" path.

Image: Inner Critic from Flickr

Reading Notes: Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche Part A

Apuleius's Cupid and Psyche Part A

My analysis over the first half of the reading

When given the choice of what type of story to read this week, I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to read about classical mythology. Most of what I know is from the Greek side of mythology so I was excited to indulge in Roman for once. I'm very simple when it comes to loving fairy tales and so far this story doesn't seem to disappoint in giving me the romantic sweet feel. At the beginning of the read, it was pretty hard for me to really immerse myself in the story because everything seemed to flow very quickly. I believe that the author was doing what he could to quickly get to speaking on the nights that Psyche and Cupid were together. It was unclear for me to grasp the meaning of the oracle that stated a pretty dark prophecy in the beginning to the father of the main heroine in the tale. It became blurred in with the young girl being whisked away to a cliff where she was to assume this unspoken fate that everyone else in the story was aware of. Once the pieces started falling into place about mid-way through this story is when I felt like the writing was doing the tale justice. The amount of imagery you can pull from this script is phenomenal. Every word will have you painting a greater canvas that makes every situation feel more real and with more emphasis on the emotion, you should be gathering at the moment. My favorite parts so far have been when going into detail on the wicked nature of the two sisters of the heroine. They are both written to be vile creatures and over time and description, you too will begin to want ill fate upon them. All in all, I'm enjoying the read so far and can't wait to get to the ending. Bye for now!

Author Bibliography: The Golden Ass wrote by Apuleius and translated by Tony Kline Un-Textbook

Image: Cupid caressing Psyche from Wikipedia