Learning Journal Activity - Poetic Inquiry

Facebook and Studying

When studying my impulse control is nearly non-existant. I can’t help but surf the web and look at cat videos on youtube. It’s terrible but why does it happen, and why can’t I stop? 

I procrastinate. 

In circles I go, one webpage to another,

But why do I always end up on facebook?

I wish I could control my impulses

But I can’t,

Around and around I go.

Time ticks on.

Night drags on.

Paper’s due.

What do I do?

The answer is simple really.

Click EXIT.

DON’T go on Facebook.

Learn about World War II and the Human Brain.

Read your poetry readings. 

Study for your midterm.

Say GOODBYE to social networking,

Hello to studying.

That answer is simple but why can’t I do it. Facebook and social networking seem to be designed for procrastination purposes.

So...

My paper’s due

What can I do?

Learning Journal Activity - Song Analysis

BLACKBIRD - THE BEATLES ( 1968)

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise. 

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

FORM

The stanza arrangement in this song goes from two consecutive quatrains, to two couplets and concludes with the final stanza being a sestet. The song consists of many refrains to reinforce the content of the lyrics (which will be discussed below), and in fact most of the song is at least in part a refrain. The first two stanzas are almost entirely repetition but by changing only 5 of the words additional meaning is brought to the song. Stanzas 3 and 4 are an example of refrain which repeat entire stanzas and stanza 5 is a repetition of stanza one where the final line is being repeated an additional two times. This particular song is not enjambed and sentences conclude at the end of lines, making it an end-stopped song. The meter of the song holds a sort of pattern, the first two stanzas having a syllable count of 9,9,3,13. Stanzas 3 and 4 change it up with a syllable count of 6,9. Finally in the last stanza there is a syllable count of 9,9,3,13,13,13. This is very similar to stanzas 1 and 2 but due to the refrain at the end of the song there are two extra lines. 

STYLISTIC ELEMENTS

The song Blackbird has a very delicate tone to it, but grows to become more overpowering at certain parts and I think this is totally relevant to who the speaker is talking to. The speaker in this case would be a person during the civil rights movement who was looking in from the outside. The addressee would be a black person struggling at the time for equality and the ability to overcome racial differences. This song is loaded with symbolism and deeper meaning than may be perceived by the lyrics which is one of the reasons it has become one of my favourite songs. The blackbird, who has been portrayed as battered (broken wings) and at a loss for hope (sunken eyes), is symbolic of the African-American struggle for civil rights particularly during the 1950’s and 60’s. The speaker, in telling the blackbird to fly, is symbolically supporting the African-American struggle for equality and promoting their success.  

CONTENT

This song was extremely significant in its time because being in the public eye The Beatles really did hold a lot of influence over the public and their fans. Through their lyrics they supported the African-American struggle against segregations and inequality among race, something that was not as common for a white group to do. Although there was a meaning being these lyrics, the use of metaphor allows for alternate interpretation to the song, and the application of its message to many parts of life. Without the historical and political context of the song it is easy to apply it to any situation in life, and is an inspirational song for allowing yourself to get over certain issues or fears you are having. I love this song because it is so simple yet so deep at the same time, and it is just peaceful to listen to. I don’t think another group could cover this song and be as successful at making it meaningful. The time in which it was written and the fact that such a well known and idolized group recorded and released it at the time of civil unrest and racial tensions in the United States bring greater meaning to the song. 

Learning Journal Activity - Poetry

The Haiku 

Lightning strikes the sky

A sound of angry water

Waves come crashing in

The Limerick

There was a young girl from Bali

She had a Border Collie

His name was Duke

He could play the flute

And sometimes he liked to eat lollies

The rhyme scheme that goes along with a limerick creates a sense lightheartedness to the words on the page. The poem itself could be about something ridiculous but the lighthearted and childlike tone make it easy and enjoyable to read. The rhyme scheme lends a sort of tune to the poem and in turn conveys humour to the reader. Without a rhyming pattern or the structure a limerick has, it would be humourless and would just sound like a non-sense poem without purpose.

Learning Journal Activity - Introduction

Hello, my name is Kathryn I am 18 years old and I am from Bedford Nova Scotia. I am in my first year at Memorial and am currently taking the prerequisites for the Social Work program.

I have lived in Bedford all of my life, until September 2nd that is, when I moved to St. John’s. I decided to make the move mostly for a change, but also for the positive feedback I have received from current and former students of the university and really, who can beat the cost. From my first visit to Newfoundland almost a year ago I fell in love with the town and the people and knew that this was the place for me. It was weird leaving behind my parents, my brothers and my cat, but I am adjusting and so far love it.

I have been asked the most dreaded question about 10 times since I moved into residence and that question is: What is the most interesting thing about you? Well let me tell you, my life is not all that interesting, so I will try not to bore you.

Growing up I always loved playing basketball and soccer, having two older brothers I grew up to be quite the tom boy. My focus started to change in high school when I started to really get a feel for what I enjoyed doing. I started taking art class in grade 10 and I kept with it for the three years of high school. I went through multiple stages where I loved it and I hated it, but came out of school with a hobby that I enjoy and hopefully will continue with.

I have been an avid reader most of my life and still enjoy books from when I was a kid. Throw me anything Dr. Seuss and I will have nothing to complain about (this may be the reason I enjoy babysitting my cousins so much, I have an excuse to read children’s books). Harry Potter has been my go to book since I started the series in early elementary and I have read each book at least 4 times. Over the last 4 years, Ellen Hopkins has become one of my favourite authors. Although her novels can be dark and in some cases especially disturbing in portraying certain struggles, they are extremely engaging and you really feel like you are inside the story.

Back home I work at a walk-in medical clinic as a receptionist, starting out I always thought I wanted to be a doctor but that changed as time went on. The different personalities and situations I had to deal with on a daily basis helped me decide I wanted to go into social work, and ultimately help and try and improve certain situations people are in. It was an interesting job with a lot of responsibility and I learned a lot about myself and people in general.

Ultimately what people should know about me is that, I love my friends and my family. I am easy going and like to have a good time. My hobbies include reading, doodling and various other arts and crafts, and occasionally still playing sports.

I sincerely hope I did not bore you to death, and I look forward to whatever awaits us all in the next couple months of English 1080.