Final

The American people throughout time have learned how to advance within our generation while still finding unique ways of enjoyably living life.  But our American culture is suffering rather harshly in the modern public space.  An individuals social classes use to mean nothing in society, now the American culture focuses more on currency than community.  Howard Kunstler wrote on article speaking on the public realm of the people in America.  He believes that American Culture is more focused on greed rather than the needs of the people in America.   In the past, Americans have been known for having low regards for the public realm because they failed to realize the public realm is the physical manifestation of the common good.  Three New Yorker covers touch on the major changes of social classes and life in New York City overtime.

In the article Charm Sanity and Grace the author speaks about problems of social classes overtime in American culture.  Kunstler explains that the poor lived in a local context with many different social classes, so that many of the problems of the poor in the cities were also the problems of the middle class, and the rich.  To this very day the poor in most American cities are cut off from the other social classes and are only seen or heard on television.  The author does a very good job describing the cycle of thought going through a person from a poor family background, “Since the poor, by definition, can’t participate fully in consumer culture, the predictable result is rage at what appears to be a cruel tease, and this rage is commonly expressed in crime.” He describes how the poor routinely go out looking for chaos and disorder, since there is no evidence that it is possible to live a happy life without wealth.  The American people rely too heavily on money resulting in a socially segregated American Culture.  As The “United” States of America we should be able to put our differences behind us and help one another with the mindset of: money is nothing.  The following three New Yorker covers, established in different time zones, explain the effect of money on the people of America during that specific time.

Kunstler stated in his article that many of the problems of the poor in the cities were also the problems of the middle class, and the rich.  A New Yorker Cover published in 1936 shows an illustration of a black elevator man opening the gates for a huge amount of working class white people.  This cover describes that both classes are working and both classes need each other to successfully move on in life.  Even though the salaries may be different, in order for the middle class to get to work, the lower class must cooperate with letting them leave the crowded area.  In the 1970’s modernizations have been made and the American culture is beginning to be even more focused on making the most money.  The second New Yorker cover takes place in 1970 shows a man walking into a museum surrounded by unique architecture.  In Kunstlers’ article he writes about suburbia kids needing a public realm worthy of respect, such as a library, theater, or museum.  Without this they will lose their infantile state of dependency and be unable to participate in activities alone.  Finally moving into the modern day, the last New Yorker cover shows a tour guide showing a tour of Manhattan.  Everything is black and white except for a little opening with a view of a sailboat and nature.  The illustrator shows that the city is cut off from what is going on outside of the city, and is more focused on the New Yorker mindset.  The dullness of the city relates back to a point Kunstler made in his article when he stated, “Americans do not recognize the benefits of a well-designed public realm and will continue to live in a blinded capitalistic mindset. 

In conclusion, the American Culture may be the most popular around the world but that doesn’t mean our society is striving as one strong community.  We need to put our social differences behind and understand each other to the fullest. A suburban culture compared to the city life is a completely different experience.  Everything in life comes with the good experiences or the bad experiences, you must make the best out of your situation.  

My Three Covers

August 9th and 16th, 2004

July 15, 1996
2nd Cover

August 16th, 1930

Final Paper

As time goes on our generation is moving along with it.  No more running over to your friend’s house and knocking on the door to see if s/he is available.  Now we can get into access with almost anyone in less than a minute.  The consumer cuts down time and effort with just a tap of the screen.  Instead of going out to see your favorite movie in a video store you can now watch almost any movie instantly online in seconds.  Is this convenient? Yes.  Is it ultimately a good thing to be fully absorbed by new technology? No.  82% of Americans own a cell-phone.  This may be one of the reasons America has ranked obesity as the number one health risk.  People may not notice but in the long run technology usually leads to a lack of motive.  People are getting lazier while equipped with technology due to the fact everything can be reached with barely any movement.  But in America you must partake in this capitalist economy due to the huge role that money plays.  As long as the producers successfully make sales of new products will continue to have civilians empty out their pockets for the newest product.  This brings us to The New Yorker.  The New Yorker touches on the issue of technology through meanigful illustrations presented to the  people of New York. It fascinates me how The New Yorker's concepts back in the day changed a lot over time. In the past it seemed like illustrators of The New Yorker focused more on the community of the urban society and presented different way of living. The recent New Yorker's all focus on technology and it's impact on New Yorkers.        

I’m not the only one who believes this.  In the article Disconnected Urbanism (the author) explains technologies effect on the people in New York City.  The article touches on the cellphone and how it changes the human sense of place more than faxes, computers, and email.  According to the article by using your phone outside of your home you are not in the urban community you once were in.  You may be having a talk with somebody on the other side of the world.  The author argued, “But the cell phone has changed our sense of place more than faxes and computers and e-mail because of its ability to intrude into every moment in every possible place. When you walk along the street and talk on a cell phone, you are not on the street sharing the communal experience of urban life. You are in some other place—someplace at the other end of your phone conversation. You are there, but you are not there.” Basically the author explains how communicating through a cellphone not only makes you less aware of your surroundings, but can make your urban experience less fun.  Every time you answer your phone you put the people around you on hold, and pay all your attention to the person on the other line.   New York City is an urban city with beautiful sites, never-ending events, and the most diverse, why does our community deserve to be disconnected because of technology. 

The New Yorker magazine touches upon technology and how it affects us now even more than the past.  I picked out three New Yorker magazines to analyze: one cover from before 1970, one from before 2000, and one since 2000.  I wanted to notice the New Yorkers modernizations and changes within this time span.  Each cover touched on technology and how it affected people negatively since our nation has been getting a surplus of advanced technology.  The first cover (New Yorker #280) seemed to be very different back in the day.  The 1930's modernization and revolution were a huge impact on human civilization.  People used to more outgoing then they are now with less technology available to them.  Ideas led to inventions, creations, and great discoveries.  In this article the illustrator shows one side of the picture very interactive and joyful while the other side is gloomy and separate.  I believe the author did this to show the jealousy of the people that couldn't participate in the new activities taking place during that time.  He showed how people were much more outgoing then the people of our modern day now. 

The second cover (New Yorker #3600) touches on the advancement of technology and the affect on the people of New York.  In this article it shows the impact of technology upon the youth.  This illustrator predicts the ancient warriors would have been the same if they were influenced to television and junk food like the people in New York City.  This is true because the illustrator points out technology can change any bodies’ lifestyle while forming unwanted new habits. 

Leading to the third cover: (issued July 15^th, 1996) this picture describes the honest truth about tourists and technology.  Without technology tourists mostly participated in the bull runs or took pictures in the vicinity.  Now tourists are hesitant to participate in bull runs when they could get a close up picture of a beautiful bull statue.  Using telephoto lenses, tourists can easily shoot a close up high definition picture from almost a mile away.  It's true so many tourists take pictures of the statues rather than the real thing.  This is usually the case, people focus more on capturing the moment through technological advances rather than taking the time and effort to actually live the moment.

            In conclusion, technology will forever be a part of our lives.  Through in depth research we have found out that technology can affect you and your ability to live.  By becoming more aware of technology and the area we live in.  By reading this article you should be able to notice the pros and cons of technology in an urban society.  

6 Cover Summary

 New Yorker #280

The New Yorker seemed to be very different back in the day.  Around the 1930's modernization and revolution were a huge impact on human civilization.  Ideas led to inventions, creations, and great discoveries.  In this article the illustrator shows one side of the picture very interactive and joyful while the other side is gloomy and separate.  I believe the author did this to show the jealousy of the people that couldn't participate in the new activities taking place during that time.  He showed how people were very happy with these new creations.   


New Yorker #289




Back when this New Yorker was made cigarettes were being promoted within New York City.  As you can see in this picture everyone is smoking there cigarettes in top hats and high class business clothing.  Now people understand that cigarettes are the number one selling killing product on earth.  Due to the amount of nicotine.  The New Yorker is explaining that cigarettes were viewed in a totally different way back when people had little knowledge of them. 








 New Yorker #3600
 In this article it shows the impact of technology upon the youth.  This illustrator predicts if the ancient warriors would have been the same if they were influenced to television and junk food like the people of the modern time.  This is very interesting because the illustrator has a point, technology changes peoples lifestyles and forms new habits.






July 15, 1996


This picture describes the honest truth about tourists and technology.  Without technology tourists mostly participated in the bull runs (happening besides the unaware tourists).  Now tourists are hesitant when they could get a close up picture of a beautiful bull statue.  It's true so many tourists take pictures of the statue rather than the real thing in order to capture the moment for the time being.   

2 Articles Supporting Cellphone Agreement

The New York Times Article
Title: Your Brain On Computers; Hooked on Gadgets and Paying a Mental Price
Author: Matt Ritchel

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brain.html?scp=1&sq=your%20brain%20on%20computers%20hooked%20on%20gadgets%20and%20paying%20a%20mental%20price&st=cse

The New York Times Article
Title:Internet Use Affects Memory, Study Finds
Author: Particia Cohen
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/15/health/15memory.html?_r=1&ref=memory

Disconnected Urbanism Summary

    

In this article the author is proving a very interesting point. People using a cellphone in public or any type of technology are inclined to ignore others and talk to the individual on the other side of the phone rather than focus on what's going around them. Paul Golderberger states, "When you walk along the street and talk on a cell phone, you are not on the street sharing the communal experience of urban life. You are in some other place—someplace at the other end of your phone conversation. You are there, but you are not there." He believes that because of how easy and accessible technology can be it blinds you from the people, architecture, and even sounds around you.

I agree with most of what this author is proving. I believe that because of how easy technology makes life it is used by mostly everyone in our new generation. The author is correct when he says, "You are there, but you are not there" because you are there physically, but mentally you are with the other person on the other side of the phone. You are completely unaware of your surroundings when on a phone or listening to music. You cannot hear the birds chirping and you can't even notice the unique architecture on the other side of the street. Many things are blocked off when engaged with technology. Unfortunately this author was weak to state that most people out and about in the city are usually focused on getting somewhere and do not need distractions. Technology can be of use in this situation. It "speeds" up time since you are less focused on the time and more focused on the text you received (or the song being played).  After reading this article I understand that the less we use our phones the more we can appreciate the environment around us. 

Paper 2 1st Draft

Omar Ba

10-22-11

Paper 2

 Two bed bugs are seen tucked in bed smoking a cigarette into the night breeze.  A pretty normal action, but not at all a normal pair of characters. This New Yorker cover art work symbolizes the common New Yorker and the bed bugs represent them. Many things about this picture leaving me feeling distraught. Not only the bothersome bed bugs and addictive cigarettes, but the amount of people seeing these covers and what they look forward to reading.  The New Yorker hits the reader as clever, humorous, even entertaining, but the New Yorker targets rich upper-class men who may focus on more implicit meanings inside the cover. 

The illustrator carries his unique style with him into other photos as well.  Looking at his New Yorker cover in May 2009, he shows two former primary electives in bed together.  The illustrator seems to put more focus on each character once staged in a bed.  They seem friendly, but argumentative all at that same time.  Both primary electives are known for debating against one another.  The bed bugs are somewhat confused debating if they are just bugs in a society full of men or if the society full of men are just bugs.  This brings out the brilliant mindset behind the illustrator, for he chooses to symbolize the Kafka theory as an everyday lifestyle for a New Yorker.  The Kafka theory represents complete change of oneself externally, but still alive internally. For instance, one day your regular habits of a normal workingman were completely wiped out, and you were left as a helpless bug.  Your struggle for survival is so much more at risk from the time in which you were a man. 

The illustrator is also trying to relate bed bugs to the stress of a fast-paced New Yorker who never sleeps.  The amount of stress bed bugs have created within New York City has caused so much chaos.  Families are getting poisoned from overusing the bed bug spray. People try to get rid of these pests quickly, so they excessively use it on their sheets then sleep in it that same night, resulting in worse conditions than actually getting bitten by a bed bug. The cigarettes play a big role in this theme. By the illustrator choosing the bed bug to be smoking a cigarette, he implies the common New Yorker smoke cigarettes and are judged for it. Just as a man is quick to judge a disgusting bed bug.  People also usually smoke cigarettes because they are addicted to the nicotine or attempting to fit in.  This symbolizes the media and people’s addiction towards the thought of cigarettes being “cool”.

Every cover, whether it’s a magazine or newspaper, is trying to send a message out to its readers or enact some sort of behavior from them.  In this particular issue, The New Yorker’s cover makes you wonder what audience did the illustrator tend to target and who is he trying to persuade.  By looking at the ads (ex. Louis Vuitton, a 2010 Cadillac, Chase credit cards, and American Express), you can assume the reader may be from a higher class, possibly earning an income of more than $30,000 a year. The content of The New Yorker is geared towards older men who are interested in politics and can afford to spend money on the luxurious products the magazine advertises.

The IBM (International Business Machines Corp.) advertisement in The New Yorker stands out to me the most. The IBM advertisement promotes their site and describes ways of keeping the city safe and clean.  The ad shows a three-dimensional utopian city that looks unbelievably clean and unrealistically safe.  This ad relates to the cover because both are in relevance of the city setting.  IBM is all about business and becoming successful through smart business decisions.  This cover shows two bed bugs (hardworking men) in a Manhattan apartment.  Comparing the two you may notice the similar facts.   

Midterm Paper

Omar Ba

The New Yorker Cover

9/13/11

            As I continue to analyze The New Yorker Covers I still see key points that the illustrator is trying to point out.  Many of these points are usually economically, social, or political all based on A New Yorker’s point of view.  The latest New Yorker Cover illustrated by Eric Drooker appears to be a polluted gloomy Manhattan.  But what is really shown is how it specifically reflects the corruption of the government on the working class of New York City. 

            In the cover certain points stand out to me.  The most important detail that stood out to me was the strange sphinxlike bull at the top of the cover.  To those who don’t know, the Sphinx in Greek Mythology was a creature with a lion’s body and a human head in ancient Egypt.  She asked a riddle of all who passed her and killed those who couldn’t answer it correctly.  There are many versions of this riddle, most follow a pattern of equating time of day with one of the ages of men represented by the number of “legs” on which man walks.  As for the odd bullhead on the sphinx it could symbolize strength, determination, reliability, provision, peacefulness, stability, all the features of a common bull.  But the illustrator could make this common bull really a symbol for what our government really wants to be. The Bulls eyes and nose represent windows, and inside the windows there seems to be activity seeing that the lights are on.  These lights are the only lights that are on in the whole city making me think that the illustrator is saying by all the time our hard working employees spend in the office; in the end the government benefits the most.   Filtering all these facts I could see the illustrator is trying to explain men are still under control by a society that continues to wrong do them. For example, prices are going up but our wages do not.  Prices on trains, milk, gas, etc. this is all because our government prints too much money, and starts too many wars.  They do this so they can sell their newly made expensive military weapons such as guns, missiles, and tanks.

            According to the USA Today article, titled Wall Street protests continue and grow across the country written by Karen Matthews.  This article explains the protests on corporate greed and police brutality revolving around Wall Street.  Just the other week seven-hundred people were arrested protesting on the Brooklyn Bridge.  An interesting quote in the articles is, “Fellner said she has an issue with ‘big money dictating, which politicians get elected and what programs get funded.’ But "we're not here to take down Wall Street," she insisted. ‘It's not poor against rich. “Still, the protesters chose Wall Street as their physical rallying point, speaking against corporate greed, social inequality, global climate change and other concerns.’”  This quote shows how protesters aim at the most powerful corporation (Wall Street) but since the stock crash it is also the weakest and easiest for protesters to gnaw at.  I believe the illustrator of this cover can relate to the article because it explains that the working class and the middle class, will never be equally respected as the upper class (the bull sphinx).  As long as prices continue to go up while jobs diminish there is no doubt for a huge depression heading our way.

            In conclusion, this cover captures the audiences attention by showing the city very gloomy and full of pollution.   The illustrator is giving off a bad vibe of the city and I don’t blame him.  The government is generally run by the wealthy and relies on the middle and working class to break their backs for their country.  The big sphinx represents the government and the other small buildings underneath represent the middle and working class.  This New Yorker cover relates to current events such as the Occupy Wall Street protests that have been recently picking up all across the nation.  Many middle class men are protesting so they could actually make a reasonable amount of money without ridiculous tax charges and other rising prices.  They will continue to protest until prices go down in the city and wages start going back up.             

The New Yorker Comparison Part 2

I believe this cover is meant mostly for an audience of politicians.  Many points are touched on by the illustrator shown in the picture.  Bed bugs, cigarettes, and stress stand out to the audience more than regularly.  The bed bugs signifies a stressed out bedbug pulling it together with his partner in the city.  Politics would understand this through knowledge on bed bugs, cigarettes, and the stress that comes with it.  But, the main point they would understand is how the illustrator is relating the bedbug to the bug in Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka.  In this book, a regular working man wakes up as a bug and has to continue living life in his situation.

Looking deeper into The New YorkerWithin the magazine different ads are shown that relate back to covers main theme.  Ads are shown on saving the environment, health care, save the city tips, credit cards, laptops, phones, cars, television shows, the list goes on... All of these ads can all be found in the city (The New Yorker).  The New Yorker illustrator draws a political field to address the topic of an hard working city man while still engaged within interesting ads and meaningful illustrations.

New Yorker Comparison

The illustrator of this New Yorker Cover is Barry Blitt.  Each cover he makes features a couple in a bed.  In 2008 he made a New Yorker cover symbolizing the primary elections.  Barry Blitt seems to focus a lot on politics when illustrating The New Yorker cover.  The issues that are being represented in that picture is the struggle to decide who will run as the represent for the Democratic party.   Even though the couple is sleeping together signifying they are Democrats, they still fight over answering the red phone symbolizing the leader.  According to Dissent Magazine," Titled, “I’ll Get It!” the cover shows Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in bed reaching for the same ringing red phone. In the background the hands on a grandfather clock tell us that it is three o’clock. Blitt’s cover was a spoof of Hillary Clinton’s successful “It’s 3 a.m.” ad that portrayed her as the candidate best qualified to deal with an emergency call in the middle of the night.  Blitt took as his premise that at three in the morning Clinton and Obama would be equally startled by a phone call. Both would in turn answer the call immediately, and judging by the surprised looks on their faces, neither would have an automatic answer to the problem he or she faced." -    Nicolaus Mills (online) - May 21, 2008

My New Yorker Cover

• 2 Bed Bugs
•  One bed bugs is smoking a cigarette and is awake
• The other bed bugs is sleeping next to books
• The other bed bugs has matches next to his bed
• Empire state building can be seen in the night
• Flowers are in a vase in the bottom left corner of the screen

Free write/analyze how your cover works: How is magazine/city/news/reader portrayed through this cover? How does it work as a “self-portrait”? What are its major ideas?


It seems like the illustrator of The New Yorker is portraying the fact that the cigarette problem is as drastic as the bedbug problem in New York City.  In the picture since the illustrator can't give a bedbug facial expressions, he puts the bedbug in a sulking mood portraying stress and depression.  The bedbug smoking a cigarette is up all night with nothing but matches at his side.  The other bed bug is sleeping with books at his side, making me think that the illustrator wants to compare the effect of cigarettes on your brain, to the effects of books on your brain.  The flowers in the corner of the cover are a golden brown color, just like the bedbugs.  The illustrator could be comparing the beauty of flowers to bedbugs/people since both are of the same color.  But looking deeper into the picture you notice that the filter is golden, and the book next to the bedbug is brown (Golden Brown).  The illustrator compares the two repetitively, this usually results in a deeper meaning.     

The New Yorker

• Published October 9th, 2000
• Price is $3.00
• Every lady representative is pale and wearing a sash
• All ladies eyes are wide but the New York Representative
• The New York representative is serious but the others are happy and proud
• The New York representative has makeup on and is the only lady with black hair and dark eyes
• Three of the sashes have " IA "
• York is the only visible word
• The New York lady has on bikini

In this picture the words at the end of the sashes are interesting.  Each sash is supposed to say "Georgia" "California" "New York" "Florida" but only part of the word is being shown for each one, "gia" "ornia" "york" "rida".  The only word that is completely shown is York.  Besides New York, each state has an "A" at the end of the word.  Looking further (besides New York) you notice an "IA" at the end of each state as well. 

Another thing that stands out to me is that the New York lady is the only lady there with no shirt on.  She stands out from the rest as serious, beautiful, different, greedy.... She is also wearing makeup over her left eyelid which is interesting as well.  She also has the longest eyebrows, and thickest lips (maybe since shes not smiling). 

         
4)

           The New Yorker magazine seems to be just a regular magazine, but what the illustrator creates hints to the idea of much more.  Looking at the magazine there are four women with sashes across them representing their states: "Georgia" "California" "New York" "Florida".  Each lady is more or less the same however the New York lady stands out incredibly.  In the photo she plays the role of completely doing the opposite of every other lady, she is barely opening her eyes, her mouth is closed, her eyebrows are longer, her hair is a different color, her clothing is different than the others, she has a beauty mark, and her skin is of a whiter shade than the rest.  I believe that the illustrator is trying to point out the confidence and cockiness of the New York people.  The beauty mark symbolizes her beauty and how she has been beautiful since birth.  She seems to be very serious and determined.  This could stand for New York is wear the well paying jobs are located.  Work is as serious as the money their being paid for working. 
           
            Going deeper into the picture the audience should notice certain repetition that the illustrators leaves us to pick at.  In this picture the words at the end of the sashes are interesting. Each sash is supposed to say "Georgia" "California" "New York" "Florida" but only part of the word is being shown for each one, "gia" "ornia" "york" "rida". The only word that is completely shown is York. Besides New York, each state has an "A" at the end of the word. Looking further (besides New York) you notice an "IA" at the end of each state as well.  Repetition is usually used for noticing the bigger picture.  I believe that since "York" is the only word that is visible it shows that even though the New York girl is completely different she can still be presentable, and respected to the audience.   

My Interests

Colors stand out. 

A card full of girls stands out by an astronaught placing down a flag with the letters WEALTH on it.

Keyboard is underneath with 4 black keys visible and 8 white keys visible.

A speaker is next to the keyboard.

two controllers are shown with videogames underneath.

A USB is visible for the iPod.

The girl card rests steadily in between two black keys.

A budha man sits behind a family portrait.

A telephone wire dangles off the side.

Light is coming from outside brightening what isnt covered.

This picture is formal since it is close up.

The focal point of the photo is the blue hat.

The choices that I made were making the card with girld put in front of the hat.... that is all.

The photo is framed so a little bit of everything is shown on the whole side of the wall.

Not much of everything is really shown besides everything that is relevant to people.

This helps you get a better feeling of what the photographer is trying to point out.

Two heads are shown from inbetween the trees.

Two bodies are shown in front of the bush which is in front of the trees.

The sky stretches far out in the picture heavy clouds dissolve.

Everything seems to be rising but the two students hunched over with their books.

A stair leads two a split where you make a descision on what path you choose to your next destination.

This is not a close a picture and everything should stand out together.

The focal point are the clouds all the way in the back of the picture.

Choices that were made in taking this picture were getting the clouds, path, and stairs somewhat centered behind a fence.

The buildings on the side are left out, as well as the stairs.  The body of the statues are left out.  

The statues are a huge factor in understanding the photos meaning.

The photo is framed so that it seems like a pathway.

The statues body is left out making it harder pinpointing where they really are in the picture.

    

Many clouds are visible, as well as a fence, a lampost, and a tree.  The reflection of the sun off the clouds can be seen.  This picture isn't a close up photo, it captures the sky.  The focal point of the picture are the clouds.  Choices that were made in taking this picture were getting the clouds and the fence in the picture without noticing the ground.  The ground is left out, as well as the whole fence.  The clouds are a huge factor in understanding the pictures meaning.  The photo is framed so that the clouds are shown above, and the fence is below.     

A house is shown, as well as trees, clouds, sky, and electric cables.  This picture is a close up picture but the focal point is focused on the clouds in the background.  Choices that were made in taking this picture were capturing the picture in between the box.  The meaning of this picture seems to be looking past what is closest to you.  The photo is framed so that only a portion of life is visible.      

A chainsaw bear with appears to be a joint is in a room next to cologne.  The bear has on an owl necklace, and is in front of a window, and radiator.  This picture is a close up picture, and the focal point is the chainsaw bear.  Choices that were made in taking this picture was capturing a photo of the bear.  The photo is framed so that the bear seems to be the most important part of the picture.    

RANKING DRAFT 

Out of all the pictures only one really caught my interest.  The second picture posted on my blog is my favorite picture taken so far.   I meant to capture the nice view from where I was standing, but I caught a lot more.  In the picture, two heads are popping out over the trees underneath the clouds.  In front of them are two people, one standing on his way somewhere, and the other is sitting down occupied in studies.  On both sides of the trees there is a person on opposite sides busy with their own stuff.  In the picture the trees look like a forest stretched out due to the camera angle, and the focal point of the snapshot.  All the way on the left side of the picture there are vertical black lines similar to the vertical lines right in front of me when i was taking the picture.  This was midday but no students seemed to be out.  I chose this picture because I feel like it represents me to the fullest degree.  The dull clouds fits my dull personality at times, but of course clouds can clear up...  The two statues represented power, and strength something I believe that one must obtain to be successful as a human being.  The students in my picture all stand for the average person learning, and trying to strive off school.  But the clouds mean more to me then just clouds, they represent high hopes and goals of all the college kids on campus.  The vertical lines in the picture on the left side on the building represented unity and relate to the vertical lines in front of me taking the picture.  I took the picture with very little people shown because college is a time of freedom and each person has their own individual space to go where ever they please.

Incredible Poetry Comparison

After reading the two poems Bath and In A Breath by Carl Sandburg, I have realized the similarities and interests that are being constantly shown.  Sandburg seems to push more towards intense descriptions with his creative imagination.  In the first poem Sandburg writes as a spectator on the life around him.  In the second poem Sandburg focuses more on the feelings of an individual and deeply expresses his feelings.  These poems are fascinating after realizing the over analyzed true meaning the author is trying to get through to the reader.  

            In In A Breath Sanburg starts off the poem with a word in all caps “HIGH”.  This is uncommon…. But not for Sandburg, he also starts Bath with “MAN” in all caps.  I believe Sandburg is pointing out the poems point of view.  In A Breath is taken place in Chicago (“Michigan Avenue”).  Sandburg vividly describes the sounds, people, view, all from a HIGH point of view looking down upon Chicago.  Here’s an example of Sandburg’s unique point of view,” Outside in the street is the murmur and singing of life, in the sun--horses, motors, women trapsing along, in flimsy clothes, play of sun-fire in their blood.” These descriptions lead me to my next findings on the unique similarities between the two poems. 

            The second poem, as I pointed out in the first poem, starts with “MAN” in all caps.  This is the point of view of the poem.  Sandburg puts you in the “MANs” shoes, his thoughts, visualizations, are clearly described.  However, I believe Sandburg failed to write down what this “MAN” was really experiencing.  I believe that the “MAN” in the poem was on some type of psychedelic drug leading him to see things before the concert as unattractive (bad trip).  For example, “A man saw the whole world as a grinning skull and cross-bones. The rose flesh of life shriveled from all faces. Nothing counts. Everything is a fake. Dust to dust and ashes to ashes and then an old darkness and a useless silence. So he saw it all.” When you are hallucinating your feelings resemble what you see.  But, when he reached the concert the beautiful music enlightened him and his appreciation for music (good trip).  For example, “Then he went to a Mischa Elman concert.  Two hours waves of sound beat on his eardrums. Music washed something or other inside him. Music broke down and rebuilt something or other in his head and heart. He joined in five encores for the young Russian Jew with the fiddle. When he got outside his heels hit the sidewalk a new way. He was the same man in the same world as before. Only there was a singing fire and a climb of roses everlastingly over the world he looked on.”  The effects of psychedelic drugs with the combination of music usually make you over analyze the musical talent within the song.  It’s like appreciating music in a different perspective and keener sense of listening skills.

            In conclusion, Sandburg focuses on creatively describing poems in unique perspectives that are labeled in capitalizations.  Understanding the poem takes time, focus, and of course an opinion.  Sandburg’s imagination soars past all my expectations of poetry with symbolism through great descriptions.  I recommend Carl Sandburg’s poetry to all readers.         

Bath - Carl Sandburg

Man is all capitalized.  Could be an error with this man, and needs help fixing.   

Words that are repeated:

• Dust x2
• Ashes x2
• Music x2

My Interpretation:  The author is describing a man who was dull and upset about the way he lived.  He was invited to a concert, and the music made him appreciate life as much as he appreciated the music.  Leading back to the title, I'm guessing "Bath" stood for the completely changed new MAN. 

SO WHAT ?

My completely honest opinion about this poem.  I believe that the MAN in the poem was on some type of psychadelic drug leading him to see things before the concert as unnattractive (bad trip) GIVE EXAMPLES OF BAD TRIP AND GOOD TRIP.  But when he reached the concert the beautiful music enlightened him, and his apprecitation for music.  Sending him out into the world as a changed human being by going through a life changing experience.

In A Breath - Carl Sandburg

Starts off poem with all capital letters HIGH.  Could stand for a deeper meaning.
The setting the author is describing is located on Michigan Avenue.

Words that were repeated:

• shark x2
• motors x2
• women trapsing along in flimsy clothes play of sun fire x2

My Interpretation: I believe the author is describing all the little details of normal day around Michicagan Avenue.  Kids are playing, fishers are fishing, women are tanning. 

Brooklyn Heights

What I've noticed about this poem:

18 Lines

Doesn't finish poem with a period

Repeats the most important thing to him
Forty, blonde, how far we've come, light, reminisce, reminiscing, filter, filters, Brooklyn Heights,
      .
 
The past tense and present tense are used a lot in the passage.

The lines get bigger and smaller simulteanously as the poem goes on.

The number of words in each line are repetitive at times.

Puts you in a modern generation due to fortys in Brooklyn Heights.

YourSpace.

From looking at this image of a Honda Pilot ad, ten things are very noticeable...

• The space in between the car and the title "Your space". 
• The car takes up almost half of the page. 
• Compared to the car, the title "Your Space" is about the same size.
• "YourSpace" is spelled as one word with a period at the end.
• You can only see the left side of the car.
• 8 seats for passengers.
• Many accessories within the car that are similar to a house accessories. 
• The picture is black and white.
• Two capitalizations in the one word title.
• You can fit three of those same three cars in that one page.
• Referring a car to space.

I'm going to over analyze each bullet in order:

• The space in between the car and the title "YourSpace."indicates an empty page with a lot of room.
• The car takes up almost half the page bringing better knowledge of how big the car is too the reader.
• Compared to the car, the title "Your Space" is about the same size resembling the big font of the word compares to the big space in the car.
• "YourSpace" is spelled as one word with a period at the end resembling two people and company in a car with a period as a ending point.
• You can only see the left side of the car leaving me in mystery about the other side of the car.
• 8 seats for passengers resembling a perfect car for any family.
• Many accessories within the car that are similar to a house accessories showing that just like a house is your space, a honda pilot is like your house on wheels.
• The picture is black and white removing all feeling from the photo.
• Two capitalizations in the one word title resembling the drivers seat and shotgun and all the lowercase words resemble passengers in the very big car.
• You can fit three of those same three cars in that one page showing how big the car is compared to the page.
• Referring a car to space shows how big the ad makes the car seem.