Literature Analysis #2

1. Kafka On the Shore is a novel about two men. A fifteen year-old boy named Kafka Tamura, who is dodging his fathers abusive ways, and Nakata who is much older and has the unique ability to communicate with cats. In the duration of the novel, the two are in Japan searching for an entrance to the spiritual realm.
2. The power and beauty of music is a central theme in the novel. This musical theme connects to the novel through Kafka playing music in order to communicate to others. Music is also used by him as a calming device and this gives him the ability to gather his thoughts in a more relaxed manner.
3. The novel displays a very soft and intimate tone. It provides a gentle and relaxed relaxed feeling while reading it. Music may also have something to do with the tone, because they both appear to offer relaxation and serenity.
4. The most dominant literary element in Kafka On the Shore is magical realism. This rarely used literary device is used to describe how Kafka is having sexual relationships with a ghostly woman. This "ghostly woman" ends up being his own mother who he has been searching for throughout the novel. 

"Tools That Change the Way We Think"

 "Back in 2004, I asked [Google founders] Page and Brin what they saw as the future of Google search. 'It will be included in people's brains,' said Page. 'When you think about something and don't really know much about it, you will automatically get information.'

'That's true,' said Brin. 'Ultimately I view Google as a way to augment your brain with the knowledge of the world. Right now you go into your computer and type a phrase, but you can imagine that it could be easier in the future, that you can have just devices you talk into, or you can have computers that pay attention to what's going on around them and suggest useful information.'

'Somebody introduces themselves to you, and your watch goes to your web page,' said Page. 'Or if you met this person two years ago, this is what they said to you... Eventually you'll have the implant, where if you think about a fact, it will just tell you the answer."

-From In the Plex by Steven Levy (p.67)

The extensive use of internet/media/technology can be distracting for most people, when used for research. The internet should not be used as a scapegoat for the reason why society has become lazy and distracted. It can be used as an amazing tool and provide efficiency for all of its users, if utilized wisely. In the words of Spiderman, "With great power comes great responsibility." The internet is the source of this "great power." We must use it responsibly and avoid the many distractions it offers. I used to lose my initial ambition for research because of Facebook, Youtube, and the many other recreational websites the internet has to offer. Now I can prioritize and ignore everything but my research. The extensive use of Internet/media/technology actually increases concentration and self-discipline. By Over-coming these obstacles of distracting websites, our minds get stronger and more efficient. Therefore the internet not only provides a more efficient research experience, it assists in establishing a culture of concentration and efficiency to its users.

In Search Of

The video taught me that the internet has changed. The internet's biggest websites are providing a more personalized and tailored version to better suit their users. We no longer have control over what we find when we search for something. The results aren't dependent on what I type in the search engine, they depend what the search engine thinks I like. I almost feel betrayed by the website if it withholds information from me because they think I wouldn't want to know it. The computer doesn't know me.

I was less general in my search about Shakespeare this time. Instead of searching " who was William Shakespeare" I searched "Important aspects of William Shakespeare's life". Changing what words I used obviously changed the outcome, but before seeing the video I never would have expected the different search engines providing completely different results.

Notes on Hamlet

My feelings toward Hamlet have significantly changed from the beginning of the play to Act III. Initially, I had negative feelings towards Hamlet. When I was assigned to read it, I struggled and relied on online sources to explain what I just read. I think the beginning was much more complex and there wasn't a clear goal or problem. Just a mess of various characters who the reader knows little about. But by Act III it is obvious that Hamlet plans to kill Claudius and avenge his father's death.

Who was Shakespeare?

Although most details about Shakespeare remain unknown, this English poet and play-writer is regarded as one of the greatest writers in English Language history. He is responsible for three of the most popular pieces of literature in world history ; "Hamlet," "Julius Caesar," and "Romeo and Juliet." William Shakespeare is said to be born in 1582 and lived in between an average and below average lifestyle. Students view his work as difficult to comprehend and often boring. I personally can connect with this common perspective on his works. I think students must take a different approach. Shakespeare's old English style of writing is translated easily through online sources and this is crucial to developing a full understanding for students.

To Facebook or Not to Facebook?

I initially started using Facebook because everyone was doing it. Although I am not usually such a stereo-typical teenage follower, in this situation I felt there were no risks. So, my attitude towards joining was simply, "Why not?" I obviously realized I must be careful about what information I release on my Facebook and who I allow to see it. I wasn't aware that I was being used as a money-making device for this website, that so many of my peers were also members of. We were unknowingly having our privacy invaded, thus providing bargaining tools for Facebook to its advertisement clients. The article exposing this information gave me a whole different perspective on Facebook. I don't hate the website now, I just have to realize anything I say or do can be viewed by a Facebook employee and used in whatever way they please. Whether it's used to tailor a more personalized version of Facebook for me, or to create profits for this world leading social networking website.

(Don't) Be Hamlet

     Hamlet's soliloquy, expresses his frustration and extreme anguish. He is contemplating whether to commit suicide or not (to be, or not to be). These emotions and thoughts are driving him past to borderline of sanity. Hamlet's excessive thinking is clearly exhibited in his soliloquy.

     Hamlet is thinking about all his options in great depth. He considers what we dream of once we have died, and whether life after death is better or worse. "For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil." He is asking himself- once we die, what is left of our souls and minds?

     He proceeds to ask himself whether suicide will provide relief, or extend his currents pains. While Hamlet doesn't completely reach a conclusion in his soliloquy, he realizes that suicide won't take someone out of this bad life and offer a more positive after life. Because if that was true, "Who would bear the whips and scorns of time". No one would suffer because once there was a problem they could end it all and start a new life by killing them self.

      This should be enough evidence to Hamlet that he definitely should not commit suicide. He should deal with his problems directly and face Claudius. There is no need to punish himself for an act committed by someone else. There is obviously more negative aspects of suicide than positive. Hamlet described the mystery of what dreams come after death. He also mentioned that we cannot know if its better or worse because no one has ever returned. Hamlet must deal with his emotions and thoughts accordingly, and deny the temptations of suicide.