Sandman By; Neil Gaiman

I found the sandman to be interesting and entertaining . It was confusing at times with the constant change of scene , but I was able to follow it after getting a sense of what was going on. What I enjoyed the most is also what confused me the most . the final panel . I was very confused at first not knowing where it came from , but then I realized that the entire thing is maybe supposed to come off as a a very vivid dream. when you think you have  woken up but in reality are still sleeping.

Latino USA

What a piece! Ilan Stavan's foreword of Latino USA: A Cartoon History is the most descriptive piece of writing we have read this semester. At least I think so. Although I found myself not being familiar with quite a few of the words he uses, I actually enjoyed reading the piece. Stavan’s doesn't wait long to express his feeling towards those who belittle comic strips. His sarcastic tone constantly shines through the text. One sentence I like in particular “this bastard nature of pop art, which supposedly underlined the abysmal ignorance of the masses...”  His strong, vivid and specific word choice is what makes this piece so fun to read. His writing style is one I would like to try to emulate. As for the actual topic, it was a very interesting way to look at a culture. Through the works Stavan's says are read by the people, the readers get a glimpse at what the culture is like, what the people there are like.

Graphic Memoirs Come of Age

In Graphic Memoirs Come of Age, William Bradley offers his interpretation on the labeling of graphic works. Bradley offers a lucid argument as to why using the term graphic novel to describe works that are nonfiction is not appropriate. I like that Bradley uses many examples to support and strength his argument. Although unfamiliar with the works he discusses I was able to follow along with what Bradley was trying to prove. I think that in the text Bradley is very clear in his analysis of the elements necessary to call something graphic memoir, or “essayistic” graphic memoir, especially when he discusses Alison Bechdel’s, Are You My Mother?. He explains that Bechdel’s work is more of an analysis of her thoughts and influences, as opposed to a clear narrative. In making that distinction Bradley states that Are You My Mother? cannot be in the same category and labeled like other graphic memoirs. Bradley continues to say that, because are you my mother is in a different category of graphic works, it cannot be compared to other works that are classified differently. 

            Before having read Graphic Memoirs Come of Age I hadn't really thought about how important it actually is to properly categorize writing and not just bundle together texts. Honestly I think falsely categorizing a piece of writing, strips it of its individuality. 

American Born Chinese

I found the graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang to be very cute , and funny. Some aspects of it like the cloud used as a means of transportation , reminded me of a show I watched as a kid called Dragon Ball Z . I was at first having trouble figuring out how the contents of the novel relate to the title American Born Chinese. 

I do have one theory , I was thinking maybe the monkey king represents the American born Chinese and the novel portrays how he is trying to fit and changes his ways to fit in with the deities. one example of his changing his ways when he makes the rest of the monkeys wear shoes because shoes were the reason he wasn't allowed into the dinner party. I also liked how only when he returned to the monkeys did he notice the fur smell that he lived with all his life , differentiating him from the rest. 

Empowerment Through Mythological Imaginings in Warrior Women

I found it to be very interesting the way Johnston uses the example of dragons on page 140 to represent how different the Chinese and American mindsets are, and how the level of uncertainty and myth in life is much greater among the Chinese then Americans who according to Johnston are a "reductive" people and refuse accept any uncertainties. According to Johnston the American mindset have very little to no tolerance for that which is unknown , which is very different from the Chinese whose very lives revolve around myth and open ended stories.

Porto Rican Folklore

Although there were quite a few allusions that I wasn't familiar with, I enjoyed reading the piece by Peter. J. Hamilton. I found it to be very interesting and informative.  What I found to be most interesting was the diversity in the culture, belief, symbolism and folklore that exists on one island. Many tales are presented in the piece my favorite by far is the one that explains why the dog, cat and rat don’t get along. I feel that it represents the very essence of folklore, explanations within a culture for the way things are in nature. It shows how a simple tale can be so telling of a certain group’s values and principles. Hamilton’s very detailed description of the Porto Rican culture generates a sense of homeliness, no matter who the reader. It gets one thinking of his/her own customs and beliefs.  Another thing that caught my attention was that two of the beliefs/superstitions mentioned in the piece are ones I heard growing up: killing white spiders is bad luck, and dreams present the reverse of what is to happen in the future, this proves that different cultures can have very similar superstitions.  Hamilton’s work also gives insight on the background of the folklore presented in the Three Wishes, like how he speaks of the origin of  witches in Porto Rican folklore. 

The Role of Fables in Human Life by Edward Clayton

         In his paper Aesop, Aristotle, and Animals: The Role of Fables in Human Life, Edward Clayton goes about building a very strong argument proving that the purpose of Aesop’s fables is more than that which is understood at first glance. He is very lucid in explaining that fables were not just written as factual cautionary tales. What Clayton ultimately gets to in his article is that we as human beings are capable of being as wild, untamed, and unreasonable as animals and due to this similarity in our nature Aesop’s fables can be enlightening at times.  According Clayton, fables are to teach humans that unlike any of the other animals we are capable of reason and understanding and have a sense of justice. Furthermore, given that humans have such capabilities we shouldn't behave like the fable animals when in similar circumstances.

        I find Clayton’s argument to be very persuasive for the way it is written, with countless examples and a clear flow of ideas. However, I feel that his interpretation of the role that fables play in human life is not one that is so popular. The reason being that, what he supposedly says the fables are intended for just isn't the immediate reaction that people have to reading a fable. I feel that most people that are presented a fable react by saying “so true!” According to Clayton the part of a fable that is most important is that animals are the main characters, but I think most people almost immediately associate the characters (animals) in the fable with themselves or other people in their lives. I think that people are already aware that they can be just as nature driven as the other animals; this awareness is so fundamental that I don’t think it’s paid much attention to and definitely isn't at the forefront of one’s mind when reading a fable. I think that the majority of people reading a fable just look at it as yet another portrayal of how nature operates.