JOU+LD

Lizzy's Journal

**#1** When I was reading all these poems, and trying to pick what one speaks to me the most I was at a loss. They all spoke to me on a different level and I struggled to differentiate them, they all started to blend together. But, there was one phrase that continually popped in my brain from “The Swan” by Mary Oliver. It was, “Did you see it in the morning, rising into the silvery air-“. I honestly have no idea why this phrase had such an impact on me, but it did. Currently I am taking Creative Writing as my literature class and the topic of favorite diction was brought up. It is strange that certain words or phrases can have such a strong impact on you. Now looking at the poem “The Swan”, it contains numerous illustrations that speak to me, “white blossoms”, “rain pelting the trees”, “light of the river”. This poem can only be describes as beautiful and truly striking. It is difficult to say why probably every person in this class will choose different poems for different reasons, but writing, like all art, has the power to touch people’s senses and give them light on a personal and subjective level. It is why everyone understands poems differently and discovers unique connotations. We all have the power to be elevated by poetry; we just have to open ourselves up to it. GG: I love this phrase, LD: " writing, like all art, has the power to touch people’s senses and give them light." I pose a challenge to you: Keep with the question, "I honestly have no idea why this phrase had such an impact on me, but it did." Go there and find out why!

**#2** When I was reading the three poems and looking for a “grace filled” image, I did not really know what that entailed. My first thought was the most beautiful or spiritual description, like “sunrise finishing” or “my midnight, my talk, my song”. But grace does not truly mean beauty, it means effortless and ease…fluidity. For me the lines that were undemanding and flowed smoothly were from “Stop All the Clocks”, by W.H. Auden. “The stars are not wanted now: put out every one; Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun; Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood. For nothing now can ever come to any good.” These words are simple and light. They are “grace-filled”, they do not try to be complicated and labored. Having grace and joy are not necessarily counterparts. This poem is graceful, yet it is dark and wistful. What first drew me into this passage was its references to nature, to stars, the moon, and the ocean. I did not even know what the poem was about the first time I read it, I was just struck by its simplicity and fluidity. This poem's beauty arises from its depressing nature. It is pertinent in that everyone has experienced the feeling of wanting to separate themselves from society, to close the shutters and succumb to stillness. This poem is graceful, subtle, and effortless.

GG: I can see why you wrote what you did. This is a very graceful poem. Did you listen to the video? It is beautifully stated. In the case of the question and the class, LD, the issue is more about grace from a theological perspective. " Catholic doctrine teaches that God uses the [|sacraments] to facilitate the reception of His grace. The Christian teaching is that grace is unmerited mercy that God gave to us by sending his son to die on a cross to give us eternal salvation." So, you see, there is a different level to this question. It will make sense in a few weeks.

**#3** It's common knowledge that I am a flighty person. I am spacey, forget things easily, and have a tendency to daydream. You probably know this already after having me as a student for a few weeks. During the school year--fall, winter, spring--I am constantly drowning in over-do assignments that I forgot about or trying to salvage a grade after forgetting to study for a test. This is such a bad quality and I try to make lists and stay organized, but there will always be a sense of breeziness ingrained in me. This is the reason that summer is when I find a sense of incarnation and sacrament. During the summer I am not worried about of that flighty element in myself. I am not weighted down by an over-flowed to-do list, I am free to be completely myself. I see this as incarnation, because it is my time to be reborn, rejuvenated. Summer is a time when I can fully be myself, essentially an air-head. I can walk to the beach and get lost or forget shoes because summer is the season to be care free, to enjoy life to its fullest without judgement. GG: Well, I did not really know this about you. Perhaps that flightiness is where all of the creativity is flowing. When I was in grade six, I was daydreaming. Sr. Gerard asked what I was doing. "Thinking my thoughts," I said. Convinced that I was in trouble (it was 1963, and Catholic schools were very strict), I sat. Sister went to the book cupboard, took a marble covered copy book (we did all of our work in those books), handed it to me and said, "Write those thoughts here." An inspired woman! I think this title is ironic because “A Good Man is Hard to Find” refers to the Grandma’s opinion of what a good man is. The first time she uses the phrase “good man” was when she said it to Red Sammy for being cheated by some guys at his gas station. Then she continually tells the Misfit, a murderer, that he is a “good man”. I think the irony in the title is that although the phrase “good man” is used frequently in the story, there is no “good men” in the story, actually if you think about it there aren’t many “good men” in any of O’Connor’s stories, like the Bible salesman who stole Hulga’s leg. Maybe O’Connor herself was confused of what makes up a “good man”. GG: (L): Do you think there is also something about O'Connor herself and seeing good in men? **#5** Wow, I don’t know what I would say to the Misfit, I think I could relate to him to some extent. I have always been known as somewhat of a misfit, mostly when it comes to the Woodlands uniform. Misfit is an interesting word that O’Connor chose to use. If I were to describe myself at Woodlands I would probably use the word misfit, not criminal or rebel, those are too strong. Misfit implies that the felonies that person commits are relatively small, like wearing the wrong sweatshirt or no socks. But, the Misfit kills. He is not a little boy that accidently broke a window or a teenager who broke curfew, he is dangerous, a villain. I mean, if I saw the Misfit I probably wouldn’t talk to him, I would run as fast as I can in the other direction! If I was really confident in myself I would say I'd try to talk some sense in him, make him "see the light". But that is why many criminals do not stop, no one ever has the strength to stand up to them without fear they will blow their brains out! The real question is if you saw the Misfit, would you talk to him? After seeing the Grandma die, I just don't think I would!!! GG: (L): Well, I think you push the limit (and sometime I will have to notice and give you a write up (UGH! Do not make me do that), __but I hardly call you a misfit!__ I prefer that you not talk to misfits. You keep exercising that wise freedom. When I first saw the title of this story I felt really uncomfortable. It is one of those words that as a kid you are taught are “unforgivable” to say. I do believe though, that the use of it is very important to the story. I would explain to this peer that this story is supposed to depict honest characters, and a white Southern man born during that time would definitely use “nigger” with no shame or guilt. It was apart of that culture and pretending it wasn’t used won’t erase it from history. GG: (L): If you had more time, you should reflect more on that feeling of discomfort! I sense that you are rushing to catch up; otherwise, I know you would have written more. This does not sound like our Lizzy!
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**#7** Describe a time when you found something in life both comic and terrible. A time that was both comical and terrible was my geometry final during sophomore year. That entire semester for this class was awful! I was so bad at geometry that even studying would not help! I knew that I had to get a great grade on the final to pull my grade up, so I studied for weeks. I did so many practice problems, watched countless youtube videos, and even bought //Basic Geometry for Dummies.// I went into that final feeling pretty confident. I knew that I studied hard and that I would at least come out with a B. When I sat down in the gym and took a look at my test, I was lost. I tried my best to do the problems I could, but when there was 15 minutes left nearly half of my final had scribbled work with no answer. I looked around, saw some faces gleaming with pride, others shaking trying to finish their last few problems, and the rest of us on the verge of tears. I sat there knowing that this test would undoubtably end horribly and that I should start crying and race out of the room, but I couldn't help but smile. I knew that I was being absolutely ridiculous and that there is nothing comical in failing a final, but all I couldn't stop laughing! Even when I look back at this test I start laughing! I still do not really know why this moment is both comical and terrible, but I can't help cracking up when I see a glimpse of the yellow cover of //Geometry for Dummies.// //GG: You have a good personality, Lizzy, and a great imagination. Sometimes all we can do is laugh!//

FRUSTRATION! Really, he is driving me crazy!! I just want him to stand up for himself, maybe give him a five-hour energy and see it that gives him some life!! I think that is why this book has been hard to get through, because the main character is dull and dreary. His outlook on life is depressing and I just want to shake him and tell him that if he does not like what is going on in his community he needs to do something about it!!! I really hope he finds some inner strength in himself to initiate change in his church. I can tell that he does care, but he needs to refocus himself. Even his relationship with God seems contrived and superficial. GG: (L): What is a "five hour energy?" I agree. He frustrates me too.
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 * #9 **

The Cure tells the priest, “After all, perhaps Almighty God intends to keep you in sorrow.” Respond to that.

I don’t know, I just can’t believe that God wants us to suffer. I do believe that it is unavoidable that all humans feel pain and sorrow, but I don’t believe that God wants you to wallow in it. I believe that God is the strength we use to help us through our suffering and what enables us to grow into a stronger, better person. So, no, I do not believe the Cure’s statement that “After all, perhaps Almighty God intends to keep you in sorrow.” I don’t believe that God intends for the priest to stay sick and weak his entire life. Maybe God is just as frustrated at the priest as we are? GG: This is a reasonable response. What I would like to read, LD, is why you take this position - one to which I also agree? Can you develop the idea a bit more!


 * 10**

I loved that the novel ended with “grace is everywhere”. I felt like that was put there just for our Christian Themes and Literature class. It just fit too perfectly! I saw this quote as a reflection on the life of the priest. If you look at a summary of his life it looks like nothing but pain and rejection. The townspeople hated him. They thought he was a useless petty drunk and throughout the novel the priest was suffering from stomach cancer. But, despite all this, there was grace in his life. There is grace everywhere as the novel so beautifully stated. Even in those who hate us, who hurt us, we can find a glimmer of grace, of hope. In my eyes the priest found peace in his death, I may just be being an optimist, but I found his death and the last few pages of the novel grace-filled and full of light. GG: You are an optimist, and that is a good thing! If we can truly recognize God's grace everywhere, what a world we could create!


 * 11 (Same Prompt)**

I loved that the novel ended with “grace is everywhere”. I felt like that was put there just for our Christian Themes and Literature class. It just fit too perfectly! I saw this quote as a reflection on the life of the priest. If you look at a summary of his life it looks like nothing but pain and rejection. The townspeople hated him. They thought he was a useless petty drunk and throughout the novel the priest was suffering from stomach cancer. But, despite all this, there was grace in his life. There is grace everywhere as the novel so beautifully stated. Even in those who hate us, who hurt us, we can find a glimmer of grace, of hope. In my eyes the priest found peace in his death, I may just be being an optimist, but I found his death and the last few pages of the novel grace-filled and full of light. GG: Right, Lizzy. THe challenge is to take the time to find grace. When one is in pain, that is so hard, but it could help us get through those hard times.


 * 12**

The two words that immediately caught my eye were suffering and compassion. Suffering in the obvious sense—his illness that was slowly killing him---but also in his constant struggle for a purpose and a place in his community. I felt that throughout the book what the priest wanted most was to feel wanted and accepted in his parish, but time after time he failed. The other word I chose, compassion, was actually the first word that I connected to. I guess the reason I picked it was out of the compassion I felt while reading the book. //The Diary of a Country Priest// was an extremely difficult book for me to read. At first it was because I did not really find it that interesting and the language was a bit tedious, but after I got over those factors I found it extremely emotionally draining to read the novel. I always felt really heavy and down after reading it. I picked compassion because if the novel brought out anything in me, it was compassion for the priest. GG: I continue to find your compassion for this priest compelling


 * 13**

I remember that Catherine’s response to this question was not with a “yes”, it was with her grabbing his hand. I think at this part of the novel, it is clear that Catherine is pretty taken with Morris and that she will choose Morris’s love (even if it is not pure) over her father’s. You can definitely sense Morris sweating a bit at this point in the novel, because what he really wants from Catherine is her inheritance and with contemplating severing ties with her father, the future is not looking up for Morris. GG: Of what do you think she is most "taken?"

I have never kept a diary…I think it’s because I feel extremely awkward writing in one. If I were Catherine (and had the ability to keep a diary) I would probably be frantically writing down the pros and cons of Morris. I would be fretting about losing my father’s love and debating about what I should do with my future. Catherine has so many different opinions being thrust down her throat, that a diary would probably help keep her sane during this hectic time! GG: You are a prime candidate for a journal - perhaps even a blog. Give it a try!
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I completely agree with James’s statement. I feel like many of your more character shaping moments come from the seemingly insignificant experiences. Every moment shapes who you are, every moment becomes apart of you, whether you are eating a Five Guys burger or traveling around the world. It’s funny that I seem to remember some of the goofiest, weirdest memories and forget more “monumental” ones. You can make any moment wonderful, tragic, hilarious, or depressing…as James said, it just depends on how you look at them. GG: True. We are shaped by all of the little moments in life.
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