Week 5 Reading Notes: Part B

Week 5 Reading Notes: Part A_ de Burton and Jackson

Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton :
1832-1894
"elite Mexican family" (244)
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo


Helen Hunt Jackson
1831-1885
Massachusetts; "cultured New England family"
was friends with Emily Dickinson
author:
"Bits of Travel at Home" (1878)
"Century of Dishonor" (1881)
"Romana" (1884)
She wanted to inspire slaves

Week 4: Project Action Planning: Female Character

From a piece of fiction (short story, section of novel, or a play) choose a female character on whom to focus, and create a project that discusses some of the following questions: 

• What is the author’s attitude towards her? (how can you tell?) I believe I have come to the conclusion that the author was of Ifapi's people. I feel it was written with pride in Ifapi and as a story for inspiration of love, hope and patience. (See week 3 Project Work for details). I need to summarize the history of the two tribes Ifapi and Patapir are associated with and their significance to the author.

• What is your attitude towards her? Once I get to know Ifapi, I have a respect for her. Initially, however, I was confused why anyone would hide themselves away - acting sick even. It was almost annoying until I understood who she was as an individual and why she might be taking these actions (also elaborated in week 3)

• How do (at least 2) other characters view her? two young women were snobby towards her. Without even knowing her or trying to get to know her, they thought and spoke as if they were above her. 
  Patapir was instantly intrigued by her elusiveness. He wanted to know her; he instantly fell in love - Definitely loads more to express on Patapir's view of her. Other characters to elaborate on: Ifapi's father, her aunt, the Leader... I need to narrow this down or at least give more details as to how I will describe how everyone has very similar yet completely different feeling towards her
• How does she view herself? For anyone to keep themselves hidden while still performing at such a distinguished role for the Leader, she must think highly and proudly of herself. She was patient, to wait while playing the role of a sick girl, she was patient and determined. 

Week 3: Feedback Strategies

I am many things; a student comes in about third.

     I am a parent first, which is why I chose to read the article written by Deborah Farmer Kris, “What Kinds of Messages Help Kids Grow?”. This article resonated with me because I have been trying to follow the “Growth Mindset” method with my children without knowing it is an actual thing. I don’t let them say “I can’t do it” or allow them to give up on something, especially when I know they can do it. What I had not incorporated prior to being introduced to the “Growth Mindset” ,was inserting the word, “yet”.

     “Yet” has made a huge difference in how my kids have approached a challenge. I can see this concept related back to my college studies as well as within my personal and professional development. In relation to understanding a reading, “I don’t understand it, yet, but I will re-read and re-evaluate what I am reading until I do.” In relation to my writing abilities, “I haven’t quite made it to an advanced level writing, yet, but with practice I will.”

     Do I feel confident giving people useful feedback? I think I do! I hope that anyone who is on the receiving end of my feedback has a full understanding that it is feedback and not judgment. I feel even more confident with providing useful feedback after reading TeachThought Staff’s article, “How To Give Students Specific Feedback That Actually Helps Them Learn”. The article outlines useful feedback with the following basic bullet points:

       ·       Goal-oriented

·       Feedback is actionable

·       Understandable, Specific

·       Timely

·       Consistent

     I instantly thought of the similarity between these guidelines those of a SMART goal:

·                            Specific

·                            Measurable

·                            Achievable

·                            Relevant

·                            Time-Bound

     Having a clear understanding of a SMART goal helps in providing useful feedback. Producing a quality piece of work is likely the subject’s goal, therefore, understanding and taking into consideration that our feedback is aiding the subject in achieving their goal will help the reviewer in providing goal-oriented, actionable, specific, relevant, consistent and time-bound feedback. 

     To tie this back into parenting, I have learned that it is important to provide similar feedback to our children. While adding the word, "yet", can be powerful, we also need to help guide them with the how, when and why to reach their goals. 

Week 3: Project Work_Topic Research, Female Character

I am conflicted on whether I should focus my project on my first option; a female character OR a project considering how it reflects its historical, social, political and/or economic context. Ms Hiltbrand’s feedback definitely helped me narrow it down, but I am currently undecided. So, while I debate, I will focus this week’s Project Work on a female character. The female character my project is on is Ifapi of "About-the-House Girl". 

To answer the first question, “What is the author’s attitude towards her?” I need to first establish who exactly the author is. Our literature shows it is a story of the Karok tribe. To understand the author, we must understand their history and determine how they relate to the story. 

I also need to determine if the character, Ifapi was of the Karok tribe or perhaps was the male character, Patapir of the Karok tribe? Or were either / or both? How is this tribe/ how are these people connected. All of this needs to be established in order to understand the author's attitude towards her.

The following is a few notes and links to the scratching of the surface on the Karok tribe:

Translated, Karok means “upriver”/ “upstream” people

I wanted to have a visual of exactly where Ifapi and Patapir are. I have located the mouth of the river where Patapir lives and plays his flute. 

Rekwoi - https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/5views/5views1h70.htm

Page 6 shows a map of the mouth of Klamath river

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tpp/offices/ocp/dist1/fy11-12/Yurok%20Tribe%20Master%20Plan.pdf

Map of Pre-Contact Tribal territories; Karok is located at the very top of the state, beginning at the Oregon border, near the Shasta Indian Tribe: https://www.tes.com/lessons/GsFn8kqtzxeI5A/wiyot

This would make the Karok tribe upstream from where Patapir lives, therefore establishing that Ifapi is likely of the Karok tribe.

At the end of the story, Theodora Kroeber is noted to have been the storyteller. I have been researching Ms Kroeber and found that she was an American writer and Anthropologist. She wrote books of California Native Americans and their legends. She is known for her book about Ishi, and Yahi Indian, Ishi in Two Worlds.  While she did not speak to him directly, she wrote the book from extensive notes of her husband, Alfred Kroeber, who had known Ishi personally. (Kouzmanoff)

Comparing the two maps, I can guess that the story or myth is being told by the people of Karok, representing Ifapi as one of their women; a woman of their tribe. They would likely be telling the story with pride and happiness

What is my attitude towards her? Initially, I am confused why she would be pretending to be a sick girl and keep hidden. I am curious how she was chosen by the Leader. I feel sympathy for her for losing her mother at such a young age, but happy she had a loving father and caring aunt. 

How do at least 2 other characters view her? The two young women were snobby towards her. Without even knowing her or trying to get to know her, they thought and spoke as if they were above her. 

Patapir was instantly intrigued by her elusiveness. He wanted to know her; he instantly fell in love - Definitely loads more to express on Patapir's view of her.

Other characters to elaborate on: Ifapi's father, her aunt, the Leader...

How does she view herself? For anyone to keep themselves hidden while still performing at such a distinguished role for the Leader, she must think highly and proudly of herself. She was patient, to wait while playing the role of a sick girl, she was patient and determined. 

I feel like there is much, much more research to be done for this project. I want to have an understanding of the importance of the "Life Renewing Dance" and what exactly her role was in it. I believe she was the only woman in the dance. Why did she choose to pretend to be a sick girl? Is there significance in hiding away as a sick girl? I will continue to search through the library's catalog as well as anything I might find online. 

WORKS CITED

Kouzmanoff, Adam. “Theodora Kroeber.” Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia, 2017. EBSCOhost, 0-search.ebscohost.com.library.4cd.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=89875947&site=eds-live.

Week 3 Reading Notes: Part B _ Nurslings of the Sky

Similar to how Austin described the lands of the dessert in The Land of Little Rain, Austin speaks of the weather as if it has emotions and feelings.

Week 3 Reading Notes: Part A _ The Luck of Roaring Camp & The Land of Little Rain

Reading Notes 2/12/2019

One Hundred Years of Exploration and Conquest: Introduction (71-75) 
first writings from California date 1769.
Spanish army led by Gaspar de Porola. Creapi was the first to write at length of the climate, habits of the land as well as habits of local tribes.
California's first folk hero, Life and Times of Joaquin Mueieta (1854) by John Rollin Ridge.
William Brewer- 4 years traveling the state - Up and Down in California, 1860-64.
Clarence King, Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada (1872). 

Montalvo (76-77)
Garci Rodriguez Ordonez de Montalvo wrote The Adventures of Esplandian, published in Madrid in 1510.
From a chapter of the above referenced book, Montalvo wrote of an island named California. This island was home to strong and beautiful black women who lived as Amazons. They captured baby griffins (body of a lion, head of an eagle) and would raise them to eat men and boys. These women were lead by Queen Calafia who wished to spread out, see the world and conquer.

Crespi (78-81)
Fray Juan Crespi
"first writer to provide a detailed account of what this region looked like before European settlement began." (78).
Missionary Explorer of the Pacific Coast: "The Naming of Santa Ana and Los Angeles"
I found it interesting that they experienced so many earthquakes and after shocks while in Santa Ana and Los Angeles... seems not much has changed. The chief in Santa Ana saw signs and wished Crespi and his men would stay and live with them; share the land.


The Luck of Roaring Camp (https://www.bartleby.com/310/4/1.html)
Cherokee Sal - the only female in a poor goldmining camp dies giving birth to a boy. The men all agree to keep the baby and raise him. Stumpy, helped deliver the boy and tried to save Sal. The men of the camp gifted the child with all they could. They unanimously approved a resolution to adopt the child and raise him as their own, Stumpy would be his godfather. Over time, they grew fond of him and decided he needed a name. Feeling he was a blessing and even lucky , they agreed on the name Luck and added a first name of Tommy for "greater convenience", although they referred to him as "The Luck". Time passes and the camp thrives. The Luck would go to work with the men, lay on a blanket. He was a perfect baby, content, never cried or went beyond his corral. "Nature was his nurse and playfellow." He was even seen talking to birds, reported by Kentuck. The camp flourish and its yield was prosperous. They felt their fortune was because of The Luck. The men nearly all decided (with a few still hesitant) to build a hotel and invite other families to live there, possibly including women-- for the benefit of Luck, of course. But before they could get the hotel going, a heavy winter (of 1851) passed causing the melted snow to engulf the camp, wiping out Stumpy's home... Kentuck was found holding a lifeless Tommy Luck as he soon would join The Luck of Roaring Camp.


The Land of Little Rain by Mary Hunter Austin (http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/365?msg=welcome_stranger#link2H_4_0006)
Land between Death Valley and the High Sierras. Mojave desert. "Void of llife it never is, however dry the air and villainous the soil.".
3 seasons, hot June - November. Austin names many animals and plants, birds, lizards... hot and unbearable, but worth it. "For all the toll the desert takes of a man it gives compensations, deep breaths, deep sleep, and the communion of the stars."

Week 2: Feedback Thoughts

When I think about receiving feedback, I am generally hoping for constructive criticism. 

When I am sitting with my boss during my annual review, I am the person who asks, "what can I do better?". Like everyone, I always enjoy being told my positive traits, but I also appreciate being told how I can improve my weaker traits. As a parent, my children are always happy to provide "constructive" criticism on all the ways I can do better!  As a student, I have not received a whole lot of feedback and/or criticism, aside from a public speaking class which I did receive a great amount of constructive criticism. In this class, I am hoping for some brutal honesty! Interpreting and writing has always been a weakness for me and I am truly looking forward to some peer guidance. A quick highlight how I successfully interpreted the assignment followed by areas that can use improvement and how would be great!

Week 2: Project Work_Topic Brainstorm

1. Topic from a piece of fiction, a female character on whom to focus, and create a project discussing the author's attitude towards her, my attitude towards her, how at least 2 other characters view her, and how does she view herself.
        For this topic, I would write about Ifapi from the story, About-the-House Girl. While it was such a short story, there is so much to try to dissect about her. After only one read through, I cannot recall the author's attitude towards her, but there is definitely a lot to write about the contrast in how the two young women viewed her and how Patapir viewed her. I would like to find a connection between Ifapi and myself; negative or positive, it doesn't matter, but I would like to draw a line somewhere between us. 

2. Choosing The Creation, I would write a project considering how it reflects its historical, social, political and/or economic context; focusing on race, class, power, cultural values and beliefs, historical events, the author's biography, gender, psychology, etc. 
       There are many areas within this reading that I could dive deeper in reflecting on its historical and social context. Digging deeper into the mindset and status of the Maidu Indian myths. This would simultaneously dive deeper into the cultural values, beliefs and historical events at the time of the creation of the myth. Because I was raised in the Church and there is an obvious similarity between the Maidu version of the beginning and the Christian version, I am curious how the two are intertwined. 

3. Choosing Coyote Cooks His Daughter, I would write an argument stating what the work reveals about the cultural behavior contemporary to it. 
        I would choose this piece of work because it is completely baffling to me. It seems so outrageous that it has to have a deeper and completely different meaning. Without having much of an idea where to start dissecting quite yet, I would be excited to learn about the Cupeño Tribe and what the Coyote means or represents to them. There are many layers to this story that I want to peel away to get to the true meaning of it and reach the cultural behavior it represents. 

4. Finally, I would like to choose a story that connects to the theme of "always reaching for more" or "never enough" or something to express how overwhelmed and unaccomplished I feel even when I am surrounded by success, beauty and happiness. I am not yet sure which piece of work I might find to connect this project with, but I hope I am able to find something relatable. 

Week 2 Analysis: The Creation

The Creation was a familiar story with a curious twist. Somewhat of a roller coaster, jumping from one thought to the next. Never sure who may appear next. Coyotes represent multiple dynamics in Native Indian myths. Coyotes are a fluid character who can take many forms. In the story of Creation, as I was told, God created the Heavens and the Earth. God and God alone spent 6 days creating light and dark, land and sea, man and woman, and all living creatures. The Maidu version is much more imaginative. We have a “god” in the Earthmaker. Perhaps the Coyote and the Meadowlark represent the Earthmaker’s subconscious. If the Christian God can be a “Father”, “Son”, and “Holy Spirit", could the Earthmaker have multiple beings as well.  Why though does the Meadowlark fly away while the Coyote is made to lay on his belly and disappear somewhere south? Is the Meadowlark an angel and the Coyote a devil? Do they represent good and evil?

Beauty and Blood. What is the connection? Does blood represent life? And life represent beauty?

Names are another notable theme within the Maidu creation myth. It is important to the Earthmaker that the creatures and places each have a name and that even each different creature would be called by different things. Separation and ownership and even a hierarchy is evident within the myth. The Earthmaker creates man creatures and assigns them land to live on an call their own. A small plot of land, humble. He then makes one creature and gives him a generous piece of land.

“And then, when you are grown, you will be born.” (pg. 31). Is this a literal reference of conception to birth or something deeper?  Being “born” is mentioned numerous times throughout the reading, often times it is at the opening of a paragraph and again at the end as if one creature could be “born” more than once. Is being “born” an expression for age or rite of passage?

Week 2 Reading Notes: Part B _ Coyote Cooks His Daughter & About-The-House Girl

About-The-House Girl

Patapir, grown man, plays flute, no women
Ifapi, woman, mother died when she was young, is staying with her aunt, shy

Patapir heard stories of Ifapi and goes to find her. Finds her in an unexpected place. Goes back to the aunt's house, takes Ifapi as his wife.

A fairly basic story. I am a little confused with how exactly she was making herself look sickly and to what purpose. It seemed as if there was a prediction that the Flute Player would one day find her and he did. 

Coyote Cooks His Daughter

I couldn't even take notes while reading this one because it was so strange, I did not know how to capture what I was reading. I know Coyotes take on many physical forms, although I don't know how that helps me understand this one. The Coyote and his daughter go out hunting for food. When he is unable to find food after several days, he gives up and literally cooks his daughter - licks his fingers and everything! She haunts him saying, "Pine tree, stick, pine tree, grass stick Jingle, ingle, ingle" (Hicks pg. 54). He killed her with a pine tree stick. Then what the wife hears the haunting and knows the Coyote killed their daughter, she burns the house down an the Coyote inside. 

Works Cited

Hicks, Jack. The Literature of California. University of California Press, 2000. 

Week 2 Reading Notes: Part A_ Origins and the Way of the World

Origins and the Way of the World
*The Maidu (California Indian) creation myth*

The myth begins with at least 3 characters: the Earthmaker, Coyote, Meadowlark

The Coyote appears to play the part of creator and creature. He works with the Earthmaker to create the land and seas.

Blood is a thing of beauty. When referencing making the earth beautiful, Coyote states,  "I shall paint it with blood" (pg. 26)... "Then the world will be beautiful to look at" (pg. 27).

Other things to note:
The Earthmaker created two of each creature
black and white
It was important to the Earthmaker for them all to have names
It was also important to have names for the land
The Earthmaker created human beings to live in a small country and be happy about it; "in a country that is little, not big, you will be content" (pg.31). All except one went in groups to small countries. The one who remained was sent to a big country with anything he could ever want.
Human beings were creatures that after several winters were born. I am unsure if born means die or if it is a new or continuation phase of life
Songs are important.
The Meadowlark was the "first being created, He was the being who saw the dry land very beautiful;" (pg. 34).

Works Cited

Hicks, Jack. The Literature of California. University of California Press, 2000. 

Time Strategies

Time management is probably the biggest struggle in both my on-line and in-person classes. I am attempting a new strategy this semester where I allot an amount of time each night for each class. I will prioritize  the time based on which assignments are due first. One of the seemingly obvious  strategies would be to work ahead. It seems like an easy solution, but working full time and having a family makes working ahead and staying ahead almost impossible, but it is my goal!

Technology

I am possibly one of the least technologically savvy folks in this English 205 class. When I think of technology in relation to an English course, I think of Canvas and the ability to check in on assignments, communicate with the professor, and communicate with classmates. I also think of the simple Microsoft programs such as WORD, EXCEL, and POWER POINT. That, however, and the internet search tools, are the extent of my experience with technology in relation to a college course. 

I am excited to continue to work with the Blog as a part of my learning experience with this class.