Liberty Leading the People – Art Analysis

Art is influenced by socio-political events and historical conditions; consequently, art is a reaction to society’s changes and transformations. Eugene Delacroix painted Liberty Leading the People in 1830. The 18^th century was known as the Age of Enlightenment as it brought about the quest for knowledge, industrialism, Neo-Classical art and physical materialism. Romanticism was created as a reaction to these changes and events. Delacroix utilizes Romanticism in his painting as it reflected the current art style. War is the ideal vehicle for Romanticism as it combines terror, violence and heroism. This can be seen in Liberty Leading the People as it depicts the July Revolution of 1830. Like other Romantic art, Liberty Leading the People has a sublime quality as it communicates feelings of grandeur, intensity and greatness. Sublime is usually incorporated into Romantic paintings of nature as seen in The Wreck of the Hope and The Eruption of Vesuvius. The painting involves dark colors and bold brush strokes. It rejects the precise drawing style associated with French academic art of the time period. Liberty Leading the People illustrates artistic preference and in turn society’s values during the Romantic period.

 

Liberty Leading the People also acts as a propaganda piece. Eugene Delacroix created this painting shortly after the July Revolution of 1830 where Charles X was overthrown as head of the monarchy in France. The painting allegorically symbolizes the conquest of the French people. The focal point of the painting is a loosely clothed woman holding the French revolutionary flag and a musket. In my opinion, she symbolizes the purity of the revolutionary cause and the French campaign for liberty and change. The woman personifies these ideals that French citizens held so highly. The revolution was brutal but in the painting French citizens advance seemingly unchallenged, stepping over the French army with ease. Liberty Leading the People glorifies French society’s victory, depicting the revolutionary’s view of an easy success.  The painting shows a dockworker (far left), white-collar gentlemen (middle) and young boy (far right) working together to take back their country. The painting highlights the remarkable collaboration of all male French citizens from different classes and walks of life. They march together, as one. The entire painting glorifies war as a means to perpetuate French pride. The painting is structured as a pyramid, with the woman who personifies the values of French society, at the top. The painting reflects the radical idea that instigated the French Revolution, we all must look up to the ideals of liberty.

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge-Short Story Questions

1. What demands does the story make on its readers? What does the story assume or understand about its readers? How might one describe the ideal audience for the story?

The story demands some prerequisite knowledge of the reader. The story takes place during the American Civil War as made evident by the quote, “…prevented him from taking service with the gallant army that had fought the disastrous campaign ending with the fall of Corinth.” (p.3). Ambrose Bierce is expecting that the reader understands the historical event as it is applicable to the plot of the story; consequently, he does not include a background explanation about the war. The author understands the reader has only a general knowledge of the American Civil War and therefore explains specialized details more descriptively. For example, “… were at “parade rest”, the butts of the rifles on the ground, the barrels inclining slightly backwards against the right shoulder, the hand crossed upon the stock.” (p.1).  The ideal audience for the story would include individuals who are knowledgeable about the American Civil War and Civil War military procedure which are important to understanding the plot.

2. What motivates the main characters? What do they fear, know, desire, believe?

The main characters in the story are the Yankees, the Federal Scout and Peyton Farquhar. It is inferred that the Yankees are motivated to hang Farquhar to deter civilians from, “interfering with the railroad, its bridges, tunnels or trains…” (p.4) so they could continue to advance their campaign. The Federal Scout is motivated to offer information about sabotaging the Oak Creek Bridge because he knew Farquhar would act and in doing so would be trapped and consequently hung. Farquhar is motivated to aid the Confederate cause because he has the, “longing for the release of his energies”(p.3). He wants to experience, “the larger life of the soldier…” (p.3) and yearns for, “the opportunity for distinction.” (p.3). However, before being hung Peyton fears he will never see his wife and children again. This is evident when Peyton begins to focus, “…his last thoughts upon his wife and children.” (p.2) after the planks he is standing on are drawn away. 

3. Would the story have the same effect if the location of the setting were changed?  

The story takes place atop the Owl Creek Bridge as Peyton waits to be hung. If Peyton was not hung off the Owl Creek Bridge and the setting was changed, the story would not have the same effect. Throughout the short story, Peyton describes what he sees from the top of the bridge. For example, he sees, “The water, touched to gold by the early sun, the brooding mists under the banks at some distance down the stream…” (p.2). If the story did not take place on Owl Creek Bridge this descriptive passes Bierce includes would be lost. Further, the entire story is instigated by Peyton’s effort to sabotage the bridge and in doing so gets captured and hung. If Peyton’s hanging took place anywhere else the story would less interesting as it would not have such an ironic nature. Finally, Peyton’s dream of, “…throwing off the noose and spring into the stream.” (p.3) would not be as applicable and thus less enticing to the reader.

4. Is the story being told in the third person? Is this narrator omniscient (all knowing and seeing) or limited to the thoughts of one character?

The short story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is told in the third person. Although the narrator is all knowing he focuses on the thoughts of one character. The quote, “As Peyton Farquhar fell straight downward through the bridge he thought he lost consciousness.” demonstrates that the main character is not referenced to using the personal pronoun “I” but instead “he”. Peyton’s thoughts are the only characters’ that are read throughout the story. For example, “ ‘To be hanged and drowned,’ he thought?” (p.5). However, the narrator also is omniscient as he reveals certain information that the focal character is not privy to. For example, the narrator explains that the grey-clad soldier who visited Peyton and his wife, “…was a Federal Scout.” (p.5) which Peyton was not aware of at all in the story. The combination of limited and omniscient narration in the different parts of the story makes An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge unique and interesting.

5.  How does the author use metaphors? Are they used as an elaborate device that supplies more detail? Are they used to extend meaning through the entire story?

In An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, Ambrose Bierce uses metaphors to add to the readers’ understanding of the story by elaborating with further detail. Bierce uses metaphors to add significance to sensatory details. For example, when explaining auditory details he compares trees “…and the wind made in their branches the music of Æolian harps.” (p.9). When explaining visual details he says Peyton’s noose’s undulations resemble, “…those of a water snake.” (p.6). Bierce also uses metaphors to describe the qualities of the main character. Peyton talks about driftwood throughout the story, at one point he comments on driftwood floating down the stream and, “How slowly it appeared to move, What sluggish steam!” (p.2). Later, the driftwood becomes an extension of Peyton himself as he floats on the water of the stream like the driftwood. The driftwood represents how Peyton has metaphorically become hollow inside preemptive to his death.

6. Does the author use long complex sentences, short simple sentences, sentence fragments? How do these stylistic choices contribute to the overall meaning of the story?

Throughout the short story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, Bierce uses long complex sentences. The author tries to make sentences equal in length to help create flow and consistency in the structure of his story. The story’s sentences are approximately twenty words in length, each fluctuating slightly. To keep sentences long, the author will join sentences of a similar nature with semicolons, commas and dashes. For example, “How slowly it appeared to move, What a sluggish steam!” (p.2) and, “…supporting the metals of the railway supplied a footing for him and his executions–two private soldiers of the Federal army…” (p.1). By using long sentences, Bierce’s story has a poetic quality rather than a fragmented feeling created when using short sentences.

7. Does this story reflect a particular society/time period/group of people?

This story reflects the values and morals of the Confederates during the American Civil War. The war was fought in the 1860’s between the Union, consisting of northern states, and the Confederates, consisting of the southern states. The war was fought because of a clash of ideas. The Confederates believes slavery should be allowed in American society, while the Union believed it should be outlawed. Slavery is alluded to in the story when Peyton’s wife offers to get the solider a drink with, “her own white hands.” (p.4). Although the story focuses on Peyton Farquhar, he is representative of the southern American upper-class society during this time period. Peyton was, “…a well-to-do planter, of an old and highly respected Alabama family…naturally an original secessionist and ardently devoted to the Southern cause.” (p.3). This belief in secession and slavery was important to the upper southern class as they were the ones who benefited the most from winning the war.

8. Keeping all of the above in mind, what is the intention of this story—what is its main idea? What is it trying to tell us?

The main idea of the story is to highlight human’s inability to accept reality in times of crisis. During the story, right before Peyton is about to be hung he lapses into a dream. He escapes death by the hangman’s noose, evades enemy gunfire, runs for hours in the forest, and finally reaches his home. His dream is so long and detailed, the reader almost accepts it as reality until they are drawn back by the ending quote, “As he is about to clasp her he feels a stunning blow upon the back of his neck…Peyton Farquhar was dead …”(p.10). Although in reality his dream only lasts a few seconds, Peyton himself seems to exist in his delusion for hours on end as a means to avoid facing reality. The theme of inability to face reality can also be applied to the American southern states during the civil war. They would not accept the concept that slavery was barbaric and instead chose to deny this reality.

Spoken Word Poetry Analysis

Suburbia by Phil Kaye: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-spXvscU80&feature=related

SLAM! or Spoken Word Poetry is a contemporary form of poetry which both conflicts with and conforms to traditional styles. Suburbia by Phil Kaye is one of the best Spoken Word poems ever produced. His poem, Suburbia, narrates the individual’s feverish struggle against conventional living and society’s forcefully encouragement to conform to normality as it promises “happiness”. The poem describes the self-induced dream in which “the city” lives in to avoid the result of her operation that has left her body devastated and unrecognizable. Although the city’s dream is initially euphoric the terror of reality slowly presents itself and challenges the happiness she believed suburbia to be with the nightmare it really is. The poem is intended to appeal to an audience who acknowledges that modern society is not ideal and want change. These individuals tend to be teenagers and young adults.

The poem Suburbia conveys an overwhelming statement about the conformity. The poem features a dispute between accepting and rejecting suburbia. It begins with the Kaye expressing that, “I love this place [suburbia]. The community, the people, the sense of stability. And this place, is amazing. This place is amazing.” (0:09). On the other hand, Kaye also urges the audience to, “Go [away from suburbia]. Farther, farther.” (2:57). He also address a loss of identity asking if, “We are all the same. Are we? Are we?” (3:31). In the poem, Kaye struggles with the concept of accepting suburbia because he understands the uniformity and loss of individuality associated with it. However, he often becomes distracted and diluted by the ‘amazing’ and ‘happy’ life suburbia promises. In the end, Kaye says, “Breathe. Breathe. Everyone is happy. You are only making this more difficult for yourself.” (3:38). Kaye is explaining that rebelling against conformity does not stop loss of identity because conformity is destined to happen. Everyone is doomed to become part of homogeneous society.

The content of Suburbia is very complex and thought provoking; however, it is the manner in which Phil Kaye preforms and structures his poem that makes it rise above others. When Kaye preforms Suburbia he uses facial expressions to highlight changes in tone and perspective. When the poem’s tone becomes more heated Kaye acts jittery and his voice becomes louder. When the tone is calmer, Kaye relaxes his posture and speaks slowly. Kaye uses hand actions to emphasize key ideas. For example, when talking about the implosion of a hundred thousand Japanese homes he closes his hands, when he talks about the explosion of American suburbia Kaye opens his hands. After viewing other SLAM! poetry videos its is clear that Phil Kaye uses a unique, dramatic style which draws in his audience in ways which other Spoken Word poets are not able to do. Through his voice and body language, Kaye is able to manipulate the mood of Suburbia so it portrays a higher level of the desperation and melancholy.

There are several literary devices used in Phil Kaye’s Suburbia. The most prominent device used in the poem is repetition. Kaye uses repetition to create many different, contrasting effects in his poem. In the beginning of Suburbia he says, “This place is amazing. This place is amaz, is amaz, is amaz.” (0:24). By using repetition in this way, it gives the words a broken quality and makes them sound like a song skipping on a vinyl record.  Kaye also uses the repetition of words with similar endings to create flow. For example when he says, “This is the twentieth century, we knew we’d reach the Pacific eventually, this is only a new manifest destiny.” (1:23). Metaphors are also central to Suburbia. The city is metaphorically referred to as a woman with, “the suitcase of her chest ripped open. Her highway innards scattered around the room.” (1:41). To describe the city’s body strong imagery is used. The city’s body in over populated, suburban areas is described as, “wrinkled, cracked, loose.” (0:52). In areas where her body remains untouched by man she is described as, “thick, overgrown…virgin.” (1:08). During the poem, Kaye alludes to the American Dream, “I was never truly sleeping, just for that moment American dreaming.” (2:00). By alluding to the American Dream Phil Kaye refers to the ideal life American society pursues, one key component of which was once to live in the suburbs. Kaye also alludes to the American Civil Rights Movement by referring to “Mr. Kennedy” or John F. Kennedy who was the president of the United States in the sixties. In conjunction with this, Kaye metaphorically compares the invasion of weeds into one’s front lawn with the movement to eliminate segregation and allow social minorities to live in purely white neighborhoods. In the 1960’s, both were seen as destructive and detrimental.

I am not a fan of classic poetry. When reading a poem by Edgar Allen Poe or William Wordsworth I can pick out the themes and literary devices but I can never understand the most important aspect of the poem, the mood. With Spoken Word Poetry, poems are recited so mood and tone can be interpreted through the speakers’ voice. I like Phil Kaye’s Suburbia because he is overly dramatic when he presents his poem. I felt like I could feel a stronger connection with this poem because of this dramatic element. Further, this year I took a Psychology and Sociology class in school. We spent a lot of time focusing on the concept of conformity and its impact on the individual and society. By having this specialized knowledge I was able to relate to and draw out different meanings within the poem. Understanding the message behind the poem is very important to me as it determines whether I will like or dislike the poem. I really like Suburbia because I can see the complexities of it’s structure and understand it’s meaning. There’s even a part of me that agrees with it.

The Road Discussion Questions

Observations

1. Cormac McCarthy does not include several major details relating to the plot and characters in his book, The Road. McCarthy does not name the two main characters in the book. Instead. McCarthy assigns them the generic titles of “the boy” and “the man” as demonstrated throughout the book; specifically shown on page 17. Further, the story is set in post-apocalyptic United States of America. McCarthy does not identify the major catastrophe that caused the apocalypse nor does he give a general timeline of events. He only provides vivid descriptions of the setting, for example:

“The city was mostly burned. No sign of life. Cars in the street caked with ash, everything covered with ash and dust. Fossil tracks in dried sludge. A corpse in a doorway dried to leather.” (p. 12).

In other respects McCarthy provides very specific detail. For example, when the man and the boy come across a supermarket on the outskirts of a city they find a soft drink vending machine. Upon searching the machine, the man finds a single, unopened soda can specifically identified as Coca-Cola (page 23).

The world that the man and the boy live in is nameless and faceless. Identity and detail are rarely incorporated into the story. For that reason, when the author offers a very specific detail it is given greater meaning. In The Road, the coke can symbolizes the loss of the American way and the ideals of Western culture. Symbolism plays an important role in The Road as it offers meaning to an otherwise bleak story.

2. In The Road, there is a prominent, re-occurring theme depicting the struggle between good and evil. Throughout the book, the boy and the man talk about clashing morals. The boy often gives references to “the good guys” (p. 137) and “the bad guys” (p. 92).  McCarthy tries to draw a clear line between good and bad by placing his characters in the stereotypical good and bad roles society identifies with. The reader identifies the good guys as the boy and the man because of they have a strong father-son relationship. Stereotypically, family is regarded as a wholesome institution by society. The reader identifies the “bad guys” as structured, uniform groups (p. 91) and rugged, ruthless gangs of men (p. 61). The reader applies the pre-conceived opinion that groups of crude or conforming individuals are automatically bad. By appealing to these labels, McCarthy can easily manipulate the thought process of the reader and control how they view each character.

3. Because the boy and the man are “the good guys” their behaviour sets the precedent for what is considered “good” in The Road. The father and son try not to harm others and set strict moral principles for themselves. However, the man kills another person (p. 65) in an effort to protect his son. This breaks his own moral code. The reader must question if this makes the man a bad guy or if this is justifiable under the circumstances. Further, the boy frequently goes beyond the call of care to help others. This is evident when he offers food to Ely, an old man who is also travelling down the road (p. 166). Do the boy’s actions set a new, greater precedent for what the reader should consider to be ‘good’? McCarthy purposely leaves these questions unanswered giving his audience the task of making the final decision. Almost all goodness has disappeared from the world in the wake of the apocalypse. The man and boy are perceived as good because any small act of kindness would seem heroic in a world plagued by brutality, cannibalism and torture.  The reader must choose whether or not to judge the man and the boy by society’s current standard or the book’s standard of what is good.

4. Spirituality is a main component of The Road. It may seem like the boy believes in God (p. 286) but it is completely unclear whether or not the man does. The man seems to waver between believing and not believing. In certain sections the man’s faith seems evident as he begins to question the physical features of God (p. 11-12). However, the man’s faith is also questionable. He does not believe God will see the flares the man and boy will fire and in turn does not believe God will help them (p. 246).

It is clear, however, that the man sees holiness in the boy. He believes if the boy, “…is not the word of God God never spoke.” (p. 5).  The man believes the boy is his ward and it is his mission to protect the boy (p. 77). The man’s salvation is the boy. Whether or not he believes in God, the man views the boy as something worthy of his love and protection. Spirituality in The Road takes an unusual form as it is not solely based on conventional religion but instead faith in its simplest form:  just finding something to believe in.

5.  Memories work as a double-edged sword in The Road. The man, in conjuring memories, rediscovers the happiness, goodness and beauty of the old world. However, in recalling the wonders of the former world, he also remembers the harsh reality he now lives in. This becomes evident when the man says, “You forget what you remember and you remember what you forget.” (p. 12). Memory also threatens to consume the man. When he remembers past Christmases in his old home, the man forgets to focus on survival (p. 26). Further, in remembering the past the man realizes he alters the reality of his memories or does, “…violence to its origins.” (p. 131). Nostalgia superficially seems harmless but when looking closer it is clear that memories are both the salvation and destruction of the man.

QT Observation

The way in which Cormac McCarthy ends The Road underlines the hidden theme of the book. Throughout the story, the man and the boy reiterate that they must continue to “carry the fire” (p. 129). At the end of the book, the man explains that the fire lives within the boy and that he has always seen it there (p. 279).  A reasonable conclusion can be drawn that the fire the man is referring symbolizes the goodness of the human spirit and the will to survive. This can be interpreted as the theme of the book.

Upon further investigation another theme can be drawn from The Road. The book ends with the image of brooked trout in mountain steams (p. 287). The final lines mentions “things that could not be put back” which are “older than man” (p. 287). McCarthy leaves the interpretation of this passage open to the reader.

Personally, I believe this passage is a vehicle to mourn what earth once was. I do not believe the passage demonstrates renewed hope in survival. I believe McCarthy was trying to express that the earth is older than man and it is more complex, beautiful and mysterious than humans care to acknowledge. Our species forgets the duty we have to maintain earth’s balance. McCarthy’s hidden message warns us what was done wrong by man will not be made right by the planet and consequently earth will die.

Question

 

Q: Cormac McCarthy uses a very unique style of writing in The Road. How does McCarthy’s writing style effects the reader? Does the lack of grammatical detail distract or add to the book? Does the exclusion of certain details help the reader focus on the book’s message or cause the story to become confusing? Why do you think McCarthy chose to write the book this way?

Excepts from the Book

 

1.  Once there was a brook trout in the steams…they hummed of mystery.” (p. 286-287)

2.  “He fixed dinner while the boy played in the sand…Yeah. Maybe somebody like that.” (p. 245-246)

 

 

P.S. I tried to separate quotes of three lines from the main body text but it would not let me indent them