Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Gloria Naylor/Group 5
Certain words are hard to grasp for a child's mind, this was especially true for a young Gloria Naylor. Nigger was a word she heard one day during school from one of her classmates. As it was directed at her in a hateful manner, she knew it meant something bad. But every other time she had heard it, it meant something completely different. Words of approval, endearment, disembodied force, or trifle were all meanings of the one word that she'd experienced before, but never hatred. Even though nigger was said in her company, it wasn't until that day in school that she actually heard it. Spoken word is dynamic in the fact that words used in different contexts can mean entirely different things. And every word that you speak means nothing unless the people that hear you understand what you're trying to convey.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
These are some really good observations. Is your "Words of...." sentence a quote? If so, it should probably have quotation marks around it. Could you maybe elaborate a bit (in your comments) on what Naylor meant by that one sentence? What were the different meanings that "nigger" had for her before the classmate's intrusion?
ReplyDeleteI was going to ask the same thing about what were the other meanings before that was said? Other than that, I think it is a very good paraphrase. Although, it breaks my heart a little bit.
ReplyDeleteI think you did very well creating an analysis of Naylor. It goes into great detail and gives very specific examples! This story is very sad! I like how you said "Spoken word is a dynamic in the fact that words used in different contexts can mean entirely different things." That is so true! Great job group 5!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I thought you were to do an outline on this story. Am I reading the Assignment wrong? I think your analysis on the word "nigger" was very interesting and had a great point-of-view. Was this your analysis or was it Jorif's?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I was looking on the printed assignment rather than checking on the updated online version.
ReplyDeleteReading your post gave me an interesting insight to the different meanings one word can have and its impact, depending on the context in which it is used. Like i asked in the previous comment, was this your analysis of the word or was that Gloria's? I think it could have been a little more clear.
Good job breaking down the story to its main points. Your writing shows that you understand the changing feelings of the author throughout. Being that it is an analysis, it was good that you included your own opinions to some extent, rather than just a summary.
ReplyDeleteI like this paragraph because it speaks about real truths. Today in the world the word "nigger" is one of the most terrible words anybody could say. But if certain other people say it, it means great thinks. It is a very weird thing and I am glad it was touched on. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis gives alot of insight in to the story but when reading it at first I had a hard time figuring out what you were trying to do with it. It seems like a combination of analysis and summary. Although I do think it would be hard to do one without the other. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job trying to paraphrase the writers, writing. Great job group 5!
ReplyDeleteJennifer Reichow
I thought your writine was good. (Words of approval, endearment, disembodied force, or trifle were all meanings of the one word that she'd experienced before, but never hatred.) I get what the other meanings are. Just from what you wrote, I can understand the meaning of the whole essay. Thanks!!
ReplyDelete