The Art of Lore

If these stories are "art" what makes them a creative activity both for the reader and the writer? Choose a story and discuss its creative aspects and what is available for interpretation.


First off, if stories were not art, I would have absolutely no idea what they would be. Art is the expression of your creativity, no matter how you do it. It can be through painting, dance, singing, building, and yes, writing. By writing, the writer can put whatever creative thought that comes into their head on paper. Their stories are only limited to their imagination. For the reader, reading can be seen as a creative activity, just in a much more limited sense. The author is giving you information that you can use however you want. However, the more information the author gives, the less creative the reader can be. For example, at the start of the story "Metamorphosis," the author gives you one piece of information: The main character transformed into a bug. He doesn't say how, he doesn't say why, he doesn't say anything except the fact itself. By doing so, the reader can use his or her creativity to answer the questions to those questions. If the author had given reason, there would be much less to think about--much less "wiggle room" one might say.

Rough Draft!

Over the centuries, many texts include the struggle of fate over free will, including the notable Greek play, Oedipus Rex. Although many people tend to focus on the main tragic figure, Oedipus, when analyzing this principle, much of this theme can be seen in a lesser character: Oedipus’s wife, Jocasta. In some cases, this character can be seen as a more valuable resource to support the theme than her unfortunate husband. Throughout the play, Jocasta battles with the will of Apollo, unwilling to accept the fate that he bestowed upon her.

The first instance of this is seen when Jocasta tells of her history. She explained that and oracle predicted that Laios, Jocasta’s previous husband, would die by his son’s hands and would go on to marry his mother. In reaction to this look into her fate, her son was ordered to be killed before this terrible happening could occur. This is a clear indication of Jocasta’s unwillingness to accept her fate—for she was attempting to defy the prophecy by eliminating the main element to the tragedy.

When discussing with Oedipus about this prophecy, Jocasta’s language hints the existence of a sense of denial. It hints that she knows that her fate has become reality, but she refuses to acknowledge it. She tries to halt Oedipus’s detective like eagerness with lines such as “this talk is a waste of time,” and “For God’s love, let us have no more questioning!” However, Oedipus continues on, and Jocasta responds with the key line “May you never learn who you are!” Why is this line key? It clearly reveals Jocasta’s awareness of the reality of her fate despite how much she tried to play ignorant.

Shortly after, her awareness leads to her suicide, further proving her unwillingness to accept her fate. Through Jocasta, the reader witnesses the struggle humans have with their fate, more so than even Oedipus does.

Blog #3 - Morality Just Got Burn'd!

In the beginning it was all about the battlefield. Iago complained of Cassio's appointment despite all of the recommendations that supported this so called "moral pyromaniac." The paradoxical title does not seem to fit Iago, however, for all his actions were most definitely immoral--simply, evil in fact. But of course, I guess the manipulation of others to further your desires of revenge is obviously something the judges look for in a Miss America.

As for the pyromaniac bit, Iago fits nicely into the description. Iago's actions not only effect the main target, Othello, but also effect the people around him. In comparison, not only does a fire completely destroy the space it originated from, but it also spreads out to burn down other targets. It is in this pyromaniac stage when Iago starts to drift from a religion of war, to the game of war.

Thus, it seems foolish to me that one would call Iago a "moral pyromaniac", for that implies that he is committing Shakespearean arson at the same time he is performing in a morally right fashion. Rather, it should be recognized that Iago transitions from a moral stage of honoring Othello as the god of war, to a pyromaniac who burns the other characters' lives to a crisp.

Blog #1 - Quotes

"I'm going to live forever or die trying!" - unknown

"The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese." -Jon Hammond

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." -Albert Einstein

"He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money." - Benjamin Franklin

Posting is Fun

This is my first post in my blog... I feel so proud. I shall add actual posts soon. This is just a test to see how my blogs looks.


Make sure to try out my new cereal. Spazzy McGee sure loves 'em; you will too!