Comparison of "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg and "Leaves of Grass" by Walt Whitman

First of all, I noticed that in neither poems are rhymes. Both poems do not mention a specific person or direct to someone special. Allen repeats the term "who" and Whitman also uses such devices. They both talk about "taboo" topics, like sexuality, drugs, and alcohol. Furthermore, they both emphasize the importance of the individual, since society consists of only individuals. Ginsberg as well as Whitman states that the individual is heavily influenced by society, both positively as well as negatively. In conclusion, you can see that Allen Ginsberg was heavily influenced and inspired by Walt Whitman.

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

notes: poem: man+ woman good friends but they think about a relationship
dating for two years-poropsal on,
Does this catch your emotions when  u try to begin a relationship to a further step?
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The thing I am most confused about is "the overwhelming question". It could be almost anything. He might ask himself whether he loves a woman or not. If the poet was addressed to a woman he could have written it to confess his love to her. Since it is meant to be a romantic poet is must be something with love though.
It kind of catches my emotions even though I am not completely sure what he exactly wants to achieve with his poem. Is he trying to win the love of a woman? Or does he just want to confess his love for her? Who is the woman? A friend? A stranger? An upper or lower class woman? Questions over questions and you can only guess what it is supposed to mean...Since I can not be sure, I am not really caught by emotions. However, the way he describes things is indeed confusing, but, on the other hand, very symbolic and gives the readers kind of space how to interpret his symbols. The way of his description (for example: "the evening is spread out against the sky") do catch my emotions though.

Research Project

Today I could finish my paper: Four pages, 1931 words and uncountable hours of work.^^
I think I wrote everything I wanted to say and I defended my hypothesis. I had to add several sources that I found while writing my paper. I wrote it on google documents and shared it with you. It would be great if you could have a look over my paper giving me ideas to improve it (form etc.). Maybe I can come tomorrow during evening study hall to see you.
My paper is mostly about Upton Sinclair's life and what he tried to achieve by writing his novel "The Jungle." Because I wanted to display how he tries to achieve his goals I had to summarize the book in short detail. I noticed that he  uses many symbols and references to the life during this time; for example he uses meat cans to describe the evil of capitalism and the American Dream. I also found it very interesting how he came up with the title of the book, "The Jungle" since I first could not relate it to the story at all.

Research Project

Today I did not attend class because of the chorus performance. Since we got class time to work on your research papers I need to catch up with that work. Since I did not work on my paper today there is nothing to blog about. Tomorrow though I really need to keep on working and maybe go to the library for evening Study Hall in case I need help.

short entry to research project

I still have a little bit trouble with starting my paper. I wrote what my paper is going to be about and I stated my thesis. But since I found a really good and trust able source about the life of Upton Sinclair, I have a hard time not to just write the same. I think I researched a lot about him and his life and I know what kind of person he was but i still have a hard time to put this into words. My first paragraph should be only about Sinclair. In the next one I want to write about the historical background and the "Progressive Movement". My last paragraph should be about what made Sinclair write his novel and what is he trying to say. Furthermore I want to point out the effects that the publication of this novel had on the general public and the government. I got a lot to do. My biggest problem is that I do not really know how top put my thoughts into words.
Since I will not be here for tomorrow's long period class and therefore will not have class time to work on it, I will have to find some time to work on it on my own and see you in the library in case I need further help.

(This blog was created on Monday, but it could not be saved by blogger since it was after 12 pm and the Internet had cut off.)

Research Project

Today I polished my bibliography and made sure that the sources I chose are reliable.
Furthermore I began to write on my paper. I think about writing in three main stages: first about the life of Upton Sinclair and special events in his life that could have led him to socialism. Next, I want to write about his novel "The Jungle" and how he intended to affect its readers. I also want to write briefly about a letter he wrote to President Theodore Roosevelt, because it shows his popularity after the publication of his book. Throughout my paper I want to display the horrible working conditions of the people of this time (The Progressive Era of 1895-1920), especially in factories such as the Meat Industry.
I was especially impressed by Sinclair's statement: "I aimed at the public's heart and by accident hit it in the stomach."

Research Project

Today, I especially spent time with one particular source, the Spartacus Educational that mostly and in detail described the character and the life of Upton Sinclair. I found especially the reasons (which were many) why he became a socialist interesting. That will be an important aspect in my paper since I want to focus on the reasons and the aims socialists had during this period of time.