Comment under this post for Hemingway's story "Big Two-Hearted River"
Don't forget to use headings in your response: Title, Basic Passage; Correlation; Difficulties.
When correlating, be sure to relate the story to yourself--your response should not sound like something from the internet.
Themes we discussed in class include: Resistence, Stoicism, The paradox of strength coming from destruction and sterility, Movement = Happiness; non-movement = Sadness.
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50 comments:
DanielWise said...
Big Two-Hearted River
Enest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was born in 1899 in the town of Oak Park near Chicago. His father encouraged him by taking him hunting and fishing when he was younger. He wrote many short stories of Prose and Fiction. His best one was The Old Man And The Sea, which earned him much fame and achievement. He published it in 1952.
Basic Passage-
"He walked along the road feeling the heavy pull of the backpack. The road climbed steadily. It was hard work walking up hill. His muscles ached and the day was hot, but Nick felt happy. He felt he had left everything behind, the need for thinking, the need to write , and other needs. It was all back of him."
Correlate-
This passage relates to a time in my life when I hiked and camped in the Apalachian Trail in A part In Georgia, and Tennessee. There were some tough struggles I had to go through along the way but the relief of the trip and the quietness and the scenic views was worth the trip. And being away from home and inthe mountains did make me feel like I could have left something behind
The cause of Human Suffering was that he felt that he had left everything behind when he left his home town.
This tragedy can be turned into a comedy when he becomes clumsy while fishing and drops the crickets in the water destroying and losing his fishing bait. Or when he catches his first fish with his father at the river.
The cause of joy and happiness is him being inside the tent, and him walking away from home and enjoying moving around freely in a quiet peacefull setting such as the forrest or river.
The Big Two-Hearted River
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was born the son of a well to do physician who taught his son the rituals of hunting and fishing. After graduation he became a reporter for the Kansas City Star. He was rejected from military service for poor vision, he volunteered to drive for an ambulance unit in France. He then transfered to Italy where he was seriously wounded by an explosion.
Basic Passage
His muscles ached and the day was hot, but Nick felt happy. He felt he had left everything behind, the need for thinking, the need to write, other needs. It was all back of him.
I think this entire paragraph is talking about Nick trying to escape reality. He is trying to keep from thinking, or wiriting, he is trying to escape from everyday life. He possibly is running from old memories as well, and even though he is happy at the moment his body is still feeling the effects of these issues.
Correlate
I can relate a lot with this passage. I have had some horrible experiences in my life, especially in my childhood. I tried for so long to just put these things out of my mind and pretend they did not happen, but eventually things catch up with you and you have to face them. But for a long time I did exactly what he is saying, It was all back of me and I was happy, yet I still expereinced the effects.
1. Identify the cause of human suffering—Tragedy
Suppressing things instead of facing them.
2. How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
This story is about feelings and emotional states, he tries to stay happy thoughout the story, so it isn't a horrible tradegy, the only tragic part is that he is going and going just to keep his mind occupied. So to change it by possibly allowing himself to go fishing and to give himself this time with nature to come to terms with the thoughts he is running from. Most people try to find themselves when they are alone with nature, yet he is running from himself.
3. Identify the cause of joy or happiness—Comedy
His happiness comes from keeping himself occupied, hiking, fishing, etc. so that he doesn't have to think about the things bothering him.
Difficulty
The only difficulty I had with this story was that it was very drawn out and I got to a point where I just wanted it to end.
“Big Two-Hearted River”
Ernest Hemingway
About the Author
Ernest Hemingway was born in a suburb of Chicago in 1899. The city of Chicago suited Hemingway quite well; he was known as being tough just like the city. Hemingway was well renown as a womanizer, whose mind was affected by his mother’s controlling ways. Hemingway’s writings are simple and to the point.
Basic Passage
“The earth felt good against his back. He looked up at the sky, through the branches, and then shut his eyes. He opened them and looked up again. There was a wind high up in the branches. He shut his eyes again and went to sleep.
Nick woke stiff and cramped. The sun was nearly down. His pack was heavy and
the straps painful as he lifted it on.”
This passage is about Nick falling asleep during his journey. It is not night time when a person would normally fall asleep. In fact he does not wake up until the sun is on its way down. This shows how tired he really is.
Correlate
I am pretty sure this basic passage could easily relate to anyone. Everyone has had a time in their life where they feel just too exhausted to go on. Everything just becomes too much. The stress is too much of a burden to handle. When someone finally gets that rest that they need, it is a great feeling. But when they wake up that stress is still there. It is not possible to get rid of your problems by sleeping.
1. Identify the cause of human suffering—Tragedy
The cause of human suffering is the fact that Nick comes back to his town after a long leave, and it is in the horrible condition that it is in.
2. How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
The tragedy could be turned into a comedy if there were actually other people in this story, and they came together to help rebuild the town.
3. Identify the cause of joy or happiness—Comedy
Nick has battles in this story, but not malicious ones. These battles are with the fish and that is not anything to be upset about.
Difficulty
I know this story has a deeper meaning, but it really was not about much.
Emotions
Big Two-Hearted River
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illnois in 1899. He was wounded in the explosion of a mortar shell while serving in an ambulance unit in Italy during WWI. Hemingway worked as a reporter at the Kansas City Star and later at the Toronto Star. Hemingway wrote novels and short stories. He was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1954.
Basic Passage
"....He was happy. He adjusted the pack harness around the bundle.... Still, it was too heavy. He had his leather rod-case in his hand and leaning forward to keep the weight of the pack high on his shoulders he walked along the road... leaving the burned town behind in the heat, and then turned off around a hill with a high, fire-scarred hill on either side onto a road that went back into a country. He walked along the road feeling the ache from the pull of the heavy pack. The road climbed steadily. It was hard work walking uphill. His muscles ache and the day was hot, but Nick felt happy. He felt he had left everything behind.... It was all back of him."
This passage shows Nick's transition from being stoic to troubled to "happy." As soon as Nick starts walking with his backpack, he seems to forget about his troubles. The "backpack" symbolizes the problems(the burden) that he carries around with him. Nick tries to forget about his burden but it is still on "his back." Nick is trying to preoccupy himself by moving from place to place. When Nick is "adjusting the straps" on his "backpack", he is trying to "ease the weight of the burden on his shoulders." This also seems like Nick is trying to downplay his emotions or keep his emotions in check. Nick's change from being stoic to troubled to "happy" could be due to the fact that he has left the desolate or 'sterile' land. Now Nick is "walking uphill" in search of 'lively' country. I believe that Nick is leaving the emotional low-ground or desolate life to search for an emotional high ground or "happier" life. I believe that Nick is in an emotional struggle with himself.
Correlate
I can relate to Nick's struggle with his burden and emotions. I always try to be tough and forget about my problems. Sometimes I stress my self out worrying about things. No matter what I do to try to forget about my problems, there are still there- looking me in the face. I know that sooner or later, I'm going to have to face them. Sometimes, I can be emotionally guarded when I'm faced with certain situations. If I'm faced with a tough situation, I like to be alone so that I can sort my emotions and try to grasp the situation.
(1).Identify the cause of human suffering- Tragedy
I believe that the cause of human suffering in this passage is that Nick is choosing to ignore his problems instead of choosing to face them head on.
(2). How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
This tragedy can be turned into a comedy if Nick meets someone while he is fishing. This person Nick meets could form a bond with him. Nick could open up to this person and tell him or her about his problems. The person could encourage Nick to face his problems head on so that he can finally be free of his "burden."
(3). Identify the cause of joy and happiness- Comedy
Nick is "happy" when he is walking and fishing.
Difficulties
What is the purpose of the trout in the story?
Pushing Things to the Side
The Big Two-Hearted River
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois. His father was a well to do physician. His father taught him how to hunt and fish. After Hemingway graduated high school he worked as a reported for the Kansas City Star. He wanted to be in the army but was denied because he had poor vision.
Basic Passage
“The road climbed steadily. It was hard work walking up-hill. His muscles ached and the day was hot, but Nick felt happy. He felt he had left everything behind, the need for thinking, the need to write, other needs. It was all back of him.”
From this paragraph I think that Nick is trying to hide from the painful things in his life. I found that he is trying to do things that keep him busy, so he doesn’t have to deal with the troubling problems that he is feeling. I get a feeling that maybe one of the reasons that he is so upset is because the place where he grew up has nothing left, all of his memories of his childhood are gone with the fire, and the only happy memory left for Nick is the town river.
Correlate
I think that a lot of people can relate to Nick in this passage. I have had some bad experiences in my life, and I would try to put them to the side and I didn’t want to deal with them, but sooner or later you need to face them to move on. I have found if you truly want to be happy you must deal with your problems when they come about instead of pushing them away, because I believe that the more you push to the side the more damage they cause.
1. Identify the cause of human suffering—Tragedy
Pushing things off and not dealing with your true feelings.
2. How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
I think that the story could be turned into a comedy if Nick could meet some old friends of his and he could talk about his problems so he could start to deal with them first hand, and so he can truly be a happy person.
3. Identify the cause of joy or happiness—Comedy
I think that he is happy when he is fishing, and just being out in the open and being able to have time to enjoy the wilderness.
Difficulty
Why was he so interested in the trout at the beginning of the story?
"Moving on in Life"
Ernest Hemingway
Introdution:
Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1899. His dad was well educated and taught his son the rituals of hunting and fishing. He was a reporter, ambulance driver. As a reporter for the Toronto Star, he covered the Greco-Turkish war. He and several other writers developed a revolution in literary style and language. Some of his works are Three Stories and Ten Poems, Farewell to Arms, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and many more. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1954. On July 2, 1961, He took his own life.
Basic Passage:
Even the surface had been burned of the ground.- p.1322
Correlate:
I believe that Nick has been through a tremendous amount of emotional and mental heartache. Just as men and women that defend our country and come back to the US and many of them do not understand what they are going through, and need time to themselves to gather their thoughts.
Difficulties:
"He is still happy."- p.1322
Why is he still happy?
I believe that he has special memories for this town that keeps him moving on in life, even though his town was burned to the ground. I think that he needs these thoughts to help him regroup mentally.
Cause of human suffering:
Tragedy-The pain that Nick has in his heart and mind and this burden is bringing down his whole being.
How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
I believe that when Nicks lets go of all of this pain and then it is his comedy that he can laugh at the world.
The cause of joy and happiness.
The town that he has all of these great memories.
Recollection
Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was born on 21st July 1899 in Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. He was one of six children. His father, Dr Clarence Edmonds Hemingway was a fervent member of the First Congregational church, his mother, Grace Hall, sang in the church choir.
At the age of 17 Hemingway published his first literary work. He died aged 61, of self inflicted gun shot wounds.
Basic Passage:
ut through the front of the tent he watched the glow of the fire when the night wind blew. It was a quiet night. The swamp was perfectly quiet. Nick stretched under the blanket comfortably. A mosquito hummed close to his ear. Nick sat up and lit a match. The mosquito was on the canvas, over his head Nick moved the match quickly up to it. The mosquito made a satisfactory hiss in the flame. The match went out. Nick lay down again under the blanket. He turned on his side and shut his eyes. He was sleepy. He felt sleep coming. He curled up under the blanket and went to sleep.
Correlate:
This passage describes how Nick has become one with nature. He recollects on how he survived the war and now able to restore himself mentally and physically through sleep.
The Big Two-Hearted River
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was born in 1899 in the town of Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago. He volunteered to srve as an American ambulance driver in France, during World War 1. His works have sometimes been read as an essentially negative commentary on a modern world filled with sterility, failure, and death. Hemingway recieved wide acclaim for his novels and for his short stories.
A. (Basic Passage)
Nick's heart tightned as the trout moved. He felt all the old feelings. He turned and looked down the stream. It stretched away, pebbly-bottomed with shallows and big boulders and a deep pool as it curved away around the foot of the bluff. Nick walked back up the ties to where his pack lay in the cinders beside the railway track. He was happy.
I believe in this passage, Nick still carries his troubles everywhere he seem to go. He also seem to be reminded of his pain from time to time. But, when he does something physically, like hike. His problems seem to subside and he is happy all over again.
B. (Correlation)
When I have something that is hindering me emotionally. I would always try to do some sort of activity to try to distance myself mentally from the troubles, that I would have at that time. But for a split second some object or thing would always remind me of my troubles.
C.
1.Identify the cause of human suffering?
Nick has something troubling him, but he tries run away from it mentally by doing activites dealing with camping.
2. How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
When Nick finally deals with his pain and let go of it.
3. Identify the cause of joy or happiness?
I think the cause of joy and happiness happens when Nick finds solice within himself when he is hiking and camping.
(Difficulties)
I don't understand the story about the Trout.
THE BIG TWO-HEARTED RIVER
BY: ERNEST HEMINGWAY.
Author:
Ernest hemingway was born in OakParks, Illnois(the Windy City)he worked as a reporter for Kansas City Star. He was rejected from the army because of poor vision. He had problems with women because he was fascinatd with death and destruction. He didn't have any connections with them. He treated them bad, and used them.
For his work he loved to hang out at hospitals to write stories about people's accidents. In his writing he never used hard words, he always made easy to read.
Basic Passage:
"Nick looked down into the clear, brown water, colored from pebbly bottom, and watched the trout keeping themselvessteady ib the currentith wavering fins. As he watched them they changed their positions by quick angles, only to hold steady in the fast water again."
Correlate:
This passage can relate to everyone because one time or another we will face hard times and it is only up to us on how we will deal these matters. For instance Nick is going to through a tragedy and by actually doing things helped not think about it. Comparing to the fish in the passage, the fish is remaining there same, mellow minded selves leveled, and not letting there surrounding get to them. Only by attacks will the fish change there actions, but once it is over then they pick thereselves right back up and live there lives normally. We should live life at its fulliest and take on what obstacles come across us.
1) Identify the cause of human suffering - Tradegy:
him hiking through place that he used to remember to be nice but now destroyed.
2)How can the tradegy be turned into a comedy?
the kingfisher attacking nick while he was watching the trout act towards the bird.
3)Identify the cause of joy or happiness -comedy:
he remains happy while he stays preoccupied, and not giving himself time to look back.
Difficulty:
the story was real long and had a lot of meaning to it. It was hard to pick out every little detail. There is still stuff missing.
Big Two-Hearted River - Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1899. His works were known for their concentration on sterility and death. He often portrayed relationships ending in destruction or death. He took his own life on July 2, 1961.
Basic Passage
"He felt he had left everything behind, the need for thinking, the need to write, other needs. It was all back of him."
Correlate
Big Two-Hearted River is a story about a writer named Nick who travels back to one of his favorite fishing rivers. He travels there to escape from the pressures of his life.
I think the main theme in the story is how standing or sitting effects his mood. When he walking he is happy and his mind is content. He finds relief in fishing and healing in the river. When he is sitting down he is left to his thoughts. For example, he starts to think of his friend Hopkins as he makes coffee. His memory begins happy enough as he remembers how Hopkins used to make the coffee. However, it quickly turns sad as he recalls Hop's suicide (after receiving a telegram) and his sadness at never going fishing with him again. He goes fishing by himself to find healing and to clear his mind from the grief.
I can relate to the passage because sometimes I just like to relax and not have to think. I think everyone feels that way sometimes. Especially in the wake of a traumatic incident (like Hopkin's suicide) sometimes you just want to get your mind off of it so you keep yourself busy. I have found sometimes things are so horrifying that if you don't force your mind off them you can easily drive yourself crazy.
Identify the cause of human suffering—Tragedy
He is suffering because of grief from daily pressure/his friend's suicide/other unknown factors
How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
I think the story has already turned into a comedy. At the end of the story he seems to have gotten over his ordeal (at least a little bit) and is enjoying his trip in the woods.
Identify the cause of joy or happiness—Comedy
The fishing brings him joy and relief.
TITLE: Big Two-Hearted River
BY: Ernest Hemingway
BACKGROUND: Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois outside of Chicago in 1899. After high school Ernest went to work as a reporter for the Kansas City Star.
Ernest wrote his first book in 1923, which was titled Three Stories and Ten Poems.
BASIC PASSAGE: He tossed the grasshopper up into the air and watched him sail away to a charcoal stump across the road.
Nick stood up. He leaned his back against the weight of his pack where it rested upright on the stump and got his arms through the shoulder straps. He stood with the pack on his back on the brow of the hill looking out across the country, toward the distant river and then struck down the hillside away from the road. Underfoot the ground was good walking. Two hundred yards down the fire line stopped. Then it was sweet fern, growing ankle high, walk through, and clumps of jack pines; a long undulating country with frequent rises and descents, sandy underfoot and the country alive again.
CORRELATE: This passage relates to being in a place of emptyness with its chared grounds and lonely surroundings. Most people can relate to the feeling of emptyness and lonelyness at some point in their lives; I know I have been there before. After Nick hikes down the hillside two hundred yards he comes to the fire line were there was green fern growing ankle high and he said the country was alive again. This line relates to how new beggening can be reached after your struggles.
THE CAUSE OF HUMAN SUFFERING (TRAGEGY)?: The cause of human suffering was how Nick left everything behind in the chared grounds that was once his home town.
HOW CAN THE TRAGETY BE TURNED INTO A COMEDY?: IF Nick can look twards the future and look forward to the lush green furns, its just like starting over.
THE CAUSE OF HAPPYNESS (COMEDY): THe cause of happyness was nick leaving home even though he still felt attached.
Roberto said...
Big Two Hearted River
Ernest Hemingway
Basic Passage:
"Nick looked at the burned-over stretch of hillside, where he had expected to find the scattered houses of the town and then walked down the railroad track to the bridge over the river. The river was there.......Nick looked down in the clear, brown water, colored from the pebbly bottom, and watched the trout keeping themselves steady in the current with wavering fins."
Correlation:
This passage illustrates to the reader the deadness of the town Nick is going back to, and you get a sense or theme of war. It paints a picture of sterility. It is evident as Nick watches the trout in the water that he is comparing himself to the fish. He talks about them being steady with the current. Perhaps he is thinking about his own troubles at this point and thinks he floats along in his life with the same steadiness or even passiveness.
This reminds me of any time I've gotten overly stressed or overwhelmed with things in my life. During times like those, I often find that my outlook gets more negative and I tend to want to sit and reflect, like Nick is doing in the story.
Cause of human suffering: Tradegy
Nick is returning home from war and is scarred from what he has been through, and going back to a burned down town brings back memories of the war.
How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
The town could be rebuilt. A thriving, new place with lots of life would help him forget his bad memories.
Identify the cause of joy or happiness:
When Nick is busy and moving around doing stuff, he forgets his own pain and is somewhat happy.
Difficulties:
Reading the story, it was sometimes hard to pick out the symbolism in things. Its much easier to just read things like they are.
Big Two Hearted River
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1899. In 1923, he created his first book Three Stories and Ten Poems, and then three years later he wrote The Sun Also Rises. Later on in life Hemingway received wide acclaim for his novels and for his short stories,which include some of the finest in the English language. In 1954, Hemingway was awarded a Nobel Prize for his "mastery of the art of modern narration." But, just like every good story, his life came to an end in July of 1961, when he decided to take his own life,just like his father had did thirty years before.
Basic Passage:
"Nick looked at the burned-over stretch of hillside, where he had expected to find the scattered housed of the town and then walked down the railroad track to the bridge over the river.
The river was there. It swirled against the log from the pebbly bottom, and watched the trout keeping themeselves steady in the current with the wavering fins. As he watched them they changed their positions by quick angles, only to hold steady in the fast water again.
Correlation:
This is somewhat of a correlation for me, as it may also be for others who have experienced a hurricane. After the storm, when you come back to town, you know that there may be houses and trees blown over and terrible damage, but you still expect to see your town the same way you left it. So, you get to your home and you notice your neighbors are trying to rebuild there house, but this time they have to make changes in the way they rebuild so next time this happens it will be stronger. Just like the fish, who have to keep changing their positon, just to stay steady.
The tragedy was the burnt-over town, and having to face going back home to nothing.
The tragedy could be turned into a comedy if he would have kept riding the train until he got to a better city.
The cause of joy for Nick was watching the fish.
Ernest Himmingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois. He was raised in the suburbs of Chicago. Himmingway had poor vision so they would not let him join the army. He took a job working as an ambulance driver on the Italian front. He was wounded in the war and became a correspondent for the Toronto Star and covered the Greco-Turkish War. Then after that he went to Paris and along with some others helped to create a revolutionary literary style and language.
The train disappeared into the distance, through the burnt woods. Nick sat. The town of Seney was gone, burned down. He looked into the river. The trout were still there. He watched them. They still gave him the old feeling. Nick picked up his pack and started walking through the country. He was sore and hot, but happy. He felt he had left the need for everything, including writing and thinking, behind him. He came up to the pine tree plain. Far away, he could see the blue hills next to Lake Superior. He stopped for a moment to sit and smoke with his legs stretched in front of him. A black grasshopper attached to his sock. He realized that the grasshoppers had not always been black but had changed because the forest was all burnt out. Nick guided himself by the sun. He could have turned toward the river, but decided to keep going as far as possible that day. There was no underbrush near the pine trees. Under the shade of those trees, he took off his pack and went to sleep.
This passage is about how you can leave something behind that is painful and you don’t want to think about. There are points in a person’s life where you must leave the painful memories behind in order to survive. I think this passage is telling the reader that Nick is running away from all the pain and frustration. I feel that in order to take his mind off of the pain Nick walks without thinking of anything else. He just preoccupies himself with his journey and long travel ahead of him.
Correlate:
This passage reminds me off myself when things go wrong in my life that I don’t want to deal with. I just keep myself busy in order not to think about them. When my ex-girlfriend and I broke up I was heartbroken and couldn’t eat or sleep so I just kept myself busy. I got into a lot of extra curricular activities to try and numb the pain of loneliness and despair. It worked as long as I kept myself busy I didn’t have time to be sad.
Identify the cause of suffering:
Ones self is the cause of suffering. He alone can stop the pain but instead he chooses not to deal with it and run away. The inability to face what is bothering you causes you to suffer more than to recognize the problem and solve it further more he inflicts pain upon himself. He needs to heal in order to stop the pain but he is running away therefore the pain will succeed and overcome him unless he stops it.
How could this become a comedy?
In order for this story to become a comedy Nick would have to face his fears and what is bothering he and stop running away. He would have to recognize what is wrong and get a solution.
Identify the cause of happiness:
Nick returned to the present. The coffee was bitter. He got into bed. He was comfortable, except for a mosquito buzzing in his ear. He killed the mosquito and went to sleep.
"Big Two-Hearted River"
Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois, which was considered an suburb of Chicago. His father was a physician,who taught his son to fish and hunt. Sometimes people read his work as an negative commentary on the modern world filled with sterility, failure, and death. His primary concern was an individual's moment of truth. Hemingway stature of a writer was confirmed with the publication of "A Farewell to Arms". He was awared the Nobel Prize in 1954, and was acclaimed for his novels and short stories.
Basic passage:
Seney was burned, the country was burned over and changed, but it did not matter. It could not all be burned. He knew that.
"Can't Take Away Memories"
Correlate:
This Passage reminds me of how the people in New Orleans must have felt after the hurricane. There was alot of people that lost everything they had. Some lost all of their most valuable things some even lost family members. I did not lose much compared to some. The passage makes me think about the town being gone, but the people within in town will not forget about all the memories that was built at home(the bad and good). Katrina may have taken alot away from them, but one thing she could not take was everything that was built within the hearts of the people who survived and gets to talk about the struggle the hurricane brought to the society.
Identify the cause of human suffering--- That his town was burned down and at first it was hard for him to deal with.
How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?---I feel that the story itself turns into a comedy because he seems to occupy his mind and forget about the pain and suffering.
Identify the cause of joy or happiness---He leaves all his pain behind and enjoys nature.
Difficulties:
I felt like it was to long and could have been a short sweet story with a deep meaning. I did not get much meaning out the story toward the end.
Big Two-Hearted River
Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway was born in a Chicago suburb in 1899. He was taught to hunt and fish by his Dad. He was an ambulance driver in WWI were he was seriously wounded. Later he was a newpaper reporter and in 1954 he was awarded the Nobel Prize.
Basic Passage
Nick was happy as he crawled inside his tent. He had not been unhappy all day. This was different though. Now things were done. There had been this to do. Now it was done. It had been a hard trip. He was very tired. That was done. He had made his camp. He was settled. Nothing could touch him. It was a good place to camp. He was there, in the good place. He was in his home where he had made it.
I think this is where Nick wants to be althought there are other places he could be or should be. He wants to leave things behind and do what makes him happy. Maybe the things he left behind were things he was not able to do or accomplish and that was something he could not deal with. Making the camp was something he could do and he did.
Correlate
Sometimes it is good to get away from a situation that makes you unhappy. A break from the stresses of the problem can sometimes reveal a solution.
Human Suffering-Tragedy
Nick was getting away from something he did not have the answer to.
Tragedy into a comedy
While by the river Nick would find the answer to his problem.
Cause of Joy or Happiness-Comedy
Nick likes being near the river.
Difficulties
Who was Hopkins and why didn't he come back?
Simplicity
Big Two-Hearted River
Ernest Hemmingway
Hemmingway was born in a suburb of Chicago in 1899. His father taught him to love hunting and fishing. He served as an ambulance driver on the Italian front; a scenery later inspiring A Farwell to Arms. His stories culminate the “moment of truth,” within character conflicts. No book emphasizes this more than, For Whom the Bell Tolls. All the praises, awards, and recognition would not fill the void within Hemmingway. He would take his own life July 2, 1961. He left behind many great works and a breed of cat with extra digits on the paws.
Basic Passage:
The trees had grown tall and the branches moved high, leaving in the sun this bare space they had once covered with shadow. Sharp at the edge of this extension of the forest floor commenced the sweet fern.”
Nick and the speaker stop to assess and describe the natural world. The speaker takes the reader out of the actions of the character Nick to describe what is around Nick. The speaker and Nick appreciate the beauty of Nature.
Correlate:
I, as do all of us, have a very hectic schedule. I enjoy just walking across campus. I enjoy hearing the scurrying of squirrels, the sound of the wind, and the chirps of birds. I saw a rainbow in a cloud the other day. I like slowing the place to take joy in the simplicity around me. I do not feel so big and self-important when I focus on what is around me. I become apart of the world around me, not a world unto myself.
1.) Tragedy- The moment ends.
2.) Remembering to stop and smell the roses from time to time.
3.) Comedy- Happiness found when taking a break from human life to observe the world.
Difficulty:
I have a fear of flying insects. I do not like flying grasshoppers, and could never catch them. I would more likely run screaming in a very girlish kind of way.
this is a commment on cloe.
I have to agree, while Nick is walking he is consuming the world around him, and when he sits he is left to his own thoughts.
Big Two-Hearted River
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was born in the suburbs of Chicago. His father taught him all the traditions of hunting and fishing, but his mother was very controlling. Hemingway is a very concrete writer who doesn't use hard words. His stories are simple but hold deeper meanings through symbolism.
Basic Passage-
"Two hundred yards down the hillside the fireline stopped. Then it was sweet fern, growning ankle high, to walk through, and clumps of jack pines; a long undulating country with frequent rises and descents, sandy underfoot and the country alive again."
Correlate
This passage shows how there are two sides to the river. Most people have two sides like Nick and the river. With Nick his other side was his past and his struggle to forget it. Most of us have something we want to forget, but we can't.
1. The cause of human suffering- The fact that Nick couldn't get over his past and had to find something to occupy his time to forget it.
2. He is happy most of the time throught the story when he forgets the past.
3. The cause of happiness was the fact the he could forget.
Difficulty
The story was pointless which made it harder to read, but there was a deeper meaning.
Big Two-Hearted River
Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway was born in a suburb of Chicago in 1899. He wrote novels, short stories, and jornals. His protagonists are typically stoic males who must show grace under pressure. Hemingway commited suicide in 1961.
Basic Passage:
"Nick looked down into the clear, brown water, colored from pebbly bottom, and watched the trout keeping themselves steady in the current with wavering fins. As he watched them they changed their positions by quick angles, only to hold steady in the fast water again."
Correlate:
The trout were working against to the current to prevent themselves from being taken down the river although it seemed as if they weren’t moving at all. Sometimes people can seem like they aren’t making any progress in life but they could actually preventing themselves from being swept down stream like trout.
Difficulties:
1. Identify the cause of human suffering—Tragedy
Nick had to leave his home which he obviously loved
2. How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
If Nick’s home is restored
3. Identify the cause of joy or happiness—Comedy
Nick at least gets a taste of the old days by going fishing.
THe battle within.
Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway was born i a suburb in Chicago, but had the best of both the city life and country living considering his father instilled the arts of fishing and hunting early in his life. He wanted to jion the army but was rejected due to bad vision.Determine to see the action he became a reporter and covered many wars.This contributed to his writting stlye while he gives you some glimps into his own life through his characters. Sadly just thrity years after his fathers death Hemingway too took his own life.
Basic Passage
" From the time he had gotten down off the train and the baggage man had thrown his packout of the open car door things had been different. Seney was burned, the country was burned over and changed, but it did not matter. It could not all be burned.
In this passage nick conveys his since of optimism. He views the glass half full. In this sene he lets you know if you that even though things has changed that it does not have to be a bad thing and if you just struggle through your bound to come out better in the end. you know what they say if it don't kill you it only makes you stronger.
Correlate
This passage relates to my life as we speak. I was denied my grant due to a miss calculation in my grade and thought a Iwas going to have to drop out. Just as Iwas ready to give up the chair of my department gave a linding hand and voice. Whit that I began to fight for what i belived and even though Ididn't get it all back,but the rest of my tuition was taken care of and i was able to continue my education. If i would have gave up and not pushed through I would not be here today.
TH ecause of human suffering was the fact that all when he returned he did not find what he had left behind it was all gone.And the fact he is running from his problems.
This could be changed to a comedy if he was to stop and face his problems and still be happy with the out come.
The comedy here is once he walks far enough he finds that not all is burned and change can be good.
Diff
The story to me is long and drawn out. I fell asleep twice reading it.
Ernest Hemingway was born in 1899 in the town of Oak Park near Chicago. His father encouraged him by taking him hunting and fishing when he was younger. He wrote many short stories of Prose and Fiction. His best one was The Old Man And The Sea, which earned him much fame and achievement. He published it in 1952.
Basic Passage
"....He was happy. He adjusted the pack harness around the bundle.... Still, it was too heavy. He had his leather rod-case in his hand and leaning forward to keep the weight of the pack high on his shoulders he walked along the road... leaving the burned town behind in the heat, and then turned off around a hill with a high, fire-scarred hill on either side onto a road that went back into a country. He walked along the road feeling the ache from the pull of the heavy pack. The road climbed steadily. It was hard work walking uphill. His muscles ache and the day was hot, but Nick felt happy. He felt he had left everything behind.... It was all back of him."
The passage is about Nick not taking the weight of his problems off his back and it will continue to weigh him down if so.
Correlate
This passage is reminder for me of how I often deal with not only my issue but those of my friends and family as well.
Identify the cause of human suffering
The cause of human suffering is Tragedy because Nick is troubled but what he is dealing with and tries to preoccupy himself into not thinking about it.
How can the tradegy be turned into a comedy?
The only way I can see this being turned into a comedy is if Nick is able to laugh at this later on in life.
Identify the cause of joy or happyness
The cause of joy is when Nick preoccupies himself by doing tasks and not thinking about his problems.
Difficulty
Just what is up with Hemingway and fish because it was a Christian correlation even though he did not believe in God and a fertility one with the housewife tale of if a person dreams about fish swimming than a person in their family is pregnant.
Comment on Lauren:
I really like how you show both sides of this, and how we all want to forget things that happen in our lives, but our mind will not let go.
This is a comment on Jason:
I know exactly what you are talking about! I have two kids, a six year old and a three year old, I am taking five classes and my husband works until 9:00 everynight. So I am extremly busy from sunup to sowndown. When I finally get time alone to escape I am so tired that all I want to do is sleep. I wouldn't trade a thing if I had to, but sometimes the stress gets a little extreme and I feel like I could sleep for days, yet I wake up and life is still going on, so I have to get myself together and keep moving on.
I am commenting on what moonlight said:
I totally agree with moonlight's statement, ".... you know they say if it don't kill you it only makes you stronger." I believe that when some people find themselves in tough situations, they feel like they wouldn't be able to make it through without having a meltdown. But, usually in the end, something happens that gives them the courage or determination to keep going and face this situation head on. After the dust has cleared, the person or persons have gotten through the situation with their head up and courage intact.
This is a comment on celia loy:
I agree with the fact that we all have to face our problems sooner or later, and if we don't they are like daily reminders of the past or present problems. This is a very good point because we all like to ignore our problems.
comment to nicken
I completly agree with you in the fact nick is running, but I feel he is running from the present thats why he retruned to this place. It was a place of found memories that he thought he could retreat to but when he arrived all had changed. This in turn made him have to comfront his problems.
This a comment about Soupbone 4
I agree that Nick was remorseful for coming back but wished to seek solitude. But I have also in times of my life wished that I could just get away from my stress and problems and go somewhere peacefull. When at home I frequently go fishing because it is a place where I can think about my problems and relax. But there have been times when I have felt just like Nick had when he went back home and felt like it really wasn't there any more.
From The Inside Out
The Big Two Hearted River
Ernest Hemingway
About The Author
In 1917, After graduating from high school, Ernest Hemingway went to work as a reporter for the Kansas City Star. His father, a well to do physician, initiated his son into the rituals of hunting and fishing and bequeathed to him a way of life, and of death. H voluntered to serve as an American ambulance unit in France.Hemingway then transferred to duty on the Italian front, where he was seriously wounded in the explosion of a mortar shell.
Basic Passage
At the bottom of the pool were the big trout. Nick did not see them at first. Then he saw them at the bottom of the pool, big trout looking to hold themselves on the gravel bottom in a varying mist of gravel and sand, raised in spurts by the current.
Correlate
I think that this passage really makes Nick think about more than just the "trout". I think that this makes Nick think and take a deeper look at his life. Nick did not notice the big trout at first, he really had to look at the bottom to even notice that they were there. Kindof like when you look at somebody for the first time ever, you just see the "pleasent" things but then you have to get to know them to know whats inside of them. The "Big trout" are trying to stay at the bottom, where they do not have to be seen through the gravel and sand, burying them.Whether they like it or not the currents make them seen and shows them plain and clear.
This passage relates to me because I am a very happy and bubbly person, and alot of times I do not want people to see what all is inside of me because then they would know alot of my hardships and problems in life. So many times I try to hide myself behind things kindof like the trout hid behind the gravel and sand. It is much easier that way. But then Whether I like it or not my problems shine in the light and force me to have to deal with them, like the currents make the trout. I realize that I can not be "happy" all the time because life throws unexpected hardships at me all the time.
1. Identify the cause of human suffering.
This is a trgedy because Nick is seeing that his problems whether he runs away from them or not are constantly going to be buried underneath and forced to come into light, where he cant hide them anymore.
2. How can this tragedy be turned into a comedy? I do not feel like this can be turned into a tragedy because this is real life and life is full of hardships.
3. Identify the cause of joy or happiness?
Life throws so many hard things at you, but theres hope in the future in knowing that behind every hardship is a lesson learned.
In response to ednuke:
I really agree with you about Nick trying to keep hisself busy by fishing and hiking just so he doesnt have to think about his life and what all is on his mind. He is doing what he loves to do, so that he can enjoy something while he is going through this hard time in his life. People deal with problems in their own ways and this is how Nick deals with his problems, even though he knows he is going to have to eventually deal w them, he is just living in the "moment"
“Big Two-Hearted River”
Ernest Hemingway
About the Author
Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Illinois. He spent part of World War I as an American ambulance driver in France and Italy. He was injured in Italy and sent back to the states where he began writing. After the war, he helped create a “revolution in literary style and language”. In 1954, he was awarded a Nobel Prize. However, Hemingway ended his own life seven years later.
Basic Passage
“As the shadow of the kingfisher moved up the stream, a big trout shot upstream in a long angle, only his shadow marking the angle, then lost his shadow as he came through the surface of the water, caught the sun, and then, as he went back into the stream under the surface, his shadow seemed to float down the stream with the current...”
Correlate
To me this passage is about the contradiction between the shadows and the light from the sun. The trout only have the shadows when they are under the water resisting the current. However, when the one trout breaks through that resistance there is a bright light as the sun reflects off its scales. I think this applies back to Nick because he is coming back to the town after an obvious difficult time in his life. He might see returning as the light that he needs in his life, but when he finds rubble instead of saloons, he is reduced back to shadows. I think everyone has gone through something like this. A breakup is a really good example. You think that you are getting over it, moving on with your life, seeing the light but all of a sudden you hear a song on the radio, pass by a favorite restaurant or just something else simple and you are back in the shadow. When I was upset my grandmother used to tell me life is just one crisis after another so enjoy the periods in between. So I guess you could say life is shadows sometimes interrupted by periods of sunlight. While this is a more pessimistic approach then I like to take, it does seem to be Nick’s way of thinking.
Tragedy
I think the tragedy is Nick’s view on life: his suppression of his problems.
Turning into a comedy
This story could become a comedy if Nick met someone who he could share his problems with or at least just share some conversation with. He would then at least have some human contact and wouldn’t be alone with his troubles
Source of joy and happiness
I think he gets some joy out of doing everything so methodically. It seems that’s the only thing he really knows about himself. So maybe he can take comfort in that.
Difficulty
Besides wanting the story to end, I didn’t really have any real difficulties
This is a comment about jodgers
I agree that the trout represents Nick's problems. The small, insignificant ones are on the top and easier to see. However the bigger problems and the things he is trying to ignore are swimming on the bottom. Is this because he pushes his problems to the bottom or has he just noticed them?
Response to DanielWise
I have to agree with your correlation. I ran a 26.2 marathon in Lake Tahoe. Even though the last 6 miles were sloped downwards, they were overshadowed by the 20 miles that kept going up, up, and up. When the marathon was over I had found that it was the best experience of my life, not only did I get engaged at mile 20, but it was one of the best personal goal I could of accomplished. Every experience I went through that day was worth the trip!
This is a comment to Lauren:
I understand exactly what you mean when you were talking about having two different sides. Most try to shut out everything bad in their life and move on. I feel we should take the good as well as the bad, and learn from any experiences that we have encountered in life. I don’t think we should forget about the pass even if it is bad. It should make one stronger. Yea, I do believe we should let go of something that has happened in life stressful, painful, or even hurtful, but don’t try to completely just shut it out of your life. This is only my opinion. I feel if we as people remember all things in life bad or good it will make a stronger more outgoing person.
response to Nicken
I do agree that Nick is trying to run away from old feelings by participating in all sorts of activities. I truly believe that this is vital for him at this time. But sooner or later he is going to have to face his personal problems.
IN response to Almond Joys
I agree in how you said that the trout facing the current is how we face obstacles in day-to-day life. Nick goes out in the woods to get away from his day to day obstacles, more specifically by fishing. He watches the trout and sees them face their obstacles but sees how they never give up. I believe this gives him courage to be able to get over his owns life obstacles.
In response to Soupbone4:
I agree that Nick is trying to occupy his time by doing certain things to get his mind off of the pain. Quite often we try to find ways of dealing with our sufferings. He just thought hiking will help him forget. What ever happens just move on and enjoy life because that is the on chance we will ever have to be in this world
This is a response to Nicken.
I think that was a good interpretation from the passage you picked. That is exactly how I read it also. But I also get the sense that Nick is seeing that keeping busy and doing things is helping him. His mucscles were tired and aching, but this made him feel happy.
This is a comment for Nicken:i agree with nicken, the narrator is definetly looks at escape as a comfort, rather than actually coming to terms. what ever it is nick is trying to put in the past must be to hard to come to terms with.
I am responding to Chloes' blog. Chloe states that when Nick sits it almost forces him to think; and when he thinks he gets sad. this makes since because when someone sits, its like your world stops for a second because your resting. On the other hand when Nick is up and walking, all of his memories dissappear. he is at his happiest through out the whole story when he is walking because he is leaving his past behind him.
Response to Moses...
I agree with your idea of Nick being in a lonely setting and a deserted place, but at this time in the story I don't think he is feeling lonley. I think he has decided that if he moves on from this place there is something better. Although he remembers the good times he had at this place, in order for him to grow, he has to push on with his life.
This is a comment on Nicken
I agree with what he said about that passage. Everyone wants to escape reality for a while when they are going through hard times. It may help in some situation to keep some one from taken the wrong road.
Comment of Danielwise
I can relate to what Danielwise stated. I have been hiking before in the woulds on an camping trip and I really enjoyed the peace and quite that you got it made you feel real good. I would recommend it to anyone who needed to relieve some stress.
In response to Jag2419
I agree with what you said about the impossibility of the town being destroyed. You can wipe a town off the face of the earth and destroy every building but it will still be there. The memories of the people lived there or visited are immortal.
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