Eudora Welty Plays Jazz with Words
Powerhouse is a riff on racism, power and signifyin(g).
This shortstory told by an unreliable/white narrator delineates cultral strata:
- Reactionary Culture
- Conservative Culture
- Emergent Culture
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Live from the Dance it is Saturday Night Live with Eudora Welty
Bio
Eudora Welty is a famous writer that was born 1909 and died in 2001 both in Jackson Mississippi. She was also a well known photographer but her love was for writing which often focuses on life in the South. Her novel "The Optimist's Daughter won a Pulitzer Prize in 1973. Welty is also known for her short stories.
Basic Passage
It's a bad night outside. It's a white dance, and nobody dances, except a few straggling jitterbugs and two elderly couples. Everybody just stands around the band and watches Powerhouse. Sometimes they steal glances at one another, as if to say, Of course, you know how it is with them — Negroes — band leaders — they would play the same way, giving all they've got, for an audience of one. ... When somebody, no matter who, gives everything, it makes people feel ashamed for him.
This passage shows that even though these people are somewhat paying attention to the person that is supposed to be entertaining them they really do not get what is going on because Powerhouse is giving a signal with the music he is playing that they do not get. Also this passage shows that witht the author she did not quite get what was going on because she went home and wrote it down due to the fact that fascinated her so much.
Correlation
I can relate to this passage (see the title ) on Saturday Night Live the whole point of the show is to parody the culture that is dominant (Conservative) or either the emergent or reactionary culture. From what I have seen some in the conservative culture find the show offensive while those in the emergent and reactionary culture may get the joke.
1). Identify cause of human suffering- Not Understanding and the reason I say that is because I cannot see where the tragedy would occur in this story.
2.) How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
If the audience was in on the joke than they would either be offended since they are the conservative culture or just laugh it off.
3.) Identify the cause of joy or happiness
Powerhouse giving his all to entertain the audience.
Is It or Isn't It
Powerhouse
Eudora Welty
Eudora Welty was born in 1909 in Jackson, Mississippi. Her writing has been compared to a photograph. She was also a good photographer. Her writings have a strong sense of place. She said that good fiction has to have an appropriate place and action.
Basic Passage
You know people on a stage-and people of a darker race-so likely to be marvelous, frightening.
I think in this she was saying sometimes people don't want to watch something because they think they shouldn't but they watch anyway because they like it.
Correlation
I think all people do this at some point. Maybe you listen to a conversation or read an email of some else's and you know you shouldn't but do any way because it so intreging. In the time this story took place the conservative group that was watching the act by Powerhouse probably thought this way. Although they watched anyway.
Identify the cause of human suffering--Tragedy
The cause of human suffering is that Powerhouse's wife was killed and he was always on the road.
How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
It could be a comedy if his wife did not die and he did not have to travel so much.
Identify the cause of joy or happiness-Comedy.
The only cause of joy is that the observers enjoyed the show.
Difficulties
The entire story was a little difficult to follow.
Out of place
Powerhouse
Eudora Welty
Eudora Welty was born in Jackson Mississippi. She attended Miss. State College for women in 1929. She began her first serious attempts at writing after her return to Mississippi from New York in 1931. She was also a photographer and it has been said that her writing is like photograpy because of her use of color and light.
Basic passage
Is it possible that he could be this! When you have him there performing for you, that's what you feel. You know people on stage--and people of a darker race--so likely to be marvelous, frightening. This is a white dance. Powerhouse is not a show off, not crazy he's in a trance.
In this passage I feel like she is realizing that this "emergent culture" isn't so crazy after all. She has expectations of craziness, of not enjoying the music or the atmoshpere "could he be this" she wasn't expecting him to be able to captivate her attention. "He's in a trance" he is clearly emotionally attached to the music and when the entertainer shows his soul through their music most people get just as involved as they are.
Correlate
She judged before she even made it to the performance. She was expecting this crazy behavior that the conservative culture makes the emergent culture out to be. This can be seen still today, I think people judge rockers and rappers as being this harsh society with no morals or respect. I love all music but my preference is rock, and I do not fall into the category that most rockers are put into. I think some people might be suprised if they try something before judging it...they just might like it too.
1) what is the cause of human suffering
none
2) How could it be turned into a comedy
Think it is a comedy, she was willing to try something new, and it sounds like she enjoyed it.
3)Identify the cause of joy
Her leaving her comfort zone to try something new.
Mesmerized by the Music
Powerhouse
Eudora Welty
Eudora Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1909. Welty attended Mississippi College for Women, transferred to the University of Wisconsin, and later entered Columbia University to study advertising. Welty returned to Jackson and got a job at a radio station and at a Memphis newspaper. Welty was also a photographer. In 1931, Welty returned to Mississippi and seriously began her writing career. Welty's writings are well known for "displaying a strong sense of place." Welty has been compared to Faulkner. Welty died in 2001.
Basic Passage
" This note marks the end of any known discipline. Powerhouse seems to abandon them all- he himself seems lost- down in the song, yelling up like somebody in a whirlpool- not guiding them- hailing them only."
This passage shows how music affects musicians. The musicians are so passionate about their music that it excites and mesmerizes them. Powerhouse, whose name signifies strength, authority, and energy, is so passionate by the music that he is completely mesmerized once the first "note" is played. To me, the "note" signifies the "disorder" that is associated with the emergent culture. The "disorder" , in my opinion, occurs when the first "note" is played and the musicians become mesmerized by the music; thus mesmerizing the audience.
Correlation
I can relate to this passage. I was a clarinet player in my high school band. I was always mesmerized by the music that we played. From playing the musical selections at band practice to performing the half time show on the field in front of hundreds of fans, I was never nervous or anxious, just excited. From the first measure of the song to the last, nothing else mattered to me but playing the music. If musicians are mesmerized by their music, then audiences will notice and become mesmerized as well.
(1). Identify cause of human suffering- Tragedy
The cause of human suffering is the death of Powerhouse's wife.
(2). How can the tragedy be turned into a Comedy?
The tragedy can be turned into a comedy if Powerhouse's wife hadn't died and if she became a singer in in his band.
(3). Identify the cause of joy or happiness- Comedy
Listening and playing music, in this case jazz, causes joy or happiness.
I am commenting on nicken's response:
I agree with nicken. We shouldn't be stereotypical of musicians just because a few of them have gotten into legal disputes. Just like nicken, I listen to every type of musical genre, but I my favorites are R&B/Hip Hop and Latin. We need to keep that old saying "Don't knock it 'til you've tried it" in mind.
Symbiotic Relationship
Eudora Welty
Powerhouse
Ms. Welty’s life spanned from the times of the Model-T to the SUV. She was born in Jackson, MS in 1909, and died in 2001. Her stories show the significance of a, “strong sense of place.” Her stories have compared to photographs in the ability to tell a story with a focus on a single moment or detail. “Death of a Traveling Salesman,” was her first published short story.
Basic Passage:
“…he gets higher and higher, and then he looks over the end of the piano, as if over a cliff. But no in a show-off way –the song makes him do it.”
Correlation:
This passage reminds me of all the good concerts I have attended. I have seen everything from rock and metal to blues and classical. All good performances have a common link. I know I have seen a good show when the artist(s) enter a trance-like state. It looks like the performers have given themselves over to the music and the crowd. Time ceases, and the crowd and artist exist on a plane of sharing and creating. It is a rush to know I contribute my portion of energy to a unifying crowd.
Tragedy:
The white dance is unable to understand Powerhouse
Comedy:
Powerhouse and his band share a secret the audience does not understand.
Turning tragedy to comedy:
A change of venue to an audience who knows and appreciates Powerhouse.
Difficulties:
Some parts I understood right away. Others, I had to read a couple of times, and the rest I think will sink in when I least expect it.
response to celia
there is nothing better, as an audience, than watching a musician absorbed in the music. the audience needs a mesmerized musician to react to.
Judging
Powerhouse
Eudora Welty
Eudora Welty was born in Jackson Mississippi in 1909. She attended Mississippi State College for women for two years and then transferred to the University of Wisconsin and graduated in 1929. She worked for a local radio station in Jackson, and she also wrote society news for a Memphis newspaper.
Basic passage
Is it possible that he could be this! When you have him there performing for you, that's what you feel. You know people on stage--and people of a darker race--so likely to be marvelous, frightening. This is a white dance. Powerhouse is not a show off like the Harlem boys, not drunk, not crazy- he's in a trance.
From this passage I get a feeling that she is expecting something that she has never seen, or felt before. I found that she is into what he is doing, because she found that he is in a trance and is so into what he is doing as an entertainer. I found that he is very connected to the music and really puts passion into his work.
Correlate
I can correlate with this passage; she is judging something before she tries it. I have done this before. I have judged people who snowboarded and thought that they were burn outs, but I was wrong. After I was taught how to snowboard, I became in love with it. I think that it is one of the best outdoor sports you can do.
1.) What is the cause of human suffering- Didn’t find one
2.) How could it be turned into a comedy- I found it to be a comedy, she was willing to try something out of her norm and she enjoyed it.
3.) Identify the cause of joy or happiness- I think the joy would be that she enjoyed it and is writing about it.
Comment to Celia Loy
I agree with you that they are very passionate about the music. I think that it is great that you play, I wish I could. I find myself getting mesmerized by the music when I’m listening to it while driving. I love all kinds of music. I like the point you make about how the audience will notice that the musician is mesmerized by the music and then the audience will be too.
Black vodoo
Biography
Eudora welty was born in Jackson MS in 1909. She was one of the most proficient southern writers to to hail from MS. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 and created many great short stories.She wrote one of my favorite short stories " Death of a Traveling Salesman"
Basic passage
"You can't tell what he is. Nigger man? he looks more Asiatic, monkey, Jewish, Babylonian, Peruvian, fanatic, devil.
I think this passage is how she sets out to categorize the man known as power house to take away his power. But since she can't categorize him it actually gives him his power because they can't put him into just any group.
Correlation:
I think when you can put people or things into a certain category it somehow lets you control them. Like if you see something you can't explain you then can only give respect because you don't know what it is to understand it. Only by knowing what it is can you master it and take its power. Thus making it a slave to you and then you are able to manipulate it to do your bidding. But only by its lack of understanding does it maintain its power and it controls you.
Identify the tragedy:
The tragedy is the lack of mutual respect that powerhouse deserves.
How could this become a comedy:
If she stood up and did the jitterbug.
Identify the cause of joy.
Powerhouse keeps his power of influence by the audience not truly understanding what it is he is doing.
Difficulty:
The way the story flowed together was not to reader friendly for and unexperienced read anyway.
The “Conservative” Crowd
“Powerhouse”
Eudora Welty
Bio:
Eudora Welty was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. She started college at Mississippi State College for Women and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1929. Her first short story, “Death of a Traveling Salesman” was published in 1936. She continued to write many novels and short stories.
Basic Passage:
“It’s a bad night outside. It’s a white dance, and nobody dances, except a few straggling jitterbugs and two elderly couples. Everybody just stands around the band and watches Powerhouse…. When somebody, no matter who, gives everything, it makes people feel ashamed for him."
This passage is describing the scene at the night club. Hardly anyone is dancing, and the Powerhouse is almost performing to nobody.
Correlation:
This passage, although intended to be serious, is very funny to me. All these people are there to see Powerhouse and this jazz band, but nobody is in to it. It is poking fun at the “conservative” culture where it is seen as a bad thing to get too into a performance. I have seen many performances where only a few people were dancing, and the rest of the “conservative” crowd almost looked down on these people, and they felt ashamed for the performers because they were giving everything.
Difficulties: This story is near impossible to understand.
1). Identify cause of human suffering - There seems to be an underlying theme of racism in this story.
2.) How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy? This story almost is a comedy because of how the audience is just staring at Powerhouse, and not getting into the music.
3.) Identify the cause of joy or happiness – Powerhouse is such a “powerful” character and he demanded attention from the crowd.
Dedicated
Powerhouse
Eudora Welty
Eudora Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1909. She worked for a local radio station and wrote news for a Memphis newspaper. She transferred to Columbia University in New York and after her return, she her first short story, “Death of a Traveling Salesman”
Basic Passage:
Everybody just stands around the band and watches Powerhouse…. When somebody, no matter who, gives everything, it makes people feel ashamed for him."
Correlate:
Powerhouse is on stage putting everything he has into performance, yet the crowd doesn’t seem to enjoy his music. Powerhouse knows that everyone is just standing around looking stupid but he continues. When you are very passionate about something you do it because it makes you happy, not to gain recognition or acceptance. If was on stage like Powerhouse and everybody was staring at me, I would think something is wrong. Powerhouse doesn’t stop because he doesn’t care what the crowd thinks about him, all he cares about is the music.
1). Identify cause of human suffering.
The lack of understanding between the band and the crowd
2.) How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
The crowd could just let go of whatever is keeping them from having a good time.
3.) Identify the cause of joy or happiness.
Powerhouse continues to do what makes him happy despite looking like a fool.
Lost in the Music
Powerhouse
Eudora Welty
(Biography)
Eudora Welty is a famous writer was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1929. She was also a well known photographer but her love was for writing which focuses on life in the south. She recently died in 2001.
(Basic Passage)
This note marks the end of any known discipline. Powerhouse seems to abandon them all-he himself seems lost-down in the song, yelling up like somebody in a whirlpool-not guiding them-hailing them only.
I truly belive that Powerhouse so focused on this music, that the conservative audience don't even matter. He is in the zone and in that zone nobody can even touch him. He is truly dedicated to his music, nomatter what the audience thinks or feels. And because of Powerhouse brashness in performing, the audience or the narrator doesn't know what to think.
(Correlation)
I can relate to this because my family are musicians. They sometimes preach to me on how to get lost in the music. Also, that by getting lost in your music you can overcome stage fright and all sort of anxiety attacks. The audience is either going to like you or hate you, but you can be proud that you gave it all you got.
(Questions)
What is the cause of Human suffering-Tragedy?
The dominant culture's audience doesn't understand Powerhouse's performance.
How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
The audience finally accepts Powerhouse for his dedication to his music.
What is the cause of joy or Happiness? Comedy
Powerhouse is giving all he got and enjoying it to.
(Difficulties)
What is the deal about his wife dying?
Music
Powerhouse
Welty
Eudora welty was born in Jackson Mississippi in 1909 and died there in 2001. She is well know for her novels and as being a photographer.
Basic Passage
Powerhouse has as much as possible done by signals. Every body laughing as if to hide the weakness, will sooner or later hand him up a written request.
This passage shows Powerhoues ability to over come the language barrier with body language. Even if they didn't get the words they could feel the passinate beat.
Correlate
I can relate to this because I like all types of music. If it has a good tune I can ignore the words and if the tune is ok and the lyrics are hittin than I can still feel it. You could say I just like to escape with each song and that song depends on my mood at the time.
1. Cause of Suffering none
2. Could be a comedy if The conservatives come to grips with how wrong they were about jazz.
3.THE CAUSE OF JOY. The fact that Powerhouse stood for what he believe in ( music) and gave it his all.
Comment for soupbone
I couldnot agree more that you should try something before passing judgement. Just because something is different doesnot make it wrong. Some times if you would just step out side your comfort zone you would find that you are capable of amazing thing if only you put forth the effort.
a night out with Eudora Welty
Eudora welty
"powerhouse"
biography
Eudora Welty was born in Jackson, Missippi april 1909 and died july 2001.she graduated from the university of wisconsin in 1929. she began writing short stories and became 6x winner of the O'Henry award. in 1969, she even won a pulitzer prize. she is known as the first lady of southern literature.
basic passage.
"don't let them escape you; it's the only time for hallucination, the last time. They can't stay. They'll be somewhere else this time tomorrow.
It's a bad night outside. It's a white dance, and nobody dances"
in class we talked about the conservetive society and this is where they are described in the story. the narrator has gone on about how exciting powerhouse is, and how he represents something new, the emergent culture. this passage shows the conservitives not ready to accept powerhouse. they simply dont want to show that they actually like him. i think the narrator is one of them, although she is completely intrigued by the music.
Correlation.
i like to think of myself as being open to change. i certainly dont want to be close minded. as far as being "emergent", i definetly fall short. i dont even know who would be considered the emergent culture any more. unlike back then, i think todays society has gone stagnent. its pretty sad.
tragedy: conservatism
comedy: emergent culture, exciting change.
i had no problems with this story.
Chucky Cheeses where a kid can be a kid!!!!
Powerhouse
Eudora Welty
Eudora Welty was born in 1909 in Jackson, Mississippi. Her writing has been compared to a photograph. She was also a good photographer. Her writings have a strong sense of place. She said that good fiction has to have an appropriate place and action.
Basic Passage
You know people on a stage-and people of a darker race-so likely to be marvelous, frightening.
I think that the narrator feels intimidated by the fact that black people are the ones to perform and be the ones to demand the attention from the audience wheather they like it or not. I feel that she is not used to this type of performance due to her being shelterd and a follower of her culture.You can kind of compare it to a little kid going to Showbiz or Chucky Cheese Pizza for the first time;its kind of scary watching the big robots on stage,but you just cant help but to like it.
I can relate to this passage because I have performed music on stage infront of people and you see the people who feed off the band towards the front of the stage and the band gets their energy from those people.On the other hand the lame ones are standing towards the back doing the white dance.
1). Identify cause of human suffering- The only ones that are suffering are those in the audience because they are dumbfounded by the performer and they are not able to loosen up and have a good time.
2.) How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy? It can be turned into a comedy if the audience loosened up and started to get into the music and have a good time.
“Caught in the moment”
Eudora Welty
Welty was born and raised in Jackson, Ms a southern lady. She became her first serious writing attempts in 1931. She became well known for her novels and short stories. Most of Welty’s writings reveal her sharp eye for a painter or photographer showing a sense of light, color, and atmosphere.
Basic Passage:
“Powerhouse seems to abandoned them all—he himself seems lost—down in the song, yelling up like somebody in a whirlpool” “ He’s going up the keyboard with a few fingers in some very derogatory triplet-routine, he goes higher and higher” “ the song makes him do it”
Correlation:
I think this passage shows how Powerhouse is really into what he is doing. He does not care about how the crowd is reacting to his music at the current time. He is just so into his music and the way it makes him feel. I think everybody has in some point of their life got caught up in the moment of doing something they really enjoy. Rather it is reading a book, playing music, or even playing a sport. There is always something that can make a person forget about their surroundings.
Human Suffering—I think it was that Powerhouse gave it his all, but they crowd obviously did not think the same thing.
Comedy—I do not think it could be turned into a comedy.
Joy or Happiness—That Powerhouse still got into his music even though the crowd did not.
For the love of Music
Eudora Welty
She was born in 1909 and died in 2001. She was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. She started college at Mississippi State for Women then finished at the University of Wisconsin in 1929. In 1936, She wrote the short story, 'Death of a Traveling Salesman'. She wrote many more famous stories after that one.
Basic Passage:
'Powerhouse is not a show-off like the Harlem boys, not drunk, not crazy--he's in a trance'
Correlation:
This passage speaks loudly to me. You should not do things for people to get joy and love. Do it for yourself and people will take notice. This is not just important in music it is important in life. You must be your self no matter what and get all the joy out of life.
Identify cause of human suffering:
The audience does not see the love of the music that Powerhouse feels.
How can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
Don't let your pride and fears hold you back from life.
Identify the cause of joy or happiness.
Powerhouse does not even notice the reaction of the audience, because of his love of the music.
Comment to Moonlight:
I agree with you in that music over comes many barriers. It also takes dowm some of our own personal barriers, such as fear.
"THOSE NEGROES CAN SHO PLAY"
Powerhouse
Eudora Welty
Welty was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. She attended Mississippi State college for Women for two years and then transfered to the University of Winsconsin. In June of 1936 her first short story, "Death of a Traveling Salesman" was published. She wrote severel novels and numerous short stories. She died in 2001.
Basic Passage:
"Everybody just stands around the band and watches Powerhouse. Sometimesthey steal glances at one another, as if to say, Of course, you know how it is with them- Negroes- band leaders- they would play the same way, giving all they got, for an audience of one... When somebody, no matter who, gives everything, it makes people feel ashamed for them."
This passage basically explains how other races look at blacks as only entertainers. People say all blacks can either act, be funny, sing, dance, play an instrument, run fast or throw a mean football or basketball. It seems like people hold blacks to be the court jesters of this society.
Correlation:
I can relate to this because I have sang for many choirs and on numerous occasions we would have to sing at a conference, black history program, or a MLK program and there were mostly white people attending and running the programs. It was nice when we sang, but when we were finished they wanted us to leave right away. We couldn't stay for the rest of the program. I may be wrong for thinking this way, but that was how I felt. Like a used entertainer.
Human Suffering:
Powerhouse and his band, playing their hearts out, probably knowing deep down inside they don't want to be there.
Tragedy into a Comedy:
If the people actually got into the show, instead of just watching.
Cause of joy and Happiness:
The few people who were dancing to the music.
Difficulties:
I had no difficulties with this passage.
Listening
Powerhouse
Eudora Welty
Bio
Eudora Welty was born in Jackson, MS in 1909. She was known for her novels and short stories. Her stories have been compared to photographs. She is known as the first lady of southern literature.
Basic passage
“Powerhouse seems to abandoned them all—he himself seems lost—down in the song, yelling up like somebody in a whirlpool” “ He’s going up the keyboard with a few fingers in some very derogatory triplet-routine, he goes higher and higher”
This passage is talking about how Powerhouse doesn't care that the white people aren't dancing, he's into the music and the music only.
Correlation
I can relate to this because I have been to concerts/dance like this. I'm sure everyone has. The kind where no one dances and stands to the side. I'm sure the performer probably gets nervous but he has to hide it. The only difference in this story is that Powerhouse doesn't seem to have to hide it, he's naturally at ease. There are performers that are like too, I assume. To relate it to an even broader idea... you can't let what some people think get to you. If you know something is right, then just ignore them. The conservatives in the story weren't used to the music that Powerhouse played but he at least exposed them to it. Just because people act like they ignore your message... doesn't mean on some level they didn't hear it.
1. Identify cause of human suffering
The people not opening up and dancing.
2. How can can the tragedy be turned into a comedy?
The people can dance and have a good time.
3. Identify the cause of joy or happiness
Powerhouse's love of music.
"Powerhouse"
Author:
Eudora Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1909, and died in 2001. She love to write about the south but she was known for her photographs. They said that her looked like a photo because she used colors and light. She attended the University of Wisconsin.
Passage:
"Everybody just stands around the band and watches Powerhouse…. When somebody, no matter who, gives everything, it makes people feel ashamed for him."
Correlate:
I can't really relate to this passage too much because I haven't put myself into a situation or had to do that kind of entertainment in front of a harsh crowd. However, I have been to concert or shows and seen people so passionate, and believe in what they are doing they don't care what anyone is thinking. For instance, I was made to watch a movie ("LIttle Miss Sunshine") in similar way a little girl was invited and went to a beauty pageant because she thought she was good enough to compete against the other little girls even thouh she wasn't as pretty nor as talented. Of course she didn't win because she couldn't dance like the other girls or wasn't pretty, but she did what she loved no matter what other people thought.
1)Identify cause of human suffering:
For the crowd not really understand the band itself.
2) How can the tradegy be turned into a comedy?
For the crowd to enjoy the band.
3) Identiy the cause of joy and happiness:
The band playing for the sack of playing not for the crowd.
Given a Chance
Powerhouse
Eudora Welty
Eudora Welty was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. Welty's writing displays a strong sense of place. She insisted that successful fiction depends in large measures on the appropriate location of the appropriate action. As a southener, Welty was often compared to William Faulkner, a fellow mississippian because of the resemblence in their writings. Her fiction is concerned with her inner life and mysteries of humans confronting each other.
Basic Passage:
" You know people on a stage- and people of a darker race- so likely to be marvelous, frightening."
This passage portrays the fact that people do not want to step out of their comfort zones and give people a chance, who are not like them. Although in the back of their minds they know they would be such an asset to something they simply do not want to put down their pride to give someone thats different a chance.
Correlate:
I can definitely relate to this passage because being a member in a soroity alot of times you hear things about people not being good at this or that or not being like them. When the fact of the matter is, they would be such an asset to us to teach us differnt skills that we may not have, as well as about different culture and just a different perspective to life, as a whole.
1.) Identify the cause of human suffering.
The fact that the dominant culture are not willing to give powerhouse the chance to prove them wrong just because they think he is different.
2.)How can this tragedy be turned into A COMEDY?
I believe it was a comedy in the end because powerhouse proved them not only wrong, but they loved his performance.
3.)Identify the joy or happiness.
The joy is simply that Powerhouse loves what he does and is not scared to show his feelings to an audience that is so critical of him. He proves them wrong in the end and I love it.
Difficulties: NONE
In response to partyfoul!
I totally agree with whta you said about you give your all to something because you love it,not because of what other people think. I think we can all learn from powerhouse and continue to do what we love despite what other poeple think. In today's society we are so quick to give up on our dreams simply because othe people do not like it or you are scared of what people might say about you. If we all just disregarded other people's opinions than we would all be alot better off and happier doing what we do.
In response to Jag2419
I agree with what you said that sometimes you just get lost in the music. It seems that you don't care what the audience does or say about you. All you care about is doing what makes you happy and that is performing.
Response to radar:
I agree with he/or she when they said, "the artist(s) enter a trance-like state. It looks like the performers have given themselves over to the music and the crowd"because going to a couple of concerts and watching them, they look like they sink into like there on little world. That type of energy probably happens to any musicians or bands that performs in front of a crowd.
Response to Rachel
I agree with you that the people watching Powerhouse were very conservative and afraid of new things. I think they also didn't understand Powerhouse and that is what scared them.
In response to Moonlight
I know what your talking about, I can get into a song almost as easy as a good book. When you hear someone singing so passionatly about something that you are going through or have went through, you can get lost in the lyrics, and travel in time to where the song takes you.
Comment on Almond Joy:
I agree with what you are saying. I definitely think and feel the same way. I believe we should not let what negative people think or say bother us. As long as the person is enjoying what he or she is doing why do the thoughts of other people matter? Maybe listening to what people have to say and let it make one more passionate or stronger, but I certainly would not let it bring me down.
In response to Almond Joy
I too saw the movie Little Miss Sunshine and it does relate to this story a lot. Even though people were booing and looking shocked the girl did not let it affect her. But even though it didn't affect her... maybe it should have. She definitely wasn't dancing appropiately. BUT the other girls in the pageant weren't any better or more appropiate... but the crowd didn't mind them. The crowds perception was distorted just like the crowd in the story.
The Conservative Dance, Eudora Welty
Bio:
Eudora Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi where she attended the Mississippi womens' state college. After that she went on to Columbia University. She began writing after she came back from New York by writing short stories. Welty is compared to William Faulkner because of similiar writing styles.
Basic Passage:
"This is a white dance. Powerhouse is not a show-off like the Harlem boys, not drunk, not crazy- he's in a trance; he's a person of joy, fanatic. He listens as much as he performs, a look of hideous, powerful rapture on his face."
Powerhouse is humble performer who is trying to get a feel for what the crowd is going to be like. He feeds off the energy of the crowd. The more lively the audience is the more energy and effort Powerhouse towards is performance. From observing the crowd, Powerhouse gets somewhat nervous, but has the strength to go on with his performance.
Correlation:
I can relate to this because growing up i used to always perform. Whether it was doing stuff at school like plays or in the band or if i was playing a sport, i would play off the energy of the crowd. If it were a big crowd out there cheering it made me want to enhance my performance, and if it was a small audience it made me just want to go through the motions. But even when i was performing i would always look around nervously wondering how the audience would react.
Identify the cause of human suffering:
the aniexties of performing and not having time for his family life took a lot out Powerhouse.
How can tradegy be turned into comedy?:
Playing in front of a conservative audience could make people laugh on the inside as to say that they have no idea whats instore for them.
Identify the cause of joy or happiness:
Powerhouse got joy out of perfoming. It was his life.
In response to ednuke...
I agree with what you're saying about powerhouse not caring about the audience's reaction to the music he was making. By powerhouse's description I think that he is very passionate about his music and that's all that matters to him. The crowd reaction is irrelevant.
Response to everyone:
I agree with basically everything everyone is saying considering that everyone is saying the same thing. I feel that powerhouse was "lost in the music" and in his own world. He dosen't care about the looks and stares that he gets from the audience he just cares about his "love of the music". Although this can be very frightening for the audience who has never seen this, they are drawn to his energy. Like visiting Chuckie Cheese for the first time. I think everyone made really valid points and had really creative ideas on this one.
in response to chloe
powerhouse
i agree with you about your passage. i think this is why the narrator is so amazed by powerhouse aswell. she sees how into his music he is, and is impressed. he doesnt know or care about the audience reaction. he is giving everything and that is what is unique and special about him.
Response to jag2419... I completely agree with you. Powerhouse does not seem to care what the crowd thinks. He is off in his own world.
Comment on Pinky Belle
I can can relate to the views expressed by Pinky Belle. This passage describes how the narrator couldn't understand what was going on. It really confused her but she was so fascinated with what was going on she just wanted the see it over and over again. I have been fascinated by things before so I understand the feeling that you get.
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