I'm SUPER pumped about starting a new unit on poetry, aren't you?
(Insert awkward silence here: _____.)
In all seriousness, let's give prose a break and get acquainted with "the rhymical creation of beauty in words," to quote dear old Poe.
I have two goals for this poetry unit:
- To give you the tools necessary to KICK BUTT AND TAKE NAMES on the MC and Q1 sections of the AP English Lit and Comp Exam.
- To foster in you, my students, a love and appreciation for great (past and present) poetry.
Acording to Mary Oliver (you'll know her in no time), poetry is a "way of life." And what better way for me to foster this love but by presenting poetry into a way of life familiar to you?
This is due by our class period on Friday, November 2. MAKE SURE TO SUBSTANTIATE YOUR RESPONSE WITH EXAMPLES FROM THE VIDEO AND POEM.
Check out this youtube video (yup, you read that correctly, chicklets).
Your first job in your comment--review the video. Answer one, or some, or all of the following questions: What did you think of it? What emotions did it stir in you? What have you been urged to do? Who is this video about? To whom is this video directed? (Some background info: this is a Levi's jeans commercial.)
DO THIS BEFORE DOING YOUR SECOND JOB!!!!!! DON'T DO THE SECOND JOB UNTIL YOU HAVE JOTTED DOWN YOUR REACTIONS FROM THE VIDEO!!!!!! Thanks.
Your second job: check out the full text of the poem (below), and then respond as you did to the video by answering some or all of the questions: What did you think of it? What emotions did it stir in you? What have you been urged to do? Who is this poem about? To whom is this poem directed? Keep in mind, this time I want you to substantiate your claims this time by referencing Whitman's language.
"Pioneers" by Walt Whitman
Come my tan-faced children,
Follow well in order, get your weapons ready,
Have you your pistols? have you your sharp-edged axes?
Pioneers! O pioneers!
For we cannot tarry here,
We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger,
We the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger,
We the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
O you youths, Western youths,
So impatient, full of action, full of manly pride and friendship,
Plain I see you Western youths, see you tramping with the foremost,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
So impatient, full of action, full of manly pride and friendship,
Plain I see you Western youths, see you tramping with the foremost,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Have the elder races halted?
Do they droop and end their lesson, wearied over there beyond the seas?
We take up the task eternal, and the burden and the lesson,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Do they droop and end their lesson, wearied over there beyond the seas?
We take up the task eternal, and the burden and the lesson,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
All the past we leave behind,
We debouch upon a newer mightier world, varied world,
Fresh and strong the world we seize, world of labor and the march,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
We debouch upon a newer mightier world, varied world,
Fresh and strong the world we seize, world of labor and the march,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
We detachments steady throwing,
Down the edges, through the passes, up the mountains steep,
Conquering, holding, daring, venturing as we go the unknown ways,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Down the edges, through the passes, up the mountains steep,
Conquering, holding, daring, venturing as we go the unknown ways,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
We primeval forests felling,
We the rivers stemming, vexing we and piercing deep the mines within,
We the surface broad surveying, we the virgin soil upheaving,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
We the rivers stemming, vexing we and piercing deep the mines within,
We the surface broad surveying, we the virgin soil upheaving,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Colorado men are we,
From the peaks gigantic, from the great sierras and the high plateaus,
From the mine and from the gully, from the hunting trail we come,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
From the peaks gigantic, from the great sierras and the high plateaus,
From the mine and from the gully, from the hunting trail we come,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
From Nebraska, from Arkansas,
Central inland race are we, from Missouri, with the continental
blood intervein'd,
All the hands of comrades clasping, all the Southern, all the Northern,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Central inland race are we, from Missouri, with the continental
blood intervein'd,
All the hands of comrades clasping, all the Southern, all the Northern,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
O resistless restless race!
O beloved race in all! O my breast aches with tender love for all!
O I mourn and yet exult, I am rapt with love for all,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
O beloved race in all! O my breast aches with tender love for all!
O I mourn and yet exult, I am rapt with love for all,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Raise the mighty mother mistress,
Waving high the delicate mistress, over all the starry mistress,
(bend your heads all,)
Raise the fang'd and warlike mistress, stern, impassive, weapon'd mistress,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Waving high the delicate mistress, over all the starry mistress,
(bend your heads all,)
Raise the fang'd and warlike mistress, stern, impassive, weapon'd mistress,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
See my children, resolute children,
By those swarms upon our rear we must never yield or falter,
Ages back in ghostly millions frowning there behind us urging,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
By those swarms upon our rear we must never yield or falter,
Ages back in ghostly millions frowning there behind us urging,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
On and on the compact ranks,
With accessions ever waiting, with the places of the dead quickly fill'd,
Through the battle, through defeat, moving yet and never stopping,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
With accessions ever waiting, with the places of the dead quickly fill'd,
Through the battle, through defeat, moving yet and never stopping,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
O to die advancing on!
Are there some of us to droop and die? has the hour come?
Then upon the march we fittest die, soon and sure the gap is fill'd.
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Are there some of us to droop and die? has the hour come?
Then upon the march we fittest die, soon and sure the gap is fill'd.
Pioneers! O pioneers!
All the pulses of the world,
Falling in they beat for us, with the Western movement beat,
Holding single or together, steady moving to the front, all for us,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Falling in they beat for us, with the Western movement beat,
Holding single or together, steady moving to the front, all for us,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Life's involv'd and varied pageants,
All the forms and shows, all the workmen at their work,
All the seamen and the landsmen, all the masters with their slaves,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
All the forms and shows, all the workmen at their work,
All the seamen and the landsmen, all the masters with their slaves,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
All the hapless silent lovers,
All the prisoners in the prisons, all the righteous and the wicked,
All the joyous, all the sorrowing, all the living, all the dying,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
All the prisoners in the prisons, all the righteous and the wicked,
All the joyous, all the sorrowing, all the living, all the dying,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
I too with my soul and body,
We, a curious trio, picking, wandering on our way,
Through these shores amid the shadows, with the apparitions pressing,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
We, a curious trio, picking, wandering on our way,
Through these shores amid the shadows, with the apparitions pressing,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Lo, the darting bowling orb!
Lo, the brother orbs around, all the clustering suns and planets,
All the dazzling days, all the mystic nights with dreams,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Lo, the brother orbs around, all the clustering suns and planets,
All the dazzling days, all the mystic nights with dreams,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
These are of us, they are with us,
All for primal needed work, while the followers there in embryo wait behind,
We to-day's procession heading, we the route for travel clearing,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
All for primal needed work, while the followers there in embryo wait behind,
We to-day's procession heading, we the route for travel clearing,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
O you daughters of the West!
O you young and elder daughters! O you mothers and you wives!
Never must you be divided, in our ranks you move united,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
O you young and elder daughters! O you mothers and you wives!
Never must you be divided, in our ranks you move united,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Minstrels latent on the prairies!
(Shrouded bards of other lands, you may rest, you have done your work,)
Soon I hear you coming warbling, soon you rise and tramp amid us,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
(Shrouded bards of other lands, you may rest, you have done your work,)
Soon I hear you coming warbling, soon you rise and tramp amid us,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Not for delectations sweet,
Not the cushion and the slipper, not the peaceful and the studious,
Not the riches safe and palling, not for us the tame enjoyment,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Not the cushion and the slipper, not the peaceful and the studious,
Not the riches safe and palling, not for us the tame enjoyment,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Do the feasters gluttonous feast?
Do the corpulent sleepers sleep? have they lock'd and bolted doors?
Still be ours the diet hard, and the blanket on the ground,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Do the corpulent sleepers sleep? have they lock'd and bolted doors?
Still be ours the diet hard, and the blanket on the ground,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Has the night descended?
Was the road of late so toilsome? did we stop discouraged nodding
on our way?
Yet a passing hour I yield you in your tracks to pause oblivious,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Was the road of late so toilsome? did we stop discouraged nodding
on our way?
Yet a passing hour I yield you in your tracks to pause oblivious,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Till with sound of trumpet,
Far, far off the daybreak call--hark! how loud and clear I hear it wind,
Swift! to the head of the army!--swift! spring to your places,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
Far, far off the daybreak call--hark! how loud and clear I hear it wind,
Swift! to the head of the army!--swift! spring to your places,
Pioneers! O pioneers!
First? (:
ReplyDeleteno more 6:58 for me
When I first saw this commercial on TV, I thought it was pretty epic. The advertisement is really inspiring and it stirs a certain patriotic feeling. I'm not too sold on running out to buy jeans but it was certainly directed to a younger generation. I feel like it reaches out to college age and highschool age students and encourages exploration. The commercial incites passion and if you don't look at it from a Levi's commercial perspective, galvanizes the younger generation to strike out on their own.
Walt Whitman is known for his transcendentalist views and patriotism. "Pioneers" encourages those feelings in its readers. Whitman directly adresses younger generations when he says "oh you youths..." His poem rouses the American spirit of freedom and exploration in youths. It tells the story of the American pioneers making their way across the land and exploring new places. When Whitman says, "For we cannot tarry here,
We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger,
We the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend..." he emboldens younger generations to keep moving forward, to keep pushing and exploring because other people depend on us to progress and grow. Whitman's goal with "Pioneers" is simply to inspire and encourage passion.
The video was very creative and interesting. My initial reaction to was that it was slightly unsettling because of the speaker’s eerie voice, the loud bangs throughout, and the content of what the speaker was saying. However, I also agree with Lauren when she says that it gave off a patriotic vibe. This video is directed at the American youth, and it is urging them to “go forth,” enjoy their youth, and purchase Levi’s. I thought it was a very clever approach to selling jeans, because it depicted “pioneers” engaging in typical adolescent activities while wearing Levi’s, and it might inspire other young people to buy the jeans and be pioneers like those in the commercial.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the full text of the poem, I felt that it was very patriotic and persuasive. It is directed at American young people, specifically those who moved out west to find a better life, evident from the speaker’s references to “tan-faced children” and “Western youths.” It is urging the youth to “spring to [their] places,” and “take up the task eternal, and the burden and the lesson.” Whitman is urging the pioneers to accept the burdens and hardships they encounter and overcome them. It goes along with Robert Frost’s idea that the road less traveled by is always the hardest, and it makes a point about how true pioneers are also trail blazers. Their courage allows them to set precedents for future generations.
Also, I liked how Lauren said that "other people depend on us to progress and grow." I think that is Whitman's message, and that he is telling us that without pioneers, the world would stay the same. He encourages us all to explore our passions.
I enjoyed this video because it transformed Walt Whitman poetry into something that is modern and relatable to the American youth. I agree with Lauren's statemnt that the commercialis inspiring and instills patriotic feelings. The commercial was powerful and inspires the viewer to "go forth" and achieve what they desire. This video is directed towards the younger generation of Americans and this is noticeable because all of the people in the video are fairly young. The poem, in the context of the commercial, is teling the young people to take control of their lives and chase their dreams. The video instills American pride whihc is a selling point for the Levi's brand because they are and American company.
ReplyDeleteThe poem is also powerful, but not to the same extent as the video. I enjoy the poem but I enjoy the video more because the video has a slightly different message and it is more relatable. The poem states, "O you young and elder daughters. O you mothers and you wives." as well as "All the seamen and the landsmen, all the masters with their slaves. This proves that the poem is directed at all members of society. The video focuses more on personal growth whereas the poem emphasizes patriotism and progression throughout society as a whole.
I thought the Levi’s video was really inspiring. I thought it provoked patriotic feelings, as Lauren had said. It made me want to “go forth” to explore and discover. This video, I feel, is directed towards high school and college age students. The background voice, though it was eerie as Jess said, seemed rich and empowering. It encouraged people to chase their dreams and passions.
ReplyDeleteIn the poem, Whitman inspires his readers, the pioneers, to take a stand in life and not back down. He calls them pioneers because they are leaving the past behind and conquering the “unknown ways”. In this poem, Whitman is not just addressing high school and college age students, but “all the hapless silent lovers”, “all the prisoners in the prisons”, “all the righteous and the wicked”, and “all the joyous, all the sorrowing, all the living, all the dying”. He wants everyone to enjoy freedom and the American spirit. Whitman empowers his readers to keep moving forward and never look back.
i thought this video was pretty cool. It doesn't really evoke much emotions, i mean its jeans, not very emotional to me. The video it self makes me want to watch it again because its an awesome commercial. it reminds me of the Clint Eastwood Superbowl commercial, halftime in America. I think this video is about jeans seeing it is a jean commercial. I have to agree with Jordan on this next part. I agree when Jordan says that the commercial is directed towards high school and college aged kids.
ReplyDeleteThe actual poem was pretty long, and i see why Levi`s did not use the whole poem in the commercial. Even though it was extremely long it was not a bad poem. This poem is about the new young people, the pioneers who are overcoming many obstacles on their journey westward. I think the poem is directed to the same age group as the video. It is directed towards these young adults and he states in the beginning "come my tan faced children". The poem makes me want to watch the commercial version because it makes the same point but is condensed and is a lot shorter.
I think it is safe to say that this commercial was completely geared towards teenagers and young adults. I say this because as an experiment I had both my mom and grandmother watch it. My mother quickly commented on a risqué undertone she saw and she stated that it could be inappropriate. My grandmother started watching it, but she was obvious annoyed by it. When I questioned her as to why she did not like it, she said it was too fast. I stopped and thought about this and then realized why an elderly person would not appreciate this commercial.
ReplyDeleteWhen I watched the commercial I found myself getting pumped up. I felt good about my future. This commercial motivated me to follow my dreams and forge ahead with full speed. The images showed the young adults to be seemingly encouraged to strive for all they wanted out of life. Like Deanielle said, it was “inspiring” to watch. I enjoyed the images of these young adults being free. I feel the commercial might give some the message to “Go forth”, but not necessarily go forth and buy Levi’s. This commercial is inspirational rather than marketable.
As I read “Pioneers” by Walt Whitman my thoughts immediately went to the early American pioneers. I found the poem dated and though it described in depth the trials and tribulations of those early pioneers. It said, “Do the corpulent sleepers sleep? have they lock'd and bolted doors?
Still be ours the die hard, and the blanket on the ground”. I did not find myself at all motivated like I did when I watched the video. I agree with Jordan when she said that Whitman wanted everyone to enjoy freedom and the American spirit, but I think the commercial did more to empower people to keep moving forward and never looking back.
In my opinion both the poem and the commercial tried to convey the same message and to motivate their audiences. I also think that because of its fast paced modernism the commercial was by far victorious.
Like Jordan, I thought the video was inspiring because it made me want to get up and go do something. It makes me want to go out, have fun, and be myself. As I saw one young man running out with fire and what seemed like leading the way and being light for others, I felt courageous. The video makes me want to be a leader and try new things like the young people who were running through and exploring the woods. I think this video is about being yourself because the people in it were running around with out a care. I think it is also about leading the world because at the end of the video there is a banner that says "go forth". According to dictionary.com, a pioneer is a person who is among those who first enter or settle a region, thus opening it for occupation and development by others. That is also why I believe the video is about being a leader in the world. This video is directed at the youth of America because young people are the only ones in it.
ReplyDeleteI after reading the poem, I think it significantly different from
the video because it is directed at early Americans rather than the American youth today. I feel like Deanielle in that the poem did not affect me as much as the video but it is still powerful. The poem made me feel rebellious because of its reference to "weapons", "pistols" and "sharp-edged axes". The poem is directed at all Americans including "western youths", people from "Colorado", "from Nebraska", "from Arkansas", and "from Missouri". It unites Americans and inspires patriotism in "All the hands of comrades clasping, all northern, all southern". As I read through the poem I noticed like Jordan that the word "all" is used many times to remind the reader that they should be united with everyone.
The commercial was certainly interesting and the poem fit the theme of going out and exploring, adventuring, and being your own person, but I still found the commercial to be strange and a tad confusing in the beginning. I found some of the actions done by the actors were strange and almost violent, including running with fire, violently banging the big stick along the fence, and screaming at the camera. Other parts, however, including the running through the field and exploring the waterfall made me want to go out and do the same. It made me want to go out and have an adventure, but like Lauren said, it did not really make me want to go out and buy a pair of jeans to go gallivanting around in. After watching the video I was urged to watch it again because by the end of it my emotions went from confusion to intrigue. I also had the urge for a campfire especially since it was so cold out today.
ReplyDeleteI also think that the video was directed at young adults of the generation firstly because in the video, only young adults were featured. There were no child actors or adult actors. It was probably done like that so other young adults of the same age would feel a connection. Second, this video wanted the young adults (the “pioneers”) to, like Danielle said, “…to take control of their lives and chase their dreams…”, with their “sharpened axes” (jeans) which will not restrict them from doing the things they want to accomplish.
I thought that the poem was a very persuasive and exciting poem that was full of emotion, especially with Whitman’s use of the exclamation point. Using it, Whitman appears to be shouting excitedly about this topic of going out and exploring. He encourages the youth to go out and, like Jordan said, “…to enjoy freedom and the American spirit. Whitman empowers his readers to keep moving forward and never look back.”
The poem, again is directed towards the youth when he says things like “Tan faced children” and “O you youths,” but it also speaks to America as a whole when it says,
“O you youths, Western youths,…
Colorado men are we,…
From Nebraska, from Arkansas,
Central inland race are we, from Missouri, with the continental
blood intervein'd,
All the hands of comrades clasping, all the Southern, all the Northern,
Pioneers! O pioneers!”
because he not only confronts the youths and newer generation, but he also confronts the people of every part of the nation. This is so that everyone might have the urge to feel nationalism so that every American will want to better their nation by expanding it during the 1800s and by helping it to reach its full potential.
I really enjoyed this video as it provoked a patriotic feeling for its audience of teenagers and young adults. It gave me the impression of a playful and mischievous setting as the young adults in the video went out and motivated their audience to “Go Forth.” Some of the scenes in the video gave the audience a majestic feeling. I agree with Deanielle when she says the video “transformed Walt Whitman poetry into something that is modern and relatable to the American youth.” This is exactly what this video does: it is a modern version of the poem “Pioneers” and relates it directly to teenagers and young adults. I also agree with Lauren when she says, “the commercial incites passion” and “galvanizes the younger generation to strike out on their own.” This commercial gave me the fire to want to “Go Forth” and pursue my dreams and to reach my goals.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the poem, I agree with Deanielle when she says the poem was not as powerful and that “the video has a slightly different message and it is more relatable.” The poem did not trigger as much emotion as the video did. There are a few reasons why this is the case. First of all, I tend to be more persuaded by visual productions and works. Secondly, it is directed towards me as the poem is directed more towards the early Americans and every American united as opposed to the younger, up-and-coming generation. In the poem, Walt Whitman says, “All the hands of comrades clasping, all the Southern, all the Northern” (Whitman). This relates to everyone and has a broader audience than the video. Like Brandon said, the poem seems to relate more to a violent rebellious feeling than the video which is more mischievous.
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DeleteI loved the video, because it is the kind of commercial I really love to see. It seems less superficial than the commercials we see most of the time. To me, the commercial was empowering, and I agree with Jordan in that it was most directly aimed towards the younger generation. I also concur with Ashley in that the commercial uses some violent imagery, such as running with fire. However, I also think some of the imagery was beautiful, such as the waterfall. Water and fire are strong forces, and to me the use of them in the commercial adds to the sense of empowerment, almost encouraging teens to become a “force of nature” like the elements shown. The grass and shrubbery are beautiful green colors, and encourage a feeling of wanting to explore, which is an attractive idea to a lot of teens. The commercial seemed to make the jeans a tool for going out and making a difference, shown by the fact that each young adult in the commercial doing the empowering, slightly dangerous or risqué (as Andie mentioned) actions was wearing the jeans. This also goes with what Ashley briefly touched on, the jeans being the teens’ “sharpened axes.“ This kind of shows the idea of wearing the jeans and becoming empowered. Maybe that was what the marketing team was going for. I also think the commercial encourages exploration and taking control, as Danielle and Ashley talked about as well.
ReplyDeleteThe second thing I felt while watching the video was the emphasis put on younger generations being the future. In America right now, there are a lot of problems that seem like they will be left for our generation to fix, such as the environment. Because we are growing up during the height of these issues, there is a kind of pressure to do something about it. I feel like that is why education is such an important topic in politics, because it directly affects the generation that will one day be leaders. Besides that, young teens are some of the most dedicated “pioneers” in the modern world, because they have a lot of passion and bravery, and that was clear in the video as the young adults ran with fire. The ending banner “Go forth” kind of made me feel “pumped up” as Andie said. It made me want to get up and venture into the world, and change something.
In the poem “Pioneers” Whitman creates clear message to the young generation, as many of the students have already mentioned, using words like “youth” and “children” to address them. Whitman also talks about the involvement and passion of younger generations in the poem in the lines “Plain I see you Western youths, see you tramping with the foremost.” The “foremost” could be a symbol for a front-line in a battle, or the current leaders, and the fact that the pioneers are “tramping” with them shows their growing leadership and involvement. Not only that, but Whitman calls on the youth to be a changing force by asking the question, “have the elder races halted?” This also touches on the pressure I mentioned earlier on the newer generations to be forces of change. Throughout the poem, Whitman groups the generation together as a united force in the line “in our ranks you move united,” which again shows the power of being youthful, passionate, and strong, especially as one united force. The poem evoked the feeling of being brave and fighting for what I believe in, kind of like the video. The poem shows appreciation for the actions of the youth, such as when Whitman says “I am rapt with love for all.” I feel like the poem is Whitman’s personal letter to the younger generation, asking them to act and also acknowledging the power that lies in the younger generation, and our input in the future of America.
The commercial instills a sense of empowerment, and a strong desire to get out and be leaders of the future. I agree with Ashley when she says that some of the actions in the beginning were "strange and almost violent." These actions cause the beginning of the commercial to be eerie, and somewhat frightening. The initial image of the young man with fire and screaming into the camera, is quite dark and scary. It is very intimidating and haunting. As the commercial progresses, the true meaning comes through. With more positive images, such as the two people running through the field of flowers or the girl standing under the waterfall, the sense of empowerment and hope for the future is portrayed. It makes me want to "go forth," as the video says, and lead tomorrow. The lines that stuck out the most as I watched the video were "all the rest depends upon us" and "so impatient, full of action." These lines sum up what I believe the video portrays. We are the youth. We are the future. We are tomorrow. The hope for our country and our world, all relies on us. As youth, we are very impatient, but full of great ideas that we want to pursue. That is what the video inspires us to do. They say to take action, and be the leaders of tomorrow that we are destined to be. We need to change the world. That is why this video is directed at the youth and young adults of today. I also agree with Andie, that the video is "inspirational, rather than marketable." It does not make me want to buy Levis, but simply go out, take charge, and lead the future, like we are destined to do.
ReplyDeleteWalt Whitman's poem portrays more of a patriotic sense than the commercial. Like Ashley said, "it speaks to America as a whole." The true sense of what it meant to be a pioneer comes through. It is more closely related to America with direct references such as "from Nebraska" "from Arkansas" and "from Missouri." The references to different states exemplify how the poem is directed to all Americans, and that it is a desire and goal of the entire nation. The poem urges readers to take a chance and move westward. When Whitman says, "fresh and strong the world we seize," he portrays a bright and new future. He believes that being a pioneer and moving westward is the key that will unlock the new "world." With words such as "fresh" and "strong," the true empowerment for the future comes through. It is not just about expansion, but about a new future. This poem, therefore, is directed towards all Americans, with a focus on the youth. It is a message to the American nation that moving westward is critical to the advancement of the United States, but it is also a message to the youth that they must be the leaders of this new future. Whitman portrays this belief when he says, "we must bear the brunt of the danger." He believes that the youth needs to lead as pioneers. They are the future for the nation.
(Am I the only one who vaguely remembers this video from English 10A, when we were studying Whitman and the Fireside poets? :P)
ReplyDeleteLike the majority of the class, I found the video inspiring and motivational. It gives an immediate message of, as Zackariah said, telling the audience to "Go Forth". The actions of the different actors in the video do give off a certain vibe of getting up and doing things that you haven't done before, and as Ashley said, even seem to have a violent connotation to them. The video stirs up a slightly rebellious spirit in the viewer, something that the advertisers may have been looking for. This rebellious message seemed to be speaking to the youth of today, rather than a large group of people. After seeing the video, Levi's give off a sense of freedom and being a free spirit; the use of the words of the poem definitely add an extra touch to the rebellious and free-natured message of the video. Also, the reader's tone of voice (kind of sounds like an older radio-esque voice to me), presents the idea of the video "sending the message out" to the viewer.
Like Brandon, I agree that the poem definitely would speak more to the Americans of Whitman's time, more than it would today. I also agree with Ashley, saying that the poem speaks more to "America as a whole" rather than just the youth of American society. The poem also gives a more patriotic feeling than the video did. When Whitman speaks to all of the different states, as if he is inciting them all to be pioneers and advance forward, it shows his attempt to speak to all of America. Also, as Zach said, Whitman speaks to both the "all the Southern" and "all the Northern" comrades, persuading them to "clasp hands". Whitman is giving off a message of America as a whole being important and that all Americans must stand together as the nation grows.
Its still not F period....
ReplyDeleteI believe that the video, like everyone else said, is geared towards young adults. It has risky images that older generations (people like Ms. Rouleau) might find offensive. Anyway, the video did stir up feelings of patriotism (Mitsmenn). I felt like I could go out into nature and enjoy a long riveting walk through the woods. I felt inspired to be a hipster and live like a dirty hippie out in the wilderness, equipped with dark wash jeans.
I remember reading this poem sophomore year, and how much I hated it. This poem was the basis for a project which was the bane of my existence. Now as I read it, especially after the video, I LOVE IT. It is so hipster! It tells the reader to "tramp amid us" in the "fresh and strong world we seize". The poem is about pioneers, which can be anyone starting an endeavor that is considered impossible. The traditional American Pioneers are the equivalent to modern day hipsters!!!!!!!! So of course the poem is written to them. This poem urges everyone to get out and "seize" the world!
The commercial seemed to be a call for young people to go out of their houses and into the "real world". While the commercial was focused on promoting its jeans, the another message was present. It was a call for discovery of new places, new experiences to be had. The commercial itself was targeted towards young people from about the ages of sixteen to mid twenties. A sense of action is taken from the scenes depicted which make the viewer want to put on a pair of Levis and go outside to go on an adventure.
ReplyDeleteThe poem itself holds true to wanting people to get out and discover new places and have new experiences. The repetition of the word "pioneer" reminds the reader of who exactly is being addressed. The pioneers are the adventurous people who decided to make a stand in the world.