Chopin- "The Story of an Hour"

Chopin writes about a Mrs. Mallard, who received news that her husband died in a railroad accident. She is shocked at first and sits in grief until she comes upon an intelligent thought. As she sits in her chair, looking out a window she realises she is not sad because she has finally rid of this husband that oppressed her. She can live for herself, look forward to life and no longer has to abide by his will. When struck with the sight of her alive husband, she dies at once from a heart attack because of the shock. Mrs. Mallard strove for independence from her husband and finally got it. 

Chopin talks about how during this movement, women felt oppressed by their husbands. This relates to "The Yellow Wallpaper" because when the narrator felt depressed, she was sent away to a prison-like room and had to abide by her husband/doctors rules. During this era, women were not allowed to decide what to do on their own because they had maids to do all their house work and husbands who got money for the home, all they had to do was sit around the house. With this unsatisfactory life, many became depressed. Men saw themselves as not having authority at work so used it improperly at home. Men and women for the most part, did not have healthy relationships at this time rooting from the work place.

When Chopin posted this in Vogue, was she criticized by many men?

Howells "Criticism and Fiction"

Howells is a realist and loves description. This is why he believes that Jane Austen was the best writer. He criticizes many European writers like Bulwer, Dickens, Bronte, Thackeray and Eliot but praises Jane and Anthony Trollope for the honesty in their writings. He believes that art is beautiful and good when it is descriptive and truthful. He thinks that fiction is declining as art because of its change from realism to romanticism. Austen knew how to write truthful, realist fiction.

Picasso says that, "Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth." This relates to Howells thoughts on fiction as an art. Arts function is to show truth and he believes the best way to do this is through description. "Life on the Iron Mills" demonstrates this realist movement by being very descriptive and showing tensions while advocating social change. Howells believes that fiction will continue to decline until it gets back to the best way it can demonstrate truth, through details.

Does he think this is the only good type of writing?

Franzen, "Liking Is for Cowards. Go for What Hurts!"

As Franzen talks about how much he loves his new Pearl Blackberry. He is amazed that in only a few years the technology has upgraded so much. The relationship he has with his phone is erotic, he loves this piece of technology that gives him everything and asks for nothing allowing him to have complete control. This sense of control appeals to people because so much in this world is uncontrollable. The technology becomes one with the owner so that they can not let it go. This world of techno-consumerism changes the idea of love. People start to think they need to love as technology does. Love used to be a feeling but is now just a click on a link via Facebook "liking." Consumer products are designed to be likable, they are designed for the individual. This contrasts with the non-consumer things that aren't fixated on the individual.

Franzen thinks that technology has changed the way we love just as Carr believes that technology has changed the way we think. These changes are gearing towards the individual; consumer products are made for you to like. This relates to Focault when he speaks about the Panopticon. The Panopticon allows people to be individuals so that a power can control them. People want to be individuals now. The Christian Church can prove this. Christians used to be more focused on the body of Christ, the Church. Throughout time the focus has changed to a more personal relationship with God. People want to be recognized for who they are individually and not as a whole. As people move towards individualism, technology utilizes that to evolve and vice versa. This is a cycle that leads to more advanced technology and more individualistic people.

Does Franzen think that non-consumer products are the only good products?

Cascio- "Get Smarter"

Cascio believes that humans do not have to fear the technological future ahead but instead that it gives them the chance to get smarter. Humans have the resources that they are continually making and utilizing for them to become smarter, better people. Certain drugs like caffeine and nicotine can enhance humans. If people already have the information, why waste it and be scared of what it can do? They need to take use of what they have and grow off of it to become greater. There is no point in fearing technology when it can do so much good, so people might as well learn how to control it.

Cascio disagrees with Carr's argument. He believes not only that growing technology should not be feared but utilized to make humans better. When Carr states that the written human language has damaged the human memory, Cascio states that it increased our memory. He also views other inventions like this and drugs as enhancing humans and not as being detrimental. Carr thinks that technology can control humans and change the way they think but Cascio believes that humans can control technology and use it for their benefit.

Why doesn't he note the bad side affects of too much nicotine and caffeine?

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