Connection: Postmodernism and the Classroom

While reading Heart of Darkness, we have discovered the effects of postmodernist thinking on the world. We know is affects our surroundings and our government, but how does it directly affect us? How are our own lives influenced by postmodernism? Sometimes it is difficult to trace the topics of our class discussions back to our own lives, and this is why this relationship is so important.

Postmodernism affects our lives in that we find elements of postmodernism in the way our classroom works. This was especially displayed in our poetry unit. While reading poems, we focus on the multiple points of view and multiple worlds. We discuss the importance of our culture and the large role it plays. We also question our position as humans with that of nature.

Thinking in a postmodern way has been all that we know. Yet as we read Heart of Darkness, we begin to see the real effects of the transition from modernism to postmodernism. Recognizing this major shift in thinking is important to us because its shows us how we have progressed. The connection between postmodernism and our classroom allows for more insight because we can actually see the methods of this way of thinking in our everyday life in something as simple as going to school.

Connection: King Lear and King Triton

The king of the sea in The Little Mermaid and the king of Britain possess many of the same qualities. The contexts of the two might seem hard to compare, but the relationships with these leaders and their daughters can put things in a new perspective.

Both kings have great power and both want the very best for their daughters. Yet with this power comes many rules, rules that can easily be broken by rebellious daughters, in this case both Cordelia and Ariel. In The Little Mermaid, Ariel disobeys her father when interacting with the humans, something forbidden for the merpeople. In King Lear, Cordelia rebels against her father by refusing to express her love to him merely for the purpose of inheriting his wealth.

Despite the actions of these daughters, both Kings still have love in their hearts. These relationships matter because by examining the fatherly side of these powerful leaders, we can better understand their actions, which will ultimately help us comprehend the whole story. Triton is willing to give his life for his daughter despite her actions because of love. Lear feels immense regret from his rude actions towards Cordelia because of love. Even the power of being a king cannot harm the father and daughter relationships of King Lear and King Triton.

When we compare King Lear and King Triton, we can see that the unrealistic situations in The Little Mermaid show how unreal and abstract the events are in King Lear. The rash actions and decisions of the characters in King Lear can be hard to imagine, but when we consider the similarities to those of children's stories, it gives some meaning and reason behind them. Actions like this include when Gloucester's eyes are actually pulled out of his head, when Kent is willing to disguise himself to retain a relationship with Lear, and when Edmund betrays his brother and turns him into a beggar.

Despite this being my second Disney blog post, the characters in their films are full of problems that can be compared with the problems of characters in almost anything, including Shakespeare. They give an abstracted view of reality, which is often the very subject of great pieces of literature.

Connection: The Kite Runner and The Lion King

Disney movies are often criticized for their stereotypical depiction of women and unrealistic relationships. Yet some, including the Lion King, are true classics with nice kid friendly lessons and addicting songs. These lessons may seem simple on the surface, but when they are evaluated, we can see that they pertain to the issues of stories aimed for the older generation.

Amir viewed Baba as a superior human being. Baba was an extraordinary man who accomplished much in his life, and Amir wanted more than anything to become like him and constantly yearned for his love and affection. Simba also views his father, Mufasa, in the same way that Amir does. Mufasa is the king of the Pride Lands, a position of high respect. And Simba wants nothing more than to follow in his father's footsteps, steps of success. Yet both of these relationships are dysfunctional for reasons that may not be so obvious.

Both Amir and Simba see their fathers as highly regarded people/animals. When one views a family member in this way, they put themselves on a different level, one of a lower class with less value. This causes the person to feel intimidated and almost frightened by their so called superiors. Amir constantly compares himself to Baba and therefore always is disappointed that he is not more like his father. Simba also struggles with the same problem, for Simba yearns to be king like his father one day. But Simba worries that he is not worthy to be king, for he could never be as powerful as his father, never live up to his greatness and legacies. For example, after Mufasa's death, Simba views him as a powerful god like creature in the sky rather than a lion like himself.

This is an important element to evaluate because it helps us to better understand the actions of both Amir and Simba. Simba hesitates to return the the Pride Lands when his homeland is in need because he fears that he won't be able to save his father's land and control it with the grace and success that Mufasa had. Similarly, Amir frames Hassan for stealing his money and watch partly to force Hassan and Ali to leave, and partly to become closer to his father. Having Baba to himself is just what Amir wants. And with that comes more attention, more love, more affection from his powerful father.

In short, both Simba and Amir's feelings towards their fathers are feelings of intimidation, fear, and a yearn for their affection. With a better knowledge of these relationships comes more understanding of the motives for the actions of both characters, which ultimately helps us better understand the message that the author or screenwriter is trying to get across.