Week #1.
Reflection: This Be the Verse
The poem "This Be the Verse" by Philip Larkin fits into the category of great literature by giving the reader an after thought. Whether the reader agrees or disagrees, the message is very straightforward that maybe a second reading is not necessary, which is quite uncommon for "great" literature. However, somehow with it's wording, it gives the reader a thought that a deeper message must be in there. Great literature should encourage us to read beyond the surface and consider other possibilities of message. Also, I believe there is a universal theme which is about the negative influence of the superior to the inferior. It is true that parents can influence their children in a negative way from how they act, their morals, and even just the physical genetic traits. The last two lines of the poem--"get out as early as you can, and don't have any kids yourself"--does not necessarily mean to literally not have children, but to state the fact that parenthood is not easy. The faults and the foolish influence may be passed down into the next generation but good parenting could prevent it.
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Reading Ahead: Simple Recipes
Coming from a Chinese family, I can relate to the characters of "Simples Recipes" very well. Answers to questions about our culture often arise to second generation immigrants that are incomprehensible. However, this is how culture continues to remain. We are born into this identity, so the choice is to either accept it or assimilate yourself into the dominant culture when living in a different country. Thien's story deepens the message of Larkin's poem by furthering the idea of how parents may not mean to screw up you up, but they do. Though it is normal for the dad to beat the son, assuming that beating was the punishment that he had also received,he did not explain why he had to do it to his son. Had the dad taught his children this side of the culture then the tension in the family probably would not have ended up that way. In the lines of Larkin, "Man hands on misery to man. It deepens like a coastal shelf", the message is stating the faults of each family or culture being passed down. The parents of "Simple Recipes" did not know how to treat the situation when the son was being rude, therefore they handled it like how their own parents would have. No one is blame for this, however it left a hard mark on the memories of each and one of them. As no one is perfect, no family would be either. Parents will struggle on how to teach their children, just as hard as the children accepts the teaching. Therefore, Larkin's idea of "not having kids" is not a solution to end this "coastal shelf" but maybe an open mind of acceptance with some forgiveness would ease the tension of conflicts and confusion within the family.
The poem "This Be the Verse" by Philip Larkin fits into the category of great literature by giving the reader an after thought. Whether the reader agrees or disagrees, the message is very straightforward that maybe a second reading is not necessary, which is quite uncommon for "great" literature. However, somehow with it's wording, it gives the reader a thought that a deeper message must be in there. Great literature should encourage us to read beyond the surface and consider other possibilities of message. Also, I believe there is a universal theme which is about the negative influence of the superior to the inferior. It is true that parents can influence their children in a negative way from how they act, their morals, and even just the physical genetic traits. The last two lines of the poem--"get out as early as you can, and don't have any kids yourself"--does not necessarily mean to literally not have children, but to state the fact that parenthood is not easy. The faults and the foolish influence may be passed down into the next generation but good parenting could prevent it.
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Reading Ahead: Simple Recipes
Coming from a Chinese family, I can relate to the characters of "Simples Recipes" very well. Answers to questions about our culture often arise to second generation immigrants that are incomprehensible. However, this is how culture continues to remain. We are born into this identity, so the choice is to either accept it or assimilate yourself into the dominant culture when living in a different country. Thien's story deepens the message of Larkin's poem by furthering the idea of how parents may not mean to screw up you up, but they do. Though it is normal for the dad to beat the son, assuming that beating was the punishment that he had also received,he did not explain why he had to do it to his son. Had the dad taught his children this side of the culture then the tension in the family probably would not have ended up that way. In the lines of Larkin, "Man hands on misery to man. It deepens like a coastal shelf", the message is stating the faults of each family or culture being passed down. The parents of "Simple Recipes" did not know how to treat the situation when the son was being rude, therefore they handled it like how their own parents would have. No one is blame for this, however it left a hard mark on the memories of each and one of them. As no one is perfect, no family would be either. Parents will struggle on how to teach their children, just as hard as the children accepts the teaching. Therefore, Larkin's idea of "not having kids" is not a solution to end this "coastal shelf" but maybe an open mind of acceptance with some forgiveness would ease the tension of conflicts and confusion within the family.