Caleigh J.

Gregory

ENGL 2600

Stephanie Maenhardt

December 8, 2017

Eportfolio Reflection

My presentation includes an image from the Sauna building in Birkenaus Holocaust

Memorial of a wall of photographs from the victims of the Holocaust. I related this piece to Elie

Weisels Hope, Despair and Memory. The next image titled Chase Your Dreams by Nikki

Smith, is what I chose to represent structural criticism. The next image is a sketch made for

Disneys first idea for Beauty and the Beast made by Pete Young, Vance Gerry and Steve Hulett.

I chose this piece to represent William Shakespears Sonet 130. The last piece I chose was

Colorful Women by Kerri Bennett Williamson to represent feminist criticism.

During my experience in English 2600 I have found that analyzing the tone of the reading

first is a great approach followed by key attributes to the literature such as symbolism,

metaphors. I end my full analysis of literature pieces by addressing the theme. One I have been

able to analyze the literature I could determine what the best type of criticism I could use to

address the literature. I have found that I generally use the structure or formalist criticism. It is

my default. This semester when learning of the different types of criticism I knew I needed to

try a different type and practiced feminist criticism. I found that approaching it by analyzing

different parts of the literature at a time influenced my ability to better understand it.

Ive always been on passionate over remembering our history. We must remember in

order to not make the same mistakes. Elie Weisels essay encouraged my feelings towards my

belief. Especially when there is so much hatred we must remind each other of when hatred
destroyed billions of lives. We must remember and ensure our children remember. In addition I

feel that beauty is on the inside. William Shakespeares sonnet details it beautifully as does the

story of Beauty and the Beast. It doesnt delve into the idea of who a person is attracted to but

more of beauty is in the eye of the beholder. More importantly one's view of beauty can be

different than someone else's. I chose Colorful Women as I felt it depicted the idea of women

breaking the stereotype and becoming more and more unique, expressive, and powerful. It

reminds me to be unique as I enjoy to be so. To encourage and celebrate who I am as a woman.

Chase Your Dreams by Nikki Smith was chosen more as a celebration towards my favorite

type of criticism. I have found in life that I can really know a person when I have seen their

form: what makes them tick. Religion, education, relationship styles, work appreciation. I

suppose thinking more into it I can see how I started using it when reading and delving into

literature.

I hated having to read and analyze poetry before I took this class and was able to have a

full understanding and appreciation since taking this course. I feel that I am fully able to

understand it and want to read more. Before this class I would simply find figurative language

when developing an analysis of literature now I am also able to develop the tone and theme of

the stories which makes analyzing more developed.

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