Author: Molly Byrne

In life, it is important to reflect on all things, the good and bad included. Reflection for each person is incredibly unique due to a person’s specific background and experiences. If I were to reflect on my Thanksgiving, for instance, my reflection would consist of family, food, and unbearably cold weather. However, if another person were to reflect on their Thanksgiving, their thoughts on the day would likely be different from mine.   Continue reading “Individual Reflection”

The other day, I woke up and on my way to class decided to stop and buy some coffee. I was in dire need of both the warmth and the energy. On my way out of the library, I glanced over at the T.V. screen which read, “48 Dead in California Camp Fire.” While the news is often somber or upsetting, this fire stood out to me because of the high number of people who had passed away. 48 people is such a high number of casualties, and with injuries and people in hospitals, the number was bound to rise. I went on with my day, reflecting on the California fire and the fact that 48 people had lost their lives.    Continue reading “The Number That Will Be”

Before coming into this class, I was incredibly unfamiliar with the term voyeurism. I had only heard the word a few times and could never truly define it. Now that I fully comprehend the word, however, voyeurism is following me everywhere.  

Recently, in a different English class, I analyzed the novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close which involves the life of a young, autistic boy whose father passes away in 9/11. The book incorporates  pictures taken on 9/11 and repeatedly uses the “falling man” picture. For those who are unfamiliar with this term, the “falling man” picture is an image that happened to capture a person jumping out of the world trade center to their death. Dr. Paku noted that some people saw these pictures as voyeuristic at the time, and that the photos sparked some controversy among the general public shortly after the terrorist attack. The term voyeurism had come back into my life! Until that day, I had never considered the idea of violent photos appealing as voyeuristic. However, it makes sense. For some odd reason, people are drawn to these photos. People want to know more about this act of terrorism. People are drawn to the mystery of violence.   

A few blog posts ago, I discussed the voyeuristic nature of Norman Rockwell’s painting, The Connosseur. In her comments, Professor McCoy acknowledged the fact that voyeurism would reappear as a theme in future books, specifically abstract art, and that there was a potential for another blog post! Lo and behold, the cover of Percival Everett’s poetry book, re:f(gesture) is an abstract painting which, if studied close enough, could be perceived as a naked body of a woman. While that is how I perceived the panting, I fully recognize that others could see something completely different.     

*explicit language warning 

Continue reading “Abstract and Explicit at the Same Time”

After taking the time to read and enjoy a few blog posts which other classmates had crafted, I came across one that I personally related to. In Lael’s most recent blog post, she discusses a dug-up driveway on Oak Street in the Village of Geneseo. Lael was able to creatively relate the unearthed driveway to the wild Bacchants running into the once controlled city of Thebes. I found this metaphor fascinating and dug deep to find my own interpretation of this specific driveway.  

I too happen to be very familiar with Oak Street. I have four great friends that live on the street. Additionally, as a member of the cross-country team, I run down Oak Street at least twice a week to finish up my long runs. I am incredibly familiar with the street’s distance, sidewalk, houses, and general layout. Of course, since I usually approach it as a downhill, it holds an incredibly high place in my runner heart.  

Even though I run on Oak street day after day and feel as if know the street well, I did not notice the unearthed asphalt driveway. After reading Lael’s post I was a bit confused. How could I have missed construction on a street that I run down all the time?   Continue reading “Moving Too Fast”

Every Sunday morning after attending mass, my grandmother had my siblings and I over for some tea and breakfast. Hung inside of her kitchen was a calendar designed by Norman Rockwell.  Art tended to catch my attention as a child, and still does today.  Impatiently, I’d flip through the calendar regardless of the current month to preview every illustration. Rockwell worked with such detail. Every line on the paper seemed to have a purpose. People’s emotions were depicted so realistically. I think that it was that realism that me admire Rockwell as an artist.  

In middle school, I was shown a short film in art class, which introduced me to the modern artist, Jackson Pollock. Artistically, Pollock seemed to stand as far away from Rockwell as one could imagine. While Rockwell focused on detail, Pollock splatter painted onto canvases. He used an array of colors and his pieces varied in size. It is said that some of his pieces accidentally incorporated flies and other insects. To a middle school student who had cherished Rockwell’s detail-oriented work, Pollock’s art was something unique and new. His abstraction said spoke to me, and from what it seemed, multiple others.  In fact, Pollock’s art seemed to challenge Rockwell. 

In high school, I came across the following photo:  

 

I had struck gold.   Continue reading “Rethinking Rockwell”

When you think about it, Gods and Goddesses would be pretty terrible people. As a whole, they tend to overreact due to small problems, freak out when others contest their superiority, throw tantrums when they are unrecognized by the public, and can’t seem to commit themselves to one relationship. I for one would not want to be friends with a human God. Why is it then, that humans look up to seemingly immature Gods and Goddesses? Why do we continuously defend, admire, and praise the Gods?

In Percival Everett’s novel, Frenzy, Everett brings the Gods down to earth in various ways. Since the main character, Dionysus, is half human and half God, he can physically be on earth with his assistant, Vlepo. By having Dionysus physically on earth, it becomes easier for readers to compare a God’s own actions to a human’s actions. Continue reading “Bringing a God Down to Earth”

After spending four long years in high school with the same people, mandatory classes, and routine schedule, I was ready for something new. In addition to wanting to escape  the regimented days of high school, I had a desire to learn more, especially about the subjects which I had grown passionate about. I decided to further my studies in history and attend college. The college decision process took time, involved incredibly difficult choices, stress, and the seemingly inevitable factor, money. While going to college and furthering my education was a big decision, I could not be happier with where I am today.

Two years ago, Geneseo, New York became my home. Relocating from Warwick, New York was a refreshing experience. After a month or so of living in Geneseo I felt that I was a part of the community. In fact, I still do to this day.

In my opinion, I am a valid member of this town. Similar to the year round residents, I eat at the same local restaurants, I run through the village streets during cross country practice, and I shop at the nearby grocery stores. Just like other members of the community, I have grown accustomed to the town’s environment and ways of living. I feed into Geneseo socially, economically, and, since I reside here most of the year, can affect the area politically.  But for some reason, as a college student I am still distinct. I am unique. So, what underlying factor distinguishes between normal town dwellers and college students?

The Answer: College students are allochthonous. Continue reading “Geneseo Is My Home”