The confusion of Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes “Two Somewhat different Epigrams” was confusing and conflicting. From this one epigram Hughes sounds like he himself is confused about God. Although there were many questions that rose while reading this, three stood out the most. First, “Why does Hughes seem to be praising God in the first part and then sort of disowning God in the next part?” The second and third question was, “Why does Hughes seem mad at God in the second part and does Hughes believe in God himself?”

The first question, “Why does Hughes seem to be praising God in the first part and then sort of disowning God in the next part?” The first part in “Two Somewhat different Epigrams”, Hughes wants God to show him the light at the end of the road because he cannot see for himself. Hughes seems to be saying that everything whether it is good or bad, happens for a reason. The second part of this poem contradicts the first part, which leads to the second and third question.

Why does Hughes seem mad at God in the second part and does Hughes believes in God himself? The second of the poem Hughes is angry with God for the tragedies in this world. It seems that Hughes feels God can control all the pain in the world but choses to look on without doing anything about it. The answer to the question “Does Hughes believes in God himself?” He seems conflicted about believing in God. He wants to believe, but the pain and suffering of the world draws him farther from God.

“Two Somewhat different Epigrams” was a confusing and contradicting poem. This poem could be used to tell you how Hughes himself is, a confused man about God. This poem pours out the true emotions of Langston Hughes.

The Importance of a Plot

It is true that every story has a beginning and an end to it, what makes the story is the small and big details that are in between.  Atwood “Happy Endings” and Welty “A Worn Path” are complete contrast of each other.

Atwood “Happy Endings” shows you the importance a plot makes to a story.  She also claims that every ending is the same no matter how you tell the story. The reason why every story has the same ending is because everyone has the same ending as well; we all die. Atwood tells us in a direct and honest way.

Welty “A Worn Path” shows you how important the plot is to your story. Without the plot in this story you would not have read the journey that Phoenix Jackson went through to get her grandson his medicine.  All you would of got was an older lady traveling to get her grandson his medicine.

Details is what makes a story good and interesting, without good details you fail to keep the readers interested. Details are meant to keep any questions at minimum while the reader is reading.

“Happy Endings” tell you the technique of writing a plot while “A Worn Path” shows you in a story the plot of it. At the end of the day, having a detailed plot is important to have in a story. It keeps the readers interested and answer many questions you may have.

Atwood, Margaret. “Happy Endings”. Kennedy, X. J. and Dana Gioia, eds. Backpack Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. 4th

  Edition.  New York: Longman, 2012. Print.

Youth vs. Experience

“A Clean, Well-lighted Place” by Ernest Hemingway is an interesting story that we can all learn a thing or two from.  The story is all about contrast; light and dark, youth and experience, and quiet and noisy. One question to ask yourself during this reading is ‘Why does the younger waiter and the older waiter view the drunk old man differently?’

From the younger waiter point of view, he sees the old man inconsiderate of other people’s lives. The younger waiter sees the whole situation affecting his life. This is where youth plays in. From the older waiter point of view, he in a way relates to the older drunk man. He can understand why the old man would rather be in a café then at a bar or a bodega. And this is where experience plays in. These two waiters had two completely different views on the same situation. Another question that may come to you is “Why is the older waiter so passionate about the café than to a bar or a bodega?”

A bar or a bodega is usually darker, dirtier and noisier compare to a café. When you go into a bar there are people there wanting to engage in conversation. At a café it is lighter, cleaner and quieter. Going into a bar alone is different than going into a café alone. At a bar the loneliness intensify because you are surrounding by people wanting to engage in conversation. Being alone in a café is more comforting and less lonely because it is like you are in a community with people who wants to be left alone. At the end of the passage the older waiter recites the Lord’s Prayer using the word “Nada” and “Pues” which means nothing and then nothing, respectively. Why would Ernest Hemmingway use the Lord’s Prayer in that context?

Ernest Hemmingway may have used the Lord’s Prayer in that context to show that going to religion when you are going through a rough time in your life is a foolish way to go. Going to religion does nada (nothing).