Most recent public comments by Alice Carroll https://nowcomment.com/users/89993 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251837?scroll_to=2291863 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251837?scroll_to=2291863 This sentence relates to the story's theme of how the wear and tear of time and life affects a person. This theme is shown throughout the story by the aunt. The aunt is both physically and mentally shown to have been worn down by her 30 years on the homestead and the story explores the idea of how deep and how permanent the wear was. Mon, 25 Jan 2021 22:18:33 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251837?scroll_to=2291852 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251837?scroll_to=2291852 This sentence shows how the narrator both views his aunt positively and negatively. This creates meaning as it brings about the idea that even if something generally good is put in front of someone they'll still be able to find and notice the bad. Even if one doesn't want to one can still become overly aware of the bad. Mon, 25 Jan 2021 22:03:13 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251837?scroll_to=2291843 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251837?scroll_to=2291843 This sentence shows a theme in the story of the persistence of the feelings of the soul through time. Here, the narrator's aunt although removed from music for 30 years has her appreciation for it remain. This shows the idea that things that people find close to their souls persists forever. Mon, 25 Jan 2021 21:41:07 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251837?scroll_to=2291828 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251837?scroll_to=2291828 Here Aunt Georgiana responds to Clark’s question of if she understands the music they listened to. She responds asking who could understand and why. This shows the theme of whether one can truly understand all the emotions and ideas music can bring, and even if one should. Clark focuses a lot of time trying to figure out what his aunt was understanding from the music, but was unable to. He says later that "I never knew what she found in the shining current of it", so the effort he put in did not pay off. Her exact thinking and whether she understood it all did not matter in the end because either way the music clearly had a strong impact on her. Mon, 25 Jan 2021 21:34:59 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251837?scroll_to=2291819 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251837?scroll_to=2291819 The narrator uses a metaphor to compare their experiences on the homestead to a treadmill which one walks on continuously with no notice to their environment. This gets contrasted by the narrator saying that all the details of the concert hall were sunk into their soul. For the reader, this highlights how from the narrator’s point of view the concert hall and music is much more interesting and affecting as the image of sinking makes the reader think of the details having a very deep effect. Also, one’s soul is essentially the core of a person, further pushing the idea that the effect was very impactful. The idea of a monotonous treadmill and obliviousness to one’s surroundings shows the reader that the narrator disliked their life on the homestead and found the details so boring and unaffecting that they paid them no mind. In all the metaphor allows the reader to get a better understanding of the narrator’s point of view on music and the homestead. Mon, 25 Jan 2021 21:03:28 -0800 https://nowcomment.com/documents/236669?scroll_to=2158697 https://nowcomment.com/documents/236669?scroll_to=2158697 I like your explanation of the railroad metaphor. When I first read this section I did not fully think through the idea but from reading what you wrote I further appreciate and understand the imagery and ideas at play here. I also like and agree with your point about the generalness and thus inclusivity of the calling for a better government. Oftentimes vagueness is said to be a negative thing. We are often pushed for specificity, but by being specific we cut things out. Instead of a general variety of things it becomes only one specific thing. However, as you pointed out, in this sentence vagueness is used purposefully and positively to convey inclusivity. Sun, 25 Oct 2020 13:20:37 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/236669?scroll_to=2158690 https://nowcomment.com/documents/236669?scroll_to=2158690 This is the best sentence because of it's imagery and message. In this sentence Thoreau is saying that when one chooses to pursue something they must make sure they are not using someone else to do it. The imagery of being on another's shoulders gives the idea of putting another down to put yourself up. People often use others for self advancement while hurting that person. Sometimes this happens without one thinking about it, such as buying inhumanely made materials. That's why it is important to check, as Thoreau says, to make sure one's success does not come at the cost of another. Sun, 25 Oct 2020 21:30:42 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/236669?scroll_to=2158667 https://nowcomment.com/documents/236669?scroll_to=2158667 This sentence reflects the romantic ideal of non-conformity. Thoreau is saying that a minority loses itself and its power if it conforms but through non-conformity can become powerful. This connects to the general romantic focus on the individual, as Thoreau is calling for the individuality of people to be highlighted instead of swept away by the majority. There is often a pressure in the world to conform and follow what everyone else does or says. Often times the uniqueness of a person will be pushed down and hidden, either by themselves or others. However, the romantic era and Thoreau preach the power of this uniqueness and the importance of individuality. Sun, 25 Oct 2020 12:24:27 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/225798?scroll_to=2050897 https://nowcomment.com/documents/225798?scroll_to=2050897 I agree, I think you make a good point. I also think it makes them more sympathetic as a quick death is normally better than a slow one. Wed, 16 Sep 2020 14:46:27 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/225798?scroll_to=2050298 https://nowcomment.com/documents/225798?scroll_to=2050298 I agree and think that this use of every also makes you feel more for the people. It is not just one or a few important hills or valleys they are being forced to move from, but all of the valleys and hills were important to them. Wed, 16 Sep 2020 12:10:26 -0700 https://nowcomment.com/documents/225798?scroll_to=2050118 https://nowcomment.com/documents/225798?scroll_to=2050118 The use of the word "vanished" instead of words like "ago" or "past" emphasizes the idea that these days are gone and will not come again. If something vanishes it ceases to exist. These people are being pushed off their land, and so they will never again be able to have those events on the hills and valleys, and this choice of word highlights that idea. Tue, 29 Sep 2020 09:14:27 -0700