Comments by Karisten Balmer Most recent public comments by Karisten Balmer https://nowcomment.com/users/93456 Root words https://nowcomment.com/documents/258892?scroll_to=2340825 https://nowcomment.com/documents/258892?scroll_to=2340825 This takes me back to high school english class from sophomore year - studying root words. Neuro - brain Mancer? - unsure With no previous knowledge or context, I am still able to break apart the text enough to make it make sense for me. The illustration above also helps out in understanding the deeper meaning. Wed, 17 Feb 2021 22:05:16 -0500 Mood https://nowcomment.com/documents/253210?scroll_to=2307083 https://nowcomment.com/documents/253210?scroll_to=2307083 The Narraator's last experience in a boxing venue was in the beginnig chapters of the book. He was scheduled to give his high school valedictory speech but was abducted and taken to a differnet location to "fight" in an arena. Our narrator was interrupted a number of times during the speech, setting the mood of the book to be invisibilty. Here, the narrator claims the venue, or more specifically, locker room, by taking a moment to look around. The sense of brotherhood with Brother Jack and the others help the narrator feel at ease this second time around. Perhaps this is a mini Hero's Journey - where the narrator becomes the "master of two worlds" by finally nderstanding both the visible and invisible. Mon, 01 Feb 2021 21:48:46 -0500 Karis Balmer (Room 407:Indiana) https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2299045 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2299045 From the past seven days, the Habit of Mind I have employed most visibly is Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision. I am interested in a career field requiring extensive data analysis and communication of findings. To build on what has already been found, researchers use previous works to suggest a starting point for their own. Innovations are often extensions off what has already been explored. With this, precise communication of data is crucial. Over the past couple of weeks, I have been designing my own scientific experiment for a class. I have two lab partners, so we have to work together to communicate our findings. When a student in my lab group is not clear on the instructions, it becomes up to me to accurately and clearly tell them. The initial confusion may have come from misunderstanding or completely vague and non-descriptive language, but further clarity always cleans up any grey areas. From reading this article, I will be able to more clearly communicate now that I can recognize situations where thinking and communicating with clarity and precision are needed. This becomes important for instructions, data, and results. Thu, 28 Jan 2021 12:24:49 -0500 Investing in the Maximum https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2299006 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2299006 As a dancer, everything we do revolves around one thing: technique. Every breath, body position,and muscle is used so specifically that one false move can set an entire movement off. In ballet specifically the first thing we learn is plie, which is the french equivalent to "to bend" or "bending." It is a simple standing position that progresses to almost a squat. But that is not all. It starts with an upright, standing position, with just about every muscle from the feet up engaged. So what does that mean? Constant thoughts include, but are not limited to "turn out legs from hips, keep feet flat on ground,don't force turnout, straighten legs but keep knees unlocked, pelvis under, and keep hips even." While maintaining lower body strength, the upper body has similar techniques that are more related to posture. In the end, muscle memory is the most important part. Consistently good technique creates the accuracy we all want. Accuracy and consistency are what makes the best dancers of all styles. Thu, 28 Jan 2021 12:04:18 -0500 Never good ENOUGH https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2298983 https://nowcomment.com/documents/247448?scroll_to=2298983 I agree. One piece this section fails to mention is the outcome that maybe it is not that students choose not to work but rather feel as if the work they do is not enough to secure the grade they would like. Just about everything we do is to keep ourselves from drowning, to get ourselves to the next assignment. Sometimes, the only answer we can come up with is none at all. Thu, 28 Jan 2021 11:38:48 -0500 Susan Shown Harjo, Washington D.C. https://nowcomment.com/documents/252045?scroll_to=2294688 https://nowcomment.com/documents/252045?scroll_to=2294688 In Susan Harjo's work, "Welcoming Home Living Beings," the author writes about welcoming the past and present. She invites home Native Americans' history, occupations, and tomorrows. With everything they and their ancestors have gone through, Harjo reclaims it all and focuses the energy into the future. In our work from today, poet Joy Harjo writes about fellow Natives as "still America." In the last few lines of the work, our writer conveys the message that she and others will fight for the justice of their people. These two works go hand in hand due to their bol manner. Susan Harjo's piece references the Native American past and how she is reclaiming their history while Joy Harjo's writing is more reminiscent on the tragedies themselves. The two together blend strong narratives with hope to create the resilience that keeps them pushing through. Link to Susan Shown Harjo: https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/afc/afc2020004/afc2020004_44/afc2020004_44_ms01.pdf Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:39:41 -0500 "We are still America." https://nowcomment.com/documents/252045?scroll_to=2294602 https://nowcomment.com/documents/252045?scroll_to=2294602 Before this,Harjo had 12 consecutive lines of a narrative that was passed onto her from centuries of ancestry. This is years of hate and injustice that her family and other Natives alike have had to live with. The previous lines represent the stories each life holds. She mentions things like "surfacing at the edge of our ancestors' fights" and "we had something to do with the origins of blues and jazz." Harjo's family and heritage have gone unnoticed and overlooked for too long. In the end, she says, after lines and lines of intricate story-telling, "We are still America." This may set as a reminder that even though Natives like her have been pushed and shoved into corners of the land that were once theirs, they are still a part of "America" post colonization. This will be a continuous fight for as long as the white man lives. Tue, 26 Jan 2021 20:27:38 -0500 Absolutely! https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286646 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286646 Extending off your comment, adapting our opinions to the new information we acquire over time is all part of life. We cannot learn if we are not willing to progress over time. Insight is what connects us and allows us to grow. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 19:14:03 -0500 Comfortable with the uncomfortable https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286609 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286609 This article was very eye-opening. I feel like I will definitely pay closer attention to when I become shocked, excited, scared, and even uncomfortable in conversation now. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 19:00:55 -0500 Following the leader https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286582 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286582 I think when we envision a leader, they are a confident, certain, and have "the best" sense of direction. And we follow because we think they are our best bet at being right. I hear this often, and I am sure you do too; “Okay, good. I got the same thing as you.” It is natural to want to follow, and that is alright, but it should not be a go-to move. I can come off as lazy and unprepared. We should all take turns for both roles. Because leading can also be a deterrent for learning by always being the teacher and being open to new ideas. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 18:20:04 -0500 "Intelligence" https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286553 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286553 Intelligence being measured by a perfect score becomes draining after years in a school system, constantly being reminded that the “correct” answer is the only path to success. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 18:50:35 -0500 Seeing more clearly https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286171 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286171 When I get surprised or even challenge, my initial thoughts are usually anything along the lines of “what did they just say?” But taking some time to really understand what a person is saying is more beneficial than just blocking out differing opinions. Opposing views offer insight into other's lives that may help us better understand later. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 14:46:45 -0500 Avoidance https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286168 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286168 I think, in our society, it is more traditional to have these superficial conversations just to avoid silence. If the topic of discussion becomes too deep, messy, or controversial, I find I either agree with the other person, give just enough push back to provide my perspective to allow them to rethink for a moment, or stay completely silent. Like previously mentioned, we are almost following a script to avoid problems later. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 14:42:30 -0500 his side, her side, and the truth https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286149 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286149 I’ve had to ask around in attempt to resolve issues before, and at times, I found I would be angered by other people “misinterpreting” the events. In retrospect, this in its self is problematic. By doing this, no one is allowed to have a differing perspective, and the only correct answer becomes my own, which is not right. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 14:36:37 -0500 Collaboration https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286129 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286129 Collaboration promotes curiosity and urge to learn more. Taking what we learn from others in addition to our own thoughts promotes the well-being of the whole community. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 14:32:36 -0500 Confidence https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286103 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286103 A trait of extroversion is natural confidence - A reason for being perceived as more worthy in the workplace and classroom setting. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 14:27:36 -0500 text - to - text https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286077 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286077 This is not exactly the same, but it reminds me of the first chapter of our textbook, “Thinking about Literature.” The “many-Mindedness” section tells us to become comfortable with ambiguity and contradiction, and to listen to others, particularly when interpretation differs from our own. (11) Fri, 22 Jan 2021 18:05:11 -0500 Breaking away https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286075 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286075 Probably the largest step to learning is breaking from the familiar. Taking a step back from what we know as the most comfortable will allow optimal growth and development. Sat, 23 Jan 2021 01:04:24 -0500 Ignorance https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286066 https://nowcomment.com/documents/251070?scroll_to=2286066 I agree. I think people often do this to seek validation. They have no intention of learning or accepting - just hearing and agreeing. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 14:06:32 -0500 Policies https://nowcomment.com/documents/250437?scroll_to=2281793 https://nowcomment.com/documents/250437?scroll_to=2281793 I like the immediate transparency here. From this section, it becomes clear where the Biden Administration's priorities are. I am interested to see how these will be executed. Wed, 20 Jan 2021 19:53:16 -0500 The American People https://nowcomment.com/documents/250437?scroll_to=2281790 https://nowcomment.com/documents/250437?scroll_to=2281790 President Biden made no direct reference to former President Trump by name - perhaps to allow the hurt to heal. His speech embodied unity. We are not able to move forward if we obsess over the past. I think with this, Biden was trying to get people to think from the perspective of progression instead of malice Wed, 20 Jan 2021 19:43:31 -0500 "Don't tell me things can't change" https://nowcomment.com/documents/250437?scroll_to=2280950 https://nowcomment.com/documents/250437?scroll_to=2280950 Americans are greater than their past and have the ability to fight for what they believe in. And when that happens, the country progresses to a more ideal state. Only with progress can we continue moving forward. Wed, 20 Jan 2021 12:43:38 -0500 A President for all Americans https://nowcomment.com/documents/250437?scroll_to=2280869 https://nowcomment.com/documents/250437?scroll_to=2280869 Here, Biden pledges to be a president for every American. This refreshing tag line was used throughout his campaign, and I am interested to see what he will do both differently and similarly to Donald Trump. Representing everyone as a whole is one of the most important roles as commander-in-chief. A president who will not work for all Americans will have a difficult time gaining support from differing demographics. Fri, 22 Jan 2021 13:28:03 -0500 Attachment https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187524 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187524 I felt the same way at the final scene. I manifested the thoughts of where the "boys" will go after the stop, how long they will be able to last without Jack, if any of them, like maybe Lucian, would try to come back, and if they will be able to connect with anyone else the way the connected with Jack. I even thought about these characters as real-life people and wondered how and if they would be able to contact Jack if they wanted. I was curious if Jack or Mrs. Tracy would cut off communication completely to help them adjust more quickly or if they would be allowed to talk to him very often. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 Character Arc https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187523 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187523 I was about to comment exactly what you said, but you hit the nail right on the head with that one. Jack's experiences throughout the movie helped him gain experience and gave him new insights from different perspectives. He grew as a character, preparing himself for his new job, away from the "boys" who he cared for so dearly. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 A note from Jack https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187521 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187521 As Jack parts with the boys, he tells Arnold this, maybe as advice? Jack was caring for the "boys," and now he has to let go and prepare them for their endeavors separately. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 Shaun David Hutchinson https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187518 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187518 This takes me back to Shaun David Hutchinson's "Defying Definition" from last week. What Bob is trying to do, which we can see most prominently in this scene, is confine his son to a singular description that he set up for Barry. He was this "ideal Barry," in his mind, but does not allow him to grow into it. Hutchinson wanted to point out in his article that disorders, illnesses, and disabilities do not define people, and it is society who does. Society defines by (dis)ability and (ab)normality. Anyone who moves outside the box is "strange" and "weird." Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 Oh, Bob https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187511 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187511 I saw this scene play out, and I thought this was a hurtful and demeaning rhetorical question. Bob shows he knows almost nothing about his son, and he treats him as a stranger. With this, his attitude and approach to the question was just wrong. Like what Gavin said, Bob does not care about his son's life. I am convinced he wants nothing to do with it. I may have missed it, but I am not sure why Bob made the effort to see him to begin with. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 Jack https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187501 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187501 Jack is as selfless as selfless gets. He is constantly checking up others, seeing how they're doing, and making certain everyone's alright. We find him throughout the moving considering others, but never really himself or his needs, besides maybe getting his new job at the end of the film. But up untill his last scene with the "boys," he is right by their side, where they need him. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 But Why A Tie? https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187385 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187385 I think here, it is important to remember why Lucien needs the tie. He is testifying for the state senate. Their pan is to decrease program funding for people with disabilities. The testimony is for Lucien to share what he thinks. The tie just makes this scene extra special, especially considering Jack is the one talking to him. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 Jack and Wife https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187380 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187380 In this scene, Jack is with his wife in their apartment. His wife, concerned, scheduled an appointment with a marriage counsellor. She says. "When you're here, you're not here. Physically, you're just a memory." And when she mentions a birthday "being forgotten," Jack thought it was hers that he missed, not his. He spends life life being devoted to the "boys" and is so involved in caring for them that he doesn't even think about himself, so much so that his wife thought they it was ripping away at their marriage. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 It Just Might Be https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187374 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2187374 I feel as if Mrs. Freemus completely embodies the Caregiver archetype. A Caregiver's goal is to help others. They may also be guilty of manipulation. In the scene just before this one, Jack walks through the golf course with Mrs. Tracy. We learn that Mrs. Freemus is a widow and lives alone. With our character being alone and no one to take care of, it becomes clear why she would agree to take lessons from Barry. Like what Emme said, "He probably identifies himself as a teacher, but with out students, how does he see himself?" Mrs. Freemus chose to take the lessons from Barry as her was to "take care" of him. She wants to do what she can to help boost how he views himself. She could also be assuming the role of the literal caregiver Barry needed as a child, considering the background we have on his father. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 The doorbell rings https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186740 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186740 I noticed Barry's reaction when his father picked up the paddle. I think it is very likely that Bob abused him when he was younger. In a following scene, at around 1:14:41, he becomes angry that Barry does not hit the golf ball, so he grabs him by the shirt and gets him his face to say "Am I gonna have to be ashamed of you for the rest of my life?" I think it was Bob's expectations of his son that resulted in his abusive attitude, which is what makes Barry so anxious about the visit.When Barry and Jack revisit the golf course, Barry even says he didn't hit the ball for his dad because "it would have matter whether or not I was a good shot." The constant fear of his father's disapproval holds him down and keeps him from doing his best. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 Arnold https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186587 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186587 Our character, Arnold, displays archetypal orphanage, highlighted in this scene. Jack wants him to do the right thing by taking the food back to the store. Arnold, however, does not understand why all the groceries are as problematic at his caretaker is making them seem. All he knows is that he brought home groceries. Because of his condition, he was victimized by "the system," as Jack refers to it, and all Arnold was looking for was comfort and security. Because of all this, the yelling became a result. Using this reasoning, we can assume how the yelling came into play. Arnold may have been trying to compensate for Jack's argument by raising his voice, because although he was trying to be helpful, the archetypal orphan in Arnold came out to protect him from reality. Dr. Carol S. Pearson explains this shadow in his article, "The Twelve Archetypes." Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 Mrs. Warren https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186524 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186524 When watching this scene, my mind went to "Defying Definition." Mrs. Warren knew exactly what she was saying and how hurtful it was, but said it anyway. And instead of apologizing and attempting to make up for her words, she chose to use "I'm really the rebel in the family" as a rebuttal, similar to what Flora added previously. But not only was this line her excuse. Before she even defined the boys, she pulled her husband in the conversation and said "he's a tradition kind of a man." She knew what she was doing was wrong and hid behind her husband to mask her own flaws. This is an example of what Hutchinson was addressing in "Defying Definition" and why he felt the need to inform his readers. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 In Addition... https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186507 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186507 Reading your comment took me back to our discussion article from last week, "Defying Definition" by Shaun David Hutchinson. Our author constantly spoke about mental disorders and illness not defining people and not allowing others to put us in the box of their values. Similarly to this scene, Mrs. Warren immediately shoves her neighbors in a dark and empty room, which is exactly when Jack unlocks the door to let them out. She presses them in such a way that not only defines limits to their abilities and inabilities, but also uses real life conditions as insults for others. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:03 -0500 Connections https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186496 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2186496 I alway think I am so good at recognizing celebrity voices for animations, but I have come to realize I am not as good at this as I thought. Once I find out whose voice plays who in different shows and films, I can hear it but usually not before someone explicitly tells me. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:02 -0500 Intra-text Connection https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2183535 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2183535 This may be a stretch, but a couple scenes past this one, we see our character, Jack, correcting Mrs. Warren at 6:38 when she describes the type of "people" who are the neighbors. Jack is taking what he learns from his higher power, Mrs. Tracy, and using it to his advantage. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:02 -0500 The Characters https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2183517 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2183517 I think this first scene allows us to appreciate where the characters are at, developmentally. This invites us to better analyze them later. We are able to better appreciate the principal actors this way because we are not distracted by action from the plot. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:02 -0500 The Intro https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2183485 https://nowcomment.com/documents/240008?scroll_to=2183485 At the beginning of the film, we see our characters preparing for a celebration or event of some kind, as Zachary pointed out. The opening scene allows the audience to take in the characters and try to assume their personalities little too. This way, we can attach the names to faces to archetypes. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:02 -0500 Analysis https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2175248 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2175248 With the past eight months in mind and the media coverage we have had, I think this poem could speak directly to the people. It tells the audience to "keep pushing." Even with everything has pushed "you" down, you are "still standing...still growing... still dancing... still here and hopeful." Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:02 -0500 Aha! https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2175215 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2175215 The following stanzas use a fairly consistent syllabic count. This could suggest the literal "resilience" of the poem. The stanzas to not change too much. Time after time, the same count repeats, which is what resilience itself represents. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:02 -0500 The resilience of love https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2171271 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2171271 It is strong. And reading over the poem with love as the emotional state in mind, it becomes evident that Elle is emphasizing the resilience of love. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:02 -0500 But also, https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2171270 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2171270 Notice the comma just before "love." This could signify an address to her younger self, someone who this poem may be intended for. in this case "love" would be her term of endearment of choice. This makes sense because when reviewing Elle's website and social media platforms, I found a strong theme-self-care, self-love and self-acceptance. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:02 -0500 Pushing this one step further, https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2171266 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2171266 I think we could say this "message of encouragement" could be what Elle wanted/needed to hear at some point(s) in her life. The only date I could find associated with this poem is March 22, 2019, and I think the author carries the word "resilience" with her as her life motto. It appears in our poem here as well as in her upcoming writing course this year. On alexelle.com, what I assume to be her official website, she has a link tucked into the top of the landing page titled "RECLAIMING RESILIENCE," which is the title of her fourth quarter writing course. Elle explains this "will prepare us for 2021 and remind us of our ability to reclaim our emotional strength." At the bottom of her website's landing page, there are a few of her instagram posts. The one that stands out the most is from June 22, 2020. It is a message on a sticky note that says "dear younger self, I see you. I am here for you now. I love you." To bring everything together, I think this poem is a message to Elle's younger self to remind her how strong she is and that she can get through anything. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:02 -0500 Repetition https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2160976 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2160976 The beginning two lines of each stanza repeat with "look at you. still..." The author emphasizes the intended audience of the poem by almost calling on them. "You" displays a want for connection with the audience. By using "you," Elle wants the audience to feel personally spoken to. With the title of this piece being "Resilience" and "still" immediately following "look at you" in each stanza, the author is able to strengthen what it means to be truly "resilient." Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:02 -0500 Entry point 3: Recipient/Audience: Who seems to be the intended audience for the poem? https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2160883 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238340?scroll_to=2160883 At the start of the poem, it is clear the intended audience is everyone reading - you. In line one, we read "Look at you." Elle uses this poem as a personal address to acknowledge the strength we have within ourselves. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:02 -0500 Response: https://nowcomment.com/documents/238201?scroll_to=2159161 https://nowcomment.com/documents/238201?scroll_to=2159161 Doing some light research on our author here, I found that Sexton suffered with postpartum depression. At the final lines of the poem, she says, “I think I would do better to make some soup and light up the cave.” Being aware of her mental health history, I believe we can assume that writing, poetry specifically, provides an escape for Sexton, allowing her to escape her personal “cave” for some time to ignore the realities of life. When saying “Depression is boring,” she references/compares her own traumas she learned to live through. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:14:02 -0500