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Subway Hero
Watched a video clip about Wesley Autrey, a man who jumped in front of a speeding subway train to save a stranger's life. As the first 'even't in our Hero project, this influenced my opinion on heroism quite a bit. My first definition of a hero - someone who gives themselves up for another. -
War Hero
Roy Benavides - An impressive man, Benavides saved the lives of 8 other men while suffereing crippling wounds himself. Watching videos and learning about Benavides reinforced my belief that heroes are only those who selflessly help others. -
Kristi Quillen
Ms. Quillen is a very inspiring woman, but while listening to her interview, my mind started to go off on a tangent, and I realized that simply helping other people doesn't make one a hero. Where to draw the line? Am I a hero for helping out a friend and lending them a pencil? Or what if I help them commit a crime? In the end, I came up with the idea that a hero should be valued by their impact on others, not just their actions. -
Choosing My Hero
Picked Stravinsky, inspiring musician and composer as my hero. -
Stravinsky - Inside Out
Found my book! A biography of a nice length written by Charles Joseph. I have read the first 34 pages, and, though some parts are dry and the extensive vocabulary confuses me at times, it is quite intriguing and the author's way of writing is interesting and witty. -
Types of Heroes
Discussed in class the qualities that make a hero, and grouped different heroes into categories according to their traits.
Seeing a broader perspective on what makes a hero. -
Types of Heroes pt2
Explored other, more unexpected forms of heroism, such as children working to raise money for Japanese tsunami relief. Though I am impressed by these children, I do not believe that they are heroes. -
First Blog Post
First Blog Post about why I chose Stravinsky (his heroic qualities, what inspired me, my first thoughts about him). Post:
http://connie24ge.posterous.com/stravinsky-composer-musician-hero -
Stravinsky; A Bad Character?
In the biography, I learned that Stravinsky was actually quite rude and often very selfish and conceited. He obnoxiously corrected other peoples' mistakes and thought himself the most amazing composer in America. I'm beginning to wonder.. does this make him not a hero? -
Heroes in Literature
Brainstormed for different heroes in literature, coming up with a very extensive list. Looking at all the heroic names, I began to wonder if Stravinsky fit the mold. I first asked if his life and his actions would even be remotely interesting in a book, and the answer was NO. But then, I realized that I was reading a biography about him and I was indeed very captivated by him and his life. -
Stravinsky's Music
Spent many hours at home listening to Stravinsky's amazing compositions; awed and speechless as a result.
Beginning to understand the complexity of his works, and how difficult it must be to interpret them the way he wrote them.
Comparing my image of the man who composed such moving and touching pieces with the 'real' Stravinsky pictured by the biography, I just can't decide if he is truly a hero or not. I want him to be, but I have too many arguments fot the latter to just let the matter drop. -
Second Blog Post - A Deeper Analysis
http://connie24ge.posterous.com/a-deeper-analysis My ideas of heroism as a child
How my definition of heroism has changed
Contemporary heroes
Heroes in Literature Writing it out, I realized that though Stravinsky was an awful person, I still consider him heroic. A hero who is 'perfect' just doesn't seem real - Stravinsky's very human ego and mistakes make him feel like an actual person, less shrouded by the otherworldly mystery and awe of his music. -
First Chapter Friday
Shared with class a passage from my book introducing Stravinsky and telling why Joseph chose to shoulder the task of writing a biography on one of the most difficult to understand conposers of the time. Passage:
http://connie24ge.posterous.com/first-chapter-friday -
Interview
Interview with Mr. Eads.
Recieved insight on how others percieve Stravinsky.
Most interesting question: Knowing that Stravinsky had a poor character (rude, condescending, sarcastic), would you (Eads) still consider him a hero? The answer: Yes. -
Book - Complete!
Finished reading the biography of Stravinsky.
I feel like I learned a lot about Stravinsky's personal life - his habits and beliefs, his family relationships, his interactions with the masses, his inner feelings recorded in various documents. This man is no longer some dead musician who composed amazing music, but rather, a human being with the talent to make a huge impact on others, and does - exactly my type of hero.
