Blogging Journal for "The Heyday of the Blood"
Please put your Blogging Journal reponse here as a comment to this post. I provide a copy of the story in Word format for your use during our study. "The Heyday of the Blood" I've provided a sample response, using quotations. Follow my model in your answers this time to practice this important skill.
15 comments:
7.Write about the most effective things you notice in the writing.
Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s use of metaphor, specifically simile, is effective throughout the story, “The Heyday of the Blood.” Granther, when adding up his fair money, “[sticks] out his tongue like a schoolboy doing a sum,” thus giving us a charming picture, one that emphasizes his youthfulness, too. When Granther wins his one dollar bet, he was “screaming like a steam-calliope with exultation.” A calliope uses steam to play metal pipes, surely a high-pitched sound that matches an old man’s cheering. Near the end of the story, Jo Mallory, afraid his Granther might be dying, “felt a chill like cold water at the roots of [his] hair,” a pretty accurate description of dread. Fisher’s masterful use of simile is one of the delights to be found in her story, “The Heyday of the Blood.”—135 words
3. Does this work confront or confirm your personal beliefs? Explain.
Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s “The Heyday of The Blood” confirms my personal beliefs. I share the view of “give a whoop and let her rip” towards a person’s potentially unfavorable life. Life is long and full of bitterness; the fear of death is just a tiny part of it. For me, during the early period living in Vancouver as a newcomer, I wandered at the cross like a missing sheep without any ideas what my future would be looked like. I abandoned my perfect everything, I mean profession, friends and cozy life, to face the biggest challenge of my life ever: starting from the bottom line. Sometimes it is worse than the terror of death. All I have done is that I seriously live every second of my life and make it run as fast as it could be to force myself plunging into reality instead of standing put and doing nothing. I believe life is a circle and once I get through the hardship, as claimed by granther “folks that live all over die happy”, I would have a peace of mind to enjoy my “county fair”.
(198 words)
4, write about something in the writing that reminds you of someone you know or of something that has happened in your life.
“The heyday of the blood” remains me of my grandfather, because he and Pendleton belonged to the same type. They would like to enjoy life as best as they could. My grandfather spent the most time to hang out with his friends. During he was retired, he went to friends’ places to play cards, do gambling every day and night. Even though he was sick, he disregarded doctors’ advices and kept chilling with them. Looking back his life, he had been working for a couple months. His wife, my grandmother, was working so hard and saved all the money for his family. My grandfather liked western cuisine, so my grandmother cooked her own food at home and afforded him to dine out. As he was long to go to western countries, my father sponsored grandparents to travel in Canada. My grandfather did not concern about grandchildren’s school or work. Contrarily, he educated us to relax, to pay more attention on life.
161 words
8, Explore a social or ethical issue raised in the writing. Judge the behavior of the characters or the view of the author. Are they right or wrong in your opinion?
Granther, the most attractive character in Dorothy Canfield Fisher’s story “The Heyday of the Blood,” arouse me to think about the significant of our life. His motto: “Live while you live, and then die and be done with it” --which comes from a friend who has stood in the middle of the trials between being alive or death, causes him to arrange his life like as a moth bravely throwing itself to the fire—just for a moment of warm and brilliant. The need on instinct, self-conscious, and self-possessed always exist in our minds together. How to balance these elements is the key, everyone has the different opinion. Granther chooses the way that ignores “the rule of hygiene” to exchange a delightful life without regret. People who live in modern have the enormous of limits and worries along the development of the new discoveries. Sometimes, we forget our natural qualities, just following the rule of the society. Fisher’s story reminders us to cope with our true characters and don’t lose ourselves.
172 words
6. Write about and idea expressed in the writing (or in class) which you either agree or disagree with.
Life is too Short
The story “the heyday of the blood” is a great example of how experience of the old age teaches us to live with the fantasy of childhood. Mallory’s grandfather knows that life is not to ask questions or think about this or that; life is just one and we have to live it with total joy and passion. Even though Mallory was a kid, he was thought to differentiate between good and bad behaviour – according to society stereotypes- . However, Mallory’s grandfather had have enough with responsibilities and worries created by the adult world. The wisdom of his age taught himself that life is easier than most of the people think. Then, he was teaching Mallory to never stop living as a 8 year old because life is all we got and we have to live it, then why not to be happy? Why not to delight in little and simple things? Mallory’s grandfather was telling Mallory to not forget to be a kid and live with intensity. This beautiful and interesting story is proving once again that life is too short to totally grow up and forever live it as an adult. (193 words)
Catalina Parra 46083
12. Write about something that surprised you, angered you, delighted you, or evoked any strong reaction as you were reading. Write about anything that stays on your mind after reading.
After I finish reading the story “The Heyday of the Blood”, there seems to be a series of pictures staying on my mind. Fisher introduces an exciting day when Mallory and his great grandfather go to the country fair. Gran’ther is a “naughty old man” who is eighty-eight years old. He only has an arm, and he “grimly tired a knot in his empty sleeve”. When they arrive at the fair, they “plunged head over ears into the saturnalia of delight”. They see “the dog-faced boy”, “the monstrous oxen”, and “the serried ranks of preserve jars”. They eat “the most expensive things” at lunch. After lunch they play the merry-go-round, and “rode and rode and rode”. They also play horse race. Gran’ther screams “like a steam-calliope” when his horse wins the race. I’m surprised that an old man can be such a “madcap”, and I enjoy “seeing” their delight. It’s their “heyday”.
(182 words)
6. Write about an idea expressed in the writing (or in class) which you either agree or disagree with.
In the story, "The Heyday of the Blood" by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, granther Pendleton's motto, "Live while you live, and then die and be done with it!" expresses an idea that we should live our lives to the fullest. Like granther Pendleton does in the story; he still manages to go to the county-fair, together with his great-granchild, even if it may cause his life because of his not very good health condition and his asthma alone is enough to kill him if he goes out under the heat of the sun driving fourteen miles away. But he knows how fun attending county-fair is and he is not sure if he is still alive for the next county-fair that is why he can not afford to miss it. His statement on page six, paragraph eight, "Well, it was wuth it, warn't it, Joey?" means that even if he died on that day, he died happily and with nothing to regret about. He wants to instill in Mallory's mind and heart that he should not spoil his life by not doing the things that could make him happy.
-191 words
9. What does the work mean and why do you think that? Explain the writing's overall significance or message to its readers.
I think a story like “The Hay Day of the Blood” is meant to give the reader hope and energy when they are emotionally struggling in their daily lives. As you know this story is told by a professor to his young assistant who complains about his life and stated in his complains that: “I'm frightened to death”. The professor very carefully chooses a story about an eighty-eight years man as a great- grandfather whose heyday is going to a “county-fair” with his great –grand son even though he is in poor health condition. Through the story the professor tells his assistant about the vision and the belief one must have in his or her life. The writer, by carefully writing all of the details in humorous or serious condition tells us that we should enjoy every moment of our live no matter in what situation and in what condition we find ourselves in and we should never be scared of one day dying. Through the story he interprets very well the motto that:” Live while you live, and then die and be done with it!”(186 words)
#6-
“Live while you live, and then die and be done with it!” was said as words of advice to a character in “The Heyday of Blood” by Dorothy Fisher. The phrase could be translated in many different ways according to the story or text that goes with it. In this sense I believe it is trying to encompass the attitude toward life, “Live in the moment, but do not linger on your last straw.” I agree with this statement in many ways. It’s quick and to the point. It encourages one to live their life as long as they have it. It presents a new outlook toward death, an outlook that does not fear or worry much about what the future has to bring. It also enables you to build a personal history and identify yourself because there is no supporting statement included like, “as long as you give charitably to a non-profit organization” or “as long as you have proved successful to your rivals.” The expression merely speaks to an individual about individual character. It is filled with encouragement and empowerment. It is all these things that have me sitting on edge ready to agree with it!
198 Words-
Q-2. Write about any difficulty or frustration you felt while reading.
I felt frustrated reading this story. The writer quoted grammar that his grandfather used such as “Why, Joey, how old be ye? ‘most eight, ain’t it? When I was your age I had run away and been to two fairs an’ a hangin.” I understand that you have to use exact words for a quote.... well perhaps I just don’t like to hear anything or read from anyone who would write or speak like this. It reminds me of another book I read called “Of mice and men” the writer used the characters undereducated speech to tell the story, which upsets me.
Because of someone writing this way you almost start talking in the horrible accent. I say we should take all these books like this and throw them in the fire and be done with it. “Live while you live, and then die and be done with it!” I feel the story can be told without the “Gravy”. Fortunately, the point got through at the end and it was a good point, just not the way I would make the same point; However, to each their own.
(188 words)
Question 3: Does this work confront or confirm your personal beliefs?
The main message of “Live while you live, and then die and be done with it”, which the narrator tries to convey to the readers in “The Heyday of the Blood” by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, quite confirms my personal beliefs. In the reality, there are many things attract us: title, honor, position, or wealth. In order to seek these things, some people betray their souls, some other people commit criminals, and some people lose their lives. I wouldn’t say they are right or wrong because every individual has his beliefs-they understand the meaning of life in different ways. Happiness is important to me, and my motto is “Don’t desire too much, just enjoy what you have”. I am satisfied easily by what I get even though a smile from other person. Many immigrants fall in depresses because they can’t find a high-paid job or get what they have expected from the new society. However, our lifetime is just like one second comparing to the universe; yesterday is just passed, and we never know what will happen to us tomorrow, but we are confident with what we are doing today, so never expect too much from future instead setting up a small goal at present, and you will be happy when you achieve it through your efforts.
216 words
Q. 4
An Unforgettable Memory
In the story “The Heyday of The Blood”, Dorothy Canfield Fisher brings me memories of my great-grand mother with one of the character she uses (gran’ther).For example, when “Farrar” talks with his professor about his great-grandfather he shows an emotion and affection towards the old man. The same happened to me every time I remember my great grand mom; she taught me excellent principles about life. In addition, gran’ther tells the professor before he dies a motto ,“Live while you live, and then die and be done with it”, is actually what I was teach to do by my great- grandmother before I left my country. So, I try to follow this idea, and enjoying my life without affecting others. I feel a profound connection with the story because it shows me that I am not the only person who still remembers a great-grant mother. “The Heyday of The Blood” has a thoughtful meaning, so I truly believe Farrar and me has similarities between our great- grand parents.
(173 words)
To Shawn' point:
It's penetrating, I like it. In fact, I have the same perspective.
The story “The Heyday of the Blood” transports us to the old country. Having grandparents living in the countryside I know exactly how a typical small town or a village looks like. Dorothy Canfield Fisher describes his “stony little farm” as a place where people are friendly, poor, but lavish. For example, a fat lady whom narrator and his great-grandfather met at county fair is not assaulted by Gran’ther comments and silly questions like “could she raise her arms enough to do up her own hair,” or “how many yards of velvet it took to make her …robe.” Instead, she laughs “a great deal at [them]” and gives them peanuts on the run. Imagine this happening in the city now days; Gran’ther would be charged with assault. People don’t have much in this story. “Poor Vermont farmers” consider twelve dollars pension as a fortune. Main characters wear “ragged old clothes,” but they don’t seem to care. They are having a blast; just like I had when I stayed at my grandparents place. There is a charm in old country. People know how to appreciate little things, things which make our life special and memorable.
194 words
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