Comparison and Contrast

  

Created just five years apart, these works relate in time as well as subject. On top, the painting American Gothic, by the Iowan Grant Wood (1892-1942), depicts farmers in 1930, before the Great Depression was fully under way. On the bottom, the photograph Rural Rehabilitation Client, by the Lithuanian-born New Jerseyan Ben Shahn (1899-1969),  depicts recipients of a federal aid program in Arkansas in 1935, at the Depression's low point. Closely examine the people in each image (clothes, postures, expressions) and their settings. What striking and not-so-striking similarities do you notice? What is the most obvious difference? What are some more subtle differences? What does the medium of each work (painting versus photography) contribute to the differences? How would you summarize the visions of rural folk conveyed by Wood and Shahn?

Some of the things I notice in both of these visuals, is that the top painting is in great shape before the Depression, and the bottom one, not so much. Their clothes are nice, neat, and clean in the top painting, and the bottom photo is grungy. They look depressed in the bottom, hence the Great Depression. The older couple stands proud and tall, whereas the younger couple slouch. They obviously have suffered way more than the old man and woman. The colors of the top panting are bright and alive. The other, is dark and dirty. I think Wood wanted to show that some had it good, whereas Shahn wanted to show how badly others had it.

Edward and his rules

"Do you really have any idea how important you are to me? Any concept at all of how much I love you?"   He pulled me tighter against his hard chest, tucking my head under his chin.
I pressed me lips against his now snow-cold neck. "I know how much I love you," I answered.
"You compare one small tree to the entire forest ."
I rolled my eyes, but he couldn't see . "Impossible."
 He kissed the top of my head and sighed.
"No werewolves."
"I'm not going along with that. I have to see Jacob."
"Then I'll have to stop you."
He sounded utterly confident that this wouldn't be a problem. I was sure he was right.
"We'll see about that," I bluffed anyway. "He's still my friend."
I could feel Jacob's note in my pocket, like it suddenly weighed ten pounds. I could hear the words in his voice, and he seemed to be agreeing with Edward--something that would never happen in reality.
Doesn't change anything. Sorry.






The ending to New Moon really upsets me, because Edward treats Bella like she's his child. He won't allow her to do anything that might possibly endanger her, such as seeing Jacob, even though seeing him would be safe. Half the time she's not even in danger, so Edward exaggerates the point, and adds a ton of more drama that makes me want to turn the Twilight series into a soap opera. The title of the soap opera would be just how the book portrays Edward, and with good reason. 'The vampire watching out for his girlfriend, was a stalker.' He's really controlling, and Bella seems to be okay with it, except for the fact she says that she find a way around Edward to get to Jacob. I will not read anymore of that! it's just ridiculous! my boyfriend doesn't tell me what I can and can't do, and if he did, he'd end up getting a talking to. Edward needs to back off, and stop practicing for parenthood at so young an age.

Paris

"Jake pressed his warm cheek against the top of my hair. If I turned my face to the side--if I pressed my lips to his bare shoulder . . . I knew without any doubt exactly what would follow. It would be very easy. There would be no need for explanations tonight.
But Could  do it? Could I betray my absent heart to save my pathetic life?
Butterflies assaulted my stomach as I thought about turning my head. And then, as clearly as if I were in immediate danger, Edward's velvet voice whispered in my ear.
'Be happy,' he told me."



My Response:
Ahhh! I hate this part of the book because Jacob, in my mind, is the right guy for her, and Edward had to butt in at the time where Bella might discover just how much she loves Jacob, not only as a friend, but also as a partner. Edward left her, so he shouldn't be in her head, telling her what to do, and interrupting her thoughts. It makes me so mad that he's still with her when he dumped her, then left. Jacob saved her from depression, and herself. He's Bella's "Personal sun", as she states several times, plus he wouldn't drain her of all the blood she has. I wish so much that Bella and Jacob were together, but like always, Edward will always be the bigger picture.