Jerry Uelsmann is a different kind of artist. He is what many people would call a master
at his work. He creates beautiful photos that make it looks as though they where taken from a
perfect scenery. He designs photographs by mixing more than one picture into them. He was one
of the first people to ever use Photoshop. Almost all of his photographs are all made of more
than one negative and he has many photographs with no titles. He was born in Detroit, Michigan
on June 11, 1934. In 1957 he graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in the first four
year B.F.A degree program in photography. In 1967 Uelsmann received the Guggenheim
Fellowship award (“Reconciliations” 1-22). His strongest influences where Minor White and
Ralph Hattersley. The greatest thing Uelsmann claimed to have learned from White was that his
“camera had not only the ability to record images but also that it did have the potential of
transcending the initial subject matter." In 1957 Uelsmann graduated from Rochester Institute
and married his first wife who was Marylinn Kamischke of Detroit. Photography Annual was his
first publication and it also happened in 1957. Uelsmann also joined the staff at the University of
Florida (Legends OnlineParagraph1-4).
Jerry Uelsmann is an artist who was one of the very first people to combine
photographs while using Photoshop. He is a master printer and he produces hundreds of
photographs using negatives and other techniques. All of his images are very dark and
gloomy and many have to do with immortal figures. Many of them are of angels and gods
and other things like that. He also includes different pictures of naturalistic things as well,
such as rocks, rivers, oceans, and trees. Many of his works don’t have titles and the ones
that do have titles usually just say what is in the pictures. It seems to be a reoccurring
theme throughout his work. His different works portray the universe as being very
mysterious and somehow connected with immortal life. They are incredibly fascinating
because he some how ties in the immortals with nature like in one photo of a women
laying down and her top is immortal and the other half is a beautiful picture of a rock
canyon. When he begins a piece of work he never has one set initiative, he basically goes
along with whatever happens happens. It is just like how many people say how they
should just like nature take its course he allows for his own mind to just expand in what
he is doing. Usually in Sweden . He is also in thousands of exhibits as well (Legends
Online.Paragraph1-4).
Many of Uelsmann’s works have many different things in common such as them
all being in black and white. It gives a certain mystery to all of his photos. One of the
most interesting photographs is called symbolic mutation and it was made in 1961. Its
such an interesting piece. It’s of a hand and than a face print on the fist of it. It creates this
alter imaginary picture and yet it looks so real. Just like in another of his pictures which is
Untitled and it was made in 1992. This is a photo of a pair of shoes and a window in the
distance. There are clouds around the window and it looks as though it is from heaven.
Both of these pictures have some kind of imaginary image to them. Like the hand has the
face being on the hand and the other one has the shoes leading up to heaven. Another
picture that is similar to these ones is one of my favorite ones. Another picture is one
called Meditation mystery and it was made in 2001.This one is of a latter leading from a
whole in water up to a light in the sky. It’s as though it is leading up to the gates of heaven
and its so interesting how all of them have the same reoccurring theme throughout all of
the photos (Legends Online Paragraphs 5-7).
Jerry Uelsmann is an artist who was one of the first to ever use photo shop. His
images are dark and seem to have a lot of different hidden meanings and emotions
throughout them. Many of them are depressing almost and many are also untitled. Almost
none of his photos have an color to them. It isn’t said why the photos have no color but it
gives them a more gloomy and sullen look. One of his famous photos that fits this
description is called the Tree House. It is a picture of a house that was built into a tree
stump. It shows so many different things about the artist like how he is very different
from a lot of the other artists and he is able to make incredible pieces of art from two
completely different photos. “Uelsmann is able to link opposites in ways that see
credible”(“Reconciliations” Pg. 43 Paragraph 1). This quote was saying that the artist can link
two completely different photos into one and make is seem as though they where never two
photos. In the background of the photo there is another house in the distance and it looks as
though the house that is mainly portrayed in this picture is lonely and has no other thing around it
much like how if there is one tree in a huge field it looks very lonely because there is nothing
else surrounding it. His photos like this one seem so realistic it is hard to believe that he merged
these to negatives together. “To amaze myself”(“Reconciliations” Pg. 53 Paragraph 4), this quote
shows that not only is his audience taken back by his magnificent art but so is he. He amazes
himself everyday he steps into the dark room and comes out with a new photo. In the photograph
of the Tree House there is also a town in the very far distance. The tree branches come off
toward the edges of the photo making it looks as though the picture was taken and not photo
shopped. The dark Tree house is set apart from both the towns and the other trees and yet in his
he makes sure that it is made center and that all the attention is on that tree. The house is very
dark and the windows seem to lead into complete darkness. There is no door leading in or out of
the house almost as if there is no way to escape or to gain access to the house. Its as though the
house is trapped in its own world much like how many people feel that way as well. The tree
house in the center of the photo is different from all of the houses that surround it because it has
been built out of a tree stump it shows that it is very unique and maybe that is why all the
attention is drawn onto the house itself. In this picture there is no real beginning and no end just
like in more of his paintings you have to search for the deeper meaning behind the photo.
Another picture that seemed interesting to me is a picture of a young woman in it. It is
posted in a gallery and it is named “When a Women Turns to Water.” The photo shows the
women’s head and the beginning of her torso but as you look at the rest of the photo her body
slowly turns into a beautiful river. The woman looks as she is completely at peace with the world
and with nature as well. It also looks as though she is completely relaxed and nothing could
disturb her. The river is gently running through her body and out toward a beautiful landscape.
There are beautiful snow covered mountains and the river is running directly through the middle
of them creating a perfect valley between them. This photo is much like a lot of his personal
photos. Man of the photos show something with immortal figure like this woman may be and
with nature and how they connect with each other. “If I could only have been there when he
called- perhaps he would have known what I was up to” (“Reconciliations” Pg. 24 Paragraph 2).
This quote fits perfectly with this picture because many people wonder how Uelsmann can come
up with these different photos and not have a n alternative motive. Many of his friends have tried
to figure out what it is that drives him to combine these completely different photos. Its
incredible to see how he can illustrate such a perfect picture from two completely different
pictures.
Another picture that is in Uelsmann’s exhibition is called Time Remembers. It
was made in 1999. It is a photo of a clock in the palm of a person’s hand. There is also a women
looking as though she is remembering something. She has black hair and is wearing very dark
clothing. Her arms are crossed as she leans on something that doesn’t appear visible. The clock
in the palm is almost landing on 3 o clock. It makes me wonder why it is one that specific time
maybe something happened in his life at that specific time. There is also a picture of a cement
passage way and there is an image showing though the cement walls. It looks as though it is
showing a passage way to a different time period. There seems to be broken cement structures
and other this like that. It makes me wonder what may have happened in Uelsmann’s life that
maybe he wanted to go back to and revisit. Maybe this photo is a way of remembering that
specific memory. It is interesting to see how he combines all of these photos to make a memory.
This photo is a little bit different than all of the other photos in his exhibits but it also has a lot of
things in common with the others. Like the others it has no actual reason for it. “Uelsmann is
able to link opposites in ways that seem credible ” (“Jerry N(orman) Uelsmann” Pg.2 ). It
seems that even other people agree with the fact that Uelsmann has a great talent and even
though he uses different techniques he still can manage to have a great masterpiece. The
picture of the time and the women shows how different his works are and how he can
make two complete opposites combine and make something of it.
Another picture that is even more famous than any of the other four is a painting
that is Untitled and made in 1975. This picture is a perfect example of two complete
opposites being put together into one. It is a photo of a man in water. It looks as though
he is walking toward the open door. At the end of the river is two doors and one is open
and the other is closed. The man is walking toward the door that is slightly open. It is
complete darkness through the door. That is maybe why the man seems to be almost
hesitating at the beginning of the open door. There is also plants and different ivy looking
things all around the two doors it makes it look even more mysterious than without it.
The is also a cement wall bordering the rives and there is grass on the other sides of the
river. It looks as though this is just a little bit of water surrounded by everything else that
is dry. “I’m trying to create something that’s visually stimulating, exciting, that I have
never done before but no same visual to cohesive for me, has its own short life”
(“Reconciliations” Pg.23 Paragraph 1). This quote seems to explain a lot of things about
Uelsmann himself. It shows that all of his works mean something to him and there not
just a piece of artwork for people to look at. It is actually something that has a life to it
and all of his photos seem to have a certain thing about them that sets them apart from all
of the other ones. This photo is one of many that combine two complete opposites and
allow it to complete one perfect photo.
The last photo that seems to tie all of Uelsmann’s works together is one called
Apocalypse II. This photo was made between 1967 and 1976. This picture is of several different
images made into one. There is a fire place in the picture and it shows the wood
inside the fireplace and there is a clock above the fireplace to. There is a rug in the picture
and there is a desk on top of the rug as well. On the rug there seems to be plants like in
many of his other photos. There is no roof on the building in the picture and it look as
though it is leading into an open sky. Like the sky is the limit. The desk has a picture or a
painting of a man and it looks as though he is walking into something. The photo itself
seems as though it is a dream of Uelsmann’s. It shows a man in the drawing and it seems
like its himself in the picture. There is an open sky much like how his mind tends to work
and there is a man inside the picture making a journey much like how Uelsmann’s life is
nothing but a journey. This picture also shows several different negatives all combined
into one which he is a master at. The photo looks as though it was an actual photo of a
scene and it looks as though there not all different photos. It makes the photo more
interesting.
One picture that seems to be completely different than all of the other pictures in
his collections is one called Undiscovered Self and it was made in 1999. It is a photo that
has a bunch of papers spread all across the floor on the pages themselves are different
parts of what appears to be a women and a man. There is two different faces and different
parts of the bodies and different hands on each of the different papers. This picture is
different from all of the other photos because it seems more mysterious than the others.
The others seem to have a purpose or a different meaning but this picture it seems as
though Uelsmann has a part of himself that is undiscovered like many people have
sometimes a part that they keep hidden from the world. It makes the artist seem much
more mysterious because maybe even he doesn’t know his true self. Maybe he is battling
with self fulfillment. Even though almost all of the photos are connected by things in
nature and immortal things this photo is different. It doesn’t show anything from nature in
the pages that are on the floor and there seems to be nothing immortal about the different
people in the pages. It looks as though this photo was one Uelsmann made to describe
himself and how he actually is someone who is undiscovered to both the world and
himself.
In conclusion, Jerry Uelsmann is a master artist. He was one of the very first people to
ever use photo shop and he uses it perfectly. His images are all combined from
several of negatives and they are all merged into one. All of them look as though they are
completely real and its like they are not different negatives. “That is where all of my
energies go” (PDN Legends Online). His whole life is based on his artwork he has had
many jobs that involve him combining these images and also teaching people how to
combine these images. He uses different techniques and he has perfected all of them so
that his images look absolutely perfect. All of his images share a common theme which is
that they are all developed from several different negatives and it allows his audience and
buyers to see a perfect image the way he envisioned it. “He uses only his own negatives
from the pictures he shoots” (“Reconciliations” Pg. 23 Paragraph 2). This quote was
stated in an essay that is featured in one Uelsmann’s books. It shows that he is completely
unique in his photos and he refuses to even use a negative that was take by a different
photographer it makes his work more meaningful to both the viewers and to him. He is a
master at his work and he is a magnificent artist.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
the proposal letter
Dear Mr. Gallagher:
The artist I am interesting in choosing is Jerry Uelsmann. Almost all of his artwork is untitled but there are a view pieces that have titles. One piece of work I am most interested in is entitled Symbolic mutation. It was published in 1961. It is a photo of a hand and a very sad face as well. They are combined in the photograph and it allows for an amazing effect. Another piece of his work that interests me is Meditation mystery and that was published in 2001. It is another beautiful piece of artwork that is of a small water whole and a ladder climbing out of the darkness into the light. It is an incredible picture. The photographs to me are incredible and they depict different emotions and they set such a tone that it captures imagination.
In my initial research of Jerry Uelsmann I feel as though his true passion for the art work makes him an interesting artist to do this project on. A famous quote by Jerry Uelsmann is, “To me, the camera is a license to explore.” I found this while looking through his artwork it is all so interesting because he gets so much enjoyment out of making so much emotion in the pictures. I also found out that he was originally born in Detroit.
There are many different places you can go to find out information on Jerry Uelsmann. I found a lot of information about him in his galleries. Another is from Wikipedia which is like a search engine. There are many pictures of his images and such on Google and Yahoo. Some of his photographs where also in a book called The Outer Limits. His work was also featured a metal band’s album it was called the Train Of Thought.
The artist I am interesting in choosing is Jerry Uelsmann. Almost all of his artwork is untitled but there are a view pieces that have titles. One piece of work I am most interested in is entitled Symbolic mutation. It was published in 1961. It is a photo of a hand and a very sad face as well. They are combined in the photograph and it allows for an amazing effect. Another piece of his work that interests me is Meditation mystery and that was published in 2001. It is another beautiful piece of artwork that is of a small water whole and a ladder climbing out of the darkness into the light. It is an incredible picture. The photographs to me are incredible and they depict different emotions and they set such a tone that it captures imagination.
In my initial research of Jerry Uelsmann I feel as though his true passion for the art work makes him an interesting artist to do this project on. A famous quote by Jerry Uelsmann is, “To me, the camera is a license to explore.” I found this while looking through his artwork it is all so interesting because he gets so much enjoyment out of making so much emotion in the pictures. I also found out that he was originally born in Detroit.
There are many different places you can go to find out information on Jerry Uelsmann. I found a lot of information about him in his galleries. Another is from Wikipedia which is like a search engine. There are many pictures of his images and such on Google and Yahoo. Some of his photographs where also in a book called The Outer Limits. His work was also featured a metal band’s album it was called the Train Of Thought.
i dont remeber why i did this. but..
Out of the three videos, the video by Kenneth Branagh shows how William Shakespeare wanted this scene to look like. Hamlet is at first all by himself much like what it says in the book and he is speaking very dramatically to himself. In the video he is talking to a mirror almost like he is directing the whole speech to himself it is very interesting to see him speak like this. In the video its as though he is speaking so intently that he has his hands in a sort of fist, it makes the scene a lot more intense. He takes out a knife in the middle part of the speech. It’s as if he knows that Polonius and Claudius are watching him in secret. In the book it doesn’t mention Hamlet knowing that Claudius and Polonius are watching him. It makes the scene much more interesting because in the video when Hamlet takes out the knife it’s as if he is pointing at the King and Polonius it makes you think he has a much better motive than just talking to himself. In the book when Hamlet says, “Where is your father?” (Line 141 Pg. 131) It makes you wonder if Hamlet knew that Polonius was there the whole time. In the video, Hamlet stars intently into the mirror while giving his speech before Ophelia comes in. When Ophelia comes into the scene Hamlet leaves the mirror and goes over to her and finishes the speech to her. I think that this video best suits the way the author intended this scene to be like. The deliveries of the lines are so intense hes almost whispering into the mirror in a room where he is completely by himself. If he didn’t know that Polonius and Claudius in the room than why would he stand by the one mirror that they where behind or why would he talk as though he is the only one in the room although he is crazy it just doesn’t make sense. He had to have known that they where there.
my memior
“My Memoir”
“Brittany Klingerman,” “Here,” I said as everyone in the class turned to look at
me. I was the new kid at Malden High. How fun. My face is red and my ears are turning
even redder. The boy in front of me smiles and everyone turns back around. I get nervous
when all eyes are in me. Weird right? I don’t belong in high school. I belong at home on
my couch learning from a personal tutor. I’m not very social at all. My mother said I
needed to make friends or I was going to be the women with 27 cats. Only I hated cats.
As the bell ran for first period I slowly got up and dragged myself out of the
classroom. I’m not much of a morning person either. History next, my favorite class. As I
walked toward my locker I met eyes with the cute boy who sat in front of me for
homeroom. He smiled and I blushed again. He came toward me and I didn’t know what
to do so I said hi. Lame I know. He asked me if he could show me where my class was.
As if I didn’t know but I went anyways I likes being around him he seems very nice. He
sat next to me in history and I forgot to pay attention. Lunch came sooner than I expected
and I was sitting with Jose once again. We talked all about soccer and about how school
is so over rated. For once I felt like I belonged with someone. He was so sweet and so
nice. I loved his presence. I walked to math class by myself the smell of his sweater
lingering on my arms.
After school I ran down stairs. Soccer sign ups I was so excited. The one sport I
loved and was excited to play here. Jose had already saved a seat for me and I quickly sat
down. They talked about preseason and stuff than after a while I went back to my locker
to get my homework. Too much homework. Jose walked me back to my locker I was
pretty excited about that. I ran all the way home after school never had I been so excited
in my life. I had to hide it though I would never tell my mom about my new friend,
“Brittany Klingerman,” “Here,” I said as everyone in the class turned to look at
me. I was the new kid at Malden High. How fun. My face is red and my ears are turning
even redder. The boy in front of me smiles and everyone turns back around. I get nervous
when all eyes are in me. Weird right? I don’t belong in high school. I belong at home on
my couch learning from a personal tutor. I’m not very social at all. My mother said I
needed to make friends or I was going to be the women with 27 cats. Only I hated cats.
As the bell ran for first period I slowly got up and dragged myself out of the
classroom. I’m not much of a morning person either. History next, my favorite class. As I
walked toward my locker I met eyes with the cute boy who sat in front of me for
homeroom. He smiled and I blushed again. He came toward me and I didn’t know what
to do so I said hi. Lame I know. He asked me if he could show me where my class was.
As if I didn’t know but I went anyways I likes being around him he seems very nice. He
sat next to me in history and I forgot to pay attention. Lunch came sooner than I expected
and I was sitting with Jose once again. We talked all about soccer and about how school
is so over rated. For once I felt like I belonged with someone. He was so sweet and so
nice. I loved his presence. I walked to math class by myself the smell of his sweater
lingering on my arms.
After school I ran down stairs. Soccer sign ups I was so excited. The one sport I
loved and was excited to play here. Jose had already saved a seat for me and I quickly sat
down. They talked about preseason and stuff than after a while I went back to my locker
to get my homework. Too much homework. Jose walked me back to my locker I was
pretty excited about that. I ran all the way home after school never had I been so excited
in my life. I had to hide it though I would never tell my mom about my new friend,
meta cognition my memior
“Meta cognition: My Memoir”
In the book, “Running With Scissors,” Augusten Burroughs uses unique and
different patterns while writing his memoir. Throughout the book Augusten tells us a
story of a young boy and how he grows up in a dysfunctional environment. He illustrates
the thoughts of himself so that the audience gets a feel for what he is feeling as the main
character. He also descriptively describes all of his emotions for many different things.
He uses his thoughts to show us what it was like being Augusten. He also tends to go off
topic in some ways. In some parts of the book he begins talking about things that have
happened in the past. I decided to write about my first day at Malden High. Although
some of the facts can’t be verified it shows the true tone that Augusten uses in his
memoir. I related what I wrote to what Augusten had wrote about his school experience.
He hated it much like I did. Throughout the memoir Augusten Burroughs also gets into
intense details about certain events in his life. Much like what I did in my make believe
memoir.
I thought this assignment would be easier than the filler page or the cover page
because I can put a little bit of me in the way he writes. It’s easier for me to portray his
writing in my own experiences.
In the book, “Running With Scissors,” Augusten Burroughs uses unique and
different patterns while writing his memoir. Throughout the book Augusten tells us a
story of a young boy and how he grows up in a dysfunctional environment. He illustrates
the thoughts of himself so that the audience gets a feel for what he is feeling as the main
character. He also descriptively describes all of his emotions for many different things.
He uses his thoughts to show us what it was like being Augusten. He also tends to go off
topic in some ways. In some parts of the book he begins talking about things that have
happened in the past. I decided to write about my first day at Malden High. Although
some of the facts can’t be verified it shows the true tone that Augusten uses in his
memoir. I related what I wrote to what Augusten had wrote about his school experience.
He hated it much like I did. Throughout the memoir Augusten Burroughs also gets into
intense details about certain events in his life. Much like what I did in my make believe
memoir.
I thought this assignment would be easier than the filler page or the cover page
because I can put a little bit of me in the way he writes. It’s easier for me to portray his
writing in my own experiences.
meta cognition of the soundtrack
The first assignment I chose was the soundtrack of the memoir. Throughout the book “Running With Scissors,” by Augusten Burroughs, the author tries to get different messages across to the readers. Some of the messages can also be felt throughout different songs. On the soundtrack I chose many different songs that I believed related the reader to some of his different complications in life.
“Runaway” by Cartel: “Runaway” by Cartel is a pop kind of punk rock type of song and it depicts the life of someone holding a secret from the whole world and about how if they keep holding in all of their secrets they will eventually runaway and forget everything. This song reminded me the most of Augusten, the main character of the story, because throughout the book he shows us different secrets throughout his life that he tries to keep hidden. One of his biggest secrets is the fact that he is gay. He doesn’t wish for people to view him differently so he only tells his close family about his secret. He also has a boy friend who is also a secret. Another reason this song was number one on my sound track is because of another character. Neil Bookman is Augusten’s boyfriend. Neil is also gay and he is love with Augusten. He hides many of secrets and hides away from the world in an old shed behind the Finch’s household. Like in the song runaway he hides his secrets and eventually they become to much for him and he runs away from his life.
“Hot and Cold” by Katy Perry: The song “Hot and Cold” by Katy Perry describes the main mood set throughout the whole book. Throughout the whole book the different characters tend to change their minds a lot. For example, Augusten’s mother tends to show different emotions about a lot of different things. At the beginning of the book we see her as a loving wife with a husband and a young boy but she quickly changes into a bi sexual neglectful mother. Much like how something hot drastically changes to cold. It shows the sudden change in her character.
“The Taste The Touch” by Asteria: The song “The Taste The Touch describes a certain scene in the book. Toward the end of the book Augusten’s thirty three year old boyfriend runs away from everything. He doesn’t tell anyone where he is going or anything like that. Augusten talks about the different emotions he felt after Neil left even though before Neil ran away Augusten had told him he hated him. In the song the singer talks about how the touch of this person “drives me insane and I can’t spend a night without wishing I was with you.” This line is repeated throughout the song and it sets the town for this specific scene. Augusten talks about how he had waited by the phone for almost two years waiting for him to come back and about how every night he dreamed about him coming back and Augusten waiting for him there. This part of the book completely changes the character Augusten.
“Realize” by Colbie Caillat: I chose this song based on my personal opinion of Augusten and Natalie. Natalie is Dr. Finch’s daughter. Augusten has lived with the Finch’s for a little over a year. Although Natalie has gone through many boyfriends and Augusten is gay they are perfect for one another. Throughout the book they go on different adventures together and help each other get through touch times. Although it seems as though its more of a brotherly sisterly kind of relationship the tone of the author makes you think otherwise. In the song “Realize” Colbie talks about how the guy she is in love with should realize how perfect they would be for one another. Much like how Natalie and Augusten are.
“Always be my Baby” by David Cook: This song is about Augusten and Neil’s relationship. Augusten’s first actual boyfriend is Neil. Even though there is about a 20 year age difference there is also an incredible amount of emotional attachment to one another. Toward the end of the book Neil runs away to New York. He doesn’t tell Augusten about this and this greatly hurts him. The song “Always Be My Baby” talks about someone always loving the other person. How even though they have moved on and have found other people a part of them will always be with their first true love like in Neil and Augusten’s case. They will always love each other even if they have moved.
“Perfect” by Simple Plan: This song can help me relate to a lot of different things in the world. In this book the song refers to how Augusten’s mother feels toward him. Augusten is sometimes almost resentful at the way he has become a person. It reminds me a lot of this song because at the beginning of the book Augusten and his mother had a great relationship but than as Augusten begins to grow up and become his own person the mother almost seems to distant herself from her son because of the way he is. It also relates to how Augusten feels toward his mother and how he almost wants to apologize to her for the way he is. It’s a very sad song but is true for a lot of kids and there parents. It sets the tone for a lot of the scenes in this book.
“If I Fail” by Cartel: “If I Fail” is a song about a boyfriend and a girlfriend breaking up and the boyfriend is writing it to tell the girlfriend that he loves her but he may hurt her by being a relationship with her. This song reminds me a lot about the relationship between Augusten and his mother. Although in a way this song doesn’t completely relate to it this song reminded me of their relationship because Augusten’s mother treats him very badly. They get into countless amounts of fights and this song describes the way Augusten’s mom reacts to him. The main chorus of this song is “And if I fail well then i failed but at least I gave you something.” It shows that although Augusten’s mother may have failed at being a mother at least she gave him the knowledge of how to bring up his own children.
“Listen to Your Heart” by DHT: I chose this song as part of my soundtrack because a lot of the characters in this book listen to their heart when it comes to involving the people they love. An example of this is Neil and Augusten. They have been dating for about a year or so in the book. Toward the end of the book Neil becomes more and more distant from Augusten. One night he runs away to New York. This song especially reminds me of this climatic point in the book. The first chorus line of the song is, “Listen to your heart when he’s calling for you. Listen to your heart there’s nothing else you can do. I don’t know where your going and I don’t know why, but listen to your heart before you tell him goodbye.” This line especially describes what is going on in the specific part of the book and I think this song is one of the most perfect ones in order to describe what is going on between Neil and Augusten.
“Welcome To My Life” by Simple Plan: The song “Welcome To My Life,” is a story about a guy who doesn’t feel like he belongs in the world. It reminds me a lot about Augusten. He acts as though he doesn’t belong anywhere. The song also talks about being hurt and not being able to be helped. Much of like what Augusten feels daily throughout his life. It also relates to Augusten when Neil runs away to New York. It allows you to feel the emotions the narrator is experiencing.
“Here(in your arms)” by Hellogoodbye: This song is a lot different from the other songs on this soundtrack. I think that the book kind of ended on sort of a happy note and I think this song is a perfect example of how to wrap up my soundtrack. This song reminds me of when Augusten first meets Hope, Dr. Finch’s daughter. She is incredible and makes Augusten feel incredibly happy. Another part of the book I think this song relates to is when Neil runs away and Augusten talks about how much he misses him and such. This song is very important to my memoir.
“Runaway” by Cartel: “Runaway” by Cartel is a pop kind of punk rock type of song and it depicts the life of someone holding a secret from the whole world and about how if they keep holding in all of their secrets they will eventually runaway and forget everything. This song reminded me the most of Augusten, the main character of the story, because throughout the book he shows us different secrets throughout his life that he tries to keep hidden. One of his biggest secrets is the fact that he is gay. He doesn’t wish for people to view him differently so he only tells his close family about his secret. He also has a boy friend who is also a secret. Another reason this song was number one on my sound track is because of another character. Neil Bookman is Augusten’s boyfriend. Neil is also gay and he is love with Augusten. He hides many of secrets and hides away from the world in an old shed behind the Finch’s household. Like in the song runaway he hides his secrets and eventually they become to much for him and he runs away from his life.
“Hot and Cold” by Katy Perry: The song “Hot and Cold” by Katy Perry describes the main mood set throughout the whole book. Throughout the whole book the different characters tend to change their minds a lot. For example, Augusten’s mother tends to show different emotions about a lot of different things. At the beginning of the book we see her as a loving wife with a husband and a young boy but she quickly changes into a bi sexual neglectful mother. Much like how something hot drastically changes to cold. It shows the sudden change in her character.
“The Taste The Touch” by Asteria: The song “The Taste The Touch describes a certain scene in the book. Toward the end of the book Augusten’s thirty three year old boyfriend runs away from everything. He doesn’t tell anyone where he is going or anything like that. Augusten talks about the different emotions he felt after Neil left even though before Neil ran away Augusten had told him he hated him. In the song the singer talks about how the touch of this person “drives me insane and I can’t spend a night without wishing I was with you.” This line is repeated throughout the song and it sets the town for this specific scene. Augusten talks about how he had waited by the phone for almost two years waiting for him to come back and about how every night he dreamed about him coming back and Augusten waiting for him there. This part of the book completely changes the character Augusten.
“Realize” by Colbie Caillat: I chose this song based on my personal opinion of Augusten and Natalie. Natalie is Dr. Finch’s daughter. Augusten has lived with the Finch’s for a little over a year. Although Natalie has gone through many boyfriends and Augusten is gay they are perfect for one another. Throughout the book they go on different adventures together and help each other get through touch times. Although it seems as though its more of a brotherly sisterly kind of relationship the tone of the author makes you think otherwise. In the song “Realize” Colbie talks about how the guy she is in love with should realize how perfect they would be for one another. Much like how Natalie and Augusten are.
“Always be my Baby” by David Cook: This song is about Augusten and Neil’s relationship. Augusten’s first actual boyfriend is Neil. Even though there is about a 20 year age difference there is also an incredible amount of emotional attachment to one another. Toward the end of the book Neil runs away to New York. He doesn’t tell Augusten about this and this greatly hurts him. The song “Always Be My Baby” talks about someone always loving the other person. How even though they have moved on and have found other people a part of them will always be with their first true love like in Neil and Augusten’s case. They will always love each other even if they have moved.
“Perfect” by Simple Plan: This song can help me relate to a lot of different things in the world. In this book the song refers to how Augusten’s mother feels toward him. Augusten is sometimes almost resentful at the way he has become a person. It reminds me a lot of this song because at the beginning of the book Augusten and his mother had a great relationship but than as Augusten begins to grow up and become his own person the mother almost seems to distant herself from her son because of the way he is. It also relates to how Augusten feels toward his mother and how he almost wants to apologize to her for the way he is. It’s a very sad song but is true for a lot of kids and there parents. It sets the tone for a lot of the scenes in this book.
“If I Fail” by Cartel: “If I Fail” is a song about a boyfriend and a girlfriend breaking up and the boyfriend is writing it to tell the girlfriend that he loves her but he may hurt her by being a relationship with her. This song reminds me a lot about the relationship between Augusten and his mother. Although in a way this song doesn’t completely relate to it this song reminded me of their relationship because Augusten’s mother treats him very badly. They get into countless amounts of fights and this song describes the way Augusten’s mom reacts to him. The main chorus of this song is “And if I fail well then i failed but at least I gave you something.” It shows that although Augusten’s mother may have failed at being a mother at least she gave him the knowledge of how to bring up his own children.
“Listen to Your Heart” by DHT: I chose this song as part of my soundtrack because a lot of the characters in this book listen to their heart when it comes to involving the people they love. An example of this is Neil and Augusten. They have been dating for about a year or so in the book. Toward the end of the book Neil becomes more and more distant from Augusten. One night he runs away to New York. This song especially reminds me of this climatic point in the book. The first chorus line of the song is, “Listen to your heart when he’s calling for you. Listen to your heart there’s nothing else you can do. I don’t know where your going and I don’t know why, but listen to your heart before you tell him goodbye.” This line especially describes what is going on in the specific part of the book and I think this song is one of the most perfect ones in order to describe what is going on between Neil and Augusten.
“Welcome To My Life” by Simple Plan: The song “Welcome To My Life,” is a story about a guy who doesn’t feel like he belongs in the world. It reminds me a lot about Augusten. He acts as though he doesn’t belong anywhere. The song also talks about being hurt and not being able to be helped. Much of like what Augusten feels daily throughout his life. It also relates to Augusten when Neil runs away to New York. It allows you to feel the emotions the narrator is experiencing.
“Here(in your arms)” by Hellogoodbye: This song is a lot different from the other songs on this soundtrack. I think that the book kind of ended on sort of a happy note and I think this song is a perfect example of how to wrap up my soundtrack. This song reminds me of when Augusten first meets Hope, Dr. Finch’s daughter. She is incredible and makes Augusten feel incredibly happy. Another part of the book I think this song relates to is when Neil runs away and Augusten talks about how much he misses him and such. This song is very important to my memoir.
hemingway and faulkner
A conversation.
By Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner
Waiter: (walking toward the table). “What do you want?” [n1] (Hemingway 159).
“Another Brandy,” [n2] (Hemingway 159).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “You’ll be Drunk.” [n3] (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “I’m sleepy now.” [n4] (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (motioned toward the (Hemingway 159) waiter (Hemingway 159). “Last week he tried to commit suicide.” [n5] (Hemingway 159).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway)“Why?” [n6] (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “He was in despair.” [n7] (Hemingway 159).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “What about?” [n8] (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “How should I know?” [n9] (Hemingway 159)
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “What did he want to kill himself for?” [n10] (Hemingway 159)
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “He (Faulkner 109) received a note on paper of an archaic shape, in a thin, flowing calligraphy in faded ink.” [n11] (Faulkner 109).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “What about?” [n12] (Hemingway 159)
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “A neighbor, a women, complained to the mayor.(Faulkner 110). Accusing him of smelling bad.”([n13] Faulkner 110).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “We really must do something about it.” [n14] (Faulkner 110).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “No.” (Hemingway 161).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “Why?” (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “Will you accuse (Faulkner 110) to his (Faulkner 110) face of smelling bad?” (Faulkner 110). [n15]
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “Dammit, sir.” [n16] (Faulkner 110).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “He’ll stay all night.” [n17] (Hemingway 159).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “I never get into bed before three o’ clock.” [n18] (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “Why?” (Hemingway 159).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “I (Hemingway 159) stay all night[n19] .” (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “I’m sleepy now.” [n20] (Hemingway 159)
Faulkner: (To Hemingway. Almost whispering.) “You should have killed yourself last week.” (Hemingway 159)
[n21] Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “A little more.” [n22] (Hemingway 159)
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “What do you want?” [n23] (Hemingway 159)
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “Another Brandy.” [n24] (Hemingway 159)
Faulkner: (To the waiter) “He’s drunk every night.” [n25] (Hemingway 159)
Waiter: (To Faulkner) “The guard will pick him up.” [n26] (Hemingway 159)
Faulkner: (To the waiter) “No.” (Faulkner 109)
[n1]I began my conversation off with a statement from the waiter to Hemingway. I took this like from his dialogue because I believe it would allow for a strong beginning to the conversation between Hemingway and Faulkner. It would also allow for an opening that involves the waiter who in the dialogue had tried to commit suicide.
[n2]This line was also chosen from Hemingway’s story because I believe it also helped with the dialogue. In the story itself the old man if getting more and more drunk and I thought it would spice up the conversation if he was a little bit tipsy as appose to being completely sober.
[n3]This quote, although stating the obvious, helps the dialogue as well. It shows that Faulkner wants to have a civilized conversation with Hemingway but it isn’t going to go that ways because Hemingway is drunk.
[n4]This quote was also taken from Hemingway’s story. There is a lot more dialogue in Hemingway’s story and it is easier to get all of the dialogue from that story.
[n5]This quote is exactly what the Hemingway’s story was about. The old man in the story had tried to commit suicide much like what the waiter in this conversation had done. It allows the dialogue to continue..
[n6]This word was taken also from the dialogue in Hemingway’s story.
[n7]This is the reason the waiter had committed suicide. I took it from the dialogue in Hemingway’s story as well.
[n8]This is a simple statement that I thought would lead to another topic in the conversation.
[n9]Almost hints at a little bit of attitude in Hemingway’s voice. Could be because he is drunk or it could be a little hint at annoyance or hate.
[n10]This quote almost sounds like improper English and I thought it would be important for this conversation.
[n11]This quote is a phrase taken from Faulkner’s story and it usually wouldn’t have fit with the dialogue but it provides a good mysterious reason as to why he had tried to commit suicide.
[n12]This is another little passage taken from Hemingway’s story in order to keep adding to the conversation..
[n13]This quote is from Faulkner’s story and it gives the actual reason for the waiter trying to commit suicide by reason you could say.
[n14]I put this quote because it shows that Fauolkner cares about the waiter even though he doesn’t really know him. You can see the tone of the conversation as changing much throughout the piece
[n15]This is a rhetorical question that helps add to the mystery of my conversation just like how Faulkner and Hemingway add mystery to their pieces.
[n16]Another quote I took from Faulkner’s story. It shows the frustration in the conversation and in Faulkner not just at the fact that they cant help but also at the fact that he is little bit drunk which frustrates him.
[n17]Maybe because he has no home like the old man in the story.
[n18]It seems as though he is blaming Hemingway for his reason to not be able to sleep it makes you wonder.
[n19]He replies to the question much like the bartender does in Hemingway’s story.
[n20]Relates back to the beginning of the conversation,
[n21]A really rude and in formal way to address someone who you do not like. This sets the tone of the story and it also sets the tone of this conversation.
[n22]This passage is trying to keep the conversation alive.
[n23]Is the same quote from the beginning of the conversation
[n24]Same with this one as well.
[n25]Describes how Hemingway is and is almost insulting him as well.
[n26]The last quote that finally wraps up the whole conversation.
By Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner
Waiter: (walking toward the table). “What do you want?” [n1] (Hemingway 159).
“Another Brandy,” [n2] (Hemingway 159).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “You’ll be Drunk.” [n3] (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “I’m sleepy now.” [n4] (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (motioned toward the (Hemingway 159) waiter (Hemingway 159). “Last week he tried to commit suicide.” [n5] (Hemingway 159).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway)“Why?” [n6] (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “He was in despair.” [n7] (Hemingway 159).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “What about?” [n8] (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “How should I know?” [n9] (Hemingway 159)
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “What did he want to kill himself for?” [n10] (Hemingway 159)
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “He (Faulkner 109) received a note on paper of an archaic shape, in a thin, flowing calligraphy in faded ink.” [n11] (Faulkner 109).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “What about?” [n12] (Hemingway 159)
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “A neighbor, a women, complained to the mayor.(Faulkner 110). Accusing him of smelling bad.”([n13] Faulkner 110).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “We really must do something about it.” [n14] (Faulkner 110).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “No.” (Hemingway 161).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “Why?” (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “Will you accuse (Faulkner 110) to his (Faulkner 110) face of smelling bad?” (Faulkner 110). [n15]
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “Dammit, sir.” [n16] (Faulkner 110).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “He’ll stay all night.” [n17] (Hemingway 159).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “I never get into bed before three o’ clock.” [n18] (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “Why?” (Hemingway 159).
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “I (Hemingway 159) stay all night[n19] .” (Hemingway 159).
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “I’m sleepy now.” [n20] (Hemingway 159)
Faulkner: (To Hemingway. Almost whispering.) “You should have killed yourself last week.” (Hemingway 159)
[n21] Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “A little more.” [n22] (Hemingway 159)
Faulkner: (To Hemingway) “What do you want?” [n23] (Hemingway 159)
Hemingway: (To Faulkner) “Another Brandy.” [n24] (Hemingway 159)
Faulkner: (To the waiter) “He’s drunk every night.” [n25] (Hemingway 159)
Waiter: (To Faulkner) “The guard will pick him up.” [n26] (Hemingway 159)
Faulkner: (To the waiter) “No.” (Faulkner 109)
[n1]I began my conversation off with a statement from the waiter to Hemingway. I took this like from his dialogue because I believe it would allow for a strong beginning to the conversation between Hemingway and Faulkner. It would also allow for an opening that involves the waiter who in the dialogue had tried to commit suicide.
[n2]This line was also chosen from Hemingway’s story because I believe it also helped with the dialogue. In the story itself the old man if getting more and more drunk and I thought it would spice up the conversation if he was a little bit tipsy as appose to being completely sober.
[n3]This quote, although stating the obvious, helps the dialogue as well. It shows that Faulkner wants to have a civilized conversation with Hemingway but it isn’t going to go that ways because Hemingway is drunk.
[n4]This quote was also taken from Hemingway’s story. There is a lot more dialogue in Hemingway’s story and it is easier to get all of the dialogue from that story.
[n5]This quote is exactly what the Hemingway’s story was about. The old man in the story had tried to commit suicide much like what the waiter in this conversation had done. It allows the dialogue to continue..
[n6]This word was taken also from the dialogue in Hemingway’s story.
[n7]This is the reason the waiter had committed suicide. I took it from the dialogue in Hemingway’s story as well.
[n8]This is a simple statement that I thought would lead to another topic in the conversation.
[n9]Almost hints at a little bit of attitude in Hemingway’s voice. Could be because he is drunk or it could be a little hint at annoyance or hate.
[n10]This quote almost sounds like improper English and I thought it would be important for this conversation.
[n11]This quote is a phrase taken from Faulkner’s story and it usually wouldn’t have fit with the dialogue but it provides a good mysterious reason as to why he had tried to commit suicide.
[n12]This is another little passage taken from Hemingway’s story in order to keep adding to the conversation..
[n13]This quote is from Faulkner’s story and it gives the actual reason for the waiter trying to commit suicide by reason you could say.
[n14]I put this quote because it shows that Fauolkner cares about the waiter even though he doesn’t really know him. You can see the tone of the conversation as changing much throughout the piece
[n15]This is a rhetorical question that helps add to the mystery of my conversation just like how Faulkner and Hemingway add mystery to their pieces.
[n16]Another quote I took from Faulkner’s story. It shows the frustration in the conversation and in Faulkner not just at the fact that they cant help but also at the fact that he is little bit drunk which frustrates him.
[n17]Maybe because he has no home like the old man in the story.
[n18]It seems as though he is blaming Hemingway for his reason to not be able to sleep it makes you wonder.
[n19]He replies to the question much like the bartender does in Hemingway’s story.
[n20]Relates back to the beginning of the conversation,
[n21]A really rude and in formal way to address someone who you do not like. This sets the tone of the story and it also sets the tone of this conversation.
[n22]This passage is trying to keep the conversation alive.
[n23]Is the same quote from the beginning of the conversation
[n24]Same with this one as well.
[n25]Describes how Hemingway is and is almost insulting him as well.
[n26]The last quote that finally wraps up the whole conversation.
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