I Hate Reflections (Part II)

I have always liked English classes because they are different from other classes. Math and science and history are all well and fine and necessary to get a good job; English may in fact be the most necessary. It is a nice break from the school day to learn more about yourself. Your writing style (I lean towards elementary school level rhyming patterns fyi), your opinion on things that others deem unimportant such as why "the classics" may not be so classic and why books today are just as powerful. I especially enjoyed the slam poems this year. I don't think I want to write a serious, emotional poem and perform it for the class, so I stay with humor. It is lighthearted and fun and I enjoy writing them. And if people tell me that it is not "real poetry" or doesn't measure up to the brilliant, sophisticated metaphor coated, emotional masterpiece that I "don't understand," I am perfectly fine with that. This has not been much of a reflection, but I think I've covered an important part of English class, and life. Do what you want- what  makes you happy- nothing else matters.

Miley, the transcendentalist

Can't Be Tamed- Miley Cyrus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjSG6z_13-Q

"Can't Be Tamed"

For those who don't know me,
I can get a bit crazy
Have to get my way,yep
24 hours a day
'cause I'm hot like that

Every guy, everywhere
just gives me mad attention
Like I'm under inspection
I always gets a ten,
'cause I'm built like that

I go through guys like money
flyin' out the hands
They try to change me
but they realize they can't
And every tomorrow is a day I never plan
If you're gonna be my man understand

I can't be tamed
I can't be tamed
I can't be blamed
I can't, can't, I can't, can't be tamed
I can't be changed
I can't be tamed
I can't be, can't, I can't be tamed

If there was a question about my intentions,
I'll tell ya
I'm not here to sell ya
Or tell you to go to hell
(I'm not a brat like that)
I'm like a puzzle
but all of my pieces are jagged
If you can understand this,
we can make some magic,
I'm wrong like that

I wanna fly,
I wanna drive,
I wanna go
I wanna be a part of something I don't know
And if you try to hold me back I might explode
Baby, by now you should know

I can't be tamed
I can't be tamed
I can't be blamed
I can't, can't, I can't, can't be tamed
I can't be changed
I can't be tamed
I can't be, can't, I can't be tamed

Well I'm not a trick you play,
I'm wired a different way
I'm not a mistake,
I'm not a fake,
It's set in my DNA
Don't change me
Don't change me
Don't change me
Don't change me
(I can't be tamed)

I wanna fly,
I wanna drive,
I wanna go
I wanna be a part of something I don't know
And if you try to hold me back I might explode
Baby, by now you should know

I can't be tamed
I can't be tamed
I can't be blamed
I can't, can't, I can't, can't be tamed
I can't be changed
I can't be tamed
I can't be, can't, I can't be tamed

A major ideal of transcendentalism is individuality. One of the greatest transcendentalists, Emerson, makes a powerful statement on individualism in "Self- Reliance" (1841). He contends that "...envy is ignorance; imitation is suicide." Simply stated, transcendentalists value an individuals that stray off the beaten path, unafraid to be themselves. Emerson also states that "We but half express ourselves..." Transcendentalists often reject society's boundaries, limitations, and rules that confine them to be something they are not. Miss Cyrus perfectly captures this attitude in her 2010 song "Can't Be Tamed." 

Miley Cyrus is well known for portraying teenage superstar "Hannah Montana" on the Disney Channel show by the same name. America, having seen this sweet, innocent girl on television, was shocked when songs such as "Can't Be Tamed" appeared on the radio. However, Miss Cyrus has made it perfectly clear that she is in fact Miley Cyrus, a person completely separate from the entity that is Hannah Montana. Society wants Miley Cyrus to maintain the character of Hannah Montana; but Hannah is just a character on a TV show. Miley is a woman completely different than that. Because Miley's personality is vastly different from Hannah's, America has shunned her. Called her inappropriate and said she should act her age. What many people seem to forget is that she IS acting her age. Miley Cyrus is 21 years old. She is no longer a child; she is a legal adult who can make her own life choices. Miley has made it very clear that she will continue to do what makes her happy, no matter what anyone has to say. "They try to change me but they realize they can't And every tomorrow is a day I never plan." Miss Cyrus, much like Emerson and the rest of the transcendentalists, simply can't be tamed.  

Deep Quotes for a Thursday Morning

Ralph Waldo Emerson- "For everything you have missed, you have gained something else." One basic rule of the universe is that everything is balanced. For every action, a reaction. For every dark, a light, etc. So it stands to reason that what Emerson is stating is in fact a truth. For everything you supposedly "missed out on," you experienced a whole new unforeseen adventure. Think of the man who has a job in high school. True, he may miss out on social events every once in a while, but consider what he is gaining. Money, a work ethic, experiences in the grown up world. Life lessons that will never be learned going to the movies or attending a party. In reality, that man missed nothing at all.

Henry David Thoreau- "What is once well done is done forever." While imitation is the highest form of flattery, it is not always so warmly received. Take the movie Psycho by Hitchcock. A classic, timeless movie that was made back in 1960. Again, take the movie Psycho. Except this time it was remade in 1998 and for some reason staring Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates. When people reference this movie, they reference the Hitchcock version; only those mocking it will reference the 1998 version. That is because the original version was done so well that it will be done forever. People may try to copy its glory, but only a true, original work of well done art will stand the test of time.