Dear Bernard Cornwell,
I realize that I have written you perhaps too many letters over the past month and a half or so. I apologize that and I promise never to write another letter to you, ever! That is, until perhaps next year, but it could very well be never. Anyways, I am still a huge fan of your writing, but I have not read any of your novels for a while, which makes me sad, and for that reason I am writing a run-on sentence while watching a hilarious video of Tre Cool singing a Chocolate Rain parody. Also, I am soon going to perform in Track and Field sectionals, so I am very tense and writing this letter to my favorite author makes me happy since you rock and I am tired and this must eventually end at some point in time.... I mean seriously, if this was a composition I'd get an F for sure even though my spelling is perfect thanks to this new invention called a word checker or whatever they are called. Now John Mayer is singing a very odd version of Chocolate Rain that I don't think has anything to do with Tay Zonday's version, which is stupid but gets stuck in one's head very easily and I am having trouble concentrating on this blogging assignment since you tube is so entertaining and there are so many more productive things that I can do instead of blogging such as video games or watching these videos. They are more productive because video games improve reaction time, economics skills when one is playing an RPG, and help keep one's brain stimulated since one usually thinks at least a little bit about the decisions. Also, watching You Tube videos, one learns about new things and listens to interesting music, which has been proven to stimulate the brain and help self-esteem. Blogging on the other hand, as far as I can see, only has the benefit of improving typing speed and accuracy, without helping the brain at all since I am not exactly thinking about what I am writing since this is a free-write.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Post A #7
This is quite possibly my last set of posts... so sad. Anyways, the cultural differences in Sword Song are as numerous and as well implicated as ever. Once again, there is a massive difference between 9th and 21st century Britain. Nowadays, Britain is very much like the United States culturally. We share a language, a measurement system, and we generally have a common taste in music. But at the time of this novel, Britain was little more than a rabble of barbarians with some struggling civilizations mixed in. Warfare was everywhere; from Vikings and welsh invaders' professional armies aimed at capturing and looting, to the Saxon and Mercian semi-organized troops attempting to defend their homelands. Now, Britain has been peaceful for a number of years with the only serious in-country conflict being the IRA in Ireland.
Peace, although significant, is not the only difference between 9th century Britain's culture and ours. Another difference is in human interaction. On page 283, Bernard Cornwell states mentions that, "Oda the Younger unsheathed his sword and cut the man's throat before spitting on him". This is obviously not how any conversations in our culture end, unless the aggressor has no fear of being either killed or sent to jail for the rest of his life. Human interaction in today's world is obviously two or more people on equal terms. Of course the wealthy and famous will always be thought of as better than a homeless man by most people, but they are both the same before the law and, when the former is not giving orders to the latter, they perhaps see each other as equal. In 9th century Britain however, if one does not bow down the king, they are either a king themselves or are killed. Social class rules were much stricter and far more separate.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Post B #6
Dear Bernard Cornwell,
This part of the novel was very amusing, I liked it when the two big me, Gronn and Eric's champion were forced to wrestle. Uhtred's man, Gronn won of course, but he was smaller and not favored. This brutal, no rules, brawl between these two men was very amusing to read about, and I think that it would certainly have been something to see since both men were essentially giants. Another thing I would like to ask you about is why do you make all of your heroes tall?
Sharpe was a tall man with harper, and even taller man, beside him. Now Uhtred is in this series and he is tall with a tall man as his best friend. As I write this, I am seeing many similarities between the Richard Sharpe series and the Saxon Tales. The only true difference is perhaps their childhoods, and then of course the time in which they take place. Both men are uneducated for the most part but can read and write poorly. They are both fit, muscular and leaders of men. Both are independent and cunning. While not especially book-savvy, they are both very good tactical thinkers and they can set up fantastic ambushes or carry out admirable, small force military raids. Finally, they are both very rich. Sharpe, although he loses his fortune at one point in time, gains it all back on the battlefield of Vittoria, but then his wife steals the money from him as she runs away with another man. Hopefully Uhtred's wife is faithful and his money stays safe, but he also has a considerable horde that he was acquired over the past couple years from performing viking raids.
This part of the novel was very amusing, I liked it when the two big me, Gronn and Eric's champion were forced to wrestle. Uhtred's man, Gronn won of course, but he was smaller and not favored. This brutal, no rules, brawl between these two men was very amusing to read about, and I think that it would certainly have been something to see since both men were essentially giants. Another thing I would like to ask you about is why do you make all of your heroes tall?
Sharpe was a tall man with harper, and even taller man, beside him. Now Uhtred is in this series and he is tall with a tall man as his best friend. As I write this, I am seeing many similarities between the Richard Sharpe series and the Saxon Tales. The only true difference is perhaps their childhoods, and then of course the time in which they take place. Both men are uneducated for the most part but can read and write poorly. They are both fit, muscular and leaders of men. Both are independent and cunning. While not especially book-savvy, they are both very good tactical thinkers and they can set up fantastic ambushes or carry out admirable, small force military raids. Finally, they are both very rich. Sharpe, although he loses his fortune at one point in time, gains it all back on the battlefield of Vittoria, but then his wife steals the money from him as she runs away with another man. Hopefully Uhtred's wife is faithful and his money stays safe, but he also has a considerable horde that he was acquired over the past couple years from performing viking raids.
Post A #6
This culture is indeed ever changing, yet still unimaginably different from ours. From the increased, public violence of the time, to the honor and respect everyone had. The culture of ninth century England makes it so that these things can take place. Some examples from this week's reading (pages 220-280) exemplify this. "'There is food for you, Lord', the lame servant said, after taking Smoca's reins" (247). This shows how Different the technology, that obviously influenced the culture, was. Only the rich and the elite rode on horseback, which today would now be considered a joke. Instead of loving and caring for their horses, the ruling elite today probably, for the most part, thinks that horses are unsanitary and violent, smelly and unpredictable. Of course, few people understand horses now the way they used to.
Another good quote is this one about the treatment of people with downs syndrome. "I was watching a naked mad man convulsively search his groin. He kept peering around at the laughing tables, unable to understand the noise" (272). This is how the mentally retarded were treated at that time. People made fun of them and they were essentially entertainment, the same way a juggler or jester would have been. The main cultural difference here is that these people did not care about what disposition others were in, only that if it made them laugh, they liked it. Now of course, retarded people are cared for very well and live decently, even though they still do not contribute to society.
Another good quote is this one about the treatment of people with downs syndrome. "I was watching a naked mad man convulsively search his groin. He kept peering around at the laughing tables, unable to understand the noise" (272). This is how the mentally retarded were treated at that time. People made fun of them and they were essentially entertainment, the same way a juggler or jester would have been. The main cultural difference here is that these people did not care about what disposition others were in, only that if it made them laugh, they liked it. Now of course, retarded people are cared for very well and live decently, even though they still do not contribute to society.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Post B #5
Dear Bernard Cornwell,
You must put a lot of time into research for your novels. That, or you are a genius. This is because all of your novels are nearly perfect in showing the culture of the times and places in which they are written. I know that you have written novels about events in France, Britain, India, Denmark, and many others. Most of these are historical fiction that was written superbly. I have read probably around thirty of your novels up to this point, and I must say that Sword Song is one of your best. It captures the creative spirit that you encompass in your work, and it supports my theory that you are the best author ever. Your works are amazing, and not only do you write the best battle scenes that I have ever read, but you also create amazing scenarios and other fiction novels based on realistic yet ever-changing ideas. I once read one of your novels that was about a detective trying to solve a murder cover-up. It was nothing like any other novel of yours that I had ever, or have ever read. Yet, it remains one of my favorites.
You are also very good at developing characters. Uhtred is a very unique man that you have grown from a naive boy into a fearsome, intelligent warrior. He was a distinctly warlike and aggressive personality while still being able to field compassion and deep thought. Many other characters in the novel are like this and you have made them truly pop out of the pages and seem like people that are real. You have shown your true skill of character craftsmanship in this novel, and that has really made it a treat to read.
You must put a lot of time into research for your novels. That, or you are a genius. This is because all of your novels are nearly perfect in showing the culture of the times and places in which they are written. I know that you have written novels about events in France, Britain, India, Denmark, and many others. Most of these are historical fiction that was written superbly. I have read probably around thirty of your novels up to this point, and I must say that Sword Song is one of your best. It captures the creative spirit that you encompass in your work, and it supports my theory that you are the best author ever. Your works are amazing, and not only do you write the best battle scenes that I have ever read, but you also create amazing scenarios and other fiction novels based on realistic yet ever-changing ideas. I once read one of your novels that was about a detective trying to solve a murder cover-up. It was nothing like any other novel of yours that I had ever, or have ever read. Yet, it remains one of my favorites.
You are also very good at developing characters. Uhtred is a very unique man that you have grown from a naive boy into a fearsome, intelligent warrior. He was a distinctly warlike and aggressive personality while still being able to field compassion and deep thought. Many other characters in the novel are like this and you have made them truly pop out of the pages and seem like people that are real. You have shown your true skill of character craftsmanship in this novel, and that has really made it a treat to read.
Post A #5
The culture of the British peoples in pages 180-220 can be seen to almost advance in certain areas. Although Ethelred is as incompetent as usual, Erik the viking has been contributing heavily to the plot line. As Ethelred came to become the "lord" of London, he became more and more jealous, in a way, of his wife's beauty. He was furious when other men even looked at her, let alone spoke with her, and over the short length of the marriage to this point, he became more and more suspicious that she was cheating on him. At one point in the novel, Uhtred and a couple of his homes sneak into a cathedral in which they believe Ethelflaed is being held captive or tortured or something like that. It turns out that she is being "checked" to see if she is still a virgin. So, pretty much, her husband and about ten priests are raping her... This is obviously not a common thing in today's society, and I doubt that a situation exactly along the lines of this one has happened in a hundred years.
Also, the views of killing and murder, as well as punishment of criminals are entirely different. At this time, killing in battle was viewed as honorable and normal, though killing in battle now is seen by many as a disgusting thing, or a necessary evil. Death at this time was just too normal to view as disgusting since people lived for shorter periods of time, and diseases and warfare were more common. Murder on the other hand was viewed as much worse than some people today seem to see it. At the time, death on the battlefield was fine, as one went to Odin's hall, while now it is viewed as unfortunate. Murder, however, was seen as something only pathetic men did, that was unnecessary and dishonorable. The punishment of criminals was also different in that they were mostly put to death if the crime was anything that was worse than petty theft. Also, many people were vigilantes since there were no police, and thus even if it is petty theft, if you are caught and the owner is angry, he might easily decide to kill you.
Also, the views of killing and murder, as well as punishment of criminals are entirely different. At this time, killing in battle was viewed as honorable and normal, though killing in battle now is seen by many as a disgusting thing, or a necessary evil. Death at this time was just too normal to view as disgusting since people lived for shorter periods of time, and diseases and warfare were more common. Murder on the other hand was viewed as much worse than some people today seem to see it. At the time, death on the battlefield was fine, as one went to Odin's hall, while now it is viewed as unfortunate. Murder, however, was seen as something only pathetic men did, that was unnecessary and dishonorable. The punishment of criminals was also different in that they were mostly put to death if the crime was anything that was worse than petty theft. Also, many people were vigilantes since there were no police, and thus even if it is petty theft, if you are caught and the owner is angry, he might easily decide to kill you.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Post B #4
Dear Mr. Cornwell,
When is your next novel coming out and what is it about? I know that this is not the last in the saga, and I would very much like to have a hint about what may happen to Uhtred in the future. He is such a character that I can relate to and that is understandable to any normal person. He is not extraordinary in his physical layout, and he is in no way terribly intelligent. Instead, he is a tall, built man that is very realistic that posses and intelligence that is better than most other warriors'.
Another thing that I would like to mention is how you made the places in the novel very realistic. The towns that were larger are generally still here, and their descriptions are very realistic in that small towns didn't have great stone palaces and large cities actually possessed a massive number of huts. You keep everything throughout your novel possible, so that although it is fiction, any part of it could be possible.
Finally, a last point that I would like to make is how you so masterly incorporated ships into the novel. Few other novels include both land and sea battles, and certainly not to this caliber. You are so amazing at describing battle scenes that I often feel as if I am part of the fighting. I especially love the part in which Ahmed jumps off the gate roof and slices Siegfried in the gut. You are a truly amazing and impressively creative author.
When is your next novel coming out and what is it about? I know that this is not the last in the saga, and I would very much like to have a hint about what may happen to Uhtred in the future. He is such a character that I can relate to and that is understandable to any normal person. He is not extraordinary in his physical layout, and he is in no way terribly intelligent. Instead, he is a tall, built man that is very realistic that posses and intelligence that is better than most other warriors'.
Another thing that I would like to mention is how you made the places in the novel very realistic. The towns that were larger are generally still here, and their descriptions are very realistic in that small towns didn't have great stone palaces and large cities actually possessed a massive number of huts. You keep everything throughout your novel possible, so that although it is fiction, any part of it could be possible.
Finally, a last point that I would like to make is how you so masterly incorporated ships into the novel. Few other novels include both land and sea battles, and certainly not to this caliber. You are so amazing at describing battle scenes that I often feel as if I am part of the fighting. I especially love the part in which Ahmed jumps off the gate roof and slices Siegfried in the gut. You are a truly amazing and impressively creative author.
Post A #4
A large battle has just taken place in a town by the name of Lundinium. It becomes, of course, London, and thus this battle is for one of the most prominent cities in all of England. The battle fought is one of great cultural significance. In it, the armies made sure to fight away from any civilians so that as few innocent people died as possible. This is one great cultural difference since today, if a battle is fought in a city, many civilians die and neither side seems to care too much about them. Perhapses the caring in Lundinium was because the victor would then control the city. But, I believe that it still had to do with their culture that killing innocent civilians was a shameful, savage act that was only performed by barbarians.
Another point is that cities at this time were almost always under a military dictatorship, or martial law. Even during times of peace, a governor was often appointed by the King or another high ranking member of the kingdom. The governor was almost always a man with significant military experience that could defend the town will only a handful of trained men. Defense at this time seemed to be the key to all buildings and towns, since there was so much unrest. Raiders were everywhere and there were far more than just two sides. Today of course, there is no fighting in the US, but even in countries that are experiencing civil wars and the likes, there are always but two sides to fight on.
Another point is that cities at this time were almost always under a military dictatorship, or martial law. Even during times of peace, a governor was often appointed by the King or another high ranking member of the kingdom. The governor was almost always a man with significant military experience that could defend the town will only a handful of trained men. Defense at this time seemed to be the key to all buildings and towns, since there was so much unrest. Raiders were everywhere and there were far more than just two sides. Today of course, there is no fighting in the US, but even in countries that are experiencing civil wars and the likes, there are always but two sides to fight on.
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