Tag Archives: Anglo-American Literature

8 Signs You’re A Literature Major

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Not everyone loves books nor enjoyed reading. There are those, however, who love books as if they are the only things that matter in this world. If you’re a Literature lover and a Literature major (like me), read on. 😉

A Literature Major: It Takes One to Know One

1. If you’re a Literature major, your syntax is different.

2. If you’re a Literature major, the way you write your sentences is patterned after academic journals and scholastic readings.

3. If you’re a Literature major, you write in the passive voice excessively.

4. If you’re a Literature major, you have a hard time meeting the grade 6 and below reading level in Hemingway.

5. If you’re a Literature major, you have studied prominent literary works in all eras starting from the medieval ages to the contemporary period.

6. If you’re a Literature major, you have no favorite book – you’ve read an enormous compilation of awesome books selecting one favorite is EXTREMELY difficult.

7. If you’re a Literature major, you have the perfect balance of literary theories, English language usage (not 100% perfect though), and different writing styles.

8. Last but not the least, if you’re a Literature major, you have read no less than 50 books in your major classes alone.

Being a Literature major is like choosing a course which you can never, ever take lightly. However, it can also be fun especially when your favorite hobby is LEARNING.

I became a Literature major by choice back in 2002 but I believe God made it to be that way – His gift for a certain and greater purpose. 🙂

Even if you’re not a literature major, what are your all-time favorites when it comes to books or novels? I’d love to know what they are. ❤

Always learning from the heart first and the mind second,

P.S.

I am writing/typing this on my mobile phone because this week’s a bit hectic. My parents are here for a medical checkup and my Mom’s cataract surgery. I am the one assigned to accompany them (with pleasure though). I thought I’d just whip up something short (I only have about 10 minutes). Yes, short but still interesting for my #everyFridayblogpost. I hope this article got you interested. 😀

If you’re reading this as a student, you can include this as your option for the course you plan to take in college. If you already graduated, you might, one day, opt to pursue a graduate study in this course.

Here are some links which can help you decide whether to be a Literature major or not in the future. 🙂

Featured image copyright: siue.edu

Cine Europa 16: “A Royal Affair”

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I was checking Facebook’s news feed when I came across an advertisement regarding the annual Cine Europa Festival here in the Philippines which showcases international films from participating European countries.

Being an Anglo-American Literature major back in college, I was of course thrilled I will get to see European films again – for FREE. 🙂

One movie caught my interest and of course it has to be set in 18th Century Denmark, the period of Enlightenment and a historical drama wherein most details in the movie are based on historical facts – A ROYAL AFFAIR.

"A Royal Affair" (2012)

“A Royal Affair” (2012)

It has received several awards – Satellite Award for Best Costume Design and Robert Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Perfect choice as this movie had its free screening in my university’s film center which is synonymous to this – I don’t have to travel far to be able to watch it. I have God to thank for that. 🙂

Cine Europa 16 @ UP Film Institute

Cine Europa 16 @ UP Film Institute

GENERAL CRITIQUES

The movie indeed is deserving of its Best Costume Design award. Costumes are not too lavishly done and yet nothing too dull either. Details of 18th Century costumes were particularly followed and it did not rob the classical essence of the designs with gaudy styles or excessively vibrant colors. I have always been fascinated by the fashion of the early century Europe. The evolution of the dresses clearly depicted the changes in society’s standards as well as with the political reformation. A particular dress will tell a lot about the history of a nation.

There are limited instances of a landscape scenery which is in accordance to the movie’s plot as most of the scenes are set and captured inside the castle. The sequencing of the events are carefully delivered which is what I admire about the movie. It doesn’t set the audience in that moment wherein a particular scene will make you recall the previous scene in order to connect the current scene and limit the “WH” questions. I must admit that when I have those questions in mind while watching the movie, it only means that there is a scene that I am baffled about, I am assessing the relevance of it to the entire movie and how it is connected from the preceding scenes. 

In other words, every scene in the movie is crystal clear. 🙂

As for the acting, the actors perfectly fit in the roles that they portrayed – appearance, aura as well as delivery of the lines. I must say the actors were indeed successful in internalizing their character roles in the movie. The age of Enlightenment has been one of my favorite eras in our study of European and American literature, political and social history. It deals with idealism, reformation towards a positive change, among many others. Although this is also the time wherein a lot of revolution took place, terror and violence erupted, conflicts arose wherein majority are unresolved but I may say, that still, the events are exemplary of a society being changed from a state of dystopia to almost utopia.

Ahhh yes, now maybe this is the reason why I became an idealist. 😉

I was greatly influenced by my long years and extensive study on Anglo-American Literature which would usually be associated to the social and political history of Europe and America. I have always been fascinated by Kings, Princesses and knights not because I love fairy tales but because it is just interesting to learn the origins of a foreign culture, most especially that of Europe and look into the totality of the transformation of a certain period/era in connection to the people and society in general.

After watching the movie, I rated it 4 out of 5 stars, 5 being the highest. If I would be given the chance to be transported back in time and be an onlooker while events are happening for real, I definitely would choose the early centuries. Suppose there is a parallel universe for that, it would be this – incredibly awesome. 

Well, what we need now is a “time machine” by H. G. Wells where we can teleport and time travel. 😀

And speaking of time traveling, because I love anything antique and vintage, and being a fashion lover, I wore something from the past when I watched the movie – a vintage dress that belonged to my Mom designed by her. If you want to know how old it is, it was worn by my mom when she was in her 20s, exactly 4 decades ago.

I hope I did give justice to my “hippie” look with matching fuchsia pink nail polish . 😉

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