What did you say?

Hello to anyone and everyone that is brave enough to read this post. I have been thinking long and hard about what I wanted to write or say to introduce the purpose of this blog and I don't think I will ever come up with a perfect way so I'm just going to throw it out there! Here we go! For a class I am taking right now I am required to do some sort of a project that will take up 8 hours and through my work show what I have come to understand better, narrowing that down was hard. I've learned a lot through the last several weeks, and to choose just one thing to focus on is much easier said than done. Nonetheless I came out successful with a brilliant idea that will knock your socks off...ready for it? 

ROMANTICISM and REALISM! Most of you are probably wondering what the heck these words are...like I was when I first heard them...and then some of you are wondering why you are still reading this post. Don't worry it will get better! Romanticism and realism are two terms that we discussed at the very beginning of this class and they were the two terms that have stuck with me throughout the entire semester! I don't know why they resonated with me so well, all I know is that I understand the thinking process of both sides a little better and because of that I can better understand romanticism and realism literature. Have you ever heard of the word "realist" or "realistic"? I'm sure you have but just in case; a realist person is someone who sees life the way it truly is. There is no sugar coating the good, bad and ugly. It is very plain and simple, no ifs ands or buts about it. Romanticism on the other hand is the complete opposite. It goes above and beyond sugar coating the good bad and ugly. To keep it simple romanticism romanticizes life. Speaking in literature it is written in a much more delicate and flowery way. I like to think of them this way: men are like realism and women are like romanticism. Think about it long enough and it will eventually start to make sense! 

While the two terms are almost completely unrelated in definition, I am here to argue that when used together they work magic. When romanticism and realism are written in a work of literature the meaning not only combines to one, but it makes the meaning more thought provoking, more understandable, and more glorious than it ever could be without one or the other. As surprising as this is I am going to prove it to you! Ambrose Bierce wrote a story titled An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. In this story Bierce effectively and appropriately uses both realism and romanticism in his writing. Courtesy of my professor Brother Cameron I have a link for you to read the essay for yourself. Feel free to read the story understanding nothing about realism and romanticism but purely enjoying the story. In my next blog post I will discuss with you how we know there is realism in the work. And what the realist meaning would be. Get excited because it is going to be great! 
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge