September 12, 2013 Class and Lecture

It's a Wonderful Life

I felt as though Geoffrey Hills analysis of the film It’s a Wonderful Life was quite refreshing. I admired his interpretation of literature techniques he found in the film and his eloquent speech. I actually enjoyed reading his review immensely. I have never seen the film It’s a Wonderful Life and after watching the clips in class I must say that I appreciated the constant relief and tension between the characters. By adding comedy, through George and Marys walk, and tragedy, through the death of Peter Bailey and the conflict between George and Mr. Potter, the director was able to spin a story that captivates and keeps the audience immersed in the plot. One quote in particular grabbed my attention and could relate to chapel. George Bailey proclaimed “I didn’t just make a wish, I made a whole hatful!” This quote directly relates to the chapel service that was provided on September 12, 2013 when the guest speaker asked “what is in your basket? What has God provided you with today?” Although some may view Geoffrey Hill’s analysis as “over done,” I felt refreshed to read his interpretation and see the relationship between Christian beliefs and this film.

 

St. George and the Dragon

This painting created a unique image of the archetype “knight in shining armor.” First and foremost the colors depicted in the painting had a darker hue and the images texture almost becomes a tangible feeling because of the illustrated patterns on the knight’s armor and the saddle pad, thus giving the impression of reality rather than the glorified version of defeat over Satan, the dragon. Another elemental technique is the over powering size of the “white horse”, actually it’s a grey horse because there is no such thing as a white horse due to the pigmentation around the nostrils, flanks, and fetlocks and also due to the fact that “white horses” have a lethal white gene meaning that if they are born they die within weeks of birth (anyways sorry for the digression). The little stature of the “quivering” dragon epitomizes Satan’s condemnation in God’s world. What I immensely enjoyed from this painting was the fact that the knight is shown in a violent situation without proper equestrian form thus implementing the imperfections and grittiness of true righteousness. The painting actually makes me recall the play The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. The story follows the idea of Christians glorifying and painting Jesus’ birth as a proper and sophisticated situation when in truth he was born in a barn after Mary and Joseph traveled days in gritty rags. The story paints the birth of Jesus in reality and points out that he was a baby born to a mother and father and most importantly that he was flesh… a mortal born to this earth just like us.

 
                              I found both the paintings and the lecture in class both very perceptive.
                                                                 Thanks and God Bless,
                                                                        Randi Orr