Abstracting- Good Vs. Evil

picture by Flyinfrogg

Balance

   Light       Shadow

Bright               Fallen

   Shine                          Darkness

  Honesty                                  Deceit

  Wisdom                                          Demise Redeeming                                        Malevolent 

       This week for our How Do I Love Thee assignment, we are examining the idea of "abstracting".  What is abstracting?    Robert and Michele Root-Bernstein state in Sparks of Genius, " They reduced complex, visual, physical or emotional ideas to bare, stripped images, revealing through simplicity the power of purity.  In other words, they abstracted." .(p. 72 ) We find great abstracts in amazing works of art, and also abstract ourselves on a daily basis when we whistle a part of our favorite song.

     

        My subject matter for this assignment is the elements of fantasy genre. I wanted to work on abstracting one single element from the fantasy genre, and represent the abstraction through two different mediums.   I decided to focus on the element of good versus evil.  In the fantasy genre,  the theme of good versus evil  consistently appears.   How this theme appears can vary, whether it is through superheroes, animals, or even places.  Therefore, it is important to know that this element exists and it can be experessed  differently with each novel read.

      I chose the photograph above as my first example of abstracting the element of good versus evil. I am a very visual person and I liked the way this picture takes this idea and exhibits two opposite forms (good versus evil) on one person.   This picture begins to tell a story by the use of minimum detail- such as the difference of color in the eyes, or the lightness to darkness of the face.     The color change of the eyes can represent the  idea of a human turning to the "dark side". It also suggests the idea from natural to supernatural.   The changing from lightness on one side to darkness provokes the thought of good versus evil.   This photograph also represents the lightness and darkness characteristic through the bird and its feathers.    This picture can also be used to bring in more elements of the fantasy genre (such as the bird and the idea of flying and its relation to good versus evil).

         My second medium was a poem that I created  to exhibit good versus evil.  I thought the poem is a good representation of the qualities these elements demonstrate in a fantasy novel.  Goodness portrays the light, virtue, and goodness of the objected represented. Deceit, power, and demise come along with the darkness of evil that is shown in the object or character/s contained in that genre.   As the poem goes to opposite ends, we also see this happening with good and evil- it is a goal to find the center, or "balance" to maintain equality.  

     

      I find this idea of abstracting such a fascinating tool because it is something I am asked to do on a daily basis as an elementary teacher.  In every subject matter we are to take a complex topic and strip it down to the bare essentials in order for students to begin to understand the concepts.   It is essential as an elementary teacher is to be careful to focus on one main detail or element at a time. 

        

                 

Forming New Patterns With Fantasy Elements

                                                       Read the story here!

        As lifelong learners we tend to rely on patterns to extend meaning and applications throughout all subject areas.   Patterns allow us to predict and connect with our prior knowledge of a given topic.  We become to rely on finding patterns in areas to gain understanding. 

         As an elementary teacher, I see on a daily basis the use of patterns to extend and apply students' thinking.   In math we often use patterns to gain understanding of a new area. For example, learning that multiplication is just like skip counting- counting by 3's, 4's, etc. on a number line.  We also find that mutiplication of 5's has the pattern of a 0 or 5 in the answer.  Students also find patterns in writing- such as that every sentence must include a noun and a verb.  We also use songs/ poetry in our classroom that rely on patterns for recognition.  The use of shapes and geometry relies on patterning and application.  Patterns form a foundation that allows us to build, apply, and extend our knowledge. 

        As I was reading,  "Sparks of Genius" by Robert and Michele Root-Bernstein, I found the chapters on patterning and forming new patterns very fascinating.  Finding patterns in the examples provided in the text allowed the opportunity to gain a wider perspective on patterning than I have previously noticed . 

       Finding patterns in my topic area of fantasy,  was something that I recognized instantly- the use of magical characters and objects, ability to fly, as well as good versus evil.   The pattern allows the use of magic to bring about special opportunities or solutions to stories.  However, once I had to reform the pattern, I had to take time to reflect exactly what that could look like.  How could I use those elements but apply them differently to change the pattern?   Robert and Michele Root-Bernstein state in the text, "Teasing apart one pattern and composing another requires real understand of the basic elements of phenomena and processes. More it opens up whole new worlds of knowledge".


       After reflection, I decided to look at the elements from a different perspective.  I therefore include the idea of the elements, without actually bringing about magic in the story.  It is about a young girl that wishes to participate in the ideas of fantasy, without any luck.  It contains the thought of magic ball, dragons, talking animals, and flying characters without any of it actually working for the character.

       I didn't realize how difficult it was to form a new pattern, until actually doing it myself. You must have understanding of the  initial pattern to look at it creatively from a different perspective.  I see how valuable the use of reforming a pattern can be as a creative work.  The more perspectives you gain on  patterning a particular topic,  the more you begin to possess a deeper understanding of the  material.  I will have to continue experimenting with reforming patterns in particular areas.  This opportunity of forming patterns will extend my potential towards creatively expanding my horizons on a particular topic.