It kind of seems like a stretch, but I am wondering if there is a connection between the Devil and the prison guard in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? To see what I mean, watch the video below.

There seems to be a strong connection between Tommy's description of the devil and the prison guard in the scene when Everett is finally "caught". I'm not quite sure what to make of this potential connection. At first it seems absurd, but then again maybe there are some subtle connections.

If you view the guard as a discipliner then it is possible that a larger statement is trying to be made about the Devil. This may be compounded when the guard says that they don't have a radio to hear the governor's pardon. That statement may point to a battle between two different powers; however, I would not view the Governor as a symbol for God.

What does everyone else think?

Having never read the book or seen the movie, No Country for Old Men so far has been an interesting and fast-paced read. The constant action and suspense makes me want to keep reading. However, the book is a little too confusing. The sheriff’s narration and story are easy to follow and understand. However, I tend to mix up the characters of Llewellyn Moss and Chigurh. I know that Moss found the money and the Chigurh is in pursuit of the money, but when reading the two character’s plots the book becomes confusing.

In response to the movie so far, do you think that it too closely follows the book’s plot? While the movie makes sense because I have read the book, it may be too ambiguous for most viewers. While this is understandable for the first few minutes of the movie, it leaves viewers guessing too long about what is happening.

What does everyone else think the highlights and pitfalls are of No Country for Old Men… the book and the movie?

As mentioned in our podcast on Friday, political satire is playing a large role in this presidential election. What are everyone's thoughts on the role satire is playing in the election?

I am all for political satire, if it done correctly and valued for what it is worth. As was also mentioned in the podcast, satire is a great way to get more people interested and involved in politics and the election. It is also brings entertainment to a subject that is usually serious and potentially dry.

Political satire can have a few pitfalls. Balance is crucial when making fun of candidates. If comedy shows do not direct an equal amount of attention to all candidates it can hurt a campaign and be considered a bias. Also, political satire should only provide entertainment and encourage more political awareness; it should not become a news source. If people only receive "news" from comedy shows they will by grossly misinformed.

What are everyone's thoughts?

My podcast is an analysis of Coldplay's newest album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. My analysis focuses on the album's cover song, Viva la Vida, and the message(s) it tries to convey. I approach the song from a political and a religious angle. After that, there is a clip from Coldplay describing the meaning of the song's lyrics. I also briefly discuss how this album fits into the larger realm of literature.

I feel as if the speaking sections of my podcast are rough and need to be re-recorded. Some of my ideas could also be better developed and more clearly stated.

This assignment compelled me to take a closer look at the lyrics of songs. It also encouraged me to view songs from different angles and vantage points.

Since I have started working on my podcast I have starting paying more attention to the meanings of songs. The primary focus of my podcast is on Coldplay’s song Viva la Vida. While doing some research I have found that Coldplay fans are in two different camps in regards to the song’s meaning. Some say it has a political message; others say it has a religious message. To me, the song is really ambiguous and could be interpreted at least three or four different ways. If anybody likes the song or is a Coldplay fan, what do you think the song’s meaning is? A brief list of how I interpret the song is below.

1. It has a political message

2. It has a religious message

3. It is a combination of the both

4. It refers to a young, rebellious man for whom the world is working against

Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” is a startling short story that many readers can relate to in one way or another. Almost everybody knows somebody like Connie and everyone knows what it is like to be a young teenager. Her attempt to be seen and be popular among her peers took a drastic turn on a peaceful Sunday afternoon.