Saturday, February 15, 2020

Comment Wall

Title: Brunhilde, Illustration from 'The Rhinegold and the Valkyrie' by Richard Wagner, 1910
Artist: Arthur Rackham Source

My storybook is here.

9 comments:

  1. Hi Jana! I just finished reading the introduction to your storybook and I must say that I am really really confused. I can tell from how well you know the topic that this is something that you really like and are passionate about, however in this case I think that worked slightly against you. Because you are so well versed in this topic I think you may have taken for granted how complicated the plot of the saga is, so instead of providing an easy to grasp background, you actually ended up confusing us more. I would recommend you read this out loud and place yourself in the shoes of someone that had no idea what you are talking about, is the introduction helpful? It is even necessary to go into so much detail? Are all of those name useful or do they get in the way? You could even have one of your friends that hasn't read the saga read your introduction and give you one-on-one feedback. I really hope you won't take this feedback negatively, I really hope that I am helpful. I am looking forward to reading your revised introduction and stories!

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  2. Hi Jana. This is really interesting. I am completely unfamiliar with "Die Walkure," "Der Ring des Nibelungen," and Richard Wagner in general. I was about to ask if Richard Wagner had anything to do with the song "Ride of the Valkyries" but Google has advised me that yes, he wrote it. I think your angle of making the introduction essentially a bit Author's Note is a unique one. What made you decided to go this direction with your introduction? As someone who is unfamiliar with the original tale, having some context before going into your re-telling is a nice touch. You have provided a lot of information and details in your summary, which I appreciate but can seem a tad overwhelming. Overall I think you have provided a pretty good breakdown of the original story and look forward to seeing where you take your version of it.

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  3. Hi Jana! I like the look of your site. It’s easy to navigate as well. It’s simple and the image is very eye catching. It makes me look forward to reading your project! I really appreciate this style of introduction. It reads very much like an author’s note which is very helpful in explaining a complicated topic with many plot points. I’m interested to see how you will tell your first story. This was so informative and helpful in explaining your topic, but I agree with the other comments that it was a bit overwhelming as someone who isn’t versed in the topic. Your approach was very descriptive and I’m definitely interested in seeing how you’ll be applying this information moving forward! You seem very passionate and well-read on this topic and I’m sure that this will come out fantastically! I’m excited to see how you will end up telling these stories!

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  4. Hi Jana! I've just finished reading the introduction and the first part of your storybook. I appreciate that the introduction was mostly just meant to inform us as readers about the background of your story. I actually did band and orchestra in high school, and one year we did a part of "The Valkyrie" for a band concert, so it was really nice to get to learn more about the story itself. I think the first part set you up really well for the following sections of your storybook. As I was reading, I got a really strong sense that Siegmund was about to fall in love with Sieglinde, and when I read your note, I saw that eventually they do declare their love for each other. You could definitely feel the tension when Hunding came into the house. As for suggestions, I understand why the other commenters have said the intro was a bit overwhelming, but as I've mentioned, I'm personally really interested in this story, so I didn't mind very much.

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  5. Hi Jana,

    For my feedback for this week I am mostly going to focus on how your pictures interact with you story and making sure that they fit the story line. To start off, it seems like you know this topic very well and gave a lot of useful information in your introduction. It was very thorough which is exactly what your readers need especially because sometime mythology can be confusing if they do not know that background information to start off. I like the picture of your page, but I noticed that you don't have a source for that picture. I think you should add that so that people can go back and look at some information regarding it. I did some research on the picture on your introduction page and I believe that it fits it very well. It is Wotan's fortress of Valhalla which is a big part of your introduction. Great choice on that picture! As I read part one, I noticed that Siegmund was a main character in the therefore the picture of Sieglinde giving Siegmund a healing drink is a proper choice. Great job overall and as far as the pictures good job on making sure that they fit the story.

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  6. Howdy Jana,
    I am a student in Dr. Gibbs' Epics of India class and am popping over to the mythology section because I was hoping to read something new. Your project has definitely fit that ticket! I was excited to see an opportunity to read a bit more of Wagner, as I really only know him from playing some of his music rather than getting into the stories themselves. This is such an interesting tale - it's fun getting a bit more insight into the early story itself. You did a great job establishing context in your introduction, which then allows the reader to go into the first story with a bit more confidence. That is ideal as Norse mythology can definitely be overwhelming. I am excited to potentially come back to this project as the semester closes down. Best of luck to you in this bizarre covid era, hopefully your classes close down with few complications. Keep up the great work!

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  7. Hi Jana,

    I've liked how you kept the stories similar but also veering off to make it your own. It's a powerful resonating message in my honest opinion as there are still arranged marriages in parts of the world. Being forced to spend the rest of your life with someone you don't love so I think the deep dive into their feelings is the right course to continue this story arc.

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  8. Hi Jana! I hope your semester is going well! It’s been crazy all around, but I loved getting to read your project! My focus this week was to look at Author’s Notes, so I’ve really dissected yours. Great work being super specifically clear about your source! I’ve seen a few Author’s Notes over the past few weeks which are really lacking clarity. I also love that you gave more insight into Siegmund and Sieglinde’s thoughts and feelings! I write that way too, so I’m always super excited when I find other projects like that. I think it was good that you included your struggle with word count. I’ve found that when I pay extra attention to Author’s Notes, many people are struggling with the same thing! I always thought it was just me, but reading your Author’s Note made me feel much better. You did good work relaying the original story to the reader through your Author’s Note, which was super helpful because I’ve never read this story.
    All in all, very good work! Hope all is well.
    Tricia

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  9. Hi Jana,
    I think you do a great job. Something I really like about all of your stories is how you include such great detail within them. You leave nothing to the imagination, you make the reader see it the way you want them to and I like that. I also like how you keep them close to the original stories, but give them twists to make them very different at the same time. I read these in high school when I was taking a class about the topic, so you do a great job to change them enough to make them your own. Something I also like about your stories is how you make them come across as you are versed in the topic. I hope you have a great summer and this finds you well.
    Nice job on your project and nice job with the stories.

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