Palaces Out Of Paragraphs

English 1102: Hamilton and Writing

Reflective Blog Post

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By: Ian Byers

Compared to my original vision of what my Remix and Adaptation Project would be, I believe that the final version I submitted was quite faithful. However, I did make some changes, mostly based off of feedback that I received in my peer review. I also added an additional component to my project from when I turned in the draft to when I turned in the final version.

When I recieved my peer feedback, I was happy to see that in all, my partner understood the purpose behind my project and the audience that I intended it for. Some of the feedback from him that I used to improve my project was going into more detail and giving more context about historical events and legislation. I originally wanted to make this part of my project only a short summary, as I was worried about making something extremely dry and boring to the reader. However, I did decide that this ultimately would make readers potentially more engaged if they were more informed. Another suggestion was that I should include some figure of how many immigrants would have wanted to come to the United States during certain time periods. I agree that this would be interesting and would improve my project. However, I could find no way to accurately estimate this statistic, so I was unable to include it in the final version.

In terms of my own personal changes to the project in the final version, I added another document which was a compilation of statistics. I did not include this in my first draft as I had not yet put this data into a easily readable format, and I did not want to cause confusion. Instead, I waited and made a more nicely formatted document instead of just a spreadsheet with no context.

Overall, I think that I fully achieved what I was going for in making this project, although the initial draft that I submitted did not achieve this.

Blog Post Five: Ham4Pamphlet

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By: Ian Byers

For this last blog entry, I’ve chosen to talk a bit about Ham4Pamphlet, as the whole project is very interesting to me. It is a visual interpretation of Hamilton, but one that is quite varied, as it was made by numerous different artists. However, Hamilton, being a Broadway show, already has a very prominent  visual aspect, with its casting and choreography being some of its most praised features. Despite this, fan art of Hamilton is extremely popular. I took some time to think about why this was, and one of the ideas I came up with was that not everyone was able to see a full performance of the show, especially soon after it had premiered. So, it makes sense that many fans who had only heard the songs of the show and seen some clips of the live performance were inspired to make their own visual interpretations of the characters. I don’t know if this is necessarily why fan art of this show flourished, but it’s just an idea I had.

Although I don’t think that the Ham4Pamphlet project as a whole makes an argument about the show, individual pieces of art featured in it do. The entire project, though, shows that people who have different interpretations of the show and its meaning can still work together and collaborate to produce a very high quality fan work. This allows for all fans of the show to get a broad overview of some common opinions on parts of the show, and relate to how these affected other fans.

 

The illustration for “Your Obedient Servant” was my personal favorite out of all 46. In regards to my own adaptation, this gives me a good idea of some popular ways in which fans of the show like to express their appreciation of it. Hopefully, this will allow me to create something that more people will also be able to relate to and understand, while also adding my own personal touch.

Remix and Adaptation Project Proposal

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By: Ian Byers

 

Deciding how exactly to do this project was difficult for me, I even chose to use my extension on this assignment so I had more time to think about it.  I’ve decided to focus my project on one of the central themes of the musical, immigration. This is also a subject that has dominated much of the ongoing discussion about the show. There are a few other people in this class that are also covering immigration in relation to Hamilton, which made me hesitant to do so as well. However, I expected for this to be the case, and I’m confident that my adaptation will be significantly different from others’ projects. Additionally, after thinking about the various conversations about Hamilton, this was the easily the topic that I thought I would enjoy working with the most.

As for the specifics of my project, I plan to have two parts. First, I am going to do some intensive research, with skills that I learned in this class, and compile historical documents written by the founding fathers about immigration and related topics, and how they relate to characters featured in Hamilton. I will also make a timeline of major changes to American immigration policy as well as public opinion on the topic. To finish up this section of my project, I will make a short report with a statistical analysis of certain areas which have received high levels of immigration over the last 50 years. This report will cover various elements of multiculturalism, cultural enrichment, etc.

The second part of my project will be more directly related to both the original songs of Hamilton and those on the mix-tape. The obvious candidates are Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down) and Immigrants (We Get the Job Done). However, I don’t plan to necessarily use these songs, at least in their entirety, as I expect that others are already going to do that and I don’t want to make things too repetitive. Therefore, I will use some other songs off of the mix-tape as well. Using small sections of these songs, I will create a short video which is a visual representation of the first part of my project. This way, I can cover multiple elements of communication.

For the skills required to complete this project, I will have to use research and video editing skills. I have done a decent amount of video editing before so I estimate that this will not take me more than a few hours. The research will also take some time as I will need to find varied and balanced sources, and then find the best format to present the findings. Potential difficulties in this project are ensuring that my project is sufficiently unique from other similar projects, and also making sure to make the final result easily understood by a varied audience.

The Most Difficult Part of Writing is Starting

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By: Ian Byers

When I write,  my actual writing practices are not too different from what my ideal would be, but there is always room for improvement. For my ideal, I would like to learn how to write more quickly. In reality, I spend quite a lot of time when it comes to individual word choice and tend to think too much about having precise vocabulary. Although I feel that this allows for a truer expression of my thoughts, the negative result is that I spend far to much time on first drafts, when this work is better suited for revision and editing after I have a complete draft. As for prewriting, I don’t necessarily make a written outline before I start, but I do take a few minutes to think about the general structure of what I want to write before I start. Because of how I write my initial drafts, I tend to not change much when editing, besides mistakes and typos. When I revise, I do sometimes rethink my plan that I came up before I started writing and decide to restructure my entire project to one degree or another.

Of course, all of this only applies when I am not procrastinating, which I do often for most of my work, not just writing assignments. My most common form of procrastination is simply not starting an assignment until shortly before it is due. This is extremely efficient at wasting time, and very easy to do. Once I have started, I usually work contiuouly without many breaks. However, if I am listening to music, I sometimes get caught up in it and don’t realized I have stopped writing for a few minutes. I don’t like to set rewards for finishing, as these tend to just distract me more than motivate me. Deadlines, however, are extremely helpful. Stress and time limits make me less prone to procrastinate, and they also force me to write more like I would want to, by making me finish my first draft quickly just to know that I have some working product to turn in, even if it isn’t great.

The main thing which may inhibit my ability to write well is the environment. I’m not super picky, but I do prefer being in a quite area. If there is noise, then listening to music can help.

Overall, I do have some weaknesses in how I write, but I am well aware of them. Thankfully, I have also learned to procrastinate less, as nothing good ever comes from it.

Blog Post Three: I Can’t Compare Myself to Hamilton

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By: Ian Byers

When I was reading the first chapters of Alexander Hamilton’s biography by Chernow, what stood out to me the most was Hamilton’s drive and passion. This characteristic of his is also a central tenant in how he is portrayed in the musical Hamilton. One suggestion prompt for this assignment mentions a comparison between this and one’s personal life at Georgia Tech, but I unfortunately can’t truthfully say that this is the case for me. Even in classes that I have truly enjoyed, I simply have not put in the effort that would have been required to achieve the things which Hamilton did in his early life. That isn’t to say that I don’t feel confident in working towards my goals, but rather that I haven’t found any goal for which I could imagine myself working tirelessly, day and night. Because of this, when learning about Hamilton, he is certainly someone who I can admire or even be inspired by. However, to draw anything more than a superficial parallel of people working towards their goal would be arrogant. The vast majority of people on college campuses, myself included, have never had to work as hard as Hamilton did just to survive. Perhaps it is this lack of hardship in my youth that led my to not seek out and pursue risky opportunities as readily as a young Hamilton. After all, there are many examples of modern celebrities who cite their struggles in times of poverty as a major motivation for their seemingly endless productive output.

Of course, I’m not asking for classes at Tech to get any harder! I just think it’s interesting to see how a person’s upbringing can radically change their outlook, for better or worse. One thing that I just looked up out of curiosity is Aaron Burr’s early life. It’s seems that although he was orphaned at a young age, he did have some family to look after him, and his childhood wasn’t anywhere near as dangerous as Hamilton’s. Going off of my earlier idea, maybe this is why he is portrayed as being more of a passive person in Hamilton, though I don’t know if that portrayal is accurate. Regardless, I’ve rambled a lot here and it has become pretty clear that I’m not great at more open ended assignments, so I’m going to go back to struggling with classes like everyone else and stop complaining!

Blog Post 2: Historical Document Research

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By: Ian Byers

For the historical document that I am going to annotate, I chose George Washington’s Farewell Address, which was initially published in a newspaper in 1796. This was only about 10 weeks before the 1796 election, so many people who expected Washington to run again were surprised. This document went through multiple phases of writing, as Washington had originally intended to retire at the end of his first term in 1792. The 1792 draft was written by George Washington and James Madison, but Alexander Hamilton also help to write the final version.

I have read this document before this class, and I chose it for this assignment because I have always found Washington’s advice and predictions to be uncannily accurate. I am only annotating the first section of the document, but later sections go into detail about the danger of alliances and advocates for isolationism from European countries, which was a common American policy all the way until World War Two. Additionally, Washington set the informal precedent of a President serving for a maximum of two terms, which would last for a similar period of time. Although not all of Washington’s warnings were heeded, we can see that he was largely correct about the trouble these things would cause. For one, he warned against political parties, or factions. While parties have played a huge role in American politics since then, Washington was right in assessing that parties would lead to a large divide in the American populace.

The largest volume of research that I will need to do for this document is about the policies of the Washington administration, as well as other writings about politics by Washington. As he was involved in military service for a large part of his life, and often expressed dislike for serving as president, these may be hard to find.

So far, most of the major events of Washington’s presidency are well documented. However, it has been somewhat difficult to find some of Washington’s personal opinions on why he chose these policies. Often it seems that he simply chose the policies of his cabinet, which makes it hard to decipher Washington’s own intentions.

Blog Entry 1: Historical Liberties in the First Act of Hamilton

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By: Ian Byers

        Hamilton is first and foremost a musical and meant to entertain, but due to the time period which it draws from, its historical accuracy is often brought up. Although the years shortly before and after the Revolutionary War are extremely important in this country’s history, most Americans do not have a thorough understanding of this history. Many modern works, including Hamilton, attempt to use this lack of historical knowledge to push a given narrative which may not hold after further investigation.

One idea which is repeated in the first act of Hamilton is that of immigration, and specifically of Alexander Hamilton as one of America’s first and most influential immigrants. This is of course on account of Hamilton being born on the island of Nevis. However, it should be noted that Nevis, just like the Thirteen Colonies, were colonial possessions of the British Empire. Additionally, both Hamilton and his father were British citizens, his father being the son of a Scottish landowner. Considering this, it seems erroneous to label Hamilton as an immigrant. Certainly, this is not what most people mean when they talk about immigrants today.

Even if one were to uphold Hamilton’s status as an immigrant, to insinuate that he was in any way a champion of immigration, as the musical Hamilton does, would be demonstrably false. Here is a short excerpt from Hamilton’s response to then president Thomas Jefferson on the topic of immigration:

“The influx of foreigners must, therefore, tend to produce a heterogeneous compound; to change and corrupt the national spirit; to complicate and confound public opinion; to introduce foreign propensities. In the composition of society, the harmony of the ingredients is all-important, and whatever tends to a discordant intermixture must have an injurious tendency.”

This was not the only time that Hamilton took the anti-immigration stance. He also supported the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, which made the naturalization of immigrants more difficult.

In conclusion to this analysis, it should be cautioned that no interpretative work of fiction will ever be perfectly accurate in its retelling of history. Despite this, it is also imperative to understand the motives behind any certain writing. While Miranda’s unique and stylistic songwriting has brought him success and fame, it is not beyond reproach. In the first act of Hamilton, there is a clear misrepresentation of the historical figure of Alexander Hamilton. Even though Alexander Hamilton is one of the most famous names in American history, the star character of Miranda’s musical sits firmly in the realm of fiction.

 

Works Cited

Hamilton, Alexander. “The Examination NUMBER VIII.” New York Evening Post, 12 Jan. 1802.

Introductory Post: Ian Byers

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Hey everyone! My name is Ian Byers, and I’m a computer science major who is anticipated to graduate in 2021. I’m the in-person section of this class, but I am commuting to Georgia Tech, so I won’t be on campus very much this Summer. The only other class I am taking in the Summer is a late Summer semester class, so I am currently spending my free time preparing for my Fall classes since I will have a pretty difficult schedule then.

This is my first English course which I am taking at Tech, but I have heard lots about other peoples’ experiences in these classes and how they are different than English courses at other colleges. In my previous English classes, the expectations were very different than those of a course at Tech, but I am sure that many basic skills will be transferable. I would say that I enjoy and prefer oral and visual communication, while I tend to struggle more with written communication. Although I hope to improve all aspects of my communicative abilities this semester, I will focus most on improving those which I find more difficult, particularly written communication.

As far as the course theme goes, I had a superficial knowledge of Hamilton before this class on account of its popularity, but I had not listened to or watched it in any form. I also do not have significant experience with musicals in general, and although I do not have any inherent dislike for the genre, and can even appreciate it at times; I definitely dislike the culture that exists around it. I have a similar opinion of hip hop, except that I have listened to it in the past and am exposed to it regularly, as my friends listen to it often.

My interests are admittedly fairly uncommon ones. I have an amateurish interest in European history, and have visited many European countries. One thing about me that people may find unusual about me is that I have I actually have a strong dislike of most modern technologies and their uses. This may seem odd considering my major, but this is actually part of why I chose to study computer science in the first place.

Here’s a picture of me with my mom on a glacier in Iceland, which is some of the most fun I have had while traveling abroad!

Historical Annotation Project: George Washington’s Farewell Address

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By: Ian Byers

Title: George Washington’s Farewell Address

Author: George Washington

Date of Origin: First published September 19th, 1796

Source: context.montpelier.org at https://context.montpelier.org/document/715

Excerpt:

The period for a new election of a Citizen, to Administer the Executive government of the United States, being not far distant,[1] and the time actually arrived, when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person, who is to be cloathed with that important trust,[2] it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice,[3] that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those, out of whom a choice is to be made.[4]

I beg you, at the sametime, to do me the justice to be assured, that this resolution has not been taken, without a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the relation, which binds a dutiful Citizen to his country[5]–and that, in withdrawing the tender of service which silence in my Situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness;[6] but am supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both.[7]

The acceptance of, & continuance hitherto in, the Office to which your Suffrages have twice called me,[8] have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and to a deference for what appeared to be your desire.[9] I constantly hoped, that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives, which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement, from which I had been reluctantly drawn.[10] The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last Election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you;[11] but mature reflection on the then perplexed & critical posture of our Affairs with foreign nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea.[12]

I rejoice, that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty, or propriety;[13] & am persuaded whatever partiality may be retained for my services, that in the present circumstances of our country, you will not disapprove my determination to retire.[14]

The impressions, with which, I first undertook the arduous trust, were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust,[15] I will only say, that I have, with good intentions, contributed towards the Organization and Administration of the government,[16] the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable.[17] Not unconscious, in the outset, of the inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has strengthned the motives to diffidence of myself;[18] and every day the encreasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome.[19] Satisfied that if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they were temporary,[20] I have the consolation to believe, that while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotizm does not forbid it.[21]

In looking forward to the moment, which is intended to terminate the career of my public life,[22] my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude which I owe to my beloved country, for the many honors it has conferred upon me;[23] still more for the stedfast confidence with which it has supported me; and for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolable attachment, by services faithful & persevering, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal.[24] If benefits have resulted to our country from these services, let it always be remembered to your praise, and as an instructive example in our annals,[25] that, under circumstances in which the Passions agitated in every direction were liable to mislead, amidst appearances sometimes dubious, viscissitudes of fortune often discouraging, in situations in which not unfrequently want of Success has countenanced the spirit of criticism,[26] the constancy of your support was the essential prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the plans by which they were effected.[27] Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that Heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence[28]–that your Union & brotherly affection may be perpetual–that the free constitution, which is the work of your hands,[29] may be sacredly maintained–that its Administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and Virtue–that, in fine, the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete,[30] by so careful a preservation and so prudent a use of this blessing as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the applause, the affection–and adoption of every nation which is yet a stranger to it.[31]

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