The Village

By: Fernand Leger

Analysis:

This painting is one that spoke to me right away. The painter was portraying that of a village. Leger, through his painting was able to depict different depths within the village. The Buildings are at different sizes, shapes, colors (primary colors), heights, and design. The use of primary colors allows the viewer to easily relate to the environment. The line work used, allows the viewer to depict the different structures within and how they differ from one another. The different colors in rooftops also helps give each structure its own individual belonging. The rooftops are designed similar with pointed edges and only have slight variations in style. Leger’s use of three-dimensional structures allows for an abstract view of the village. Leger liked to use the style of Cubism in many of his painting, including this one. The use of oval shapes with green tops clearly shows that Leger wanted the village to have trees, possibly for beautification of the village. The trees appear to be circled around the outer edges of the village. Through this painting, I interpret the idea of chaos. Almost like that of large cities, the building are built in close proximity each other and people have to function in less space. Even though a village is on a smaller scale, the same concept can still be applied. Another view could resemble that of a town/ village of people that are close to one another and work / live in harmony. Through the sensa, the viewer of this painting can feel like that are a part of the village and envision what types of things are occurring within the village.

“The Road Not Taken”

By Robert Frost

My analysis:

This poem, to me represents the many choices I have had to make in life, both the easy ones and the difficult ones. Throughout my life I have come to a pass in the road where I had to make a choice, to either go one way or the other. My decisions have not always produced the best outcomes, but it was the decision I made. Those decisions that we face, on daily basis, will many of times have an easier direction to choose. The easier choice is one that we are familiar with but sometimes we must make those difficult decisions to take the road that we are not familiar with and work outside our comfort zones.

One of the biggest choices I had to make, was following through with a divorce of my ex-wife. Initially, it was not my choice to separate from her, but ultimately it was my choice to file the papers, to start the divorce process. I knew of what repercussions I could face from my kids. My kids were all young and did not understand why their mom and dad were getting a divorce. All they saw was that dad was giving their mom some papers. It was a difficult choice I had to make, and I had been married to this woman for 12 years. Being married was comfortable and we were established with our home and kids. So, to step out and choice the other path, made me feel out of place, but I knew it is what I had to do.

Ultimately, my entire life has had one tough decision after the other. Choosing to remarry, how would my kids react to a step-mom, should I go work for the Sheriff’s Office, should I continue to coach football, and should I go back to school to finish my bachelor’s degree. My choices have led me to where I am today and without making the choices when I needed to, I would not have to the things I have today.

What will it be “Manifesto”: When it comes time to make a choice, what choice will you make?

By: Jeremy Hardin

In life there are many things that tend to move us along the path of life. Often times, these things consist of the choices that we make on a daily basis. Every day we are faced with tough decisions that can have a major impact on what the future brings. The problem in society today is that there are sometimes too many options to choose from and people are afraid to make a decision. People get overwhelmed and take the path of least resistance. This path is not making a decision at all. No one said that making choices would be easy and there are no guarantees. In the play Hamlet, there was a time when Hamlet had to make an important decision on whether or not to follow the ghost that appeared to look like his father. There was uncertainty and even his friends advising him against it, but Hamlet knew he needed answers regarding his father’s death. He understood that he was taking a risk but the rewards greatly outweighed the risk. What needs to be understood, a person cannot gain anything without making a decision. This is your life, what are you going to do to?

When making your decisions, some factors need to be considered; is the choice I am making right or wrong, will my choice cause chaos, will my choice be a sound example of leadership for others to follow, and did I educate myself enough before making my decision. The poem, “Road not Taken”, is a representation of such decisions we have to make. Many times we come to the fork in the road. One side consist of the same path we have always chosen, while the other takes us out of our comfort zone and forces us to make the tough decisions. The easier decisions are often the more familiar ones.

Fear, can hold you back and not allow you to make the best decision. The path that appears to be tougher, often seems chaotic at first. But once making the choice and sticking to your plan, we notice that it is not so chaotic after all. This is especially true in a painting by Fernand Leger, titled “The Village”. On the outside looking in, the painting appears to be full of chaos. Things are crowded and less free space for people within the village, to function in. Looking on the inside, we can see that people within the village live in harmony and function well together. So, do not let fear hold you back when making your decision. Getting through the chaos, can lead to great rewards.

Making your choices in life can show what type of character you have and whether or not others will look up to you. Leadership plays an important role when making decisions because many times the decisions you make can have an impact on others. A good example of making decisions and factoring in leadership is a poem written by Rudyard Kipling titled “If…”. Decision making shows how you can handle yourself when faced with life obstacles. The phrase “keeping your head” says that you must keep yourself grounded and level headed in all situations, especially those that are stressful. Part of making good decisions, is being better educated on the choices you have to make. Thinking things through before making your decisions, often leads to better decision making skills.

The choices you make in life can bring either positivity or negativity. The positive aspect can lead to great rewards and offer a better quality of life. The negative aspect can lead to a path filled with heartache and potentially incarceration. No one wants to have negative parts affecting their lives but making the wrong decisions can lead you down the path of no return. Making the wrong decisions, can cause law enforcement to intervene to protect those around you and yourself from the repercussions of your actions. Thinking of the song titled “Bad Boys” by Inner Circle shows a good representation of what can happen with the wrong decisions being made. In the end, what will it be, a good or bad decision. Do not hold yourself back when making your decision but understand what could happen if a wrong decision is made.