Tom Standage’s article on comparing commonplace books to Pinterest explains the history of social media and how it was a way in the 19th century for individuals to express themselves. Before blogging apps like Facebook, twitter, and Pinterest people used diaries and letters and scrapbooks to share interests and create social connections. I agree with the points made by Standage as a common book is an earlier form of media and self expression of interests. Relating to Standage I would say the commonplace entries I chose to discuss about do express my interests. My overall interests was the idea of superstition during the Victorian era.
My first entry I’ll be discussing is related to The Beetle. The entry was on the symbol of the Egyptian scarab beetle and its purpose. The article goes in to explain that the scarab beetle represents protection against disease and death. It as well symbolized resurrection and attaining eternal life. During mummification a greenstone carved into a scarab is placed on the chest of the diseased as it would protect the heart and ensure it to not testify against the judgment of the dead but instead be reincarnated and reborn. This connects to my expression of interest because it goes to explaining the history of Egyptian cultural practices of mummification and protection against the evils of afterlife and represents rebirth and and good fortune.
My second entry I chose was from Dracula. I found an article focused on the practice of human blood consumption for health benefits. The earliest documentation of this practice came from Ancient Rome. Historians believe romans gained their blood drinking practices from old Etruscan rituals as believed to be medicinal and magical value. This practice of medicinal blood drinking began to spread all over the world as some found blood of a young healthy man was best and contained the most raw vitality. Some other considered menstrual blood as it was the most potent ingredient. Throughout modern era, doctors believes blood must be prepared and a recipe of blood jam was created. As new findings of blood consumption to be dangerous became known the practice started to diminish, the last recorded attempt was a bystander drinking blood from an execution victim from a German hanging in 1908. This connects to my interests in supernatural practices in ancient times to current times. I find it very interesting that people would do this for centuries believing it healed them from illness and disease.
My 2QSQs often related to the idea of societal views on humanity and what is perceived normal versus irregular along with the fear of the unknown or different. This relates to my commonplace book because there there was superstition in society fearing the unknown. Standage explains a commonplace book expresses self interests and my articles express practices surrounding superstition and beliefs of cures to illness and protection in the afterlife. My questions relating to my syntheses would typically revolve around the idea of fear of something perceived different that what’s viewed normal in society. I would question the unknown or superstition of an object or individual on if its really monstrous or not.
Ways I creatively expressed myself was by pairing quotes from the books to images, as well as putting images with links related to the book. The image would often contain some description of the article as well to get an idea on what the article is about and how it relates to the book. Other times I would insert a link with a short description of what its about. Since my commonplace book is virtual everything is visual and written. I would see my entries as historic and medical related as they relate to ancient practices around the world. I didn’t gravitate to any specific sources, I made sure they were historic websites typically so the information given could be accurate. I as well used areas within the novel too for information.
My favorite entry is one of the ones I chose discuss which is the practices of blood consumption. I found this quite gross but fascinating as I’ve heard about it in movies and shows but didn’t know much about it or if it was a real practice. Learning that this practice started in Rome and traveled to all different parts of the world for medical use is so creepy but interesting. Their perspectives of how they thought human blood consumption was beneficial to health and wellbeing especially if it was specifically form a young man. I would be interesting in furthering my knowledge about blood consumption in a future study or assignment. I didn’t see too many connections between my entries and novel interpretations, I believe both related to the idea of superstition towards the unknown. What’s considered normal versus abnormal and mysterious. What are ways one could be perceived this way. I believe there’s superstition around ancient practices as well as fearing unknown idealizations and views. I think my CPB and QCQs complement each other by giving different perspectives relating to the same book. One being a more synthesizing questionable side while the other is a more visual and furthering side on an idea relating to the novel.
