Blog 5: The Interpreter of Maladies

Foreshadowing is a technique used by authors to provide clues for the reader to be able to predict what might occur later. The author focus on this moment ("Mr.Kapasi noted that this boy was slightly paler than the other children (16)") because she is predicting that the boy may be sick. We can say this because maladies means sickness or illness. I predict that they boy will become ill and may possibly die. 

Blog 4: The Red Convertible

Answer the questions on in complete sentences, with as much detail as possible Louise Erdrich's "The Red Convertible":

1. What is the setting of this story?

The setting is an Indian Reservation in North Dakota in the 1970s.

2. What is the main character's opinion on the army and his brother's involvement?

He felt mad and upset about his brothers involvement in the army because he had to kill people.

3. Provide an analysis behind the symbolism of the red convertible. Include a definition of symbolism in your answer.

The red convertible symbolism how things get worn out. In the being of story the convertible was shining and new but by the end it was old and worn out. 

4. This short story was written in 1984. Based on events that occurred during the 1980s, explain why the author may have developed certain plot elements/ literary devices in the story.

A White Heron

Sylvia feels a connection to the White Heron because they are both lonely, innocent, and free. The Heron symbolizes freedom (being able to fly away), which Sylvia didn't have until she moves in with Mrs.Tilley. The Heron tends to fly alone not in flocks. Sylvia spends a majority of her time alone. This shows us that both are innocent and aren't social. Both the heron, White Heron, and Slyiva (place "white" skin) are white. White is a represent purity. 

Blog 2: The Body of Christopher Creed Ending

I enjoyed reading Carol Plum-Ucci's novel The Body of Christopher Creed. I think it was a very interesting because the other would give you clues foreshadowing that one thing will happen when something else happened. For example I thought  that Bo would be taken into jail and that his liberty was on the line but it ended up being Torey whose liberty and trust on the line. Also the physic said that Torey would find a body in the burial ground I thought it would be Chris but it ended up being Digger's father. 

I think that the last responses on Torey's website was from Chris. This is because it goes into great  deal about why Chris would have left and about Chris' life. For example it said that Chris could have possible gone to live with his aunts because they didn't like Chris' mother, there sister, and he may have felt that they would be able to relate to him. Also it said that if Torey were to ever get in contact with Chris that he should wait until Chris was twenty-five so no one would know who he really is. 

Blog 1 MP4: Creed & "Woobees"

Woobees are like a security blanket. Torey at this point needs to clam down because he's father just told him that Bo Richardson just confessed to making the phone call. Torey is now filled will fear and worried. Torey feels guilty because he made the phone call and thinks that he was to much of a coward to confess. Playing his makes Torey forget about everything that his stressing him, it helps him clear his mind.  

I have had many woobees. At one point i have a blanket which I would take everywhere with  and then I had a stuffed dinosaur (both which I still own). Both them made me feel secure and would help me when I scared. 

TBCC: Chapters Two & Three

"I wish that I  had been born somebody else." (pg 37)

In the novel we have just found out that Christopher is missing. People are wondering if he ran away or if he killed himself. This quotes is a quote form Christopher letter to the principle. This shows us how lonely and depressed Christopher was and that he really felt that no one understood or cared about him. 

This quotes bring up many question about what may happen later on in the novel. For one we are wonder if Christopher is even dead or did her run away. We are also led to believe that it he left because he had no friend and everyone made fun of him. In the quote Christopher said he wanted to born somewhere else, so he can think that he may have just ran away. 

Chapter 23 - Stereotype and Identity

To all graduates class of 1940,

In the time of the Great Depression and the time where not every man is equal, one dream and inspiration can go a long way. One dream and of goal can set you through your life. People such Martin Luther King, Jr. stood up to racism and prejudges help community unite as one. Look 1940 and stand here looking at a bright future filled with hope and potential. It up to up to choose the destiny of the African American community. Everyone in this room has the ability to achieve their goals and excel to higher level. Congratulation and bless wishes of 1940.

Chapter 19 - Symbolism

Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.) is a symbol of triumph for the African American community. Clay was a boxer during the 1960, a time Civil Rights Movement was at its peak. Racism and segregation was a part of our daily lives.  For Muhammad Ali to raise to his such a high title during this era was very difficult. The Brown Bomber and Muhammad Ali both had to deal with racism and because they were able to rise to the such hight title they became a symbol of triumph. 

Chapter 17 & 18: After the "Retreat" & The Revival

When Maya returns to Stamps, she is still recovering form her experience in St. Louis. Do to her experience her behavior has changed in many ways. "I usually gave my money to Bailey, who went to the movies nearly every Saturday. He brought back street and smith cowboy books for me (pg. 118)." Maya used to love to spend all her time with Bailey, but know instead of playing him or going to the movies she like to spend time alone. Although before going to St. Louis Maya enjoyed reading, after her return back to Stamps she spend a majority of her time reading. She use book as away to escape into her fantasy world and to a way to keep her mid off of what happened with Mr. Freeman. Maya like to left alone and doesn't trust anyone anymore except Bailey. 

I choose this quote because I feel as I was able to relate to Maya. We both enjoy reading and use it as away to escape form reality. I make both of forget about what is going on. When I feel stressed I enjoy reading as does Maya. This is a way Though Maya and I are every different, I felt as if this was the first time in the novel that I was actually abel to relate to her. 

Act III: Story Time

Once upon a time in far away country of Scotland there were three magical sister, who could tell the future, and cast spells, but they weren't very nice. One day the three sister told them a man named Macbeth and his friends Banquo there future. They said that one day Macbeth that he would be king and the Banquo's children will be king. 

Now Macbeth misunderstood he magical sister and thought they said he had to king. So Macbeth decided to become king right away rather then later. Mrs. Macbeth, his wife, and Macbeth deiced to make King Duncan, the current King of Scotland, go away forever and blame someone else for making him go away. 

Act II: Gorgon Reference

Gorgon were the three sister in mythology who are beautiful and tall. When Athene found out that her husband, Poseidon, was cheating her on her with on Medusa, one of Gorgon sister. Athene turned Medusa's hair into snakes and now everything that looks at her will turn into stone. 

When Macduff said, “Approach the chamber and destroy your sight/ With a new Gorgon…” he meant that King Duncan looked like Medusa, ugly. Macduff saw Duncan after he was killed and stabbed to death and this is a reference to what Medusa looked like after Athene made her look ugly and turned her into a monster. 

Shakespeare's Language

1. What is "blank verse"? [We discussed this yesterday, but if you are not sure, check out your poetry unit notes.]

 Blank verse is a type of poem, which has a verse of line of ten syllables with five stresses and has no rhyme.  

2. Interpret these Shakespearean lines using your Shakespeare Packet: Reading Shakespeare's English:

    a. "But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?" [R&J]

Wait. I just a light in the window go on. 

    b. "Thou art more lovely and more temperate." [Sonnets XVIII]

She is lovely and has a lot of patients. 

    c. "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well." [Macbeth]

If it was done on time it would have been good.

    d. "Whither are they vanished?" [Macbeth]

Where did they go. 

3. How many creative Shakespearean insults can you come up with? Add "thou" or "thine" to the front of the lists picked up on your way in: "Thou+Column A+Column B+Column C!"

Thou yeasty rump-fed clot pole. 

Thine peevish horn-mad crutch. 

Thou haughty pinch-spotted rudesby. 

Sestina

~Algernon Charles Swinburne ~

I saw my soul at rest upon a day

   As a bird sleeping in the nest of night,

Among soft leaves that give the starlight way

   To touch its wings but not its eyes with light;

So that it knew as one in visions may,

   And knew not as men waking, of delight.

This was the measure of my soul’s delight;

   It had no power of joy to fly by day,

Nor part in the large lordship of the light;

   But in a secret moon-beholden way

Had all its will of dreams and pleasant night,

   And all the love and life that sleepers may.

But such life’s triumph as men waking may

   It might not have to feed its faint delight

Between the stars by night and sun by day,

   Shut up with green leaves and a little light;

Because its way was as a lost star’s way,

   A world’s not wholly known of day or night.

All loves and dreams and sounds and gleams of night

   Made it all music that such minstrels may,

And all they had they gave it of delight;

   But in the full face of the fire of day

What place shall be for any starry light,

   What part of heaven in all the wide sun’s way?

Yet the soul woke not, sleeping by the way,

   Watched as a nursling of the large-eyed night,

And sought no strength nor knowledge of the day,

   Nor closer touch conclusive of delight,

Nor mightier joy nor truer than dreamers may,

   Nor more of song than they, nor more of light.

For who sleeps once and sees the secret light

   Whereby sleep shows the soul a fairer way

Between the rise and rest of day and night,

   Shall care no more to fare as all men may,

But be his place of pain or of delight,

   There shall he dwell, beholding night as day.

Song, have thy day and take thy fill of light

   Before the night be fallen across thy way;

Sing while he may, man hath no long delight.

Sestina

Ch. 24: The Conversation with Mr. Antolini

When ever my parents give a lecture about how valuable a good education is I  tend to zone out and not pay attention to them. This isn't because I don't agree with them, personally I feel that a good education and help a lot in the your future. A good education is something many people, around the world, would die to have.  The reason I zone out is because my parents are alway giving me this lecture. 

Ch. 20 & 21: Holden's Internal Conflicts

In chapter 20, Holden pretends he to be shot in the gut and to have pneumonia. I think Holden does this because because he want to have some attention and he want to know what it is like to have people worry about. Holden is depressed and feels that he has anyone to talk to anymore, He chose these two illness because he wanted to know how people would react if he was dying.  

Chapter 19: Catcher, The Wicker Bar

Even Holden didn't like Luce, he didn't want to see Luce go because he is depressed and lonely. Holden feels that no one cares about him. Since he is running out of people to call, Holden is starting to realize people don't like him and the people he is with get annoyed of him. At this point Holden doesn't care who he is with, he just to know someone is there for him. 

Chapter 15: Holden and Mercutio

I think Holden identifies with Mercutio and not Tybalt because like Mercutio is doesn't like people who show off and are into the latest fashions. Through out the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, Holden talks with complete strangers who aren't in the same financial status as he is. For example Holden  talks to Horowitz, the cab driver, who isn't showy. Also I think Holden is like Mercutio because they both get angered but can control it.

Ch. 12, Catcher: Conversation with Horowitz

Horowitz is a rude, nasty, and unfriendly. He doesn't care to talk to Holden about the ducks or anything at all. He just want to get Holden to the clubs and get paid. Horowitz Holden on the other hand is over friendly and invites the cab diver to get a drink. Holden is trying to make conversation even though some of what he is saying are lies. Also Holden is comes form a very rich family and Horowitz, a cab driver, is poor and doesn't make much money. Holden always tries to analyze thing and find out why thinks happen and Horowitz doesn't want to know why things happen, be thinks it things and we shouldn't want to understand why, they just happen do.

Allie's Writing Assignment

Acrostic 

Smooth pencil strokes 

Khaki 

Escape form reality 

Time flies why you are having fun 

Calming my nerves 

Hot Magenta 

Balance 

Over dramatic colors

Ochre 

Keep trying 

Haiku 

Eraser Sheddings

Skills are achieved over time

Practice makes Perfect 

Fire and Ice 

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire 

I hold with those who favor fire

But if i had to perish twice 

I think i know enough of hate

To say destructive ice is also great 

And would suffice 

~Robert Frost 

Little Fly 

Little Fly,

Thy summer's play

My thoughtless hand

Has brush'd away.

Am not I

A fly like thee?

Or art not thou

A man like me?

For I dance

And drink & sing:

Till some blind hand 

Shall brush my wing.

If thought is life

And strength & breath

And the want 

Of thought is death;

Then am I

A happy fly,

If I live,

Or if I die

~William Blake