How To Read Lit Pro 25-27

Chapter 25-

Edgar Allan Poe's short story, The Black Cat, is about a man who loves his wife and animals. However, he ends up killing his wife and try’s to kill his cat. Poe says this man is an alcoholic. The difference in this fact of the story is that a contemporary reader would assume the reason the character is acting violent is because of his abusive drinking problem, as for a person living before the twenty-first century would not focus on his alcohol problem. The man abused his wife and cat when he became drunk during the story. Today, a reader would consider abusing a wife unacceptable, but not before the twentieth century where women were more often abused. Another difference between the time period readers would be the reference to the gallows on the second cat that he took in. Earlier readers would perceive the horrific feat because the gallows was a weapon to kill people, but a reader today would not get the same effect because we do not use them anymore.

Chapter 26-

1984 by George Orwell contains irony throughout the whole book. In the novel there is a governed rule of “doublethink”, which is “basically the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.” This is irony at its most literal sense in that it is impossible to act upon. The character Winston is surrounded by irony. For example, he feels he is out of harm’s way when he rents an apartment with Julia from a guy he thinks is like him and can trust. It turned out that the man renting them the room was actually a member of the thought police, which ultimately led to his acceptance of Big Brother. Winston demonstrates irony from beginning to end because he wanted to overthrow and destroy the Party at the start, but by the conclusion he becomes like every other member. Overall the irony is prevalent in Orwell’s novel, but despite it the reader can sense his warning to those in future generations.

Chapter 27-

1)      The short story, "The Garden Party" focuses on social classes. Laura's social class looks upon the lower classes as if they are nothing. Her class doesn’t help the lower class and allows the lower class to perish. In the text, Laura faces a gap between her life and others. She doesn’t know how to deal with the social difference. The short story shows one girl coming into maturity from an upper class family who has reached the age of maturity, though she often recounts and has second thoughts about certain things.

2)   Laura faces a social gap in the text and wants to be more than a material seeker. The representation of flight is prevalent and characters are given certain qualities, such as, Jose, the butterfly. These qualities are also consistent in the dialogue, as Laura goes to meet the workers – “away she flew” and “skimmed back to the house”.  All of these flights of fancy represent the society as sophisticated and graceful, which is consistent with the upper-social class they represent. Although Laura is an upper-class dweller, she enjoys the simple thing in life, such as, nature, unlike her family.

I think I did well on my perception of the short story and some details of my answers are somewhat resemble the books examples.

It doesn’t really add to my appreciation, because I appreciated Laura by just reading the short story. I already felt as if she was different from the others in the upper-class and thought she was a good character to use in such a symbolic text.

 

How To Read Lit Pro 22-24

Forrest Gump - Jenny is the woman in whom Forrest falls in love with. Jenny has had an uneasy life, from childhood on and struggled with severe drug abuse. Combined with bad decisions and her drug usage, she contracts a virus, most people suggest AIDS. When she realizes her predicament, it altered her life and shined a light on what really mattered in life, this led to her realization that Forrest is the only person who had been there for her no matter what the situation. The contracting of her disease made her recognize that the life she was living was not right and found her only happiness in Forrest, who had always loved her. Jenny soon dies after their brief marriage and Forest is left with his intelligent son whom gives him comfort to help ease the pain of his father’s loss.

To Kill a Mockingbird - Ms. Dubose is very ill and became addicted to the morphine she was taking to relieve the pain of her illness. Her neighbor Jem Finch ruined her flowers one day and as a punishment he had to read to her every day, which lessened her pain therefore decreasing her addiction to taking the morphine.  Everyday Jem started to read less and less to Ms. Dubose and soon Ms. Dubose died. This instance is very important because upon her death, Jem took great insight in what Ms. Dubose stood for as a person. He realized how courageous she was in starting a new goal even though she knew she was going to die soon. Ms. Dubose didn’t want to take that part of her life with her to the grave, so she tried her hardest to stop before she “left”. By her death, Jem realized that the racism taking place in the community had to ended before it became worse and then it would never end, courage, and ultimately decided to help/support his father.

How to Read Lit 20-21

Chapter 20

A Late Walk by Robert Frost

When I go up through the mowing field,
The headless aftermath,
Smooth-laid like thatch with the heavy dew,
Half closes the garden path.

 

And when I come to the garden ground,
The whir of sober birds
Up from the tangle of withered weeds
Is sadder than any words

 

A tree beside the wall stands bare,
But a leaf that lingered brown,
Disturbed, I doubt not, by my thought,

Comes softly rattling down.

 

I end not far from my going forth
By picking the faded blue
Of the last remaining aster flower
To carry again to you.

 This poem by Frost regards autumn because the vivid descriptions he portrays in the work. Frost describes the elements in which, the tree becomes completely barren, the garden full of withering weeds, and the brown leaves. Frost attempts to carry an aster of a flower to someone he loves. The aster, which symbolizes death, coincides with the fall season where everything is withered and dying off. He uses all these seasonal traits to show how he loved and wishes to take the flower to them, but maybe they passed away, based on the season.

 

Interlude-

Archetype- a common example of a person or thing; common reappearance in different pieces of literature in which an auother expects a reader to recognize

There are many different types of archetypes, one in particular is a superhero archetype, in which there is a hero that faces many challenges but ultimately defeats whatever stands in his/her way or in an attempt to help others. This archetype is commonly used and one great example is the Bible in which Moses is the savior of the Isrealites. He faces many perils, but with good will and guidance Moses, the hero, saved the Isrealites from slavery and corruption.

Chapter 21-

Harry Potter has a scar on his forehead that resembles a lightning bolt. The scar symbolizes a past event that he has to carry with him. Therefore Harry’s scar is like a burden he constantly has to carry, which can become difficult. This forms a connection or bond between the reader and Harry because everyone has burdens to carry or past events that influence their lives, whether big or small.

 

 

 

 

How to Read Literature Pro 18-19

Chapter 18

In the Notebook it rains on the two characters, Allie and Noah, which are just friends at this point, but soon after they frolic around in the pouring rain Noah picks Allie up and carries her inside, as if everything between them had changed and became in love in an instant. The rain cleansed the two by instilling love and allowing the two to be together, which is a very crucial point in the literary work.

Chapter 19

Foster would classify geography as any setting, detail, or surroundings characters. Geography in literature is very symbolic.

1)      No Country For Old Men was in a desert which is desolate, dry, and unsettling, all of which help shape the story itself. For example, Chigurh was quite disturbing and unsettling, which without such a desolate and isolated area may have not been plausible. The dryness of the desert also symbolized how times have changed or “dried up” and there are far worse threats in the world today than in the past.

2)      In the novel, The Catcher in the Rye, the geography matters because of the big city feel and sense of loneliness, fright, and distance from the world the book presents. Without the geography, Holden, would not have realized that a lot of people are uncaring and willing to leave you behind for their own personal needs and use you, even though they are so called friends; which basically is the moral of the story.

3)      In the short story, A Rose for Emily, the geography helps influence the meaning of the work as a whole. Without the small town feel and the mostly white community, in a predominantly racist area the reader could not connect to Emily or the rest of the characters. From the geography the reader can sense that something serious and unusual is going on.

4)      Forrest Gump is vastly influenced by geography, which in this case is constantly shifting. Although the geography shifts from place to place, Forrest Gump and the rest of the movie is greatly influenced by the different geographies which is directly correlated to Gump’s many experiences. The geography connects the viewer closer to Forrest and feel as if they enjoy the story with him.

How To Read Lit Chp. 16-17

In the movie, Maid in Manhattan, the maid (Jennifer Lopez) falls in deep love with a wealthy man running for governor. While cleaning a suite one day, she tries on another woman’s expensive dress and suddenly there was a knock on the door, which was the rich man. The man was led to believe that the maid was actually a wealthy woman herself, living in the suite. One day the man running for governor, Chris, invites her to a formal dinner, but the maid, Maria, did not want to attend, she was eventually urged to go. Things escalate between the two and they both end up in Chris’s hotel suite. By this point in time one may think that some sexual intercourse would take place, but instead the movie switches to the next morning with Maria waking up in bed with Chris and has to get dressed for work. Overall this keeps the viewer tuned in and non-complacent with the movie. One can imply that the two had intercourse but the movie did not directly demonstrate it.

How To Read Lit Pro 6-15

Chapter 6- When In Doubt, It’s From Shakespeare…

One work that alludes to Shakespeare includes the Titanic. The author of Titanic creates two characters that are from two different social classes and spectrums, much like the characters Romeo and Juliet. The connections of themes in the two are very similar, including love, death, and tragedy. The Titanic and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet are intertwined and depict intertextuality, barring the bloodshed and suicide-murder. However, Jack from Titanic goes through a similar fate as he perishes.

Chapter 7- …Or the Bible

Many biblical allusions can derive from the book series The Chronicles of Narnia. To begin the place, Narnia, is a reference of heaven due to its features and that everyone lives together in harmony. The Lion, Aslan, acts as a Christ like figure, in that he is the see all, peacemaker, lover, ruler, and creator of all. Aslan is peaceful and harmonizes the land with his superior acts. Aslan also sacrifices himself in one of the novels to save a young man named Edmund who had been lured in by the Witch and resurrected. This is similar to Christ as he sacrificed himself for all people and rose again. Another reference from the series is the Witch, which acts like the Devil. She is the temptress, much like Satan; she will lure the people in with good looks, bribes, and sometimes promises of fortune and fame.

Chapter 8- Hanseldee or Greteldum

A common fairytale found in literature is Cinderella. This classic scheme is most predominately found in situations where there is a miraculous serendipity of events.  Cinderella’s basic fairy tale elements include an underdog, favorite, difficult obstacles, and a triumph of an underdog against all odds. Such an example can be demonstrated by the motion picture “Glory Road”. Glory Road is about an underdog basketball team that wins the 1966 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. Cinderella and Glory Road are similar in that somebody unexpected (underdog) claims a big prize against all odds. Cinderella ends up getting her prince, and the team in glory road wins a national championship with five black starters, the first team to do so. As you can tell, the parallelism deepens the appreciation of the so-called Cinderella story, when an underdog or someone unexpected triumphs.

Chapter 9- It’s Greek to Me

This King of the gods had

to be strong.

He defeated those from

Heaven which had been dethroned.

Earth seemed to be a

place they could rule.

With brothers and sisters

and his lightning bolt he

chose as his tool.

The Father’s throne he

did not want to sit.

So now a King of gods,

he banished them to the

underground pit.

Chapter 10 - It's More Than Just Rain or Snow

In a novel, weather indicates the mood or total atmosphere in which the author is trying to portray. In looking back in my readings one specific novel jumps out – Holes. In this novel there is a lake that helped the small town living by it survives; the lake was the center of life. When Sam, the black man making a living from the lake crops, is brutally murdered, the lake dries up due to no rain, therefore the down becomes dead. The lack of rain symbolizes payback to the murderers and as a punishment to the town. The mood is greatly influenced with weather throughout the novel and at the end there is no longer hopelessness because it finally rains and creates a sense of joy and happiness. Weather creates the mood and allows the reader to grasp a better sense of what the characters are really going through.

Chapter 11 - ...More Than It's Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence

In literature, there are two main types of violence. The first is inflicted on the character himself or other characters. The second type is violence created solely by the author to move the plot along. A great example of these two types can both be found in The Black Cat, in which the husband physically harms both the cat and his wife, leading to death. The second type of violence, created by the author (in this case Poe), is demonstrated by how he feels sad and angry at himself for not liking his animals or cat anymore.

Chapter 12 - Is That A Symbol?

The white daises in the novel, Looking for Alaska, both in the car of Alaska’s death and her drawing near the payphone, are a symbolic reference from society. In the world today, every person wants a new beginning, whether it is from a tough time one has endured or blandly to try something modern and entertaining. Another main characteristic of today’s society is that of the unwritten code. The white daisy symbolizes new beginnings in which Alaska and society both strive for The daises also symbolizes love, loyalty, and allegiance which corresponds with societies “I will never tell” mentality.

Chapter 13 - It's All Political

I don’t believe every novel is political, but in George Orwell's, 1984, it basically warns future generations. Written in 1948, this book predicted some of the things that are happening in today's world. In the novel, there is television screens located on every corner and in every room, so that everything is seen and there is no privacy to the people. The Party, which is the government, can watch people and listen to people through these screens. The Party (Government) also controls what people think. They censor things in history by simply saying it never happened, throwing out documents, and anyone who denied it was punished in the Ministry of Love. This book served to warn the future generations of government power. Even today the government controls much of what we do. The Government has cameras everywhere, can tap phone lines without anyone finding out, conceals information from the public, classify documents and keep important information from the rest of the world. This is just one example of how some novels are political.

Chapter 14 - Yes, She's A Christ Figure, Too

Since it is nearing the holidays, my example would have to be Santa.

1) He is self-sacrificing – He does spend every day of the year to making one day special to all the boys and girls of the world.

2) Santa is great with children - He brings them presents and lights their faces with joy every Christmas.

3) Employed as a carpenter - Santa may not do all the work, but he sure does help out the elves in his work shop.

4) Humble modes of transportation - Rein deer and a sleigh - One of the most humble forms of transportations, especially when children hear the sleigh bells.

5) Like Jesus had disciples, Santa has his elves - They constantly help him in the workshop, keep up the naughty and nice list, and help him prepare for the upcoming Christmas each year.

6) Portrayed with outstretched arms - Santa is very forgiving – When have you ever seen Santa not jolly or wanting a hug, he is always taking pictures with the children. Even though he checks his list twice to see if you’re naughty or nice, he is a very forgiving man and most will not get a lump of coal in their stocking.

Chapter 15 - Flights of Fancy

Flight represents freedom or escape. Unable to recall one particular text I have read that had flight in it, I can relate to the novel The Catcher in the Rye, in which Holden runs away to escape his current situations, only to discover that there is trouble surrounding him everywhere in the corrupt world and that many people pretend to be who they really are or try to use him.

 

 

 

 

How To Read Lit 1-5

Chapter 1- Every Trip Is a Quest (Except When It’s Not)

The quest consists of five things: (a) a quester, (b) a place to go, (c) a stated reason to go there, (d) challenges and trials en route, (e) a real reason to go there.

In the novel 1984 the protagonist Winston Smith, our quester, is unhappy and non-complacent with the authority of the society and Big Brother. Winston had a place to go in order to try and get away from the overlooking eyes of society; he had a “safe” haven and would travel back and forth. Winston had a reason to go there, in that he was trying to escape and rebel against the authoritarian culture and Big Brother. Winston meets several challenges and trials along his way, such as, the Thought Police, Big Brother, and other stipulations in avoiding society. His real reason to go however was for self-knowledge, he wanted to know who Big Brother was, defy the odds of society, and see how life would be without the all-seeing culture presented in the novel.

Chapter 2- Nice to Eat with You: Acts of Communion

In the movie “No Country for Old Men”, Sherriff Bell was eating talking with his nephew. In the scene he is sitting at a table with food and beverages – communion more or less – and the talk persuades Bell to be uncomfortable, because of the topic. Sheriff Bell then does not feel like eating his food, losing his appetite, thus there is broken communion which is a bad sign, foreshadowing bad outcomes to follow in the rest of the movie.

Chapter 3- Nice to Eat You: Acts of Vampires

The essentials of a vampire story is an older figure, representing corrupt, out-worn values; a young, preferably virginal female; a stripping away of her youth, energy, virtue; a continuance of the life force of the old male; the death or destruction of the old woman.

In the novel “Perks of Being a Wallflower”, Sam, a younger girl, was molested by her father’s friend (older figure, corrupt), in which she was stripped of her youth and virtue. The old man continued to live a regular life in spite of Sam’s moral degradation.

 

Chapter 5- Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before

Intertextuality is the interrelationship between a text and other texts, taken a basic to the creation or overall interpretation of the text; simply the dialogue between old text and new.

In knowing that there’s no such thing as a wholly original work of literature, some examples that have helped in my specific readings include the Bible, in which many texts derive from or in ways a character embodies a figure from the Bible, such as, Chigurh in “No Country for Old Men”. Another example from “No Country for Old Men” is that of which Chigurh is like Jason from Friday the 13^th. Another example includes the movie Titanic, in which characters Jack and Rose are like Romeo and Juliet, barring the murder-suicide, where two main characters came from different backgrounds and ultimately did not get to be together.

No Country For Old Men Viewing Guide

Themes

1. Death

2. Chance           

3. Principle

Meaning of the Work as a Whole

The overall meaning of “No Country for Old Men” is that the world changes, that society is used to seeing good trump evil. In this movie however there is a different archetype where everything is for not, as the “good” guy is murdered, the “bad” guy walks away, and the pursuing Sherriff retires.

 

 3 Important Quotations

 ***Type out each quote and in 3-5 sentences explain how/why that quote is significant to the overall meaning.

1)      Well, I got here the same way the coin did. – Chigurh

This is an important quote in the movie because it shows that Chigurh is a man of principle and even though the coin relies on chance, doesn’t mean the consequences are of chance as well. This constitutes that someone’s fate is not a matter of chance, but a matter of what one does before their judgment point to have a say in their destiny. Chigurh depicts this by way of his standing principle in which he presents himself, that life is not a matter of chance, but rather a threshold of finer or evil outcomes.

2)      If the rule you followed brought you to this, of what use was the rule? – Chigurh

This is another important and life related quote from Chigurh, in which he questions why one followed a rule that in turn led to a bad outcome and simply requests the importance of the rule in which led to their demise. One can easily use this quote and relate it to life, because many people have certain principles in which do not lead to great outcomes, but still continue to exhibit the same tenet…why? This is a question in which only the person can answer for themselves – which is why Chigurh does so – and must question why they continue to follow the principle that always fails.

3)      What’s the most you’ve ever lost on a coin toss – Chigurh

This is another way that Chigurh shows his principles of chance and fate by asking this of an innocent clerk, who immediately queries. This sets a tone for the movie and depicts the type of character Chigurh really is. He doesn’t want to kill; he just believes he has to too get his way or against the ones who have crossed him.

 

Character Analysis

 •Sheriff Bell – Bell is an honest man who desires more in life than to protect and serve as a law enforcer. When the bodies are discovered in the desert, he realizes that times have changed and that society is not what it used to be. As a result, he does not or doesn’t want understand these immoral changes, and after the numerous deaths piling up declares retirement.

•Llewellyn Moss – Moss is likable young man who is full of self-confidence, comfortable out in an isolated desert, and has a wife who loves him. He is a tad bit too confident in some ways though. And in the desert, with no one watching, he refuses a dying man a drink of water and steals a suitcase full of money. Moss shows remorse for his wife and ultimately gets them both killed, due to his overconfidence.

•Anton Chigurh - Chigurh is evil itself, killing for the pleasure of seeing people plead for their lives or perhaps killing because someone is standing in his way. Chigurh does not have resounding motives for his actions. He seems not to be affected by money or power. He merely sets a plan for himself, has a dead-aim focus, and does what he has to in order to get from one point to another, as if he needs to prove himself.

How to Read Literature Like a Professor

***Choose 3 Chapters and Connect those chapters to the movie. Go into specific detail as to how each chapter connects to a part of the movie.

Chapter 1, Every Trip is a Quest (except when it’s not), connects with the movie “No Country for Old Men” because Llewelyn Moss ventures on a quest, but really doesn’t know why, or what is going on. Moss is the quester on a search for self-knowledge. He travels from motel to motel trying to avoid the killer Chigurh, which is his stated reason to go there. Moss’s challenge is trying to stay alive while being sought after by two different parties.

Chapter 11, More Than It’s Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence, relates to the movie due to all the violence depicted. The violence in the movie is character caused by many shootings and is symbolic in the movie. It represents a shift in time, as put in context like Sherriff Bell. The movie depicts shooting to demonstrate violence, because it is one of the most demonstrative, so that the viewers could really see the shift in society.

Chapter 19, Geography Matters, connects with the movie as well because the setting, The West/Country, constitutes a sense of honesty and hard-working people, but also brought forth from society, a overuse of gun violence and of prevalent chase downs. In the movie Moss is being chased and there is an overuse of gun violence, including Chigurh’s weapon. Also the desert a low place insinuates death, which is also very prevalent in the movie.  

Assignment Part II

          While extolling the importance of imagination, JK Rowling says "One of the many things I learned at the end of that Classics corridor down which I ventured at the age of 18, in search of something I could not then define, was this, written by the Greek author Plutarch: 'What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality'. That is an astonishing statement and yet proven a thousand times every day of our lives. It expresses, in part, our inescapable connection with the outside world, the fact that we touch other people's lives simply by existing."

We all assume our position in life, every day in fact, and we live each and every one of those days as new, but what we tend to do with those days are what make us unique. Rowling brings up an important and factual checkpoint in our lives, how we as human beings are changing another person’s life. As cliché as this may sound, the novelty of her words in her speech to Harvard graduates, poses an ominous query to society as a whole. We may tend to believe that no one cares, or may tell ourselves no one is watching, while in reality the world is gazing upon our every move. Being blessed enough to realize that just because I may be behind closed doors on occasion, the world is still subject to my successes or lack thereof. I have the utmost confidence in myself in everything I do and always set goals which some may even deem to high, but in my mind I can only go higher. Saying that, is saying this, in that I, Julius Hatcher, believe in myself to be a leader upon leaders inside school, amongst peers, and in the outside world to all of society. I do not limit myself to the confines of others beliefs and by doing so create an aurora around myself in which I know others feed off of. Without first being confident in myself, I could not be a leader or life changer to other people. Through all of these traits I change others’ lives, by showing them that success is possible, a life of pleasure and enthusiasm, and by being a leader upon leaders, which is humbly being myself and existing.

Such inward achievements include my profound leadership, my willing to be myself no matter what circumstance and confidence in myself in everything I do. These are just a small array of some of my inward achievements in which I am most proud, because I feel as if these touch the general public most often. While I continue to grow older and display my inward achievements to the outside world I hope to continue to touch others as I already have. I hope to be a bridge for students, a way out of the coal fields in Mingo County, to greater achievements in life. I hope to be a light to everyone in the whole United States and in other countries as well, an international highway in which I can show peace among every nation through the Lord and His will. To do these things for our society, I must continue on my journey to be the best that I can be, which began with my birth and a cry for greater aspirations in life.

Assignment Part I

1)

The first tone shift in Rowling's speech was when she transitioned from her cheery "gay wizard" joke to her scholarly true message, in which she has wracked her mind and heart for the words to be spoken at Harvard's graduation. This was important because she lures the graduates into her speech with her whimsical puns and then abruptly introduces them to the true meaning of why she is before them that day. This is a continuous theme throughout Rowling's speech; she will reminisce on some dark age/s of her life and relate it to the graduates, then playfully follow through with a joke, in an attempt to use humor to break the tension built between the students and her.  

The next tone shift I encountered, takes place when Rowling reveals her personal optimism to the graduates when she states, "What I feared most for myself at your age was not poverty, but failure." Beforehand she depicts her personal troubles, poverty, and shifts her attitude to what she feared most, failure. This tone shift was important because she displayed what she feared most by detailing how she became a failure, with a lack of motivation on her part, unruly peers, and her jobless parenthood, to the gradates in a way to instruct them that failure is okay. She conveys these ominous details and compliments that part of her speech with enthusiasm and jests once again.

The final tone shift I observed, occurred when Rowling dramatically addressed the graduates with a sense of urgency and a hope. This occurred near the conclusion of her speech and refers to her true friends, whom she has been able to turn to in times of trouble. She passionately wishes the Harvard graduates similar, genial friendships. This was an important shift because as she concluded her speech she wanted to connect to the graduates in a more broad sense and leave the audience with a challenge and desire. Rowling ultimately ties her whole speech together with a complimentary, jocular, reference which took place in the beginning of her speech.

2)

inoculated - to introduce something into the mind of

revelatory - making something known; revealing something in usually a surprising way

vicissitudes - a difficulty or hardship attendant on a way of life, a career, or a course of action and usually beyond one's control

JK Rowling

1. What are the benefits of failure? Do you fear failure?
2. In your life is there a difference or a bridge between what is expected of you and your own ambitions?
3. Who would J.K. Rowling most befriend from the two novels we have read in class? Why?
4. According to the novels discussed in class, who best discovers oneself after failure? In what ways?
5. In Rowling's speech she states, "we touch other people's lives simply by existing." In what way or ways are you proving her statement true?

"I was striking an uneasy balance between the ambition I had for myself, and what those closest to me expected of me." - Rowling
     I chose this powerful quote from Rowling's speech because it depicts how personal ambitions and others expectations can be in disordance. People so often shape themselves to others views, instead of doing what is right for themselves. While some people may have good intentions, only you know what is best for yourself and it is your responsibility to take control of life and move forward. Do not let others shape who you are, one must be different and become what they themselves fancy and personal quirks. If one does not do this they will never find true happiness and never fulfill or show their true potential.

"He was a foot taller than I was, and seemed as fragile as a child" - Rowling
     I chose this quote becuase it shows no matter what shows on the outside, everyone has a story. No matter size, race, or religion everyone can connect and has a story in which everyone can relate. Every person must experience failure, it is inevitable, but what we choose to do with it is our own choice. Whats on the outside matters only slightly, but what character and story one shields on the inside make them who they truly are. This quote depicts these traits because the man who was taller than Rowling was as nimble as a pin.

"Ultimately, we all have to decide for ourselves what constitutes failure, but the world is quite eager to give you a set of criteria if you let it." - Rowling
     I chose this quote becuase it highlights how we ouselves must decide and have a hidden point where we constitute failure. Also, society can and will easily label us as failures by the actions, decisions, lifestyle, and purse (money) that we inhibit. We must ultimately decide our fate, in which we decide our own failures, because failure is inevitable. In order to decide our own failures we must have goals for ourselves, because without a goal there is no point to failure. At the forefront, one must recognize that failure is going to make itself evident and we as people must be able to grow from our personal failures into a better, more well rounded person.

Week of Oct 29th

What have you learned about English/Literature over the past 9 weeks?
     Through the past nine weeks of English/Literature I have learned a variety of many different things and life lessons. Some highlights of my new knowledge includes  greater ability to analyze a text, improvement upon thesis statements, and to provide more textual support within a essay or writing. Though I have had the ability to learn more than these few things, I feel these are the most important and most helped me develop as a literary analyst and writer. During this nine weeks I have also learned that I am very blessed to have such caring parents and love throughout my family and with my friends. I am very proud to say this and hope to better the lives of others.  

What have you learned about your classmates?
    I have learned that my classmates are all very unique and intellectual people, and there is more to them than meets the eye. Even though many have endured through tough times and hardships, they prevail and love one another including myself and find refuge in someone that they feel safe with. I feel more connected to my fellow classmates and credit this to my AP Course. Through these learning's of my classmates I have realized that everyone no matter how they may be perceived has a story and whether good or bad can make their life different in many ways. This is mind altering and I am glad to be a part of a special group of young men and women.

What have you learned about life?
    Through the course of the first nine weeks in class, I have learned different facets of life and how it doesn't shape us...we shape life. I have learned that no matter what life throws at us, we can prevail and become stronger because of it. As cliché as this may sound, the truth has been no short of evident in my AP Course. Through many class discussions, I have recognized that life is like a labyrinth and we need love and compassion and a will to succeed to escape it. One must always have a Great Perhaps and never lose sight of it, but if one does its okay because we all lose sight of things sometimes. I have also learned that life is a seemingly unsolvable mystery, but one must first figure out who they are before trying to solve the puzzle of life.

Did you enjoy the novel unit (Perks of Being a Wallflower and Looking for Alaska)? Would you recommend I use those two novels next year? What assignments changes would you make (if any)?
      Yes, I enjoyed the novel unit for this class and I definitely would recommend you to use the two novels,  Perks of Being a Wallflower and Looking for Alaska, in your future classes. The only assignment change I would make myself would be to make everyone read How To Read Literature Like A Professor all the way through.
 
What should I change for next year's class?
     Remotely no changes for next years class, other than assigning the whole How To Read Literature Like A Professor for each student to read in entirety.

What area of the AP Exam do you feel that you need to work on the most?
     I feel confident in my ability to do good on the exam, but I think more work on multiple choice and more timed writing practice for me to practice with my textual support would be perfect.

Julius & Paige Groupwork

Bold is Paige, normal is Julius

1. I believe the true significance of the title of the novel, "Looking For Alaska" in my opinion, is that Alaska's friends don't stop looking for her even though she is dead. They are searching even harder for every important piece of information they can find that will help them understand the person she was and help understand what led to her death. They are looking for her in the metaphorical sense. They are searching for a peace at heart that helps make it possible to go on and live a productive life even though the tragedy caused so much heartache for them.

2. I consider the very last chapter to be the most important in the novel because it captures the essence and overall meaning of the literary masterpiece “Looking for Alaska”. This chapter culminates every circumstance throughout the story and leaves the reader with a sense of satisfaction. Not only does it leave the reader satisfied, but it concludes maturity on behalf of Pudge whom finally has closure with how his friends and he will escape from the unsolvable labyrinth. Throughout the novel Pudge nor his close friends, including Alaska until her death, knew much about how to escape the maze of life and its sometimes seemingly unbearable traits and hardships. From the time of Alaska’s death, Pudge - and the novel - took a turn for the worse, but gratefully in the last chapter resurrected himself to once again seek his Great Perhaps.

3. I believe the most important quote in “Looking for Alaska” was the referenced Thomas Edison quote that Pudge used which was, “It’s very beautiful over there”. Like Pudge stated in the novel, one may not know where there is, but we believe it is somewhere, and we hope it is beautiful. These devout last words of Thomas Edison were perfect to use in the story especially put into context as Pudge did. These words speak volumes to a reader and emphasize the meaning of the work as a whole in a context unimaginable. This is possible due to the fact that throughout the story Pudge and his friends are unaware of their belonging in the world, they see no way out of the labyrinth of life. But towards the end, after the tragedy occurs, Pudge and The Colonel begin to figure out a little more about their meaning and place in the world day by day to make their time in the labyrinth bearable.

5. I believe Pudge is the most important character in the novel because he not only demonstrates a complete transformation from beginning to end, but he helps provide for others, such as, The Colonel in various forms. Related to the novel Pudge is a standout character; he exhibits a complete moral and emotional shift and always is compelling to the reader. So in search for the Great Perhaps, he encounters love, tragedy, friendship, and life’s agonizing adversities, which is in direct correlation with the stories overall message. To overcome such traits he strays away from destitution, caused by the loss of his beloved friend Alaska, and uses his loss for his own benefit. He first thought of life as something that comes and goes with nothing in between or after, but near the conclusion he finds himself yearning for knowledge of himself and of Alaska. This ultimately leads him to continue on his search for a more-than-minor life and the way out of the labyrinth. Conclusively Pudge is the most important character to the meaning of the novel as a whole.

 

8. In the novel "Looking For Alaska", I (Paige) believe I relate most to Alaska. In some ways, I can see myself of how she comes to blaming herself and feeling guilty for her mother's death; where in my shoes, I blame myself for my mother's drug addiction, and the brokenness of my family. one other aspect that relates us is that Alaska doesn't share her real feelings with people. She is like a mystery. Where I don't share my feelings with much people. I go about everyday acting happy sometimes when I am upset on the inside.

14. In the novel, "Looking For Alaska" the main character, Miles "Pudge" Halter, is related to the main character, Charlie, in "Perks of Being A Wallflower" by facing the same situations such as, many instances of heartbreak which are the heartbreak of Charlie losing his friends for a while, and Pudge , danger, death, and many moments of decision, all of which affect the rest of their stories. Not only have they both experienced the same situations, but they also started off inexperienced with life, and sheltered in some way, and in both stories it shows how both characters are "saved" and taken in by important friends in the books. One more addition comparison is that both say a meaningful quote that helps influence the book. Pudge says "seeking a great perhaps" and Charlie says "I feel infinite." Both quotes are very powerful, and not only help carry out the stories, but kind of show Charlie and Pudge as who they are.

Analyzed Playlist

Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd - This song demonstrates the overall understanding of Charlie and how he feels by the lyrics which describe loneliness and how people ignore him. Charlie is finally accepted and he feels infinite and, like in the song, Part II describes how they do not need to be controlled and to have fun and live life the way one chooses. Charlie finally feels loved, so he decides to live life for himself. When listening to the song, the reader has a better perception of Charlie and how he truly feels.

Landslide by Fleetwood Mac – This song influences the overall meaning of how Charlie feels continuously throughout the book through the lyrics of the song. For example, the song says “I took my love and I took it down, I climbed a mountain and I turned around, And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills, 'Till the landslide brought me down” This clarifies one of the emotions that Charlie feels, which is that at first he feels like no one loves him, but he finally is accepted and feels genuine love. This song shows connection to Charlie, and helps the reader understand his pain and suffering, but also the enlightenment from finally being loved.

Perks Part B Letter

September 11, 1991

Dear Charlie,

            I recently received your letter from September 7, 1991. It was very like one of my first days of high school! I did not like high school very much in the beginning either and our lunchroom is referred to as the “Commons Area”. Strange right? I also had a long lost friend in high school, just like that girl Susan you were writing about. She used to get picked on because she did all her homework and made straight A’s in middle school, her name was Ellie. I was her only friend, the bullies used to call her Smelly Ellie. I suppose one summer she started working out, using makeup, and wearing her hair down. She was beautiful. She acted like she wasn’t smart at all and talked with guys all the time. She had become very popular in high school. It was like she totally forgot about me, her best and not to mention only friend. I too felt sorry for my friend because she never did look as happy as she used to. And it’s okay Charlie; it’s just a letter you do not have to be grammatically correct all the time. I used to get picked on a lot too, only not “swirlies”, I was the football teams punching bag. I wish I had some of those cool moves your brother taught you back when I was starting school! I’ll remember, go for the knees, throat, and eyes. Its cool your brother plays at Penn State, but I know that must be hard with your parents sometimes. Remember this Charlie, do what makes you happy don’t try to live up to someone’s expectations.

                                                                                                                        Sincerely your friend,

                                                                                                                                                  Julius

Perks Part A

What is the overall meaning of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”?

The overall meaning of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is to associate with many children or anyone in general who can relate to young Charlie. The book not only mimics certain struggles of a typical teenage high school boy, but it illuminates the essence of love and acceptance. Everyone can relate to Charlie in some fashion and because of this the book allows the reader to be connected and in tune with the storyline. In turn, the storyline contributes many factors of life, such as, sex, love, passivity, drugs and alcohol. The book serves as an example for anyone like Charlie, a wallflower, to pick their selves up and to continue to move forward in their lives no matter what substantial obstacles stand in their pathway. Through the characters and scenes in the novel, teenagers can relate and for those children and teenagers who are blessed enough to have what Charlie does not, it makes them be thankful and have the urge to help others that may not. This book serves as a platter for everyone to pick what they need from it to use in life and to make a difference in society. Who knows, maybe you could be the difference in someone’s life and their search to feel infinite.

Does the movie emphasize or change the overall meaning?

I believe the movie emphasizes the overall meaning because if one could not visualize what was taking place in the book, they could see it first-hand in the movie. Barring some actions and sections of the book left out of the movie, the overall importance of the work was still evident. The ability for the overall meaning to be apparent in both the story and the movie not only shows the power of the storyline, but demonstrates how the actions and scenes are relevant to everyday society.

Chosen Song

I selected a song for my mother and it is titled “A Song for Mama” by Boyz II Men. This song has always been special to me because I love my mother very much and she pushes me to strive for the very best. My mother believes in everything I do and will always be by my side no matter what the situation. I am blessed to have such an amazing mother and father in my household who have taught me many life lessons and channeled me in the right direction so when I am alone I can continue forward, steadfast, and hold myself high in the Lord.

The Perks End--Part II

Part II: Quotes

1. “I would die for you. But I won’t live for you” –  This quote from the book not only illuminates the overall literary work, but it shows how Charlie needs to live his own life and be less passive when it comes to important decisions and things he wants in his life, for example the love of Sam.

2. “We accept the love we think we deserve.” – This specific quote from the novel illustrates that Charlie may not feel like he is deserving of true love. In a broader sense people feel like they are undeserving of love or cannot be truly loved because of who they are, for example, appearance, race, education, etc.

3. “Sometimes people use thought to not participate in life” – This quote from the story is very saddening, by showing how people, such as, Charlie use their own thoughts whether they be good, bad, or both to not participate in everyday life. Another perspective that could be taken from this quote is suicide. Many people give up on life because they allow their thoughts to take control and see the worst in things and feel no need to continue on.

The Perks End--Part I

Part I: Plot

 

         “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is an exhilarating spot-on story of what it is like to grow up in high school. The unique letters from Charlie are vibrant and relative to real world circumstances. Through his letters to an unknown “friend”, the reader relates and shares the same world that Charlie describes. The ending of the novel by Stephen Chbosky is very appropriate to conclude the literary masterpiece, brought to the reader through the letters from the teenager Charlie. The conclusion is both surprising and devastating, but ultimately shines a light on what the story as a whole was trying to convey. This included friendship, coming of age, love, family, sex, and drugs, which may very be the equivalent of an average complex teenage life. As a reader, one must realize that this novel is about life…real life. One must also comprehend that this dramatic conclusion is not confined to a book, but rather an everyday occurrence with some teenagers just like Charlie. Overall the culmination of the literary work was fulfilling and inspirational, expressing not only emotions of sorrow, but urging the reader to make a difference by noticing all the wallflowers whom exist that are just like Charlie on their search to feel infinite.

Playlist

They Don’t Know by Jon B. - I  enjoy the beat and how the lyrics reflect the viewpoint that no one    knows about how someone truy feels and loves someone.

Healing by Jagged Edge - I enjoy the beat and the lyrics  of the song.

Knockin’ Da Boots by H-Town - I enjoy the beat of the song.

Bad Habits by Maxwell - I enjoy how the tone and melody match with the lyrics and really tell a story.

Lost Without You by Robin Thicke - I enjoy everything about this song and how the lyrics relate to people in life and how you care for them.

Everyone Hurts by Kirk Franklin - I enjoy everything, but what stands out the most is the message being ministered through the songs lyrics.

Thank God I Found You by Mariah Carey - This track is enjoyable because not only is there a nice beat, but through its lyrics you understand how much you are blessed to have someone you love. To me not even neccessarily a girlfriend, but anyone in general.

You Rock My World by Michael Jackson - I enjoy this track because I like Michael Jackson music.

Diamonds by Robin Thicke - I enjoy every aspect of this song and it really speaks to me through its lyrics.

They Don’t Know by Jon B. - I enjoy the beat and how the lyrics reflect the viewpoint that no one knows about how someone truy feels.

 

Perks Questions

Who is the protagonist? How would you characterize him?

 Charlie is the Protagonist. He is always analyzing and using his head to think things through. 

 

 Which characters are round and flat?

Patrick, Sam, and Charlie’s sister are flat characters, but Charlie and Brad are definitely round.

 

Examine the family dynamics in "Perks". Would you classify Charlie's parents as good or bad? What textual evidence do you have to support this?

I would classify Charlie’s parents as decent parents, they try to support their children and keep them safe from harm. From their own experiences they want to raise their kids better than what they were, for example, the dad pledges never to hit his children because his father hit him when he was little.

 

What point of view is used and what style? Why would the author choose this method? How is it effective?

This story is told from Charlie’s point of view and written in a personal first person since it is in diary form. The author found this method most effective because it connects the reader to the events taking place in the book and can personally connect to the characters and Charlie.

 

What conflicts exist in this novel so far?

Some conflicts include the sister and the boy who hits her and the hidden homosexuality between Brad and Patrick.

 

What do you notice about the exposition of this story? Does it grab your attention? How?

In the beginning he talks like he is writing to another person who can listen to him. It grabs my attention because I want to know who he is writing to.

 

Which chapters apply so far?

Some application would include bad communion.

Some Point of View Types

1st Person-  point of view in which an "I" or "we" serves as the narrator of a piece of fiction. The narrator may be a minor character, observing the action, or the main protagonist of the story.

3rd Person Omniscient-   a method of storytelling in which the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all of the characters in the story.

3rd Person Limited-   a method of storytelling in which the narrator knows only the thoughts and feelings of a single character, while other characters are presented only externally. Third person limited grants a writer more freedom than first person.

3rd Person Objective-   the narrator only knows what someone watching would know. They don't know people's thoughts, but rather actions and words.

3rd Person Collective- a method of storytelling i which there is more than one narrator

Point of View

Point of View Alteration of Popular Mechanics

Early that day it was very chilly and I turned and noticed that the luminous white fluff on the window was melting into what seemed to be dirty water. Streaks of it trickled down from the little shoulder-high window that faced my family’s backyard. Some of the white fluff sort of slushed by on the blacktop outside, where it was getting very dark and daunting. But it was getting dark on the inside too, my parents were upstairs.

I heard many items being slung around, when my mom went to check on dad. The screaming I heard short after made me uneasy and I threw up onto the living room floor. All I heard was my mom’s curdling voice, “I’m glad you’re leaving!” There was no response, as I continued to hear such items slung into something.

My mom began to scream at my father once again, I was deeply frightened. There were many words I could not make out that my mom kept repeating over and over again. I finally heard a faint murmur of my dad’s voice; “Bring that back.” is all I could make out. As she came down the steps, her face red with anger and eyes filled with tears, she was fearfully grasping hold of a frame that had a picture of what so closely resembled me. She noticed the mess I had previously made in the floor and picked me up and took me into the kitchen.

My dad was quick to follow her down the steps, as he switched off the lights upstairs; he was holding a large case of something and was wearing his gigantic coat. My mom held me in the doorway of the small kitchen, watching my father with intense eyes. I tried to call for him, he did not answer.

I remember seeing my dad’s brow start to curl as he said, “I want the baby.” At first I was .pleased as if he wanted to hold me, but his face was not inviting. I began to cry.  “Are you crazy?” my mother queried.

My parents began to bicker and yell once again; I cried even louder. My mother, uncovered the blanket covering the top of my head. “Oh, oh” she said, looking me directly in the eyes.

Dad moved toward me and my mom. She screamed for God, while taking a step backwards almost dropping me in the floor. “I want the baby.” said dad. “Get out of here!” exclaimed mom.

She turned with me in her arms holding me in the corner of the stove. Suddenly I felt a harsh grasp around me, I looked up, and it was my father. He reached across the stove and tightened his hands on me. I tried to free myself but I could not.

My parents both had me in their hands, shouting at one another. “Let go of him”, “Get away, get away!” was a concurrent tone. My face was burning and I was screaming, I could not move, I was being dictated by my own two parents; I became a doll to them. While the two were tugging me they knocked down my favorite feature of the entire house, the beautiful flowerpot that hung behind the stove. Oh how I loved that flowerpot.

Things had become much worse, my father crowded mom into the wall, trying to break her grip from me. I was just hoping that the unbearable pain would go away from my benign body. The grip of the two was becoming even harsher as dad held on to me while pushing with all his weight to release me from my mother’s slipping hands.

Pulling me even harder my skin began to ache, “Don't”, she said,” You’re hurting the baby.” “I'm not hurting the baby”, declared my dad. The two bickered on but without regard to me, their son.

There was no light shining through the window and it was completely dark inside the kitchen when my dad tried to unwind mom’s fisted fingers from my body with one hand, while holding me tightly with the other. I began to scream like no other.

For a brief moment I felt a relaxation because my mom’s fingers were plying open, by this time I did not care what happened, I just wanted to be free of the severe pain from the pulling on my body.  

“No!” my crying mother screamed as her hands came loose from my elongated arm. She would not let me go! In a split-second she grasped my other arm. She tightly locked her hands around my wrist and leaned back. My dad would not give in; he pulled back suddenly very hard. The tugging of my undermined flesh became unbearable.