This journal is all about snow. Snow, snow, snow, and more snow. Snow is pretty awesome I guess, but it's one of those double-edged sword kind of deals. I like it when it's pretty, but after a while it gets all slushy and black and gross. Freshly fallen snow is the best because it's smooth, even, and fluffy. I like to just go outside and roll in the new snow. Often times, my dog joins me because he's just a freak like that.
My favorite snow-related activities are making snow angels and snow forts, sledding, rolling around in the snow, and pelting my brother and his friends with snowballs. Snowmen are fun to make, too. I want to one day make a snowman like the ones in that Calvin and Hobbes comic where one gets hit by a car and the others are standing around looking shocked. I'm not sure I have the attention span for that though.
Another snow-related activity that I enjoy is drinking hot chocolate after playing outside in the snow. Hot chocolate is awesome by itself, but if you're cold when you drink it, then it's even better for some reason. It's all about the atmosphere.
Another thing about the atmosphere of snow is how I like curling up in bed with a good book and just spending the day reading. Sounds geeky, but it's one of my favorite things to do. Especially if I'm home alone because then the house is quiet and I have space to breath.
I also like how snow looks when it's falling. I took some awesome pictures a few years ago during that snowstorm we had. They turned out really well, if I do say so myself. Snow always looks so pretty when it's just floating down to the earth. It even looks cool if there's a blizzard or something because it's like the snow just hides all the imperfections in the world underneath its sparkling perfection.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Reflection on "The Minister's Black Veil"
"The Minister's Black Veil" exhibits many characteristics of Dark Romanticism. Though not the same as the other Dark Romantic stories we have read, such as the works of Poe, "The Minister's Black Veil" still has many features that make it a Dark Romantic work.
The main characteristic of Dark Romanticism present in "The Minister's Black Veil" is the sense of mystery that pervades the story in its entirety. The villagers can't figure out why on earth the minister would all of a sudden want to wear a veil over his face. The villagers uncertainty creeps into the reader's mind and makes them want to figure out why the minister is wearing a veil. Even when the minister explains his new headgear, he does so in a very ambiguous way that leaves a lot open for interpretation. If anything, the reader continues reading the story just so they can receive clarification. Also, they want to know if he keeps his promise and keeps the veil on for his whole life. He apparently does, but, when he dies, the townspeople don't lift the veil. The minister is buried in it and decomposes with it still covering his face. As the narrator states in the beginning, "That mysterious emblem was never once withdrawn." (Hawthorne 281).
Another big theme of Dark Romanticism in this story is the acknowledgment that there is sin and evil in the world. The townspeople believe Mr. Hooper to be wearing the veil because he is hiding from some secret sin, illustrated by this passage: "The subject had reference to secret sin, and those sad mysteries which we hide from our nearest and dearest, and would fain conceal from our own consciousness, even forgetting that the Omniscient can detect them." (Hawthorne 282). The accusation presented in that passage is made even more ominous by the fact that Mr. Hooper is a minister, and, therefore, he is not really supposed to sin, let alone have a secret sin that is so bad he feels he must cover his face. This brings an added layer to the psychology of "The Minister's Black Veil."
The Dark Romantic authors often play around with psychology in their stories, which makes them that much more effective as short stories. The minister's veil makes all of the townspeople really uneasy. They know that a simple piece of black fabric shouldn't have such an effect on them, but they can't help the fact that it really creeps them out. It is made even more intense by the fact that there is not a solid presence that makes them feel that way. In other Dark Romanticism stories, there is usually something solid for the characters to be afraid of, even if they are really just a metaphor for something else. The fact that there is really only the subtle idea of something that is making the people feel this way certainly is more effective than an actual boogieman. It is this psychological aspect that is probably the biggest reason this work is considered a Dark Romantic work.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. "The Minister's Black Veil." American Literature. Comp. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 280-89. Print.
The main characteristic of Dark Romanticism present in "The Minister's Black Veil" is the sense of mystery that pervades the story in its entirety. The villagers can't figure out why on earth the minister would all of a sudden want to wear a veil over his face. The villagers uncertainty creeps into the reader's mind and makes them want to figure out why the minister is wearing a veil. Even when the minister explains his new headgear, he does so in a very ambiguous way that leaves a lot open for interpretation. If anything, the reader continues reading the story just so they can receive clarification. Also, they want to know if he keeps his promise and keeps the veil on for his whole life. He apparently does, but, when he dies, the townspeople don't lift the veil. The minister is buried in it and decomposes with it still covering his face. As the narrator states in the beginning, "That mysterious emblem was never once withdrawn." (Hawthorne 281).
Another big theme of Dark Romanticism in this story is the acknowledgment that there is sin and evil in the world. The townspeople believe Mr. Hooper to be wearing the veil because he is hiding from some secret sin, illustrated by this passage: "The subject had reference to secret sin, and those sad mysteries which we hide from our nearest and dearest, and would fain conceal from our own consciousness, even forgetting that the Omniscient can detect them." (Hawthorne 282). The accusation presented in that passage is made even more ominous by the fact that Mr. Hooper is a minister, and, therefore, he is not really supposed to sin, let alone have a secret sin that is so bad he feels he must cover his face. This brings an added layer to the psychology of "The Minister's Black Veil."
The Dark Romantic authors often play around with psychology in their stories, which makes them that much more effective as short stories. The minister's veil makes all of the townspeople really uneasy. They know that a simple piece of black fabric shouldn't have such an effect on them, but they can't help the fact that it really creeps them out. It is made even more intense by the fact that there is not a solid presence that makes them feel that way. In other Dark Romanticism stories, there is usually something solid for the characters to be afraid of, even if they are really just a metaphor for something else. The fact that there is really only the subtle idea of something that is making the people feel this way certainly is more effective than an actual boogieman. It is this psychological aspect that is probably the biggest reason this work is considered a Dark Romantic work.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. "The Minister's Black Veil." American Literature. Comp. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 280-89. Print.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Journal #25: Masks
Everyone wears a mask at some point, whether it is actually a physical mask, or a metaphorical one. It's not really a big deal, unless you're a killer or something that wears a mask to keep people from finding out that you are, in fact, killing people.
As far as literal masks, I've worn a lot of those. What can I say, I love to dress up and wear costumes. I think it would be awesome to go to a masquerade ball where everyone is in a mask. Especially those Venetian masks because I think those re really awesome and beautiful. I got a blue bird mask for my birthday once, but I haven't had a chance to wear it yet. That kind of makes me sad.
As far as metaphorical masks go, I've worn my fair share of those. Maybe more. I already wrote an essay on this last year, and I really don't want anyone else to know about my metaphorical masks, since this is a public blog. I don't think I want a bunch of people in Canada or Russia or somewhere else reading about my psychological problems that require the use of a metaphorical masks. For some reason my blog is really popular in those places...
I also wear a mask because I'm secretly a superhero and the occasional super villain. Obviously, superheroes/villains wear masks- it's an occupational hazard if they don't. Except for Clark Kent/Superman. Apparently the people in his town all lack eyesight and basic reasoning skills. Fortunately, I'm not as naive as Clark, and no one knows my secret identity. It would really suck if they did.
Another time that I wear a mask is on Halloween and at masquerade parties. When I dress up as someone else, a mask is necessary in order to look more like the character I'm trying to portray. Otherwise, people look at you like you're stupid. Especially if it isn't actually Halloween...
As far as literal masks, I've worn a lot of those. What can I say, I love to dress up and wear costumes. I think it would be awesome to go to a masquerade ball where everyone is in a mask. Especially those Venetian masks because I think those re really awesome and beautiful. I got a blue bird mask for my birthday once, but I haven't had a chance to wear it yet. That kind of makes me sad.
As far as metaphorical masks go, I've worn my fair share of those. Maybe more. I already wrote an essay on this last year, and I really don't want anyone else to know about my metaphorical masks, since this is a public blog. I don't think I want a bunch of people in Canada or Russia or somewhere else reading about my psychological problems that require the use of a metaphorical masks. For some reason my blog is really popular in those places...
I also wear a mask because I'm secretly a superhero and the occasional super villain. Obviously, superheroes/villains wear masks- it's an occupational hazard if they don't. Except for Clark Kent/Superman. Apparently the people in his town all lack eyesight and basic reasoning skills. Fortunately, I'm not as naive as Clark, and no one knows my secret identity. It would really suck if they did.
Another time that I wear a mask is on Halloween and at masquerade parties. When I dress up as someone else, a mask is necessary in order to look more like the character I'm trying to portray. Otherwise, people look at you like you're stupid. Especially if it isn't actually Halloween...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Reflection on "The Pit and the Pendulum"
"The Pit and the Pendulum" by Edgar Allan Poe exhibits many of the characteristics of the Dark Romanticism literary style.
First, Poe creates the characteristic sense of mystery in the first sentences of the piece. One of the narrator's first sentences is "The sentence-the dread sentence of death-was the last of distinct accentuation which reached my ears." (Poe 263). The words in themselves create a sense of mystery and impending doom, but the reader obviously knows that the narrator doesn't die. If he did, then he wouldn't be able to tell the story like he was. This also spawns a curiosity in the reader to know what happens to the man.
This story is also very detail-oriented. One example that really stood out to me was when the narrator describes the curtains: "I saw, too. . . the soft and nearly imperceptible waving of the sable draperies which enwrapped the walls of the apartment." (Poe 263). This detail wasn't really necessary, but it added to the overall ambiance of the piece.
It also added to the mysterious setting that is also one of the characteristics of Dark Romanticism. We obviously know that wherever the narrator is, it has curtains around the walls, but the rest of the setting is a complete mystery. The character is taken to a dark place where he and the reader has no idea what will happen. When he finally gets to see his surroundings by way of a spooky light coming from the floor, he describes it like a horrific room of some sort, which is a common setting for Dark Romantic works.
Another hallmark of Dark Romanticism is it's acceptance of sin and evil in the world. The whole premise of "The Pit and the Pendulum" is the Spanish Inquisition which tried heretics as sinners. Obviously this story accepts sin and evil because the narrator is being tortured to get him to confess to some sin he didn't commit.
Many Dark Romantic works also have a sort of twist ending where the authors try to trick or surprise the reader in some way. This is also a part of "The Pit and the Pendulum". Even though the reader knows that the narrator survives because of the reasons mentioned above, the ending is so jarring that it takes the reader completely by surprise. All of a sudden the man is standing terrified at the edge of the pit and the next, "The fiery walls rushed back! An outstretched arm caught my own. . . It was that of General Lasalle." (Poe 273). Such an abrupt ending catches the reader off-guard, which is exactly what it was intended for. Though not a conventional twist ending, it has the essence of the others of the Dark Romanticism style.
"The Pit and the Pendulum" has characteristics of Dark Romanticism practically screaming at the reader from the beginning to the end. Some are standard issue like the setting and the theme, and some have Poe's distinct flair to them like the psychology and the ending. Either way, the style of the Dark Romantics is present in "The Pit and the Pendulum".
Poe, Edgar A. "The Pit and the Pendulum." Glencoe Literature. Comp. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Coumbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 263-73. Print.
First, Poe creates the characteristic sense of mystery in the first sentences of the piece. One of the narrator's first sentences is "The sentence-the dread sentence of death-was the last of distinct accentuation which reached my ears." (Poe 263). The words in themselves create a sense of mystery and impending doom, but the reader obviously knows that the narrator doesn't die. If he did, then he wouldn't be able to tell the story like he was. This also spawns a curiosity in the reader to know what happens to the man.
This story is also very detail-oriented. One example that really stood out to me was when the narrator describes the curtains: "I saw, too. . . the soft and nearly imperceptible waving of the sable draperies which enwrapped the walls of the apartment." (Poe 263). This detail wasn't really necessary, but it added to the overall ambiance of the piece.
It also added to the mysterious setting that is also one of the characteristics of Dark Romanticism. We obviously know that wherever the narrator is, it has curtains around the walls, but the rest of the setting is a complete mystery. The character is taken to a dark place where he and the reader has no idea what will happen. When he finally gets to see his surroundings by way of a spooky light coming from the floor, he describes it like a horrific room of some sort, which is a common setting for Dark Romantic works.
Another hallmark of Dark Romanticism is it's acceptance of sin and evil in the world. The whole premise of "The Pit and the Pendulum" is the Spanish Inquisition which tried heretics as sinners. Obviously this story accepts sin and evil because the narrator is being tortured to get him to confess to some sin he didn't commit.
Many Dark Romantic works also have a sort of twist ending where the authors try to trick or surprise the reader in some way. This is also a part of "The Pit and the Pendulum". Even though the reader knows that the narrator survives because of the reasons mentioned above, the ending is so jarring that it takes the reader completely by surprise. All of a sudden the man is standing terrified at the edge of the pit and the next, "The fiery walls rushed back! An outstretched arm caught my own. . . It was that of General Lasalle." (Poe 273). Such an abrupt ending catches the reader off-guard, which is exactly what it was intended for. Though not a conventional twist ending, it has the essence of the others of the Dark Romanticism style.
"The Pit and the Pendulum" has characteristics of Dark Romanticism practically screaming at the reader from the beginning to the end. Some are standard issue like the setting and the theme, and some have Poe's distinct flair to them like the psychology and the ending. Either way, the style of the Dark Romantics is present in "The Pit and the Pendulum".
Poe, Edgar A. "The Pit and the Pendulum." Glencoe Literature. Comp. Jeffery D. Wilhelm. American Literature ed. Coumbus: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 263-73. Print.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Relfection on "The Composition of 'The Raven'"
The document I chose to write about for this reflection was written by Edgar Allan Poe himself. It gives his thought process when he wrote one of his most famous poems "The Raven". The document is called "The Composition of 'The Raven'". I found this document very interesting to read. I had no idea that Poe ever criticized his own work or wrote other things about them. I thought it was really cool to get that peek into the mind of the poet.
In this article, Poe writes about how he wrote "The Raven". I admit that I was pretty curious as to how he got the idea. It's nice to know, but now I'm kind of wishing I didn't. It takes some of the magic away to read that one of your favorite authors wrote one of your favorite poems because he wanted a bird to repeat a word and have it create a melancholy atmosphere. That aside, I realized it was actually a pretty sensible way to go about writing anything, not just a poem.
Poe also explains that he had the climax of the poem in his mind and worked his way from there: ". . .in the progress of the construction—I first established in mind the climax, or concluding query—that to which "Nevermore" should be in the last place an answer. . ." (Poe). This method made me respect Poe's ability as a writer even more because I find it very hard to do that and am impressed that Poe manages to accomplish such a task in such an eloquent fashion.
I always find it interesting to read what authors write about themselves. A lot of times, you find that they can be boastful and their words contain a thinly disguised pride in their work, regardless of whether it deserves it. This is not the case with Poe, at least, not in this article. He sticks to the facts and goes about explaining his point in an ordered way. He sets out to explain something and then explains it. It reads pretty similarly to a Rationalism work in its structure and intent.
This composition does not give an explanation for why Poe wrote it. It made me wonder why exactly he wrote it. If I were Poe, I don't think I would want to explain my thoughts on my works. I would want to stay wrapped in that shroud of mystery that the Dark Romantic authors seemed to favor. But since I am obviously not Poe, I really have no say in the matter.
Poe also seems to be a perfectionist. Anyone who reads this article can tell that he put a lot of thought into "The Raven" and that he always tried to make things as close to perfection as he could. This also made me respect him more as writer because it truly shows his dedication to the profession of writing.
As a whole, this article was really interesting to me, and I really appreciated the insight into one of my favorite poems.
Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Philosophy of Composition" (1846) in Edgar Allan Poe: Poetry, Tales, & Selected Essays (New York: Library of America, 1996): pp. 1378–80. Quoted as "The Composition of 'The Raven'" in Harold Bloom, ed. Edgar Allan Poe, Bloom's Major Poets. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 1999. (Updated 2007.) Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= BMPEAP20&SingleRecord=True (accessed November 29, 2010).
In this article, Poe writes about how he wrote "The Raven". I admit that I was pretty curious as to how he got the idea. It's nice to know, but now I'm kind of wishing I didn't. It takes some of the magic away to read that one of your favorite authors wrote one of your favorite poems because he wanted a bird to repeat a word and have it create a melancholy atmosphere. That aside, I realized it was actually a pretty sensible way to go about writing anything, not just a poem.
Poe also explains that he had the climax of the poem in his mind and worked his way from there: ". . .in the progress of the construction—I first established in mind the climax, or concluding query—that to which "Nevermore" should be in the last place an answer. . ." (Poe). This method made me respect Poe's ability as a writer even more because I find it very hard to do that and am impressed that Poe manages to accomplish such a task in such an eloquent fashion.
I always find it interesting to read what authors write about themselves. A lot of times, you find that they can be boastful and their words contain a thinly disguised pride in their work, regardless of whether it deserves it. This is not the case with Poe, at least, not in this article. He sticks to the facts and goes about explaining his point in an ordered way. He sets out to explain something and then explains it. It reads pretty similarly to a Rationalism work in its structure and intent.
This composition does not give an explanation for why Poe wrote it. It made me wonder why exactly he wrote it. If I were Poe, I don't think I would want to explain my thoughts on my works. I would want to stay wrapped in that shroud of mystery that the Dark Romantic authors seemed to favor. But since I am obviously not Poe, I really have no say in the matter.
Poe also seems to be a perfectionist. Anyone who reads this article can tell that he put a lot of thought into "The Raven" and that he always tried to make things as close to perfection as he could. This also made me respect him more as writer because it truly shows his dedication to the profession of writing.
As a whole, this article was really interesting to me, and I really appreciated the insight into one of my favorite poems.
Poe, Edgar Allan. "The Philosophy of Composition" (1846) in Edgar Allan Poe: Poetry, Tales, & Selected Essays (New York: Library of America, 1996): pp. 1378–80. Quoted as "The Composition of 'The Raven'" in Harold Bloom, ed. Edgar Allan Poe, Bloom's Major Poets. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishing, 1999. (Updated 2007.) Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= BMPEAP20&SingleRecord=True (accessed November 29, 2010).
Sunday, November 21, 2010
"The Raven" Analysis
Literal Meaning:
The narrator is reading books very late at night in his study when he hears knocking on the door to his room.
He comes to the conclusion that it is a visitor knocking at his door.
He remembers that this happened in December because there was a fire in the grate.
He desperately wanted to forget about his lost love (Lenore) by reading.
The haunting atmosphere starts to creep him out, so he tries to convince himself that it is only a visitor that is at his door and not something more sinister.
He gathers his courage and calls out an apology to the person at the door, but when he opens the door, no one is there.
He stares at the darkness for a while and calls out to "Lenore" (he probably thinks it was here ghost at the door) but the only answer he gets is the echo of his own voice.
He goes back into the room, rather unsettled, and hears the tapping again.
It's at the window this time and he resolves to go see what it is, convinced it is the wind.
He opens the window and a raven steps in then goes to perch on a bust of Pallas above the door.
The bird looks so solemn and serious that the narrator can't help but smile.
The narrator asks the bird what it is called and it replies with "Nevermore"
He is impressed that the bird seemed to understand his question and muses on the fact that not many people get to have a bird above their door.
The bird only speaks the one word.
The raven says nothing else, prompting the narrator to become sad at the thought that the bird will leave him like everyone else has.
The raven, again, responds with nevermore.
The narrator is startled by the bird's abruptness, but thinks it is only repeating what some previous master must have said often.
He pulls up a chair and begins to ponder the bird's meaning.
He keeps thinking and the raven keeps staring at him.
Then the narrator senses a change in the atmosphere.
He yells at the bird to help him forget Lenore, and it replies with the usual.
He asks if there will be any respite from his feelings. And the bird answers.
He asks it if he will get to see Lenore when he dies, and the bird speaks its word.
Then he gets up and yells at the bird to leave him alone in his sorrows.
The raven stays watching the narrator as he sinks deeper into the madness brought on by the sight of the raven.
Poetic Devices:
Repetition shows up a lot with all the Nevermores going on. It makes the poem easier to remember.
Similes and metaphors are used quite often, as when the narrator likens the raven to a devil or nobleman.
Imagery is used to describe the scene to the reader.
In addition to the standard device of rhyme scheme, Poe also uses internal rhyme within the poem such as in these lines: "While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door."
I also saw the raven as a symbol for the grief and loneliness that lived in the narrator's heart.
Figurative Meaning:
Personally, I think this poem is awesome. It's been one of my favorites for a while now. To me, its meaning isn't really important. I read poetry because of how it makes me feel, and this poem leaves me with a haunting, creepy kind of feeling that I find awesome. To others, however, I think it could be interpreted as a story of grief that manifested itself and drove the narrator into madness. It's a pretty straightforward poem.
Poe, Edgar Allen. "The Raven." PoemHunter.Com - Thousands of Poems and Poets.. Poetry Search Engine. Web. 21 Nov. 2010.
The narrator is reading books very late at night in his study when he hears knocking on the door to his room.
He comes to the conclusion that it is a visitor knocking at his door.
He remembers that this happened in December because there was a fire in the grate.
He desperately wanted to forget about his lost love (Lenore) by reading.
The haunting atmosphere starts to creep him out, so he tries to convince himself that it is only a visitor that is at his door and not something more sinister.
He gathers his courage and calls out an apology to the person at the door, but when he opens the door, no one is there.
He stares at the darkness for a while and calls out to "Lenore" (he probably thinks it was here ghost at the door) but the only answer he gets is the echo of his own voice.
He goes back into the room, rather unsettled, and hears the tapping again.
It's at the window this time and he resolves to go see what it is, convinced it is the wind.
He opens the window and a raven steps in then goes to perch on a bust of Pallas above the door.
The bird looks so solemn and serious that the narrator can't help but smile.
The narrator asks the bird what it is called and it replies with "Nevermore"
He is impressed that the bird seemed to understand his question and muses on the fact that not many people get to have a bird above their door.
The bird only speaks the one word.
The raven says nothing else, prompting the narrator to become sad at the thought that the bird will leave him like everyone else has.
The raven, again, responds with nevermore.
The narrator is startled by the bird's abruptness, but thinks it is only repeating what some previous master must have said often.
He pulls up a chair and begins to ponder the bird's meaning.
He keeps thinking and the raven keeps staring at him.
Then the narrator senses a change in the atmosphere.
He yells at the bird to help him forget Lenore, and it replies with the usual.
He asks if there will be any respite from his feelings. And the bird answers.
He asks it if he will get to see Lenore when he dies, and the bird speaks its word.
Then he gets up and yells at the bird to leave him alone in his sorrows.
The raven stays watching the narrator as he sinks deeper into the madness brought on by the sight of the raven.
Poetic Devices:
Repetition shows up a lot with all the Nevermores going on. It makes the poem easier to remember.
Similes and metaphors are used quite often, as when the narrator likens the raven to a devil or nobleman.
Imagery is used to describe the scene to the reader.
In addition to the standard device of rhyme scheme, Poe also uses internal rhyme within the poem such as in these lines: "While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door."
I also saw the raven as a symbol for the grief and loneliness that lived in the narrator's heart.
Figurative Meaning:
Personally, I think this poem is awesome. It's been one of my favorites for a while now. To me, its meaning isn't really important. I read poetry because of how it makes me feel, and this poem leaves me with a haunting, creepy kind of feeling that I find awesome. To others, however, I think it could be interpreted as a story of grief that manifested itself and drove the narrator into madness. It's a pretty straightforward poem.
Poe, Edgar Allen. "The Raven." PoemHunter.Com - Thousands of Poems and Poets.. Poetry Search Engine. Web. 21 Nov. 2010.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Journal #24: Mind Tricks
I don't really have many instances where my mind plays tricks on me and creeps me out. That just doesn't happen very often. Really the only time that I get freaked out over nothing is right after I watch a scary movie with my friends. If I have to drive home alone, then it's even worse.
The only time I can really remember something specific that was my mind playing tricks on me was at my birthday party one year. I think I was turning eight, or somewhere in that area, I can't really remember. Anyway, I was having a sleepover, and one of my friends there somehow managed to convince the rest of us that there was a stalker outside. Her paranoia made us paranoid and was helped along by a number of coincidences such as my brother coming home really late and entering the house in a really sneaky way. Since I live in the middle of a forest, there are always many strange noises outside at night. Naturally, we heard them, and they only served to freak us out more. It probably helped that we were eight and half of the girls had never been to my house before. Then there was the creepy shadow at one of my windows. You'd think that we would notice that it wasn't moving, but none of us wanted to get close enough to actually look outside the window and confirm that it was only a tree. I checked in the morning after everyone left, and it actually was only a human-shaped tree. The funniest part was that one of my friends had already fallen asleep, so when we all freaked out and locked ourselves in my room, we just left her down at the other end of the house.
We were all really freaked out at the time, but now we just look back and laugh at how stupid we were.
Recently, there have been no instances where my mind has played tricks on me. I like to think I'm smarter than that.
The only time I can really remember something specific that was my mind playing tricks on me was at my birthday party one year. I think I was turning eight, or somewhere in that area, I can't really remember. Anyway, I was having a sleepover, and one of my friends there somehow managed to convince the rest of us that there was a stalker outside. Her paranoia made us paranoid and was helped along by a number of coincidences such as my brother coming home really late and entering the house in a really sneaky way. Since I live in the middle of a forest, there are always many strange noises outside at night. Naturally, we heard them, and they only served to freak us out more. It probably helped that we were eight and half of the girls had never been to my house before. Then there was the creepy shadow at one of my windows. You'd think that we would notice that it wasn't moving, but none of us wanted to get close enough to actually look outside the window and confirm that it was only a tree. I checked in the morning after everyone left, and it actually was only a human-shaped tree. The funniest part was that one of my friends had already fallen asleep, so when we all freaked out and locked ourselves in my room, we just left her down at the other end of the house.
We were all really freaked out at the time, but now we just look back and laugh at how stupid we were.
Recently, there have been no instances where my mind has played tricks on me. I like to think I'm smarter than that.
Reflection: Walden
The literary criticism I decided to read is titled "Thoreau's Walden and the American Dream: Challenge or Myth?". In this, the author presents the American Dream as one of two things: material gain and success or a dream of new beginnings. I admit that I like the idea of the second one better, but I am realistic enough to know that it is most often the first option that is the goal in today's commercial world. It's sad, but it certainly doesn't make me want to spend time in the woods in an almost pointless venture such as Thoreau did. Even the author of this article, Michaela Keck, admits that many have viewed Thoreau's endeavors as rather pointless, objectionable, and even hypocritical at times. On the one hand, I agree with the people who say that, but, on the other, I also disagree with them. I think what Thoreau did doesn't really count because he wasn't really that far from society, and he still went to his family's house to eat dinner with his sister on a regular basis. He didn't do exactly what he said he was, which discredits him in a lot of people's eyes. The thing that redeems him in my eyes is the fact that at least he tried to do something about what he felt. A lot of people only complain about the world and spout all these "philosophical thoughts" but do nothing about them. They just continue their annoying little lives and secretly hate their situation. Unlike those phonies, Thoreau actually does step back to closely analyze how he can change his situation.
This article brings up the point that Thoreau "shuns business as best he can and strives for 'voluntary poverty'"(Keck). I think this is kind of counter productive to Thoreau's grand scheme. Not to drag religion into a school work, but the Bible says we should work to be successful so that we can share what we have with those less fortunate. It seems to me that since Thoreau was so disgusted with the way the world was he should have been actively working to change it. As an influential man with influential friends, I believe he could have gotten many things accomplished.
This article really didn't take much of a stand on either side of the fence, instead preferring to sit in the middle of the question it poses in its title. Normally, this would annoy me to no end, but as I am unable to completely chose a side myself, I don't mind it at all. The author obviously knows more about Walden and Thoreau than I do, and presents a very well-rounded discussion of the topic they chose to write about. As far as the American Dream aspect, I really do not believe that the American Dream amounts to living in a shack in the woods, cut off from everyone else, no matter which of the definitions you accept as the true American Dream. I think what it really comes down to is that the American Dream is just being free to do what you feel you have to, such as Thoreau leaving society to reflect on himself and the world.
Keck, Michaela. "Thoreau's Walden and the American Dream: Challenge or Myth?" In Bloom, Harold, ed. The American Dream, Bloom's Literary Themes. New York: Chelsea Publishing House, 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= BLTTAD021&SingleRecord=True (accessed December 1, 2010).
This article brings up the point that Thoreau "shuns business as best he can and strives for 'voluntary poverty'"(Keck). I think this is kind of counter productive to Thoreau's grand scheme. Not to drag religion into a school work, but the Bible says we should work to be successful so that we can share what we have with those less fortunate. It seems to me that since Thoreau was so disgusted with the way the world was he should have been actively working to change it. As an influential man with influential friends, I believe he could have gotten many things accomplished.
This article really didn't take much of a stand on either side of the fence, instead preferring to sit in the middle of the question it poses in its title. Normally, this would annoy me to no end, but as I am unable to completely chose a side myself, I don't mind it at all. The author obviously knows more about Walden and Thoreau than I do, and presents a very well-rounded discussion of the topic they chose to write about. As far as the American Dream aspect, I really do not believe that the American Dream amounts to living in a shack in the woods, cut off from everyone else, no matter which of the definitions you accept as the true American Dream. I think what it really comes down to is that the American Dream is just being free to do what you feel you have to, such as Thoreau leaving society to reflect on himself and the world.
Keck, Michaela. "Thoreau's Walden and the American Dream: Challenge or Myth?" In Bloom, Harold, ed. The American Dream, Bloom's Literary Themes. New York: Chelsea Publishing House, 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= BLTTAD021&SingleRecord=True (accessed December 1, 2010).
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Journal #23: "Unplug" for one week
It would be extremely easy for me to disappear into the woods for a week. Especially at this point in time. I have a lot of things I need to think about now, but haven't had the time to consider lately. I would spend most of my time thinking about those things, recharging, and catching up on the many books I have to read. It is probably easier for me to go without technology for a week than many of my classmates because I spend a large portion of my time away from it already. I have many extracurriculars that keep me busy most days, and the time I have left, I usually spend reading. I don't have time to watch much TV anymore, and I mainly use the computer for homework.
A week in the woods would be awesome. I love camping, and think I'm pretty good at it, considering that I don't get to go very often. The only problem I can think of with the no technology thing is not having a cell phone. A cell phone would be really handy if I got in trouble and needed to call for help. Knowing me, that would be bound to happen.
To get away from society, I would just walk into my backyard. My house is surrounded by a small forest, so I would just go to the center of that and secret myself in a grove of trees or something.
As far as food and shelter and things like that, I would bring my family's tent with me. We don't go camping much anymore, so it's not like they would miss it. I would pack a lot of soup and crackers and granola bars and things that I could eat as they were or could cook over a fire.
I really don't think I would be able to put this impromptu "plan" into action though. My parents would prevent it from happening because they would worry.
A week in the woods would be awesome. I love camping, and think I'm pretty good at it, considering that I don't get to go very often. The only problem I can think of with the no technology thing is not having a cell phone. A cell phone would be really handy if I got in trouble and needed to call for help. Knowing me, that would be bound to happen.
To get away from society, I would just walk into my backyard. My house is surrounded by a small forest, so I would just go to the center of that and secret myself in a grove of trees or something.
As far as food and shelter and things like that, I would bring my family's tent with me. We don't go camping much anymore, so it's not like they would miss it. I would pack a lot of soup and crackers and granola bars and things that I could eat as they were or could cook over a fire.
I really don't think I would be able to put this impromptu "plan" into action though. My parents would prevent it from happening because they would worry.
Reflection: Thoreau vs. Gandhi
In my opinion, Gandhi was a much better writer than Thoreau, when looking at the two pieces of "Civil Disobedience" and "On the Eve of the Historic Dandi March". In "Civil Disobedience", Thoreau spends much more time on describing his surroundings than on the thoughts and beliefs that brought him to jail. In "On the Eve of the Historic Dandi March", however, Gandhi details why it is important that his followers and associates continue the march even if he is unable to, rather than describing the march plans themselves. Gandhi's writing seems more logical to me. I really got what he was trying to say much better than what Thoreau was talking about.
Gandhi's tone is also much more serious than Thoreau's. Gandhi even starts his speech with the very serious "In all probability this will be my last speech to you" (Gandhi 229). Gandhi's speech sounds like Gandhi is ready to be imprisoned for his cause and accepts that fate as long as his followers will still carry on. Thoreau's anecdote is just that- an amusing anecdote. When I read it, I remembered the night he spent in jail more clearly than the reason he was in jail.
These two works are obviously different in the style and circumstances aspects, but they are also similar in some ways. Though they were written by completely different people from different worlds, they both carry that air of dissatisfaction with the government and the state of the world. Both authors wrote these pieces with the aim of righting what they saw as a wrong. Despite my opinion on who wrote better, I can still see that much. For Thoreau it was the poll tax, and for Gandhi it was the English and salt.
Another comparison between the two is that both Thoreau and Gandhi were very detailed in their writing. A point of contrast, however, is what area their details went to. Thoreau's descriptiveness went to painting a picture of his surroundings and detailing his night spent in jail. Gandhi's went to giving his followers specific instructions for carrying on the march with or without him present. Gandhi also gives the reader a clear idea on how he is feeling by using his descriptive language.
All in all, I enjoyed reading Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" much more than Gandhi's "On the Eve of the Historic Dandi March". Even though Thoreau's lack of focus on his political point he was trying to make completely annoyed me, structure and language wise, I thought his was better. Gandhi's work was clearly written as a speech, and I find that format boring. I did appreciate how articulate he was on his points. It almost looked like Rationalism writing with it's clear and orderly statements of opinions and support. I could understand his writing and the point he was trying to make so much better than I could with Thoreau. It is for that reason that I believe Gandhi to be the better writer in this case. I can see that, even though I personally may not enjoy reading his works.
Gandhi, Mahatma. "On the Eve of the Historic Dandi March." American Literature. Comp. Jeffory Willhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 229-30. Print.
Thoreau, Henry D. "Civil Disobedience." American Literature. Comp. Jeffory Willhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 222-27. Print.
Gandhi's tone is also much more serious than Thoreau's. Gandhi even starts his speech with the very serious "In all probability this will be my last speech to you" (Gandhi 229). Gandhi's speech sounds like Gandhi is ready to be imprisoned for his cause and accepts that fate as long as his followers will still carry on. Thoreau's anecdote is just that- an amusing anecdote. When I read it, I remembered the night he spent in jail more clearly than the reason he was in jail.
These two works are obviously different in the style and circumstances aspects, but they are also similar in some ways. Though they were written by completely different people from different worlds, they both carry that air of dissatisfaction with the government and the state of the world. Both authors wrote these pieces with the aim of righting what they saw as a wrong. Despite my opinion on who wrote better, I can still see that much. For Thoreau it was the poll tax, and for Gandhi it was the English and salt.
Another comparison between the two is that both Thoreau and Gandhi were very detailed in their writing. A point of contrast, however, is what area their details went to. Thoreau's descriptiveness went to painting a picture of his surroundings and detailing his night spent in jail. Gandhi's went to giving his followers specific instructions for carrying on the march with or without him present. Gandhi also gives the reader a clear idea on how he is feeling by using his descriptive language.
All in all, I enjoyed reading Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" much more than Gandhi's "On the Eve of the Historic Dandi March". Even though Thoreau's lack of focus on his political point he was trying to make completely annoyed me, structure and language wise, I thought his was better. Gandhi's work was clearly written as a speech, and I find that format boring. I did appreciate how articulate he was on his points. It almost looked like Rationalism writing with it's clear and orderly statements of opinions and support. I could understand his writing and the point he was trying to make so much better than I could with Thoreau. It is for that reason that I believe Gandhi to be the better writer in this case. I can see that, even though I personally may not enjoy reading his works.
Gandhi, Mahatma. "On the Eve of the Historic Dandi March." American Literature. Comp. Jeffory Willhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 229-30. Print.
Thoreau, Henry D. "Civil Disobedience." American Literature. Comp. Jeffory Willhelm. Columbus: McGraw Hill, 2009. 222-27. Print.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Journal #22: Breaking the Law- Romanticism Style
Apparently in Romanticism it was considered morally right to break the law if your intentions were good. This puts lawmakers and enforcers in quite the jam. And didn't they ever hear the saying "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions"?
Despite the obvious problems and consequences that could come from this type of thinking, I do think that sometimes it is okay to break the law if you have a good reason. The best example I can think of is a man with his pregnant wife that is about to give birth. As long as he doesn't crash into anyone, I think it is more than okay if he breaks several speed laws rushing her to the hospital.
Back in the olden days of stereotypical western movies, killing was also alright under the correct circumstances. Dueling was the norm for many, many years and was considered the gentleman's way of settling matters of honor. We learned in A.P. U.S. History that Alexander Hamilton was killed in a duel by Aaron Burr. Though in this case, the people tried to punish Burr because he killed Hamilton. Either way, I find it incredibly stupid. Nothing says gentlemen like randomly shooting in the hopes of killing the person standing across the street from you.
I bet a lot of people in this class used the example of a hungry person stealing food to feed their family. This is only acceptable to me if certain conditions are met by the person who is doing the stealing. Its really complicated. If the person is stealing from someone who can actually handle being stolen from, then it's better. Like Robin Hood, only not dressed in green. Also, kleptomaniacs don't count because they don't even really have the thought process required to make a desicion not to steal.
Superhero comics are awesome for that kind of thing. Especially Batman because he's got that vigilante angle going on. He breaks the law sometimes in his pursuit of the various vile villians that pervade the pages. But it's okay because he always gets the villians in the end. And he's Batman.
Despite the obvious problems and consequences that could come from this type of thinking, I do think that sometimes it is okay to break the law if you have a good reason. The best example I can think of is a man with his pregnant wife that is about to give birth. As long as he doesn't crash into anyone, I think it is more than okay if he breaks several speed laws rushing her to the hospital.
Back in the olden days of stereotypical western movies, killing was also alright under the correct circumstances. Dueling was the norm for many, many years and was considered the gentleman's way of settling matters of honor. We learned in A.P. U.S. History that Alexander Hamilton was killed in a duel by Aaron Burr. Though in this case, the people tried to punish Burr because he killed Hamilton. Either way, I find it incredibly stupid. Nothing says gentlemen like randomly shooting in the hopes of killing the person standing across the street from you.
I bet a lot of people in this class used the example of a hungry person stealing food to feed their family. This is only acceptable to me if certain conditions are met by the person who is doing the stealing. Its really complicated. If the person is stealing from someone who can actually handle being stolen from, then it's better. Like Robin Hood, only not dressed in green. Also, kleptomaniacs don't count because they don't even really have the thought process required to make a desicion not to steal.
Superhero comics are awesome for that kind of thing. Especially Batman because he's got that vigilante angle going on. He breaks the law sometimes in his pursuit of the various vile villians that pervade the pages. But it's okay because he always gets the villians in the end. And he's Batman.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Reflection: "Emerson and the Work of Meloncolia"
This critical analysis takes a look at Emerson and his obsession with mourning. I say obsession because based on how the author views and has written about Emerson's works, it really does sound like an obsession. Emerson hated mourning and considered it a waste of time. I was really surprised to learn that he didn't mourn the death of his wife or brother. Most people would be devastated. Or, if they were more private people who didn't want to grieve openly, they would quietly mourn the loss of their loved ones in their own special way.
In a way, I kind of agree with Emerson. I don't necessarily believe that people should completely cut mourning out of their lives. I just think they shouldn't give it so much of their time. Grieving should be done quickly so that the person can move on with their lives. It seems so pointless to waste all of your time mourning a person who isn't around to appreciate the gesture anymore. All it does is hurt the people around you.
I loved how the author compared Emerson to Freud. I've been interested in Freud's works for a while now, but have never really had the chance to read any of them. The paragraph gave me some new insights into Freud's works and philosophies. The author of the article quoted another's thoughts on Freud that I found very interesting and helpful in understanding Emerson better:
I think that Emerson stopped writing so much in the Romanticism style because, even though he might have denied it, he was mourning the loss of so many loved ones. I know from experience that it is extremely hard to write anything close to the Romanticism style when you've just lost someone close. I think he was disillusioned with the world. I also don't see why all these authors have chosen to write about his switch from Romanticism to Transcendentalism so much. Can't they just agree that it was his decision and leave it alone?
I understood some of the ideas presented in this article, and my favorite one was about the gulf and deciding whether to leap or be pushed into it. Emerson understood the difference, which makes me respect him a little bit more now.
"Emerson and the Work of Melancholia." Raritan (Spring 1987). Quoted as "Emerson and the Work of Melancholia" in Bloom, Harold, ed. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Updated Edition, Bloom's Modern Critical Views. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=1&iPin=MCVRWE007&SingleRecord=True (accessed November 7, 2010).
In a way, I kind of agree with Emerson. I don't necessarily believe that people should completely cut mourning out of their lives. I just think they shouldn't give it so much of their time. Grieving should be done quickly so that the person can move on with their lives. It seems so pointless to waste all of your time mourning a person who isn't around to appreciate the gesture anymore. All it does is hurt the people around you.
I loved how the author compared Emerson to Freud. I've been interested in Freud's works for a while now, but have never really had the chance to read any of them. The paragraph gave me some new insights into Freud's works and philosophies. The author of the article quoted another's thoughts on Freud that I found very interesting and helpful in understanding Emerson better:
From this pronouncement comes Philip Rieff 's formulation of the Freudian ethic: "The therapy of all therapies, the secret of all secrets, the interpretation of all interpretations, in Freud, is never to attach oneself exclusively or too passionately to any one particular meaning or object." The ethic is as characteristic of Emerson as it is of Freud (Emerson).This whole thing seems pretty complicated to me. In his prose, Emerson appears to be saying the grieving is worthless and shouldn't be done, but everyone mourns some kind of loss at one point or another. Mark Edmundson even quotes a line that says "Alas! I chiefly grieve that I cannot grieve; that this fact takes no more deep hold than other facts, is as dreamlike as they; a lambent flame that will not burn playing on the surface of my river" (Emerson). I like Emerson's ideas about rebirth a lot better.
I think that Emerson stopped writing so much in the Romanticism style because, even though he might have denied it, he was mourning the loss of so many loved ones. I know from experience that it is extremely hard to write anything close to the Romanticism style when you've just lost someone close. I think he was disillusioned with the world. I also don't see why all these authors have chosen to write about his switch from Romanticism to Transcendentalism so much. Can't they just agree that it was his decision and leave it alone?
I understood some of the ideas presented in this article, and my favorite one was about the gulf and deciding whether to leap or be pushed into it. Emerson understood the difference, which makes me respect him a little bit more now.
"Emerson and the Work of Melancholia." Raritan (Spring 1987). Quoted as "Emerson and the Work of Melancholia" in Bloom, Harold, ed. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Updated Edition, Bloom's Modern Critical Views. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=1&iPin=MCVRWE007&SingleRecord=True (accessed November 7, 2010).
Journal #21: Emerson vs. Franklin
Ralph Waldo Emerson's writing style is very different from Benjamin Franklin's writing style for several obvious reasons. The most obvious is that Emerson was a Romanticist, and Franklin was a Rationalist. Therefore, Emerson's writing is less structured than Frankin's systematic style. Emerson's theme's are also different, but that can be mostly explained by the different time periods of the two authors. Another aspect of the differences was the way the authors went about presenting their points. Emerson relies more on making his readers feel his points are what is right, where Franklin uses a systematic fact and support structure to make his readers see the logic of his arguements. In short, Emerson uses intuition and feelings in his writing, and Franklin uses facts and logic to make the readers agree with whatever topic he is presenting.
Despite the differences, there are also a few similarities between Emerson and Franklin. One of the similarities is the passion they put into their writing. No matter which author or which work you choose to read, you can see that the authors really care about their subject matter. Also, both authors are very eloquent in their writing. Both Emerson and Franklin show a mastery of the English language in all of their works, and they are easy to understand and have a good word flow.
As far as the authors themselves, I think that Emerson and Franklin were quite a bit alike. Both were writers, obviously. Both of them also wanted to make a difference in the world in their own unique ways and used their writing to try to accompllish that, though Franklin wanted political change and Emerson appears to have just wanted to create more beautiful things in the world.
I'm going to go with the obvious again and say that Emerson wrote more poetry than Franklin, who really only wrote his little aphorisms and essays and speeches. Emerson did not write very many political essays, especialy compared to Franklin. They were in different time periods, so it is understandalbe that they would be different.
Despite the differences, there are also a few similarities between Emerson and Franklin. One of the similarities is the passion they put into their writing. No matter which author or which work you choose to read, you can see that the authors really care about their subject matter. Also, both authors are very eloquent in their writing. Both Emerson and Franklin show a mastery of the English language in all of their works, and they are easy to understand and have a good word flow.
As far as the authors themselves, I think that Emerson and Franklin were quite a bit alike. Both were writers, obviously. Both of them also wanted to make a difference in the world in their own unique ways and used their writing to try to accompllish that, though Franklin wanted political change and Emerson appears to have just wanted to create more beautiful things in the world.
I'm going to go with the obvious again and say that Emerson wrote more poetry than Franklin, who really only wrote his little aphorisms and essays and speeches. Emerson did not write very many political essays, especialy compared to Franklin. They were in different time periods, so it is understandalbe that they would be different.
Journal #20: Self-Reflection
It is important for me to break away from society and self-reflect often. If I don't get some time away from other people every so often, I get really depressed and angry. I need the time to recharge. People annoy me a lot, so breaking away from society is a good thing. Even if I can't literally break away from society, I have another place to retreat to. I always have a book with me, and use those to escape. When I read, I'm able to shut myself off completely from what is happening around me. I can become immersed in someone else's society for an hour or two.
I never really self-reflect. For one, I never really have time to take a good look at myself and the things that go on around me. Plus, I find self-reflection boring and often unnecessary. I want to forget the world, not ponder it.
To get away from society, I read like I mentioned above. I also ride my bike in the summer when it's hot outside. I live on a road with lots of hills, so it's a hard ride and really makes me focus on my bike instead of anything else around me. This doesn't really factor in the self-reflection part of this topic, but like I stated above, I really don't like to self-reflect. It's not that I'm afraid that I won't like what I see, I just know what I'll see-I don't change very often. I know myself, and I don't think I would need to look to see who I am very often.
As far as the part of self-reflection that involves thinking about the world and your place in it, I really don't do much of that either. If I do, it's mainly in the form of daydreams. I have a good imagination when it comes to my future. Other than the basics, I really don't think about those kinds of things at all.
I never really self-reflect. For one, I never really have time to take a good look at myself and the things that go on around me. Plus, I find self-reflection boring and often unnecessary. I want to forget the world, not ponder it.
To get away from society, I read like I mentioned above. I also ride my bike in the summer when it's hot outside. I live on a road with lots of hills, so it's a hard ride and really makes me focus on my bike instead of anything else around me. This doesn't really factor in the self-reflection part of this topic, but like I stated above, I really don't like to self-reflect. It's not that I'm afraid that I won't like what I see, I just know what I'll see-I don't change very often. I know myself, and I don't think I would need to look to see who I am very often.
As far as the part of self-reflection that involves thinking about the world and your place in it, I really don't do much of that either. If I do, it's mainly in the form of daydreams. I have a good imagination when it comes to my future. Other than the basics, I really don't think about those kinds of things at all.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Journal #19: In America
The ideal America obviously does not exist. It took some serious imagining on my part to come up with all the ideas that show up in this blog. In my ideal America, we obviously wouldn't be in an economic recession. Enough people would have enough jobs to have a home and keep the homeless shelters from overflowing. Also in my ideal America, people would be healthier. It's kind of embarrassing that America is one of the fattest countries, so in my America, obesity wouldn't be nearly as common as it is in the actual America. The government of America would also be different if I had my way. It wouldn't just be a popularity contest between two rich middle-aged men. I kind of like the idea of the "self-made man" rising to power like we're learning in history. It just seems like a more fair way of electing a president. In my ideal America, people would also be a lot more understanding of differences. I know that sounds totally cliche, but it would make things so much better if people would stop being stupid and hating other people without good reason. I really don't get why people are so prejudiced against groups like blacks, gays, foreigners, and other such groups. As long as they're not hurting anyone, I really don't see what the problem is. That brings me to another part of my ideal America. It would be so much better if people would just stop being stupid and doing stupid things. I know that's impossible, but the journal topic is about my ideal America, emphasis on ideal.
I think that my ideal America is different from others' because I think a lot of people would make their ideal Americas perfect and without any kind of pain of suffering. The only problem with that is that it's boring. Also, I wouldn't want to see my ideal America put into practice only to have it fall to ruin within the first year.
I have lots of ideas about my ideal world, too, but that's a story for another journal...
I think that my ideal America is different from others' because I think a lot of people would make their ideal Americas perfect and without any kind of pain of suffering. The only problem with that is that it's boring. Also, I wouldn't want to see my ideal America put into practice only to have it fall to ruin within the first year.
I have lots of ideas about my ideal world, too, but that's a story for another journal...
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Whittier Reflection
For this reflection, I chose "A Sea Dream" by John Greenleaf Whittier. I thought this poem was amazing. The poem is broken down into three parts to help with cohesion. The first part describes the scenery that the speaker sees. It is apparent that he is closely familiar with it, as the words give several indicators that the speaker has watched time pass there. The scene he describes begins to feel like a small village on a cliff that overlooks the ocean because the poet mentions that a "rail car brought its daily crowds" and that he hears a song but it's hard to make out over the noise of children and other voices.
The second part is the song the speaker hears from afar. This is my favorite stanza in the whole poem: "The waves are glad in breeze and sun; the rocks are fringed with foam; I walk once more a haunted shore, a stranger, yet at home, a land of dreams I roam." (Whittier). I love the imagery in this stanza. This whole section of the poem was really beautiful in my opinion. Its flow and word usage really embody Romanticism as far as the style go. The message also goes with Romanticism because it features a young person observing nature while reflecting on how his love made him feel.
The third part goes back to focusing on the speaker and how it made him feel. This also hints rather heavily at Romanticism. My second favorite stanza was definitely the last one: "No word betrayed the mystery fine, That trembled on the singer's tongue; He came and went, and left no sign Behind him save the song he sung." (Whittier). I took this to mean that even though the people in the town can't really remember the man singing, the song he sings is still with them throughout their day. This poem was fantastic in my opinion.
Whittier, John G. "A Sea Dream by John Greenleaf Whittier." PoemHunter.Com - Thousands of Poems and Poets.. Poetry Search Engine. Web. 03 Nov. 2010.
The second part is the song the speaker hears from afar. This is my favorite stanza in the whole poem: "The waves are glad in breeze and sun; the rocks are fringed with foam; I walk once more a haunted shore, a stranger, yet at home, a land of dreams I roam." (Whittier). I love the imagery in this stanza. This whole section of the poem was really beautiful in my opinion. Its flow and word usage really embody Romanticism as far as the style go. The message also goes with Romanticism because it features a young person observing nature while reflecting on how his love made him feel.
The third part goes back to focusing on the speaker and how it made him feel. This also hints rather heavily at Romanticism. My second favorite stanza was definitely the last one: "No word betrayed the mystery fine, That trembled on the singer's tongue; He came and went, and left no sign Behind him save the song he sung." (Whittier). I took this to mean that even though the people in the town can't really remember the man singing, the song he sings is still with them throughout their day. This poem was fantastic in my opinion.
Whittier, John G. "A Sea Dream by John Greenleaf Whittier." PoemHunter.Com - Thousands of Poems and Poets.. Poetry Search Engine. Web. 03 Nov. 2010.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Journal #18: Romanticism Poem
One good friend for another,
A wilting rose in a vase.
My feelings threaten to smother
me with their tight embrace.
To get away from all the noise in my mind
(my thoughts, my family, and you)
I close my eyes and find
myself in a field of midnight blue.
I am among the stars, and what I see
calms the turmoil as I explore.
I awake from my soothing fantasy
and find myself at your door.
You know why I've come- it's in your eyes.
And as you walk away, it's myself I despise.
A wilting rose in a vase.
My feelings threaten to smother
me with their tight embrace.
To get away from all the noise in my mind
(my thoughts, my family, and you)
I close my eyes and find
myself in a field of midnight blue.
I am among the stars, and what I see
calms the turmoil as I explore.
I awake from my soothing fantasy
and find myself at your door.
You know why I've come- it's in your eyes.
And as you walk away, it's myself I despise.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Thanatopsis Reflection
In true Romanticism style, I will start out this reflection by stating how this poem made me feel and the general impressions that I formed while reading it. I liked this poem. It made me feel kind of "Zen" while I read it because, to me, it was saying that everything and everyone must die at some point but that it's okay because its a natural occurrence in the grand scheme of things. Literally speaking, this poem was written for people who followed the Romanticism school of thought. It begins by stating "To him who in the love of Nature holds communion with her visible forms" (Bryant), so you know that he is addressing the Romantics who loved Nature. Then he goes on to say how noble it is to die when it's your time because he says that you return to the earth and help it grow even as your body decays. While that is kind of gruesome, he states it in such a way that the words themselves sound pretty, even if the literal meaning leaves something to be desired in that department. Bryant's use of imagery to evoke emotion in his readers is one of the most common poetic devices that he uses in "Thanatopsis". He uses it very often and effectively. My favorite use of imagery was when he was describing the celestial bodies and how they watch over the earth and the dead that lie in it. He also uses personification to make Nature posses human qualities. My favorite part of this poem was in the ending stanza. "The innumerable caravan which moves to that mysterious realm" (Bryant) sounded really cool to me, and I really liked how Bryant put together his words, not just in that part, but throughout the whole poem.
Bryant, William. "16. Thanatopsis. William Cullen Bryant. Yale Book of American Verse." Bartleby.com: Great Books Online -- Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and Hundreds More. Web. 01 Nov. 2010..
Bryant, William. "16. Thanatopsis. William Cullen Bryant. Yale Book of American Verse." Bartleby.com: Great Books Online -- Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and Hundreds More. Web. 01 Nov. 2010.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Journal #17: Nature Bonding
Once upon a time there was a young girl named Amy. She lived in the middle of a small forest with her family and their many pets. One day while she was out taking pictures of the fall foliage, she tripped and hit her head on a rock the was inconveniently placed directly in her path. She was dazed for about five minutes until she sat up and felt the back of her head. Thankfully there was no blood, but she did have one heck of a bump. Shaking it off, she got up and proceeded to head back to her house. She almost tripped again when she came across a squirrel in the middle of the path. Instead of tripping, however, she managed to step on it's tail. It let out a shrill cry of pain, then turned to her angrily shouting "Hey! Watch where you're walking!" Amy jumped back, startled. Satisfied that its message had gotten through, the squirrel scampered off in search of food to store for the upcoming winter. "That was weird. Note to self: have Mom check for possible concussion when I get home." Amy made it home without further incident and proceeded to tell her mom about her possible concussion. Her mom brushed off her concerns, giving her some Tylenol and telling her to finish her homework. Dinnertime came around, which meant that Amy's family ate at the table in the kitchen and their pets hovered around them, just in case any food happened to spill on the floor. Dinner was its usual silent affair, until someone grumbled under the table that no one had fed him anything for a good ten minutes. Amy started laughing until she realised that her parents were looking at her funny. They were used to her randomly laughing though, so they went back to their meals. After dinner, she went back out to the woods where she figured out that she could talk to the animals after having a chat with a raccoon about its friend who always made it braid her hair. Her thought process was something like this: "OMG, I can talk to animals! This is so cool! I'm like Dr. Doolittle except female and not the one played by Eddie Murphy because he's annoying." She stayed out in the woods for a few more hours, chatting with all the little woodland creatures about anything and everything. They all became friends and lived happily ever after. The End.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Journal # 16: My Favorite Place
The Traveling Carnival
As I step out on to the grass of the midway, thousands of sights, sounds, and smells assault my senses. I see an old man tossing a ball at empty milk jars. He knocks them down and hands the prize to his wife next to him, like they were back on their first date all these years later. I smell the food from the food stalls, a salty-sweet combination of popcorn, caramel apples, and countless deep-fried foods on sticks. I hear the laughter of children, the shouts of the carnies coercing customers into their stalls, and the whir of the rides on the grass farther down the track. Above me, lights are strewn between the stalls on either side of the main aisle, creating a sea of twinkling lights that can almost put the stars to shame.
Walking down the midway, everything looks as if it's sparkling, despite the carnival's general shabbiness. Stopping only to buy some cotton candy, I continue down the aisle. I pass by the fortune-teller's booth, laughing at the thought that anyone could head her warnings for the future in such an enchanting atmosphere. All problems seem to disappear here.
As I step out on to the grass of the midway, thousands of sights, sounds, and smells assault my senses. I see an old man tossing a ball at empty milk jars. He knocks them down and hands the prize to his wife next to him, like they were back on their first date all these years later. I smell the food from the food stalls, a salty-sweet combination of popcorn, caramel apples, and countless deep-fried foods on sticks. I hear the laughter of children, the shouts of the carnies coercing customers into their stalls, and the whir of the rides on the grass farther down the track. Above me, lights are strewn between the stalls on either side of the main aisle, creating a sea of twinkling lights that can almost put the stars to shame.
Walking down the midway, everything looks as if it's sparkling, despite the carnival's general shabbiness. Stopping only to buy some cotton candy, I continue down the aisle. I pass by the fortune-teller's booth, laughing at the thought that anyone could head her warnings for the future in such an enchanting atmosphere. All problems seem to disappear here.
To my right a bird trainer releases a dove. I watch as it soars above our heads, it's wings a dazzling white in the glow of the million tiny lights above it. Across from him a magician performs tricks for a group of small children and their parents. The children are enthralled with each new trick, and, though they try to hide it, the adults are dazzled as well.
I watch the whimsy going on all around me and take in the simple, relaxed happiness on all the faces present.
In the distance I hear the delicate chimes of a music box, it's notes the perfect soundtrack to the scene around me. The music grows louder and I am jolted out of my fantasy and back to my room where I hold the music box gently in my hands. As the song finishes I grab my book bag and head outside into the rain. As I walk along the rain falls down on my head, but I'm not there to feel it. The wind blows past, but I can't hear it over the music and laughter of the carnival in my dreams.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Journal # 15: Logic and Reason
Today's topic is to tell where I use logic and reason. First off, let me just say that logic and reason are skippitty-dippity. Seriously though, they're fantastic. More people should use logic and reasoning in their everyday lives. Something tells me that the world would run much more smoothly that way.
Anyway, I use logic and reason pretty much all day every day. A person kind of has to when they go to school and take as many advanced classes as I and a lot of my classmates do.
I remember in elementary school, there were classes called Discovery and Enrichment. Our teachers for both of those classes was Mrs. Henderson. She was awesome, but that's not necessarily important in this blog. Enrichment was just a fun little class that everyone went to sometime during the week. Discovery was the class for the gifted kids that was held once a week or something. Anyway, the point of this little side note is that both classes were focused on logic and deductive reasoning. And they were both totally awesome. Mrs. Henderson used to give us these logic puzzles that no one could figure out, but everyone thought they were fun. I kind of miss that class. Same with Discovery. One time in Discovery, Mrs. Henderson set up a fake crime scene for us to look at. I think the crime was a stolen lunch box or something like that. We got to play detective and find out who took the lunch box. That's probably where my semi-obsession with spies and detectives came from. If only Mrs. Henderson knew what she started that day.
Speaking of spies and detectives, I'm going to switch and talk about ninjas to eat up my remaining word length. Ninjas are cool. They totally pwn pirates. No offense Mr. Langley: it's just a fact of life. I would totally be a ninja if there was actually a way to make that possible. Sadly, I have not discovered one yet.
Anyway, I use logic and reason pretty much all day every day. A person kind of has to when they go to school and take as many advanced classes as I and a lot of my classmates do.
I remember in elementary school, there were classes called Discovery and Enrichment. Our teachers for both of those classes was Mrs. Henderson. She was awesome, but that's not necessarily important in this blog. Enrichment was just a fun little class that everyone went to sometime during the week. Discovery was the class for the gifted kids that was held once a week or something. Anyway, the point of this little side note is that both classes were focused on logic and deductive reasoning. And they were both totally awesome. Mrs. Henderson used to give us these logic puzzles that no one could figure out, but everyone thought they were fun. I kind of miss that class. Same with Discovery. One time in Discovery, Mrs. Henderson set up a fake crime scene for us to look at. I think the crime was a stolen lunch box or something like that. We got to play detective and find out who took the lunch box. That's probably where my semi-obsession with spies and detectives came from. If only Mrs. Henderson knew what she started that day.
Speaking of spies and detectives, I'm going to switch and talk about ninjas to eat up my remaining word length. Ninjas are cool. They totally pwn pirates. No offense Mr. Langley: it's just a fact of life. I would totally be a ninja if there was actually a way to make that possible. Sadly, I have not discovered one yet.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thomas Paine's Common Sense Reflection
From what I've read of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, I can tell that he really put a lot of thought into his writing. The reader can tell that he is obviously writing in the style of the Rationalism literary period based on the way he goes about presenting his points-of-view. While other political writers of the time often presented their opinions and propaganda as facts, Thomas Paine does not often give into that kind of unsophisticated writing. While you can tell that his writing is fueled by his emotions and opinions, you can also see that he does not let himself get carried away or swept up in his own justified political frustration. As far as I could see, he did not wander off topic either. He sticks to his points and defenses without any unnecessary interruptions. This makes the writing flow a lot better and keeps the reader interested for a longer period of time.
Another thing I noticed while reading this and listening to my classmates' summaries of various sections of the text is how Paine uses religious stories to his advantage. One of my classmates mentioned a story about Sampson in their section of Common Sense. I think that Thomas Paine was very clever in his use of biblical stories. Though his writing would have generally been written for upper-class white males, the use of biblical stories as references ensures that his work could reach a broader audience, if he wanted it to. The other benefit to using the Bible as a reference to make his points is that it gives the reader an example they are likely to be familiar with. Since the main religions of colonial and revolutionary America were forms of Christianity, most of the population was likely to have read or listened to the Bible in church at some point in time. It also probably appealed to the Rationalists that Paine used the Bible more as a reference in his work instead of using it for religious purposes, such as in this passage:
Though this isn't the kind of thing I usually go for, I enjoyed reading this and seeing how Paine called out the monarchial system of government.
Paine, Thomas. "Thomas Paine's Common Sense - Text Version." Archiving Early America: Primary Source Material from 18th Century America. Web. 17 Oct. 2010..
Another thing I noticed while reading this and listening to my classmates' summaries of various sections of the text is how Paine uses religious stories to his advantage. One of my classmates mentioned a story about Sampson in their section of Common Sense. I think that Thomas Paine was very clever in his use of biblical stories. Though his writing would have generally been written for upper-class white males, the use of biblical stories as references ensures that his work could reach a broader audience, if he wanted it to. The other benefit to using the Bible as a reference to make his points is that it gives the reader an example they are likely to be familiar with. Since the main religions of colonial and revolutionary America were forms of Christianity, most of the population was likely to have read or listened to the Bible in church at some point in time. It also probably appealed to the Rationalists that Paine used the Bible more as a reference in his work instead of using it for religious purposes, such as in this passage:
The writing style for this work is very to the point, though, at some times, it is easy to see where Paine got worked up and began to rant and ramble. Thankfully, he seems to catch himself before we as the audience lose interest. There are also times when he seems to make fun of and insult the people who willingly follow a monarchial government such as when he says "However, it is needless to spend much time in exposing the folly of hereditary right, if there are any so weak as to believe it, let them promiscuously worship the ass and lion, and welcome." (Paine).As the exalting one man so greatly above the rest cannot be justified on the equal rights of nature, so neither can it be defended on the authority of scripture; for the will of the Almighty, as declared by Gideon and the prophet Samuel, expressly disapproves of government by kings. All anti-monarchial parts of scripture have been very smoothly glossed over in monarchial governments, but they undoubtedly merit the attention of countries which have their governments yet to form.
Though this isn't the kind of thing I usually go for, I enjoyed reading this and seeing how Paine called out the monarchial system of government.
Paine, Thomas. "Thomas Paine's Common Sense - Text Version." Archiving Early America: Primary Source Material from 18th Century America. Web. 17 Oct. 2010.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
"Franklin's Autobiography and the American Dream" reflection
This literary criticism really didn't make that much sense to me. The author starts out by commenting on Franklin's use of satire in his Autobiography, then switches tracks and starts talking about how Franklin "gave us the definitive formulation of the American Dream". The use of excerpts from Franklin's Autobiography and other works (including the well-known story of Franklin's arrival in Philadelphia), while interesting, were not very relevant to the point the author was trying to make.
One thing that I really appreciated was how he really hashed out what exactly the American Dream is. He defined its parts clearly at the beginning of each paragraph and then expounded on his definition with support from Franklin's Autobiography. He gives it as the standard cliche of "the rise from rags to riches", but then he also draws on other sources to show how the American Dream is also different things as well. I hadn't really thought about those before, and I think it will be helpful in the future to have that kind of knowledge of the American Dream. I had heard of the rags to riches theme before, but had never really thought about the other aspects to the American Dream. J. A. Leo Lemay gives the American Dream as the standard rags to riches, the rise from impotence to importance, the idea that an individual can change the world, free will versus determinism, and the idea of hope fro a better tomorrow. This take on the American Dream was really interesting, even though I thought the author didn't pick the best stories from Franklin's Autobiography to relate the American Dream to Franklin's work.
As far as the writing style for this critical analysis goes, I had expected a lot better. At the beginning, his thoughts seem scattered. When he finally does get his thoughts pinned down and starts talking about the subject mentioned in the title, he still seems lacking something. His choice of words can get repetitive, and sub-par at times. He uses the word archetypal a lot during a paragraph to describe the American Dream. I had to look up that word, and when I did, it made even less sense. The entries on Dictionary.com defined it as "1. perfect or typical as a specimen of something 2. being an original model or pattern or a prototype" ("Archetypal..."). I think he could have used a better word to get his point across. This is just one of many examples of the author's poor word choices that I noticed.
In addition to his poor word choices, the author goes off-topic numerous times, bringing up things such as the importance of a happy constitution, Franklin's thirteen Virtues, and other things that he describes as "interesting to me" (Lemay).
All in all, I thought this critical analysis was interesting, even if it was poorly written (in my opinion- others might think this was the most fantastic thing ever). It gave me new insight into the American Dream and gave some interesting excerpts from Franklin's Autobiography that I was not familiar with before reading this article.
"Archetypal Define Archetypal at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 15 Oct. 2010..
Lemay, J.A. Leo. "Franklin's Autobiography and the American Dream." In The Renaissance Man in the Eighteenth Century. Los Angeles: William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, 1978. Quoted as "Franklin's Autobiography and the American Dream." in Bloom, Harold, ed. The American Dream, Bloom's Literary Themes. New York: Chelsea Publishing House, 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=1&iPin=BLTTAD005&SingleRecord=True (accessed October 14, 2010).
One thing that I really appreciated was how he really hashed out what exactly the American Dream is. He defined its parts clearly at the beginning of each paragraph and then expounded on his definition with support from Franklin's Autobiography. He gives it as the standard cliche of "the rise from rags to riches", but then he also draws on other sources to show how the American Dream is also different things as well. I hadn't really thought about those before, and I think it will be helpful in the future to have that kind of knowledge of the American Dream. I had heard of the rags to riches theme before, but had never really thought about the other aspects to the American Dream. J. A. Leo Lemay gives the American Dream as the standard rags to riches, the rise from impotence to importance, the idea that an individual can change the world, free will versus determinism, and the idea of hope fro a better tomorrow. This take on the American Dream was really interesting, even though I thought the author didn't pick the best stories from Franklin's Autobiography to relate the American Dream to Franklin's work.
As far as the writing style for this critical analysis goes, I had expected a lot better. At the beginning, his thoughts seem scattered. When he finally does get his thoughts pinned down and starts talking about the subject mentioned in the title, he still seems lacking something. His choice of words can get repetitive, and sub-par at times. He uses the word archetypal a lot during a paragraph to describe the American Dream. I had to look up that word, and when I did, it made even less sense. The entries on Dictionary.com defined it as "1. perfect or typical as a specimen of something 2. being an original model or pattern or a prototype" ("Archetypal..."). I think he could have used a better word to get his point across. This is just one of many examples of the author's poor word choices that I noticed.
In addition to his poor word choices, the author goes off-topic numerous times, bringing up things such as the importance of a happy constitution, Franklin's thirteen Virtues, and other things that he describes as "interesting to me" (Lemay).
All in all, I thought this critical analysis was interesting, even if it was poorly written (in my opinion- others might think this was the most fantastic thing ever). It gave me new insight into the American Dream and gave some interesting excerpts from Franklin's Autobiography that I was not familiar with before reading this article.
"Archetypal Define Archetypal at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 15 Oct. 2010.
Lemay, J.A. Leo. "Franklin's Autobiography and the American Dream." In The Renaissance Man in the Eighteenth Century. Los Angeles: William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, 1978. Quoted as "Franklin's Autobiography and the American Dream." in Bloom, Harold, ed. The American Dream, Bloom's Literary Themes. New York: Chelsea Publishing House, 2009. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=1&iPin=BLTTAD005&SingleRecord=True (accessed October 14, 2010).
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Journal #14: Declaration
This journal is a Declaration of Free Writing. I believe that students in an English class, especially an advanced English class, should be able to write about anything they want. It often happens that a topic presented for a journal entry is too constrictive or too vague to be of much use when giving students a topic to write about. Even if we just had free-writing journals ever once in a while, I think it could greatly improve the mindset and writing of the students involved. The teacher might even be surprised at what the students write about.
That's really all I have to say about that subject, so I'm making this also a Declaration of Short Presidents. We recently learned in A.P. U.S. History that part of the reason that George Washington was elected was because he was so much taller than everyone else. Sure he was a great leader and generally well liked, but people also thought he would make an awesome president because he was tall. This is my Declaration of Short Presidents where I speak out for the short men running for president. Like any normal person, I can see the appeal of tall people, but short people should be given a chance too. After all, the Constitution does say that all men were created equal and all that. I'm pretty sure they were really only saying that so it would make them look good (after all- apparently to them, slaves didn't count as men), but the government can still be held accountable for it, as they have been many times before. For that matter, this could also be a Declaration of Fat Presidents. President Taft is pretty much my hero*. He was the only president to get stuck in his bathtub. He is also the answer in any Scholastic bowl question concerning presidents that no one knows. Presidents are pretty much our weakness. Anyway, Taft was awesome and deserves a Declaration just for him.
*not really, I just made that up.
That's really all I have to say about that subject, so I'm making this also a Declaration of Short Presidents. We recently learned in A.P. U.S. History that part of the reason that George Washington was elected was because he was so much taller than everyone else. Sure he was a great leader and generally well liked, but people also thought he would make an awesome president because he was tall. This is my Declaration of Short Presidents where I speak out for the short men running for president. Like any normal person, I can see the appeal of tall people, but short people should be given a chance too. After all, the Constitution does say that all men were created equal and all that. I'm pretty sure they were really only saying that so it would make them look good (after all- apparently to them, slaves didn't count as men), but the government can still be held accountable for it, as they have been many times before. For that matter, this could also be a Declaration of Fat Presidents. President Taft is pretty much my hero*. He was the only president to get stuck in his bathtub. He is also the answer in any Scholastic bowl question concerning presidents that no one knows. Presidents are pretty much our weakness. Anyway, Taft was awesome and deserves a Declaration just for him.
*not really, I just made that up.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Journal # 13: Spirit
Every time spirit week comes around again I think of this cartoon that I love called Danny Phantom. In one of the episodes it's spirit week at Casper High School (the school in the show) and no one really gets into it except for the English teacher, Mr. Lancer who is really old and uncool. He apparently used to be a cheerleader and still has a lot of school spirit left. So now every time someone says spirit week, I get this image in my head of a balding teacher dancing around with "spirit sparklers". It's pretty funny actually.
It's a pretty well-known fact among my friends that I don't really have much "school" spirit. I just don't see why I should get all excited about a team that never even looks twice at any of the teams that I'm on. Scholastic team and the drama club never get any recognition. And the scholastic team has a much better record than the football team because, let's face it, our football team sucks. So I do have some school spirit, just not for the sports teams. I'm sorry if I don't get worked up like the cheerleaders for a team that makes fun of mine.
This year's spirit week has some really stupid and hard to do themes. Monday was Hat/Jersey Day, Tuesday was Cowboy/Cowgirl day, Wednesday is 80s day, Thursday is Class color day, and Friday is Spirit day. They're all pretty self-explanatory. They might sound easy, but I don't own any clothes that could fall into one of those categories, and I don't live in Springfield, so it's really hard for me to get into town to look for clothes. Then everyone in my class who is dressed up gets this really snarky attitude and asks me why I'm not dressed up. It's really annoying, and I get fed up quickly with having to explain my situation to my classmates who couldn't care less.
It's a pretty well-known fact among my friends that I don't really have much "school" spirit. I just don't see why I should get all excited about a team that never even looks twice at any of the teams that I'm on. Scholastic team and the drama club never get any recognition. And the scholastic team has a much better record than the football team because, let's face it, our football team sucks. So I do have some school spirit, just not for the sports teams. I'm sorry if I don't get worked up like the cheerleaders for a team that makes fun of mine.
This year's spirit week has some really stupid and hard to do themes. Monday was Hat/Jersey Day, Tuesday was Cowboy/Cowgirl day, Wednesday is 80s day, Thursday is Class color day, and Friday is Spirit day. They're all pretty self-explanatory. They might sound easy, but I don't own any clothes that could fall into one of those categories, and I don't live in Springfield, so it's really hard for me to get into town to look for clothes. Then everyone in my class who is dressed up gets this really snarky attitude and asks me why I'm not dressed up. It's really annoying, and I get fed up quickly with having to explain my situation to my classmates who couldn't care less.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Journal #12: Working with a Partner
My feelings about working with a partner vary with my mood of the day and numerous other factors such as the assignment, the person I'm paired with, and the teacher who teaches the class. Normally I really don't like working with a partner because I hate having to plan around another person with whatever project we're supposed to be working on. If it's a really pointless project, I don't mind too much because the project doesn't really matter.
A lot of times I don't like working with a partner because the teachers always put me with the slackers in the class. I don't really know why that is, maybe they think my work ethic would be a good example for them. That's kind of unreasonable because I'm perfectly content to let people fail a project rather than let them get a good grade for the work I did.
If the teacher lets the students of the class pick their own partners, that's usually better. I know they worry about kids feeling left out if they don't get a partner right away, but that's kind of a silly concern. Students can make other students feel left out despite the effort of the teachers to make it otherwise. Some would say it's a valuable learning experience to get paired up with someone you don't like, and that may be true on some levels, but for the most part it isn't. The only thing you really learn is how to deal with annoying people.
I especially don't like working with a partner if my partner isn't right there next to me. It's not that I wouldn't trust them to do their work if I'm not there. It's more a matter of inconvenience and annoyance. It's such a hassle if you have to call them or facebook chat with your partner or something like that. You lose something in the communication that way and your project turns out less than it could have been.
A lot of times I don't like working with a partner because the teachers always put me with the slackers in the class. I don't really know why that is, maybe they think my work ethic would be a good example for them. That's kind of unreasonable because I'm perfectly content to let people fail a project rather than let them get a good grade for the work I did.
If the teacher lets the students of the class pick their own partners, that's usually better. I know they worry about kids feeling left out if they don't get a partner right away, but that's kind of a silly concern. Students can make other students feel left out despite the effort of the teachers to make it otherwise. Some would say it's a valuable learning experience to get paired up with someone you don't like, and that may be true on some levels, but for the most part it isn't. The only thing you really learn is how to deal with annoying people.
I especially don't like working with a partner if my partner isn't right there next to me. It's not that I wouldn't trust them to do their work if I'm not there. It's more a matter of inconvenience and annoyance. It's such a hassle if you have to call them or facebook chat with your partner or something like that. You lose something in the communication that way and your project turns out less than it could have been.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Journal # 11: Ethics/Values
Ethics and values are really similar, but they have important differences as well. The way I see it, ethics are what you think is right and values are what you see as important. I've never given much thought to either topic as it pertains to me, and I don't really want to today, so I really don't see how this journal is going to go anywhere in the span of 325 words.
Ethics for me mainly consists of common sense and general hospitality rules in the form of manners. The golden rule applies nicely in a question of ethics. Treat others as you would want to be treated pretty much sums it up. If everyone applied that, the world would probably run a lot smoother. It would also be kind of boring though, too.
As far as values go, I'm not really sure where I stand on that one. I change my mind a lot, so I don't think I can really pin down what's important in my mind at any given time. The one thing that's a constant is the value I place on a good book. I'm kind of old school that way, but I'd have to say that reading is one of life's more important things in my mind.
I don't really know what else to say in this blog. Ethics/Values was a pretty vague and general topic. I don't do well with vague and general, which is kind of surprising due to the size of my imagination.
The person most suited to write this blog would probably be a journalist. They have to deal with questions of ethics and values in almost every story they report on. Same with politicians. Their whole careers are built on their ethics and values. Not that they always follow what they say, but it's still an important aspect of their career.Everyone has to question their ethics and values every once in a while, but those two professions especially.
Ethics for me mainly consists of common sense and general hospitality rules in the form of manners. The golden rule applies nicely in a question of ethics. Treat others as you would want to be treated pretty much sums it up. If everyone applied that, the world would probably run a lot smoother. It would also be kind of boring though, too.
As far as values go, I'm not really sure where I stand on that one. I change my mind a lot, so I don't think I can really pin down what's important in my mind at any given time. The one thing that's a constant is the value I place on a good book. I'm kind of old school that way, but I'd have to say that reading is one of life's more important things in my mind.
I don't really know what else to say in this blog. Ethics/Values was a pretty vague and general topic. I don't do well with vague and general, which is kind of surprising due to the size of my imagination.
The person most suited to write this blog would probably be a journalist. They have to deal with questions of ethics and values in almost every story they report on. Same with politicians. Their whole careers are built on their ethics and values. Not that they always follow what they say, but it's still an important aspect of their career.Everyone has to question their ethics and values every once in a while, but those two professions especially.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Journal # 10: Science vs. Religion
Science vs. religion has always seemed like a pointless topic to me. Why does it matter how the world came about, just as long as it did?
There was a character on this TV show that I love (Bones) who was a devout Muslim. The other characters didn't see how he could be a scientist and still be religiously active. He said it was because he believed that Allah created the world and science is just the human way of trying to understand his work. I like how he blends religion and science into one. He does it so neatly that the other characters accept his reasoning and move on without asking any more questions.
Personally, I agree with that character from Bones. Except replacing God for Allah. I don't really see how anyone could argue with that logic except for atheists. If you're religious and you get into that argument, it's like would God or whoever really want you to be fighting? And if you're a scientist, it wouldn't be rational to get into that argument especially since it wouldn't gain anything. It just doesn't make sense to me.
That's really all I have to say on that subject, but I still need a lot more words. If I could have, I would have made this into a detective or spy thriller again, but I couldn't think up a plausible story that would incorporate the theme for today. I doubt I'll be able to use next class's theme in that way either. Such a shame. I could have written something awesome for those. A lot of my dreams involve me being a spy or detective in some shape or form. That fact makes it kind of surprising to realise that I don't necessarily want to be a spy or detective when I grow up. It would be cool, yeah, but I wouldn't actively pursue a career in that field. Maybe my fascination comes from the fact that espionage is such a fun word. It could also be that I read a lot of murder mystery books.
There was a character on this TV show that I love (Bones) who was a devout Muslim. The other characters didn't see how he could be a scientist and still be religiously active. He said it was because he believed that Allah created the world and science is just the human way of trying to understand his work. I like how he blends religion and science into one. He does it so neatly that the other characters accept his reasoning and move on without asking any more questions.
Personally, I agree with that character from Bones. Except replacing God for Allah. I don't really see how anyone could argue with that logic except for atheists. If you're religious and you get into that argument, it's like would God or whoever really want you to be fighting? And if you're a scientist, it wouldn't be rational to get into that argument especially since it wouldn't gain anything. It just doesn't make sense to me.
That's really all I have to say on that subject, but I still need a lot more words. If I could have, I would have made this into a detective or spy thriller again, but I couldn't think up a plausible story that would incorporate the theme for today. I doubt I'll be able to use next class's theme in that way either. Such a shame. I could have written something awesome for those. A lot of my dreams involve me being a spy or detective in some shape or form. That fact makes it kind of surprising to realise that I don't necessarily want to be a spy or detective when I grow up. It would be cool, yeah, but I wouldn't actively pursue a career in that field. Maybe my fascination comes from the fact that espionage is such a fun word. It could also be that I read a lot of murder mystery books.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Puritan Exam Project
Synopsis: This presentation explores the values of the early Puritan society in colonial America and the various works that came about because of them.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Journal #9: Organized Religions
Organized religions are boring to me for the most part. The only ones that I think are interesting are Methodists and cults. Methodists are interesting to me because I'm actually a Methodist and learned about them in confirmation class at my church. John Wesley was a beast, starting the Methodist Church and all.
Anyway, cults are a lot more interesting to learn about. They're totally awful in reality, don't get me wrong, but they sure are interesting to read about. In this one book I read, (I can't remember which one- only that it was part of the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs) the murder victim was in a cult that was trying to find immortality through spiritual means. It was kind of scary how easily the leaders of the cult were able to control the members. It made things so much more difficult for the investigators on the case.
Anyway- random thought -why are disorganized religions never considered? You could still practice a religion on your own. It wouldn't have to be organized, you could just believe it. Or what if you're atheist? The term "organized religion" totally neglects everyone who falls into that category. Same with the people who mix and match their religions, believing in different parts of several religions to create their own kind of worship.
My friend has this book that is a dictionary of old and rarely-used words. It's pretty awesome. The point of that that relates to organized religion is this one word in it. I can't remember what it was (which makes me sad), but it meant that you believed in all the religions equally. It was a really cool word.
By now it's probably become apparent that I'm stalling for more words. I really don't have much of an opinion on organized religions. I've never given very much thought to the subject, other than what I've had to for church. It has worked, however, as I now have the required amount.
Anyway, cults are a lot more interesting to learn about. They're totally awful in reality, don't get me wrong, but they sure are interesting to read about. In this one book I read, (I can't remember which one- only that it was part of the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs) the murder victim was in a cult that was trying to find immortality through spiritual means. It was kind of scary how easily the leaders of the cult were able to control the members. It made things so much more difficult for the investigators on the case.
Anyway- random thought -why are disorganized religions never considered? You could still practice a religion on your own. It wouldn't have to be organized, you could just believe it. Or what if you're atheist? The term "organized religion" totally neglects everyone who falls into that category. Same with the people who mix and match their religions, believing in different parts of several religions to create their own kind of worship.
My friend has this book that is a dictionary of old and rarely-used words. It's pretty awesome. The point of that that relates to organized religion is this one word in it. I can't remember what it was (which makes me sad), but it meant that you believed in all the religions equally. It was a really cool word.
By now it's probably become apparent that I'm stalling for more words. I really don't have much of an opinion on organized religions. I've never given very much thought to the subject, other than what I've had to for church. It has worked, however, as I now have the required amount.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Journal # 8: Proofreading Video
That video was pretty funny. Taylor Mali is officially my hero now. I hate it when people don't proofread their papers or stories or whatever it is they are writing. I read a lot of fanficiton on the Internet, and it has gotten so bad with spelling and grammar mistakes that, even though it may be a good story, I won't read it if the author keeps making mistakes. I've even reported someone before for murdering the English language. They finally got someone to proofread it for them, so I considered my mission completed.
Anyway, back to the guy on "The the Impotence of Proofreading". I thought this video was epic. Hopefully it succeeds in its mission of getting more people to proofread, not just spellcheck, their work. He pointed out that, though a word may be spelled correctly, you could have still used the wrong word and spellcheck wouldn't notice. It's only a computer program after all. I have a piece of flair on Facebook that says "Spellcheck doesn't check stupid". Truer words were never spoken. He did a good job of staying on topic and using stupid spelling/proofreading mistakes to get his point across.
It even amazes me how many kids in my grade at school make stupid mistakes on their papers due to a lack of proofreading. I get that you can't catch all the mistakes you might have made. It's hard to proofread your own work because you know exactly what you were trying to say and just read it the way you imagined it. I always have my dad proofread my major papers for school, just in case I missed something. It's always a good idea because he finds a lot of mistakes that I had missed. I always have him check research papers especially. Nothing is worse than making a mistake on a research paper that you want to sound intelligent in. If you make a mistake, people might think that you don't know what you're writing about and be hesitant to believe your writing.
Anyway, back to the guy on "The the Impotence of Proofreading". I thought this video was epic. Hopefully it succeeds in its mission of getting more people to proofread, not just spellcheck, their work. He pointed out that, though a word may be spelled correctly, you could have still used the wrong word and spellcheck wouldn't notice. It's only a computer program after all. I have a piece of flair on Facebook that says "Spellcheck doesn't check stupid". Truer words were never spoken. He did a good job of staying on topic and using stupid spelling/proofreading mistakes to get his point across.
It even amazes me how many kids in my grade at school make stupid mistakes on their papers due to a lack of proofreading. I get that you can't catch all the mistakes you might have made. It's hard to proofread your own work because you know exactly what you were trying to say and just read it the way you imagined it. I always have my dad proofread my major papers for school, just in case I missed something. It's always a good idea because he finds a lot of mistakes that I had missed. I always have him check research papers especially. Nothing is worse than making a mistake on a research paper that you want to sound intelligent in. If you make a mistake, people might think that you don't know what you're writing about and be hesitant to believe your writing.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Journal #7: Superstitions
Superstitions are the most fun thing ever. Not really, but they're pretty awesome. Unless you actually believe in them, then they're just something else that scares you.
I don't really follow many superstitions. A lot of them are just common sense. Don't walk under ladders- something could fall on you. Don't break a mirror- duh, those shards are dangerous. And a lot of them I just ignore. I have a black cat, so it's pretty hard to not let her cross my path and avoid tripping over her.
My grandma used to be really superstitious. If she were still alive, she would be freaking out that I own a black cat, let alone that she crosses my path at least ten times a day. She always got really nervous when a bird flew into our windows at home. Apparently that means a family member is about to die. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if that were actually true because I have a huge family with a lot of old people that are all close to dying anyway.
Or it could just mean there are a lot of stupid birds at my house or just one bird that hasn't learned it's lesson yet. None of those options would surprise me in the slightest. I'm usually a very level-headed, rational person when it comes to things like that. Though I do enjoy reading about them and stuff like that: I think it's interesting.
The theatre superstitions are the best of all. My favorite is the "fact" that green is bad luck. According to a dictionary of superstitions that I read, whole troupes have been known to send back their scripts because they were bound in green. That seems really restricting to me. What if you really wanted to do a play about Robin Hood. You surely can't have him dressed in red, that would ruin everything. Another good one is that it's bad luck to use another actors makeup. That does make sense though, because if one person's sick and you use their makeup, then you would get sick as well.
I don't really follow many superstitions. A lot of them are just common sense. Don't walk under ladders- something could fall on you. Don't break a mirror- duh, those shards are dangerous. And a lot of them I just ignore. I have a black cat, so it's pretty hard to not let her cross my path and avoid tripping over her.
My grandma used to be really superstitious. If she were still alive, she would be freaking out that I own a black cat, let alone that she crosses my path at least ten times a day. She always got really nervous when a bird flew into our windows at home. Apparently that means a family member is about to die. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if that were actually true because I have a huge family with a lot of old people that are all close to dying anyway.
Or it could just mean there are a lot of stupid birds at my house or just one bird that hasn't learned it's lesson yet. None of those options would surprise me in the slightest. I'm usually a very level-headed, rational person when it comes to things like that. Though I do enjoy reading about them and stuff like that: I think it's interesting.
The theatre superstitions are the best of all. My favorite is the "fact" that green is bad luck. According to a dictionary of superstitions that I read, whole troupes have been known to send back their scripts because they were bound in green. That seems really restricting to me. What if you really wanted to do a play about Robin Hood. You surely can't have him dressed in red, that would ruin everything. Another good one is that it's bad luck to use another actors makeup. That does make sense though, because if one person's sick and you use their makeup, then you would get sick as well.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Journal # 6: The Blame Game
There are several repercussions that could come about due to blaming others for things they didn't do. The least severe would be that nothing at all would come of it, where the most severe would be that one or more people die. In the case of the Crucible, the latter is what happens. It's pretty stupid to blame others for things they didn't do. They could come back later and blame something even worse on you. I'm pretty sure there's an Aesop's Fable about it, so you know this is serious stuff.
I'm assuming this topic is supposed to tie into the Crucible, because of the way Abigail is accusing others of things they didn't do. I have, however, gotten sick and tired of talking and writing about the Puritans and the Crucible. They're not a lot of fun, and this is supposed to be creative writing instead of me just complaining about how stupid everyone in this play is.
I'm really at a loss for something to write about this time around. Usually, I'm pretty good at just making up stuff that looks okay. Now, however, all I can think to do is another story about Jeremy the turtle and friends, but I've already used up a lot of words. Besides, he wasn't that good of a story anyway.
It really astounds me that the authority figures in Salem haven't figured out yet that they're all being played. I think they might actually know what's going on, but don't want to admit that they were wrong and sent innocent people to die. Either that or they're bored and wanted something interesting to focus on for a while. If the first, they're all a bunch of idiots. If the second, they're being incomparably cruel. I'm partial to the first option.
Abigail is lying now, and obviously (by Puritan standards) going to Hell. I really don't see what see has to gain from continuing this charade. She's probably just gone crazy or power-hungry or some other such nonsense.
I'm assuming this topic is supposed to tie into the Crucible, because of the way Abigail is accusing others of things they didn't do. I have, however, gotten sick and tired of talking and writing about the Puritans and the Crucible. They're not a lot of fun, and this is supposed to be creative writing instead of me just complaining about how stupid everyone in this play is.
I'm really at a loss for something to write about this time around. Usually, I'm pretty good at just making up stuff that looks okay. Now, however, all I can think to do is another story about Jeremy the turtle and friends, but I've already used up a lot of words. Besides, he wasn't that good of a story anyway.
It really astounds me that the authority figures in Salem haven't figured out yet that they're all being played. I think they might actually know what's going on, but don't want to admit that they were wrong and sent innocent people to die. Either that or they're bored and wanted something interesting to focus on for a while. If the first, they're all a bunch of idiots. If the second, they're being incomparably cruel. I'm partial to the first option.
Abigail is lying now, and obviously (by Puritan standards) going to Hell. I really don't see what see has to gain from continuing this charade. She's probably just gone crazy or power-hungry or some other such nonsense.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Journal #5
I think it's kind of sad that an acceptable punishment in today's world is taking away Facebook and online games from kids. The cell phone thing confuses me even more: why would parents take away the one thing that their kids actually use to communicate with them? Facebook and online games take away the social aspect of that part of the child's day, but they should really just be able to deal with it.
I've never been seriously grounded for more than a day, so I don't really know how taking away those kinds of things would affect me or anyone else. I read most of the time anyway, and would still have to use the computer for homework, so grounding me from the computer wouldn't really work. Neither would the cell phone thing because that's the only way my parents can get in touch with me at my extracurriculars. The only way my parents could ground me and actually make me feel something about it would be if they took away my books for any period of time. I know I'm kind of old school and outdated on this, but I spend most, sometimes all of my free time in a day reading. Taking away books is ind of harsh though, and I never do anything worth grounding for anyway, so I don't have to worry about that.
I also don't see how taking away Facebook would be a good punishment. You see your friends at school everyday, so you should be able to deal with not reading about/stalking them on Facebook. It would be annoying, like any punishment, but completely bearable and a total waste of a punishment.
These example groundings really show how reliant we are on technology to help and entertain us. I would hate to not have the Internet and other such technology, but I really wish more people would just read. I worked at the library this summer, and there were fewer people than one might think who stopped in regularly to check out books. That makes me sad.
I've never been seriously grounded for more than a day, so I don't really know how taking away those kinds of things would affect me or anyone else. I read most of the time anyway, and would still have to use the computer for homework, so grounding me from the computer wouldn't really work. Neither would the cell phone thing because that's the only way my parents can get in touch with me at my extracurriculars. The only way my parents could ground me and actually make me feel something about it would be if they took away my books for any period of time. I know I'm kind of old school and outdated on this, but I spend most, sometimes all of my free time in a day reading. Taking away books is ind of harsh though, and I never do anything worth grounding for anyway, so I don't have to worry about that.
I also don't see how taking away Facebook would be a good punishment. You see your friends at school everyday, so you should be able to deal with not reading about/stalking them on Facebook. It would be annoying, like any punishment, but completely bearable and a total waste of a punishment.
These example groundings really show how reliant we are on technology to help and entertain us. I would hate to not have the Internet and other such technology, but I really wish more people would just read. I worked at the library this summer, and there were fewer people than one might think who stopped in regularly to check out books. That makes me sad.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Journal #4 Travel Tales
Long trips provide the opportunity to do a lot of things. A person can catch up on their reading, take a nap, write a story, or even investigate a crime. One fine fall day in the life of Amy Spencer, private eye, found Amy aboard a train. She was absorbed in her novel, determined to finish it before the train reached its destination. So absorbed was she in that novel, she didn't become aware of a scream in the next car until it was brought to her attention by the passenger next to her. Her seat buddy was a man in his late thirties with an awful mustache who had been trying to flirt with her the entire trip. Glad to get away from him, she proceeded to walk to the next car, which happened to be the sleeper car. She was greeted by the sight of a sobbing woman, a stern-looking police officer, and several train personnel. She walked up to the police officer, explained who she was, and asked what had happened. The police officer gestured wordlessly into the compartment next to him.
Peering curiously into the compartment, Amy was surprised to see a man lying on the floor, his neck twisted at an impossible angle. He was quite obviously dead. It was also apparent that there had been no foul play. The man's suitcase lay on the floor next to him, burst open with the contents strewn about the compartment. He had fallen off the seat where he was standing in order to put the luggage on the top rack. He must have fallen and landed on his neck wrong. Amy sighed and handed her card to the police officer, telling him to get her if he wanted to pursue any angle of foul play. She didn't think it likely, but it never hurts.
She walked reluctantly back to her seat and sat down. The man turned to her and again attempted to get her phone number. She settled in and tried her best to ignore him. She wished the commotion in the sleeper car had required her skills, if only to get her away from the man next to her and allow her to do what she did best: fight crime.
Peering curiously into the compartment, Amy was surprised to see a man lying on the floor, his neck twisted at an impossible angle. He was quite obviously dead. It was also apparent that there had been no foul play. The man's suitcase lay on the floor next to him, burst open with the contents strewn about the compartment. He had fallen off the seat where he was standing in order to put the luggage on the top rack. He must have fallen and landed on his neck wrong. Amy sighed and handed her card to the police officer, telling him to get her if he wanted to pursue any angle of foul play. She didn't think it likely, but it never hurts.
She walked reluctantly back to her seat and sat down. The man turned to her and again attempted to get her phone number. She settled in and tried her best to ignore him. She wished the commotion in the sleeper car had required her skills, if only to get her away from the man next to her and allow her to do what she did best: fight crime.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Journal # 3 Hostage Situation
I really don't know how it would feel to be held hostage, nor do I really know how I would react if I were held hostage. I'm hoping I would be able to remain calm, but like I said, I how no idea. Since I've been reading too many comic books lately, I'll describe the totally awesome story of why I would ever be kidnapped in the first place*:
My name isn't really Amy, my name is Agent 77. Why 77? Because I really like that number. My most recent mission came to me through a dream, you know, like Inception. Anyway, I received my mission and set out to complete my task. I can't say what that is, on account of security. I actually shouldn't have stated my name either, but it'll be okay. Like anyone would dare take on me after I relate this story. I headed out in my super special awesome spy car (may or may not look vaguely like the Batmobile), but I soon realised I was being tailed by a suspicious-looking black sedan. They ran me off the road, and when I was trying to get out of my car, they grabbed me and put me in the back of their vehicle. A short drive later I found out who my captors were. It was Agent 78 and Agent 79. I was completely taken by surprise. I asked them why they would kidnap me, and it turns out they were jealous of my higher position in the spy society. Needless to say, I totally wiped the floor with them using my awesome ninja fighting skills. I turned them in to my superiors and got a pay raise out of the experience. I visit them sometimes in prison just to rub it in that I completely beat them. That was the first and last time I was ever kidnapped.
*Note: these events are all completely made up. Or are they?
My name isn't really Amy, my name is Agent 77. Why 77? Because I really like that number. My most recent mission came to me through a dream, you know, like Inception. Anyway, I received my mission and set out to complete my task. I can't say what that is, on account of security. I actually shouldn't have stated my name either, but it'll be okay. Like anyone would dare take on me after I relate this story. I headed out in my super special awesome spy car (may or may not look vaguely like the Batmobile), but I soon realised I was being tailed by a suspicious-looking black sedan. They ran me off the road, and when I was trying to get out of my car, they grabbed me and put me in the back of their vehicle. A short drive later I found out who my captors were. It was Agent 78 and Agent 79. I was completely taken by surprise. I asked them why they would kidnap me, and it turns out they were jealous of my higher position in the spy society. Needless to say, I totally wiped the floor with them using my awesome ninja fighting skills. I turned them in to my superiors and got a pay raise out of the experience. I visit them sometimes in prison just to rub it in that I completely beat them. That was the first and last time I was ever kidnapped.
*Note: these events are all completely made up. Or are they?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Journal #2
Jeremy, as a turtle, had a shell he used as his home and fortress. Whenever something happened in the world that he couldn't deal with, he would slip inside his shell and wait it out. It was a good strategy for a while, but soon he grew so used to hiding that he even hid from his friends. His friends understood at first, but when he started to hide from them, they felt he was being rude by ignoring how they felt. They missed Jeremy, but grew to think that they were better off without him in their lives since he was always so inconsiderate towards their feelings.
It took a while, but Jeremy finally realized that his friends no longer came to visit his shell. At first he didn't mind and was content to spend the days in his shell. Eventually he grew lonely and weary of hiding. He decided to seek out his old friends. When he came to the tree they usually gathered under, he peered out from the tall grass and looked upon his friends gathered there. He observed them having fun and enjoying each others' company. All of a sudden, he really wanted to be a part of it. He didn't think he could handle it though, and he turned to leave. As he turned, he heard the rabbit ask, "Has anyone seen Jeremy lately? I miss him coming to our gatherings." The other animals looked sad when the rabbit said that.
Seeing the looks on their faces, Jeremy realised he had been completely rude and self-absorbed. By hiding from the world, he hadn't made things easier and better, he'd only made everyone hurt. It took all his courage, but Jeremy stepped slowly into the clearing and greeted his friends with a timid hello. Jeremy's friends were all glad to see him, and after he apologised for being so inconsiderate, they welcomed him back into their group with open arms. Jeremy was really glad he had apologised to his friends so they could all be happy together again.
It took a while, but Jeremy finally realized that his friends no longer came to visit his shell. At first he didn't mind and was content to spend the days in his shell. Eventually he grew lonely and weary of hiding. He decided to seek out his old friends. When he came to the tree they usually gathered under, he peered out from the tall grass and looked upon his friends gathered there. He observed them having fun and enjoying each others' company. All of a sudden, he really wanted to be a part of it. He didn't think he could handle it though, and he turned to leave. As he turned, he heard the rabbit ask, "Has anyone seen Jeremy lately? I miss him coming to our gatherings." The other animals looked sad when the rabbit said that.
Seeing the looks on their faces, Jeremy realised he had been completely rude and self-absorbed. By hiding from the world, he hadn't made things easier and better, he'd only made everyone hurt. It took all his courage, but Jeremy stepped slowly into the clearing and greeted his friends with a timid hello. Jeremy's friends were all glad to see him, and after he apologised for being so inconsiderate, they welcomed him back into their group with open arms. Jeremy was really glad he had apologised to his friends so they could all be happy together again.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Journal #1 Native Americans
The things I know about Native American culture are pretty standard. It bothers me when people call them Native Americans because technically they aren't native to America. They'd been here a long time before the white man showed up, but they had to migrate here like everyone else. I was in the a museum once and saw a sign that said they had most likely migrated from Northern Asia across the Bering Strait when it was still connected.
In some ways, their way of life was a lot less complicated than our lives are today. Many of them were nomadic and traveled around a specific region each year in search of food. They respected the land and tried not do do anything damaging other than what was necessary. They had a fantastic sense of community within the tribe. the leader of the tribe was chosen by the rest of the tribe, and the leader made most of the descions. He could be overruled by the other members of the tribe though. Based on what I've read for my book in A.P. U.S. History, the American Indians' political system sounds a lot better than ours as far as corrupt politicians.
Their lifestyle was also harder than ours today. We don't have to hunt and roam the earth in search of our food most of the time. That's really only a recreational activity now.
I know that women were treated much better in their society than ours were treated at the time. Women were treated with respect in the tribe, and some of them carried quite a lot of weight. I love how if a woman wanted to divorce her husband, all she had to do was put his hunting gear outside their dwelling. I can't remember what tribe that was, but I like it.
I remember from history class that the Native Americans were polytheistic. They had many gods they worshiped and prayed to for any number of things. Even though the European people saw them as heathen people without a religion, they were really a very religious people. They always have very interesting stories about their religion, which are cool even if you don't believe the things they do.
In some ways, their way of life was a lot less complicated than our lives are today. Many of them were nomadic and traveled around a specific region each year in search of food. They respected the land and tried not do do anything damaging other than what was necessary. They had a fantastic sense of community within the tribe. the leader of the tribe was chosen by the rest of the tribe, and the leader made most of the descions. He could be overruled by the other members of the tribe though. Based on what I've read for my book in A.P. U.S. History, the American Indians' political system sounds a lot better than ours as far as corrupt politicians.
Their lifestyle was also harder than ours today. We don't have to hunt and roam the earth in search of our food most of the time. That's really only a recreational activity now.
I know that women were treated much better in their society than ours were treated at the time. Women were treated with respect in the tribe, and some of them carried quite a lot of weight. I love how if a woman wanted to divorce her husband, all she had to do was put his hunting gear outside their dwelling. I can't remember what tribe that was, but I like it.
I remember from history class that the Native Americans were polytheistic. They had many gods they worshiped and prayed to for any number of things. Even though the European people saw them as heathen people without a religion, they were really a very religious people. They always have very interesting stories about their religion, which are cool even if you don't believe the things they do.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Journal
The symbolism at the end of Catcher in the Rye was by far my favorite. Holden and his sister Phoebe are in the zoo, and they see the carousel that they remember riding all the time when they were little. Phoebe is convinced that she's too old for it anymore, but Holden convinces her to go for a ride while he watches. As she rides, Holden becomes extremely happy while out in the rain watching her.
I love the symbolism of that. All throughout the novel, Holden is depressed and angry at the world around him. He thinks everyone is phony. He wants to be the catcher in the rye to save the innocence of children of the world. I think seeing Phoebe so simply happy on the carousel gave him hope that we could revert back to that state of joy. It was related to his dream of the rye field in that he had helped bring a child back from the cliff. If Phoebe had gone with him, she would have fallen off the cliff, but in convincing her to enjoy the carousel, he steered her back toward the rye. To me, the heavy rain that falls when he realises this symbolises the washing away of his way of thinking. The symbolic rain represents a fresh start that Holden can use to keep anyone from feeling the way he did.
I just love that idea. I think we all wish at some point to go back to the easy, carefree happiness we had as small children and would be grateful for Holden to reach out and catch us.
I love the symbolism of that. All throughout the novel, Holden is depressed and angry at the world around him. He thinks everyone is phony. He wants to be the catcher in the rye to save the innocence of children of the world. I think seeing Phoebe so simply happy on the carousel gave him hope that we could revert back to that state of joy. It was related to his dream of the rye field in that he had helped bring a child back from the cliff. If Phoebe had gone with him, she would have fallen off the cliff, but in convincing her to enjoy the carousel, he steered her back toward the rye. To me, the heavy rain that falls when he realises this symbolises the washing away of his way of thinking. The symbolic rain represents a fresh start that Holden can use to keep anyone from feeling the way he did.
I just love that idea. I think we all wish at some point to go back to the easy, carefree happiness we had as small children and would be grateful for Holden to reach out and catch us.
Catcher in the Rye End Thoughts/ Overall Summer Reading View
As a whole, I thought The Catcher in the Rye was a great book. There were some parts that were excellent and some that were not so good, but it never reached the level of terrible. I was compelled by the story of Holden Caulfield to stay up late reading on a school night, which is something I do only very occasionally for the good books.
These books, Catcher in the Rye especially, have changed how I think about some things. I find myself calling people phonies all the time now. I must have picked that up from Holden in Catcher in the Rye. I also get a lot more of the references to these books in other aspects of today's culture.
This summer was actually the first time that I enjoyed reading the books we were supposed to read. I thought Fahrenheit 451 and Catcher in the Rye were both very good books. The Old Man and the Sea and Grapes of Wrath I could have done without, but they were both better than I was expecting them to be.
Not that I have anything against the English department, but I really don't see why we have to read those specific books. There are plenty of other books out there that have the same general theme to them that we could have picked from instead.
This is a completely different topic, but I thought it was weird that in the most recent presidential assassinations, the killers have had a copy of Catcher in the Rye with them. I had never heard that before. It influenced them that much. Even if it didn't, and it was just a huge coincidence, it's still impressive. That's my biggest goal in life: to write something that will have influence over people. Maybe not quite in the way I described earlier, but influential. I want to write something like these books- a classic that will live forever, but one that's actually good.
These books, Catcher in the Rye especially, have changed how I think about some things. I find myself calling people phonies all the time now. I must have picked that up from Holden in Catcher in the Rye. I also get a lot more of the references to these books in other aspects of today's culture.
This summer was actually the first time that I enjoyed reading the books we were supposed to read. I thought Fahrenheit 451 and Catcher in the Rye were both very good books. The Old Man and the Sea and Grapes of Wrath I could have done without, but they were both better than I was expecting them to be.
Not that I have anything against the English department, but I really don't see why we have to read those specific books. There are plenty of other books out there that have the same general theme to them that we could have picked from instead.
This is a completely different topic, but I thought it was weird that in the most recent presidential assassinations, the killers have had a copy of Catcher in the Rye with them. I had never heard that before. It influenced them that much. Even if it didn't, and it was just a huge coincidence, it's still impressive. That's my biggest goal in life: to write something that will have influence over people. Maybe not quite in the way I described earlier, but influential. I want to write something like these books- a classic that will live forever, but one that's actually good.
Catcher in the Rye chapter 23 - the end
These chapters were really good, in my opinion. Not only was I really excited that I finally finished the book, I thought the end scene was amazing. There was just something in it's simplicity that really stood out and grabbed my interest.
That whole thing with Mr. Antolini was weird. He seemed like such a normal guy. Who would have thought he would have maybe been a pervert? It's possible he had other reasons for petting Holden's head while he was asleep, but none come to mind quickly. Holden was absolutely right to get out of there as fast as he could. He regretted leaving later, but it's always better safe than sorry. No matter how annoying that saying is.
I thought it was really sweet when Phoebe decided she was going west with her brother. They really are very close; you can tell. Her joining him was really the only thing that managed to get Holden to stay. In arguing with her, he lost his desire to go, just like that. He really needs to learn to care about things more. If he could pick one thing and be really dedicated to it, I think it would do him a lot of good.
In class the other day, someone said something about Holden being a patient at a mental hospital. I can't believe I missed that. I re-read the beginning of the book just to find out if that was true, and recognized that it was. It makes complete sense. He actually does need mental attention. Hopefully it helps him and doesn't make him even more depressed and screwed up.
His fantasy of hitchhiking to the west sounded like a great idea and a bad idea at the same time. It would be a great idea to get away from all the things that make you angry, depressed, and tired. I think, though, you would start to miss the things you left behind after a while. It would get so monotonous to have to pretend to be a deaf-mute all the time.
That whole thing with Mr. Antolini was weird. He seemed like such a normal guy. Who would have thought he would have maybe been a pervert? It's possible he had other reasons for petting Holden's head while he was asleep, but none come to mind quickly. Holden was absolutely right to get out of there as fast as he could. He regretted leaving later, but it's always better safe than sorry. No matter how annoying that saying is.
I thought it was really sweet when Phoebe decided she was going west with her brother. They really are very close; you can tell. Her joining him was really the only thing that managed to get Holden to stay. In arguing with her, he lost his desire to go, just like that. He really needs to learn to care about things more. If he could pick one thing and be really dedicated to it, I think it would do him a lot of good.
In class the other day, someone said something about Holden being a patient at a mental hospital. I can't believe I missed that. I re-read the beginning of the book just to find out if that was true, and recognized that it was. It makes complete sense. He actually does need mental attention. Hopefully it helps him and doesn't make him even more depressed and screwed up.
His fantasy of hitchhiking to the west sounded like a great idea and a bad idea at the same time. It would be a great idea to get away from all the things that make you angry, depressed, and tired. I think, though, you would start to miss the things you left behind after a while. It would get so monotonous to have to pretend to be a deaf-mute all the time.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Catcher in the Rye chapters 20, 21, and 22
Now I finally get what we were talking about in class earlier. We were talking about close to the ending where Holden gets the poem mixed up. I liked that part. he says he wants to stand in a field of rye where there are a bunch of kids playing, and when one gets too close to the edge of the cliff, he'll be the one to catch them. The catcher in the rye. It's a noble occupation, even looking at it both ways. If you look at it literally, saving kids from falling off cliffs is a very good thing. If you look at it more symbolically, it's still good. I think what he really wants to do, when he says he wants to be the catcher in the rye, is save the kids from themselves and the world around them. He doesn't want them to have to experience the things he did, as he grew up. Facing reality is hard as a kid, and he wants to save them from that. Or it could be that he wants to save them from the depression that he feels accompanies being an adult. When they're running and playing, they are happy, and he wants to save them from falling into that depression. Sometimes I wish he could have caught me.
Because of that little revelation in chapter twenty-three, I finally get the significance of the title. It was starting to bother me because it has nothing to do with anything up until this explanation.
His sister sounds awesome. Any little girl that has blue pajamas with red elephants on them is okay with me. She almost immediately calls Holden on his bluff. She's obviously very observant. I can't believe their parents left her home alone in New York City at night. They probably live in one of the better neighborhoods, but that doesn't really mean anything in New York. You can tell that Holden would get really messed up, even more so than he already is, if anything happened to her. She's one of the few things he actually cares about.
Because of that little revelation in chapter twenty-three, I finally get the significance of the title. It was starting to bother me because it has nothing to do with anything up until this explanation.
His sister sounds awesome. Any little girl that has blue pajamas with red elephants on them is okay with me. She almost immediately calls Holden on his bluff. She's obviously very observant. I can't believe their parents left her home alone in New York City at night. They probably live in one of the better neighborhoods, but that doesn't really mean anything in New York. You can tell that Holden would get really messed up, even more so than he already is, if anything happened to her. She's one of the few things he actually cares about.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Catcher in the Rye chapters 17, 18, and 19
Even though it's late now, I decided I'd finish these blogs. I already spent so much time on the book it seems like a waste to not finish it up. Same with the blogs. If I don't finish them eventually, it'll just drive me crazy.
These were some more good chapters. I really like Holden's view on the world. He sees the fake people and all the crap they pull, and calls them out for it. One thing I don't get, though, is why he goes to movies and does things he can't stand with people he sort of hates. I don't understand why he would put up with stuff like that if all it does is make him angry and depressed.
I loved it when he was telling Sally what he thought of the world and her. It may have been rude, but she totally deserved it. Looks like Holden's not going to decorate the Christmas tree with her this year.
I think it's funny when Holden's talking about boring people. "They don't hurt anybody, most of them, and maybe they're secretly all terrific whistlers or something." If only.
That movie Holden went to see in chapter eighteen sounded pretty ridiculous. Real life is never like that. I can only imagine how especially cheesy it must have been back then. I've said it earlier, but I don't get why Holden does stuff that will only make him depressed. Maybe he really does need to go see Luce's dad, the psychoanalyst. If he thinks Luce is an okay guy, he'll probably think his dad is alright too.
Even if Holden doesn't want to go home right now because of his parents, I really think he should. He even admitted in chapter nineteen that he was "lonesome as hell". If he went home, he could hang out with Jane again instead of having to hang up every time her mother answers the phone instead of her.
These were some more good chapters. I really like Holden's view on the world. He sees the fake people and all the crap they pull, and calls them out for it. One thing I don't get, though, is why he goes to movies and does things he can't stand with people he sort of hates. I don't understand why he would put up with stuff like that if all it does is make him angry and depressed.
I loved it when he was telling Sally what he thought of the world and her. It may have been rude, but she totally deserved it. Looks like Holden's not going to decorate the Christmas tree with her this year.
I think it's funny when Holden's talking about boring people. "They don't hurt anybody, most of them, and maybe they're secretly all terrific whistlers or something." If only.
That movie Holden went to see in chapter eighteen sounded pretty ridiculous. Real life is never like that. I can only imagine how especially cheesy it must have been back then. I've said it earlier, but I don't get why Holden does stuff that will only make him depressed. Maybe he really does need to go see Luce's dad, the psychoanalyst. If he thinks Luce is an okay guy, he'll probably think his dad is alright too.
Even if Holden doesn't want to go home right now because of his parents, I really think he should. He even admitted in chapter nineteen that he was "lonesome as hell". If he went home, he could hang out with Jane again instead of having to hang up every time her mother answers the phone instead of her.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Comparisons of Summer Reading Books
Even though I haven't finished The Catcher in the Rye yet, I thought I'd better do this blog now to make sure I got it in. Just in case I can't finish all of my blogs in the morning, I wanted to make sure this one was done.
Fahrenheit 451 was by far my favorite book this summer. I have always loved books by Ray Bradbury, so this one was practically already my favorite before I even started to read it. I loved the story, and the characters were awesome. There were a few rough patches that I didn't like that much, but they were overshadowed by the rest of the books epic-ness.
The Catcher in the Rye was my second favorite book this summer. I haven't read it all the way through yet, but I like what I've read so far. Especially compared to the other two books I read this summer for class. I've enjoyed this much more than The Grapes of Wrath and The Old Man and the Sea, but I haven't enjoyed it as much as Fahrenheit 451. Hence the second place ranking.
The Grapes of Wrath was an okay book all the way up to the end. The ending just completely ruined it for me. I liked a few of the characters, but the rest of them just annoyed me. The plot and action were okay, but I wasn't too interested in them.
The Old Man and the Sea was awful in my opinion. It totally deserves the fourth and last place in my ranking of the summer books. I thought it was boring and that the characters were boring too. Really the only good thing I can find to say about this book now is that it had a realistic ending. And that it was short and over with quickly.
All in all, the books this summer were definitely collectively better than the past two years I've been in Honors English.
Fahrenheit 451 was by far my favorite book this summer. I have always loved books by Ray Bradbury, so this one was practically already my favorite before I even started to read it. I loved the story, and the characters were awesome. There were a few rough patches that I didn't like that much, but they were overshadowed by the rest of the books epic-ness.
The Catcher in the Rye was my second favorite book this summer. I haven't read it all the way through yet, but I like what I've read so far. Especially compared to the other two books I read this summer for class. I've enjoyed this much more than The Grapes of Wrath and The Old Man and the Sea, but I haven't enjoyed it as much as Fahrenheit 451. Hence the second place ranking.
The Grapes of Wrath was an okay book all the way up to the end. The ending just completely ruined it for me. I liked a few of the characters, but the rest of them just annoyed me. The plot and action were okay, but I wasn't too interested in them.
The Old Man and the Sea was awful in my opinion. It totally deserves the fourth and last place in my ranking of the summer books. I thought it was boring and that the characters were boring too. Really the only good thing I can find to say about this book now is that it had a realistic ending. And that it was short and over with quickly.
All in all, the books this summer were definitely collectively better than the past two years I've been in Honors English.
Vernacular of Catcher in the Rye
I definitely prefer the speech in this book to that of The Grapes of Wrath and The Old Man and the Sea . It still makes the people sound uneducated and lazy, but not nearly as bad as the other two. Fahrenheit 451 was definitely the best about the speech. The Catcher in the Rye comes in second, The Old Man and the Sea comes in third, and The Grapes of Wrath comes in very last.
This book doesn't make me think like a hick, like I really try to avoid, but it does do something else. It makes me want to swear a lot. The Grapes of Wrath made me want to a little bit, but nothing like this. Holden swears a lot, but never really much out loud or around other people. He mainly swears in his thoughts or when he's talking with one of his school mates. He keeps calling everyone "old" even if they are younger than he is. I know he doesn't really mean it as an age indicator, but it still really annoys me. I do like how he calls the people he hates "prince". The sarcasm and irony in that just make me smile every time he does.
He uses the word "goddamn" a lot, which really annoys me. Not for any religious reasons, particularly, even though it is a sin. He can sin if he wants to, it's not my business. He uses it all the time though, and it makes him sound stupid. I always think people sound stupid when they swear, which is why I hardly ever do it. It makes me think they don't have a very big vocabulary or that they're really lazy or both. I also think it's obnoxious.
That's really the only problem I have with the speech in this book. Well other than the old-fashioned words. I can forgive those though, considering they weren't old fashioned when the book was written.
This book doesn't make me think like a hick, like I really try to avoid, but it does do something else. It makes me want to swear a lot. The Grapes of Wrath made me want to a little bit, but nothing like this. Holden swears a lot, but never really much out loud or around other people. He mainly swears in his thoughts or when he's talking with one of his school mates. He keeps calling everyone "old" even if they are younger than he is. I know he doesn't really mean it as an age indicator, but it still really annoys me. I do like how he calls the people he hates "prince". The sarcasm and irony in that just make me smile every time he does.
He uses the word "goddamn" a lot, which really annoys me. Not for any religious reasons, particularly, even though it is a sin. He can sin if he wants to, it's not my business. He uses it all the time though, and it makes him sound stupid. I always think people sound stupid when they swear, which is why I hardly ever do it. It makes me think they don't have a very big vocabulary or that they're really lazy or both. I also think it's obnoxious.
That's really the only problem I have with the speech in this book. Well other than the old-fashioned words. I can forgive those though, considering they weren't old fashioned when the book was written.
Catcher in the Rye chapter 16
This chapter was pretty interesting. Not the most interesting so far, but not the worst either. This chapter is about how Holden kills the time until his date with Sally. He goes to a record store and buys a record for his sister then goes to Central Park and the Museum of Natural History to look for her so he can give it to her. It think it's sweet how much he loves his sister.
Holden gets depressed too easily in my opinion. He'd either agree with me or get angry that I'm poking into his feelings. If he agreed, I suggest he go see a psychologist or someone like that. Only problem with that is he'd probably think they were all phony. Which in my limited contact with them is mostly true. If he disagreed with me, I'd have to tell him to drop it because he's the one who wrote the book in the first place. Since Holden is only a fictional character and not real in any way, it doesn't really matter. I just think of random things like this when I'm reading. That's what makes me such a good reader - I forget the characters aren't real.
I love Holden's description of the Natural History Museum. He feels that some things should be able to be added among the glass displays. That some moments deserve to live forever. He knows that once you've been to a museum before, you don't keep going back because you really want to see the exhibits again. You keep going back for all the memories the displays hold. The atmosphere plays a big part in a museum's success too. Like the auditorium that smells like rain or the feeling of travelling back in time. I've always wanted to go to the Museum of Natural History in New York City, and it was nice to read a description of it that didn't sound like a museum trying to bring in people for profit.
Holden gets depressed too easily in my opinion. He'd either agree with me or get angry that I'm poking into his feelings. If he agreed, I suggest he go see a psychologist or someone like that. Only problem with that is he'd probably think they were all phony. Which in my limited contact with them is mostly true. If he disagreed with me, I'd have to tell him to drop it because he's the one who wrote the book in the first place. Since Holden is only a fictional character and not real in any way, it doesn't really matter. I just think of random things like this when I'm reading. That's what makes me such a good reader - I forget the characters aren't real.
I love Holden's description of the Natural History Museum. He feels that some things should be able to be added among the glass displays. That some moments deserve to live forever. He knows that once you've been to a museum before, you don't keep going back because you really want to see the exhibits again. You keep going back for all the memories the displays hold. The atmosphere plays a big part in a museum's success too. Like the auditorium that smells like rain or the feeling of travelling back in time. I've always wanted to go to the Museum of Natural History in New York City, and it was nice to read a description of it that didn't sound like a museum trying to bring in people for profit.
Catcher in the Rye Halfway Thoughts
Every time I type that title I feel like I'm about to start a Deep Thoughts segment on Saturday Night Live. I don't really know why, but it just feels like that sometimes.
Anyway, I'm getting sick of analyzing this book. I'm usually a very analytical person in other subjects, but I hate analyzing books in English. In order to reach the minimum fifty blogs, I have to analyse basically every chapter. Like I said before, in my recreational reading, I never start to analyze the book until the end. The only time I break that habit is if the book is either really awful or absolutely terrific. If the first I analyze whether it would be worth my time to continue reading the book, or just put it down. If the latter, I analyse it to see if I should be devoting more time to reading it. If it's just another moderately good book like The Catcher in the Rye is, I don't really analyse it until the end of the story. I just follow the story of the book and enjoy it. Only if something really shocking or exciting happens will I analyze it anywhere other than the end. None of these books this summer have had many thrills in them, which is what makes me dislike reading them and analyzing them so much. I'd probably have no quarrel with them if we didn't have to write anything about them.
As for symbolism and politics and such, I've seen none in this book so far. It could be that I don't really care enough about the book to be looking hard enough, that I'm dense and don't pick up on the subtleties of writing, or that there really has been nothing so far. To me it's just a decent story about an average sounding kid that I'm glad I checked out from the library. I don't think I would have wanted to spend fifteen dollars on this, but for free, it's pretty good.
Anyway, I'm getting sick of analyzing this book. I'm usually a very analytical person in other subjects, but I hate analyzing books in English. In order to reach the minimum fifty blogs, I have to analyse basically every chapter. Like I said before, in my recreational reading, I never start to analyze the book until the end. The only time I break that habit is if the book is either really awful or absolutely terrific. If the first I analyze whether it would be worth my time to continue reading the book, or just put it down. If the latter, I analyse it to see if I should be devoting more time to reading it. If it's just another moderately good book like The Catcher in the Rye is, I don't really analyse it until the end of the story. I just follow the story of the book and enjoy it. Only if something really shocking or exciting happens will I analyze it anywhere other than the end. None of these books this summer have had many thrills in them, which is what makes me dislike reading them and analyzing them so much. I'd probably have no quarrel with them if we didn't have to write anything about them.
As for symbolism and politics and such, I've seen none in this book so far. It could be that I don't really care enough about the book to be looking hard enough, that I'm dense and don't pick up on the subtleties of writing, or that there really has been nothing so far. To me it's just a decent story about an average sounding kid that I'm glad I checked out from the library. I don't think I would have wanted to spend fifteen dollars on this, but for free, it's pretty good.
Catcher in the Rye chapter 15
This chapter was a good one. Holden is a weird kid. Part of the reason he's like that is that weird things always happen to him. Not to mention he lives in New York. Those things mess with a person. Anyway, I liked when Holden told of how he hated cheap suitcases. His room mate sound like a real fake. Which is an oxymoron by the way. He's poor, and he hates Holden for being rich. He still asks to borrow Holden's expensive pen and pretends Holden's suitcases are really his. That's ridiculous. I feel kind of sorry for Holden that he's never met very many people who he can really relate to. It's seems like he's always surrounded by losers and posers. No wonder he wants to kill himself sometimes.
The nuns were really nice people in this chapter, which I think is important. Too many books and other aspects of the media make nuns out to be annoyingly dedicated to their religion or the super-strict teachers in Catholic schools. In one book I read, one of the characters were afraid of nuns because they were too perfect. These ones in this book are actually real people. I like how Holden was afraid they were going to ask him if he was Catholic. I hate it when people ask me that too. Not all of them do this, but some just completely shun you if you're not Catholic. Which is true for people of all religions, I guess. It just seems like you hear more about Catholics than the others. Except for the Jehovah's witnesses, you hear a lot about them.
One of the few things I've found about Holden that I don't like is that he smokes a lot. I hate it when people smoke. For old people it's a little better because when they started smoking, they may not have known how stupid and unhealthy it was. When it's a young person however, I kind of just want to hit them. It's completely stupid. You'd think a person with as much sense as Holden would know better.
The nuns were really nice people in this chapter, which I think is important. Too many books and other aspects of the media make nuns out to be annoyingly dedicated to their religion or the super-strict teachers in Catholic schools. In one book I read, one of the characters were afraid of nuns because they were too perfect. These ones in this book are actually real people. I like how Holden was afraid they were going to ask him if he was Catholic. I hate it when people ask me that too. Not all of them do this, but some just completely shun you if you're not Catholic. Which is true for people of all religions, I guess. It just seems like you hear more about Catholics than the others. Except for the Jehovah's witnesses, you hear a lot about them.
One of the few things I've found about Holden that I don't like is that he smokes a lot. I hate it when people smoke. For old people it's a little better because when they started smoking, they may not have known how stupid and unhealthy it was. When it's a young person however, I kind of just want to hit them. It's completely stupid. You'd think a person with as much sense as Holden would know better.
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