My 4th Quarter Outside Reading Book
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Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Week 2 Post B
Often times, we like to think that women are exactly the same as men when it comes to roles in society. But even when women have the same constitutional rights as men, our society still sets out different standards for men and women. For example, we generally think it is ok for a women to stay at home and take care of the house. In fact, it is considered a sign of wealth if a wife can stay home. However, if a husband stays home while the mother works, people would think it's creepy and that the husband is down right lazy. From the knowledge I have gained from my AP World class, this has been happening since the very beginning of time in Mesopotamia (Not that the AP Euro students would know this TOM AND AMY!) The two genders have always played unique roles in the development of society but the males in each culture seem to dominate. I am not saying that males are better, I'm simply saying that women and men aren't as equal as we would like them to be.
Week 2 Post A
Definitions
Primrose(26)- any plant of the genus
Sectarian(28)- narrowly confined or limited in interest, purpose, scope, etc.
Figurative language
"Everything was alight. As if the lost sun were returning at last. The snow orange and guivering. A forest fire was making its way along the tinderbox ridges above them, flaring and shimmering against the overcast like the northern lights"(27). Cormac McCarthy isn't afraid to expres his thoughts and feelings in short and disconnected sentences. In this quote, McCarthy strings together three or four similes that describe the terraine around him. The land he describes is actually very bleak and grey but by using the similies, he is able to draw the reader's attension to the little details that give the father hope.
Quote
"Slogging to the edge of the road with hhis back to the child where he stood bent with his hands on his knees, coughing. He raised up and stood with weeping eyes. On the gray snow a fine mist of blood"(26). Yeah Son! My hat is off to the father for sucking it up and dealing with the pain he is going through. I don't have a clue what is wrong with the father, but he can't show his son that he is sick otherwise both of them will lose moral. Pain=good and Tom=Noob.
Theme
Not much has changed in the last 10 pages that I read. The bond between the father and son seems to be crucial to their survival. The father continues to push on through the baren and snowy land in hopes of finding a better life, and keeping his son alive. His son counts on his dad to get him through the difficult challenges that they face. Together, both of them count on eachother and depend on eachother to survive.
Primrose(26)- any plant of the genus
Sectarian(28)- narrowly confined or limited in interest, purpose, scope, etc.
Figurative language
"Everything was alight. As if the lost sun were returning at last. The snow orange and guivering. A forest fire was making its way along the tinderbox ridges above them, flaring and shimmering against the overcast like the northern lights"(27). Cormac McCarthy isn't afraid to expres his thoughts and feelings in short and disconnected sentences. In this quote, McCarthy strings together three or four similes that describe the terraine around him. The land he describes is actually very bleak and grey but by using the similies, he is able to draw the reader's attension to the little details that give the father hope.
Quote
"Slogging to the edge of the road with hhis back to the child where he stood bent with his hands on his knees, coughing. He raised up and stood with weeping eyes. On the gray snow a fine mist of blood"(26). Yeah Son! My hat is off to the father for sucking it up and dealing with the pain he is going through. I don't have a clue what is wrong with the father, but he can't show his son that he is sick otherwise both of them will lose moral. Pain=good and Tom=Noob.
Theme
Not much has changed in the last 10 pages that I read. The bond between the father and son seems to be crucial to their survival. The father continues to push on through the baren and snowy land in hopes of finding a better life, and keeping his son alive. His son counts on his dad to get him through the difficult challenges that they face. Together, both of them count on eachother and depend on eachother to survive.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Week 1 Post B
"Can I ask you something? he said.
Yes. Of course.
Are we going to die?
Sometime. Not now."
This quote happens just before the father and son go to bed in the middle of a barren field that is covered in ash. Although the reader doesn't know how old the son is, we are able to see that he is very scared and anxious about what is going to happen to them. The father, in this case, is asked an extremely difficult question but answers honestly, calmly and lovingly. I believe that most parents, when put in the same situation, would reassure their children that they will never die but the father from McCarthy's novel comes up with a clever way of giving the truth, without letting his son panic. McCarthy describes very little physical characteristics of the father and son but from quotes like these, we can see that the father has a very strong bond with his son to the point where he would sacrifice anything for him. I look forward to reading this book to find more about the nuclear devastation and how it effects the relationship between the father and son.
Yes. Of course.
Are we going to die?
Sometime. Not now."
This quote happens just before the father and son go to bed in the middle of a barren field that is covered in ash. Although the reader doesn't know how old the son is, we are able to see that he is very scared and anxious about what is going to happen to them. The father, in this case, is asked an extremely difficult question but answers honestly, calmly and lovingly. I believe that most parents, when put in the same situation, would reassure their children that they will never die but the father from McCarthy's novel comes up with a clever way of giving the truth, without letting his son panic. McCarthy describes very little physical characteristics of the father and son but from quotes like these, we can see that the father has a very strong bond with his son to the point where he would sacrifice anything for him. I look forward to reading this book to find more about the nuclear devastation and how it effects the relationship between the father and son.
Week 1 Post A
Definitions
glaucoma(3)-bnormally high fluid pressure in the eye, most commonly caused either by blockage of the channel through which aqueous humor drains
flowstone(3)-a layered deposit of calcium carbonate, CaCO3, left by thin sheets of flowing water, as in a cave.
granitic(3)-a coarse-grained igneous rock composed chiefly of orthoclase and albite feldspars and of quartz, usually with lesser amounts of one or more other minerals, as mica, hornblende, or augite.
congeal(4)-to change from a soft or fluid state to a rigid or solid state, as by cooling or freezing.
Figurative language
"The lamp in the rocks on the side of the hill was little more than a mote of light"(8). This is a metaphor because Cormac McCarthy describes it as a "mote" although it is clearly not. This is an excellent comparison because of all the smoke and ash caused by the nuclear fallout in suffocating the lamp's light to a point where it is just a dull glow in the night.
"He caught [the snowflake] in his hand an watched it expire there like the last host of Christendom(13). I don't know the exact word for this type of figurative language but McCarthy references Christendom in his book to give the reader a connection to the characters in the book. The reference helps the reader see the father and son more as normal people rather than characters in a fictional nuclear war.
Quote
"You forget what you want to remember and you remember what you want to forget(10). This just stuck me as an interesting quote that I thought was ironically true. In the father's case, he has already suffered terrible losses and the quote signifies an emotional reality. However, I enjoyed this quote because it seems that on tests at school I always seem to remember the stuff that isn't on the test and forget the stuff that is.
Theme- So far, we know very little about the father and his son but we do know that they are the last two people alive in their area. One theme seems to be that love can carry a person through anything. At one point in the novel, the father goes to the extreme when he answers a question from his son saying, "If you died I would want to die too"(9).
glaucoma(3)-bnormally high fluid pressure in the eye, most commonly caused either by blockage of the channel through which aqueous humor drains
flowstone(3)-a layered deposit of calcium carbonate, CaCO3, left by thin sheets of flowing water, as in a cave.
granitic(3)-a coarse-grained igneous rock composed chiefly of orthoclase and albite feldspars and of quartz, usually with lesser amounts of one or more other minerals, as mica, hornblende, or augite.
congeal(4)-to change from a soft or fluid state to a rigid or solid state, as by cooling or freezing.
Figurative language
"The lamp in the rocks on the side of the hill was little more than a mote of light"(8). This is a metaphor because Cormac McCarthy describes it as a "mote" although it is clearly not. This is an excellent comparison because of all the smoke and ash caused by the nuclear fallout in suffocating the lamp's light to a point where it is just a dull glow in the night.
"He caught [the snowflake] in his hand an watched it expire there like the last host of Christendom(13). I don't know the exact word for this type of figurative language but McCarthy references Christendom in his book to give the reader a connection to the characters in the book. The reference helps the reader see the father and son more as normal people rather than characters in a fictional nuclear war.
Quote
"You forget what you want to remember and you remember what you want to forget(10). This just stuck me as an interesting quote that I thought was ironically true. In the father's case, he has already suffered terrible losses and the quote signifies an emotional reality. However, I enjoyed this quote because it seems that on tests at school I always seem to remember the stuff that isn't on the test and forget the stuff that is.
Theme- So far, we know very little about the father and his son but we do know that they are the last two people alive in their area. One theme seems to be that love can carry a person through anything. At one point in the novel, the father goes to the extreme when he answers a question from his son saying, "If you died I would want to die too"(9).
Monday, February 4, 2008
Remember The Name Son!
Soundtrack to The Odyssey
Song name: Remember The Name
Artist: Fort Minor
Album: The Rising Tied
The one word that relates Telemachus to Remember the name is: underdog. We see in the novel that the suiters criticize Telemachus and his effort to find his father. The early transformation of Telemachus shows his effort to try to become more confident as a man and more comfortable with who he is. He often appears to be alone socially and in his beliefs which is demonstrated by the suiters when the refuse to leave Telemachus' house. His underdog status encourages the reader to root for him and keep reading to see what happens.
Similarly, the song Remember The Name, describes a young rapper who is trying to make it in the music business, but no one will even bother to give him a chance.
Mike! - He doesn't need his name up in lights
He just wants to be heard whether it's the beat or the mic
He feels so unlike everybody else, alone
In spite of the fact that some people still think that they know him
But no, he knows the code
It's not about the salary
It's all about reality and making some noise
Making the story - making sure his clique stays up
That means when he puts it down Tak's picking it up! Let's go!
Like Telemachus, the person Fort Minor is describing doesn't want fame or fortune but rather wants people to hear what he has to say and to take him seriously. Both "characters" have amazing tallent at what they do but are frequently underestimated in their abilities. Telemachus gets put down by the suiters while the character in Remember the Name has a hard time getting respect from his family and others because he raps.
Song name: Remember The Name
Artist: Fort Minor
Album: The Rising Tied
The one word that relates Telemachus to Remember the name is: underdog. We see in the novel that the suiters criticize Telemachus and his effort to find his father. The early transformation of Telemachus shows his effort to try to become more confident as a man and more comfortable with who he is. He often appears to be alone socially and in his beliefs which is demonstrated by the suiters when the refuse to leave Telemachus' house. His underdog status encourages the reader to root for him and keep reading to see what happens.
Similarly, the song Remember The Name, describes a young rapper who is trying to make it in the music business, but no one will even bother to give him a chance.
Mike! - He doesn't need his name up in lights
He just wants to be heard whether it's the beat or the mic
He feels so unlike everybody else, alone
In spite of the fact that some people still think that they know him
But no, he knows the code
It's not about the salary
It's all about reality and making some noise
Making the story - making sure his clique stays up
That means when he puts it down Tak's picking it up! Let's go!
Like Telemachus, the person Fort Minor is describing doesn't want fame or fortune but rather wants people to hear what he has to say and to take him seriously. Both "characters" have amazing tallent at what they do but are frequently underestimated in their abilities. Telemachus gets put down by the suiters while the character in Remember the Name has a hard time getting respect from his family and others because he raps.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Week 7 Post B
"Mariam heard of women who were killing themselves out of fear of bing raped, and of men who, in the name of honor, would kill their wives or daughters if they'd been raped by the militia."
I believe that fear is detrimental to any society whether that society and can cause unpredictability, hardships and even war. In fact, I believe that all wars in man's history were caused by fear. The British were afraid they would lose their colonies in America curring the Revolutionary war. Lincoln feared that the United States would lose their unity and fought to preserve it during the Civil War. Most recently, the United States feared terrorism and weapons of mass destruction and invaded Afghanistan and Iraq. Fear drove Mariam and Liala to kill their husband and fear changed the city that they lived in. In Mariam and Liala's case, the Taliban, who were once praised, staged public massacres which kept people off the streets and their whole economy suffered as a result.
I believe that fear is detrimental to any society whether that society and can cause unpredictability, hardships and even war. In fact, I believe that all wars in man's history were caused by fear. The British were afraid they would lose their colonies in America curring the Revolutionary war. Lincoln feared that the United States would lose their unity and fought to preserve it during the Civil War. Most recently, the United States feared terrorism and weapons of mass destruction and invaded Afghanistan and Iraq. Fear drove Mariam and Liala to kill their husband and fear changed the city that they lived in. In Mariam and Liala's case, the Taliban, who were once praised, staged public massacres which kept people off the streets and their whole economy suffered as a result.
Week 7 Post A
Definitions
Mewling(226)- To cry weakly; whimper.
Blithely(218)- Joyous, merry, or gay in disposition; glad; cheerful:
Figurative Language
"And the past held only this wisdom: that love was a damaging mistake, and its accomplice, hop, a treacherous illusion. And whenever those twin poisonous flowers began to sprout in the parched land of that field, Mariam uprooted them. She uprooted them and ditched them before they took hold"(229). This quote uses the flowers to symbolize Mariam's hopes and dreams. Because she doesn't want to be let down, she doesn't hope for any love or anything special in her life.
"Mariam could see their wings catching the phosphorescent blue of moonlight beaming through the clouds"(218). I felt that this was good description on Khaled Hosseini's part. It almost seems like poetry when reading this book. It adds and element that provides the reader something extra to think about.
"The baby's hand balled into a fist. It rose, fell, found a spastic path to her mouth. Around a mouthful of her own hand, the baby gave Mariam a grin, little bubbles of spittle shining on her lips"(217). I liked how Khaled Hosseini used appealing words to describe an unappealing, sloppy baby. It shows his creative side and shows that he put some effort into what he tries to convey to his reader.
Quote
"The streets became littered with bodies, glass, and crumpled chunks of metal. There was looting, murder, and, increasingly, rape, which was used to intimidate civilians and reward militiamen"(227).
Students at EHS have heard and dealt with tragic events such as shootings and suicides and constantly tell themselves, "I'm lucky it wasn't me." It's hard to see just how fortunate we are and Khaled Hosseini's knowledge of Kabul and the hardships that people experience there on an everyday basis provides a better prospective on our lives. Making the comparison from my life to the book gets me thinking about the whole world rather than complaining about the homework that is due the next day at school.
Theme
For the first time, the two seemingly separate plots come together and create an unusual tension and hatred between the two main characters. As they grow together, the reader learns that feelings of anxiety and disgust can quickly turn into hope and happiness.
Mewling(226)- To cry weakly; whimper.
Blithely(218)- Joyous, merry, or gay in disposition; glad; cheerful:
Figurative Language
"And the past held only this wisdom: that love was a damaging mistake, and its accomplice, hop, a treacherous illusion. And whenever those twin poisonous flowers began to sprout in the parched land of that field, Mariam uprooted them. She uprooted them and ditched them before they took hold"(229). This quote uses the flowers to symbolize Mariam's hopes and dreams. Because she doesn't want to be let down, she doesn't hope for any love or anything special in her life.
"Mariam could see their wings catching the phosphorescent blue of moonlight beaming through the clouds"(218). I felt that this was good description on Khaled Hosseini's part. It almost seems like poetry when reading this book. It adds and element that provides the reader something extra to think about.
"The baby's hand balled into a fist. It rose, fell, found a spastic path to her mouth. Around a mouthful of her own hand, the baby gave Mariam a grin, little bubbles of spittle shining on her lips"(217). I liked how Khaled Hosseini used appealing words to describe an unappealing, sloppy baby. It shows his creative side and shows that he put some effort into what he tries to convey to his reader.
Quote
"The streets became littered with bodies, glass, and crumpled chunks of metal. There was looting, murder, and, increasingly, rape, which was used to intimidate civilians and reward militiamen"(227).
Students at EHS have heard and dealt with tragic events such as shootings and suicides and constantly tell themselves, "I'm lucky it wasn't me." It's hard to see just how fortunate we are and Khaled Hosseini's knowledge of Kabul and the hardships that people experience there on an everyday basis provides a better prospective on our lives. Making the comparison from my life to the book gets me thinking about the whole world rather than complaining about the homework that is due the next day at school.
Theme
For the first time, the two seemingly separate plots come together and create an unusual tension and hatred between the two main characters. As they grow together, the reader learns that feelings of anxiety and disgust can quickly turn into hope and happiness.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Week 6 Post B
For this week I decided to write about an event that has always happened to me but was never brought to my at attention until I read A Thousand Splendid Suns. The two main characters, who are in love, are watching a romantic movie together.
"On the screen, Alyona and her new husband locked lips. Watching the kiss, Laila felt strangely conspicuous all at once. She became intensely aware of her heart thumping, of the blood thudding in her ears, of the shape of Tariq beside her, tightening up, becoming still."(141)
I think that this has happened to almost everybody at one point in their life or another. Personally, this has happened to me when watching movies with my friends. Everybody knows that there has to be at least one romantic scene in a movie and when it finally comes, everybody is too afraid to make even the slightest movements. Even being the person that I am, jokes never seem appropriate during a make out scene in a movie.
"On the screen, Alyona and her new husband locked lips. Watching the kiss, Laila felt strangely conspicuous all at once. She became intensely aware of her heart thumping, of the blood thudding in her ears, of the shape of Tariq beside her, tightening up, becoming still."(141)
I think that this has happened to almost everybody at one point in their life or another. Personally, this has happened to me when watching movies with my friends. Everybody knows that there has to be at least one romantic scene in a movie and when it finally comes, everybody is too afraid to make even the slightest movements. Even being the person that I am, jokes never seem appropriate during a make out scene in a movie.
Week 6 Post A
Definitions
For this week, I came across many words that I didn't know.
Conspicuous (141)-attracting special attention, as by outstanding qualities or eccentricities
Anew (144)-over again; again; once more
indomitable (144)-that cannot be subdued or overcome, as persons, will, or courage; unconquerable
Circuitous (146)-roundabout; not direct
Cretinous (153)-a person suffering from cretinism.
Figurative Language
"Tariq napped beneath a tree on the banks of a gurgling stream"(137). The gurgling stream is an example of personification. The human trait of gurgling gives the stream a characteristic that all readers can picture in their head.
"The children tearing after each other around the house"(149). I thought that this quote was unique because just one word can give the reader an idea of what the party was like. The word tearing, although not used for its literal meaning, implies a sense of chaos and screaming from the children even though the author never directly states it.
"The city held its breath"(155). This is describing right after the first bombings take place in Kabul. This could be a type of personification but most of all, it gives a "big picture" to the reader so they can keep track of what is happening.
Quote
"The Mujahideen, armed to the teeth but now lacking a common enemy, had found the enemy in each other"(155) This goes along with my topic for my research paper as gun control. It is clear that when any group of people have a stockpile of guns, their most likely going to use them in one way or another. Besides my paper, this creates the main conflict in the story and Laila's life seems to be dictated by the war that is happening around her, as her life is slowly spinning out of control.
Theme
Laila finds a new relationship with a man named Tariq and in times of the chaos and violence that takes place all around them, their love is the one constant that they can count on.
For this week, I came across many words that I didn't know.
Conspicuous (141)-attracting special attention, as by outstanding qualities or eccentricities
Anew (144)-over again; again; once more
indomitable (144)-that cannot be subdued or overcome, as persons, will, or courage; unconquerable
Circuitous (146)-roundabout; not direct
Cretinous (153)-a person suffering from cretinism.
Figurative Language
"Tariq napped beneath a tree on the banks of a gurgling stream"(137). The gurgling stream is an example of personification. The human trait of gurgling gives the stream a characteristic that all readers can picture in their head.
"The children tearing after each other around the house"(149). I thought that this quote was unique because just one word can give the reader an idea of what the party was like. The word tearing, although not used for its literal meaning, implies a sense of chaos and screaming from the children even though the author never directly states it.
"The city held its breath"(155). This is describing right after the first bombings take place in Kabul. This could be a type of personification but most of all, it gives a "big picture" to the reader so they can keep track of what is happening.
Quote
"The Mujahideen, armed to the teeth but now lacking a common enemy, had found the enemy in each other"(155) This goes along with my topic for my research paper as gun control. It is clear that when any group of people have a stockpile of guns, their most likely going to use them in one way or another. Besides my paper, this creates the main conflict in the story and Laila's life seems to be dictated by the war that is happening around her, as her life is slowly spinning out of control.
Theme
Laila finds a new relationship with a man named Tariq and in times of the chaos and violence that takes place all around them, their love is the one constant that they can count on.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Week 5 Post B
Letter to the author:
Dear Khaled Hosseini,
I am only half way through your book but I am amazed at your use of imagery to describe such wonderful features of the main characters' lives. Everything from the floor that they walk on, to the statues that they visit, are all described very well. What sets this book apart from others is that you have a way of keeping the description and details interesting rather then putting details in the book because you have to. The details are just as much a part of the book as the diolauge is. One thing that I felt could have been better was the transition from Mariam to Laila. There was nothing to warn the reader and when the transition happened I got very confused. I had to read very carefully and sometimes read it twice just to get who you were talking about. I can not wait to finish this book and I hope you come out with another book very soon!
Dear Khaled Hosseini,
I am only half way through your book but I am amazed at your use of imagery to describe such wonderful features of the main characters' lives. Everything from the floor that they walk on, to the statues that they visit, are all described very well. What sets this book apart from others is that you have a way of keeping the description and details interesting rather then putting details in the book because you have to. The details are just as much a part of the book as the diolauge is. One thing that I felt could have been better was the transition from Mariam to Laila. There was nothing to warn the reader and when the transition happened I got very confused. I had to read very carefully and sometimes read it twice just to get who you were talking about. I can not wait to finish this book and I hope you come out with another book very soon!
Week 5 Post A
Definitions
Flaccid(p112)- lacking force; weak
Admonishing(p115)- To counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution.
Figurative Language
"...The carcasses of burned-out Soviet tanks and wrecked helicopters"(p132). This is a good use of imagery because it forces the reader to recall previous know and images that they see in magazines and newspapers. It gives the reader a better connection between the book and the current events happening in their everyday lives.
"The fields were bordered by poplars and crisscrossed by streams and irrigation ditches, on the banks of which tiny female figures squatted and washed clothes. Babi pointed to rice paddies and barley fields draping the slopes"(p134). This quote has a little bit of every type of figurative language. First off, there is lots of imagery that gives the reader a vivid account of exactly what Laila is seeing. Second, there is also some alliteration which makes this quote unique. I don't know if Hosseini intended to put it in there but when he says, "bordered by poplars and crisscrossed by streams" it sounds like alliteration because of the repetition of the vowel sounds.
"A hand emerged, like a submarine periscope breaking surface, and dropped"(p110). This is a good example of a simile because it uses the world "like" to compare the mother's arm to a submarine periscope.
Quote
"Mammy lay in bed most days. She wore black... The ailments that would hound Mammy for the rest of her days began. Chest pains and headaches, joint aches and night sweats, paralyzing pains in her ears, lumps no one else could feel."(p126).
I think that the mother has to man up and accept her sons deaths. Sure deaths are very hard to deal with, but she has got a family to run and she isn't dealing with her problems. All she is doing is putting them off and forcing the rest of the family to take care of her. She's dead weight. Emotionally-concious people like Amy, would argue that she can't help feeling sad for the deaths of her two sons, and she would be right except the mother's constant 24-7 mourning has caused Laila (the daughter) to be less focused in school, their house is a mess, their marriage is in trouble, and the father and Laila want to leave the mom behind! In other words, the mother is a waste of a human life!
Theme
As we see more and more of the mother's uselessness, we learn to not mourn a loved one for too long. It is best for you and everybody around you if it does not affect your everyday life.
Flaccid(p112)- lacking force; weak
Admonishing(p115)- To counsel (another) against something to be avoided; caution.
Figurative Language
"...The carcasses of burned-out Soviet tanks and wrecked helicopters"(p132). This is a good use of imagery because it forces the reader to recall previous know and images that they see in magazines and newspapers. It gives the reader a better connection between the book and the current events happening in their everyday lives.
"The fields were bordered by poplars and crisscrossed by streams and irrigation ditches, on the banks of which tiny female figures squatted and washed clothes. Babi pointed to rice paddies and barley fields draping the slopes"(p134). This quote has a little bit of every type of figurative language. First off, there is lots of imagery that gives the reader a vivid account of exactly what Laila is seeing. Second, there is also some alliteration which makes this quote unique. I don't know if Hosseini intended to put it in there but when he says, "bordered by poplars and crisscrossed by streams" it sounds like alliteration because of the repetition of the vowel sounds.
"A hand emerged, like a submarine periscope breaking surface, and dropped"(p110). This is a good example of a simile because it uses the world "like" to compare the mother's arm to a submarine periscope.
Quote
"Mammy lay in bed most days. She wore black... The ailments that would hound Mammy for the rest of her days began. Chest pains and headaches, joint aches and night sweats, paralyzing pains in her ears, lumps no one else could feel."(p126).
I think that the mother has to man up and accept her sons deaths. Sure deaths are very hard to deal with, but she has got a family to run and she isn't dealing with her problems. All she is doing is putting them off and forcing the rest of the family to take care of her. She's dead weight. Emotionally-concious people like Amy, would argue that she can't help feeling sad for the deaths of her two sons, and she would be right except the mother's constant 24-7 mourning has caused Laila (the daughter) to be less focused in school, their house is a mess, their marriage is in trouble, and the father and Laila want to leave the mom behind! In other words, the mother is a waste of a human life!
Theme
As we see more and more of the mother's uselessness, we learn to not mourn a loved one for too long. It is best for you and everybody around you if it does not affect your everyday life.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Week 4 Post B
"She was always scowling, and walking with her books pressed to her chest, like a sheild"(p.102)
I have noticed that in Edina, girls and boys carry their books and notebooks very differently. The most apparent difference can be seen at Southview Middle School. For some unexplained reason, girls carry their books against their chests, almost "hugging" their books whereas guys, carry their books by their side, using one arm and their hip. Even more striking, is that every single guy and girl follows the trends for their gender. So why do guys and girls carry their books so differently if they all have the same books? The answer may suggest male strength superiority. Guys generally have more upper body strength in the shoulders and triceps which allows them to carry their books with most of the weight on the upper portion of the arm. Girls however, place their books on their hips, which carry most of the weight and use their arm to balance the book. At EHS, most people walk around with their backpacks which takes away this difference. I wrote this mostly as a thought provoking and entertaining paragraph. Please do not take the things I said as facts. Male strength superiority is just one theory why guys and girls carry their books differently.
I have noticed that in Edina, girls and boys carry their books and notebooks very differently. The most apparent difference can be seen at Southview Middle School. For some unexplained reason, girls carry their books against their chests, almost "hugging" their books whereas guys, carry their books by their side, using one arm and their hip. Even more striking, is that every single guy and girl follows the trends for their gender. So why do guys and girls carry their books so differently if they all have the same books? The answer may suggest male strength superiority. Guys generally have more upper body strength in the shoulders and triceps which allows them to carry their books with most of the weight on the upper portion of the arm. Girls however, place their books on their hips, which carry most of the weight and use their arm to balance the book. At EHS, most people walk around with their backpacks which takes away this difference. I wrote this mostly as a thought provoking and entertaining paragraph. Please do not take the things I said as facts. Male strength superiority is just one theory why guys and girls carry their books differently.
Week 4 Post A
Definitions
Mundane(p.89)- common; ordinary; banal; unimaginative
Indomitable(p.98)- that cannot be subdued or overcome, as persons, will, or courage; unconquerable
Figurative language
"his glasses perched on the tip of his nose."(p.89-99) This is an example of alliteration. His glasses, which are an inanimate object, are given human characteristics (or in this case bird characteristics). This gives the reader a sense of what the glasses looked like, how big they were, and what his face looked like all in one short sentence.
"Giti said she ran like a sewing machine."(p.102) I don't really know how someone runs like a sewing machine especially since sewing machines don't move. This is an example of a simile because it uses the word "like" to compare two completely different things. This quote adds uniqueness to the main character and gives the reader something to remember her by.
"Where he labored amid the heat and the humming machinery stoking the massive ovens and mill grains all day."(p.103) Once again, the machinery is given the human characteristic of "humming." This alliteration gives the reader a better sense of the father's background as well as keeping the reader entertained.
Quote
"Through the mouthful of grit and pebbles, Mariam mumbled a plea. Tears were leaking out of the corners of her eyes.
'CHEW!' he bellowed...
Mariam chewed. Something in the back of her mouth cracked.
'Good, now you know what your rice tastes like.'
Then he was gone, leaving Mariam to spit out pebbles, blood, and the fragments of two broken molars."(p.94)
Here is one example of the spouse abuse that Mariam, the main character, has to put up with. She tries desperately to fix the problem but she has no family of friends she can turn to, to help her with her problem.
Theme
Spouse abuse seems to be an important theme. Khaled Hosseini uses the subject of abuse as the main conflict. Mariam is constantly put down by her husband and is beaten too. Hosseini also uses spouse abuse to create a side-theme about the strength and equality of women.
Mundane(p.89)- common; ordinary; banal; unimaginative
Indomitable(p.98)- that cannot be subdued or overcome, as persons, will, or courage; unconquerable
Figurative language
"his glasses perched on the tip of his nose."(p.89-99) This is an example of alliteration. His glasses, which are an inanimate object, are given human characteristics (or in this case bird characteristics). This gives the reader a sense of what the glasses looked like, how big they were, and what his face looked like all in one short sentence.
"Giti said she ran like a sewing machine."(p.102) I don't really know how someone runs like a sewing machine especially since sewing machines don't move. This is an example of a simile because it uses the word "like" to compare two completely different things. This quote adds uniqueness to the main character and gives the reader something to remember her by.
"Where he labored amid the heat and the humming machinery stoking the massive ovens and mill grains all day."(p.103) Once again, the machinery is given the human characteristic of "humming." This alliteration gives the reader a better sense of the father's background as well as keeping the reader entertained.
Quote
"Through the mouthful of grit and pebbles, Mariam mumbled a plea. Tears were leaking out of the corners of her eyes.
'CHEW!' he bellowed...
Mariam chewed. Something in the back of her mouth cracked.
'Good, now you know what your rice tastes like.'
Then he was gone, leaving Mariam to spit out pebbles, blood, and the fragments of two broken molars."(p.94)
Here is one example of the spouse abuse that Mariam, the main character, has to put up with. She tries desperately to fix the problem but she has no family of friends she can turn to, to help her with her problem.
Theme
Spouse abuse seems to be an important theme. Khaled Hosseini uses the subject of abuse as the main conflict. Mariam is constantly put down by her husband and is beaten too. Hosseini also uses spouse abuse to create a side-theme about the strength and equality of women.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
On The Waterfront Paper
A 400 Blows Repeat
Movie theaters always have the latest dramas, thrillers and action packed films. Here in
Of the literary aspects, characters, setting and themes are the strongest and provide a good story to keep the viewer dying to find out what happens next. Unlike The 400 Blows, On The Waterfront is successful at gaining the viewers sympathy for the main character, Terry Malloy, which is a crucial part in developing movie characters. This allows the viewer to relate to Terry and feel as if they have a personal connection with him. The movie also does a good job developing the characters in opposition to Terry Malloy. Johnny Friendly, the mob boss, is portrayed as an assertive man who is the complete opposite of Terry Malloy. These two characters drive the main conflict and create the action and suspense.
The setting is another strong portion of the literary aspects. Because it was made in 1954, the time period makes this movie unique. It is especially appealing to kids and teenagers today because we get experience a different era and get a glimpse at what life was like during that time period. The setting plays an important part in deciding what conflicts take place in the movie. The basis for this movie is a mob that takes over the waterfront and controls who gets jobs and who doesn’t; this creates a problem for the common people. This conflict is only possible because of the time period it is set in.
The most important literary aspects are the dilemmas and themes. Terry Malloy is faced with the choice to keep his mouth shut about a murder and keep his job in the mob, or to tell the cops who did the killing and risk his own life. While this specific dilemma is unique, the theme isn’t. All people have been put in a situation where there are negative outcomes no matter what decision they make. The murder situation that Terry is in makes the movie appealing while the theme gives the viewer a chance to draw upon their own experiences.
Even though On The Waterfront has great potential with its literary aspects, it fails in the dramatic aspects of the film. The actors, and makeup bought tears to my eyes not because they are so spectacular, but because I was laughing at how bad they are. Edie Doyle played by Eva Marie Saint is supposed to be a symbol for what is good but often times her constant crying and screaming makes her come off as annoying. One example is when Edie finds out that Terry Malloy took part in her brother’s murder. She begins a crying like a baby followed by shaking her head and repeatedly saying “how could you?” To my classmates and I, this scene was more comical than emotional. It seems as if she tries too hard to be dramatic which causes the viewer to take her less seriously. Clearly, Eva Marie Saint is not the right person for the part because of her bad acting. One of the more memorable moments is when there is a shot of Terry Malloy after he is beat up by the mob. The blood on his face looks like ketchup and the bruises appear to be black engine-slug from a car. One might claim that On The Waterfront was made a long time ago and their makeup wasn’t that good, but in the movie business, every aspect must be done perfectly.
The cinematic aspects neither contribute to the film, nor hurt it. The director didn’t have much creativity with camera angles or movement. When the mob boss, Johnny Friendly, is shown for the first time, there is a low angle shot of him from the pool table he is standing by. The angle is appropriate, however viewers today have higher standards and come to expect this from movie directors, almost like 9th grade students expect to be spoon-fed an “easy A”. Another example is when Terry Malloy is walking towards the warehouse in the final few scenes of the movie. Instead of just showing Terry stumbling down a sidewalk, the camera goes 1st person and the viewer feels as if they are looking through his eyes. Again, this is nothing special considering that a 3rd person view would have put the viewers to sleep. The worst part is the music that is played in almost every scene. It is load and obnoxious to the point where it almost becomes a character in itself. Overall, the cinematic aspects were bland and typical, showing no creativity on the director’s part.
On The Waterfront shares one common theme with Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, but aside from the theme, always do the right thing, the two are completely different. Both Terry Malloy and Joe Keller face situations where their decisions affect the lives of many other people. Joe’s decision killed 20 air force pilots whereas Terry’s actually saved people’s lives and jobs at the cost of risking his own life. In On The Waterfront, there is a clear cut difference between good and bad and both are represented by Edie Doyle and Johnny Friendly. In All My Sons, there isn’t a clear line between good and bad because there are many personal opinions that play into what the reader decides.
On The Waterfront could have been a classic if it was written as a book due to its unique literary aspects like setting. The dramatic and cinematic aspects, like the music, reduce the movie to a little known, little cared about, piece of film. I would never recommend this movie to anybody, and I definitely don’t think that On The Waterfront will be playing at AMC theaters any time soon.
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My outside reading book
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The Rising Tied Album
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My outside reading book
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