Monday, December 19, 2011

My Ántonia: Willa Cather

 Humankind’s relationship to the past; humankind’s relationship to environment; the immigrant experience in America; the traditional nature of late nineteenth-century American frontier values.

I did not really enjoy this book, because i thought it was hard to understand what was going on.

The main part of the story is Jim Burden’s memoir narrated in his first-person voice, from the perspective of an older man looking back on his childhood. The introduction to the novel is narrated by an unnamed individual, one of Jim’s childhood acquaintances. Like Jim, this narrator uses a friendly, first-person voice.

Setting: 1880s–1910s, In and around Black Hawk, Nebraska; also Lincoln, Nebraska.

I do recommend this book.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time: Mark Haddon

Christopher’s investigation of Wellington’s murder leads him to uncover a number of secrets about his parents, causing him to lose his trust in Father and to set out to London in search of Mother.

Personally, i didnt like this book, because i thought it was too weird.

The Struggle to Become Independent; Subjectivity; the Disorder of Life; Coping with Loss.

Christopher John Francis Boone speaks in the first person. We are to understand the book as his written account of the murder of his neighbor’s dog, Wellington. Structurally, the novel alternates between a chapter advancing the narrative, and a chapter in which Christopher discusses ideas or concepts worth noting.

Setting - 1998, In and around Swindon, England, with a trip to London, England.

I do not recommend this book.

10-line poem, using adverb clauses.

When I get home,
As I take off my shoes,
While I walk upstairs,
As Im digging through my bag,
I finally get to be alone.

After Im alone,
While listening to music,
While starting my homework,
As I talk to my friends,
My day starts to get better.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The Effects of Setting

Author Willa Cather embedded literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, and personification, within her writing. 

"As I looked about me I felt that the grass was the country, as the water is the sea. The red of the grass made all the great prairie the colour of wine-stains, or of certain seaweeds when they are first washed up. And there was so much motion in it; the whole country seemed, somehow, to be running."

"The grave, with its tall red grass that was never mowed, was like a little island."

"Winter comes down savagely over a little town on the prairie.  The wind that sweeps in from the open country strips away all the leafy screens that hide one yard from another in summer, and the houses seem to draw closer together.  The roofs, that looked so far away across the green treetops, now stare you in the face, and they are so much uglier than when their angles were softened by vines and shrubs.


Chunk #1:  Comment the effect of the setting on the characters within the novel.
The characters live in the country, this effects them because if effect how they do many things. To them the country is peacful but because of all the wind it seems like its always busy, but not the kind of town busy with cars and alot of people. Because they live were there is less going on, it give them a chance to get close to their family.
 
Chunk #2 To discuss the effect a setting on you, including imagery (lots of adjectives) and a simile or a  metaphor as you describe the land.
My bedroom is my escape. The walls are covered in purple paint, but in some lights it looks pink. The floor is pink carpet, with many stains and each one has a memory. During the summer i can open my windows and my whole room smells like outside, the freshly cut grass, and the smell of rain on some days. My closet door that creeks at random time during the night. In the background, there is always music playing. I enjoy having this place to go when i feel the need to be alone. 

My front porch symbolizes an oasis to me, especially during the Christmas season when the soft Christmas lights help create an atmosphere of quietness and solitude.  Gently, in the background, the leaves rustle and whisper to each other their appreciation, too, of this seasonal seclusion, seeming to understand that the holiday should truly be about getting back to the real reason for the season. These tall trees stand as sentinels, much like the toy soldiers we have placed along the entrance to our driveway, guarding, protecting, providing a sense of security.  I truly appreciate having my oasis, an oasis from the busy hustle and bustle, an oasis from this materialistic season.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Argument: The Drinking Age

The drinking age should not be lowered to 18.

Evidence

Concrete Detail - If we lower the drinking age, we might be contributing to more fatal accidents.

Commentary 1
Lowering the drinking age increases car crashes among youth.

Commentary 2
Studies estimate that "400 serious injuries and 12 deaths each year among 15-19 year-olds could be prevented if the states raised their minimum legal drinking age".


Concrete Detail - Most 18 year-olds will not be mature enough to drink responsibly.

Commentary 1
At the age of 18 they are still trying to have fun, enjoy life, and explore adulthood. Teens might get carried away by the excitement.

Commentary 2
Trying to become an adult is a big responsibility, and putting alcohol in their hands will only make it more difficult.


Opposing Claims/They Say: Many believe if you have the rights to vote and join the military, then you should be able to drink alcohol.

My Rebuttal/I say: Nevertheless, i say they are wrong, because when joining the military you are risking your own life, but when drinking you are risking others as well as your own.

My Paragraph
The drinking age should not be lowered to 18. If we lower the drinking age, we might be contributing to more fatal accidents. Lowering the drinking age increases car crashes among youth. Studies estimate that "400 serious injuries and 12 deaths each year among 15-19 year-olds could be prevented if the states raised their minimum legal drinking age." Most 18 year-olds will not be mature enough to drink responsibly. At the age of 18 they are still trying to have fun, enjoy life, and explore adulthood. Teens might get carried away by the excitement. Trying to become an adult is a big responsibility, and putting alcohol in their hands will only make it more difficult. Many believe if you have the rights to vote and join the military, then you should be able to drink alcohol. Nevertheless, I say they are wrong, because when joining the military you are risking your own life, but when drinking you are risking others as well as your own. Thus, not lowering the drinking age would increase the chances of saving lives.

My Thinking: My paragraph is deductive thinking because facts and quotes that are presented.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Henry vs. Forrest

Henry and Forrest are a lot alike. They have been through the same experiences in a way.

Henry and Forrest were both in a war. While fighting they both knew they had something to fight for. They were brave, but yet terrified of wondering. They would rather die than have to wonder what happened to their loved ones.

While fighting Henry and Forrest were scared. They both considered giving up and just running away. They were having conflicts with themselves trying to decide to stay or to run.

Henry and Forrest have their differences but they are alike in many ways.

"Wounded Warrior Project"

The "Wounded Warrior Project" is a very informational project. It helps us students better understand soldiers and become closer to them. Also, helping to give the soldiers someone to tell their stories to.

This project will teach us students so much about what its like to be a soldier and how the soldiers have to do without so much, including seeing their families. It will help us to better appreciate all the soldiers do for out country.

The project will also give the soldiers have a chance to tell their stories and overcome them by talking about them. Telling their stories will make them feel like we care and that we understand how dangerous war is.

The project will make people aware. People will better understand war and all the work involved.

The "Wounded Warrior Project" help in more than one way. It helps the students, soldiers, and people.

What is War?

War is a fight, protecting our freedom.
War is dangerous. killing many people.
War is pointless, having no winners.
War is sad, depressing the families of lost ones.
War is red, painting with blood.
War is stress, thinking about the lives of your loved ones.
War is murder, killing men, women, and children.
War is scary, risking everything.
War is beautiful, fighting for what we believe.
War is freedom, without war we would have no rights.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead: Julie Peters

This book intrigued me when i saw the title and description. It is a tough read ... heavy and sometimes hard but completely worth it.

In this book, a young girl feels like no one cares about her. She has had many suicide attempts but they have all failed. She finds a website that helps one to go through completely with an attempt. Dylean signs up for it and once you sing up there is no turning back. The webside was called "www. through-the-light.com". Once you have given your information to this website it starts to count down your days.

The authors style of writing in this book is kind of intense, this book was kind of scary at parts. The way the book was written mad me feel sad that some people feel this way.

The main characters name is Dylean. She is very depressed, and she feels alone. I thought in some parts of the book she was a little dramatic. For example, she thought her family hated her because they sent her to fat camp, when really they cared for her and thats what they thought was best. Also, Dylean is kind of mean to people. Theres this boy that likes her, but she wont even give him a chance or talk to him because she thinks all guys are the same.

The setting of this book is in preasent time. Most of the scenes happen either at Dyleans house or her school. The school affects her actions because all the people there are mean to her. For example, there is this girl named Jessie and she calls Dylean fat everyday. Jessie and her group of friends make a point to pick on Dylean.

This book reminds me of how people at school are today. There are a lot of mean girls at Batesville that like to be just like Jessie from the book and pick on people for no reason.

I do not recommend this book, because it is kind of depressing. Also, it doesnt even give you a clear ending so its like you read it for nothing.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

September 11th

Since it is the 10th anniversary, people are starting to kinda forget about the details. People still miss their loved ones but they dont remember the day in such detail. But September 11th will never be completely forgotten about.

On September 11th of 2001 i was in 1st grade, i honestly dont remember very much. I do remember that i was in Mr. Wells class and i went to my moms room. In my moms room, her class and Coach Wentz's class were all in the same room and we watched the story on TV.

9/11 was a depressing day, and that day will never be forgotten.