A Christmas Poem to My Classmates...Happy Holidays!

Recipe for Christmas All Year Long

Take a heap of child-like wonder
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise.

Mix in fond appreciation
For the people whom we know;
Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow.

Add some giggles and some laughter,
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)

Stir it all with human kindness;
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.

If we use this healthy recipe,
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,
Even when it's not December.

By Joanna Fuchs

Best Wishes, Alana C.

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior: Prose Analysis #2 of 2

Pg. 171; Paragraph 3


           My mouth went permanently crooked with effort, turned down on the left side and straight on the right. How strange that the emigrant villagers are shouters, hollering face to face. My father asks, "Why is it I can hear Chinese from blocks away? Is it that I understand the language? Or is it they talk loud?" They turn the radio up full blast to hear the operas, which do not seem to hurt their ears. And they yell over the singers that wail over the drums, everybody talking at once, big arm gestures, spit flying. You can see the disgust on American faces looking at women like that. It isn't just the loudness. It is the way Chinese sounds, chingchong ugly, to American ears, not beautiful like Japanese sayonara words with the consonants and vowels as regular as Italian. 


Analysis:


            This piece of passage firstly helps us see the symbolism of how a Chinese emigrant is portrayed through American eyes. The presented diction plays the imagery very well, especially where it repeats about the Chinese shouting being able to be heard blocks away, the big arm gestures, and the spitting. I myself see this in movies, as well and (with no offense intended) I can agree with what this passage is implying. But because these emigrated individuals are different, there is no reason for us to discriminate, nor for them to alter themselves because of discrimination. I gained this idea in my readings, and must I say, society has changed and acceptance is here.
            Secondly, in America, this is the perceived Chinese. But, back at their home, the Chinese are strict and skilled. There shall be no reason for chaos. There is order and expectations. Why now in America are they depicted as these types of human beings? The passage reads, "It isn't just the loudness. It is the way the Chinese sounds, chingchong ugly, to American ears, not beautiful like Japanese sayonara words with the consonants and vowels as regular as Italian." It seems as if coming to America has changed the Chinese point of view-from ordered to chaotic, from traditional to optional, from directed to wanting to feel "American-feminine." Describing your own people as "chingchong ugly" is another hint that Kingston was probably not as proud being a Chinese in America as she would be if she were back in China.
             In conclusion, this passage vaguely, but surely presses into the Chinese's image in America and adds another puzzle piece to the idea of Chinese emigrants' struggles and changes in direction to the American way.

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior:Reader Response #4 of 4

         This last section of my reading is primarily focused on the final chapter, titled, "A Song for a Barbarian Reed Pipe." The whole story has come together in determining the truths of Chinese emigrants to America. In the place of a girl-throughout the expanse of the story- a lot of the passages define shame; how you are admitted into a shameful bubble and how you are treated because of it.
         A term repeated in the story is "American-feminine." Kingston, being a Chinese girl born in America, always felt the need to fit into the picture in American life. In my previous post, I mentioned recently reading of how the Asian-American emigrants are the fastest growing discriminated-against ethnic group. To collect information from the passages in the story, Chinese girls were under pressure just for being girls. Girls, in China, were considered the least favored sex, who would either become wives or slaves. I've come to realize that Kingston's fantasies of being a warrior were a sign of hope and dignity. I sense that it signified strength. Kingston did not want to be put down. If anything she may have wanted recognition and honor, because it is what she deserved, same for other Chinese girls. Chinese girls were constantly put straight to shame because they were girls. Boys were given the ultimate pride: the toys, the outings with uncle, the training, etc. Girls were the servants getting ready to be married to men with money who would go out to work and send the women money while she  cared for her family. I cannot agree with this. However, all this "women-being-lower" talk has been a part of cultures worldwide. Men were always the dominant sex.
          On account of raising a Chinese daughter, Brave Orchid (Kingston's mother) had cut her daughter's tongue so that she would not get tongue-twisted as she was raised. This did not work in Kingston's favor, for she was tongue-twisted anyway. But, I just can't understand why a mother would do such a thing as drastic as that. Why couldn't the mother have the hope to be content, no matter how her daughter had turned out? I'd really like to do more research and find out how morals differed between the Chinese and Americans. There was also a moment in the book where Kingston confesses to her mother that she had taken the life of a spider. This immediately offset her mother and she spoke no more of it. How strict, really, is it in a Chinese household? I do remember having a classmate in elementary school. Her name was Hannah L. Because my mother is a teacher at my elementary school, she had a conference with this girl's mother at the time. The mother tells my mom that her daughters do not watch television. They listen to music and play instruments and no matter how rocket-high their grades were already, they received tutoring on the side for advancement. This amazed me. I continue to wonder about their state of mind, expectations , racial thoughts as they get competitive, etc.
           All-in-all, I observed that Maxing Hong Kingston had come a long way in a hard life of being a Chinese emigrant to the United States of America. There was enough evidence to show that discretion was tight in the Chinese revealing themselves to the Americans. The Chinese children were asked not to disclose certain information to Americans. Evidently, growing up was already challenging because of that. What about making friends? Or sharing?  This has been another interesting read and an addition to my position on feminism, and I have to say that I can definitely compare privileged girls in high society, to those in foreign countries who are trying to get past in America; changing, reinventing, and converting themselves. I pray that females never shy away from their dreams and goals in life. Females are not servants, or slaves, or strictly wives. Females are their own warriors who fight every day just for the simplest things. Through this we can become the true heroes because firstly analyze what's within.

I Really Did Not Like What He Said

Here it goes...

I was reading this article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20101215/ts_yblog_thelookout/rick-scotts-bold-education-plan-draws-bevy-of-critics#mwpphu-container

, then I came across this comment that immediately peeved and irked the heck out of me.

You can't really read it, but here is what John 3 said:

"Public school systems in this country have failed and arte going to continue to fail and that one of the reasons that the public school systems have fallen way behind european schools. I know that in public school system sex education and sports are more important than any other subjects and both should have nothing to do with a tax payer based school system. Yes I believe in school vouchers so a parent can send their kids to a private ,home based or public schools and that judge has overstepped his bounds and needs to keep their mouth shut and quit interfering in rights of others as well as the teachers union which is nothing but socialism.Public school systems have failed since the 60s .Right today you got young people graduating High School that cant read good cant halfway write and some graduate top of class and have no desire to get a job .So whats wrong with public school system in the U.S they have fallen flat"

This dude also named John replied:

"Are you speaking for yourself. Or, has the level of your illiteracy been acquired through hard work and dedication?"

My response:

Yes, where have you acquired such skill; such literacy?

I dislike your hasty generalizations towards public schools in the US. I also find objectionable the information you interestingly provided for us readers. Firstly, sex education and sports are not more important than any other subjects nor do I find that my school is largely biased on what subjects prove to be superior over others. Denying the fact that I may prioritize and excel in certain subjects over others, it doesn’t mean that I miserably fail the rest. Most, if not all, subjects are considered equal and are given credit that way (depending on the school’s curriculum.) Secondly, again, not all public schools are “failures” or have “failed since the 60’s.” There are always those sour apples and our schools in the US try their hardest to locate and separate those from the good so the rest will remain unaffected; however, they can’t get all of them. Similarly, the police are perpetually haunted by those who tend to slip under the radar and avoid being caught. (If we were discussing our nation’s security…that’s a different issue)

Finally, I grew extremely peeved after reading what you asserted on your two concluding sentences: “Right today you got young people graduating High School that cant read good cant halfway write and some graduate top of class and have no desire to get a job .So whats wrong with public school system in the U.S they have fallen flat”

Now, where you obtained such questionable information, I can’t bear to fathom, but be assured that we aren’t all idiots and rebels as you seem to perceive us to be. I was enormously impressed with your diction and syntax when you said “cant read good cant halfway write.” My response: What were you saying? Here’s my advice, before going around and criticizing the homes of others, why don’t you check if your house is in check first? It would be horrendous if someone proved you to be the opposite of what you truly are: a well-educated man(?) Also, it won’t hurt to prove you wrong one last time when I emphasize that I plan on getting a job after graduating top of my class while taking classes at a University. In fact, I am close friends with the other top-notch students and most already have a job and I know a myriad of respectable teachers that would vouch for us; no questions asked. We’ve toiled and endured quite a lot of hardships to get where we are and I am not going to let some (insert insulting adjective and derogatory noun) bad-mouth otherwise.

I commend your bold claim, but before you make anther statement that would prove to be folly, I suggest that you do a considering amount of research because you never know who’s going to be stomaching your words.

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior:Reader Response #3 of 4

          Continuing on with my reading, I have grown to be so appreciative and accepting of this different ethnic background. Because this book is majority talk-story and fantasizing from Maxine Kingston's point of view, all I could really analyze are the experiences and the diction that the author uses. I'll have to admit that the images created in the lines are very abstract and full of meaning. To think of old China-and even old Asia, generally- is to think and feel art. I go on to read with respect towards people and traditional practices as the characters do amongst each other in interaction with their customs.
           When I read that Maxine Kingston's mother, had lost two children, happening to be Kingston's rightful siblings, I began to wonder. How much grief to people in this culture actually feel and experience? Do they believe in happiness in the life after the one lived? Or, do they believe it is simply what's destined for the individuals? Another point that came across was when I previously remembered reading of how girls are not the desired choice when a woman is bearing a child. In this section, I read that Kingston's mother had used money she received from her husband to attend medical school. I am struck once again with the mode of feminism, and I think, "That is great!" Way to make something of yourself. I saw that no matter how dishonoring a girl may be in old China, girls still have willpower, self-esteem, and determination. If I were a girl in old-China, I'd feel shameful for just being a girl if I had to hear that I'm a problem almost every day. It's nice to see that in Kingston's stories and characters, there is strength rising in the hearts of the females; carrying a child about to be born from an unknown man to your family and making a sacrifice to remove the same from your family, fantasizing of life as a Chinese warrior, hearing the accomplishments and dignified stories passed down from your mother. It's truly amazing. I really believe that all this talk-story empowers life and gives it a meaning. Not only is Kingston's mother passing the value of independence to her, but also the value of being yourself and knowing just how great a potential you have if you set your mind to it.
             Now, in total contradiction to what I just expressed myself on in response to this section, I come across another scenario. Old Chinese slave girls for sale. ENOUGH SAID. Really?! The book outlined that Kingston's mother, known as "Brave Orchid" in this section, had hassled on the idea that her daughter Maxine's birth had cost her $200 during the time when girls were being given away as slaves for FREE. You could say this makes me red in the face. Here I am thinking the Chinese were respectful. But my new idea is that they demand respect, but don't give it when there is any hint of shame in the picture. As an American citizen, we go by the U.S. Constitution, which promotes civil rights, liberties, and ultimately, the pursuit of happiness. (*gasp) What a big difference between cultures, basically on the values of respect.
            I am glad about one thing, though. My question had been answered. What "ghosts" are mentioned in the book? Who are they and how do they exist? Brave Orchid explains to her daughter and teaches her that the ghosts are plainly the white Americans since Kingston's family had become immigrants to the U.S. I recently read in the A.P. American Government textbook that the fastest growing population of discriminated immigrants to the U.S. are the Asian Americans. This saddens me. What a time Kingston's family must have been having. Their way of life must have been dramatically altered, just to search for better. As Mrs. Griffin stated once, America is "the gift that keeps on giving!"

Orwell’s “1984” --Prose Analysis 2 of 2

Independent Reading #2

Orwell’s “1984” --Prose Analysis 2 of 2

“He thought of the telescreen with its never-sleeping ear. They could spy upon you night and day, but if you kept your head, you could still outwit them. With all their cleverness they had never mastered the secret of finding out what another human being was thinking.” Pg. 138

It’s amazing at the amount of information you can pull from a passage…

The telescreen is a machine that records and watches what you do and say. It can hear you, see you and it even broadcasts important information (like news). In this passage the telescreen is referred to like a human and this is called personification. This machine (non-human being) is given the sense of hearing and sight. It is also given certain humanly characteristics such as cleverness and the act of spying on someone.

Delving into a deeper level, why would Orwell make Winston refer to the telescreen like a much abhorred person? Why is Winston referring to this machine like a person? In my opinion, humans are the most dangerous creatures on this planet. We are capable of many beautiful and wonderful things, but on the flipside, we are also capable of the most horrendous of things (i.e. the destruction of humanity, and the society they live in serves as an excellent example). Humans bring life and destruction. That is why Winston is referring to the telesreen as if it is a living human. By emphasizing how human it is, is Winston hinting on how the telescreen and those who monitor him become the cause of his inevitable destruction? Is this foreshadowing of what will happen to Winston?

Orwell’s “1984” --Response 3 of 4

Independent Reading #2

Orwell’s “1984” --Response 3 of 4

Pgs.132-197

This particular section contained a lot of information and a lot went on in the course of a few chapters. One particular part that I surprisingly enjoyed was when Winston read the book that O’Brien gave to him to read after Julia and Winston visited his flat. The complexity and the amount of knowledge that the book held is astonishing.

It’s quite amusing how I read this entire section in one sitting while waiting for my doctor to arrive. That’s how tedious the whole waiting period was. There were moments where I would have to stop, reread and then brood about a particular paragraph or conversation in the book. Some of the other patients would stare at me in complete curiosity because of my perpetually creased brow. That’s just how fascinated I was. I finally understood more of the operations and functions of previous societies and how Oceana came to be. I especially found pleasure with Orwell’s reference to the classes (i.e. low, middle and high classes). The book written by Goldstein claimed that every society had their Low, Middle and High. For Oceana, the Low would be the Proles, the Middle being the Outer Party and the Inner Party would be the High. Everything stated in this book is true. There was this particular quote in the book that I can’t quite locate that states that if you keep the society ignorant of what they could have, then they won’t want it and believe that what they have is the best that they could ever obtain because they wouldn’t know any better. Of course that’s common sense, but the blatantly wise statement of such an idea is both horrifying and amazing.

Also, the part about having constant war so that the society can keep the peace was amazingly exhilarating. That statement is a paradox, but in Oceana, it is found true. If the society is in constant war with no one really hurting each other and just constantly depleting supplies that your nation manufactured, then that society would be frozen from progress. A perpetual war is just like perpetual peace (which, by the way, never really occurs.) With no outcome, everyone in the society would be kept in constant routine motions and they would be forced to not think otherwise than their common goal.

Another wonderful statement would be when the book states that whoever has control of the past has control of the present and future because if you think about it, it’s quite true. If you had all documents of the past re-written to fit your present, you can control the outcome of the present, therefore creating your future. The “they” who want to hold this power is the High. The problem is, which is stated in the book, is that the Low, Middle and High are in constant changes. The Middle would want what the High have and would rebel with the Low calling it a rebellious act for freedom and “liberty.” Once the Middle have won and have succeeded in throwing the High off their thrown, they become the High and proceed to toss the Low back to where they belong, so really, the Low just stay where they’re at while constantly wishing for a change. Then, the cycle repeats itself.

Doublethink is a newspeak word where you would have to hold two contradicting thoughts and accept both. As a very logical person, I had a hard time comprehending how this is done. Another part of that rule is that if another thing comes up and replaces that of which you accepted already, you just accept it without hesitation. I ask how this is even possible. It’s just wrong. That just goes against everything I was brought up to believe in. It goes against reasoning. If two things are contradicting, it obviously means one is wrong and the other is right; unless both do not supply enough information to discredit the other and both are correct.

I apologize with the jumbled thoughts, but like I asserted earlier, there was a significant amount of information and my mind is recovering from shock. I seriously was mind-blown with all these epiphanies. One thing I’m sure of: I would never survive in Oceania. I’m too opposite; different. I do not conform and I don’t bode well with incompetent, bigoted authorities. I'm glad I live in this society. How would you feel if you were forced to even think a certain way and you would be immediately annihilated if you do otherwise?

Orwell’s “1984” --Prose Analysis 1 of 2

Independent Reading #2

Orwell’s “1984” --Prose Analysis 1 of 2

“Winston did not get up for a few minutes more. The room was darkening. He turned over toward the light and lay gazing into the glass paperweight. The inexhaustibly interesting thing was not the fragment of coral but the interior of the class itself. There was such a depth of it, and yet it was almost as transparent as air. It was as though the surface of the glass had been the arch of the sky, enclosing a tiny world with its atmosphere complete. He had the feeling that he could get inside it, and that in fact he was inside it, along with the mahogany bed and the gateleg table and the clock and the steel engraving and the paperweight itself. The paperweight was the room he was in, and the coral was Julia’s life and his own, fixed in a sort of eternity at the heart of the crystal.” Pg. 122

This is a perfect example of an extended metaphor. Basically, the crystal is his life that he erected with Julia; the life that ironically will ineluctably lead to his doom. The room that he rented from the old man who sold the paperweight to him symbolized his “paradise.” He actually described it as his paradise. Ironically, his paradise, again would lead to his death. Ironic because paradise, by definition is, heaven and in his situation, it is not possible for him to have paradise. Even if he does find perfect happiness, I know he still worries.

The extended metaphor is stated in the text provided above, “The paperweight was the room he was in, and the coral was Julia’s life and his own, fixed in a sort of eternity at the heart of the crystal.”

The paperweight, which he holds near and dear to his heart because it is a piece of history that managed to remain unchanged, remained the truth of the past. The paperweight has represented the past and the room he was in at the moment also came from the past. He was laying on a bed that belonged to the past. He ate food that was only made in the past. The coral, the center of the crystal was the life that Julia and Winston created against the rules of the Party. Frozen in eternity, the coral is kept safe from change. Winston terribly wishes that his “love” with Julia can remain as eternal as the coral within the unchanging crystal paperweight.

Winston also uses this metaphor throughout the work, and establishes it into a more complex extended metaphor.

Orwell’s “1984” --Response 2 of 4

Independent Reading #2

Orwell’s “1984” --Response 2 of 4

Pgs.70-129

Again, this section was a fabulous read. I literally ate this part in one sitting; that’s just how awesome it is. There are several parts in this section that have literally caught me off guard and have amazed me thus far. Some of these parts include Julia confessing her love for Winston, them condemning their lives when Winston allows himself to be slowly drawn towards the adventure, and Winston accepting Julia’s advances leaving him doomed.

The story is complex in a way because of Julia and Winston’s lovemaking. It’s ironic because Julia is just a means for Winston, even if Winston does not recognize it yet. The irony stems from Winston’s need to live and his involvement in life occurring exactly at the moment when his time is short because of the very nature of the act itself. Winston’s dual mind characterized him throughout the second part. He knew that what he and Julia are doing is wrong, but she has given him hope. Winston has learned to hope but he has learned to hope at the very moment when he has placed himself in a hopeless situation. This is where we need to realize that Julia is just the means, as I mentioned earlier.

Something else I realized is that even if Julia and Winston share the same dislike towards the Party and Big Brother, they have nothing else in common. Julia doesn’t care for anything that doesn’t touch her life; she deems it unimportant, even if Winston believes that it is important. Julia just wants to be able to live how she wants to but she believes that there is no way to change what’s happened to their world, even if Winston believes otherwise. During this part of the story, there are a lot of realizations that occur and I can’t help but think, “Why is he with this girl?” The only reason must be because he was initially attracted to her, like other males. She was full of youth and she was against the Party’s ways.

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior: Prose Analysis #1 of 2

A passage from pg.35; Lines 3-20


          My mother caught the blood and wiped the cuts with a cold towel soaked in wine. It hurt terribly- the cuts sharp; the air burning; the alcohol cold, then hot- pain so various. I gripped my knees. I released them. Neither tension nor relaxation helped. I wanted to cry. If not for the fifteen years of training, I would have writhed on the floor; I would have had to be held down. The list of grievances went on and on. If an enemy should flay me, the light would shine through my skin like lace.
          At the end of the last word, I fell forward. Together my parents sang what they had written, then let me rest. My mother fanned my back. "We'll have you with us until your back heals," she said.
          When I could sit up again, my mother brought two mirrors, and I saw my back covered entirely with words in red and black files, like an army, like my army. My parents nursed me just as if I had fallen in battle after many victories. Soon I was strong again. 


Analysis:


          The tone and diction in this section of text really depicts the scene. This descriptive writing, in combination with words of action really grips a reader in feeling what's going on. This is one type of aspect in books that readers like to engage in, and I enjoy this about the book because it makes the moments exciting, urging the readers to cover more ground in the text.
        
          The overall syntax is also put together very well. The flow of what goes on in this segment is one that can be read well, and also completes the idea of what's happening and what the characters are feeling or experiencing. As the elements of tone, diction, and syntax come together, the text provides a deep meaning or time in the story. This is another advantage to the reader because a text, as so, enhances the experience of imagining the story's scenes.
        
          What goes on in this scene very much symbolizes the nature of Chinese tradition. In many Asian countries, sacrifice and honor is a high portion of value. It is what sets society for the most part. For a parent to even carve on their child's back is really something that portrays strong moral values. This act is a good example of the expectations that the narrator is being held to.

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior:Reader Response #2 of 4

          I'm finally getting to realize what's going on here. It's not just a story that Maxine Kingston is making up for the sake of telling stories, but stories that are involved within her own family and traditional, old China.
      
           Continuing from my previous response from the 1st section of my book to this second one, I see that the stories spoken transition from Kingston's family; her aunt, to the warrior Fa Mu Lan. Then it goes into more talk amongst Kingston and her mother. As I read, I felt as if Kingston, and probably many other Chinese girls in expectational families feel a certain pressure to keep the Chinese tradition and values alive; especially because shame on the family can happen as easily as attracting someone with sexuality and committing the act. I do agree with the expectations, for one. I also like how Kingston goes into these modes of Chinese fantasies- the example: she dreams and places herself in the position of Fa Mu Lan. As the girl narrating the story, Kingston feels the importance to keep shame away from her family and to stray away from the path that her aunt took.
        
          I came across the lines in the story that spoke if it being better to raise geese than girls. I believe this is because Chinese men could become warriors. There was nothing much that a girl could do but house work, farming, or producing children. And I thought, if I were in this position, at least a girl in old China, I would be... quite ashamed to even step foot out of my home if that's what my elders or authority thought of my person. However, in unlike fashion, Kingston moved along telling stories with pride. I was greatly astonished when Kingston was fantasizing of her life as a warrior. When she told her parents, they had both taken her to a place in the house that was secluded. Her mother had her remove her shirt, and her father looked away. Knowing that she was going to war, they carved the names of revenge on her back! I questioned, "How could they do such a thing to their daughter?!" but I figured it's China, and that is some kind of sacrifice or duty of honor. I saw, that as a warrior, the girl felt honor, whereas being a daughter brought into a Chinese family was somewhat a disappointment. I didn't like this.

          I could say that throughout this second section of the book (from my division), I was very appreciative of all the pictures that flooded my mind. I like how the author, Kingston, used lots of descriptive words that painted the scenes as I read. It was very nice. Every time I pick up the book and begin reading again it's like a whole new experience.

IR#2- Orwell’s “1984”-Response 1 of 4

Orwell’s “1984”-Response 1 of 4

Independent Reading #2

Reader’s Response #1

I had an amazing time reading the first section of my book. Orwell is a genius! His scope of comprehension, especially at that time, is amazing! For someone to be able to know so much and to think in depth, like he does, is just ridiculously cool. He is someone I would most likely enjoy meeting (I think). There are several statements in this book that is just total genius that I must quote them:

“Everything faded into mist. The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became the truth.” (Pg. 64)

My response to this quote would be one of horrification. Think about the power that “Big Brother” and “The Party” must wield to be able to make something as preposterous and hideous as this to occur. I was always that you can’t change history, but you have the power to control your present and therefore, alter the future. But this, this is just ludicrous! Everything recorded “historically” is altered and re-altered and the piece that was altered was destroyed. Doesn’t that just defeat the purpose of “history.” We were meant to learn from our mistakes through history because that is our nature. How will these people ever learn if all they do is change the past to fit their needs in the present and to secure their future? No human being has the right to alter and change what has already happened. If “the lie became the truth,” I wouldn’t know how to live with myself. Granted, it would be harder to remember what was right and what was wrong because the past is erased and changed to something different so then I would have no stable hold to cling to.

If the lie became the truth and the truth became the lie, the world will be chaotic. No one has the right to turn the world upside down. The funny thing about altering the past is that when you do that, you end up not having a legitimate past to rely on so all you’re living for is the present and I guess that’s what Big Brother wants to achieve to secure his future.

“He seemed to be breaking up before one’s eyes, like a mountain crumbling.”

Winston is describing how Rutherford looked like when he saw him a couple years back at this café. What caught my attention was his simile. I could understand if he compared Rutherford’s crumbling to some other insignificant object like a rock, or a building, but the mountain? Now why would Orwell make Winston compare Rutherford to a crumbling mountain? This is because Rutherford was considered a very strong, unyielding, immobile, and stubborn person. He was a source of undiscovered hope for this people and he too crumpled under the tyranny of Big Brother. He crumbled like a mountain. For a mountain to crumble and fall apart, it takes much effort, determination, erosion and persistence. It’s obvious that even hope can cease to exist in extreme cases; especially when the people who need the hope don’t recognize their need for change- their need for hope.

“The heresy of heresies was common sense.”

Because thoughtcrime was inadmissible, a lot of thoughts have been prohibited to the public. To think that even your thoughts were not your own, is a scary thing to behold to someone like me, who relishes imagination and logic. If even common sense (something my parents try to teach me) is not allowed, then what other thoughts can I own?

“If both the past and the external world exist only in the mind, and if the mind itself was controllable, what then?”

Exactly Winston! What then? Oh, what shall we do?

Then, whoever is the controller of that mind, controls how the controlled person perceives the past and the external world. Meaning, if the controller controlled all the minds of the people under his influence, then he controls the past and the external world (for those set of people). Power is scary.

What I thought to be quite interesting was how Huxley’s Brave New World is the total opposite of Orwell’s 1984. While Huxley’s setting in the book is clean, antiseptic and perfectly ordered, Orwell’s setting in his book is dingy, unclean to the point of disease infestation, sickly, dire and other unimaginable horror; even if there is some sense of control. A perfect-scary clean, brainwashed world vs. a chaotic-perfect-scary, dirty controlled hell. Science fiction- you’ve got to love it.

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior:Reader Response #1

          Through Maxine Hong Kingston's diction in her book The Woman Warrior, we are told tales of which have been story-told for generations of old China and up until today with this novel. The subtitle reads, "Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts." From there, I knew this would be a rather interesting delight, and after reading the first two sections-No Name Woman and White Tigers- I figured the term "ghosts" would symbolize Chinese ancestors.
      
          From page one, the art filled my mind. (That of the Asia really appeals to me as artwork.) The story told of the sister in a Chinese family who had sexual relations with an unknown man. This is a mother telling this to her own daughter. This sister was her husband's sister. Shame was set upon the family after the sister had become pregnant and their family home had been raided. Expecting the birth of the child, she had awaited far from home, bearing the pain and telling of the view in heaven, and many other scenes that shifted in and out of her mind. The time drew nearer and nearer and she suddenly moves into the pigsty where the baby is born. The mother decides to drown themselves-mother and child- in the family well because of the shame. The daughter was told not to speak of this aunt of hers. The "no name" woman. My reaction to this? Wow! Cultural expectations differ all around the world, and for this particular woman to be put to shame, driving her to commit this act, is a thought that gives me goosebumps. It's terrifying. The happening is terror in itself. With the story beginning this way, I became very very interested, desiring to read more and learn more. And then, I thought. If such shame is placed upon an individual for doing this, then where does the honor derive. This is, in fact, titled The Woman "Warrior," what tale will enter my mind after this.
      
           There it was-White Tigers. It tells a tale of the daughter, carried into the clouds following a bird. It was beautiful, and very much dream like. She was climbing a mountain, hands torn up, feet torn up from the everlasting climb. She is greeted by an old man and an old woman with many offerings to her. After a day and night's stay, she is given the choice, to go home to her family, or to stay there and train to become a warrior! At last! A warrior! The old man and old woman were spiritual battle trainers, or as we know, monks. I was then reminded of the mentioned Fa Mu Lan (my reference to the Disney movie) and to another Disney move, Wendy Wu. They were both warriors of Chinese descent awaiting battle. I recognized the strength beheld in a woman. How much honor placed in them; especially in being a Chinese warrior. The daughter chose to train and I felt, in myself, a sense of pride and empowerment. Girls can do anything and girls have their own strength. Reading on about the girl's life with the monks was appealed to me as something very dignified and honorable indeed. I'm very curious to join the storyteller and her characters on this foreign journey. My reading continues from here.

I.R.#2-The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston

          This book here, being read by me-Alana Chargualaf-is definitely one that shocked me! I knew I would be reading about old Chinese ways;particularly, upon a female. However, I had finally spotted the cover and it reveals, "Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts." Ghosts?! Really. I never thought another day would come again. The first time I read about ghosts in an Asian story was a long time ago as a young girl, and the title was, "The Ghost Fox." The book is still packed up somewhere in my house. The first thing I noticed was that The Woman Warrior is much more sophisticated and at my level. Just reading the first line, I became intrigued. I am looking forward to furthering my read. From this book , I expect to gain wisdom on old Chinese culture and tradition, as well as a different perspective on womanhood. My new goal is to study the womanhood and femininity of the diverse women around the world in accordance with their cultures. Good luck to the rest of my fellow classmates on their second Independent Reading assignments! 

Brave New World Book Review

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand." This beautiful quote is from the famous genius, Albert Einstein. It’s important to understand the significance of imagination because Brave New World is when you take imagination for granted and the world is solely based upon knowledge, nothing more.

Haven’t you ever pictured that one perfect world where life was so trouble-free and all the difficulties in life would vanish as easy as turning that light switch right there next to you, on and off. Beautiful and tranquil yet technological and scientific equal easiness; these describe the only world one would want to live in right—wrong. Brave New World has the power to greatly influence your thoughts of a look into the future where we thought everything would be awesome with flying cars and magically-appearing meals; however, if we had the technology to create these nearly impossible ideas, then scientific development would have reached a new high of complete domination where science became a part of all we know. The scariest part is the truth: We ARE on the path of Aldous Huxley’s astounding vision of ‘’an all-too-possible future’’.

Hatcheries and conditioning centers, powerful soma drugs, Malthusian belts, feelies, hypnoaedia, a strict caste system, and the extinction of individuality are examples of the factors Huxley’s New World revolves around that somehow keep social stability and peace, but at the cost of life’s truest pleasures like art and literature. As Oscar Wilde once said "Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals." That says it all for the World State is a brainwashed society keeping its citizens under complete control mentally, which has the power to frighten a reader by giving a clear visual of how the world would become were a person to control the world entirely.

Aldous Huxley’s masterpiece is a work of excellent entertainment while warning his readers if not everyone that our ways now will eventually become like the citizens of his fictional world. Quoting Buddha, "We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world," clarifies that who we are is what our world will become. Through the obvious changes in attitude and beliefs of this current society, it shouldn’t be a surprise as to how our world will be at least twenty years from now. Just think a little.

There’s a reason why a façade is placed on a book and Brave New World does not mean a world of bravery I once thought it was, but maybe just the opposite. Now I want someone to tell me not to judge a book by its cover. That’s the first inference a reader usually makes because of the cover. Because of that we can have an idea of where we’re going or sometimes, where we’re not going. This new world is nowhere near bravery; it takes real courage to face every obstacle in life. Tears and smiles give us reason to appreciate our world. Then again, it may take real daring guts, a new kind of bravery, to exterminate our society to make a perfect one, utopian or dystopian.

Wuthering Heights - Prose Analysis #2

" ' Don't you think Hindley would be proud of his son, if he could see him? almost as proud as I am of mine. But there's this difference; one is gold put to the use of paving-stones, and the other is tin polished to ape a service of silver. Mine has nothing valuable about it; yet I shall have the merit of making it go as far as such poor stuff can go. His has firstrate qualities, and they are lost: rendered worse than any but I are aware of. And the best of it is, Hareton is damnable fond of me! You'll find I've outmatched Hindley there. If the dead villain could rise up from his grave to abuse me for his offspring's wrongs, I should have the fun of seeing the said offspring fight him back again, indignant that he should dare to rail at the one friend he has in the world! '
Heathcliff chuckled a fiendish laugh at the idea."

* note: "... see him? almost ..." is directly quoted; text included no capitalization :)

-Analysis-

A metaphor is a comparison between two unlike things without using the words "like" or "as."
(as I'm sure we all know)
An example, or rather two examples, of metaphor are used by the author in this passage. The first is referring to Hindley's son: "one is gold put to the use of paving-stones." This means that even though Hindley's son, Hareton, is naturally a son with "firstrate" qualities, these qualities are rendered useless by his status, which is controlled by Heathcliff. The second comparison is referring to Heathcliff's son, Linton: "and the other is tin polished to ape a service of silver." This means that Linton has no natural qualities and talents, but he can be put to use, resulting in said quality having a decent outcome. These metaphors are very cleverly used to emphasize Heathcliff's success in following through with his vengeance on Hindley Earnshaw. For example, Heathcliff states,
"Mine has nothing valuable about it; yet I shall have the merit of making go as far as such poor stuff can go. His had firstrate qualities, and they are lost: rendered worse than unavailing." Excellent comparison isn't it?
Overall, I'm very fond of this passage and I'm very impressed with the subjects Emily Bronte related in her choice of stylistic prose techniques.

A Review on The Awakening by Kate Chopin

         The Awakening by Kate Chopin is, truly, a beautiful work. It captures the essence in reviving the hearts and souls of women, young or old. In a sense, the lines in Chopin's timeless treasury have a way of securing female insecurity and confusion of one's self. With this, we can all connect as women of the world. Within The Awakening, we encounter the trials of love, desire, society, family, and, majorly, the miracle of discovery in a woman's life! Dominantly, us women first consider what the world expects of us, not what we want, and overlook how important it is to look deep within ourselves and question the life we really have going on. The Awakening gives us a chance to break away from the stresses and chaos of everyday life, and release ourselves into a life of relating from one woman to the other. We also see the true nature of a woman, and the power that she has-that we all have individually as a female. The author envelopes her readers in the grace of feminist reasoning and understanding. Going through the book, we come through a rebirth of sense, purpose, and overall perspective on the persona(s) we portray given the various aspects in our life. What, then, will we discover this time around?

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn--Reviewed by Joshua

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884) by Mark Twain picks up where the prequel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, leaves off.  In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, we follow the life of Huck after he was adopted by the Widow Douglas and Miss Watson.  As usual Huck isn’t that thrilled about his new life of cleanliness, manners, church, and school.  However, Tom Sawyer asks him to stick it through.  All is well until Huck’s drunken father kidnaps and holds him in a cabin across the river from St. Petersburg.  Huck successfully escapes from the cabin, and thus begins his adventures along with Miss Watson’s runaway slave, Jim.  They run into many several problems, which you would have to read to find out about. 

Many people, including myself, could relate to the characters from the story.  Take Huck for example. Sometimes we feel that we are being forced to conform to a society that we disdain.  I, for one, feel the same way as him.  Huck wanted to be able to be free and away from society. That’s why I really like this book.  I could easily understand where Huck is coming from when he says that he decides to run away from society, the corrupt and racist society that once prodigiously existed back then.  If I could change something about the book, it would probably be the kinds of “ugly” words used.  Throughout the whole book, the word “nigger” is strongly used.  It’s because of that reason that this extraordinary book was strongly criticized.  I would definitely recommend this book for others to read.  I would recommend this book to people who would have already read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and to people who would like to learn about Mark Twain’s style of writing. 

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Currently being read and analyzed by me, Joshua Ilustre. From our class discussions, I really expect a lot from this book. Kazzandra and Alana's description of the book made me want to read it. I expect to learn about Aldous Huxley's style of writing, hoping that reading this book is well worth it. Aldous Huxley came from an educated family, and so I'm sure this book is very rich in terms of content and as Alana quoted "yummy."

Book Review: "Brave New World" By: Aldous Huxley

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley makes you think about what the future has in store for us. The saying, “everyone belongs to everyone else” isn’t a far cry to what’s going on around the world and again, you wonder, is this book a science fiction, or is it something greater? Women do not give birth (they take pills), people are being manufactured in laboratories, soma is being taken to relieve depression, and death is not grieved after (because you have an expiration date.) From birth the children are being “conditioned” to be a certain part in society and nothing else. Individuality, love, family, and art are given up for the perfect society. You ask yourself: Is it worth it? Ford replaces God because he is, in essence, efficiency because of the invention of the assembly line (and life is being processed in an assembly line). Moreover, someone in this novel is drivel to the point of ultimate sacrifice because of how the world has turned out. His selfess act of love will serve as a guide to the future. (Doesn't this sound familiar? Didn't Jesus sacrifice his life for us? To serve as a guide?) Is this not a far cry from what’s already happening? This amazingly daunting and scary-perfect book will get you mesmerized and will help you put life into perspective. If happiness is found in a drug and love is abhorred, what kind of life do you lead? Where’s your purpose? I just adore how my philosophy and the philosophy of this book clash causing me to really see who I am. This book is not only yummy, but it allows you to do a bit of “self-realizations.” What more can you ask about a book who uncovers, unearths who you truly are inside?

George Orwell's "1984"

Well, first quarter has come to pass and so has Independent Reading #1 (well, that’s what I’m hoping for all of you). Now, we move on to second quarter and also to Independent Reading #2. As you can see by the picture posted above (also the only picture that I could scrounge up from Google that looked anything remotely like the book I have), I am currently reading a novel called 1984 by George Orwell. Why have I chosen this book? Some of you (like Kazzandra) amusingly thought that I chose this book because it reminded them of the song 1985 by Bowling for Soup. Although that thought did fleetingly passed through my mind and that 1985 happens to be a really good song, “surprisingly”, that was not the reason of my choice. As most of you may know, I am guilty of having pleasure in reading science fiction. I did particularly enjoy devouring Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and since Mrs. Griffin suggested (since I loooved sci fi) that I tackle 1984, I made up my ever indecisive mind and signed the book out.
Since then, I must say, I am quite happy with my choice. Even though I have read half of the first section of my book, I still have many expectations from this book. I have already grown attached to the protagonist Winston Smith, who is a “happy” civil servant responsible for perpetuating the Party’s propaganda by revising historical records to render the Party omniscient always correct. Already, he has gained thoughts of rebellion even though he confessed that he took pride in his work. (Ok, I’m starting to gush. Enough of that incessant rambling Alana! I’m terribly sorry. You wouldn’t understand much of what I’m saying.)
I have a funny feeling that he’s going to get together with that sexy brunette that swore herself to this anti-sex league (intriguing to all males right?). I also believe that that small act of rebellion is going to grow. I guess I’ll have to read to find out…
**Food for thought: George Orwell was not always against totalitarianism (even though he really detested authority), but a lot of several things led to his decision of finally being against totalitarianism and being for democratic socialism. (Which also lead him to write several of his books including 1984) I read some excerpts of his essay, “Why I Write” which was published in1947. Some of the initiators would be Hitler, the Spanish Civil war, etc. The Spanish war and other events during 1936-37 turned the scale and thereafter, he knew where he would be standing. After writing a book that would fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into one whole (Animal Farm), he hoped to write another that would expose the lie that he wants to draw attention to and to initially get a hearing. Then he wrote 1984. This miraculous book has been translated to 62 languages. Along with Animal Farm, they had sold more than 40 million copies by 1984. In the US, it sold 1,000 copies a day that year. (That is AMWAZING!) What was sad about what had occurred while he was writing this book was: he experienced a bout of tuberculosis. He was then admitted to the hospital where even then they took away his typewriter. Ever determined and undaunted, he wrote longhand and with ball-point pen and continued his work. Sadly, he was administered a newly developed drug to which he suffered severe allergic reactions. Because of this allergic reaction, his skin flaked, his mouth became painfully ulcerated, and his hair and nails fell out. After several months of recuperation in the hospital, he was allowed to be discharged and returned to his home on the remote Scottish island on Jura. There, he finished writing 1984 in December 1948. After that, he went immediately back into the hospital and was never again healthy enough to return home. 1984 was published in June 1949 and Orwell died several months later on January 21, 1950 at the age of 46.
What did I say, isn’t he amazing or what? The book should have already relayed this fact right?
Anyway, that was just a fun fact that I learned about.

Rhetorical Precis--Bob Greene's "Cut"

Here below, posted as comments, are the precis generated by our class.  Enjoy!

Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights

It's me, Arielle! I know, I finally got started with blogging. I've currently been reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I bought the book a couple years ago (never read it), we were assigned IR#1, I found it on my floor, and figured... why not read it? It's supposed to be a tale of twisted romance between two people, Catherine and Heathcliff. I was quite certain that it would be a tough read (as it usually is with such awesome classics), but I still have a good feeling that the serendipity of choosing this book will have an interesting outcome. Besides, a tale of complicated, dreary, demented romance? How can a typical angst-ridden teenage girl resist?

The Scarlet Letter--Erica's Review

Upon picking up The Scarlet Letter, I was thrown into a new world. One very different from the beliefs and customs of the world I live in today, which is expected considering the book was first published in 1850, and the story set in the 1600s. The story takes place in the Puritan town of Boston. In this strict puritan town, any sin, petty or significant, is not tolerated. In this town, everyone is scrutinized and it seems like everyone is forced to live a pious life style. The views of this town play a very important role in the actions and attitudes of each town member including the main characters. For instance, in order to keep his honor and respect of the town’s people, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale hides his sins, which would be shamed by all if he were to expose them. 

The book focuses on the lives of four people living in the town. The first being Hester Prynne, who is being punished for committing adultery with an unknown person, which as a result, gets her pregnant. As her punishment, she is forced to serve jail time, is displayed on the town scaffold with her child for all to ridicule, and must wear a scarlet A upon her bosom as a symbol of her infidelity. She bears a child named Pearl who becomes her one true treasure and a beauty. Another character is Reverend Dimmesdale, who is one of the town’s most respected clergymen but who withholds a sin from the knowledge of the public. The last main character is Roger Chillingworth. He is a physician and Hester’s estranged husband, who came into town just in time to witness his wife stand on the scaffold in all her shame.

The story takes place over the next seven years, in which Hester Prynne loses her natural beauty and continues to bear her penance for all to see, Pearl grows up to become a mischievous and perceptive child, Reverend Dimmesdale finds himself struggling with the guilt of the sin he has performed and has been put under the care of Roger Chillingworth, and Chillingworth becomes so obsessed with revenge, that it’s all he cares for making him seem truly evil. You soon learn that Reverend Dimmesdale is the other adulterer and once Chillingworth learns this, he tortures and toys with the Reverend. Dimmesdale decides to run away with Hester and Pearl to become a family, but their plan of escape falls short when Dimmesdale decides to declare his sin to the town and dies soon after on the scaffold in Hester’s arms with Pearl and Chillingworth around him. Chillingworth dies just a year later and leaves Pearl all his property, allowing her and her mother to finally leave the town. Prynne returns a few years later, still wearing the scarlet A and spent the rest of her life in the town.

Sin, love, revenge, social organization, and human nature are all major attributes found in Nathanial Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Each one of these parts plays a key role in making the book effective and worth reading. Through Hawthorne’s somewhat complex writing, which becomes easier to understand as you continue reading, the reader explores the dreadful effects of sin especially when living in such a devout town. Each character has their own unique traits, giving the story a more realistic feel and allowing the reader to identify with the characters. Hawthorne was able to intertwine the aforesaid attributes well and allowed me as a reader to become engaged with the text. As the story progressed, I was able to formulate my own opinions about the actions of the characters as well as the attitudes of the town’s people. It is easy to see why this book is timeless, because although the story was set four hundred years ago and our society different from their generally pious nature, many people can recognize the want to fit into society unscathed, protecting the ones you love, and ultimately the struggle of trying to do the right thing.

  

Huxley’s “Brave New World”- Prose Analysis 2 of 2

Example:
Art, science- you seemed to have paid a fairly high price for your happiness,” said the Savage, when they were alone. “Anything else?”
“Well, religion, of course,” replied the Controller. There used to be something called God-before the Nine Years’ War. But I was forgetting; you know all about god I suppose. (Pg. 230)

Theme is the central idea of message of a work and offers insight to life. The theme of Brave New World is freedom and how people want it. The people want poetry, danger, good and bad things. This novel shows that when you must give up religion, high art, true science, family, love and other foundations of modern life in place of a sort of unending happiness, it is not worth the sacrifice. These are all also unique marks between humans and animals that were abolished here. In exchange, they received stability with no wars, social unrest, no poverty or disease or any other infirmities or discomforts. However, they only live with an artificial happiness, which they have been brainwashed to love since infancy.

Huxley’s “Brave New World”- Prose Analysis 1 of 2

Example:
““To-morrow,” he would add, smiling at them with a slightly menacing geniality, “you’ll be settling down to serious work. You won’t have time for generalities. Meanwhile…”
Meanwhile, it was a privilege. Straight from the horse’s mouth into the notebook. The boys scribbled like mad” (Pg. 4)

Animal imagery is out of control in Brave New World. Just look at the first chapter. There's the repetition of "straight from the horse's mouth," Foster's claim that "any cow" could merely hatch out embryos, the dullness that "Rams wrapped in theremogene beget no lambs." Later, when John goes to the hospital, he sees the Delta children staring at Linda with "the stupid curiosity of animals." The hordes of identical bokanovskified twins seem to him "maggots." It looks like Huxley's message is clear: the new world has so dehumanized its citizens that they now resemble little more than animals. The irony is that "civilization" should seek to bump up man, to make him less prehistoric, to put some distance between him and the other creatures of the world.

Huxley's "Brave New World"--Response 4 of 4

The last chapters of this book were incredible! The conversation that John had with Mutsapha Mond was really incredible. John questions the Controller’s philosophy and vice versa. John cannot believe that the controller would give up something like individuality, art, God, and science for other people’s happiness. They discussed a lot about how God can be absent even if the Controller himself believes that there might actually be a god. John believes that a lot of what the Controller does is immoral and ungodly. The Controller believes that people believe what they are conditioned to believe. It is just like how people believe God because they were conditioned to believe in god. Again, I really must say that their conversation was invigorating. Why was it invigorating? I really must admit that I am a sucker for the talk of philosophy and anything to do with life in general. It was incredibly fascinating the way Mutsapha Mond shone some light on the subject about why people believed in God. His words were illuminating and as a devout Catholic, it made me see and realize that what he was saying is true. Logically, it is true! I was raised to be a Catholic, so Catholicism is what I believe in. If I was raised as a devout Mormon, then logically, I should believe in the ways of a Mormon. These thoughts made my head spin so fast, I had to take several moments to pause and regain a sense of balance in my mind. It felt like a hurricane just blew in an wreaked havoc amongst my thoughts. These words actually made me stop and think. Not a lot of books have this effect on me, and that is why I fell in love with this book.
Continuing on the story, John has yet again, proven to be one of the best characters in this novel. He believes in how horrifying he has been that he has prepared to make himself suffer for it. He made himself suffer for his mother’s death by purifying himself the Indian way: drinking mustard and boiled water. Then he “forced” himself to not think of Lenina and how much he loved her, even if he thought she was an “impudent strumpet.” I am awed by his passion and belief of what wrong he has done. I cannot believe he brings upon himself physical pain just to get the gods to forgive him. It just goes to show that you cannot expect someone who has been raised and “conditioned” differently to take a whole new way of life with grace, poise, and gusto.
There are many things that I do not get from this book, but it has managed to shaken me to think the unthinkable words, “what if…”
There’s one thing that I don’t get though. I don’t get the ending. What’s with the directions? Why were they so important? What did the last paragraph mean?

The Awakening by Kate Chopin: Prose Analysis 2 of 2

A passage from pg. 136-137


         The water of the Gulf stretched out before her, gleaming with the million lights of the sun. The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude. All along the white beach, up and down, there was no living thing in sight. A bird with a broken wing was beating the air above, reeling, fluttering, circling, disabled down, down to the water.
         Edna had found her old bathing suit still hanging, faded, upon its accustomed peg.
         She put it on, leaving her clothing in the bath-house. But when she was there beside the sea, absolutely alone, she cast the unpleasant, prickling garments from her, and for the first time in her life stood naked in the open air, at the mercy of the sun, the breeze that beat upon her, and the waves that invited her.
         How strange and awful it seemed to stand naked under the sky! how delicious! She felt like some newborn creature, opening its eyes in a familiar world that it had never known.
         The foamy wavelets curled up to her white feet, and coiled like serpents about her ankles. She walked out. The water was chill, but she walked on. The water was deep, but she lifted her white body and reached out with a long, sweeping stroke. The touch of the sea is sensuous enfolding the body in its soft, close embrace.
         She went on and on. She remembered the night she swam for out, and recalled the terror that seized her at the fear of being unable to regain the shore. She did not look back now, but went on and on, thinking of the blue-grass meadow that she had traversed when a little child, believing that it had no beginning and no end.
         Her arms and legs were growing tired.
         She thought of Leonce and the children. They were a part of her life. But they need not have thought that they could posses her, body and soul. How Mademoiselle Reisz would have laughed, perhaps sneered, if she knew! "And you call yourself an artist! What pretensions, Madame! The artist must posses the courageous soul that dares and defies."
          Exhaustion was pressing upon and over-powering her.
          "Good by-because I love you." He did not know;he did not understand. He would never understand. Perhaps Doctor Mandelet would have understood if she had seen him-but it was too late; the shore was far behind her, and her strength was gone.
          She looked into the distance, and the old terror flamed up for an instant, then sank again. Edna heard her father's voice and her sister Margaret's. She heard the barking of an old dog that was chained to the sycamore tree. The spurs of the cavalry officer clanged as he walked across the porch. There was the hum of bees, and the musky odor of pinks filled the air.


Analysis:
           What beauty and enrichment this text gives to the story; especially as an ending! Kate Chopin had created this last portion of the story to tie the plot together. After reading this ending, the whole story had finally been tied together, and this "full-circle" ending had shown me the idea and value in how the story was structured in the first place. This concluding style provided emphasis in bringing about the story's meaning and Edna's end, along with the thoughts that ran through her mind before her suicide.
            I had discovered the extended metaphor of the bird with a broken wing that flapped in the air above the ocean in all its weakness, and had taken its last dive, falling into the ocean. This idea or ironic occurrence had symbolized Edna's fate. She was a bird who had a broken wing. She was weak through her sexual urges and her need to have someone there to satisfy those urges. In contrast to the beloved and dear strength that her children have to her, the weakness in her marriage life was definitely the broken wing because it tied her down. And, in place of the bird falling into the ocean, Edna swims farther out until she had used up all her strength and might and drowns in the ocean just as the bird has undergone.
            Chopin lines these ideas through the paragraphs above, recalling Edna's life. Chopin retells of her feminism through Edna's nakedness, then returns to describing Edna's proceeding into the ocean. Then again, she goes on and retells of Edna's first time being one with the ocean; bringing back the idea of her feeling as a child in the blue-grass meadow. Kate Chopin continues with Edna, then reflects back on Edna's history and memory, and so forth, until the moment of truth and fate strikes, the feeling of terror takes over, and Edna is gone.
            Lastly, the very last paragraph reminding us of her father and sister's voices, a dog chained to a sycamore tree; these sounds and a fresh odor, ends the story and leaves the trials and graciousness of Edna's soul in lingering in our minds. Through this passage, Kate Chopin has delivered to me the most ideal, feminist novella (along with its experience) with such a quality that allows me to put my life as a young woman back into its preferred perspective.

How To Kill A Mockingbird Response 3 of 4

I’ve been reading “To Kill a Mockingbird” and I drew many conclusions. This book is not only a classic because of who wrote it, but because every page of every chapter has a significant meaning to it. This section of the book that I read, chapters 11-21, was fairly interesting. The main event that stood out was the court hearing of Tom. Since he was black, he was accused of a crime that he didn’t commit. The all-white jury, just judged Tom without hearing his side of the story. Atticus is by far my favorite character in this novel, due to his courage and self-instinct. Atticus stood up for Tom during his court hearing, and made major points to the jury. While he was speaking to the jury, he was emotional which showed how strong he felt for Tom and the situation that he’s in. Atticus doesn’t care what people think of him and his believes; he sticks to what’s right for him and what he believes is true. Although in maycoumb, blacks aren’t allowed to feel sorry for whites, Tom felt sorry for the women. The jury still found Tom guilty even though he had enough evidence to plead not-guilty. Comparing this situation to every-day life of a teenager, in this century, helps me understand the text more. When something bad happens in life, you tell your friends, and of course they’re going to take your side and back you up, even though you started it/ you are the cause. They won’t care to hear the other person’s side of the story because they’re close to you and they will follow you. That’s how it was in the courtroom during Tom’s case. It wasn’t fair because Tom was the ONLY colored person and he had to face an all-white jury. Atticus made sure that someone was able to stand up for Tom and put a fight for him without losing the case without a fight. I simply admire Atticus!

The Awakening: Response 4 of 4

          Why is Edna messing around with these men?! Her husband and children are away, she has a doctor trying to figure her out, she gave herself to a man other than the one she is married to AND the one she clearly states that she loves! This is chaos in my mind, but coming to the end of this story shows me a beauty in a female's life. Of course, if it were to take place in today's society, the woman could get awfully hurt and abandoned, however I see beauty in the events held by Edna Pontellier.
           First of all, I feel this wonder knowing that she had the courage to stray away from her possessive, societally-serious husband, but also understood the lifelong love, nurture, and compassion she's long to give to her two sons. Secondly, she gained a new love where she felt this dream-like reality, which is so endearing to my heart. I, too, believe that I can somehow relate because every single time love is involved in my life, whether it be with God, family, or a significant relation, it seems as if it were a dream that I get to live every second of the day; a joy in my life that sparks my heart every second of the day. The Awakening showed me and clarified the signals to knowing when something is right; when something comes along and nourishes your heart and soul. Thirdly, I do see that Mrs.Pontellier had had an affair with Alcee. This shows me just how crazily emotions can play a role in a woman's life, no matter how young or old. We feel so deeply, even if we are the most hard-headed or heavy-hearted; however, we take risks and chances to fulfill our needs in some way that may be very much out of desperation, but we realize that we can only learn, and that we will learn, sooner or later. Lastly, I am appalled that Edna Pontellier had committed suicide. But the suspicion occurred when Mademoiselle Reisz gave insight on a bird that soared high above the waters, but had unfortunately taken a weakened fall into those waters gaining bruisings and death...I'd say this is a beautiful and heart felt tragedy.
          Oh, for the love of womanhood! During the time of my read of such an outstanding novel, I have gained so much, and feel a sense of inspiration that floods my mind indirectly. After finishing this book, I feel as if there is so much for me to think of and establish insight to in relation to my own life being a female. The actions, the awakening, makes me feel proud to be a young lady. I feel the urge to provide myself a successful, lovely, and full-lead life! Not only has Edna Pontellier-the "awakened" in the awakening- revealed to herself her moral and societal truths, but so have I, even though this book originates from earlier times long before my lifetime. Who would've known just how much a literary work can affect one's life! I feel so strong and empowered when it comes to how I wish to lead my life even more than I already have decided. I also have gained the will to encourage and guide other young girls in this discovery-or better yet- this AWAKENING!