My plan for the spring semester is to stay focused on school. I know that it is very easy for seniors to get off track because our spring grades don't matter, but they really do. If they didn't matter then we would graduate in December rather than in June. This semester is a test to all of us to see how bad we want it... To see if we have the dedication and the diligence to keep our grades up despite the ever lingering "senior-it is."
Personally, I would like to focus on passing my AP tests. They mean a lot. They mean saving money on classes in college and graduating that much quicker. I need to buckle down and start studying now. I am planning on taking 5 AP tests in May. That is a huge work load. I am soon going to start to make a calendar of all the steps I need to take in order to study for all these tests. My first step is going to be NO PROCRASTINATION. It haunts every person on this planet and I need to find a way to beat it. (If anyone has any suggestions to help me out, I will gladly take them.)
Above all, I want to maintain my 4.0 or greater GPA. My goal at the beginning of my freshman year was to maintain a 4.0 GPA all throughout high school. I have 7/8 semesters down. I can't blow it on my final semester.
I hope that... no, I KNOW that I can achieve my goals. I just have to take it one step at a time.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
AP PREP POST 1: SIDDARTHA
Essay Topics
1. Siddhartha explores the quest for spiritual enlightenment, and by the end of the novel four characters have achieved this goal: Govinda, Gotama, Vasudeva, and Siddhartha. Is the enlightenment achieved by each of these characters the same? Why or why not? What distinctions and similarities exist between the paths these characters use to reach their final goal?
http://www.amphi.com/schools/irhs/teacher-staff/jeen/english12/siddhartha-essay.aspx
In the passage we are only introduced to Govinda. We are unaware of the characters Gotama and Vasudeva, so we do not know anything about their enlightenment or the similarities it may have to Govinda's and Siddarthda's. In order to answer this question, one would need to read the entire novel.
2. A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/siddhartha/study.html
In the passage, we are only revealed to the internal world of Siddartha. We are not exposed to any interaction with other characters. But Govinda's name is mentioned so we do know that Siddartha does have some kind of human contact beside the inside of his own mind.
4. Discuss the role of the mystic utterance Om in Siddhartha. In what ways does it foreshadow Siddhartha’s spiritual progression? Is his relationship with it proactive, or reactive?
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/siddhartha/study.html
I have absolutely no idea how this question would be answered, but I would love to hear someone's opinion on how they would answer the question.
5. Explain which person has the greatest influence on Siddhartha and why?http://www.gradesaver.com/siddhartha/q-and-a/explain-which-person-has-the-greatest-influence-on-siddhartha-and-why-94151/
This question is very simple and could be answered simply in two sentences, but due to the simplicity of it, the question becomes very hard. To me it is the same thing as having very structured guidelines for a project or very general guidelines. The general guidelines are always more difficult because it forces you to really think outside the box and get creative, but they are more fun because they are a more accurate representation of you. This question would be an awesome question to see on the AP exam. The room would sigh in relief. I would not be able to answer the question at the time because Siddartha has not been revealed to any other characters yet, to my knowledge. And I would also need examples to back up my points, which I do not have access to in just the one passage.
These questions have showed me that I really need to learn how to deeply analyze a novel and remember specific facts about it in order to succeed on the writing portion of the AP test in the spring. It also shows me that I need to know how to identify critical literary elements so I can give my essays more depth.
1. Siddhartha explores the quest for spiritual enlightenment, and by the end of the novel four characters have achieved this goal: Govinda, Gotama, Vasudeva, and Siddhartha. Is the enlightenment achieved by each of these characters the same? Why or why not? What distinctions and similarities exist between the paths these characters use to reach their final goal?
http://www.amphi.com/schools/irhs/teacher-staff/jeen/english12/siddhartha-essay.aspx
In the passage we are only introduced to Govinda. We are unaware of the characters Gotama and Vasudeva, so we do not know anything about their enlightenment or the similarities it may have to Govinda's and Siddarthda's. In order to answer this question, one would need to read the entire novel.
2. A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
In the passage, we are only revealed to the internal world of Siddartha. We are not exposed to any interaction with other characters. But Govinda's name is mentioned so we do know that Siddartha does have some kind of human contact beside the inside of his own mind.
4. Discuss the role of the mystic utterance Om in Siddhartha. In what ways does it foreshadow Siddhartha’s spiritual progression? Is his relationship with it proactive, or reactive?
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/siddhartha/study.html
I have absolutely no idea how this question would be answered, but I would love to hear someone's opinion on how they would answer the question.
5. Explain which person has the greatest influence on Siddhartha and why?http://www.gradesaver.com/siddhartha/q-and-a/explain-which-person-has-the-greatest-influence-on-siddhartha-and-why-94151/
This question is very simple and could be answered simply in two sentences, but due to the simplicity of it, the question becomes very hard. To me it is the same thing as having very structured guidelines for a project or very general guidelines. The general guidelines are always more difficult because it forces you to really think outside the box and get creative, but they are more fun because they are a more accurate representation of you. This question would be an awesome question to see on the AP exam. The room would sigh in relief. I would not be able to answer the question at the time because Siddartha has not been revealed to any other characters yet, to my knowledge. And I would also need examples to back up my points, which I do not have access to in just the one passage.
These questions have showed me that I really need to learn how to deeply analyze a novel and remember specific facts about it in order to succeed on the writing portion of the AP test in the spring. It also shows me that I need to know how to identify critical literary elements so I can give my essays more depth.
Monday, December 10, 2012
End of the semester questions
Answers
1. I read their work occasionally. It really shows insight on how they think. Being able to read others work shows me just how much competition there is out there. We have some very intelligent students in class.
2. It has taught me to take more pride in my work because now everyone can see it, rather than just the teacher. The course would become a lot less demanding. No one would know what time you did your homework and no one would know if u did it at all.
3. It has made me want to do it more because anyone can click on my blog now and see that I am missing that assignment. I wouldn't nessesarily feel the drive to finish my work completely and to the best of my ability.
4. My classroom experience feels the same. I experienced a similar classroom setting my sophomore year, so it isn't really new to me. My learning actually happens in the classroom. I'm not really into all the Internet stuff that we are doing. I honestly would rather take notes off of lectures. I learn better that way.
5. I would describe it as life changing. The world wide web is a crazy place full of a ton of information.
6. I describe it as different and new. It isn't awful, but I wouldn't choose to live this way.
7. Who's responses? The publics? My peer's? It is weird having my work critiqued by multiple people at multiple times, but it is kind of cool because it shows me that I'm not as good as I think I am and I can always try harder and improve more and more.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Lit Analysis #5
Bless Me Ultima by: Rudlolfo Anaya
GENERAL
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
General
1. Antonio is almost 7 years old when Ultima comes to live with them. His family took her in because of her healing powers and experience with magic. She becomes very close with Antonio who becomes fascinated with the process of healing. He frequently goes out with her to collect herbs and make remedies. Antonio begins school and his mother desperately wants Ultima to reveal his destiny. She tells her that he will become a man of learning.
The war ended and Antonio's brothers return home from the war. They have a strange conflict with their father that Antonio will never understand. They both struggle to lead independent lives.
Tenorio gets in a conflict with Ultima and blames her for the death of her daughters. He tries to kill her, but fails. Later, he curses a man and the mans house becomes haunted. Ultima is called upon to get rid of the ghosts, and she does. She is highly respected after this.
Tenorio is still infuriated with Ultima and tries once again to kill her, but ends up shooting her owl. Ultima dies soon after because her owl is her spriritual symbol. Antonio is very sad and buries the owl as Ultima's last wish.
2. The theme is the importance of culture on an individuals identity. For example, the towns people look down upon Narciso for being the town drunk but little do they know that his traumatic experiences from war are what have altered his phsycological state. The characters are limited to what their culture has taught them, and never look past their own assumptions.
3. The authors tone is hopeful. The story is told by Antonio and since he is young, he has reason to hope for everything to turn out the best. He is very mature for his age though. He has many intellectual questions that adults cant even comprehend. The fact that the child tells the stroy, gives it a sense of innocence in a town of guilt. "
Characterization
1. Direct- "She took my hand and the silent magic powers she possessed made beauty from the raw, sunbaked llano, the green river valley, and the blue bowl which was the white sun's home."
-"He spoke in Spanish and the village he metioned was his home. My father had been a vaquero all his life, a calling as ancient as the coming of the Spainard to Nuevo Mejico."
Indirect- "I pressed my forehead against the cold wood of the porch wall and closed my eyes. I wanted the cold to draw all the heat our of my tired, wet body and make me well again. The day had been so long, it seemed to stretch back to eternity. I only wanted to go home... I wanted to hate Andrew for being bad with the women, but I could not. I only felt tired, and older."
- "At first we could only see the flaring light of the pinon torches. Then our eyes grew accustomed to the dark and we could see the dark outlines of men, and their red, sweating faces by the light of their torches."
2. No, the authors syntax remains the same throughout the entire novel. Since Antonio is narrating the story, everyone is seen through the eyes of the same character, so the syntax and diction remain the same.
3. The protagonist, Antonio, is a dynamic character. At the beginning of the novel, Antonio was as innocent as he looked. He was naive and young. He had alot of questions, but he didn't understand the meaning of them before he became close to Ultima. By the end of the novel, Antonio may not have grown much in age but in mind, he grew about 20 years. He had a new understanding of the world and the people around him, thanks to Ultima.
4. I feel like I have just met a character in a book. I never was fully intregued into the novel. It isn't the type of story that really grabs my attention. For me, it lacked a romantic subplot. I think that the book was very well written and that the story was great. It just didn't hook me the way I beleive it was intended to. "At that moment I heard Ultima's owl hoot a danger cry outside. There was someone out there. I looked at Ultima and saw her smile vanish. She held her head high, as if sniffing the wind, and the strength I had seen when she dealt with Tenorio at the bar filled her face. She, too, had heard the owl."
GENERAL
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
General
1. Antonio is almost 7 years old when Ultima comes to live with them. His family took her in because of her healing powers and experience with magic. She becomes very close with Antonio who becomes fascinated with the process of healing. He frequently goes out with her to collect herbs and make remedies. Antonio begins school and his mother desperately wants Ultima to reveal his destiny. She tells her that he will become a man of learning.
The war ended and Antonio's brothers return home from the war. They have a strange conflict with their father that Antonio will never understand. They both struggle to lead independent lives.
Tenorio gets in a conflict with Ultima and blames her for the death of her daughters. He tries to kill her, but fails. Later, he curses a man and the mans house becomes haunted. Ultima is called upon to get rid of the ghosts, and she does. She is highly respected after this.
Tenorio is still infuriated with Ultima and tries once again to kill her, but ends up shooting her owl. Ultima dies soon after because her owl is her spriritual symbol. Antonio is very sad and buries the owl as Ultima's last wish.
2. The theme is the importance of culture on an individuals identity. For example, the towns people look down upon Narciso for being the town drunk but little do they know that his traumatic experiences from war are what have altered his phsycological state. The characters are limited to what their culture has taught them, and never look past their own assumptions.
3. The authors tone is hopeful. The story is told by Antonio and since he is young, he has reason to hope for everything to turn out the best. He is very mature for his age though. He has many intellectual questions that adults cant even comprehend. The fact that the child tells the stroy, gives it a sense of innocence in a town of guilt. "
Characterization
1. Direct- "She took my hand and the silent magic powers she possessed made beauty from the raw, sunbaked llano, the green river valley, and the blue bowl which was the white sun's home."
-"He spoke in Spanish and the village he metioned was his home. My father had been a vaquero all his life, a calling as ancient as the coming of the Spainard to Nuevo Mejico."
Indirect- "I pressed my forehead against the cold wood of the porch wall and closed my eyes. I wanted the cold to draw all the heat our of my tired, wet body and make me well again. The day had been so long, it seemed to stretch back to eternity. I only wanted to go home... I wanted to hate Andrew for being bad with the women, but I could not. I only felt tired, and older."
- "At first we could only see the flaring light of the pinon torches. Then our eyes grew accustomed to the dark and we could see the dark outlines of men, and their red, sweating faces by the light of their torches."
2. No, the authors syntax remains the same throughout the entire novel. Since Antonio is narrating the story, everyone is seen through the eyes of the same character, so the syntax and diction remain the same.
3. The protagonist, Antonio, is a dynamic character. At the beginning of the novel, Antonio was as innocent as he looked. He was naive and young. He had alot of questions, but he didn't understand the meaning of them before he became close to Ultima. By the end of the novel, Antonio may not have grown much in age but in mind, he grew about 20 years. He had a new understanding of the world and the people around him, thanks to Ultima.
4. I feel like I have just met a character in a book. I never was fully intregued into the novel. It isn't the type of story that really grabs my attention. For me, it lacked a romantic subplot. I think that the book was very well written and that the story was great. It just didn't hook me the way I beleive it was intended to. "At that moment I heard Ultima's owl hoot a danger cry outside. There was someone out there. I looked at Ultima and saw her smile vanish. She held her head high, as if sniffing the wind, and the strength I had seen when she dealt with Tenorio at the bar filled her face. She, too, had heard the owl."
Thursday, November 29, 2012
No Exit
Think about the place you have chosen as your hell. Does it look ordinary and
bourgeois, like Sartre's drawing room, or is it equipped with literal
instruments of torture like Dante's Inferno? Can the mind be in hell in a
beautiful place? Is there a way to find peace in a hellish physical environment?
Enter Sartre's space more fully and imagine how it would feel to live there
endlessly, night and day.
My idea of hell is a place where I am extremely unhappy and I have no one I love around me. It could be anywhere. Sometimes I see school as a type of hell, but school isn't the stereotypical hell we picture in our minds. There is a way to find peace in a hellish enviornment: you have to accept your surroundings and the people that surround you. Once you give up fighting against what you don't want to see, you will become content.
Could hell be described as too much of anything without a break? Are variety, moderation and balance instruments we use to keep us from boiling in any inferno of excess,' whether it be cheesecake or ravenous sex?
Athletes will understand when I say that certain work outs are often described as hell. If practice runs long and it is boring or a really hard physically, most will say that "this is hell." But they don't mean it in the literal term that they have died and are being punished for there sins. They mean that they are tired and want to get "the hell" out of there.
How does Sartre create a sense of place through dialogue? Can you imagine what it feels like to stay awake all the time with the lights on with no hope of leaving a specific place? How does GARCIN react to this hell? How could you twist your daily activities around so that everyday habits become hell? Is there a pattern of circumstances that reinforces the experience of hell?
He shows panic in their voice. It shows that they are trapped. The characters also describe the setting through the dialogue. Garcin reacts calmly, then he is super confused, then calm and accepting, then he goes a little bonkers. But overall he seems to keep his cool considering where he is and the new life he is presented with. I'm not really sure if there is a way to create your own living hell. Usually other people create it for you rather it be intentionally or unintentionally. When people say that a certain situation is hell, they mean that it is difficult for them to cope with physically or mentally.
"No Exit" is a story about three people that were basically thrown together in hell as their own torturers. Each person was put there to torture on or the other, or both. They are there for what seems like just a few hours and they all get on eachothers nerves so quickly. They realize that "hell is other people" and yet they still contiue to bicker and bug eachother.
I think that Sartre does a great job of getting his message accross which is "hell is other people." He is saying that you dont need to be in the firey furnace of what we see hell to be, to be in hell. All you need to to be malcontent with things and people that you do not like.
My idea of hell is a place where I am extremely unhappy and I have no one I love around me. It could be anywhere. Sometimes I see school as a type of hell, but school isn't the stereotypical hell we picture in our minds. There is a way to find peace in a hellish enviornment: you have to accept your surroundings and the people that surround you. Once you give up fighting against what you don't want to see, you will become content.
Could hell be described as too much of anything without a break? Are variety, moderation and balance instruments we use to keep us from boiling in any inferno of excess,' whether it be cheesecake or ravenous sex?
Athletes will understand when I say that certain work outs are often described as hell. If practice runs long and it is boring or a really hard physically, most will say that "this is hell." But they don't mean it in the literal term that they have died and are being punished for there sins. They mean that they are tired and want to get "the hell" out of there.
How does Sartre create a sense of place through dialogue? Can you imagine what it feels like to stay awake all the time with the lights on with no hope of leaving a specific place? How does GARCIN react to this hell? How could you twist your daily activities around so that everyday habits become hell? Is there a pattern of circumstances that reinforces the experience of hell?
He shows panic in their voice. It shows that they are trapped. The characters also describe the setting through the dialogue. Garcin reacts calmly, then he is super confused, then calm and accepting, then he goes a little bonkers. But overall he seems to keep his cool considering where he is and the new life he is presented with. I'm not really sure if there is a way to create your own living hell. Usually other people create it for you rather it be intentionally or unintentionally. When people say that a certain situation is hell, they mean that it is difficult for them to cope with physically or mentally.
"No Exit" is a story about three people that were basically thrown together in hell as their own torturers. Each person was put there to torture on or the other, or both. They are there for what seems like just a few hours and they all get on eachothers nerves so quickly. They realize that "hell is other people" and yet they still contiue to bicker and bug eachother.
I think that Sartre does a great job of getting his message accross which is "hell is other people." He is saying that you dont need to be in the firey furnace of what we see hell to be, to be in hell. All you need to to be malcontent with things and people that you do not like.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens/ Lit Analysis #4
GENERAL
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
4. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.)
CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
4.
Characterization
1. Direct characterization:
2. The author’s syntax does change when he is focusing on a character. While narrating, he tells the story in regular English. But when a character is speaking, the English is broken and sometimes unintelligent. “I had not been mistaken in my fancy that there was a simple dignity in him. He touched me gently on the forehead and went out. As soon as I could recover myself sufficiently, I hurried out after him and looked for him in the neighbouring streets; but he was gone.” “I wish’, said the other, with a bitter curse upon the cold,’ that I had ‘em here. I’d sell all the friends I ever had, for one, and think it a blessed good barigain…”
3. Pip is dynamic and round character. At the beginning of the novel, he was a small, young boy with little chance at becoming successful in life. Then he was presented with the opportunity of being rich and respected. He also went from fearing a man who tried to kill him, to becoming his acquaintance and helping him escape.
4. After reading the novel, I feel like I had met a person. Pip is a very easy character to relate to. The love story within the novel helps the reader become attached to Pip. His story pulls at the reader’s heartstrings. “You have always held your place in my heart.” I answered. This line pulls together the whole idea of true love waits. It shows that Pip waited and waited for Estella no matter the cost and he probably would have waited for her until the day he died.
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read, and explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
4. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.)
CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
General
1.
Pip comes from a non-traditional background, he was an orphaned child who
was being raised by his sister and her husband in London during the
mid-nineteenth century. As he was in a graveyard gazing upon the
tombstones of his family, a man attacked him from behind and threatened to
kill. This man, Magwitch, turned out to be a criminal who had escaped from
jail. Just as Pip was doing everything this man said in order to live
another day, Magwitch was recaptured.
Recovering from this near-death experience, Pip's uncle took him to the Statis House to play. This house is the home of Miss Havisham. While in her home, Pip meets and falls in love with Estella. Estella was raised to break boys hearts at the request of Miss Havisham. She eventually married an abusive man. But just because she was married didn’t stop Pip’s persistent perusing of the young lady.
Pip was given a generous fortune from an unknown source. To claim his fortune, Pip had to travel to London where he could inherit this fortune at the age of twenty-one. While in London, Pip met Herbert Pockett, whom he aided with his fortune in order to help Herbert pursue his dreams. Magwitch turned out to be the source of Pip’s fortune, not Miss Havisham. Pip became close with the murderer and tried to help him escape London. But they failed and he was sentenced to death.
At the end, Pip discovered the love of his life, Estella, is Magwitch's daughter, but it doesn’t affect the feelings he has for her. They live happily ever after together.
2. A theme for this novel would be true love never fails. Even though Estella was rude and mean to Pip he still perused her. Even while she was married. He was able to see through the impurities and his persistence paid off.
3. The tone of the novel is distressed and hopeful at the same time.
Recovering from this near-death experience, Pip's uncle took him to the Statis House to play. This house is the home of Miss Havisham. While in her home, Pip meets and falls in love with Estella. Estella was raised to break boys hearts at the request of Miss Havisham. She eventually married an abusive man. But just because she was married didn’t stop Pip’s persistent perusing of the young lady.
Pip was given a generous fortune from an unknown source. To claim his fortune, Pip had to travel to London where he could inherit this fortune at the age of twenty-one. While in London, Pip met Herbert Pockett, whom he aided with his fortune in order to help Herbert pursue his dreams. Magwitch turned out to be the source of Pip’s fortune, not Miss Havisham. Pip became close with the murderer and tried to help him escape London. But they failed and he was sentenced to death.
At the end, Pip discovered the love of his life, Estella, is Magwitch's daughter, but it doesn’t affect the feelings he has for her. They live happily ever after together.
2. A theme for this novel would be true love never fails. Even though Estella was rude and mean to Pip he still perused her. Even while she was married. He was able to see through the impurities and his persistence paid off.
3. The tone of the novel is distressed and hopeful at the same time.
·
“Well then, understand once for all that
I never shall or can be anything but miserable unless I can lead a very
different sort of life form the life I lead now.”
·
“I walked away at a good pace, thinking
it was easier to go than I had supposed it would be. But the village was very
peaceful and quiet, and the light mists were solemnly rising, as if to show me the
world, and I had been so innocent and little there, and all beyond was so
unknown and great, that in a moment with a strong heave and I sob I broke into
tears. “
·
“Nothing was needed but this; the wretched
man, after loading wretched me with his gold and silver chains for years, had
risked his life to come to me, and I held it there in my keeping! If I had been
attracted to him by the strongest admiration and affection, instead of
shrinking from him with the strongest repugnance; it could have been no worse.
On the contrary, it would have been better, for his preservation would then
have naturally and tenderly addressed my heart.”
4.
- Metaphor-"...
think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or
flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the
first link on one memorable day." (page 82) In this quote, the
chains and flowers were metaphors for what could potentially hold the
characters back from doing what they really wanted.
- Anaphora-"...
one [man's] a blacksmith, and one's a whitesmith, and one's a goldsmith,
and one's a coppersmith. Divisions among such must come, and must be met
as they come." (page 260) This quote made a point that each man must
be separated due to their profession.
- Narration-"...I
called myself Pip, and came to be called Pip." (page 1) Right from
the beginning of the novel, Dickens identified Pip as the main character
as well as the narrator.
- Foil-
"Keep still, you little devil, or I'll cut your throat!" (page
1) This quote was made by Magwitch, the convict that attacked Pip at the beginning
of the novel. This quote only made Pip look more innocent and defenseless
and made Magwitch look more evil and crooked. Pip was identified as a
young orphan who was visiting his parents tombstones as he got attacked
by a criminal who escaped incarceration. These two descriptions made each
character look opposite of another at this point in time.
- Setting-
"As I was looking out at the iron gate of Bartholomew Close into
Little Britain, I saw Miss Jaggers coming across the road towards
me." (page 142) During this time in the novel setting was crucial
since Pip had to travel to London to collect his fortune.
- Innuendo-"I
give Pirrip as my father's family name, on the authority of his tombstone
and my sister..." (page 1) Immediately we discover that Pip is an
orphan without him directly saying so.
- Local
Color- "I am going to London, Miss Pockett.." (page 136) London
exists in this novel just as it does in reality. In fact, this is where
Dickens grew up.
- Frame
of reference-"Nevertheless, a hackney-coachmen, who seemed to have
as many capes to his greasy great-coat as he was years old.." (page
139) During this era, coachmen were extremely common as well as popular.
- Point
of view-"I looked all around for the horrible young man, and could
see no signs of him." (page 5) This quotes proves that the point of
view is in first person in this novel.
- Symbol-
"I am greatly changed. I wonder you know me." (page 415). This
quote by Estella represents change in this novel. All in all, I feel that
Estella represents change and recovery throughout the whole novel.
Characterization
1. Direct characterization:
·
“I took the opportunity of being alone
in the courtyard, to look at my coarse hands and my common boots. They had
never troubled me before, but they troubled me now, as vulgar appendages.”
·
“She had her back towards me, and held
her pretty brown hair spread out in her two hands, and never looked round, and
passed out of my view directly.”
Indirect characterization:
·
“I cried, kicked the wall and took a
hard twist at my hair.”
·
“I noticed that Miss Havisham put down
the jewel exactly on the spot from which she had taken it up.”
2. The author’s syntax does change when he is focusing on a character. While narrating, he tells the story in regular English. But when a character is speaking, the English is broken and sometimes unintelligent. “I had not been mistaken in my fancy that there was a simple dignity in him. He touched me gently on the forehead and went out. As soon as I could recover myself sufficiently, I hurried out after him and looked for him in the neighbouring streets; but he was gone.” “I wish’, said the other, with a bitter curse upon the cold,’ that I had ‘em here. I’d sell all the friends I ever had, for one, and think it a blessed good barigain…”
3. Pip is dynamic and round character. At the beginning of the novel, he was a small, young boy with little chance at becoming successful in life. Then he was presented with the opportunity of being rich and respected. He also went from fearing a man who tried to kill him, to becoming his acquaintance and helping him escape.
4. After reading the novel, I feel like I had met a person. Pip is a very easy character to relate to. The love story within the novel helps the reader become attached to Pip. His story pulls at the reader’s heartstrings. “You have always held your place in my heart.” I answered. This line pulls together the whole idea of true love waits. It shows that Pip waited and waited for Estella no matter the cost and he probably would have waited for her until the day he died.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Sonnet
They were stuck in a cave
Against their will
Held there till the grave
Never to live life to it's fill
Prisoners were held to see
Only shadows
That was their reality
They lived in the nightglow
One man's freedom
To step outside
To gain wisdom
Of the world they've been denied
The man felt strong and fufilled
While the others were lost and unskilled
Against their will
Held there till the grave
Never to live life to it's fill
Prisoners were held to see
Only shadows
That was their reality
They lived in the nightglow
One man's freedom
To step outside
To gain wisdom
Of the world they've been denied
The man felt strong and fufilled
While the others were lost and unskilled
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