Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Great Expectations Photo post
The renowned Disney movie Pinocchio has similar themes and charters to that of Great Expectations. In this movie Pinocchio has a little cricket that is his conscience. Throughout Dickens’s novel you may notice that the relationship between Biddy and Pip is much of one that reflects Biddy being Pips conscience. This relationship effects Pip with the themes of growing up, right and wrong, and guilt. Throughout the book Pip seems to have a strong sense of guilt when he looks back at his actions. This is because two opposing forces are fighting within Pip. One force sincerely wants to do the right thing and has best intentions at heart. This force is the force of gratefulness, humbleness, and all of Pip’s virtues and morals. The other bad, opposing force, raging within Pip, is the one of selfishness, arrogance, impatience’s, and pride. This is the force that constantly has pip annoyed with his family, ashamed, embarrassed, and causes him to waver and fall. The reason Pip is struggling so much with guilt and relationships is because deep down, he knows what’s right and what’s wrong. But sometimes he gets mad at Biddy for she reveals to him the truth of his behavior and he knows that she, like all of our consciences, is right. But Pip is also like Pinocchio in more than just one way. Pip, like Pinocchio desires to be something truly impossible to achieve but because of some very magical events that aspire are achieved. Pip wishes with all his might that he could be a gentleman; even at such a young age pip is aware what benefits of money and education can bring. Pinocchio has a desperate wish to be a real boy and his wish is granted as well. But both charters with their newly acquired gifts are given the choice to either abuse them or to do the right thing, not loose sight of themselves and their values. Each charter has to face the challenges of growing up along with the struggles of fortunes.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Evalution of Animal Farm
Daniel S
Artwork
It was exceptionally realistic.It defines the relationship between the Russian Revolution and Animal Farm very well and gave me a clear understanding of the two.
Adora K
Poem
Her poem showed the meaning of the book. It showed that equality is unreachable. I enjoyed how she used the old animals point of view, because they were the ones that had seen it all and had the most knowledge.
Thomessa I
Artwork
Thomessa's project showed how time effected the equality of animal farm and how as more time went on the less equality there was.
Timmy
Artwork
Timmy portrayed how it is impossible to attain equality, and how rulers eventually lost sight of that dream. I liked the fading away effect, it made the project dramatic!
Dan M
Comic Strip
Dan's strip of comic displays the changes that happen on animal farm through out the book.
Davis C
Pictures
This project was very helpful and taught me more about who the characters are identified in the Russian Revolution and who they symbolize.
Ragan M
Picture
This picture shows how humans are always the superior of the pigs Even though pigs are most powerful in the book, humans always triumph.
Emily W
Artwork
Emily showed the levels of power in the book and the Russian Revolution. Emily did a good job tying the two together.
Angela M
Artwork
Angela made a pyramid and put the pigs on top to show that the pigs had the highest power, followed by the other animals. She showed that humans had the ultimate power.
After reviewing all of the projects and comparing mine to them, I think though I put quit a bit of work into it, It wasn't as good as my classmates are. I think that I should have put a little more creativeness into my assignment, but overall I am happy with it.
Artwork
It was exceptionally realistic.It defines the relationship between the Russian Revolution and Animal Farm very well and gave me a clear understanding of the two.
Adora K
Poem
Her poem showed the meaning of the book. It showed that equality is unreachable. I enjoyed how she used the old animals point of view, because they were the ones that had seen it all and had the most knowledge.
Thomessa I
Artwork
Thomessa's project showed how time effected the equality of animal farm and how as more time went on the less equality there was.
Timmy
Artwork
Timmy portrayed how it is impossible to attain equality, and how rulers eventually lost sight of that dream. I liked the fading away effect, it made the project dramatic!
Dan M
Comic Strip
Dan's strip of comic displays the changes that happen on animal farm through out the book.
Davis C
Pictures
This project was very helpful and taught me more about who the characters are identified in the Russian Revolution and who they symbolize.
Ragan M
Picture
This picture shows how humans are always the superior of the pigs Even though pigs are most powerful in the book, humans always triumph.
Emily W
Artwork
Emily showed the levels of power in the book and the Russian Revolution. Emily did a good job tying the two together.
Angela M
Artwork
Angela made a pyramid and put the pigs on top to show that the pigs had the highest power, followed by the other animals. She showed that humans had the ultimate power.
After reviewing all of the projects and comparing mine to them, I think though I put quit a bit of work into it, It wasn't as good as my classmates are. I think that I should have put a little more creativeness into my assignment, but overall I am happy with it.
Poetry Outloud
We Wear the Mask by Paul Laurence Dunbar shows the suffering and pain of those who try to hide it. The theme of this poem is one that we can all relate to, the theme of oppression and suffering. He shows that people under oppression who are suffering put on the mask to hide their tears and pain so they won’t get hurt more. The author makes it so the poem brings us within the minds of oppressed people who are not able to show emotion. Using the mask Dunbar shows us the mindset of people who have been through much hardship.
We have experienced suffering and oppression in our lives in some form. For me this theme means constantly putting on different masks to hide your self. You have a different mask to put on for each setting and situation, you put on a mask when you go to school so that people will think that you’re happy and not figure out the trouble you’re having at home. You put on a mask of coolness and humor around your friends in order for them not to make fun of you. Around your teachers you put on the mask of intelligence and politeness. The whole reason we wear theses masks are to prevent us from getting hurt. If we show them who we really are were vulnerable. So instead, we show people what they want to see in hope that they will buy the lie and leave us alone.
When I present my poem I am going to say each line clearly and emesis the last line because that is the line that talks of suffering. I will of course add dynamics while I am talking and make the poem sound sad and mourning.
We have experienced suffering and oppression in our lives in some form. For me this theme means constantly putting on different masks to hide your self. You have a different mask to put on for each setting and situation, you put on a mask when you go to school so that people will think that you’re happy and not figure out the trouble you’re having at home. You put on a mask of coolness and humor around your friends in order for them not to make fun of you. Around your teachers you put on the mask of intelligence and politeness. The whole reason we wear theses masks are to prevent us from getting hurt. If we show them who we really are were vulnerable. So instead, we show people what they want to see in hope that they will buy the lie and leave us alone.
When I present my poem I am going to say each line clearly and emesis the last line because that is the line that talks of suffering. I will of course add dynamics while I am talking and make the poem sound sad and mourning.
Thanks Giving Post
The most useful skill I have attained in the last couple months is how to analyze literature. Before I took Honors English I thought the author wrote the book purely for entertainment and read it on a very literal level. I can happily say that I am naive no longer. Now when I read I think of why the author would have said certain things and search for what the author is trying to say about life through the characters. This enables me to understand literature on a deeper level and ponder some of the themes and motifs of the novels. Wile reading I think of all the things I learned like themes, motifs, symbols, irony, tone, satire, connotation and diction!
Five Part Paragraph Critiques
Five Part Paragraph Critiques
While listening to various five part paragraphs it became apparent to me that they were all making a common mistake. In each five pat paragraphs the students had trouble with transition words and making their quote appropriate for the point they were trying to make. When writing a five part paragraph you need to learn how to follow the criteria exactly and not make the paragraph sound choppy and unrehearsed. In order to achieve this you need to write a good thesis and make sure you have good transitions to clarify your concrete details. Most importantly you need to add insightful, original commentary. This is what it takes to write a professional sounding paragraph.
When evaluating myself on how well I did I would have to say I did a pretty good job. This is because I have had to use this format since third grade so by now I’m kind of a pro. But the one thing that I could improve on is doing more drafts because I didn’t do any rough drafts. I also need to read it out loud to myself to proof read it so that it sounds fluent when I read it. The one thing I struggled with wile writing was coming up with a good thesis statement. It was really hard for me to make that first sentence pop! Next time I write a five part paragraph I will pay attention to these attributes.
While listening to various five part paragraphs it became apparent to me that they were all making a common mistake. In each five pat paragraphs the students had trouble with transition words and making their quote appropriate for the point they were trying to make. When writing a five part paragraph you need to learn how to follow the criteria exactly and not make the paragraph sound choppy and unrehearsed. In order to achieve this you need to write a good thesis and make sure you have good transitions to clarify your concrete details. Most importantly you need to add insightful, original commentary. This is what it takes to write a professional sounding paragraph.
When evaluating myself on how well I did I would have to say I did a pretty good job. This is because I have had to use this format since third grade so by now I’m kind of a pro. But the one thing that I could improve on is doing more drafts because I didn’t do any rough drafts. I also need to read it out loud to myself to proof read it so that it sounds fluent when I read it. The one thing I struggled with wile writing was coming up with a good thesis statement. It was really hard for me to make that first sentence pop! Next time I write a five part paragraph I will pay attention to these attributes.
Formal Diction
I have never, in my whole worldly existence, ever, been exposed to the level of peeving annoyance as I have this week. Every fiber of my being yearns to reach out and crush the object of my frustration. But alas, I can not do what my heart desires because if I am to succumb to this madness, I will most likely end up badly damaging one of my siblings. For you see, they are the muses of this horrible feeling that envelopes me now. They provoke me to use the most vile of language, that would put me quite to shame. If only I was blessed with the disdainful virtue of patience. Although not highly esteemed it is of incredible impotence to my succeeding.
The fact that my horrible companions out number me is just anther downfall to my happiness. Maybe, just maybe they might have an unfortunate accident. That would be a tragedy to the whole family. Oh! But I could not possible do that to mother, for she would be devastated and its not very becoming to look as though one is devastated. I guess for the time being I will have to ponder what to do.
The fact that my horrible companions out number me is just anther downfall to my happiness. Maybe, just maybe they might have an unfortunate accident. That would be a tragedy to the whole family. Oh! But I could not possible do that to mother, for she would be devastated and its not very becoming to look as though one is devastated. I guess for the time being I will have to ponder what to do.
Extra Credit Blog
When I look back on my long laborious life,
I can see but one meaningful moment in a sea of uselessness.
A fleeting glimpse of the dignity and prestige of success.
Like a storm on a calm summer’s day it came suddenly,
Lifting me up with the waves and left,
Crashing me down into the forlornness of the world,
In which I sought to be rescued from.
Once again I was nothing,
Just another life form, vainly searching the universe for a purpose.
How could life be so cruel?
To show me what it was like to live with reckless abandonment in a dream.
Then, twist and choke it out from the very center of my soul,
Casting me down into the despair of nothingness.
I fought with what miniscule strength I had left not to let the pit of loneliness
consume me,
But nothing prevailed.
Instead, I fell deeper into the ominous pit as I thought of my ignominious triumph.
Once the center of beauty,
It was now held on a pedestal to be mocked by all.
The whole workings of my life
Had been mercilessly whittled away before my weak, soulless eyes.
I had nothing to live for.
I can see but one meaningful moment in a sea of uselessness.
A fleeting glimpse of the dignity and prestige of success.
Like a storm on a calm summer’s day it came suddenly,
Lifting me up with the waves and left,
Crashing me down into the forlornness of the world,
In which I sought to be rescued from.
Once again I was nothing,
Just another life form, vainly searching the universe for a purpose.
How could life be so cruel?
To show me what it was like to live with reckless abandonment in a dream.
Then, twist and choke it out from the very center of my soul,
Casting me down into the despair of nothingness.
I fought with what miniscule strength I had left not to let the pit of loneliness
consume me,
But nothing prevailed.
Instead, I fell deeper into the ominous pit as I thought of my ignominious triumph.
Once the center of beauty,
It was now held on a pedestal to be mocked by all.
The whole workings of my life
Had been mercilessly whittled away before my weak, soulless eyes.
I had nothing to live for.
Outside Reading
What I think of the Catcher and the Rye is not very pleasant at all. So far I have found out that the book has very low connotation and diction. So it’s not as if I’m broadening my vocabulary by reading this book. If anything, I’m learning how to use new swearwords because the charter uses them profusely.
As for the theme of the novel I think it might have something to do with growing up and facing your responsibilities. Holden seems very dissatisfied with the life around him and tries to act nonchalant about it. But you can tell that he knows he’s doing the wrong thing because he feels guilty. It’s almost as if Holden is depressed and is poised on making the decision to either assume adulthood or stay in his reminiscing childhood.
A book that can compare to the theme of the Catcher and the Rye is David Copperfield. David just like Holden goes through the struggle of growing up, responsibility and wisdom. But instead of being like Holden, who has all the money in the world, David is on the poor side of society. Both characters are of age and trying to find their way in the world without failing and in Holden’s situation having an emotional breakdown.
My idea for a creative project is to draw Holden as an adult and to draw him as a child. Then I will draw the bridge of transition and growing up between them. This would be an ultimate simple of growing up and what it means to Holden to grow up.
As for the theme of the novel I think it might have something to do with growing up and facing your responsibilities. Holden seems very dissatisfied with the life around him and tries to act nonchalant about it. But you can tell that he knows he’s doing the wrong thing because he feels guilty. It’s almost as if Holden is depressed and is poised on making the decision to either assume adulthood or stay in his reminiscing childhood.
A book that can compare to the theme of the Catcher and the Rye is David Copperfield. David just like Holden goes through the struggle of growing up, responsibility and wisdom. But instead of being like Holden, who has all the money in the world, David is on the poor side of society. Both characters are of age and trying to find their way in the world without failing and in Holden’s situation having an emotional breakdown.
My idea for a creative project is to draw Holden as an adult and to draw him as a child. Then I will draw the bridge of transition and growing up between them. This would be an ultimate simple of growing up and what it means to Holden to grow up.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Extending the Theme To Kill A Mocking Bird
To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee was an eye opening story designed to show the effects of ignorance and prejudice on society through the eyes of Scout. It is very clear to anyone who has read the novel that this isn’t a book you can just put down after reading. Instead, you’re left pondering the subjects of growing up, prejudice, and society. Thoughts start rolling around in you head like, how could society possible get so corrupted? Is it just human nature that people assume superiority over others? Memories come flooding back into your mind of your childhood. You can’t quite grasp the horror of growing up in the traditional south in 1930’s as Scout did.
These are precisely the thoughts thought crossed my mind as I read the novel. It was impossible for me to look at the old south through my naïve eyes any longer. In truth, the south in the 1930 was a time of a cruel narrow minded society, to arrogant to even see past the color of ones skin. While reading this book it became very clear that the trivial matter of ones skin color does not define you. The matter that the south seemed to overlook was that what actually divine you is your actions. We have all herd the saying you are what you do, and this statement rings true. That’s why today you are put in jail because of your poor actions and not because of your skin color. It seems almost impossible to picture a society who is so set in their ways that and can’t see the folly of their actions until its to late. But has society really changed? The south was only like this a little less than a hundred years ago. Do you think that America has learned its lesson from it’s brutally past, or is American history going to repeat itself? Or has America become paranoid of its past and is now afraid to take a stand on anything?
This is why I can’t help but wonder if theirs issues today that society has brain washed us into tolerating and thinking “oh this is okay”. Today we have the immense problem of moral relativism. Instead of disagreeing with someone we politely step around the issues and say “oh! Let your business be yours and let my business be mine. Have we purely become too lazy to stand up for what we believe in? If moral relativism had been an issue in the 1930s do you really think Martin Luther King would have even made a difference? The answer is no! If Americans are willing to tolerate anything then were do we draw the line? When do we realize that sometimes you can’t just politely step around an issue and say, “it’s none of my business their belief is their belief!” We use the reason of not wanting to offend anyone to side step arguments and indignation. But sometimes the truth is offending and sometimes society doesn’t want to know the truth. Do you really think society wanted to hear that slavery was wrong? No, that’s exactly the reason why we had the civil war. Unfortunately prejudice didn’t end after the war which is sadly what Attikus realized in the trial. The Question I now ask is would you rather be a lazy ignoramus who just side steps issues or would you rather be like Attikus and stand up for what you believe even when its not pleasant?
These are precisely the thoughts thought crossed my mind as I read the novel. It was impossible for me to look at the old south through my naïve eyes any longer. In truth, the south in the 1930 was a time of a cruel narrow minded society, to arrogant to even see past the color of ones skin. While reading this book it became very clear that the trivial matter of ones skin color does not define you. The matter that the south seemed to overlook was that what actually divine you is your actions. We have all herd the saying you are what you do, and this statement rings true. That’s why today you are put in jail because of your poor actions and not because of your skin color. It seems almost impossible to picture a society who is so set in their ways that and can’t see the folly of their actions until its to late. But has society really changed? The south was only like this a little less than a hundred years ago. Do you think that America has learned its lesson from it’s brutally past, or is American history going to repeat itself? Or has America become paranoid of its past and is now afraid to take a stand on anything?
This is why I can’t help but wonder if theirs issues today that society has brain washed us into tolerating and thinking “oh this is okay”. Today we have the immense problem of moral relativism. Instead of disagreeing with someone we politely step around the issues and say “oh! Let your business be yours and let my business be mine. Have we purely become too lazy to stand up for what we believe in? If moral relativism had been an issue in the 1930s do you really think Martin Luther King would have even made a difference? The answer is no! If Americans are willing to tolerate anything then were do we draw the line? When do we realize that sometimes you can’t just politely step around an issue and say, “it’s none of my business their belief is their belief!” We use the reason of not wanting to offend anyone to side step arguments and indignation. But sometimes the truth is offending and sometimes society doesn’t want to know the truth. Do you really think society wanted to hear that slavery was wrong? No, that’s exactly the reason why we had the civil war. Unfortunately prejudice didn’t end after the war which is sadly what Attikus realized in the trial. The Question I now ask is would you rather be a lazy ignoramus who just side steps issues or would you rather be like Attikus and stand up for what you believe even when its not pleasant?
Monday, January 24, 2011
the importance of being earnest
Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest the characters struggle to attain these virtues in a some what humorous manner. Through the satire of social intuition the author demonstrates the theme of the importance of being honest. For example, because of society and its high expectations Jack has to act highly moral in the country and when he is in the city his behavior is perfectly inauspicious. This is a satire on the value of telling the truth. There is also the mere fact of Jack’s fake name called Earnest. He is called Earnest when he is in the city misbehaving but when he is actually being honest in the country he is called Jack. That is purely and epigram met to show you, in a humorous way the extent of Jack’s dishonesty.
Wilde was brought up in this moralistic Victorian Era and was able to see through all the propriety and social classes, to relies the irony of this time period, the fact that they were all being Dishonesty. He uses the characters they portray his views of the importance of being honest and what happens when your not. Using Jack, Oscar shows that lies eventually catch up with you and don’t fix anything. Wilde also demonstrates that dishonesty may seem to work out and make situations simpler when in actuality they complicate things even worse in the long run.
Wilde was brought up in this moralistic Victorian Era and was able to see through all the propriety and social classes, to relies the irony of this time period, the fact that they were all being Dishonesty. He uses the characters they portray his views of the importance of being honest and what happens when your not. Using Jack, Oscar shows that lies eventually catch up with you and don’t fix anything. Wilde also demonstrates that dishonesty may seem to work out and make situations simpler when in actuality they complicate things even worse in the long run.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
animal farm project
THE LEADER
Napoleon is based on the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, But he mostly represents the political tyrants OF history. His namesake isn’t a communist leader but is ACTUALY the French general Napoleon who “betrayed the democratic principles” on which he had become famous for and instead became just as corrupt as the leader before HIM. Napoleon can REPRESENT any of the great dictators OR political schemers in history that use lying, manipulation and bully
It started with something that ended differently, a lost dream
By: Sophia Pettis
It started with a dream
One day everyone would be equal
The songs of the oppressed would be no more
It started with a rebellion
All the talents of the animals being used
Overthrowing their corrupt leader
Running their own lives
It started with a success
Finally their dreams coming true
They had something to live for
Everyone would be equal now
It started with leadership
The pigs were smart
The animals were inadequate
It was just natural for someone to be on top….
It started with apples diapering
And where’s the milk?
Then came an explanation
It started with some tension
Between two leaders
One standing for good
The other for evil
It started with something just not being right
The animals being confused
What had the dogs done?
Snowball was gone
It started with special treatment
The pigs now stood out
From the other animals
Superiority was emerging
It started with some rules changing
The original dream was….
Beginning to fade….
Out of the animals memories
It started with things turning out to be the same
Laboring, everyday life being like
A never ending circle of misery
What had the old life been like again?
It started with the pigs walking on two legs
School for some and not others
Whips were carried
Fear crept into the routine of every day
It ended with deception
Deceitful lies were carefully placed
No longer was there any question
There was no difference between pigs and…..humans
Exstra Credit Blog
My New Year resolution is to create healthy habits in all aspects of my life. “Healthy” habits cover a wide spectrum of habits. Of these, the ones I am going to focus on are my eating, exercising, and homework habits. This will improve my life in tremendous ways! First of all, by eating healthier I will have more energy in school and will be able to perform better academically. Secondly, it will clear up my skin, give me healthy shiny hair, and of course slim me down!:) Next, exercising will give me a major boost in my mood. So now, not only will I have the benefits of eating healthy but now I’m also genuinely happy. Thirdly, exercising will concrete my confidence. I will be able to set goals for myself in cross country. I will then reach those goals and have confidence in my ability to soar! Haha. Lastly, my homework habits will improve my health. This is because when you create good homework habits you’re not stressed out and therefore get sick less often. I will also be able to have more time to do more charitable thing such as volunteering at the soup kitchen :) Now the hard part is of course keeping my New Year resolutions. No more fat waistlines, dull hair, and stressing about homework for me! So, in order to keep my resolution I’m going to create a schedule. It will include when I do my homework, and how I will go running four times a week and do palates three times a week. To help me reach these goals and keep me motivated I will create a rewards system. In this system if I reach my healthy eating and exercising habits I will be able to buy a victoria secret bathing suite for summer! Yeah! Haha who wouldn’t be motivated by that?!? As for homework habits my reward will be hanging out with friends. Well this seems like a full proof plan for my New Year resolution, let’s just pray that it is. Wish me luck on reaching my goals and persevering!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
exstra credit blog
A new year is an excellent opportunity to think about how you can improve your life. Think of one thing you could do to improve yourself and the quality of your life. Write a new year's resolution: describe what you resolve to change in the new year and how it will improve the quality of your life. This could be a personal, social, academic, or athletic goal - you have the freedom to think of any type of resolution - just be specific about how this plan will improve your life. Be detailed and entertaining in your post. Describe how you will go about keeping this resolution. Attach a photo to enhance the post.
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