2) Often characters in novels or plays have a greater meaning; their entire life story can stand for more than just their events. Choose a novel or play in which a single character or single caste stands for a greater meaning. Include how the author uses literary devices to portray their point. Avoid mere plot summary.
3) Fahrenheit 451 is a classic example of a man vs. society struggle. Guy Montag is one individual who stands out alone vs. society. After his lonesome adventures he discovers an entire society below the main one out on the tracks. These events help Montag grow to have a greater purpose.
Guy Montag is a fireman who rids the town of books. Although Guy destroys these masterpieces, he doesn't agree with what he is doing. He in fact has a small library in his house. Upon discovery he commits murder just to save books and let them continue in the world. Upon fleeing the city he meets up with living books, people who have memorized entire books to save them. The reader realizes that at this point the government can't do anything about riding the world of all these books. Once the government can realize this than these living books can recreate these books on paper so none of these books can ever be lost.
Montag's purpose is to be a living book. No books can ever be destroyed. These ones on the tracks keep the dream alive. All that Montag has done in his life adds up to the eventual continuation of novels, plays, encyclopedias, and all other literature.
Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451, uses several literary devices. In the novel he foreshadows Montag's meeting of the men on the tracks when Montag is commenting on how he tries to remember every word of the bible. Bradbury also uses words like fire, burn, char, and soot to describe almost every event. This is a demonstration of what Montag does. Last of all Bradbury uses fire to symbolize what can't be undone.
In conclusion, Guy saves books by destroying them. He steels books from the houses he is burning and memorizes them. This is a move that symbolizes how one individual can have an amazing effect on society.
4) 7
1/13/08
Their Eyes were Watching God
2) Many authors use symbolism to help depict their point. Choose a novel of literary merit that uses extensive symbolism throughout. In the essay include comments on the authors style and literary devices.
3) The novel Their Eyes Were Watching God demonstrates several symbols in main character, Janie's life. Three main symbols in the novel are Janie's hair, the pear tree, and the hurricane. The author also utilizes literary devices such as tone and style.
The first symbol is Janie's hair. It is not like African American hair, it is strait and beautiful. The second symbol is the pear tree; Janie spends time and experiences the interaction of a bee and its flowers here. The third symbol is the hurricane, while in the everglades Janie experiences first hand the power of nature in the hurricane.
The first symbol stands for how a black woman rose to power and is an individual. The fact that it is strait and beautiful demonstrates this point. The second symbol is the pear tree and the interaction of the bee. This symbol stands for Janie's want to be at one with love just as in nature. She recognizes how beautiful love is in nature and wants to experience it. The third symbol signifies that nature isn't always beautiful. Just as it induced her love life to be the way it is, the hurricane also causes her to lose her love, Tea Cake.
Throughout the novel the author writes the speakers as speaking in improper and unintelligent English. This helps define Janie's peers and culture. The author also uses Janie's experiences to show where she was and where she went.
In conclusion, the symbols of Janie's hair, the pear tree, and the hurricane help define this character. The author's use of tone and style help define the imagery for the reader to depict.
4) 7
3) The novel Their Eyes Were Watching God demonstrates several symbols in main character, Janie's life. Three main symbols in the novel are Janie's hair, the pear tree, and the hurricane. The author also utilizes literary devices such as tone and style.
The first symbol is Janie's hair. It is not like African American hair, it is strait and beautiful. The second symbol is the pear tree; Janie spends time and experiences the interaction of a bee and its flowers here. The third symbol is the hurricane, while in the everglades Janie experiences first hand the power of nature in the hurricane.
The first symbol stands for how a black woman rose to power and is an individual. The fact that it is strait and beautiful demonstrates this point. The second symbol is the pear tree and the interaction of the bee. This symbol stands for Janie's want to be at one with love just as in nature. She recognizes how beautiful love is in nature and wants to experience it. The third symbol signifies that nature isn't always beautiful. Just as it induced her love life to be the way it is, the hurricane also causes her to lose her love, Tea Cake.
Throughout the novel the author writes the speakers as speaking in improper and unintelligent English. This helps define Janie's peers and culture. The author also uses Janie's experiences to show where she was and where she went.
In conclusion, the symbols of Janie's hair, the pear tree, and the hurricane help define this character. The author's use of tone and style help define the imagery for the reader to depict.
4) 7
12/12/07
Sky Blue Sky
The album “sky blue sky” by Wilco is not my favorite album. As Mr. Hughes played it to us I got so bored that I could not pay attention to the lyrics. The way the lyrics were set up with no spaces and no breaks between songs. This way of organizing the songs is confusing and is not easy to follow along with. I would not suggest that a “stream of consciousness” type of lyrics should be used again. Because it is not my favorite style of music to begin with and on top of that it is very hard to follow along with.
I do not agree with Mr. Hughes’ idea that to be a good song it has to have good lyrics. Mr. Hughes says that to like the song you have to know the lyrics. I don’t agree. There are usually about four lines of music, the vocals, which Mr. Hughes only pays attention to, the drums, the bass, and the guitar. According to Mr. Hughes the good songs have vocals, but what about a song that is all instrumental? My. Dad loves classical music, but according to my. Hughes he can’t like this because he hasn't learned all the words. The only problem with this is there are no words. In some songs I choose to learn the guitar lines instead of learning the lyrics. This just proves to Mr. Hughes that the lyrics aren’t the most important thing. Although the lyrics are poetry and are a good start to focus on for our poetry unit, they are what make the song a great song.
As far as the album went it seamed to be pretty much about the average man. It was hard to follow along and the lyrics don't quite make sense. So I did not enjoy the album and I did not feel as though it was a great assignment.
I do not agree with Mr. Hughes’ idea that to be a good song it has to have good lyrics. Mr. Hughes says that to like the song you have to know the lyrics. I don’t agree. There are usually about four lines of music, the vocals, which Mr. Hughes only pays attention to, the drums, the bass, and the guitar. According to Mr. Hughes the good songs have vocals, but what about a song that is all instrumental? My. Dad loves classical music, but according to my. Hughes he can’t like this because he hasn't learned all the words. The only problem with this is there are no words. In some songs I choose to learn the guitar lines instead of learning the lyrics. This just proves to Mr. Hughes that the lyrics aren’t the most important thing. Although the lyrics are poetry and are a good start to focus on for our poetry unit, they are what make the song a great song.
As far as the album went it seamed to be pretty much about the average man. It was hard to follow along and the lyrics don't quite make sense. So I did not enjoy the album and I did not feel as though it was a great assignment.
12/2/07
Dead Poets Society
Dead Poets Society is a film which explores the effects of poetry on well off youth. In giving it a rating from 1 to 10 I would have to break that task into two separate categories. The film as an entertainment device, so its plot, use of lighting and staging, and the film as a whole. And How well the film introduces the topic of poetry as a study unit in class. On the first topic I would give this film an 8. This is because if had an interesting plot with twists and turns with all its intricacies, and the film has a good director with actors who play a convincing role. On the second topic I would have to rate the film on I would give it a 3. I did not believe that I understand how to analyze poetry or even have a better grasp on the topic after seeing this film. I would suggest to show this film to future AP classes not to introduce the topic but to spend a few days relaxing from the hard work.
11/26/07
poem
After Apple Picking
by Robert Frost
My long two-pointed ladder's sticking through a tree
Toward heaven still,
And there's a barrel that I didn't fill
Beside it, and there may be two or three
Apples I didn't pick upon some bough.
But I am done with apple-picking now.
Essence of winter sleep is on the night,
The scent of apples: I am drowsing off.
I cannot rub the strangeness from my sight
I got from looking through a pane of glass
I skimmed this morning from the drinking trough
And held against the world of hoary grass.
It melted, and I let it fall and break.
But I was well
Upon my way to sleep before it fell,
And I could tell
What form my dreaming was about to take.
Magnified apples appear and disappear,
Stem end and blossom end,
And every fleck of russet showing clear.
My instep arch not only keeps the ache,
It keeps the pressure of a ladder-round.
I feel the ladder sway as the boughs bend.
And I keep hearing from the cellar bin
The rumbling sound
Of load on load of apples coming in.
For I have had too much
Of apple-picking: I am overtired
Of the great harvest I myself desired.
There were ten thousand thousand fruit to touch,
Cherish in hand, lift down, and not let fall.
For all
That struck the earth,
No matter if not bruised or spiked with stubble,
Went surely to the cider-apple heap
As of no worth.
One can see what will trouble
This sleep of mine, whatever sleep it is.
Were he not gone,
The woodchuck could say whether it's like his
Long sleep, as I describe its coming on,
Or just some human sleep.
by Robert Frost
My long two-pointed ladder's sticking through a tree
Toward heaven still,
And there's a barrel that I didn't fill
Beside it, and there may be two or three
Apples I didn't pick upon some bough.
But I am done with apple-picking now.
Essence of winter sleep is on the night,
The scent of apples: I am drowsing off.
I cannot rub the strangeness from my sight
I got from looking through a pane of glass
I skimmed this morning from the drinking trough
And held against the world of hoary grass.
It melted, and I let it fall and break.
But I was well
Upon my way to sleep before it fell,
And I could tell
What form my dreaming was about to take.
Magnified apples appear and disappear,
Stem end and blossom end,
And every fleck of russet showing clear.
My instep arch not only keeps the ache,
It keeps the pressure of a ladder-round.
I feel the ladder sway as the boughs bend.
And I keep hearing from the cellar bin
The rumbling sound
Of load on load of apples coming in.
For I have had too much
Of apple-picking: I am overtired
Of the great harvest I myself desired.
There were ten thousand thousand fruit to touch,
Cherish in hand, lift down, and not let fall.
For all
That struck the earth,
No matter if not bruised or spiked with stubble,
Went surely to the cider-apple heap
As of no worth.
One can see what will trouble
This sleep of mine, whatever sleep it is.
Were he not gone,
The woodchuck could say whether it's like his
Long sleep, as I describe its coming on,
Or just some human sleep.
#9
Question 1 poetry
Two poems presented were A Barred Owl by Richard Wilbur and The History Teacher by Billy Collins. Both of these poems have many similarities and differences. Most notably of these are they both explore the children mind, but in doing this one makes excuses while the other explains why this happens.
Both of the poems are from an adult’s point of view analyzing the child mind and how if a child is told fake reasoning for adult situations then there is no harm in that. For example when Wilbur writes “we tell the wakened child that all she heard was an odd question from a forest bird” (lines 3 and 4) he is saying that if excuses are made for any argument in the family to the child then it is alright and no one can complain. When Collins writes “[the teacher told the students that] the soldiers in the Boer War told long rambling stories designed to make the enemy nod off” (lines 20 to 21) he is saying that if a child cant grasp the concept of something it as alright to tell the child false information just so the child doesn’t have to think too hard. Both of these authors are saying it is alright to lie to children about facts of life because they wouldn’t understand anyway.
Some differences explored in both of these poems are the exact reasoning behind why one should lie to a child. Wilbur writes that one should lie to a child because it alleviates fear. If a child was told the truth about its parents fights the child would live in fear about another fight and would sit awake at night listening to those words. Collins writes that if one lies to a child it should be done to explain items that would not make sense to their weak minds. A teacher can make light of the situations adults face such as atomic bombs and wars so therefore the child would be better prepared to face the facts when they are actually placed in front of them.
Both of these poems posses one more difference not explained earlier, their use of literary devices. Richard Wilbur uses an animal namely an owl to cause an excuse for adult fights. He also uses extensive imagery as in “Of an Owl’s voice into her darkened room” (line 2). Billy Collins does not use many literary devices instead he makes light of the situations seen in history.
Both of these poems use lying to a child as a basis for their work. Although the exact reasoning behind each of these is different in the poems. As one last point to enhance the message of the poems literary devices are used.
Two poems presented were A Barred Owl by Richard Wilbur and The History Teacher by Billy Collins. Both of these poems have many similarities and differences. Most notably of these are they both explore the children mind, but in doing this one makes excuses while the other explains why this happens.
Both of the poems are from an adult’s point of view analyzing the child mind and how if a child is told fake reasoning for adult situations then there is no harm in that. For example when Wilbur writes “we tell the wakened child that all she heard was an odd question from a forest bird” (lines 3 and 4) he is saying that if excuses are made for any argument in the family to the child then it is alright and no one can complain. When Collins writes “[the teacher told the students that] the soldiers in the Boer War told long rambling stories designed to make the enemy nod off” (lines 20 to 21) he is saying that if a child cant grasp the concept of something it as alright to tell the child false information just so the child doesn’t have to think too hard. Both of these authors are saying it is alright to lie to children about facts of life because they wouldn’t understand anyway.
Some differences explored in both of these poems are the exact reasoning behind why one should lie to a child. Wilbur writes that one should lie to a child because it alleviates fear. If a child was told the truth about its parents fights the child would live in fear about another fight and would sit awake at night listening to those words. Collins writes that if one lies to a child it should be done to explain items that would not make sense to their weak minds. A teacher can make light of the situations adults face such as atomic bombs and wars so therefore the child would be better prepared to face the facts when they are actually placed in front of them.
Both of these poems posses one more difference not explained earlier, their use of literary devices. Richard Wilbur uses an animal namely an owl to cause an excuse for adult fights. He also uses extensive imagery as in “Of an Owl’s voice into her darkened room” (line 2). Billy Collins does not use many literary devices instead he makes light of the situations seen in history.
Both of these poems use lying to a child as a basis for their work. Although the exact reasoning behind each of these is different in the poems. As one last point to enhance the message of the poems literary devices are used.
11/15/07
Metamorphosis Essay #2
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is an allegory which depicts symbols of isolation and conformity. In the novel Gregor Samsa is turned into a bug and locked in his room where he fasts. This set of symbols contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.
The bug that Samsa turns into plays the biggest role. Samsa is turned into a bug with weak little legs, no hands and a body that damages easily, but heals quickly. Gregor is refused from society and not even his family can bare to look at him. This image of a bug is in relation to non-conformity. Gregor can no longer fit into society and is pushed away for this. This shows that in real life it’s a conform or die situation and that’s exactly what happens to Gregor.
The second theme that The Metamorphosis explores is isolation. Upon being discovered Gregor’s family locks him inside his room. This Confinement inside his room is a symbol for isolation of the non-conformist in our modern world. This means that because Gregor didn’t fit up to standards set by his family, or any visitors, he could not be communicated with or even seen by many.
During Gregor’s confinement in his little room he refuses mostly all food that is put in front of him. After some time Gregor completely turns down all food and because of this he dies. The refusal of food is another symbol for non-conformity. To survive everything has to eat, Samsa learned that he did not like to eat, because of this and other physical characteristics Gregor didn’t fit in. It was this fasting that eventually led to his death.
The symbol of the bug and the fasting relate to standing out in a conformist society. The symbol of the room stands for isolation. Together these symbols explain that in our society the one who stands out will be pushed away and hopefully die to lift the burden of hiding the outsider.
The bug that Samsa turns into plays the biggest role. Samsa is turned into a bug with weak little legs, no hands and a body that damages easily, but heals quickly. Gregor is refused from society and not even his family can bare to look at him. This image of a bug is in relation to non-conformity. Gregor can no longer fit into society and is pushed away for this. This shows that in real life it’s a conform or die situation and that’s exactly what happens to Gregor.
The second theme that The Metamorphosis explores is isolation. Upon being discovered Gregor’s family locks him inside his room. This Confinement inside his room is a symbol for isolation of the non-conformist in our modern world. This means that because Gregor didn’t fit up to standards set by his family, or any visitors, he could not be communicated with or even seen by many.
During Gregor’s confinement in his little room he refuses mostly all food that is put in front of him. After some time Gregor completely turns down all food and because of this he dies. The refusal of food is another symbol for non-conformity. To survive everything has to eat, Samsa learned that he did not like to eat, because of this and other physical characteristics Gregor didn’t fit in. It was this fasting that eventually led to his death.
The symbol of the bug and the fasting relate to standing out in a conformist society. The symbol of the room stands for isolation. Together these symbols explain that in our society the one who stands out will be pushed away and hopefully die to lift the burden of hiding the outsider.
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