Character: A MONK
Approach to Characterization (In/direct, when, why):
Chaucer uses both indirect and direct characterization in multiple instances. Direct is used when describing his appearance, all of his nice clothes, and that he wears things made of gold. Indirect characterization is found when speaking of his actions, he was a lazy man judging by the reference to St. Augustine who criticized lazy monks, it can also be implied that he is wealthy, and quite attached to the world and its riches.
Direct
"..his sleeves were garnished at the hand
with fine gray fur, the finest in the land,
and on his hood, to fasten it at his chin
he had a wrought-gold cunningly fashioned pin.."
"His head was bald and shone like looking-glass..
He was a fat and personable priest;
his prominent eyeballs never seemed to settle."
Indirect
"He let go by the things of yesterday
and took the modern world's more spacious way.
..Was he to leave the world upon the shelf?
Let Austin (St Augustine) have his labor to himself."
Tone(in regard to characters):
Chaucer's tone toward this specific character is satirical and humorous. He describes multiple aspects of the character that do not fit in with the typical, and well-known image of a 'monk,' as if criticizing this man who is on a "spiritual" journey.
Humor:
There is definitely a huge amount of humor in this story, all the descriptions, or most, seem to have a comical aspect behind them. However, the humor is also used to prove a point, Chaucer uses it to depict both sides of the character/person, referencing both the good and the bad in each.
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
CHARACTER STUDY (I)
As the young and ambitious young woman looked over her acceptance letter once more, her heart seemed to love the university more fondly. Her top choice school had rejected her, yet the closing of one door had inadvertently opened another. The young woman would still find herself in LA by the end of the week, in an apartment with her best friend, and living that 'freshman college life.' So Lupita, being the worrier and go-getter she was had already packed, unpacked, you know just to see if anything was missing, and repacked at least a dozen times! The days seemed to be agonizing to her, she was constantly wondering how college would be, who she would meet, how the apartment would be decorated and set-up, and worrying about.. well everything...
But the day for departure finally arrived, Julissa, Lupita's best friend, was at her house, packed and ready to go. The anxious and tear-filled goodbyes were upon Lupita now and were completely unavoidable. The agonizing and torturous days of waiting had turned into a dreadful fear of living alone and being away from her family. Suddenly she felt terrified, unprepared, worried.. but her journey was calling her. It beckoned to her like a parent welcoming a child into an embrace, and she found the strength and comfort to get on the road and move toward those strong and stabilizing arms. Little did she know that this was only the beginning of a rollercoaster ride, a journey that would have a multitude of highs and lows, where she would have to battle sleepless nights, 12-page essays(single spaced), and a motley of college troubles, but this would also mark the beginning of the rest of her life.
HeForShe Campaign - Emma Watson
Full transcript of her speech below:
"Today we are launching a campaign called “HeForShe.” I am reaching out to you because I need your help. We want to end gender inequality—and to do that we need everyone to be involved.
This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN: we want to try and galvanize as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality. And we don’t just want to talk about it, but make sure it is tangible.I was appointed six months ago and the more I have spoken about feminism the more I have realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop.
For the record, feminism by definition is: “The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.”
I started questioning gender-based assumptions when at eight I was confused at being called “bossy,” because I wanted to direct the plays we would put on for our parents—but the boys were not.
When at 14 I started being sexualized by certain elements of the press.
When at 15 my girlfriends started dropping out of their sports teams because they didn’t want to appear “muscly.”
When at 18 my male friends were unable to express their feelings.
I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word.
Apparently I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, anti-men and, unattractive.
Why is the word such an uncomfortable one?
I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-making of my country. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men. But sadly I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights.
No country in the world can yet say they have achieved gender equality.
These rights I consider to be human rights but I am one of the lucky ones. My life is a sheer privilege because my parents didn’t love me less because I was born a daughter. My school did not limit me because I was a girl. My mentors didn’t assume I would go less far because I might give birth to a child one day. These influencers were the gender equality ambassadors that made who I am today. They may not know it, but they are the inadvertent feminists who are. And we need more of those. And if you still hate the word—it is not the word that is important but the idea and the ambition behind it. Because not all women have been afforded the same rights that I have. In fact, statistically, very few have been.
In 1997, Hilary Clinton made a famous speech in Beijing about women’s rights. Sadly many of the things she wanted to change are still a reality today.
But what stood out for me the most was that only 30 per cent of her audience were male. How can we affect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation?
Men—I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender equality is your issue too.
Because to date, I’ve seen my father’s role as a parent being valued less by society despite my needing his presence as a child as much as my mother’s.
I’ve seen young men suffering from mental illness unable to ask for help for fear it would make them look less “macho”—in fact in the UK suicide is the biggest killer of men between 20-49; eclipsing road accidents, cancer and coronary heart disease. I’ve seen men made fragile and insecure by a distorted sense of what constitutes male success. Men don’t have the benefits of equality either.
We don’t often talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes but I can see that that they are and that when they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence.
If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted women won’t feel compelled to be submissive. If men don’t have to control, women won’t have to be controlled.
Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong… It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum not as two opposing sets of ideals.
If we stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by what we are—we can all be freer and this is what HeForShe is about. It’s about freedom.
I want men to take up this mantle. So their daughters, sisters and mothers can be free from prejudice but also so that their sons have permission to be vulnerable and human too—reclaim those parts of themselves they abandoned and in doing so be a more true and complete version of themselves.
You might be thinking who is this Harry Potter girl? And what is she doing up on stage at the UN. It’s a good question and trust me I have been asking myself the same thing. I don’t know if I am qualified to be here. All I know is that I care about this problem. And I want to make it better.
And having seen what I’ve seen—and given the chance—I feel it is my duty to say something. English statesman Edmund Burke said: “All that is needed for the forces of evil to triumph is for enough good men and women to do nothing.”
In my nervousness for this speech and in my moments of doubt I’ve told myself firmly—if not me, who, if not now, when. If you have similar doubts when opportunities are presented to you I hope those words might be helpful.
Because the reality is that if we do nothing it will take 75 years, or for me to be nearly a hundred before women can expect to be paid the same as men for the same work. 15.5 million girls will be married in the next 16 years as children. And at current rates it won’t be until 2086 before all rural African girls will be able to receive a secondary education.
If you believe in equality, you might be one of those inadvertent feminists I spoke of earlier.
And for this I applaud you.
We are struggling for a uniting word but the good news is we have a uniting movement. It is called HeForShe. I am inviting you to step forward, to be seen to speak up, To be the he for she. And to ask yourself if not me, who, if not now when.
Thank you."
MY DASHBOARD
Although I attempted to use the dashboard suggested, it seemed to be redundant with what I already do, bookmarking. I understand that in the Netvibes dashboard everything can be in one place, email, Twitter, Facebook, important blogs, etc., but the dashboard seemed overcomplicated. Basically, I couldn't figure it out and thought of it as a waste of time. Bookmarking, and the ability to have multiple email accounts open constantly on my computer is enough organization for me. My "dashboard" may be in two places, but it is what I am used to, a habit I have already built, and am unwilling to change. I don't want to change this specific habit because my method has been productive, organized, and has kept me on top of the work. My posts have never been late, I have never forgotten to post anything, I always receive/read important emails on time, etc., with my two piece dashboard.
Another thing I prefer to do is hand write what I have to do. A habit I have is keeping an agenda, something that used to be a required assignment is now a vital part of my organization, writing something down not only gives me a reference for later, but helps me remember without looking online, or even at the agenda.
Another thing I prefer to do is hand write what I have to do. A habit I have is keeping an agenda, something that used to be a required assignment is now a vital part of my organization, writing something down not only gives me a reference for later, but helps me remember without looking online, or even at the agenda.
CANTERBURY TALES (I)
Prepare to Read pg 90
Geoffrey Chaucer
- Son of merchant, page, soldier, diplomat, clerk
Sergeant at the Law: He was often Justine in Assize. He had fame , an education, and a high position,; no one could compare. He knew every judgement, case and crime since King William’s time.
- Canterbury Tales= best contemporary picture of 14th century England, glimpse at medieval society
Poet’s Beginning
- Born into middle class, worked as page; introduced to aristocratic society
- King Edward paid for his ransom when captured in army
- Married a lady-in-waiting to the queen, Philipa Pan
Poet Matures
- 1st book The Book of the Duchess 1369
- With age came maturity, mature style= Troilus and Criseyde; displays insight on human character
Canterbury Tales
- Possible inspiration from his own pilgrimage to Canterbury
- Tales told from each character, encompass medieval society and literature; romance, comedy, rhyme, prose, crude humor, religious mysteries
- 24 of 120 tales actually finished
Father of English Poetry
- In his time was considered greatest English poet, work provides inspiration/insight
- Unique position in England’s literary tradition; Poet’s Corner
Tour of Medieval Life and Literature
The Journey Begins
- Prologue= narrator (Chaucer) meets 29 pilgrims at Tabard Inn
- Bailey’s challenge= two stories on the way to Canterbury, two stories back; treated to a feast
- A story about stories, 24 diff. tales
Snapshots of an Era
- Vivid portrait of pilgrims, sense of medieval life
- Nobility: Chaucer’s Knight; middle rank: learned professional men; lower orders: craftsmen, peasants; various ranks of Church
A Literary Tour
- Popular genres= romances, fabliaux (humorous stories), allegories ; each major form of medieval lit. is present
- Chaucer’s own form= heroic couplet (pair of rhyming lines with 5 stressed syllables each)
Canterbury Tales- The Prologue
Background
- Pilgrimages to express religious devotion; Canterbury= major destination
- Cathedral was site of Archbishop Becket’s murder; people flocked to cathedral to pay respects
First 18 lines of prologue in Chaucer’s Middle English
- Vocabulary: thanes- lords in Anglo-Saxon society
- hallowed- made holy, given over, in a ceremony, to religious purposes
- “AABB” rhyming pattern throughout the poem/tal
- Narrator describes the start of spring; around this time of the year is when people begin to go on a pilgrimage (in medieval christianity, pilgrimages were a popular way to express religious affiliation)
- The narrator desires to visit the relics of Saint Thomas Beckett in Canterbury Cathedral (where they thank the martyr for having helped them when they were in need)
- He describes the start of his journey, as he joins a diverse group who happen to be taking the same journey
- He then goes on to describing each traveler (29 total) who are all very different
- He then goes on to describing each traveler (29 total) who are all very different
(Pages 102-108) [Notes By Susel Garcia]
Oxford Cleric : He had a hollow and a sober look. He only cared for reading. He only spoke what was needed and got strait to the point. He would gladly learn and teach.
Sergeant at the Law: He was often Justine in Assize. He had fame , an education, and a high position,; no one could compare. He knew every judgement, case and crime since King William’s time.
Franklin (wealthy landowner) : He lived for pleasure. Had the finest of the fine. He was Justice at the sessions, and none stood higher.
Haberdasher, a Dyer, a Carpenter, A Weaver and a Carpet –Maker. : They were trim and fresh. They had knives of purest silver. They were member of a legislative body.
Cook: He could distinguish London by flavor. He had an ulcer on his knee.
Skipper: Came from Far East. He was prudent in understanding and his beard had its shaking. He knew all the havens in Gottland to the Cape of Finisterre, and all the creeks in Brittany and Spain.
Doctor: No one could talk about medicine and of surgery as well as he did. H e was close to expenses and had a special love for gold.
Woman: She was somewhat deaf, had a bold face, handsome, and had a red hue. She was really good at making clothing.
Parson: He was rich in holy thought and work. He knew Christ’s Gospel, was a clerk and was educated. He disliked having to extract money from the poor people, but preferred to give the poor his own goods.
Plowman: An honest worker, good and true. He lived in peace and perfect charity. He helped the poor and would never take a penny from them.
Miller: He was a great stout fellow big in brawn and bone. He had a red broad beard and could heave any door from its hinges and posts. He was a wrangler and a buffoon, yet had a store of tavern stories. He stole grain and would play the bagpipes.
Commission: n. authorization; act of giving authority to an individual
Sanguine: adj. confident; cheerful
Avouches: v. asserts positively; affirms
(Pages 109-115) [Notes by Edgar Rodriguez]
-Manciple: in charge of buying food and centred the food as well at the College, said to be successful and bright
-Reeve: old and frail man with. Plenty of wealth who's wise and has good judgement on those around him, others new this and therefore were intimidated by him and had no intentions to pull tricks or bargain with him
-Summoner: large man with an unpleasant face to look which even scared some children away from him. Influential to those around him and carried a sort of power wherever he went.
-Host: Welcomed the Chaucer and everyone with full hospitality and was a bold and assertive man seeking good intentions to please his guests. Shared stories and jokes as time went on.
-In the end they went off on their journey after the host woke them up and wished them luck and success
Vocabulary:
garners· buildings for storing grain
sward· turf
carbuncles· pus-filled boils resulting from a bacterial infection under the skin
whelks· pimples
gobbet· piece
Saturday, September 20, 2014
PHONAR14 VIDEO
Pho(to)nar(rative) - it's about habits, thinking through doing
- Photographer - needs passion, camera/phone
- we are slave to habits, to all the systems, something/routine we don't think about; systems don't want us to think for ourselves
- what is a photograph? - physical, 2D, it ages/fixed in time, bound by the edges of a frame; NOW - difference between a photo and image- Snapchat gets the difference (more experiential, rather than the evidence)
- everyone has a camera, so what makes a photographer?; everyone is a photographer
- most photographers(everyone) keep their photos on Facebook or other media
- what shape is a photo? square, rectangle, circular > image much bigger > cropped so you can ship them > mode of delivery has shaped the way we perceive the mode of information >> mode of info. = photography, image making; mode of delivery = business model
- commerce shaped the way we understand media
- Marshall McLuhan - 2 fish in water, unaware of surroundings > WHAT THE HELL IS WATER?
- "if you want to change the world you have to start describing it differently
- "nonlinear, decentralized, media environment"
- what makes you different? perception, artisan, unlike all other people with a phone, they spent 2 years learning the craft of photography; connected, network; trusted, reputation, brand, have contextual understanding to know what you're talking about
- when you're trusted, people will tell you their stories
- challenge is to be heard!
- photography - part of the fabric of our visual culture
- August Sander (30s) street photographer, focused on average people, undermined 'perfect specimen' of Nazi, work was destroyed
- how are people going to interpret your images
- know better to understand photo shopped images, photograph has the potential to change the world
- move from photography is dead to "I'm digitally fluent"
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Textbook Section on Bede & Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (pg. 74-82)
Background:
- Bede belonged to a monastery, dedicated to continuing a tradition of learning; Bede had access to books, documents, & other learned monks
- with the above sources he was able to generate his history of Britain
- although his fellow Britons were illiterate, he still wrote his account of Britain for such readers, starting at the beginning with the basics
- Britain was formerly known as Albion, it is an island that faces between north and west, rich in grain/timber, good pasture, plenty springs/rivers, land full of rich metals (copper, iron, lead, silver), 5 books o divine law, 5 languages, and 4 nations (English, British, Scots, and Picts) united in the study of God's truth in Latin
- original inhabitants: Britons (occupied southern parts); Pictish people wanted to land on Ireland, Scots told them to settle in Britain; Scots eventually joined them, taking their land
- Vocabulary: promontories- peaks of high land sticking out of water
- text seems to ramble, going into multiple list type sentences, overall a lot of description
- 896 - Danish settlers/Vikings split up - some went to East Anglia others to Northumbria
- 900 - Alfred king of all England except that under Danish rule, son Edward received the kingdom
- 903 - - East Aglian forces ravage Mercia; King Edward in return ravished their land- Kentish stayed on to battle and lost many lives- Fight at The Holme btwn Danes and Kentish906 -- Alfred dies; peace fastened at Tiddingford with East Anglians and Northumbrians
MY MASTERPIECE 1 1/2
My Masterpiece idea keeps changing, which isn't necessarily bad, but I want to focus on something already, and I think I have found it! I now want to do a project on something I have always had interest in, the food industry. However, not exactly the food industry but how our food is treated while it is still alive. I hope to focus mainly on poultry, beef, and pork. I've always openly showed frustration for the cruelty of animals, and although I have failed at going vegetarian (my parents won't allow me to, they guilt me into eating chicken by saying they feel like they are under feeding or/and literally almost forcing it down my throat) I have attempted it multiple times. My idea is not to make people stop eating meat or eggs or any animal product, rather to make people understand that just because the animals are going to be eaten, doesn't mean they don't deserve some quality of life. If you have never seen a factory farm video here is a link to multiple articles and videos, but warning you, some of these videos are very graphic and disturbing.
http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/factory-farming/
And yes, I understand that these are all videos on factory farming, where animals are kept in small cages and some, like pigs, never get to feel grass or even turn around because of cage size, but "free-range" farmers are also succumbing and not keeping up to standards, often times distributing the same cruelty. The "USDA which defines free-range and free-roaming for labeling purposes, relies “upon producer testimonials to support the accuracy of these claims.” Translating to 'Farmers can do whatever they want as long as they do the bare minimum and say they are doing what they are supposed to do.' Here is the link to an article on "free range" farming: http://www.bornfreeusa.org/articles.php?more=1&p=377
http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/factory-farming/
And yes, I understand that these are all videos on factory farming, where animals are kept in small cages and some, like pigs, never get to feel grass or even turn around because of cage size, but "free-range" farmers are also succumbing and not keeping up to standards, often times distributing the same cruelty. The "USDA which defines free-range and free-roaming for labeling purposes, relies “upon producer testimonials to support the accuracy of these claims.” Translating to 'Farmers can do whatever they want as long as they do the bare minimum and say they are doing what they are supposed to do.' Here is the link to an article on "free range" farming: http://www.bornfreeusa.org/articles.php?more=1&p=377
Also, I would like to go into the fact that multiple states are now taking the "Ag-gag" laws into consideration, a law which condemns and criminalizes all undercover investigators, for filming and broadcasting cruelty, it penalizes those who are only attempting to assist the animals. Here is an article that simply explains the Ag-gag laws and the flawed reasoning behind it: http://animalrights.about.com/od/animallaw/a/What-Are-Ag-Gag-Laws-And-Why-Are-They-Dangerous.htm
If you guys have any interest in this topic, we should work together! If you have any comments/input please leave a comment. If you think this is a good idea and possibly better than my others, please let me know. Again, any and all input is welcome.
If you guys have any interest in this topic, we should work together! If you have any comments/input please leave a comment. If you think this is a good idea and possibly better than my others, please let me know. Again, any and all input is welcome.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
MY MASTERPIECE 1
Re-iterating my 'Big Questions,' I hope to concentrate on something having to do with communication. So far I have two ideas, and I am hoping to do both to some extent. My first idea is to master sign language, hoping to tear down a barrier with the deaf/mute people of this world. My second idea is to document a long distance relationship, how it works, how communication plays a vital role, etc. With my second idea, I will be documenting my own relationship, plus I am hoping to contact some of my friends who are also going through long distance relationships and documenting their experiences. I guess my second idea would take the form of a kind of extended survey, maybe even containing videos, pictures, and certain quotes from the couples.
A separate idea I have for my masterpiece is something book-related. This idea would be concerning why the interest in literature has drastically been decreasing, especially with teens and children. I feel like this idea would also take the form of a survey, maybe including a video where some of my classmates will answer questions on why they think interest is low. I think I would also attempt to contact authors, librarians, any and all people relating to books and get their opinion on this topic.
If anybody is slightly interested in communication/books/relationships, maybe we can work together! If you have any advice for me, or suggestions, don't hesitate to comment. Any and all input is welcome! (:
A separate idea I have for my masterpiece is something book-related. This idea would be concerning why the interest in literature has drastically been decreasing, especially with teens and children. I feel like this idea would also take the form of a survey, maybe including a video where some of my classmates will answer questions on why they think interest is low. I think I would also attempt to contact authors, librarians, any and all people relating to books and get their opinion on this topic.
If anybody is slightly interested in communication/books/relationships, maybe we can work together! If you have any advice for me, or suggestions, don't hesitate to comment. Any and all input is welcome! (:
Monday, September 15, 2014
DECLARATION OF LEARNING INDEPENDENCE
"What do you want to do for the rest of your life?"
As I asked my friend Yesenia this very question, I wondered what do I want to do for the rest of my life?!
You see, I "know" (may change, truly doubt it will, really hope it doesn't, pretty sure this is what I want to be for the rest of my life) I want to be a nurse, but that's only one thing I know I will accomplish. I want to do so much with my life, I want to work with children, I want to live in Mexico for a year, and I want to document my Mexican culture/heritage/tradition, I want to learn a third language, I want to climb mountains, I want to accomplish a marathon, and go skydiving, and be a librarian, I want to have kids, I want to work with animals, I want to help people, I want to live on a farm, I want to own a crazy amount of adopted animals, I want to learn how to dance salsa, and take a Zumba class, I want to play soccer, and I want to be a crazy fanatic on the bleachers, and ultimately (like any sane person) I just want to be happy.
And at this point through reading this post you are probably wondering, "What does this have to do with independent learning?!?!" Well, all the things I mentioned include some form of learning, with all of them you have to master one skill or another, and it is all optional. I guess I am a true believer in the "You never stop learning," kind of thinking. Reason being that their is always something more you can learn, something more you can do and achieve, we shouldn't ever really stop learning, and we never really do, we just sort of stop noticing it. Even when you're an old widowed, abandoned wo/man, you're going to have to learn how to cope with their loss, and you're going to have to learn how to be happy without their physical presence. (This post took a depressing :( turn.) Anyways, we learn all the time, yes, that was the point of this post!
Ultimately, I declare that as long as I live, I will continue to learn new things. I mean, you learn something new everyday, right? :)
Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life. ~Henry L. Doherty
I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt
Literature Analysis #2 ~ The Scarlet Letter
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses (exposition, inciting incident, etc.). Explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
Exposition: The story begins with the entirety of Boston awaiting the exit of Hester Pryne, a woman who is in prison for committing adultery and conceiving a child. Once she steps out of the prison and set on display with her child in arms, she is questioned, as to who the father may be. Hester Pryne refuses to reveal the man's name and bears the sin on her own shoulders, the scarlet A already on her bossom. While she stands on display, bearing the stares and the many insults, she spots a man she recognizes. Once in her cell again, the man introduces himself as Dr. Roger Chillingworth, although he quickly reveals that he is Hester Pryne's presumed to be dead husband, and Chillingworth vows to take revenge on the man she had this child with, although he doesn't know the name of the father.
Inciting Incident: Dimmesdale begins to lose his health, his sin and guilt are killing him (literally!). Roger Chillingworth becomes his confident, as well as his doctor. Chillingworth begins to notice oddities between Dimmesdale and the child Pearl, Dimmesdale shows the child affection when in contact with her, and defends Pearl staying with Hester when they attempt to relocate her.
Rising Action: Chillingworth begins to take his revenge, tormenting the soul of Dimmesdale, and worsening his health.
Conflict: Hester Pryne plans on telling Dimmesdale that Chillingworth was her husband, that he is seeking his revenge on him, that he is living with evil under his home. Hester meets Dimmesdale one day out in the woods with Pearl, and allowing Pearl to play, recounts the entirety of Chillingworth's plan to Dimmesdale. Hester pleads that the Reverend abandon the land and be safe and healthy somewhere else, but he claims that he cannot go alone. Dimmesdale is asking, without saying, that all three of them leave together to Europe. The plan is to leave on a Spanish ship that Hester can manage to get them on. Hester attempts to tell Pearl what will happen, and once again Pearl wonders if this man, her father, will hold hands with them on top of the scaffold. The answer is once again no, not this time.
Climax: Before the couple and child are able to flee to Europe, Reverend Dimmesdale must give his Election Sermon. A sermon he worked on vigorously after having made plans with Hester to leave. In this speech he admits to the sin that has weighed him down for so long, he openly admits to the crowd that he is the father of little Pearl. After having done so, Dimmesdale passes away.
Falling Action:
Resolution: Hester Pryne eventually returns to Boston, having waited for Pearl to grow up. Hester lives for some years and is then buried next to the father of her child.
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid clichés.
Isolation and the effects of society seem to be the two largest themes in this novel. The first theme actually being caused by the second theme, isolation is something that occurs with all three of our sinful characters. Hester Pryne is pushed out of society with a small child, Dimmesdale is pushed into becoming an introvert in order to keep the secret within, and Pearl is punished with her mother. Hester is forced to live in a cabin out on the end of the town, never having companionship, never having a friend, but Pearl. Pearl experiences isolation in the worst years, being taunted by kids when they go to town, having to create her own friends out of stick and such, and being a bit cynical sometimes. All of this isolation is caused by society and its way of function. If Reverend Dimmesdale would have confessed to his sin and stood on the scaffold with Hester, she wouldn't have been punished alone (isolation), but his position in society wouldn't let it be. He was afraid of losing his stance and reputation, and instead pushed himself into an unhealthy life.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
The tone is not only ironic, but hopeful. The ironic portion comes from society and the way they perceive Hester Pryne. They have the audacity to brand her with the scarlet letter and then call her 'able.' It is ironic that this symbol of sin causes so much good within the community, being bragged about to visitors for her many good deeds, and being recognized as one of the most giving people. It is also ironic in the end, when Dimmesdale finally admits the sin, and asks for help from Hester to be put on display on the scaffold. The tone is also hopeful, because through adultery, Hester was able to maintain a good reputation and be seen as good, giving her hope, for her daughter and herself, that one day the secret may be out, or they be freed of the town and the ignominy.
"Come, Hester, come! Support me up yonder scaffold!" (Dimmesdale)
"None so ready as she to give of her little substance to every demand of poverty..."
"Such helpfulness was found in her- so much power to do and power to sympathize- that many people refused to interpret the scarlet 'A' by its original signification. They said that it meant 'Able'; so strong was Hester Pryne, with a woman's strength."
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.)
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
Syntax differs when focused on characters and when focused on location or experiences. The characters are characterized by their actions, as well as by direct characterization. When focusing on a location, the descriptions are lengthy, and very detailed, going into such detail as mentioning the color of leaves, the way a branch blocks the sunlight, the way a creek flows.
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
Hester Pryne is a dynamic character transforming herself and her ignominy into a positive by the end of the book. Hester seems to remain the same throughout the book, but her personality does go through some change. With little Pearl by her side, Hester becomes more patient, more giving, and more kind. Hester has a point of rebellion when she removes the scarlet letter, relieving herself of the weight of sin, but she soon returns to normality by request of her sweet Pearl.
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.
VOCABULARY:
Exposition: The story begins with the entirety of Boston awaiting the exit of Hester Pryne, a woman who is in prison for committing adultery and conceiving a child. Once she steps out of the prison and set on display with her child in arms, she is questioned, as to who the father may be. Hester Pryne refuses to reveal the man's name and bears the sin on her own shoulders, the scarlet A already on her bossom. While she stands on display, bearing the stares and the many insults, she spots a man she recognizes. Once in her cell again, the man introduces himself as Dr. Roger Chillingworth, although he quickly reveals that he is Hester Pryne's presumed to be dead husband, and Chillingworth vows to take revenge on the man she had this child with, although he doesn't know the name of the father.
Inciting Incident: Dimmesdale begins to lose his health, his sin and guilt are killing him (literally!). Roger Chillingworth becomes his confident, as well as his doctor. Chillingworth begins to notice oddities between Dimmesdale and the child Pearl, Dimmesdale shows the child affection when in contact with her, and defends Pearl staying with Hester when they attempt to relocate her.
Rising Action: Chillingworth begins to take his revenge, tormenting the soul of Dimmesdale, and worsening his health.
Conflict: Hester Pryne plans on telling Dimmesdale that Chillingworth was her husband, that he is seeking his revenge on him, that he is living with evil under his home. Hester meets Dimmesdale one day out in the woods with Pearl, and allowing Pearl to play, recounts the entirety of Chillingworth's plan to Dimmesdale. Hester pleads that the Reverend abandon the land and be safe and healthy somewhere else, but he claims that he cannot go alone. Dimmesdale is asking, without saying, that all three of them leave together to Europe. The plan is to leave on a Spanish ship that Hester can manage to get them on. Hester attempts to tell Pearl what will happen, and once again Pearl wonders if this man, her father, will hold hands with them on top of the scaffold. The answer is once again no, not this time.
Climax: Before the couple and child are able to flee to Europe, Reverend Dimmesdale must give his Election Sermon. A sermon he worked on vigorously after having made plans with Hester to leave. In this speech he admits to the sin that has weighed him down for so long, he openly admits to the crowd that he is the father of little Pearl. After having done so, Dimmesdale passes away.
Falling Action:
Resolution: Hester Pryne eventually returns to Boston, having waited for Pearl to grow up. Hester lives for some years and is then buried next to the father of her child.
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid clichés.
Isolation and the effects of society seem to be the two largest themes in this novel. The first theme actually being caused by the second theme, isolation is something that occurs with all three of our sinful characters. Hester Pryne is pushed out of society with a small child, Dimmesdale is pushed into becoming an introvert in order to keep the secret within, and Pearl is punished with her mother. Hester is forced to live in a cabin out on the end of the town, never having companionship, never having a friend, but Pearl. Pearl experiences isolation in the worst years, being taunted by kids when they go to town, having to create her own friends out of stick and such, and being a bit cynical sometimes. All of this isolation is caused by society and its way of function. If Reverend Dimmesdale would have confessed to his sin and stood on the scaffold with Hester, she wouldn't have been punished alone (isolation), but his position in society wouldn't let it be. He was afraid of losing his stance and reputation, and instead pushed himself into an unhealthy life.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
The tone is not only ironic, but hopeful. The ironic portion comes from society and the way they perceive Hester Pryne. They have the audacity to brand her with the scarlet letter and then call her 'able.' It is ironic that this symbol of sin causes so much good within the community, being bragged about to visitors for her many good deeds, and being recognized as one of the most giving people. It is also ironic in the end, when Dimmesdale finally admits the sin, and asks for help from Hester to be put on display on the scaffold. The tone is also hopeful, because through adultery, Hester was able to maintain a good reputation and be seen as good, giving her hope, for her daughter and herself, that one day the secret may be out, or they be freed of the town and the ignominy.
"Come, Hester, come! Support me up yonder scaffold!" (Dimmesdale)
"None so ready as she to give of her little substance to every demand of poverty..."
"Such helpfulness was found in her- so much power to do and power to sympathize- that many people refused to interpret the scarlet 'A' by its original signification. They said that it meant 'Able'; so strong was Hester Pryne, with a woman's strength."
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: "He was a soldier, legislator, judge; he was a ruler in the Church; he had all the Puritanic traits, both good and evil. He was likewise a better persecutor; as witness the Quakers, who have remembered him in their histories, and relate an incident of his hard severity toward a woman of their sect, which will last longer, it is to be feared, than any record of his better deeds, although these were many." Pg. 21
- Metaphor: "Human nature will not flourish, any more than a potato, if it be planted and replanted for too long a series of generations in the same worn-out soil." Pg. 23
- Personification: "...where the Actual and the Imaginary may meet, and each imbue itself with the nature of the other." Pg. 45
- Symbolism: "It(the rose) may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human fragility and sorrow." Pg. 56
- Puritanical/Religious/Biblical Allusion: "Tomorrow would bring it's own trial with it; so would the next day, and so would the next.." Pg. 82-83
- Simile: "All other scenes of earth- even that village of rural England, where happy infancy and stainless maidenhood seemed yet to be in her mother's keeping, like garments put off long ago- were foreign to her in comparison." Pg. 84
- Foreshadowing (Dimmesdale the father of Pearl): "...the minister looked round, laid his hand on the child's head, hesitated an instant, and then kissed her brow." Pg. 115 & " A man (Dimmesdale) burdened with a secret should especially avoid the intimacy of his physician (Chillingworth-Hester's presumed to be dead husband)." Pg. 123
- Flashback (on what Chillingworth used to be): "'Dost thou remember me? Was I not, though you might deem me cold, nevertheless a man thoughtful for others, craving little for himself- kind, true, just, and of constant if not warm affections? Was I not all this?' 'All this and more,' said Hester. 'And what am I now?' demanded he, looking into her face, and permitting the whole evil within him to be written on his features."
- Hyperbole: "There was no peril of discovery. The minister might stand there, if it so pleased him, until morning should redden in the east, without other risk than that the dank and chill night air would creep into his frame and stiffen his joints with rheumatism and clog his throat with catarrh and cough, thereby defrauding the expectant audience of tomorrow's prayer and sermon."
- Imagery: "And thus, while standing on the scaffold, in this vain show of expiation, Mr. Dimmesdale was overcome with a great horror of mind, as if the universe were gaping at a scarlet token on his naked breast, right over his heart. On that spot, in very truth, there was, and there had long been, the gnawing and poisonous tooth of bodily pain."
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)?
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)?
INDIRECT:
"'Speak, woman!' said another voice, coldly and sternly, proceeding from the crowd about the scaffold. "Speak; and give your child a father!" "I will not speak!" answered Hester, turning pale as death, but responding to this voice, which she too surely recognized. "And my child must seek a heavenly Father; she shall never know an earthly one!" "She will not speak!" murmured Mr. Dimmesdale.."
"..Hester bestowed all her superfluous means in charity, on wretches less miserable than herself, and who not unfrequently insulted the hand that fed them. Much of the time which she might have readily have applied to the better efforts of her art, she employed in making coarse garments for the poor."
"'Speak, woman!' said another voice, coldly and sternly, proceeding from the crowd about the scaffold. "Speak; and give your child a father!" "I will not speak!" answered Hester, turning pale as death, but responding to this voice, which she too surely recognized. "And my child must seek a heavenly Father; she shall never know an earthly one!" "She will not speak!" murmured Mr. Dimmesdale.."
"..Hester bestowed all her superfluous means in charity, on wretches less miserable than herself, and who not unfrequently insulted the hand that fed them. Much of the time which she might have readily have applied to the better efforts of her art, she employed in making coarse garments for the poor."
DIRECT:
"The young woman was tall, with a figure of perfect elegance on a large scale. She had dark and abundant hair, so glossy that it threw off the sunshine with a gleam, and a face which, besides being beautiful from regularity of feature and richness of complexion, had the impressiveness belonging to a marked brow and deep black eyes. She was ladylike, too, after the manner of the feminine gentility of those days; characterized by a certain state and dignity, rather than by the delicate, evanescent, and indescribable grace, which is now recognized as its indication. And never had Hester Prynne appeared more ladylike..."
"- at the deformed figure of the old physician. His gestures, his gait, his grizzled beard, his slightest and most indifferent acts, the very fashion of his garments, were odious.."
The author uses both indirect and direct characterization because it allows the character to build its own persona. Hester Pryne is characterized as beautiful through direct characterization, but her true character is shown through indirect characterization, by spoken word, and by her actions. On the other hand, Roger Chillingworth's direct characterization opens up his true identity, a crooked old man, wanting to cause nothing but trouble.
"- at the deformed figure of the old physician. His gestures, his gait, his grizzled beard, his slightest and most indifferent acts, the very fashion of his garments, were odious.."
The author uses both indirect and direct characterization because it allows the character to build its own persona. Hester Pryne is characterized as beautiful through direct characterization, but her true character is shown through indirect characterization, by spoken word, and by her actions. On the other hand, Roger Chillingworth's direct characterization opens up his true identity, a crooked old man, wanting to cause nothing but trouble.
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
Syntax differs when focused on characters and when focused on location or experiences. The characters are characterized by their actions, as well as by direct characterization. When focusing on a location, the descriptions are lengthy, and very detailed, going into such detail as mentioning the color of leaves, the way a branch blocks the sunlight, the way a creek flows.
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
Hester Pryne is a dynamic character transforming herself and her ignominy into a positive by the end of the book. Hester seems to remain the same throughout the book, but her personality does go through some change. With little Pearl by her side, Hester becomes more patient, more giving, and more kind. Hester has a point of rebellion when she removes the scarlet letter, relieving herself of the weight of sin, but she soon returns to normality by request of her sweet Pearl.
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.
After reading the book I felt like I had read a character. My brain couldn't imagine such a woman, such a courageous and self-disciplined woman, I couldn't imagine someone who wouldn't crumble under so much pressure. My brain could not form the image of a woman that could handle this situation so gracefully, accepting what she had been branded as and turning it around into a positive. The idea that people later pointed her out as a good representation of the town or of women was astounding and simply quite impossible.
- Ignominy- public shame or disgrace
- Paramour- lover, illicit partner of a married person
- Anathema- somebody or something cursed, denounced, or excommunicated by a religious authority
- Anon- soon
- Phantasmagoric- having a fantastic or deceptive appearance, as something in a dream or created by the imagination
- Expiation- the act of making amends or correcting wrongdoings
Vocabulary #4
obsequious - adj. attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
The obsequious young boy stood silently awaiting orders from his parents and nanny.
beatitude - noun exalted happiness, supreme blessedness
The ecstatic couple exuded beatitude right after their wedding ceremony.
bête noir - noun a person or thing that one particularly dislikes
Cotton candy ice cream is my bête noir.
bode - verb indicate by signs
As we could not hear what the man was saying, he began to frantically bode.
dank - adj. unpleasantly cool and humid
The dank basement smelled like rotten cheese.
ecumenical - adj. of worldwide scope or applicability; concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions
Pitbull's music is literally almost ecumenical, after all, he is "Mr. Worldwide."
fervid - adj. extremely hot; characterized by intense emotion
That fervid summer in Anaheim attracted multiple types of mosquitoes, which really ticked off the inhabitants.
fetid - adj. offensively malodorous
The jock emanated a fetid scent.
gargantuan - adj. of great mass; huge and bulky
The gargantuan giant from Jack and the Beanstalk had a gargantuan home.
heyday - noun the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
The Aztec's heyday is long gone the only thing left is their massive structures, only an empty carcass of what had once existed.
incubus - noun someone who depresses or worries others; a situation resembling a terrifying dream
The incubus consisted of aliens descending and attacking the entirety of the world, it almost seemed like a fantasy, it was surreal that it should be occurring.
infrastructure - noun the basic structure or features of a system or organization
The infrastructure of the building consists of a metal outline.
inveigle - verb influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
The boy tried to inveigle his mother to buy him his favorite toy, ice cream, and a goldfish, by constantly dishing out compliments.
kudos - noun an expression of approval and commendation
Dr. Preston used the phrase 'kudos' to pinpoint what someone has done correctly.
lagniappe - noun a small gift (especially one given by a merchant to a customer who makes a purchase)
The butcher added a lagniappe in the boy's package, free of charge, for being a regular customer.
prolix - adj. tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length
Whenever I try to write a good essay, it becomes prolix, ending very abruptly and without making much sense.
protégé- noun a person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protégé's career
Mozart was a protégé at playing the piano.
prototype - noun a standard or typical example
The prototype Barbie consists of blonde hair, brown eyes, and the typical pink outfit.
sycophant - noun a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
The young sailor hopped to sycophant with the older sailor, and get invited to learn from him.
tautology - noun useless repetition; (logic) a statement that is necessarily true
Whenever I try to use an alliteration, it usually turns into tautology.
truckle - verb to submit or yield to out of weakness; try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
Try not to truckle to unreasonable demands.
The obsequious young boy stood silently awaiting orders from his parents and nanny.
beatitude - noun exalted happiness, supreme blessedness
The ecstatic couple exuded beatitude right after their wedding ceremony.
bête noir - noun a person or thing that one particularly dislikes
Cotton candy ice cream is my bête noir.
bode - verb indicate by signs
As we could not hear what the man was saying, he began to frantically bode.
dank - adj. unpleasantly cool and humid
The dank basement smelled like rotten cheese.
ecumenical - adj. of worldwide scope or applicability; concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions
Pitbull's music is literally almost ecumenical, after all, he is "Mr. Worldwide."
fervid - adj. extremely hot; characterized by intense emotion
That fervid summer in Anaheim attracted multiple types of mosquitoes, which really ticked off the inhabitants.
fetid - adj. offensively malodorous
The jock emanated a fetid scent.
gargantuan - adj. of great mass; huge and bulky
The gargantuan giant from Jack and the Beanstalk had a gargantuan home.
heyday - noun the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
The Aztec's heyday is long gone the only thing left is their massive structures, only an empty carcass of what had once existed.
incubus - noun someone who depresses or worries others; a situation resembling a terrifying dream
The incubus consisted of aliens descending and attacking the entirety of the world, it almost seemed like a fantasy, it was surreal that it should be occurring.
infrastructure - noun the basic structure or features of a system or organization
The infrastructure of the building consists of a metal outline.
inveigle - verb influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
The boy tried to inveigle his mother to buy him his favorite toy, ice cream, and a goldfish, by constantly dishing out compliments.
kudos - noun an expression of approval and commendation
Dr. Preston used the phrase 'kudos' to pinpoint what someone has done correctly.
lagniappe - noun a small gift (especially one given by a merchant to a customer who makes a purchase)
The butcher added a lagniappe in the boy's package, free of charge, for being a regular customer.
prolix - adj. tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length
Whenever I try to write a good essay, it becomes prolix, ending very abruptly and without making much sense.
protégé- noun a person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protégé's career
Mozart was a protégé at playing the piano.
prototype - noun a standard or typical example
The prototype Barbie consists of blonde hair, brown eyes, and the typical pink outfit.
sycophant - noun a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
The young sailor hopped to sycophant with the older sailor, and get invited to learn from him.
tautology - noun useless repetition; (logic) a statement that is necessarily true
Whenever I try to use an alliteration, it usually turns into tautology.
truckle - verb to submit or yield to out of weakness; try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
Try not to truckle to unreasonable demands.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Literature Analysis #1 ~ The Kite Runner
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses (exposition, inciting incident, etc.). Explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
Exposition: An Afghan boy's struggle to fulfill his father expectations, never truly receiving affection, and his struggle with redemption and fixing the past. Amir's mother died when he was born, Hassan's mother had abandoned him, Baba took both children under his home, under his wing, almost like BROTHERS. Amir was not the son Baba had hoped for. Amir always made a fool of Hassan, in return Hassan gave him loyalty, respect, protection, and that continued until his death. The novel quickly exposes Amir's internal struggles with the past, and the story rapidly regresses into his childhood. In the first events of his childhood, the reader can see that Baba isn't a loving man, rather he makes Amir feel useless/weak, while Rahim Khan is left to tend to some of Amir's childhood needs.
Inciting Incident: One day, Amir's opportunity to acquire his father's attention presents itself, the kite and kite runner competition. Amir ends up winning, and as Hassan takes off to do his job of catching the last kite, he yells "For you a thousand times over" at Amir. But that day, Hassan takes longer than usual and as Amir looks for him he sees Assef, a boy that always bullied them, raping Hassan. Hassan was never the same, and although he kept his loyalty to Amir, Amir felt awkward, embarrassed, ashamed, that he hadn't stopped the rape. Amir does his best to get rid of both Ali and Hassan, they eventually leave when Hassan reveals to his father what had occurred that day. When the war begins in Afghanistan, Amir and his father move to America, where Amir meets his wife Soraya. In his years in America, attempting to forget his past, Amir's father dies of cancer, Amir finds out Soraya cannot bear children, and he receives a call from his father's old friend, Rahim Khan.
Rising Action: Rahim Khan wants to meet up with Amir, he wants him to return to Afghanistan. When Amir agrees and arrives at Rahim Khan's home he is faced with shocking news. Amir is faced with the facts that Hassan and his wife were murdered, that Hassan had a child by the name of Sohrab, and that Hassan is actually his half-brother. Rahim Khan gives him the opportunity to redeem himself from his past, to rescue Sohrab from an orphanage and set him somewhere safer with a couple.
Conflict: The conflict lies inside Amir, he wants to but can't bring himself to return to a war ridden area to rescue the boy that will be a constant reminder of his past.
Climax: However, he decides to search for him, eventually finding him in the grasp of his old bully, the man that raped his brother, and the man who was now raping and damaging that same man's son, Amir comes face to face with Assef. Here, back in his hometown, Amir drops the burden he had been carrying for so long. He and Assef fight, Assef destroying him with his brass knuckles, and just like his father, Sohrab steps in to save Amir. Amir is taken to the hospital, and when well again, he and Soraya decide to adopt Sohrab, wanting to bring him to America. But times are difficult, and with no way to prove Sohrab an orphan, it becomes necessary to put him back into an orphanage. Sohrab, traumatized is terrorized by this thought and attempts suicide. With his attempt at ending his life, goes all the excitement he once had of a new family.
Falling Action: Eventually, Amir and Sohrab are able to return to America, but Sohrab has no light, no sign of life within him. He seems like a vacant carcass of the child he used to be, he rarely speaks and takes no joy in anything.
Resolution: One day, during a picnic, kites begin to fly. Amir buys Sohrab a kite and they win a battle together, Amir chases the kite he had just beat. And for a moment their is hope, a faint, crooked smile appears on Sohrab's face, and that is all the hope they need.
One sentence summary: A man's struggle to redeem himself, to rid himself of sin, and sin past, to correct all his mistakes, to "wrestle the bear," to become the man he was meant to be, to find a way "to be good again."
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
Like with any novel, their seemed to be multiple themes, including brotherhood, betrayal, and redemption. Brotherhood is clearly depicted in the relationship of Hassan and Amir, although mostly on Hassan's part. The author clearly wanted to make a statement on their relationship as he constantly repeated that "there was a brotherhood between people who fed from the same breast." Betrayal tags along with the idea that Amir wasn't as loyal as Hassan, Hassan would have died for Amir, and Amir couldn't even save him (or attempt to save him) from Assef and rape. Redemption is probably the biggest theme, the idea that we can all be "good again." Amir's earnest need for redemption began with being redeemed for having "killed" his mother. However, he finds himself unable to do so, his father constantly telling him that someone who cannot stand up for himself will not stand up for anything as an adult. Amir's redemption begins with achieving just that, and he eventually succeeds, standing up for what is right and saving his brother's child.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
Sad (Baba's stony eyes bore into mine and, just like that, I wasn't laughing anymore. "I mean to speak to you man to man. Do you think you can handle that for once?" "Yes, Baba jan," I muttered, marveling, not for the first time, at how badly Baba could sting me with so few words." We'd had a fleeting good moment- it wasn't often Baba talked to me, let alone on his lap- and I'd been a fool to waste it."); disappointed/ashamed ("Where were you? I looked for you," I said. Speaking those words was like chewing on a rock. Hassan dragged a sleeve across his face, wiped snot and tears. I waited for him to say something, but we just stood there in silence, in the fading light. I was grateful for the early-evening shadows that fell on Hassan's face and concealed mine. I was glad I didn't have to return his gaze. Did he know I knew? And if he knew, then what would I see if I did look in his eyes? Blame? Indignation? Or, God forbid, what I feared most: guileless devotion? That, most of all, I couldn't bear to see."); and angered ("And you know how he always worried about you in those days. I remember he said to me, 'Rahim, a boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything.' I wonder, is that what you've become?" I dropped my eyes."); The young boy who is constantly depressed because his father will not show him any affection, the young boy who is ashamed of his actions and for not intercepting something when he should have, the young boy angered by his own past and present actions.
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.)
1. Metaphor: "...there was a brotherhood between people who fed from the same breast... Hassan and I fed from the same breast." pg 11 OR "My father was a force of nature..."
2. Simile: "...attention shifted to him like sunflowers turning to the sun." pg 13
3. Irony: "It appeared that on the same night I had learned about one of writing's objectives, irony, I would also be introduced to one of it's pitfalls: the Plot Hole. Taught by Hassan of all people. Hassan who couldn't read and had never written a single word in his entire life." pg 34
4. Paradox: "...none of us had any notion that a way of life had ended. Our way of life. If not quite yet, then at least it was the beginning of the end." pg 36
5. Foreshadowing: "In the winter of 1975, I saw Hassan run a kite for the last time." pg 55
Exposition: An Afghan boy's struggle to fulfill his father expectations, never truly receiving affection, and his struggle with redemption and fixing the past. Amir's mother died when he was born, Hassan's mother had abandoned him, Baba took both children under his home, under his wing, almost like BROTHERS. Amir was not the son Baba had hoped for. Amir always made a fool of Hassan, in return Hassan gave him loyalty, respect, protection, and that continued until his death. The novel quickly exposes Amir's internal struggles with the past, and the story rapidly regresses into his childhood. In the first events of his childhood, the reader can see that Baba isn't a loving man, rather he makes Amir feel useless/weak, while Rahim Khan is left to tend to some of Amir's childhood needs.
Inciting Incident: One day, Amir's opportunity to acquire his father's attention presents itself, the kite and kite runner competition. Amir ends up winning, and as Hassan takes off to do his job of catching the last kite, he yells "For you a thousand times over" at Amir. But that day, Hassan takes longer than usual and as Amir looks for him he sees Assef, a boy that always bullied them, raping Hassan. Hassan was never the same, and although he kept his loyalty to Amir, Amir felt awkward, embarrassed, ashamed, that he hadn't stopped the rape. Amir does his best to get rid of both Ali and Hassan, they eventually leave when Hassan reveals to his father what had occurred that day. When the war begins in Afghanistan, Amir and his father move to America, where Amir meets his wife Soraya. In his years in America, attempting to forget his past, Amir's father dies of cancer, Amir finds out Soraya cannot bear children, and he receives a call from his father's old friend, Rahim Khan.
Rising Action: Rahim Khan wants to meet up with Amir, he wants him to return to Afghanistan. When Amir agrees and arrives at Rahim Khan's home he is faced with shocking news. Amir is faced with the facts that Hassan and his wife were murdered, that Hassan had a child by the name of Sohrab, and that Hassan is actually his half-brother. Rahim Khan gives him the opportunity to redeem himself from his past, to rescue Sohrab from an orphanage and set him somewhere safer with a couple.
Conflict: The conflict lies inside Amir, he wants to but can't bring himself to return to a war ridden area to rescue the boy that will be a constant reminder of his past.
Climax: However, he decides to search for him, eventually finding him in the grasp of his old bully, the man that raped his brother, and the man who was now raping and damaging that same man's son, Amir comes face to face with Assef. Here, back in his hometown, Amir drops the burden he had been carrying for so long. He and Assef fight, Assef destroying him with his brass knuckles, and just like his father, Sohrab steps in to save Amir. Amir is taken to the hospital, and when well again, he and Soraya decide to adopt Sohrab, wanting to bring him to America. But times are difficult, and with no way to prove Sohrab an orphan, it becomes necessary to put him back into an orphanage. Sohrab, traumatized is terrorized by this thought and attempts suicide. With his attempt at ending his life, goes all the excitement he once had of a new family.
Falling Action: Eventually, Amir and Sohrab are able to return to America, but Sohrab has no light, no sign of life within him. He seems like a vacant carcass of the child he used to be, he rarely speaks and takes no joy in anything.
Resolution: One day, during a picnic, kites begin to fly. Amir buys Sohrab a kite and they win a battle together, Amir chases the kite he had just beat. And for a moment their is hope, a faint, crooked smile appears on Sohrab's face, and that is all the hope they need.
One sentence summary: A man's struggle to redeem himself, to rid himself of sin, and sin past, to correct all his mistakes, to "wrestle the bear," to become the man he was meant to be, to find a way "to be good again."
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
Like with any novel, their seemed to be multiple themes, including brotherhood, betrayal, and redemption. Brotherhood is clearly depicted in the relationship of Hassan and Amir, although mostly on Hassan's part. The author clearly wanted to make a statement on their relationship as he constantly repeated that "there was a brotherhood between people who fed from the same breast." Betrayal tags along with the idea that Amir wasn't as loyal as Hassan, Hassan would have died for Amir, and Amir couldn't even save him (or attempt to save him) from Assef and rape. Redemption is probably the biggest theme, the idea that we can all be "good again." Amir's earnest need for redemption began with being redeemed for having "killed" his mother. However, he finds himself unable to do so, his father constantly telling him that someone who cannot stand up for himself will not stand up for anything as an adult. Amir's redemption begins with achieving just that, and he eventually succeeds, standing up for what is right and saving his brother's child.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
Sad (Baba's stony eyes bore into mine and, just like that, I wasn't laughing anymore. "I mean to speak to you man to man. Do you think you can handle that for once?" "Yes, Baba jan," I muttered, marveling, not for the first time, at how badly Baba could sting me with so few words." We'd had a fleeting good moment- it wasn't often Baba talked to me, let alone on his lap- and I'd been a fool to waste it."); disappointed/ashamed ("Where were you? I looked for you," I said. Speaking those words was like chewing on a rock. Hassan dragged a sleeve across his face, wiped snot and tears. I waited for him to say something, but we just stood there in silence, in the fading light. I was grateful for the early-evening shadows that fell on Hassan's face and concealed mine. I was glad I didn't have to return his gaze. Did he know I knew? And if he knew, then what would I see if I did look in his eyes? Blame? Indignation? Or, God forbid, what I feared most: guileless devotion? That, most of all, I couldn't bear to see."); and angered ("And you know how he always worried about you in those days. I remember he said to me, 'Rahim, a boy who won't stand up for himself becomes a man who can't stand up to anything.' I wonder, is that what you've become?" I dropped my eyes."); The young boy who is constantly depressed because his father will not show him any affection, the young boy who is ashamed of his actions and for not intercepting something when he should have, the young boy angered by his own past and present actions.
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.)
1. Metaphor: "...there was a brotherhood between people who fed from the same breast... Hassan and I fed from the same breast." pg 11 OR "My father was a force of nature..."
2. Simile: "...attention shifted to him like sunflowers turning to the sun." pg 13
3. Irony: "It appeared that on the same night I had learned about one of writing's objectives, irony, I would also be introduced to one of it's pitfalls: the Plot Hole. Taught by Hassan of all people. Hassan who couldn't read and had never written a single word in his entire life." pg 34
4. Paradox: "...none of us had any notion that a way of life had ended. Our way of life. If not quite yet, then at least it was the beginning of the end." pg 36
5. Foreshadowing: "In the winter of 1975, I saw Hassan run a kite for the last time." pg 55
6. Allusion: ""Cut him! Cut him!" grew louder, like Romans chanting for the gladiators to kill, kill!"
7. Personification: "...dusk had painted the sky pink and purple." pg 68
8. Flashback: "Friday afternoon in Pagham. An open field of grass speckled with mulberry trees in blossom . Hassan and I stand ankle-deep in untamed grass, I am tugging on the line, the spool spinning in Hassan's calloused hands... we don't have to say anything- that's how it is between people who are each other's first memories, people who have fed from the same breast. ...the memory lived in me, a perfectly encapsulated morsel of a good past..." pg 122
9. Colloquialism: ""It's so fucking unfair," she barked." OR "Takes a donkey to know a donkey." pg 235
10. Symbolism: "What did you and Hassan call it, "the Wall of Ailing Corn"?" pg. 208
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)?
""Hit me back!" I spat. "Hit me back, goddam you!" I wished he would. I wished he'd give me the punishment I craved, so maybe I'd finally sleep at night. ...Then Hassan did pick up a pomegranate. He walked toward me. He opened it and crushed it against his own forehead. "There," he croaked, red dripping down his face like blood.
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
Although the author doesn't change his syntax/diction for the characters, he does change his syntax in certain areas of the text. The words on the page reflect the actuality of the situation, the syntax and choice of words coming together to create a vivid scene. For example, in the scene were Hassan is violated, the setting is described as full of scarps, rubble, filled with trash, not only showing how crude the situation is, but symbolizing the pollution of the mind of these boys who commit such a heinous crime. The syntax also changes, it begins to come as short blurbs, signifying that things are going by quickly, sort of surreal, things speeding up as Assef becomes more excited because of the control he has over this boy. Another example is when Amir meets Sohrab for the first time, the syntax and diction change slightly. The author already provides us with lengthy and extremely descriptive sentences, but in certain areas he does more. Like when Sohrab and Amir meet and Assef begins to beat Amir, you can feel the anger in Assef, you can feel and almost visualize Amir's relief at finally being punished for all his sins as he begins to laugh, the scene becoming consistently intense as Assef's anger rises because of the laughter, and Amir's laughter growing because of his anger. The syntax in, "My body was broken- just how badly I wouldn't find out until later- but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed." depicts the scene perfectly, the entirety is ironic, yet perfect for the situation.
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
Amir is a static and dynamic character. He is fully developed with all the characteristics of a true person, jealousy, depression, shame, etc, all the range of emotions one feels in life. Amir is dynamic because throughout the story he exhibits constant change, the biggest transformation was going from being a 'wimp' to standing up for what he believes in and fighting for it.
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.
Characters:
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)?
DIRECT - "...congenital paralysis of his lower facial muscles, a condition that rendered him unable to smile... polio had left Ali with a twisted, atrophied right leg that was sallow skin over bone.."
"A young woman's voice. She was standing behind us, a slim-hipped beauty with velvety coal black hair, an open thermos and Styrofoam cup in her hand. ... She had thick black eyebrows that touched in the middle like the arched wings of a flying bird, and the gracefully hooked nose of a princess from old Persia... Her eyes, walnut brown and shaded by fanned lashes, met mine."
"A young woman's voice. She was standing behind us, a slim-hipped beauty with velvety coal black hair, an open thermos and Styrofoam cup in her hand. ... She had thick black eyebrows that touched in the middle like the arched wings of a flying bird, and the gracefully hooked nose of a princess from old Persia... Her eyes, walnut brown and shaded by fanned lashes, met mine."
INDIRECT - "But he never told on me. Never told that the mirror, like shooting walnuts at the neighbor's dog, was always my idea.
- The author uses both direct and indirect characterization to show that his characters are not just superficial but that the character's actions largely reflect on them as well. For example, we know Ali and Soraya, their physical aspects, but not who they are. With the indirect characterization, we get a pretty good sense of who Hassan and Amir are. Amir is the trouble maker, yet Hassan always takes the blame, showcasing that he's constantly loyal. In the second quote we see both of their true colors. We see Amir's violence in desperation, he wants Hassan to snap and react, but Hassan would never hurt his beloved friend, he would rather hurt himself, and THAT says a lot about someone. Self-sacrifice since the beginning.
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
Although the author doesn't change his syntax/diction for the characters, he does change his syntax in certain areas of the text. The words on the page reflect the actuality of the situation, the syntax and choice of words coming together to create a vivid scene. For example, in the scene were Hassan is violated, the setting is described as full of scarps, rubble, filled with trash, not only showing how crude the situation is, but symbolizing the pollution of the mind of these boys who commit such a heinous crime. The syntax also changes, it begins to come as short blurbs, signifying that things are going by quickly, sort of surreal, things speeding up as Assef becomes more excited because of the control he has over this boy. Another example is when Amir meets Sohrab for the first time, the syntax and diction change slightly. The author already provides us with lengthy and extremely descriptive sentences, but in certain areas he does more. Like when Sohrab and Amir meet and Assef begins to beat Amir, you can feel the anger in Assef, you can feel and almost visualize Amir's relief at finally being punished for all his sins as he begins to laugh, the scene becoming consistently intense as Assef's anger rises because of the laughter, and Amir's laughter growing because of his anger. The syntax in, "My body was broken- just how badly I wouldn't find out until later- but I felt healed. Healed at last. I laughed." depicts the scene perfectly, the entirety is ironic, yet perfect for the situation.
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
Amir is a static and dynamic character. He is fully developed with all the characteristics of a true person, jealousy, depression, shame, etc, all the range of emotions one feels in life. Amir is dynamic because throughout the story he exhibits constant change, the biggest transformation was going from being a 'wimp' to standing up for what he believes in and fighting for it.
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.
After finishing the novel, I definitely felt like I had witnessed the story of a real person. Like stated above, the characters goes through the full range of emotions, and reacts to things realistically. For example, when Amir saw Hassan get raped, he felt fear, fear to act, fear to admit what he had seen, fear to let anyone know what he witnessed. And at the same time, he felt a lot of guilt for pretending not to see his friend be raped, and for not helping. Amir also develops a sense of jealousy for his friend and brother, because before he knew he had a sibling, he pondered why his father gave so much attention to Hassan, why he was always so proud of him, and why he would ultimately show him affection and not his 'real' son. And like any real person, Amir has the needs for acceptance and love, constantly searching for them in his father but never finding them. And even when he found acceptance when he became the kite champion, it didn't last long, because the relationship between him and his father was artificial.
Characters:
Amir:protagonist, mother died at his birth
Hassan: protagonist best friend, rape victim
Ali: Hassan's dad, servant to Baba; Hazara Mogul descendants - Shi'a Muslims
Sanaubar: Hassan's mom, left one week after his birth to join a clan of traveling dancers; married because of convenience, whore, eventually received forgiveness from Hassan
Baba: protagonist father, mansion; Pashtun descendants - Sunni Muslims (persecuted Shi'a)
Rahim Khan: fathers best friend & business partner
Assef:son of Baba's friend, German and Afghan. Reputation of savagery. Entourage: Wali and Kamal, believes in Hitlers ideals, Pashtuns are pure Afghans
Soraya Taheri: General Sahib Iqbal Taheri's daughter, Amir met her at swapmeet, Amir's wife
Sohrab: Hassan's son
Sohrab: Hassan's son
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Vocabulary #3
accolade - noun a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
The enthusiastic student received the accolade for being the most spirited.
acerbity - noun a sharp sour taste; a sharp bitterness; a rough and bitter manner
The angry old man created a scene in order to show his acerbity when his order was wrong.
attrition - noun the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction; a wearing down to weaken or destroy; sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation; erosion by friction
The enemy's plan was to attrition our forces by keeping us in an enclosed area without food/resources.
bromide - noun any of the salts of hydrobromic acid; formerly used as a sedative but now generally replaced by safer drugs; a trite or obvious remark
You know it's bromide if it is followed by, "No way, Sherlock."
chauvinist - noun an extreme nationalist; a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind
Many chauvinists still exist today, some are extreme enough to keep organizations such as the Neo-Nazi or the KKK.
chronic - adj. being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
The older woman suffered from chronic arthritis.
expound - verb add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; state
When my mom worried about whether she would or wouldn't wake up from surgery, the doctor proceeded to expound on the low risks.
factionalism - noun the existence of or conflict between groups within a larger group
Within a classroom, problems are often times factionalism.
immaculate - adj. completely neat and clean; free from stain or blemish; without fault or error
Another dogma within the Catholic religion is that the Immaculate Conception was faultless.
imprecation - noun the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult); a slanderous accusation
The old hermit frightened many children, as they believed to hear her shouting imprecations at them.
ineluctable - adj. impossible to avoid or evade:"inescapable conclusion"
The young man that was texting while driving faced the ineluctable consequences of his actions.
mercurial - adj. relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury; liable to sudden unpredictable change
The toddler has mercurial actions, the mother often times has to guess what will come next.
palliate - verb provide physical relief, as from pain; lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
The nurse put an ice pack on the woman's shoulder to palliate the pain.
protocol - noun code of correct conduct; forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state; (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data
During an earthquake drill, all teachers and staff must follow protocol.
resplendent - adj. having great beauty and splendor
The resplendent horse trotted slowly throughout the entirety of the parade.
stigmatize - verb to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
The pregnant teen was stigmatized, yet nobody knew the full extent of her story.
sub rosa - adj. happening or done in secret
The secret agent completed all his missions sub rosa.
vainglory - noun outspoken conceit
The handsome man, who constantly stared into the mirror, was full of vainglory.
vestige - noun an indication that something has been present
The vestige of the dinosaurs proved their existence.
volition - noun the act of making a choice; the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention
The student was held accountable for his volition.
The enthusiastic student received the accolade for being the most spirited.
acerbity - noun a sharp sour taste; a sharp bitterness; a rough and bitter manner
The angry old man created a scene in order to show his acerbity when his order was wrong.
attrition - noun the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction; a wearing down to weaken or destroy; sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation; erosion by friction
The enemy's plan was to attrition our forces by keeping us in an enclosed area without food/resources.
bromide - noun any of the salts of hydrobromic acid; formerly used as a sedative but now generally replaced by safer drugs; a trite or obvious remark
You know it's bromide if it is followed by, "No way, Sherlock."
chauvinist - noun an extreme nationalist; a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind
Many chauvinists still exist today, some are extreme enough to keep organizations such as the Neo-Nazi or the KKK.
chronic - adj. being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
The older woman suffered from chronic arthritis.
expound - verb add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; state
When my mom worried about whether she would or wouldn't wake up from surgery, the doctor proceeded to expound on the low risks.
factionalism - noun the existence of or conflict between groups within a larger group
Within a classroom, problems are often times factionalism.
immaculate - adj. completely neat and clean; free from stain or blemish; without fault or error
Another dogma within the Catholic religion is that the Immaculate Conception was faultless.
imprecation - noun the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult); a slanderous accusation
The old hermit frightened many children, as they believed to hear her shouting imprecations at them.
ineluctable - adj. impossible to avoid or evade:"inescapable conclusion"
The young man that was texting while driving faced the ineluctable consequences of his actions.
mercurial - adj. relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury; liable to sudden unpredictable change
The toddler has mercurial actions, the mother often times has to guess what will come next.
palliate - verb provide physical relief, as from pain; lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
The nurse put an ice pack on the woman's shoulder to palliate the pain.
protocol - noun code of correct conduct; forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state; (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data
During an earthquake drill, all teachers and staff must follow protocol.
resplendent - adj. having great beauty and splendor
The resplendent horse trotted slowly throughout the entirety of the parade.
stigmatize - verb to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
The pregnant teen was stigmatized, yet nobody knew the full extent of her story.
sub rosa - adj. happening or done in secret
The secret agent completed all his missions sub rosa.
vainglory - noun outspoken conceit
The handsome man, who constantly stared into the mirror, was full of vainglory.
vestige - noun an indication that something has been present
The vestige of the dinosaurs proved their existence.
volition - noun the act of making a choice; the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention
The student was held accountable for his volition.
Jorge Muñoz: The Chicken and Rice Man
If you read my Beowulf Essay and are interested in learning a little more about this amazing man, I have included a couple of links below. The first being a full story on who he is, where he comes from, and kind of why he does what he does. The second speaks about when he received the Presidential Citizens Medal.
I originally discovered this man (accidentally) last year, and he came to mind when I was thinking of a contemporary HERO.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/nyregion/thecity/25dinn.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://anangelinqueens.com/awards.html
I originally discovered this man (accidentally) last year, and he came to mind when I was thinking of a contemporary HERO.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/nyregion/thecity/25dinn.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://anangelinqueens.com/awards.html
"AN ANGEL IN QUEENS!"
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