Where to still find my masterpiece????

Hello! You have stumbled upon my blog for this class I took when I was a senior in High School... If you are still trying to look for my masterpiece; I decided to incorporate it into my regular blog for life. I believe that what I am writing/wrote for my masterpiece is vital to my everyday life so if you still are interested it in it... you can find what I'm thinking at Jhaicelle's MASTERPIECE and life thoughts SEE YOU THERE!

Masterpiece Academy Follow Up

Jhaicelle Laron 

Dr. Preston 

AP English 

9 June 2015 

Masterpiece Academy Follow Up 

             With this course all students were treated as colleagues and we have been given a great deal of trust and I think most of the students in this class this year deserved it because we all took a class like this to better ourselves and push us further than other students. Then it comes to the other students that I don't think deserved this type of trust because they do not take anything seriously and not actually try to really think. I believe this class makes you think and when I say think, I mean actually analyze everything we did in this class. 

            Fiction has been called "the lie that tells the truth." I believe that Brave New World, Hamlet, and The Laughing Heart all played a part in my journey of either learning something new or finding something within myself. I believe that the book Brave New World taught me that even though generations change, we as a society will be similar no matter what.  Hamlet taught me that all people are crazy. Lastly, The Laughing Heart taught me that I can and will do anything I want and succeed. 

          I have reconnected with a passion I wanting to learn all the time. I have found that I love learning about anything. This course has taught me to listen and keep attentive to anything because you never know what is going to happen. 

           Something in this course that made me laugh out loud was how at the end of the year I got closer to people that I usually don't hang out with and sharing those inside jokes. These jokes were made on the Yosemite trip. I loved that trip! 

            I believe a unifying theme in all the presentations I saw was love for their masterpiece and how it made them who they are and what they want to become. I believe the masterpiece academy was great because it showed us maybe something that everyone doesn't already know. Seeing people present on something they are passionate about like Laike's art or Bridget's healthy living or Haley's interior design ideas. These were just a few people that I got to see into their world a little bit more. It showed me that we are all different but we all love something so much so dearly. 

             A literary technique that I will hold in my mind forever is bildungsroman. Bildungsroman is dealing with one person's formative year or spiritual education. I believe that this literary technique is one that I believe I can always use. I like this literary technique because we can always relate. 

   

My Masterpiece

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Leadership Game

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....Still Working on it!

Sonnet

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;

Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask'd, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

I think this sonnet is shakespearean because Petrarchan sonnet is more of a poem that has a string of Renaissance poets rather that just one. I think this sonnet is a Shakespearean sonnet. I think the shift is when this "mistress" comes to life, so between line 9 where she speaks and is a real person, not just a ignite of my or your imagination. I think the overall theme and tone of this sonnet is admiring the beauty and worth of his mistress which shows a tone of loving rather than melancholy like other shakespearean sonnets. 

Macbeth Act 5 Questions

5.1

1. What has the gentlewoman seen Lady Macbeth do (5.1.1-15)? Why won't she tell the Doctor what Lady Macbeth said?
Sleepwalk. She doesn't want to lie and wants the speech to be justified so the other woman doesn't get in trouble for saying something wrong that lady Macbeth didn't say.
2. What does Lady Macbeth reveal in her sleepwalking speeches and actions (5.1.23-58)? To what does the Doctor relate this in 5.1.61-69? What is he suggesting in lines 66-67?
Her guilty actions of murders she has done. Subconscious will let out the guilt she feels when she cannot let it out consciously. He thinks he knows what she has done but he will not speak of it because it is based in assumption.
5.2
1. Where are the soldiers heading in 5.2? Whose side are they on? What do the mentions of Birnam Wood (line 5) and Dunsinane (line 12) remind us of?
To Dunisdance, they are on Malcom's side, and the witches' prophecy.
5.3
1. What reports are the servants bringing to Macbeth (5.3.1)? Why does Macbeth say he is not afraid? What does he think about himself in lines 20-29?
That they are outnumbered because they are all born of women and he cannot be hurt.
2. What does the Doctor say about Lady Macbeth (lines 39-46)? What does Macbeth wish the Doctor could do (lines 52-58)?
That she is in a grave condition and he wished he could cure her.
5.4
1. What does Malcolm tell the soldiers to do (5.4.4-7)? What effect do you expect this to have on Macbeth?
To cover themselves with wood so Macbeth;s army does not know how many soldiers he has.
5.5
1. What does "the cry of women" signify (5.5.7.1, 15)? Read Macbeth's famous speech in lines 16-27 carefully. What is he saying? How does he feel about life at this point?
The death of Lady Macbeth and that life keeps going on. It's unimportant and so insignificant.
2. What news does the messenger bring in lines 28-33? How does Macbeth react to this news? What does he now think of the witches (lines 40-46)? (Notice the return of "equivocation" in line 41.) Yet what is his mood at the end of the scene (lines 49-50)? Will he go out with a whimper?
That Birnam Wood is moving closer to Dunisdance castle. That they are equivocal, and they had a double meaning to what they had told him and he will fight until he is killed.
5.7
1. What is Macbeth's attitude at the beginning of the scene (lines 1-4)? What happens in his encounter with Young Siward?
Confident he can take on Macduff's army and Youn Siward is killed.
5.8 (5.7 continues in most editions)
1. Who is Macduff looking for and why (lines 1-10)?
He was looking for Macbeth because he wanted to fight him and kill him because he didn't want to fight any of his soldiers.
5.11 (5.8 continues in most editions)
1. How upset is Siward at his son's death? Why?
He's not very upset because he died with honor and he died fighting.
2. What does Malcolm promise his followers (lines 26-41)? What does he tell us about Lady Macbeth's death (line 36-37)? Should we believe him? (He is her enemy, after all-but remember the Doctor's instructions in 5.1.66-67.)

Macbeth Act 4 Questions

4.1
1. How many witches appear in this scene?
3 witches. 
2. What messages does Macbeth get from the witches and their apparitions? Does he feel safe after the first three apparitions? Should he? How does he feel after the fourth, the line of kings?
The first apparition says to be wary of Macduff and careful of him. The second tells Macbeth he should be strong willed ruler-bold and brace and in other words he should not accept defeat. The third warns attacking armies coming, and tells Macbeth he won't be defeated until the kingdom of Norway attacks. 
3. What does Macbeth learn from Lennox at line 158? What does he plan to do about it?
That Macduff is running away to England, and in response Macbeth decides to send someone to try to kill as many of his family members as he can. 
4.2
1. What is Lady Macduff's reaction to her husband's departure for England (4.2.1-30).
Betrayed and angry
2. What is the function of the scene between Lady Macduff and her son (4.2.30-64)?
To have false impressions about his dad. 
3. What happens to Lady Macduff and her son?
They are killed by Macbeth 
4.3
1. What do we know at the beginning of the scene that Macduff doesn't know?
Macduff's family has been killed. 
2. What is the main issue between Malcolm and Macduff in the first part of the scene (4.3.1-32)?
Why might Malcolm be suspicious of Macduff? How does Macduff respond (4.3.32-38)? What changes when Macduff starts to leave at line 35?
That Malcolm doesn't want to go home because he's afraid of judgement since he ran away in the first place. 
3. What does Malcolm say about himself, and how does Macduff respond (lines 38-115)? What bothers Macduff more in a king, lust or avarice? Why does this character of Malcolm's surprise Macduff (lines 106-112)? (Malcolm's mother was the daughter of the Old Siward mentioned in line 135, which might explain why he is helping. The description of his mother sounds more like St. Margaret of Scotland, who in fact was later this Malcolm's wife.)
Ross tells Macduff his family is dead. 

Journal Write 4/22/15

Today's journal write was," What kind of ruler do you think Macbeth will be? Why? Provide at least 3 textual examples that support/illustrate your main points. I wrote this... 

I think Macbeth would be a shitty one, yah he is a person and we all make mistakes but it feels like he is always making bad decisions and always thinking about himself and Lady Macbeth, and not really thinking about the Kingdom in any way. The witches are a good example of how shitty Macbeth can be because Macbeth was so easily persuaded by these witches and a good king can not just be so easily persuaded or some rash decisions might occur. Another example is also how Lady Macbeth influences him and how she's sort of the mastermind in this whole story. It is sad how King Duncan was so loyal to Macbeth and Macbeth did not repay the favor. This is not what a good king should be. 

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

She should have died hereafter
There would have been a time for such a word
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time
And all our yesterday's have lighted fools
The way to dusty death Out Out Brief Candle
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets upon the stage
And then there is heard no more, it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying Nothing

I memorized the poem but not really well...

Macbeth Act 3

I see Macbeth starting to lose his power.  After he learns that Banquo died as planned but not Fleance, Macbeth begins to see Banquo's ghost at his banquet table.  In addition, Macbeth notices Macduff's absence at the banquet.  People are beginning to realize that Macbeth is probably up to something, and that realization doesn't sit well with Macbeth.  He decides to again turn to the witches for a prophecy of things to come.  Macbeth loses most of his rational reason in this act, something that will eventually lead to his own death.

Macbeth Questions Act 2

ACT II Study Questions

2.11. What is the purpose of the opening of 2.1 (lines 1-9)? Notice the references to time (lines 1-3), and think about the other references to time so far in the play (1.1.1-5; 1.3.56, 146, and 152; 1.5.8 and 56-62; 1.7.51 and 81). What is the function of the discussion about the witches in 2.1.20-29?
The purpose of the opening is to show how things are things are not as they should be. The function of the discussion about the witches is to show that Banquo was right about the hallucination? 
2. Read Macbeth's soliloquy in 2.1.33-64 carefully. What is happening to him? How does he explain it? What will he do about it? Notice references to time in line59 and to deeds and done in lines 61-62.
Macbeth's soliloquy shows that is he is stressed about having to kill Duncan and he is trying to talk himself to committing the deed. 
2.21. What is Lady Macbeth's state of mind in her soliloquy (2.2.1-13)? What has she done? What does she assume Macbeth is now doing? Why didn't she do it (lines 12-13)?
lady Macbeth is excited by alcohol and awaits Macbeth's return from Duncan's room. She has drugged Duncan's bodyguards, but fears that the murder has not been done. 
2. What deed has Macbeth done (2.2.14)? What is Macbeth worried about in lines 17-31? How does Lady Macbeth respond (lines 31-32)? Notice the heavy emphasis on the murdering of sleep in lines 33-41. What problem arises in line 46? How is it solved? Keep lines 44-45, 58-61, and 65 about washing in mind for later in the play.
Macbeth killed Duncan. 
2.31. What does the porter pretend to be doing? Notice the emphasis on equivocation in this speech and in the following dialogue with Macduff. Equivocation was a doctrine espoused by Jesuits living secretly in England (and in danger of arrest, torture, and death) that allowed them to swear oaths with double meanings in order to preserve their lives while also maintaining their faith but that looked to their opponents very much like lying under oath. Equivocation had recently been much discussed because of the trials surrounding the Gunpowder Plot of November 1605, a Catholic attempt to blow up Parliament while the members and the King were present. Watch how the idea of equivocation functions in the play.
The Porter is pretending he is the porter of the gate to hell.
2. What is the thematic function of Lennox's conversation with Macbeth about the unruly night (lines 50-59). What is the theatrical function of the scene? Why does something need to be here?
It was "unruly" not only for king Duncan but also for Macbeth because of the guilt. 
3. What news does Macduff report at line 59? How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth respond? What does Macbeth report in lines 103-104 that he did? What do Malcolm and Donalbain decide to do and why (lines 116-121 and 131-142)? Where will they go? What do they seem to expect will happen if they don't leave?
Macduff reports that the king has been murdered, and Lady Macbeth appears to be disgusted that this could happen but we really know what she is thinking. Malcolm and Donalbain decide to flee Malcom and will go to England and Donalbain will to go Ireland, they are fleeing because they fear they will be murdered next. 
2.41. What is the function of the dialogue between the Old Man and Ross (lines 1-20)? What do we learn from Macduff about Malcolm and Donalbain? About Macbeth? Where has Macbeth gone? Where will Macduff go? (Macbeth was historically a member of the royal family; his mother and Duncan's mother were sisters, daughters of Duncan's predecessor as king; both Duncan and Macbeth were historically about the same age. Duncan ruled from 1034 to 1040 and Macbeth from 1040 to 1057.) Notice that many of the key words and ideas we have been tracing appear in this scene.
To Discuss what has been happening which is strange because of how an owl killed a falcon and how the horses got wild and this somehow foreshadows how Macbeth is going to be king. He tells us that Malcolm and Donalbain are suspected of the murder of Duncan and they are suspected because they left the scene. 

Macbeth Question

If Macbeth could gain more power by becoming good at something or learning something, rather than benefiting through another's loss, I feel like the story wouldn't be as popular in Shakespeare's pieces because I feel like the whole plot, theme, and tone would be so different. What would the purpose of the story be? What would be the theme? How would Macbeth be perceived? I feel like Macbeth would sort of be the best good guy out there and he would really be looked up to. 

Macbeth Questions ACT 1

ACT I Study Questions 

1.1
1. What is the effect of beginning the play with the witches? (Compare the openings of the other plays we have read; are any of those like this one?) Whom are the witches going to meet, and when? Notice the language of lines 10-11 and watch for it later in the play.
It is sort of foreshadowing the future, the theme, mood, and plot. The witches are going to meet Macbeth "at the ere of sunset."
1.2
1. What do we learn about and from the "bloody Captain" (1.2.1-44)? Who is Macdonwald and what has he done? What has been done to him and by whom? Did that end the problem with rebels (1.2.29-34)?
We learned from the "bloody Captain" statement is Macbeth's characterization. Macdonwald is a rebel who was killed because he tried to attack them. Macbeth killed him with a sword, but it didn't end the problem with the rebels.
2. What do we learn from Ross and Angus (1.2.45-62)? Who was the traitor in this different revolt? What does King Duncan say about the traitor and about his title (1.2.63-65)?
From Ross and Angus, we learned that the traitor was the Thane of Cawdor . King Duncan says that he is relieved that the traitor has been killed and that Macbeth now has his king title.
1.3
1. What is the effect of what the witches tell each other in 1.3.1-27)? What is the effect of the specifics they tell? Are these details important to the plot of the play? Why are they here? What does the First Witch mean by line 9? Keep the line in mind; "do" is an important word in this play. How do the witches prepare for Macbeth's arrival, and what do they say (1.3.28-35)?
The effect of what the witches tell each other in this act gives a first look into how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are. They are important because it foreshadows the future and they are there to foreshadow. The witches cast a spell to control his destiny.
2. Does Macbeth's first line (1.3.36) remind you of anything we have heard before? What do the witches look like (1.3.37-45)? What do they tell Macbeth (1.3.46-48). What happens to Macbeth then? How do we know? (See 1.3.49-55.) What does Banquo ask the witches and what do they tell him (1.3.55-67; notice the paradoxes in 1.3.63-65, similar in structure to 1.1.10-11 and 1.3.36). What do we know that Macbeth doesn't know in 1.3.68-76)?
Macbeth's first line is sort of like the witches first lines and how they predict the future. his statements are his future. The witches tell Macbeth that his is going to be the king. Banquo asks the witches why isn't going to be king and why Macbeth and they tell him basically that Macbeth is better than him and we also know that he was thane before he was thane.
3. How does Banquo explain the witches (1.3.77-78)? What does Macbeth learn from Ross and Angus (1.3.87-114)? What is Macbeth doing in lines 114-156? Note where he is speaking to himself, where he is speaking only to Banquo, and where he is speaking to everyone. How is Macbeth reacting to what the witches have said and to what Ross and Angus have said? Read Banquo's speech in lines 120-125 carefully for a statement related to the themes of the play. Then read Macbeth's speech at 1.3.126-141 carefully. What is he saying? What is he beginning to think about? Notice an echo of the paradox of "fair is foul" in lines 140-141.
Banquo explains the witches are hallucinating and Macbeth learns that he is thane of Cawdor from Ross and Angus and Macbeth aside is showing how he really feels about all of this and how he feels about being king soon.
4. How does Macbeth explain his behavior (1.3.148-149)? How much of his thought does he plan to share with Banquo (1.3.152-154)?
Macbeth contradicts himself with his aside because he tells Banquo that he is happy and excited.
1.4
1. How did Cawdor die (1.4.1-11)? How does the King respond (1.4.11-14)? Keep these lines in mind.
Cawdor was executed after openly confessing for his treason and pleading for mercy. The king responds with he can't trust a man just according to his face.
2. How does the King greet Macbeth and Banquo (1.4.14-35)? Note the imagery of planting and growing. What announcement does the King make in lines 35-42? (Prince of Cumberland is the title of the Scottish heir apparent, like Prince of Wales for the English.) Where does the King intend to go (1.4.42-47)? How does he react in his aside to the King's announcement of his heir (1.4.48-53)? What is going on in Macbeth's mind?
The king greets Macbeth and Banquo by saying that he can never repay them for their good deeds. The king intends to propose that they will go to Macbeth's castle at Inverness and Macbeth tells himself that he needs to kill him.
1.5
1. Has Macbeth reported accurately to his wife (1.5.1-12)? How does she respond? Read her speech in lines 13-28 carefully. How does she describe Macbeth? Does this match what we have seen of him?
Macbeth is being honest with his wife but his wife, Lady Macbeth says he is playing things off as if everything is fine, but this doesn't match the characterization of Macbeth in the story right now.
2. How does Lady Macbeth respond to the news that the King is coming? Read her speech in lines 36-52 carefully. What does she intend to do? What does she have to do to herself to let that happen?
the wife was confident about the guests visit and she seemed prepared and a little cocky and the way her and her husband would handle it.
3. Who is in charge when Macbeth arrives (1.5.52-71)? Has Lady Macbeth decided what to do? Has Macbeth? What does she tell him to do, and what will she herself do?
When Macbeth arrives Lady Macbeth is in charge and she wants to kill Duncan, but he is not sure whether he wants to follow with her orders and tells him to not let Duncan see tomorrow.
4. What is Lady Macbeth's name? (A trick question-it's not in the play. But historical sources tell us her name was Gruoch and that she had a son by a previous marriage, named Lulach. See the Bedford Texts and Contexts edition of Macbeth, p. 128, with no source given there.)
Lady Macbeth's name is Grouch.
1.6
1. Read the opening speeches (1.6.1-10) carefully, noting the imagery. How honest is Lady Macbeth's welcome (1.6.10-31)?
Lady Macbeth's welcome was very sweet and not really like her lasts scenes. It shows that she is sort of fake. 

Character Map of Macbeth

Macbeth:  Thane of Glamis
Lady Macbeth: Macbeth's Wife
Duncan: King of Scotland
Malcolm and Donalbain: King Duncan's Sons
Two Murderers: Murderers Hired by Macbeth to kill Banquo, Fleance, Lady Macduff, and Macduff's son
Banquo: Thane of Locaber and a general in Duncan's army
Fleance: Banquo's son
Lady Macduff: Macduff's wife, Killed by Macbeth
Macduff: Scottish nobleman who questions Macbeth's tyrannical rule and refuses to recognize him as king
Porter: Guard of the entrance
Lennox: A Scottish noble
Ross: Scottish nobleman who eventually turns on Macbeth
Three Witches: The future tellers because of whom the whole story went down

WHAT ABOUT MY MASTERPIECE?

My progress this week on my masterpiece is all showed through this blog http://searchingforwomenleaders.tumblr.com/... I don't have much posted, but I have a lot of drafts in progress. I basically am just trying to post about things I see that are interesting to me in my every day life and posting about them. I haven't really interviewed anybody so I'm still thinking about that part . 

LOVE IS BLIND.

The way that Macbeth sees Lady Macbeth is that she has all the potential to become a great queen, but the way Lady Macbeth sees Macbeth is disapproving and she can't really see him as king and is sort of using him. 

MEET MACBETH

Macbeth so far has been introduced in characterization through a passage that was said by Witch 1 and the Sergeant. The elements that the witches provide is how Lady Macbeth is the real "villain" in this play and that Macbeth even though does some horrible things, thinks and feels bad about them. The setting was sort of described in a gory way when one of the character's was describing it. I think some ideas that will play into the themes for this play would be religious and dark. 

SPRING BREAK: PROSE

Please read "Young Goodman Brown" and write an essay in response to this prompt.  The prompt will be familiar; the acts of completing a pre-write, articulating a clear thesis statement, and presenting a well-structured analysis supported with literary techniques and illustrative examples are hopefully becoming more familiar.  Same deal re: writer's conferences and written comments

    We are all young Goodman Browns. In the short story Young Goodman Brown, the main character Goodman Brown is basically going through life. I believe that Brown is getting outward sources coming to him trying to change his mind about everything and he is questioning what is real and what to believe. I say that we are all young Goodman Browns because we all go through that, we believe one thing one second and then we can change our mind and believe another. I think the title of the story is ironic because the word "young" sometimes can be taken in a way that means they know nothing about life and it's surroundings and happenings because we haven't experienced them yet.

     The short story is about a man who goes on a journey and learns something and meets someibe unexpected. The author of this story is trying to convey through the religious messages and superstitions that we all have that feeling of being unsure.The meaning of this short story is that we can't be certain in everything we do but it seems like we should. Life throws us weird mixed messages and we don't know if we are right or not, but it's okay.

MY MACBETH RESOURCES

Resources: 

1.) http://shakespeare.mit.edu/macbeth/full.html

2.)http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/

3.) http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/theater/reviews/15macb.html?pagewanted=all

4.) http://www.shmoop.com/macbeth/

5.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macbeth

Notes from Today

-Great chain of being
-Fair is fowl and fowl is fair
-Come what come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day.

SPRING BREAK: POETRY

I think the prompt of "Write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how the poem's organization, diction, and figurative language prepare the reader for the speaker's concluding response." fits this poem "The Weary Blues" by Langston Hughes because the poem sort of tells a story through and through and then at the end it ends with an ending.

       "The Weary Blues" by Langston Hughes is exactly what it sounds like, but with an iconic and comedic twist. While reading this poem I got a sense of weariness while it was dictated like it was a sort of a song that felt like the blues with some witty comedy. Through this poem Hughes told a part of a moment in time that can be replayed over and over, or not because of the ironic ending of this poem, "He slept like a rock or a man's that dead."

      Through out this whole poem the organization of it was organized in a way that the indented parts were sort of the blues songs that this character sang or felt. Then the diction is very laid back and bluesy like what you think of when you think of New Orleans. The figurative language in this poem is also very exciting to read. When reading this poem you can picture where it is taking place. Hughes's concluding response of "He slept like a rock or a man's that dead," gets me thinking that with great way to living life with such great music you basically can sleep really good.

      My mom says that if you had a good day of work or living, you will be sleeping good that night. When I think about sleeping good, I think about not being bothered which means dead sleep for me. I also think that songs that are weary blues they help you fall asleep and that's what Hughes is preparing us for a good sleep.


POETRY
Select a poem from this list (or make a case for a poem of equivalent literary merit).  Then select a poetry essay prompt from this list.  On your course blog, explain why the prompt fits the poem (feel free to substitute the names of characters, descriptive details etc. in the prompt).  Then write your essay.  We will have writer's conferences the week of 4/13 as we begin Macbeth.  If you want written comments, please print your essay and bring to class 4/13.

1989 Poem: “The Great Scarf of Birds” (John Updike)

Prompt: Write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how the poem's organization, diction, and figurative language prepare the reader for the speaker's concluding response.

The Weary Blues
BY LANGSTON HUGHES

Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,

Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,

      I heard a Negro play.

Down on Lenox Avenue the other night

By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light

      He did a lazy sway. . . .

      He did a lazy sway. . . .

To the tune o’ those Weary Blues.

With his ebony hands on each ivory key

He made that poor piano moan with melody.

      O Blues!

Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool

He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.

      Sweet Blues!

Coming from a black man’s soul.

      O Blues!

In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone

I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—

      “Ain’t got nobody in all this world,

      Ain’t got nobody but ma self.

      I’s gwine to quit ma frownin’

      And put ma troubles on the shelf.”

Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.

He played a few chords then he sang some more—

      “I got the Weary Blues

      And I can’t be satisfied.

      Got the Weary Blues

      And can’t be satisfied—

      I ain’t happy no mo’

      And I wish that I had died.”

And far into the night he crooned that tune.

The stars went out and so did the moon.

The singer stopped playing and went to bed

While the Weary Blues echoed through his head.

He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.

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Vendler Grid poetry

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain (340)
By Emily Dickinson

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,

And Mourners to and fro

Kept treading - treading - till it seemed

That Sense was breaking through -

And when they all were seated,

A Service, like a Drum -

Kept beating - beating - till I thought

My mind was going numb -

And then I heard them lift a Box

And creak across my Soul

With those same Boots of Lead, again,

Then Space - began to toll,

As all the Heavens were a Bell,

And Being, but an Ear,

And I, and Silence, some strange Race,

Wrecked, solitary, here -

And then a Plank in Reason, broke,

And I dropped down, and down -

And hit a World, at every plunge,

And Finished knowing - then -

Vendler Grid

Meaning: Dying inside.
Antecedent Scenario: Goes hand in hand with dying inside but different because also talking about a funeral.
Structural Parts: 4 lines.
Climax: Hearing a creak.
Other Parts: The words all go hand in hand.

Skeleton: 20 lines
Content Genre- games: ----
Tone: Sadness & despair.
Agency: ---
Roads Not Taken: not ending the poem, making us think about it ourselves.
Speech Acts: Saying "And"
Outer and Inner Structural Forms: Uses "-" a lot.
Imagination: I picture a head with a casket and someone banging on it trying to get out.

Lit Analysis: Bless Me Ultima

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).

Bless Me Ultima takes place in Guadalupe, New Mexico, during World War 2. The main character Antonio Marez. His curandera Ultima tries to stop the madness between the daughters of Tenorio. Antonio struggles throughout the story when he witnesses the death of people. He wonders about his religion and questions his moral problems. He has to choose between two lifestyles: crazy and wild or calm and sane. Religion becomes and issue in this decision because Antonio tries to figure out who he is and what religion he chooses to follow, if any at all. 

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.

The main theme of this novel is the loss of innocence. Antonio views things that make him lose his innocence several times. The first incident would be when Antonio witnesses the death of Lupito with Ultima. That was his first interaction with death and it stuck with him for a long time. 

3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).

The author's tone of the book is very serious, but curious because of quotes from the book like these: -"I could not lie. I knew he would find the lie in my eyes if I did. But maybe there were other gods? Why had the power God failed to cure my uncle?"-"You mean i can go out and sin,.....and when i'm about to die I just got to confession and take communion, and i go to heaven?"-"I had been afraid of the awful presence of the river, which was the soul of the river, but through her (Ultima) I learned that my spirit shared in the spirit of all things" 

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.)

-Symbolism: The golden carp mentioned in the novel was a perfect example of symbolism. It was said to appear to those who where believers and followed the church earnestly. However, it appeared to both Cico and Antonio, with Cico being a NON believer and Antonio, undecided.-Translational Dialogue: Many of the quotes have Spanish words or phrases. It is a bilingual book.-Narrator: "Sometimes I felt like Jason, like I wanted to shout and cry, but I never did."-Metaphor: "The sun was good. The men of the llano were men of the sun. The men of the farms along the river were men of the moon. But we were all children of the white sun."-Use of didactic: refers to literature of other types of art that are instructional or informative, in this case the bible when talking about God and religion.-Use of Nostalgia: written by narrator about events of his early youth-Imagery: I felt a sense of imagery within the characters as well, and it helped with my imagining of their character and their surroundings. -Implication: "He knows nothing; and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career." 

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 Characterization: The author did a great job of directly describing characters with enough detail where I was able to imagine what the characters were like as people as I was reading.
Indirect Characterization: Antonio is a good example of a character that was indirectly described. He was described through actions, but in such a strong way that I felt like I knew him just as well as the other characters.

2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character?  How?  Example(s)?

I don't think the author's syntax or diction changes from person to person, some examples are:-"I'll be sorry! Chingada I will! I can be the worst cabron in the world, and when I'm ninety-nine I can be sorry for being such a culo!..."- "we can't build out lives on their dreams."

3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic?  Flat or round?  Explain.

I think the protagonist is dynamic and round because the character is described in detail about his relgious views and what he is specifically is battling. 

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 this book, I think we all have something we are battling. Antonio was battling his own fears and i think we all do that. 

Tobemory explained

Tobermory is a weird short story... The cat can talk and the cat revealed all the secrets of these rich social class people at a party. The people of this party were really impressed with what the cat knew but wanted it dead because of all the secrets it knew. These people planned on killing the cat but it was torn apart by another animal instead. I don't get why the people were a bit angry about another animal killing their cat when they wanted to kill the cat in the first place.... Weird story with stale humor. The last sentence of the story i didn't really get. I searched German irregular verbs??? But I'm still confused Was it because the elephant was not German?

Essay for Brave New World

Question Everything & Be Happy

Happiness is the root of all problems but happiness is a state of mind that you get to check off if you are really happy or not. I believe that we all can really be “happy” if we want to and that’s our problem. We conflict unhappiness on ourselves. I believe the topic of how we can’t conform ourselves to society is because all we do is question while we are inside of it and that is essentially all of us. 

In the book “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley, the character Bernard is a perfect example of someone who is outward conforming while inwardly questioning. I believe Bernard and many other people are just a-like, like you and I. I don’t know one person who doesn’t question one thing. Whether we ask these questions out loud is the difference between all of us. Bernard is just a person who stands out in this particular book because of him being in society while questioning it. So is Bernard happy? 

            Bernard is certainly a questionable person. Huxley wrote this book with much symbolism and confusing details, if you don’t really analyze the story one piece at a time. The story line is a futuristic world where people take a drug to feel happy, but Bernard knows something is missing and he stumbles across an Indian like civilization that is not controlled by the states. This area is not technologically advanced and the people seem to be happier even without this drug. Another interesting twist is that women do not get pregnant in this brave new world, instead there is a place where they make babies on an assembly line that all look the same but are sorted into different classes just like social classes and their lives are basically predetermined for them. This brave new world is certainly different because this book was published in 1932; it shows the past and foreshadows the future. 

Huxley mentioned Ford being their leader or god and the assembly line of how everyone is made and what categories/classes they are put in, like Henry Ford and his political past and business. This is a fine example of how we are raised today, we all grow up in a different social class and that means we are all raised and learned a different way. Huxley also writes about technological advances can certainly wreck us and it certainly makes me question whether all these new technology is coming about is a good thing. Birth control, casual sex, and consumerism are also other examples that Huxley mentioned in this story and we have all of this in our world today and it’s crazy to think that Huxley saw this coming. 

Bernard questions his existence in this brave new world because he doesn’t know whether this place is a utopia. These people take this drug called “soma” to be happy and carefree but Bernard doesn’t know if this is real happiness. In this utopia, it seems emotions are for the weak but happiness is wanted. It doesn’t make sense to portray no real love but casual sex is okay because of what we are taught outside of this book. We are taught love before sex but in this book there is no love but sex. It confuses me on what we are taught outside of this book because what we are reading in this book contradicts life but also goes with what is happening in this real world. 

Bernard is a primary character in this story and he is certainly does not fit in with this brave new world but is certainly trying to but is getting caught within him because all he does is question. Even though we all seem to not ask our important questions out loud, we can’t seem to not question at all. I think that is okay because we should all be questioning everything. If we didn’t then this world would be a boring place. Remember we are not robots and we can’t just check it off our list if we are happy or not. That is why the meaning of this book is crucial to understand that happiness is a state of mind, don’t stop being “happy” but also don’t stop questioning.

Brave New World

So this last week when we had the dicsussion of what I thought happened in the book was not so good and taught me that I can't just go read endings of book (even though I love to do that), I finally read the middle parts (which are very important). Yes, the day before I did read till Chapter 6 and got really tired and confused about the book and just said scre wit let me just find out what happens. So I went to Chapter 18, read, and was utterly confused (savage? what does savage mean? Jhaicelle read ALL of the book) but I got the point that someone hung themselves (not Bernard, lol) it was John who wasn't intriduced in the parts I did read. John is the director's son (plot twist) Sorry for the confusion! Did anybody see the foreshawdow of how John wanted to be the sacrifice for his town at the beginning when he was introduced? But I do stand my ground that is was a dissapointing ending because I personally love happy endings... Sorry I just look forward to the good outcome in every story. (Fifty Shades does have a happy ever after ending) Hanging yourself, how cliche of today's modern world. I also still believe that it's sort of a mix of our past, present, and maybe even future history. PAST history because he uses Ford as a clear representation of like where it all started. Assembly line=school??? Just a thought. PRESENT because modern ideas such as kids having sex. In class I said that we are all really kids (most still living with parents) and most kids have sex so casually like all the time. I'm not saying we all do but think about it, most kids in high school are already having sex and loving like they are adults. The casual sex is also how it's basically done now a days, most people don't wait till they are married and if they do then that's really rare! The use of technological advances and birth control usage is such a contreversy in our world, some love it and some don't. Woah weird how Huxley saw this coming! Social classes are in the past, present, and probably future but it's weird how Huxley descibed them on how each sort of class gets raised and how they learn. Also, consumerism plays a big role of this story and I think that's what he evolved it around. FUTURE, time will only tell! Chemical/biological warfare??? I hope not! I think it's very weird that on one side of the wold there is this Indian Civilization and then on the other side this technolocally advanced placed, that's sort of how today is! I also have to mention how Bernard and Lenina didn't end up together?! Huxley, come on give me hope at least that you value my emotions. Maybe Huxley does care about your emotions and that's why this is a warning into what our future could look like, or is this already us? It seemed like Huxley was portraying that actual emotions are for the weak in this book and to not stand by that because that's how a lot of people are feeling in today's world. I sort of feel like sometimes we are all robots getting by, by just crossing the checklist off everyday. I mentioned in class that Huxley was a genius because he learned to our/ his full potential like WE ALL coould! That's why I think Huxley is a genius! I have a love/ hate for Huxley becayse he made such a onfusing book have so much meaning that is hard to depict if I was just reading this book on the beach where I actually have to conversate with other people on how the book really went. Lastly, I want to address the question of what is happiness? why don't we have it? who sets the boundaries of this sort of imaginary/made up thing? Preston after class that day told me since I made that mistake, I'll probably remember the story more and I think he is right!

mike wallace interviews aldous huxley essay

As Aldous Huxley talks about the brave new world he mentions his ideals on how he sees this new world coming about, I think that our world is on the brink of turning into his book, "Brave New World." In the book the whole idea or main theme is conforming their world to a "new world" to make it the perfect place to be. In society we are conforming like in the book because of many reasons. One of the reasons I think we are on the brink is because of the vast amounts or let's say not so vast amount of companies that are out there. We are suppose to be free and we should be able to sell goods & products on a level playing field like all other countries or companies but that is not true anymore. Most companies are owned by a monopoly and most consumers don't see that, it's like we don't have the freedom to know about this because we are conformed into a set of ideals that we are free and we can all own or operate our own company. Another reason why I think we are submerging into this new world is how in America we all have to go to school, yes school is important, I'm not saying it isn't but how we learn is like a conveyer belt. If students don't learn one way then they are thrown out like they are a mistake and get lost and never able to get to their greatest potentials because they aren't the ideal learner because they need to learn a different way. Society also conforms us in every way possible; getting jobs you need to be type A or you don't get the job or  being presented to the public eye and being judged for what we wear or what we do. We conform ourselves to look the way we see celebrities and sometimes the trends are horrendous but it conforms us to be looking the same like robots. Aldous Huxley was genius for actually writing a book like this. We read it in school thinking it's educational but really bashes everything we come to know. Just crazy how true we are almost or already like the brave new world. 

Lit Analysis #2 Fifty Shades Of Grey

You said I could do my Lit Analysis on these books in class! 

1. 
The plot of this book is about a women named Ana who graduates from who is about to graduate college and before she graduates she interviews a rich man named Christian Grey because her room mate was doing a piece for graduation and then from there the whirl wind "romance"started. The man Christian Grey had very traumatic events in his life, such as his birth mom being a drug user leading him into being adopted by the Grey family who were very rich. They helped him become a successful person that he now is in the story. It was hard for him to adjust to his new life and try to stay out of trouble until he met one of his mom's friend and she sort of seduced him and introduced him to a submissive and dominant life style. From there on he finds submissive that will do as he pleases, until he met Ana. Ana doesn't understand his wants and needs but some how still loves him. Together they figure out his problems. 

2.  
The theme of the novel to me is darkness and light. I think there are very dark scenes and feelings in this story, but I also think there are light scenes and feelings in this story. Some examples of dark  feelings  are of the dominant and submissive lifestyle and then some examples of light feelings are of the love that Ana & Christian share. 

3. 
The author's tone in the book is very risqué, some people might even call it "porn" in a book. But really yes their is sexual scences but it's about the love they conquer together. For example when they first met in Christian Greg's office, the author shows so much of Anastasia Steele's emotions. Or when Christian comes to get anastasia when she is drunk. Or lastly when they make love for the first time. All of these examples have a tone of risqué and is definetely a romantic love story book. 

4. 

1.) Theme: love can conquer anything is the theme because throughout the whole book they conquer some major events and things and they still love each other. 

2.) Bildungsroman: How Ana changes into a more confident person and how Christian changes his ways. Also how Christian's story gets told within the story. 

3.) Protagonist: Ana, she is the one we get to know way more about then Christian. 

4.) Dialogue: the dialogue in this book has straight dialogue but it also gets come across through emails 

5.) Hyperbole: pg. 358 "his eyes widen with surprise, and I see a glimmer of

Excitement." 

6.) irony: in the beginning of the story Christian told Ana that he doesn't do the romantic stuff but he definetely does takin her out on helicopter rides and such. 

7.) Onemotopia: pg. 358 "ta-da! He says playfully" 

8.) utopia: a utopia to Christian is definitely the "red room of pain"

9.) tragedy: what Christian had to go through when he was little. His birth mom was a "crack whore" and he starved some days. He was then adopted by the rich Grey family, but he was then taken advantage of from his neighbor. 

10.) Point of view: narrator- Anastasia Steele 

CHARACTERIZATION 
1. 

Two examples of direct characterization in the book is when Ana and Christian are first describes they are described on what they are wearing and what they see on the outside. Two examples of indirect characterization is one the way Christian feels towards Ana, you sort have to figure out yourself of he is has feelings for Ana or if she is just another dominant. Another indirect characterization is how their personalities play out and what they do for them toward the end of the story. At the beginning Ana isuch shy and toward the end she becomes confident in herself and Christian. 
2. 
I think yes the author's syntax and diction does change when focusing on different characters because whenever talking about Christian its more dark and moody while talking about other characters such as

Ana more light. 

3. 
I believe Anastasia Steele, or Ana is a very dynamic and round character. She develops through the story figuring out who she is and who Christian is. She reveals her feelings and thoughts with every word written.Ana from the beginning was very shy and not confident and then toward the end of the book she is the opposite, she will speak up for her self and is confident in her self.

4. 
I don't think I've met anyone like Christian Grey because I think this character is too dominant and I've never met anyone like that. I do think I've met someone like Anastasia Steele because we all sort of innocent until life and different obstacles hit us. I relate to Ana because she sort of is questioning everything and I do that a lot. Reading through her thoughts make it so I'm in her shoes trying to figure out if what I am doing is right for me.

Brave New World Notes (Foreword-Chapter 4)

-Utopia does not mean perfect world 

-Dystopia: literally "nowhere" coined by Thomas More 

-Foreword was interesting because the essay was made to make us really think about the time it was written and how similar it is right now. 

-Writing about imagination is some point not a bad place. 

-Chapter 1 has no sympathy 

-Restatement is important in Chapter 1 

-Influence of science at the beginning 

-Tone: cold & detached & boring & like textbook written 

-The feeling of the first chapter is to get us to keep reading because it was boring 

-Reification: every culture does this, ex-love & god

-Maturity in the book is weird, children are playing sex games?! 

-Maturity comes with age and then maturity is forced upon them. 

-Took away personal feelings, factory made, proto types, creating "people" that are more disireable. 

-Specific set of rules 

-Vision of Utopia is all up to you

the love of learning can inspire a vision of the future

So I finally watched the videos of Isaac Asimov on Bill Moyers World of Ideas and man it was interesting to hear about what Asimov had to say about his love for learning. The love of learning can inspire a vision of the future like Asimov has a love for learning about things he wants to know about because I know when I learn, I'm not interested in what I'm being taught unless I really enjoy or fascinated by the subject. I think he is right about computers and the internet because it is like a personal tutor rather than a threat to learning because we have everything at literally the tip of our fingers if we wanted to know about something. I know that the internet and computers have changed a lot for our world and it will continue to change because we just get to learn so much more. 

Lit Terms #6

simile: a figure of speech comparing two essentially unlike things through the use of a specific word of comparison. 
soliloquy: an extended speech, usually in a drama, delivered by a character alone on stage. 
spiritual: a folk song, usually on a religious theme.
speaker: a narrator, the one speaking stereotype: cliche, a simplified, standardized conception with a special meaning and appeal for members of a group; a formula story. 
stream of consciousness: the style of writing that attempts to imitate the natural flow of a character's thoughts, feelings, reflections, memories, and mental images, as the character experiences them.
structure: the planned framework of a literary selection; its apparent organization. 
style: the manner of putting thoughts into words; a characteristic way of writing or speaking.
subordination: the couching of less important ideas in less important structures of language. 
surrealism: a style in literature and painting that stresses the subconscious of the non-rational aspects of man's existence characterized by the juxtaposition of the bizarre and the banal.
suspension of disbelief: suspend not believing in order to enjoy it.
symbol: something which stands for something else, yet has a meaning of its own.
synesthesia: the use of one sense to convey the experience of another sense. 
synecdoche: another form of name changing, in which a part stands for the whole. 
syntax: the arrangement and grammatical relations of words in a sentence
theme: main idea of the story; its message(s). 
thesis: a proposition for consideration, especially one to be discussed and proved of disapproved; the main idea 
tone: the devices used to create the mood and atmosphere of a literally work; the author's perceived point of view. 
tongue in cheek: a type of humor in which the speaker feigns seriousness; aka "dry" or "dead pan." 
tragedy: in literature any composition with a comber theme carried to a disastrous conclusion; a fatal event; protagonist usually is heroic but tragically (fatally) flawed. 
understatement: opposite of hyperbole; saying less than you mean for emphasis
vernacular: everyday speech 
voice: The textual features, such as diction and sentence structures, that  convey a writer's or speaker's persona. 
zeitgeist: the feeling of a particular era in history.