Assignment 7- A Test Case, "The Garden Party"

What does the story signify? How does it signify?
The author’s main point would have to be the difference and tension between the two social classes present. While the posh upper class throws a garden-party, those who live in small cottages down the lane mourn the death of a friend, father, and husband. Mansfield is pointing out the differentiation between the two groups while also trying to tie them together with a common event, death. We would all hope the reaction of the upper class family would be regretful, supporting, and helpful actions; but it is actually quite the opposite. “People like that don’t expect sacrifices from us,” stated Mrs. Sheridan when asked if she would still hold the party after being informed of the death. Mansfield shows a little spark of hope when Laura pleads with her mother to cancel the party. She feels sympathetic towards the family and can’t stand the idea of hosting a party while those down the street are in such a dire situation. After her mother reassures Laura the party will continue though, she is able to enjoy the afternoon at the party and forget her worries for the mourning family.
Reflection
I captured the main issue discussed in the story, however missed some of the more delicate details. I didn’t catch the symbolism of birds and flight or the similarities of Laura and Persephone. These similarities, after being pointed out, were very surprising! I don’t know the story of Persephone myself, but I can tell how the comparison deepens the characters and plot of the story while once again proving there is no completely original text.

Assignment 6- Archetype

An archetype is basically a story component repeated over and over again. This pattern is recognizable in countless stories and is an element we are naturally drawn to based on the “aha! Factor” (page 191), meaning we recall the familiar storyline and are drawn to it. One example is in Water for Elephants when the main character Jacob falls in love with his bosses’ wife, Marlena. This is not only a problem because she is married, but also due to the fact her husband is the person in charge of Jacob’s job. They typical string of events then proceeds to happen: Marlena realizes she also loves Jacob, they sneak around to be with each other, and in the end (when Marlena’s husband is killed in an elephant-related accident) are happily together. This archetype is the forbidden romance found in so many stories like Romeo and Juliet, Camelot, and Westside Story.

Assignment 5- ...Except the Sex

The film Donnie Darko is a perfect example of sex being implied rather than explicitly shown. Donnie is a troubled teen who regularly sees a psychiatrist and takes medication for psychological problems. Donnie is visited by what everyone assumes is an imaginary visitor who tells him the world will end in twenty-eight days. After hearing this news, Donnie realizes he isn’t ready to die and begins to feel very alone. A new girl, Gretchen, comes to school and Donnie ends up dating her. Gretchen turns out to be one of the few people with whom Donnie can share his experiences with the visitor and confide his fears with. When Donnie throws a party at his house, Gretchen shows up late and is very upset because her mother, who is being stalked by Gretchen’s stepfather, has gone missing. Finding comfort in each other, they head to Donnie’s room to be alone. They begin talking and then the moment clearly starts heading a certain way but before anything actually happens, the screen cuts to the next scene with Donnie and Gretchen walking down the stairs smiling and in synchronized step with each other. By not actually showing the sex scene, the movie is kept a bit less crude. More importantly though, the scene instead of the sex scene (walking down the stairs) shows how the two connected with each other and are happy together.

Assignment 4- It's All Political

Almost all literature can be related to politics in some way. Weather it is an overwhelmingly general statement or something inspired by a specific event, literature is one of the greatest and most productive ways to spread an idea. Suzanne Collin’s The Hungar Games sheds a negative light on full government control. The country of Panem is controlled by a central city called the Capitol. Every year, one child is taken from each district of the country and forced to participate in “The Hungar Games.” These children are released into an arena and have to completely survive on their own until only one child is left living. When first reading the book I thought this was a very strange and unusually cruel tradition with little purpose. It then became clear that the Capitol was only doing this to remind all the citizens of the absolute control they held. Families and communities were completely helpless as one of their own children were sent into the arena with the tiniest chance of coming home alive. The government in the capitol also strictly controlled media within the country. School children were taught very little other than information on the specific resource their district produced and history of the country. Television was also very limited only broadcasting shows regulated by the government and preaching government ideas. This politically represents a totalitarian government and the author uses pathos with the struggle of the main character, Katniss, and her family as she is powerlessly sent away to the games to create a pessimistic shadow on this type of government.

Reading Assignment 3: It's More Than Just Rain or Snow

In Lois Lowry’s The Giver weather plays a part in helping describe the setting and living conditions of the story. The book takes place in a future society where the government controls almost all aspects of life. Everyone is a complete equal and individuality does not exist. The weather is very mild representing the lack of change in the characters’ daily lives. They get up every day and go to school until they are twelve. When they reach that age the government assigns each student a job. They then attend this job for the rest of their lives, waking up, going to work, coming home to their family, eating dinner, discussing their day, and repeating. No rain or snow ever falls on the community in this book. There is a lack of beauty and emotion that the characters don’t even know they are missing out on. Emotion and even the ability to see color is withheld from the citizens in attempt to keep the dystopian society functioning.

Top Ten Reads for 2012

1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Published February 10, 2009. 451 pages.
This book was recommended by my mom. She read the story shortly after it came out and absolutely loved it. Even though the book is a little lengthy, she promises some heart-warming stories that are quite simple in meaning. I hope to watch the movie after finishing the book and use both to fully appreciate the stories being told.

2. The Wedding Girl by Madeline Wickham. Published September 9, 2010. 327 pages.
Author Sophie Kinsella’s real name is Madeline Wickham and this is one of the few books she has published using her actual name. Loving all of her other books I have ever read, I am excited to pick up another one. Her writing style is fun and light with great story lines and endings.

3. Going After Cacciato by Tim O’Brien. Published 1978. 352 pages.
While reading Thomas Foster’s How to Read Literature like a Professor, he discusses this novel. Not only does he say his students generally like it, but the book is also one of his favorites. Foster used the story as an example of basing new characters off of others the author has encountered. This would be a great story and also provide a great source for my AP Lit writing.

4. Wise Children by Angela Carter. Published 1991. 240 pages.
This story is also introduced by Foster in his book. Much of the story is reminiscent of Shakespeare and would help provide me a deeper understanding of his work by experiencing different recreations.

5. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley. Published 1991. 384 pages.
This is a recreation of Shakespeare’s King Lear. The story would provide a fantastic example of using literature from the past to create a new work.

6. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. Published 1949. 368 pages.
This classic novel is one I have been meaning to read for a long time. I loved the dystopian stories of Brave New World and The Giver so I’m excited to see Orwell’s take on that type of society. Several of my friends have read, liked, and used this book in their writing so I look forward to reading it.

7. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Published 1813. 416 pages.
This is another classic book I would love to read. The book takes place in early 19th century English society when men held virtually all the power. Women were pressured to marry not only according to their personal liking, but also for the advantage of their families. I have read very few works from this time period and look forward to the story.

8. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Published 1934. 288 pages.
When I was little, mystery books were my absolute favorite. Since then I haven’t really read many; mostly because I couldn’t find stories that were challenging enough yet still captured the perfect mystery I loved so much. This story promises both.

9. The Awakening by Kate Chopin. Published 1899. 120 pages.
This book is seen as a work of early feminism. Never having to deal with most of these issues personally, I am interested to learn more about the struggles women went through to get where we are today.

10. Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Published 2001. 326 pages.
This book was recommended to me with the statement, “Easy to read and sounds impressive.” Perfect! After looking at the summary, I am even more interested. A young boy by the name of Pi finds himself on a lifeboat with many animals, including a tiger, after their ship sinks. The tiger kills all the other animals but somehow coexists with Pi for an amazing 227 days.

Allow Me to Introduce Myself

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