Literature Analysis #2

1. Exposition: Emily Bronte starts the book off with a character named Lockwood who buys a house called Thrushcross Grange in the country of England. In Thrushcross Grange, he meets his landlord, Heathcliff who lives in an ancient house called Wuthering Heights. Lockwood asks Nelly, his housekeeper, to share with him her stories while she was living in Wuthering Heights as servant for the Earnshaw family.

Inciting Incident: Nelly starts off with her childhood and how Heathcliff came about Wuthering Heights. One day, Mr. Earnshaw brought home a little orphan boy named Heathcliff to Wuthering Heights. Initially, everybody despised the dark-skinned boy but Catherine, the youngest of the family, grew fond of him and soon fell in love with him. As they grew older, they become inseparable.

Climax: After Mr. Earnshaw dies, Hindley the oldest of the Earnshaw family, takes over Wuthering Heights and gets married to a woman named Frances who soon finds out that she is pregnant. When Frances dies after giving birth to her son, Hareton, Hindley becomes an alcoholic and begins to display his abusive side especially to Heathcliff. After being bitten by a dog, Catherine stays in the Grange to recover and meets a man named Edgar whom she later becomes infatuated with. She and Edgar marry and Heathcliff runs away from Wuthering Heights.

Falling Action: After returning back to Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff plans on taking revenge on those who have done him wrong. Hindley dies and Heatcliff inherits the ancient home of Wuthering Heights. Catherine dies shortly after giving birth to her son and Heathcliff begs her spirit to remain on Earth. He then marries a woman named Isabella Linton whom he treats very brutally.

Resolution: Edgar Linton dies and Heathcliff invites Nelly and Catherine back into Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff forces Cathy to be his servant in Wuthering Heights. He also buys Thrushcross Grange for Lockwood. Catherine and Hareton continue to live in Wuthering Heights.

2. The theme of the novel is mainly revenge because after Heathcliff returns back to Wuthering Heights, he seeks revenge on everybody who wronged him. This also leads to a love versus hate theme because the only reason he takes revenge on people is because he built up a lot of hatred and anger toward people who have done him wrong, but nothing could have hurt more than abandonment and betrayal of his one true love, Catherine Earnshaw.

3. I chose this book because a lot of people have recommended it to me, but honestly it really isn't my type of books because I felt like it was really confusing and dark. The only reason I kept reading was because I loved the passion and admiration Heathcliff and Cathy had for each other although it didn't last.

4. The book was definitely realistic; a lot of the events in the book could happen to anyone in this world. The only connection I made with this book was through Heathcliff and Catherine's relationship. It reminded me of how my sister liked this boy and he liked her back, but he just left her for somebody else while they were still talking which complicated their relationship.

5. The novel has a bit of a dark and gloomy tone to it especially when Heathcliff is around.
"And what if she should have slipped in clambering among them," Ellen (Nelly)  reflected, "and been killed, or broken some of her bones."
"Ah," said she, "you are come a seeking your little mistress! Don't be frightened. She's here safe: but I'm glad it isn't the master." (about Heathcliff)

6. "Missis walked in," Catherine said, "as chill as an icicle..." (Simile) (pg 281)
"...as high as a princess" (Simile) (pg 281)

CHARACTERIZATION

1. Indirect: "I've no more business to marry Edgar Linton than I have to be in heaven; and if the wicked man in there had not brought Heathcliff so low, I shouldn't have thought of it. It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him; and that, not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more myself than I am" (86). Catherine admits to Ellen that she loves Heathcliff but cannot think of marrying him because he has been degraded by Hindley. Heathcliff hears this speech, and he leaves Wuthering Heights, not to return for three years.

Direct: "Keep your eft's fingers off; and move, or I'll kick you!" cried Heathcliff brutally repulsing Catherine.

2. After returning home after three years, Heathcliff changes and so does his way of speaking. In the beginning he was more of a soft-spoken guy, but at the end he lets his anger get to him; therefore he yells very often. 

3. Heathcliff is definitely a dynamic character. Initially, he is a very nice, sweet, romantic guy but at the end he turns into a very angry man who yells often and acts very cruelly toward those who wronged him.

4. After reading the book, I was left with a strong hatred for Heathcliff. I felt as if I were in the book and he was saying all of those brutal things to me.

ENDURING MEMORY

From this book, I realized that I have to choose carefully on who I fall in love with because sometimes people are not who you think they are. If you make one mistake, it can lead to many problems kind of like how Catherine led Heathcliff on and then married Edgar.

Persepolis Argumentative Essay

I strongly believe that the non-fictional graphic novel, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi should be taught in every school. It is the case that I go against Johan Bennett's argument and prefer Persepolis to be taught at school not only because it helps you think twice about calling Iranians, “terrorists”, but because it teaches you about things that can actually happen to you-- whether its teenage struggles or conflict during adulthood. Unlike my opinion, Johan Bennett, the chief executive officer of SMJUHSD believes that Persepolis should be banned from every school in the district saying, “... let me be clear – we are banning this book from our schools.” In her graphic novel, Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi elaborates on what it was like to live in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. It became obligatory for women to wear veils in public in 1979, men couldn't show their wrists, women couldn't wear make up, and couples weren't to be seen in public. This book clearly shows how hard it was to live in Iran during the revolution. This side of the novel really helped me value and be grateful for what I have. We are given the chance to express ourselves here by wearing and saying what we please. It's always important to throw your input out there because you should always have the right to have justice which is something they lacked in Iran. Marjane also explains what her life was like – what choices and mistakes she made throughout her life. In life, we all make mistakes; nobody is perfect. Satrapi tells us about the bad choice she made in her youth and in her adulthood. For instance, when she leaves to Austria and makes friends who she thinks were a great choice, but later finds out that she was wrong. We've all done this and this also helped me realize that I need to start being more careful on choosing my friends. Marjane also explains how she attempts to fit in with the crowd, but later finds out that she has failed doing so. It's important to always be ourselves no matter what. She then talks about her suicide attempts and how she felt at the moment. Personally, I wouldn't blame her for wanting to commit suicide considering all the things she's dealt with – having family members and friends dying, having to live life with so many restrictions, having no friends or a place to live for a while. There are people in the world going through situations like these, but it's important to go on in life and make the most of it. It's also important to choose the right paths, wisely. It is the case that I prefer Persepolis to be taught in school because it helps you think twice about calling Iranians “terrorists” and because it teaches you about real obstacles that may cross your path someday.  

Vocabulary Sentences #11

1. Hopefully the football players don't perturb us tomorrow night at their last game against Righetti.
2. I think it's ludicrous for girls to wear veils everyday because they should have the right to express themselves.
3. I always act cordially to everyone especially people I've only met.
4. I had a predicament last night about finishing my difficult AP World History homework.
5. My grades are beginning to descend due to all of these extra-curricular activities.
6. I am always demure around people I don't know.
7. I used to think sushi was absolutely repugnant, but now I've grown to like it.
8. Last night I pondered why dogs have four legs and we don't.

Vocabulary Sentences #10

1. The class bemoaned Mr. Hook assigning SPICE notes over the weekend.
2. I was very pensive about why we have to dress up in costumes as a way of celebrating Halloween.
3. My brain was devoid of fear as I approached a guy dressed in a Michael Myers costume even though I've been afraid of him my whole life.
4. She was very melancholy after her breakup with her boyfriend who she's been with for four years.
5. I mollify my dog when she has nightmares at night.
6. Whenever I go to Disneyland, I like to bring back myself and some friends a memento.
7. Thank goodness nobody did anything illicit tonight.
8. One day I hope to ascend Mount Everest.

Vocabulary Sentences #9

1. The savory piece of fudge cake made my mouth water.
2. I am always so enticed to use my phone during class.
3. The tactless child asked his mother, "Why are some people fat?"
4. I show integrity by doing my work each day and showing up to class daily ready to learn.
5. If get good  grades, you are compensated with an award and a patch for your letter-man jacket.
6. I often act aloof in class which is why I don't understand some of the concepts.
7. It is not a good idea to goad a wrestler; they will challenge you to a wrestling duel.
8. I really enjoy spending time with my cohorts because they make me happiest.

Definitions:

1. Savory (adj.): delicious
2. Entice (v): to tempt
3. Tactless (adj.): insensitive
4. Integrity (n): self-worth/self-respect
5. Compensate (v): to pay for services
6. Aloof (adj.) disinterested/spaced-out
7. Goad (v): to taunt
8. Cohort (n): friend

Vocabulary Sentences #8

1. Although the tumor was extremely malignant, the man seemed to survive another year.
2. My ornery sister always becomes impatient with kids too easily.
3. I was feeling very indolent; therefore, I started my homework at 9:30pm.
4. The teacher belittled the student by calling his work lackluster.
5. If you smoke, you are pretty much jeopardizing your life.
6. His demise began when he started smoking at age ten.
7. Things always go awry when we go on family road trips.
8. If you want to live frugally, you should not buy an iPhone 5 let alone an iPhone 5c.

Literary Analysis #1

The Lovely Bones
By: Alice Sebold

1. The book starts off with Susie Salmon, the main protagonist of the story, walking home from school. On her way home, she is stopped by her neighbor, Mr. Harvey, who wants to show her something in the cornfield. Susie trusts this man because her parents know him, but unfortunately, she's wrong. When he finally shows her what it was he wanted to show her, Mr. Harvey murders and rapes Susie. After being killed, Susie is immediately sent to heaven where she meets Franny, her guide in the afterlife. Everyday, Susie looks upon her gazebo and down at her old high school. There she witnesses old friends creating relationships with boys, including her sister, Lindsey, who becomes indistinctly depressed after her sister's death. Susie also watches her parents drift apart. Her mother, Abigail, wants to run away from her feelings, whereas her father, Jack wishes to confront them. Not only is her family affected, but some classmates are as well. Ruth and her old crush, Ray Singh are impacted by Susie's death. Ruth claims that she has felt Susie's presence and has dreamed about her numerous times. Susie watches as her sister lives some of her biggest milestones in life, wishing she could actually be there to live them with her. Lindsey shares her first kiss with a boy named Samuel Heckler whom she marries after college. Susie's father, Jack, is more than positive that Mr. Harvey is the one who killed Susie, but has no evidence to prove his assumptions. To help prove her dad's suspicion, Lindsey breaks into Mr. Harvey's house and finds a diagram of the underground. However, she is forced to leave when Mr. Harvey arrives back at his house. Thinking that Mr. Harvey is out in the cornfield destroying more evidence, Jack goes out to the cornfield armed with a baseball bat, but then finds out that it is Clarissa, Susie's old best friend. Jack also finds out that she's not alone when Brian, her boyfriend, starts beating him which leaves Jack with a broken knee that can only be recovered through surgery. While he's recovering, Abigail cheats on Jack with the detective of the case and abandons the family. Years later, Jack suffers from a heart attack and Abigail decides to visit him. She feels guilty after having an argument with her younger son, Buckley for not being there through most of his childhood. Susie's charm bracelet is found at the end of the story but nothing is done with it because the people who found it don't know of its significance.

2. Themes:
-You don't know what you have until it's gone: Many characters, especially Susie's father, wish they would've told Susie they loved her before her death or they had wished they had lived another unforgettable moment like she and Ray shared.
-Isolation: All of Susie's family isolate themselves in their grieving instead of talking about Susie's death openly.

3. Tone:
In my opinion, the underlying tone is serious and poignant. Alice Sebold makes us mourn for Susie through the characters. For example, when Ruth asks Lindsey if she misses Susie she replies, "More than anyone will ever know." When I read that, my heart wretched a bit because everyone in the family hasn't expressed their feelings toward Susie's death and Lindsey finally opens up about how she feels.
Another example would be when Susie's father went into the basement and started smashing bottles that he and Susie would put ships in. He began breaking them out of anger and as a way to express his despair. He says, "Susie, my baby, my little sailor girl, you always liked these smaller ones." He's reminiscing the moments he shared with Susie making those ships.

4. Literary Techniques and Devices:
-"The hallway was tiny, my door like all others, hollow enough to easily punch a fist through." This quote shows how the author uses imagery to give readers a better understanding of how the hallway and the doors looked.
-"...the lights from the nearby houses spotted the hills." Sebold uses personification to give us a better understanding of how the hills looked.
-"Her brain was a storm." This quote shows how the author used a metaphor to compare Ruth's brain to a storm. A storm is going in different directions and they're usually really fast. Ruth's mind was racing because she was confused about Ray holding her hand.