April 22, 1928
Dear Diary,
Biff and Willy are fighting again. It seems like every time he comes home Willy goes into fits. All he wants is the best for his sons, both of them, is that so hard to understand? I feel that Biff and Happy are too harsh on their father, he has worked his whole life to give them the best and yet they turn their backs on him when hard times arise. Willy does not make things much easier, his nightly exploits have worsened over the years. Sometimes I lay in bed wondering if I should just leave him out in the street, walking and talking with the wind. Perhaps this is what he wants. Perhaps then Willy can finally be content.
June 5, 1930
The boys have succeeded! Biff and Happy are finally businessmen, in tangent selling sporting goods. Oh what joy I have, oh what pride I have for my boys! Willy is thrilled as well, he instructs the boys daily on proper business etiquette, and though they may laugh at him now they will thank him in the future I am sure. I hope that maybe someday Willy can retire and spend his days in business with his sons. Though this may seem far-fetched now I believe it to be a necessity. I will make it a point to mention this tonight at dinner, if Willy allows. I wouldn't want to send him into fits again, I don't enjoy it when he slaps me.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
The Lottery
Author: Shirley Jackson
Title: "The Lottery"
Premise Theme: The tribal nature of any small community
I grew up in a small town. With that being said, there is a reason I don't live there anymore. The small town vibe I got when reading this short story, though much more violent, reminds me a lot of home. Not in the sense that we get together once a year and stone a person to death, but rather that things that are disturbing to the general flow of things tend to be swept under the rug. I remember in high school that if one of the football or mens' basketball players got caught with something bad, say underage drinking or failing classes, one minute they were being threatened with suspension and the next they were on the court or field playing again. They'd never actually face the consequences of their actions. Everyone around them seemed to defend the person with the infraction, and soon enough the situation was swept under the rug completely never to be brought up again.
The situation seems to be the same within the community described by Jackson in her short story. The townspeople seem to have no emotions after killing a member of their community. They even say, "'guess we better get started, get this over with, so's we can go back to work'" (pg. 292).Once they get the process of killing someone "over with" the townspeople go right back to their daily activities. Like in my small town, the situation gets swept under the rug.
I think another thing that has not yet been brought up in class is the statement made by the author that is revealed in the biography. It reads, "I supposed, I hoped, by setting a particularly brutal ancient rite in the present and in my own village, to shock the story's readers with a graphic dramatization of the pointless violence and general inhumanity in their own lives (pg. 290)." This, to me, explains exactly what the author was trying to do with this story. A theme, that has not been pointed out in class is the inner evil that lies inside every person. This story makes us doubt the next man or woman's true intentions, and wonder if we really are the modern day sophisticated specimens we pretend to be.
This story upsetted the New York community in 1948 when it was released by the New York Times, and I believe it was for many reasons. It upsetted the status quo, the view that people had of their world at the time, and made them doubt their fellow man--given this was after the depression and war times, it was the perfect time to strike a nerve within every person that read it. Do I believe it is realistic? No, however, I do believe that it was symbolic of Jackson's views of her life, her community and her overall view of society.
Title: "The Lottery"
Premise Theme: The tribal nature of any small community
I grew up in a small town. With that being said, there is a reason I don't live there anymore. The small town vibe I got when reading this short story, though much more violent, reminds me a lot of home. Not in the sense that we get together once a year and stone a person to death, but rather that things that are disturbing to the general flow of things tend to be swept under the rug. I remember in high school that if one of the football or mens' basketball players got caught with something bad, say underage drinking or failing classes, one minute they were being threatened with suspension and the next they were on the court or field playing again. They'd never actually face the consequences of their actions. Everyone around them seemed to defend the person with the infraction, and soon enough the situation was swept under the rug completely never to be brought up again.
The situation seems to be the same within the community described by Jackson in her short story. The townspeople seem to have no emotions after killing a member of their community. They even say, "'guess we better get started, get this over with, so's we can go back to work'" (pg. 292).Once they get the process of killing someone "over with" the townspeople go right back to their daily activities. Like in my small town, the situation gets swept under the rug.
I think another thing that has not yet been brought up in class is the statement made by the author that is revealed in the biography. It reads, "I supposed, I hoped, by setting a particularly brutal ancient rite in the present and in my own village, to shock the story's readers with a graphic dramatization of the pointless violence and general inhumanity in their own lives (pg. 290)." This, to me, explains exactly what the author was trying to do with this story. A theme, that has not been pointed out in class is the inner evil that lies inside every person. This story makes us doubt the next man or woman's true intentions, and wonder if we really are the modern day sophisticated specimens we pretend to be.
This story upsetted the New York community in 1948 when it was released by the New York Times, and I believe it was for many reasons. It upsetted the status quo, the view that people had of their world at the time, and made them doubt their fellow man--given this was after the depression and war times, it was the perfect time to strike a nerve within every person that read it. Do I believe it is realistic? No, however, I do believe that it was symbolic of Jackson's views of her life, her community and her overall view of society.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Mock Facebook Page
Louise Mallard- 10 Posts
- Well, it's confirmed, my heart isn't as agile as I had wished.
- Rest in peace my love, you will be terribly missed. --with Josephine & Richards
- I just can't stop crying..
- Spring is in the air!
- I feel something is coming, I just can't place it..
- I am afraid. So many days ahead of me and I don't know how to face them.
- I am so alone, alone forever.
- Free! Body and soul free!
- I only pray that I can live a long life.
- My husband is alive! Thank the--
- The thing about windows is they seem to take you away with them..
- Article: Spring is coming!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Boys, Boys
"Girl" Imitation
Stand up straight, tuck in your shirt. No, you can't wear pink. Don't talk to your momma like that. No girl sports. Take care of your brother and sister. You will do the dishes for momma after dinner every night. Every weekend you are to mow lawns and save for college. No, you can't wear pink. You can only stay out late with teammates, don't go bringing a girl around here. Work hard in school. Only smart kids can play sports. No, you can't watch those sappy flicks. Someday you will have to take care of your mother and I. You are to be a businessman, not a grunt like me. Don't you dare disrespect your elders. And no, for god sakes, you can't wear pink.
Stand up straight, tuck in your shirt. No, you can't wear pink. Don't talk to your momma like that. No girl sports. Take care of your brother and sister. You will do the dishes for momma after dinner every night. Every weekend you are to mow lawns and save for college. No, you can't wear pink. You can only stay out late with teammates, don't go bringing a girl around here. Work hard in school. Only smart kids can play sports. No, you can't watch those sappy flicks. Someday you will have to take care of your mother and I. You are to be a businessman, not a grunt like me. Don't you dare disrespect your elders. And no, for god sakes, you can't wear pink.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Dialogue
Narrative: Robin and Claire are best friends. Recently, they have taken to a healthier lifestyle and now spend at least an hour a day working out and getting into shape at the gym. Tonight they are doing the same, but have decided to use a machine in the gym they have never used before. The two are twins, the machines that is, both working hip abductors but doing so in the opposite direction. The two girls take a seat.
Robin: "I love these machines, really work your butt."
Claire: "Can you say bikini?"
Robin: "What?"
Claire: "Every time I do a rep, no matter how embarassing it looks I say bikini! It reminds me of why I am doing this."
Robin: "Why is this embarassing?"
Claire: "Are you kidding, these machines make us look like we're maids in waiting, if you know what I mean. Swing my legs open, HELLO!"
--Both laugh uncontrollably for a few minutes"
Claire: "I feel like we should name these the hello machines."
Robin: "I think we can come up with something better than that." (Smiles)
Claire:"I know! We can call them spread and eagle!"
--Both burst out in laughter yet again--
Robin: "I knew there was a reason we are friends."
Claire: "Just trying to keep things entertaining that's all!"
Robin: "I love these machines, really work your butt."
Claire: "Can you say bikini?"
Robin: "What?"
Claire: "Every time I do a rep, no matter how embarassing it looks I say bikini! It reminds me of why I am doing this."
Robin: "Why is this embarassing?"
Claire: "Are you kidding, these machines make us look like we're maids in waiting, if you know what I mean. Swing my legs open, HELLO!"
--Both laugh uncontrollably for a few minutes"
Claire: "I feel like we should name these the hello machines."
Robin: "I think we can come up with something better than that." (Smiles)
Claire:"I know! We can call them spread and eagle!"
--Both burst out in laughter yet again--
Robin: "I knew there was a reason we are friends."
Claire: "Just trying to keep things entertaining that's all!"
Monday, February 18, 2013
Test Prep 2
Elegy- traditionally a long, serious poem describing a death or tragic occurrence. In modern poetry, it can be used for personal statements.
It is key to know that it is not
the same as a Eulogy, the words that are said in memorial at funerals, and why they both deal with loss, a Elegy deals with transition and the fact that almost everything in life is temporary. You can find them about people as well as objects.
Poem Examples
Marie Howe
This is it. Parking. Slamming the car door shut in the cold. What you called that yearning.What you finally gave up. We want the spring to come and the winter to pass. We want whoever to call or not call, a letter, a kiss-we want more and more and then more of it.But there are moments, walking, when I catch a glimpse of myself in the window glass, say, the window of the corner video store, and I'm gripped by a cherishing so deep for my own blowing hair, chapped face, and unbuttoned coat that I'm speechless: I am living. I remember you.
A.E. Houseman
The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.
To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.
Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields were glory does not stay
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.
Eyes the shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,
And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears:
Now you will not swell the rout
Of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man.
So set, before its echoes fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
And hold to the low lintel up
The still-defended challenge-cup.
And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl's.
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdHpsbsdSLI
Marie Howe
This is it. Parking. Slamming the car door shut in the cold. What you called that yearning.What you finally gave up. We want the spring to come and the winter to pass. We want whoever to call or not call, a letter, a kiss-we want more and more and then more of it.But there are moments, walking, when I catch a glimpse of myself in the window glass, say, the window of the corner video store, and I'm gripped by a cherishing so deep for my own blowing hair, chapped face, and unbuttoned coat that I'm speechless: I am living. I remember you.
A.E. Houseman
The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.
To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.
Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields were glory does not stay
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.
Eyes the shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,
And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears:
Now you will not swell the rout
Of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man.
So set, before its echoes fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
And hold to the low lintel up
The still-defended challenge-cup.
And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl's.
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdHpsbsdSLI
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Test Prep
The term I am going to further explore is "Abstraction"
Dictionary definition: Language that describes ideas or qualities rather than tangible, observable people, places and things that are described in concrete language
Creative Writing Exercise Website: http://www.practicalcreativewriting.com/abstract-creative-writing-exercises/
Example:
-Gerard Manley Hopkins 1918
Dictionary definition: Language that describes ideas or qualities rather than tangible, observable people, places and things that are described in concrete language
Creative Writing Exercise Website: http://www.practicalcreativewriting.com/abstract-creative-writing-exercises/
Example:
-Gerard Manley Hopkins 1918
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