Literature Analysis #5: One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

General:

1.  The novel One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is simply the description of a day through the eyes of a prisoner living in a camp for political prisoners in Siberia.  The entire novel is meant to describe what human beings can truly take before their very soul is broken.  Throughout the day Ivan, the main character, searches for whatever scraps of food or tools he can get his hands on.  The guards are relentless when checking the prisoners and many are sent to the "cells", however Ivan finds his away around these intense investigations.  By the end of the novel Ivan recalls his entire day and finds that it was almost a good day.

2.  I believe the novel's theme consists of the idea that the human being itself can only take so much.  We are meant to endure challenges however the life Ivan leads is simply one large challenge.  Everyday he is constantly tested whether that be through physical treatment or lack of nutrition, it seems as if everything is a struggle.  However the novel also shows what human beings can endure.  We may not be invincible but we carry ourselves well and accomplish masterful things.  If one positive aspect can be taken from this novel it is that humanity seems to often contain infinite endurance.

3.  The major tone that the author portrays throughout the entire novel is that of perseverance.  "[Senka had] escaped death by some miracle, and now he was serving his time quietly. Kick up a fuss, he said, and you're done for.  He was right there. Best to grin and bear it. Dig in your heels and they'll break you in two."  This quote is a perfect example of how some prisoners knew that if you wanted to survive sometimes you just had to give in.  "But he refused to knuckle under: he didn't put his three hundred grams on the dirty table, splashed all over, like the others, he put it on a rag he washed regularly."  Understanding this quote gives a great insight into the thought process of the main character.  He knew that if he wanted to survive, he must make conscience decisions even when it came to sanitation.  "He immediately stopped expecting anything from the goodies on display. No good letting your belly get excited when there's nothing to come."  Once again this quote displays the control Ivan had over his own body knowing never to get too excited when you must think about the necessities first.

4.
 Diction- "Alyosha , who was standing next to Shukov, gazed at the sun and looked happy, a smile on his lips. What had he to be happy about? His cheeks were sunken, he lived strictly on his rations, he earned nothing. He spent all his Sundays muttering with the other Baptists."  The author uses simple diction in order to reveal the nature of one of the characters in the novel.
Symbol- "In camp the squad leader is everything: a good one will give you a second life; a bad one will put you in your coffin."  The squad leader presented in this quote is a very important symbol not only to Ivan but the reader as well.
Metaphor- "Shukov looked up at the sky and gasped--the sun had climbed almost to the dinner hour. Wonder of wonders!"  The author portrays the sun as "climbing" up to the dinner hour which is obviously a metaphor for the day coming to an end.
Antagonist- "You had to be wide awake all the time. Make sure a warder never saw you on your own, only as one of a crowd. He might be looking for somebody to do a job, or he might just want to take his spite out on you."  Here the author describes one of the main antagonists in the novel.
Dialogue- "Why so late? Why didn't you come last night? Didn't you know there's no clinic in the morning? The sick list has gone over to PPS already."Shukhov knew all that. He also knew it was no easier to get off work in the evening.  "Yes, but, Kolya, it didn't start hurting last night, when it ought to have."  Conversation between Ivan and one of the doctors.  Here Ivan is trying to get out of work for the day.
Irony- "Next, he removed his cap from his shaven head - however cold it was, he wouldn't let himself eat with his cap on."  Although Ivan could have easily eaten with his cap on, his strict morals told him to take it off making this scene somewhat ironic.
Simile- "Writing letters home was like throwing stones into a bottomless pool. They sank without a trace."  Here Ivan is describing how when he sent letters to his wife they either never reached her or she just never responded.
Flashback- "Shukhov stared into the flames and his seven years in the north came back to him. Three years hauling logs for crates and rail ties to the log slide."  In this quote Ivan is remembering back to a time where he was not in this horrid camp.

Characterization

1.
“Shukhov said nothing.  He didn’t even nod.  He rammed on his cap and went out.  When you’re cold, don’t expect sympathy from someone who’s warm.”  This quote is an adequate representation of what a indirect characterization looks like.  The author expresses the fact that Ivan knew that he could not expect anything from someone who had it better.  “Even a prisoner’s thoughts weren’t free but kept coming back to the same thing, kept turning the same things over again.  Will they find that bread in the mattress? Will the medics put me on the sick list this evening?  Will they put the Captain in the cooler or not? And where did Caesar get that warm shirt?  He must’ve gotten it out of someone in the stores with a bribe.  Where else?”  Again the author does a great job describing just how thoughtful the character of Ivan is without directly stating it.  “Easy money doesn’t weigh anything and it doesn’t give you that good feeling you get when you really earn it.  The old saying was true - what you don’t pay for honestly, you don’t get good value for.  Shukhov’s hands were still good for something.  Back home he’d surely find himself work making stoves, or something in the carpentry line, or mending pots and pans.”  Instead of indirect characterization, this time the author precisely describes how Ivan feels the need to work and earn money the hard way rather than the more appealing and easier way.  “Some fellows always thought the grass was greener on the other side of the fence.  Let them envy other people if they wanted to, but Shukhov knew what life was about.  And he was not the kind who thought anybody owed him a living.”  Again the author gives an excellent and direct description of how Ivan knew that life was what you made of it.

2.  When the author begins to describe the character the syntax remains mostly the same however the diction starts to become precise and descriptive.   "How can you expect a man who's warm to understand a man who's cold? The cold stung. A murky fog wrapped itself around Shukhov and made him cough painfully. The temperature out there was -17; Shukov's temperature was 99. The fight was on."  Here the reader understands how Ivan had to overcome the harsh temperatures that often ravaged his body.  "Every nerve in his body was taut, all his longing was concentrated in that cigarette butt--which meant more to him now, it seemed, than freedom itself--but he would never lower himself like that Fetiukov, he would never look at a man's mouth."  Again the diction used here accurately describes Ivan's true morals.  He feels no need to beg knowing that a true man takes care of himself.

3.  Considering the fact that the novel only takes place during one single day, I would have to say that the protagonist is both static and flat.  Some readers might see this as a downfall, however because Ivan stays to his own morals the reader is intrigued to find out if Ivan ever breaks.  There are numerous situations throughout the entire novel that Ivan could have simply given up, however through every struggle he remains the same strong willed man the reader first met at the beginning of the novel.

4.  After reading this novel there is no doubt in my mind that I have met Ivan.  It is not how the author describes him that attracts me to Ivan, but simply how he remains himself throughout the entire novel.  When I am faced with the many challenges I encounter in my life I hope to live by the same morals that Ivan lived by.  No matter what obstacles he ran into, he remained the same powerful man.  Because of his extreme fortitude, he is a character that I have certainly met.

Literature Analysis #4: Henry V

General

1.  The plot of Henry V is quite simple.  King Henry IV has died and his son Henry V now takes rule over all of England.  Henry V has a very shady past involving relationships with many criminals.  The prince of France sends Henry V a very disturbing message ridiculing the new king.  Henry V decides immediately to declare war on France, gathering many troops to fight in the sudden war.  Even though many times outnumbered, the English army eventually becomes victorious aided by the passionate speeches given by the king.  After his victory, the king decides to marry the daughter of the king of France.  Henry's son will become the new king of France and the two kingdoms will finally exist in peace.

2.  I believe the theme of the novel represents what true leadership can accomplish.  Henry V is given the command to one of the most powerful kingdoms of the world quite suddenly, however without hesitation he takes control of his new leadership duty.  Many times throughout the play his army is heavily outnumbered, often doomed without any hope.  By Henry V motivating speeches, the army ignites in a swirl of passion and pride, reflecting the bold and brilliant actions of the new king.

3.  The tone generates a sense of power and strength that the author portrays when describing the main character.   "When he speaks, The air, a chartered libertine, is still."  This quote represents a perfect example of how the author recognizes the fact that the main character demands great respect.  "I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips, Straining upon the start. The game's afoot: Follow your spirit; and, upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry! England and Saint George!'"  Once again when the main character speaks the tone without a second thought stands for strength and honor.  "Give them great meals of beef and iron and steel, they will eat like wolves and fight like devils."  Although not very relative or important to the play itself, this quote speaks to the readers and allows them to grasp the importance of that single moment because of Shakespeare's use of dramatic imagery.

4.  
Imagery- "And make your chronicle as rich with praiseAs is the owse and bottom of the sea
With sunken wrack and sumless treasuries."  This quote reveals the extent Shakespeare went to in order to reveal a level of imagery that truly intrigued the reader.
Analogy- "When we have matched our rackets to these balls,We will in France, by God's grace, play a set Shall strike his father's crown into the hazard."  From this the reader is able to understand the idea that Shakespeare is trying to compare the dispute with France with a game that includes rackets and balls.
Imagery- "Now all the youth of England are on fire, And silken dalliance in the wardrobe lies."  Again I use imagery in order to stress the idea that Shakespeare truly wanted the reader to understand just how upset the commoners of England were.
Simile- "As cold as any stone."  Shakespeare uses this simile in order to compare one of the main characters personalities to that of a stone.
Simile- "Give them great meals of beef and iron and steel, they will eat like wolves and fight like devils."  Again Shakespeare uses a creative simile in order to reveal what his soldiers would do if they were given adequate meal.

Characterization

1.  "His nose was as sharp as a pen, and a’ babbled of green fields."  This I believe is the most obvious direct characterization quote I found throughout the entire play.  It is obvious that Shakespeare is merely describing the physical characteristics of Henry V.  "I think the king is but a man, as I am: the violet smells to him as it doth to me."  Although at first glance this quote might appear to be a direct characterization, after deeper analysis I found it to be a great example of indirect characterization.  The character making this observation believes that the king is a man like any other, who smells flowers like any other man does.  "Upon the king! let us our lives, our souls, Our debts, our careful wives, Our children, and our sins lay on the king!"  Again Shakespeare utilizes indirect characterization in order to reveal the influence the new king had on his subjects and how they trusted him with there very lives.  "When he speaks, the air, a chartered libertine, is still."  I use this quote again because of the direct characterization that can be tied along with it.  Shakespeare simply states the strength that Henry V exerts when he speaks.

2.  Similar to that of the theme when the author begins to portray the main character, both his syntax and diction exemplify a strong and well-to-do character.   "Upon the king! let us our lives, our souls,
Our debts, our careful wives, Our children, and our sins lay on the king!"  After examining this quote and others of similar form, it is simple to apply the idea that the syntax and diction do not change when the author begins to focus on a description of the main character, instead the description merely reflects the overwhelming tone of the entire play. 

3.   I believe Henry V is quite the dynamic character.  When he does not assume the throne of England his ways of acting or anything but princely.  He makes contact with felons and those deemed different from the rest of society.  However after his father's sudden death, he takes the reins of England and seeks justice after a mocking letter from the prince of France.  Without a second thought Henry V gathers an army and attacks the French.  Although greatly outnumbered, Henry motivates his troops with brilliant speeches, exhibiting his true leadership abilities.  I also believe the main character is flat.  I believe that he had the confidence of a true leader but shadowed by his own father.  Therefore he had always had the strength, but just was never given the chance.

4.  I felt as though after reading this play I came away feeling as if I had met a person.  Henry V is a character that I now look up to and want to very much replicate.  I am in a very stressful leadership position at school so I feel as if I can relate to the integrity a leader must have, like Henry V, to overcome the many obstacles that come into play during one's leadership role.  "Every subject's duty is the king's; but every subject's soul is his own."  This quote is quite relevant in my leadership role that I take on in that you have to convince those who follow not only to do the work they are delegated to do, but develop ideas of their own rather than becoming true sycophants.  It is for this reason that Henry V is a character that I felt that I have already met and really hope to continue the relationship. 

Thinking Outside the Box

Plato and Satre share a strong similarity between their idea of what the human limitations are and how to overcome them.  The greatest example comes from the fact that in order to conquer one's own fears, it is the responsibility of that certain person to find who they truly are.  For Plato this self enlightenment came in the form of being released from the shadows of misconception that we as human beings all too often fall into.  He believed that in order to find the true morality of one's own being, one must escape from the beliefs and values the world delegates and rather pursue a destiny in which the "true being" is found.  On the other hand, Satre affirmed that the cultivation of life itself can only be discovered by liberating oneself from the evils that others seemingly force upon each other.  Understanding that one must sift through the many people that he or she encounters until finding the one that only conveys positive desires is the final step into finding who we really are.  Although both portray very dynamic views on life, Plato and Satre ultimately share an unbreakable bond.

Both authors make great use of hell as an extended metaphor.  Plato's immediate setting is without a doubt a cave, however by further analyzing the setting one can find that it is without a doubt hell on Earth.  Satre instead directly makes use of the setting of hell as an extended metaphor.  Without the reader even perceiving a different setting Satre makes use of numerous literary elements to describe his wicked setting.  In conclusion, both authors create a sense of how we as humans are often faced with the challenges of an overwhelming life. 

No Exit

1.  If I was to create a hell I believe it would be filled with things that I hate the most or find most annoying.  This could be quite a long list but I will try to narrow it down.  Disrespecting others, having constant worries, and feeling lost would be elements that would make up my own hell.  I certainly believe the mind can be in hell in a beautiful place.  Yes, I believe there is a way to find peace in a hellish environment.
2.  Hell can certainly be described as too much of anything without a break.  Whether a negative or positive constant, too much of one thing often looses its own value.  Once it looses a sense of humanity, hell begins to take over.
3.  Satre creates a sense of place through dialogue by simply giving a brief description of the setting around the characters.  "To my uncle's place. He's the head valet here. He has a room on the third floor."  Certainly knowing that you can't leave a specific place is an overwhelming tortuous event, however also knowing that the ability to close your eye's is impossible makes for a truly perfect hell.  Garcin surprisingly remains relatively calm throughout the entire scene.  If I was in Garcin's position my ability to function would be completely shut down.  I would never like to twist my daily activities around so that everyday habits become hell, however if I had to I believe my utter need for perfection would truly make my life a living hell.  If I constantly made sure every aspect in my life was perfect, I would certainly create a hell on Earth for myself.  There is most certainly a pattern of circumstances that reinforces the experience of hell and I believe that is simply repetition of a certain event that destroys one's self morals.  

Allegory of the Cave Sonnet

Where can the realities of life be found?
Quite possibly in a dark and solemn cave
Lit by shadows that truly astound
Overcome only by the brave

He who leaves the cave has a moral duty
To renew the lives of those prisoners within
And show them life's real beauty
Though they prove not even kin

For this is the life a great leader must pursue
To take the challenges and obstacles at hand
And be able to make do
In order to discover life's everlasting land

So it is with great hope that one must admit
That the realities of life are spread by those who prove fit.

Weekly Music Video: 11-19-12

Dear Mama- 2Pac
Since this week is all about being thankful for what we have, I thought this video would definitely be appropriate.  Hope you enjoy!

Light Is My End Sonnet

Literature Analysis #3: The Old Man and the Sea

1. The Old Man and the Sea is a novel about the struggle between an aged fisherman and the catch of his life.  Santiago has gone eighty four days without catching a fish, bringing his hopes down as well as his apprentice.  Manolin, Santiago's prodigy, is forced to no longer fish with Santiago due to his overwhelming bad luck.  Santiago continues to fish even without his most trusted assistant.  One day Santiago once again travels the ocean waiting for even a nibble.  Finally after much time an enormous marlin gets caught on Santiago's hook.  They fight for many days until Santiago is finally able to reel the monstrous fish in.  After he spears the marlin, he decides to make for land excited to see the reaction on the villagers.  On his journey back however numerous sharks approach the huge fish, taking large pieces of flesh right in front of Santiago.  Santiago manages to fight off most of the sharks however by the time he reaches land the prized marlin is nothing but a skeleton.  Although very distraught, the villagers marvel at the size of the marlin and praise the old man's fortitude.

2. I feel as if the theme of the novel greatly expresses self encouragement.  Through out the battle with the great marlin the old man constantly reminds himself never to give in.  Joe DiMaggio, Santiago's favorite baseball player, gives the old man the confidence he needs to carry on, asking himself constantly, "What would Joe do?"  Even after the great fish is ravaged by the constant flow of sharks, Santiago always reminds himself to finish what he has started.

3. The tone of the novel is that of great sympathy for the old man.  It is obvious that the author feels something for the main character.

• “Let him think that I am more man than I am and I will be so.”- At this point Ernest Hemingway is showing the reader the main character's weaknesses.  But instead of mocking Santiago, Hemingway instead builds the main character up in a way.
• “It's silly not to hope. It's a sin he thought.”- Again Hemingway reflects his sympathy towards Santiago by portraying the message that in order to finish what he has done, Santiago must hope."

• “If the others heard me talking out loud they would think that I am crazy. But since I am not, I do not care.”- Finally, Hemingway could be mocking the character but instead he decides to reinforce the idea of the strength and will that Santiago possesses.

4.

• Rhetorical Question-“Luck is a thing that comes in many forms and who can recognize her?”  The reader is not meant to answer this question but simply ponder on it.
• Symbolism-“Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.” Joe DiMaggio is a symbol of strength and courage throughout the entire novel.
• Antagonist- “Why did they make birds so delicate and fine as those sea swallows when the ocean can be so cruel?” Most readers might believe that the marlin would be the antagonist when in reality I believe it is the ocean itself.
• Connotation- “I hate a cramp, he thought. It is a treachery of one's own body.” Instead of directly stating what a cramp is, Santiago instead decided to elaborate on a different definition of what a cramp means to him.
• Allusion- “But I think the Great DiMaggio would be proud of me today.” When Hemingway wrote this novel I believe he thought most would know who the "Great DiMaggio" really was.
• Personification- “The fish is my friend too," he said aloud. "I have never seen or heard of such a fish. But I must kill him. I am glad we do not have to try to kill the stars." For some reason Santiago thinks of the marlin as his friend, almost treating it as a cherished relationship.
• Diction-  “Fish," he said softly, aloud, "I'll stay with you until I am dead.” The diction throughout the entire novel is very simply, however it often packs a very powerful punch.
• Syntax- “But man is not made for defeat," he said. "A man can be destroyed but not defeated. " Again the syntax is very simply however because of the way Hemingway arranged these elementary words, he created a powerful and everlasting quote.

Characterization

1.

• Direct Characterization- "Everything about him was old except his eyes and they were the same color as the sea and were cheerful and undefeated." Hemingway decides to use direct characterization here in order to inform the reader on just how vivid the eye's of the old man were.
• Direct Characterization- "Why did they make birds so delicate and fine as those sea swallows when the ocean can be so cruel? She is kind and very beautiful. But she can be so cruel and it comes so suddenly and such birds that fly, dipping and hunting, with their small sad voices are made too delicately for the sea." Although a form of personification, Hemingway again uses direct characterization when describing the personalities of the ocean.
• Indirect Characterization- "Do you believe the great DiMaggio would stay with a fish as long as I will stay with this one? he thought. I am sure he would and more since he is young and strong. Also his father was a fisherman. But would the bone spur hurt him too much?" From this quote the reader understands that Hemingway is describing Santiago's pain without directly stating it.
• Indirect Characterization- "After he judged that his right hand had been in the water long enough he took it out and looked at it.  "It is not bad," he said. "And pain does not matter to a man."  Although this might seem as if this represents a direct characterization quote, it in fact portrays the extreme pain Santiago is in without being candid about it.

2. Hemingway is known for his simple syntax, therefore when he starts to describe Santiago's character his syntax does not change. "He no longer dreamed of storms, nor of women , nor of great occurrences, nor of great fish, nor fights, nor contests of strength, nor of his wife. He only dreamed of places now and of the lions on the beach They played like young cats in the dusk and he loved them as he loved the boy."  It is obvious that Hemingway's light syntax is carried throughout the novel even when describing the main character.  "But the old man always thought of her as feminine and as something that gave or withheld great favors, and if she did wild or wicked things it was because she could not help them. The moon affects her as it does a woman, he thought."  Again Hemingway's syntax and diction does not change when he portrays the feelings of Santiago, they simply describe exactly what Santiago is feeling in that very moment.

3. I believe that Santiago is without a doubt a static character.  Most readers would find a static character to be boring or dull, however it is Santiago's positive spirit that makes him such an interesting character.  Even when the ocean and the entire world is against him, Santiago remains calm and ready for the next challenge.  He is given many opportunities to quit but decides to carry on because of how far he has already gotten.  Santiago also feels deep emotions for the sea even when it tears him down into submission.  He respects the ocean and understands the actions it takes against him.  I also find Santiago to be a flat character.  He remains true to himself, for there is nothing to change about Santiago.  If Hemingway was to make Santiago a round character I do not believe there would be such a lovely appeal to Santiago's character.  Therefore there is not a doubt in my mind that Santiago is a flat character.

4. Honestly I feel as though I have met Santiago after reading the novel.  He is a person I have always wanted to meet.  Santiago has a strong will and an everlasting positive personality.  I hope that someday I will meet a persona exactly like Santiago.  "Fish, I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends."  This might seem like a very gruesome example, however it shows the main characters true honesty.  Most fisherman would not announce that they are going to kill a fish for fear of a bad omen, however Santiago declares it knowing that in order to succeed in his task he must stay honest.  Although a very simple character, Santiago is a character I hope to meet one day.

Big Question

What is the definition of success?


Oh and by the way, the answer to the meaning of life is 42

Sonnet Analysis Part I

Introduction

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and influential poetic patterns in the English language. The form's relatively short length (14 lines) and intricate rhyming structure has inspired poets as diverse as Dante, Shakespeare, Spenser, Rilke, Auden, Dylan Thomas and Elizabeth Bishop. One of the sonnet's greatest virtues is its ability to force the poet to use condensed language in a lyrical structure . The form's limitations, instead of being seen as a disadvantage, should be seen as an opportunity to refine and deepen your thoughts. As Wordsworth said in his famous poem:

Nuns fret not at their convent's narrow room Nuns fret not at their convent's narrow room And hermits are contented with their cells; And students with their pensive citadels; Maids at the wheel, the weaver at his loom, Sit blithe and happy; bees that soar for bloom, High as the highest Peak of Furness-fells, Will murmur by the hour in foxglove bells: In truth the prison, into which we doom Ourselves, no prison is: and hence for me, In sundry moods, 'twas pastime to be bound Within the Sonnet's scanty plot of ground; Pleased if some Souls (for such there needs must be) Who have felt the weight of too much liberty, Should find brief solace there, as I have found. --by William Wordsworth

History

The word sonnet derives the Italian word sonneto which means "little song." The earliest sonnets date from about 1200, and were probably sung as expressions of romantic love in Italian courtyards. The 14-line form was popularized by Petrarch in the 14th century with his work "Canzoniere" a sequence of 366 poems, most of which were dedicated to an idealized lover. Petrarch's work influence many European writers such as Dante and Boccaccio and eventually spread to England influencing Chaucer.
By Shakespeare's time, the English version of the Sonnet had diverged slightly from the Italian form breaking into three quatrains and a final couplet rather than the octave, sestet structure of the Italian version. Both varieties usually contain a shift in tone, stance or viewpoint , called a volta, after the 8th line, and sometimes in the final couplet in the Shakespearean version.
In the early Renaissance, the sonnet was primarily used as an expression of courtly love, but by the late Renaissance, it had evolved to encompass passionate religious, philosophical and political themes.

Contemporary usage

Many contemporary poets still use the sonnet structure occasionally, although few write exclusively in this form. The sonnet's relatively short length and ability to create tension between narrative and lyricism is well suited to a culture that values brevity and storytelling. However, some poets find the iambic foot and fixed rhyme scheme too forced for contemporary usage.

Advantages of writing in the sonnet form

The sonnet is a wonderful vehicle to explore shifts in tone, viewpoint or argument. It allows the poet to develop a position or mood in the first eight lines and then shift to a different mood or position in the last part of the poem. The structure's ability to develop a story is offset by the musical nature of the rhyme scheme creating an interesting tension between narrative and lyricism.

 

Key Points

The sonnet is an example of accentual-syllabic verse. This means that the form has a fixed number of stresses (or accents) and syllables in each line.
14 lines
Usually iambic pentameter
Contains a marked shift in tone or argument called a volta
Two main types

Petrarchan (also called Italian)

• Octave (8 lines) (abba abba) or (abab cdcd)
• Sestet (six lines) (cdc cdc) or (cde cde)
• The rhyme scheme has several variations

Shakespearean

• Three quatrains & a final couplet (or all 14 lines in one stanza)
• Rhyme scheme (abab cdcd efef gg) (varies)
• Final rhyming couplet is defining feature

One of the easiest ways to recognize a sonnet is to count the number of lines. Rhyme scheme and meter vary depending on the type of sonnet, but if a poem has fourteen lines, it is a clue that the poem may be sonnet or is evoking some aspect of the sonnet.

All of this information was found here

An interesting article for Sonnets can be found here

Vocabulary: Fall List #11

Affinity- relationship by marriage
"If this affinity did not exist,  I believe I would have no relationship with this woman."

Bilious- of or indicative of a peevish ill nature disposition

"My bilious towards the peculiar man was something I could not hold back."

Cognate- of the same nature

"The cognate discipline was used by all of the teachers."

Corollary- A proposition inferred Immediately from a proved proposition with little or no additional proof

"The corollary after being shot in the head is most certainly death."

Cul-de-sac- a pouch

"I have lived in a cul-de-sac my entire life."

Derring-do- a daring action

"Evil Kenevil committed many derring-do's during his lifetime."

Divination- The art or practice that seeks to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge due to the interpretation of omens

"My mom has become very interested in divination."

Elixir- A substance capable of prolonging life indefinitely

"I hope to never find an elixir due to the idea that we as humans are supposed to die eventually."

Folderol- a useless accessory

"Many athletes purchase folderols because of their competitive spirit."

Gamut- an entire range or series

"The gamut of weapons in the artillery would have frightened any opposition."

Hoi polloi- the General populace

"The hoi polloi all agreed that Obama should continue to be our president."

Ineffable- incapable of being expressed in words

"The love I have for my girlfriend is ineffable."

Lucubration- to study by night

"Most lucubration is done by prominent inventors."

Mnemonic- intended to assist memory

"The mnemonic device was infective when trying to bring my grandfather's hearing back."

Obloquy- abusive language

"Parents who use obloquy are often bad parents."

Parameter- guideline, boundary or outer limit

"The parameters of the castle where unknown to the architect until he realized how large he had made it."

Pundit- a learned man

"I find pundits to be quite interesting."

Risible- provoking laughter

"The risible joke to one might not seem so funny to another."

Symptomatic- having the characteristics of a certain disease but arising of a different cause

"Symptomatic of a lack of good judgment."

Volte-face- a reversal in policy 

"I was surprised by the volte-face until I realized that it would benefit my future actions."

Weekly Music Video: 11-4-12

"Wings"- Macklemore
This was me growing up.  Enjoy:)

Sonnet

Light 
by Willis Barnstone

 Light is my end. Born when a few cells fuse
in a big bang of love, from nothing I 
become a mass living in time, and lose
my black aloneness for the unseen eye
of mind catching you. We two think and burn. 
Back in 1905 Albert Einstein, 
a clerk in the Patent Office in Bern,
found we electromagnetically shine,
which means that I am charged with being me,
discharging like the sun. And when my mass
and time slow down to zero gravity,
dismembering me to be infinite night,
Albert's mc2 tells me though my ass
will disappear, I shall turn into light

GROWING MY PLN

Finding resources for Hamlet was a lot more difficult than I expected.  I have to admit that I found more rabbit holes then resources.  Every time I clicked on a link I would expect it to take me to a land of endless information on Hamlet, yet for the most part I usually came across a website of dull facts and lame advertisements.  However after some time, I was finally able to discover five resources which I could proudly proclaim offered valid information on Hamlet. 

AP HAMLET: PLN

http://aplove.blogspot.com/2007/11/ap-lit-hamlet-actscene-notes.html

• Great summaries of scenes throughout Hamlet.  Can't wait to use this as a resource.  

http://quizlet.com/subject/composition-literature-ap-hamlet-act/

• Vocab, vocab, vocab.  I know Dr. Preston would definitely appreciate this!  Will help when I am reviewing Hamlet and find words I am unfamiliar with.    

http://gallagherseniorhonors.blogspot.com/2008/03/hamlet-study-guide.html

• Links to many students who are studying Hamlet.  Although this class is a year old, it might still prove useful.  

https://sites.google.com/a/wjps.org/apliterature-wjps/hamlet-by-william-shakespeare

• Full list of resources for Hamlet!  From study guides to lectures. ***

http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xHamlet.html

• Amazing study guide for Hamlet!  Even has essay topics, which is perfect because we now have to write an essay for Hamlet.

Vocabulary: Fall List #10

aficionado- a serious devotee of some particular music genre or musical performer
browbeat- to discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate
commensurate- able to be measured by a common standard
diaphanous- Of such fine texture as to be transparent or translucent
emolument- Payment for an office or employment
foray- A sudden raid or military advance
genre- A realistic style of painting that depicts scenes from everyday life
homily- An inspirational saying or platitude
immure- To confine within or as if within walls; imprison
insouciant- carefree or unconcerned; light-hearted
matrix- a substance, situation, or environment in which something has its origin, takes form, or is enclosed
obsequies- A funeral rite or ceremony
panache- A bunch of feathers or a plume, especially on a helmet.
persona- The role that one assumes or displays in public or society; one's public image or personality, as distinguished from the inner self
philippic- a bitter or impassioned speech of denunciation; invective
prurient- unusually or morbidly interested in sexual thoughts or practices
sacrosanct- Regarded as sacred and inviolable
systemic- Of or relating to systems or a system
tendentious- Marked by a strong implicit point of view; partisan
vicissitude- A change or variation

Literature Analysis #2: Brave New World

1. Brave New World is a novel about our world in which everyone is given specific jobs according to how they are bred.  This novel is set in the future and is based on a utopian society.  Your class is based on how much oxygen you are given when still an egg.  Those given less oxygen tend to be of a lower class and vice versa.  The God everyone worships was the creator of the modern assembly line, Henry Ford.  The narrative certainly fulfills the authors purpose in that it demonstrates how absurd such a society would be.  The entire novel is one complete satire
2. The theme of the novel reflects the idea of a society engulfed in technology.  People in this society find that life is too overwhelming to truly understand so by controlling all aspects of life, one releases the normal stress of life itself.  The author portrays through the novel how the reality of such a life is quite lackluster, in fact the qualms and fears that people have actually make life much more interesting.
3. The author's tone can be seen as very melodramatic.  The reason for this is because the author wants the reader to understand that the life the characters are sadly experiencing is so dull that it must me made interesting with a taste of sarcasm.  "Hinted at the gravity of the so-called "trauma of decanting," and enumerated the precautions taken to minimize, by a suitable training of the bottled embryo, the dangerous shock."  This quote obviously makes little sense out of context, which is what the author I believe was trying to accomplish.  "Bernard drew a deep breath and squared his shoulders, bracing himself to meet the dislike and disapproval which he was certain of finding within."  Once again the author offers a sense of great drama in order to make the scene more enticing.  Finally sayings including "Orgy Porgy" and "Thank Ford!" represent again the dramatic and overwhelming sarcasm the author portrays throughout the entire novel.
4.

• Imagery--"Meanwhile, it was a privilege.  Straight from the horse's mouth into the notebook.  The boys scribbled like mad."  This quote gives the reader the understanding of the physical appearance of the Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning.  It also gives some kind of comic relief. (pg.4).  "He rubbed his hands.  For of course, they didn't content themselves with merely hatching out embryos: any cow could do that."  Once again the other uses imagery to give a sense of the complexity taking place in this factory.  The author gives the idea that what is developing is something truly important. (pg. 13)
• Onomonopia--Organ Store in the sub-basement.  Whizz and then, click!  the life-hatches flew open."  The word "whizz" imitates the sound of a some kind of operation being done with fidelity and quickness.  Makes this part of the scene more appealing to read. (pg.9)
• Simile--"He pointed upwards.  Like chickens drinking, the students lifted their eyes towards the distant ceiling."  The students taking the tour are in awe when the director decided to point at the galleries connected to the ceilings.  Makes the reader understand just how great the setting really is. (pg.11)
• Satire--"...you all remember, I suppose, that beautiful and inspired saying of Our Ford's: History is bunk."  In this quote the author presents the idea that history should not be remembered because of the constant struggles humans had to endure. (pg.34) .   "What suffocating intimacies, what dangerous, insane, obscene relationships between the members of the family group."  The idea of family is being highly criticized in this quote in order for the reader to understand that the simple idea disgusted the majority of the population. (pg.37)
• Pun--"The more stitches the less riches..."  This quote enables the reader to understand the concept of consumerism which is highly prioritized as keeping the balance of the society as a whole.  They believe that if you fix what you buy, there is no point to continue to consume which will throw off the economy.  (pg. 51)
• Diction--"Phosgene, chloropicrin, ethyl iodoacetate, diphenylcyanarsine, trichlormehty, chloroformate, dickhlotethy sulphide.  Not to mention hydrocyanic acid."  Most of the general public would not know what any of these chemical structures are, however the author uses these once again to intrigue the reader." (pg.47).  "The President stood up, made the sign of the T and, switching on the synthetic music, let loose the soft indefatigable beating of drums and choir of instruments--near wind and super-string--that plangently repeated..."  This novel certainly aims to write towards a direct age group.  The diction presented in this quote is far from elementary.  
• Syntax--"On Rack 10 rows of next generation's chemical workers were being trained in the toleration of lead, caustic soda, tar, and chlorine."  The author's syntax waste's no time circumnavigating around details.  Instead the author tends to get right to the point without wasting any precious time.  
• Motif-- The novel focuses heavily on sex as a motif.  I feel that this motif is used so frequently because sex is something that is known as a great stress reliever and the main focus of this novel is to relieve stress in some way.
• Symbol-- Soma is a drug taken in order to feel basically more happy and relaxed.  Again the author is stressing the point that the general population cannot survive on stress which why it often needs things like Soma to relieve it.
• Irony-- The title itself is quite ironic.  Brave New World when taken into consideration is not at all what it seems.  In fact the world that the characters thrive in is consumed by fear, not lead by bravery. 

Characterization:
1. "The world’s stable now. People are happy; they get what they want, and they never want what they can’t get... And if anything should go wrong, there’s soma."  This quote is a great example of indirect characterization.  The author wants to portray just how naive Mustapha Mond really is when it comes to the world around him.
   "Put your arms around me...Hug me till you drug me, honey...Kiss me till I’m in a coma. Hug me honey, snuggly..."  Once again the author takes advantage of indirect characterization to portray the melodramatic personalities of the many characters in the novel.
   "Each of them carried a notebook, in which, whenever the great man spoke, he desperately scribbled.  Straight from the horse's mouth."  This quote represents direct characterization in that the director is seen as a higher figure that the students look up to.
   "Beckoning to a fair-haired, ruddy young man who happened to be passing at the moment."  Again the author is making great use of direct characterization in order to reveal physical traits about that single character.

2. When the author begins to describe a character, his diction becomes much more elementary when compared to the rest of the novel.  "His fordship Mustapha Mond!  The eyes of the saluting students almost popped out of their heads.  Mustapha Mond!  The Resident Controller for Western Europe!  One of the Ten World Controllers."  As the reader notices when the author decided to describe a character he makes sure that the readers are able to fully grasp what exact persona each character gives off.  Instead of intertwining difficult words into his text, he would rather have the reader understand the character rather than be lost in a complicated description.

3.  I believe the main character is mostly static throughout the entire novel until he is finally blinded by is optimism.  John is a character who is rejected by both the past and the future, however is he able to keep himself afloat by communicating his thoughts and ideas through the works of Shakespeare.  He wants to see the world as it is but finds it often confusing and somewhat dull.  I feel that he is also a very flat character in that he never truly changes his ways until his death.  With the occurrence of  John's death the reader is able to grasp the idea that John has decided to take the most drastic route by proclaiming his opposition to the world around him.  I believe that if John could have developed a more "livelier" way of conflicting the outside world, he could have possibly been a dynamic character.

4.  Honestly I feel that I have merely read a character.  The characters in the novel are not people I really would like to meet, therefore I have no interest in finding a deeper meaning to each character.  I cannot simply pinpoint an exact textual example because I feel as the the entire novel is one example of the world I do not wish to live in.  I believe life is meant to be difficult and that it is our right to be free in expressing ourselves.  This novel offers a satirical version of what life would be if we could not control our own future, and that scares me.  For all of these reasons I feel that I have only read about characters rather than "meeting" these characters per say.
 

Tools That Change the Way We Think

RELIANCE.  "I can't believe I forgot how to make that recipe!  Oh wait, let me just find it in my favorites bar."  "What time did that movie start again?  Check Moviefone you idiot!"  "I wonder what my friends are doing tonight?  Just check out the good ol' Facebook wall."  We now live in a society where our minds merely consume ideas and spit them out within a couple of minutes.  We have adapted to the fact that the internet is our savior and without "him" we would be lost.  NO WE WOULDN'T!  People lived thousands of years before Twitter, before Instagram, before Tumblr, and actually enjoyed life. 
Although it may appear that my anger is seething through this very text, I am apart of that percent which views the internet as a heavenly being.  I am constantly checking my phone.  In fact I have gotten to a point where I believe my leg is vibrating when in reality I am fantasizing with the idea that someone has actually texted me.  I must admit that I have become a "tech holic".
The question now becomes, how should we as a society fight this addiction?  Should we pursue the lives of those in the novel Fahrenheit 451, but instead burn houses that contain technology rather then books?  Or is there a less radical path that we may pursue?  Whatever the solution may be, my way of life and millions upon billions of others have been changed because of technology.  Time will only tell if this leads to our advancement, or to our demise.

Vocabulary: Fall List #9

Abortive: failing to produce the intended result
"The Los Angeles Lakers were abortive after going 0-82 during the regular season."

Bruit: spread a report or rumor widely
"My friend bruited that I had failed my English final, when in reality I had aced it!"

Contumelious: scornful and insulting behavior
"A contumelious person is most likely a strongly disliked person."

Dictum: a formal pronouncement from an authoritative source; a short statement that expresses a general truth or principle
"The President must make dictum's during the debates or his popularity will diminish."

Ensconce: establish or settle
"After I punished my friend in Battle Ship, I ensconced my dominance over him."

Iconoclastic: characterized by attack on established beliefs or institutions
"A terrorist can be seen as a true iconoclastic by frightening those who seem powerless."

In medias res: a narrative that begins somewhere in the middle of a story rather than the beginning
"I find in medias res to be quite annoying!"

Internecine: destructive to both sides in a conflict
"The nuclear bomb proved to be internecine for both sides."

Maladroit: ineffective or bungling; clumsy
"Basketball is a game in which being maladroit cannot be accepted."

Maudlin: self-pitying or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness
"The maudlin woman could not take herself away from the bar."

Modulate: exert a modifying or controlling influence on
"Parents often modulate rules for their children to prevent them from running into trouble."

Portentous: of or like a portent; done in a pompously or overly solemn manner
"Without realizing his portentous actions, the husband made an incredibly self-centered remark."

Prescience: the power to foresee the future
"With precise prescience, I believe I could have a much better control on my life."

Quid pro quo: a favor or advantage granted in return for something
"The quid pro quo I had used to find a date to homecoming was given to me after I helped my friend find a date as well."

Salubrious: health-giving, healthy; pleasant, not run-down
"I was given a salubrious amount of turkey on Thanksgiving day."

Saturnalia: the ancient Roman festival of Saturn in December; an occasion of wild revelry
"The dance was anything but a Saturnalia."

Touchstone: a standard or criterion by which something is judged or recognized
"Without a touchstone, the Olympic athletes would not be able to compete at the highest level."

Traumatic: emotionally disturbing or distressing; relating to or causing psychological trauma
"I find that traumatic scenes in movies are actually quite humorous."

Vitiate: spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of; destroy or impair the legal validity of.
"The racer decided to cheat and vitiate his competitor's car."

Waggish: humorous in a playful, mischievous, or facetious manner
"Children often become the most waggish when surrounded by other children."

Notes on Hamlet

I must admit that I am very enthralled by Hamlet's revenge.  Since the play began I thought that Hamlet would immediately seek revenge, however he has instead let time run its course.  Even when he had a perfectly good chance to inflict the pain on Claudius that he had received earlier in the play, Hamlet decided to wait.  This is the only thing that has evolved since the start of the play for me.
From this point in the play I believe that Hamlet will create a plan in order to truly destroy the life of Claudius.  The effort he has put in to restrain his anger for this long proves that whatever he comes up with will be epic to say the least.

Who Was Shakespeare?

Shakespeare is quite the myth.  Many believe that he could possibly be a fake.  It is known that Shakespeare's father was a glover who could not write.  In fact he marked an "X" when signing documents.  So why would Shakespeare be able to write with such ease and grace?

There is a theory that a man by the name of Edward DeVere is the true artist behind these great works of literature.  DeVere was a nobleman, but because Shakespeare often ridiculed the upper class in his works, one may find it easy to understand why DeVere would go to such great lengths to hide his identity.  Furthermore, DeVere spent a significant time in Italy and Europe, supporting again the idea that DeVere is the author since many of Shakespeare's works take place in Venice and other European locations.

I believe we (and I am talking about my generation) have been handed down by past generations an ugly reputation of Shakespeare himself.  Every time his name is mentioned in a crowd of teenagers a shriek of horror is bound to emerge.  This is not our fault however because we have merely been bequeathed this terrible reputation.

I think I finally understand that Shakespeare cannot be taken seriously.  I believe that by not taking his works seriously, one is able to understand the true meanings of his timeless themes.  I certainly do not mean that one should merely glide over this literature, but to find those meanings that truly speak to them.


Duck Duck Go
http://www.field-of-themes.com/shakespeare/essays/Emanormyth.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare

To Facebook or Not to Facebook?

Honestly my first impressions of Facebook were full of excitement.  My mom had previously renounced any thought of my personal information being open to the world wide web.  However after much pressure, I was able to convince her that my maturity exceeded most online and that I could and should have a Facebook.  When my mom could think of no other rebuttal's, she finally allowed me to join the world of Facebook,  I was ecstatic to say the least.  Now I could find and communicate with friends in a safe environment, or could I?  After reading "Why Facebook is After Your Kids", I am starting to find Facebook as less appealing than I first thought.  According to this article, Facebook is able to basically steal my private information and sell it off to companies yearning for a needy teenager.  This is taking place all without my knowledge.
Yes, Facebook does allow human beings to share information with the rest of the word, but for what price?  There must be a line drawn that separates our viral being from those who wish to use it to their advantage.

Autopsy of Vocab Midterm

• I felt I did better than I expected.  In fact, my qualms and worries about my score were shunned after I received my test back.  
• I can attribute the outcome to the time I put in studying.  I believe if I would have studied at least fifteen to twenty minutes longer each night and started earlier I would have improved my score.  I also did not reach out to my mom for help like I had planned, but instead used the resources Michelle Arriaga posted on her blog.  
• Again like I said above in order to improve my score i must start studying at an earlier date.  If I am to do this however a schedule must be included so that I will be able to track how much time I am giving each night to studying.  Next time I will also take advantage of an adult's assistance so that my verbal studying will be just as profound as my cerebral studying.

Fresh Prince of Denmark: Remix of Hamlet

Now this is the story all about how
My life got flipped, turned upside down
And I'd like to take a minute just sit right there
I'll tell you how I started to seize revenge on my evil uncle Claudius

In west Denmark born and raised
In the castles lower bailey where I spent most of my days
Chilling out, fencing, relaxing all cool 
When my evil Uncle Claudius, was up to no good
Decided to kill my father Hamlet because he thought he'd be hood                                                                I got a little crazy and my mom got scared  
And said to her new husband that I must be cared

I called on some players I knew would help me and when they came near                                                      I told them how to mock the death of my father and it became clear                                                                                                       
When Claudius ran out of the play after poison was dropped into one of the actors ear
He was the true murderer and my revenge was sincere

I was called by my mom about seven or eight
And I yelled at her and she screamed for help
For someone was spying on us so my sword I whelped
and stabbed that darn Polonius right in the heart

P.S. I know this is very corny, hopefully you found it humorous though!

Vocabulary: Fall List #8/Vocab Paragraph on Hamlet

abeyance (noun) A state of temporary disuse or suspension

ambivalent (adjective) Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

beleaguer (verb) Beset with difficulties

carte blanche (noun) Complete freedom to act as one wishes or thinks best

cataclysm (noun) A large-scale and violent event in the natural world

debauch (verb) Destroy or debase the moral purity of; corrupt.

eclat (noun) An enthusiastic approval

fastidious (adjective) Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail

gambol (verb) Run or jump about playfully

imbue (verb) Inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality

inchoate (adjective) Just begun and so not fully formed or developed

lampoon (verb) Publicly criticize (someone or something) by using ridicule or sarcasm

malleable (adjective) Easily influenced; pliable

nemesis (noun) The inescapable or implacable agent of someone's or something's downfall

opt (verb) Make a choice from a range of possibilities

philistine (noun) A person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts, or who has no understanding of them

picaresque (adjective) Of or relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the 

adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero

queasy (adjective) Nauseated; feeling sick

refractory (adjective) Stubborn or unmanageable

savoir-faire (noun) The ability to act or speak appropriately in social situations

Hamlet is a very ambivalent character to say the least.  The cataclysm that beleaguers his life is the sudden death of his father.  Hamlet's actions become refractory when told his father's death was merely an accident, in fact he is quite queasy at the idea that his mother is so malleable to believe this terrible event was nothing more than an accident.  Hamlet decides to opt out from the celebration arranged for the new king Claudius.  Even when he does however, Claudius indirectly lampoons Hamlet with such savoir-faire that the audience is not even given a chance to recognize the insult.  Hamlet is finally given an eclat at revenge when the ghost of his father visits him and speaks of his own murder.