How is she doing this?
That could pretty much sum up my feelings as I was reading these past few chapters. Nikki's descriptions of her mother's murder and what she looked like when she found her dead were horrifying. I can't imagine what I would do if it were me in a situation like that. To be honest, I don't know if I would be strong enough to survive something like that. However, I wouldn't know, because I have never experienced death first hand.
I've only been to two funerals in my life-time, and neither of them were for people I was very close to. I was sad, sure, but it was nothing like the kind of grief one must experience when dealing with the death, or in this case murder, of a parent or even a close friend. I do know people, some even my own age or younger, who have had to deal with that kind of situation, and I honestly don't know how they do it. But the closest I've come to knowing death is through my mother. When she was 26, her younger brother died in a plane crash. He was a marine, and he was test-flying a plane over the Atlantic when another plane malfunctioned and crashed into his. She doesn't talk about it too much, but I know how much pain it caused her, how much pain it caused her own family. I know that it was the hardest time of her life. I know that my grandma still barely gets through Thanksgiving grace without breaking down.
It's terribly sad. And yet, it's still so very far removed from me and my life. I'm not the one who misses him or can still occasionally hear his voice--that's my mom. So, really, I've never had any first-hand experience with death. I know I will, some time in the very distant future hopefully, but as of yet it's hard to relate to Nikki's feelings. Beyond knowing that she's sad, I have no idea what she's feeling in this situation. I have no idea the kind of horror she has gone through. And that, I guess, is what makes me want to say "How is she doing this??"
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Quarter 3: Week 3, Post A
VOCAB:
scimitars (75): Curved Asian swords with the edges on the convex sides
querulously (51): in a peevish or complaining manner
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
1. "Gripping each other's hands, awkward as a three-legged race, we approached Mom's coffin" (91). This is an example of a simile. Since Clare and Nikki aren't very close, it's very awkward for them to hold hands. The author compares their awkwardness to that of two people competing in a three-legged race.
2. "...the sun had become a broken, bleeding red yolk" (61). This is an example of a metaphor in the story. As dusk begins to fall on the night of her mother's murder, Nikki describes the sun as it sinks in the sky. She compares it to the yolk of an egg. She is feeling broken and bleeding herself, which explains why she uses these words.
3. "Later, we embraced. Like drowning women clutching helplessly at each other" (63). This is another example of figurative language in the novel. Nikki describes a hug with her sister in the aftermath of their mother's murder. Using a simile, she compares their desperate grief to that of people who are drowning.
QUOTE:
" Clare had begun to cry, bitterly. Yet not hiding her face as you'd expect, just sitting rigid and furious, fists clenched at her sides. I knew that I was expected to cry with my sister, to hug her tight, but my arms were like lead, my legs were like lead, I hadn't the strength to turn to her, couldn't move an inch. She might have been on the far side of the room" (82). This quote shows the shock Nikki feels in the aftermath of discovering her mother's body. Her sister is able to grieve, to cry, but Nikki can't. I think this shows that the situation is different for Nikki since she was the one to discover her mom's broken and bruised body, to see their house torn apart, and to call the police.
THEME:
The theme seems to be focusing more now on the struggles of dealing with grief in the aftermath of the death of a loved one.
scimitars (75): Curved Asian swords with the edges on the convex sides
querulously (51): in a peevish or complaining manner
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
1. "Gripping each other's hands, awkward as a three-legged race, we approached Mom's coffin" (91). This is an example of a simile. Since Clare and Nikki aren't very close, it's very awkward for them to hold hands. The author compares their awkwardness to that of two people competing in a three-legged race.
2. "...the sun had become a broken, bleeding red yolk" (61). This is an example of a metaphor in the story. As dusk begins to fall on the night of her mother's murder, Nikki describes the sun as it sinks in the sky. She compares it to the yolk of an egg. She is feeling broken and bleeding herself, which explains why she uses these words.
3. "Later, we embraced. Like drowning women clutching helplessly at each other" (63). This is another example of figurative language in the novel. Nikki describes a hug with her sister in the aftermath of their mother's murder. Using a simile, she compares their desperate grief to that of people who are drowning.
QUOTE:
" Clare had begun to cry, bitterly. Yet not hiding her face as you'd expect, just sitting rigid and furious, fists clenched at her sides. I knew that I was expected to cry with my sister, to hug her tight, but my arms were like lead, my legs were like lead, I hadn't the strength to turn to her, couldn't move an inch. She might have been on the far side of the room" (82). This quote shows the shock Nikki feels in the aftermath of discovering her mother's body. Her sister is able to grieve, to cry, but Nikki can't. I think this shows that the situation is different for Nikki since she was the one to discover her mom's broken and bruised body, to see their house torn apart, and to call the police.
THEME:
The theme seems to be focusing more now on the struggles of dealing with grief in the aftermath of the death of a loved one.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Quarter 3: Week 2, Post B
Dear Joyce Carol Oates,
Although I am not very far into your novel, I am already really enjoying it. Your imagery is amazing--I can totally picture the people and places you describe. I also think you did a great job writing in the voice of Nikki. From what I've seen of her so far, the narration stays very true to her character and her unique personality. Overall, I really like your writing style!
Nikki really intrigues me as a character. She is so unlike most of the women I come across in my daily life. I really admire her independence and her ability to be herself, no matter what anyone else thinks. Her relationships with her mother and sister seem very complex as well. At one point, when discussing her relationship with her sister Clare, Nikki states: "...my sister's children had brought Clare and me closer together. Especially when they'd been babies and Clare had been vulnerable and needy for once; not so judgemental about me...Clare liked me less now. I wasn't sure how I felt about her" (12). This blunt, truthful approach to analyzing her relationship with Clare really surprised me. Growing up, I was always taught that you are supposed to love your sisters--and all members of your family-- unconditionally no matter what. Nikki's point of view is very different--she candidly states that she isn't sure how she feels about Clare. This was so funny to me because it was so different from what I've ever heard. Usually, one either claims they "hate" their sibling, or talks of how much they love them. However, Nikki is much more detached with a kind of "chill" attitude about the subject.
Anyway, so far I love the book. I can't wait to keep reading!
Sincerely,
A-Rod.
Although I am not very far into your novel, I am already really enjoying it. Your imagery is amazing--I can totally picture the people and places you describe. I also think you did a great job writing in the voice of Nikki. From what I've seen of her so far, the narration stays very true to her character and her unique personality. Overall, I really like your writing style!
Nikki really intrigues me as a character. She is so unlike most of the women I come across in my daily life. I really admire her independence and her ability to be herself, no matter what anyone else thinks. Her relationships with her mother and sister seem very complex as well. At one point, when discussing her relationship with her sister Clare, Nikki states: "...my sister's children had brought Clare and me closer together. Especially when they'd been babies and Clare had been vulnerable and needy for once; not so judgemental about me...Clare liked me less now. I wasn't sure how I felt about her" (12). This blunt, truthful approach to analyzing her relationship with Clare really surprised me. Growing up, I was always taught that you are supposed to love your sisters--and all members of your family-- unconditionally no matter what. Nikki's point of view is very different--she candidly states that she isn't sure how she feels about Clare. This was so funny to me because it was so different from what I've ever heard. Usually, one either claims they "hate" their sibling, or talks of how much they love them. However, Nikki is much more detached with a kind of "chill" attitude about the subject.
Anyway, so far I love the book. I can't wait to keep reading!
Sincerely,
A-Rod.
Quarter 3: Week 2, Post A
VOCAB:
indefatigably (7): Incapable or seemingly incapable of being fatigued; tireless.
hypochondriac (14): A person who constantly believes he or she is ill or about to become ill.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
1. "A sky hard-looking as blue tile" (4). This is an example of a simile; it compares the sky to a pice of blue tile.
2. "Most days I used the side door...the door to which Mom had affixed little bells that tinkled merrily like a shopkeeper's door..." (5). This is another example of a simile. The word "like" is used to compare the bells on the side door of Nikki's house to the bells on the door of a shop.
3. "Sonja Szyszko fluttered like a flag in the wind, mortified as if she were hours late instead of only a half-hour" (13).
This is an example of a simile as well. The author uses the word "like" to compare Sonja's flustered behavior to that of a flag blowing in the breeze.
QUOTE:
"One thing I knew: I didn't want children of my own. I didn't want to be married. Maybe because my parents had been so happily married, my mother was such a wonderful mother, I knew I could never measure up" (12). I think this quote really reveals a lot of interesting information about Nikki. She is strong, independent, and very cynical. She also seems to be sort of the "black sheep" in her family; her life is so different from that of her mother or sister. However, this quote shows a more vulnerable side to Nikki because she reveals her fears that she cannot measure up to her mother.
THEME:
So far the theme of this book seems to focus on the complexities within mother-daughter relationships and sister-sister relationships, and the contrasts between the two.
indefatigably (7): Incapable or seemingly incapable of being fatigued; tireless.
hypochondriac (14): A person who constantly believes he or she is ill or about to become ill.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
1. "A sky hard-looking as blue tile" (4). This is an example of a simile; it compares the sky to a pice of blue tile.
2. "Most days I used the side door...the door to which Mom had affixed little bells that tinkled merrily like a shopkeeper's door..." (5). This is another example of a simile. The word "like" is used to compare the bells on the side door of Nikki's house to the bells on the door of a shop.
3. "Sonja Szyszko fluttered like a flag in the wind, mortified as if she were hours late instead of only a half-hour" (13).
This is an example of a simile as well. The author uses the word "like" to compare Sonja's flustered behavior to that of a flag blowing in the breeze.
QUOTE:
"One thing I knew: I didn't want children of my own. I didn't want to be married. Maybe because my parents had been so happily married, my mother was such a wonderful mother, I knew I could never measure up" (12). I think this quote really reveals a lot of interesting information about Nikki. She is strong, independent, and very cynical. She also seems to be sort of the "black sheep" in her family; her life is so different from that of her mother or sister. However, this quote shows a more vulnerable side to Nikki because she reveals her fears that she cannot measure up to her mother.
THEME:
So far the theme of this book seems to focus on the complexities within mother-daughter relationships and sister-sister relationships, and the contrasts between the two.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Quarter 3: Week 1, Post B
Dear Jodi Picoult,
I have actually already read your book My Sister's Keeper twice, but since the award-winner that I ordered was delayed in shipping, I decided to post about one of my old favorites. Besides the fact that the main character's name is Anna, this book has so many great things about it. I love the moral and ethical dilemmas involved. The fact that the entire conflict takes place within a family-mainly the two sisters and their parents-just makes the book more intriguing to read.
I was so shocked when I first read the ending of this book--such a twist! I actually cried--both because of the circumstances within the novel and because it was over! The ending is a huge part of what makes this novel so amazing, and so gut-wrenchingly sad.
Throughout the book when I was first reading it, I kept switching sides. One minute I was in support of Anna, the next Kate, and the next Sara. In the end though, I was on Anna's side--and not simply because of her name! I could never imagine being put in her position, not only involving the legal decision she makes, but simply the role she plays as Kate's savior throughout her entire life. I admire her strength and courage.
Overall, this book was powerful and downright awesome. I loved it both times I read it and I'm even inspired to read it again now as I look back through the pages for info for these posts. Thanks for such a great read!
Sincerely,
A-Rod :)
I have actually already read your book My Sister's Keeper twice, but since the award-winner that I ordered was delayed in shipping, I decided to post about one of my old favorites. Besides the fact that the main character's name is Anna, this book has so many great things about it. I love the moral and ethical dilemmas involved. The fact that the entire conflict takes place within a family-mainly the two sisters and their parents-just makes the book more intriguing to read.
I was so shocked when I first read the ending of this book--such a twist! I actually cried--both because of the circumstances within the novel and because it was over! The ending is a huge part of what makes this novel so amazing, and so gut-wrenchingly sad.
Throughout the book when I was first reading it, I kept switching sides. One minute I was in support of Anna, the next Kate, and the next Sara. In the end though, I was on Anna's side--and not simply because of her name! I could never imagine being put in her position, not only involving the legal decision she makes, but simply the role she plays as Kate's savior throughout her entire life. I admire her strength and courage.
Overall, this book was powerful and downright awesome. I loved it both times I read it and I'm even inspired to read it again now as I look back through the pages for info for these posts. Thanks for such a great read!
Sincerely,
A-Rod :)
Quarter 3: Week 1, Post A
VOCAB:
decimate (27): to destroy a great number or proportion of a group
obelisk (36): A tall, four-sided shaft of stone, usually tapered and monolithic, that rises to a pointed pyramidal top.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
1. "Look at my child, at the shine of her flyaway curls and the butterfly flight of her smile..." (34). This is an example of a metaphor because the author compares Kate's smile to the flight of a butterfly.
2. "Trailing her spine, like a line of small blue jewels, are a string of bruises" (28). This is an example of figurative language. It is a simile because the author uses the word 'like' to compare Kate's bruises to blue jewels.
3. "I lift her out of the water, slick as a fish..." (26). This is another example of a simile. This time, the author uses the word 'as' to compare Kate's slippery body after her bath to a fish.
QUOTE:
"Kate struggles in earnest through her first and second vials. By the third, she has gone completely limp. I don't know which is worse" (29). This quote comes from Sara, as she narrates the trip to the hospital with Kate. I thought it really exemplified the power of a mother's love for her children because Sara is in such extreme anguish as she is forced to watch her daughter in pain with no way to stop it.
THEME:
I think the theme of this book in the beginning is the power and complexity of love within families.
decimate (27): to destroy a great number or proportion of a group
obelisk (36): A tall, four-sided shaft of stone, usually tapered and monolithic, that rises to a pointed pyramidal top.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
1. "Look at my child, at the shine of her flyaway curls and the butterfly flight of her smile..." (34). This is an example of a metaphor because the author compares Kate's smile to the flight of a butterfly.
2. "Trailing her spine, like a line of small blue jewels, are a string of bruises" (28). This is an example of figurative language. It is a simile because the author uses the word 'like' to compare Kate's bruises to blue jewels.
3. "I lift her out of the water, slick as a fish..." (26). This is another example of a simile. This time, the author uses the word 'as' to compare Kate's slippery body after her bath to a fish.
QUOTE:
"Kate struggles in earnest through her first and second vials. By the third, she has gone completely limp. I don't know which is worse" (29). This quote comes from Sara, as she narrates the trip to the hospital with Kate. I thought it really exemplified the power of a mother's love for her children because Sara is in such extreme anguish as she is forced to watch her daughter in pain with no way to stop it.
THEME:
I think the theme of this book in the beginning is the power and complexity of love within families.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Athena: I'll Stand By You by Carrie Underwood
Athena, the goddess of wisdom, inspires and interests me in The Odyssey. She is a strong woman-she is smart, helpful, and she isn't afraid to speak her mind, whether it be to Telemachus or to Zeus.
Athena also plays an essential role in Telemachus' quest to find news of his father. It really struck me that she went to such great lengths to help him. First, she came down from the heavens and visited Telemachus to give him advice. But she doesn't stop there-she helps him gather crew members and she leads the ship to Pylos. Once there, she encourages him when he is nervous to talk to Nestor. She is very supportive to Telemachus, and I admire her for that.
I chose the song I'll Stand By You by Carrie Underwood to represent Athena's role in Telemachus' life. I think it really speaks to their situation because Athena "stands by" Telemachus when he is going through a difficult time-the absence of his father. Athena is helpful and supportive throughout his journey. This group of lyrics really ring true to Athena and Telemachus' friendship: When you're standing at the crossroads/don't know which path to choose/let me come along. When Telemachus must make the decision to journey in search of his father, Athena comes along with him to help him out. She shows that she will stand by him, even in his darkest times.
Athena also plays an essential role in Telemachus' quest to find news of his father. It really struck me that she went to such great lengths to help him. First, she came down from the heavens and visited Telemachus to give him advice. But she doesn't stop there-she helps him gather crew members and she leads the ship to Pylos. Once there, she encourages him when he is nervous to talk to Nestor. She is very supportive to Telemachus, and I admire her for that.
I chose the song I'll Stand By You by Carrie Underwood to represent Athena's role in Telemachus' life. I think it really speaks to their situation because Athena "stands by" Telemachus when he is going through a difficult time-the absence of his father. Athena is helpful and supportive throughout his journey. This group of lyrics really ring true to Athena and Telemachus' friendship: When you're standing at the crossroads/don't know which path to choose/let me come along. When Telemachus must make the decision to journey in search of his father, Athena comes along with him to help him out. She shows that she will stand by him, even in his darkest times.
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