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.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
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.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Quarter 2: Week 6, Post B
Dear Jodi Picoult,
Wow. So I have finished your book, and I must say, I loved it. Although the events and content were horrifying at times, this book was suspenseful and mind-blowing. The plot twists were endless and I was surprised over and over again--the biggest surprise coming within the last ten pages, as always!
On the topic of the ending, I can't believe what Josie did! I knew something was going on and that she wasn't letting on all that she knew from those last few minutes in the locker room. However, I never expected this! I mean, I was not at all a fan of Matt Royston, but to have him killed! By his own girlfriend! I didn't know she hated him--and herself with him--to such a degree. Then again, this book does include several violent acts of desperation, so I guess this isn't such a shocker.
Overall, I was very glad to see Alex Cormier grow and change throughout the story. She came such a long way from the over-worked woman from the beginning of the story, and I think she is now a better person. Although in the beginning she always seemed to be a judge first and mother second, she is now a mother first, above all else. I find this very admirable.
Thank you so much for writing such a page-turner. I enjoyed every minute of this book!
Sincerely,
A-Rod
Wow. So I have finished your book, and I must say, I loved it. Although the events and content were horrifying at times, this book was suspenseful and mind-blowing. The plot twists were endless and I was surprised over and over again--the biggest surprise coming within the last ten pages, as always!
On the topic of the ending, I can't believe what Josie did! I knew something was going on and that she wasn't letting on all that she knew from those last few minutes in the locker room. However, I never expected this! I mean, I was not at all a fan of Matt Royston, but to have him killed! By his own girlfriend! I didn't know she hated him--and herself with him--to such a degree. Then again, this book does include several violent acts of desperation, so I guess this isn't such a shocker.
Overall, I was very glad to see Alex Cormier grow and change throughout the story. She came such a long way from the over-worked woman from the beginning of the story, and I think she is now a better person. Although in the beginning she always seemed to be a judge first and mother second, she is now a mother first, above all else. I find this very admirable.
Thank you so much for writing such a page-turner. I enjoyed every minute of this book!
Sincerely,
A-Rod
Quarter 2: Week 6, Post A
VOCAB:
civitas (388): the body of citizens who constitute a state
carob (386): A powder made from the ground pods and seeds of the ceratonia siliqua tree, used in cooking as a substitute for chocolate.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
1. "...you could feel everyone's eyes on you when you walked into class, like a thousand crows pecking at your skin" (319). This is an example of a simile because the word "like" is used to compare the eyes of Peter's classmates to a thousand pecking crows, which shows the embarrassment of being late to class.
2. "Josie couldn't sleep; her mind was tumbling like a spring stream" (316). This example of figurative language is another simile. This time, Josie's mind is being compared to a stream because it's running wild with thoughts of what will happen to her if she is pregnant.
3. "He flicked a bank of switches and the gym flooded with light" (433). This is an example of figurative language because the gym did not actually flood in the literal sense. Instead, this means that the light filled the gym just as water fills a room during a flood.
QUOTE:
"She stared at Peter, and she realized that in that one moment, when she hadn't been thinking, she knew exactly what he'd felt as he moved through the school with his backpack and his guns. Every kid in this school played a role: jock, brain, beauty, freak. All Peter had done was what they all secretly dreamed of: be someone, even for just nineteen minutes, who nobody else was allowed to judge" (440). This quote reveals Josie's thoughts after she has shot her boyfriend, Matt Royston. I find it interesting that in her mind, Peter's entire killing scheme boils down to wanting just a few minutes of freedom--freedom from the judgment and teasing he constantly endures from his classmates. The mind of a boy who kills 9 people seems like it would be extremely complex. However, to Josie, it is much more simple than that.
THEME:
The themes of this book consistently revolved around the question of what it means to be different in the world of a modern high school, and the question of who, if anyone, has the right to judge another person.
civitas (388): the body of citizens who constitute a state
carob (386): A powder made from the ground pods and seeds of the ceratonia siliqua tree, used in cooking as a substitute for chocolate.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE:
1. "...you could feel everyone's eyes on you when you walked into class, like a thousand crows pecking at your skin" (319). This is an example of a simile because the word "like" is used to compare the eyes of Peter's classmates to a thousand pecking crows, which shows the embarrassment of being late to class.
2. "Josie couldn't sleep; her mind was tumbling like a spring stream" (316). This example of figurative language is another simile. This time, Josie's mind is being compared to a stream because it's running wild with thoughts of what will happen to her if she is pregnant.
3. "He flicked a bank of switches and the gym flooded with light" (433). This is an example of figurative language because the gym did not actually flood in the literal sense. Instead, this means that the light filled the gym just as water fills a room during a flood.
QUOTE:
"She stared at Peter, and she realized that in that one moment, when she hadn't been thinking, she knew exactly what he'd felt as he moved through the school with his backpack and his guns. Every kid in this school played a role: jock, brain, beauty, freak. All Peter had done was what they all secretly dreamed of: be someone, even for just nineteen minutes, who nobody else was allowed to judge" (440). This quote reveals Josie's thoughts after she has shot her boyfriend, Matt Royston. I find it interesting that in her mind, Peter's entire killing scheme boils down to wanting just a few minutes of freedom--freedom from the judgment and teasing he constantly endures from his classmates. The mind of a boy who kills 9 people seems like it would be extremely complex. However, to Josie, it is much more simple than that.
THEME:
The themes of this book consistently revolved around the question of what it means to be different in the world of a modern high school, and the question of who, if anyone, has the right to judge another person.
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