Friday, October 27, 2017
In what ways did Marjane find it difficult to fit back into Iranian society? In what ways did this surprise you (or not surprise you)?
While Marjane was gone, she had grown and changed so much into a new person unlike the one she was when she left. I think her changing and going through many stages of her life while she was gone lead her to feel like she wasn't fitting in in Iranian society. While gone, Marjane developed so much so that she felt she didn't belong with people because she now had very different interests. This is showed on page 259 when she saw her old friends and couldn't recall what they had in common before she left. Since Marjane was away from her peers for so long, it made it difficult for her to return and fit right back in again with her community. I am not surprised by Marjane not feeling comfortable or fitting in right away because since she changed so much while she was gone, I didn't expect her to come back and everything be fine again.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Persepolis - 9/28/17
How do you think family plays a role in Marjane's development as a child, person, and/or narrator?
I think family plays a very large role in Marjane's life. I feel like development as a person and her values are very inspired by her family. One example I find very interesting is that her parents were involved politically and had clear views (Satrapi 5). With her parents being like that, it could've led her to think the same kind of way and have strong beliefs, similarly to her parents. I also think her parents could have not only affected her voice, but also affected her views. Even though there are times in the story where she has strong feeling, she may or may not agree with her parents. A lot of the time she feels the same way as her parents but in addition to that, she feels comfortable talking to her parents. I think that Marjane was strongly impacted by her family, no matter the context.
I think family plays a very large role in Marjane's life. I feel like development as a person and her values are very inspired by her family. One example I find very interesting is that her parents were involved politically and had clear views (Satrapi 5). With her parents being like that, it could've led her to think the same kind of way and have strong beliefs, similarly to her parents. I also think her parents could have not only affected her voice, but also affected her views. Even though there are times in the story where she has strong feeling, she may or may not agree with her parents. A lot of the time she feels the same way as her parents but in addition to that, she feels comfortable talking to her parents. I think that Marjane was strongly impacted by her family, no matter the context.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Final Blog Post - Book Review
Blogpost 26
I read Room by Emma Donoghue, a book written from the perspective of a five year old boy, Jack. The preface of the book is that this boy and his mother, Ma, were held captive by a man who they call Old Nick. Old Nick kidnapped Ma and sexually abuses her, making him the father of Jack. Ma and Jack live in a little shed they call room, but when Jack is 5 years old, Ma makes a plan for them to escape. They escape and become free, the rest of the book shows Jack's life outside of room in the world, going through the struggles of being so close and connected to only his mother for all of his life.
I really enjoyed this book, the plot by itself was very interesting and well thought out. The setting was very descriptive and created lots of imagery which I think made a large impact on the book because it truly makes the reader visualize how this boy sees the world. Even though there were not a very large amount of characters, I think all of the characters were developed extremely well, they all had very detailed feelings and thoughts. One other element of the book I found especially interesting was all of the emotion. The words expressed so much feeling that it felt as if I was actually hearing it as a story through Jack, or that I was in the moment, feeling everything they were feeling.
I would absolutely recommend this book, it not only is an amazing piece of writing and fascinating story, but it is a story that takes place in the real world to people. This book is obviously a good book and a good read, but it is also shining a light on these kinds of things that happen every day to many people around the world.
I read Room by Emma Donoghue, a book written from the perspective of a five year old boy, Jack. The preface of the book is that this boy and his mother, Ma, were held captive by a man who they call Old Nick. Old Nick kidnapped Ma and sexually abuses her, making him the father of Jack. Ma and Jack live in a little shed they call room, but when Jack is 5 years old, Ma makes a plan for them to escape. They escape and become free, the rest of the book shows Jack's life outside of room in the world, going through the struggles of being so close and connected to only his mother for all of his life.
I really enjoyed this book, the plot by itself was very interesting and well thought out. The setting was very descriptive and created lots of imagery which I think made a large impact on the book because it truly makes the reader visualize how this boy sees the world. Even though there were not a very large amount of characters, I think all of the characters were developed extremely well, they all had very detailed feelings and thoughts. One other element of the book I found especially interesting was all of the emotion. The words expressed so much feeling that it felt as if I was actually hearing it as a story through Jack, or that I was in the moment, feeling everything they were feeling.
I would absolutely recommend this book, it not only is an amazing piece of writing and fascinating story, but it is a story that takes place in the real world to people. This book is obviously a good book and a good read, but it is also shining a light on these kinds of things that happen every day to many people around the world.
Monday, May 15, 2017
Books This Year
Blogpost 25
Throughout this year we have read a handful of books. I have had ones I liked more than others out of all the ones we've read. My favorite by far is The Great Gatsby. I liked it for so many reasons, but I was especially intrigued by the time period and the lifestyle, I also thought the way the book was written with so much imagery and symbolism was so good. My least favorite text that we read is The Odyssey. I didn't think this book was as interesting for me personally because I found it very confusing and hard to understand which made it less enjoyable. Overall, we read a lot of books over the year and for the most part, I enjoyed them.
Throughout this year we have read a handful of books. I have had ones I liked more than others out of all the ones we've read. My favorite by far is The Great Gatsby. I liked it for so many reasons, but I was especially intrigued by the time period and the lifestyle, I also thought the way the book was written with so much imagery and symbolism was so good. My least favorite text that we read is The Odyssey. I didn't think this book was as interesting for me personally because I found it very confusing and hard to understand which made it less enjoyable. Overall, we read a lot of books over the year and for the most part, I enjoyed them.
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Symbols in The Great Gatsby
Blogpost 24
One thing that really interested me in The Great Gatsby was the symbolism. There is so much symbolism in this book. The three symbols that stood out to me the most are the green light, the valley of ashes, and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg. They are all things that need to be read into, these things in the book aren't things you can just pass by which really interested me. Symbolism can put so much meaning into a story if you know what they mean. The green light is probably the most famous symbol from the book but I think it's worth it, it means so much and I feel like the book wouldn't be the same to read if you didn't know what it meant. In my point of view, symbols played a very important part of the reading of The Great Gatsby.
One thing that really interested me in The Great Gatsby was the symbolism. There is so much symbolism in this book. The three symbols that stood out to me the most are the green light, the valley of ashes, and the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg. They are all things that need to be read into, these things in the book aren't things you can just pass by which really interested me. Symbolism can put so much meaning into a story if you know what they mean. The green light is probably the most famous symbol from the book but I think it's worth it, it means so much and I feel like the book wouldn't be the same to read if you didn't know what it meant. In my point of view, symbols played a very important part of the reading of The Great Gatsby.
Monday, May 1, 2017
The Theme in The Great Gatsby
Blogpost 23
I believe that the theme of The Great Gatsby is "The American Dream". Fitzgerald believed that The American Dream is an unattainable goal that will end up ruining the person who strove for it. I believe the green light in the book represented the American Dream, which for Gatsby, was Daisy. On pg 180, Fitzgerald wrote "Gatsby believed in the greenlight, the orgastic future that year by year receipts before us." This represents the American Dream because it represents something that is always just out of reach. "His dream must have seemed to close that he could hardly fail to grasp it." -pg 80. Throughout the whole book even though there isn't really direct mention at the American Dream, there are so many things representing it. The American Dream was always on Gatsby's mind and seemed as if it was the best possible thing, yet always just out of his reach. "For Daisy was young and her artificial world was redolent of orchids..." - pg 151.
I believe that the theme of The Great Gatsby is "The American Dream". Fitzgerald believed that The American Dream is an unattainable goal that will end up ruining the person who strove for it. I believe the green light in the book represented the American Dream, which for Gatsby, was Daisy. On pg 180, Fitzgerald wrote "Gatsby believed in the greenlight, the orgastic future that year by year receipts before us." This represents the American Dream because it represents something that is always just out of reach. "His dream must have seemed to close that he could hardly fail to grasp it." -pg 80. Throughout the whole book even though there isn't really direct mention at the American Dream, there are so many things representing it. The American Dream was always on Gatsby's mind and seemed as if it was the best possible thing, yet always just out of his reach. "For Daisy was young and her artificial world was redolent of orchids..." - pg 151.
Monday, April 24, 2017
The Climax of the Great Gatsby
Blogpost 22
I feel like there a few different climaxes in the book. I think there are many turning points in chapters 7 and 8. The few I found were when Tom confronts Gatsby, when Myrtle gets hit by the car, and when Gatsby dies. I think then when Myrtle gets hit by the car and when Tom confronts Gatsby are the places in the story when things start to shift. Everything begins to go downhill in Gatsby's life. Of course when he dies, that is a change for everything else, but for Gatsby, I think the other two are very important. I think those two chapters really redirected the book and changed the storyline, making them the climaxes.
I feel like there a few different climaxes in the book. I think there are many turning points in chapters 7 and 8. The few I found were when Tom confronts Gatsby, when Myrtle gets hit by the car, and when Gatsby dies. I think then when Myrtle gets hit by the car and when Tom confronts Gatsby are the places in the story when things start to shift. Everything begins to go downhill in Gatsby's life. Of course when he dies, that is a change for everything else, but for Gatsby, I think the other two are very important. I think those two chapters really redirected the book and changed the storyline, making them the climaxes.
Monday, April 17, 2017
Gatsby and Daisy Meet
Blogpost 21
In chapter 5, there is a tea party which Gatsby and Daisy are both attending. You can tell that it means a lot to Gatsby and that he is going to try to win her back. You can tell through the physicality explained through he book that Gatsby was quite anxious. When they meet, the whole encounter is very awkward, especially when Gatsby knocks over Nick's clock. Daisy's reaction is much more expected, whereas Gatsby acted in a way that I didn't totally expect. Fortunately, it becomes a bit less awkward between the two. Later, they have confessed their feelings for each other.
In chapter 5, there is a tea party which Gatsby and Daisy are both attending. You can tell that it means a lot to Gatsby and that he is going to try to win her back. You can tell through the physicality explained through he book that Gatsby was quite anxious. When they meet, the whole encounter is very awkward, especially when Gatsby knocks over Nick's clock. Daisy's reaction is much more expected, whereas Gatsby acted in a way that I didn't totally expect. Fortunately, it becomes a bit less awkward between the two. Later, they have confessed their feelings for each other.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Nick Carraway's Judgments in "The Great Gatsby"
Blogpost 20
In the first couple pages of The Great Gatsby, we are introduced to the narrator of the hot name is Nick Carraway. He claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgment", so one could assume that he will tell the story fully unbiased without is personal opinions. Even though we are only a few chapters into the book, i don't think this is fully true. When describing Gatsby, he describes him as a man who "represented everything for which he has an unaffected scorn." This comes across as Nick saying his very strong, and somehow judgmental feelings about Gatsby. A little bit later, he states another judgment, "It was a matter of chance that I should have rented a house in one of the strangest communities in North America." Here, it is very clear that he is saying his judgments and opinions about his community. I think even though it hasn't been that long in the book, Nick has already done his share of judging after he said he wouldn't. I am curios to see his attitude towards things sin the rest of the book.
In the first couple pages of The Great Gatsby, we are introduced to the narrator of the hot name is Nick Carraway. He claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgment", so one could assume that he will tell the story fully unbiased without is personal opinions. Even though we are only a few chapters into the book, i don't think this is fully true. When describing Gatsby, he describes him as a man who "represented everything for which he has an unaffected scorn." This comes across as Nick saying his very strong, and somehow judgmental feelings about Gatsby. A little bit later, he states another judgment, "It was a matter of chance that I should have rented a house in one of the strangest communities in North America." Here, it is very clear that he is saying his judgments and opinions about his community. I think even though it hasn't been that long in the book, Nick has already done his share of judging after he said he wouldn't. I am curios to see his attitude towards things sin the rest of the book.
Monday, March 6, 2017
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Blogpost 19
I am reading Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", which is a comedy. I think this play is a great example of a Shakespearean comedy. Shakespearean comedies always have a lighter, more fun feel to them, lot of the time having to do with young love. A comedy ends in a feast or a wedding, where in the end "A Midsummer Night's Dream" there is lots of marriage or promise to marriage. Another characteristic in comedies is that the protagonist doesn't die, which is also true in this play. I think "A Midsummer Night's Dream stays true to the guidelines of a Shakespearean comedy. Even though I wouldn't say there was that much comedic content, yet still funny, the characteristics still make it a Shakespearean comedy.
I am reading Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", which is a comedy. I think this play is a great example of a Shakespearean comedy. Shakespearean comedies always have a lighter, more fun feel to them, lot of the time having to do with young love. A comedy ends in a feast or a wedding, where in the end "A Midsummer Night's Dream" there is lots of marriage or promise to marriage. Another characteristic in comedies is that the protagonist doesn't die, which is also true in this play. I think "A Midsummer Night's Dream stays true to the guidelines of a Shakespearean comedy. Even though I wouldn't say there was that much comedic content, yet still funny, the characteristics still make it a Shakespearean comedy.
Monday, February 27, 2017
The Merchant of Venice Response Project
Blogpost 18
For my response project to The Merchant of Venice I wrote an exploratory essay on the roles of women in the play then did a slideshow presentation. I believe that my project went very well. I think it was very successful considering I didn't know what that kind of essay was. I learned a lot about the topic and I also learned a new, different way of writing an essay. The only ting I would change would be for me to do a better job on my rough draft by writing it more in the form of the essay I was writing so then I could have had more edits instead of just doing it in my final draft. I would definitely do this kind of project again since I learned so much. This kind of essay would great to do again on a topic I don't know much about to be able to explore and learn a lot more about the topic.
For my response project to The Merchant of Venice I wrote an exploratory essay on the roles of women in the play then did a slideshow presentation. I believe that my project went very well. I think it was very successful considering I didn't know what that kind of essay was. I learned a lot about the topic and I also learned a new, different way of writing an essay. The only ting I would change would be for me to do a better job on my rough draft by writing it more in the form of the essay I was writing so then I could have had more edits instead of just doing it in my final draft. I would definitely do this kind of project again since I learned so much. This kind of essay would great to do again on a topic I don't know much about to be able to explore and learn a lot more about the topic.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
The Merchant of Venice
Write about anything having to do with The Merchant of Venice that you did not already write about that interests you.
Something I found really interesting in The Merchant of Venice was how it all ended for Shylock. I kind of touched on it but I didn't truly get to talk about it. I feel like shylock's being in the play ended very abruptly, after his punishment he didn't really have any say or anything like that after. I think his punishment was crazy, his whole identity was taken away, basically everything that made him Shylock. I think there must have been so much he was thinking and it's I think its unfortunate see didn't get to hear any more from his. I wonder how he felt. He was in court for something that he was thinking wasn't his fault but then he got the severe punishment. It really makes me think of how plots can twist and turn so easily like that. A small twist in the in the story affected Shylock's life forever.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Was Shylock's punishment in "The Merchant of Venice" fair?
I, as a modern-day reader, don't think that Shylock was given a fair punishment. Even though I think he should have shown mercy to Antonio, I don't think he deserved what he received. I think it was wrong for Shylock to be punished to the extent he was. I think that Antonio should have been at least a little bit punished as well since he didn't pay Shylock back in time. Where as instead, Antonio was just set free. I think an Elizabethan audience would have totally thought that Shylock deserved his punishment because they didn't like Jews and saw them as lesser people. I think they would have liked the ending since the Jew gets a harsh punishment and turns Christian.
Monday, February 6, 2017
Shylock's Speech in "The Merchant of Venice"
Blogpost 15
Towards the beginning of Act 3, Shylock makes a long speech that has to do with him being a Jew and the difficulty of being a Jew during the time. There was a lot of anti-semitism going on and Jews were very looked down on by Christians. I think this was very risky and controversial thing for Shakespeare to put this in the play considering the audience mainly consisting of white Christians. It was a new perspective on Jews that people had never really thought of. During Shylock's speech he really gave a true insight of what it would be like to be a Jew. I think this, while being extremely controversial within the audience, could have potentially really opened their eyes and let them think about it a bit more. In my opinion, this speech is a very important part of the play and also put Shylock's character in a much more deep and profound state.
Towards the beginning of Act 3, Shylock makes a long speech that has to do with him being a Jew and the difficulty of being a Jew during the time. There was a lot of anti-semitism going on and Jews were very looked down on by Christians. I think this was very risky and controversial thing for Shakespeare to put this in the play considering the audience mainly consisting of white Christians. It was a new perspective on Jews that people had never really thought of. During Shylock's speech he really gave a true insight of what it would be like to be a Jew. I think this, while being extremely controversial within the audience, could have potentially really opened their eyes and let them think about it a bit more. In my opinion, this speech is a very important part of the play and also put Shylock's character in a much more deep and profound state.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Most interesting character in act 1 of "The Merchant of Venice"
While reading the first act of The Merchant of Venice we were introduced to the main characters, and the one that I found most interesting was Portia. I though she was a very interesting, independent, and opinionated woman. The way she stood her own and didn't like her suitors, even when Nerissa listed all of them and Portia said exactly why she didn't like them. Also when she knew her ways of sneaking around a situation with the wine glass on top of the wrong chest. She isn't afraid to speak her mind, while still knowing her boundaries and her father's wish, and she knows what she does and doesn't want. I think it is so interesting how when you would think of a woman from that era, you would think they were always seen as unable and totally dependent on a man, but she was defeating every single one of those barriers which I though was so cool. She seemed liked such a well thought out character and like she has a really deep, clear, approach to things. Since we didn't get to see all that much of her in act 1, I am really excited to see where her character goes in the rest of the play.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)