Martin Luther King, Jr once stated that, "the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” This quote means that an average person shouldn't always face the easy and comfortable times in life, but should really face the hard and competitive times. I agree with this quote because Martin Luther king, Jr himself stood up at hard times to fight for his rights, and rights of others. At that time fighting for freedom wasn't that easy and "comfortable." The two works of literatures that relates to this quote are Incidents in the life of a slave girl, Harriet Jacobs and The Pearl, John Steinbeck.
Harriet Jacobs Incidents in the life of a slave girl has man twists in the story, where at least one character faces hard times in life. The main character Linda Brent goes through many difficult times in her life. Linda was born a slave, and unlike the other slaves on the plantations, she took a risk of fighting for freedom from slavery. For seven years Linda hid in her grandmother’s garret to escape. Linda hides there because she ran away from her owner. She wanted to escape from slavery. Linda described the garret, which was one of the settings in the novel, as scary and "crowded''. The author writes that the garret was filled with mice, spider webs and so small, that Linda almost became crippled. Linda experienced so many callenges in life, but she never gave up.
Linda, due to the quote never really found life “comfortable" and easy be she continuously fought against the many challenges of enslavement, such as physical and emotional abuse from the Flints. Se eventually got her freedom in the free states. She not only fought for her freedom but also for the freedom and challenges that her family faced.
The Pearl, by John Steinbeck is another example of how one character goes through challenges and controversial times in his life. The main character Kino is the husband of Juana, and the father of Coyotito is Kino and his family live near the sea in a small house. Kino's life turns to depression when he finds out that his son was bitten by a scorpion. Coyotito's life is in danger and Kino doesn't have enough money to cure him. The characterization of Kino is very strong. Relating to the quote," the ultimate measure of a man...," Kino never gives up hope. For the cause of not having enough money to cure his son, Kino goes diving into the sea to look for pearls. Kino finds a pearl after searching for a long time.
Kino and Juana decide to sell the Pearl, but the dealers are biding on way too low prices. Once again Kino doesn't give up hope. He decides to take it to the capital. Many people try to steal the pearl from him, so his wife tells him to just throw it back into the sea. As a response, Kino's brother says “he is a man and will take care of things." This relates to the quote because it tells the importance of a husbands and a father's duty. The conflict of this novel is that Kino doesn't want to lose his son. Kino’s son gets bitten by a scorpion, and that leaves Kino and his wife Juana in a big depression, throughout the novel. The type of situation in the novel relates to the theme, which never to give up hope. This is exactly what Kino does; he tends to stand up at hard challenges and tries his best to face them.
Both novels, Incidents in the life of a slave girl, by Harriet Jacobs and The Pearl by john Steinbeck, show numerous ways of how two protagonists face hard and competitive challenges in life. Martin Luther kings, Jr’s quote describes that a man should stand up and face his fears. He should challenge them, and compete with them.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
ELA Session one part B ( Text and Graph)
The rate teenage smoking has increased throughout the past years in America. Some researchers say that the rate of teenage smoking declined in the 1970's and leveled off in the 1980's. The stable and unstableness of the smoking rate has caused a health issue in the country and public relations with the tobacco company. The factors that have influenced teenage smoking include but are not limited to, are Tobacco Company, opponents of the company and the teenagers.
The most important factor that has influenced teenage smoking is the Tobacco Company. Many people debate over the idea that the rise in the rate of teenage smoking resulted from the harmful products, produced by the tobacco company. However, the tobacco company disagrees. Instead, they say that the main cause of the "rise" in the rate was due to "broad range of social forces." The company claims that due to increasing rates, Tobacco is not the only drug that has increased in rate among teenagers. They said that there are other riskful drugs that have increased in rate among them.
Another factor, which stands as an influence for the “rise in the teenage smoking rate”, is the critics. The critics at one point actually agreed with the tobacco industry, about the rebelliousness at work. On the other hand, the critics think that the tobacco industry is a main cause for the increase in the teenage smoking rate. The critics say that the industry spends a lot on advertising and promotions that are highly encouraged for run sale. According to graph 2, the percentage of teenagers smoking tobacco has increased sharply in the 1990's. Many teens are attracted to the advertisements coming from the tobacco industry. There is one critic who looks at this situation in a different way. His name is John Pierce. Pierce states that the spending has rose most swiftly in the 1980's. He thinks that the spending has mostly increased then the selling.
The factor that has strongly influenced teenage smoking is the teenagers themselves. Many teens are influenced to smoking tobacco hanging around with other teens who already smoke. Many high school students say that they mainly smoke because they like engage in risky behaviors. Other teens do it because others do it. The average numbers of teens start smoking, in 8th grade. Graph one indicates the number of packs high school students smoke per day. According to graph 1, 8th, 10th and 12th graders smoke at least half a pack of cigarettes everyday. The graph states that the biggest increase in the 3 grades was mainly in 1995 to 1996. The highest percentage is for the 12th graders. Many teens start smoking from being, well attracted to ads and advertisements from such companies like the tobacco industry.
In conclusion, the smoking rate of young teenagers should decrease. There are many ways of reducing the smoking rate. The tobacco industry should step selling harmful products like this to teens. A law should be made, of only selling products to a certain age. I think that drugs like tobacco shouldn't even be sold to young youths and to other people.
The most important factor that has influenced teenage smoking is the Tobacco Company. Many people debate over the idea that the rise in the rate of teenage smoking resulted from the harmful products, produced by the tobacco company. However, the tobacco company disagrees. Instead, they say that the main cause of the "rise" in the rate was due to "broad range of social forces." The company claims that due to increasing rates, Tobacco is not the only drug that has increased in rate among teenagers. They said that there are other riskful drugs that have increased in rate among them.
Another factor, which stands as an influence for the “rise in the teenage smoking rate”, is the critics. The critics at one point actually agreed with the tobacco industry, about the rebelliousness at work. On the other hand, the critics think that the tobacco industry is a main cause for the increase in the teenage smoking rate. The critics say that the industry spends a lot on advertising and promotions that are highly encouraged for run sale. According to graph 2, the percentage of teenagers smoking tobacco has increased sharply in the 1990's. Many teens are attracted to the advertisements coming from the tobacco industry. There is one critic who looks at this situation in a different way. His name is John Pierce. Pierce states that the spending has rose most swiftly in the 1980's. He thinks that the spending has mostly increased then the selling.
The factor that has strongly influenced teenage smoking is the teenagers themselves. Many teens are influenced to smoking tobacco hanging around with other teens who already smoke. Many high school students say that they mainly smoke because they like engage in risky behaviors. Other teens do it because others do it. The average numbers of teens start smoking, in 8th grade. Graph one indicates the number of packs high school students smoke per day. According to graph 1, 8th, 10th and 12th graders smoke at least half a pack of cigarettes everyday. The graph states that the biggest increase in the 3 grades was mainly in 1995 to 1996. The highest percentage is for the 12th graders. Many teens start smoking from being, well attracted to ads and advertisements from such companies like the tobacco industry.
In conclusion, the smoking rate of young teenagers should decrease. There are many ways of reducing the smoking rate. The tobacco industry should step selling harmful products like this to teens. A law should be made, of only selling products to a certain age. I think that drugs like tobacco shouldn't even be sold to young youths and to other people.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Fences, by August Wilson (Story Map)
Information Technology High School
Ms. Hyde
English E5
January 2, 2008
Marya Altaf
Fences, by August Wilson
Characters & Characterization: Protagonist: Troy Maxson
Troy Maxson: Protagonist
The main character of this play is Troy Maxson. He is a fifty three years old man who is the husband of Rose and the father Cory, Lyons and Raynell. Lyons is the son of Troy, and the woman Troy met before he met Rose. Raynell is the daughter of Troy and Alberta, the woman Troy had an affair with after Rose. After giving birth to Raynell Alberta died. Then Rose took care of Raynell because Rose thinks that she has nothing to do with Troy’s past sins. In this play Troy’s best friend is Jim Bono. Both Troy and Bono met in jail. Bono is influenced by Troy and admires him a lot. Both Troy and Bono work at sanitation. At the sanitation Troy and Bono lift garbage into trucks. But Troy doesn’t want that, he wants to drive the truck just like the white men. So, during this play Troy fights for driving the truck instead of lifting garbage, which he eventually wins in the middle of the play. Gabriel is Troy’s brother. Gabriel was a soldier in a war and faced a head injury. Troy is a strong man who tries to keep his family happy. But sometimes it doesn’t workout. Troy’s first son Lyons doesn’t live with Troy, but he lives with his girlfriend Bonnie. He has a hard time finding a job. Cory lives with Troy and Rose. Both Troy and Cory once come into an argument about Cory leaving the football team. Cory wants to continue playing football but Troy doesn’t want him to. The one time both Troy and Cory get into a physical fight was when Troy didn’t let go of Rose’s hand, when they both were having an argument about Troy’s affair with Alberta. Rose also wants to keep her family together and hold on to her family by building a fence around the house.
Setting:
The setting of this play takes place in the year 1957 to 1965. The setting mostly takes place in Troy’s house and yard. The beginning of the play takes place on a Friday in the night. Another setting can be from the quote on page 90 in act two, “The time is 1965. The lights come up in the yard. It is the morning of Troy’s funeral. A funeral plaque with a light hangs beside the door. There is a small garden plot off to the side.” The quote reveals a setting that takes place in 1965. The setting in this quote is in a yard and a small garden. The main point of this setting is about the main character Troy Maxson and his funeral.
Vocabulary:
1- Vigilant- Ever awake and alert; sleeplessly watchful.
2- Atavistic- reverting to or suggesting the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type.
3- Eerie- uncanny, so as to inspire superstitious fear; weird.
4- Penitentiary- a place for imprisonment, reformatory discipline, or punishment.
5- Sterilize: to destroy microorganisms in or on, usually by bringing to a high temperature with steam, dry heat, or boiling liquid.
Plot: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Conclusion/Resolution:
Fences, by August Wilson talks about a black African American family and the way they endure with life. Troy Maxson is married to a woman named Rose. Troy is fifty three years old and Rose is forty three. Troy’s children’s names are Cory, Lyons and Raynell. Cory is Troy’s and Rose’s son. Lyons is the son of Troy and the woman he met before rose. Raynell is the daughter of Troy and Alberta. Alberta is the woman Troy had an affair with after Rose. Alberta died after giving birth to Raynell. Troy’s son Cory plays football in high school, and wants to continue playing. On the other hand Troy doesn’t want him to continue playing, but instead he wants him to find a job and work. Troy gets into an argument with Cory. Troy and his best friend Bono work at sanitation. Both characters have to lift garbage. However Troy doesn’t like that. He wants to drive the truck just like the white people. The rising action for this play is when Troy is about to tell Rose that he is going to be a father and that he had an affair with a woman named Alberta. Rose’s character seems to be very shocked at this point. The Climax is when Troy tells Rose about his affair and when they are having an argument. It’s a very attention-grabbing moment for the reader because the reader wants to see the reaction of the characters.
The falling action occurs after Troy tells Rose about him becoming a father and about his affair with Alberta. Troy and Rose create a big argument. Troy tries to tell Rose that he just needs some of his own time and that he happens to find this time with Alberta. Troy becomes very angry at Rose because she doesn’t seem to understand him. Troy grabs her arm and starts to hurt her. Later Cory comes out to the yard to help his mother, he for the first time gets involved in a physical fight with his father. The ending is very dramatic. Troy Maxson the main character dies in act two and the last scene, scene five. He dies in the year 1965. Raynell is older and the family reunites on the day of his funeral. The play ends with Toy’s brother Gabriel telling Rose that its time to tell “St. Peter” to open the gates, and he talks to Troy’s dead body and asks him if he’s ready.
“Quotes”:
“The whole time I was growing up… living in his house… papa was like a shadow that followed you everywhere. It weighed on you and sunk into your flesh.”
PAGE: 96, Act 2 Scene five
The speaker of this quote is Cory. Cory is Troy’s and Rose’s son. This quote takes place at Troy’s funeral. Cory finally comes back after a long time and reunites with his family. Later on in the day, Cory tells Rose that he doesn’t want to attend Troy’s funeral. He tells her that Troy was a huge weight on Cory. Cory felt like he couldn’t do anything when Troy was around. In this quote, Cory is trying to say that in order to get the “heavy weight” of Troy off him; he will not attend his funeral. In this quote Cory describes Troy as a shadow that follows him around everywhere. Cory says that Troy followed him around all his life.
“Them feet and bones! That pumping heart, nigger! I give you more than anybody else is ever gonna give you.”
PAGE: 86, Act 2 Scene four
The speaker of this quote is Troy. At this point Troy is referring to Cory. Both Troy and Cory are having an argument. Cory tells Troy that he has done nothing for him and that he never gave anything to him. Troy than becomes angry and tells Cory that he gave him a life. Troy tries to tell Cory that he took care of Cory and that’s a big thing he ever gave to him that no one else ever can give. Cory tells Troy that he never did anything for him.
Conflicts: External, internal
An external conflict in this play can be when Troy Maxson the main character has an argument with everyone in his family. Troy gets into an argument with his wife Rose about him having an affair with another woman. He tells her that she doesn’t seem to understand him. He wants some of his own time and Alberta, the woman he had an affair with gives him that time. Rose becomes angry and argues about his affair with another woman. Cory and Troy also have an argument. Cory tells Troy that he never really gave in anything and also has never done anything for him. Troy argues with Cory saying that he has given him so much that nobody has ever given him. This argument leads Cory into leaving his house and finding another place to live in. An internal conflict can be when Cory doesn’t want to attend his father’s funeral. He thinks that the way to take his fathers shadow away from him, is not attending his funeral. This is a big conflict for his mother Rose. She wants Cory to attend Troy’s funeral.
Themes:
“The perspective of life varies from person to person”
This theme relates to the play in many ways. Each and every character in the play has a different point of view about life. Each character looks at life at a different point. The main character Troy Maxson thinks life is like a baseball game. He wants his children to work hard for the future. Since he couldn’t do things, racism didn’t allow him to do; he doesn’t allow his children do those things. His son Cory wants to play football and continue playing. But Troy doesn’t allow him to. Cory tells his father that he’s a capable player. But troy just wants him to work. Troy also has another son named Lyons. Lyons view of life is all about music. He once told his father that he views life at a very different point. Lyons works for a jazz. Troy’s wife Rose wants to build a fence all around the house. She wants to keep everyone in her family together. She thinks that a fence around her house will do that. Troy has a brother named Gabriel. Gabriel was once a soldier in a war and got a head injury. He believes that he is not a person but an angel who open gates for heaven. All characters have a different perspective of life.
“Following a dream can change lives”
Many characters in this play have their own dreams. For example Troy Maxson, he always wanted to play baseball but never could’ve because blacks weren’t allowed to play at that time. But even though Troy didn’t play baseball, I think he still never gave up hope. Troy and his best friend Bono worked at sanitation. They had to lift garbage as a job. Troy wasn’t too happy about his job. He wanted to drive the truck just like the white workers. He never gave up until he got to drive the truck. Cory had a different dream. He wanted to play football. But his father never let him. I think that Cory’s life would have been very different if he followed his dream.
Literary Elements:
Personification-
“Death standing there at me… carrying that sickle in his hand.”
This quote form act 1, page 11 represents personification. This quote say’s that death can stand and carry something. Death cannot stand nor carry a sickle in its hand, so it simply would be a personification.
Metaphor-
Troy thinks that life is like a baseball game. He thinks that there are three strikes in life. This is a metaphor because Troy refers life to a baseball game. Troy basically represents life as a baseball game.
Genre-
Fences is a play written by August Wilson. This is a drama about a black African American family who faces life in various ways.
Annotated Bibliography:
August, Wilson Fences, New York Penguin Group, 1986
Fences by August Wilson mainly talks about a black African American family who struggle throughout many things in life. August Wilson won the Pulitzer Prize for this drama. This play is set in the 1950’s. Fences is the second play Wilson had written. Wilson had became a Playwright during this play. Fences talks about a man who often fails to keeping his family happy and together. In this family each character wants to do something different in life. Troy Maxson is the main character for this play. He is the husband of Rose and the father of Cory, Lyons and Raynell. Troy Maxson deals with many situations in life.
Ms. Hyde
English E5
January 2, 2008
Marya Altaf
Fences, by August Wilson
Characters & Characterization: Protagonist: Troy Maxson
Troy Maxson: Protagonist
The main character of this play is Troy Maxson. He is a fifty three years old man who is the husband of Rose and the father Cory, Lyons and Raynell. Lyons is the son of Troy, and the woman Troy met before he met Rose. Raynell is the daughter of Troy and Alberta, the woman Troy had an affair with after Rose. After giving birth to Raynell Alberta died. Then Rose took care of Raynell because Rose thinks that she has nothing to do with Troy’s past sins. In this play Troy’s best friend is Jim Bono. Both Troy and Bono met in jail. Bono is influenced by Troy and admires him a lot. Both Troy and Bono work at sanitation. At the sanitation Troy and Bono lift garbage into trucks. But Troy doesn’t want that, he wants to drive the truck just like the white men. So, during this play Troy fights for driving the truck instead of lifting garbage, which he eventually wins in the middle of the play. Gabriel is Troy’s brother. Gabriel was a soldier in a war and faced a head injury. Troy is a strong man who tries to keep his family happy. But sometimes it doesn’t workout. Troy’s first son Lyons doesn’t live with Troy, but he lives with his girlfriend Bonnie. He has a hard time finding a job. Cory lives with Troy and Rose. Both Troy and Cory once come into an argument about Cory leaving the football team. Cory wants to continue playing football but Troy doesn’t want him to. The one time both Troy and Cory get into a physical fight was when Troy didn’t let go of Rose’s hand, when they both were having an argument about Troy’s affair with Alberta. Rose also wants to keep her family together and hold on to her family by building a fence around the house.
Setting:
The setting of this play takes place in the year 1957 to 1965. The setting mostly takes place in Troy’s house and yard. The beginning of the play takes place on a Friday in the night. Another setting can be from the quote on page 90 in act two, “The time is 1965. The lights come up in the yard. It is the morning of Troy’s funeral. A funeral plaque with a light hangs beside the door. There is a small garden plot off to the side.” The quote reveals a setting that takes place in 1965. The setting in this quote is in a yard and a small garden. The main point of this setting is about the main character Troy Maxson and his funeral.
Vocabulary:
1- Vigilant- Ever awake and alert; sleeplessly watchful.
2- Atavistic- reverting to or suggesting the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type.
3- Eerie- uncanny, so as to inspire superstitious fear; weird.
4- Penitentiary- a place for imprisonment, reformatory discipline, or punishment.
5- Sterilize: to destroy microorganisms in or on, usually by bringing to a high temperature with steam, dry heat, or boiling liquid.
Plot: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Conclusion/Resolution:
Fences, by August Wilson talks about a black African American family and the way they endure with life. Troy Maxson is married to a woman named Rose. Troy is fifty three years old and Rose is forty three. Troy’s children’s names are Cory, Lyons and Raynell. Cory is Troy’s and Rose’s son. Lyons is the son of Troy and the woman he met before rose. Raynell is the daughter of Troy and Alberta. Alberta is the woman Troy had an affair with after Rose. Alberta died after giving birth to Raynell. Troy’s son Cory plays football in high school, and wants to continue playing. On the other hand Troy doesn’t want him to continue playing, but instead he wants him to find a job and work. Troy gets into an argument with Cory. Troy and his best friend Bono work at sanitation. Both characters have to lift garbage. However Troy doesn’t like that. He wants to drive the truck just like the white people. The rising action for this play is when Troy is about to tell Rose that he is going to be a father and that he had an affair with a woman named Alberta. Rose’s character seems to be very shocked at this point. The Climax is when Troy tells Rose about his affair and when they are having an argument. It’s a very attention-grabbing moment for the reader because the reader wants to see the reaction of the characters.
The falling action occurs after Troy tells Rose about him becoming a father and about his affair with Alberta. Troy and Rose create a big argument. Troy tries to tell Rose that he just needs some of his own time and that he happens to find this time with Alberta. Troy becomes very angry at Rose because she doesn’t seem to understand him. Troy grabs her arm and starts to hurt her. Later Cory comes out to the yard to help his mother, he for the first time gets involved in a physical fight with his father. The ending is very dramatic. Troy Maxson the main character dies in act two and the last scene, scene five. He dies in the year 1965. Raynell is older and the family reunites on the day of his funeral. The play ends with Toy’s brother Gabriel telling Rose that its time to tell “St. Peter” to open the gates, and he talks to Troy’s dead body and asks him if he’s ready.
“Quotes”:
“The whole time I was growing up… living in his house… papa was like a shadow that followed you everywhere. It weighed on you and sunk into your flesh.”
PAGE: 96, Act 2 Scene five
The speaker of this quote is Cory. Cory is Troy’s and Rose’s son. This quote takes place at Troy’s funeral. Cory finally comes back after a long time and reunites with his family. Later on in the day, Cory tells Rose that he doesn’t want to attend Troy’s funeral. He tells her that Troy was a huge weight on Cory. Cory felt like he couldn’t do anything when Troy was around. In this quote, Cory is trying to say that in order to get the “heavy weight” of Troy off him; he will not attend his funeral. In this quote Cory describes Troy as a shadow that follows him around everywhere. Cory says that Troy followed him around all his life.
“Them feet and bones! That pumping heart, nigger! I give you more than anybody else is ever gonna give you.”
PAGE: 86, Act 2 Scene four
The speaker of this quote is Troy. At this point Troy is referring to Cory. Both Troy and Cory are having an argument. Cory tells Troy that he has done nothing for him and that he never gave anything to him. Troy than becomes angry and tells Cory that he gave him a life. Troy tries to tell Cory that he took care of Cory and that’s a big thing he ever gave to him that no one else ever can give. Cory tells Troy that he never did anything for him.
Conflicts: External, internal
An external conflict in this play can be when Troy Maxson the main character has an argument with everyone in his family. Troy gets into an argument with his wife Rose about him having an affair with another woman. He tells her that she doesn’t seem to understand him. He wants some of his own time and Alberta, the woman he had an affair with gives him that time. Rose becomes angry and argues about his affair with another woman. Cory and Troy also have an argument. Cory tells Troy that he never really gave in anything and also has never done anything for him. Troy argues with Cory saying that he has given him so much that nobody has ever given him. This argument leads Cory into leaving his house and finding another place to live in. An internal conflict can be when Cory doesn’t want to attend his father’s funeral. He thinks that the way to take his fathers shadow away from him, is not attending his funeral. This is a big conflict for his mother Rose. She wants Cory to attend Troy’s funeral.
Themes:
“The perspective of life varies from person to person”
This theme relates to the play in many ways. Each and every character in the play has a different point of view about life. Each character looks at life at a different point. The main character Troy Maxson thinks life is like a baseball game. He wants his children to work hard for the future. Since he couldn’t do things, racism didn’t allow him to do; he doesn’t allow his children do those things. His son Cory wants to play football and continue playing. But Troy doesn’t allow him to. Cory tells his father that he’s a capable player. But troy just wants him to work. Troy also has another son named Lyons. Lyons view of life is all about music. He once told his father that he views life at a very different point. Lyons works for a jazz. Troy’s wife Rose wants to build a fence all around the house. She wants to keep everyone in her family together. She thinks that a fence around her house will do that. Troy has a brother named Gabriel. Gabriel was once a soldier in a war and got a head injury. He believes that he is not a person but an angel who open gates for heaven. All characters have a different perspective of life.
“Following a dream can change lives”
Many characters in this play have their own dreams. For example Troy Maxson, he always wanted to play baseball but never could’ve because blacks weren’t allowed to play at that time. But even though Troy didn’t play baseball, I think he still never gave up hope. Troy and his best friend Bono worked at sanitation. They had to lift garbage as a job. Troy wasn’t too happy about his job. He wanted to drive the truck just like the white workers. He never gave up until he got to drive the truck. Cory had a different dream. He wanted to play football. But his father never let him. I think that Cory’s life would have been very different if he followed his dream.
Literary Elements:
Personification-
“Death standing there at me… carrying that sickle in his hand.”
This quote form act 1, page 11 represents personification. This quote say’s that death can stand and carry something. Death cannot stand nor carry a sickle in its hand, so it simply would be a personification.
Metaphor-
Troy thinks that life is like a baseball game. He thinks that there are three strikes in life. This is a metaphor because Troy refers life to a baseball game. Troy basically represents life as a baseball game.
Genre-
Fences is a play written by August Wilson. This is a drama about a black African American family who faces life in various ways.
Annotated Bibliography:
August, Wilson Fences, New York Penguin Group, 1986
Fences by August Wilson mainly talks about a black African American family who struggle throughout many things in life. August Wilson won the Pulitzer Prize for this drama. This play is set in the 1950’s. Fences is the second play Wilson had written. Wilson had became a Playwright during this play. Fences talks about a man who often fails to keeping his family happy and together. In this family each character wants to do something different in life. Troy Maxson is the main character for this play. He is the husband of Rose and the father of Cory, Lyons and Raynell. Troy Maxson deals with many situations in life.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Area of Weakness on ELA Regents Exam
What is part 1
In part 1 I am asked to Listen to a speech twice and than take notes for important information. I am than asked to write a response to a speech.After that I am asked to do a set of multiple choice questions on key ideas. Finally I have to write a persuasive essay, using a specific guideline which will be given to me.
My weaknesses-
My weakness for this section is mainly the listening part. I have to listen and take notes at the same time. Sometimes I miss out on writing important information.
How to improve
A) I can improve by writing the important information the first time the teacher reads it out loud and than listen very carefully the second time.
B)
C)
D)
In part 1 I am asked to Listen to a speech twice and than take notes for important information. I am than asked to write a response to a speech.After that I am asked to do a set of multiple choice questions on key ideas. Finally I have to write a persuasive essay, using a specific guideline which will be given to me.
My weaknesses-
My weakness for this section is mainly the listening part. I have to listen and take notes at the same time. Sometimes I miss out on writing important information.
How to improve
A) I can improve by writing the important information the first time the teacher reads it out loud and than listen very carefully the second time.
B)
C)
D)
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Questions on Session One Part B
Objective: Reading and writing for information and understanding, as assessed by:-
a written response to a text and related visual- multiple-choice questions on basic comprehension.
Let's take a look at a past ELA Regents Part 2 exam and do the following: Read the entire text and graph.
Read the instructions and answer the following:
1- What kind of texts do you expect to read?
Before reading the text, I read the task. According to the task, I will reading about the
effective methods that are used to save endangered species, for this essay.
2- What is a graph, and what kind of information does it elicit?
A graph is "a diagram representing a system of connections or interrelations among two or more things by a number of distinctive dots, lines, bars, and etc."
3- How can you compare the two?
You can compare both the text and the graph by discussing each document. Then you can use specific, accurate, and relevant information from the text and the table to support your opinion.
4- What are they asking you to do in this essay?
For this essay, this part mainly wants me to "write a chapter for a guide, or (your) environmental science class in which you explain why the Florida manatee is endangered and discuss effective methods used to save the Florida manatee."
5- Is this a persuasive or informative essay? Why?
I think that this essay is informative because it doesn't provide it's own based opinion in general. It gives a lot of details, which try to describe something to you.
6- What thesis statement can you possibly write for this essay?
Many species are endangered all around the world. For example, Florida's manatee is endangered and there are three effective ways used to save the Florida manatee.
7- What if they wanted you to write a Letter to a senator, then how many paragraphs would you write?
If the regents asked me to write a letter to a senator, then I would write more then four paragraphs.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
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Character List
Character's and what role they play:
Troy Maxson: He appears to be the main character and the protagonist for this play. He is 53 years old. He plays a very strong role in this play. He is the father of two sons named Cory and Lyons. He also has a daughter named Raynell. His wife's name is Rose, and his brother's name is Gabriel. Troy works at a sanitation.
Rose Maxson: Rose is the wife of Troy Maxson and the mother of Cory. Rose also takes care of Troy and Alberta's daughter Raynell, after Alberta dies. She is 43 years old and also is a house wife. She wants to build a fence in her backyard so that her family could be "together."
Cory Maxson: He is the son of both Rose an Troy. Throughout this play Cory wants to keep playing football, but his father, Troy refuses to let him.
Lyons Maxson: He is the son of Troy, and the woman who Troy met before he met Rose. He has a hard time finding a job in this play. Troy usually lends money to him. Lyons is a Jazz musician.
Raynell Maxson: The daughter of Troy and Alberta. Alberta is the woman that Troy had an affair with, after Rose. Raynell's mother dies. So Rose decides to take care of her.
Gabriel Maxson: He is the brother of Troy. Troy gets him out of jail, after he finds out that Gabriel was arrested.
Jim Bono: He is Troy's friend. They both met in jail. They are like best friends. Bono considers Troy as his leader. Bono is influenced by Troy.
Troy Maxson: He appears to be the main character and the protagonist for this play. He is 53 years old. He plays a very strong role in this play. He is the father of two sons named Cory and Lyons. He also has a daughter named Raynell. His wife's name is Rose, and his brother's name is Gabriel. Troy works at a sanitation.
Rose Maxson: Rose is the wife of Troy Maxson and the mother of Cory. Rose also takes care of Troy and Alberta's daughter Raynell, after Alberta dies. She is 43 years old and also is a house wife. She wants to build a fence in her backyard so that her family could be "together."
Cory Maxson: He is the son of both Rose an Troy. Throughout this play Cory wants to keep playing football, but his father, Troy refuses to let him.
Lyons Maxson: He is the son of Troy, and the woman who Troy met before he met Rose. He has a hard time finding a job in this play. Troy usually lends money to him. Lyons is a Jazz musician.
Raynell Maxson: The daughter of Troy and Alberta. Alberta is the woman that Troy had an affair with, after Rose. Raynell's mother dies. So Rose decides to take care of her.
Gabriel Maxson: He is the brother of Troy. Troy gets him out of jail, after he finds out that Gabriel was arrested.
Jim Bono: He is Troy's friend. They both met in jail. They are like best friends. Bono considers Troy as his leader. Bono is influenced by Troy.
August Wilson's Biography
August Wilson was born on April 27, 1945 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and he died on October 2, 2005. He was a great playwright and won many awards for his creative work. August Wilson's father was also called Frederick August Kittle. His father was a German immigrant. Wilson, went to school at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School. He dropped out of school at age 15 and turned to self-education at the Carnegie Library. Wilson's mother also had married another man named David Bedford. They were a white working class family. Wilson's father died in 1965. At the same year Wilson decided to write poetry. Wilson's early work failed to gain much attention. But his third play, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (1982), won him a wide attention as a dramatist and interpreter for the African American experience. His plays won many awards. In the 20th century, August Wilson explored the lives, dreams, triumphs and tragedies of African-American history and culture. August Wilson gained inspiration from African American artists. A famous play that he once wrote is "Fences" in 1957-58 and 1963. "Fences comprimises the 1950's. It relates to a black family who tries to make connections in the slag slippery hills of a middle African Urban industrial city. He tries to tell the story of four generations of black African Americans.
August Wilson's cycle of plays:
"Gem of the Ocean," 1904
"Joe Turner's Come and Gone," 1911
"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," 1927
"The Piano Lesson," 1936
"Seven Guitars," 1948
"Fences," 1957-58 and 1963
"Two Trains Running," 1969
"Jitney," 1977
"King Hedley, II," 1985
"Radio Golf," 1997
Sources:
http://www.sparknotes.com/drama/fences/context.html
http://www.tqnyc.org/NYC00085/nov1ess.htm
http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-fences/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Wilson
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1014-21.htm
August Wilson's cycle of plays:
"Gem of the Ocean," 1904
"Joe Turner's Come and Gone," 1911
"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," 1927
"The Piano Lesson," 1936
"Seven Guitars," 1948
"Fences," 1957-58 and 1963
"Two Trains Running," 1969
"Jitney," 1977
"King Hedley, II," 1985
"Radio Golf," 1997
Sources:
http://www.sparknotes.com/drama/fences/context.html
http://www.tqnyc.org/NYC00085/nov1ess.htm
http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-fences/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Wilson
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1014-21.htm
Monday, December 3, 2007
Analysis of 2 Critical Lens Quotes
Quote:
“I like flawed characters because somewhere in them I seemore of the truth.”
Author- Nicolas Cage,
Nicolas Cage stated that, "I like flawed characters because somewhere in them I see more of the truth.” This quote is trying to say that the person likes imperfect characters. He can right away tell what type of character they are when they make mistakes. They can't hide the truth, basically. I agree with this quote because flawed characters are characters who make mistakes, so we can tell their way of character very easily. The two novels Of mice and men by john Stienbeck and Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, are great examples that relate to this quote.
Quote:
“To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.”
Author: Bernadette Devlin
INTRODUCTION
Bernadette Devlin once stated that, “to gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.” Devlin tries to state that if one wants to achieve something in life and would want total control over it, then they would also lose something else in order to achieve what they want. I agree with this quote because to win or gain something you would have to lose something. The two novels, The Pearl by John Steinbeck has a character who faces life time sacarafices inorder to acieve a goal, which is to make a better life for his family,and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs is a about a woman who fights for her freedom, are superior examples that relate to this quote.
“I like flawed characters because somewhere in them I seemore of the truth.”
Author- Nicolas Cage,
Nicolas Cage stated that, "I like flawed characters because somewhere in them I see more of the truth.” This quote is trying to say that the person likes imperfect characters. He can right away tell what type of character they are when they make mistakes. They can't hide the truth, basically. I agree with this quote because flawed characters are characters who make mistakes, so we can tell their way of character very easily. The two novels Of mice and men by john Stienbeck and Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, are great examples that relate to this quote.
Quote:
“To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.”
Author: Bernadette Devlin
INTRODUCTION
Bernadette Devlin once stated that, “to gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.” Devlin tries to state that if one wants to achieve something in life and would want total control over it, then they would also lose something else in order to achieve what they want. I agree with this quote because to win or gain something you would have to lose something. The two novels, The Pearl by John Steinbeck has a character who faces life time sacarafices inorder to acieve a goal, which is to make a better life for his family,and Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs is a about a woman who fights for her freedom, are superior examples that relate to this quote.
One of the 2 critical lens quote developed into a complete outline
BODY I :
A. The Pearl, by John Steinbeck talks about a character who fights for his sons life. Inorder to save his childs life, Kino the main character sacrafices many things.
1- Introduce the main characters.
Kino- The main character.
Jauana- Kino's wife.
Coyotito- The son of Kino and Jauana.
2- The setting of this novel is in a brush house near the sea.
3-Coyotito gets bit by a Scorpion. This leads Kino and his family to search for pearls to cure his son, Coyotito.
BODY II :
B. In this novel Kino has a goal which he wants to acomplish and would do anything to achieveit.
1- Many incidents happen in kino's life, but he never gives up.
2- The theme of this novel is never giving up hope.
3- Kino finds a pearl but has trouble selling it. Throughout the novel Kino wants to sell the pearl so he can get enough money to cure his son.
BODY III :
C. Incidents in the life of a slave girl by Harriet Jacobs, talks about a woman who makes many sacrafices in life just to achieve one goal, which is freedom from slavery.
1- The main character Linda Brent fights for freedom throughout this whole novel.
2- Linda Brent almost lost everything while fighting for her freedom.
3- One setting from this novel is the garret. The garret is a small attic at Linda's grandmothers house. Linda hides in that garret for 7 years.
CONCLUSION :
Bernadette Devlin's quote, “to gain that which is worth having..." relates to both novels in many different ways. Both novels have characters who sacrafice things inorder to achieve their goal.
A. The Pearl, by John Steinbeck talks about a character who fights for his sons life. Inorder to save his childs life, Kino the main character sacrafices many things.
1- Introduce the main characters.
Kino- The main character.
Jauana- Kino's wife.
Coyotito- The son of Kino and Jauana.
2- The setting of this novel is in a brush house near the sea.
3-Coyotito gets bit by a Scorpion. This leads Kino and his family to search for pearls to cure his son, Coyotito.
BODY II :
B. In this novel Kino has a goal which he wants to acomplish and would do anything to achieveit.
1- Many incidents happen in kino's life, but he never gives up.
2- The theme of this novel is never giving up hope.
3- Kino finds a pearl but has trouble selling it. Throughout the novel Kino wants to sell the pearl so he can get enough money to cure his son.
BODY III :
C. Incidents in the life of a slave girl by Harriet Jacobs, talks about a woman who makes many sacrafices in life just to achieve one goal, which is freedom from slavery.
1- The main character Linda Brent fights for freedom throughout this whole novel.
2- Linda Brent almost lost everything while fighting for her freedom.
3- One setting from this novel is the garret. The garret is a small attic at Linda's grandmothers house. Linda hides in that garret for 7 years.
CONCLUSION :
Bernadette Devlin's quote, “to gain that which is worth having..." relates to both novels in many different ways. Both novels have characters who sacrafice things inorder to achieve their goal.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Session Two- Part A- Essay
My Task:
After you have read the passages and answered
the multiple-choice questions, write a unified
essay about the power of reading as revealed in
the passages. In your essay, use ideas from both
passages to establish a controlling idea about
the power of reading. Using evidence from each
passage, develop your controlling idea and show
how the author uses specific literary elements or
techniques to convey that idea.
GRADE: 4.5
Literature is read all around the world. Reading can affect the way people think in many ways. Reading can also alter the way people think. According to the two passages reading can make one an astute individual. The two passages are superior examples of how reading can affect people in certain ways.
Passage I is a poem called "The reader" writen by Richard Wilbur. In this poem, Wilbur mainly talks about a woman who is captivated with rereading old stories. The passage states that, "she is going back, these days, to the great stories that charmed her younger mind." This quote relates to how the woman in this passage takes interest in reading old stories, that she has already read. When the poet writes, "that charmed her younger mind" I think that he is clearly trying to the characterization of the woman. This line from the passage shows the reader that the woman takes interest, or is "charmed" in rereading old stories, it shows her way of character.
In passage I Wilbur, also describes a setting. The passage states that "bloody field or Tuscan garden." This is a particular setting from the old stories the woman reads, This passage in a way shows the power of reading. According to this passage, by reading the old stories so many times the woman knows the endings of the stories she reads. Wilbur writes, "she sees their first and final selves at once." This clearly states that the woman not only knows the endings of the stories she reads, but also knows how the characters will be like at the end.
Passage II is a short story written by Italo Calvino. In this passage, people start to have different point of views about books. The passage states that "a suspicion crept into the minds of top officials: that books contained opinions hostile to military prestige." This shows that a group of people think that books contain their own based opinions about things. The setting of this passage takes place in Panduria and in a big library in that place. In this passage the military takes total control of this library in Panduria. According to this passage, "the military took over the library." The general named "General Fedina" decided to censore the books in this library. In this passage the comission was to scruntinize the books. Their main task was to eradicate the inapt ones.
This passage ends very dramatically. The lieutenants, including "General Fedina", were all afraid to create a "scandal" They suffered form "nervous breakdowns" from duty. They were on duty for a long time. they suffered in the "course of duty". This passage states "dressed in civilian clothes, with heavy coats and thick sweaters so as not to freeze." This simply creates an imagery for the reader. We can see how the characters are dressed like and also know the season of the time they are in, which might be winter. As far as for the ending the civilians were to "be seen" going back to the old library. So this shows that, "no" they did not return to their duty, but instead returned to the library. Passage two also shows the power of reading. People can make huge deals out of reading. As for this passage people started to think that books contained their own based opinions about the military, so the military reacts to this situation and trys to take away the books that contain wrong things about the military.
Both passages show perfect example about the power of reading. Reading can affect people in many societies. For this case, it can affect the military and a regular woman rereading old stories. Books include their own based opinions about things and also contain a lot of interesting details that make a person want to read them over and over again. Both passages show the power of reading in different societies.
After you have read the passages and answered
the multiple-choice questions, write a unified
essay about the power of reading as revealed in
the passages. In your essay, use ideas from both
passages to establish a controlling idea about
the power of reading. Using evidence from each
passage, develop your controlling idea and show
how the author uses specific literary elements or
techniques to convey that idea.
GRADE: 4.5
Literature is read all around the world. Reading can affect the way people think in many ways. Reading can also alter the way people think. According to the two passages reading can make one an astute individual. The two passages are superior examples of how reading can affect people in certain ways.
Passage I is a poem called "The reader" writen by Richard Wilbur. In this poem, Wilbur mainly talks about a woman who is captivated with rereading old stories. The passage states that, "she is going back, these days, to the great stories that charmed her younger mind." This quote relates to how the woman in this passage takes interest in reading old stories, that she has already read. When the poet writes, "that charmed her younger mind" I think that he is clearly trying to the characterization of the woman. This line from the passage shows the reader that the woman takes interest, or is "charmed" in rereading old stories, it shows her way of character.
In passage I Wilbur, also describes a setting. The passage states that "bloody field or Tuscan garden." This is a particular setting from the old stories the woman reads, This passage in a way shows the power of reading. According to this passage, by reading the old stories so many times the woman knows the endings of the stories she reads. Wilbur writes, "she sees their first and final selves at once." This clearly states that the woman not only knows the endings of the stories she reads, but also knows how the characters will be like at the end.
Passage II is a short story written by Italo Calvino. In this passage, people start to have different point of views about books. The passage states that "a suspicion crept into the minds of top officials: that books contained opinions hostile to military prestige." This shows that a group of people think that books contain their own based opinions about things. The setting of this passage takes place in Panduria and in a big library in that place. In this passage the military takes total control of this library in Panduria. According to this passage, "the military took over the library." The general named "General Fedina" decided to censore the books in this library. In this passage the comission was to scruntinize the books. Their main task was to eradicate the inapt ones.
This passage ends very dramatically. The lieutenants, including "General Fedina", were all afraid to create a "scandal" They suffered form "nervous breakdowns" from duty. They were on duty for a long time. they suffered in the "course of duty". This passage states "dressed in civilian clothes, with heavy coats and thick sweaters so as not to freeze." This simply creates an imagery for the reader. We can see how the characters are dressed like and also know the season of the time they are in, which might be winter. As far as for the ending the civilians were to "be seen" going back to the old library. So this shows that, "no" they did not return to their duty, but instead returned to the library. Passage two also shows the power of reading. People can make huge deals out of reading. As for this passage people started to think that books contained their own based opinions about the military, so the military reacts to this situation and trys to take away the books that contain wrong things about the military.
Both passages show perfect example about the power of reading. Reading can affect people in many societies. For this case, it can affect the military and a regular woman rereading old stories. Books include their own based opinions about things and also contain a lot of interesting details that make a person want to read them over and over again. Both passages show the power of reading in different societies.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, by Harriet Jacobs (Story Map)
November 7, 2007
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, by Harriet Jacobs
Linda Brent: Protagonist
Dr. Flint: Antagonist
Linda Brent is the main character of this novel. She was born in 1818 as slave in North Carolina. Linda faces many incidents in her life. She was 6 years old when her mother died. Linda’s mistress Margaret Honriblow took care of her since then. When Linda turned 12 her mistress died and then Linda was willed to Honriblow’s niece. Linda was then the slave of Dr. Flint’s daughter. Dr. Flint is basically the antagonist of this novel. He always had forced Linda to have a sexual relationship with him. But Linda always refused. So Dr. Flint decided to never sell her to another owner. In depression Linda instead had a sexual relationship with Mr. Sands, her neighbor. Linda’s life became very hard afterwards. After the relationship with Mr. Sands, Linda later became a mother of Benny and Ellen. Mr. Sands had always helped Linda and their children. When Linda had escaped from Dr. Flint, Dr. Flint tried finding her at any cost. Throughout this novel in 27 years of slavery Linda tries to win freedom from slavery and Mr. Flint, for her family and her.
Setting:
The setting takes place in North Carolina. The setting time would be from 1820s–1840s. During the novel the setting also takes place in New York City, Boston and, England. Linda also spends 7 years in her grandmother’s garret. Linda hides under the kitchen floor of her friend’s house. On page 41 chapter “The Lover” it says “summer passed away, and early in the autumn.” According to this sentence from the text, the most of the story’s setting took place in the summer and then in autumn.
Vocabulary:
1- Insurrection: The act of going against a government.
2- Episcopal: Of, relating to, or involving church government by bishops.
3- Sabbath: The day of rest and worship.
4- Patriarchal: a person regarded as the father or founder of an order, class.
5- Hallelujah- a shout of joy, praise, or gratitude.
Plot: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Conclusion/Resolution:
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl introduces many characters in the beginning of the novel. Most characters are somehow related to Linda Brent the main character of this autobiography. Aunt Martha who is Linda’s grandmother, helped Linda escape. Linda’s both parents had died in this novel. Linda and her brother William both try to fight for freedom. Linda also had two uncles’ uncle Benjamin and Phillip, and one aunt named Nancy. Uncle Phillip and Aunt Nancy helped Linda escape from the south. Linda also had a sexual relationship with a white man named Mr. Sands who was her neighbor. Linda then became a mother of two children named Ellen and Benny.
The antagonist of this autobiography was mainly Dr. Flint. He has a daughter who is the owner of Linda. One rising action was when Linda runs away from Dr. Flint’s son’s plantation. She hides in her grandmother’s garret for seven years. Another can be when Linda is hiding in her friend’s house. Then Dr. Flint comes to that house to ask for Linda and if they have seen her. One falling action can be when Linda finds out that her children including her brother had been arrested because Linda ran away. Another falling action for this novel can be when Linda finds out that Mr. Sands is not taking well care of her children. He sells Ellen and also doesn’t provide well education for her. So for Linda, Mr. Sands breaks his promise for taking care of both Ellen and Benny.
The climax is when Linda is living in New York and finds out that Dr. Flint is in New York searching for her. So she heads for another state. Another climax can be when Linda tells her grandmother about her relationship with Mr. Sands. The resolution is very interesting for this autobiography. Almost at the end of the novel Linda and Fanny a white woman head for Philadelphia on a ship. They later are introduced to a man named Rev. Jeremiah Durham who invites Linda to stay with him and his family. After that Linda continues her journey to New York. Later Linda finds her daughter Ellen who was working with Mr. Sands cousin Mrs. Hobbs. Linda is helped or befriended by a lot of people during her escape. Linda with her brother William and Ellen have lived in Boston for two years. In the last chapter Linda gets a letter from her grandmother saying that Dr. Flint is dead. Mrs. Bruce buys Linda for $300. Linda then is free. After a short while Linda’s grandmother dies. Linda finally is free and lives with Mrs. Bruce and her family.
“Quotes”:
“Well, I’ll soon convince you whether I am your master, or the nigger fellow you honor so highly. If you must have a husband, you may take up with one of my slaves.”
This quote is trying to say that Linda can’t marry the person of her choice. Her master Dr. Flint is telling her that he is the one that makes the decisions for her. Linda wants to marry this free black carpenter who promises to buy her and live with her in the free states. Dr. Flint says that he will not let Linda marry a free black man. He is trying to show Linda that he is her master not the man that she wants to marry. He also tells her that if she would want to marry then she simply can marry one of his slaves.
“Put your trust in god. Be humble, my child, and your master will forgive you.”
In this quote both Benjamin and Linda’s grandmother are having a conversation.
Linda’s grandmother Aunt Martha is telling Benjamin that he should forget about everything and return to his master. She is trying to say that he should follow “gods” lead and think of himself at a lower position. If he does that then soon his master will let him come back and also forgive him. Aunt Martha is trying to tell Benjamin this, because he told her that he did not think of god when he broke away from his master. He replied by saying that he did not think of god and also forget if there is even a heaven.
Conflicts: External, internal:
Linda Brent is the main character of this autobiography. Throughout this novel she faces many conflicts. She experiences slavery for 27 years. In these years Linda fights for her freedom. One internal conflict from this novel is when Linda was Dr. Flints slave. Dr. Flint always harassed her into having a sexual relationship with him. Whenever she had lived with him she was always in fear. An external conflict is when Linda finds out that her children and William her brother are arrested by Dr. Flint. Linda ran away from Dr. Flint’s sons’ plantation. In order to find Linda he arrested her family members. Linda became aware and wanted to go back and surrender. Later Linda receives a letter from her brother William. Her brother wrote to Linda that she should continue her journey and not to worry about them. He told her that they will be fine.
Themes:
Fighting For Freedom
The theme fighting for freedom is basically what this autobiography is about. The main character Linda fights for freedom and goes through many risks. Linda wouldn’t have thought of being free if she wasn’t abused by Dr. Flint. Linda wanted a better life for her family. She wanted to educate her children Benny and Ellen. Linda got a lot of help from nice white people who didn’t believe in slavery, in this novel. They helped Linda escape from one place to another. In this novel Linda was always in fear of Dr. Flint. Linda, in this novel was mostly “running around everywhere looking for freedom.”
The Abuse of Slavery
In this novel Linda is abused many times including her family members. For example the time when Linda got her new shoes which made a lot of noise when she walked. Her mistress Dr. Flints wife told her that if she ever wore them again she would throw them into the fire. Another time can be when Dr. Flint abuses Linda for not wanting to have a sexual relationship with him. He had always tried but Linda had always refused. Also Linda was not allowed to marry someone of her choice even if she wanted to marry a free person. Dr. Flint told her that she was to only marry one of his slaves and also was to do whatever he says.
Literary Elements:
Metaphor: Page 17, chapter “The Slave Who Dared to Feel Like a Man.”
“We are dogs here; foot-balls, cattle everything that’s mean. Let them bring me back. We don’t die but once.” This is a metaphor because it is comparing two different things. In this quote Benjamin is telling Linda how slaves are treated. He tries to say that the owners treat them like dogs, other animals and mean things. So he is basically trying to compare himself as a slave to animals and other things that are not treated like human beings.
Simile: Page 95, Chapter “Scenes at the Plantation.”
“I was drilled like a disgraced soldier.” Linda is trying to say that she was forced like a dishonor soldier. Linda was being ordered from a doctor. On the other hand this sentence is a simile because two unlike things are being compared. Linda is comparing herself to a forced soldier. Linda says this because she was being forced to doing things.
Exaggeration: Page 7, Chapter “The New Master and Mistress”
“And when I call you, you should come immediately, if you have to pass through fire and water.” This quote is an exaggeration. The father who is saying the quote is trying to say that whenever he calls his children they should come to him even if they have to face the hardest thing in life. He is exaggerating about what he truly meant.
Annotated Bibliography:
Harriet, Jacobs Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl 1861, New York and Boston
Harriet Jacob’s autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, is mainly about a main character named Linda Brent who tries to fight for freedom from slavery. She was also enslaved and fought for freedom. In this novel she talks about how she wins her freedom. She was born in 1813. Jacobs’s mother had died when she was six years old. Two years after Jacobs was freed, she published Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl on October 9, 1853. In this novel Linda and Jacobs have similar characteristics. Jacobs’s fathers name was Daniel Jacobs but in this piece of work Linda’s father did not have name. Jacobs’s mothers name was Delilah, but Linda Brent’s mothers name was not mentioned in this novel. Linda was born in 1818 and Jacobs was born in 1813. Linda’s brother’s name was William and Jacobs’s brother’s name was John S. Jacobs. Linda’s uncles’ names were Benjamin and Philip and Jacob’s uncles names were Joseph and Mark Ramsey. Linda’s aunt’s name was Nancy and Jacobs’s aunts’ name was Betty. By these similarities you can tell that this novel was not only based on Linda Brent’s life but also Harriet Jacobs.
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, by Harriet Jacobs
Linda Brent: Protagonist
Dr. Flint: Antagonist
Linda Brent is the main character of this novel. She was born in 1818 as slave in North Carolina. Linda faces many incidents in her life. She was 6 years old when her mother died. Linda’s mistress Margaret Honriblow took care of her since then. When Linda turned 12 her mistress died and then Linda was willed to Honriblow’s niece. Linda was then the slave of Dr. Flint’s daughter. Dr. Flint is basically the antagonist of this novel. He always had forced Linda to have a sexual relationship with him. But Linda always refused. So Dr. Flint decided to never sell her to another owner. In depression Linda instead had a sexual relationship with Mr. Sands, her neighbor. Linda’s life became very hard afterwards. After the relationship with Mr. Sands, Linda later became a mother of Benny and Ellen. Mr. Sands had always helped Linda and their children. When Linda had escaped from Dr. Flint, Dr. Flint tried finding her at any cost. Throughout this novel in 27 years of slavery Linda tries to win freedom from slavery and Mr. Flint, for her family and her.
Setting:
The setting takes place in North Carolina. The setting time would be from 1820s–1840s. During the novel the setting also takes place in New York City, Boston and, England. Linda also spends 7 years in her grandmother’s garret. Linda hides under the kitchen floor of her friend’s house. On page 41 chapter “The Lover” it says “summer passed away, and early in the autumn.” According to this sentence from the text, the most of the story’s setting took place in the summer and then in autumn.
Vocabulary:
1- Insurrection: The act of going against a government.
2- Episcopal: Of, relating to, or involving church government by bishops.
3- Sabbath: The day of rest and worship.
4- Patriarchal: a person regarded as the father or founder of an order, class.
5- Hallelujah- a shout of joy, praise, or gratitude.
Plot: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Conclusion/Resolution:
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl introduces many characters in the beginning of the novel. Most characters are somehow related to Linda Brent the main character of this autobiography. Aunt Martha who is Linda’s grandmother, helped Linda escape. Linda’s both parents had died in this novel. Linda and her brother William both try to fight for freedom. Linda also had two uncles’ uncle Benjamin and Phillip, and one aunt named Nancy. Uncle Phillip and Aunt Nancy helped Linda escape from the south. Linda also had a sexual relationship with a white man named Mr. Sands who was her neighbor. Linda then became a mother of two children named Ellen and Benny.
The antagonist of this autobiography was mainly Dr. Flint. He has a daughter who is the owner of Linda. One rising action was when Linda runs away from Dr. Flint’s son’s plantation. She hides in her grandmother’s garret for seven years. Another can be when Linda is hiding in her friend’s house. Then Dr. Flint comes to that house to ask for Linda and if they have seen her. One falling action can be when Linda finds out that her children including her brother had been arrested because Linda ran away. Another falling action for this novel can be when Linda finds out that Mr. Sands is not taking well care of her children. He sells Ellen and also doesn’t provide well education for her. So for Linda, Mr. Sands breaks his promise for taking care of both Ellen and Benny.
The climax is when Linda is living in New York and finds out that Dr. Flint is in New York searching for her. So she heads for another state. Another climax can be when Linda tells her grandmother about her relationship with Mr. Sands. The resolution is very interesting for this autobiography. Almost at the end of the novel Linda and Fanny a white woman head for Philadelphia on a ship. They later are introduced to a man named Rev. Jeremiah Durham who invites Linda to stay with him and his family. After that Linda continues her journey to New York. Later Linda finds her daughter Ellen who was working with Mr. Sands cousin Mrs. Hobbs. Linda is helped or befriended by a lot of people during her escape. Linda with her brother William and Ellen have lived in Boston for two years. In the last chapter Linda gets a letter from her grandmother saying that Dr. Flint is dead. Mrs. Bruce buys Linda for $300. Linda then is free. After a short while Linda’s grandmother dies. Linda finally is free and lives with Mrs. Bruce and her family.
“Quotes”:
“Well, I’ll soon convince you whether I am your master, or the nigger fellow you honor so highly. If you must have a husband, you may take up with one of my slaves.”
This quote is trying to say that Linda can’t marry the person of her choice. Her master Dr. Flint is telling her that he is the one that makes the decisions for her. Linda wants to marry this free black carpenter who promises to buy her and live with her in the free states. Dr. Flint says that he will not let Linda marry a free black man. He is trying to show Linda that he is her master not the man that she wants to marry. He also tells her that if she would want to marry then she simply can marry one of his slaves.
“Put your trust in god. Be humble, my child, and your master will forgive you.”
In this quote both Benjamin and Linda’s grandmother are having a conversation.
Linda’s grandmother Aunt Martha is telling Benjamin that he should forget about everything and return to his master. She is trying to say that he should follow “gods” lead and think of himself at a lower position. If he does that then soon his master will let him come back and also forgive him. Aunt Martha is trying to tell Benjamin this, because he told her that he did not think of god when he broke away from his master. He replied by saying that he did not think of god and also forget if there is even a heaven.
Conflicts: External, internal:
Linda Brent is the main character of this autobiography. Throughout this novel she faces many conflicts. She experiences slavery for 27 years. In these years Linda fights for her freedom. One internal conflict from this novel is when Linda was Dr. Flints slave. Dr. Flint always harassed her into having a sexual relationship with him. Whenever she had lived with him she was always in fear. An external conflict is when Linda finds out that her children and William her brother are arrested by Dr. Flint. Linda ran away from Dr. Flint’s sons’ plantation. In order to find Linda he arrested her family members. Linda became aware and wanted to go back and surrender. Later Linda receives a letter from her brother William. Her brother wrote to Linda that she should continue her journey and not to worry about them. He told her that they will be fine.
Themes:
Fighting For Freedom
The theme fighting for freedom is basically what this autobiography is about. The main character Linda fights for freedom and goes through many risks. Linda wouldn’t have thought of being free if she wasn’t abused by Dr. Flint. Linda wanted a better life for her family. She wanted to educate her children Benny and Ellen. Linda got a lot of help from nice white people who didn’t believe in slavery, in this novel. They helped Linda escape from one place to another. In this novel Linda was always in fear of Dr. Flint. Linda, in this novel was mostly “running around everywhere looking for freedom.”
The Abuse of Slavery
In this novel Linda is abused many times including her family members. For example the time when Linda got her new shoes which made a lot of noise when she walked. Her mistress Dr. Flints wife told her that if she ever wore them again she would throw them into the fire. Another time can be when Dr. Flint abuses Linda for not wanting to have a sexual relationship with him. He had always tried but Linda had always refused. Also Linda was not allowed to marry someone of her choice even if she wanted to marry a free person. Dr. Flint told her that she was to only marry one of his slaves and also was to do whatever he says.
Literary Elements:
Metaphor: Page 17, chapter “The Slave Who Dared to Feel Like a Man.”
“We are dogs here; foot-balls, cattle everything that’s mean. Let them bring me back. We don’t die but once.” This is a metaphor because it is comparing two different things. In this quote Benjamin is telling Linda how slaves are treated. He tries to say that the owners treat them like dogs, other animals and mean things. So he is basically trying to compare himself as a slave to animals and other things that are not treated like human beings.
Simile: Page 95, Chapter “Scenes at the Plantation.”
“I was drilled like a disgraced soldier.” Linda is trying to say that she was forced like a dishonor soldier. Linda was being ordered from a doctor. On the other hand this sentence is a simile because two unlike things are being compared. Linda is comparing herself to a forced soldier. Linda says this because she was being forced to doing things.
Exaggeration: Page 7, Chapter “The New Master and Mistress”
“And when I call you, you should come immediately, if you have to pass through fire and water.” This quote is an exaggeration. The father who is saying the quote is trying to say that whenever he calls his children they should come to him even if they have to face the hardest thing in life. He is exaggerating about what he truly meant.
Annotated Bibliography:
Harriet, Jacobs Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl 1861, New York and Boston
Harriet Jacob’s autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, is mainly about a main character named Linda Brent who tries to fight for freedom from slavery. She was also enslaved and fought for freedom. In this novel she talks about how she wins her freedom. She was born in 1813. Jacobs’s mother had died when she was six years old. Two years after Jacobs was freed, she published Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl on October 9, 1853. In this novel Linda and Jacobs have similar characteristics. Jacobs’s fathers name was Daniel Jacobs but in this piece of work Linda’s father did not have name. Jacobs’s mothers name was Delilah, but Linda Brent’s mothers name was not mentioned in this novel. Linda was born in 1818 and Jacobs was born in 1813. Linda’s brother’s name was William and Jacobs’s brother’s name was John S. Jacobs. Linda’s uncles’ names were Benjamin and Philip and Jacob’s uncles names were Joseph and Mark Ramsey. Linda’s aunt’s name was Nancy and Jacobs’s aunts’ name was Betty. By these similarities you can tell that this novel was not only based on Linda Brent’s life but also Harriet Jacobs.
Long Days Journey into Night by Eugene O’ Neill (Story Map)
October 5, 2007
Long Days Journey into Night by Eugene O’ Neill
Protagonist: Mary Tyrone
Antagonist: alcohol
This plays setting mostly takes place in a home. The owner of this typical home is James Tyrone. He is a land owner, once was famous actor, and is the husband of Mary Tyrone. James Tyrone is a landowner. He once was a famous actor. Mary is the protagonist of this play. Before returning back home Mary was treated for Morphine addiction. The antagonist of this play would be alcohol. It is the main reason that leads the characters to have many arguments. They have two sons named Edmund and Jamie. Jamie is the eldest son of the Tyrone family. Throughout this play Jamie mostly depends on his family for support. Edmund is a hard working person. In this play Edmund is mostly sick. Later on in the play Edmund learns that he is suffering from tuberculosis. Cathleen is the maid of the Tyrone family who is a flirty type of character. Many times in the play, the Tyrone family has many arguments about their past. This can be one reason why Mary is addicted to morphine. She gets emotional about the family problems. They all argue about both Jamie and Edmund not being successful in life. Most of the characters in the play are alcoholic. O’Neill’s Long Days Journey into Night shows effects of a dysfunctional family.
Setting: The setting is in a summer morning in August 1912.
It takes place inside in a home, in the living room.
Vocabulary:
1. Sanatorium- A hospital for a long-term care of people who are mentally or physically ill.
2. Consumption- The process of consuming.
3. Accentuated- To show the importance of, to emphasize
4. Resentment- A felling of anger about unhappiness, bitterness.
5.Fectionate-
Plot:
Long days Journey into Night mostly talks about the struggle of family members and how they overcome their problems. The characters of the play are Tyrone, Mary, Edmund, Jamie and also Cathleen. All characters are alcoholic. This family has many arguments over their past lives. Mary had just returned from a treatment.
After Mary’s treatment everyone thought that she had left Morphine and was not addicted to it anymore. The rising action of this play was when Mary’s family finds out that she is still addicted to Morphine. This leads to fights in the family and also many arguments. The climax of this play is when Edmunds father Tyrone was really drunk one night. At that moment Edmund was also drunk. Both started arguing about keeping the lights on and wasting electricity. Tyrone becomes angry and intimidates Edmund of beating him up.
The falling action was when Mary admitted that she was still on Morphine. She was still addicted to morphine because she cannot forget the past. She gets very emotional. The resolution of this play is that Tyrone, Jamie and Edmund were all drunk. Later after having Morphine, Mary comes to the living room. She sees everyone drunk. She then starts to remember her childhood and tells Tyrone and her sons that she is choosing to be a nun. After Listening to that, the whole room was silent. Finally when all characters are motionless the play ends.
Quotes:
Mary is a character who is accused of relapsing. After being accused she said “It would serve all of you right if it was true.” Mary is trying to say that she is seeking an excuse for taking drugs again, by using her families’ reservations as a reason to relapse.
O’ Neill also quotes “I was stone cold sober. That was the trouble. I’d stopped to think too long.” This quote talks about Edmund. Basically this quote is trying to say that the main reason Edmund uses alcohol is to forget the past.
Conflict: A family who struggles through family problems would be the external conflict for this play, mainly because they face outside problems. The internal conflict would be that the family uses alcohol to overcome family problems.
Theme: Remembering the Past
This play mainly talks about remembering the past. All characters argue about the past. Mary who is the protagonist has huge dreams of her family being successful, and owning a beautiful house. None of her dreams came true.
Alcohol Abuse
Half of this play talks about alcohol abuse. The Tyrone family is alcoholic. The main reason they all use alcohol is because they struggle with family emotional problems. The characters cannot forget the past.
Literary Elements:
1) Motifs- are recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help
to develop and inform the text’s major themes.
(Page 11)
Motif- The setting of the play mainly takes place inside a house in a living room. The Tyrone family always has arguments within each other. To solve their problems they use alcohol while there in depression. The play ends with the characters using alcohol.
2) Flashback- A movement in time from the present to the past.
(Page 175)
Flashback - After Mary sees her husband Tyrone and her two sons drunk, she starts to have flash backs of her childhood. She starts to think that she is back in her childhood. Mary also takes out her wedding gown.
(3) Theme- Themes the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work
(Page 126)
Theme- (alcohol abuse) Edmund and his father Tyrone are drunk. Both are on alcohol. Edmund and Tyrone have an argument of wasting electricity. When Tyrone becomes angry he threatens to beat Edmund up. The characters also argue over many other things when they are drunk.
Annotated Bibliography:
Eugene O’Neill. Long Days Journey into Night 1956
Eugene O’Neill’s Long Days Journey into Night talks about family relationships. How a family struggles throughout the play. The Tyrone family is alcoholic. They try to face their problems by taking alcohol. Eugene O’Neill takes the reader into his own life. This play was mostly like a memoir. It talks about O’Neill’s life.
The most significant point of views that this novel talks about is about family relationships. This play mainly focuses on Eugene O’Neill’s life. O'Neill biographer Barbara Gelb explains the publication history of Long Day's Journey into Night. Many websites focus on the relationships between O’ Neill and the play. Online resources also illustrate the meaning of the title and what relations it has with the play. These resources not only provide concepts about the play to the reader, but also give the background history of the play.
Long Days Journey into Night by Eugene O’ Neill
Protagonist: Mary Tyrone
Antagonist: alcohol
This plays setting mostly takes place in a home. The owner of this typical home is James Tyrone. He is a land owner, once was famous actor, and is the husband of Mary Tyrone. James Tyrone is a landowner. He once was a famous actor. Mary is the protagonist of this play. Before returning back home Mary was treated for Morphine addiction. The antagonist of this play would be alcohol. It is the main reason that leads the characters to have many arguments. They have two sons named Edmund and Jamie. Jamie is the eldest son of the Tyrone family. Throughout this play Jamie mostly depends on his family for support. Edmund is a hard working person. In this play Edmund is mostly sick. Later on in the play Edmund learns that he is suffering from tuberculosis. Cathleen is the maid of the Tyrone family who is a flirty type of character. Many times in the play, the Tyrone family has many arguments about their past. This can be one reason why Mary is addicted to morphine. She gets emotional about the family problems. They all argue about both Jamie and Edmund not being successful in life. Most of the characters in the play are alcoholic. O’Neill’s Long Days Journey into Night shows effects of a dysfunctional family.
Setting: The setting is in a summer morning in August 1912.
It takes place inside in a home, in the living room.
Vocabulary:
1. Sanatorium- A hospital for a long-term care of people who are mentally or physically ill.
2. Consumption- The process of consuming.
3. Accentuated- To show the importance of, to emphasize
4. Resentment- A felling of anger about unhappiness, bitterness.
5.Fectionate-
Plot:
Long days Journey into Night mostly talks about the struggle of family members and how they overcome their problems. The characters of the play are Tyrone, Mary, Edmund, Jamie and also Cathleen. All characters are alcoholic. This family has many arguments over their past lives. Mary had just returned from a treatment.
After Mary’s treatment everyone thought that she had left Morphine and was not addicted to it anymore. The rising action of this play was when Mary’s family finds out that she is still addicted to Morphine. This leads to fights in the family and also many arguments. The climax of this play is when Edmunds father Tyrone was really drunk one night. At that moment Edmund was also drunk. Both started arguing about keeping the lights on and wasting electricity. Tyrone becomes angry and intimidates Edmund of beating him up.
The falling action was when Mary admitted that she was still on Morphine. She was still addicted to morphine because she cannot forget the past. She gets very emotional. The resolution of this play is that Tyrone, Jamie and Edmund were all drunk. Later after having Morphine, Mary comes to the living room. She sees everyone drunk. She then starts to remember her childhood and tells Tyrone and her sons that she is choosing to be a nun. After Listening to that, the whole room was silent. Finally when all characters are motionless the play ends.
Quotes:
Mary is a character who is accused of relapsing. After being accused she said “It would serve all of you right if it was true.” Mary is trying to say that she is seeking an excuse for taking drugs again, by using her families’ reservations as a reason to relapse.
O’ Neill also quotes “I was stone cold sober. That was the trouble. I’d stopped to think too long.” This quote talks about Edmund. Basically this quote is trying to say that the main reason Edmund uses alcohol is to forget the past.
Conflict: A family who struggles through family problems would be the external conflict for this play, mainly because they face outside problems. The internal conflict would be that the family uses alcohol to overcome family problems.
Theme: Remembering the Past
This play mainly talks about remembering the past. All characters argue about the past. Mary who is the protagonist has huge dreams of her family being successful, and owning a beautiful house. None of her dreams came true.
Alcohol Abuse
Half of this play talks about alcohol abuse. The Tyrone family is alcoholic. The main reason they all use alcohol is because they struggle with family emotional problems. The characters cannot forget the past.
Literary Elements:
1) Motifs- are recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can help
to develop and inform the text’s major themes.
(Page 11)
Motif- The setting of the play mainly takes place inside a house in a living room. The Tyrone family always has arguments within each other. To solve their problems they use alcohol while there in depression. The play ends with the characters using alcohol.
2) Flashback- A movement in time from the present to the past.
(Page 175)
Flashback - After Mary sees her husband Tyrone and her two sons drunk, she starts to have flash backs of her childhood. She starts to think that she is back in her childhood. Mary also takes out her wedding gown.
(3) Theme- Themes the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work
(Page 126)
Theme- (alcohol abuse) Edmund and his father Tyrone are drunk. Both are on alcohol. Edmund and Tyrone have an argument of wasting electricity. When Tyrone becomes angry he threatens to beat Edmund up. The characters also argue over many other things when they are drunk.
Annotated Bibliography:
Eugene O’Neill. Long Days Journey into Night 1956
Eugene O’Neill’s Long Days Journey into Night talks about family relationships. How a family struggles throughout the play. The Tyrone family is alcoholic. They try to face their problems by taking alcohol. Eugene O’Neill takes the reader into his own life. This play was mostly like a memoir. It talks about O’Neill’s life.
The most significant point of views that this novel talks about is about family relationships. This play mainly focuses on Eugene O’Neill’s life. O'Neill biographer Barbara Gelb explains the publication history of Long Day's Journey into Night. Many websites focus on the relationships between O’ Neill and the play. Online resources also illustrate the meaning of the title and what relations it has with the play. These resources not only provide concepts about the play to the reader, but also give the background history of the play.
ELA Regents Prep of Session I Part A Essay on Audio of Tim O'Brien's "Ambush"
September 26, 2007
The Effects of Wars
“Ambush” by Tim O’ Brien
Wars can have a tremendous effect on the life of an individual. Tim O’ Brien’s autobiographical speech “Ambush” is an example of literature that describes a person who faces a life of time regret. Throughout this piece of literary work, the main character, who indeed is Tim O’Brien, is involved in a war in which he kills a young soldier. He didn’t really want to kill that young Soldier. This accident has led O’ Brien to feel extremely guilty throughout his life.
“Ambush” is an antiwar story. Tim O’ Brien feels very distracted from the day he had killed someone in a war. He keeps writing stories about wars. Once when Tim was up late at night, trying to fight mosquitoes, he saw a man coming towards him. It was a young soldier. Tim had no idea what was going to happen. To make the man go away, O’ Brien took out his grenade. However, soon the grenade rolls out of his hands and rolls to the soldier. At this point Tim O’ Brien says that, “everything was happening automatically”. As a result of this “accident”, the grenade leads to the death of the soldier.
O’ Brien feels extremely regretful throughout his life. He has a year old daughter named Kathleen. Kathleen had once told her father “you keep writing these war stories, so I guess you must have killed somebody.” She says this because he writes too many war stories. O’ Brien refused to admit the truth and state why he writes war stories. He always said “of course not” and would take her on his lap. Tim O’ Brien writes that those were his “difficult” moments because he felt guilty.
Throughout his lifetime, O’ Brien was haunted by the killing of the soldier. In “Ambush” he describes fantasies of the man he killed being alive. O’ Brien shows this by explaining to the reader that he often sees the soldier coming through the fog when he is reading a newspaper or sitting alone in a room. He imagines the soldier smiling surreptitiously. Tim O’ Brien also says that at that time he had a friend named Kiowa. When Kiowa found out that Tim O’ Brien had killed the young soldier he said, “it was a good kill.”
Tim O’ Brien is an example of an individual who was effected by a war. He continues to write war stories. He seems to never forget what has happened in his past life. Tim O’ Brien feels culpable about killing the young soldier.
The Effects of Wars
“Ambush” by Tim O’ Brien
Wars can have a tremendous effect on the life of an individual. Tim O’ Brien’s autobiographical speech “Ambush” is an example of literature that describes a person who faces a life of time regret. Throughout this piece of literary work, the main character, who indeed is Tim O’Brien, is involved in a war in which he kills a young soldier. He didn’t really want to kill that young Soldier. This accident has led O’ Brien to feel extremely guilty throughout his life.
“Ambush” is an antiwar story. Tim O’ Brien feels very distracted from the day he had killed someone in a war. He keeps writing stories about wars. Once when Tim was up late at night, trying to fight mosquitoes, he saw a man coming towards him. It was a young soldier. Tim had no idea what was going to happen. To make the man go away, O’ Brien took out his grenade. However, soon the grenade rolls out of his hands and rolls to the soldier. At this point Tim O’ Brien says that, “everything was happening automatically”. As a result of this “accident”, the grenade leads to the death of the soldier.
O’ Brien feels extremely regretful throughout his life. He has a year old daughter named Kathleen. Kathleen had once told her father “you keep writing these war stories, so I guess you must have killed somebody.” She says this because he writes too many war stories. O’ Brien refused to admit the truth and state why he writes war stories. He always said “of course not” and would take her on his lap. Tim O’ Brien writes that those were his “difficult” moments because he felt guilty.
Throughout his lifetime, O’ Brien was haunted by the killing of the soldier. In “Ambush” he describes fantasies of the man he killed being alive. O’ Brien shows this by explaining to the reader that he often sees the soldier coming through the fog when he is reading a newspaper or sitting alone in a room. He imagines the soldier smiling surreptitiously. Tim O’ Brien also says that at that time he had a friend named Kiowa. When Kiowa found out that Tim O’ Brien had killed the young soldier he said, “it was a good kill.”
Tim O’ Brien is an example of an individual who was effected by a war. He continues to write war stories. He seems to never forget what has happened in his past life. Tim O’ Brien feels culpable about killing the young soldier.
Outline The Effects of Wars “Ambush” by Tim O’ Brien
ITHS Marya Altaf
Ms.Hyde September 26, 2007
Outline The Effects of Wars
“Ambush” by Tim O’ Brien
I. Introduction
A. Introductory Statement
B. Thesis statement: “Ambush” by Tim O’ Brien is an example of literature that describes a character who faces a life time regret after killing someone.
II. Body:
A. First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): “Ambush” is an antiwar story.
1- Tim O” Brien writes a lot of war stories. This shows that he is living a life with regret. He cannot forget about what has happened in his past life.
2- Tim O’ Brien kills a young soldier, but he really didn't mean to kill him.
3- Quotes: “a good kill”, “automatically.”
B. Second Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): The speaker lives with regrets.
1- Afraid to tell his daughter.
2- Feels guilty.
3- Tim O’ Brien keeps writing war stories. In most of his stories the main topic he always wrote about was on wars.
C. Third Idea (Topic Sentence): fantasies of the man he killed being alive.
1- Gets visions of the soldier he killed.
2- He describes the soldier’s suspicious smile in his imagination.
3- Imagines the soldier coming out of the fog.
III. A. Closing Statement
B. Restate Thesis: Tim O’ Brien is an example of an individual that has been effected by a war.
Ms.Hyde September 26, 2007
Outline The Effects of Wars
“Ambush” by Tim O’ Brien
I. Introduction
A. Introductory Statement
B. Thesis statement: “Ambush” by Tim O’ Brien is an example of literature that describes a character who faces a life time regret after killing someone.
II. Body:
A. First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): “Ambush” is an antiwar story.
1- Tim O” Brien writes a lot of war stories. This shows that he is living a life with regret. He cannot forget about what has happened in his past life.
2- Tim O’ Brien kills a young soldier, but he really didn't mean to kill him.
3- Quotes: “a good kill”, “automatically.”
B. Second Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): The speaker lives with regrets.
1- Afraid to tell his daughter.
2- Feels guilty.
3- Tim O’ Brien keeps writing war stories. In most of his stories the main topic he always wrote about was on wars.
C. Third Idea (Topic Sentence): fantasies of the man he killed being alive.
1- Gets visions of the soldier he killed.
2- He describes the soldier’s suspicious smile in his imagination.
3- Imagines the soldier coming out of the fog.
III. A. Closing Statement
B. Restate Thesis: Tim O’ Brien is an example of an individual that has been effected by a war.
Vocabulary
Marya Altaf
E-5
9-17-07
Ms. Hyde
1- Banal Cliches- Not interesting, a saying or idea used too
often to be meaningful.
2- Flux- Continuous change, passage, or movement.
3- Bedevil- To annoy a lot, distress.
4- Vocation- Ones livelihood, work.
5- Idealistic- Having ideals.
6- Embark- to begin a journey, venture, or new activity.
7- Arduous- Difficult, tiring.
8- Novitiate- A place where religious novices live.
9- Ethical- Related to moral or correct behavior.
10-Pragmatic- Using common sense to solve problems, practical.
11- Competent- Having the ability to do well.
12- Preeminent- Outstanding, mot famous.
13- Formidable- Strong, difficult, to defeat, daunting.
14-Maneuver- A motion made in a particular direction.
15- Bureaucratic- An employee of a bureaucracy.
E-5
9-17-07
Ms. Hyde
1- Banal Cliches- Not interesting, a saying or idea used too
often to be meaningful.
2- Flux- Continuous change, passage, or movement.
3- Bedevil- To annoy a lot, distress.
4- Vocation- Ones livelihood, work.
5- Idealistic- Having ideals.
6- Embark- to begin a journey, venture, or new activity.
7- Arduous- Difficult, tiring.
8- Novitiate- A place where religious novices live.
9- Ethical- Related to moral or correct behavior.
10-Pragmatic- Using common sense to solve problems, practical.
11- Competent- Having the ability to do well.
12- Preeminent- Outstanding, mot famous.
13- Formidable- Strong, difficult, to defeat, daunting.
14-Maneuver- A motion made in a particular direction.
15- Bureaucratic- An employee of a bureaucracy.
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