Catarina Sousa
“Sandman”
I found a photograph the other day
A few friends and I
During the anniversary of the day I started dying.
We had cake smeared on our faces
And hands held up high as if
We won nothing but the itchiness
And awkwardness of looking like
A fool to one another.
What else could we have won
That isn’t food worthy
Or even tastes that good?
Maybe the bond of having the same
Ugliness and unpopular pink and purple goo
In the middle of our eyes and ears.
But, that was all we had,
We had each other’s unworthy looks and
Eyelashes that closed together when we laughed too hard;
Or maybe the steps that appeared on our foreheads
As if they were carrying our brains to somewhere
Uncommon since it did appear uncommon anyway.
After all,
We were ugly kids
And something about gazing at the mirror in disgust
Made us like each other more and more and more.
We called ourselves friends and claimed everyone else
Everything else
Whoever else claimed themselves real
Was fake.
Or the fact that we were the fakest ones and lost
Our vein attitudes within each other’s lonesome eyes.
I cared about those eyes for a while.
Until I looked at mine and saw tiny specs of green and brown.
Change began to take its course unwillingly
So unwillingly, that as I cried to stay the same ,
More and more and more specs appeared.
I was growing up, and I was alone.
I needed to pretend that I was clueless about life,
About religion,
About sex,
About the rape and murder that happens only a few towns away.
I was too young to know that
There wasn’t much to believe in,
But I believed in too much.
I claimed the news made me insane
Or claimed myself tired to avoid talking on and on and on
About the man who killed his wife in front of his kids
Like an ignorant bastard.
I became scared of the world because I knew
Being in the wrong place, wrong time was too common,
And that my skin is as thin as paper
And a knife could gently glide by my hip
And cut it open too easily.
But, I kept growing up.
I wasn’t scared of clowns, bugs
Or the sandman, whom I thought could put me
Into a trance if he sprinkled too much dust on me.
Dust made up of his beliefs and favors,
That I thought would influence me to change mine.
Because I’m gullible enough to believe a grape was the forbidden fruit
Or that Adam and Eve really looked into each other’s eyes
During sex to whisper “I love you.”
But, I somehow realized that eating glass would be better
Than hanging out with friends who claimed to be friends
When other friends were at the right place, right time
I didn’t need anyone
I needed
Really sweet plums that would inspire growth
Rather than cake that screamed innocence.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
For Jane Meyers & Spring And All
Catarina Sousa
Mr. Perez
AP English
18 December 2011
For Jane Meyers & Spring And All
By: Louise Gluck By: William Carlos Williams
In both poem, “For Jane Meyers,” by Louise Gluck and “Spring And All,” by William Carlos Williams, both poets share different attitudes towards the same topic, Spring. Although Gluck seems to have a gloomy approach to the change in seasons, Williams shares his enjoyment of the rebirth and the awakening of plants, trees, etc. For Jane Meyers, overall is a romantic poem stating the natural beauty of spring and all the different colors and moods it brings. The imagery of the flowers brings the feeling of rejoicing that they finally have bloomed. But, the poem takes a different turn when it states “It is spring |We are going to die|.” This could be looked upon as a contradiction since springtime is when everything comes to life after the harsh winter. The mood suddenly becomes melancholy.
Spring And All sets the opposite mood from the other poem. This poem bring the anticipation of almost being spring the main point. Although both poems involve colors, This poem by William has more “harsh” colors than For Jane Meyers. After, the poems mood shifts from almost being spring to stating that now it approached, he refers to it as “sluggish” and “lifeless”. The mood becomes once again gloomy, almost referring to a real life feeling of anticipation ending in dissatisfaction. Which, I would presume is the main point in this poem.
Mr. Perez
AP English
18 December 2011
For Jane Meyers & Spring And All
By: Louise Gluck By: William Carlos Williams
In both poem, “For Jane Meyers,” by Louise Gluck and “Spring And All,” by William Carlos Williams, both poets share different attitudes towards the same topic, Spring. Although Gluck seems to have a gloomy approach to the change in seasons, Williams shares his enjoyment of the rebirth and the awakening of plants, trees, etc. For Jane Meyers, overall is a romantic poem stating the natural beauty of spring and all the different colors and moods it brings. The imagery of the flowers brings the feeling of rejoicing that they finally have bloomed. But, the poem takes a different turn when it states “It is spring |We are going to die|.” This could be looked upon as a contradiction since springtime is when everything comes to life after the harsh winter. The mood suddenly becomes melancholy.
Spring And All sets the opposite mood from the other poem. This poem bring the anticipation of almost being spring the main point. Although both poems involve colors, This poem by William has more “harsh” colors than For Jane Meyers. After, the poems mood shifts from almost being spring to stating that now it approached, he refers to it as “sluggish” and “lifeless”. The mood becomes once again gloomy, almost referring to a real life feeling of anticipation ending in dissatisfaction. Which, I would presume is the main point in this poem.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Bright Star by John Keats & Choose Something Like a Star by Robert Frost
Bright Star by John Keats
Choose Something Like a Star by Robert Frost
In both of this poems by two similar poets, they seems to have a fascination for the stars and the unfamiliar world of space. Although, some people might see this as an allusion to God, I see it more of a guidance like an angel. When people are lost they are looking for the north star to get them home safe. Both themes in these poems suggest that there is power out in the world, that everyone looks up to, whether it be the stars, or your friends. Both of these poets have different styles of writing, but their observant points get across that they are looking for a way out of the real world.
In Keats poem, the speaker is trying to be the epitome of a star. It wants to be consistent and never change like the people and things around him. While in Frost’s poem, the speaker is questions everything around him, and i believe he is looking for a change in his life for the better. These poems both deal with impatient people waiting for questions and wishes to be fulfilled just by glancing at the night sky. But, one big difference in the poems is that in Keats poem, the star provides no answer. While in Frost’s poem, the star says little to guide the speaker, and the speaker comes out yearning for more, while the other gives up.
Choose Something Like a Star by Robert Frost
In both of this poems by two similar poets, they seems to have a fascination for the stars and the unfamiliar world of space. Although, some people might see this as an allusion to God, I see it more of a guidance like an angel. When people are lost they are looking for the north star to get them home safe. Both themes in these poems suggest that there is power out in the world, that everyone looks up to, whether it be the stars, or your friends. Both of these poets have different styles of writing, but their observant points get across that they are looking for a way out of the real world.
In Keats poem, the speaker is trying to be the epitome of a star. It wants to be consistent and never change like the people and things around him. While in Frost’s poem, the speaker is questions everything around him, and i believe he is looking for a change in his life for the better. These poems both deal with impatient people waiting for questions and wishes to be fulfilled just by glancing at the night sky. But, one big difference in the poems is that in Keats poem, the star provides no answer. While in Frost’s poem, the star says little to guide the speaker, and the speaker comes out yearning for more, while the other gives up.
Clocks and Lovers by W.H. Auden
Clocks and Lovers by W.H. Auden
In this poem by W.H. Auden, he uses imagery as his main component. As the poem’s stanzas continue, time is flying by. The imagery used in this poem consists of complaining how crowds of people where like harvest wheat, indistinguishable. After he tells us how people lack uniqueness and originality, he continues by saying that his lover is different and how his life for her is forever. As the poem goes along time is passing by quickly. From the beginning it starts off possibly at teenage years or early adulthood, when most people find the one. But towards the 10th stanza, the imagery of “plunging your hands in water” and just staring upon them could be him looking at how different his hands look. They are aging and growing weak and tired, that could show how worn out he is becoming as a whole.
The meaning of this poem is simply the fact of a man who lost his beloved and is now wishing or hoping death upon himself. The clocks have a great significance in this poem, as they do in many other stories or poems. In the novel, “Great Expectations”, Miss. Havisham keeps all the clocks in the room to the exact time her beloved left her. Also, the poem states, “The clocks had ceased their chiming.” Clocks have a power to remind you of wonderful memories, or make you reminisce on your old life that you wish you had back. Which I believe is what the narrorator wanted all along, the past.
In this poem by W.H. Auden, he uses imagery as his main component. As the poem’s stanzas continue, time is flying by. The imagery used in this poem consists of complaining how crowds of people where like harvest wheat, indistinguishable. After he tells us how people lack uniqueness and originality, he continues by saying that his lover is different and how his life for her is forever. As the poem goes along time is passing by quickly. From the beginning it starts off possibly at teenage years or early adulthood, when most people find the one. But towards the 10th stanza, the imagery of “plunging your hands in water” and just staring upon them could be him looking at how different his hands look. They are aging and growing weak and tired, that could show how worn out he is becoming as a whole.
The meaning of this poem is simply the fact of a man who lost his beloved and is now wishing or hoping death upon himself. The clocks have a great significance in this poem, as they do in many other stories or poems. In the novel, “Great Expectations”, Miss. Havisham keeps all the clocks in the room to the exact time her beloved left her. Also, the poem states, “The clocks had ceased their chiming.” Clocks have a power to remind you of wonderful memories, or make you reminisce on your old life that you wish you had back. Which I believe is what the narrorator wanted all along, the past.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Is this the "The Stranger" and "The Metamorphosis" essay?
Catarina Sousa
Mr. Perez
AP English
5 December 2011
Are “The Stranger” and “The Metamorphosis” alike?
From a quick over view of each book, does it seem like these two books are like? I would think so, wouldn’t you? Can you believe that both of the main characters Gregor Samsa and Meursault are both protagonists? Do the women in both their lives help create who they are? Do women even have a significant part in any book? Or are they used for the characters sexual pleasure? Are both characters outcasts of society? Since Meursault is frowned upon for not crying at his mother’s funeral, does that make him less of a human? Is the fact that Gregor turn into a giant bug (mentally or physically) a right to kick him out of the house and of their lives?
What does it mean to be human anyway? Is having the power to kill or kill oneself the only thing we can control in life? Is that what us human? Meusault killing an Arab can show how easily life is taken away, can’t it? But does this mean Gregor takes advantage of having such knowledge on life? How does Gregor kill himself for being a burden to his family, while Meusault lives careless to the death of someone who was once a burden? Could Grete be the cause of Gregor’s death, while Marie could be this reason for living? Why does loneliness affect everyone so differently? Why can death of someone be frowned upon by some and smiled on by others?
Mr. Perez
AP English
5 December 2011
Are “The Stranger” and “The Metamorphosis” alike?
From a quick over view of each book, does it seem like these two books are like? I would think so, wouldn’t you? Can you believe that both of the main characters Gregor Samsa and Meursault are both protagonists? Do the women in both their lives help create who they are? Do women even have a significant part in any book? Or are they used for the characters sexual pleasure? Are both characters outcasts of society? Since Meursault is frowned upon for not crying at his mother’s funeral, does that make him less of a human? Is the fact that Gregor turn into a giant bug (mentally or physically) a right to kick him out of the house and of their lives?
What does it mean to be human anyway? Is having the power to kill or kill oneself the only thing we can control in life? Is that what us human? Meusault killing an Arab can show how easily life is taken away, can’t it? But does this mean Gregor takes advantage of having such knowledge on life? How does Gregor kill himself for being a burden to his family, while Meusault lives careless to the death of someone who was once a burden? Could Grete be the cause of Gregor’s death, while Marie could be this reason for living? Why does loneliness affect everyone so differently? Why can death of someone be frowned upon by some and smiled on by others?
Sunday, November 20, 2011
The Mystery of the Caves
Catarina Sousa
Mr. Perez
AP English
21 November 2011
In the poem “Mysteries of the Caves,” by Michael Waters, the lost boy finds his way or a path threw a rough time. This path isn’t actual, nor is it said. But, by the title, the caves seem to explain different directions the boy could go. For example, the imagery in this poem tell the story about a boy experiencing traumatic events such a his parents getting into a gruesome argument or about his path towards heaven. The symbolism of light and as he approached it makes him suicidal with the though of dying as his way out. The cave of light will help him forget about the pain, making him numb enough to enjoy himself. Each stanza is a new cave that appears, but the fact that reaching for the light was the 2nd stanza, it seems that its what approached his mind more quickly like the first resort.
In the book, the lost boy could be talking about could actually stand for a letter that his mother wrote him while he was too little to remember anything. The letter could be lengthy, being referred to as a book, explains the relationship between the mother and the father. The lost boy, is probably just looking for his mother in heaven, trying to feel a mother’s warmth, rather than be so lonely. He wants to find home, and home traditionally is with a family, that’s what he really is craving at this point in his life. The only person that could bring him home now is his imagination where he can picture the past and remember now that all is said and done, he needs to move on and find himself.
Mr. Perez
AP English
21 November 2011
In the poem “Mysteries of the Caves,” by Michael Waters, the lost boy finds his way or a path threw a rough time. This path isn’t actual, nor is it said. But, by the title, the caves seem to explain different directions the boy could go. For example, the imagery in this poem tell the story about a boy experiencing traumatic events such a his parents getting into a gruesome argument or about his path towards heaven. The symbolism of light and as he approached it makes him suicidal with the though of dying as his way out. The cave of light will help him forget about the pain, making him numb enough to enjoy himself. Each stanza is a new cave that appears, but the fact that reaching for the light was the 2nd stanza, it seems that its what approached his mind more quickly like the first resort.
In the book, the lost boy could be talking about could actually stand for a letter that his mother wrote him while he was too little to remember anything. The letter could be lengthy, being referred to as a book, explains the relationship between the mother and the father. The lost boy, is probably just looking for his mother in heaven, trying to feel a mother’s warmth, rather than be so lonely. He wants to find home, and home traditionally is with a family, that’s what he really is craving at this point in his life. The only person that could bring him home now is his imagination where he can picture the past and remember now that all is said and done, he needs to move on and find himself.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Catarina Sousa
Mr. Perez
AP English
11/14/11
Existentialism
“The idea that I am born into a particular time, place, family, and economic environment is absurd,” is one idea of Existentialism that I completely disagree with. I, in particular, have always thought I was meant to live in the 1920s. I see that era in time, and it’s just not a liking, it’s a feeling of belonging. I believe God put us in this certain time and era to meet people that will shape us into becoming the real us. For example, people are placed in either a big city with busy streets, local farms to help the family business, or a typical suburb with more drama than MTV. You act how you act because of your surroundings. There are certain people you call “family” that you were brought up to believe that they will always be there. It’s true for most, but some learn the hard way that they have to rely on themselves; those people tend to be more independent. That family should be able to support you in most cases, but if you were brought up in the 1930’s when the great depression hit, you would rather buy food than new shoes. In this age in time, we are selfish and greedy, but take it back to 40 years ago and we were all about peace and love. Basically, each era was filled with people whom saw themselves differently than others, but now we find a connection between all of them. We categorize them as a “type” rather than individuals, which I think was caused by living in the 2000’s, we don’t see uniqueness anymore, we see everything as a whole, which I have trouble understanding if it’s a good technique or perhaps not.
Mr. Perez
AP English
11/14/11
Existentialism
“The idea that I am born into a particular time, place, family, and economic environment is absurd,” is one idea of Existentialism that I completely disagree with. I, in particular, have always thought I was meant to live in the 1920s. I see that era in time, and it’s just not a liking, it’s a feeling of belonging. I believe God put us in this certain time and era to meet people that will shape us into becoming the real us. For example, people are placed in either a big city with busy streets, local farms to help the family business, or a typical suburb with more drama than MTV. You act how you act because of your surroundings. There are certain people you call “family” that you were brought up to believe that they will always be there. It’s true for most, but some learn the hard way that they have to rely on themselves; those people tend to be more independent. That family should be able to support you in most cases, but if you were brought up in the 1930’s when the great depression hit, you would rather buy food than new shoes. In this age in time, we are selfish and greedy, but take it back to 40 years ago and we were all about peace and love. Basically, each era was filled with people whom saw themselves differently than others, but now we find a connection between all of them. We categorize them as a “type” rather than individuals, which I think was caused by living in the 2000’s, we don’t see uniqueness anymore, we see everything as a whole, which I have trouble understanding if it’s a good technique or perhaps not.
Monday, November 7, 2011
An Echo Sonnet: To an Empty Page
Catarina Sousa
Mr. Perez
AP English
7 November 2011
An Echo Sonnet: To an Empty Page
The sonnet, “To an Empty Page,” is a well written poem in the English sonnet form. This story can be perceived in many different ways. My perception of the story being told is about a man who is trying to find himself. Along this journey to nowhere, he doubts his own life and the people around him. This would include his family, which he doubts would even shed a tear to find him dead, and possibly his friends. To describe death he uses sleep. The symbolism of sleep in this sonnet causes us to believe that the narrator is in a deep depression. Once this hits someone, they question everyone around them, especially their friends and family. Also, they think of death and truly ask, who would cry? The title fits this sonnet completely well. I believe that it’s called “An Empty Page” solely for the purpose that everyone’s life is a to-do list. By that, one they accomplish what they had to do, it disappears from the imaginary sheet of paper. Thus, leaving an empty page once it’s time to go. The narrator seems too comfortable with death, therefore to consider the narrator suicidal isn’t questionable. His attitude and the tone he gives off is scared. It almost seems as if he is looking for a way out of life. Sleep or probable death is leading him closer to the edge.
Mr. Perez
AP English
7 November 2011
An Echo Sonnet: To an Empty Page
The sonnet, “To an Empty Page,” is a well written poem in the English sonnet form. This story can be perceived in many different ways. My perception of the story being told is about a man who is trying to find himself. Along this journey to nowhere, he doubts his own life and the people around him. This would include his family, which he doubts would even shed a tear to find him dead, and possibly his friends. To describe death he uses sleep. The symbolism of sleep in this sonnet causes us to believe that the narrator is in a deep depression. Once this hits someone, they question everyone around them, especially their friends and family. Also, they think of death and truly ask, who would cry? The title fits this sonnet completely well. I believe that it’s called “An Empty Page” solely for the purpose that everyone’s life is a to-do list. By that, one they accomplish what they had to do, it disappears from the imaginary sheet of paper. Thus, leaving an empty page once it’s time to go. The narrator seems too comfortable with death, therefore to consider the narrator suicidal isn’t questionable. His attitude and the tone he gives off is scared. It almost seems as if he is looking for a way out of life. Sleep or probable death is leading him closer to the edge.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Sonnet 130
Catarina Sousa
Mr. Perez
AP English
4 November 2011
Sonnet 130
In the Shakespearean sonnet, “Sonnet 130”, we are presented with a settling amount of literary devices. But, one that sticks out the most happens to be imagery. Imagery is perceived in this poem to describe the beloved. He uses words such as “coral”, “snow”, “roses”, etc. You may think he compares his beloved to these wonders of nature, but instead he tells us she is the complete opposite. The speaker states that although her looks have no qualities worth speaking of, he reminds us that his love for her is the truest there is and no other man’s love can compare. The narrorator knows that there are better things in life than this mistress, but he makes us believe that although he can do better, he has no intention to do so. The imagery of nature in this poem relates to the decision because in nature, you take what you get and make the most of it. Love, as weather or earth’s natural plants and creatures, is spontaneous. You enjoy the beauty, but you know better things await. But, his tone begins to change towards the end while he uses imagery of heaven and swears by God that he truly loves this mistress and wouldn’t trade her for anything. Basically, the imagery in this Shakespearean poem challenges the traditional image of beauty and keeps a focus on the realistic part of his mistress, her inner soul.
Mr. Perez
AP English
4 November 2011
Sonnet 130
In the Shakespearean sonnet, “Sonnet 130”, we are presented with a settling amount of literary devices. But, one that sticks out the most happens to be imagery. Imagery is perceived in this poem to describe the beloved. He uses words such as “coral”, “snow”, “roses”, etc. You may think he compares his beloved to these wonders of nature, but instead he tells us she is the complete opposite. The speaker states that although her looks have no qualities worth speaking of, he reminds us that his love for her is the truest there is and no other man’s love can compare. The narrorator knows that there are better things in life than this mistress, but he makes us believe that although he can do better, he has no intention to do so. The imagery of nature in this poem relates to the decision because in nature, you take what you get and make the most of it. Love, as weather or earth’s natural plants and creatures, is spontaneous. You enjoy the beauty, but you know better things await. But, his tone begins to change towards the end while he uses imagery of heaven and swears by God that he truly loves this mistress and wouldn’t trade her for anything. Basically, the imagery in this Shakespearean poem challenges the traditional image of beauty and keeps a focus on the realistic part of his mistress, her inner soul.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Sonnet 39 Essay.
Sonnet 39 by Sir Phillip Sidney is an extremely beautiful poem that has a variety of hidden messages. From its title to its last line, each word written sparks a new idea bout Astrophel and Stella’s mysterious love. The moon, in this case is like a therapist to Astrophel. He complains about his love for Stella, and speaks to it and if it understands the same loneliness that he is going through. The moon and Astrophel develop a bond while he realizes his love for Stella will always remain whether it be night or day.
The title of the book has a meaning on its own. Astro- meaning star, combined with Phel- meaning lover, creates star lover. I believe Sidney made these clever names to show how devoted Astrophel to Stella. What we really have in life that we carry to the grave is our name. Sidney is referring to Stella as his whole world and what he will die for. She is his pride and he will fight for her and his name; they were meant to be together since birth.
Basically, the poem is about the infinite love for a woman. Astrophel reaches out to the moon for a talk. His encounter with the pale moon questions if he has been wounded by cupid’s arrow also. The moon is pale, moves slowly by its lonesome in the dark. He questions if the moon is lovesick as he is. Astrophel finds of way of expressing his feelings by asking the moon various questions, for example, if love is looked as “foolish”. Does it have the same reputation as it does on earth? He also asks the moon is women enjoy being loved, rather than true. Astrophel considers a women’s love vain rather than full of joy. I find his obsession with Stella causes him to find all things bad in her, but he is just so crazy in love that the only thing he looks forward to seeing her the next day.
Metonymy in this sonnet gives those hidden messages an opportunity to let the reader’s mind wander. For example, “Come Sleep! O Sleep, the certain knot of peace”, sleep in this sentence is like medicine for pain and grief. He wants to sleep, perhaps to stop the aching pain of Stella on his mind, or perhaps about Stella not having “real” love for him. In this case, he thinks about her while looking at the moon, before he goes to sleep. He thinks intensively bout love and if it’s the same in the different realms such as heaven and earth. He seeks advice from the moon, but knows the moon can’t help him or anyone for that matter fight against their obsessions.
Being hopelessly obsessed gives the speaker a very obvious tone. The voice of the speaker is anxious, willing and desperate. His anxiety to see Stella that keeps him from resting his head, he’ll stay up all night just to see her as the sun rises. Astrophel appears willing since he will go out of his way and waste his time thinking of someone who doesn’t do the same. Lastly, he is beyond desperate for the fact that while he gets treated badly by Stella, he still sticks around waiting for her to plead for his love. Thus, proving that he scared of being alone that resists his affection. In the end, he realizes that he will see her eventually and quickly has another change in tone, suddenly happy, Astrophel realizes that Stella is the one and can’t wait to be with her again.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Passion / Revenge
Catarina Sousa
In the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain leads us to believe that children starting to enter the world of adulthood go through problems that are truly more severe then expected. They live in a rural area where the rich were clean and educated, while the poor, such as Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, are left to figure life out by itself. Huck find’s the illness behind his father’s eyes to be the end of him. Which, it almost was. But, Huck takes the chance to look for adventure to follow his passion but to disregard his responsibility to his father and others. He saves his life, watches his father lose his, and finds that it's you against the world. Being alone at such a young age, really saddens how humanity lives. In once case, people spend their lives searching for somewhere they belong, but instead end up more alone then before.
Huckleberry Fin’s father is one of the many few characters that has a severe problem. His alcoholism led him to being the town drunk, but this rude reputation wasn’t all. He lived in a dusty old beat up cabin. Before, he sent Huck away to live with people that would “tidy” him up since his father didn’t have the circumstances to do so. But, Huck got fed up of being someone he’s not. Instead, he went back with his alcoholic father. The real problem began once Huck’s father started to beat him every night when he got home from getting buzzed. One night, after continuous beating, Huck’s father tried killing him. Luckily, his father passed out before it could happen. But in case the situation occurred again, Huck decided to fake his own death. By this, Huck takes animal blood and lays it on the floor, leading his father to believe he’s dead. When Huck finishes making the scene look believable, he flees away. Huck shows us that he didn't have a choice but to leave. In real life, people are forced to be isolated because of family problems, health problems, etc. When put in the position of life or death, most people would chose to live alone, rather than end of dead because of an avoidable situation.
When Huck flees he encounters Jim. Jim was the slave worker of Huck’s previous family. Jim tells huck that they are planning to sell him and he has to escape to survive. Huck sees this opportunity to run away with Jim to have company along the way. On this journey they endeavor, a flood sweeps by a nearby town and has the town underwater. Luckily, Jim and Huck used a wooden floating device that helped them survive. By this time, they see a house floating and decide to go inside for better safety. On the way inside, they leap into a bedroom. The find a dead body laying on the bed. They ignore the fact that someone’s been killed, but instead continue their journey. By the end of the book, we find out that Huck’s father, or the town drunk, was the dead man. He doesn’t know the cause of his death, but suspects it’s because of his alcoholism. When Huck fleed, his father also ended up by his lonesome. But, in this severe case, it killed him. If Huck stayed, it would have been possible for him to change his ways and give up drinking. But what if Huck leaving lead to his considered alchol poisoming? It's possible to assume that his father's death could be a suicide. He took the chancxe of over intoxicating his body and it made him end up alone and dead, just like the people in the town assumed in the beginning.
This part of the story really defines the true meaning of the book. The journey these two embark on takes an interesting turn. Now, it’s just not talking about being free, its actually happening. The whole reason for this adventure comes from his father’s actions. Thus, his father showed him to be on his own and take control. Even when he was with Jim, who is much older, Huck takes the lead. In the end, seeing his father dead didn’t have an effect on him. Which proves, he really did take on the world, with a little help form his friends.
In the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain leads us to believe that children starting to enter the world of adulthood go through problems that are truly more severe then expected. They live in a rural area where the rich were clean and educated, while the poor, such as Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, are left to figure life out by itself. Huck find’s the illness behind his father’s eyes to be the end of him. Which, it almost was. But, Huck takes the chance to look for adventure to follow his passion but to disregard his responsibility to his father and others. He saves his life, watches his father lose his, and finds that it's you against the world. Being alone at such a young age, really saddens how humanity lives. In once case, people spend their lives searching for somewhere they belong, but instead end up more alone then before.
Huckleberry Fin’s father is one of the many few characters that has a severe problem. His alcoholism led him to being the town drunk, but this rude reputation wasn’t all. He lived in a dusty old beat up cabin. Before, he sent Huck away to live with people that would “tidy” him up since his father didn’t have the circumstances to do so. But, Huck got fed up of being someone he’s not. Instead, he went back with his alcoholic father. The real problem began once Huck’s father started to beat him every night when he got home from getting buzzed. One night, after continuous beating, Huck’s father tried killing him. Luckily, his father passed out before it could happen. But in case the situation occurred again, Huck decided to fake his own death. By this, Huck takes animal blood and lays it on the floor, leading his father to believe he’s dead. When Huck finishes making the scene look believable, he flees away. Huck shows us that he didn't have a choice but to leave. In real life, people are forced to be isolated because of family problems, health problems, etc. When put in the position of life or death, most people would chose to live alone, rather than end of dead because of an avoidable situation.
When Huck flees he encounters Jim. Jim was the slave worker of Huck’s previous family. Jim tells huck that they are planning to sell him and he has to escape to survive. Huck sees this opportunity to run away with Jim to have company along the way. On this journey they endeavor, a flood sweeps by a nearby town and has the town underwater. Luckily, Jim and Huck used a wooden floating device that helped them survive. By this time, they see a house floating and decide to go inside for better safety. On the way inside, they leap into a bedroom. The find a dead body laying on the bed. They ignore the fact that someone’s been killed, but instead continue their journey. By the end of the book, we find out that Huck’s father, or the town drunk, was the dead man. He doesn’t know the cause of his death, but suspects it’s because of his alcoholism. When Huck fleed, his father also ended up by his lonesome. But, in this severe case, it killed him. If Huck stayed, it would have been possible for him to change his ways and give up drinking. But what if Huck leaving lead to his considered alchol poisoming? It's possible to assume that his father's death could be a suicide. He took the chancxe of over intoxicating his body and it made him end up alone and dead, just like the people in the town assumed in the beginning.
This part of the story really defines the true meaning of the book. The journey these two embark on takes an interesting turn. Now, it’s just not talking about being free, its actually happening. The whole reason for this adventure comes from his father’s actions. Thus, his father showed him to be on his own and take control. Even when he was with Jim, who is much older, Huck takes the lead. In the end, seeing his father dead didn’t have an effect on him. Which proves, he really did take on the world, with a little help form his friends.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Hamlet Test Essay
Catarina Sousa
Mr. Perez
AP English
20 October 2011
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, it is shown how the characters each have their own actions and phrases that lead us to believe who they really are. Whether they kill themselves or each other, they have no other reason, but power. Thus, unnecessary sword fights and the power of seeing paranormal sights give hints to who Hamlet is and will become. Each scene has its purpose, for example the grave digging scene is lead to believe to be the most important. For the purpose of comedy, Shakespeare adds comic relief before he takes the big plunge to the dramatic ending.
In one scene, including the gravediggers he has two “clowns” have an argument about the people of the town. In the beginning he talks about their rumors they have heard, such as Ophelia’s claimed “suicide”. The clown states how people in the town only start rumors, and they don’t even know for a fact that this suicide really happened. One clown starts questioning the funeral, asking if it is a Christian burial. Since suicide is considered a sin in the Christian religion, she doesn’t deserve a proper burial service like all the other God-followers. But, considering who Ophelia’s father is and the power he does possess, the King allowed her to get buried properly without over analyzing the situation.
Ergo, Polonius’ social standard saves them from an embarrassing funeral, who no one would attend to ruin their own life standards. Shakespeare is trying to show how being who you are really affects the way you are treated. The ones who can’t help themselves but don’t commit sins get tossed on the floor and get eaten by bugs and on passing animals. While those power-hungry who say they believe in God, commit sins profusely and still get buried under God’s name. Shakespeare shows us what social standards have become.
Since the gravediggers started digging as Hamlet and Harotio, Hamlet’s only trustworthy friend, started having a ball while they completed their necessary task. You may be asking, how is it possible gravediggers could sing while burying someone who once had a beating heart? Well, Hamlet asked the same question, he pondered as they threw skulls from the dirt out into the open. He said to Horatio, “That skull had a tongue in it and could sing once. How the knave jowls it to the ground, as if it were Cain’s jawbone, that did the first murder! It might be the pate of a politician, which this ass now o'erreaches, one that would circumvent God, might it not?”(Scene 5, pg.121, Line 77) Hamlet is getting frustrated with the gravediggers just tossing around skulls that once belonged to living breathing humans around. He questions if it could have been a politician who could talk his way out of everything, which is quite the talent. Or the skull of a courier, who would flatter the king with all the tricks he knew. Hamlet imagines these people who once were and are no longer.
Hamlet sees how fragile things are and could go away so quickly. He realized how depressing it is also, and he thinks what is the point of living if you could lose everything you built up for in a second. The allusions behind Adam are that the gravediggers are saying how the Christians hold up Adam’s true profession. They state how he doesn’t have arms, or “ever bore arms”. They ask how he could do a task without having the ability to do it. This reminds me of them both, considering they take their melancholy job quite lightly. The allusion behind Alexander the Great is that hamlet questions if he really looked like everyone else on earth, or preferably in his grave. This shows us that even the famous and almighty such as Alexander will decay and rot just like we all will one day.
Overall, this gravedigger scene started as a comedy to relieve some of the eager minds, but ended up confusing Hamlet as to why he is here on earth. He starts to realize we are the same since we die the same. This scene over turns into an existentialistic point of view of he tried to give the skulls a face and name. By that, Hamlet questions himself. Since the beginning of the book, he has been indecisive towards all his decisions. Not once could he do something that he truly believed was right. He questioned the time, the people, and himself. If you cannot decide for yourself, then don’t have such strong opinions that will never follow through. The book screams indecisive standard-loving snobs. They all deserved to die in the end, since for most, power is what caused their death, and power was what they lived for in the first place.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Grendel Essay.
“Grendel”
In the book Grendel by John Gardner, figuring out who the antagonist is quite the challenge. If you take a quick look at the story from different points of views, each character has the characteristics that could relate them, or lead us to think they’re the one causing or about to cause the problem. Beowulf has a different outlook on this subject, as do we all. The monster, more know as Grendel, is facing the rejection from most characters. He strikes one as being a blood thirsty monster, going on rages to kill anything in site, human or animal.
From a different point of view, Grendel views the dragon as a charade. Most people, not only in class, but also online, see the dragon as a God-like figure, but to me, it’s the complete opposite. The way he mocks Grendel leads me to believe that he cannot be taken seriously. Grendel doesn’t know how to react or show any reaction towards this dragon. What would happen if he even chuckled? Would he be burned into fiery shreds? Would God act in this certain manner, scare away and be vicious to people seeking the truth?
When Beowulf and Grendel had their fray, wings and fiery eyes “appeared” on Beowulf’s form. Why would Grendel envision a man who is about to tear him limb from limb as God? Perhaps, the dragon morphed himself into Beowulf to take advantage of such a distorted mind. It seems like Grendel was scared to fight back, like a parents arguing with their child. Grendel held back and just tried to move away from Beowulf’s reach. The way we make ourselves picture Grendel is a humongous beast with sharp razor teeth and the strength of 100 men. If this is so, why couldn’t he have fought away with such an arrogant human. A greater power must have taken over Beowulf’s body, perhaps a devil or the dragon who I am lead to believe are two in one.
I take pity on Grendel for such a mistaken death. This failure of his, wasn’t and wont get away with being “meaningless”. The significance of this failure and Grendel’s realization is as a result of Beowulf’s success and the arrogance it brings to his head, his shoulders weigh down. A heavy shoulder that he cannot do anything about except being the pain upon a creature that can’t even help himself.
Grendel, hopeless and declined, goes back to the place where we first met him at the beginning of the book. The cliff, where he shared a view with animals that would get a joy of watching his painful death. The cliff, where he looked at the world and tried to figure out what message a cruel place could bring. Grendel finally realized he’ll never have an answer, and as for searching, the search is deadly and will rip you apart. The failure of a search and finding emptiness will kill you quicker than a knife itself.
In the book Grendel by John Gardner, figuring out who the antagonist is quite the challenge. If you take a quick look at the story from different points of views, each character has the characteristics that could relate them, or lead us to think they’re the one causing or about to cause the problem. Beowulf has a different outlook on this subject, as do we all. The monster, more know as Grendel, is facing the rejection from most characters. He strikes one as being a blood thirsty monster, going on rages to kill anything in site, human or animal.
From a different point of view, Grendel views the dragon as a charade. Most people, not only in class, but also online, see the dragon as a God-like figure, but to me, it’s the complete opposite. The way he mocks Grendel leads me to believe that he cannot be taken seriously. Grendel doesn’t know how to react or show any reaction towards this dragon. What would happen if he even chuckled? Would he be burned into fiery shreds? Would God act in this certain manner, scare away and be vicious to people seeking the truth?
When Beowulf and Grendel had their fray, wings and fiery eyes “appeared” on Beowulf’s form. Why would Grendel envision a man who is about to tear him limb from limb as God? Perhaps, the dragon morphed himself into Beowulf to take advantage of such a distorted mind. It seems like Grendel was scared to fight back, like a parents arguing with their child. Grendel held back and just tried to move away from Beowulf’s reach. The way we make ourselves picture Grendel is a humongous beast with sharp razor teeth and the strength of 100 men. If this is so, why couldn’t he have fought away with such an arrogant human. A greater power must have taken over Beowulf’s body, perhaps a devil or the dragon who I am lead to believe are two in one.
I take pity on Grendel for such a mistaken death. This failure of his, wasn’t and wont get away with being “meaningless”. The significance of this failure and Grendel’s realization is as a result of Beowulf’s success and the arrogance it brings to his head, his shoulders weigh down. A heavy shoulder that he cannot do anything about except being the pain upon a creature that can’t even help himself.
Grendel, hopeless and declined, goes back to the place where we first met him at the beginning of the book. The cliff, where he shared a view with animals that would get a joy of watching his painful death. The cliff, where he looked at the world and tried to figure out what message a cruel place could bring. Grendel finally realized he’ll never have an answer, and as for searching, the search is deadly and will rip you apart. The failure of a search and finding emptiness will kill you quicker than a knife itself.
Monday, September 19, 2011
"The Problem of Evil" Essay
Characters like Grendel in Beowulf edited by M.A. Roberts, are those who in some way represent the devil. No, this isn’t considering Beowulf as God, but as a God-like figure. He kills those of evil and doesn’t mind the reasons for his death, but for the fact that now he proved to those who praised him, that he is now in control. He controls not only towns, but souls that are no longer with us.
In many stories and comic books, Grendel can be considered the “villain”, and Beowulf as the super hero, more specifically as the joker and batman. Characters like this show people and children that evil does exist in the world, but truthfully, God conquers all. Not in any story or tale have I heard of the bad-guy winning or getting away with it. Instead, the bad guy disappears or gets killed. This could also be as a lesson for most. In most novels or tales, their purposes are to teach people lessons about life. These life lessons teach people everyday formalities that is so common with people.
Evil in the world all started the exact day God come to be what it has become. Bu that, I mean, evil had no exact beginning and nor does it have a reason. It came to be one of life’s empty reasons. No explanation can be given to this, just the fact that not everything in life can or will be enjoying, having a “demon” or devil to hand off the blame to is like having an easy target. In most cases, its what people rely on to stay “pure” to themselves. “The devil made me do it!” will never get old!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Imperial Adam
Then he remembered through mysterious sleep
The surgeon fingers probing at the bone,
The voice so far away, so rich and deep:
"It is not good for him to live alone."
Imperial Adam, by A.D. Hope, is what seems to be a simple poem that has so much symbolism and meaning that every line has it’s own story. For example, if you take the first line of the poem and mix it with the second, its telling an experience Adam had. It states that Adam was put to sleep for the surgery God was going to perform. By putting Adam to sleep, he is not suffering or feeling any pain, he would be pain free and peaceful, just like someone whose passed away. The surgeon, being God, takes half his rib to create a female for Adam. As the “surgeon” is performing his works, it seems to be that he whispers to Adam, with his powerful voice that he wouldn’t get far living alone. Life would simply be so useless and worthless that eventually, Adam will have no reason to live. This could also relate to real life, for example, if someone who is living alone, with no love or any type of interaction with anyone, they’d have a high chance of being depressed or even be suicidal. This “surgeon” is saving Adam’s life from it’s own death, just like any true doctor or surgeon would.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Invisable Man Essay
Catarina Sousa
The novel Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison is a story about a black man who keeps referring to himself as “invisible”. Realistically, no, he is not invisible. He is seen in public just as I’m seen or anyone is seen. But due to his skin color, people forget that he is human. Many of them looked up at him as some type of creature for entertainment. They tortured him with electric carpets, fake coins, and boxing gloves. For what you may ask? Simply for the whites to get a good laugh. The invisible man goes on this life changing journey, and on the way he finds his true self. He became part of a horrific power plant accident that ended him up nearly dead in a hospital bed. This, to me, was his “baptism”. He woke up from there on, and did what made him happy, and what would benefit him, not just his grandfather that he dreams of every night.
Back in the 1950s, society was strictly based on wealth and on color. Although they might have overcame slavery, blacks from the south had a harder time adjusting to the north. Based on all the speeches he gave, the reaction of the crowd at the Brotherhood ceremonies was simply ecstatic. His own kind were there cheering him on and clapped their hands till they fell off. His point of view on some people changed there. It didn’t matter what whites thought or what Dr.Bledsoe did. He was surrounded by his own kind, and that made him feel on top of the world. But, unfortunately, for him at the end people changed and promises were broken. As he was burning important papers for light, he saw things for what they really are. He didn’t need those things to be happy, or to prove anything to anyone, he found his true self. “This and this or this had made me more human”.
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