LITERATURE ANALYSIS #3

THE VOW BY KIM CARPENTER

TOPIC(S) and/or EVENT(S)

1.

a. This book is about a young couple who suddenly experiences a tragedy where Kim and Krickitt, husband and wife, and main characters in this story, are involved in a bad accident that sends Kim through the windshield. Her injuries include horrible brain damage that cause her to forget her life as she knows it. Krickitt is devastated as they have only been married 2 months and this happens. He must make her remember why she loves him.

b. After experiencing a major head injuring causing memory loss, Kim forgets her whole life including her husband, so Krickitt must help her remember their love. 

2. Kim Carpenter wrote about this event, because it was a huge hardship she and her husband were faced with. She never regained her memory so her life was changed incredibly after that accident. Her and her husbands lives during that time were hard and dramatic. Writing about it much later, the readers can infer that she is now in good state in her life with her husband. She has recovered as much as she could and felt this traumatic story should be shared.

3.     This book appealed to me because first of all, it's an amazing love story where the man overcomes the odds to win the girl. Though she was his wife already, in Kim's mind she wasn't. Therefore Krickitt was forced to win her over against Kim's ex husband. The love story background was the big attention grabber to me. Also, the fact of knowing the story line from the major movie forced me to want to read the real story without the Hollywood twist. A true story like this was hard to believe so I had to read and find out.

4.   I found this book to be very realistic. With the movie that followed the book alone, a story this severe had to be true. But, of course, you can't trust everything you "see". The movie wasn't my solid proof.  Her condition and  state of being following the accident  was very realistic. Brain traumas happen all the time and her story didn't seem exaggerated or overdone. Kim told it well so that  such an event was realistic to readers. The only part that seemed questionable to me was how she only remembered her life up to a certain point and then NOTHING after. I don't know how the brain works, however, so maybe that is possible. But it seems strange

VOCAB #8

cursory- going over something rapidly, without noticing details
I feel teacher generally check work with cursory.
impetus-a moving force
An impetus resulted from the petition. 
pinnacle-a lofty peak
The top of a mountain can be called the pinnacle.
contumely-insulting display of contempt in words or actions
Uneducated people tend to talk in a contumely way.bereavement-a state of intense grief over loss of a loved one.
At the funeral, intense bereavement fell over the family.
cache-a hiding place usually in the ground
In old homes, cache's can be found.
consummation- completion, perfection, fulfillment
My essay reached consummation long before the deadline.calamity-a great misfortune or disaster, as a flood or serious injury
Many calamities are happening now.
avarice- miserly desiring to hoard wealth
My uncle is the opposite of someone who is avarice.fortify-to protect or strengthen against attack
We fortified our spot in CIF by winning that last match.erratic- deviating from the usual proper course in conduct
Children behave erratically in public.ubiquitous-being everywhere, especially at the same time
With school work, I feel like I am ubiquitous. fortitude-mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty courageously
Fortitude comes from experience.
nonchalant-coolly unconcerned
Some students are nonchalant about school.affect-to act on
Her actions affected the public punishment.
effect-something that is produced by an agency or cause
The death effected her life.
misappropriate-to put to wrong use
Young kids misappropriate common classroom supplies.
pragmatic-of or pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations.
His proposition was pragmatic considering the cause.
metacognition- higher order thinking that enables understanding
Math requires a great deal of metacognition.
devoutly-devoted to divine worship or service
Religions are devoutly dedicated.

HAMLET VALUE OF LIFE

ACTIVITY 1 courtesy of me, Tiana
1. What prior experiences do you have reading plays?
As a freshman in high school, we were required to spend a whole unit, studying, understanding and reviewing The Odyssey. This helped understand how to read plays and be familiar with them.
2. What did you notice about the format and annotations?
The format of Hamlet was strict iambic pentameter. Shakespeare followed a certain form and continued throughout the play. The connotations were very hard to understand in present day English. Shakespeare used old English to convey his messages.
3.What did you notice about the texts structure?
The texts structure as I said above was based on iambic pentameter. He had a strict format of which he used throughout. His lines and/or sentenced seemed to run on. I think this had a purpose in the conveying his poetic style however. Lastly, his soliloquy is written in common play format.

ACTIVITY 5: courtesy of Alyssa Barajas

Term                                                                       Antonym
Oppression                                                              Contumely (contempt)
Action                                                                      Calamity (tragedy)
Endurance                                                                To die-to sleep
Mystery                                                                    "take arms against a sea of trouble"
Life                                                                          Quietus (death)

Term                                                                       Word Family
Action                                                                      take arms, opposing, shuffled off, bear the whips, to                                                                                     grunt and sweat,
Thought                                                                    question, mind to suffer, to be wish'd, perchance to                                                                                       dream, conscience
Suffering                                                                   suffer, bear the whips and scorns of time
Morality                                                                   sins remember'd, grunt and sweat, coil, calamity
Fear                                                                         quietus, bodkin, suffer, slings and arrows, take arms                                                                                     a

ACTIVITY 7: courtesy of Summer Morgan heart-ache, weary life,

1. Where does Hamlet ask the central question of his soliloquy?
Hamlet asks the central question, whether he should continue living or end his own life, at the very beginning  of his soliloquy.

2. Where does he restate this question in greater detail?
Hamlet restates his question of living in greater detail throughout the rest of his soliloquy. He goes deeper and deeper into his thoughts about what he should do, if he really could go on or if this was the end for him.

3. Does Hamlet ever answer this question?
Although throughout the whole speech Hamlet sounds melancholy causing you too think that, in the end, he will choose to give up on life instead of continuing it; he never really clearly states his answer to his own question.

4. Does he ask any other questions in this speech?
The whole speech is made up of smaller questions that coincide with his huge opening question. He starts his speech with the big question and the rest consists of smaller questions that lead into his first question of whether or not he wants to live.

5. Who or what interrupts Hamlet at the end of his soliloquy? Do you think he was finished talking?
Ophelia interrupts Hamlet at the end of his soliloquy, I don't think that he was finished talking, he just suddenly ended his thoughts and stopped speaking.

ACTIVITY 10 courtesy of me, Tiana
First, Hamlet clearly uses many strategies. One clear personification is this sentence:
"Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles,"
Here, Hamlet personifies the sea by giving it troubles. All this line is saying is, "Should I fight against a these large amount of troubles."
"For who would bear the Whips and Scorns of time,"
Here is another example of personification where Hamlet gives time, "life" by personifying it. This sentence is conveying "Who wants to deal with all life's struggles?". 
Shakespeare's stylistic ways make him the famous playwright that he is. In this speech alone, these strategies create a dramatic atmosphere at which a reader gets engulfed in and can feel a mood. A reader can become more involved in the reading and also understand the true, deeper feelings the character feels.
ACTIVITY 12 courtesy of Gabi:

1. the soliloquy appeals more through pathos rather than logos. this is apparent because the soliloquy is more or less the thoughts and emotions of that person put into a monologue, therefore pathos is a big part of it.

2. Yes, Shakespeare uses pathos to create an effect on the reader. By Hamlet expressing his confrontational problem and stylistically debating it causes a nostalgic response for readers. people are able to connect this with something that may have happened to them, has, or is in their near future. It helps the reader to feel a connection to Hamlet because the emotions of confliction are common place.

3. Shakespeare also uses logic, or logos, to help the reader with understanding Hamlet. When Hamlet starts debating life and death, and what is worth it and what not, he uses logic to create a contrast between them:

"Whether 'tis Nobler in the mind to suffer

The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune,

Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles..."

4. When people are put in tight situations, the value of their life becomes clear to them because they tend to take a broader stance when the situation is. Hamlet defines this with his soliloquy. He seems to be talking about the quality of life in general, but alludes to his life because it is what he knows.

5. YES, Shakespeare's views and thoughts are definitely worth considering. He provides insight and a fresh point of view to concepts we can all relate to, but that haven't been found. He expresses them through stories and artistically through characters, so as you learn about concepts through the characters, it feels less like you're being taught, and more like you are being enlightened.

Activity 13: Hamlet

Title: Hamlet's Soliloquy
Author: Shakespeare
Genre: Dramatic Play

What is the text's big issue?
-People have this misconception of this speech, as Hamlet trying to kill himself. That is not the case. The real issue is, Hamlet's uncle just killed his father, and slept with his mother. Hamlet wants to escape from his newly ruined life. He contemplates killing his uncle, but the real issue for him is to sleep. "To dream." If he can escape from this nightmare of a situation, that is really his goal. If he can sleep, and dream, then he can dream himself into a different life. Preferably a life unlike his very own at the moment.

What claim does the text make?
-The claim made is to live or die. To continue living this lifestyle, or begin to live a new one through killing his uncle, or to sleep and dream. To continue to tolerate the whips and scorns of time, or the pain of rejected love. It claims to either stay in the world given to him, to life with the mistakes of his mother and the ghostly remembrances of his father, or to create a dream in which he can escape his awful life and start a fictional one.

What are examples or quotes from the text?
-"to be or not to be, that is the question"-to be what he knows or to be what his life truly has become
"...tis nobler in the mind of suffering"-what is better, to ruin even more of what has become, or to stand tall and not fight back with his uncle's decisions
"by sleep we say to end"-to sleep, to end all his sufferings and to escape to a land of his own
"To die, to sleep"-which does he choose, his life where he is, or his own life he makes up
"To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come"-a chance to dream, to escape his tragedy and make his own world in which he designs the outline of his dreams

What do you think about the text's claims?
-The first couple times i read this text, I hated it. But now i actually kind of enjoy learning about new eras and texts from way back, Shakespeare time. I think this claim is far more elaborate and detailed than the naked eye can see. You really have to take a hold of the words given, and sort of read between the lines. I dont truly believe i have gotten a complete grasp on this Soliloquy yet, but in time i will, hopefully.


What are your examples from the text?
"Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep;
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to, ’tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub;
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there’s the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,"
-this first section of Shakespeare's piece really stood out to me. This examples shows all the thoughts from Hamlet, from the death thoughts, to the dreaming contemplation

VALUE OF LEARNING/VALUE OF LIFE

My week to be this week would be having a calm, actual work environment instead of people being loud and obnoxious because there is a sub. I'd like to take advantage of the fact that we get to "teach ourselves" so to speak as well as the fact that a big amount if responsibility is on us as high school seniors to actually do what we are supposed to do! I want to, in depth, review the strategies that the module provides for us and apply them in outside the class work!

THE AWESOME MOMENT WHEN...

That great feeling when one of your vocabulary words, ubiquitous, is on the SAT, and you actually know what it means.

LITERATURE ANALYISIS #2

TOPICS AND EVENTS
1.
a.) A big Little Life by Dean Koontz is primarily about a Golden Retriever, Trixie, of which Dean and his wife, Gerda adopt. The story tells background on the family and Trixie and then goes into the perks and downsides of not only having a dog, but having Trixie specifically. Dean emphasizes how Trixie impacted their lives all throughout the story.
b.) This story is about the impact a special dog made on an average couple.
2. The author, Dean chose to write about his dog Trixie, because she was special. She played a special role in their family's lives, as well as many others, considering she was a service dog. Also, I think that this was Dean's "memorial" to his favorite companion. He wanted to show recognition for all that Trixie did. Lastly, Trixie WAS NOT an ordinary dog. She exemplified many times her "not the average dog" character. Many incidents it was as if she was a human. She could understand things Dean or Gerda would say. She even recognized the smell of one of her litter brothers from years earlier at a random meeting. Dean wanted the world to know of Trixie's incredible demeanor.
3. I wanted to read this book because I have a love for animals. Seeing as this was a non-fiction story about a dog, I figured the dog must have been amazing or special in some way, or such a book may not exist. I like the dynamics of animals in a story in that an animal is portrayed as a "hero" which is awesome for such a "helpless" (stereotype/generalization) creature. What made me continue to read it was the fact that everything I said above was true!
4. The book was realistic in many ways. But, I felt that each event that Trixie preformed, I compared to my dog and I could never see my dog doing these things! I do know, however, that dogs react differently with different owner so this made the book realistic to believe that Trixie did these things. I could not, however, relate because my dog is not so intellectually smart. But seeing as I have a dog, this book was somewhat connectable.
PEOPLE
1. I can't say for sure, but many of Trixie's attributes seemed exaggerated. This could be because of a special bond that Dean and Trixie shared, but if I met her, I don't think I would experience Trixie the same way! I think that this only shows that Dean was extremely attached to Trixie and how much he really cared. Usually, when people talk up of someone this is usually the case, or they are hiding something about them, but I don't think this is the case. 
2. Gerda is Dean's wife. She is, like Dean, very caring. Her way of life is positive, but like any wife, is reprimanding to her dog, and similarly to her husband. Gerda is open minded and outgoing. Her and Dean are a perfect match together judging by the settings in the book. Her ability to forgive is very astonishing considering how much mischief she dealt with between her husband and Trixie.
Trixie, as if not characterized enough, is an overly intelligent dog. She has a personality on her own. She is friendly beyond belief and loving to anyone she meets. This is why Dean and Gerda so easily fell in love with her. Trixie is also playful and mischievous unintentionally at times. Her demeanor is unforgettable with anyone who knew this dog.
3. These two characters are interesting to write about because of the fact that they are the main characters, and also some of the only. Their characters, or at least the way they are presented, also makes them good characters to follow. Though Trixie is only a dog, she has a better character then most people I know. Also, I like Gerda because she is easy-going and laid back which is a hard trait to develop in a crazy world! Trixie and Gerda together made the story interesting because they were like fuel for each other.

1. An example of direct characterization is Trixie. Because she, being a dog, can't talk, her character is solely direct. Mostly Dean, the author, describes her because he is writing it. There are few indirect cases where in a conversation people will give Trixie credit for her attitude. Gerda is indirectly characterized throughout the whole story. Based on what she says you can tell the kind of person she is. For example the way she reacts to things. Dean Koontz doesn't directly praise her for her personality.
2. Because the main focus of this whole novel is Trixie, Dean is mostly only describing his beloved dog. This being the case, his syntax is mostly remaining the same throughout when describing Trixie. Though, when Trixie did something exceptionally well, Koontz would use diction to emphasize her good dead. One event was when Trixie responded to what Dean was asking her by body movements or a sound. With this, he changed his diction by saying to his wife, "Gerda, Trixie, our dog, our golden retriever, is THE dog. Our dog is not a dog."
3. The protagonist was definitely static. As a dog, an attitude doesn't change. But, if I count Dean as the protagonist (him and Trixie were both) then he was very dynamic. Trixie changed his whole thought process and outlook on life. He did a complete transformation in this novel from before Trixie and after. He became more optimistic on life which he wasn't before.
4. I felt like Trixie was my dog in a sense because I felt like I was experiencing everything she did as well as Dean and Gerda. My heart broke in the end when Trixie died. I felt like my dog died. Because she had such a big impact on many people's lives, she was easy to "know". She was loving, loyal, humble, trustworthy, etc. One passage, "We thought the moment had come, that piece of the blood clot on the wall of her heart had traveled to one of her lungs.", when Dean described this, my emotions kicked in because Trixie was my dog also!
STYLE
1. Dean uses pathos. I don't think this was intentional, but many people have a soft spot for dogs, including me. Regardless, when Trixie was diagnosed to have blood clots, pathos was "in the air". Also, at the beginning of the book, foreshadowing was used. In the opening, Dean talks about how much his life changed due to Trixie. This let readers get an idea that Trixie would be this good of a dog and her actions would prove it later.
2. Koontz used many lengthy description passages to get his point across. Trixie was described well and I believe that anyone who read this story felt connected to her because of how much we "got to know her". Some description was through dialogue, but it was traits we already knew. The majority was through passages.
3. Like listed in question number 1, to create mood, a great deal of pathos was used to evoke emotion among readers. Dean wanted the readers to feel connected to Trixie. He wanted her to receive recognition for her actions. To do this, the most effective way was pathos and he used it to his advantage.
4. Dean's attitude toward this subject was sad, but thankful for the time he had with his best friend Trixie. He was also reminiscent on everything that happened. He never expressed regret of any kind. In describing her life, he was upbeat, and positive.
5. Some interesting evidence I found was the fact Dean and Gerda are actually huge donors to the organization that Trixie came from, Canines Companions for Independence (CCI). Knowing this, made Trixie that much more real. It made her actions reliable because Trixie came from this group that does wonderful things for people with special needs and they train their dogs to accompany these needs. Dean also made a website for her with videos, fans, and more info on this wonderful dogs life. It can be found here http://www.deankoontz.com/trixie

"In each little life we can see great truth and beauty, and in each little life we glimpse the way of all things in the universe." -Dean Koontz. This quote said by Dean himself is so true and powerful. In a way life is so short. We need not take these little moments of bliss for granted. What we should do is cherish each moment and each person, or in this case animal, who comes into our lives. Dean realizes this through Trixie's life and I think this is the way I need to start living. Another thing I took from this book that will stick with me is that you never know what can change your perspective or outlook on life. I must stay open minded and be ready for my life to be impacted in any form. It could be the smallest of gestures or words, or it could be a huge event like traveling that will make me realize what life is about. I love how Trixie changed Dean's whole life. I can't wait for this experience.

TO ACT OR NOT TO ACT 2

To be as I am now, or do I change for the better? Is it better to deal with the bad things in my life or end them forever? To die, to sleep, but to sleep is to end my heartache. It's something I wish for. To die, to sleep, or to dream. But, there is my conflict. What good things could happen that I don't know of. That's what worries me. Who would want to deal with life's hardships, all the let downs from superiors, men, lovers, the legal system, the people in office, and the constant mistreating of good people. Why go through this when it is so easy to end one's life. Who would bear a life of grunting and sweating because of the difficulties, but none other then those who fear what comes after death, the undiscovered country, where no one returns, which we always question but never get answers which is causing us to stick to evil ways we are familiar with the try the ways we don't know? Conscience makes us cowards, making our familiar character hidden with over thinking. Our actions are lost amidst this all. But now comes Ophelia.
What I think is the message is he is very indecisive on his next plan. He doesn't know if she should try something different and see where the results lead, or stick to his normal ways of resolution. His thinking is deep and meaningful. It's not literally about whether to kill himself, though he questions if that is the easiest way, but more of comparing the result of if he were to end his life, or try a new way and see the results of what happened.
My approach is if you have only been taking one approach to something and you are not seeing the results you want, you should try a different way. Keep trying, don't always take the easy way out despite how tempting it can be.

VOCAB #7

cursory- going over something rapidly, without noticing details
Checked cursorily, my teacher left few feedback notes on my essay.
impetus-a moving force
The petition turned into an impetus.
pinnacle-a lofty peak
I reached my pinnacle when I sung at the Superbowl
contumely-insulting display of contempt in words or actions
Why do people like to talk in such a contumely way.
bereavement-a state of intense grief over loss of a loved one.
Once her mom died, she was left in bereavement.
cache-a hiding place usually in the ground
Many Jewish people had caches during the Holocaust.
consummation- completion, perfection, fulfillment
My essay was consummated by the time it was due.
calamity-a great misfortune or disaster, as a flood or serious injury
Syria is a calamity now.
avarice- miserly desiring to hoard wealth
An avarice overtook the family when the daughter won the lottery.
fortify-to protect or strengthen against attack
We fortified our chances to win with that touchdown.
erratic- deviating from the usual proper course in conduct
The tennis team behaves erratically when we go on long trips.
ubiquitous-being everywhere, especially at the same time
My think my mom is ubiquitous, especially having 6 kids
fortitude-mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty courageoulsy
My fortitude has grown since I have traveled across the world alone.
nonchalant-coolly unconcerned
Obama acts nonchalant with problems in our world.
affect-to act on
The distance affected our relationship.
effect-something that is produced by an agency or cause
A catalyst effects the result of the experiment.
misappropriate-to put to wrong use
You are misappropriating this lab tool.
pragmatic-of or pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations.
The past event was pragmatically related to this event.
metacognition- higher order thinking that enables understanding
Metacognition is required for me when learning anatomy.
devoutly-devoted to divine worship or service
Some who goes to church everyday is devout.