Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Scarlet Letter Questions
1. The purpose for this introduction is to build the foundation of the book. It helps tell you what time the book is in as well as the place so you can visualize and read with more understanding. It also gives an idea of how the author writes and how you will have to interpret the book. This gives the reader a head start, so to speak, on the book itself. They now know where things are placed in time and they can better relate to the things going on. It is a better understanding so now they can just flow right into the book.
A reason for the foundation is to give it a flowing introduction. Instead of just going straight into what the idea is, it starts off with a story of another person that leads up to the tale of the woman. There is a good mindset of the things going on and you can just slide right into the story. Confusion can be kept down as well now that you are aware of where things are. This makes the book easier to read. It also adds to the enjoyment of the book. The foundation is pretty much telling you that “this is where it is and what’s going on now and how it will lead to the story.”
2. Hawthorne (I believe) made the adjustment saying, “I had ceased to be a writer of tolerably poor tales and essays, and had become a tolerably good Surveyor of the Customs,” (Hawthorne 37). He was unable to write things like essays since he had become a surveyor. Also he admitted to saying that his imagination was like “a tainted mirror” (Hawthorne 33). He couldn’t imagine or reflect on what he read like he used to. This is probably due to all of his nonfiction writing.
What I realized about his writing was that it was a little easier to understand when he ran across the diary. He also lessened his talk about the Custom House and focused more on personal descriptions based off of himself, his ancestors, or the person who claimed the red letter A and her ancestors. The setting was changed from this “Custom House” figure to a dark, poorly lit room, an accurate setting for the dark secrets that were revealed at the time. He began describing the setting with words like “cold spirituality of the moonbeams,” (referring to the beams reflecting onto the floor) or “dim coal-fire,” (Hawthorne 35). But as I said, this is only my opinion.
3. This will change the perspective of his writing. Now instead of focusing on things like the Custom House he talks about other things. His speaks less political or like a businessman and more like he’s telling a story now. His angle of focus has changed and gives us an idea on how the story is really going to be told. It can also prepare us for the shift from the introduction to the main story.
Now that we are exposed to a sudden change in his writing we can be ready for it, if he chooses to do it again. There will be less confusion if he goes from the story of the scarlet letter to the history of it. It’s easier to follow along with the storyline if you know something unexpected is coming. Doing this in the intro allows us to prepare so that we can stay focused when it happens.
A reason for the foundation is to give it a flowing introduction. Instead of just going straight into what the idea is, it starts off with a story of another person that leads up to the tale of the woman. There is a good mindset of the things going on and you can just slide right into the story. Confusion can be kept down as well now that you are aware of where things are. This makes the book easier to read. It also adds to the enjoyment of the book. The foundation is pretty much telling you that “this is where it is and what’s going on now and how it will lead to the story.”
2. Hawthorne (I believe) made the adjustment saying, “I had ceased to be a writer of tolerably poor tales and essays, and had become a tolerably good Surveyor of the Customs,” (Hawthorne 37). He was unable to write things like essays since he had become a surveyor. Also he admitted to saying that his imagination was like “a tainted mirror” (Hawthorne 33). He couldn’t imagine or reflect on what he read like he used to. This is probably due to all of his nonfiction writing.
What I realized about his writing was that it was a little easier to understand when he ran across the diary. He also lessened his talk about the Custom House and focused more on personal descriptions based off of himself, his ancestors, or the person who claimed the red letter A and her ancestors. The setting was changed from this “Custom House” figure to a dark, poorly lit room, an accurate setting for the dark secrets that were revealed at the time. He began describing the setting with words like “cold spirituality of the moonbeams,” (referring to the beams reflecting onto the floor) or “dim coal-fire,” (Hawthorne 35). But as I said, this is only my opinion.
3. This will change the perspective of his writing. Now instead of focusing on things like the Custom House he talks about other things. His speaks less political or like a businessman and more like he’s telling a story now. His angle of focus has changed and gives us an idea on how the story is really going to be told. It can also prepare us for the shift from the introduction to the main story.
Now that we are exposed to a sudden change in his writing we can be ready for it, if he chooses to do it again. There will be less confusion if he goes from the story of the scarlet letter to the history of it. It’s easier to follow along with the storyline if you know something unexpected is coming. Doing this in the intro allows us to prepare so that we can stay focused when it happens.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Vocab Assignment
abase: base, sea
abate: tab, eat
abstruse: true, best
abyss: say, bass
acuity: cut, cat
affinity: fit, taffy
alacrity: clarity, clay
alchemist: chemist, clam
alloy: lay, all
amenable: men, blame
antipathy: path, pain
append: pad, pen
arduous: sour, soar
ascend: sand, sad
ascetic: tase, cast
audacity: city, act
augury: rag, guy
auspicious: spacious, caps
austere: steer, stare
balm: lab, lamb
benevolence: cob, bone
benign: nine, big
betoken: keen, token
blighted: light, tight
buoyant: tan, boy
This is the link to the crossword puzzle: http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/code/BuildCrissCross.asp
abate: tab, eat
abstruse: true, best
abyss: say, bass
acuity: cut, cat
affinity: fit, taffy
alacrity: clarity, clay
alchemist: chemist, clam
alloy: lay, all
amenable: men, blame
antipathy: path, pain
append: pad, pen
arduous: sour, soar
ascend: sand, sad
ascetic: tase, cast
audacity: city, act
augury: rag, guy
auspicious: spacious, caps
austere: steer, stare
balm: lab, lamb
benevolence: cob, bone
benign: nine, big
betoken: keen, token
blighted: light, tight
buoyant: tan, boy
This is the link to the crossword puzzle: http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/code/BuildCrissCross.asp
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Anne Bradstreet Response
Anne Bradstreet wrote many good poems in her day. A very good one is “To My Dear Loving Husband.” She writes this about her husband and how she truly feels about him. Beneath this poem though, she gives a message: love is an everlasting, priceless bond. This poem is not just about her relationship but love itself. She wants everyone to know the true meaning of love and she uses her love as an example because it is so enduring. This can be shown through her syntax and diction. The message she tries to deliver besides her own perfect love is that love itself is enduring, eternal, precious thing.
To start, the definition of love (although there are many) is a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend. When there is a deep affection there is a tight bond between whoever has this feeling and whoever the feeling is towards. Bradstreet proves this point by saying, “If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee…,” (Bradstreet 1-2). She is saying that their bond was so strong that it was as if they were one and no better sentence (or poem) structure could have been chosen. Their love was inseparable; their love always kept them together and would see them through anything, claiming the notion that it is enduring. It also gives the power to endure. “Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere, that when we live no more, we may live forever,” is also a proving statement of a person’s endurance towards love (Bradstreet 11-12). She uses the word “persevere” which basically means to survive or live through. She ties this in with her last line which brings together the point that she will persevere anything, good or bad and if even death overcomes them, they will be together in spirit. They also say this in weddings to prove your devotion to your spouse: “Until death do us part.” This is a very strong bond and especially Bradstreet’s because she said even after death, they will be together.
Another thing stated in her poem is that love is priceless. There is nothing that she would trade for the bond between her and her husband. This is made evident with the lines, “I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold or all the riches that the East doth hold,” (Bradstreet 5-6). She wouldn’t even trade her love for gold mines; she says not just one gold mine, but more than one. Not even all the riches in the east can compare to the happiness she has with her family. If love is strong enough to turn back gold mines (which were much more valuable then than they are now) then surely it is a valueless bond. She also says “My love is such that rivers cannot quench,” (Bradstreet 8). This metaphor is saying that her thirst for love (like a thirst for water) cannot be satisfied with even a river. Nothing can take the place or change the way she feels about her spouse. She truly does have great compassion for her partner and she wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Many things have changed now; love does not have the same meaning as it did then, and although this isn’t her message (because she had no idea how things would turn out in the future) she still explains what love is. The bond of love is a persevering, priceless, precious bond that can’t be replaced by anything. The care and affection given, not only to one’s spouse, but to one’s family is an all-powerful bond. Sometimes it even makes people do crazy things or put themselves in harm’s way, just to have the thought that whoever you are protecting is safe. Anne Bradstreet shows true affection for her husband with this poem, and also describes the true meaning of love.
To start, the definition of love (although there are many) is a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend. When there is a deep affection there is a tight bond between whoever has this feeling and whoever the feeling is towards. Bradstreet proves this point by saying, “If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee…,” (Bradstreet 1-2). She is saying that their bond was so strong that it was as if they were one and no better sentence (or poem) structure could have been chosen. Their love was inseparable; their love always kept them together and would see them through anything, claiming the notion that it is enduring. It also gives the power to endure. “Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere, that when we live no more, we may live forever,” is also a proving statement of a person’s endurance towards love (Bradstreet 11-12). She uses the word “persevere” which basically means to survive or live through. She ties this in with her last line which brings together the point that she will persevere anything, good or bad and if even death overcomes them, they will be together in spirit. They also say this in weddings to prove your devotion to your spouse: “Until death do us part.” This is a very strong bond and especially Bradstreet’s because she said even after death, they will be together.
Another thing stated in her poem is that love is priceless. There is nothing that she would trade for the bond between her and her husband. This is made evident with the lines, “I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold or all the riches that the East doth hold,” (Bradstreet 5-6). She wouldn’t even trade her love for gold mines; she says not just one gold mine, but more than one. Not even all the riches in the east can compare to the happiness she has with her family. If love is strong enough to turn back gold mines (which were much more valuable then than they are now) then surely it is a valueless bond. She also says “My love is such that rivers cannot quench,” (Bradstreet 8). This metaphor is saying that her thirst for love (like a thirst for water) cannot be satisfied with even a river. Nothing can take the place or change the way she feels about her spouse. She truly does have great compassion for her partner and she wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Many things have changed now; love does not have the same meaning as it did then, and although this isn’t her message (because she had no idea how things would turn out in the future) she still explains what love is. The bond of love is a persevering, priceless, precious bond that can’t be replaced by anything. The care and affection given, not only to one’s spouse, but to one’s family is an all-powerful bond. Sometimes it even makes people do crazy things or put themselves in harm’s way, just to have the thought that whoever you are protecting is safe. Anne Bradstreet shows true affection for her husband with this poem, and also describes the true meaning of love.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Anne Bradstreet Biography
Anne Bradstreet was born in Northampton, England in 1612. She was the daughter of Thomas Dudley, a governor of volunteer soliders in the English Reformation, and Dorothy Yorke Dudley, a very well educated woman. When Anne was 16, she married Simon Bradstreet, a 25 year old man who was the son of a Puritan minister. They went to the New World on a tough journey filled with turmoil. Anne and Simon had 8 kids which they cared for through all times, even when their house burned down and they were homeless. While her husband worked, she educated her children and herself with her father's books. This inspired her to begin writing poetry, but women's beliefs weren't very well thought of so she kept it a secret. Her brother-in-law published them in England anyway without her knowing and admitted doing it. She then became sick with tuberculosis and passed away September 16, 1672 at the age of 60.
"Anne Bradstreet Biography - Poems" poemofquotes.com. 2004-2008. September 13, 2008. http://www.poemofquotes.com/annebradstreet/
"Anne Bradstreet Biography - Poems" poemofquotes.com. 2004-2008. September 13, 2008. http://www.poemofquotes.com/annebradstreet/
Friday, September 12, 2008
Cabeza De Vaca Picture Response
This picture shows the mindset that was needed for Cabeza De Vaca to become what he did. Although his ancestors were extremely well known and successful heroes of battle, he was himself. Even though so much was expected of him, he was still his own man. Sure he was a lousy leader, but that's who he was. He showed kindness and respect to the Native Americans and that allowed him to become a friends of various Indian tribes. He wasn't a chicken meaning he didn't get afraid (although he was marooned) and kill them off, but gave them respect and became very well treated. He was himself and it got him very far. It gave him "freedom and happiness" (Talking Chicken).
...laugh out loud...talking chicken...
Monday, September 8, 2008
Columbus Picture
(Just in case you can't see it, at the top is a copyright and at the bottom is "Sorry for the mess...we weren't expecting you yet.")
This is a picture of a Native American looking at Columbus confused and he's doing the same. This proves my point because of the confusion on their faces. Columbus thought he was going to find a new passage to India, but instead he got lost. He was confused and puzzled because he had no idea where he was. Just looking at his face, you can see just how unfamiliar all of it seems to him. This was a total accident that any rookie navigator with bad navigation skills that didn't know where he was going could have done. Also there were people there so how can he say he discovered the "New World"? He led to the death of thousands of Native Americans all because he didn't know where he was going, and even those that did that tried to find this new land years ago received no credit at all. These people knew where they were going, or at least had an idea that it existed. Anyone could have found this place with no skill at all, because it took no skill to get there his way; it was all by an unexpected mistake.
Columbus Essay
Sidney Bridges
September 7, 2008
Period 11
Nightly Reading Essay
During Columbus’s voyage to discover America, he always thought of hope, of his honor, hope of finding an undiscovered entity. This he did find, a new land, and he was very pleased with what he discovered. Of course he thought of home and he wrote back to England. He was usually very happy, until misfortune came into his life. He was marooned, imprisoned, and shaved of his pride and dignity. He still had one thing though: hope. This was shown through the tone of his letters written to the king and queen. His attitude vastly changes between the two. In his first letter he is excited and surprised; in his second he is miserable and lifeless. Here is where he proves whether he has the strength to overcome problems.
When his letter was sent about his first voyage, he described the many things he had found. It was a vast, rich land untouched by Europe (considered to be brand new even though people were living there). He describes his sails through the new continent with joy and enthusiasm. He even said the land was “marvelous,” (Columbus Letter 1). In these accounts he has a lot of pride and astonishment. His general message is that the new land is gorgeous and very large and everyone must come to see the great new discovery. Surely no man with less than an exhilarating tone would say such great things, and what person would not be exhilarated if he found a new land? He certainly shows he has the courage and endurance to take a voyage back and forth 4 times and he tells it through this letter. His second letter was not as appealing. Let’s examine that.
In his first letter, he starts off with “As I know that you will be pleased at the great victory with which Our Lord has crowned my voyage,” (Columbus Letter 1). This introduction is totally different saying, “Of Española, Paria, and other lands, I never think without weeping,” (Columbus Letter 2). There is a total difference in his attitude. This is because he has been captured and treated as a slave. He has lost all happiness he had before. Hard times had caught up with him. He was arrested when he went back to Europe after his 3rd voyage, and he went back on a 4th voyage to redeem his reputation. He was marooned in Jamaica after an accident at sea. He changes his message here too; he is now saying something along the lines of, “Please pardon my crimes and save me from here.” He even brings out the fact that he served his country since he was 28, “…and now I have not a hair on my body that is not gray,” (Columbus Letter 2). There is a lot more depression in this letter, but a small piece of hope still stands out within him. This letter may have been his last hope, but it was hope nonetheless that did paid off. He was rescued later.
Sometimes all we need is hope to get us by when everything else is lost. This can help carry us through the tough times; even when times aren’t all that bad, it doesn’t hurt to have hope to help you get through it. Christopher Columbus was at the bottom of the barrel. He pities himself with the words, “I am so ruined,” and “Of worldly goods I haven’t even a blanca… I have become careless of the prescribed forms of religion,” (Columbus Letter 2). With all of this, he still trusted in his country and his beliefs to get him through and they did. This simple thing that we have in our hearts allows us to believe in what is impossible, or what is beyond our belief. It’s what help Columbus find America. Columbus believed and hoped that there was something undiscovered and he found it. Sometimes hope is all that’s needed.
September 7, 2008
Period 11
Nightly Reading Essay
During Columbus’s voyage to discover America, he always thought of hope, of his honor, hope of finding an undiscovered entity. This he did find, a new land, and he was very pleased with what he discovered. Of course he thought of home and he wrote back to England. He was usually very happy, until misfortune came into his life. He was marooned, imprisoned, and shaved of his pride and dignity. He still had one thing though: hope. This was shown through the tone of his letters written to the king and queen. His attitude vastly changes between the two. In his first letter he is excited and surprised; in his second he is miserable and lifeless. Here is where he proves whether he has the strength to overcome problems.
When his letter was sent about his first voyage, he described the many things he had found. It was a vast, rich land untouched by Europe (considered to be brand new even though people were living there). He describes his sails through the new continent with joy and enthusiasm. He even said the land was “marvelous,” (Columbus Letter 1). In these accounts he has a lot of pride and astonishment. His general message is that the new land is gorgeous and very large and everyone must come to see the great new discovery. Surely no man with less than an exhilarating tone would say such great things, and what person would not be exhilarated if he found a new land? He certainly shows he has the courage and endurance to take a voyage back and forth 4 times and he tells it through this letter. His second letter was not as appealing. Let’s examine that.
In his first letter, he starts off with “As I know that you will be pleased at the great victory with which Our Lord has crowned my voyage,” (Columbus Letter 1). This introduction is totally different saying, “Of Española, Paria, and other lands, I never think without weeping,” (Columbus Letter 2). There is a total difference in his attitude. This is because he has been captured and treated as a slave. He has lost all happiness he had before. Hard times had caught up with him. He was arrested when he went back to Europe after his 3rd voyage, and he went back on a 4th voyage to redeem his reputation. He was marooned in Jamaica after an accident at sea. He changes his message here too; he is now saying something along the lines of, “Please pardon my crimes and save me from here.” He even brings out the fact that he served his country since he was 28, “…and now I have not a hair on my body that is not gray,” (Columbus Letter 2). There is a lot more depression in this letter, but a small piece of hope still stands out within him. This letter may have been his last hope, but it was hope nonetheless that did paid off. He was rescued later.
Sometimes all we need is hope to get us by when everything else is lost. This can help carry us through the tough times; even when times aren’t all that bad, it doesn’t hurt to have hope to help you get through it. Christopher Columbus was at the bottom of the barrel. He pities himself with the words, “I am so ruined,” and “Of worldly goods I haven’t even a blanca… I have become careless of the prescribed forms of religion,” (Columbus Letter 2). With all of this, he still trusted in his country and his beliefs to get him through and they did. This simple thing that we have in our hearts allows us to believe in what is impossible, or what is beyond our belief. It’s what help Columbus find America. Columbus believed and hoped that there was something undiscovered and he found it. Sometimes hope is all that’s needed.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
