Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Hannah's Full Essay
Mr. Salsich
9 English
15 December 2008
Regrets, can’t live with them can’t live with out them
An essay on a regret in my life and my plan on living regret free
OP: Regrets when you think about it are such simple things. In a way they are like mistakes, some more significant than the others. In my life I have had very few regrets, but I’m only fourteen so that will change. Also, something I am working on in my life is not holding grudges with myself about these predicaments.
TS: A past regret that was pretty important to me occurred in the seventh grade. SD: My best friend at the time and I were really close, like sisters when all of a sudden that changed. CM: One day she got a boyfriend and we both thought that that was a really cool thing and we would talk about it on our regular Friday sleepovers. CM: Then one day her boyfriend and I got into a fight. SD: At first we tried to work things out between the three of us because we wanted to resolve a solution and do this for each other. CM: But the result wasn’t that great and it was deeply disappointing for me. CM: My best friend at the time ended up dumping her boyfriend so we could work on our friendship and that only made people look down on me as a person more. SD: Now looking back on the situation, it drew my best friend and me more apart and we aren’t as close. CM: I really miss those daily Friday sleepovers and talking about everything. CM: In a way our friendship ended in such a sudden way that now I fell like there wasn’t anything there and sometimes I get sad about that.
TS: Most people know me as being a somewhat paranoid person and something I am pretty paranoid about is learning to deal with regret. SD: From this point on, something I want to work on is living my life with no regrets. CM: I have slowly come to realize that these regrets, vexatious little pieces of my past, have controlled me for way to long (S-V split). CM: I have turned into the type of person who carries these regrets with her and hasn’t quite figured out how to “let go.” SD: So from this day forward I am going to make these nagging regrets memories, forever. CM: While these annoying regrets have bothered me for the past few years of my life, they have done me one bit of good and that’s that these regrets have shaped me as a person. CM: After regretting loosing one of the best friendships I have ever had, I learned that two people need to work at a situation like this together in order to make it work. CM: I have also learned that at the end of all good things, new great things begin (chiasmus).
CP: I have had many experiences in my life and now thinking about regrets I realized how many I actually have. While writing this paper, I have learned that regrets are just like mistakes and although they aren’t always fixable, they are a learning experience. I really want to thank the people in my life who have caused me to regret, because they are the people who have helped me become the girl I am today.
Self Assessment:
1. What do you like best about your essay? What I like the most about my essay is my 1st body paragraph. I think I got pretty personal which helps the reader get to know a little bit about what I went through and maybe they can even relate to the same situation.
2. What was the hardest part of this assignment for you? The hardest part of this assignment for me was using the S-V split and chiasmus. These writing tools look easy but then when I have to apply them to my writing I get confused. So that is something I am also trying to work on.
Hannah's Graphic Organizer
Hannah Staley 12-11-2008
OP- There has been many regrets thru ought my life and some are definitely more significant than others….
TS: A past regret that I have occurred in the 7th grade…
SD: My best friend and I were so close (like sisters) and then that all changed…
TS: When she got a boyfriend, we both thought it was really cool and we would talk about it on our daily sleepovers…
TS: Then one day her boyfriend and I got into a fight….
SD: At first, we tried to figure things out with the three of us because that was going to be out resolution…..
TS: Nothing seemed to work….
TS: my best friend dumped him for me only to cause more drama…
SD: Now looking back my then best friend and I aren’t as close…
TS: I really miss those daily sleepovers…
TS: Our friendship ended in such a sudden way that now I almost feel like nothing was ever there….
TS: Since I am a somewhat paranoid person, from now on I am going to try to (live with no regrets)….
SD: I have realized that in a way these regrets have changed me to much…
TS: I have turned myself into someone that takes these regrets everywhere with her…
TS: From now on, these regrets are going to become memories…..
SD: Also not only have these regrets changed me, but they have shaped me as a person as well…
TS: Once I lost one of the best friendships I have ever had, I realized that you need to work at it (BOTH PEOPLE)…..
TS: I have also realized that at the end of all good things there are new beginnings….
CP: I have had many experiences in my life and writing this paper made me realize exactly how I might be able to get rid of some of those regrets that are riding on me….
Eleanor's Essay #9 (sorry it's late some of it deleted and I had to rewrite)
Mr. Salsich
English 9
December 15th 2008
Regrets
My Thoughts about some Parts of My Life I Wish I could Change
Whether it’s to do with sports, home life or even your friends, everyone does something they regret later. In ‘The Christmas Carol”, a timeless, beautiful story written over one hundred years ago, by Charles Dickens we learn that Scrooge, the main character of the story, is mean and unbelievably bitter. However, we then learn that Scrooge regrets his ways and overcomes them later in the story. I too have had some regrets.
T.S In the summer coming up to my eighth grade year at Pine Point, I went away to a camp for three weeks. S.D The camp was called Explo which has been shortened from the official term ‘Exploration’. C.M At this camp I created some amazing memories which I still remember, and cherish. C.M Infact, I’m still corresponding with most of the people I was there with. S.D Unfortunately there was a regret that came from this stupendous experience. C.M At Explo, I was only friends with the people in my hall, the four or five rooms that were part of a group, with two helpful and friendly advisors. C.M I wish that I could have become friends with maybe even a few more of the two hundred other people there, instead of hiding away like Scrooge and only sharing a laugh with my hall-mates. C.S Even though this one regret hangs over me, I cannot forget the fun times I have shared with my many other friends.
T.S Even though I regret not talking to as many people, I do believe that some good has come from it. S.D To begin with, I am now more courageous and willing to go up to someone new and say, ‘Hi I’m Eleanor. What’s your name?’. C.M Now, when I go to my new school next year, I will be willing to meet new people. S.D Also, I have learned the importance of having more friends. C.M The more people you know, the more content you will be. C.M Yes I did have a fun at Explo, and was happy there. C.M However, sometimes my hall-mates were off doing one thing and I was somewhere else. C.S If I had talked more, I would already know some of the other people and wouldn’t have to take the time to break the ice, and make new friends.
Before, I ignored the other people, so then the other people ignored me. Now, I know better. I know that any person is worth talking to and making friends with, it doesn’t matter whether they are in your hall or not. It doesn’t even matter if they live half way across the globe, if all the countries and people kept to themselves our planet would be a disaster.
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G.O
Intro: Like Scrooge I have some regrets
1st Body:
1st chunk, last summer I went to a camp called Explo, here I made some great friend and have many memories
2nd chunk, However I regret that I didn't make many other friends outside our dorm
2nd Body:
1st chunk, However, I am now more courageous and willing to talk andm eet new faces.
2nd chunk, In activities it would have been helpful to already know people instead of trying to break the ice in the midst of a talk or something.
Conclusion: Everyone is worth talking to and making friends with.
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SA
Question 1: I especially like my first FAST word. Also, I like how I have written my introductory paragraph, I think it flows nicely.
Queston 2: The hardest part I believe was writing the chiasmus as I have not done one before. It was even more so difficult because I had to figure it out, instead of being taught by Mr. Salsich, who helps make writing much more enjoyable.
Olivia's Essay
Olivia Denison
Mr. Salsich
English 9
15 November 2008
What do you regret?
What I regret and what Mr. Scrooge regrets
Do you ever want to go back in time and change something? Do you even realize at that instant that you might regret what you are doing? Scrooge didn’t realize what he was doing to himself or to others until his dead friend came to talk to him about his faults. I didn’t even think what I was saying or doing when my grandma called, and now, just like Scrooge, I regret what happened that day.
TS A few days before she died, my grandma called. SD I remember that she was asking a lot of questions and I wasn’t really paying attention because I had a friend over and we were getting ready to leave for a long weekend in New Hampshire CM She was telling me about this “game”, the choking game, where kids try to hold their breath as long as they can. CM I told her that I had never heard of it and neither had my friend. SD She told me to never play this game because kids were dying from playing it. CM I told her I never would, and that it was unintelligent for a person to do something like that. CM She was satisfied with my answer, and we eventually parted with, “I love you”. CS Since then, I have kept my promise to her and have not done anything that would put my life in danger and I hope my grandma is looking down on me and is pleased with what she is seeing.
TS There are many things I regret that day, including some things that I learned when I was child that I could have done better. SD For instance, when I was talking to her on the phone, I didn’t make her feel loved because I was preoccupied with what was happening at the time. CM If I had known that it would be the last time I talked to her, I would have shown more love toward her. CM I should have at least shown a more caring tone in my voice because I think she thought I didn’t care at the time. SD Secondly, I wasn’t paying attention and listening to what she had to say. CM I should have excused myself from my friend’s company and gone to another room. I was so distracted by my friend’s presence, that I wasn’t even paying attention to her conversation, which made it hard to say anything meaningful. CM My grandma didn’t show she was hurt and I realize that she just wanted to hear my eager voice, but instead I think she was disappointed with me. CS If I could do it all over again and make my grandma come back, I would do everything in the world to make her feel wanted and needed.
You never know what the future will bring, so be careful about what you do and say. I am not saying always do everything right, but try to be as kind as possible because it might come back to bite you, so bite it before it bites you. In other words, be ahead of the game and if you can’t, change what you have done. If you regret something, try to fix it; and if you can, do so quickly.
Graphic organizer
Introduction: Do you ever want to go back in time and fix something or do you even realize at that instant that what you are doing might be a regret later. Scrooge didn’t realize what he was doing to himself and others until his dead friend came to talk to him about. I didn’t realize it until that person was gone.
1st body paragraph:
TS: New Hampshire, few days before my grandma died
SD: she was asking a lot of questions and I wasn’t paying attention
CM: told me about the choking game
CM: I had never heard of it
SD: kids were dying from it
CM: I never would do it because it was unintelligent
CM: was pleased
CS: kept my promise
2nd body paragraph:
TS: many things I regret, and I had learned these things long ago
SD: didn’t make her feel loved
CM: if I had known it would have been the last time, I would have showed more love
CM: I think she thought I didn’t care about her at the time
SD: wasn’t paying attention or listening
CM: should have excused myself from my friend
CM: didn’t show she was hurt but I knew she was disappointed
CS: make her feel wanted and needed
Conclusion: I am not saying always do everything right but try to be as kind as possible because it might come back and bite you, but you have to bite it before it bites you. In other words be ahead of the game. If you regret something try to fix if you can that is and if you can do so quickly.
Self Assessment
What I like best about my essay…
What I like about my essay is that I think I did a good job explaining my feelings about what happened that day. I did a good job going into depth about my feelings for my grandma, too.
What was the hardest part of this assignment for me?
Organization was the hardest part for me. I don’t think it flows very well and maybe in some parts boring.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Message in a Christmas story
What you should do in life
We all understand that some things in life are hard to give up and others not so much. Jacob Marley And Ebenzer Scrooge were and are two very selfish people who only think of themselves. Jacob Marley died with and burden that he didn’t even notice he was wearing around his waist until when he died and was sent back to earth to wander it to try to help people not become like him. The ghost of Jacob comes to speak to Scrooge about his mistakes so far in life and how to become a better person.
TS Have you ever thought how your actions for people, and not for yourself are more important? SD The Ghost Jacob Marley in the story “A Christmas Carol” tries to tell his mortal friend that what he is doing is wrong, and that he should help people instead of turning them away. CM Jacob says to Scrooge that once you keep on being selfish it will eventually catch up to you and you have to pay for it when you die. CM This is what Jacob had to do because he was the same way Scrooge was, stingy, stubborn, cranky and mean old man, and now he has come to tell Scrooge that he needs to change. SD “ I wear the chain I forged in life, I made it made link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it.” CM By being mean and only thinking for himself, Jacob had some sort of a “weight” that he wore around his waist and every time he refused to help some one it would get a tiny bit bigger and he didn’t even notice the weight he was carrying until he died. CM The message that completely but simply sums this moral up is that, It’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice. CS A businessman like Scrooge should maybe follow his dead friends advice on changing instead of waiting around being mean to people and until it’s to late to go back.
Hannah's In class Essay
Mr. Salsich
9 English
4 December 2008
Life and Death
A three-paragraph essay on my interpretation of a quote from “ A Christmas Carol” By Charles Dickens
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OP: “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens tells the story of a true friendship but in a different perspective. Ebenezer Scrooge is a bitter man who lost his business partner of seven years. His name was Marley. Once Marley dies, his ghost comes back and speaks to Scrooge. What Marley says is interesting and really shows how much both of them are committed to the friendship even though one of them isn’t there.
TS: In the play “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, there is a quote that stood out to me. SD: When Marley the ghost says, “ I wear the chain I forged in life” I think he might be talking about his working experience with Scrooge and his life in general. CM: Scrooge is a bitter man, who likes to be left alone. CM: So for Marley, working with Scrooge for seven years may have been a scaring experience, but a learning one at the same time. SD: Also, when Marley says that he “made it link by link and yard by yard” that means that the chain as a whole represents his life. CM: The chain represents how he has made it though the toughest of times and the happiest of times. CM: And through it all he did have Scrooge there as a friend even though it might not have felt like it. CS: Overall, Marley lived a very fulfilling life and was very lucky to have Scrooge as a friend and business partner because he’s one of those people who you don’t think care’s very much, when really he care’s the most (chiasmus).
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CP: Scrooge and Marley got along well together and the chain can signify many things. The chain definitely connects the things that have happened in Marley’s life together and Scrooge realized that which is a really cool thing. Scrooge in a way realized how much he missed Marley once he saw his ghost and one link of the chain can represent their friendship as well.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Eleanor's Essay #7
9 English
Mr. Salsich
November 20th 2008
Words
Some thoughts about Stump Olsen’s discussion with us
Wouldn’t it be horrible if everyday twenty-four seven you were being beaten up, made fun of, and hurt emotionally just because you were just being yourself? Stump Olsen had a tough childhood just like this, and on November 17th she came to talk to us about issues such as these, focusing on the bullying of gay, trans and lesbian people of our world.
TS. My first initial reaction to Stump Olsen talk with us was shock. SD. This was first of all because of her rough and difficult childhood. CM. I find it so horrible that someone could be beaten up anywhere and anytime just because they were gay. CM. When Ms. Olsen said, “By my sophomore year of high school I was being jumped at least twice a week” I was completely flabbergasted. CM. In today's sophisticated world, you would think that everyone wouldn’t care who you were and how you were. SD. Another thing I found shocking was about her family. CM. Her hands shaking, but her back remaining straight, she told us that when she came out her parents told her that they wanted nothing to do with her. (absolute) CM. They haven’t sent her a birthday card, and she says that she doubts there will be any for the rest of her life from them or the rest of her family. SD. Although her talk probably sounds quite sad from what I’m mentioning but it was also quite inspiring. CM. She was a very pleasant person to have a conversation with, and our whole class was laughing about the jokes and other stories she told. CM. She also talked about her cause, Youth Pride, at her work in Providence where she and some others are providing shelter, food and a fun, safe afternoon to those who are bullied themselves. CS. Perhaps someday, we can get rid of this unnecessary hatred to people who are just being who they naturally are.
TS. In the world of today comments like “that’s so gay”, and “dyke” are heard everywhere. SD. Unfortunately, most of the time words and phrases such as these are used out of context. CM. So somebody perhaps would have lost a game of soccer, and a team member would shout “that’s so gay” for no reason, or out of habit. CM. Not only is that hurtful, but saying it around someone who is gay or a lesbian, is just plain cruel. SD. However, to me it’s not a surprise. CM. Throughout the history of our world there have been discriminations, hurtful words tossed around, many fights, and just plain meanness. CM. In World War II it was the Jews who were hurt and put in camps; in the 60’s it was the African Americans who were rejected by society. SD. Now it’s the lesbian gay and trans people that are being hurt, and it needs to stop. CM. Stump Olsen’s organization Youth Pride helps people who need it, and their friends who just don’t know what to do in complicated school situations. CM. Many children and students go on a regular basis for safety, emotionally and physically. CS. Starting with us, heterosexism, the unkindness to gay, lesbian and trans people, needs to stop. (participle)
Ms. Olsen really opened my eyes to what’s out there in the world today. Discrimination, and hurtful words are some of the things, but what annoys me the most is that what most people say is out of context. Recently it’s been the ‘thing’ to say, and quite frankly I’m sure that most people who say “That’s so Gay” don’t even know what they are talking about. Hopefully people like Stump Olsen will continue teaching to people how strong these words really are, so that eventually everyone can at least try to live without saying hurtful words, even if they don’t mean them.
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Writing issues I am continuing to work on:
I am working on improving my punctuation when writing essay's. Also I am making sure my requirements are apt.
Some strong points I see in this piece of writing:
A strong point that I see is that I have some quotes. This supports and enhances the writing.
Some weak points I see:
Generally this essay isn't my best. I didn't manage to find a spot for an absolute because the way I write is very factorial, not descriptive. Which means that there is nothing to have an absolute on.
The grade I would give myself:
Probably a B or a B- because I didn't manage to complete a requirement
Monday, November 17, 2008
Mr. Salsich
English 9
20 November 2008
Reactions and Discussion
An essay on a talk with Ms. Stump Olsen and what I think Heterosexism is
OP: In today’s world, discrimination against gay people is a big debate. Some people take the situation lightly and then there are people like Ms. Stump Olsen who take it quite seriously. Also, there are some people who just discriminate for the heck of it and don’t fully understand what heterosexism is and it is wrong. In this essay you will read about my reaction to a talk our ninth grade class had with Ms. Olsen and also about what heterosexism means to me.
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TS:Imagine what it would be like wondering if people are going to hate you? Questioning if they are ever going to treat you like everyone else? Well those questions are ones Ms. Stump Olsen had to face when questioning her sexuality. SD: Ms. Olsen is a remarkable person full of interesting stories that came in to talk to the 9th grade class. CM: One of her sad stories that she shared with us was that she got jumped at least twice a week at the high school attended. CM: This story simply shocked me and really put things into perspective and made me realize that there are some cruel people out there that don’t understand how “hurtful” they can be SD: Something else that saddened me during her talk was how she mentioned the lack of teachers support. Here at Pine Point, the teachers aren’t just here to teach you, but to also be your friend. CM: Ms. Olsen stated that “not one teacher stood up for me.” CM: This statement is extremely hurtful since I am in such a loving community and have never been exposed to a situation like this. CS: But, all I know is that Ms. Olsen’s story has inspired me to help other people if they need it and to not judge people just because they are different.
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TS: My take on heterosexism is that everyone should be able to express themselves without thinking twice. SD: I believe that no one should be judged on how they look or who they like. CM: If everyone liked the same thing and looked the same, the world would be plain and boring. CM: Also, without people expressing themselves and being proud of whom they are, there are no support systems to help them when there are difficult times. SD: Also, heterosexism means to me that it’s ok to show your emotions and get angry sometimes. CM: Crying for help and crying for love, (absolute) Ms. Olsen finally got out what she needed to say. CM: As you can see feelings are such big parts of being a person and then on top of it having people not like you for something stupid, is really a shame and is one side of heterosexism. CS: Whether you are gay or straight, one thing will never change and that is your personality and emotions. If something is bothering you, pestering you and really irking you to the extreme, (participle) don’t be afraid to let it out and tell the world what you need to say.
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CP: As you can see the hate some people have against gay people is horrible and most of the times these people don’t understand the effect they are having on this person’s life. I think it’s great that Ms. Olsen is going around educating students about this matter because it is one that is affecting many lives today. Also, by having this discussion I think that many of us are slowly starting to have a new perspective on the word heterosexism and what exactly it means.
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Self Assesment:
Name: Hannah Staley
Date: November 20, 2008
Assignment name: Reactions and discussion
Some strong points I see in my writing is the opening paragraph. I think it captures the readers attention and summarizes what I am about to talk about quite well.
Some weak points I see in my writing is my absolute. I think that maybe I could have found a better place to put it. Plus, I was still a little confussed.
Some things in my writing I am continuing to work on in the use of unnecissary words. I started falling out of that habit and now I am noticing myself doing it again. So that is something I need to keep on my radar screen.
Olivia's Essay
Olivia Denison
Mr. Salsich
English 9
21 November 2008
Words, Hatred and Courage
Your impact on people
When you say something just to joke around, do you ever think about how some people might take it seriously? Have you ever seen someone hurt another person physically just because of who they are? What would you do to stop this? Would you have enough courage to stand up to that person and say stop? This happened to Stump Olsen, who is gay. While she was growing up, no one was there to say stop to those people who verbally, mentally and physically abused her because of her sexual orientation.
TS Stump Olsen recently came in to talk about her experience as a lesbian in high school; her experience was like no one else’s. SD When she told us that she got beaten up and called names, my first reaction was how could someone do that? However, I quickly realized that most people do not accept those who are different. CM Olsen said instead of focusing (participle) on schoolwork, she had to focus on how to get from class to class without getting attacked. At least twice a week she would get jumped, and no one said anything about it, not even the teachers. CM Every time she was attacked, she would secretly hope that the “gay” would get beaten out of her so that the next day she would not be gay anymore. I thought it was really sad that she felt that she had to conform. SD I was deeply moved when she mentioned her family. Olsen’s parents have not spoken to her or had any contact with her since she “came out” to them fifteen years ago while in college. Olsen still looks in her mailbox for a birthday card from her parents or siblings, even though she knows she will not get one. CM Also, Olsen has not spoken to her older sister and younger brother during the past fifteen years. I cannot even imagine what it would be like to have no contact whatsoever with your family for that long just because you are different. CS There are people who would wish to do harm to those whom they view as being diferent. It seems as though no one ever steps in and says, “Stop!”
TS Discrimination comes in numerous forms; you could not like someone else’s religion, how a person looks, or their sexual orientation. SD The discrimination that Ms. Olsen faced was against gays and how some people act toward them. CM People can view things differently and people can treat others differently. CM Some people just cannot tolerate a person being different so they have to hurt them, which is not right (absolute). SD Ms. Olsen was discriminated against and even though people and teachers were aware of it, no one ever did anything. CM If she had a better relationship with her parents, she could have told them what was happening. Instead, she kept it to herself without anybody to support and protect her. CM It is unfair to pick on someone and especially wrong to hurt them physically just because they are different than you. CS It is terrible for someone to have to experience what Ms. Olsen did and it is hard to imagine that it actually happened.
Some people cannot accept that some differences in other people are not by their own choice and cannot be changed. Tolerance of these differences must be learned. People can think these differences are strange, but they should not express how they feel toward that person, no matter how much they want or feel the need to. No one should ever hurt anyone in any way just because they are different.
Self Assessment
Writing Issues I’m continuing working on.
The big things for me are punctuation and smoothness. I’ve been trying to work my transitions with using words like however or for example instead of just repeating myself. I’ve always have had trouble with punctuation, especially with commas which makes me write run on sentences which I have trouble identifying. So I’m working on identifying punctuation and run on sentences.
Some strong points I see.
I feel like I made some good points in my essay, especially in my first body paragraph. I also feel like I checked it over really well for mistakes, even though I probably missed some.
Some weak points I see.
I feel like that my second body paragraph is a little short but I think I have good points but I could have elaborated on them. I also don’t think my conclusion is that strong, but I could be wrong.
Grade I would give myself.
86
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Olivia's Essay 6
Olivia Denison
Mr. Salsich
English 9
13 November 2008
Take a look around you
A three paragraph essay on “The Way to Rainy Montain”
1. “The Way to Rainy Mountain” by N. Scott Momaday, on the surface, is a story about his dying grandmother’s life and where she lived, but it is actually much more than that. 2. When you look more closely at the descriptions of the land, the animals and even his grandmother’s life, there is actually a deeper meaning. 3. With Momaday’s use of imagery, a mental picture is formed from his words. 4. His writing is very meaningful and inspiring to his people, but also can have different meanings to all people.
(TS) From the many quotes that I could have chosen, I feel that three show Momaday’s use of imagery the best. (SD) “To look upon that landscape…is to lose all sense of proportion. Your imagination comes to life, and this, you think, is where Creation was begun.” This quote paints a picture in my mind. (CM) Momaday capitalized the ‘C’ in creation, because he was talking about it in the biblical sense, comparing the land and how beautiful it was to when man first walked the earth. (CM) Also, he seems to be saying you can lose yourself either in the vastness of the mountains or in their beauty. (SD) “It was a journey toward the dawn, and it led to the golden age.” (CM) Here, Momaday is talking about how his people migrated south and east to find better land and a new beginning, which started a new and plentiful age of success. (CM) The fact that these people sacrificed everything to make a journey to a new land is quite remarkable. (SD) “The sun follows a longer course in the day, and the sky is immense beyond all comparison.” (CM) This quote makes me believe that it is summer time and the sky is so big you could run forever without end. (CM) Momaday is saying that the sky is the limit and there is more out there than just mountains and trees. (CS) In his writing, Momaday is trying to say that there are memories and stories these trees and animals can tell with the way they stand or with their eyes.
1. The essay was interesting, and Momaday writes like no one else. 2. He incorporates his culture and beliefs very well into his grandmother’s death. 3. At first I did not appreciate why he was writing about this, but afterwards I could see how important it was to him to write about his grandmother growing up and dying. 4. Momaday cleverly related his life and his grandmother’s life to the land where he grew up.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Eleanor's Essay #6
Mr. Salsich
English 9
November 12th 2008
Pause
Taking a moment to think about ‘The Way to Rainy Mountain’
When you read something, there is usually a moment just after completing it that you pause. Not many people think about it, but for that pause, for that one little second there are a thousand thoughts and feelings buzzing around your head. For the essay, ‘The Way to Rainy Mountain’ I might not have grabbed all my feelings but I certainly kept a few to think about a bit more.
T.S: Three of these feelings that come to mind when I read the essay are, sadness, happiness, and curiosity. S.D: The first, sadness is felt for the author. C.M: This because his grandmother had died. C.M: He may not have known her perfectly well, but he knew enough to grieve because of her death and take great interest in her culture, “the Kiowa [people]”. S.D: This leads me to my second reaction, happiness. C.M: I feel this because Mr. Momaday ends up learning about his heritage. C.M: “The last Kiowa Sun Dance was held in 1887 on the Washita River above Rainy Mountain Creek” [pg. 316 The Way to Rainy Mountain] he says this with such sureness and belief that I know it is true that he really knew exactly what he was talking about because he had learned it from his grandmother or had researched it himself. S.D: My third feeling, curiosity, comes from page 317, when Mr. Momaday talks about her praying. C.M: “She began in a high and descending pitch, exhausting her breath to silence; then again and again” I find this captivating because when he describes what she sounded like, when she prayed it made me want to know what she was talking about, and who she was talking to. C.M: It almost made me feel like there was another something just beyond her, another place, another time, even another planet maybe. T.S: These three feelings certainly aren’t all of my feelings, but they are the most pronounced.
After reading “The Way to Rainy Mountain” I probably had a very long pause. There was so much emotion in that essay that I’m surprised the book hasn’t exploded. Next time you read something, don’t forget to take that time to think about what you just read, whether it’s just a poem or a seven hundred page novel.
Hannah's Essay
Mr.Salsich
English 9
12 November 2008
An evaluation
An essay on the themes in the essay “The way to Rainy Mountain
By Navarre Scott Momaday
OP: When you read an essay, examine it and talk about it, is it always easy? The answer to this question in my case is no. The essay “The Way to Rainy Mountain” written by Navarre Scott Momaday was a complex essay that made me think deeply. Also, this essay made me have mixed feelings and emotions about what Mr. Momaday is trying to get across.
TS: This essay had noticeably many themes to reminisce about. SD: One theme that we were asked to think about and that I noticed examples of is journey. CM: The Kiowa tribe seemed to find many places in their travels that gave them “perfect freedom” (Momaday 315) and made them experience all nature has to offer. CM: The native people of this tribe seemed to relate to and love nature like it was “their sacred business” (Momaday 314). SD: Another theme that I found in this essay was family. CM: Family played a big role in this essay because the whole tribe was related and acted as one. CM: Also, when one family member dies like Mr. Momaday’s grandmother, they are always remembered and in the family’s heart where ever they go. SD: Finally, the last theme I found in this book was love. CM: These family members traveling together had a lot of boisterous times and started forming new friendships and bonds. CM: They worked together as one to get the job done and make it to their final destination. CS: This essay had many apparent examples of themes, and each one had immense meaning.
CP: Whether it’s from a long journey, your family or love, everything comes together. When you look at each of these topics individually, you don’t really care, but once you see the big picture things start falling into place. You realize that you need all of these components in your life in some way. For example you need a journey. Maybe not the kind of journey the Kiowa’s experienced, but an educational journey. As you can see all of these themes are expressed in this essay and in our lives if you just look at the big picture.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Olivia's Essay
Have you ever re-read a book? If you have I’m sure you have noticed at least one thing that you missed or had a better understanding of the book after re-reading it. There were a couple things that I missed while re-reading the “Garden Party”, but one thing that I noticed was how much the author mentions class distinctions. She mentions this throughout the story bad some things aren’t as evident as the others.
(TS) When I read the “Garden Party” a second time I noticed how immense the theme of class distinction was used. (SD) This first comes into play when the men come to set the marquee up for the Sheridan’s garden party. (CM) These men are much like the ones that live in the village under the Sheridan’s. (CM) Although, Laura thinks that they are much more fitting for her taste then the men of her standards. (SD) During the setting up of the garden party, the Sheridan’s are informed that a man in the village was killed by getting thrown off his horse. (CM) When Laura hears this she is quick to say to her sister and mother that they should stop the garden party because it would bother the mourning family of the dead man to se people coming to a party. (CM) Her sister thinks Laura is being, “extravagant” and that “You won’t bring a drunken workmen back to life by being sentimental” (SD) Laura’s sister is comparing him to the workmen who came to set up the marquee and she is making assumptions that they are drunk just because they are below them. (CM) Her mother reacts the same way, when Laura tells her and her mom tries to distract her by giving her a hat that makes her look beautiful to wear to the garden party. (CM) It does but after the garden party Laura brings leftovers from the party to the dead mans house and she see him lying in bed and how beautifully serene he is. (CS) Nothing can distract Laura from the fact that they aren’t like her but Laura can see that they really are like them.
Once re-reading the Garden Party, I was able to understand more what everything meant, even parts I was confused about. I would advise others to re-read books of theirs too because even though you thought you understood it you might get a different feeling, understanding or you might see the story from someone else’s perspective. You can share your thoughts about the book better and feel as though you understand it better than those who didn’t re-read it. Maybe I’ll re-read book that I don’t understand more often to help increase my knowledge about them.
Eleanor's essay #5
Mr. Salsich
9 English
November 5th 2008
A Second Look
An Essay on the Advantages of Re-Reading
1. What have you recently looked at for a second, third or more times? 2. Maybe you would have thought of a song, a school musical, but would you have considered a book? 3. Until the age of thirteen I thought nothing of the sort, to me re-reading a book was like doing your homework twice, but not anymore. 4. If you are to truly appreciate a certain book you have to read it more than once.
T.S: Just a few days ago, I re-read the short story, “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield. S.D: One of the first things I noticed was about Laura. C.M: I noticed that when she was first meeting the marquee men, she tried to hide her bread and butter, as if it was disrespectful to eat in front of them. C.M: Then Ms. Mansfield writes, “Laura took a big bite of the bread-and-butter as she looked at the little drawing.” perhaps then she realized that these men were kind and didn’t care whether some-one was eating beside them or not, compared to her friends. S.D: The next thing I noticed was that Laura’s mother was very much like a normal parent. C.M: This I mean in the sense that, in most books parents don’t act or talk how normal parents would in reality. C.M: "She says “[stop] asking me dear, I determined to leave [the party] to you children this year,” but then later involving herself in the planning like she was organizing it herself. S.D: My last re-reading find is when Laura first noticed the sound of air, and the sun spots. C.M: I had never thought that she had not sat down and listened for a few minutes to her surroundings. C.M: This makes me happy, to think that even in a busy schedule she listened even if only for just the once. C.S: I am glad to have re-read a book and have benefited from it; perhaps I will read it again!
1. Just as I have re-read “The Garden Party” I think you should re-read some of your books too. 2. Not only is it helpful, but gives you more of a rounded feeling about the book itself. 3. There are no loose ends that you have to tie up, and it doesn’t leave you feeling confused. 4. I wish I had re-read my books sooner.
1st Body Paragraph
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Hannah's Polished Essay <3
Mr. Salsich
English 9
21 October 2008
Really appreciating what comes your way
An essay on appreciation shown in the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored me” and my personal life
Appreciation is shown in so many ways in your everyday life whether you notice it or not. Appreciation is also shown in the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” by Zora Neale Hurston. Appreciation is something that isn’t necessarily handed to you, but something you earn and are proud of. In both my life and in this essay you will see examples of appreciation and what it means to Ms. Hurston and me.
In the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” Ms. Hurston shows many examples of appreciation. One way Hurston shows appreciation is by remembering where her ancestors came from. She reflects in the essay on what her distant relatives went through but she doesn’t let it her bother her. As Ms. Hurston says, “It fails to register depression with me” (115). Another thing Hurston appreciates is her race. She believes that everyone is equal and should not be judged on how they look. At times, Ms. Hurston believes that people should simply “have no race” (117) and be themselves. The last thing that Ms. Hurston appreciates is her self. She seems to be very jovial and loves to go with the flow. She seems to not care about the small things, but the big picture. Ms. Hurston really cares and appreciates many things in life and definitely takes things one day at a time.
TS: Appreciation is a very big factor in my life. SD: The first thing I am appreciative of is my family. CM: Without my family helping me, I wouldn’t be who I am today. CM: My family is also like my backbone and I can deliberate with them if I am going through a tough time socially or academically. SD: The second thing I am appreciative of is my home. CM: I think about all of these people who are less fortunate than I am and I fell guilty. CM: I am so fortunate to live in a nice house, in a nice neighborhood with nice things. SD: The last thing I am appreciative of is my education. CM: Knowing that I am surrounded everyday by people who want me to succeed in life is a wonderful thing. CM: Knowing that what I am learning will take me places and be with me for the rest of my life is gratifying. CS: There are many things I appreciate in life and each one has a different meaning to me.
TS: Through the good and the bad there will always be something to appreciate in life. Whether it’s taking the time to reflect on the past or caring about education, it will all come together in some way. I believe that Ms. Hurston had a great belief in what she appreciated and believed it was worth being recognized for. I also feel the same way. I believe that if you appreciate you education, let it show. Hurston and I pretty much see eye to eye. We both have our priorities straight and really appreciate what life has to offer.
Eleanor's Polished Appreciation Essay!
Mr. Salsich
English 9
20th October 2008
Appreciation
An Analysis of what Ms. Hurston and I Appreciate
T.S: Appreciation, what does this mean to you? The English dictionary says that it’s a feeling or expression of gratitude. C.M: In French it’s said as reconnaissance, and in Latin as aestimo. C.M: However the true meaning of appreciation is what you believe it to be yourself. T: To me, it’s showing thanks for something impressive or perhaps what you think of some-one else’s qualities or aspects.
T.S: Another person who I believe follow along with this would be essay writer Zora Neale Hurston, who in 1928 wrote the essay, ‘How it feels to be colored me’. S.D: She says, “There is no deep sorrow dammed up in my soul,” (115) therefore saying she doesn’t care about being colored. C.M: She doesn’t think that she was given, “a low-down dirty deal,” (115) in life and that she should be miserable. C.M: Nor does she think that her life is more convoluted than others. S.D: Infact it’s more of the opposite. C.M: She is so content with herself that she says, “How can they deny themselves the pleasure of my company.” (117) when someone discriminates against her. C.M: She says that, “It does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me.” (117) which I feel would be a true air of contentment towards herself. S.D: Another key factor to her appreciation would be her bag theory. C.M: She says that she feels like a brown bag among red, white and yellow bags. C.M: All the contents are the same, and, “a bit of colored glass more or less would not matter.” (117) C.S: Zora Hurston really inspires you just to focus on your life, and not on perhaps your bad heritage or your color, because none of those things should change or shape your life, that’s your job.
T.S: Although I may not be as content as Zora Neale Hurston, I have also began to appreciate myself and others around me. S.D: The first thing I am thankful for is my friends and family. C.M: They have always been there for me whether I know it or not. C.M: To educate me, to make me excited, or just to give me a good laugh, I appreciate them more than anything. S.D: I also have grown to love our earth. C.M: Without it, human beings probably wouldn’t exist, and all the wonders of nature would be lost. C.M: The great oceans, the deserts, the rainforests, the mountains, would all be gone. S.D: Lastly, I appreciate how fortunate I am. C.M: I have a roof over my head, no lack of food or water, many luxuries, and a school that I can attend daily. C.M: However many people of the world don’t have more than one or two of these. C.S: It pains me to think of that, which makes me feel more grateful for the happiness I have, and also drives me to help the world.
T.S: Appreciation is more than a word, or a definition in the dictionary. We all appreciate something or someone in our lives. If not now we will soon. It could be the world, your race and culture, your families. What do you appreciate?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Hannah's Appreciation essay
Mr. Salsich
English 9
21 October 2008
Really appreciating what comes your way
An essay on appreciation shown in the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored me” and my personal life
Appreciation is shown in so many ways in your everyday life whether you notice it or not. Appreciation is also shown in the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” by Zora Neale Hurston. Appreciation is something that isn’t necessarily handed to you, but something you earn and are proud of. In both my life and in this essay, you will see examples of appreciation and what it means to Ms. Hurston and me.
In the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me,” Ms. Hurston shows many examples of appreciation. One way Ms. Hurston shows appreciation is by remembering where her ancestors came from. She reflects in the essay on what her distant relatives went through, but she doesn’t let it her bother her. As Ms. Hurston says, “It fails to register depression with me” (115). A second thing Ms. Hurston appreciates is her race. She believes that everyone is equal and should not be judged on how they look. At times, Ms. Hurston believes that people should simply “have no race” (117) and be themselves. The last thing that Ms. Hurston appreciates is her self. She seems to be very jovial and loves to go with the flow. Ms. Hurston seems to not care about the small things, but the big picture. Ms. Hurston really cares and appreciates many things in life and definitely takes things one day at a time.
TS: I am appreciative of many things in my life. SD: The first thing I am appreciative of is my family. CM: Without my family helping me, I wouldn’t be who I am today. CM: My family is also like my backbone and I can deliberate with them if I am going through a tough time socially or academically. SD: The second thing I am appreciative of is my home. CM: I think about all of these people who are less fortunate than I am and I fell guilty. CM: I am so fortunate to live in a nice house in a nice neighborhood with nice things. SD: The last thing I am appreciative of is my education. CM: Knowing that I am surrounded everyday by people who want me to succeed in life is a wonderful thing. CM: Also, knowing that what I am learning will take me places and be with me for the rest of my life is gratifying. CS: There are many things I appreciate in life and each one has a different meaning to me.
TS:Through the good and the bad there will always be something to appreciate in life. Whether it’s taking the time to reflect on the past, or caring about education, it will all come together in some way. I believe that Ms. Hurston had a great belief in what she appreciated and believed it was worth being recognized for. I, also feel the same way. I believe that if you appreciate you education, let it show. Ms. Hurston and I pretty much see eye to eye. We both have our priorities straight and really appreciate what life has to offer.
KEY:
Underline- purposeful repition
Bold- F.A.S.T word
Monday, October 20, 2008
Appreciation
In the essay “How It Feels to Be Colored Me,” Ms. Hurston shows many examples of appreciation. One way Ms. Hurston shows appreciation is by remembering where her ancestors came from. She reflects in the essay on what her distant relatives went through, but she doesn’t let it her bother her. As Ms. Hurston says, “it fails to register depression with me” (115). A second thing Ms. Hurston appreciates is her race. She believes that everyone is equal and should not be judged on how they look. At times, Ms. Hurston believes that people should simply “have no race” (117) and be themselves. The last thing that Ms. Hurston appreciates is her self. She seems to be very carefree and just loves to go with the flow. Ms. Hurston seems to not care about the small things, but the big picture. Ms. Hurston really cares and appreciates many things in life and definitely takes things one day at a time.
Eleanor's Essay #4, Appreciation
Mr. Salsich
English 9
20th October 2008
Appreciation
An Analysis of what Ms. Hurston and I Appreciate
T.S: Appreciation, what does this mean to you? The English dictionary says that it’s a feeling or expression of gratitude. C.M: In French it’s said as reconnaissance, and in Spanish as appreciation. C.M: However the true meaning of appreciation is what you believe it to be yourself. T: To me it’s showing thanks for something impressive or perhaps what you think of some-one else’s qualities or aspects.
T.S: Another person who I believe follow along with this would be essay writer Zora Neale Hurston, who in 1928 wrote the essay, ‘How it feels to be colored me’. S.D: She says, “there is no deep sorrow dammed up in my soul,” therefore saying she doesn’t care about being colored. C.M: She doesn’t think that she was given, “a low-down dirty deal,” in life and that she should be miserable. C.M: Nor does she think that her life is more convoluted than others. S.D: Infact it’s more of the opposite. C.M: She is so content with herself that she says, “How can they deny themselves the pleasure of my company.” when someone discriminates against her. C.M: She says that, “It does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me.” Which I feel would be a true appreciation. S.D: Another key factor to her appreciation would be her bag theory. C.M: She says that she feels like a brown bag among red, white and yellow bags. C.M: All the contents are the same, and “a bit of colored glass more or less would not matter.” C.S: Zora Hurston really inspires you just to focus on your life, and not on perhaps your bad heritage or your color, because none of those things should change or shape your life, that’s your job.
T.S: Although I may not be as content as Zora Neale Hurston, I have also began to appreciate myself and others around me. S.D: The first thing I appreciate is my friends and family. C.M: They have always been there for me whether I know it or not. C.M: To educate me, to make me excited, or just to give me a good laugh, I appreciate them more than anything. S.D: I also have grown to appreciate our earth. C.M: Without it, human beings probably wouldn’t exist, and all the wonders of nature would be lost. C.M: The great oceans, the deserts, the rainforests, the mountains, would all be gone. S.D: Lastly, I appreciate how fortunate I am. C.M: I have a roof over my head, no lack of food or water, many luxuries, and a school that I can attend. C.M: However many people of the world don’t have more than one or two of these. C.S: It pains me to think of that, which makes me appreciate more so how felicitous I am, and also drives me to help the world.
T.S: Appreciation is more than a word, or a definition in the dictionary. We all appreciate something or someone in our lives. If not now we will soon. It could be the world, our race and culture, our families. Who do you appreciate?
Olivia's Essay
Olivia Denison
Mr. Salsich
English 9
23 October 2008
Appreciation for yourself and life
The idea of appreciation in Zora Neale Hurston’s essay and your own attitude toward yourself
1. Zora Neale Hurston, who wrote the essay, “How it Feels to be Colored Me”, has great appreciation for her life although this is difficult, because some people discriminate against her. 2. She mostly focuses on how she feels and her actions make her feel that way. 3. But Ms. Hurston has an attitude and strength that most people wouldn’t have if faced with the same level of discrimination, which makes her unique. 4. She is happy no matter what ever happens to her and walks down the street with her head held high saying, “Hello world!"
(TS) People like Ms. Hurston, who lived in the same time and were black probably wouldn’t have much appreciation for themselves, not only because they were black, but also because they were portrayed as just being children of slaves that no one cares about. (SD) However, these people had much more substance than that. (CM) Ms. Hurston appreciated her life in a way nobody else did and she lets nothing get to her. (CM) Nobody can tell her what to feel or what to do, “Peggy Hopkins Joyce on the Boule Mich with her gorgeous raiment, stately carriage, knees knocking together in a most aristocratic manner, has nothing on me.” (SD) As a little girl she lived in Eatonville, Florida and as the travelers would pass she would wave and start conversations with complete strangers. (CM) She enjoyed doing this, because even though she was embarrassing herself and other people found it amusing, she didn’t care what others thought. (CM) Everyone would curiously watch for the reactions of the travelers to her, because the Eatonville neighborhood was mostly all black and the travelers were almost always white. (SD) When she moved to Jacksonville in her mid-teens, she felt like she, “was now a little colored girl.” (CM) While in Jacksonville, she went to a jazz bar where there were white people that would talk about “any little nothing”, and when the music started to play and the white man next to her said, “Good music they have here.”(CM) But Ms. Hurston feels differently about the music. On the outside, the music wildly excites her, but she doesn’t show how she feels on the outside. (CS) Ms. Hurston appreciates the smallest and the strangest things in life, but they all matter to her.
(TS) I have experienced a lot over the past four years of my life and in just starting the fifth, I’ve begun to recognize and appreciate a lot of things about myself. (SD) I realize and I appreciate that I’m passionate, caring and loyal. (CM) These are all good qualities that I would like to share with other people that have these same qualities. (CM) I can’t choose between the three qualities that I listed, because they are all equally admirable traits and I appreciate having all of them. (SD) I appreciate every time I feel an emotion toward something. (CM) I love it when I let go a big booming laugh and everyone looks at me with an expression that says, “Like what is so funny?” It is exhilarating to feel the vibrations in your chest and to know that you are alive and are experiencing the moment. (CM) The two other emotions that I identify are confusion and sadness. Although they might not be the most satisfying emotions in the world, it is still good to feel them, because they are heartfelt. (SD) I’ve evolved and matured from the years that I once thought I had to wear make-up and be someone I’m not. (CM) I am now a freshman in high school and over that summer I realized that I’m pretty the way I am and that my personality is fine. If people can’t accept me as I am, too bad, they’ve missed out. (CM) I realize now that if people don’t like me because of what I wear, say, do or look, then those people don’t matter. (CS) I appreciate who I am, with or without make up and definitely appreciate myself more when being myself and not the person others want me to be.
1. No matter what people think of you, who you are, or what you do, you should appreciate life. 2. Even though life sometimes doesn’t turn out like you thought it would, you could learn something from the things that you’ve done, right or wrong. 3. Appreciate everything in life as Ms. Hurston did, maybe even make fun of yourself along the way as she did. 4. Appreciate who you are, both inside and out and appreciate those experiences that have shaped what you’ve become.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Olivia's Essay
Olivia Denison
Mr. Salsich
English 9
7 October 2008
Loss Vs. Gain;
An analysis on the theme, “Loss and Gain”, in Sonny’s Blues and Winter Dreams and a consultation of an on-line essay
In the short stories “Sonny’s Blues” and “Winter Dreams”, each of the protagonists lost and gained something significant from their experiences. One had greater losses than gains and the other had greater gains than losses. Dexter Green from the story “Winter Dreams” was successful and, at one point, had a beautiful love interest named Judy Jones. Sonny in contrast, lived in the ghetto and few understood him.
In “Sonny’s Blues”, the protagonist, Sonny, had many losses and gains. For example, Sonny is arrested for a heroin addiction that had plagued him for a few months and his problems result in being in trouble with the law and he lands in jail. While in jail, he has time to think about what he did. Later on, he has a fight with his brother about what he is going to do in life. Sonny explains to his brother that he wants to be a jazz pianist and explains how it felt to be on drugs. His brother, who is a schoolteacher, does not understand how someone could do something so worthless. After their fight, Sonny invites his brother to come and see him play the piano at a gig, where his brother sees how he plays and is surprised how talented he actually is. Sonny’s brother finally realizes that Sonny is doing well and he realizes that his life style is not that bad. “Sonny’s Blues” is an inspirational story because Sonny gained so much by overcoming his heroin addiction, and was able to follow his dreams.
Recently we read the short story, “Winter Dreams”, and as in “Sonny’s Blues”, the protagonist Dexter Green experiences many losses and gains. Dexter is a young boy and is working as a caddy at a golf course and is contemplating whether to quit his job or not. Before he quits, he sees this wonderful, oddly beautiful girl, who needed a caddy. He wanted to start to work so that he could help her, but he could not because his boss had not arrived yet. After his boss arrives, he decides to quit, losing his chance to meet the stunning Judy Jones. Years later, Dexter becomes a very successful businessman. As the years pass, he plays a game at the golf course where he used to work and that night he meets Judy and a romance begins. The loss, which he gains while romancing the gorgeous Judy Jones is that every other man in the town thinks she is attractive and she begins to cheat on Dexter, often. When she is faithful to Dexter, all others are jealous. Ultimately, their relationship ends as Judy pursues another suitor. Many years later, Dexter is informed by a man named Devlin that Judy Jones is married to a drunk and is no longer beautiful. When Devlin tells him this, he starts to cry, because, “Devlin destroys this imaginative present.”(Burhan 3) Then again, if he had married her, she would have lost her beauty anyway. In the Story “Winter Dreams” it is obvious that Dexter looses more then he gains.
The two men in these short stories had very different lives. The irony is that the rich successful man suffered the largest loss in life while the reformed drug addict with past legal troubles eventually followed his dreams gaining success in life. Some people lose more than others and some people gain more than others, while some people’s lives are more tragic than others and some are more successful than others. In the end it all evens out, proving that you do not need to have a perfect life in order to be happy.
Burhan, Clinton S.,Jr., ‘‘‘Magnificently Attune to Life’’’: The Value of ‘‘Winter Dreams,’’’ in Studies in Short Fiction, Vol. 6, No. 4, Summer 2000, pp. 401-12.
[databaseon-line];http://www.enotes.com/winter-dreams/magnificently-attune-life-value-winter-dreams (accessed 4 October 2008).
Eleanor's Essay, Loss and Gain
Mr. Salsich
English 9
7th October 2008
What will we gain and what will we lose?
Comparing Loss and Gain in Sonny’s Blues and Winter Dreams
Loss and gain are two of the words that the human race moves around. Everybody loves to gain, but hates to lose. This is no dissimilar within ‘Sonny’s Blues’ and ‘Winter Dreams’. Both Sonny and Dexter lose something or someone they loved, but gained something in return that was not necessarily an item.
Wherever there is a loss there is always a gain and, unfortunately wherever there is a gain, there is usually a loss. One loss for Sonny would be when he was addicted to drugs. His life then became revolved around heroin instead of being revolved around jazz, and blues music. He became so immersed in drugs that it was like all of his feelings, and his life was being sucked up by a giant sponge. Luckily life for Sonny was not all bad. Soon after the tragic loss, there was a gain. This was a life-long gain, the friendship with his brother that had long gone for many years before then. ‘Sonny’s Blues’ might be an inspirational story, but I believe that there were more losses than gains, or the losses were larger than the gains to come. This puts the story a little out of balance, which could have had a negative effect. However it is the future we look to, and as the story, ‘Sonny’s Blues’, potentially could keep going, it feels like it has a brighter outlook to a story that has the two words plastered at the bottom of it, ‘The End.’. ‘Sonny’s Blues’ is no Cinderella story; it has to do with life’s reality, and the fact that with a loss, there is always a gain.
Just like ‘Sonny’s Blues’, ‘Winter Dreams’ has a remarkable relationship with loss and gain. Dexter, the stories protagonist, only had one major loss, unlike Sonny. This was when ‘the images of [Judy’s] youthful beauty and desirability’ (Clinton S. Burhans) had faded away after being told about her marriage. He was torn apart, but at least then he could finally move on in life. Before and after this event there were many gains. He was now know as, ‘one of the best’ instead of being know as the caddy, like he was in his younger years. He also became extremely rich, whereas in his childhood he and his family were poor. Then there was the diminutive gain that occurred after Judy Jones really left his life; he could finally move on. Unlike ‘Sonny’s Blues’, the story had more gains than losses. However the story still balances out, as the single loss was so big compared to the small gains. His love for Judy had taken up some of the story, while the other scattered gains took up the rest of the pages. In reality, Dexter would have been a very lucky man in everything, except for love.
Loss and gain are important words not only in reality, but to stories and books alike. Infact you could spin most stories around the phrase, including ‘Sonny’s Blues’ and ‘Winter Dreams’. There could be a gallant win in a battle, but unfortunately there will probably be a few casualties to your comrades. Or maybe you lost a game in sports, but the parents prepared an excellent snack. Everywhere in the world losing and gaining happens.
Works Cited:
Clinton S. Burhans, Jr. “Magnificently Attune to Life” : The value of “Winter Dreams,” Studies in Short Fiction Vo.l. 6. October 7 2008
http://www.enotes.com/winter-dreams/magnificently-attuned-life-value-winter-dreams
key:
purple-FAST words
green-purposeful repetition
HaNnAh EsSaY #4
Hannah Staley
Mr. Salsich
English 9
07 October 2008
Life’s Situations
An essay on the gains in losses in “Winter Dreams” and Sonny’s Blues”
There are many gains and losses in “Winter Dreams” and “Sonny’s Blues” that are clearly visible. Some of the losses and gains are similar and some are completely opposite. Both Sonny and Dexter seem to struggle through life but they wait out the storms and come out in good shape. There are also many differences in these stories which may change your perspective on how you look at the situations the protagonists go through.
TS: Sonny, the main character in the short story “Sonny’s Blues,” gains and loses many things dear to him throughout the story. SD:One thing Sonny gains is perspective. CM:Looking at his situations at different angles makes him realize that the people around him really do care.CM: Also, he realizes that his brother not only cares about him, but really wants him to get better so they can form a new relationship. SD:Additionally, Sonny gains the ability to understand.CM: He soon comes to realize that communication is key in any relationship wheather it is with a family member or not. CM: Also, he comes to understand that what he puts himself and his family through could change all of their lives significantly, especially his. SD: On a sad note, something Sonny loses is his father. CM: Some of what Sonny does results in releasing the tension and stress that he feels burdening him about his predicament. CM: At the end of the book, Sonny realizes that he is going to get better and plays the music that he loves while his dad watches over him and smiles. Sonny has a lot of ups and downs through the story. CS: Anyone who has problems like he has and turns out as well as he did, should be proud.
“Winter Dreams” addresses gains and losses in a different way. Dexter, the protagonist, loses love. Judy Jones, who he is in love with from day oneand is hoping to one day marry, cheats on him. Their relationship falls apart because she is unstable and unable to stay committed to Dexter. Dexter is also unable to comprehend the “nature of what he lost” (Burhans 31) which makes him contemplate the situation even more. But, Dexter's story is not all about losses. He gains money by the end of the story, which is an interesting twist since he grew up poor. Even though money isn’t everything, it seems like it is to Dexter who has worked so hard to be on top. The last thing Dexter gains is a "reality check." He realizes that while it would be nice to be with Judy, it's not possible to have everything in life. He also realizes that when you are younger you need to earn your way up to the top. Success just won't be handed to you.
In both of these short stories, the main characters learn a lesson that helps them become better people. They aren’t perfect and they realize that. They learn from their mistakes, which only helps them become better people. These two characters have a lot in common but in different contexts. If they met, I think it would be quite an event.
Works Cited:
1.Burhan, Clinton S.,Jr., ‘‘‘Magnificently Attune to Life’’’: The Value of ‘‘Winter Dreams,’’’ in Studies in Short Fiction, Vol. 6, No. 4, Summer 2000, pp. 401-12.
[databaseon-line];http://www.enotes.com/winter-dreams/magnificently-attune-life-value-winter-dreams (accessed 6 October 2008).
Key:
light blue- Purposeful Repetition
Red- F.A.S.T Words
Monday, September 22, 2008
Eleanor's Essay
Mr. Salsich
English 9
23rd September 2008
The Universal Language of Music
An Summary and Thoughts about Goldman’s Essay
There is one small thing in the world that connects all human beings together. This thing is music. It is the universal language that can soothe us when we’re sad, excite us when we’re happy, or is just something we can listen to or create ourselves. Music also seems to be one thing, essay writer Suzy Bernstein Goldman understands.
In her essay about the classic short story, Sonny’s Blues, by James Baldwin, Goldman connects everything to music. To begin with, she divides up the story into five movements, like a piece of music. The first movement, she says is about the older brother, ‘a strait-laced Harlem algebra teacher’ and his morning after discovering his brother has been arrested for heroin. The second movement is described as the recovery of Sonny, and the letter’s between the two brothers. In the third movement Goldman says, revolves around the word, ‘safe’, and when the brother’s fathers said, ‘no place safe.’ (Baldwin). The fourth movement is shown as the shortest movement, and builds on the first. This is when the brothers begin to understand each others lives. “The new relationship between the brothers.” Is what Goldman calls the fifth movements own theme. This is when Sonny enters his, ‘kingdom’ (Baldwin), and starts to play the blues, which is what this story is all about. Blues and music.
Goldman’s essay, I found was most enjoyable to read. The way she wrote it was kind of out of the box. She included everything she possibly could about music into her long essay. She even talked about the two small words that popped up through-out the story, ‘hear’ and ‘listen’. Although I liked her topic and style of writing I thought that the length of the quotes she put in were a little long. There were sometimes full passages that she included to make her point. I do think this shows dedication to her topic, but if they were shorter, the essay overall would be even more interesting. I’m glad that the story Sonny’s Blues has a great essay writer to back up and show the true meanings of it’s story.
As I have previously said, music is the universal language that connects us all. We use it however we want to and where we want to, within reason. However I didn’t think about the fact that it can also connect us to books and writings. Without out music, or sound, books would probably be boring because we wouldn’t be able to relate to them as well.
Works Cited:
1.) Baldwin, James. Sonny’s Blues. [database on-line]; available from http://www.wright.edu/~alex.macleod/winter06/blues.pdf (accessed 20th September 2008)
2.) Goldman, Suzy Bernstein. “James Baldwin’s ‘Sonny’s Blues’: A Message in Music.” Negro American Literature Forum; vol. 8, no. 3, Fall, 1994: 231-3 [database on-line] available from http://www.enotes.com/sonnys-blues/james-baldwins-sonnys-blues-message-music.com (accessed September 19th)
Hannah's Essay
Mr. Salsich
English 9
23 September 2008
James Baldwin’s Sonny’s Blues: A Message in Music by Susan Bernstein Goldman vs. My Opinion
An essay on an essay written and my opinion
“Theme, form, and image blend into perfect harmony” (Goldman). This is exactly what Susan Bernstein Goldman writes when writing her essay on James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues.” Goldman identifies the themes that Baldwin tries to deliver quite well. She notices key things in the Story and enhances their meaning. Also, Goldman gives us a summary of the story, which helps support her ideas.
Informative, persuasive, and close attention to detail are three things I took away after reading Goldman’s James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues”: A Message in Music. In the essay, Goldman summarizes what happens in the story and highlights important parts that deserve recognition. An example of this is when she talks about the narrator opening his first letter from Sonny. Goldman, the author, is trying to demonstrate “his need to reach his brother” (Goldman) and how communication is key throughout the story as well as in the reader’s relationships. Another point Goldman is trying to make about Sonny, that relates to real life, is finding something you thoroughly enjoy and sticking with it. For example, Sonny connected with music, and it eventually made him a better person while saving his life. Playing the piano showed Sonny’s brother, the narrator, that even if you go through a tough time you can come out on top. These are interesting things to read and brought up some valid points for the reader to think about.
I don’t really like how this essay was written. I think that Ms. Goldman used too many in text citations and chunks from the book. When you use in text citations or chunks in this way, they can be really helpful making your paper flow nicely. When you over use this technique, you can get into trouble and possibly loose the reader’s attention. This method can also get confusing and make your writing look like it was rushed. One thing that I did enjoy was her way of approaching different subjects. Ms. Goldman’s essay is well thought out when it comes to transitions, which made the paper easy to read. Her transitions are smooth and not choppy, which makes the essay a pleasure to read and study. In my opinion, this essay was nice to read except for the occasional chunks that appear to be unnecessary. Other than is, it was well written.
Ms. Goldman did a nice job of capturing the true beauty of “Sonny’s Blues” and emphasizing the main lessons the book has to offer. Her essay was a pleasure to read and to study. I definitely agree with some of the bold statements she writes about and think it is an interesting essay to think and write about. I hope to read more of Goldman’s work in the future.
WORKS CITED:
1. Baldwin, James. Sonny’s Blues. [database on-line]; available from http://www.wright.edu/~alex.macleod/winter06/blues.pdf (accessed 19 September 2008)
2. Goldman, Suzy Bernstein. “James Baldwin’s ‘Sonny’s Blues’: A Message in Music.” Negro American Literature Forum; vol. 8, no. 3, Fall, 1994: 231-3. [database on-line]; available from http://www.enotes.com/Sonny%27s Blues/james-baldwins-sonnys-blues-message-music (accessed 19 September 2008).
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Music for the Misery
Olivia Denison
Mr. Salsich
English 9
22 September 2008
Music for the Misery;
A Summary, Analysis, and Thoughts About an Essay
Sonny’s Blues, by James Baldwin, is about two bothers who live very different lives in search for common ground The essay by S.B. Goldman contends that the brothers’ rocky relationship is actually a journey to appreciate each other’s differences through the simple act of listening. Goldman presents music, and jazz specifically, as an analogy to the conflicting lives of the brothers. The following discussion is my interpretation of the essay, while expanding on some of Goldman’s ideas.
The author of the essay, Goldman, relates the rocky relationship of these two brothers like four movements in a jazz piece. Sonny’s older brother, Goldman states, “a straight-laced Harlem algebra teacher”(Goldman 1), wants Sonny to do well, but Sonny has his own way of life, which includes being a heroin addict and an aspiring jazz pianist. In the first movement, the brother first recognizes Sonny’s problems, but fails to understand them. In the second movement, the brother struggles to see how Sonny really lives and can only relate to him in terms of his own reality. The third movement is the climax or “crescendo” (Goldman 1), and Goldman explains that “their failure to communicate is at its peak.”(Goldman 2) Finally, in the fourth movement the narrator has an “epiphany” after his daughter’s death and he finally starts to relate to Sonny. “The dry, low, black man said something awful on the drums, Creole answered, and then the drums talked back. Then the horn insisted,…and Creole listened commenting now and then. Then they all came together again, and Sonny was part of the family again.” (Baldwin ) This quote from Sonny’s Blues shows that after having a talk with his brother he is now understood and part of the family. The last line in Goldman’s essay says that, “these blues belong to all of us, for they symbolize the darkness which surrounds all those who fail to listen to and remain unheard by their fellow men.”(Goldman 4) This applies to Sonny and his brother, but they both eventually emerge from the darkness that surrounds them.
Sonny’s blues is more than just a story about two brothers framed by a musical jazz piece. There were other multiple themes such as accepting the differences between people, symbolized through music. The narrator, Sonny’s brother, is a straight-laced guy who doesn’t appreciate crazy music like jazz because he is a very “orderly” (Goldman ) person. Sonny on the other hand is the outcast who likes jazz because it’s disordered like his life. Jazz was the “rebel” music for its day, much like rock and roll in the 50’s and 60’s and alt rock in the 90’s. The old traditionalists do not understand the new “complexity” of the new strange music. But eventually, like the brother, they appreciate it on some level and a new resolution occurs. This rebelliousness or thinking beyond the norm inspires change, which can be good; but a period of difficulty is always encountered with change. Also, before change can occur, both sides must finally listen to each other. But if your personality type or, music preference is different, the lines of communication will be broken. A resolution to a lack of communication occurs with a crisis or “crescendo” (Goldman 1). The narrator’s daughter’s death forced him to reexamine life from Sonny’s perspective and to appreciate the complexity of jazz on a whole new level.
The theme of listening to each other resonates throughout Sonny’s Blues, but can also serve a lesson to the world at large. If people listened to one another more, perhaps a greater understanding of our differences would result. As Creole concluded, “he and his boys up there were keeping it new, at the risk of ruin, destruction and madness and death, in order to find new ways to make us all listen.”(Baldwin ) The hope here is that with potential darkness and destruction, a willingness to communicate can save us from ourselves.
Works Cited
Baldwin, James. Sonny’s Blues. [database on-line];available from http://www.wright.edu/~alex.macleod/winter06/blues.pdf (accessed 18 September 2008).
Goldman, Suzy Bernstein. “James Baldwin’s ‘Sonny’s Blues’: A Message in Music.” Negro American Literature Forum; vol. 8, no. 3, Fall, 1994: 231-3. [database on-line]; available from http://www.enotes.com/Sonny’s Blues/james-baldwins-sonnys-blues-message-music (accessed 18 September 2008).
