First semester of AP English

So far this class has been a lot more work than I expected it to be. When I talked to my senior friends from last year they all said that it was an easy class and worth taking for an easy A. Well, it hasn't been all that easy for me. I know that my knowledge of the English subject has grown tremendously. I now know the difference between literary and commercial fiction. I enjoy reading for pleasure so much more because it is a nice break from the literary stories. I've learned about topics that I didn't want to explore like the philosophical thinking. I believe that I now view life with a more open mind. A few moments this year I've been very frustrated. I didn't like how 13 short stories were crammed in to a test. I didn't like how most of the work has been done outside of class with little discussion in class. I don't like how we were given an AP essay to write the first few days of class. Overall, it seems like there was never enough time to talk about the work we did, and it all seemed rushed. At times during the semester I wished that time would slow down so that I could just breathe. I think that three books per semester for outside reading in addition to all the in class reading was too much. I realize this is an AP class, but it would help the work load was a little less. I hope that next semester things will slow down so that I have time to enjoy school and this class. Due to the heavy work load, I've learned a lot of information that I did not know before. I'm glad I took this class and I hope it pays off in the end in preparing me for college English.

The Rover Play

I enjoyed watching the play during this class time. A few things stuck out to me during the play. The language was pretty hard to understand and it didn't really help that a few of the actors didn't know their lines. It was hard to process their lines as they were saying them, it was kind of like reading subtitles. The topic that the play was on was kind of strange to be acted out in high school. I thought the plot was predictable and I expected for all of the couples to end up together. The costumes were very cool and I thought that they resembled the time period very well. I also thought that the set was executed well. It was cool how the two different platforms could be wheeled around to switch the rooms. I thought that the actors played out their roles very realistically. The subject of wanting a relationship that a person cannot have has been done before. Yes, the play was written in the 1800s so or was probably a new story during that time. The sword fighting really added a nice element to the play. It was kind of too staged because it didn't look realistic. Overall I was really happy to eat out of class and see my fellow classmates preform.

Satire

I thought the class period that we discussed satire was very interesting. I didn't realize that it had a deeper meaning. Satire can be used to bring an issue to the table. In the speech that we read, I had a hard time telling which type of satire was which. It was full of statements that were sarcastic and ironic. It was effective in evoking a clear message. It was interesting that such a message of freedom and growing up could be displayed through satire. I think that satire is used more often than expected. I really enjoyed coming up with the headlines in class because it showed the practical use if satire. It can be used in the wrong way though. If specific names are mentioned or hurtful subjects discussed, satire can cause a lot if damage. Just like in writing, when using satire it is important to keep in mind the audience. It was a nice change from the normal literature that this class focuses on and I really enjoyed the headline that Mr. Mullins came up with. I thought it was interesting how The Clockwork Orange uses satire but in a completely different way. It is very serious and it is used to make the reader challenge their thoughts. From what I've heard, satire is effective in that novel. I enjoyed this lesson a lot!

The Dark White Tiger

The main character in The White Tiger is Balram. He grew up in a village of darkness. There was no escaping the darkness, those born into darkness and those born into the light pretty much stayed there. The dark side of India consists of the poverty stricken and slum villages where government regulations and codes are thrown out the window. Then there is the lightness, where the rich are served by members of the dark and money is the least of their worries. Balram made his way to the light by cheating, lying, killing, and stealing. I wonder if it is even worth it to live in the light. Is it worth sacrificing family, your morals, your dignity, or your life to live like those in the light? I don't think so. In the novel, it seemed that those people living in the light were full of darkness. They could not see happiness in any situation and they consumed themselves with material things to numb the pain of their sad lives. In this story, I believe that everyone lived in darkness. And I believe that to be true for most people today. The poor strive to be rich and the rich strive to be content. It is a constant struggle that is just exhausting. What is the point of it all? I really love that Balram made a change in his life. I believe that hard work and dedication can defeat anything. The only problem with his success story is how he got there.

Hamlet

Freshman year I read Romeo and Juliet and I really enjoyed it. Sophomore year I read Julius Caesar and I also really enjoyed it. I'm surprised that I liked these because it is Shakespeare. Most students and people in general turn away from Shakespeare because of the specific language he used. I’ll admit it, I have no idea what he is talking about half the time, but I get the jist of it. Spark notes helps a ton in the general understanding of the plot so I am very fortunate that I have that resource. To be honest, I don't really know anything going into reading Hamlet, besides that Shakespeare wrote it and "To be or not to be" is a famous quote from it. I have loved the story lines that Shakespeare presented in the past two plays that I have read, so I'm hoping that this is another interesting one. I hope that I can understand what is going on and that I get used to reading in this unique language. I was interested in the fact that this is in Mr. Mullin's top five list of important literature, so it must be very good. I know that it is a tragedy and someone dies, but I hope that the other details are kept a secret until I read them. I'm excited to learn about Hamlet and hopefully it is all, and more than what it is hyped up to be.

Salem Play

My first impression of the Salem play was that it was great. It was an interesting take on the story line of the Salem trials. It brought many social issues to the surface dealing with prejudices and discrimination. I feel like these issues need to be discussed and they are not exposed in the way they should be. The whole aspect of the puppets was very confusing. It allowed the characters to do certain scenes that they normally wouldn't be able to do. I was so interested in how the puppet costumes matched the actor's costumes so well! After the play was over, a student asked how they managed to work the puppets. I was surprised how difficult it was to control the mouths and keep them raised away from their bodies. I think the play may have been better without the puppets just because I found them very distracting. The whole story line was cliche and it has been done before, although it was interesting how there was a flashback in time. It was humorous at times and I really enjoyed those moments. I wish that it could have been longer and that way the end wouldn't end so abruptly. It felt rushed in a way. The set props were really cool and unique. The lights were supreme (good job Kim!!!!). Overall, I really enjoyed the play and I cannot wait to see what else the drama department produces this upcoming year!

Oedipus Rex: Fate v. Free Will

 

 

In the group discussions today in class, I saw a lot of new perspectives on certain topics that I didn't see beforehand. A large issue that my group discussed was whether Oedipus was driven by fate or free will. Oedipus met his father at a three way street and killed him and a few others. I believe this was driven by free will. He was angry and his frustration led him to murder by choice. That is something that humans have control of. We consciously decide to kill someone or not. I do believe that it was fate that brought the two of them together at that specific time and place. They were each Kings of cities and it would have been difficult for them to run into each other by free will. I think today that people are driven by both fate and free will. We consciously make decisions but I believe that sometimes fate leads us to those decisions. Oedipus was lead to his father, but makes the choice out of free will to kill him. I think that it was fates that lead him to solve the riddle and become the new King. But, it was free will that he slept with his mother. That is a choice one person makes and has control over. Ultimately, fates lead him to the specific destinations, but it was free will that created the end results.

Fear of Thesis Statements

Hmmmm, where to start with thesis statements. I have a fear of writing thesis statements and I have no idea why. I guess I feel a pressure like what Mr. Mullins was talking about to summarize every aspect of the story into one short and concise  When I go to write a thesis statement, I have a hard time focusing on the central idea and coming up with everything else. I have a hard time putting my thoughts into words and making it sound intellectual and right. I envy those people who can whip up a theme or thesis statement out of what it seems to be thin air. I guess I never really learned how to write a thesis statement the correct way. I was taught a so called formula where you just plug in the theme and supporting details. So when Mr. Mullins told the class that there was a better way to write one, I was, and still am quite confused. I also have the problem of relying on the prompt too much. I need to learn how to incorporate my own vocabulary and ideas into my thesis statement. I am glad I took this class because I really need to learn how to write a strong thesis before college. Hopefully I can get better at it. I think people have such a difficult time with it because it is the main part of the paper and you base everything off of that one statement. If you have a bad thesis, you will have a bad paper. Also, I feel like it is really hard to include all the important points of the story in one sentence. Lets hope I can overcome my fear and write some strong thesis statements soon!

Electronic Textbooks

My view on electronic textbooks is that I think they are awesome! How convenient would it be to pull up all the textbooks you need on one device? No more heavy backpacks or strained backs! I love that the article mentioned how this new electronic network would offer help and have make up work available. It would be so easy to make up a quiz electronically and thus not fall behind in the class. There are a few problems with this transition. Every student would need a laptop or tablet and for some school districts that would not be practical. Every school district doesn't have the funds available to provide each student with a laptop. Also, just like music, textbooks could be copied. This new network could possibly rob current textbook companies that make their money from printing textbooks. I think the positives outweigh the negatives and I am excited to see the future of he textbook world. Even though this is my last year of highschool, textbooks are still used in college. And in college textbooks are very expensive, so hopefully if this electronic textbook network is set up, it will lower the cost of textbooks. I think it is important for the United States to keep up South Korea electronically. If books are electronic, hopefully more students will have the opportunity to have textbooks and learn. Because South Korea is so advanced academically, maybe this electronic kick can boost the United States up to South Korea's standards. A cool aspect that electronic textbooks would offer would be the live streaming network that could offer help. There have been times where I have been stuck on a math problem and I wish I could ask a specific question and have an answer instead of going in early for help the next morning. I think that this would be so helpful for students and this would open so many doors and really improve the education system. I agree with Mr. Mullins that novels would be quite difficult to read electronically. I have a kindle and I have read quite a few novels on oit, but I don't mind it because it is an opaque screen and it doesn't have a touch screen. Overall, I really hope that this plan is carried through by 2015 so that the textbook world would become more efficient.

Senior Year

 

 

Going into senior year, I was expecting the light homework load and carefree life that senior year usually brings. Well, to say the least, it hasn't been all that easy. I only have three classes and a peer tutor. The other four blocks I am doing community service at Clays Mill elementary school. It has been really nice to see my past teachers and it's really weird to be on the other side of things. I help out in the art room so I see third and first graders. My boss or site leader is very nice, I lucked out in that area. It's nice to be treated as an adult there and to be respected. On top of my few classes, college is stressing me out big time. Not to mention the ACT. To say the least, I will be very happy when all these events pass over. I am at the point in my life where I just want to start a new chapter of my life and high school is holding me back. I know I should savor the last year I have as a high school student, but right now it isn't very much fun. Hopefully after registering for college and deciding where I want to go, some of the stress will be lifted off of my shoulders. I have been told, it doesn't get much easier after high school and you have a lot more things to be concerned about, but right now I am just looking forward to a fresh new start.

NFL and Ellie

 

 

In this story, an important character that we did not discuss in class was Ellie Oscar. The strange and quiet man in the gold car with the radio glued to his ear. There are serious issues discussed in this story such as rape, society's view on growing up, and the devil. Even though none of these topics are directly mentioned, they are all there. The main reason I mention Ellie as being important is because he represents us, as society as a whole. His actions, or lack thereof, show that he knows what is happening inside of the house, yet he does nothing to stop Arnold Friend from raping this young teenage girl. He just listens to his radio and mumbles crazy talk. I think society is guilty of watching horrendous acts, comparable to rape happen daily, yet we are all guilty of being an Ellie. We see starvation in Africa, children sent to fight for their countries forced to kill their parents, poverty in our own countries, and yet all we seem to focus on is a call made by replacement NFL referees. I don't know if it's just me, but I think that our culture has a skewed view on the importance of certain issues. Ellie represents so much more than what the eye meets, he represents us, me, how we watch these things happen, yet remain mute to respond to them or do anything to stop them. Ellie should open up our eyes and bring attention to how we all take a backseat to what is hard to deal with, but needs our attention the most.


For some reason this got deleted from last weeks blog post, but here is my blog from September 27th.

Outside Reading

For my outside reading book I chose to read The Poisonwood Bible. It's a fairly long book and I am just about halfway through it. So far I really enjoy the plot; it is basically about a Baptist family who moves to the Congo for a mission trip. The father is a reverend and there are 4 girls in the family. There are a few major conflicts in the story, man v. man between the father and mother and also man v. society between the church and the Congo traditions. The main focus of the book is to spread the word of God throughout this small village who worships other Gods and who is vastly different in their customs and logical thinking. Their culture tells them that marrying more than one wife is acceptable and there really isn't any health or safety what so ever. Granted, this village is dirt poor and there hasn't been anyone to tell them that this is wrong. When the family arrives, they are the only white people. They have to adjust to the different life they call their own now. The father has a very stubborn and arrogant attitude that makes me dislike him a lot. The mother went through a very sick stage and she is just fed up with dealing with her husband and being in an isolated and unsafe place. I can tell that something is about to happen because there has been a lot of suspense and open ends. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

 

Reading, Theme, and Senior Year

Now, when I signed up for this class I was aware that we would be doing a lot of reading, yet I didn't realize that it would be this much. Don't get me wrong, I love reading, but in this class I feel like I don't have enough time to digest the stories that we read. Maybe it is just because I don't leave myself enough time to read the stories and analyze them on a deeper level. I feel like in class discussions help in digesting the story a little better, but keeping track of all the storylines is starting to become a little hard. I think I may just need to go back and skim over the stories to get a better understanding of them. I am glad that we went over theme because I really struggle with finding theme in literary works, where it isn't as clear. I think the 7 item checklist will help me in writing the theme of a story during this year.

But on a side note, I think it's pretty crazy that senior year is flying by so quickly. The senior picture is tomorrow and I can't quite wrap my head around the idea that this will be my last year at Dunbar. As scary as college may seem now, I cannot wait to start a new chapter in my life. I think senior year is flying by so quickly because there are so many things to do in this first semester. I need to remind myself to step back and enjoy the time that I have left, because it will be over much sooner than it seems.
Anyways, hopefully I can keep these stories on track and don't forget to wear your red or white tomorrow!!

Interpreter of Maladies View Point

While reading this story, I was surprised that it had more commercial characteristics than literary characteristics. Lately we've mostly read literary works so this was a nice change. The story line is pretty simple and easy to follow. I feel bad for both Mrs. Das and Mr. Kapaski since they are both stuck in marriages where they don't love their spouse any more. Mrs. Das' marriage is based on lies and cheating, and Mr. Kapaski had an arranged marriage. This story taught me the importance of finding the "right" person to marry. Both characters discovered something new in themselves just by opening up to one another. Even though the story didn't end in the happiest way, I feel like both characters grew tremendously and found how the truth can be so freeing even if it isn't completely told. I liked how Mr. Kapaski felt a lot of self worth when he used to feel worthless to society all because of Mrs. Das. I also feel like their relationship was a little weird just because Mrs. Das was so closed off to talking to anyone, her husband included, yet she opened up to him so much. Even though their communication pathway was lost, they still had the memories which left me with a sense of hope.

Types of Fiction and Outside Reading

I've always loved to read and I'm the type of person who can spend an entire afternoon just absorbed in a good book. Before this class, I was only exposed to commercial fiction for pleasure reading. I didn't realize there were so many differences between commercial and literary fiction. I have a greater respect for literary writers now because the books they write are like an artist creating a painting on a canvas. Commercial fiction is just for the money and the story ends up the way the audience wants it to end. I don't like the way this gives the reader false hope for how things in life really end. That's why I like the way literary fiction is truthful and it doesn't water things down. I started my outside reading book, The Poisonwood Bible. I went to Mrs. Faris and asked her which of the books she recommended. She told me that she enjoyed The Poisonwood Bible a lot and that I would too. I've barely made a dent in it, but it seems like a really good book. I can't wait to see how the story progresses and how the characters develop. I also look forward to reading more literary novels throughout this year, and although commercial fiction is enjoyable and easy to escape to another world in, I realize now that there are so many other books out there that teach much more important lessons.

Summer Reading

For my summer reading books I read Salvage the Bones and Never Let Me Go. I enjoyed Never Let Me Go much more than Salvage the Bones. It appealed to my interests much more because I felt like I could relate to the main character Kathy. I liked the way it was more suspenseful than Salvage the Bones. Salvage the Bones was too gory for my taste because of the vivid images of blood. Never Let Me Go was cool because it was set up like a reflection. I loved the way that the author had the relationships form more as the story progressed. I liked that  Kathy went through a journey were she learned a lot about her friends and herself, which I find many people, including myself, can relate to. In Salvage the Bones, it was very boring during the middle of the story because it was only about Skeetah and his dog China. The story really didn't become suspenseful until the last few chapters. I felt like they were both easy reads and not too difficult in general. I felt like the summer project reading journals took away from the book because I was too focused on the topic of the journal rather than the subjects of the books. The MWDS helped me a lot to review the books and it helped me review the characters and major themes too. I suggest for next year that a few less journals are required or a new aspect to the summer project overall . In the end, I felt like the books I read were outside of the range of books I normally read, so it expanded my reading expirence which was helpful.