To Kill a Mockingbird ~ Found Poetry

"Mr. Nathan Radley"*

Come out on the porch...

Reading the Bible -

Scared him pale, though.

Radley's posture was ramrod straight

Word was his bond

reading the Bible.

Old, a foot-washing Baptist

Hankerin' after Heaven as he went by

Going to Hell -

reading the Bible.

Anything's that pleasure is a sin

What secrets...

Burn right with me

Mr Radley was dying,

What he did was his own business

the house died. 

A peril of everlasting torment

A sad house

Mr Radley

reading the Bible

worse than whiskey in the hand of...

To Kill A Mockingbird ~ Character Analysis

Character pair: Miss Maudie Atkinson and Mr. Avery

The characters mentioned above, Miss Maudie and Mr. Avery, are starkly contrasting in personality.  While both have been shaped by the often quiet life of Maycomb, they have different views on life.  We could say Miss Maudie is more open minded than Mr. Avery, and less set in her ways.  Although,  both are persistent and hold strongly to their beliefs.  From their interactions with Dill, Jem, and mainly Scout the reader can tell Mr. Avery doesn't care for children all that much.  However,  based on Miss Maudie's interactions with Scout, we can see she has a great patience for children.  In this respect, Miss Maudie and Mr. Avery are foils of each other.  Both are religious, but one takes it to a father extremity (Avery).  From the way Mr. Avery speaks of his beliefs, and how Miss Maudie passes on wisdom more than moral evaluation, they both bring out the best and worst in each other.  Perhaps the most important of their similarities is that Miss Maudie and Mr. Avery both work on arbitrary conditions, which means they both work for the greater good and will always assist those in need.

Miss Maudie and Mr. Avery both hold that neighborly relationship with Scout; the one where all parties are unsure of where they stand with one another.  From Scout's words and actions, the reader can see Scout holds Miss Maudie in higher regard.  Certainly, she wouldn't go about mocking her with a caricature on a snowman...  It's not that Scout doesn't respect Mr. Avery, it's that he doesn't hold very much respect for her.  If I were to put myself in her shoes, I would definitely prefer Miss Maudie to Mr. Avery based on the way they treat me.  The contrast in both characters shows which types of people Scout prefers and what she actually wants.  While there may be an underlying desire for another female figure in Scout, we can see Scout really wants to be listened to.  Going along with the recurring theme of coming-of-age, Miss Maudie helps Scout through that when she is ostracized by the boys.  Mr. Avery also offers advice to Scout.  Rather, he admonishes her and her sibling.  But Scout takes it well (relative to her other reactions) so the reader can see she may like Mr. Avery.

Scout uses Miss Maudie as an example, and Mr. Avery as more of a cautionary tale. Again, this shows that Miss Maudie and Mr. Avery are foils of each other; but also that Scout and Mr. Avery are foils as well.  Scout, although she may be too young for me to say for sure, is open-minded and inquisitive.  She sees Mr. Avery as a grumpy old 'preacher' and from that I think she takes caution not to become someone like that.  With open-minded and more abstract thinking Miss Maudie, we can see Scout's admiration of her reflect in Scout's actions.  She heeds her advice more than Mr. Avery's - and rightly so.  For the virtue of brevity, I'll just keep this at: Miss Maudie could be seen as an alter-ego of Scout.  Perhaps an older alter-ego, Miss Maudie could be a glimpse into stubbornly independent Scout's adult life.

To Kill A Mockingbird ~ 'Maycomb' Photograph

Prompt:  Incorporating the different criteria from the Visual Literacy Guide, write a thoughtful, thorough, and well constructed response relating the photograph to Maycomb, AL.

Pages read: 0-41 

Photograph used:  "Birdhouse and Landscape at an old plantation home near Eutaw, Alabama".  Published May, 1941.  Photographed by Delano, Jack.

First Observations:  Not staged.  Most likely in the moderate South.  Vegetation is growing, it is unkempt and organic looking.  The trees are high and point towards the sun.  Benches are set up, so this might be a park.  The trees are spread apart, but the area is not at all barren.  There is quite literally a treehouse atop the stump of a former tree; where vines and other plants are growing.  Someone might describe this area as meadow, though it is not flat enough to be a prairie. Lots of shady regions, and sun is prevalent.  There also appears to be a slight breeze.

Reflection:  Even if I hadn't seen the title, "Birdhouse and Landscape at an old plantation home near Eutaw, Alabama", I would've presumed this to be a southern town.  From the scenery shown and previously described, I can infer this town experiences that kind of hazy heat that makes life move slowly.  The park benches can be used to prove that point.   The benches also show the viewer the lifestyle in their area, or at least what their residents do in their spare time.  With the placement of the benches, I can tell the pace of life is slow and at times leisurely.  The tall grass shows this area was not "high-end", and that agriculture is important to its owners.  The tree-house, or bird house, can show many things about Eutaw's citizens.  Maybe there are a lot of children, and the adults might not have the busiest of schedules.  Perhaps the birds attracted to the bird house affect the agriculture.

Questions:  Who built and placed the bird house?   Is this a park?  And if so, who takes care of it?  Is this place frequently visited, or out of the public eye?  Who comes here more, children and teens or adults?  How long does this open land stretch?  What kinds of animals live in the underbrush and wooded area?  What is the population of this town?

Could this be Maycomb County?  The rest of Eutaw may not resemble Harper Lee's description of Maycomb, but I believe this real-life setting parallels the fictional setting.  With both having characteristics of a "tired, old town" and their people leading quiet but social lives, I think this landscape could serve as a backdrop for Maycomb.  The time periods are also very similar, so both portray an accurate rural 30's setting.  We can infer from the picture that it was taken in the time of the Great Depression, and so happens to be Maycomb.   I also think Scout, Jem, and Dill would enjoy to perform their many skits in a place like this.  

Week of 17/11/14: Labyrinths (and a bit of reflection)

Prompt:  Do you agree with the author's beliefs?  Which do you prefer, the writing or the ideas?  And what would you like the author to explore more?  (Because I can't focus on just one prompt, ever)
Pages read:  About five stories and a few essays, totaling an approximate 80 pages.

If you've been reading my blogs for say, the past couple of months; then you know I've been reading many, many books on existentialism and nihilistic philosophy.  Through this reading, all I can come across is more paradoxes and conflicting opinions on the universe (in general).  This is (obviously) to be expected, and it only fuels my fascination; although a break from all these self-pitying streams of conscience is in store.  While I don't always agree with anything an author of these fictions states as universal truth, I feel Borges does a good job of making an ambiguous point and leaving its meaning to the reader.  Therefore, there is no agreeing or disagreeing; more of accepting a possible cause and effect.  Which I do.  Borges theories on metaphysical thought could hold truth, at least to myself.  His domino effect of the slightest happenings becoming large calamities could be happening, and is, at any and every moment.  The important 'rule of thumb' for enveloping yourself in this type of thought is to remember there isn't any scientific evidence behind an of the statements made.  Which doesn't legitimatize or delegitimize anything; something I agree with Borges on.

Now usually writing shapes itself around presented ideas, though this is not the case with Borges.  This aspect of his writing I find... difficult to relate to?  It's as if the author knows his talent and is proving a point, rather than writing his mind/soul out.  This is not a check in the negative column, however; and I'm sure this is far from the truth.  This is simply my impression of Borges' writing.  See, the writing overshadows the ideas which leads to inconsistent points of interest.  To say that in a clearer phrase: when one part of a story is all adjectives and descriptions and set up, and (usually the end) is all deep statements and dread and messages of human condition/suffering it makes reading simultaneously riveting and drab. Its a bit like reading The Dead, you would never expect the ending to destroy your perspective.

Anything else that confuses me.  I know what it's like to ponder the meaning of life alone in your room, in the dark.  And I want something more than that, it has become a perpetual search.  So far, I'm impressed with Borges in his ability to write in detail and not focus on the "big questions".  You know, the ones you ask yourself when your standing under the stars in silence, wishing desperately either to be immortal or to have your meaningless life end right then and there.  I wish (and perhaps this will be granted, I'm still exploring Labyrinths) that Borges would explore what thought means and what is does to the grand psyche.  If these volumes have taught me anything, it's that all we can do is wish, and presume, and dream.  Time may be meaningless, life likewise; but if there's one thing our species will be infamous for, it's our curiosity and meddling.  We all have to find a balance between between apathy and passion and what we should spend thought on, and that's what life is about.

Week of 13/11/14: Labyrinths

Prompt: 1- Analyze the impact word choice has on the meaning or tone of a text.
2- Analyze how dialogue or specific incidents reveal information about characters. Make sure to include textual evidence.
Pages read:  Skipped around over many of the short-stories, so approx. 80 pages of nonstop existentialism and related philosophy

This will be a good challenge I suppose.  I mean, it's almost as if I pick some of the worst books for every assigned prompt.  Oh well, at least they are short stories; if you can call these "selected works" that term.  And, as we all know quite well: short stories require astute word choice.  The way the author chooses to execute this is a factor that really sets apart this book, making it really interesting to examine under this "lens", but also very horribly complex.  Although I wouldn't call the narrator necessarily unreliable, large aspects of these pieces are neither fiction nor nonfiction and all are opinion.  As Borges says in one of these vague stories, "every philosophy is by definition a dialectical game ".  So as you can see, everything pertaining to this is just meaningless words; but the words also hold out-of-wordly meanings.

As is the author's intention, nothing really impacts anything but anything impacts everything.  This man is worse than Oscar Wilde with the paradoxes... So, as to not confuse neither I nor yourself, I'll keep these instances of impact simple and explicit.   Seemingly the most obvious occurrence of clever word choice happens repeatedly during "The Lottery Of Babylon".  Although we never are told explicitly (anything) if the system is validly corrupt or not, the author's repetition of the word "interpolated" not only tells the reader of the nature of these drawings, but of the little-described beings of power.  Thus, impacting the reader and the meaning more than the outcome of the story.  To interpolate (in this context) means to insert false/misleading information.  In the case of life-altering and life-taking Lotteries, this is obviously a malevolent force taking place revealed to us through a simple word.  Because these stories are so short, and if not interpreted fully, vague; one words possible meaning enforces many possible outcomes and feelings.

100+ pages and not one single instance of external dialogue.  I think I'm in love.  In all seriousness, dialogue is something I find to be a necessary evil in many circumstances.  Maybe that's why I like philosophy and psychology so much ~ self examination and internal dialogues reveal the most to me as a reader.  One very notable instance of this  revealing is in L the story of "The Circular Ruins".  In summary, a man seemingly stranded on a deserted island begins hallucinating, dreaming.  Through the doubts of his thoughts his character is shown, as well as the basic human nature/desire to have control over another.  And on yet a deeper, metaphysical level, the mans' doubts of existence.  However, the latter is shown through mainly the authors diction (and probably the best situational irony I have ever read).  The most fitting examples I can give you of the former are, "each night he perceived it with greater clarity... he perceived it, lived it, from many different angles... the examination satisfied him".  From these lines we can infer the nature of the mans character: benevolent and determined.  As for a specific event, when the nameless man finds out of his metaphysical's sons success', he feels extreme grief for what he has put on the child.  Thus, giving the reader one of the (surprisingly) minor themes and more on the mysterious mystic man's character.

The Moon Chasers Week of 3/11/14

Prompt:  Predictions on the future of the characters/the story
Pages read: 0-140

File this book's recurring motifs under "subjects I never knew I was interested in until I went out of my comfort zone".  After reading Notes from the Edge Times,  I had a vague premonition that I'd be interested in ancient civilizations and their lore and mysticism, but this novel solidified my increasing want to know what will probably always be unknown.  However, I do wish the author had the style to pull of these esoteric and abstract ideas.  This leads me to falling in and out of interest, in fact, I started this book in the summer and have only begun to read it again last night...  And it wasn't just my procrastination and lack of focus that lead me to selecting this book to blog about, it was the suspense that the author created.  I realized that The Moon Chasers was perfect for making predictions.  Thus, saving me the (not even an exaggeration) 10 minutes of choosing a prompt.

After our discussion in class about 'universal themes', I discovered a parallel between our discussion and the novel.  A basic fact that is known through reading the novel is that of the existence of an ancient Mayan allegory.  Our protagonist, a scholar studying such topics, reads through these illustrated stories and discovers their meaning.  As you might have predicted, the stories are primarily focused on the moral Good vs. Evil battle and the redemption for both.  This is ever increasingly showing itself in the lives of the characters, as (spoiler alert) they are thrown back into time and are at odds with each other.  From the described Mayan texts, I can predict (or rather, infer) that the ultimate good will fall upon the characters.  This can manifest itself in many forms; however, I'm hoping for the appearance of a god or-or-or even better multiple universes.

With that far-fetched statement, which was based upon the topics in the story, I can predict something beyond my wildest predictions is going to happen.  I mean, the author could just end the story right where I'm reading and there, it would be over.  No further imagination needed as far as The Moon Chasers is concerned!  But no, I'm not even halfway through and I find out they've been transported back into time to summon dark magic and this is a series.  I predict that our protagonists (I hate calling main characters that when I have an intense dislike for them) will find themselves stuck in a situation and they must work together to solve it.  However cliché that might seem, it is a universal theme and I'm hoping for more in this story.  Maybe a dramatic misunderstanding with the Mayans; it's perfectly feasible in this plot!

*Just found out the specific genre of The Moon Chasers is "Speculative Fiction".  That's actually really cool.

**And this is my 50th post!

Saints of Augustine (Halloween week)

Prompt: Prompt: List at least two problems the characters faced? Which was the most life changing?
Pages read: All (in one night, three hundred pages, four hours; savage.)  Though I can't remember the character's names...

This book closely resembles Will Grayson, Will Grayson with its alternating narrators and LGBTQ theme.  The main difference is that this novel is way more realistic and better written.  This book is basically just about the two struggles of the almost legal adults, and takes place in a relatively short-amount of time.  Therefore, it is hard to say which character's problem was the most life-changing, as the problem is their lives'.

Sam Findley (the more interesting of the two, and a journalist) ~
His story so far (and the additional basic information): The oldest sibling who has a very impressionable younger sister.  His mother and father are divorced (technically, separated) because of his father's discovery of his sexuality.  This is where the conflict comes into play, because Sam realizes that he is in fact, gay like his father.  While this predicament is hard enough already, Sam's mother has a boyfriend who is extremely homophobic and in Sam's words, "a pig".  Then (in this very troubling time), Sam meets a charming man named Justin.  Out and proud, Justin is like a breath of fresh air to Sam.  Although through Sam's growing feelings toward Justin, we learn of his doubts as well.  Sam wishes to be as confident and clever as Justin, but is afraid of the repercussions.

Charlie Perrin (complex with a simple exterior) ~
His story so far (and the additional basic information):  Your typical high school jock on the outside, your average high school loner on the inside.  Charlie plays on the basketball team, with a group of guys who don't accept sensitivity.  This leads Charlie into trouble after the death of his mom and the falling into despair of his dad.  As an escape, the basketball player turns to pot, leading him into debt and eventual confrontation of all of his problems.  He becomes very lonely with no one to turn to.  Eventually, it takes the reuniting of two former best friends to set their paths straight (well..)

How they converge:  Both come to a consequent breaking down, and they meet in a challenging time for both of them.   By challenging, I mean one was running away from an interrupted make-out session and the other was discovering his car had been smashed by his dealer.  This leads to the powerful, if a bit cliché "troubled boys talking about their feelings" conclusion.  Well actually, the real conclusion is frustrating because I ship Same and Justin so much but then the author thought he was damn clever by putting in a cliff hanger.  Never to be resolved.. To summarize, Charlie Perrin and Sam Findley end up helping each other and reaffirming their friendship.

"The Cask of Amontillado" Narrative

Here it goes.. Narratives aren't really my area, so feedback would be greatly appreciated :)

*Montressor’s POV* 16:14 PM

The firm, but not foreboding rapping upon my door ceased.  At first, I had been startled, who could it be?  But soon I realized who it must be.  Naturally, I’d presumed I’d be held a suspect for Fortunato’s disappearance.   After all, it was I who preformed the act of blinding justice.  No one dare cross me.   Quickly, I snapped out of my fond reverie of the night before, tousled my hair to appear groggy as if I had been at Carnival all night, and opened the archaic door.   There before me stood a man, no older than twenty, holding stacks of crumpled papers together.  His face was stern, but his eyes informed me that he was nervous.  The man, who I assumed to be an investigative detective cleared his throat and spoke to me.  His was voice wobbling, his words carefully chosen.

*Detective Inspector’s POV* 11:00 AM

I said my thank you’s and goodbyes to the small group of friendly, if a bit hung-over townspeople.  Last night there was a festival in the town, Carnival to be exact. So it was only natural that a man went missing, no front-page case here.  In fact, there had been many reports to the police station; fistfights, public indecency, controlled substances, you name it.  In fact, I wasn’t sure why exactly I had to investigate this in the first place.   Although I had only been in this town for a mere matter of weeks, I knew enough about the town’s true characters from talking to my superiors.  Fortunato was the man who had been reported missing, a real egoist if you’d ask the Chief. This Fortunato knew his Amontillado from his sherry, that was no doubt.   I assumed he had just gotten drunk in some childish bet and spent the night in the park, passed out in a stupor.  Well, I’d thought this until the townspeople gave me a clearer picture of what had been going on. 

*First Witness* 10:30 AM

Name and Occupation: Drita, mother of three and wife to Orlando

Account Transcript

Witness: “Ah.  Well it was all kind of a blue if you ask me.  Children running everywhere, adults intoxicated the usual.  Actually, I didn’t really see Fortunato that night…or-or maybe I did.  I’m not sure…”

DI: “All right, well what can you tell me about this man *points to drawing*, a Montressor.”

Witness: “Oh, oh good heavens no, this can’t be true!  Is he truly the prime suspect..? Oh poor Fortunato.”

DI: “Indeed.  Would you kindly tell me everything, and I mean everything you know if have heard about him?”

Why did our tone change so suddenly?

Witness:  “Well, it has been mostly rumours.  Something about the man’s family.  Oooh, if only I could remember.  A pause.  Hhm.  Well I do know the man has shady practices, but him and Fortunato seemed to be on such great terms!  Certainly, they have only left town on a business trip… Wait, Sir, it’s coming back to me.  Ah yes, Fortunato’s business.  I never approved of it myself.  Coming from this village, well there’s no room for snobbery!  And certainly, that’s all Fortunato does.  A wine connoisseur, who believes he is the best in the honorable practice.  I do recall a fight, very quick, no voices raised.  More of a disagreement between the two.”

DI: “You mean Fortunato and Montressor?”

Witness: “Yes, yes.  They’ve been going at each other for years – in friendly and professional manner of course…

From then the witness trailed off, and I ended our interview

DI: “Ok.  I’ll take it from here, thank you Mrs. Acardi.

*Detective Inspector’s POV* 15:55

I began to walk towards the manor of the Montressor’s.  My first case, and I am interviewing a madman, to use the eloquent words of the town’s butcher, Lorenzo.  Crinkling the stack of papers over again in my hand, I noticed I was breaking into a sweat.  Is it not only 50 degrees out here? Passing the brick houses, row after row, my gait became more rapid.  Anxiety built inside me, as strongly as these rustic brick houses were formed upon their foundations.  That was the problem, no foundation to this crime.  I mean, whom could I believe?  If this Montressor truly was a deceiving madman, what could I do?  It was the first time I felt like an amateur, knocking on Montressor’s door. My hands shaking, thoughts blurred, as I bumbled through my introduction. 

“Ah good day sir!  Fine day it is, after last night’s festivities!”

“Mhmm yes, lovely spring day indeed.  Would you – rather, may I ask you a few questions about that f-f-fine night?”

“Of course, lad, do come right in.   You’ll have to excuse me; I’m a bit out of it after last night.  Oh dear God, it appears I am still in last nights dress!  Haha, well sit down, will you?  There’s no turning back now! Hahaha oh good fortune brings you here… Good fortune.

Well, maybe he really is mad

“On the contrary, I have come to ask you about your er.. friend, Fortunato…”

“Fortunato, oh! what ever happened?  That poor man, always getting himself into trouble..”

Maybe he’s telling the truth…

Suddenly, he rose and handed me a wine glass.  Into it, he poured a deep burgundy fluid, certainly an expensive gesture.

Maybe he isn’t so bad

I was nervous enough; the wine might soothe my nerves

“Hmm. Yes, that’s what the villagers have been saying.   Now tell me, when was the last time you saw Fortunato that night?”

“Wait…wait just a moment sir.  I have a faint idea, but I can’t seem to grasp it!  I know he came into my quarters to drink some of my fine Mersault Premier… Mhm, well maybe a quick trip to my wine cellar would jog my memory.  Do you wish to follow me?”

I knew it wasn’t in my hands to follow him, but the man seemed so hospitable and charming with his broad toothed smile, that I knew harm was unlikely. 

Did he just take something from my overcoat, hanging upon his coatrack?

Montressor must have just been checking for flammables, to keep his priceless wine protected.  I slung on my coat, heeding to his warning of the musty nitre in the catacombs.  Something seemed off about this aspect of my consultation, but I followed.  I was certain this would be good for gathering information, even if it meant having to spend time down in a mysterious cavern.   So I threw on my overcoat, which felt slightly less heavy.

We began to venture through the dimly lit cellar, myself asking him a few more questions about Fortunato, such as: what had he said to him?  The regular small talk between detective and suspect, right?  Mostly, I was warding off the growing feeling of nausea in my stomach. 

Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea

My sickening thought was pushed aside by the low growl of Montressor.

“So you asked what he was wearing that night, hadn’t you, my good sir?”

My gait slowed to ponder his question, and also because we approached the seeming end of the catacombs, the promise still unfulfilled.

“Y-yes Mr. Montressor.  Do you *cough* have an answer?”

“Why don’t you see for yourself?” 

Maybe this-

*****OFFICIAL POLICE REPORT****

MISSING DETECTIVE INSPECTOR, ABOUT TWENTY YEARS OF AGE.  WAS SEEN LAST AT AROUND 15:30.  ANY DETAILS PLEASE REPORT TO POLICE STATION.

Week of 21/10/14: Fade

Prompt:  What would happen if you spent a day with a character (does not have to be the main character)?  Time period and setting aside.
Pages read:  0-140

*To give this blog a boost of a bit more 'quality', I needed to not rush and take an extra day*

Paul Moreaux (our protagonist) and I share similar personality traits.  We both enjoy writing, wandering aimlessly, and daydreaming.  We both question our Catholic upbringing, and can sometimes tend to be more aloof than our friends would like us to be. For that reason, a day with Paul would be highly satisfactory but perhaps a bit uneventful.  I don't really know what I'd say to him, save for prying questions about the Fade which would probably see no answer.  His Uncle Adelard is a very different story.  Well traveled, with a aura of melancholy, I find his worldly anecdotes endlessly interesting.  Conversation with Adelard would prove to be ongoing, and I think his adventurous spirit and my natural curiosity would pair well together.

Adelard and I would most likely stray from wherever our current residences were.  Maybe grab a table (or if the choice was mine, a booth) at the local café.  My grandmother spends about a third of her time in a trailer park in a very French Canadian neighborhood, like the one Paul (and Adelard) are from so I know how quiet and comfortable the cafés can be.  I would ask him as many questions about his travel as I could, though unfortunately he has shown to never really give direct answers to personal questions. With the direction Fade is taking, I doubt Adelard will be developed in detail so getting to know more about his history and especially enigmatic family would be very interesting.  I feel like Paul and I would sit in silence, comfortably, but neither of us would get too much out of it.

His advice would be highly valuable to me.  Paul views his uncle Adelard as a mentor because of his free spirit, so advice from him would be indispensable.  I have no doubt we would argue, but hey, that's half the fun of a worthwhile conversation.  These somewhat forced paragraphs aside, I sincerely hope we see Adelard's character become dynamic, instead of the average supporting character static.  Although, even though I would lose some entertainment if Adelard remains two dimensional, I really look forward to seeing where this book takes me.  An recurring aspect of Cormier's writing is plot twists into risky and dark subject matter.  Maybe it's why I enjoy his (often banned) writing so much
.

Time Travel Interview

Prompt:  Interview


Q:  Where would you go?
A: Area 51
A: Futuristic America/Western World
A: Berlin, Germany
A: Victorian England
A: Pre-Biblical Times/Before the Great Flood
A: Existentialist  and Surrealist France (art and literature movement)
A: London/Manchester

Q:  To which year or period would you travel?
A: 1947, post-war
A: Post-capitalism/industrialism.  Perhaps around 2500, if we survived that long. 
A: November 9, 1989
A: 1870-1910
A: Over a couple thousand years ago
A: 1920's-30's
A:  1977-1985

Q:  Who would you want to meet or what event would you want to witness?
A: I would want to witness the Roswell Alien Landing.  Undoubtedly, I'd have to stay hidden so talking to a government official there is out of the question. 
A: Because our society is so materialistic and money-run, I'd kill to see a society that focuses on more important and lasting issues and ideas.  Therefore, seeing the fall of capitalism and all of its corrupt side effects would be astonishing. 
A: The start of the destruction of the Berlin Wall...
A: I would want to witness the daily life of a wealthy Victorian family and see what mannerisms and traditions they keep, and how they compare to my daily life.  Of course, Oscar Wilde lived during that time so I would have to meet and hopefully talk with him.  
A: Although I am not religious, if I had to wish for three things (and three things only), this is the time period I would look back to.  Or at least, one of the many.  Seeing the time before the "Great Flood" or Noah's Ark is definitely in my top three. 
A: There are many artists and writers who I would love to meet and hold a conversation with during this period.  To name a few: Magritte, Albert Camus, Jean Paul Sartre, and André Breton. 
A;  The punk scene!  And, for those of you who know me pretty well you know of course, the start of post-punk and dark wave music.  People I would like to meet include (but are not limited to): Johnny Rotten, Darby Crash, Sid Vicious, Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Ian Curtis, Malcolm Mclaren, etc.

Q:  Where would you find this person or see this event?
A: Roswell, New Mexico
A:  In whatever America's new capital is, assuming there is still an America.  Although this is highly unlikely. 
A: I would go maybe not to the center of the mass hysteria, but watch the destruction of the Berlin Wall from West Berlin. 
A: London, England.  I would probably find Oscar Wilde in an underground establishment, something off the radar if you know what I'm getting at. 
A: I have no idea of the exact whereabouts of where all the lore and mystery surrounding this time are, but I would have to guess it would be somewhere in the Middle East.  Definitely, in a desert.  
A: France, specifically Paris in a library or another underground establishment.  In a café is where I most likely find the authors I enjoy so much.
A:  To Manchester and London.  To be more specific, the Hacienda music venue, the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester, and all around the streets of London. 

Q:  Why would you want to meet this person or witness this event?
A: There is an unlimited amount of conspiracy enveloping this event, that a first hand account would be extremely valuable, not that I would sell and out and tell anyone.  My fascination with the extra-terrestrial and well-kept secrets has been going strong since my very early years. If I could uncover just one concealed truth (or myth), I would feel extremely accomplished.  Who knows, maybe I'll be abducted.  I wouldn't mind.  
A: Because I think our system is outdated, and radical change will not take place soon enough, I want to see how this exponentially increasing problem is resolved.  Even if it isn't resolved, I would still have fact to base my opinions off of, and change in my time would be easier to create. 
A:  The Fall was such an iconic event that having a story from the demolishing would place this travel in high value.  The destruction also goes along with many of my beliefs, so I would feel invigorated and perhaps be inspired to make a change in my own life.
A: I think the time period is so fabricated and glossed over that to uncover a truth about the lifestyle would be unique and priceless.  Oscar Wilde and I, in my belief, would hopefully enjoy each others company.  Or at least, the enjoyment would be one-sided.  
A:  With all the lore and myth, there must be "some magic" in that time period.  Because there really isn't well known scientific fact about this prehistorical era, and because religion is sometimes is downward spiral into feelings getting hurt and wars raged.  Finding things out for myself is one of my favorite pastimes, and that is what would have to be done.  Out of all of these events, this be the most adventurous, but the most challenging. 
A:  Existentialist literature and surrealist art go hand in hand.  Currently, I've been reading so many works and studying so many pieces of art that tie in to the subject that being able to meet these masters of their art would not only further my knowledge and understanding of my beliefs, but would inspire me.  All of the pioneers of this movement lived "alternative" lifestyles and were idiosyncratic individuals, something I aspire to have. 
A:  Punk is just about the best youth movement of the last centuries, and my dream has always been to be on the edge of a movement.  Some of the songwriters in this era have inspired me in my writing, and there lyrics with literature and cultural allusions have opened new doors to my gaining knowledge.  I'd really want to know their reasoning for why they participated in the events they did.  And of course, I'd like to participate in protests. 
Q:  How might YOU change history?
A: Haha.

The Dead (James Joyce)

Prompt: Centered on direct and indirect characterization. Your focus question should be on how elements of a story interact with one another. For example, how does setting affect character or how does conflict drive character development.

Pages Read: Start to Finish (60-some pages)

This story, considered a masterpiece of literature, has some of the most implicit characterization I have read in a long time.  It's funny the prompt should bring up the question, "How does setting affect character?" because the setting is the essence of the theme.  It's quite difficult to discuss the turning point (the last page..) while not spoiling the ending.  Truly, the ending is what makes the piece such a pivotal and acclaimed work.  I was struck by the sheer implicit morbidity and the abrupt realization of Gretta's reluctance.  Honestly, I could not fathom giving away the ending.  I have stated that before, but  I have never meant it so much.  Once the reader can get over the verbose hill of the "rising action" and dinner scene, they will never forget this short story.  

Back to the point, setting drives characterization throughout this story, and through the vast majority of Joyce's other works.  To put it simply, the author uses the stereotypes and customs of traditional middle class Irish families and weaves together the faults and the hardships every human faces.  The setting, not exactly bleak but with the day to day monotony and the struggles of staying well, interesting makes the transition of Gabriel more poignant.  We can all relate to Gabriel, even if we haven't gone through the exact severity of his experience.  We've all gone through the feeling of being excited for something and anticipating it so much that when it comes, something hinders the process and ruins the whole mindset and I guess, time.  Vagueness is what I'm going for here, and certainly what Joyce wanted in his development of Gabriel.  In truth, we see no physical or lifestyle change.  Gabriel's disappointment (the closest term I think that would somewhat encompass the fact) leads to a change in mind and heart.  Which have been shown to be interconnected. 

Perhaps an easier example of character development for this blog's author is that of Gretta's.  Gretta is Gabriel's wife.  Which is basically all that she is until the last few pages.  The development is not so much in the character as in the reader.  We realize the age old saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" holds truth, especially in the monotony of everyday, family life.  Gretta becomes complex and human, something many writers leave out in supporting characters.  If he had not given Gretta such a backstory, one that affects her relationship with her husband (central to the climax) , the story would be bland and tasteless.  Sort of like the life he describes for both Gretta and Gabriel.  No prior knowledge of the setting and culture is needed, as Joyce's implicit portraits of boredom and repetitiveness give you a clear idea of Gabriel's final soliloquy.  

 

First Quarter Reflection

Prompt: Where are you in your 40 Book Challenge? How have your blogs been progressing since August? What strategies have benefited you? What have you learned about the world? How have your research skills improved?
Current Book: "The Waste Land" and other Poems

Throughout this hurried first quarter, I have tried to expand my understanding of world issues.  Sometimes, I struggle with having sympathy and too much apathy, but I'm steadily becoming more compassionate and logical in my stances on troubling issues.  This has been shown in my AoWs, which have been increasing in length and hopefully, quality.  Last year, weeks after weeks of so-called "boring" articles of the week made the last-minute homework miserable for me.  Now, I can appreciate the different view points and how much I learn from these journals and reports.  See, I've been trying to expand my conscious, which requires a lot of metacognition. In annotating and analyzing these AoWs, I become more aware of the world.  However, I am always (and will be perpetually) suspicious of the "facts" presented to me.

On the more undemanding side, my 40 Book Challenge has been going great.  In fact, my goal for this year is anywhere between 41 to 50 books.  After participating in the Challenge last year, I knew I was up for this year's challenge.  In this broad goal, I have also set smaller ones, of equal or greater value.  One of the books I've just finished was nonfiction, something I shied away from for a very, very, long time.  Now, I can't get enough of the genre and wish to read, let's say, 15 titles in it for this school year.  To keep myself on track here, I have read 11 books so far.  This figure is much better than my progress in the first quarter last year; where I had read about 5 books at this period.

A final thing I have observed in this first quarter is my research skills.  While I do tend to get off the main track (it is my curious nature I suppose), now I can stay focused for a much longer period of time.  Before all this practice we've had, I would use very broad search terms and my final products would be vague and simplistic.  Now, I narrow the topic down to something that interests me more and that I will hopefully not get bored with.  Still, I flit between 10 different tabs of varying relevance and value, but now I know how to retain and use that information to help me in the long-term.  I can only hope this progresses throughout the rest of the school year.  And I still have a long way to go, but now I have a stronger foundation.  Something that would have really been of a benefit before.

Reflective: Writing Progression, Less Digression

Prompt:  Juxtapose your current blog post to one you wrote this time last year.  What has changed and/or stayed the same?

      After a painful exploration of my older posts, I noticed many aspects of my older writing reflect in my more recent endeavors.  This shows improvement, and need for it, in my writing.  One of the first techniques that I noticed my past self using was simple sentences.  Not necessarily short sentences, but ones that got somewhat to the point.  At this moment in time, my sentences still lack brevity.  While I'd like to think of my writing as still 'to-the-point' I have discovered that I elaborate more.  And not just the offhanded digressions of my former self, but more meaningful and valuable writing.

    There are many things that haven't changed, however.  I would still be able to tell it was me writing from the often snide remarks I make; as well as the overall "style" in the writing.  While I cannot tell if my writing has a "unique" style, there is definitely more personality in my posts this week.  I know I'll look back on this blog and shake my head, but for now I feel fairly accomplished in the progress I have made.

   Finally, and probably one of the most obvious, is how my word choice has progressed.  Well, that's just my opinion.  Understandably, I used simpler words that held more obvious definitions.  Many of them repeated indefinitely throughout the (agonizing) blogs.  Now I have learned to vary the words I write, and looking back at my older posts reaffirmed my belief that descriptive vocabulary is to  good writing as water is to sustaining life.

Writing Analysis: Notes From the Edge Times

Prompt:   Analyze the writing techniques used by the author. Explain the affect the technique has on the writing.

Pages Read: 0-120 

       To set the stage, or perhaps mood, Notes From the Edge Times, is a collection of articles by David Pinchbeck, which thrill me, and reassure me like no other work.  While it is primarily the author's interpretations of harsh facts (topics include: climate change, the end of capitalism, human evolvement and consciousness, spiritualism, etc.), there is a frightening truth to what he is saying.  While I am not opposed to the change in my ways that needs to take place (just please read the book), many skeptics will be; which is why David Pinchbeck uses persuasive writing throughout his altruistic articles. 

      One of the most compelling ways in which the author persuades the reader into living a more natural and conscious life is through juxtaposition of the average Western life and a healthy conscious lifestyle.  Pinchbeck presents the untold and shocking facts of the detrimental emotional and physical effects of subjecting yourself to unhealthy dieting, GMOs, chemicals, and types of radio waves.  My personal experience was that even though I had a vague idea of the effects, it gently scared me into trying to live as consciously as a middle schooler in a suburb unfortunately destined a few more capitalistic years.  Me, and many other readers were relieved his style was not sensationalization, as that would've pushed these sometimes idealogical statements into oblivion.


    The tone is also gently persuading, or rather dissuading from old and unhelpful habits and ways.   I aspire to write as persuasively as Pinchbeck someday, because of his unforced narration and guiding voice. I knew not to let a book, especially one like this, influence me (I have prior knowledge on the effects of that, Maria would understand ;D) but his tone is forgiving and mentoring, things everyone craves in their lives.  His tone and style are both persistent throughout the numerous short articles, which can make the reader get lost in his work.  A job well done, truly.