"Homesick" Butterfly Project

"Homesick"

I've lived in the ghetto here more than a year,
In Terezín, in the black town now,
And when I remember my old home so dear,
I can love it more than I did, somehow.

Ah, home, home,
Why did they tear me away?
Here the weak die easy as a feather
And when they die, they die forever.

I'd like to go back home again,
It makes me think of sweet spring flowers.
Before, when I used to live at home,
It never seemed so dear and fair.
I remember now those golden days…
But maybe I'll be going there again soon.

People walk along the street,
You see at once on each you meet
That there's a ghetto here,
A place of evil and of fear.
There's little to eat and much to want,
Where bit by bit, it's horror to live.
But no one must give up!
The world turns and times change.

Yet we all hope the time will come
When we'll go home again.
Now I know how dear it is
And often I remember it.

9.3.1943. Anonymous

Week of 22.315: Night

Pages read: 43

To state the obvious, the Holocaust is a topic that deeply fascinates and affects millions upon millions of individuals.  I happen to be one of them.  This interest was first brought upon me by my mother, who could spend hours talking about nearly anything to do with it.  However, I was never deeply affected by the sheer lack of humanity and barbarism of the Holocaust until I read The Devil's Arithmetic. Perhaps it came from my relentless reading as a child, or the power words have over me, but I was never so deeply saddened and shocked about the horrors of the Holocaust as when I read that book.  Already, I can see these emotions manifesting themselves again as I read Night.

Wiesel's blunt but dreamlike retelling of his experience at Auschwitz-Birkenau is haunting, and I am left in constant suspense.  I suppose I have an emotional history with short stories, and with vivid descriptions of the living conditions at the camps, I am left questioning everything.  This, as well as many other things, may have been Wiesel's purpose in writing Night.  The dangers of blind faith. Of taking things for granted.  Of not staying together, and valuing power over humanity.

The setting is an aspect of Night that really interests me.  I think it's important to learn how widespread the terror was over Hitler's Reign.  I have a hard to conceptualizing his influence, and how other countries such as France and Italy were affected.  Another important part of this novella is its characters; although I do not want to proclaim a favorite, because I know how tragic these events were.

week of 3.23.15 "The Carnival at Bray"

Prompt:  What would you have done if you were in the protagonist's shoes?
Pages read: Finished (I'm finally on a streak!)

I hesitantly began reading The Carnival at Bray.  It wasn't that the author inserted Nirvana (the band of course) into her novel to give an 'edge' to her character, or that the book dealt with yet another teenage girl entranced with 'alternative' music who has a sort of screwed up home life; which has become such a common back cover description that I now tend to stay away from the teen lit aisle.  I was hesitant to read this novel because the protagonist (16 year old Maggie) goes on a life changing adventure.  I'm being vague because I hate adding spoilers, but it is a but cliché and rather unrealistic.  I knew I would be filled with a sense of self-loathing and ennui.  I don't like hearing about others' adventures because I want to be having my own, and I end up feeling trapped.  However, I don't read to be taken on an 'adventure', I read for inspiration.  To create more dreams to hopefully fulfill.  To fill the drab days of my current location with hopes of a spontaneous tomorrow.

That being said, The Carnival at Bray was definitely one of those novels where you feel swept away in the rising action, and lost after the resolution.  Maggie's traveling to Rome with her crush, and seeing Nirvana right before Cobain's suicide was entirely unrealistic.  Which makes it all the more exciting, because most readers know they wouldn't have the guts to leave their home without notice or a plan and take off to fulfill an uncle's dying wish.  Certainly, I doubt that given a similar situation I would be able to leave guilt and worry free.  Of course, I would have no trouble staying.  But leaving would be difficult, because I always worry.  Not for myself (because uncertainty is a major part of the fun), but for what I left behind.  If I were in Maggie's position, I probably would've left a vague note (which still makes an interesting story), in hopes of not being found by the police.  I would at least make up a lie (I'm quite good at that).  Also, Nirvana's pretty overrated, but it would be incredibly cool to see them.

When Maggie returns (she'd been found out) she is put on a trial with the nuns at her school.  There was much consideration about expelling her after her running away, but she agrees to strict rules in order to stay.  Realistically, I would have done that too.  I wouldn't really want to sacrifice an education for just one week in my life.  However, there is a part of me that would say no, and continue to travel and adventure.  It really is my dream, and once I start I doubt I'll ever find a home again.  Life isn't about how long you live, it's about how far go you, in the time you get (taken from my favorite short story, by Chris Crutcher).  So although I would like to remain in a comfortable lifestyle, if my life were a teen novel, I would continue expanding my horizons.

Berlin Memorial

What did you learn?

I learned about all the restrictions and laws placed on the Jewish people during the Nazi Party's regime.  Of course, I knew of a general few; but never dreamt of all the hardships the German Jews must have endured during this dark time.  The Jewish Decrees were new to me, though I wish I would've learned them earlier in life.  I also learned and was able to put the timeline of these decrees into more context.

Why do you think this monument was built?

I think the monument was built to remind people of the dark past that lies just a bit before their time. The Berlin Monument was likely to have been built to remember the millions of Jews who were taken from life during the Holocaust.  

What did you notice about the number of laws passed during certain years?

During specific years, the number of decrees that were passed fluctuated.  For example, the 1936 Olympics brought on a major reduction in the amount of decrees.  It's obvious to see why Germany did this maneuvering, because they wanted a protected image and they planned strategically.  This was key to their (obviously deeply unfortunate) success. In the later years of the War, the amount of decrees dwindled as well.

Which restrictions do you think you would have the most trouble dealing with and why?

At first, I would be furious and even more so, terrified that my basic necessities were being stripped away.  Then, things like not being allowed to attend concerts and visit beaches and other places of entertainment would really bother me.  I find a lot of comfort in being outside, and sometimes it seems to be my only respite.  Although I would live, I wouldn't be able to carry out my life in a healthy way. I couldn't imagine what those who had to suffer through these decrees endured.  It seems to tear away at humanity, and shows how inhuman the perpetrators were.

Third Quarter Reflections

Of the books I've read this quarter (none? I'm not sure, I can't remember any), my favorite would have to be Invisible Cities. Followed closely by the similarly unfinished, No Logo.  I hope to finish both, but I'm currently 'binge' reading the novels by the authors who will be at LitWorks (I'm so excited!).

Argumentative writing was foreign to me before third quarter, and so I have hopefully improved my abilities with objective writing and research.  Although writing style was not a focus of mine this quarter, style is something that is constantly evolving and maturing.  Therefore, I think my writing style has matured.  And of course, my run-on sentence usage... Research has always be a slippery slope for me, but I think I've acquired some useful skills in that area.

It is hard for me to pinpoint an accomplishment, because I don't really believe in them.  I suppose it is because I'm always looking for ways to improve myself, and that everything is constantly changing.  Progress is never lost, but sometimes plateaus.  That's when most people consider something an accomplishment.  On the other hand, I have accomplished major things in my personal life.  As for my academic life.. Well, there are always new books to be read.

My 40 (50) book challenge has come to a near halt.  But as shown in the previous year, it will soon resume its rapid pace.  I'm about 30 books in.  This comes as a surprise, but a welcome one at that.

I'm assuming my blogs have been progressing nicely.  Last year it seemed my progress leaned toward polishing up my writing in terms of style, grammar, elegance, et cetera.  While those are things to be worked at tirelessly, I think my voice has strengthened and matured.  Voice and narrative style is what I look for in books, and if I can say that I've improved in that, it would be a great honor.

Invisible Cities 11/3/15

Prompt/format: Bio-Poem 

Marco Polo

An adventurous, storytelling, imaginative, and metaphysical traveler

a character in Italo Calvino's story

Lover of mystery, detail, pattern, and sunset
who notices intricacies, his own thought, and meaning in the meaningless
who learns he may be just a daydream
Major character in Kublai Khan's reign
a book that is a meditation 

Article of the Week Impressions 6/3/15

In my opinion, this gallery walk was our most productive yet.  I was able hear about nearly everyone’s current issue, and it seems as though we all branched out more.  Confidence is gained every week, and I personally feel more at ease describing my topic now.  I’m also finding that it runs more smoothly.  Although I wish we had more time to get to everyone’s, the time constraint adds pressure and helps me think quickly (or rather, speak).  Overall, I just like seeing where people's interests lie.

In terms of branching out, I saw different news sources, more in-depth articles, and more controversial topics.  ISIS was rightfully present of course, and the interesting side effects of the group.  Hearing about the young women who are attempting to 'befriend' ISIS is really scary; but would also make an interesting study on human behavior.  And although 'The Dress' has become a dull topic (it never was that exciting in the first place), it was enlightening to hear about the science behind the ephemeral color scheme.   

There was a nice mix of psychical/tangible issues and psychological issues.  Athziry's article about teen suicide and its influence has to do greatly with the (inter)national psyche.  On the other hand, learning about Obama allowing air strikes was a psychical issue, and will have psychical repercussions. Both are equally devastating. 

In the future, I hope to see everyone gain more confidence in choosing a topic that actually interests them, and that they enjoy talking about.  

Comments: Emily, Nadrian, Citlalli

Dare Me (late work)

Prompt: Describe the author's style
Pages read: Start 2 Finish

"This isn't your typical high school cheerleading novel..." is a lie.  Dare Me has everything you'd expect out of this topic/genre; with the added bonus of a murder scandal.  To give a brief summary, Dare Me focuses on an overly competitive cheerleading team who has just received a new head coach. 'Coach' commands respect, and is often given it.  She often invites her team to her seemingly perfect house, where the girls are heavily influenced by Coach's behaviors.  However, our protagonist's best friend, Beth, has not taken to Coach and trouble arises because of their tension.  Throughout the novel, the reader learns more about each character and why they act the way they do, and whether the murder of Coach's boyfriend (outside of her marriage) is really a murder.

Megan Abbott is well known as a crime author, and this clearly reflects in Dare Me.  I would describe the novel as thrilling, even though this type of book isn't my usual taste.  Time seems to pass by extremely fast, and before I knew it I had finished all 300+ pages of it.  Abbott's word choice isn't complex, and the book is far from verbose.  However, her writing evokes a lot of emotion.  You can nearly feel yourself being pushed to your physical limit during the team's practices, and to your psychological limits as the tension grows in Coach's household and between Addy and Beth.

One of my favorite aspects of Dare Me was how time was counted down.  Much like Looking For Alaska, there is a set date for the countdown to conclude, but the ready really isn't sure what it signifies.  In this book's case, the countdown is to "The Big Game" or something along those lines.  Another great writing technique in this book was the stopping and starting of the relationship troubles.  Addy (our protagonist) and Beth are up and down on terms of their coexistence, and Addy fluctuates between hazy confusion and her steadfast leadership in all areas of her life.