When I was first starting out with my papers in AP lit i had no clue what 2 expect. I was just getting a feel for the "snappy" openers ad thesis statements are my worst enemy. Its seems simple but I make simple things so complicated sometimes because I want so badly for it to be perfect. I was determined to be different with my subject for my pancake paper when we read Othello. My papers weren't bad but they do much to keep the attention of the reader I'm guessing. I wanted to expand my vocabulary more but neglected to in my writing. In my comparison paper for "their eyes" and "Wuthering heights" the comparison was very odd but it basically explained the same theory in a completely different fashion. Widening my vocabulary is sometimes difficult to me. I already speak better than most of the people I know so it presented a bit of a challenge to me. Reading the books thoroughly made my writing better 3rd quarter.
I'm not really sure what to expect as far as the AP exam. I believe i need to focus on the plots and other details in books that i didn't read thoroughly. My strengths are in the books that I understand the most. I read to really focus on dissecting poetry.
The book that I enjoyed the most was Wuthering Heights. Since i read it over the summer I didn't have to read it as thoroughly but I did catch some things that I missed in my random summer reading list. I think I liked it the most because of the "Gothic" novel feel and it reminded me of the works of Edgar Allan Poe (one of my favorite poets). I love the fight between nature and man and how the ending was eventually what was supposed to happen and also what we wanted.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
comparison paper.
Now a days you can see that women have a lot of power in the home, the work place, and even in politics. Women had to triumph over many struggles such as men believing that they were the "inferior" sex to get where are. Some men never thought to think of the men who started wars because they were so powerful. Wuthering Heights and Their Eyes Were Watching God are both stories that show how powerful certain women can be and what it took to gain their current power. Both authors use devices such as theme, narration, and character analysis to illustrate how powerful women can be.
In both stories there is a controversy with society and nature. Both Janie and Catherine both chose which one they were going to rival. Catherine knew who she loved but decided to go against nature and marry for money. In the end this was her downfall but if she hadn't made this mistake the second generation wouldn't have had Cathy who chose to go against society and be with the one she loved.Nature always prevails and Catherine's mistake had a greater purpose and made a stronger woman to stand up to society eventually change what is "right and wrong" in the eyes of society.
Janie first listened to what society said was good for her but then she decided that nature knew better and she continued to follow her heart. The first move she made on her own wasn't a very good judgement but like Catherine her mistake made her future strong and gave her knowledge to understand more. When she entered into her last relationship it was the smartest decision yet but it ended badly. Even though this happened she had power that was unthinkable at the time and she went through a lot to get it.
Hurston illustrates how far Janie came by allowing her to tell her own story from her first kiss to the day she came home in nothing but overalls. The way she told her story and left no details out showed how strong she was after she endeared all of this. She went through death, trust issues, heart-ache, abuse, and verbal restraint. All of which eventually made her a better person in the end. Her natural beauty made her powerful but her head-strong manner added to this power she harbored. When her husband died she was not only free but rich, which made her even more desirable to the men of the town.
Bronte took a different approach when it came to the narration of Catherine. Instead of letting Catherine tell her won tale she put it in the hands of a maid and friend Nelly. Nelly's narration was told inside of Lockwood's narration which made it a bit sketchy forcing the reader to make up the story in their own mind. You have to figure out what you do and don't believe, and what could possibly be exaggerated. Because Nelly was the non-objective insider she could have added things to the real story to make it sound more pleasing to her ear. Lockwood was a bit more practical seeing as though he was a man and didn't know anything except for what Nelly told him while they were talking. When it came to the story of Wuthering Heights and Thruscross Grange we had to trust the words of Nelly. Lockwood only had his own narration for the present. (his encounter with Catherine's ghost, Heathcliff, and the beautiful girl in the foyer).
When Bronte created Catherine's character she made her wild, childish, and partly superficial, but she had her own mind. She didn't become superficial until she was put in a different world were money was no object. There she met someone who could give her what she wanted (when it came to material things) and Heathcliff couldn't measure up in that department. He was a simple gypsy boy with no money and no civilized learning. Catherine's visit to Thruscross Grange made her stuck-up but she still had the essence of wild child when it came to her temper and utter amusement.
Before she met the Linton family she didn't care about society, she loved Heathcliff so much that she told Nelly that he was her, literally an essential part of her. They grew up together and if she had just followed her heart she could have saved so much heart-ache, death, and social issues. The destruction that she caused illustrated how powerful this one woman was even long after she died. Her influence on the people lives who she left behind were simply incredible. you can decipher whether that was a good or bad thing.
Hurston took a different route with Janie's unique character. In Their Eyes Were Watching God the people in Janie's life influenced her instead of her influencing them. Each and every significant character shaped Janie's personality and built her strength over the years. Her grandmother showed her how sacred the bond of marriage was at a young age but she didn't understand until she got to her second marriage. Since she was still so young with her first husband she easily left him when she got miserable and had an opportunity to do so. She became one of the women who was the "mule of the world" (as her grandmother once told her) and was controlled by her husband for 20 years. His death led to her freedom and she was back to no BS Janie but was no longer the victim of naive adolescence. After she found herself she finally found true love and acceptance.
Both Hurston and Bronte told stories that made people realize how powerful women really are in two completely different fashions. Both ways were intriguing and affective. No one could miss the point that Catherine and Janie were both very strong females who went through trials and tribulation to get the life they wanted. Every mistake had a purpose in the end and you can almost create a story in your mind if you think "what if this didn't happen?" and have your own alternate ending to both stories. If Catherine had married Heathcliff from the start or if she never had got bitten by the dog what would have happened?. If Janie had finished school like her grandmother originally wanted her to do what kind of person would she have become?
In both stories there is a controversy with society and nature. Both Janie and Catherine both chose which one they were going to rival. Catherine knew who she loved but decided to go against nature and marry for money. In the end this was her downfall but if she hadn't made this mistake the second generation wouldn't have had Cathy who chose to go against society and be with the one she loved.Nature always prevails and Catherine's mistake had a greater purpose and made a stronger woman to stand up to society eventually change what is "right and wrong" in the eyes of society.
Janie first listened to what society said was good for her but then she decided that nature knew better and she continued to follow her heart. The first move she made on her own wasn't a very good judgement but like Catherine her mistake made her future strong and gave her knowledge to understand more. When she entered into her last relationship it was the smartest decision yet but it ended badly. Even though this happened she had power that was unthinkable at the time and she went through a lot to get it.
Hurston illustrates how far Janie came by allowing her to tell her own story from her first kiss to the day she came home in nothing but overalls. The way she told her story and left no details out showed how strong she was after she endeared all of this. She went through death, trust issues, heart-ache, abuse, and verbal restraint. All of which eventually made her a better person in the end. Her natural beauty made her powerful but her head-strong manner added to this power she harbored. When her husband died she was not only free but rich, which made her even more desirable to the men of the town.
Bronte took a different approach when it came to the narration of Catherine. Instead of letting Catherine tell her won tale she put it in the hands of a maid and friend Nelly. Nelly's narration was told inside of Lockwood's narration which made it a bit sketchy forcing the reader to make up the story in their own mind. You have to figure out what you do and don't believe, and what could possibly be exaggerated. Because Nelly was the non-objective insider she could have added things to the real story to make it sound more pleasing to her ear. Lockwood was a bit more practical seeing as though he was a man and didn't know anything except for what Nelly told him while they were talking. When it came to the story of Wuthering Heights and Thruscross Grange we had to trust the words of Nelly. Lockwood only had his own narration for the present. (his encounter with Catherine's ghost, Heathcliff, and the beautiful girl in the foyer).
When Bronte created Catherine's character she made her wild, childish, and partly superficial, but she had her own mind. She didn't become superficial until she was put in a different world were money was no object. There she met someone who could give her what she wanted (when it came to material things) and Heathcliff couldn't measure up in that department. He was a simple gypsy boy with no money and no civilized learning. Catherine's visit to Thruscross Grange made her stuck-up but she still had the essence of wild child when it came to her temper and utter amusement.
Before she met the Linton family she didn't care about society, she loved Heathcliff so much that she told Nelly that he was her, literally an essential part of her. They grew up together and if she had just followed her heart she could have saved so much heart-ache, death, and social issues. The destruction that she caused illustrated how powerful this one woman was even long after she died. Her influence on the people lives who she left behind were simply incredible. you can decipher whether that was a good or bad thing.
Hurston took a different route with Janie's unique character. In Their Eyes Were Watching God the people in Janie's life influenced her instead of her influencing them. Each and every significant character shaped Janie's personality and built her strength over the years. Her grandmother showed her how sacred the bond of marriage was at a young age but she didn't understand until she got to her second marriage. Since she was still so young with her first husband she easily left him when she got miserable and had an opportunity to do so. She became one of the women who was the "mule of the world" (as her grandmother once told her) and was controlled by her husband for 20 years. His death led to her freedom and she was back to no BS Janie but was no longer the victim of naive adolescence. After she found herself she finally found true love and acceptance.
Both Hurston and Bronte told stories that made people realize how powerful women really are in two completely different fashions. Both ways were intriguing and affective. No one could miss the point that Catherine and Janie were both very strong females who went through trials and tribulation to get the life they wanted. Every mistake had a purpose in the end and you can almost create a story in your mind if you think "what if this didn't happen?" and have your own alternate ending to both stories. If Catherine had married Heathcliff from the start or if she never had got bitten by the dog what would have happened?. If Janie had finished school like her grandmother originally wanted her to do what kind of person would she have become?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
reflection quarter 2
The second quarter for me was a definite challenge. We stepped it up with reading novels that were a bit more challeging than the others we read earlier this year. I don't know about the other AP students but the book Crime and Punishment proposed a huge challenge for me. I had to use a lot of helpers and talk to some people to understand what the story meant. Overall it was a very good book and I was excited to find out that my teacher was behind me in the reading even though I'm sure she had a better reason to be than I. Mrs.Ahearn has classes and papers to grade while I mixed reading for class with reading for pleasure. Reading for pleasure was something I did a lot more.
My weakness is actually the same and has gotten worse this quarter. Me reading other books more than the books I was supposed to and it getting in the way of my educational reading for class. I think it may have gotten worse over time. I spend the majority of my paycheck on Borders Books and I have read about five different series each containing more than four books. The older novel I had to read last seemed to dull in comparison so it was a bit harder for me to read. But then i was upset because the moral of the story was actually more exciting than the story itself. It seemed as though you needed it acted out or read out loud to be good like a Shakespeare play.
My weakness is actually the same and has gotten worse this quarter. Me reading other books more than the books I was supposed to and it getting in the way of my educational reading for class. I think it may have gotten worse over time. I spend the majority of my paycheck on Borders Books and I have read about five different series each containing more than four books. The older novel I had to read last seemed to dull in comparison so it was a bit harder for me to read. But then i was upset because the moral of the story was actually more exciting than the story itself. It seemed as though you needed it acted out or read out loud to be good like a Shakespeare play.
pancake paper- othello
Othello-Pancake Paper
Did women even serve as a higher purpose other than to reproduce? Why would they go through the entire marriage process? To be holy in the eyes of God? In the play Othello women do not seem to have any type of position or rank at all above wife (take care of your husbands), mother (take care of children), or maid (take care of house). They are often treated as though they are disposable and unimportant. They are second-hand to their husbands and can be treated any way possible.
The “sweet Cassio” often uses Bianca for his own sick pleasures and more, in addition to laughing behind her back at the thought of marriage. He won’t even simply say “I don’t love you,” he instead states “Not that I love you not.” (4.1.196). She obviously understands that he doesn’t love her(4.1.197) but she still tries to give him what he wants and offering herself and her home. She is blinded by her love for him.
Cassio laughs at Bianca when Iago asks does he intend to marry her. This is when Othello is hiding and he believes that Cassio is speaking of Desdemona and laughing about marrying her (4.1.16-18). Cassio calls marrying Bianca “unwholesome” (4.1.120-122). Then Bianca comes and asks for an explanation about the handkerchief left in Cassio’s chambers and when he “explains” she lets it go and offers dinner afterwards, thus further proving my point about how women are used and are submissive at this time (4.1.147-158). Since he left the handkerchief in his room with her you also find out that he sleeps with her when its convienent.
Iago is often rude to his wife Emilia by belittling women. Besides he makes Emilia do things unknowingly so that he can continues with his plans. When Emilia says “I have a thing for you” (which is the handkerchief that Othello gave Desdemona) Iago calls it “common” then says “to have a foolish wife”. (3.3.306-310) when he realizes what she has for him he quickly snatches it and says “good wench” (3.3.332) instead of “thank you my beloved wife”. Not that a villain like Iago would express such things, then again he’s a two-faced man.
Emilia was one of the many people deceived by her husband Iago and was used in his plan to take down Othello. He got her to steal (3.3.311-313) a token of love and explain the significance just by pretending that it had some use to him. When Emilia realized exactly what his was plan was she quickly and deliberately told everyone that was present at the time (5.2.176-178). He told her to “charm her tongue” (like a good wench should) but she refused (5.2.179-181). The he finally killed her after a few attempts. She betrayed him and was no longer any use to him with her life.
When you’re married you’re supposed to have some solid level of trust in the relationship. Even if you don’t at least “talk” about it before you foolishly take action. But obviously in these times that was always the case. Women weren’t really thought of as people or adults but as things or even children. Even the most loved wives were treated as such. Othello was tricked into believing his wife cheated on him. Iago constantly tells Othello that Desdemona is being unfaithful with Cassio.
Because of some previous words from Desdemona’s father Othello was easily deceived into thinking that his beloved wife would do such things to him. So in the end even when he was asking her vague questions and she tried to explain herself it was not enough. (5.2.68-70). in the e Desdemona was killed by the one she loved and was faithful to (5.2.83). She also took the blame for her own death right when she actually dies (5.2.123-124). An unbelievable tragedy formed by different types of love and multiple forms of jealousy, and multiple misunderstandings.
Women were treated as toys. You could play with them and love them but when they either were no longer good to you or worn out they were disposed of. Thus making me believe that they were used for reproduction and play things.
Did women even serve as a higher purpose other than to reproduce? Why would they go through the entire marriage process? To be holy in the eyes of God? In the play Othello women do not seem to have any type of position or rank at all above wife (take care of your husbands), mother (take care of children), or maid (take care of house). They are often treated as though they are disposable and unimportant. They are second-hand to their husbands and can be treated any way possible.
The “sweet Cassio” often uses Bianca for his own sick pleasures and more, in addition to laughing behind her back at the thought of marriage. He won’t even simply say “I don’t love you,” he instead states “Not that I love you not.” (4.1.196). She obviously understands that he doesn’t love her(4.1.197) but she still tries to give him what he wants and offering herself and her home. She is blinded by her love for him.
Cassio laughs at Bianca when Iago asks does he intend to marry her. This is when Othello is hiding and he believes that Cassio is speaking of Desdemona and laughing about marrying her (4.1.16-18). Cassio calls marrying Bianca “unwholesome” (4.1.120-122). Then Bianca comes and asks for an explanation about the handkerchief left in Cassio’s chambers and when he “explains” she lets it go and offers dinner afterwards, thus further proving my point about how women are used and are submissive at this time (4.1.147-158). Since he left the handkerchief in his room with her you also find out that he sleeps with her when its convienent.
Iago is often rude to his wife Emilia by belittling women. Besides he makes Emilia do things unknowingly so that he can continues with his plans. When Emilia says “I have a thing for you” (which is the handkerchief that Othello gave Desdemona) Iago calls it “common” then says “to have a foolish wife”. (3.3.306-310) when he realizes what she has for him he quickly snatches it and says “good wench” (3.3.332) instead of “thank you my beloved wife”. Not that a villain like Iago would express such things, then again he’s a two-faced man.
Emilia was one of the many people deceived by her husband Iago and was used in his plan to take down Othello. He got her to steal (3.3.311-313) a token of love and explain the significance just by pretending that it had some use to him. When Emilia realized exactly what his was plan was she quickly and deliberately told everyone that was present at the time (5.2.176-178). He told her to “charm her tongue” (like a good wench should) but she refused (5.2.179-181). The he finally killed her after a few attempts. She betrayed him and was no longer any use to him with her life.
When you’re married you’re supposed to have some solid level of trust in the relationship. Even if you don’t at least “talk” about it before you foolishly take action. But obviously in these times that was always the case. Women weren’t really thought of as people or adults but as things or even children. Even the most loved wives were treated as such. Othello was tricked into believing his wife cheated on him. Iago constantly tells Othello that Desdemona is being unfaithful with Cassio.
Because of some previous words from Desdemona’s father Othello was easily deceived into thinking that his beloved wife would do such things to him. So in the end even when he was asking her vague questions and she tried to explain herself it was not enough. (5.2.68-70). in the e Desdemona was killed by the one she loved and was faithful to (5.2.83). She also took the blame for her own death right when she actually dies (5.2.123-124). An unbelievable tragedy formed by different types of love and multiple forms of jealousy, and multiple misunderstandings.
Women were treated as toys. You could play with them and love them but when they either were no longer good to you or worn out they were disposed of. Thus making me believe that they were used for reproduction and play things.
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