This semester, I think I read over 2,556 pages for etymology. When I first started reading, I was excited and read vigorously. However, towards the end of the semester, I became a lazy reader. I even became one of the bloggers who posted 3 or 4 blog updates in one night.
What I think I gained from this class was the knowledge that I can read anything I want. It doesn't have to be popular fiction in order for me to understand it. I read Pride and Prejudice, Lolita, The Giver, and a couple other books I never would have thought to read on my own. And the weird thing is, I liked them all a lot! When I read now, it's usually sitting on my couch with my family in the living room or laying in bed before I go to sleep at night. I can't, nor could I ever, read with the music on. It's just too distracting, no matter how hard I try. And I always seem to be checking my phone, except for the rare occasion I get so into a book I forget all about the incoming text messages. I told my parents all about Lolita, because I was so interested in the story, and they seemed to be pretty interested in what I had to say as well.
Before this class, I assumed the only poetry out there was Edgar Allen Poe and Shakespeare. I loved reading all the poems in Mr. Hill's class. I think it was good to get the experience in, even if I didn't understand every single one of the poems. However, writing them down seemed tedious to me, and I think I could concentrate less on the poems while I was writing them down.
I think it's so cool how this class is considered an English class, because the entire semester I felt like the class was a really fun experience and that's not typical of English classes.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Pride and Prejudice pg 73-107
So many new characters! Everything is so confusing because there are so many new names being tossed around! Hopefully I get them all right, here's what I THINK happened....
Since Mr. Bennet cannot give his inheritence to one of his daughters, it has been designated to go to a man named Mr. Collins, who comes for a visit. While he seems to admire the Bennet estate when he comes, I can't decide if it's sincere affection for the family or just the wealth he will someday get.
There was a scene where Mr. Collins was supposed to read to the girls, and he refuses to read a novel, choosing instead to read an excerpt from a book of sermons. This is incredibly boring to the girls, who begin gossiping, offending Mr. Collins.
Mrs. Bennet, being the matchmaker that she apparently is, hints to Mr. Collins that Elizabeth might be a suitbable wife for him.
This is where we meet three new characters. The girls and Mr. Collins go to Meryton (a town), where they meet:
Mr. Denny- Lydia's officer friend
Mr. Wickham- One of Mr. Denny's friends
Mrs. Phillips- Mrs. Bennet's sister
It should be noted that when the girls meet Mr. Wickham, they also see Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. Wickham and Darcy are incredibly cold to one another.
This is explained a couple chapters later when Elizabeth has a chance to talk to Wickham for herself at a dinner party. He explains that he was supposed to get a sum of money from Darcy's father. However, Darcy cheated him out of the money, keeping it for himself. After hearing this, Elizabeth develops a liking for Wickham and a hatred for Darcy, which Jane does not agree with.
I have a feeling there will be some sort of fallout with Wickham. He seems like the perfect character right now, but he may not be completly truthful.
Since Mr. Bennet cannot give his inheritence to one of his daughters, it has been designated to go to a man named Mr. Collins, who comes for a visit. While he seems to admire the Bennet estate when he comes, I can't decide if it's sincere affection for the family or just the wealth he will someday get.
There was a scene where Mr. Collins was supposed to read to the girls, and he refuses to read a novel, choosing instead to read an excerpt from a book of sermons. This is incredibly boring to the girls, who begin gossiping, offending Mr. Collins.
Mrs. Bennet, being the matchmaker that she apparently is, hints to Mr. Collins that Elizabeth might be a suitbable wife for him.
This is where we meet three new characters. The girls and Mr. Collins go to Meryton (a town), where they meet:
Mr. Denny- Lydia's officer friend
Mr. Wickham- One of Mr. Denny's friends
Mrs. Phillips- Mrs. Bennet's sister
It should be noted that when the girls meet Mr. Wickham, they also see Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. Wickham and Darcy are incredibly cold to one another.
This is explained a couple chapters later when Elizabeth has a chance to talk to Wickham for herself at a dinner party. He explains that he was supposed to get a sum of money from Darcy's father. However, Darcy cheated him out of the money, keeping it for himself. After hearing this, Elizabeth develops a liking for Wickham and a hatred for Darcy, which Jane does not agree with.
I have a feeling there will be some sort of fallout with Wickham. He seems like the perfect character right now, but he may not be completly truthful.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Pride and Prejudice Pg 1-73
Being out of school for a few days, I've had quite some time to find a good book to read. The one I chose was Pride and Prejudice. I've had the copy sitting in my room for a couple years, but I've never gotten around to cracking it open. So, here we go:
There is a family of 7 introduced in the first couple chapters, the Bennets. The couple has 5 unmarried daughters, and are therefor overjoyed when Mr. Bingley moves in close to them. Now, Mr. Bingley is no ordinary man. He is an extremely wealthy young man who would be suitable for several of the Bennet girls. Eventually, the girls and Mr. Bingley both attend the same ball, along with Mr. Bingley's friend Darcy. Mr. Bingley turns out to be a charming and polite young man who seems very fond of Elizabeth Bennet. On the other hand, Darcy is pretty crude and generally unpleasant. He even insults Elizabeth, who instantly dislikes him.
This is confusing to me, because on the back of the book it says that fate will eventually bring Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy together. I expected some sort of volte face, because the direction the book was heading was not promising.
My thoughts were confirmed a couple chapters later, when Darcy announced that Elizabeth Bennet was now the object of his affection. At the same time, Mr. Bingley seems to be infatuated with Jane Bennet. Jane, however, I think is playing hard to get. Maybe she's playing too hard to get...? I guess we'll find out!
Later, Jane has to go to Netherfield Park. Mrs. Bennet is very sneaky about this, because she sends Jane by horse, knowing that it will rain. Consequently, Jane is forced to spend the night at Mr. Bingley's estate. Unfortunately, she falls ill and Elizabeth must go visit her (this means she will also be visiting Mr. Bingley and Darcy).
Mrs. Bennet and the youngest two Bennets, Lydia and Catherine, go to visit Jane. Mrs. Bennet seems to make a fool of herself by praising Jane and practically begging Mr. Bingley to stay in Netherfield Park. If you ask me, she's being way too obvious and she keeps putting her foot in her mouth.
It also comes out that Miss Bingley is trying to gain Darcy's affections, but he seems to only have eyes for Elizabeth. Even after she turns him down to dance and argues with him, his admiration only grows.
Miss Bingley is trying way too hard to get attention from Darcy. She reads to him, talks to him when he doesn't want to talk, and walks around the room in front of him so he will notice her. He only notices her, though, when Elizabeth gets up to walk with her. It is soon time for Elizabeth and Jane to go home. However, Mrs. Bennet refuses to send the carriage, because she thinks the girls need to stay longer (gee, I wonder why??). Hearing this, the girls go home on one of Mr. Bingley's carriages. Darcy is relieved that Elizabeth is gone, because he says Elizabeth lures him "more than he liked." To be honest, I think he doesn't want to get involved with someone so unsuitable. She doesn't have as much money or fame as he does.
Well, that's all for now. I'm sure I'll be posting at least the remainder of my 100 pages tomorrow. Thanks for reading!
There is a family of 7 introduced in the first couple chapters, the Bennets. The couple has 5 unmarried daughters, and are therefor overjoyed when Mr. Bingley moves in close to them. Now, Mr. Bingley is no ordinary man. He is an extremely wealthy young man who would be suitable for several of the Bennet girls. Eventually, the girls and Mr. Bingley both attend the same ball, along with Mr. Bingley's friend Darcy. Mr. Bingley turns out to be a charming and polite young man who seems very fond of Elizabeth Bennet. On the other hand, Darcy is pretty crude and generally unpleasant. He even insults Elizabeth, who instantly dislikes him.
This is confusing to me, because on the back of the book it says that fate will eventually bring Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy together. I expected some sort of volte face, because the direction the book was heading was not promising.
My thoughts were confirmed a couple chapters later, when Darcy announced that Elizabeth Bennet was now the object of his affection. At the same time, Mr. Bingley seems to be infatuated with Jane Bennet. Jane, however, I think is playing hard to get. Maybe she's playing too hard to get...? I guess we'll find out!
Later, Jane has to go to Netherfield Park. Mrs. Bennet is very sneaky about this, because she sends Jane by horse, knowing that it will rain. Consequently, Jane is forced to spend the night at Mr. Bingley's estate. Unfortunately, she falls ill and Elizabeth must go visit her (this means she will also be visiting Mr. Bingley and Darcy).
Mrs. Bennet and the youngest two Bennets, Lydia and Catherine, go to visit Jane. Mrs. Bennet seems to make a fool of herself by praising Jane and practically begging Mr. Bingley to stay in Netherfield Park. If you ask me, she's being way too obvious and she keeps putting her foot in her mouth.
It also comes out that Miss Bingley is trying to gain Darcy's affections, but he seems to only have eyes for Elizabeth. Even after she turns him down to dance and argues with him, his admiration only grows.
Miss Bingley is trying way too hard to get attention from Darcy. She reads to him, talks to him when he doesn't want to talk, and walks around the room in front of him so he will notice her. He only notices her, though, when Elizabeth gets up to walk with her. It is soon time for Elizabeth and Jane to go home. However, Mrs. Bennet refuses to send the carriage, because she thinks the girls need to stay longer (gee, I wonder why??). Hearing this, the girls go home on one of Mr. Bingley's carriages. Darcy is relieved that Elizabeth is gone, because he says Elizabeth lures him "more than he liked." To be honest, I think he doesn't want to get involved with someone so unsuitable. She doesn't have as much money or fame as he does.
Well, that's all for now. I'm sure I'll be posting at least the remainder of my 100 pages tomorrow. Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tuesdays are the hardest day.
It's true. You've lost the motivation you had on monday and you're still not even half way through the week. And to top it off, I looked on powerschool and found that I only havec 53 points (out of a possible 100) for participation so far this quarter..... whoops. I thought it should be higher, but then Joel kindly reminded me that I have a tendency to sleep through the in class reading time. Another whoops. I only ended up with a 66 or so last quarter and let me tell you my parents were not happy. So I decided to do some poetry comments, I'm sure Mr. Hill will notice that I posted on about 5 poems in the last two days haha.
Speaking of not happy, Tony emailed 3 of my teachers about my suffering grades and he conveniently got responses from all 3 of them today right when I came into work (I work for him). Now I'll admit, I have been a major slacker this quarter and my grades show it. But in my defense, a couple of my classes have gotten extremely difficult. AP statistics was a breeze first semester but now I'm struggling. This shouldn't be the case, because that's one of my few classes that I stay awake for!
Anyways. Here are some totally absurd but true inventions.
We've all heard about the theory of cow farts contributing to global warming right? Well this is no longer a problem with the invention of the Gas Factory, to convert the gas before it is harmful. However, I think the lightbulb changer is more work than it's worth, the Pogo Shoes would be an absolute blast, and the wiz pouch seems virtually pointless (although I'm a girl so any urinal is useless).
But I think the Baby Bottom Art hilarious. I'm definitely doing this when I become a mother.
Speaking of not happy, Tony emailed 3 of my teachers about my suffering grades and he conveniently got responses from all 3 of them today right when I came into work (I work for him). Now I'll admit, I have been a major slacker this quarter and my grades show it. But in my defense, a couple of my classes have gotten extremely difficult. AP statistics was a breeze first semester but now I'm struggling. This shouldn't be the case, because that's one of my few classes that I stay awake for!
Anyways. Here are some totally absurd but true inventions.
We've all heard about the theory of cow farts contributing to global warming right? Well this is no longer a problem with the invention of the Gas Factory, to convert the gas before it is harmful. However, I think the lightbulb changer is more work than it's worth, the Pogo Shoes would be an absolute blast, and the wiz pouch seems virtually pointless (although I'm a girl so any urinal is useless).
But I think the Baby Bottom Art hilarious. I'm definitely doing this when I become a mother.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Lolita -pg 309
Reading blogs are almost done! We only have 2 or 3 weeks left before we don't ever have to blog another book ever again. I do like reading, but the blogging is a bother for me. Although it does help keep me accountable. For the final couple weeks, Mr. Hill decided we could post just 2 posts a week instead of 3 (although still 100 pages of reading). So here is the remaining 60 or so pages left for my week.
So Humbert is literally paranoid about EVERYTHING. Everything Lolita does or says is suspicious. He freaks out when she is alone with other people or when she is out of his sight. While I think Humbert is going a little insane, I also think that some of the things he is thinking are not just in his imagination. For example, he writes down a license plate number of a person following them, but Lolita (the sneaky little girl) erases it. Why doesn't she want him to have it? Another thing that happened was Lolita was seen playing doubles tennis with a strange man and she wouldn't tell Humbert anything about it.
Now, the real drama starts when Lolita is sick in the hospital and she is checked out by someone other than Humbert. He thinks that Lolita has been in contact with this man all along, but he cannot seem to find them (even after retracing all the hotels they stayed at). He has a 2 year relationship with a woman named Rita, I think it was just to get over Lolita. He still "loves" her, or whatever you would call it.
Eventually, he gets a letter from Lolita, saying that she has married and is pregnant. Humbert tracks her down and finds her married to a man other than the one who abducted her. He gives her money and asks her to come away with him, but she gently yet firmly refuses. I kind of feel bad for Humbert at this point... It has to be hard to leave the one you are in love with, even if she is your daughter.
After this, he seems to realize what exactly he's done, and how sick it is. He goes to see a priest and he claims he will never forget how he deprived Lo of her childhood. He even calls himself a maniac, as he addresses Lolita directly. I actually do feel for Humbert at this point because he seems to really understand what he did. Of course, that doesn't make it any more acceptable.
Humbert finds the man who abducted Lolita and actually kills him, after a violent struggle. Although no one else seemed to notice the man being shot.. so part of me wonders if this was in Humbert's imagination. What if this entire story was in Humbert's imagination? It just seems so unreal.
So Humbert is literally paranoid about EVERYTHING. Everything Lolita does or says is suspicious. He freaks out when she is alone with other people or when she is out of his sight. While I think Humbert is going a little insane, I also think that some of the things he is thinking are not just in his imagination. For example, he writes down a license plate number of a person following them, but Lolita (the sneaky little girl) erases it. Why doesn't she want him to have it? Another thing that happened was Lolita was seen playing doubles tennis with a strange man and she wouldn't tell Humbert anything about it.
Now, the real drama starts when Lolita is sick in the hospital and she is checked out by someone other than Humbert. He thinks that Lolita has been in contact with this man all along, but he cannot seem to find them (even after retracing all the hotels they stayed at). He has a 2 year relationship with a woman named Rita, I think it was just to get over Lolita. He still "loves" her, or whatever you would call it.
Eventually, he gets a letter from Lolita, saying that she has married and is pregnant. Humbert tracks her down and finds her married to a man other than the one who abducted her. He gives her money and asks her to come away with him, but she gently yet firmly refuses. I kind of feel bad for Humbert at this point... It has to be hard to leave the one you are in love with, even if she is your daughter.
After this, he seems to realize what exactly he's done, and how sick it is. He goes to see a priest and he claims he will never forget how he deprived Lo of her childhood. He even calls himself a maniac, as he addresses Lolita directly. I actually do feel for Humbert at this point because he seems to really understand what he did. Of course, that doesn't make it any more acceptable.
Humbert finds the man who abducted Lolita and actually kills him, after a violent struggle. Although no one else seemed to notice the man being shot.. so part of me wonders if this was in Humbert's imagination. What if this entire story was in Humbert's imagination? It just seems so unreal.
Personal Anthology
After much speculation, I decided on the perfect topic. I'm thrilled to begin my anthology on the subject of infancy. I have a lot of potential poems that I got from The Poetry Foundation, but I was wondering if I post these poems here, do I have to use them in my final anthology? Anyways, here are a few that interest me:
Death of an Infant
Lydia Huntley Sigourney
A Few Rules for Beginners
Katherine Mansfield
Anna Maria Is Coming, or Maybe Thomas Barton, or Max!
Hilda Raz
Baby Ate a Microchip
Neal Levin
(I plan on doing my video on this poem, it's very funny!)
Lullaby
John Fuller
Morning Song
Sylvia Plath
My Brother
Marci Ridlon
(I'm not sure about this one yet, I might not use it at all, because I already have a funny poem picked out)
Death of an Infant
Lydia Huntley Sigourney
A Few Rules for Beginners
Katherine Mansfield
Anna Maria Is Coming, or Maybe Thomas Barton, or Max!
Hilda Raz
Baby Ate a Microchip
Neal Levin
(I plan on doing my video on this poem, it's very funny!)
Lullaby
John Fuller
Morning Song
Sylvia Plath
My Brother
Marci Ridlon
(I'm not sure about this one yet, I might not use it at all, because I already have a funny poem picked out)
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Lolita Ch 13-16
With everything going on these last couple days, the SAT exam, studying for AP tests, and of course the Kenny Chesney concert, I've had to force myself to make reading time.
Lolita starts rehearsing for her play. It is called Enchanted Hunters, which Humbert and Lolita both recognize as the name of the hotel they first stayed at. In the next chapter, I realized that Lolita is seriously the most bipolar person ever. She gets into a huge fight with Humbert because she has been lying to him and she hates the play and her school. She ends up running away, but Humbert finds her and they agree to move away only if they go where Lo wants to go. So, Humbert tells the school he has been hired as a movie director or something in Hollywood and they leave. Lolita is changes her mind a lot, and Humbert grows extremely paranoid, especially when Lo manages to disappear from his watchful eye.
There was an excerpt in this section that Humbert notices that Lolita possesses fewer nymphet qualities. She is growing up, and as you can imagine this does not make Humbert very happy. Lolita seems to run the relationship. Humbert never does anything without thinking about how she will react. Honestly, it's frustrating that he is so weak. He needs to grow a spine and take control.
Lolita starts rehearsing for her play. It is called Enchanted Hunters, which Humbert and Lolita both recognize as the name of the hotel they first stayed at. In the next chapter, I realized that Lolita is seriously the most bipolar person ever. She gets into a huge fight with Humbert because she has been lying to him and she hates the play and her school. She ends up running away, but Humbert finds her and they agree to move away only if they go where Lo wants to go. So, Humbert tells the school he has been hired as a movie director or something in Hollywood and they leave. Lolita is changes her mind a lot, and Humbert grows extremely paranoid, especially when Lo manages to disappear from his watchful eye.
There was an excerpt in this section that Humbert notices that Lolita possesses fewer nymphet qualities. She is growing up, and as you can imagine this does not make Humbert very happy. Lolita seems to run the relationship. Humbert never does anything without thinking about how she will react. Honestly, it's frustrating that he is so weak. He needs to grow a spine and take control.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Proud Moment
So I've been wanting to get my cartilage pierced for quite a while, but I'm just such a chicken. I have absolutely no tolerance for pain and the sight of blood makes me woozy. Not to mention my parents would more than likely ground me for even asking to get it done. But, being my rebellious self (no I'm just kidding I'm really a good kid) I got it into my head today that I wanted it done right now. I'm not the type of person to have a whole lot of patience, so I looked it up on youtube and did it myself. Let me tell you, it's a whole lot easier than you'd think. The most important part was icing your ear for 10 minutes before (of course I'm such a scaredy cat that I probably held ice on my ear for 25 minutes straight just tomake sure it was numb). I literally didn't feel a thing when I put the safety pin through my ear, and I know you don't care at all but I'm just so impressed with myself.... KUDOS to me. hahah just kidding. Now, the tricky part is going to be wearing my hair down and hiding it from my parents as long as I can. I know I know, this is cunning and decietful. I feel bad, really I do. Just not nearly bad enough to go tell my parents yet.
I guess if I'm not at school tomorrow there are two possible explanations:
a) my ear somehow got so infected overnight that I was hospitalized or somehow inable to come to school
b) worse, my parents found out and locked me up
I guess if I'm not at school tomorrow there are two possible explanations:
a) my ear somehow got so infected overnight that I was hospitalized or somehow inable to come to school
b) worse, my parents found out and locked me up
Finally A Personal Post
I'll be the first to admit I'm not exactly a model student. I stay up way too late texting. Every. Single. Night. (and I always vow to go to bed earlier the following night) I do my homework right before class starts. I'll even admit to occasionally swapping answers with other students. I do what I have to do to get by. Nothing more. I thought I was fooling my parents too. Nope, they know exactly what I'm doing, and I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm just being lazy, but I have an excuse: junioritis. Kind of like a preview of what's to come next year, the dreaded senioritis.
Honestly, I could care less about school or the SAT's (which I will be taking on Saturday morning) right now. That's why I eagerly took up an opportunity to go out late to a Kenny Chesney concert this Friday, right before my SATs. Needless to say, my dad was not very happy, but what can I do? The tickets are already paid for and it would be a crime to let my 7th row floor seat go to waste :) hahaha. I'm pumped to go with my best friend Hanna House along with 2 other girls. I thought I'd share my current favorite Kenny Chesney song with you:
One more thing: I came across this website 8 Rules For Dating My Daughter and I had to laugh, because I can identify with the teenage daughter that he' stalking about. hahahaha
Honestly, I could care less about school or the SAT's (which I will be taking on Saturday morning) right now. That's why I eagerly took up an opportunity to go out late to a Kenny Chesney concert this Friday, right before my SATs. Needless to say, my dad was not very happy, but what can I do? The tickets are already paid for and it would be a crime to let my 7th row floor seat go to waste :) hahaha. I'm pumped to go with my best friend Hanna House along with 2 other girls. I thought I'd share my current favorite Kenny Chesney song with you:
One more thing: I came across this website 8 Rules For Dating My Daughter and I had to laugh, because I can identify with the teenage daughter that he' stalking about. hahahaha
Lolita pg 166-200
Chapter 3-12:
New character: Gastin Godin- Humbert's acquaintance
The "Four D's" are dramatics, dancing, debating, and dating. These are the focuses of the new school which Lolita will be attending. As you can imagine, Humbert is less than thrilled that the school focuses on social skills rather than intellect/schoolwork. I guess most any other parent would feel that way, but Humbert's motivations are not the same as any other parent.
Humbert is growing increasingly paranoid that someone will suspect somehing peculiar between Him and Lolita, or even worse: Lolita will tell someone herself. As Humbert becomes closer to his friend Gastin Godin, he becomes more distant with Lolita. Lolita begins demanding more money before she will perform sexual favors. If you think about it, it has almost become prostitution. Humbert is paying her for this.
Even though Humbert is giving her money, he is also breaking into her room and stealing it back. He doesn't want her to save up and run away from him. He also doesn't want her to become involved with any other boy, so he does his best to prohibit her from being alone with boys her age.
In chapter 11, it becomes clear that Humbert is becoming extremely desparate. He describes an incident where Lolita was at her desk doing her homework and he actually stooped so low as to crawl over to her desk and beg for affection, which she clearly denied him. Even though she is the child, she still seems to have the control over the relationship.
Lolita's teachers seem to be concerned about her, as she isn't dating boys or maturing sexually or making intelectual progress. They recommend that she dates and takes part in the school play. This part is absolutely alarming: after the meeting with her teachers, Humbert finds Lolita in the library and pays her 65 cents to... how do i put it... fondle him? In the library. With another girl present. WHAT THE HECK. Ok, don't get me wrong, I know this type of thing goes on all the time. I don't have a problem with what two people want to do together in private. But... Lolita is still 12 years old and Humbert is... well boyond that. Not to mention they're in a public place.
Last thing that happened was Lolita gets sick and recovers and Humbert allows her to have a co-ed birthday party. He gets her a bike and a book of art. All this seems miniscule compared to the library scenario. That image is permanently etched into my brain. Ew.
New character: Gastin Godin- Humbert's acquaintance
The "Four D's" are dramatics, dancing, debating, and dating. These are the focuses of the new school which Lolita will be attending. As you can imagine, Humbert is less than thrilled that the school focuses on social skills rather than intellect/schoolwork. I guess most any other parent would feel that way, but Humbert's motivations are not the same as any other parent.
Humbert is growing increasingly paranoid that someone will suspect somehing peculiar between Him and Lolita, or even worse: Lolita will tell someone herself. As Humbert becomes closer to his friend Gastin Godin, he becomes more distant with Lolita. Lolita begins demanding more money before she will perform sexual favors. If you think about it, it has almost become prostitution. Humbert is paying her for this.
Even though Humbert is giving her money, he is also breaking into her room and stealing it back. He doesn't want her to save up and run away from him. He also doesn't want her to become involved with any other boy, so he does his best to prohibit her from being alone with boys her age.
In chapter 11, it becomes clear that Humbert is becoming extremely desparate. He describes an incident where Lolita was at her desk doing her homework and he actually stooped so low as to crawl over to her desk and beg for affection, which she clearly denied him. Even though she is the child, she still seems to have the control over the relationship.
Lolita's teachers seem to be concerned about her, as she isn't dating boys or maturing sexually or making intelectual progress. They recommend that she dates and takes part in the school play. This part is absolutely alarming: after the meeting with her teachers, Humbert finds Lolita in the library and pays her 65 cents to... how do i put it... fondle him? In the library. With another girl present. WHAT THE HECK. Ok, don't get me wrong, I know this type of thing goes on all the time. I don't have a problem with what two people want to do together in private. But... Lolita is still 12 years old and Humbert is... well boyond that. Not to mention they're in a public place.
Last thing that happened was Lolita gets sick and recovers and Humbert allows her to have a co-ed birthday party. He gets her a bike and a book of art. All this seems miniscule compared to the library scenario. That image is permanently etched into my brain. Ew.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Lolita pg 135-166
Ok first I'd like to say congratulations to our fourth period poetry winner, Kyle. All four competitors today were outstanding, and I really do enjoy listening to poetry read out loud.
But the real reason for this post is for my reading log. Lolita is getting addictive, I don't have a whole lot of time to read but I take advantage of every opportunity. I finished part one so I'll summarize that first. Chapter 32 was a tornado of events starting with Humbert and Lolita's discussion of Lo's various sexual activities while at summer camp. Imagine something like this going on at Fort Wayne's own Camp Potowatomi. Then Lolita changes and she seems confused and irritated with what her and Humbert have become. She threatens to tell the police that he raped her, and I'm not sure if she was serious or joking at this point, but either way it gave me the chills. The chapter ends with Humbert telling Lolita that her mother is dead.
I feel bad for poor Lolita, because she has gotten herself into a situation that will be hard to reverse. They go to another hotel and Humbert gets separate rooms, but he can still hear Lolita crying. Of course she's going to be upset about her mother, but if you ask me she's probably really confused and distressed over what she has done with Humbert. Nonetheless, she ends up climbing into bed with Humbert before falling asleep.
Then I started part two, which started out about their travels. For the next year, they travel abroad. I think this was Humbert's way of securing Lolita. They were traveling just the two of them, so it's impossible for them to not be close. All the while, Lolita is having sex with Humbert, but still indifferent to him. She could care less, and she loves to flirt, which seems to upset Humbert.
Last, they end up settling down and Humbert plans to get a job and have Lo go to an all girl's school (I wonder why???). Through all this, Lolita still cries every night.
It's so sad that Lolita is so torn up. If Humbert really cared about her, he would realize that he is most likely part of the problem. He needs to attend to her needs before his.
But the real reason for this post is for my reading log. Lolita is getting addictive, I don't have a whole lot of time to read but I take advantage of every opportunity. I finished part one so I'll summarize that first. Chapter 32 was a tornado of events starting with Humbert and Lolita's discussion of Lo's various sexual activities while at summer camp. Imagine something like this going on at Fort Wayne's own Camp Potowatomi. Then Lolita changes and she seems confused and irritated with what her and Humbert have become. She threatens to tell the police that he raped her, and I'm not sure if she was serious or joking at this point, but either way it gave me the chills. The chapter ends with Humbert telling Lolita that her mother is dead.
I feel bad for poor Lolita, because she has gotten herself into a situation that will be hard to reverse. They go to another hotel and Humbert gets separate rooms, but he can still hear Lolita crying. Of course she's going to be upset about her mother, but if you ask me she's probably really confused and distressed over what she has done with Humbert. Nonetheless, she ends up climbing into bed with Humbert before falling asleep.
Then I started part two, which started out about their travels. For the next year, they travel abroad. I think this was Humbert's way of securing Lolita. They were traveling just the two of them, so it's impossible for them to not be close. All the while, Lolita is having sex with Humbert, but still indifferent to him. She could care less, and she loves to flirt, which seems to upset Humbert.
Last, they end up settling down and Humbert plans to get a job and have Lo go to an all girl's school (I wonder why???). Through all this, Lolita still cries every night.
It's so sad that Lolita is so torn up. If Humbert really cared about her, he would realize that he is most likely part of the problem. He needs to attend to her needs before his.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Lolita pg 103-135
I read chapters 26 to 30. And all I keep thinking is..... Lolita is 12 years old. When I was twelve years old I was in 6th grade and I was obsessed with panda bears and obnoxious earrings. I feel like I can't identify with Lolita at all... She kisses Humbert after he picks her up! And when I say kiss, I don't mean like a friendly "oh hi dad I've missed you" type of thing, I believe it was a flirtatious kiss. But wait. it gets worse. Later on in this section Lolita fornicates with Humbert. AS A 12 YEAR OLD. I can't get over this. I didn't even have my first kiss till I was in 7th grade, and that was playing spin the bottle.... I would never have even dreamed of that.... still wouldn't.
Ok so this is how it happened: Humbert picked her up from camp and brought her to a hotel, where he gives her a sleeping pill. However, he doesn't perform the act that night. It happens the next day, when Lolita asks about if he ever did it when he was younger. She seems to know exactly what she is doing, she's seducing him on purpose. If you ask me, that is. It's weird how sex for Lolita is just another activity to do, not a big deal.
Ok so this is how it happened: Humbert picked her up from camp and brought her to a hotel, where he gives her a sleeping pill. However, he doesn't perform the act that night. It happens the next day, when Lolita asks about if he ever did it when he was younger. She seems to know exactly what she is doing, she's seducing him on purpose. If you ask me, that is. It's weird how sex for Lolita is just another activity to do, not a big deal.
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