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)
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