Dorian Gray 20

"Like the painting of a sorrow, a face without a heart." - Dorian (originally from Hamlet) (p220)
Dorian says this quote, and it seems to apply to both Dorian and Harry immensely. They both are very emotionless and never really consider people's actual feelings - only superficial things. Especilly Harry. Harry, with almost every death in the book, didn't seem to care about the actual dead person. He only thought about how the death may affect himself or Dorian. An example would be when James got shot, he wished that the shooter had killed him on purpose, "a murder", solely because it would be more interesting. In Hamlet, King Claudius asks Laertes this because of Laerte's fathers death. He is asking Laertes, is he sad /mournful for the death? Or is he heartless and not care? In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian is much like the painting. Because after all these deaths, especially Basil's, he doesn't feel bad - he is emotionless. Heartless.

Dorian Gray 19

Harry says "The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it." (p21)
Harry tells Dorian this, i'm still not completely sure why he wanted to tell Dorian this. Maybe Dorian tempted to be eternally young, so he just accepted the wish and sold his soul to have it(?) Although, when I first read it I thought maybe Dorian had a man crush on Harry, and Harry was simply telling him not to ignore his love, and just to face facts. But either way, this quote is ironic for Harry to say, because Harry very rarely "yields to temptation." It seemed his character only talked in this play, he shared his advice (most of it being bad advice) and never really acted much. His only use, it seemed, was too greatfully influence Dorian, and definitely not for the best.

Dorian Gray 18

I am going to pick some quote that stood out to me in the book for the rest of my blogs and explain what they mean to me and their importance.
Basil said "When I like people immensely I never tell their names to any one." (p6)
I marked this quote at the time because I didn't understand why Basil didn't want to reveal Dorians names, or anyones who he liked. But later it became obvious. I think Basil greatly admired (and maybe even loved) Dorian. He didn't want anyone to see him or talk to him, because then they might fall in love with him or take him away from him. But later, Harry did that very thing. Dorian was amazed by Harry and learned horrible things from him. Also, Sibyl did the same thing. Because Dorian loved Sibyl an Sibyl admired Dorian so much, Basil felt like he was being replaced.

Dorian Gray 17

I don't really know what else to talk about, so I decided to talk about the deaths in the book.
Basil: Basil's death was one of the most shocking. But then, because Dorian showed him the portrait and because Basil was basically the symbol of reality, I could predict he would die eventually. And after his death, Dorian went on with his life with little guilty.
Alan Campbell: Alan helped Dorian burn the body so there was no evidence of Dorian killing him. Alan didn't want to help him, but Dorian threatened him, so he couldn't help but rid the body. Soon after, Alan committed suicide. I was surprise he didn't reveal Dorian's secret before he killed himself, but I guess that was just another instance in which Dorian avoided death himself.
James Vane: James set out to kill Dorian after being told who he was, since before all he knew him as was "Prince Charming." It was weird how he died too, because the man who shot him was aiming to kill a rabbit that even Dorian told him not to kill.
Dorian: Dorian's surprised death was probably the most interesting. He just wanted to kill his ugly portrait, hoping that by killing the portrait he would get rid of all the ugliness and evilness in his soul, but because he was so corrupt by his vanity and such, he killed himself.

Dorian Gray 16

After looking through this book, I see that a lot of the instances is like Hamlet. For one, Sibyl Vane is SO much like Ophelia. She falls in love with this crazy guy, in her case Dorian (although Dorian is not much like Hamlet.) Also her brother, James, acts like Ophelia's brother. In Hamlet, before Ophelia's brother, Laertes, leaves he tells her not to fall in love with Hamlet and he didn't like the relationship. This is so much like the discussion James has with Sibyl! Although, James also tells her that if Dorian hurts her, he would kill him. And, like Ophelia, Sibyl commits suicide because her lover went crazy. Later, James returns wanting to kill Dorian, like how Laertes wanted to kill Hamlet. And in both stories, the brother dies in trying to kill the lover.
But Dorian is not like Hamlet at all. Hamlet actually loved Ophelia and when she died, he was upset and said he loved her more than a thousand brothers, but Dorian was emotionless and thought only of hiself.

Dorian Gray 15 THEME

The last theme I found in this book was "Reality." It went against evrything Harry pretty much said, and was mainly found in Basil's words. This theme wasn't found much in the beginning of the book, but more towards the end. Basil told Dorin "position and wealth are not everything" (p153) This was basically the opposite of whatever Harry said. Harry would constantly tell Dorian that beauty was the onlyh important thing, and Basil basically told him it WASNT. Basil admits the reality of the situation again when he tells Dorian "You led them there.. yet you can smile as you are smiling now." (p155) Basil is saying that Dorian has hurt so many people and ruined so many reputations, but he is an emotionless robot and acts as if it was nothing. Also before Dorian kills Basil, Basil says "You have done enough evil in your life!" (p162) I think Basil basically put a mirror in front of Dorian's soul and didn't sugarcoat. He told him what was actually going on, he had to break Dorian out of this superficial, "all about Dorian" world. But Dorian killed him. :(

Dorian Gray 14 THEME

Theme: Fakeness
There is a lot of ideas of "fakeness" in this novel, more predominant in Sibyl and Dorian's relationship. They constantly refer to each other using play references. I think Sibyl was hoping for a Princess Movie relationship, especially because she constantly would refer to Dorian as "Prince Charming." Also Dorian hoped to "make Romeo jealous" (p59) with his relationship. After Sibyl acted badly, she admitted to Dorian "acting was the one reality of my life."(p90) This idea seemed very true, and that's why she was such a good actor; This is also why her love for Dorian made her a bad actor. After Sibyl commited suicide, Harry told Dorian that her death "seemed.. simply like a wonderful ending to a wonderful play." (p104) This play reference even continues after she died. This idea rubs off onto Dorian and he later tells Basil that her death was "one of the greatest romantic tragedies of the age." (p113)

Dorian Gray 13 THEME

Theme: Women/Love
This theme has many different sides, meaning that there were a lot of different perspectives on it. Harry and Dorian seemed to have the same view (probably because Harry has such a strong influence ver Dorian.)
One of the most important examples of this theme, is the relationship between Sibyl Vane and Dorian Gray. Dorian was in love with Sibyl because she was an actress. He said "Ordinary women never appear to one's imagination... But an actress! How different and actress is!" (p55) But this love story ended quick since Sibyl lost her great acting ability since she actually experienced love with Dorian. Dorian refuses to marry her after and she kills herself.
Harry has such a horrible view on women. With the way he talks about them, I can't believe he was ever married. Some of his quotes are:
"no woman is a genius... They never have anything to say." (p51)
"Women treat us just as Humanity treats its gods. They worship us, and are always bothering us to do something for them." (p83)
Dorian continues to mock women and the idea of love, he also believed men could only be happy with a woman if he doesnt love her.

Dorian Gray 12 THEME

Since I finished reading, I'm going to recall all the themes I marked in this book.
Theme: Vanity
This theme has to most reoccuring throughout the novel. The origin of this theme of vanity is the character Harry. Throughou the novel, Dorian's Youth and Beauty was the only important aspect. He's the one who told Doria that he would be nothing without his youth, forcing Dorian to wish that he would look young forever and later corrupt him. Even when Sibyl died, the only thing that worried Harry was if Dorian's name be spoiled and he would be famous for a scandal. He even told Dorian "There is nothing that you, with your extrordinary good looks, will not be able to do." (p108) These ideas corrupt Dorians mind, thinking his beauty is all he needs. Dorian even became aware of his vanity when he says on p131 "He grew more and more enamored of his own beauty, more and more interested in the corruption of his own soul." Also the Duchess recognizes Harry's superficiality when she tells im "That is your error, Harry, believe me. You value beauty far too much." (p199)

Dorian Gray 11

WOW! The ending of this book was so good! Dorian returned to the locked room in which he killed Basil in. He was hoping that the old ugly portrait would look more youthful, or anyway better, because recently he has been acting "good." But to his horror, it was still ugly. Also, there seemed to be more blood in the portrait. So, he thought that if he stabbed the portrait, it would kill all the evilness in his soul. But later, he was found, old and wrinkled, laying dead on the floor while his young portrait was hanging on the wall.
I thought this was interesting, because the whole time, I think Dorian figured himself was who he was, but really the portrait was a mirror of his soul. So when he stabbed the portrait he really killed his own self, his soul! Its funny because before the thing that saved him was his youth beauty (when Sibyls brother was gonna kill him) but that very thing caused his death.

Dorian Gray 10

Dorian is at a party with the Duchess, who I think loves him but he is too crazy to return the love, and Harry (as well as a few others.) After a discussion, Dorian faints because he thought he saw James Vane, the man set out to kill him. Also before that, Dorian witnessed a rabbit, who he wished to save, get shot, as well as an unknown man. As I supposed, the man was James Vane. Vane also had a gun with him, so he was probably going to kill Dorian. Dorian was happy to see his killer did, because then he didn't have to worry about his own death anymore.
This section really got me mad. This is the 2nd time that Dorian avoided his death and it also got me mad because 2 great innocent people died: James and Basil. Although Dorian isn't paranoid to die anymore, I think he hates his youthfulness now. And he is also starting to develop guilt for killing Basil, and I don't think it helped when Harry told him he could never changed. Dorian hoped to start a new pure life, but I dont think he successfully can because he is so corrupt.

Dorian Gray 9

Dorian Gray has completely lost his soul. His reputation is tarnished and all he has is his youth and beauty. He then turns to drugs, craving opium. He meets with a new friend and then the person I've been waiting for to show up, James Vane, hunts Dorian down. He is ready to kill Dorian, but then Dorian convinces him that he is not "Prince Charming" for he is so young. James apologizes and lets him go.
This really upsets me. Dorian Gray is so corrupt and a horrible person, I honestly think he deserves to die. It's not fair that the one thing that eats at his soul and causes such corruption, saves him.
But later a woman tells James that the man he caught IS Prince Charming and he shouldn't have let him go. I don't know who the woman is, but I wish James wouldve talked to her sooner so he can avenge his sisters suicide.

Dorian Gray 8

Dorian called over an old friend and told him he had to get rid of the body that was rotting in his locked room. At first the friend, Campbell refused to be in his dirty business but afterwords Dorian threatened him. At this point I don't know what, he wrote something on a piece of a paper and showed it to him. I think he threatened to kill him. Whatever it was, it convinced Campbell to burn it with his chemicals. He left afterwords and told Dorian that he didn't want to be apart of any of his business again. I felt like Campbell kind of replaced Basil in that he was telling Dorian what society saw him as, showing him reality like Basil did. I don't know what's going to happen to Campbell afterward, I think that maybe Dorian will kill him too because he knows his secret.

Dorian Gray 7

So, Dorian is completely psycho. After revealing to Basil his secret, the ugly portrait, he killed him. Without a thought, just killed him. I think that Dorian couldn't handle anyone knowing how much his youth has truly left him and how corrupt he's became - and that's what Basil showed him. Basil wouldn't be like Harry and just tell him as long as he had his youth it'd be okay; Basil tells him the reality, what's really happening. Afterwards, Dorian was still emotionless. He didn't think about anything or anyone except himself. He figured he would get away with it. By killing Basil, Dorian has completely shunned reality. He will continue to live in this fantasy world in which the rules are set by Harry.

Dorian Gray 6

I think, so far, that each character in this book represents some idea. Harry, obviously, is superficiality. Throughout the novel I have marked about 20 quotes that represent majority and all of them are either by him or influenced by him. He's the one that planted the idea that Dorian would be nothing without his youth, because youth is everything. on pg 25 he declares "Youth! Youth! There is absolutely nothing in the world but youth!"
Then I think Dorian symbolizes corruption. He becomes so obsessed with his beauty that he basically sells his soul for eternal youth. After he makes that wish to forever look young, he loses all his friends and his name is tarnished in his town. I feel as if Dorian is just a puppet throughout the story.
Basil seems to be the only pure one in the novel. He isn't bias and is able to look at things from an outside view, like the problem with Dorian. Although I think he really loved Dorian, but was afraid to admit it, so could be flawed in the fact that he's scared to be open and he was also easily controlled by Dorian.
Sibyl, I'm not sure about. I want to say she's fake because she would always call Dorian "Prince Charming." But then, she always chose love over money, but she was also very young and sometimes ignorant of the real world. She is stuck in this "Happily Ever After" world.

Dorian Gray 5

Dorian Gray has become a little Lord Harry. It is so irritating to see him become this emotionless robot. I wish Dorian would listen more to Basil. Basil, I think, represents reality. While Henry dances around the issue, always looking at what affects only himself or Dorian, Basil will tell him how it is. After Sibyl Vanes depressing suicide, Dorian didn't show much sympathy. When Basil and Dorian met up, Dorian was talking a lot more like Henry, worrying much more about himself; Basil had to slap some sense into him! He told him the reality of the situation, telling Dorian "there are horrors in store for that little white body of hers" and that he would "talk as if..[he] had no heart." Dorian continues to resist reality and will only stay superficial.

Dorian Gray 4

This "superficial theme" has been pronounced drastically in my recent reading. When Sibyl acted badly, Dorian told Sibyl that he didn't love her anymore because she wasn't the "fake" person she was before. She could no longer be "Juliet" to him, and that is why he loved her. Afterwards he wrote her a letter, feeling bad for what he admitted and planned on marrying her still. Harry, although, told him that she died. Dorian, always trusting Harry, has fallen into this superficial, emotionless trap set by Harry. Harry convinced him that her death was good because it meant that she loved him so much, that she would take her life for HIM. I found this idea very selfish, the suicide of this poor girl has become all about Dorian! Also Harry was only concerned if any of the family knew Dorians real name cause if it got out to the press, it would look bad on Dorians part.
Really Harry, really?

Dorian Gray 3

So far I have 3 themes marked, each flagged with a different color post it. The most reoccuring theme is "Vanity" and I have 13 marked quotes so far. I also have "Women/Love" in which it includes how some of the characters percieve Women and also Love. There is also a theme of "Fakeness/Artificiality" a lot of these themes occur in the relationship between Dorian Gray and Sibyl Vane. They often refer to each other and their love/relationship as plays, characters, everything unreal. Also, when Gray went to see Sibyl act with Harry and Basil, she was not acting well because now that she actually knew what love is, she couldnt "act" it anymore. When they are talking, Dorian reveals what I suspected, he loved her for all her characters, he was in love with this "fake" her. He loved Juliet and Rosalind. Also when Harry asked Dorian when she was "Sibyl Vane" he responded with "Never."

Dorian Gray 2

So far I have been marking all the parts where I see the "vanity" theme and it definately reoccurs. I've also noticed a lot of comparision between intelligence and beauty, Lord Henry, yet again, said "Beauty is only superficial. That may be so. But at lease it is not so superficial as Thought it." (p24) Lord Henry seems to be the most superficial in the book, but it's interesting because he puts a LOT of thought into all his analysis. I guess it's kind of contradicting because he talks all about how beauty is more important than intelligent, but yet he takes these careful thoughtful steps into discovering all about the truth with "beauty." I also started annotating quotes dealing with time, i'm not sure yet if it's a big topic in the book, but knowing the plot, I thought it could be important.

Hamlet Essay 2

Okay, so I finished my essay and I feel a lot better about it now. Although, I didn't really make as many changes to the 2nd half as I did the first half. Also, I'm afraid I may have digressed a bit in one paragraph but I'm going to look it over again tomorrow with some fresh eyes and a fresh mind and tweak wherever I need to.
Also, i'm glad we were forced to spend time on it, or else tomorrow i'd probably be up late!!

Hamlet Essay

So, I worked on my essay for an hr and I completely revised the first half, I plan to do the 2nd half tomorrow. I feel a lot more comfortable with this draft because in my last draft, my intro didn't answer all parts of the questions and one of my paragraphs was completely irrelevent. So I changed my thesis as well as 2 of my body paragraphs. I revised it by looking at my printed copy and then retyping it on a fresh new word doc. I found this much more useful since I was changing LOTS of info.

Independent Reading: The Picture of Dorian Gray 1

I have read the first 25 pages of this book and I think I have already found one of the themes: Vanity or being Self Centered.
The character Lord Henry is very vain and seems to demand attention. I figured this by what he says:
"there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about."
"Youth is the one thing worth having."
Also I think the artist, Basil, loves Dorian gray. He has this secret obsession with him. I believe that the reason he doesn't want to show anyone the portrait of Gray is because he doesn't want anyone else to see how beautiful he is. If anyone else sees his charming looks, they might fall in love with him, and Basil isn't willing to share.
Lord Henry gets in the way, although, because Gray is impressed and interested in him, but Basil isn't willing to do anything about it because he'll do anything for Dorian Gray.

Kite Runner Blog 20

I really enjoyed this book. Sohrab scared me though when he tried to commit suicide after hearing he might go back to an orphanage. But after spending some time with his new family he started to become more comfortable, although this didn't show to the very end when they were flying kites and he had a little half smile. After reading, I think the kids symbolize joy and youth. i think that because anytime one of them flies a kite, they become happy and think back to their childhood. It's that moment when the kite is in the air, that they are content and no worries seem to appear. Also, I think the main character struggled a lot, with himself and others. He constantly fought himself and let his guilt build up. He also was trying to be accepted by his father, so he tried to change who he really was.

Kite Runner blog 19

Oh wow! This book just took a dramatic turn! So Amir returns home and meets with Rahim Khanto find out that Hassan is dead, but he has a kid, Sohrab, who is now an orphan. He goes to get the child from an orphanage, but he is now with the Talibans. And who is the head of talibans but that cruel kid, Assef, who raped Hassan!! And now he is raping and hurting many other kids, so Amir finally starts taking courage. The two end up getting in a fight and when it seems like Amir is sure to be dead, Sohrab comes to his rescue with his slingshot! Just like his dad. He shoots Assef in the eye, just as his dad had once promised, and saved Amir's life.
I feel like Amir is still a coward, and I don't know if that'll change. Even though he stood up to Assef, I feel like he only did so because he knew death was certain by then. And Hassan and Sohrab are just so courageous and pure, it is unfair for them to always endure the pain.

Kite Runner blog 18

Amir and his father find their own home in America. Here their relationship becomes stronger and sadly his father becomes sicker. But his father stays strong and they start accepting each other. Amir sees his dad's weaker side as Baba, or his father, begins to accept his writing career. Although, Amir meets a woman with a bad reputation, but he falls in love with her quickly. They soon get married, and shortly after Amir's dad dies. After awhile, Amir tries to have a kid but for some reason his wife cannot produce a baby.
I think Amir believes he is being punished for all what happened to him, and maybe this is true. To be honest, i'm glad that his life is going badly, he treated Hassan horribly and he deserves it.

Kite Runner blog 17

The plot took a dramatic turn so soon! I feel so bad for poor Hassan! Hassan and Amir were entered in the Kite competition and Amir really wanted to win so his dad would accept him more, and Hassan helped encourage him. When Amir wanted to back out, Hassan assured him that everything would be okay. In the end Amir one, and Hassan went to fetch him the defeated blue kite. Amir finds him being raped by another mean boy, and Amir does nothing. I felt so much symapthy for Hassan! I feel like Hassan so badly wants him and Amir to be close, but jealousy gets in the way. Amir starts turning against him, and Hassan just takes it. He is such a great friend and Amir pushes him away.

Kite Runner blog 16

After reading the first couple chapters of Kite Runner, I think of East of Eden. I feel like the plot is already similar. One of the kids, although Hassan isn't Amir's brother, feels under-appreciated by his father. In this story, it is Amir. Hassan is Amir's servant, and Amir refuses to call him a friend. Very soon we find out that Amir is a coward, but he badly wants his dad to accept him. Amir also loves reading and soon finds out he also loves writing. He wants to continue writing stories, but his dad dislikes the idea. His dad has always been a "manly man" playing sports and taking home 1st place, and Amir is desperate to prove himself.

1984 blog 15

The ending was so depressing. I definitely didn’t expect this to happen. Winston loving Big Brother! Room 101 was also surprising, but Winston telling them to torture Julia was worse. The power the government controls in this book scares me. Because, what if one day something like this happens to us? Anything is possible, and I know Hitler and Stalin could represent Big Brother, but what if it became as extreme? Well, also while reading I saw some symbols, like the glass with coral. I felt like that was the hope to create a free world. It remained with him, but was smashed when they were caught. Also I was surprised because later in the book, Julia and Winston become emotionless. When they walk by each other, I feel like all passion is loss. No longer exists. Power is an abused weapon, & it frightens me.

1984 Blog 14

Oh my! This section was so intense, climax! I was so shocked when I found out that they got caught and not only that, but Mr. Charrington was also bad!! He was secretly apart of the Thought Police. All of these events angered me so much. I felt like everyone who I believed could be trusted was all faking it. I don’t understand how so many people can be apart of this dictatorship, but then if I was apart of it I would probably go along with it; I say this because I probably wouldn’t know better. I also got to the part where O’Brien revealed himself, and he was faking too! At this point I was wondering what happened to Julia. I feel like she’s still alive, but I don’t know for how long.

1984 blog 13

At this point in the story, Winston and Julia decide to go to O’Brien to join the Brotherhood. He says that The Brotherhood does exist and they need to swear to do whatever to do what’s best to take down The Party. I was surprised to how much they swore to, like all throwing acid in a kid’s face! I’m also not too sure about O’Brien. I don’t completely trust him, just because I feel like he can tell Winston to do anything and say “it’s for the Brotherhood,” but really its for the best of him. Also O’Brien gave Winston the book, later in the suitcase. And the theories were pretty interesting, because I wasn’t sure how The Party’s thinking was working. But I still don’t agree with it.

1984 blog 12

I'm about halfway through ch2. And for the first time a strong emotion was represented in the book. It was weird because it was very unexpected. The dark haired girl gave Winston a note that said "I love you." It was weird because the girl didn't really know him. But later she explained that the reason why she loved him was because she noticed that he was against the government and all. She strongly was against Big Brother but was very good at hating it. Right now though, I don't know what's going to happen to them. I think Big Brother will find out about their fling and their going to get in a lot of trouble. Although, I also think that maybe this will lead to maybe another revolution and the brotherhood will come out.

1984 blog 11

This book became interesting very quickly. The main character, Winston, lives in this dictator world, where everything is opposite and there is no freedom of the people. They believe that "War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength." The government holds all the power and they control not only the People's actions but also their thoughts. The mind police will kill anyone who thinks differently. And if someone is "vaporized" they are erased from existence. Any records about them would be completely destroyed so that they would no longer exist. Winston believes that this is wrong, although he loves his job which is controlling these records and erasing people from existence. But he worries because the government turns kids against their parents and doesn't allow love. Although, I think Winston loves the "dark haired woman." He always feels this odd sensation when she's around, and I think he really likes her, but the government won't allow it.

What is the What, blog 10

i have finished this novel and I still feel like Achek isn't completely content with his life. Although the story takes a happy turn when he is given the opportunity to go to America where he can start a new life. I believe when he found out he had high expectations for America. This appears to be a flaw of Achek. His life was so horrible and depressing that he dreams and expects so much when someone presents a place to go. Like when he went to Ethiopia earlier and when he got to go to Atlanta. But his present self proves that he doesn't much like Atlanta, with all the crime. Although Achek's dad encouraged him to go to America and exclaimed that America is the What. It was that oppurtunty to start a new. But I would be interested to see what comes of Achek now, how his life is and all, although its probably well since he has shared his story with so many people.

What is the What, Blog 9

I am almost finished with this book. In book 3 of the novel I found out that Acheks parents were indeed alive. Also the United States were starting to accept some of the Lost Boys in their country, flying planes over. I think that now Acheks life is improving greatly and what he wished for is coming true. Although everything is turning out good, I don't think Achek is fully content or all his problems are resolved, or ever will be. I think he has been through so much that he can never right what has been turned wrong. This may not make much sense, because anyone might think that Achek going to America and knowing his parents were alive would be a happy ending, but I am not convinced this is what he truly desires. As I have stated in previous blogs, I think Achek wants the outside world to be aware of what happened to Sudan and to do something about it. In the reading, he again kept switching his audience to all the gym members that came through to his work. Maybe this book won't have a satisfying ending, but perhaps the book itself is what Acheck truly hoped for.

What is the What, blog 8

I've started "book 2" within What is the What and found he truly does switch his audience. He begins to talk to Julian, the hospital receptionist, about his struggles. Im starting to see a pattern in his audiences. I feel like now, he just wants someone to truly understand him, and not anyone in particular, just an American who doesn't understand true pain. Valentino, or Achek, starts recalling his school days when he met the "Royal Sisters." And he also begins to tell his story of his relationship with Tabitha. Reading it, it seemed so unreal for Achek. He was so used to struggling to survive and he feels like now he is given a gift from God, or a break at the least. I also think that now in my readings his life is starting to turn around. He sees the "White Man" visit, which is a good sign, and also the priest from his village came. He told him the story of how he gave him the name Valentino and that he was his favorite Saint. I really found it interesting also how he said that Valentino can give someone the gift to see. I think that maybe throughout this story maybe thats why he is switching his audiences. He's trying to enlighten someone. Trying to open their eyes to the real struggles and pains that some of the world is enduring. He is refusing to be a silent witness.

What is the What pg161-227, blog 7

After completing Book 1 of this novel, I find it amazing that Achak is still alive. Everytime it seems he is so close to death he finds strength to pull through. Also, the bicycle was reintroduced when he found the strange man who claims to live nowhere. I come to find that this bike is a symbol, i think of hope, but not quite sure yet. It's just when he saw the bike first at the mans house, he felt comfortable to come in and he was fed and given cool water. Also, he felt so happy when he rode it and was ready to return to the group. And he started to think of the greatness of Ethiopia, how William K would talk about it. Maybe his family would be there, but at the end of this chapter, he finds Ethiopia as an empty abandoned land. Poor Achek was fighting to survive to come to an appeared, hopeless land.

What is the What pgs 1-142, blog 6

I immediatly found this book interesting. It seems like a cry for help throughout the beginning, the narrator has been through so much that he is asking for a break. His audience becomes the "TV Boy," who he later found out was named Michael. I think he saw some of himself in Michael and this is proven on page 57, when he says "Perhaps you [Michael] too, are a child of war." He sees that Michael is trapped by the robbers who are forcing him to watch over Valentino. He mentally speaks to Michael about what he's been through, running and joining other groups of boys and he just sees the most horrifying thing. When Michael and the robbers leave, he has a new audience: his Christian neighbors. He is tied up and now he cries for help from his neighbors. He tries to make as much noise, by stomping his feet. He wants them to hear him and just come and help him. But on the last page I read, there is no hope of anyone hearing him.

How to Read Lit, End #5

The 25th chapter was probably the most interesting because it brought up something that's important for a reader. It's basically saying don't read with your bias opinion or anything. You have to almost step into the characters shoes and look at their world through their own eyes. We build these opinions based on our society and religion, but the protagonist may feel different along with the rest of the characters in the book.
Also, the chapter about irony made alot of sense. Irony is important because it keeps readers interested and "on our toes." The writer, although, says that irony "doesn't wok for everyone," so some stories might be exceptions.

How To Read Lit Ch15-24; #4

I found many chapters interesting during this read, including the writer's view on the symbol of sex and, well, not sex. Foster thinks that when the characters have intercourse, it actually means something deeper or different. "It is never just sex." He states. Then, in the next chapter, Foster says that other things could symbolize sex. An object or even an action can hint intercourse. I found this very interesting because at one point he spoke about this bowl and how it was given to one of the characters in a story. He was saying that it meant sex based on the characters and actions during that moment. It started to make sense to me after all the analyzing. I also like the ideas on water and baptism. The whole idea of rebirth was clear. When I read that, I was thinking of movies and stories in which water created rebirth. The first thing that came to mind was Little Mermaid. Even though Ariel was leaving the water, she came out a changed girl.
The idea of heart disease and illness was also interesting. Even though I already figured the heart disease was symbolism of a broken heart or whatever else. But, the idea of just illness was a unique idea. I used to ignore if it was some other disease, but if you think about it, the death says alot about the character.

How to Read Lit, Interlude - Ch14; #3

I found the Interlude to be interesting, because I always wondered if writers purposely put in all this symbolism and hidden meanings. Foster responds saying that writers mean to put all of that in, although no one knows for sure. The reader only knows from what the author has said, so some ancient writers we don't know for certain, but would guess that they would.

Another interesting chapter was Chapter 13, It's All Political. I never really thought it all through, but all stories really are political. Foster says that writers do this because of their background. What I mean is, the time period, society; basically the setting of the author. He is influenced by the rules and government of his time. So every writing shows the presence of politics.

I also liked how Foster included the role of religion, especially Christianity. Christ figures are constantly present in novels. Foster finds these characters by their relations to Christ. He suggests the age, wounds on hands, feet or sides, forgiveness, etc. It's also important to know that the character could only show a couple of relations and still be a Christ figure, because a character cannot be as pure as Christ himself.

How to Read Lit, Ch 8-10 #2

In the 8th and 9th chapter, Foster continued his idea of how authors take ideas from other stories. I liked his Hansel & Gretal fairytale idea. I never really thought about it, but there are alot of stories (especially disney) that have a couple or person on a journey and there is an evil woman. A woman! I never noticed, and now I think of Ursela, evil Stepmothers, Daisy (Gatsby), etc. In the 9th chapter, he was discussing mythology. Alot of story lines originate from Greek and Roman myths, but I figured that before. The 10th chapter was about weather, this was also something I already know but it was still interesting because he brought in Noah & the Ark. He also said how the conditions can symobilze different things, ie: rain = sadness, restoration, creation of rainbows. Now when I read, I can think more in depth about the weather and the affect it has on the characters in the story.

How to Read Lit Ch 1-7, Blog #1

After reading the first 7 chapters of this book, I have already made many connections and realizations of past readings. In the first chapter, Every Trip is a Quest, one important idea I liked was how the protagonist has a set goal for his quest. Maybe the character wants to go on this long voyage to become King, but in most stories, they usually don't achieve the initial goal. But, they learn a lot on their trip, and that was the ultimate win for them. Another chapter I found really interesting was Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?. I never really thought about it before, but now I can recall many stories with connections to older ones. One movie that I was thinking of was the newly released, Avatar. After thinking about it, I related it to Pocahontas. A princess in old native land, & a man who tries to change them.

Then the 7th chapter about how stories come from the bible, made me think also. Immediately after reading the title, I thought of East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Also, after reading the first page, Foster brings up the novel. I thought it related because of, not only the title, but the titles of the character, like Caleb.