Cody, Gabe and Austin are working on an original play written in the style of Our Town.
Travis and Brandon (minus Nathan) are listening to My Suffering in Africa on CD, with Mr. Dirk.
The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn
By: Mark Twain
Essay By: Nathan O.
While listening to this book “The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn”, the theme that caught my attention the most was the theme of greed never being a good thing. In other words, greed definitely changes you as a person. There were many different people in this book that changed negatively when money was involved.
The two main characters that showed a change in behavior, when money was involved was the Duke and the Dauphin. These two men let fiend for money run their lives. I have personally experienced just how greedy people can become with money.
One example, of this theme in the book is when the Duke and Dauphin try stealing $6000, but were not able to walk away with a penny because they got too greedy. However Huck hid the money in a coffin so that the Duke and Dauphin got caught and ended up with less than what they started off with.
An example in my life, when I was greedy with money was when I started to neglect my homework because I was so concerned with making money, the quickest way i knew how. Money was controlling my life in a very negative way. I was going downhill just as quick as I was making that “fast cash”.
This book taught me to never let money control me or my actions. I have made a positive change in my life over the past 6 months and I would never go back to the lifestyle I had, before, just to make a quick buck. Money is good; but freedom from it is better.
Huckleberry Finn
Essay By: Asia
While reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn I recognized Jim more as a father figure than Huck's own father or any other man in the book. Yes, Jim was a black slave that Huck at first, did not understand or even recognize as a person; grew to have deep sympathy and respect for.
Although other men were present in Huck's life during the whole book none of them were “father figures”, in my opinion, except Jim. Look at it this way the Duke and the Dauphin were both liars, thieves, and cons; Mr. Williams was a racist who thought that it was a just thing to kill a runaway slave or any slave for that matter; and not to mention Huck's real father who was a good for nothing drunk! So, in my opinion, Jim was the best candidate even though he happened to be a black slave.
There are many reasons in the book I could use to defend the statement of Jim being Huck's “true father”. But I think the main reason is because Jim taught Huck things about himself and life that no other male in this book could. For example: one night Jim woke up crying because he could not stop thinking about his daughter. Years before this night, Jim had beaten his daughter because she would not do something he had asked, come to find out she was deaf. He explained to Huck what he was feeling and how much he regretted doing that to his little girl; especially since he might not ever see her again. From this Jim taught Huck the most important thing I think anyone can know; all people feel emotion; all people, no matter what race, age, or sex can all love.
I was glad to see that Huck grew as a person in more ways than one. He grew physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I truly believe that Jim helped Huck mature in these areas. I mean isn't that what a “true father” does? They help you through your ups and downs and give you lots of love and care. Well, thats exactly what Jim did. He taught and cared for Huck the best way he knew how and it looks like it made Huck a better person in the end.
Johnny Tremain
Author: Esther Forbes
Essay by Nathan
In the book Johnny Tremain, he is the main character and he was a very skilled silversmith apprentice who lived with the owner of a silversmith shop, and his wife. There were two daughters and two other apprentices. In the book, Mr. Lapham, the owner, was not a very political person. He never spoke about politics, therefore, Johnny and the other boys did not know what was going on with the Englishmen.
Well one day Johnny was making a sugar basing for John Hancock. Mrs. Lapham and Dove, one of the other apprentices, were also in the shop. Dove, is older and really does not like Johnny at all. While Johnny was working, Dove was standing there watching and handing tools to him. Well, Dove thought it would be funny to hand Johnny a broken crucible (which is a mold) to make him mess up so that Mr. Lapham would be mad. But when Dove handed the mold to Johnny, he dropped it. And, Johnny’s hand fell into the fire and he burnt it real bad. Mrs. Lapham thought that they should wrap it up, but when she did she stuck the thumb on the inside. Johnny’s thumb became fused into the palm of his hand.
After Johnny’s hand was messed up, Mrs. Lapham felt that he should not be an apprentice anymore because he was not bringing in money anymore. So he went out looking for a job but because of his hand everyone turned him down. Then, one day Johnny was walking back to his place and saw this light on and the sign had something to do with printing papers. Well, he went in and the guy in there talked to him and did not say anything about his hand and really did not care at all. Johnny got a job delivering papers. What I am saying is that the guy he met was really into politics and wanted to fight in the war coming up, well Johnny did not know and so he got real deep with the politics and learned how evil the English are and what they were doing.
So if Johnny did not get hurt then I don't think that he would have met Rab (guy in the shop) and he would have never wanted to get into the politics and learn about it or anything. I think that if he did not get hurt, he would still be at the silversmith place under shelter not knowing what is going on, but since he got hurt and learned everything about the king and what he really is doing. I felt that is why he wanted to get his hand fixed and fight in the war. Johnny finally stood up for something that he believed in.
Essay by Gabe
Johnny has a lot of different elements implemented into his story. His burnt hand is a major symbol of the story and I can tell you that the story would have been very different he had the blemish. Even though his hand was useless it still had a lot of significance in the story. At first it changed how Johnny saw the world and how he acted toward it. Johnny had to not only cope with the pain of loosing his apprenticeship to a total loser; he lost a lot of opportunities. While you felt sorry for Johnny you kinda saw how he also deserved it, but you also saw how it also became part of Johnny in making him humble towards others. Whilst he truly never got over the hand until a little more trauma beheld the good sir, the hand seemed like a leash on his attitude towards others. I believe that Johnny wouldn't have met certain people, including Rab, The Lytes, and Pumpkin, and Johnny probably would have been oblivious too much of the war and he wouldn't be associated with the sons of liberty.
There are a few Quotes that would have totally changed if he didn't burn his hand.
“Get into your clothes, you lazy boy. Stop by at Deacon Parson's for a quarter of milk. Get to a pump.”
This was the start of Johnny's turmoil. As you can tell Johnny's getting yelled at by Mrs. Lapham, which never happened, because Johnny wasn't making money anymore. Now that he seems to be useless, she puts Dove above him, even though Dove is a jerk and does not deserve it.
The second quote made Johnny feel better toward his hand, and wouldn't have met Rab. “That’s quite a recent burn' it was the first intelligent remark about his hand any, man, woman, or child had made about Johnny's hand in any shop he had been in.” First off, he would not have met Rab, because he wouldn't be looking for a new job in the first place. I mean maybe he would have met Rab, but still he might not have become a friend with him. If this happened without his hand burnt, Johnny would have acted out a bit more rudely towards Rab.
Last is a quote from the Lytes. Whilst their were many a part that happened, but I believe that the beginning was the most important. When he first met the Lytes. “Come my boy, and let’s see this cup.” This was when Johnny came back with his cup and they kicked him out. I believe that he would not need to have gone to the Lytes at all if he was still an apprentice, and even if he did he would have been more obtrusive if he was without his burnt hand.
I believe that many things wouldn't have happened if Johnny had not burnt his hand, and I also believe that it would have been a very bland story. I mean you could say that that the hand was a mark of his sins. But I think it was more of a good blessing.
Essay By Cody
Contrast James Otis’ rousing speech about the need for revolution with Samuel Adams’ attitude toward rebellion. Which do you think Johnny finds more appealing, and why?
After both Samuel Adams and James Otis spoke their mind about the war and such, it was clear who Johnny favored. Otis’ speech talked more about the people, even the British. That they, and anyone else for that matter, should be allowed to stand up and live their lives. Johnny would go on to remember a quote from Otis for the rest of the book, perhaps even the rest of his life.
“A man can stand up…” Page 322, Paragraph 6
This line would be ever present throughout the rest of the story, being not only the name of the last chapter, but also the last line in the book. It could quite possibly be the most important line in the entire novel, being that it details why the war had to be fought. This line is not only speaking of people in America, but humans in general. That a man should never be kept down by another man, which is exactly what England was doing. This quote, in terms of Sam Adams, I believe, reflects his ideas as well, just not in the same respect. Adams’ mind is mostly focused on him and his fellow patriots escaping the clutches of evil that is England, which, even if it is a little bigoted and less powerful an idea than Otis’, still relates to the basic idea of the quote. Johnny, on the other hand, I believe, wants any man to be able to stand up and live in peace, regardless of said man’s origins, be he British or American.
Otis’ powerful words moved much more people other than Johnny, majorly everyone present was deeply affected. Paul Revere, for instance, was nearly speechless for a moment.
“Paul Revere, like his friend, Joseph Warren, was still slightly under the spell of James Otis. ‘I had not thought about it that way before,’ he said not answering Sam Adams’s words. “You know my father had to fly France because of the tyranny over there. He was only a child. But now, in a way, I’m fighting for that child…that no frightened lost child ever is sent out to a refugee from his own country because of race or religion.’ Then he pulled himself together and answered Sam Adams’s remarks about the spy system.” Page 228, Paragraph 8
Revere’s words really describe what Otis was talking about. How they are fighting for the unfairness of say, the child who had to fly away from his home. The men that would give their lives in the war, it was all to give life to others, so future generations wouldn’t have to live under such tyranny.
Not only Americans, but the British as well, the Americans were fighting for both. A fine example of this was a section near the end of the book, where, yet again, Johnny is reminded of Otis’ words.
“The first two boats were filled with privates. They had been packed in, and now were being tossed ashore, like so much cordwood. Most of them were pathetically good and patient, but he saw an officer strike a man who was screaming.
Johnny’s hands clenched. ‘It was just as James Otis said,’ he thought, ‘We are fighting, partly, for just that. Because a man is a private is no reason he should be treated like cordwood.” Page 302, Paragraph 3
This is what Otis is fighting for, revolution. While Adams is more concerned with rebellion and getting revenge on the British. Johnny probably thought more like Adams before Otis’ speech, but not anymore. He, like Adams, fights for rebellion, but even more so, he fights for revolution.
By Austin
In the book Johnny Tremain, the British soldiers had different opinions on going to America to baby-sit the Yankees. After the Boston Tea Party, the British were commanded to go to America until the Fiddler’s Bill was paid. Of course it wasn’t. “For it had been voted in far-off London that the port of Boston should be closed…not one ship might enter, not one ship might leave, the port, except only His Majesty’s warships and transports, until the tea was paid for. Boston was to be starved into submission.” (Page 163) Most of the soldiers who were shipped over to American soil expected their stay to be a long one.
Most of the soldiers wanted to run away and live the life of a Yankee but couldn’t do so without being found out and shot. One of the British soldiers named Pumpkin said, “Lots of the British regulars are Whigs, you know. Lots of ‘em just like in England, are on your side. That’s why there has been so much deserting. It’s just about getting our officers crazy.” (page 245) Many didn’t hate them Yankee’s guts, but others became almost friends with them like Johnny’s “friendship” with Lieutenant Stranger and Pumpkin. When it came to horsemanship, Stranger and Johnny were like buddies, but when it came to war they were enemies.
A lot of the cocky British soldiers got a nice slap in the face when they realized how many Whigs there were that were willing to fight. Some died, some lived but had intense injuries and such as they returned on boats tattered into shreds. They had indeed “danced to Yankee Doodle” as the people had said. “Four more boats were coming in. Johnny dared move out onto the wharf, but he still kept well in shadow. More wounded. Could these be the very men who had started out so confidently? Bedraggled, dirty, torn uniforms, torn flesh, lost equipment. Faces ghastly with fatigue and pain. Some were twisting and crying out. The first two boats were filled with privates. They had been packed in, and were now being tossed ashore, like so much cord-wood. Most were pathetically good and patient, but he saw an officer strike a man who was screaming.” (page 302) It was complete and utter chaos. The British who thought so lightly of their Yankee foes now realized that what was to happen was no joke.
Most of them wanted what they were really fighting against. There was no farmland in England for the average man to own. America was like freedom, like an invigorating walk in the park after being cramped in a cubicle for three and a half years with nothing to eat but celery and Quaker rice snacks. Not only did some of them not want to fight, lots of them died for a cause that they ruled unjust.
By Asia
When reading Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes, I noticed how a close bond between two sisters was broken due to a change of setting. When these two sisters, Cilla and Isannah, were sent to live with the Lytes’ family everything took a turn for the worst. Not only did they grow apart as sisters but as friends as well.
While living with their family, the Lapham’s, the two girls were closer than ever. “Cilla loved Isannah. She was proud when people stopped her on the street and said, is that little angel your sister?”
Cilla and Isannah spent almost every part of their day doing things together, starting with Isannah’s hair. “Cilla was sitting on the edge of one of the unmade beds, brushing Isannah’s hair. Cilla always managed to keep her sister in hair ribbons.”
In the Lytes’ household, Cilla was treated like a slave while Isannah was treated like a pampered pet.
“Miss Lavinia is going like the Black Queen of Spades and her special admirers are going as kings or kna ts or jokers out of the pack.”
“Isannah is going too?”
“where Miss goes these days that child goes too.”
Cilla had never called Isannah “that child” until that day. Moving in with the Lytes’ was definitely not the best thing of the sisters’ relationship. The main reasonthey became so distant was because Miss Lavinia Lyte was now Cilla’s new “master.”
“Cilla, fetch…”
“Cilla evidently knew what would be wanted. She came running with smelling salts, but she got it too close to her mistress’s nose. Miss Lavinia was gagging.”
“Oh, you stupid girl! You’ve half-killed me! There away with you!”
Towards the end of the book, the girls ended up being separated completely because Isannah found material more important than the love of her sister.
“Isannah is going with me, she said at last. Your mother, Cilla, has too many kittens (referring to children).”
“Miss Lavinia, said Cilla, you can’t do that.”
“A little diffidently Isannah herself emerged from behind the lady’s great dark skirt.”
“Isannah, Cilla said gently you can’t go off and leave me like this. It’s no matter what Mother says. Look, dear, if you go to London, maybe you will never come back. Isannah…don’t go away…from me.”
“She shall be free to choose between the two of us, said Miss Livinia. Which do you love most, Cilla or me?”
“I don’t know, she sobbed.”
“Which would you rather be, a common person like your sister, or a fine lady?”
“Fine lady, she sniffled, and went on dreamily, and I’ll have a gray pony and a pony cart?”
“Yes, dear, you will.”
At that point, Cilla broke down. She loved her sister dearly. She may not have liked the way that her sister had been acting lately, but she still loved her.
The relationship between Cilla and Isannah touched me the most because I have a sister whom I never get to see. She was also given the choice of living with my mom, dad, and I or living with her mother, she chose her mother due to materialistic bribes. I strongly sympathize with Cilla because I felt her pain as I was reading the chapters that the two of them were involved in. Just like Cilla didn’t let Isannah’s attitude affect her, I also haven’t let my sister’s attitude affect me. I love her, regardless.
By Travis Wonder
What would of happened if Johnny never met Pumpkin. Well I think that a lot of stuff would have not happened, like when Johnny was delivering newpapers and the British stopped him for spreading lies in the newspaper. Pumpkin was there and if it would have not been for him, he would have been a captured prisoner of the British because Pumpkin told him to hit Goblin which is his horse, with his boot spurs, (Their eyes met, Pumpkin didn’t say the word, only formed it with his lips. Chapter 9, line 19) which sent him into a violent state. Went mad and ran everywhere which, got Johnny away from the British.
Another example is Rab might not of gone to war because the only reason he went is because he had a good weapon which he got from Pumpkin. He tried to get one before from some black market guy who was illegally smuggling guns and they got caught doing it. Rab went to jail and they told him to get a pop gun insinuating he was too young. (Colonel said to Rab, “get yourself a pop gun boy.”). Ant that’s when Johnny was talking to Pumpkin about how Pumpkin didn’t want to be a soldier anymore but rather be a farmer. That’s when Johnny gave Pumpkin some farm clothes and in return, Pumpkin gave him his uniform and musket (And Pumpkin had left behind him his musket.). With no Pumpkin, that would have not happened and Rab would probably still be alive. There is also the uniform that Johnny sneaked on the boat with if it wasn’t for pumpkin he wouldn’t have been able to sneak on because it was a British boat and he was not British.
I recommend this story to a little bit fo an older audience, maybe 15-25. It was a great story kind of boring at times, but good. I kind of disagreed with how the author killed Rab though she should have let him live.
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Edward
This book talks about the life of an African-American woman named Janie Woods while she struggles to make a life in Florida post Civil War. Janie is the first child in her family born free. She is being raised by her grandmother who tries to keep her isolated. Her grandmother is only trying to keep her safe from bad people, but Janie feels trapped in the marriage that her grandmother arranged before her death.
Janie tries to make the marriage work, but when it doesn't she takes matters into her own hands and runs away with a man who promises to treat her like a real woman. The whole book is about Janie longing to become a real woman. Her many bad decisions are based on trying to find out what it means to be a woman. She becomes a woman by facing every obstacle and problem with courage and faith.
Conflict was a constantly part of Janie's journey for a better life. For me the most defining conflict was when Janie and Teacake were trying to escape from the hurricane. It was a classic example of man vs. nature. As the couple were crossing the flooded river, Teacake risks his life to save Janie from a dog. Neither of them knew the dog was rabid when it bit Teacake. Then the conflict becomes man vs man because Teacake got sick from the bite and started abusing Janie, it was too late to save him. Teacake had given his life for Janie, but Janie had to actually end that life by shooting him. That is when the conflict was man vs. self because Janie had to find the strength within herself to do what needed to be done even though it broke her heart.
Because of Teacake Janie had become a real woman. She had finally reach her life's goal. It was a very bittersweet ending. I highly recommend this book.
Cody
The book Their Eyes Are Watching God, written by Zora Neale Hurston, is about a lady named Janie and her life in the South. It is interesting following her from the beginning of her life until she is an old woman. Janie goes through quite a bit, and marries often. The reason she can never stay married is that she is never sure of herself or what she wants. Her grandmother wanted her to marry a rich man and be a lady, but Janie finds out that is not the life she wants.
Love finally finds Janie when she meets Teacake. This seems to be the theme of the story to me, finding True Love. Love isn't about comfort, money or power. You shouldn't marry someone because they are rich or classy. Janie learns something from each new lover, but with Teacake she is finally happy and fulfilled.
I am not crazy about this story. The only classic story that comes to mind for me is 'Old Yeller' and I don't think that is a good one to compare this story to. This story is nicely written and the language is rich, but the tale itself is lacking for me. Stories that involve a woman searching for her soul mate seem to be a dime a dozen, especially in today's romantic comedies. I would only recommend it to those who like stories about women searching for love.
Matthew
This book is the life story of a woman named Janie Woods. She was married off to a farmer, named Logan, by her grandmother. He was a good man, but Janie never learned to love him. One day, when Logan went to get a mule, a man named Joe Starks came to their farm. Joe was telling Janie how powerful and rich he was and how beautiful she was. He convinced her to meet him by a tree and run away with him. She went with Joe to new town in Florida, where Joe took charge of things and turned it into Edenville, where he and Janie were Mr. and Mrs. Mayor Joe Starks.
In Edenville, Janie runs Joe's store and is happy with the marriage at first. However, she becomes discouraged because Joe yells at her, goes to parties, and does what he wants, but makes Janie be quiet, cover her hair and stay home. After Joe's death, Janie remains single until a man named Teacake Woods comes into the store. Teacake was a younger man, who flirted with Janie. Eventually, she married him, and went off to the fields in Florida. One day a Hurricane came and the lake flooded. Janie and Teacake had to leave for the town. Along the way Teacake is bitten by a rabid dog, and eventually dies.
Taylor
My group literature book was named Their Eyes Were Watching God. It is about a woman named Janie and her quest to find the one man who loves her and makes her happy. The theme of this book is finding your true soul-mate in life. An example of this theme is that Janie would leave the men she married, until she found the one she truly loved. Logan kept making her work and didn't pay attention to her. That's why she left him. Joe Starks loved the idea of her, until he died of kidney failure. Janie met Virgil Teacake Woods and knew she had found that one person who would love her as much as she loved him. Janie had a very long relationship with Teacake until he was bitten by a dog with rabies and she had to shoot him.
I agreed with the theme of this book, except I wouldn't have had Janie with so many relationships. I would highly recommend this book for people who like tragic, romantic novels.
Sue
Their Eyes Were Watching God is a novel by Zora Neal Hurston. Ms. Hurston was born on January 7, 1891 in Alabama. She was the fifth of eight children and while she was still a toddler her family moved to Eatonville Florida, the first all black incorporated town in the US. In 1917, Hurston enrolled in Morgan Academy in Baltimore where she completed her High School education in three years. After Graduating, she enrolled at Harvard University and began her writing career.
The novel is affected by the fact that Ms. Hurston lived in a town in Florida, just like the town in her novel. Her characters are loosely based on her life. I sympathize with Janie, the central character, because she finally falls in love, only to have that love die from rabies and a bullet. I think that this novel is still being read because Hurston makes it all come alive. She makes you feel like you were right there. I would recommend this novel to everyone, because it is one of the most amazing stories I have ever read.
Travis
Their Eyes Were Watching God was recently read by my literature group. The author is Zora Neal Hurston. She was born in 1891 and died in 1960. She was a novelist, folklorist and anthropologist who's fictional and factual stories of black heritage are still being read. I think the theme of this story is that love makes you do crazy things. For example, when Teacake saved Janie from the mad dog that was attacking her in the hurricane, while she was holding onto the cow's tail in the river, he ended up getting bit while risking his life. That was really crazy.
Janie changed the most because she started out as an immature little girl and grew into a mature woman by the end. This reminds me of Cinderella. I see Janie as Cinderella and Teacake as the prince. Instead of a slipper, Teacake gave her overalls, which fit her personality better than the fancy dresses she had been wearing.
I disagreed with how the author just killed off Teacake. He was a cool guy and she should have let him live. I learned that if you don't get out of the way of a mad dog, you'll start acting like one yourself. I would recommend this story to older teens and adults, because it has scene that are not suitable for kids. It also has a strong storyline.
Touching Spirit Bear
By Ben Mikaelsen
Cameron
I learned the importance of honor from this book because Cole had to gain honor so that he could heal. Before he was banished to the island nobody trusted him, most people feared him,and everybody knew he was a con-artist. Cole was full of hate and lies, mostly self-hate. His anger almost destroyed his chance for healing. After a near death experience, Cole found within himself the desire to change and he realized that change had to start with honest and honor.
Cole knew he had to prove that he had really changed. Edwin and Garvey believed in him, but understood Cole needed to do the hard work of on his own. At first it was all about staying out of prison, but it became about a new way of living. So, Cole worked on trust and honor, before repentance.
Repentance and forgiveness were the next healing steps. Cole had to admit what he did was wrong and that he was sorry, then he had to forgive his parents, others he thought wronged him, and especially himself. Then he was ready to heal. It was Cole's healing that allowed Peter to heal. When Peter truly understood how sorry Cole was for everything he had done, Peter was able to begin moving forward himself.
The first and possibly the most important step in the process was finding honor. If Cole hadn't gained honor he would not have been able to heal, neither would Peter, or many others whose lives touched Cole's. That is why I think of learning honor when I think about this book.
Brandon H
The Spirit Bear represented the Holy Spirit in this story. He was like the Holy Spirit because he was always there when Cole made new discoveries about himself. Spirit Bear was the one who killed the old Cole and allowed a new stronger Cole to live, making Cole a better person. Spirit Bear forgave Cole for attacking him. He was also like the Holy Spirit because he kept guiding Cole down the right path.
Cole learned how to control his anger with the help of the Spirit Bear. The Spirit Bear help him figure out why he was so angry all the time. When Cole figured out 'why' he was able to take control of his own life and make positive changes. He was able to begin listening to his elders. Cole learned from Edwin and Garvey ways to deal with and tame his anger.
Violence was all Cole knew because it was what his dad had taught him. The Spirit Bear was near the pond when Cole was sorting out his angry feelings. Cole learned that his grandfather had beaten his father. He figured out that his father beat him because that was what he had been taught, and so on. Once Cole understood this, he was able to forgive his father. This made controlling his own anger a bit easier. Cole understood that anger would always be part of him, but he could choose how to act and respond to it. He knew not to let it loose on others.
The Spirit bear was also there after Peter attacked Cole and all Cole did was hold him and show him forgiveness. The boys realized they were all part of the circle of life and that every action affects others in ways they don't even see.
That is how Yahweh would want us to act. He would want us to show control, to be truly sorry for our wrong actions, and to forgive others so that we can be forgiven. He will always be there to heal us. So, the Spirit Bear was like the Holy Spirit being there when Cole needed him the most and leading the way to forgiveness and healing.
Brandon B
I have been in many situations similar to Cole. For instance, one time at school last year people kept picking on me, I took my anger out on somebody else. The kid that I got in a fight with told the principal and I got suspended from school.
While I was out of school, I started thinking about what I did and what I should have done differently. I thought I should have talked to him, or gone to the principal myself. While I was suspended my mom gave me extra chores like, cleaning the pool, cooking dinner, taking out the trash, and cutting the grass.
Once my week was over, I went back to school. The kid I had beaten up and myself had to go to the front desk and talk about what happened. I apologized and he did too. We were friends for the rest of the school year.
This situation was similar to the story because Cole and Peter had gotten into a fight Cole was removed from the school. He had to do extra work while he thought about what he did. And at the end Cole and Peter came to an understand and each forgave the other.
The changes in Peter and Cole happened at the end of the book when Peter came to the island. Cole taught him all the things he had been learning about anger and control. Learning to carve, learning the animal dances, carrying the ancestor rock up the hill, and soaking in the cold water were all ways Cole and later Peter learned self-control.
Cole figured out that the reason he got into the fight in the first place was because he felt worthless. Peter felt the same way when he attacked Cole on the island. The boys learned that when you feel worthless you want to bring others down too, but when you learn to feel positive about yourself, you want to bring others up with you. I had to learn these lessons the hard way, I hope others learn them without all the pain Cole, Peter and I went through.
Gabriel
Two characters that stand out to me are, Garvey and Edwin. I believe they represent Jesus and Moses. First Garvey, I believe he represents Jesus because he is like a shepherd and Cole is the lost sheep. Garvey is also a teacher using parables to get Cole to see deeper truths, and Garvey is like Jesus because he gives of his whole self even to perfect strangers.
Edwin is like Moses. Moses lead people across the Red Sea to a promised better life, and Edwin takes Cole across the sea to a better life. Moses handed down the Ten Commandments or The Law and Edwin hands down the Law to Cole. Moses was a messenger between God and the people and Edwin is the messenger between the Justice Counsel and Cole. However, the biggest reason Edwin is like Moses is because Moses freed his people from slavery and Edwin frees Cole. He frees him from being a slave to his anger, allowing him the possibility of a new life.
Everyone needs these two types of people in their lives. You need someone who demands you learn and follow the rules, but that needs to be balanced with someone who teaches you to look inside yourself and encourages you to be the very best you can be.
Ben
Self-reliance helps build self-esteem. In the story Cole had to learn to rely on himself. At home he would always con his way out of trouble, but alone on the island he can only rely upon himself. He has to take responsibility or die, there is no other option. This helps him build confidence and self-esteem. He gets to the point where he can forgive himself and truly apologize to Peter. This new self-esteem also helps him get better control of his anger.
From the book, I learned you need to rely on yourself. You can't get people to do everything for you. If you can get them to do everything for you, you don't learn anything and you feel worthless. Not being able to get and education or hold a job might lead to homelessness, which will just increase the feelings of worthlessness. Those feelings come out in very harmful ways that you wouldn't expect, like hurting others.
I wonder how weird it would feel to have to rely on yourself after being used to having everything done for you or conning your way out of all consequences. Unfortunately, it took being mauled by a bear for Cole to realize that he need to rely on himself. The more the book goes on the more and more Cole relies on himself. By the end of the book he has learned to fully take care of himself, mind, body and soul.
Austin
The Spirit Bear represents the eyes of the Universe constantly watching. He is also the balance of light and dark, the eternal yin and yang of the forest. He is also protection beyond all bounds.
Your life is changed forever when this being gazes upon you. It's gaze is deep and penetrating, as calm as a still lake in the dead of the night. Ghostlike it wanders through the shadows aware of all things.
Cole is left tattered, but cleansed after his encounter with the Spirit Bear. His opinions are changed by the graceful paws that so deeply clean the flesh of what once resembled the body of Cole Matthews.
When Peter finally lays eyes on the Spirit Bear he is no longer afraid of Cole. He recognizes the changes in Cole and accepts them. Once the giant's job is done he disappears into the forest, like the moon behind a cloud. Waiting for another soul in need of direction.
When Cole came to the island he was unbalanced. Anger controlled him like a puppet. His mind was like a world without sun. It was dark, cold, and undiscovered. The vast void of his mind was closed to all influence. The Spirit Bear opened the gates to that mind and help him find balance. No longer was Cole controlled by rage, the rage was controlled by him. His inner Chi was now calm and rested, thanks in great part to the Spirit Bear.
Asia
I identify most with Cole Matthews because he and I share the same issues, mostly our anger. Cole and I react to negative issues in negative ways. When placed in a bad situation we take the easy way out by threating, arguing and even fighting.
The three main situations in the book where Cole allowed his anger to control his life were, when he beat up Peter, when he tried to leave the island by swimming away, and when he tried to fight the bear. Cole used the excuse that Peter told on him to the cops to beat him to within and inch of his life. If someone hadn't stopped him he would have killed Peter because of blind anger. When Cole was left on the island the first time, he was still so angry and blaming others for his problems that he allowed that anger to push him into a cold ocean, in the middle of night, and he was trying to swim against the tide. This action alone almost killed him. However, he still hadn't spent all his anger. He need something to be afraid of him and when the bear refused to flinch Cole attacked it bare handed. This fight did kill the old Cole and finally allowed a new one to replace him.
I have been found myself in many situations where I needed to consider choosing a safer way out. I have been in two fights where I hurt people pretty badly. It is not like I wanted to hurt them, but something inside me told me to and I acted upon it. One of the situations was with my friend we were goofing off and it got out of control quickly and I ended up hurting her much more than I intended. The second fight was with an acquaintance who was pestering me and threatening me, so I hurt her. I felt very bad for causing them both pain afterwards, but I felt if I didn't hurt them they would hurt me.
Cole learned to handle his anger by dancing, swimming in a freezing pond, and rolling a rock down a hill. The dancing was to mimic the other animals and all the traits he was learning from them. Swimming in the freezing pond helped to eliminate the thought of fighting, yelling, and arguing. Rolling a rock down the hill definitely was the best way for Cole to get rid of his anger. By carrying the rock up the hill then rolling it down he felt how heavy the anger was, then how great it felt to get rid of it.
I now think that walking away from a bed situation or even staying calm could ease the tension if not completely settle the situation. After reading this book I realize that I can be the bigger person and I can turn a bad situation into a positive one. The ways I have been working on my anger are being quiet and actually listening to what the other person is saying, writing a note to tell the person how I feel, and analyzing each situation before I speak up.
I definitely need to work on my anger issues because in the future it will cause me many problems. Not only will it hurt my record, but it could possibly ruin my life, my appearance, and my inner emotions. It could also go the other way and I could really hurt someone like Cole hurt Peter. That is not something I want to do.
This book has taught me that you can't get rid of anger, but rather blank it out or forget it. Anger needs to be acknowledged and worked through. In coming situations, I would hope that I could handle my anger in ways that are safe and appropriate for everyone.
Call of the Wild
Essays
Austin: The “Call of the Wild” is freedom. The yearning to be free. All contradicting thoughts are abandoned and instincts take over, instincts passed down from generations. It is the urge to hunt and to avoid being hunted. It’s the desire to mate with the sole purpose of keeping the species going. It is the need to howl at the moon, the wind brushing across you during a dewy morning run. It is salvation beyond proportions.
In the story, Buck was subjected to the “The Call of the Wild” numerous times. For example when he chased down that moose for days, he did so not because that was the only food, but because his instinct told him to. He desired to hunt the moose. The desire to survive. Buck gave into the “Call of the Wild.” He desired leadership, to be the “Alpha Male,” to rule over others. “The Call” is taking the responsibility to lead others and being strong enough to defeat any that oppose you. Buck took on this responsibility when he killed Spitz.
Domestic dogs have this instinct. In a way they are smarter than we are. When they are born they know to communicate and walk. They know how to reproduce as soon as their instincts kick in. We lack such skill. If all the adults in the world were eliminated and nothing was left but babies, humanity would crumble. Without older people to teach them the babies couldn’t talk or eat; and, even if they did there is the trouble of mating. With no one to explain the “birds and the bees” there would be nothing. The “Call of the Wild” to which countless animals can tap into, is out of our reach.
Brandon: The “Call of the Wild” is your inner, wilder side that is trying to come to the surface. It also your natural instincts. Therefore, the “Call of the Wild” means your wilder side is being called out to take control.
Buck was being called throughout the story. He started being called towards the beginning of the story by fighting with Spitz and wanting to be lead dog, which he succeeded in doing. Towards the middle of the story, Buck’s instinct of protecting Thornton took over. He protected him by attacking Matthison. Another incident was when he met a wolf pack. His wilder side was showing then because his natural instinct took over and he went to become apart of the pack. Also, his natural instinct of hunting showed when he stalked a moose for three days before killing it.
The “Call of the Wild” is sometimes a good thing and sometimes a bad thing. It is a good thing when you are stranded somewhere. You want the natural instinct to take over so that you can survive. Although, it is a bad thing when you don’t have any manners or self-control. So, you will have to determine when to let it take over and when not to.
Ben: The “Call of the Wild” is the returning of Buck’s animal instincts. At the beginning of the book, Buck had everything he ever needed, but when later he doesn’t have anything to eat, he steals food. Before he would have rather die of starvation than steal anything.
Later Buck hunts a lot. One time Buck chased a moose for a very long time. He even got in a fight with another dog over food. He also chased after a wolf.
At the end of the book, Buck joins a pack of wolves, he attacks humans and he becomes totally wild. He wouldn’t dare attack humans or hurt other animals on purpose at the beginning of the story. Buck changed a lot from the beginning of the book. He started as a pet and become a wild dog.
Asia: The “Law of Club and Fang” is the law of submit or be killed. In other words, if there is a superior force fighting against you, you should submit to the superior force or die trying. When concerning the law of club and fang it is always better to surrender; even when the superior forces are in the wrong.
An example of this in the book was when Buck saw his fellow partner, Curly, ripped to pieces by wild huskies. Buck thought, “either surrender or be killed, once you’re down you’re done.” This means, mostly, if you surrender to a superior they will leave you alone but if you keep bothering them or nagging at them you are likely to get yourself killed.
An example of this in my life is trying to use the club and fang law with my grandmother. I have to learn that because she is my superior I owe her a certain kind of respect. Like Buck, after I stopped and listened I learned that it is much better to surrender than put my life at stake.
This book taught me that my superiors hold my life in their hands, basically. If they are arguing at or with me than I should give them the respect to shut my mouth and listen, or put my state of being in jeopardy.
Gabe: Throughout the book there was a law between Buck and humans. This law gave humans great power over Buck. This was the law of “Club and Fang.” Buck finds out early in the book that he is out-matched when he is up against a human with a club. He is beaten, his viciousness isn’t enough to stop a human from beating him. In the book, Buck is beaten when he tries to attack the man in the red sweater. This puts Buck into place saying almost man can be killed. But later, Buck finds out that humans without their clubs are just as easy to kill as rabbits. Heck, dogs are harder to kill than humans.
I think that the “law of club and fang” is like a king and his subjects. A king is a very powerful man and can put his subjects to death, if he wishes, but strip away that power and he is just another mortal man, as easy to kill as the rest. This is what I think that the law means. I also think that the club represents absolute power and order.
Cameron: The “Law of Club and Fang“ is what the sled dogs lived by. The Law of Club and Fang is a way of life: kill or be killed, survival of the fittest, you have to prove yourself worthy to work in the group or even to eat. Many dogs that did not adapt to this law fast enough would be killed because they could not defend themselves. “The Club” is your master, who you have to obey or you'll be beat by his club. “The Fang” is the other dogs, who you have to prove yourself worthy to be among.
Buck was introduced to this law on the day he landed in that frozen wasteland. The other dogs jumped him and he lost a friend. Buck proved himself after he realized this place was nothing like Santa Clara Valley.
The “Law of Club and Fang” represented how harsh the new land was and the hardships Buck had to go through to obtain the status of “Top Dog.” It was these challenges that formed Buck into the great dog he became.
Lost Horizons
by James Hilton
Excerpts from the groups' final essays.
Josh
Shangri-La could be heaven or hell, it all depends on your point of view. Conway, Ms Brinklow, and Bernard all like it, but Mallison didn't. The three older characters found it peaceful and they were excited by the many things they could learn. Mallison on the other hand, missed his family and was too immature to settle into the lifestyle. It was hell for him, but the others thought of it as heaven.
Brandon B
I would have to say that Shangri-La is like heaven because it is built at the top of a mountain shielded from the rest of the world by rough terrain and clouds. It is hard to get to, like heaven. I also think it is like heaven because there is a chance for a second life. The last reason I think it is like heaven is because of all the temples and the monks. I think heaven will be full of holy places and holy people.
Cody
“Once you check in you can never leave.” This is what makes Shangri-La hell. If you were full of despair or lived on the streets with no family, you might find it peaceful. If your family had died and you were alone in the world, you might find comfort. If your life was full of bad situations and sinful choices, you might find wisdom there. However, none of that changes the fact that the monks of Shangri-La, for selfish reasons, kidnapped and held people there against their wills. It doesn't change my mind that the people change their minds after being drugged and made to feel happy.
Shangri-La could seem heaven like, a glorious eden where you were treated nicely by everyone. You could gain the knowledge of a hundred men, but you would never share that knowledge or kindness with the world. A bird in a golden cage is still in a cage.
Brandon
Shangri-La is an isolated place were people live over 300 years. This gives them the time they need to learn and create. If a task is arduous or super-complex there was nothing getting in the way of mastering it. In Shangri-La your body stays young and fit for at least the first 200 years, you never get sick. When it is time to die you simply turn to dust. The people are all nice and mannerly. Everything in moderation is their motto.
Shangri-La has a few bad aspects, too. The kidnapping is the biggest draw back, but then dying to get into heaven isn't so great either. Keeping people against their will, is also not too cool, but it really was so that all of mankind's knowledge could be saved.
So, I would say, Shangri-La is a heaven like place. Because in the outside world they let you destroy yourself, most of the world is a cruel, rude and inconsiderate place to be. The world would be a lot better if it was like Shangri-La. There would be no crime and everyone would be happier.
Brandon Hamilton
| As in life, I found several types of love in the story The Bridge of San Luis Rey written by Thornton Wilder. Parent to child love was illustrated through the relationship of Dona Maria and her daughter, Dona Clara. This was a bad love because Dona Clara did not love her mother, but her mother loved her more than anything, even herself. Another bad family relationship was shown between Camila and her son Don Jamie. Camila did not know how to be a mother. The parent-child relationship between Camila and Uncle Pio was a good love because he loved her and took care of her. Physical love was shown between Camila and the Viceroy; and Camila and the Matador. Both of these relationships were only physical, Camila was interested in only what she could get from her lovers. She did not understand that true love is giving not always receiving. Uncle Pio and Camila’s relationship also demonstrated mentor to student love. This was a good one because she felt comfortable discussing her life with him. Camila knew in her heart that Uncle Pio was a good role model. There should have been a mentor to student relationship between Dona Maria and Pepita but there wasn’t because Dona Maria was too wrapped up in her own world and didn’t know Pepita was with her most of the time. Towards the end of their stories Pepita was Dona Maria’s mentor, when Pepita taught Dona Maria about real love and courage. Pepita’s real mentor was the Mother Superior. It was she who Pepita truly learned from and could talk to. Throughout the whole book, the love of Yahweh shines bright. It was Brother Juniper’s love of Yahweh, and his need to “prove” that love, that led him to investigate the lives of the five people who died when the San Luis Rey Bridge fell. The Abbess showed her love of Yahweh by dedicating her life to the needs of those less fortunate. Uncle Pio’s life was an earthly example of Yahweh’s total unconditional love of man. Dona Maria after being shown how to love by Pepita wrote her Corinthian letter, which showed Yahweh’s love regardless. After the tragedy, Camila joined the convent and became a true servant of Yahweh. Love is one of the most important aspects of human relationships. This story illustrated that Yahweh’s love is the source of all love. Man takes this love and expresses it in many simple and complex ways. Wilder has shown us different ways that people express love, both good and bad, it is up to us to learn how to love like Yahweh. |
The Bridge of San Luis Rey
| These seven essays on the Bridge of San Luis Rey were the best and most diverse that were turned in. The students are getting better and better at seeing and using literary tools. If you have never read this book, I strongly suggest it. The theme of Live by Divine Purpose, Die by Divine Purpose or Live my accident, Die by accident is an important one. |
by Athena Rose
Esteban was twin to Manual. He and his brother grew up in an orphanage. They were tall, handsome and hard workers. These two were as one, no one really knew which was who. It was almost as if they were one person living in two bodies. Until one day Manual fell in love. This was when the two began to separate. Esteban and his brother kept to themselves most of the time. There were a few people who impacted Esteban's life. The Abbess raised the boys, influencing them in their writing, other skills, and teaching them the way of the Lord. After Manual died, Esteban went into a deep depression. He even tried many times to kill himself by doing dangerous rescues. When these attempts didn't work, Esteban attempted to hang himself. This is when Esteban was saved by Captain Alvarado. The Captain asked Esteban to come with him , to help on his ship, and busy the pain away. Esteban agreed, a couple days later, he died on the Bridge. Was Esteban's death an accident or a plan by the All Mighty? Esteban was starting over, but in what, a new life without his brother or a new life with God? In this story, Wilder expands our minds to think about the question, are we all an accident and just die by accident or are we all part of a plan and our death is planned out before it happens? I believe God created us to make choices. Our choices create our destiny. I also believe God is with us when we make our choices and hopefully His word influences the choices we make. While I don't believe life is a total accident, I don't believe God has it planned out in stone either. We are part of God's plan, making our choices with His guidance. |
by Austin Broadus
In the book we read , The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Dona Clara was the daughter of Dona Maria. When she grew up her mother worshiped her which really got on her nerves. She would take advantage of her mother's wealthiness and the way she felt made it easier to get it. When she got older she totally forgot about her mother and moved to Spain and got a very wealthy man. In the story Dona Maria kept sending countless letters to her daughter. She never read them though. Her husband kept them and they still survive today thanks to him. Before Dona Maria died she sent a final letter that showed something her daughter had never seen before. It showed true love, love that had never been felt by Dona Clara. She then gave her mothers money to the church and orphanage instead of donating it to science which she had previously planned. The whole book has to do religion versus science. The author used the characters to illustrate theme by showing that either by an act of god or an accident. People die and that can change people's perspective on life. If the collapse of the bridge was just a random event or those five people deserved to die, it still happened an they did die, and that combined combined with that last letter changed Dona Clara's view of her mother and her life. |
by Matthew Newsome
Mother Superior was a head nun at a convent. She was a feminist she believed women should be respected. Men in this society treated women like work animals not people. Mother superior also had an foster home in her church which there was a small girl she was very close to her. Mother Superior taught this little girl everything. Pepita was the little girl's name and she was basically a daughter to Mother Superior. When Donna Marie came to adopt Pepita Mother was worried for her because Donna Marie was crazy but she said it would be good to because she would get to see what it's like to live in the palace. Mother had an impact on Pepita because when she went to Donna's house she thought about what Mother said about always obeying your elders and this is when Pepita was left on the conner of the church when Donna went to the church to pray. She also had an effect on Donna Marie because Donna was always worried about someone else and never thought about herself and then she realize it was not worth worrying all the time about other people. The death's that effected mother Superior's life were Esteban, Pepita, and Donna Marie. Pepita had an effect on Mother was Pepita was like a daughter to Mother and she taught her everything and she was going to follow and take over Mother's job. Then she lost the twins and she felt like she was loosing hope because these two were like her children. Then Donna Marie died and she left all her money to the church. She felt better when she received the money and Camellia help her to feel a whole lot better about the future. |
by Josh Woodson
| The reason Camellia was important in the story was because she was connected to all five people that died on the bridge. Camellia was connected to Uncle Pio because he was her mentor because she could not read or write so he had to teach her everything she knew about acting,sining and being a lady. She was connected to Don Jamie because that was her son. She would never cuddle him or anything else;she always had other people take care of him. The way Camellia was connected to Esteban was that his brother loved Camellia and he was a scribe at the theater where she worked. Camellia was connected to Dona Maria because she made fun of her in public,then had to go apologize to her in person. But after Camellia started to know Dona Maria Camellia wanted to be a lady just like Dona Maria. She knew Pepita because she visited Dona Maria. As a young women Camellia thought people only loved her because she was beautiful, after having small pox she thought she would never know any kind of love. Camellia changed after the bridge collapsed because she went into the convent. This made her finally be able to love. After six years of taking care of sick people the that were going to die she learned the difference between love and lust. |
by Taylor Sprowles
| The book my literature group and I read was called The Bridge of San Luis Rey and the character I'm writing about is named Pepita. Pepita was an orphan girl. At about the age of twelve, she was very smart and could read very well. She was being raised in the convent. The Abbess was training her to take over. Before that could happen she had to spend time in the outside world with Dona Maria. She was Dona Maria's servant and also like a daughter. Pepita played a very important role in this great book because she showed Dona Maria the real meaning of true love. Because of a letter Pepita wrote to the Abbess. In the letter Pepita talked about how much she missed the convent, the sisters, and especially the Abbess. It was kind of a whining letter. When Dona Maria read it at first she thought it was beautiful, but Pepita explained it was not ?brave?. Dona Maria finally under stood that she was being selfish, because she wanted her daughter to feel sorry for her. Dona Maria noticed that she was giving people gifts and almost anything they wanted just so that they would like her more. The reason I believe she died on the Bridge of San Luis Rey is because she served her purpose in life by helping Dona Maria find the real meaning of love. Pepita also showed her to try and start her relationship over with her daughter Dona Clara. Pepita played her part in helping someone else and so, as she was crossing the bridge the accident we all know happened. |
by Gabe Wright
When Dona Maria was a little kid her mother wanted her to main stream with popular pretty girls. She was never really accepted, because she was a little awkward and never picked up on social cues. Her mother pushed her into these groups and wanted her to be something she was not. When she turned 20 she married a ruined nobleman. Dona Maria had a child, Dona Clara. Dona Clara didn't like listening to her mother. She thought that she was insignificant. Dona Clara left to go to Spain. Dona Maria wanted her daughter to love her so much that he sent her extravagant letters. These letters were so good that they were put into textbooks for school boys to study. Since Dona Maria was Marquesa de Montemayer she had much influence over many people. Her servant Pepita had a lot to do with Dona Maria. She made Dona Maria feel courage and independent. Pepita also made Dona Maria notice that she doesn't need to give people stuff to make them like her. Well of course she died from the fall of the bridge, but you could say she killed her old-self to make way for her rebirth. Her rebirth happened when she figured out that she needed to be more independent and live bravely in the true love of God. I believe when she fell from the bridge that it was time for her to go. |
Heart Of Darkness---Group Report
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As a group we had mixed reactions to this book. A few thought it was boring because they didn't understand the language. A few thought it was complicated and layered with meanings making it very interesting. Some thought it just rambled too much to really make any sense. A the last group thought it was a very good example of how to use symbols to change how people think. Most agreed the theme of this novel was that greed and power can turn an empty soul black. To stand up to the temptations of power a persons needs to be grounded. They really need to know who they are and what they want out of life. The book illustrated that the slippery slope of control gets out of control very quickly. As a group we answered the question: “Why does Marlow travel mostly on the river?” The ideas discussed were that the Congo represented a main vein into the heart of the dark continent. Marlow was traveling on this vein physically while emotionally, traveling into Kurtz's dark heart. Another thought was that the river kept him safe and separate from the interior of Africa and the dark interior of men's souls. On the few occasions he did step foot on land all he found was dead wasteland or the wasteland of Kurtz's soul. The following are the individual essays on Heart of Darkness. Austin: In the story “Heart of Darkness” the author interpreted light and dark in many different ways. Light usually represents good, warmth and salvation, while dark represents evil, death, and despair. I personally find these connections racist, but I also think that was Conrad's point. White people being 'light' were representing 'gods' to the 'ignorant' 'dark' natives. Being dark the natives were worth less to the white men than the cheapest of animals. It is strange because I think the case was just the opposite, without the natives, the white men would not have had the ivory they so craved. Conrad showed how the white men with their 'hearts of darkness' were cruel, greedy, disloyal and mean. The natives were often kind, simple, loyal and self-restrained. The cannibals for example went hungry instead of killing the men on the ship. Marlow saw this as truly remarkable. These men were able to kill, were hungry, and yet choose loyalty instead of personal comfort or nourishment. Throughout the whole book Conrad plays with the readers traditional understanding of light and dark. Cody: Darkness has many definitions. In the beginning darkness is just a reference to Africa itself. Darkness refers to the dark skinned people and the dark jungles. The author doesn't stick with those meanings very long. Soon we figure out it is the hearts of the white men that are the blackest part of this continent. Kurtz is the most extreme example. His heart becomes completely black because of greed and lust. Then at the very end of the book Marlow chooses to leave Kurtz's fiancée in the dark. Her darkness is one of not knowing the truth. Unless you read the whole book you will not notice how the definition of darkness changes. The way Conrad changes and uses the word 'darkness' is one of the book's huge driving ideas. It also gives us clues into his believes and morals. Travis: In this novel darkness represents many things. Darkness represents ignorance. The ignorance of the white people, the ignorance of the natives, and the final ignorance of Kurtz's fiancée. It also represents Africa. It refers to the people and the jungles. Darkness represents greed and evil desires. And finally, darkness represents death. The death of Kurtz, the death of the innocence of the natives and even the death of Marlow's idealism. Brandon B.: Kurtz's dying words were “The horror! The horror!” I believe they expressed his torment he felt at the enormity of his actions. I believe he was facing God and trying to explain his choices. This must have seemed like torture. He realized that the way he had been treating other human beings was horrible. Making the natives believe he was a god so they would fulfill his lust for more ivory was just one of the evil things he did. He also made people crawl on their bellies while in his presence. Having to explain this to God would be more than horrible. I believe the reason Marlow was the only one to hear the last words was because he was more emotionally connected to Kurtz than anyone else. People kept telling Marlow he was like Kurtz. Both were young men who were given high prestige jobs without working their way up through the company. The other men were very jealous and resented both Kurtz and Marlow because the men thought the jobs should have gone them. The words could also have been a stern warning to Marlow, to make sure he didn't end up the same way. Josh: “The horror, the horror!” were Kurtz's last words. I think he said them because he was reliving his last few years in Africa. He was facing the real God and having to explain why he pretended to be a god. Not a good god at that, but a vicious, greedy and lustful god that was only interested in power and wealth. Marlow was the only person to hear these words because they were meant to touch him. He understood Kurtz better than anyone else. He had been chasing Kurtz's shadow all the way into the interior of the continent. By hearing how tormented Kurtz was on his death bed, he could avoid falling into the same traps. The continent could not change him, the way it had Kurtz. Brandon H: Marlow lied to Kurtz's fiancée because she thought Kurtz was the greatest man to ever have lived. Marlow didn't want to hurt her by telling her the truth. She seemed to be a light in the darkness. As she spoke about Kurtz her forehead and blond hair seemed to be the only light in the room. Since she was thinking about Kurtz in a good way her forehead lit up, but her heart was dark because she did not know the truth of his heart. In reality Kurtz was no better than the next man and actually worse than many. He lied, cheated, and abused power just to get more ivory. Ivory was the main money in this book. It was also equated with power. Kurtz went so far as to convince the natives he was a god to get more ivory. Marlow didn't want to tell all this to the young girl so he left her in a state of innocence. He let her believe Kurtz was a hero, maybe even her god. Gabe: Marlow lied to Kurtz's fiancée so that she would not be hurt by his true memory. She was oblivious to the facts that Kurtz abused his power and position. She had only the best of thoughts about him. Marlow was faced with two choices. He could tell the truth and put Kurtz's fiancée into a deeper depression. She would probably lose all grip on reality. Or he could lie to her and let her live in a functioning fantasy world. Either way she was going to be a lost soul. Marlow choose to lie because of the light illuminating her forehead as she spoke about Kurtz. The room darkened, making her seem even more innocent and about to be swallowed up. In Marlow's loyalty to Kurtz, Marlow could not see shattering her hero worship of her intended. We would only recommend this book if you easily follow stories that bounce around in time and place. It is not for those who like straight forward stories with easy plots. The reader has to work hard to follow the story and stay interested. |
| These are four of the final essays done on Lord of the Flies. Its themes of where do we really encounter the beast in our lives is still very relevant. I am extremely proud of these young men and how they continue to dig into the literature we are reading. |
| New Ending by Cody Priddy Awoken by the shrill cries of the savages, Ralph realizes that he has to run. He picks himself up and takes off. He can recognize jack’s voice above everyone else’s, chanting, “Kill the enemy! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!” Ralph picks up his pace, his heart throbbing faster than ever before. He looks back and sees the group of maniacs. He realizes that this may be the end. He quickens his pace, his legs feeling almost disconnected. Then out from the sky lands Jack. They stare at each other, eyes linking, one full of terror, the other full of hate and the want for blood. “Jack, why are you doing this?” an out of breath Ralph questions. Jack chuckles, “You’re the enemy, Ralph. I have to kill the enemy.” A vile grin runs across his face. “I just want to get off this island, like everyone else!” “Who cares about getting off this glorious sanctuary? We have all we need and no bloody adults!” “Sanctuary!? SANCTUARY!? This place is. . .Hell!” “And that’s where you’re be going soon enough!” “Wha...just listen to yourself, you’re batty!” “Perhaps. But, I own this island now, and I’m never leaving!” “What’s the use with you? Just kill me, but you’ll rot on this island.” “Great.” Jack turns off his smile and runs toward Ralph. He stabs and kills him. Blood spurts into the air, and mixes with the clouds. It lands on Jack’s face with a satisfying splat. He licks it off his lips, smiles and walks off into the distance, blood dripping from his hand. One year, seven months and six days have gone by since Ralph’s murder. No more animals inhabit the land, except for the humans, of course. The fruit is gone and many people are ill. Jack’s a mess. By now he is realizing how right Ralph was. Suicide crosses his mind, but an old memory crosses his mind. “Kill me, but you’ll rot on this island.” “Great.” Jack created what the island is today and he cannot allow himself to escape from it, whether it be by ship or death. So Jack stayed and watched as many people died. Soon two years have passed and he is the only one left, not tainted by illness or death. He has eaten the corpses of others to survive. But eventually there is absolutely nothing left. He starved to death, never thinking to fish. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is what probably should have happened for a number of reasons. The kids should not have escaped their island, they should have rotted on what they created. Only Ralph should have been set free, since he had no part in ruining the island. So by dying, he actually won. While Jack lost as he watched all the people he had been with for years die. For a time he was this so-called “beast,” but near the end his sanity returned and he regretted many things. This made his end even worse. |
| New Ending by Gabe Wright My ending picks up after Piggy died. Ralph was stabbed in his ribs. He felt horrible pain. The tip of Spear still stuck in his side. He fled All the boys laughing at him. They were victorious, this time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ralph looked back in agonizing pain, he had to sit down. He was at least a third of a mile away from Castle Rock. He leaned his back against a rotten log. Ralph looked at his wound, seeing that it was only a flesh wound, he grabbed the end of the spear and pulled it out. Blood oozed out and he felt the warm liquid across his stomach. He ripped what was left of his shirt and wrapped it over his gash. Ralph breathed in and out feeling his side burst with pain. He clenched his teeth. He laid back his head against the rotten log; and, breathed slowly outward. He eyes closed. Piggy flashed in his head. “Piggy didn’t deserve to die. Jack and Roger will pay!” he mumbled to himself. “It seems safe for now. Tonight I will strike,” he said with a smile. Raising his fist into the air, and then pulling it back from the pain caused by his wounds. “Piggy is dead and he died horribly. Roger killed Piggy. He had no right to do that,” Ralph thought to himself, “How could he do that?” Tears started to stream down his face. He leaned his head down, trying to hide his tears from the world. He felt a rain drop on his head. He looked up tear streaked. “I will avenge your unnecessary death!” he yelled. As his voiced echoed through the trees it seemed to reach the end of the world. He lifted his dirty head with blood red eyes and a grimacing smile, and said, “If they want savage, I’ll give it to them!” Jack looked at the overcast sky, it had been orange just a minute ago. It was as if someone had summoned these unforgiving clouds. He looked at the fire. The wind was blowing at the back of his head. And, he noticed how the fire flickered in the dimming sunlight. He didn’t care if it went out, he had Piggy’s specks. He had fire. Jack turned around and looked at Roger. “It’s going to rain. We will go and hunt tomorrow for Ralph,” said Jack with his red and white striped face. “Well, we will get him tomorrow for sure. We’ll smoke him out and we’ll scan the place so good that he’ll have nowhere to hide. But the storm...the storm is rolling in....What about the fire?” “What about it!” said Roger with a disturbed look on his face. Roger looked at the dark gray sky. He frowned thirsting for more blood. Ralph was there...Castle Rock. He was fidgeting with the spearhead in his hand. He smiled with vengeance oozing out of his teeth. He was ready but the time was not right. The fire was going and people were still looking out for him. Ralph would have to wait for it to rain. The smell of fresh salty rain was in the air. Ralph licked his lips with dissatisfaction they tasted like dirt and salt. Ralph waiting for the time to be right went to the left side of the camp and sat down. Looking at his wound, he smirked. The rain was close, he smelled it. He closed his eyes. Ten minutes later, Ralph raised his eyelids. He looked up, the rain was beating hard on his face. “Perfect!” he said with a very happy smile. “Now is the time to strike!” Ralph stood up with the spearhead clenched in his hand. The smell of smoke had diminished. He walked towards the rock. No one was patrolling the area where he had been waiting. The fire was out and he could sneak in. He went to the side of the rock were the fire was completely out. He knew that almost everyone was asleep inside, but a few were still patrolling the area closest to the fire. But, it was too dark to see them as more than just silhouettes. He sneaked closer, he is in the middle of the sleeping boys. I must strike quickly before anyone wakes up, he thought. Stepping over a boy who was squirming, he reached towards a boy who was sleeping comfortably. Ralph couldn’t see who it was but it didn’t matter, he put his knife to the boy’s neck. A centimeter away, he covered the boy’s mouth slowly. The boy yawned, his hot moist breath heating Ralph’s hand. Ralph smiles, pulls back his hand ready to strike, sweat dripping from anticipation. Ralph swooped the knife deep into the boy’s neck. Blood squirts out. Splats over his face. Ralph smiles. The boy opened his eyes in horrific terror. He tried to yell, but choked on his own blood. The only sound was a bloody gurgle. The boy’s eyes close and he stops breathing. Ralph took his hand from the silhouette who laid dead in front of him, looks around to see if anybody has awakened. Nope, they still lay sleeping. Ralph looks back at the body. It laid motionless. Ralph smiles. Crouched and stepping over the pool of blood, searching, seeking for his next victim, Ralph sees slight movement and moves into the shadows. Behind a rock, he hid and spied his next target. It was still too dark to see and he didn’t really care who it was. Ralph stepped carefully over sleeping bodies. Finally, he stood over the squirming body with the bloody spearhead in his hand. He reached for the throat of his target, moving ever so slowly, ever so carefully, ever so close. He had very little time so he must work fast. His sweat mixing with the blood of another. Placing his hand over the sleeping victim, Ralph’s heart was beating fast. He crept the knife close to the sleeping body, then swooped it across the boy’s neck. A gurgle spurted from his lips and blood streamed out. The boy fell silent and still. He was dead. “Sleep, your nightmare is over,” Ralph whispered. Looking for another, Ralph saw who he thought was Sam. This should make an impression and tell them that this is NOT a game! Ralph said inside his head. Reaching for his final victim, his hand is now covered in blood. Moving slowly, he crept over to the boy. His hand shaking from excitement. The blood dripping...drip, drip...a drop falls on the third victim’s face. Ralph stops and looks around. The boy sleeps on. Knowing he has little time left to strike, it is getting light, Ralph covers the boy’s mouth. His hand is wet from blood, the boy opens an eye. He screams at the figure looming over him. Ralph puts Spearhead right into the boy’s forehead. The blood sprays over Ralph and showers him in warmth. Jack stood up as did others and scanned the dark room. A few slept on, three would never wake up, again. Ralph looks up and sees the commotion, it is time he made his exit! As he is running out of the cave and into the forest, Jack is trying to wake everyone up. He screams, “Turn the fire back on!” His face damp from the dew, Jack takes a step and felt a warm puddle between his toes. Reaching down, he feels the goop. He steps outside into the dim light. Dark red. Must be blood. Looking back with startled eyes asks, “Whose blood is this?” The crowd of boys looks back into the cave. Three figures lay still. Ralph lies at the end of the beach, his heart throbbing and his side bleeding freely, again. Tearing more of his shirt off, he ties his wound once more. Lying on the beach watching the light coming from the horizon, he puts he head back and lets a tear drop fall down his check. There is the smell of smoke in his nostrils, the island is on fire! Ralph turns and faces the horrid flames. A shadow looms over him, turning he finds himself staring at a pair of kneecaps covered by socks. He looks up into the face of a bearded man. “Are you the only one?” he asks in a husky tone. “Yes!” “Well, get on the boat, we’re set’n’t sail.” Once on the ship, Ralph looks back at the blazing hell that he is finally leaving. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The reason that I wanted Ralph to go a little crazy was because I wanted to see his evil side. Throughout the story, Ralph battled to choose which side he was on. I made him go temporarily insane for two reasons. First, by giving into his “dark side” he survived. Yet, in surviving he turned into what he didn’t want to be. He became a changed man by leaving his Enemies on the island to live out what they had made. Second, I wanted Ralph to kill the three boys to show that even though he was trying to do the right thing, he went in the opposite direction. He succumbed to revenge and savagery. He realized that Piggy was his only true friend. Even though Piggy wasn’t rough and strong, he was an innocent, he didn’t hurt anyone, always trying to do the right thing. In my ending savageness beat out the proper way to live. I see it that Piggy was Ralph’s good conscience and that Jack sat on his other shoulder. In loosing Piggy, Ralph lost the part of him that made him reasonable and civilized. |
| by Thomas Campbell The three main symbols were Piggy’s glasses, the conch shell, and the head of the pig. Piggy’s glasses represent technology because when Piggy wears them he speaks rationally, intelligently and scientifically. The conch shell represents democracy and everybody’s chance to speak. It gathers them together and brings structure to all the boys. It helps them choose the leader with less arguing. The pig’s head represents superstition and savagery. The superstition is that there is a beast and the savagery is that it would want a blood offering. Jack uses the pig’s head to excite the blood lust of the tribe. In this book there were many symbols knowing how to recognize the symbols will help you understand a book better. by Brandon Hamilton The conch is one of the most important things on the island. It symbolizes government, justice and society, instead of savageness. When the story first started Ralph and Piggy found the conch on the beach. Ralph blows it to assemble all the children on the island. Then they all vote on a chief, which ends up being Ralph. As chief, Ralph decides to use the conch so everyone has a chance to be heard by passing it around. Whoever has it is able to speak so everybody wasn’t talking all at once. Ralph also decides when he blows the conch everyone is to gather for a meeting. After a while, Jack stops listening to Ralph and starts his own tribe. The children that were Jack’s friends when the plane crashed were the first to join Jack’s tribe. Later, almost all of the kids joined Jack because they saw that his tribe had no rules. The only five that were left in Ralph’s tribe were Ralph, Piggy, Simon, Eric and Sam. Jack didn’t respect society, he also didn’t respect the person that was speaking with the conch because he talked when he didn’t have the conch, in fact, he really didn’t respect any of the children on the island. At the end of the story Piggy tried to use the conch to get everyone to calm down and act civilized. His valiant effort cost him his life because he could not see without his glasses, therefore, he did not see the rock coming straight for him. After Piggy’s death, the conch was destroyed; and, Jack’s tribe tried to kill Ralph, but was unsuccessful. Even though the conch represents well being it wasn’t fool proof. At first it worked, until Jack began to disobey the rules and do what he wanted. It is worst to be a savage then to be civilized. Society doesn’t easily accept or tolerate those who act wild and uncivilized. In this story Simon, Piggy and Ralph are the civilized ones while those who deserted to Jack’s tribe did so because they believed that savagery was just another fun game. |
