Morgan Hunt
English 9
Mr.Edson
November 19, 2007
In the short story "Lamb to the Slaughter", Roald Dahl shows good use of beginning details, foreshadowing, irony, some symbolism, and overall keeping the audience interested. He starts off giving details of the setting, giving you a feel for what the home life for the Maloney couple is like. The point of view in which the story is told is by third person limited omniscient, although as we read we see things as Mary Maloney would. In the beginning dialogues, Dahl makes it so there is enough foreshadowing so that the reader knows, maybe even before Mary that something bad is going to occur. Almost all the words that Dahl used in that story had purpose, so there was hardly any way to fool the reader. Symbolism and irony are also portrayed in this story, and they certainly made the rising action and climax strong.
The story starts off describing a setting of a cozy, middle class, domestic home. The story reads "The room was warm and clean, the curtains drawn, the two table lamps alight-hers and the one by the empty chair opposite. On the sideboard behind her, two tall glasses, soda water, whiskey. Fresh ice cubes in the Thermos bucket." This shows that the house is fairly nice, well kept, and certainly somewhere where someone should feel at home.
Now, the first character is introduced and the reader becomes aware that is the same person that keeps the house so clean and welcoming. "Mary Maloney was waiting for her husband to come him from work...There was a slow smiling air about her, and about everything she did. The drop of a head as she bent over her sewing was curiously tranquil. Her skin -for this was her sixth month with child-had acquired a wonderful translucent quality, the mouth was soft, and the eyes, with their new placid look, seemed larger darker than before." The reader now knows Mary Maloney probably waits for her husband to come home from work more eagerly than house wives would do so today, she sits pregnant, in her warm well kept home, and the story proceeds in describing her. "Now and again she would glance up at the clock, but without anxiety, merely to please herself with the thought that each minute gone by made it nearer the time when he would come...When the clock said ten minutes to five, she began to listen, and a few moments later, punctually as always, she heard the tires on the gravel outside... She laid aside her sewing, stood up, and went forward to kiss him as he came in." These bits of descriptions inform the reader how much Mary probably cares about her husband. If it pleases her that each minute gone by makes it nearer the time when he would come, she must enjoy his company. She waits, "punctually as always" “and went forward to kiss him as he came in"; she shows attributes of being a good wife. Later in the story, Dahl also mentions how much she really does seem to have affection for him, "She loved to luxuriate in the presence of this man, and to feel-almost as a sunbather feels the sun-that warm male glow that came out of him to her when they were alone together."
The story continues into the first dialogue, and they great each other with a "Hullo darling". Mary takes his coat, and makes a strong'ish drink for him, and a weak one for herself. Even though her drink is weak, she is still pregnant. This tells the reader that even though Mary is a good house wife, she is either ruthless or imbecilic for drinking while pregnant. "She knew he didn’t want to speak much until the first drink was finished, and she, on her side, was content to sit quietly, enjoying his company after the long hours alone in the house". Mary Maloney seems to know her husband well, and respects him.
This is where the foreshadowing begins to have a role in the story. “Tired darling?” Mary asks her husband. “Yes,” he said. “I’m tired,” And as he spoke, he did an unusual thing. He lifted his glass and drained it in one swallow although there was still half of it, at least half of it left...then he got up and went slowly over to fetch himself another." These details let the reader know that something is wrong, for it seems to be unusual for Mr. Maloney to swig his drink in such a manor. "When he came back, she noticed that the new drink was dark amber with the quantity of whiskey in it...She watched him as he began to sip the dark yellow drink, and she could see little oily swirls in the liquid because it was so strong." This also notifies the reader into realizing that something is on her husbands mind, for not only does he swig his drink, but he comes back with a stronger one.
Their conversation continues, ““Would you like me to get you some cheese? I haven’t made any supper because it’s Thursday.” “No,” he said. “If you’re too tired to eat out,” she went on, “it’s still not too late. There’s plenty of meat and stuff in the freezer, and you can have it right here and not even move out of the chair.” Her eyes waited on him for an answer, a smile, a little nod, but he made no sign." His lack of communication with her is also a hint that something is wrong, the way in which he is drinking, and the little amount of conversation that he is putting forth makes it obvious that something bad had happened or is going to happen.
“Anyway,” she went on, “I’ll get you some cheese and crackers first.” “I don’t want it,” he said. She moved uneasily in her chair, the large eyes still watching his face. “But you must eat! I’ll fix it anyway, and then you can have it or not, as you like.”
This next part is when the problem is brought forward, for Mary and the reader. “Sit down,” he said. “Just for a minute, sit down.” It wasn’t till then that she began to get frightened...She lowered herself back slowly into the chair, watching him all the time with those large, bewildered eyes. He had finished the second drink and was staring down into the glass, frowning.“Listen,” he said. “I’ve got something to tell you.”...She noticed there was a little muscle moving near the corner of his left eye. “This is going to be a bit of a shock to you, I’m afraid,” he said. “But I’ve thought about it a good deal and I’ve decided the only thing to do is tell you right away. I hope you won’t blame me too much.” And he told her. It didn’t take long, four or five minutes at most, and she say very still through it all, watching him with a kind of dazed horror as he went further and further away from her with each word. "Of course I’ll give you money and see you’re looked after. But there needn’t really be any fuss. I hope not anyway. It wouldn’t be very good for my job.” Whatever he told Mary is up to the reader, but it is obvious that he is leaving her. This would mark where the problem in the story would be, for now Mary must have some sort of reaction to this news.
"Her first instinct was not to believe any of it, to reject it all...Maybe, if she went about her business and acted as though she hadn’t been listening, then later, when she sort of woke up again, she might find none of it had ever happened." She endures the news in shock, and goes on to prepare dinner. "She couldn’t feel anything at all- except a slight nausea and a desire to vomit. Everything was automatic now-... her hand inside the cabinet taking hold of the first object it met. She lifted it out, and looked at it...A leg of lamb." This is where the leg of lamb from the title is introduced into the story, and Mary carries it upstairs.
“For God’s sake,” he said, hearing her, but not turning round. “Don’t make supper for me. I’m going out.” At that point, Mary Maloney simply walked up behind him and without any pause she swung the big frozen leg of lamb high in the air and brought it down as hard as she could on the back of his head. He might just as well have hit him with a steel club." Mary has now killed her husband. The rising action is quite dramatic, and the leg of lamb symbolizes her revenge for him leaving her, for he doesn’t even want her to make supper for him.
The violent crash brought her out of shock, and suddenly her mind was so clear, and her thoughts were very fast. She was worried about what they would do to her, considering her baby; once they found out she had killed her husband. She decided she wasn't prepared to find out, and began practicing for her alibi. “She sat down before the mirror, tidied her hair, touched up her lops and face. She tried a smile. It came out rather peculiar. She tried again....That was better. Both the smile and the voice were coming out better now. She rehearsed it several times more. Then she ran downstairs, took her coat, went out the back door, down the garden, into the street," making her way to the grocery shop. She goes in, gets food, and talks to the grocer Sam cheerfully, and as if she is preparing dinner for Patrick and ran to the store to do so.
On her way home, she told herself "that she was returning home to her husband and he was waiting for his supper; and she must cook it good, and make it as tasty as possible because the poor man was tired; and if, when she entered the house, she happened to find anything unusual, or tragic, or terrible, then naturally it would be a shock and she’d become frantic with grief and horror. Mind you, she wasn’t expecting to find anything. She was just going home with the vegetables. Mrs. Patrick Maloney going home with the vegetables on Thursday evening to cook supper for her husband." And she goes on as if nothing happened, "and when she saw him lying there on the floor with his legs doubled up and one arm twisted back underneath his body, it really was rather a shock. All the old love and longing for him welled up inside her, and she ran over to him, knelt down beside him, and began to cry her heart out. It was easy. No acting was necessary."
"A few minutes later she got up and went to the phone." Her husband being a police officer also makes this murder ironic, "she knew the number of the police station, and when the man at the other end answered, she cried to him, “Quick! Come quick! Patrick’s dead!” The car came very quickly, and when she opened the front door, two policemen walked in..." As more detectives came in, she told her story, and one went to check her alibi. So far her plan had worked; they didn’t suspect her of killing her husband. The search went on, and they asked her if there were any heavy objects that could have been used as a weapon, however they didn’t have any metal vases, or anything objects that were missing.
Mary persuaded all of them to take a nip of whiskey; they did so, standing around awkwardly because of her presence. "Sergeant Noonan wandered into the kitchen, come out quickly and said, “Look, Mrs. Maloney. You know that oven of yours is still on, and the meat still inside.” This was Mary's chance to completely succeed in her plan, and the climax of the story because once she feeds them the leg of lamb, there is no chance in which she will be suspected of killing her husband. She jumps on the opportunity by offering all of them to eat the leg of lamb. She begged, “Please eat it...It’d be a favor to me if you’d eat it up." Even though there was a lot of hesitation before the four police man agreed, they were convinced to go on in the kitchen and eat the leg of lamb, the last clue that Mary Maloney had killed her husband.
As the falling action carries on, Mary listens in on their conversation. They talked about "poor Patrick" and finding the weapon. One of the policemen states "“Probably right under our very noses. What do you think, Jack?” And in the other room, Mary Maloney began to giggle. This is certainly irony, because as he says so, the leg of lamb used to kill Patrick is really right under their very noses.
Roald Dahl was born in Llandaff, Wales, on September 13, 1916, to Norwegian parents, Harald Dahl and Sofie Magdalene Dahl. Ate age three, his seven year old sister, Astri Dahl, died from appendicitis. Her death was followed by his father's death of pneumonia at the age of 57. Despite such events his mother was determined to keep the family in Britain instead of going back Norway to live with other family, because of her husband's wish to have their children educated in English schools. The first proper school he went to was a Cathedral School, at age seven. After an incident involving him and four friends placing a dead mouse in a sweet jar in a local candy shop, they were caned by the school's headmaster; this prompted his mother to send him to boarding schools, which was an unpleasant experience for him. He was so homesick that he even faked symptoms of appendicitis just to get a trip home. He adjusted to school life even though he never liked it. When he was thirteen, they moved, and Roald attended a school that he thought was worse than St.Peters boarding school. He doubted God's existence. According to him, there was one headmaster named Geoffrey Fisher could deliver harsh beatings.
After school, Roald Dahl didn't go to university, but instead he applied for a job at the Shell Company. After a couple years of training, he was sent to East Africa, where he lived in the jungle, learned to speak Swahili and suffered from malaria. , He went to join the Royal Air Force when the World War II broke out. He was a fighter pilot and shot down German planes and got shot down himself. After 6 months in hospital he flew again.
In 1942 he went to Washington, and began writing short stories. With results, he published his first children’s book, titled "The Gremlins" in 1943. He married the actress Patricia Neal, though they were unhappy. None of their kids survived, his wife suffered a stroke. He nursed her back to health so that she could act again, however they got divorced in 1983.
Roald Dahl wrote many books and short stories, for children and adults. Most in which were fantasy, and full of imagination, and the details very close to reality. His stories were balanced with cruelty and humor. Roald Dahl died in November 1990. The Times called him "one of the most widely read and influential writers of our generation"
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The Interlopes by Saki (H.H Munro)
1. The typical characters of a feud are of bitter, continuous, hostility between two families, possibly lasting for years or generations. The feud between the Von Gradwitz and Znaeym families is typical, because it is a feud between two families, over land, that lasted three generations. The Gradwitz had a lawsuit, in which the neighboring family, the Znaeym's, no longer had legal possession over the forest. That was their attempt the settle the feud. In the beginning of the story, the head of the household families did not want to end the feud. They started off both wanting the death of one another, but by the end they because friends, and kind enough to offer one's wine flask to the other.
2. In some cases, the main characters seem uncivilized, but in some circumstances they show traits of being civilized. The uncivilization is shown in the want of each others death, and the way they go about it. It’s not enough just to want each others death; they take the actions further and stalk each other in the forest. They don’t seem capable of working out their problem verbally yet, they feel that death will satisfy their conflict. However, the story does say that a man who have been brought up under the code of a restraining civilization cannot easily nerve himself to shoot down his neighbor in cold blood/ Though much hate stands between then, near the end of the story, they find themselves beings friends; therefore putting out characteristics of being civilized men.
3. Three conflicts within this plot are the basic feud between the neighbors, the storm causing them to be stuck under a tree, and the conflict of whose men will come first to rescue. The other conflicts most likely would not have happened unless the family feud had existed. Though a lawsuit was held, stating who had legal possession, the Znaeym family never acceptably agreed to the judgments of the Court. Many intrusion scandals involving the forest, led way to embittering the relationships between the two families. A second conflict in the story would be the tree crash in the storm. Finally, they come face to face in the forest, each having a rifle in hand, yet this moment had been brought to a stop when the split of beech tree crushes them to the floor. A third conflict, in which they resolve, is what will happen to the enemy, depending on whose men come first. It was first stated that they enemy would be left. After settling some things, they agreed to be friends and to have whoever's men came first, save them both. This now made it a problem of time; how long would they have to wait to be saved.
4. The first friendly gesture was Ulrich offering the wine flask to his enemy, Georg. The gesture wasn’t initially received. Later, after considering Ulrich's friendship request, Georg uses it as a way of supporting reason for accepting the offer. He stated "And you offered me your wine flask ... Ulrich von Gradwitz, I will be your friend."
5. The word wolves at the end of the story implied that they both we going to die, possibly. It leaves you in suspense, implying that the reader decides the two men's fate on their own.
6. I believe that the theme of this story is that though you might find some conflicts, or disagreements with people, don’t let it take over your life.
Lamb to the slaughter by Roald Dahl
1. The initial situation in the story is Mary Maloney's husband coming home, and Roald Dahl giving some hints that something might be wrong, with how Patrick Maloney was swigging his whiskey. When Mary hears that he is leaving her, it strikes the story as a conflict, for it is a major crisis, in which Mary must somehow overcome. There are several rising actions, one being here killing her husband with a leg of lamb. Her next move consists of going to the market, creating an alibi for herself, and going home as if nothing happened. Finding her husband dead on the floor is something she pretended to be as a surprise, and called the police. After must investigation, finally we are at what I believe to be, the end of the rising action, and the beginning of the climax. When she offers the policemen the leg of lam that she used to murder her husband and they accept. They are eating the evidence that they were looking for, and they don’t even realize it. Over hearing the conversation they policemen have while eating the lamb, discussing how its "Probably right under our very noses...” Mary Maloney began to giggle, as the conclusion of how easily she got away with it.
2. Mary Maloney is characterized as the ideal wife, loving ever chance to server her husband. She happily waits at home for his return, takes his coat, and makes him a drink. She enjoys getting up to refill his drink, offer him cheese, and make him dinner. When her husband tells her that he is leaving her, she is at first shocked and pretends it didn't happen. She almost seems quite calm, until she hits him over the head with a leg a lamb. Her being so 'perfect' and only wanting what’s best for her husband seems to somewhat almost balance her murderous and mischievous actions.
3. Mary Maloney's character takes a turn towards duplicity when she has her plan of acting as if nothing happened, though she is the one to blame. Walking in to the Grocery story, pretending that she is going to go home to cook her husband a nice wonderful dinner, was deliberately trying to trick the grocer into believe it. She did it very well, and she even practiced before she left home.
4. The elements of irony in this story are Patrick Maloney's job, and the leg of lamb. Patrick’s Maloney's job as a police officer displays irony because fellow police officers have to come to his house, to investigate how he was killed. The second part of irony is the fact that she killed Mr. Maloney with a leg of lamb, serves it to the police, and while they are eating it they discuss the unfound weapon. One officer says “Probably right under our very noses. What you think, Jack?" But little do they know, the murder weapon is right under their nose.
5. I am amused by the stories events because in the begging Mrs. Maloney comes across as the ideal wife, and probably a very sweet person who cares about others. The author put details in the plot about how happy she was just in his company. The author also stated that her eyes seemed placid, and her curiosity was tranquil. He made it seem as though she wouldn't be the type of person to commit such a crime.
6. The author seems to observe that human nature would be to cover up ones mistake, or wrong doing. Mary practiced in the mirror, created an alibi, pretended she didn’t know he was dead, cooked the weapon, lied to the police, and then fed them the weapon. At the end, she giggled, showing pleasure and humor in the irony of her accomplishment.
The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs
1. Outside the White's home, it is described to be cold and wet. It is also said that out of all the beastly, slushy, and out of the way places that it was the worst. However, inside the house was described as the fire burning brightly, blinds drawn; with a game of chess played by father and sun, and white haired old lady was knitting placidly by the fire. These descriptions of outside and inside the house are very difference, and I think that the author did that to accentuate on each places characteristics, and moods of the people.
2. According to the sergeant-major, the fakir put a spell on the monkeys paw so that three separate men could each have three wishes from it.
3. There were many examples of foreshadowing, such as the author describing the man to have beady eyes, making him seem to play a suspicious role in the story. He talks about wild scenes and doughty deed, of wars and plagues and strange peoples, letting you know that the story of monkeys paw will be just as exciting. When the old man ask Major-Major about the monkeys paw and he replies hastily with a "nothing...Leastways, nothing worth hearing.", it lets you know that it could be bad because he doesn’t want to talk about it. When he starts off telling it, he mentions that you might call it magic, letting you know it has some special power. When major-major is talking about the previous wishes that the first man made, he mentions that he doesn’t know the first two, just that the last one was a wish for death. Right there, you know something is bad about the monkey's paw power. Also, when he’s' telling the story it says that his tones were so grave that a hush fell upon the group, letting you know that he was serious, and not just kidding around. Later, major-major throws the paw upon the fire, giving you a definite hint that the monkey paw is bad, and shouldn’t be bothered. When the other tried to take it, and asked how to do it, major-major asked not to blame him, and warned him of the consequences. He also warned that, if you must wish, wish for something sensible. This foreshadowing let us know that something bad was going to happen with the monkeys paw.
4. The basic purpose for the Whites wanting to wish on the monkey's paw, I think are curiously, and greediness. They wish for money, to pay off the house, even though they were told to wish for something sensible.
5. Mr. White's third wish was that way because he was afraid of what would happen if the second wish came true. If something tragic happened in order for the first wish to come true, something tragic would probably happen for the second. It could have been someone’s death, maybe his wife's or maybe his own. The story could have happened happily rather than tragically if in the first place either they didn’t wish at all, or wished for something very sensible. The author didn’t have Mr. White make the "right" wish because if he had there would have been no lesson to the story. The spell was placed on the Monkey's paw to show that by messing with your own fate did so to their sorrow. If he had made the right choice, they would not have realized its purpose.
6. Some examples from the plot where the author is trying to create the single effect of horror are when the old man sat alone in the darkness, and seeing horrible, simian, faces in the fire. When they were told of Helbert's death, and that they were receiving two hundreds pounds as a sum of compensation. Also, when the old man's wife was making a scene in the middle of the night, demanding her husband to get the paw. It was almost like she was losing her mind, and didn’t even consider what might happen if her wish were to come true. Another example would be when the old man heard the knock at the door, meaning that their son was there, knocking at the door, and not seeming to leave; until finally the old man made his third wish.
To Build a Fire by Jack London
1. The chief conflicts in this story are the traveler verse the cold which was making his hands, toes and face numb, to build a fire, and to stay alive. At first, it took him a while to realize just how cold it was, and he stated that he had never experienced such cold. He rubbed his cheekbones and nose with the back of his mitten, but the instant he stopped they went numb. It didn’t think much of it though; he viewed the matter as just a little painful, nothing serious. However, when he went to eat his lunch, his fingers were numb, and he struck them against his leg. The stinging from his toes was passing, and he couldn’t tell if they were warm or numb. Another main conflict was when he noticed that the creek was frozen, yet he knew that the springs were running along under the snow and on top of the ice on the creek. If he stepped in the wrong place, he would break through and get wet, which meant trouble and danger. He was now faced with the problem for seeing these in time to avoid them. Sadly, he was at a place where there were no signs, where the snow seemed solid beneath, he broke through, causing halfway to the knees to be wet with icy cold water. Now, he was in need of building a fire, his newest obstacle. He built a foundation for the fire, and got his fire going, feeding it gradually with dry grass and the tiniest dry twigs. The fire was crackling and snapping, so he started to untie his moccasins. They were covered with ice, but as he went to cut the strings, an almost avalanche from the tree above came crashing down and blotted the fire out. Considering it was essential for him to have a fire, for his fall in the water, he began another one. This time away from trees, gathering dry grasses, tiny twigs, rotten bits of green moss, even though he could not bring his fingers together for their numbness. He could not feel with his fingers, so he threshed his arms and hands to hopefully create some sense of feeling in them. The numbness returned quickly and he couldn’t separate a match. He had to look for his hands in order to know where they were, as if they hung like weights on the ends of his arm. He somehow lit all seventy sulfur matches at once, holding the bunch between his hands. As he held it, he realized that it was burning his hand, he could smell it. He could only endure so much of it, so he jerked his hands apart and the matches fell into the sizzling snow. His shivering got in the way of him starting the fire, as he tried to place twigs over the burning birch bark. No fire for him. His next conflict was to stay alive. He remembered a story of a man caught in a blizzard, he killed a steer and crawled in its carcass to stay alive. With the dog that he had with him, he could do the same. After many attempts, the dog came over, yet he had no way to kill the dog, for his helpless hands could not control a knife. The fear of death came to him. He started running, hoping that if he ran far enough he would reach the camp and the boys. However it had one flaw in it: he lacked the endurance. Several times he stumbled and eventually crumpled up and fell. As he tried to get up he failed. He got up, and fell a second time. the though of losing the battle with frost drove him to run no more than a hundred feet, and then fell again. After some thought, he drowsed off into what seemed to him the most comfortable and satisfying sleep he had ever known, however, he froze to death in his sleep. Therefore, he seemed to lose all the battles that the cold threw at him.
2. The man becomes aware of the danger of the cold when he observes the frozen creeks that even the coldest snaps never freeze over and because he recalled that the springs still ran along under the snow. So if he stepped in certain places, he would break through and become wet, which mean danger and trouble. His later actions were to look for signs of the danger, such as a sunken, candied appearance.
3. The indirect characterizations that are made about the man are that he under estimates, and almost a carefree sort of person, lack of common sense, yet has knowledge, and able to stay calm,. He under estimates the power of the cold, and the old-timer of the Sculpture Creek. He almost comes across as carefree because though it is much colder than he thinks, he doesn’t think much of it. His lack of common sense is when he doesn’t realize how cold it is in the first place, and goes alone. Those are the flaws that contribute to the story's outcome, because if he was strong in those areas he probably would have lived. His strengths are knowledge on what to do in drastic situations, such as building a fire to last, and that the springs run along under the snow. Also, he is capable of trying to stay calm, for when he knew that every second his feet were freezing more.
4. The story suggest that the man who is most likely to survive against such difficult challenges, would have to wise enough to bring a buddy, and knowledgeable to know what to do in tough, frightening situations for survival.
5. London seems to admire mental acuity, because he places a man in the cold and if he had enough mental keenness he might have survived. He has to withstand the cold, which would be physical strength, however it would be easier if he had mental acuity for he would know more of when to stop and make a fire, and know that it is too cold to go out by himself.
6. London’s observations about the man's place in nature are that the man seems to still go on, at good pace, though he had not seen sun for several days. As the man travels in the middle of a place where there is only pure white as far as the eye could see. He was newcomer, so the weirdness of it all seemed to make no impression on the man.
7. I think the authors’ purpose behind the main character remaining nameless was that it wasn't really important of his name. There was no one else in the story for him to talk to, so him not having a name didn’t really make a difference.
8.Several examples of the author creating suspense was with whether or not he would make it to camp in the timing he wanted, how long he could handle the cold, how long before something dramatically horrible happened, if he was going to break through thin snow into a pool of water, how long before his hands were so cold they froze, how well his fire would work, would he be able to build another fire, if he was going to kill the dog, and if he was going to keep going to camp or die. The suspenseful moment that was most acute for me was whether or not he would kill the dog, because I don’t think I could ever bring myself to doing such a thing to an animal, even if it meant survival.
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
1. The setting of the story is a village of only about 300 people, with green grass and blossoming flowers. The details of the setting that are not specified are where about in the world, whether it is in the United States, Europe, etc. The lack of the specification impacts the story because it makes you wonder where such a thing as a lottery of getting stoned would happen.
2. I would characterize the tone of the story is anxious yet calm. For everyone is waiting to see if they're safe, yet it is shown in a very ordinary, hushed matter.
3. The only clues of foreshadowing that happen in the beginning are of the little boys building piles of stones in the corner, but I figured they did that just for fun. Near the end of the story there is some foreshadowing when Bill Hutchinson was standing quietly about his ticket, and Tessie Hutchinson shouting “You didn't give him enough time to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!" That gave the clue that winning the lottery wasn't so good, that it must be a winning of bad fate. However, before this moment in the story, I assumed it would be a good thing to win the lottery.
4. The point of view of the story is held a surprise until the end, because it is viewed as a third person, therefore making it easy to hide certain details, making you think that the outcome is going to be splendid for the winner of the lottery. Any other point of view would probably not work for this story because it would give away to many details, so the ending wouldn’t be so ironic, and the theme of the story probably wouldn’t be as clear.
5. To the villagers, the lottery means keeping a tradition. The attitude toward the lottery that is repeatedly revealed throughout the story is taking it seriously, and respecting the tradition. This attitude conveys the author's purpose for the story for showing that though the tradition is cruel; they still plan to keep to it.
6. The significance of saying "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon" is implying that their harvest depends on how well they do the tradition of the lottery.
7. I think the central theme of the story is that violence can happen anywhere, anytime, and though the people may seem harmful and peaceful, they too can commit such hatred. I think it means that we should be more aware that just because something doesn't seem like it could cause harmful damage, doesn't mean it cant or wont.
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Morgan Hunt
October 2, 2007
English 9
Period A
The screenwriters of the film, The Most Dangerous Game, modified the manuscripts from Richard Cornell’s original short story, in a variety of ways. There were some major differences in the movie, in which the introduction of a female character creates a new outlook and complex. Several characters were added, and removed; altering each version a little. The hunt was also presented with different circumstances. Actually several scenes from the book were changed or cut entirely.
For the beginning scenes, the film has a very reformed approach. It features a whole cast crew instead of in the book, where it features only Rainsford and Whitney. In both stories, it talks about people being cautious because of the island; only it was the crew members in the movie and the sailors in the book. Both ways let the viewer know that something wasn’t right, and possibly leading the viewer to believe something alluring was going to happen concerning the island.
In the book, Rainsford heard gunshots, leading him to leap upon a rail for a better view; so he could pinpoint where the noise was coming from. In doing so, his pipe hit a rope, causing it to be knocked out of his mouth, and when going to reach for it he lunged too far. He fell into the ocean, and determined, he swan to island safety. However, the movie projected it in a much different way. In the movie, the ship was misdirected and crashed into the sharp, unforgiving rocks. This caused a very quick yet dramatic scene, in which there were only three survivors at first; all other crew members had drowned. After a very short time, a shark appeared causing the death of the captain and a crew member, while Rainsford made his miraculous swim to island safety.
In both versions, Rainsford makes his way to General Zaroff’s creepy castle, to an uncomfortable greeting with Ivan. However, in the book it comes across as more striking, because Ivan greets Rainsford with a gun pointing straight at him, seeming to have no intentions to put it down. A major switch from the book to the movie is that in the movie there is a female character and her drunk brother. With these new characters, the unraveling of Zaroff’s hunting secret is very different compared to the short story. In the movie, the lady shares many hints and her standpoint to Rainsford, on how fear-provoking she finds General Zaroff to be. Mainly, just giving Rainsford an idea of what General Zaroff’s hunting is about. Together they discover what was really in the trophy room that night; her dead brother. However, in the original short story, there was no female character or drunk brother. In the short story, the way in which the secret was revealed was by General Zaroff and Rainsford discussing their comment interest; hunting. It led to the conversation of what General Zaroff hunts that is cunning, has courage, and most important, can reason.
Both outlooks at General Zaroff’s way of hunting and mind playing are startling and more or less secretive. In the movie, Rainsford is set to be hunted, and the damsel decides to go with him; although, the circumstances are slightly different in the book. Of course, in the book, Rainsford doesn’t have to take accountability for the lady because she is not there. Yet, in the movie the responsibility for the female character now gives him more weight on the pressure he is already bearing. For me, the end of the hunt in the movie was more intense. The fog, the scenery, the dogs, and the waterfall just really gave it power; oppose to the book simply stating that he leaped far out into the sea off a stone chateau.
Overall, this film made many adjustments. Not all of them were good changes; nonetheless, they still put out a good storyline. Although they had a lack of profits, resulting in the many scene cuts and less detail, they still did a decent job. On the other hand, I still feel the story was better. I felt it had a stronger meaning with the hunting issue; man to man- strength against strenght.
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Morgan Hunt
November 19,2007
English9
Mr.Edson
Are You Afraid My Child?
The air nips my skin, goose bumps crawl up my arms, but I can’t tell if it’s from the cold or merely because I'm nervous. The Nantucket fog mists above our heads, and eerie blanket, if only it could be used to cover our eyes. I glance around cautiously; the fairly large crowd waiting to enter the haunted house is all covered in costumes, from scary goblins to pink princesses. It is hard to point out people I know, (even though at school they all bragged how they would be here) however I stand close to the one I recognize, Lillie, in which I came here with.
Finally our time has come and we enter the forsaken house. A dense brume looms around us and I can only see a vague outline of my feet. The lights are dim and flickering, I swear I can almost feel my pulse going through my veins. We are led farther in, walls with cobwebs surround us, and we pass an old rotting coffin, with what seems to be the remains of some dead bride.
"Gross!" Lillie whispers in my ear. I jump. Her voice startled me, and I keep my head down, embarrassed that such a thing would scare me at my tall age of six. I think to myself, that I should be brave and bold, that nothing in this house could scare me. Though inside, I feel as timid as a field mouse caught in a lions paw.
In front of us, are a left hallway and a right hallway, in which we choose our own direction? Lillie and I both turn left. We walk by a table that is arranged with what seems to be a sullied skull, jars of body parts like eyes and ears, noses, and different sizes of fingers. As I brush by, trying my hardest to hold a straight stern face, something from under the table grabs my ankle. I scream. Jolting towards Lillie, I claim that I didn't want to lose her in the mist, for I knew if I did she would have nightmares later. She believes the quick lie, and I proceed in acting as if I can handle the world.
We were brought to a set of stairs, going down into what I assumed was the basement; the last place I would want to be. My first step down is replied with a piercing screech from the creaky wooden stairs, and I wince. I feel as though the boards beneath me are going to break, so I hold my breath on my way down. The haze is thicker down here, and not far off can I hear a simple, soft, yet direful croon. I follow the chants, into another dim room which has three tall figures in it, hovering around a large cauldron. As soon as they hear us enter the room, they turn around ending their chants with deep devilish laughs.
"How are you darlings?" Says the tall one, her voice low yet thunderous.
No one replies, instead we all stare at the three witches with eyes of fear and wonder. I try to subtly hide behind Lillie without her noticing. She doesn't, but one of the witches does and calls me out on it.
"Are you afraid my child?" The witch asks shakily.
I nod my head no, and pray she leaves me alone. All I hope to do is get out of this house alive, nothing more and nothingless.
"Oh really?" she inquires. "Then how about you come over here little pretty, if you are so brave. Come stand next to our great big pot, maybe even stir it if you like."
I hesitate, and suddenly I realize all eyes are on me. My heart is beating through my skin, I don't want to go over near those witches but at the same time I don't want to seem like a weakling.
"Oh come here darling, we won’t bite. “She insists.
I slowly begin to make my way over to them, my hands trembling. They tell everyone about their new recipe, how it will make them live forever, and how happy they are that they have found their last ingredient; a little girl. My thoughts are racing, could they be referring to me? Wasn't this supposed to be a pretend haunted house? What are they going to do!? The tallest witch strokes my hair, glances down at me and informs me "Are you proud to be such an important little morsel?" She laughs a wicked laugh, and I wish only that god could save me from this terrible lady.
Before I have much time to think, we are heading up the same stairs we went down, and we are leaving out the back door. A big air of relief comes over me and I realize that maybe it was all just pretend. That maybe I over reacted, and maybe, just maybe they really weren't going to use me in their recipe. My heart slows down back to normal tempo and Lillie tells me how brave she thought I was, and how she would have cried. I tell her it was nothing, though inside I knew it took all my might to try to stay calm. I knew really that if I had the chance, if it wasn't for the embarrassment, that I would have gladly ran away screaming, never turning back.
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Morgan Hunt
History 9
February 10, 2008
Film Analysis Report
The setting of the film Hotel Rwanda was in Kigali, the heart, capital and largest city in Rwanda. In 1994, Kigali was the scene for the Rwandan Genocide, in which around 1 million Tutsi's lost their life. The film is based on a true story one how one man, Paul Rusesabigina, used his hotel -The Mille Collines- to save thousands of lives from the Interahamwe (Hutu militia responsible for much of the killing in 1994 genocide). He gives up many of his belongings and money just to shelter these people, even though there is little hope of survival. Although this film is quite heartbreaking, it sends a message of how when we see something bad going on in the world, that we shouldn’t just sit around and do nothing; we need to bring our sympathy to action.
The main character, Paul Rusesabigina was the general manager at the Mille Collines hotel, and used his authority and money to save as many people as he could. He was a family man, and in the movie is quoted for saying "Family is all that matters." He sacrifices more than most would just to save these people. He lived on hope. There were so many things going against him, against all the Tutsi's, but he took the risks he needed just to save the people of Rwanda. He was the person in the film who had the greatest affect on me. Although there were times when he thought for sure that they were all going to die, he stayed composed, he never let all the people in the hotel realize he was worried, he made them believe everything would be alright and he did it with good intentions at mind. There is no doubt in my mind that many people consider him a hero, and he has certainly earned it.
His wife, Tatiana Rusesabigina, is also a very caring person. She worries about her friends, and especially her niece's, wanting so badly for them to be okay. The night the president of Rwanda was murdered, a 'cleansing of the country' beings, and Roger, their son is outside. When Roger is brought into the house he is covered in blood which terrifies them. However, once toweled clean, luckily they realize he has no injuries; he has the blood of others from witnessing killings. The rest of the movie, he does not talk until Paul, does not get on the truck that their family is on, and Roger screams "Papa! Papa!” However, the UN truck that is supposed to bring them to the airport has been ratted out by Gregoire. Gregoire was a Hutu employee of Paul, and threatens to tell on Paul for holding 'cockroaches' in the hotel, and refuses to work for him.
Another main character in the movie is George Rutaganda, Vice-President of the Interahamwe. Paul goes to him when he needs more food for the hotel, and George attempts to encourage Paul to join the Interahamwe. One of my favorite characters in the movie would have to be Pat Archer, a Red Cross member. Her goal in the movie was to save the orphans, which I thought was a good goal. She also helps Paul and Tatiana find their niece's amongst all the children.
In this movie there is a great deal of conflict. Some external conflict would be obviously be the genocide taking place, but also conflict with Gregoire and what needs to be done for safety. Gregoire, as said before is a Hutu employee of Paul that refuses to work. When Paul tries to enforce the fact that he should work, Gregoire uses the fact that he is keeping Tutsi's in the hotel against him. When at last there is hope for people getting on a plane to safety, Gregoire tells a Hutu, who announces it on the radio and the truck full of Tutsi's is attacked on the way to the airport. If Gregoire had not interfered, the people staying at the hotel would have had more hope and reassurance instead of fear.
Some internal conflict is conflict that Paul has inside. He is torn between sheltering these people and keeping his family safe. It worries him of what may become of the people in his hotel. He tries to do all he can but worries that it is not enough. He deals with the pressure of not only keeping his family save but also the people at the hotel. Although he says he will never leave Tatiana and his family he feels that he needs to stay and help the people at the hotel. Another internal conflict is with Roger, because during the whole movie he is traumatized from when he witnessed his neighbor’s and friend's families being slaughtered.
In my opinion, the turning point of the film was when Paul and Gregoire were driving along the road back to the hotel and had to turn around because of all the dead bodies. It showed how serious the problem was and how out of hand it had gotten. It made the watchers realize the extent of the killings, and hit Paul with a reality check. He realized that they were all going to die soon anyway, they would all share the same end but yet he still tried to change what he thought was everyone's fate. He knew that the machete was no way to die.
Paul Rusesabigina had more than 1,200 Tutsis and moderate Hutus within the walls of the luxury hotel he managed. I liked how the movie kept most of the film as accurate as possible. I am also glad how they kept it less violent so they could keep it PG 13, however I would have changed it so they at least mentioned what really happened just so people would be aware that it was much worse. I also liked how they didn’t show you the extent of the killings until about halfway through the film when they are driving in the road. It leaves out a part that would worry you and it is introduced at just the right time. It is a scary thought to think about 1 million people were killed in the Rwandan Genocide. It is also quite terrible that after staying in Rwanda for two more years, Paul Rusesabigina moved to Brussels in 2006 after receiving credible threats on his life. I learned how selfish and heartless people can truly be. Although the UN did try to help, so many of them were not concerned at all with the people that were being killed. So many killings were taking place, and the world only looked away.
In my opinion, the movie was a 10. Not only was it informative, but it kept the viewers interested. The movie sent a reality check to the audience as they the viewers began to feel guilt and sadness for what took place. It is quite a moving story that I think everyone should watch, and hopefully for those who watch it will be more thankful for what they have, and to lend a helping hand when needed.
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Morgan Hunt
Mr.Edson
English 9
November 1,2007
In the short story "The Lottery", Shirley Jackson displays irony in not only the story, but also in the title. When someone thinks of a lottery, it seems almost always to be thought of in a good sense of winning a prize. The point of view in which the story is told limits the reader to only so much information on the storyline itself, and not the character's thoughts. This way of writing make it’s so the reader only can guess what’s going to happen by the setting and foreshadowing. Even though there are some examples of foreshadowing that lie within the story, they are easier to point out after the story has already been read, for they are quite subtle. Symbolism is also pervaded in Jackson's short story, as the contrast of the town's ambiance and the way the people themselves are acting are described. The names of certain characters and how they relate to their personalities and roles are also important views of symbolism in this story.
The introduction of the story gives details about the setting. The setting of the story takes place in town square, in a small village of only about 300 people. The setting does not change during the story, so Jackson said all she needed to about the setting in the story's introduction. The story starts off with descriptions of the morning being "clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green". With this statement it seems that the story would have a sunny disposition. However, as the people themselves are described the reader tends to drift away slightly from that idea. The story reads "...and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed." This gives you the feeling that maybe something is wrong, or out of the ordinary. It makes the reader realize that maybe this meeting in the town square isn’t so good after all. This is where Jackson's symbolism and foreshadowing play an important role, for the contrast between the first description of the cheerful atmosphere and the second description of how serious and humorless the people themselves are shown.
Also in the beginning, there are some hints of foreshadowing that make more sense at the end. Such as "Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest and roundest stones...eventually made a great pile of stones in one corner of the square and guarded it..." At first, the reader would think of it is as child’s play, and not have further thoughts about it. However, by the end of the story when Tessie gets stoned it makes sense to why the boys were gathering stones and guarding their pile for themselves.
As the story proceeds, it reads "The lottery was conducted--as were the square dances, the teen club, and the Halloween program--by Mr. Summers, who had time and energy to devote to civic activities. He was a round-faced, jovial man..." This is yet another way in which Jackson shows symbolism, for Mr. Summer’s name seems to represent his personality of being "jovial" and "who had...energy". Yet he portrays such traits it is ironic because Mr. Summers is the one who conducts such a cruel tradition. The next character introduced is Mr. Graves, as the postmaster, that carries in the three-legged stool. He also takes part in making the slips in which the citizens pick from, so it almost is like he has some control over whose grave will be next.
There also is clue of fear that the people have, when asked for help from Mr. Summers "there was a hesitation before two men Mr. Martin and his oldest son, Baxter, came forward". As foreshadowing it gives a slight lead in what people are feeling during this event. If there was hesitation, it could mean that people there held some fear within them, and anxious about the entire situation. If this were to be a lottery of good winnings, you would think people would be more excited then fearful.
The way in which Jackson wrote the story, was viewed as a third person. This enabled her to hold the surprise consequence, in which the reader learned what winning the lottery meant in that village. Writing the story this way made it easy to hide certain details, making you unsure of what the outcome was going to be. Any other point of view would probably not work for this story because it would give away too many details. By writing it this way, it allowed the irony to be clear. The thoughts of the characters are left out, and the reader is left to believe that almost everything is fine until the ending is finally revealed.
The story continues, as Mr. Summers seems to be gathering some important paperwork together, making it seem as though this whole ceremony is very important. The narrator discusses things about this tradition that the towns’ people believe used to be used. Such as a "recital of some sort" a "tuneless chant", but over the years the village had shaken off such ritual. These details let the reader know that this tradition has been around for a while, and is taken quite seriously among the people, even though the tradition losing some traits.
The event is still shown as a very important matter as Mr. Summers asks "...Anybody ain't here?" This meant that in order for the lottery to happen, all members of the town must be present, also displaying that this is a big occasion, in which everyone is needed. As for the people that weren’t there, they had to have representatives, meaning that no one could be left out of the lottery. If the lottery was a good thing, then not all people in the town would have to participate, they could if they wanted. However, all the people must be accounted for one way or another, making the reader question what kind of event it really was.
As part of the rising action, Old Man Warner is introduced in this story, and once he hears that some towns have ended the lottery, he states ""Nothing but trouble in that," said stoutly.”Pack of young fools." This quotation shows that lottery is something that shouldn’t be messed with, and has an important purpose that the reader may not be aware of yet. His name being Old Man Warner is another example of symbolism, for it is as if he is warning them that they should keep the tradition. That if they get rid of it, evil things will happen to the town.
The climax is when finally all the names have been called, and the slips are yet to be opened. The papers were opened, and the people in the crowd being to say that Bill Hutchingson is the one who has got it. Tessie shouts out "You didn't give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!" This is when the reader starts to completely realize that winning the lottery isn’t a good winning. However, the reader is still not clear on what winning the lottery entails to.
Next, a lottery is placed on Bill Hutchinson’s family, and each member, his three youngest kids, his wife, & him. They all draw, and Tessie is the one who has to face such fate. The story reads "Tessie Hutchinson was in the center of a cleared space by now, and she held her hands out desperately as the villagers moved in on her.”It isn't fair," she said. A stone hit her on the side of the head...."It isn't fair, it isn't right," Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her.” This ending is when the reader is finally aware of what kind of lottery it really was. It was a scapegoat, not a winning of money, as most people would have guessed.
The message this ending sends, I think, is that we try to find one person to blame for the entire downfall of something, even though it should not be done. Tessie is picked at random, and is stoned to death as if getting rid of all the town's sins. All the towns’ sins cannot be place upon Tessie, for she didn’t commit all of them. Though at some point people did believe that it was a way to free the town of sins, and if they didn’t bad things could happen. It is almost as if the tradition shall not be questioned, only following. It shows that mankind can be so cruel even though
they act as if their not.
Shirley Jackson
Shirley Jackson’s early life was not a smooth one, and had some serious effects on the writing of "The Lottery". In The Lottery attempts of rebellion are made my Mrs.Hutchionson against the towns yearly stoning, when she is chosen to be stoned. Jackson’s rebellion between her and her parents may be related to the rebellion Jackson wrote about in the lottery. Shirley married a smart Jewish man named Stanley Edgar Hyman, who encouraged her with her rebellion. Her and her husband moved to Vermont, and had four children. Her thoughts and life in Vermont could certainly affect her writings. The setting in The Lottery is quite similar to Vermont, for both are quite rural communities and they are both far different than the city. Reasoning behind her motives for writing such a story with hostile villagers can be connected to her life in many ways. She wrote this book after some school children threw stones at her on her way home. It is easy to understand some of the motives Shirley has to write this book, and the story itself seems to make more sense after knowing them.
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Morgan Hunt
English 9
Mr.Edson
February 11, 2008
OMAM log 1
1. In the first two chapters of Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck begins the story by laying out the setting. It is described with a river and "golden foothill slopes" curving "up to the strong rock Gabilan Mountains, (Steinbeck 1). Next, Steinbeck describes the two main characters. George is described to have strong features, while Lennie is said to be big and "shapeless of face" (Steinbeck 2). The first chapter should be titled "He forgets" because in this chapter Lennie's forgetfulness is something George complains about, and tells Lennie things that he is afraid Lennie will forget; such as where Lennie is supposed to go if he gets into any trouble. Also, in the first chapter we learn about the incident in Weed and why they got chased out. In the second chapter, they make their way to the Ranch, even though they were supposed to be there that morning, but talk to the boss around ten o'clock. This chapter should be titled "Suspicion" because there is a lot of it going on in this chapter. First off, the boss gets suspicious about George because he is doing all the talking for Lennie. The boss asked "What are you trying to put over?" and George lies in his reply, saying that they are cousins and Lennie was kicked in the head by a horse therefore he isn't too bright. Next, George gets suspicious of the Swamper, Candy overhearing Lennie and George's conversation. When Curley, the boss's son, comes in George gets suspicious of him because he thinks Curley is one to start trouble; he is right. Apparently Curley likes to pick scraps with big guys which worries George because Lennie is a big guy and neither George nor Lennie want any trouble. Last but not least, Curley's wife comes him supposedly looking for Curley, but George also thinks she is trouble and tells Lennie "You leave her be." (Steinbeck 36)
2. One character in the first two chapters that is important to the story is Lennie. Lennie is a huge man and he walks heavily "dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws"(Steinbeck 2) In these two chapters we learn that Lennie is mentally challenged it seems, and forgets a lot. He means no harm, and he really wishes he could remember stuff. "I forgot," Lennie said softly. “I tried not to forget. Honesty to God I did, George." (Steinbeck 4) Lennie also likes to hold mice in his pocket so he can rub their soft little heads, but he always ends up petting them too hard and by doing so he kills them. For this we learn that Lennie likes to touch soft or pretty things; also the reason they were kicked out of Weed. Lennie saw a girl wearing a dress, and he wanted to touch it but the girl didn’t understand, and Lennie didn’t let go, so the girl ran back and told people that Lennie had raped her. Lennie's somewhat absent mind is an essential thing to remember in the story, and it lets you know that something might become of it, such as it getting them into trouble as it has before.
3. In the first chapter, George tells Lennie all the things he could do if he was on his own. This shows the reader that although George sometimes wishes he wasn’t with Lennie, that he still stays with him for a reason. He cares for Lennie whether he would like to admit it or not. He has a plan for the both of them, and must not be able to see leaving Lennie alone. On one level, George must have some sympathy for Lennie other wise there wouldn't be a reason to why George still travels with him. As George said, there were so many things he could do, "I could live so easy... I could stay in a cat house... I could eat any place I want...Get a gallon of whisky..."(Steinbeck 12) However, they seem to have a bond that is more important. George begins to feel guilty after what he says, because he knows that they each need each other; "Lennie broke in..."Because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you..."(Steinbeck 15)
4.This reading makes me think about how we all need someone to be there for us. It makes me think how hard it would be for me in life if I traveled alone so to say. It is not so much that I am very dependant on others all the time, but I do enjoy having someone to talk to. Last April, my best friend at the time was Chelsea. When something medically serious happened to her and she was gone for a whole month I went about crazy. We did so much together and we always spent time hanging out and talking. True, I had other friends but it wasn’t the same. I don't think I could imagine going through life without having someone to talk to. I'm an only child so most of my childhood I’ve been responsible for keeping myself entertained, but it is not the same because I had friends that I went to school with.
5. Overall, these first two chapters clearly laid out the setting and characters that are necessary to pay attention to. With all the suspicion of trouble makers and what happened back in Weed, I can only predict that more trouble will follow. Perhaps with Curley starting trouble or Lennie making a mistakes. Perhaps even with Curley's wife, for "I seen her give Slim the eye..." (Steinbeck 31) said Candy.
6.
Brusquely - quickly or abruptly
cesspool - a deep hole in the ground into which sewage from sinks, toilets, etc. is drained.
Complacently - in a pleased manner
derogatory - insulting
sycamores - a type of shade tree with leaves like the leaves of a maple tree.
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Morgan Hunt
February 14, 2008
English 9
Mr.Edson
OMAM 3+4
1. In the third and fourth chapters of Of Mice And Men, a lot of talk of the future happens and also a lot of drama as well. The third chapter should be called "Defended, Happy, and then Attacked" because that is basically everything that happened to Lennie and this chapters. In the beginning, George and slim are talking and Slim mentions how it is weird that him and Lennie travel together. "'What's so funny about it?' George demanded defensively." (Steinbeck 42). George continues to defend Lennie in the situation by telling Slim that Lennie isn’t crazy, and how him and Lennie have known each other a while because he knew Lennie's aunt Clara. Lennie is happy because Slim gave him one of his' dog's puppies. However, when Curley thinks Lennie is laughing at him, Curley attacks him and at first Lennie does nothing but stand there and eventually crushes his hand. Chapter four should be titled "Lonely" because we learn how lonely Crooks and Curley's wife are. The chapter starts off by Lennie going into Crooks room, and not being welcomed. Crooks tries to tell Lennie how he has to live and how he is not wanted. Next, Candy comes in and they all talk about their own little house and Crooks gets in on the plan with Lennie, George and Candy. Soon Curley's wife comes into the barn, and wants to talk. They try to tell her that they don’t want any trouble and she should just leave. She stays, and tries to talk to them and explains how lonely she gets and what life she could have had.
2. One character in the third and fourth chapters that we learn more about is Candy's wife. In the first two chapters, the only perspective we have of her is that she is pretty, flirtatious and trouble. However, in these two chapters we learn the reason behind these actions; loneliness. She is lonely, and doesn’t even like talking to Curley. "Think I don't like to talk to somebody ever' once in a while?"(Steinbeck 85) she asks them. When they tell her that she has a husband she replies with "Swell guy, aint he? Spends all his time sayin' what he's gonna do to guys he don't like, and he don't like nobody" (Steinbeck 85) This explains why she is always trying to talk to the guys in the barn, because she is lonely and doesnt think Curley is a nice guy. She tells them how she could have been in pitchers, and then insults them buy saying "-Sat'iday night. Ever'body out doin' som'pin. Ever'body! An' what am I doin'? Standin' here talk'n to a bunch of bindle stiffs- a nigger an' a dum-dum and a lousy ol' sheep- an likin' it because they aint nobody else." (Steinbeck 86) This shows that she rather be out doing plenty of other things. This is important to the story because if she is lonely she is going to talk to the guys, and if Curley find out he is going to mad, which means trouble.
3. In these chapters, the dream of owning their own little house with a garden and rabbits plays a big role. Candy gets into the plans, and Crooks did for a while until he decided to forget about it. Their place is in mind is "ten acres... got a little win'mill. Got a little shack on it, an' a chicken run. Got a kitchen, orchard, cherries, apples, peaches, 'cots, nuts, got a few berries. They's a place for alfalfa and plenty water to flood it. They's a pig pen-" (Steinbeck 62) Lennie is looking forward to the rabbits, and feeding them. When candy joins in, he mentions how he could do work, and even put in $350. They really think they are going to get the place. For them, it symbolizes freedom to do what they want when they want. The said that there wouldn’t be anyone to stop them so, "S'pose they was a carnival or circus come to town, or a ball game, or any damn thing. We'd just go to her, We wouldn’t ask nobody if we could. Jus' say, We'll go to her, an' we would" (Steinbeck 67)
4. These chapters make me think about how when my friends and I were younger we used to plan on getting a house together. Whenever we saw a house we really liked and agreed on we would always say that when we got older we were going to buy it and live in it together; Abergaveny, Allison, and I. There was one house on Nantucket between Allison's house and mine that we always thought was very cool. We'd imagine what we would have in it, and what kind of play set we would have. We would even talk about who got what room and when we would have parties. We also talked about how we could have movie nights and such. It was fun thinking about having so much freedom and sharing it with your friends. Just imagining all the things we could do were fun. Half the time we actually believed we were going to, but somehow we all knew that somewhere along the line things would change; and they did.
5. Overall, a lot happened in these chapters. I'm afraid for Lennie, not only because of Curley but because of his puppy. The reading says that the puppy is too little and that he is always with it which makes me a little cautious. I'm also a little afraid for when Curley gets better; no one knows what he could do. I’m kind of disappointed that Crooks dropped out of his plans for the house, except part of me doesnt think they will get it anyways. However, I think it was generous of George to let Candy in on the plans and nice of Candy to contribute to help buy the house.
6.
bemused- to be deep in thought
contemptuously - to be full of scorn
mauled- something worn out or torn
slug- usually a single alcoholic drink
twict- a sudden sharp punch
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Morgan Hunt
February 25, 2008
Mr.Edson
English 9
OMAM 5+6
1. In the fifth and sixth chapters of Of Mice and Men a lot of trauma happens-including death. The third chapter should be called "Death of Softness" because the death in these two chapters is because of how soft they are. Lennie's puppy dies, because the puppy is soft and Lennie has been petting its and taking it away from its mother. Lennie sort of panics thinking that he won’t be able to tend the rabbits. Also, Curley's wife walks into the barn where Lennie is, while everyone else is out playing horseshoes. Lennie tries to tell Curley's wife "If George sees me talkin' to you he'll give me hell,"(Steinbeck 96). However, she stays in there to talk and Lennie listens. She tells him how she doesn’t like Curley- "He isn’t a nice fella."(Steinbeck 97) she tells him. After talking for a while, Curley's wife tells Lennie that her hair is "soft and fine." (Steinbeck 99). She convinces Lennie to touch her hair but when she tells him to let go, he doesn’t. She begins freaking out because he will not let go, and he held tight on her because he wanted her to stop screaming. "She struggled violently under his hands" (Steinbeck 99). Lennie shakes her to try to get her to stop screaming so he can let go; but Lennie broke her neck. She was dead. Chapter six should be titled "Sometimes goodbye are the only way" because in the sixth chapter, Lennie escapes down by the river, as George told him before. At first Lennie hallucinates all these people talking to him; Aunt Clara and then a huge rabbit. Once word gets around about what Lennie did, there is no doubt that one of the guys is going to kill him. So George does what he thinks is right, and find him before the others do. George talks to Lennie, and tells him everything is going to be okay. George tries to get Lennie to be happy, right before he shoots Lennie.
2. One character in chapter six that shows to be a true friend is George. Although he is the one that kills Lennie, he talks about "how its' gonna be" (Steinbeck 115) all about the little place that they're going to have. He does this in hopes that Lennie will think everything is going to be good, as if it will make him die happily. George steals the Carlson's Luger, he takes is so he can get to Lennie before the others. Lennie begs to George "Le's do it now. Le's get that place now." (Steinbeck 117) and George lets him believe they are going to. "And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie's head...his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger."(Steinbeck 117). That was it. Lennie was dead as well, but his death was much easier than what may have happened if the other guys got to him first. Curley said he was going to "shoot the guts outa that big bastard" (Steinbeck 107). So by George shooting Lennie, Lennie didn’t suffer as much as he would have. When all the guys get there, they all know that George shot him, but Carlson gives him an alibi on what happen, so that George will have a story for investigators. They will say that Lennie had the gun and that George got it away, and then killed him. Slim is the only one who notices realizes how hard that must have been for George, and says they should go get a drink. The book ends by Curley saying "Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin' them two guys?" (Steinbeck 118)
3. In these two chapters, the rabbits and what they meant to Lennie really shone through. For Lennie, the rabbits were much more than rabbits; they were a goal. He was so very proud to tell people he would be able to tend the rabbits and when he did something wrong that is what he could think about. He would think how George wouldn't let him tend the rabbits. It was a very serious matter for Lennie. When Lennie's puppy was dead, he whispered to himself "Now I won’t get to tend the rabbits. Now he won't let me." He rocked himself back and fourth in his sorrow' (Steinbeck 93) Once he realizes Curley's wife is dead and goes down by the river, after imagining Aunt Clara was there, he imagines a gigantic rabbit. The rabbit talks to him, and tells Lennie "You ain't fit to lick the boots of no rabbit. You'd forget 'em and let 'em go hungry."(Steinbeck 112). This angers Lennie, and tells the rabbit loudly that he would not forget. Lennie spends so much time thinking about the rabbits, and how disappointed George will be.
4. This part of the book reminds me of my cousin, because he made a lot of mistakes as a young kid; mistakes that his mom would always scornfully yell at him for. I used to always feel bad for him, and same as with the rest of my family. Everyone in a while my grandma was take him for the weekend, and we would all go out to ice cream and the beach and try to fun things. Still, he was annoying with us, but we tried our best not to yell and tried our best just to let him live a little and have fun. We knew that once he left our house to go back home he would have to deal with another month of being afraid. He used to be afraid of his own actions, but he tried his hardest to be good. It reminds me of how George is with Lennie, and how even though he did something so bad he tried to let Lennie die peacefully.
5. Overall, my thoughts on these last two chapters were mainly sorrow for Lennie. It’s hard to think that all he wanted in life was to tend rabbits, and how his chance was messed up. Such as simple aspiration and he didn’t even get to fulfill his dream. However I was proud of the way George handled it. Part of me feels sad for Curley's wife, but only because she does not like Curley. Lennie warned her when she came in the barn; even though she had no idea what was going to happen, she still should not have gone in.
6.
Gingham- cloth with usually a checkered pattern
Snooker- a pool game.
Writhed- contorted; twisted in pain or struggle
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Morgan Hunt
English 9
Mr.Edson
February 26, 2008
Chapter 5
1. It is a Sunday afternoon in the beginning of chapter 5.
2. Lennie is in the barn all by himself looking at his dead puppy while the others are all playing horseshoes.
3. Lennie thinks that he might not get to tend the rabbits because it is his fault that his puppy is dead, and he thinks George will be mad because of it.
4. Curley's wife visits Lennie in the barn.
5. According to Curley's wife, no one is going to leave the horseshoe tournament because "they got four dollars bet in that tenement" (Steinbeck 95-96)
6. According to Curley's wife, she didn't get into show business because her mom wouldn't let her because at the time she was only fifteen. She thought that her mom stole the letter that she was supposed to get from some guy that was going to put her in movies.
7. We can infer that Curley's wife married Curley to get away from her mother.
8. Lennie plans to throw away the pup so George would never know so he could avoid getting in trouble.
9. Lennie lost a big piece of velvet that his Aunt Clara bought him, and he wishes he had it now.
10. Curley's wife yells at Lennie to let go of her hair that he is touching, but he doesn't.
11. Lennie tries to make Curley's wife stop screaming by closing his hand over her mouth and nose and shook her. This caused her death.
12. Candy finds Curley's wife
13.Candy hopefully asks George "You an' me can get that little place, can't we, George?" (Steinbeck 103).
14. George asks Candy to make it seem as if George did not know anything about Curley's wife being dead, he asked Candy to come in a little after him and make it sound like George has not seen her.
15. Carlson thinks that Lennie took her Luger.
Chapter 6
16. Lennie was hiding down by the Salinas river.
17. Lennie has his first imaginary conversation with his Aunt Clara.
18. Lennie has his second imaginary conversation with a gigantic talking rabbit.
19. George tells Lennie the story about the little house that they are going to get with the animals, alfalfa and about the rabbits.
20. While George is telling Lennie the story and making him think everything is good and that he isn't mad, he shoots him in the head with Carlson's Luger.
V. Paragraph
21. In my opinion, George was justified to shoot Lennie. Lennie received much better treatment in his death than if the other guys of the ranch would have. George told him a nice story; all about the little house and rabbits. He said to Lennie, "No, Lennie. I ain't mad. I never been mad, and I ain't now. That's the think I want ya to know." (Steinbeck 117). George tries to make Lennie believe that everything is going to be okay and that they are going to live a good happy life. Then, George lifts up the Luger, shakily, and shoots him right in the head so he may only suffer a kick death. On the other hand, if Curley were to get to him first Lennie's death would not have happened so pleasantly. Curley had said in chapter 5 "I'm goin...I'm gonna shoot the guts out that big bastard myself,"(Steinbeck 107). That showed that Curley was going to let Lennie suffer, that he was going to show no mercy for Lennie had crippled his hand and now killed his wife. The manner in which George went out about killing Lennie was much more justified than what Curley was going to do, because deep down Lennie did not mean any harm to Curley's wife.
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Morgan Hunt
English 9
Reading Log
Chapters 1 and 2
December 8, 2007
1. In the first two chapters of The Pearl, John Steinbeck introduced the reader to the three main characters; Kino, Juana, and Coyotito. They are an Indian family, living in a small village of huts on the Gulf of Mexico. The first chapter should be titled 'The Song of Evil' because it gives the reader an idea that something bad is going to happen without giving anything away. The Song of Evil was brought forward when Kino saw the scorpion near Coyotito's hanging basket. Even though Kino tried his best to save Coyotito from the poisonous, stinging tail of the scorpion, his attempt was thwarted. Coyotito’s scorpion sting is one of the first, main conflicts in the story because it threatens Coyotito’s life. The doctor in town that Juana and Kino bring Coyotito to for treatment refuses their small, worthless pearls. In chapter two, Kino, Juan, and Coyotito go out on the canoe in hopes to find a pearl to pay for Coyotito's doctor visit. The chapter should be titled 'The Dive of Good Fortune' because one of the oysters that Kino brings up from sea holds a pearl. Not just any pearl, but a pearl as large as a sea-gull's egg; the pearl that could save Coyotito's life.
2. One character that is introduced in the book that has to do with a conflict is the Doctor. The reader is first informed about him by what the town’s people know. "They knew his ignorance, his cruelty, his avarice, his appetites, his sins. They knew his clumsy abortions..." (Steinbeck 9) That little bit information tells a great deal about the Doctor even before we meet him. It is also said that he is a "fat, lazy doctor"(Steinbeck 9). The Doctor is indeed greedy and spoiled; while Kino and Juana suffer for Coyotito the Doctor is dressed in a gown of "red watered silk that had come from Paris...On his lap was a silver tray with a silver chocolate pot..." (Steinbeck 10). When the Doctor's servant tells him about the little Indian baby with the scorpion sting the Doctor replies saying "Have I nothing better to do then to cure insect bites for 'little Indians'? I am a doctor, not a veterinary."(Steinbeck 11) This remark shows how high he thinks of himself oppose to the Indians in whom he compares to animals, reminding the servant that he is not a veterinary. The Doctor declined the request, for the eight little pearls Kino has to offer because they do not satisfy his selfish need for wealth.
3. A symbol used quite often is Kino's songs. In the First chapter there was the Song of the Family. This song symbolizes comfort and tranquility as Kino listens to Juana making morning cakes, and "Juana sang softly an ancient song that had only three notes and yet endless variety of interval" (Steinbeck 3). The song is basically the noises of his family, of natures surroundings; a song that is familiar and welcoming to him. Another song that Kino has is the Song of Evil, "...the music of the enemy, of any foe of the family, a savage, secret, dangerous melody..." (Steinbeck 5). This song plays in Kino's mind as the scorpion makes its way down to Coyotito's basket. It is a song that occurs when Kino feels afraid, nervous, or when he worries that something bad will happen. The song that is shown in chapter 2 is the Song of The Pearl That Might Be. This is a song that plays in Kino, ".. a secret little inner song, hardly perceptible but always there..." (Steinbeck 17). This song is that little excitement about the fact that any one of the oysters Kino gets might, just maybe, has a pearl in it. The song is that little chance, the little hope of finding a pearl. The symbol of the songs might be important to the story because it allows the reader to predict when something is going to happen. The songs let the reader know when something bad might happen, and how Kino is feeling.
4. The reading makes me think about my Papa, and his pond and canoe. It makes me wonder about the things my Papa suffered with. In my mind, my Papa and Kino are very much alike, because Kino's people realize the important things in life and appreciate nature, just like my Papa. They are both very simple people. It reminds me about being little, and going out in the canoe with my Papa. We would slowly go around the ponds edge, picking wild blueberries so my grandma could make pancakes or muffins. Whenever I spent time with my Papa, we were always outdoors. We would go down to the pond, or take walks in the forest hoping maybe to lay eyes upon a deer. Sometimes we would work on their garden, or try to see how many types of birds we could see. Just the relation Kino and his people have with nature reminds me of my Papa.
5. Overall, these first two chapters let me understand what was going on in the story, and I felt as though I understood all the circumstances. Such as Kino's home life compared to the Doctors, and how important it is for Coyotito to live. I have a feeling that a fortune that the great pearl will give Kino and his family is not for the best. I think that maybe the fortune is too great and it will be for the worse. In the end the lesson will probably be something a long the lines of how money can ruin people.
6.
avarice- an excessive desire to gain wealth; to be greedy
bougainvillea- woody shrubs or vines, sometimes having vibrant purple or red flowers
bulwark- a defense or protection
indigene- one that is native
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Morgan Hunt
English 9
Mr.Edson
December 14, 2007
Chapters 3&4 Reading Log
1. In the third and fourth chapters of The Pearl, John Steinbeck writes about the beginning of the Kino and Juana's downfall. He writes about Kino's goals and how they may backfire on him, the doctors 'cure', selling the pearl, and several violent mischievous occurrences in the night. Chapter three should be titled 'The Dreams, the Doctor, and the Dark' because those are the three major things in this chapter. Kino talks about his dreams for the future that the pearl carries. The Doctor pays a visit, now willing to cure Coyotito, even though his plans are deceiving. The chapter has to do with the dark because in the dark, evil creeps for the sake of the pearl, which makes Juana want to get rid of the pearl. Chapter four should be titled 'Low Bids, High Prices' because this is the chapter in which Kino tries to sell the pearl. When he gets to his first dealer, with just about everyone in town following him, Kino is disappointed. The pearl buyers tells him the pearl that was to bring him great fortune, is not worth too much. This is because it is so big that it is more of a curiosity than something for jewelry. This angers Kino, for he knows he is being cheated. However, the way he goes about it may give set some high consequences. Even his brother Juan Tomas thinks so by saying "... I am afraid for you..." (Steinbeck 54)
2. The characters that were now introduced into the book were the pearl buyers. They played a big role in Kino's lack of success, because it was them that stood in the way. They knew how Kino was inferior when it came to pearl prices and they figured he would be easy to fool. Even though he was misled, he knew what they were doing. A pearl buyer first offered him one thousand peso's. This angered Kino, for he knew that his great, extraordinary pearl was worth much more than that. Then, the pearl buyer got the other appraisers, and they put their efforts into manipulating Kino. They said such things as "Better pearls are made of paste" (Steinbeck 51). Kino was so vexed and enraged that he took his pearl, and said "My pearl is not for sale here. I will go, perhaps even to the capital." (Steinbeck52) At this point, the pear buyers knew that they had gone too far, and played their game too hard. They had failed at doing their job, for they had an ornate opportunity to buy a great pearl and they ruined it. These pearly buyers show how much the Indians are thought of in their awareness, and how taking advantage of people can ruin a good thing. However, it also shows that Kino truly cares about his plans for the future, because turning down a thousand pesos when you have nothing shows that it wasn’t good enough if it wasn't going to enable his aspirations to become reality. He is standing buy what he wants, and what he believes in, even if it names him crazy in the eyes of others.
3. One thing that happens in these two chapters that is important yet alarming are the people in the night lingering around Kino and Juana's hut. On several occasions Kino is brought outside by the Song of Evil for something is about in the air. He senses that something is wrong, and is right about it. Someone was outside their hut, digging the ground, searching for the pearl. When Kino goes to investigate, he gets struck. "Juana heard the little rush, the grunting struggle, the blow...Kino lay on the ground, struggling to rise..." (Steinbeck 56). By the time he recovers and is ok, whatever was out there is gone. This worries Juana, and makes her want to get rid of the pearl even more. Juana says “Kino, the pearl is pure evil. Let us destroy it before it destroys us..." (Steinbeck 56). The pearl is becoming a great burden on the family, a burden of evil. This is strong foreshadowing that the pearl is not longer a good thing, and if it is that with its beauty comes battle. The pearl seems to be more of a hassle than an advantage to the family, and so far they have only gained desires that may never be; comfort that only agonizes.
4. Reading these chapters, makes me think about how greedy people can be, and how they can underestimate others, such as the pearl buyers. When it comes to underestimating, I always think about that time in tae kwon doe class when I proved everyone wrong. Me being a white belt, a beginner, an amateur who had only been in the class for under a month, they all underestimated my skills. We all lined up by rank, which meant a small handful of kids and I would be at the end. As our master held up the board, we had one chance, one opportunity to kick it, and hopefully break the board he held between his hands. As the kids when through trying their best yet not succeeding, no one thought that a white belt could do it if a blue belt couldn’t. It was my turn, I went up, nervous. I kick it, and hear the crack as it breaks in half. Everyone was surprised; no one thought I had it in me. No one knew Kino would back down from the pearl buyers deal, especially the pearl buyers. They knew about his lack of knowledge on the pearls and prices, but he knew that they were going to try to cheat him. He tired his best not to fall for it, and he succeeded.
5. Overall, these chapters just showed me what direction Kino and Juana are going in. So far, it is not looking so good. Maybe it doesn’t seem so bad to them, but I know it is going to get worse before it gets better. By the way that there are people searching for the pearl now, it is probably only going to get worse. People want the pearl, and it doesn’t matter to them how they get it. I am sure that there are even people in that town that wouldn’t even have to give a second thought about killing Kino for the pearl. Juana already wants to destroy the pearl, and if things get worse that want for it gone is only going to grow. I can already predict that she is going to try to get rid of it, or they are going to get rid of it, but it may have done too much damage by that time.
6.
Benediction- A blessing
Countenanced-Encouragement or approval
Disparagement- To speak of or treat slightingly
Legerdemain- Any artful trick
Patron- A client or customer
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Morgan Hunt
English 9
Mr.Edson
December 17, 07
Chapters 5 & 6
Reading Log
1. In the fifth and sixth chapters of The Pearl, Steinbeck writes about the attack of Kino for the pearl, and how Juana and Kino have to escape their village. In both chapters, so much happens at once. The fifth chapter should be titled "The Rush" because everything goes wrong at once. First, Juana attempts to get rid of the pearl herself, but she is caught and hit. Next, Kino "heard the rush, got his knife out and lunged at one dark figure..." (Steinbeck 59) Before you know it, Kino as killed a man and their house is burning down. Kino also soon figures out that there has been a hole knocked out of the bottom of the canoe. Now that Kino had killed a man, they must leave the village because people would be searching for them. The rest of the village thinks of them as dead, for this house is ablaze yet Kino and Juana are not seen. The hide out in Juan Tomas's house until it is safe for them to go. Chapter six should be titled "The Escape" because it is the chapter in which Juana and Kino escape the village at night and head north. They travel on foot, and are grateful that the wind will erase most of their footprints incase someone is in the search of them. Sure enough, someone is looking for them; the trackers. This means that Kino and Juana must now make their way winding along, and hopefully lose them in the mountains. However, this only brings trouble. Kino's plan would have worked perfectly, but sadly one more died than planned; Coyotito.
2. In these two chapters Juana proves how strong she is and her understanding on things. When she was trying to get rid of the pearl, like she was all a long, Kino caught her. Not only did he find her in the middle of her plan, but he struck her in the face and kicked her in the side. Even though this happened, she "stared at him with wide unfrightened eyes... she knew there was murder in him, and it was all right; she had accepted it..." (Steinbeck 59). When Kino had said "I am a Man" (Steinbeck 57), it meant to Juana that he was half god and half insane, but she was ok with it. She knew that he would try the impossible, that’s why made him a man, and a man is what she needed. Juana is also strong, and has a will power. When Kino mentioned about hiding her in the mountains, because it would be safer Juana refused. Juana argued that she will go with Kino and Kino tried to tell her no. "He looked then for weakness in her face, for fear or irresolution, and there was none. Her eyes were very bright....but he had taken strength from her." This whole time Juana had dealt with the problems the pearl had brought, and she knew that it was evil. She knew that they should have gotten rid of it because of the evil it has brought upon them. Honestly, even though the tradition of a husband being higher than a wife, they are equal. This is proven when they walk into the village, walking side by side. Juana is just a strong as Kino and they have both dealt with the loss of their first son.
3. Kino and Juana's escape, in my opinion, could be used as a symbol of the things the pearl has brought them. They first start out, walking at night, not being followed by anything but playing it safe. This is like how they are with Coyotito and his scorpion bite, because even though Juana sucked most of the poison out, and he seems as thought he is healing, they still have the doctor treat him just in case. However, Kino spots the trackers that are looking for them, and think of a plan. This is almost like his plan to go to the capital, because he is not very sure how the outcome will be and if it will be successful. On his way, he zigzags up the mountain, gaining time ahead of the trackers and time to think of their next move. This is like how they were with trying to get away from the intruders and obstacles that the pearl brought because they have to go in complicated directions just to get a certain outcome. Kino and Juana hide out in the caves (like they did in Juan Tomas and Apolonia's hut) they just wait for the trackers. Kino has a plan, he "must go before moonrise" (Steinbeck 83) and get the tracker with the rifle, and kill the others. However, this is not a simple task. "Kino edged like a slow lizard down the smooth rock shoulder... His spread fingers gripped the mountain... any sound that was not germane to the night would make them alert..." (Steinbeck 84). All these ways that Kino and Juana goes about things really show what is important to them. To Kino, the pearl was very important because it meant so much for his future. To Juana, staying with her family was important. She could have stayed back in the village, and hoped for Kino's return, but she didn’t; she went with him.
4. In this part of the book, it reminds me about playing hide-and-go-seek with all of my neighborhood friends. When we played neighborhood games, we got very intense, we were serious with the rules and we took pride in how we played. We each had our certain skills when it came to hide-and-go-seek, such as how Kino and Juana zigzagged along and choosing places that would show less signs trespass. We would always make it sound and look like we went one way, but we should switch out direction. When we played in the neighborhood, we had so many spots and places to hide; that’s what made it fun and kept it interesting. One time, Brittany and I went to the end of our street and made obvious signs of our tracks. Then, silently we sneaked pass houses until we were at the other half and we hid up in a low tree. No one thought to look there, and no one found us, until we decided to jump down because it was taking them too long. Kino and Juana made their long way up into the clefts, hid there and stayed. Kino waited for the opportune moment to leave. However, in our case we left our spot due tiresomeness of waiting. We always tried our best to hide in the shadows, and move along the ground. It was one of our favorite games, and we basically had no limits to how far we would take our ideas of creativity. One day Emily and I hid in the back of our neighbors trucks because we didn’t have enough time to think of somewhere else to hide. In Kino's sake hiding wasn’t so much a game as it was a way of survival from the trackers.
5. My overall thoughts about the reading is just how great fortunes can ruin people, and their lives. Kino, Juana, and Coyotito were living their life fine without the pearl, and once it came in it only gave ambitions that were never meant to be and people ready to attack for its value. People were searching around Kino and Juana's hut in the night just in hopes to dig up the pearl. People burned his house, and physically attacked Kino. Everyone knew that the pearl was worth so much, but it gave the pearl buyers such an ego that they figured they could cheat Kino. The pearl had become everything Kino hoped for, instead of just a blessing that could cure Coyotito. However, the same pearl that was going to save Coyotito technically killed him as well. I am predicting that Kino and Juana will go back and build up another hut, mourn for some time, and then hopefully have another child. Coyotito was their first, but they are a young couple so I doubt that they will just go on without having another baby in their lives.
6.
irresolution- lack of decision or purpose
intercession- a prayer to a God on behalf of another
malignant- very dangerous or harmful
petulant- easily irritated or annoyed
resinous- an aroma of incense, cedar, pine, camphor or a sticky sap
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Morgan Hunt
English 9
December 23, 2007
Mr. Edson
Final Essay- Prompt 2
In the novel The Pearl, John Steinbeck displays many examples for how people struggle against compelling forces or barriers, and how these battles have a significant effect on the people. In this novel, Kino is one of the characters that certainly deals with many struggles. He is a husband, a father, a brother, and nothing but a poor man. In the beginning, he appears to be fine with being poor because his people have learned to enjoy the simple things in life and he is perfectly happy living in his hut and eating corn cakes for breakfast. Despite their family’s wholeness, and their comfort, a scorpion bite of their baby triggers their struggle. When Kino finds the most amazing pearl only thoughts of the future can fill his mind; thoughts of clothes, marriage, and Coyotito being able to read. Nonetheless, these wonderful aspiring thoughts were the same thoughts that brought desire and avarice into the picture. It was that longing, prolific hope of Kino and those materialistic cravings that destroyed him and his family.
When Coyotito was stung by the scorpion it started the beginning of the long line of struggles that Kino must deal with. “Down the rope that hung the baby’s box from the roof support a scorpion moved slowly… The thorned tail jerked upright. And at the moment the laughing Coyotito shook the rope and the scorpion fell” (Steinbeck p. 4-5) Coyotito is Kino and Juana’s baby, he was their first son. The scorpion bite could easily bestow death to a baby, so this bite was a very serious matter. Juana tried her best to suck out the scorpion’s poison but, she wanted to take Coyotito to the doctor; a quite astonishing thing to do because the doctor was higher in society, he “was of a race which for nearly four hundred years had beaten and starved and robbed and despised Kino’s race…” (Steinbeck p.9) However, they still brought Coyotito to the doctor, but they were refused admittance and the doctor’s help. Kino did not have enough money to pay for the cure, and the doctor was too greedy to be generous enough to accept their “eight small misshapen seed pearls…” (Steinbeck p.11). This became a major burden to both Kino and Juana, because they were in fear of losing their first born.
Kino and Juana took their canoe, and Kino went diving for oysters in the hope of finding a pearl. “And in the canoe above him, Kino knew that Juana was making the magic of prayer… to tear the luck out of god’s hands, for she needed the luck for the swollen shoulder of Coyotito.” (Steinbeck p. 17) Not only did Kino find a pearl, he found a beautiful pearl “It was as large as a sea-gulls egg… its curve was perfect.” (Steinbeck p.19) However, by this time, Coyotito’s swelling has gone down, proving that Juana sucked enough of the poison out. Now, with the great pearl, Kino saw dreams form.
Kino spoke of Juana and him being married in a church, them both wearing knew clothes, and his mind was on a rampage of wild dreams as he thought of a rifle, and then most of all, Coyotito going to school. Once Kino had spoken of such things he was afraid of his own words, if he did not do the right things with the pearl he could be looked upon as foolish. Others too saw dreams form, and once they were told about the pearl, somehow it worked its way into their own plans and they thought about the wonderful things they could do with such a pearl. Once the doctor discovered that it was Kino that had found an amazing pearl, he made his way over to their hut, claiming that he was not home when they had stopped by earlier in need of his help. Although Kino and Juana thought they were sure that Coyotito was alright, they did not know for sure, and they couldn’t risk it. So, the doctor ‘saved’ the baby, when in reality all he did was make the baby sick, and then better again. The doctor cheated Kino, but Kino and his people were not smart enough to prove it because they were not doctors themselves.
Once again, Kino was cheated. When he went to the pearl buyers, they were all trying to tell him that it was worth nothing. “There is no market for such things. It is a curiosity only. (Steinbeck p.49) said the first appraiser. “I will make no offer at all. I do not want it. This is not a pearl – it is a monstrosity.” (Steinbeck p.51) said another appraiser. This only set Kino into an outrage, because he knew the pearl was worth a great deal, and he knew that he was being cheated. “My pearl is not for sale here, I will go, perhaps even to the capital.” (Steinbeck p.52) claimed Kino. Kino was not going to let the pearl go for an unfair deal. To Kino, the pearl meant a better future, and Kino was not going to have some appraiser tell him that the pearl was not worth much. The pearl only brought upon voracity, and people began to search around Kino’s hut while Kino and Juana were sleeping. This awakened Kino in the night, and pushed him to investigate who what out there. In doing so, he was struck on several occasions and by the time he got up after the blow, whoever was there had scurried away. This caused Juana to want to get rid of the pearl because she saw how it was ruining them; she saw their safety and sanity to be more important than the dreams Kino held quite tightly.
One night, when Juana was trying to throw the pearl back into the sea, Kino caught her. “He struck her in the face with his clenched fist and she fell among the boulders…” (Steinbeck p. 59) as he walked back up to the beach, a dark figure met him in hopes of getting the pearl. Kino eventually killed him, even though he was wounded himself. With this murder under Kino’s blame, they knew that they needed to leave because someone would come for them in the morning. Their hut was burned, for people were looking for the pearl and wrecked it in the process. On top of that, someone has put a great hole in the canoe, so they could not escape to the water. They went into hiding in Juan Tomas’s hut, and waited until the next nightfall to make their way to the mountains. It was the only safe thing for them to do, and Kino did not want to risk any of his family’s safety. However, trackers had made their way the next day and surprisingly passed right by the place where they went into the brush. Kino knew that eventually the trackers would find them, and decided that zigzagging up the mountain was the only hope they had in losing the trackers. The safety of his family was very important to him, but when he insisted on Juana hiding she refused. “He looked then for weakness in her face, for fear or irresolution, and there was none.” (Steinbeck p.78) Kino came up with a plan on how to kill the trackers, and Kino, Juana, and Coyotito hid in the cave in the mountain side. In Kino attempts to kill the trackers, one too many was killed; Coyotito. Their only son, the one whose future was placed on the pearl, the main reason Kino went through with everything, was killed.
All of these struggles greatly effected Kino. Once he had the pearl, his ambitions grew and grew, and his old, simplistic ways were fading. His dreams of the future became everything he strived for; they became too much of a want than a need. His family was fine living the way they were before the pearl; in fact they were probably better off. Yet Kino wanted the pearl’s fortune for his son’s future. He let the pearl destroy more things than it could fix. The pearl that has first intentions of curing his son’s scorpion bite became the exact thing that led to his son’s death. He has committed murder because of the pearl, and his hut, his canoe, and his family are left with many missing pieces. Although all these bad things were brought upon by the pearl, one good thing did come from it. He realized how much he & Juana were equal. He realized that she was the wise one in the begging, and they he should have gotten rid of the pearl. They both dealt with the same grief, and loss. She stayed by his side through it all, and tried to get him to do with right things. He now saw her importance just as much as he as he saw his; he now saw her for what she truly was.
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Morgan Hunt
Mr.Edson
English 9
November 2, 2007
The short story "The Ransom of Red Chief" displays quite a bit of irony as the story of two desperate men that kidnap a little ten year old boy is told. They kidnap the little boy for ransom, yet their plan doesn't work out so well. You would suspect that considering the little boy has been kidnapped that he would be scared, and wanting to go home. However, in this short story the boy enjoys it, and he doesn't want to leave. He'd rather stay up in a cave, camping with the two strangers than have to go back home. He has fun with it, and treats the experience like a game of adventure. Instead of the two men that captured the boy to do the threatening in order to scare the little one, the little boy himself plays Indian and scares them. He claims that one of them will be burned at sunrise, and the other will have his scalp sheared. As if it’s not enough for the little boy to threaten the men, and pretend he is the Red Chief, he continues his game and tries to take a knife to one of the men's head. It leads that in the story the little boy has more power over the two older men. It shows irony because really the two older men are the kidnappers, even though they are the ones being threatened by the little boy.
They write a letter to the boy's father with intention of $2000 ransom for him. Be that as it may, after some thinking, they decide to lower the ransom to $1500 because they don't think anyone would pay $2000 for such an annoying child. Finally, they get a letter of reply from the father, saying that if they bring the little boy at midnight, and pay the father $250 for taking the boy off their hands, then that would be good. The men are very irritated wit the little boy and his obnoxious ways, and they decide to take the offer. They return the little boy and pay the father the $250 he asked for.
So not only did the two men have lack of control of the little boy and were afraid of him, they also didn't get the money that they thought they would. Instead, they had to pay the father to take the little boy back. These examples of irony are important to the short story I have chosen because most of the story is based on irony, and if it want for the irony, not only would the story be less interesting, by the point wouldn't have been as clear.
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Morgan Hunt
English 9
April 13, 2008
There are some major similarities and difference between the ways movies portray the Balcony Scene in Romeo and Juliet. The 1939 version is a MGM production, directed by George Cukor, starring Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer. The Second version, (1969) is directed by Franco Zeffirelli and is starring Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey. The third version is my prompt book; the director would be me.
The 1936 version, in my opinion, was overly dramatic. As Romeo makes his way to the balcony, someone looks out of the house and Romeo hides. Romeo talks to himself softly once the coast is clear. Juliet comes onto the balcony and talks to herself in a dreamy yet seriously affectionate tone of voice, talking about her love dilemma. As soon as Juliet sees Romeo, she backs away in fear, and once she realizes who it is she tells him how dangerous it was, him a Montague, to be on Capulet land. Romeo seems fearless because of love. They both express their emotions very strongly, yet are gentle with each other. It always seems that they are trying to touch one another, always smiling, and staring into each other’s eyes.
The 1969 Balcony Scene version was less dramatic, and more serious. It was also closer to what flirting is like today than the 1936 version. Romeo freaks out when he sees Juliet, for he is so happy. As Juliet talks to herself, she talks in a dreamy, silly girl in love, yet unsure ton. When Juliet acknowledges Romeo’s presence, it startles her. Juliet’s tone changes to more serious. Romeo climbs her balcony (this did not happen in the other two versions), and they grasp each other intensely. Juliet does not say their love is too rash (as in the other versions) but instead shows it by stopping the embracement between them. Romeo is very overjoyed by the night, and they both are reluctant to say goodnight; they watched each other for as long as they could as their distance grew.
In my prompt book, the tone of both of their voices are lighter and less dramatic; only strong, bold emotion in a few places. When Romeo sees Juliet at her balcony he becomes very enthusiastic with love. When Juliet is discussing her love issues to herself, she is doing it while looking up at the moon, and instead of in a love happy mood, she talks in a sad tone. When Juliet realizes that she is not alone, she is more curious to who it is and how they got there than afraid. Also, instead of being extremely worried of the consequences if Romeo were to be found, she is only slightly worried because she is just too happy that he is there. They talk of their love more seriously yet almost casual. When it comes time for them to part, and Romeo comes back, they talk to each other in a playful yet flirty tone – but still don’t want to leave each other.
Over all, each version was mostly similar; for they all were seriously ’I love you’ however some versions were more believable than others. Such as the first one, they were too dramatic to sound real. In the second version, they were too touchy so it made it look like Romeo just wanted to be all over her instead of professing his love. In my version, everything was done more lightly so it seems more real, except it didn’t seem as sincere.
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Morgan Hunt
English9
June 4, 2008
Essay
There were many life lessons that Scout learned in the novel To Kill a Mocking Bird. As Scout grew up in the town of Maycomb, she learned a number of life lessons from Atticus, Calpurnia, and the society she was surrounded by. These lessons that she learned can be picked up by the reader, and used in everyday life. Issues involving understanding people and their decisions, racism, and gender differences are the major situations in which Scout (and the reader as well) learns life lessons that will help her become a better person. These problems that come up in the story are significant to people in the way that they grow up and function in a society.
By the second and third chapter of the book, Scout learns a lesson about understanding people and respecting the fact they might have a different view on a situation.. When she is at school, she has a new teacher (one that was not from Maycomb)-Miss Caroline. When it was time for lunch, Miss Caroline noticed that Walter Cunningham didn’t have his lunch or money to get lunch she offered him money with the fact that he would pay her back tomorrow. (However, everyone that had lived in Maycomb knew that the Cunningham’s were farm-poor people and they never took things from people that they couldn’t repay.) Considering Miss Caroline was new, she was not aware that these were the ways of the Cunningham’s. Scout decided that perhaps Miss Caroline didn’t know that he was a Cunningham, so Scout stood up in class, and informed her. Miss Caroline had no idea of what it was supposed to mean, so Scout’s comment only angered Miss Caroline. Atticus’s lesson to Scout was that “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Harper Lee p. 30) Scout tried to understand then that she couldn’t expect Miss Caroline to learn everything about the town on her first day teaching.
However, there was another incident in which Scout was needed to consider things from another person’s point of view. Once Atticus found out about Jem, Dill and Scout playing ‘Boo Radley’ as a game and attempting to get a letter from a fishing pole to Mr.Radley, Atticus had to put a stop to it. Atticus tried to explain to his children that they need to leave him alone; if Mr.Radley wanted to come out he would. He asked them to think about how they would feels if Atticus came into their rooms at night, without knocking. Atticus tried to say that that was the same thing they were doing to Mr.Radley; an invasion of privacy and that if they really wanted him to come out that they should do it in a civilized manor; use the front door instead of a side window. At the end of the book, after living her whole childhood thinking that Boo Radley would be a scary person, she has an experience standing on his front porch. It was at that moment that Scout saw things from Boo’s point of view; she felts as if she was in his shoes for a second.
As Scout became of age, she stumbled upon the issues of racism; a life lesson that most people have to deal with one time or another in their life. All around us we are surrounded by people of a different race- and in America we are taught that all races are equal to one another. However, during the time period in which the book was written, there was a large noticeable social difference between Whites and Blacks. Calpurnia was their cook, and served as another adult in the house raising the children. Scout and Jem appreciated her; however she was black. It wasn’t so much the children that had issues with black people- just the parents that influenced their children. In the novel, Scout learned that there are good and bad people; no difference if they are black or white. Scout even deals with people calling her father a “nigger-lover”; which at first she does not quite understand. With the trial of Tom Robinson, her father later explains to her that some white people are just “trash”. Atticus says “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life…whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family, that white man is trash”. (Harper Lee p.220) In the situation of Tom Robinson’s trial it is obvious to see that Mr.Ewell was one of the white folks that was taking advantage of Tom Robinson. We all know that Tom Robinson didn’t harm Mayella Ewell, but because the jury didn’t exclude the fact that he was black in their decision, Tom Robinsons was declared guilty.
Another situation that Scout learned for was her acting like a girl. As she was growing up it became necessary for her to start acting like a girl. Scout always preferred wearing overalls and playing outside with the boys. As she got older, people were always nagging Scout, (mostly Aunt Alexandra) that she should start acting like a girl and more lady like. It wasn’t until Aunt Alexandra’s neighborhood meeting that Scout began to realize what being a lady really entailed. During the neighborhood meeting where that lady’s were served refreshments and held discussions, Atticus brought Calpurnia, Scout, and Aunt Alexandra away from the guests to inform them that Tom Robinson had been shot and died. Although this was tragic news, they all went in acting as if everything was okay. Scout realized that if Aunt Alexandra could go on, smiling and acting as if she was so care-free, so could Scout. It was then that Scout apprehended that being a lady didn’t just mean wearing dresses, gossiping, and wearing make-up.
These were the major life lessons that Scout learned with her coming of age. They were essential to her become mature and enabled her to have a better idea on how society works and how people should behave. Overall, these life lessons are important for most people to learn to accept and use. True, being a lady only applies to half the population but, if boys could understand that we do much more to be a lady than perhaps they would have more respect for what we do. However, as for the other two life lessons learned in this book, living in this world would be quite difficult if you were to never abide by them. Everyone should learn to respect each other; without taking race into mind. We were all created equal and that is how it should be. As for the understanding lessons, and seeing things from someone else’s point of view, everyone should try their hardest to do so. It would only help you deal with people and solve problems easier. If you don’t bother to, you may never resolve things because you just can grasp where the other person is coming from; consider getting in someone’s shoes for you and their own sake. It will save you plenty of puzzlement and is always a good thing to be able to do. People will appreciate it.
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