Lord of the Flies: Relationships

     I am tracking Relationships throughout Lord of the Flies. Lets start with the obvious; Ralph and Piggy’s friendship. These boys go from trusting each other with embarrassing names to one betraying the other. To me it seems that both of them still value their friendship. Piggy talks about being with Ralph when he found the conch and Ralph tries to stand up for Piggy when everyone is calling him fatty. However, they both have very different personalities so it seems like their friendship may not last.

    Next are some minor but important relationships. Simon seems to be on good terms with everyone. He helps Ralph with the shelters, helps the little kids to find food, and is nice to Piggy when no one else is. Another relationship is Jack with his choir, he has a “dictatorship” relationship with his choir. He tells them what to do and when to do it without much care for their wellbeing. Jack also has a not so friendly relationship with Piggy. He targets Piggy and hurts him both emotionally and physically. These are the relationships I have noticed so far in the book.

This Semester

     This semester has been a roller coaster for me. Some days I could walk into class, write a whole paper, and be ready for more. Others, I was counting down the seconds to when I could sleep. This is reflected in my unit notes.

     One of my strongest unit notes was the literary elements because that was a very easy note taking unit. Most of the other units fall into the “Just give me time to review it” category. For example, the short stories and summer reading I just need to review on my own. Then there is my worst chapter: traits of writing and the writing process. This is a little misleading because my notes on this aren’t awful, but I do think I was having one of those "just survive the class" days.

    My notes are not only a reflection of my attitude that day, but also my understanding. So, when I say “ This unit has good notes” it also means I understand it.

Lord of the Flies- Chapter 1

The first chapter of Lord of the Flies by William Golding was not what I expected. I knew a couple of things going into this chapter: there was a plane crash and a bunch of little boys were left stranded on an island. What I was surprised to find out was how the author portrayed this sequence of events.  Golding didn't give us an action packed scene or even flashbacks, just the basic facts about the boys and their situation. I think he did this to show readers that this is not your typical action packed book, it has a deeper meaning.
     Also, in chapter one we meet all the boys: Ralph, Piggy, Johnny, Sam, Eric, Jack, Bill, Robert, Rodger, Harold, Henry, Simon, and others who were not named. We really got insight into Ralph and Piggy's lives before this and their personalities. The other boys have just been named and not much else. Their small civilization is split into two parts: the choir (Leader is Jack) and everyone else (leader is Ralph). To me it seems like the two parts represent good and bad; Jack is bad and Ralph is good. However, I am not sure this is completely true because at the end of the chapter Jack and Ralph begin to bond, maybe they both have different leadership skills. Lastly, there is a conch shell that Ralph uses to unite the boys and it symbolizes something very important that cannot be embodied, an idea of leadership and strength.

Class Discussion

       This week in class we have been talking about human nature. Honestly, when all of us were assigned the task of working together to survive, I expected a disaster. But we did good! We quickly set up some leaders and split into groups to do individual tasks.
     If we were to land on an island with just us ( and the all important 1st graders), I think one of two things would happen: We would survive or we would be thrown into complete craziness. According to our classroom trial we would survive because of our abilities to work together. The only problem is that a classroom is nothing like an island in the middle of an ocean. It is impossible to tell if we could pull though or if we would all rebel against each other. Something inside of us might snap, that snapping is human nature.
    As we discussed in class no one really knows exactly what human nature is, because it is the absence of culture and society. Some people think that deep down inside humans are good natured. Others think humans are all born sinners with wrong intentions. So, although we all had the right intention in class, what would the absence of society do to us? I think this is especially true in Lord of the Flies because all of the characters are 6-12 boys so there is less of their culture present in them.

Reading Response- Match

     I just finished reading Matched by Allie Condie.  I was really excited to reading this book because I have heard that it is like a more mature version of The Giver. I read The Giver in sixth grade in class and I loved it. To me different ways of running the government and how the citizens are effected is fascinating. The Hunger Games and Harrison Bergeron are two other examples of books under this subject. Matched was no exception, it was an amazing book.
            Cassia, Ky and Xander live under a government that regulates meals, life spans, and how their citizens feel. However most importantly to this book they pair you up with your husband/wife. As you may imagine Cassia ends up liking another boy, Ky, and not even the government can stop her from being with him. I think that every book that includes the government trying to take over the citizens live have one broad moral: the government has limits to its power. However, what makes Matched special is the part of the government that it "attacks": the personal lives of people. It makes me ask: What will her government stop at?
          If you step back and look at our government today, there is many different ways that it is involved in the personal lives of its citizens. We debate laws against abortions, same-sex marriage, and rights to have a gun. Also, people from the government patrol the internet. Personal?  I think so... I also  wonder: What will our government stop at? I am not saying that anytime soon our government is going to be handing out marriage assignments, but the government is getting up close and personal.
       To me Matched was a thinking and romance book. Sometimes Condie would make you think about how their society may reflect from ours. Others, the reader was able to simply indulge in the forbidden love of Ky and Cassia. That is why I liked this book; it had the best of both worlds.

Reading Times:
  Matched: 145 min
  The Return: 15 min

Free Post - Art

        This semester I am taking painting, by accident. I have not ever had a deep passion to create art like some people do. However, given the choice between my previous class and painting; my lack of creative talents seemed like a minor detail. I have endured many hours of artists researches, art critiques, and outside drawing activities, to encounter disappointment. My lines were never straight enough, my circles were never round enough; nothing was ever good enough. The only thing that I enjoyed doing was playing with some painting gloss that looked like marshmallow fluff.
      This process of disappointment, boredom, and aggravation went on for weeks and weeks and weeks; a never ending cycle. One day in class I painted a portrait and it ended up looking much like the main character from Waltz of the Fat Man. My teacher exclaimed "Wow! I can really see your personality through this painting!"That made me feel fantastic. On another fateful portrait painting day I decided to spin my painting gloss with a paint brush. That was the day that my teacher told me I could paint 3D art with the gloss. When I started to mold the goo with my fingers I realized what art was about: art is whatever makes you happy. I know that sounds cliche but I am serious! To me there is the art of sports, the art of music, the art of anything. So this semester in art class I have learned that I am not good at painting but I did learn this lesson so maybe art class wasn't completely bad.

Short Stories

     The three short stories I read were The Sniper, Girls in Their Summer Dresses, and The Return. My favorite story was The paths we walk. The strongest literacy elements were characterization and social setting. It is about a man who is falsely accused of a crime and is sent to a camp, after returning he finds out that everyone thought he was dead. This wouldn't have had a great affect on the overall plot if it wasn't for his wife leaving in result of this lie. The dynamic protagonist realizes that he was not the only person that changed and was having hardships, the townspeople's lives carried on even without him. When I finished the story I thought "Well what did he expect? Of course their lives continued." Then it hit me, if I was to leave my family and friends for many years I wouldn't be able to even consider that they would soon have to just go on with their lives. However this was what the main character encountered when he arrived home. That is why The Return is my favorite story that I read because it made me look at something with a new perspective.
   My second favorite was The Sniper, it was short action packed with a plot twist at the end. When he killed his brother at the end I was shocked and it tied together the whole story. My least favorite was Girls in Their Summer Dresses, I am still not even sure if I really understand it. What I understood was that the wife did not appreciate her husband always checking out other women while he was with her. However, he continued and this sparked a huge argument. In the end the husband admitted that he wanted the other girls and his wife, and did not change his ways. To me (and maybe I am missing something) this story had no purpose and the only dynamic character was the wife who realized how set her husband was in his ways.
  When we start developing our thesis statements I will probably use The Return and it will be somewhere along the lines of the main character coming to the realization of everyones lives going on without him.


Reading Times:
The Sniper: 25 min
The Return: 35 min
The Match: 100min
Total: 160 min

Short Story Literary Element

     In Harrison Bergeron the most important literary element was setting,the United States in 2081. It is the most important literary element because the story was about a family who had to wear handicaps and since that type of situation had to be in the future the story would have made no sense otherwise. Also, with the story towards the ends of our lives and in the USA it impresses to us what our generation is capable of, and how much we could mess up.

Quarter Evaluation

        I think that this first quarter at Episcopal has been great overall for me. In English class I have done most of my homework and studied for most of the W.W quizzes. Surprisingly, I have been bringing all of my materials to class and I hope to continue that through the second quarter. Towards the end of the quarter I started to get more sloppy and forgetful, I was also talking more during class. My weak spot is slacking off at the end of quarters, so I want to work hard throughout the second quarter through mid-terms. More english class related, I have a hard time with punctuation so I want to continue improving on that also.

Reading Times:

10/8: Dry September 30 min
10/9: And of Clay we are Created 45 min
10/10: Harrison Bergeron 20 min
10/11: Waltz of the Fat Man: 25 min
10/13: The Bone Finder : 35 min
 Total: 155 min

Reading Times

To Build a Fire: 65 min
To Duh-Da: 35 min
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: 20 min
A&P: 15 min
The Bone Finder: 30 min
Total: 165 min

A Writer Who......

     I am a writer who doesn't understand punctuation? Ever since I was in middle school, and we were doing, punctuation worksheets, I could never understand it. When I write an essay people tell me I write very long elaborate sentences that should be broken up because they are confusing for other people to read. Also commas haunt my dreams. When, do I use a comma how, do I use a comma and how often, do I use commas? The only punctuation I comprehend is exclamation points. They are my favorite! Punctuation and I still fight, that is why I am a writer who doesn't understand punctuation.

Plot Structure- The Clearing

   Last week I read a book called The Clearing by  Heather Davis. The plot structure of this book is very much like Nation's plot, a parallel plot. A parallel plot is when diffrent characters don't meet until later in the plot. The Clearing is an example of this because the two main characters, Henry and Amy, don't meet until half way through the book.
   The book starts off with Amy's background information then switches to Henry's. Then, the plot introduces both of their separate conflicts. It isn't until the rising action that Amy meets up with Henry, then they share a common conflict. The plot proceeds with them having the same climax and falling action. The resolution is shared but it also has the characters unique spin on it. Amy and Henry both share the resolution of them going their separate ways, but the resolution is also what they do with that and how they handle it. If you think of how this plot would extend through the characters lives after the actual book is over their paths only just cross breifly. However, since this is the plot of the book, I classify it as a parallel plot structure.

Free Post

   On Friday night while my mom was out of town me and my older sister had a "Ladies Night". It's kind of a tradition for us so we can just hang out with out any distractions. The last time we had a ladies night it was at Tsunami it was really relaxing and the food was great, so I was excited for this Ladies Night. Reagan and I decided to go to the Melting Pot. The Melting Pot was created for people to hog out and eat all of the chocolate fondue that would fit in your stomach and for Reagan and me, thats a lot. We ate until our stomachs almost burst and chocolate was threatening to come out our ears. We ate endless amounts of marshmellows, cheesecake, and rice crispies. Practically waddling out the door any other plans we had were thrown out the window, we went home and slept. I love Ladies Nights because there are no definite plans and you can do whatever you feel like and,of course, I like hanging out with my big sister too!

Reading Response- The Clearing

  This week along with writing my Literacy Narrative I finished The Clearing by Heather Davis. I really enjoyed reading this book after The Alchemist. This book was simple, not long, not complicated and no reading between the lines. It was also nice to be reading a simple book since we have also been working on our literacy narratives.
   The Clearing is about Amy who has moved in with her relatively elderly aunt to escape her life in Seattle. What she finds is that in the country school isn't much different, she still had to deal with boys, parties, drama, ect. However this time she had someone to help her through it, Henry. Henry on the other hand has been stuck in the same summer since 1944 because he feared what would happen that fall but this summer he had Amy. With the help of each other they were both able to move on. Henry didn't pray for his summer to go on, and he ended up drafted into WWII and we don't know what happens to Amy but we I get the feeling it turned out good for her too.
    I enjoyed reading about the different ways of life in the 1940's and now. The ways that the characters would deal with based on their society was interesting to read about. It was just a nice simple love story, there wasn't much not to like.

The Clearing: 9/22: 120 min
Literacy Narrative: 40 min
Total: 160

Reading Response

     This week I have a variety of things to add up to my total reading time. I read literacy narratives and read two different books, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and The Clearing by Heather Davis. 
    I finished The Alchemist and really enjoyed it. It was all about Santiago trying to understand his personal Legend. He encounters many omens along the way and ultimately he attains his goals and treasure. The climax is whenever he must "become" the wind. He talks to the desert, the wind, and the sun only to discover that no one knew the answer. Ultimately, he searches for the soul of the world only to find himself. He came to the realization that he could transform himself into the wind on his own and that everything in the world is connected.
    Although I don't necessarily agree with everything in the book it is a very interesting read. The idea that everything in the world is connected and what Santiago had to say about love were very intresting. This book makes be feel really calm, unlike Flowers for Algernon. That is why I would recombined this book because it is really interesting to read and it leaves you feeling like you learned something, not emotionally distressed.
   The next book I read was The Clearing. It was about a girl who was physically abused by her boyfriend causing her to move to her aunts house in the country. When she gets to her aunts house she discovers what she calls the mist. On the other side of the mist is a boy trapped in time, living the same summer over and over again.When she crosses the mist neither really know what to think of each other. However, they are perfect for each other, she wants a boy who is different than most boys and he just wants someone (since he is stuck in time with only his family). I have only gotten as far as the introduction but I am looking forward to their love story.

The Alchemist: 9/16: 80 min (60 pgs)
The Clearing: 9/16: 20 min (27 pgs)
Literacy Narratives: 9/10: 40 min ( 3 stories)

Total: 140 min

Literacy Narrative

      I was/ am having some trouble thinking of a subject for my literacy narrative. However I came up with one idea and I guess I will give a summary.
    The event that has affected me as a reader isn't related to school or education at all, it's just a real life experiance. A few months ago my sister was hospitalized because she developed HSP. The first time she went she was there for a couple of days then got released, but her HSP just got worse. The next time she was hospitalized it was closer to a week she stayed there. So how did this effect the way I read  books? This experience  makes me feel for main characters in books with difficulties in their life, which is most. Before I would read stories and couldn't relate on a deeper emotional level, I never had anything to connect to my life is fairly normal. Now I feel for characters and that makes the book so much more real.
      That was my summary, obviously I would add more details. I am still trying to think of maybe one more experience but this one is my strongest.

Reading Response- Flowers for Algeron (Spoilers)

   This week I read Flowers for Algeron and finished it. It was about a man who was retarded and his name was Charlie and he had an operation that made him smart. At Charlie's intelligence peak he was smarter than most college professors. However, when Algeron's intelligence begins decreasing and eventually dies they know CHarlie isn't to far behind. So within a month Charlie is back to mentally disabled.
     I can't decide if I actually enjoyed this book. I liked reading about Charlie's journey and how he basically did the one thing he wanted to do with his life, become smart. However, when Charlie becomes smart he realizes that now he doesn't have any friends and maybe a high IQ isn't worth it. I felt upset for him then but I was so sad at the end when he couldn't even remember all the great things he did. It nearly killed me when he knew his intelligence was declining and he was just waiting to loose everything he worked so hard for. The worst was on pg. 310 when he said "I dont no why Im dumb agen or what I did rong. Mabye its because I didt try hard enuf." I like to read books that have a remotely happy ending, but otherwise I thought the book was interesting.

Reading Times:

9/4: 30min, 9/6: 40 min, 9/9: 90 min
Total: 160 min p. 182-310

Response- Comments

My weakest post so far I think is my "Hurricane Isaac" post. Dr.D said in her comment to use more detail so I am going to try again even though writing non informational  posts isn't exactly my thing.
      I was sitting at my kitchen table reading The Alchemist when my lights shut off, I jolted and dropped my book, it was nothing compared to what was coming. Outside the wind was blowing and whistling making my heart beat hard when I see my mom frantically picking up my phone. I began shooting questions at her, What happened? Is everyone ok? Why are you acting like that? She put down her phone and told my that Paw Paw was on their roof trying to secure the metal sheet. My mouth dropped and I think of their house, so safe and warm and now I can only imagine my grandfather wet and blowing in the wind. I looked at her with a face of disbelief.
     I sat for ten minuets with my stomach twisted into knots, just waiting, for news. My mom walked into the room and I stood up and she told me Paw Paw got off the roof and he is fine but the house isn't. I couldn't have cared less that the house was soaked I sat down and relief rushed over me, a goofy smile spread across my face.

Reading Response

     This week I took a break from reading Flowers for Algeron and started reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho .  This book is about a boy who is a shepherd, traveling with his sheep. Until he goes into town and talks with a man (who he later finds out is a king) that tells him that to pursue his personal legend he must go to the pyramids in Egypt. At first the boy just wants to stay and marry a girl he met in town and his sheep but he rises to the occasion to find the treasure. He encounters many obstacles along the way but continues to work hard to follow his personal legend.

      This book has a lot of philosophical statements. To me the most thought provoking one was "Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their own lives.  But no one has a clear idea of how to live their own." (pg.16). Its true,Everyone (including me) has judged someone on the way they live their life whether it be someone's religion, the way they dress, or their culture. I failed to ever think of the flip side though. 

        As Americans we are always following magazine trends or getting the biggest thing. Most of us don't have a clear way to live our lives other than following trends. However we do judge anyone who doesn't follow the same trends as us. I never thought of it as that person is figuring out how to live their life and that I am doing the same. 

    8/28- 30 min, 8/29-40, 8/31-60 min 9/1-25 min

Hurricane Isaac

          This week during Hurricane Isaac the scariest moment was when I found out my grandparents roof fell off. My grandmother texted my mom that part of their roof fell off and that water was pouring into their house. I started to wonder what part of the house and if anything valuable was being lost. More importantly I was hoping the rest of the house was still stable. What she said next made my stomach drop.

    She said that my grandfather climbed up on top of the roof to try to secure the metal sheeting back down. I sat there and thought she was joking, what was he thinking?  During a hurricane he climbed onto the metal roof of a two story house! I thought he went crazy; the other metal panels on the roof could have flown off too and taken him with it. Luckily, nothing happened to him except scrapes up his arms. The house wasn’t so lucky. The kitchen, two rooms, and the attic were soaked. Meanwhile at my house the electricity didn’t even go out.

Reading Response

  Right now I am reading Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. The main character's name is Charlie. He is mentally retarded but has a deep want to be smart, like the other kids. The book is written by Charlie for his "progris riport" as he would spell it. Since Charlie has such a great will to learn he is picked for a new operation that will make Charlie "normal".

    At this point in the book I actually got excited for Charlie. All he has ever wanted was to be smart and to prove to everyone he could be smart. When the operation turns out to be a success Charlie turns into a sponge, he learns at such a rapid pace he soon passes up most college profesors. What everyone seems to overlook is all the memories he is uncovering from his childhood. As a reader it was hard for me to read some of his memories because they were SO sad. His mother wanted him to be normal so badly and the thought beating him was the solution. What I thought to be the saddest part was that no matter how much his mom beat him all he wanted to do was please her, and that was to become smart, an impossible task.

  On page 107 one of Charlie's co workers tells him "It's not meant for a man to know more than he was given to him to know by the Lord in the first place." This is when I started to think if scientist actually started doing this to people, would it be morally correct? I still can't make up my mind. On the one hand  it seems perfectly fine to give everyone a fair playing feild. To make mentally-slow people like us, if they wanted. On the other hand I was raised taught that God never makes a mistake and everyone is on this earth exactly as he wants them. So mentally disabled people have just as much reason to be on this earth as the greatest genius. Maybe scientist took a step to far by messing with Charlie's mind.

   Charlie begins to realize that living this life he always wanted to live is hard, even for a genius. He starts to see people for what they really are, and he doesn't like it. He begins looking down on people and now all he has is the mouse who had the same surgery as him, Algernon.




8/20- 40 min, 8/21- 78 min, 8/25- 40 min
Total- 158 min pp.1-181