TOSTADA on Snow

Title- snow, cold alone, lock of growth, white, purity, lays on top of what is happening beneath.
Occasion- children were playing because of a fight inside the house, normally would not be playing outside in that weather.
Shift- " now i think of it" turn around from the description of the kids.
Tone- dysfunction love, sadness.
Arrangement- chronological like a story, no regular pattern, two sentences seem to be more important because they are emphasized.
Devices- metaphor, imagery, dailogue, onomatopeia, synethesia.
Aha!- family with disconnection, children have to feud with themselves for themselves, how to survive without what we need the most.

invisible man

as i read the book more I really start to see the idea of being invisible. Dr. bledsoe pretends to be a good black man, when in reality he is trying to gain power by any means necessary. He is keeping his true self invisible, so that he can gain authority. The book also has a black v. white undertones. black people are treated as servants but several ironies are present in the book. For instance to make a pure white color, a black chemical or substance had to be mixed to make it a pure white. this shows that black was needed to make white, which is a symbol of the black people working to make the item used by the whies. Also more of a change in making sure that the correct dosage of each chemical was mixed, was black showing that only the black man can make the perfect white. The book is filled with people pulling the string in the background, and I am really perplexed by the narrators perspective. I want to see how this plays a role in his life as the book progresses

Invisible

        For this semester, I have chosen to read Invisible Man because the idea of being "invisible" really intrigues me. Being invisible is an interesting way to classify people because, despite how much we may think ourselves or some one else invisible, we never truly are. The only time that something comes even moderately close to invisible is when it is dead. Yet, even then the fact that it is not present makes it not a contender for the term "invisible" because to be invisible, there has to be presence. One can not be invisible unless they are tangibly present.
        I found it interesting that in the prologue the narrator explores both the pros and cons of being invisible. The idea that some one who is seemingly invisible can leave their mark on society without being held entirely accountable seems like a catalyst for trouble. I feel as if the narrator is going to perhaps abuse his "invisibility" and possibly do some damage. I am very interested to see what exactly he chooses to do with the knowledge that others fail to see him as three-dimensional. I also have a feeling that I am going to have a hard time blaming the narrator for whatever action he does. Every action, every reaction is the result of something that has happened to us in the past, no matter how miniscule.
        When you go through life feeling as if you are invisible to society you are essentially going through life with the idea in mind that man's greatest sense, sight, is lost on you. We rely so much on our sense of sight, more so than any other sense. In fact, optometrists say that sight contributes 85% of our total knowledge and that our eyes use up to 65% of the pathways to our brain. Our eyes play a central role in how we classify things and how we form our opinions. To not use our eyes means to take away the greater part of our ability to regard things as real and of a substantial worth. If people do not see you then your importance to them instantly drops because the sense in which they primarily rely on when it comes to evaluating others is not being utilized.
        In a way, I think we all feel invisible sometimes and to varying degrees. Some of us may want to be noticed by certain people while others may feel like they don't receive the credit they deserve. It's in human nature to strive for what is just out of our reach, pursue what is so blatantly in front of us yet so impossibly distant. With all of our wants comes exclusion and often times the disappointment of not being able to have it all, which may leave us feeling even more ostracized. None of us are immune to feeling like we are invisible at some point or another, it is something we cannot entirely control. However, what we can control is how we choose to view our surroundings and those who surround us. Vision can mean so much in both a literal and metaphorical sense; what we see not only educates us about our surroundings but shapes our perceptions and enables us to grow mentally.
        An anonymous writer once said "We are limited, not by our abilities, but by our vision." To regard people as invisible only lessons the viewer's understanding of knowledge they could have. And while our vision can play tricks on us and cause us to judge before we understand, it is still far better to acknowledge than to disregard.

- Shelby H.

One Little Word, Endless Choices

As I found myself listening to the explanation of the "One Little Word" challenge, I instantaneously started thinking of what word I would choose to best descirbe and embody me for my final semester in high school. The first words that came to my mind seemed to be popular choices amongst my classmates, which made them lose their value in my eyes. I wanted a word that few, if any, would have. I tossed around a few words for several days, trying to pick which one I would keep. Words like "motive" and "why" were some of my favorite options. I started playing along with each one individually and trying to conceive excatly how I would make the it relate back to me. It was then that I realized, I was playing it safe and picking words that, although full of promising pyscological complexity, didn't exactly relate to me. "What is the point of picking one word if it isn't going to truly resignate with me?" I thought. I mean, if this word wasn't supposed to mean something to us on a level higher than academic, why not choose 5 words? Why not choose 10? It was with this realization that my thought process made a hard left and started speeding in the opposite direction. I slowed down my desire for "greatness" and instead focused on the "realness" of the issue. I wanted a word that had a bit of a mixed connotation, one that seemed a little fishy when it came to its intentions. A word that was so much more than what was on the surface, a word like feisty.
It was perfect. Not only had I found a word that fit me perfectly, but a word that is as strong as it is passionate. When have you EVER heard of someone meek and mild doing something in a "feisty" manner? I'm willing to guess never. To me, being fesity can be a good thing and it can be a bad thing. It's one of those words that can be stretched in every direction, and I do mean every. It has connotations that range from feline to even sexual antics. Feisty is a grey word, and can be thrown in almost anywhere to add a little pizazz. Everyone knows what the word means and I suppose everyone has their own idea about whether it's an admirable trait or not. It's probably my favorite word because I see myself in it so much. Feisty people know what they want AND they go about getting it regardless of whether you like it or not. Fesity people do everything in passion and never hover on the sidelines of indecisiveness but go full throttle into expressing themselves. I would rather be the absolutely most obnoxious and fiesty individual than be a polite and personalityless nitwit. At least I would be worth something and bringing a diverse persona to the table.
Too often do people spend their time caring about what other people want them to be, trying to mold themselves appropriately. It's such a shame that we try and hide what we are from people because it may appear unfavorable. Well, I'm over it and done trying to do what's "right." To me, the challenge of picking one word turned into the challenge of finding the most "impressive" and "honorable" word. The majority of the people who told me their words seemed to me, lazy. They took the easy way out and want to know how I know this? At least five other people from our class and the others combined shared their word. Talk about original. However, all in all I am very pleased with this challenge. It's showed me that although my word may not be the most likley to be greeted with "awww"s or "I like that!"s it has been an honest word, one that actually resembles it's chooser.
- Shelby H.


Courtesy of Peter Lik Photography



As 7th Semester Comes to a Close by Allyssa Ungrue

     As I sit in class and listen to Mrs. Elliott talking about our semester final almost everyday it has trained my mind to follow one thought- we're almost done. Our 7th semester in high school is when people start realizing that we are moving on and forward in our lives. Everyone seems to be finishing up their last touches on their college applications, focusing on completing high school with good enough grades to move on, and also holding a strong tie with family and friends and it has never seemed more surreal. However, taking a closer look in our english class I have realized how much I am gaining in knowledge but also to be a good person and work together for a common goal. Recently, our table (not team groups) worked together for the first time for a very big project in dealing with drama plays. I felt very much in awe and out of my comfort zone which made me come to realize how close I am and how much I have become fond of my team, The Sexy Seven! Completing our opinion sheets on how well our team worked or did not work together opened up eyes to see that Mrs. Elliott is not only teaching us how to carry a team together; but also, how to become dependent while continuing to hold a strong working system with other people as well. There is still plenty skeptical minds about our team groups; however, as we move forward into our last semester of our high school lives, I have come to understand more and more about this class and what it has to offer.

The most important words to me by Colin Lee

Love is one of five important words to me because it is a way to express oneself to another being. When people like someone sexually and spiritually, they simply use “love” to claim that they like him or her. Love is a stronger word than like so this word cannot be thrown into a sentence randomly. I do not attempt to use this word often in front of stranger but I do use this word often in front of my family and friends because they have impacted my life so much optimistically. So this word is relevant and significant to me.

             Apologizing (“sorry”) is another important word to me because it gives understanding and peace to one another. When a person gets into a fight or an argument with another person, eventually, one of them will at least say “sorry”. This word is also significantly powerful because courage and dignity are needed for this to happen. I often use this word after I make a mistake on a group work because I do feel ashamed at that moment but at the same time, I’m a human. Saying “sorry” is very important to me.

             Also, free is an important word to me because it is a positive connotation word and has various different ways of using it. “Free” can be defined as independent; it also can refer to an object for no price. Although this word is not as strong as other two important words I used, this is enormously relevant to today’s society. I simply adore this word because I like free objects and I am a freed person who is currently living in “free” country. “Free” will always be with me.

             Knowledge is an important word to me because it can be used as a weapon in the “real” world. This word can belong to anyone who desires to be successful in the future. This word is also a powerful word and relevant because anyone can gain knowledge if he/she tries but simultaneously, it is difficult to gain knowledge. As a student, I have to gain knowledge and become enlightened in order to succeed. Also, because I want to be and I will be successful in the future, this word is encouraging and important to me.

             Thank is an important word to me because appreciating someone can mean grateful to him or her. This word is often used after when someone achieves something from another person. There would be no reason for a person to say this if it does not refer to anyone or any meaning. Personally, I would like to hear someone saying “Thanks” or “I’m appreciated” because it excites me and gives me an idea that a person feels blessed by me. Therefore, thanking is one of the important words to me.

Shades of Grey by Tori Greaves

A murderer... or just misunderstood?

A hero or a self-righteous, whining coward?

Mary Shelley purposefully leaves the mindsets and intentions of her two main characters in Frankenstein extremely ambiguous so that we, as readers, can understand her own struggle with the world and its multiple shades of grey.

At the beginning of the novel, we want to think Frankenstein is our hero. He is an eloquent, loving boy who should find only happiness and contentment in life. This changes, however, when we see the rise of ambition - a quality which in controlled amounts is admirable, but which in excess is frightening and destructive. Frankenstein grows up to be an avid, but arrogant scholar. He fervently, almost madly, pursues knowledge without heeding warnings about what disturbing the natural order might do. In this way, he becomes the monster, the thing we fear and most need to control. He is left, unchecked, to his own devices - trying to accomplish a superhuman task with all-to-human weaknesses and limitations.

With the birth of the Creature, readers' attentions shift, and we begin to regard it as the evil downfall in this plot. But once we hear his account of the tale, we cannot help but sympathize with the poor, helpless monster, left without guidance or love in a cruel world. Again, hatred returns to the creator, Victor, for his thoughtless unconcern. Yet how could we truly hate the man who has lost so much, who has seemingly learned from his mistakes, and seeks only refuge and peace with those he loves?

Victor makes a pivotal choice when he decides not to help the monster by creating for him a mate. At this point, we become thoroughly confused. We want the Creature to find happiness and to stop wrecking the life of his creator. But when Victor exclaims that he will not make another being to ravage mankind, sacrificing his own happiness for the sake of the world, his plight sounds noble and righteous as well. Does he misunderstand the monster's intentions? Or does he see something we don't? Why does he refuse to show compassion, or is he right in condemning the wretched thing?

The Creature's retribution is fierce - it tears away everything that is dear to Victor's heart. Aha! So this is the truth! The monster is evil! Or was this simply a result of Victor's own blindness? Why does Victor ramble on and on, wallowing in self-pity, and let this all happen? Yet here he goes on his final journey, to do what he thinks is right - a true hero! But is it right? Upon Victor's death, the Creature shows himself again, a miserable and repentant wreck. What are we supposed to think? Who is good? Who is bad? Why did they all have to die?

There is no answer because, like in our lives, everything falls into multiple shades of grey. Our inability to understand and to rise above those differences is detrimental to ourselves and the world around us. The two greatest strengths to humanity are also its greatest weaknesses: the ability to reason, and the ability to love. Reason has showed us what is wrong and what is right, but distorted our judgement in between. Our ability to love gives us life and harmony, but the consequence of withholding it is death and destruction. Perhaps we should learn that life isn't all black and white... And live as best we can with the Shades of Grey.

Little Bill, Little Bill by Veronica Amajoyi:)

I know we're finished with Alice in Wonderland, but I just loved this poem I wrote for our journal entries. :)

Little Bill, Little Bill

just came to save the day.

Little Bill, Little Bill

there is no other way,

but the chimney above.

So crawl up the chimney and into the house,

fore Alice the giant has frightened the mouse,

and the rabbit and the birds and all the animals left.

But be careful Little Bill,

fore this giant means death!

Go Little Bill, GO! Faster and Faster!

Don't let her become the animal master!

Down, Down! Almost there!

Oh wait Little Bill, not right there!

Hello? Hello? Are you there Little Bill?

Don't tell me you're stuck in that chimney still?!

"Rumble, Rumble" ... What was that?

I hope it's not Dinah the evil cat!

"BOOM!" Uh Oh, Little Bill. Is that you?

Flying across the sky so blue?

"Catch Me! Catch Me!" said Poor Little Bill.

Fore he was heading to land on the hill!

BOOM! ... POP! ... CRACK! goes Bill

upon the back of a snail named Jill.

"What happened in there?!" Everyone said.

"I got down the chimney, then she kicked me in the head!"

Enjoy;-)

THE LETTERS by Brea Mosley

The letters in Frankenstein may seem like a drag, and also a distraction, but they do serve a purpose. Through these letters we get a chance to hear each individual's voice..... My words of encouragement.


WHO IS THE REAL MONSTER? ...

 VS.

VOICE ... "Morning Blues?" by Veronica Amajoyi

VOICE- the imprint of the writer on the page.

Morning Blues?

5am, "beep, beep beep!" Stretched and rose out of heaven onto the ground everyone dreads. "Why did i wake up 5 again?" I pondered on that question for about 3 minutes until i looked down and saw a massive amount of notebooks and supplies scattered upon my floor. "Oh yes! Homework!" So I proceeded to finish the assignments I neglected the night before. After about 45 minutes of work, I climbed back into my bed for a 15 minute "meditation" nap- by far my most prized moment of every morning. After the thought of me being late circled through my mind, I hopped up, showered, got dressed, and grabbed my daily snacks, (the saviors of my day), and waited for my little brother in the car. "What time is it?" I thought out loud while glancing at the bright green stress bearing numbers of my day. "6:50! WOW!" I actually made it down stairs and in the car by 6:50! Finally, my little brother every so "elegantly" plunged himself into the car. Although, even his loud and rocking daily entrance in couldn't diminish the pride I had at it being 6:50 when I'm leaving my house. So, I put the car in drive, let go of my break pad, and peacefully drove myself to school with a stained smile upon my face, practicing the "I'm on time to zero period this morning," line I would be able to use ALL day! :)

Definition of Literature, by Colin Lee

Literature is art. It can be viewed as biblical, joy, and logic because art works are magnificent, joyful, and realistic, or sometimes gloomy; literature's characteristics are identical to those of art. Also, the bible uses literature consecutively to analyze the words of God. Literature has imagination because as people read or write, they naturally imagine a story in their head; art also makes people imagine things.

Lost in Literature by Tori Greaves

21 literary movements?!
...overlapping, forming a tangled web
How did they know what to write?
Who said, "Let us be enlightened!"
Or "It is time to be absurd."?
Do authors dawn new literary trends
as teenagers following the latest style?
Do important leaders -
Elizabeth, Victoria -
Simply order "A new movement shall there be!"

Or is there something more...
A human condition perhaps?
That directs the tides of written art,
Guides their hands and their thoughts...
It calls them to write of things of value,
Of significance in their life and times.
It calls them to make a difference,
To use their words to change minds.

Be there influences of culture,
Or catastrophic events that sway the age,
Be there exciting discoveries,
Or disillusionment in corrupted actions...
Literature will forever remain
Changing, flowing, forming
To say what needs to be said.

To bring reason to those lost in their dreams.
To sing romance into eager lives.
To enhance beauty when it goes unseen.
To show reality to those who don't care.
To strike creativity in a structured place.
To inspire change and promote acceptance.
To relate experience and promote awareness.
To redirect wasted efforts.

It seems there is a pattern
In the literature throughout the years.
It does not change on every whim,
But shapes and builds
On visionary dreams.
So what is the struggle of our life and times?
What movement in literature
Will flow from our pens?
It's all up to you, and what you want to say.
From your life, transformation begins.

Talking About College, by Allyssa Ungrue

     Mrs. Elliott's senior AP English class is quite unique and sets itself apart from every other english class I have ever been in. We cover ideas and concepts such as poetry, archetypes, allusions, reading for a more in depth understanding, and that has only occurred within the first few weeks of school. However, what makes this class so enjoyable is all the hands on activities we do to gather information in our minds that will stay. This class is designed in every aspect to help every single student. We have teams that are designed to allow us to get to know our peers better, learn to work as a team, trust one another, while learning the criteria needed for that day. We also have "fill in the gaps" day where we finish any work we did not complete or fully understand. This class is designed to help us not only excel in AP Literature; but also, learn concepts that we will continue to use through out college and for the rest of our lives.
    
     A particular subject that I became very fond of was college day in class. Mrs. Elliott took us through what we needed and did not need to do to get into the colleges we will soon, or already have began applying for. As a young adult, it is scary to think that in less than a year I will be heading off to a college; an idea that has been building up anxiety in my mind since I could remember. It was a relief to see that my peers in this class felt the same way; likewise, it was also a huge plus that we have Mrs. Elliott there to revise our college essays and even write recommendation letters for her students. College has came quicker than we have ever imagined and on college day I had a an eye opening experience into what these next few months were going to be like-crazy and hectic.
    
     The thing I most like about this class is we have to do everything on our own but we have help and guidance through the way. This class is like a two-way street, we have to put in the hard work if we want a good outcome in the end. My expectations for the start of an amazing senior year have been accommodated with great teachers, lessons, and a better understanding of one of my favorite subjects. It was rather hard for me to pick one subject to talk about because the fact of the matter is we discuss a whole lot every single day in this class!


    

Analysis of "Out, Out" by Shelby Harms

Today in Mrs. Elliott's second period English class we discussed them poem "Out, Out" by Robert Frost  and the significance it has in the world of allusions along with the main ideas that it expresses. In the poem, a young boy is outside cutting wood for the stove, doing what Frost describes as the work of a man. Upon hearing his sister yell "supper" the boy is startled and loses control of the saw, cutting his hand clean off. His first reaction is to tell his sister not to let the doctor cut his hand off, although it is already gone. The doctor puts the boy under with ether. However, all are shocked when the boy's pulse begins to slow, eventually becoming less and less apparent as it soon stops all together. Upon the boy's death, all return to their affairs.

The fact that no member in the family seemed to be deeply affected shows that Frost is suggesting the idea that life goes on. It is made clear from the start, that this Vermont family is a family in which work is important; the boy(s) cut wood even though it is a man's job while the girl(s) help prepare dinner, if not prepare it all themselves. The fact that ether was used dates the poem back to the mid nineteenth to the mid twentieth century, meaning that the way in which these children live is worlds different than the ways by which today's youth live.

The direct allusion in the title to Shakespeare's "Macbeth" shows a clear parallel between the deaths of young Lady Macbeth and the boy in Frost's poem. While both die at a tragically young age, it can be said that the ways by which they meet their demise are entirely different along with the reactions from readers. When Lady Macbeth dies, one is hard pressed to feel bad for the conniving shrew, yet when the young boy in Frost's poem dies, one is hard pressed to not feel remorseful and sympathetic. The boy is doing the work of a man which most likely means he was forced to grow up to fast, hence representing a loss of innocence.  Frost states "Call it a day, I wish they might have said/To please the boy by giving him the half hour/That a boy counts so much when saved from work". These lines explain just how overworked the boy was and how greatly he would have appreciated a simple half an hour of leisure. The freak accident of the buzz saw helps more clearly reinforce Shakespeare's statement that life is like a "brief candle", one which can flutter out in an instance. By choosing to title his poem after one of Shakespeare's most famous lines, Frost is clearly using the allusion to reinforce his message while simultaneously likening the works of a highly regarded playwright to that of his own.