The TIme of My Life

In class today, I was able to utilize the learning of my peers.  Carefully listening to the didactic lecture held by those of my peers that read the novel that I did not, Great Expectations, I was better able to grasp the lecture given by Dr. Preston because I was given background in the plot development and character descriptions.  I was also able to help my peers by adding to the discussion about A Tale of Two Cities.

Literary Terms #4

interior monologue-reveals inner thoughts of character
inversion-intentional placing of words out of order for literary effect
juxtaposition-placement of word or phrase to contrast another
lyric-poem with musical tone/quality
magic(al) realism-juxtaposes reality with fantasy
metaphor (extended, controlling, & mixed)-analogy comparing two different things
metonymy-thing named byassociated thing
modernism-period characterized by stylistic experimentation
monologue-extended speech
mood-predominating atmosphere of a text
motif-recurring feature
myth-story explaining worlds mysteries
narrative-description of events
narrator-one of narrates
naturalism-extreme form of realism
novelette/novella-short narrative
omniscient point of view-knowing all things
onomatopoeia-the word suggests its meaning
oxymoron-contradicting words creates a paradox
pacing-tempo
parable-story to convey religious message
paradox-contradictory statement possible revealing some truth

Literature Analysis Brave New World

1. The exposition is concerned with depicting the futuristic setting.  Human beings are now segregated by castes of physical and social differences engrained since before their “birth”.  ( Genetically engineered and artificially birthed)  Bernard is the main character who is a member of the alphas, the highest case, but is ostracized for being shorter and “overdeveloped” mentally to compensate.  Rumors float around that an error occurred when he was being developed.  These shortcomings make life difficult for Bernard especially that he struggles to have success with women.  He develops a desire for Lenina Crowne, an alpha predisposed to promiscuity just as all are this this society.  He gains the nerve to ask her out and she agrees; she is intrigued by him.  He is hesitant to “have her,” as society would approve, but eventually gives in to temptation.  Meanwhile, his work is dwindling and he is threatened to be exported to Iceland.  He fears this situation and as if to take his mind off of it decides to take Lenina to see the savages.  They go and while there they are horrified by the customs and natural aging of the people there.  They run into two fair-skinned savages, a mother and a sun.  The mother turns out to have been part of their society once and was lost at the reservation.  She was also impregnated and had no opportunity to take the mandatory birth control and was forced to do the “obscene” act of giving birth.  The boy is a curious mixture of two clashing cultures and recounts his struggles growing up with the savages.  He yearns for acceptance and follows their customs yet dreams of the land his mother tells him of.  Bernard sees potential for salvation in his career with these two and decides to bring them back for experiments.  The mother returns to her society and immediately takes soma, a powerful sedative that produces elation.  The drug is usually harmless, but she takes so much that she is headed quickly to the grave.  Her aged face and figure also repulse her peers.  The boy, John, is at first enthralled by the land. Bernard uses him to further his career and quickly receives fame and status unlike anything he had experienced.   Soon, John is disillusioned with society.  He goes on a date with Lenina and is disgusted with the modern form of entertainment and returns home to read Shakespeare.  He gains a friend in the writer Hemholtz, who can’t quite relate with Shakespeare but wants more from his writing.  One day John refuses to meet the people Bernard had arranged and Bernard is promptly demoted to a failure.  John is depressed and goes to visit his dying mother.  He further angered and blames the death on soma.  He finds where the drug his being distributed and throws it out the window, causing an uproar.  Hemholtz and Bernard try to help and they end up all being punished.  They have a discussion with Mustapha Mond, the Controller.  He describes why the society is the way it is and says they must be banished; but that they were probably prefer the company that they find over there.  John decides to live ascetically in and abandoned tower on his own hoping to purify himself.  He finds peace briefly before being harangued by interviewers.  His rituals are filmed and publicized and became a public sensation.  He is now tortured by even more visitors, one of whom is Lenina.  His desire for her, which he sees and impure, infuriates her and he whips both her and himself.  He is then involuntarily sedated by soma.  He wakes up and remembers everything that happens.  He is later found by the press having hung himself.
2. The theme of this novel is satisfaction, or rather the lack of it.  The three main characters are all victims to varying degrees of dissatisfaction.  Bernard is dissatisfied with the shallowness of his life and remains so until he is no longer ostracized; his dissatisfaction was quelled when he became a “normal” member of society.  Hemholtz is so skilled a writer that he sees the shallowness in his own writing and seeks for something more.  John he ostracized as a savage and reveres the society his mother tells him of.  He finds it completely unsatisfactory.  The discussion with the Controller reveals that society must choose between happiness and truth and beauty; the lack of the latter leaves the three individuals unsatisfied.
3. Allusion- the novel is packed with allusions-to Ford, to the Bible, and mostly to Shakespeare.  (Pg 131,133, 238)
Contrast- the promiscuity of the future is contrasted with the asceticism of the savages (110)
Ambiguity- Huxley used abbreviations from the future that leave the meanings unclear.  Often they are explained later in the book.
Analogy-(pg 238) “Christianity without tears- that’s what soma is.”  The analogy compares the necessities of the past and the necessities of the current age.
Euphemism-the characters of the future are always gossiping on who is “having” who, a euphemism for sexual relations.  The euphemism angers Bernard and feels it treats women lie “a piece of meat”
Evocation- when a certain event hits home with John, he usually brings up a relevant Shakespeare text.  If the reader has read Shakespeare, the passage evocates memories and feelings from the particular text. (183, 131)
Implication- the novel ends with John’s feet seen dangling.  The reader is to imply that he has hung himself. (259)
Incongruity- the great advancements of civilization are incongruous with the regressions of the “savages”
Vernacular-dialogue in the novel is spoken with more technical and scientific terms to demonstrate the advancement of civilization.
Imagery-“behind them, in the west, the crimson and orange were almost faded; a dark bank of cloud had crept into the zenith.”  This type of language is used to depict the futuristic setting.
Pathos- the extreme future portrayed is an attempt to caution the public and is appealing to emotion; more specifically, fear.
4. The narrator’s tone is extremely professional and scientific, displaying the advance in technology.    In the first chapter, phrases like “optimum temperature, salinity, viscosity; referred to the liquor in which the detached and ripened eggs were kept” are very common.  The tone later in the book tends to reflect more despair. Passages concerning John were often like this.  On page 235, “The Savage nodded gloomily.  At Malpais he had suffered because they had shut him out from the communal activities of the pueblo, in civilized London he was suffering because he could never escape from those communal activities, never be quietly alone,” and tone of despair in a no-win situation is presented.  This tone is furthered and more alarming later when John exiles himself.  “Then suddenly remembering-everything. ‘Oh my God! Oh my God!’ He covered his eyes with his hand.”
Characterization-
1. Early in the novel, Lenina is developed directly.  Her physical appearance is described as “like a pearl illuminated from within, pinkly glowing.  More direct characterization is evident with the savages, who are described by the author with “their black hair was braided with fox fur and flannel.  Bernard on the other hand is first characterized indirectly in the conversation between Fanny and Lenin. “‘They say he doesn’t like Obstacle Golf’” and “’He spends most of his time by himself- alone!’”  Fanny is also developed in these scenes.  Her disgust for people who are unorthodox to her society his evident in her dialogue about Bernard.
2. The author narrates most when describing the setting or the appearances of the characters.  When he is doing this, he becomes more descriptive.  For example, he mentions small things lie “their dark eyes looked at her, but without any sign of recognition.”
3. Bernard is dynamic.  He changes greatly when he has success.  He becomes shallower and more orthodox.  When his success is taken away, he returns to a more sensitive character, but now he is more cowardly because, having experienced the full pleasures of civilization, fears losing them.  In this way he is a round character because he evolves as the story goes.
4. I did feel like I had met a character because they showed relatable experiences. The three characters that are different form the rest of society- Bernard, Hemholtz, and John all show human qualities.  For example, the frustration Bernard shows (“Bernard went off in a huff.  Never, he told himself, never would he speak to Hemholtz again.”) is very relatable.

What's the Story

     Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities for a couple of purposes.  Because of the way it was published as a serial, it can't be denied that he hoped to entertain in his work and wrote according to the readers reactions to last month's piece.  Dickens enjoyed commercial success because of this.  But there is much more to the novel.  Dickens even hoped it would be seen as his best work.  The themes that stays with you after the novel is redemption, and conveying that theme was part of Dickens motivation.  He was able to show that you can always make something of your situation and live, or die, with honor.  The novel also served as a cautionary tale.  Dickens feared revolution and sought to remind England of the bloodshed of the French Revolution.

Lit Terms #3

exposition-introductory part of story
expressionism-art form of expressing through picture inner experiences
fable-short, moral story with animals as characters
fallacy-false logic
falling action-after the climax, wrapping up
farce-comedy with numerous improbable situations
figurative language-similes and metaphors used to illustrate a point
flashback-scene from past interjected
foil-a characters opposite
folk tale-story passed on through word of mouth
foreshadowing-hinting at a future event
free verse-poetry form with no rules
genre- the characterization of the type of art
Gothic tale-combines horror and romance
hyperbole-exaggerated claims
imagery-language creating a mental picture
implication-giving reason to believe a certain idea
incongruity-metaphor or simile used in a way that the meaning is lost
inference-something assumed based of clues from text
irony-the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite

Lit Terms Remix #1

Circumlocution

Classicism

Climax

RHS vs Cerritos

Cliche-

"Should I write yolo as my remix for cliche?"

"That would be so cliche."

"Whatever. Yolo"

Colloquialism-

Mark Twain

Lit Terms #2

1.Classicism: art, literature, and music reflecting the principles of ancient Greece and Rome: tradition, reason, clarity, order, and balance
The painting depicted appreciation for reason and order and classicism.
2.Cliché: a phrase or situation overused within society
Yolo is too cliche.
3.Climax: the decisive point in a narrative or drama; the pint of greatest intensity or interest at which plot question is answered or resolved
I can't put the book down at it's climax!
4.Colloquialism: folksy speech, slang words or phrases usually used in informal conversation
Twain was among the first to utilize colloqialism
5.Comedy: originally a nondramatic literary piece of work that was marked by a happy ending
Shakespeare's comedies are overshadowed by the dark tragedies.
6.Conflict: struggle or problem in a story causing tension
Conflict is necessary to an interesting story
7.Connotation: implicit meaning, going beyond dictionary definition
Don't forget to take into account the connotation of the words you use.
8. Contrast: a rhetorical device by which one element (idea or object) is thrown into opposition to another
for the sake of emphasis or clarity
The opponents views contrasted the speakers, making both more recognizable.
9. Denotation: plain dictionary definition
The denotation does not care what society thinks.
10. Denouement: loose ends tied up in a story after the climax, closure, conclusion
The denouement lets readers catch their breath after the climax.
11. Dialect: the language of a particular district, class or group of persons; the sounds, grammar, and diction
employed by people distinguished from others.
We have a regional dialect in Santa Maria.
12. Dialectics: formal debates usually over the nature of truth.
I do not wish to engage in dialectics
13.Dichotomy: split or break between two opposing things.
The dichotomy of parties is tearing the country apart.
14.Diction: the style of speaking or writing as reflected in the choice and use of words.
His employed a simple diction.
15. Didactic: having to do with the transmission of information; education.
Didactic lectures are vital to learning
16.Dogmatic: rigid in beliefs and principles.
His writing was biased and dogmatic.
17.Elegy: a mournful, melancholy poem, especially a funeral song or lament for the dead, sometimes contains general reflections on death, often with a rural or pastoral setting.
His funeral elegy was solemnly performed.

18..Circumlocution: a roundabout or evasive speech or writing, in which many words are used but a few would have served

He used circumlocution to avoid answering the question.

AP Prep Post 1.Siddartha

1.Siddhartha concerns the quest for spiritual enlightenment, and by the end of it four characters have achieved this goal: Govinda, Gotama, Vasudeva, and Siddhartha. Is the enlightenment achieved by each of these characters the same? Why or why not? What distinctions and similarities exist between the paths these characters use to reach their final goal?
http://danig14.blogspot.com/2013/01/1.html#!/2013/01/1.html
Each character attains enlightenment differently.  They have all lived different lives and had different experiences, so it takes different journeys for them to reach enlightenment. In all cases, the individuals experience enlightenment alone, thus emphasizing the variablity of enlightenment amongst individuals.
This type of question would require the ability to draw conclusions on the whole of a text after reading only a passage.

2. The main purpose of the first-person point of view in the passage, “I am no longer what I was, I am no longer an ascetic, no longer a priest, no longer a Brahmin” is to make clear?
a. The change in Siddhartha’s physical lifestyle, in order to follow his spiritual one
b. Show Siddhartha’s anger at the corruption present in his father’s position
c. Reveal the frustration in Siddhartha’s journey toward enlightenment
d. The views and beliefs of his family and his religion
e. Draw attention toward the excitement that Siddhartha feels now that he has less responsibility
I would answer e because the repetition suggests a strong emotion.  That narrows it down to b or e.  I didn't get the impression that he was angry, so I would answer e.
Ths question demands that I am able to recieve the message intended by the author.

 The phrase “he was more firmly himself than ever” on pg 41 can be most accurately connected to which meaning?
a) He was able to follow his on views to enlightenment
b) He has learned who he is
c) He excepted that he wasn’t fit to be a Brahmin or a Samsara
d) He had been enlightened
e) He was happy with the way his life was.
I would need more context to answer this question.  The quote to me however suggests that he has learned who he is, so I would answer B.
Once again, this question demands that I understand the message that the author was trying to convey.

Siddhartha's last exchange with his friend Govinda could best be described as

A

humorous

B

hyperbolic

C

self-indulgent

D

sarcastic

E

indifferent
http://www.learnerator.com/ap-english-literature/prose-passages-more-soon/siddhartha-with-the-samanas/questions/siddharthas-attitude
E, I believe I remember this from reading the text long ago.  I recall that Siddartha was very unemotional at his departure.
This requires a simple analysis of emotion in the text.

Siddhartha's primary attitude of normal human life was that it appeared

A

unenlightened

B

too cerebral

C

commonplace

D

commercial

E

illusory
http://www.learnerator.com/ap-english-literature/prose-passages-more-soon/siddhartha-with-the-samanas/questions/siddharthas-attitude
I would need more context for this one, but since Siddartha is in a perpetual search for enlightenment I would answer A; his attititude is that human beings are unenlightened.
Ths question involves the analysis of a character's attitude.  By paying attention to tone and mood I would be able to answer this question correctly.

What's in this for me?

For me to enjoy the freedom of the fabled "second semester senior year," I will need to get an early jump on my classes.  If I do so, I will be able to enjoy the opportunity to explore new options in my life like traveling, picking majors, and even setting myself up for the perfect summer job!  I have a water polo trip to Montenegro planned in March which I an very excited for.  I want to get a strong start on my classes so that I will be spending my time in Europe sightseeing and exploring, rather than burying my nose into textbooks.  After that I my focus will be on succeeding on my AP tests.  And after that point, I will then be able to experience the fairyland of "second semester senior year" where you are free to chase your goals and are ready for bigger and better things.

Hacking my Education

This semester we have been given the free reign to hack the course to how we see fits our paths, which begin diverging as we chase different dreams.  At this point, I am not sure which dreams I wish to chase but I am preparing to make some big decisions soon.  A major part of my decision will be which universities I am accepted to, which will also effect my motivation for taking the AP exam.  If I decide to attend I university that does not allow me to transfer credits form the AP exam, then the test will be of less importance to me and I will be liberated to hack this course to my whim.  If not, I will want to both hack the course as I please while preparing myself for the AP exam.  So, what I hope to learn regardless of college decisions is how I can incorporate the things that I enjoy most now into the rest of my life.  Most relevant to hacking this course would be maintaining well-rounded learning.  After highschool peoople tend to specialize and forget about subjects they once enjoyed.  I can hack this course and develop the skills to draw connections between the world of literature and world of science.  I want to experience a project or assignment where I feel I used my learning holistically; like every subject that I study had some contribution to my work.  Another thing I would like investigate is creating a future where I am capable of both committing myself to whatever career I secure while balancing it with family, adventure, and exercise.  One of my greatest fears is becoming a workaholic who is pale, unfit, and unsociable.  While I think prioritizing the right things would avoid this, it is a concern nevertheless.