Although I thoroughly enjoyed our short story discussions, my favorite part of the week was the constant incorporation of vocabulary. Towards the beginning of the week, studying vocabulary became a daunting task, mostly due to variety show. So I made my note cards and studied; after some quality practicing the vocabulary words seemed to stick. Therefore, the morning of preview, I didn’t have to worry about studying last minute. By the time I got to English class, the northies had left, but Mr. Allen gave the Vshow kids the vocabulary test anyways. He gave us a few minutes to review; but before giving us the test, he called each of us up individually. “Lauren. Do you know what the word auspicious means?” he asked. (at least I think that’s the word he used) I freaked out, thinking it was a vocabulary word I was supposed to know, and I didn’t. Then Kate Henning answered and I couldn’t be happier. Mr. Allen handed me my Heart of Darkness test and I had done very well on it!
Next I took the vocabulary test and flew right through it. I was glad to hear that no one, or almost no one, got less than a 96 on the test. I know there was some confusion whether or not the South kids would have time to take the test or not, so some people hadn’t studied until the morning of the test.
In class Mr. Allen also asked if anyone knew what the word sedulous meant. Remembering the word from a past vocab. test, I shouted “diligent.” Mr. Allen and I both seemed very surprised that I remembered the definition and that a synonym would be assiduous. The fact that it was possible to recall the meaning after such a long time really showed me that, A. repetition actually helps in long term memorization, and B. vocabulary is important and helpful in real life, aside from just being a relatively easy grade-booster in English class.
I feel that the new method of writing words down on the board is very interesting. I, in fact, wrote those words, sedulous; truncated; and apotheosis, down in my assignment notebook. I’m looking forward to seeing whether or not Mr. Allen will quiz us on those words.
I generally don’t view myself as having a very broad vocabulary, yet this week, vocabulary seemed a more positive idea.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
What If: My Life Was A Short Story
This week we read the short story Boys, in class. Through the heavy use of repitition, of the boys enter the house, we reasoned that at least a few parts of this story story are applicable to every boy. Therefore it is a model. What if my life was the model for the lives of girls? When I look over my life experiences, I think that the events are too boring to write a short story about. Then I move to my frame of mind and i don't contemplate about anything out of the ordinary. Even thought I may not think my story would be a good model for the lives of other girls, it may be mundain and simple enough to apply to girls everywhere. Just to be clear, I do think my life has value and I do think I will leave a lasting influence on the people I spend time with. This lasting influence happens, I think, because everyone may take part in similar activities, but the details add importance and emotion. Boys applies to nonfictional boys because the narrator describes on situation that everyone does, entering the house, and he adds detailed experiences to this single experience. If my life was a short story, the narrator might talk about something similar such as looking out the window or sitting on the couch; then he or she would add specific events to those simple actions.
Aside from the structure of the story, I think that it would be really strange if every reader knew all of my quirky habits. I don't think I would want a short story to be written about me. I am a quiet, private person; therefore, I wouldn't want the attention or possible questions that would come along with the plot. Also, currently, I don't know what the climax would be. Maybe I'll never know what the climax is, only someone on the outside could know. I don't think my story would be possible in my brain because I don't know who would write it. My only guess would be if someone, that I don't know, found a scrapbook or a photo album of my life and wrote a story. We talked about this in class. If Boys was written the same way then that explains why the names weren't mentioned and why the story it more universal.
Pretty much, I wouldn't want a story about myself. Therefore, when I begin writing a short story, I'm hopefully going to write about a fictional character. To tell you (Mr. Allen) the truth, I'm not looking forward to writing a short story. On a seperate note, I apologize for the poor writing today. I've been really busy with Variety Show.
Aside from the structure of the story, I think that it would be really strange if every reader knew all of my quirky habits. I don't think I would want a short story to be written about me. I am a quiet, private person; therefore, I wouldn't want the attention or possible questions that would come along with the plot. Also, currently, I don't know what the climax would be. Maybe I'll never know what the climax is, only someone on the outside could know. I don't think my story would be possible in my brain because I don't know who would write it. My only guess would be if someone, that I don't know, found a scrapbook or a photo album of my life and wrote a story. We talked about this in class. If Boys was written the same way then that explains why the names weren't mentioned and why the story it more universal.
Pretty much, I wouldn't want a story about myself. Therefore, when I begin writing a short story, I'm hopefully going to write about a fictional character. To tell you (Mr. Allen) the truth, I'm not looking forward to writing a short story. On a seperate note, I apologize for the poor writing today. I've been really busy with Variety Show.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Connection: Heart of Darkness and Industrialization
Throughout Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness there are many elements, of the mistreatment of workers, present. When Marlow travels through the Central Station we see several examples. “Six black men advanced in a file toiling up the path. They walked erect and slow, balancing small baskets full of earth on their heads, and the clink kept time with their footsteps. Black rags were wound round their loins and the short ends behind waggled to and fro like tails. I could see every rib, the joints of their limbs were like knots in a rope, each had an iron collar on his neck and all were connected together with a chain whose bights swung between them, rhythmically clinking” (Conrad 15).
In social studies we recently explored the issues associated with the Industrial Revolution, the most common idea being the mistreatment of workers. We read a Samuel Smiles’s article about factory discipline including rules, work hours, and penalties. The article explained a typical worker’s 13 hour day which is run by bells, similar to those school day. Another salient feature of the article was the supervisors’ power over the laborers. “It goes without saying that all overseers and officials of the firm shall be obeyed without questions, and shall be treated with due deference. Disobedience will be punished by dismissal…Untrue allegations against superiors or officials of the concern shall lead to stern reprimand, and may lead to dismissal” (Perry 137). He also explains, in a previous article, that the workers are more just because they make an honest living while the officials don’t really do much in their job, yet are highly rewarded.
This reminded me of Heart of Darkness, especially concerning mistreatment of workers and racial inequality; because the black natives do most of the work while the white officials, such as the manager do very little. While Marlow is applying for a trip to Africa, he hears a story about the stolen hens. The African accused of stealing the hens gets beaten while the official is said to have done a good thing. It is often said in Heart of Darkness that the Company’s cause is very noble, which is generally viewed as false by the readers. Lazy, power hungry officials are common in both the industrial revolution and in Heart of Darkness.
To me it was pretty obvious that in both instances there were poor working conditions and little to no healthcare. In the Industrial revolution population, poor healthcare for workers, and bad sanitation were common. From Heart of Darkness, the line above about the exposed ribs showed lack of food for workers. Also the conditions, in which the Africans die and are left on the side of the road, show poor sanitation.
Although a very gruesome topic, mistreatment of workers has been very common throughout history and literature.
In social studies we recently explored the issues associated with the Industrial Revolution, the most common idea being the mistreatment of workers. We read a Samuel Smiles’s article about factory discipline including rules, work hours, and penalties. The article explained a typical worker’s 13 hour day which is run by bells, similar to those school day. Another salient feature of the article was the supervisors’ power over the laborers. “It goes without saying that all overseers and officials of the firm shall be obeyed without questions, and shall be treated with due deference. Disobedience will be punished by dismissal…Untrue allegations against superiors or officials of the concern shall lead to stern reprimand, and may lead to dismissal” (Perry 137). He also explains, in a previous article, that the workers are more just because they make an honest living while the officials don’t really do much in their job, yet are highly rewarded.
This reminded me of Heart of Darkness, especially concerning mistreatment of workers and racial inequality; because the black natives do most of the work while the white officials, such as the manager do very little. While Marlow is applying for a trip to Africa, he hears a story about the stolen hens. The African accused of stealing the hens gets beaten while the official is said to have done a good thing. It is often said in Heart of Darkness that the Company’s cause is very noble, which is generally viewed as false by the readers. Lazy, power hungry officials are common in both the industrial revolution and in Heart of Darkness.
To me it was pretty obvious that in both instances there were poor working conditions and little to no healthcare. In the Industrial revolution population, poor healthcare for workers, and bad sanitation were common. From Heart of Darkness, the line above about the exposed ribs showed lack of food for workers. Also the conditions, in which the Africans die and are left on the side of the road, show poor sanitation.
Although a very gruesome topic, mistreatment of workers has been very common throughout history and literature.
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