Final Book Post

The three questions I decided to pick for my blog post are:

· how would you describe the author's style of writing? What's your opinion of the style?

· Find out about the author. How did they end up writing this particular book? How is the author's life reflected in the book?

• If you've read other books in this same genre, how does this one compare?

J.K. Rowling style of writing is magical. Despite the fact that the world the characters dwell is purely intertwined, she pulls off the description of scenes and meaningful quotes by characters masterfully. In a world that lives along our own, J.K. Rowling is able to cross-reference events in history as well as circumstances in society using the protagonist Harry Potter. Potter has a perspective mounted in both “muggle” world and our own.

“It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high.  Some people, perhaps, would say that there was little to choose between the two ways, but Dumbledore knew - and so do I, thought Harry, with a rush of fierce pride, and so did my parents - that there was all the difference in the world.”

Rowling’s book appeal top her audiences so well by over-dramatizing Harry’s adolescent problems. Teenagers experience problems from growing up in today’s modern society, one that has grown to be more stressful and have higher expectations that decade3s before.

      It is explained in the later books that Harry has an inevitable job to fulfill, the slaying of the antagonist Lord Voldemort. Voldemort is made out to be invincible and is the greatest threat to the wizarding world in its history. Even though there have been other dark wizards like him, voldemort is the strongest and the most cunning. Even so, Coincidences intertwined into fate has created a prophecy for Harry to fulfill, as he must congquer the task of defeating Voldemort or the wizarding world will perish. I interpret Harry’s Quest as the obstacles and growing pains teenagers and adolescents today must go through to become adults. Once we conquer them, like Harry eventually does, all will be well. At the end of the series when Voldemort is vanquished, the laste sentence is “ and all was well”. Teenagers can take that sentence and an allegory for their problems so that once they have conquered them, all will be well.

            From what I have gathered, J.K. Rowling started writing the first book when she was homeless. A rumor was that’ the original copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s stone was written on pieces of Napkins. An article states:

“Rowling returned to Britain in 1993, settling in Edinburgh, Scotland, to be near her sister. Divorced after a brief marriage in Portugal and now with a baby, she suffered through a period of poverty and depression while she struggled to earn a living and take care of her daughter, Jessica. It was during this difficult time that she finally completed Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which was renamed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the U.S. edition. When her publisher suggested she add a middle initial to her name, she chose that of her grandmother, Kathleen."

Rowlings rise to fame could be written into a story. Her story is as simple as any rags to riches. Harry potter in my eyes was a way for her to have a creativity outlet during time of great stress for her,as she was out of a house and on the streets. Her talent in writing though is great, as someone that was poverty stricken like herself has to have had a great deal of skill to rise through levels of wealth so fast. 

I think that the book would not have been the same without the experiences rowling endured. Having been trhough such lows, it has given her perspective. Although Harry Potter is not a groundbreaking book that explores themes other classics , such as rascism and sexism, it shows other themes that rowling may have needed or wanted during her low times. Themes such as friendship, as shown  through the intense bond between harry, ron and hermione are routinely shown. 

In the latter books, Rowling makes a big deal of the importance of love. Through the character dumbledore, she says that nothing is stronger than the power of love, not even the most darkest magic in the series.

Other books that fit in this genre do not measure up in my opinion. While they focus on the action and the grave nature of obtaining such powerful magic, the Harry potter series have been a fascinating society out of it If one could leave such a world of its story and have it function alone, it would be parallel to ours. The book, creates the world to mirrors our own, and I think it does so flawlessly.

Peer Review Comments

For Kristine:
The tension between Arya and Eragon is vividly described here. I was very impressed as I read it, and felt the very same gush of emotions that you felt while reading the book. I agree with your praise of Paolini's writing. Reading your quotes form the text are inspiring me to once again re-read that series.

For Kiana:

Many of my questions are similar to Pedro: What questions did you pick to write about, what book are you even doing, and can you provide more background into the story?
You seem to only breach the surface of what the book is about. It would help more to explain deeper connections. I would have liked to see what questions you can pose for the development of the characters in this book.

For Camal:
Can you explain more of the story?  You elaborate on the conditions that the society that this book takes place, but you only briefly mention characters and nothing of the plot.

Final Book Post

The three questions I decided to pick for my blog post are:

· how would you describe the author's style of writing? What's your opinion of the style?

· Find out about the author. How did they end up writing this particular book? How is the author's life reflected in the book?

• If you've read other books in this same genre, how does this one compare?

J.K. Rowling style of writing is magical. Despite the fact that the world the characters dwell is purely intertwined, she pulls off the description of scenes and meaningful quotes by characters masterfully. In a world that lives along our own, J.K. Rowling is able to cross-reference events in history as well as circumstances in society using the protagonist Harry Potter. Potter has a perspective mounted in both “muggle” world and our own.

“It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high.  Some people, perhaps, would say that there was little to choose between the two ways, but Dumbledore knew - and so do I, thought Harry, with a rush of fierce pride, and so did my parents - that there was all the difference in the world.”

Rowling’s book appeal top her audiences so well by over-dramatizing Harry’s adolescent problems. Teenagers experience problems from growing up in today’s modern society, one that has grown to be more stressful and have higher expectations that decade3s before.

      It is explained in the later books that Harry has an inevitable job to fulfill, the slaying of the antagonist Lord Voldemort. Voldemort is made out to be invincible and is the greatest threat to the wizarding world in its history. Even though there have been other dark wizards like him, voldemort is the strongest and the most cunning. Even so, Coincidences intertwined into fate has created a prophecy for Harry to fulfill, as he must congquer the task of defeating Voldemort or the wizarding world will perish. I interpret Harry’s Quest as the obstacles and growing pains teenagers and adolescents today must go through to become adults. Once we conquer them, like Harry eventually does, all will be well. At the end of the series when Voldemort is vanquished, the laste sentence is “ and all was well”. Teenagers can take that sentence and an allegory for their problems so that once they have conquered them, all will be well.

            From what I have gathered, J.K. Rowling started writing the first book when she was homeless. A rumor was that’ the original copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s stone was written on pieces of Napkins. An article states:

“
Rowling returned to Britain in 1993, settling in Edinburgh, Scotland, to be near her sister. Divorced after a brief marriage in Portugal and now with a baby, she suffered through a period of poverty and depression while she struggled to earn a living and take care of her daughter, Jessica. It was during this difficult time that she finally completed Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which was renamed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the U.S. edition. When her publisher suggested she add a middle initial to her name, she chose that of her grandmother, Kathleen.”

Book POst

The three questions I decided to pick for my blog post are:

·  How would you describe the author's style of writing? What's your opinion of the style?

·  Find out about the author. How did they end up writing this particular book? How is the author's life reflected in the book?

• If you've read other books in this same genre, how does this one compare?

J.K. Rowling style of writing is magical. Despite the fact that the world the characters dwell is purely intertwined, she pulls off the description of scenes and meaningful quotes by characters masterfully. In a world that lives along our own, J.K. Rowling is able to cross-reference events in history as well as circumstances in society using the protagonist Harry Potter. Potter has a perspective mounted in both “muggle” world and our own.

“It was, he thought, the difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle to the death and walking into the arena with your head held high.  Some people, perhaps, would say that there was little to choose between the two ways, but Dumbledore knew - and so do I, thought Harry, with a rush of fierce pride, and so did my parents - that there was all the difference in the world.”

            From what I have gathered, J.K. Rowling started writing the first book when she was homeless. A rumor was that’ the original copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s stone was writtin on pieces of Napkins. An article states:

“
Rowling returned to Britain in 1993, settling in Edinburgh, Scotland, to be near her sister. Divorced after a brief marriage in Portugal and now with a baby, she suffered through a period of poverty and depression while she struggled to earn a living and take care of her daughter, Jessica. It was during this difficult time that she finally completed Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, which was renamed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the U.S. edition. When her publisher suggested she add a middle initial to her name, she chose that of her grandmother, Kathleen.”

Comments on other family history

Between me and other people who have written ahout their famiy history and posted it, i have seen many similarities. As the generation after the generation who immigrated to america during the 60s and 70s, there were many sotiries about my classmats parents immigrating to America, starting a new life. Most have been the same, after  a treagedy or a global event, they fled there original country to come to america for a new life. Mine is the same as theirs, after the world war, my parents, when they met, went to America to strart a new life.
Like others who posted about immigrating families, my bluhd vy troung wrote about immigrating families here:

" In
April 1899, my parents and the others sneaked their way onto the boats.
Unfortunately, my uncles and their family did not make it onto the boat
because the police have captured but my parents were able to get away.
On the small boat, that only fitted forty people, it would take them 7
days to get from Vietnam to the Philippines. My dad on the boat worked
on the machines and help with what he could on the boat. Since, he had
no money to pay the owner of the boat, my dad had to work for him
during the time. They would have to live 7 days without any food or
water, at one point my parents did not know how they were going to
survive.
When
they arrived to Palawan Philippines, they entered a refugee camp where
they would be living for the next couple of years, they were able to
leave the camp to get some food or anything they please. Both my
parents did not have any money and they were starving when they saw a
store and the people were eating food and drinking they could not stand
but had to get something. My mom decided to exchanged her wedding ring
for  Coca-Cola and that started their life in the Philippines."

Like vy, my parents immigrated to america. They had to leave their own contry and they left to america. However, i am very proud of tghis acvomplishment and they are good people.

The first edning if her mothers story on a hopeful note about teh creation of the joy luck club. This would inspire  a positive attitude into her child. the mother summarizes the creation that the four women came together through their lack of hope for the future. The neet and enjoy the present and forget about teh past, despite redicule they recieve other men and women of their community. The second story ends defferently, having a note of despraity, Fleeing from the japanese army, she takes her most importantn possesions and heads to a nearby city to avoid the army. Along the way, she grows very tired, so tired so that she starts shedding her belongings. Eventually, she has to drop everyhting, and only manages to carry her two children. In more despairty, she evetnaully has too leave them too. She becomes so tired that she recieves bodily harm.
I thin that she changes the story that she tells to her daughter because she doesn't want her to know about her past. This way her daughter has a hopeful idea about her future and her families past. She could also change due to the fact that her experience was very painful.

Why Chinese Mothers are superior

Chau's main point is this, : Western parents try to respect their children's individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true passions, supporting their choices, and providing positive reinforcement and a nurturing environment. By contrast, the Chinese believe that the best way to protect their children is by preparing them for the future, letting them see what they're capable of, and arming them with skills, work habits and inner confidence that no one can ever take away."


even though Chau'sway of parenting seem to be effective and in the end her child was able to play the song correctly, I do not believe in her idea of progress. What she is doing is conforming her kids to her world view than progressing them. This type of parenting I am extremely against. I think that children should be able to explore their own exploits. With this sense of adventure, your own children are able to create their own world view in their world.  Chau aims to create successful children, rather than happy children. While I may be biased and westernized, I hold these truths to myself still. However, I agree with ehr censorship of the media and entertainment, as they are a nuisance rather than anything else. I do not think that they are helpful to anybodies learning or advancement.

However, I do not agree with her radical attempts to have her children get the material she wants down. She maintains a very rational and compartmentalizing point of view than can hampen the children world view. Mainting a happy perspective on behalf of the child is what think the most important part, but teaching them to be successful is also very important.

Quickwrite

 Orwellian writing often displays dystopian societies or governments than fall into on themselves. He displays mechanics of governance and the natural progression of the ever-revolving way we govern ourselves.

In the recent history of Egypt, their government has been toppled by the sheer will or protesters. Although this has progressed to angry revolt and violence, it still is a shining example of how democracy prevails.

Many parallels have been seen between the events in Egypt and the events of one of Orwell's books, “Animal Farm”. A story about the rise and fall of government, the plot alone is similar to Egypt's history. Symbols such as goonies or grunts carrying out the oppressive government agenda is seen in egypt and Animal Farm. Napoleon's dogs would represent Sulieman and his agents trying to stem the fervor than has seeped into Egypt.

Animal Farm Chapter 11

 Dark days have risen on the newly named Manor Farm. It's rich history of animal revolution and it's pioneering privileges to animals have been painted over as the pigs has risen up to mirror humans themselves. They have vaguely metamorphosed into tall, two legged beings, controlling the farm no longer with words and their dogs, but by whips and guns.

The elder animals have taken most of the abuse from the hard work. There tired bodies worn from age cannot handle the additional stress of the dystopian society formed.

The Old mare, Clover looks steadily off into the sunset every day hoping for change to come to The Manor Farm. Forlorn, lost and at the end of every animals rope, her feelings begin to speak for everybody.

Night fallen, the days work done, Clover walks around, enjoying the only silence see can experience. Her burns from the whip only just cooled from their contact.

Ruffling from a bush reveals a long lost idol: Snowball.

“ Snowball!” She says in feared amazement. “You, are not supposed to be here! Ever since you left with dogs at your heels, you've been demonized with false crimes.”

Panting and covered in sweat, Snowball said, “ I know Clover. It has been such a long time, all my comrades are so old or dead. But it could have only been now. When the oppressed become the oppressors is the time for revolution.”

“Revolution?” The old mare neighed, “There can't possibly be any talk about that. Napoleon will have us slaughtered with his dogs, and then our remains as slough!”

It is the only way future generations will live out our dream of the three day week! Where animals old and young can enjoy peace and happiness. That's Why I have come to you. You must spread dissent among the masses of animals. Spread Vandalism, destroy everything! Even the ten amendments along the barn wall, which was once so clear and pure, but now have been corrupt.”

With the end of this speech, the bushes have rustled even more. With the blood draining from his face, Snowball fled into the brush from where he came.

From then on, Such “random incidents of hate against the majestic Manor Farm” occurred. The fields soiled with salt, the wheat and barley slashed and burned. The hens eggs were pilfered and later seen cracked open in the watering hole where urine was also found. It wasn't until the a effort to stop the incidents when the Ten Amendments of the Animal Farm were found washed off and erased.

Patrols around the farm were scheduled day and night. Sure enough, the dissent snowball wanted had worked. Animals were afraid of what was to come. Rations were dropped in hope in lowering the occurrences of the incidents. The swift and clever governing Napoleon had constructed had trouble keeping its iron grip over the lower animals.

It wasn't until a dark night when Moses, the old raven, had awoken Clover in her sleep. Stating that he is an agent for Snowball in resurrection of the Manor Farm, he passed on the next thing Snowball wanted Clover to do.

“As further means to destroy the infrastructure of the Manor Farm, We should take hit their valuable asset. I want you to destroy the dynamo in the west windmill, hampering their economic output”

With her mission set, Clover knew what to do. Reaching the windmill, she was old and tired, but she thought she could finish this last mission, but had decided this would be her last.

Ramming the dynamo, one of Napoleon's dog came in.

Growling and in a offensive stance, Clover had surrendered her position.

The whole farm was brought to attention that Clover had been the one committing the crime. AS an open statement to her crimes and her affiliation with snowball, Napoleon appeared out of the house. With his pack of a faithful and strong dogs at his steed, he declared the execution of Clover.

As the dogs killed her, Moses the raven shrieked a fearful cry.

Her came down onto Napoleon, with a knife enclosed in his beak. With the dogs ravaging Clover corpse no one was able to defend Napoleon against the attack. As the knife pierced his heart, this whole oppression over the Manor Farm seem to evaporate onto itself.

Essay (my computer was down)

 In George Orwell's essay, “Politics and the English Language, he discusses how the English language's lax in formality is the cause of our general lack of intelligence. Stating that our civilization has become lazy and leading toward collapse, our language must accompany it. To reverse the collapse, we must think more clearly. We are unable to think more clearly however, due to the habits of thinking we have learned because of speaking the English language. Reversing the collapse by yourself I useless however, as it is impossible to change or affect a whole language by being just one person. It takes a large group of people to make a change and time, as language is natural mechanic of our existence. Our capabilities of speech have evolved over time and have become part of our anatomy as any other structural advantage. Therefore, language is not something we can shape and change depending on our wants. It changes depending on our needs, whether needing to be complicated, or in Orwell's case, uncomplicated.

Orwell tells us that not only does the decline of our language affects us mentally, but it will also have political and economical affects. Language is a mean to critical thinking and our world has thrived on critical thinkers since the industrial age. Inventors creating complicated machines and methods to mass produce items to have our civilizations ascend to a global scale. Without language, we would be no more than animals. Consequently, if our language suffers, so will our economy because we will not be able to create such dynamic tools as before. It will suffer because the complexity of our factories, our inventors will have decreased. The average intelligence will have gone down. Politically, we will not be able to move forward to democratic times, resulting in totalitarian rule because democarcy requires that the masses are informed and are educated. The decline of language shows the decline of intelligence.

I agree with Orwell's position on the decline of our language. People have become lazy with their tongues and means of lifestyle due to the decadent parts of our lifestyles. If we have no point to move forward, we can't stay put. We will only move back. If language suffers, so does our ability to communicate. This leads to the decline of langauge because of our bad habits. To elaborate on our bad habits, Orwell states that the English language, “becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thought are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts” (par.2) From my experience this is very true. We become very lazy because of the advance in our technology. Every year, people have a easier life than the year before. Because of this, it affects our language. This becomes a snowball affect; our langauge becomes affect, affecting our lifestyles, which affects our langauge, and so on. Therefore, we are unable to repair our language without political regeneration with out society.

Opening statement

 The voter base in America for years has been for everybody ages eighteen and on under the justification that they are educated enough to know they effects there vote has on their country. The voter age has been eighteen because people at that age seem to be educated enough to know what they are voting for, but should the voting age be lowered? I say it should, as lowering the voting age to six-teen will provide the option to young adults to vote on matters that will affect them when they are adults.
At eight-teen , you are able to be drafted into war, smoke, but not drink. As the voting age used to be 21, it had been lowered to eight-teen in the 26^th amendment on the grounds that in a draft you should have all your rights as a citizen. If you turn eight-teen as a draft is alive in our country, you would have had no choice to enter it or not. But, if the voting age was lowered to six-teen, new entrants into the army because of such a draft would have the choice to even start it. To avoid negative feelings, it should be lowered to prevent condemning unnecessary lives to warfare.

Students that are taught politics in school are politically active and denying their right to do so is destroying a useful voter base to stem stalemates between two parties. Marco Roth, a founding editor of politcal magazine n+1, states, in his article, “Lower the Voting Age!” that, “a lowered Voting age might just be the catalyst to help release our stalled democratic, revolutionary energies.” It will prove benefcial to our country to have this voter base and can provide a more politically active youth. The larger amount of voters would help end the fight between liberalism and republicanism, creatng bi-partisanship.

A lowered voting age would prove nothing but beneficial as having a wider base would be more fair and provide a cleaner point of view than older generations past. At six-teen, students are able to work a job and therefore pay taxes, so why shouldn't they have the right to vote too?

political power

 An trend has occurred in governments that when someone obtains power, they become completely corrupt. From the Romans, where Nero became a horribly corrupt ruler, to the United States and the scathing Water Gate scandal. It is human nature to use what we have as advantages over other people to gain for ourselves. Fighting for their seat in office, or simply having the throne passed down to the, people will use their power over others to gain for themselves. Leaders will be motivated to do what they want, whether it be money, indulgence, desire, because they have a whole nation for them to seize if from. However, as everything is in nature, nothing is identical.

There are the few, glorious leaders within out time who have cast aside their greed and desire, and have taken a step back. Knowing that they have a whole nation depending on them to improve life, they have actually done their job. Role models for all leadership, those who have a publicly clean slate in office, are the ones who have not been tainted by corruption. Shining examples from America have been Abraham Lincoln, JFK, and now, Barack Obama. They are the posters fr justice in government. Having not embellished funds, or sex scandals dirtying their reputation, they are free from corruption. There is something that makes them different however.

They have known the means to achieve their end. With a plan of justice, improvement, and a hint of cunning, they can and will improve the country, being seen as an actual leader. Unlike common leaders, who take from public funds, or tyrants whose whole country is built on sating their thrist, they have n9ot come into leadership without a plan. With knowing the means to their end, they can justify and execute their means. Each example has come into office with a goal, and each has more or less completed their goals

The answer to the question “does political power corrupt the people who attain it?” is a mix quandary. In a such a broad field, it is impossible to find a single certain trend that every instance follows.

Who ever said college isn't important?

 In today's growing economy, the selectivity of employer's has significantly increased with competition from oversea companies and employees working over long lines of communication, making it all the harder for the professionals to find a career in the local job search. To get ahead, however, it is important to know what employers look for. To become the best choice, it is necessary to get the best college education available.

With colleges nowadays being the most institutionalized form of post-high school education, you can find at least one university of community college in your immediate area, all offering classes and degrees. You can go anywhere to obtain skills that can be used in a job.

Despite this, where you go is important; having the best degree gets you the best job, from which you earn the most money. By these standards, you are “happy”; being more or less free from financial strains. On that note, the answer to the question, “Will you have a better life if you go to an elite college or university” is yes, based on how what college you went is seen by your employer and the quality of training you receive.

From Richard D Kahlenberg's article, “Does It Matter Where You Go To College?”, he states “We wage war in this country over affirmative action in higher education because people realize that attending a selective college with a large endowment offers numerous advantages, which can put students on a more favorable trajectory in life.” (http://www.nytimes.com)The wealth of a college makes it name known because money is power, and in this case, it is the power to teach. Slap any name onto Harvard and it will still be one of the best because of it's wealth. Kahlenberg uses this idea at his beginning of his article because it is the core of defining the difference between Hayward University nd Cambridge.

Obtaining your training from an elite college is almost a surefire way to have a more quliaty education. The reasoning behind that statement is common sense and coincides with the fact about money: the more you got, the more you can do.

However, determining if you are happy or not by what college you go to is a very poorly planned question. It is necessary to take out the factors of each individual person, any events that could negativly affect a person or any abnormalities someone might have.

book post 3: freedom

After having our third and final discussion of our third part of the book 1984 by George Orwell, we discussed the last themes we saw in the part and the overall themes of the whole book. In our discussion, we all asked questions about that revolved around how the party changes peoples mind. We also discussed further options into how Winston is naturally rebellious and how he became to fight against the party and big brother.

Amon the themes in the book, we talked about how the party has total power of the people. They have total surviellance of everybody at all times though the use of tele-screens that can watch people as well as display their propaganda to further subdue the people. The party also has total control over society, dictating their culture their activities, even public transportation. Holding an iron-fist over the people, they have little threat over being overthrown. However, they go the extra length and persecute people of their thoughts. Thoughts that have themes of freedom:integrity, democracy and equality, that could potentially grow a resistance to the government. As all threats that could overthrow them have to come from the inside, and the inside is the people, then they only way they would be overthrown would be by their people.

Winston sees the only way as it could be overthrown from the beginning is the Proletarian people of Oceania. Which are the lower-class, unformed masses. Having been not formed by the party to follow the principles of INGSOC, they still have the ideas from freedom. They already have integrity and equality, and are able to have individuality. The idea of individuality is very important to Winston If you compare his descriptions of the proletarian people to the people of the party and the inner party, they description of the proletarian people are much more vivid. He is able to look into the past and contemplate how people go the way their were. These ideas all come from the book of goldtein which despite the efforts of the party has never been eradicated. These ideas are what can throw the party over.

Book Post #2: Winston's Love

 After reading and discussing the second part of the book 1984, by George Orwell, our group has talked more about Winston rebellious nature against the party. In the second part, he explores more options of resisting the government. He has become more carefree, exploring areas of the proletarian sections of London and even inquiring in their bars and shops. He does this to find enjoyment in the experience and to learn more from the past and history. These two things is what the governments aims to prevent. They try to eliminate history and stop the people from enjoying anything, as enjoyment lsets off a chain of events that leads to free thinking. Orwell explains that enjoying anything leads to you feeling good, which leads you to be able to do more things the same way as a efficient machine gets more done than a broken one. Free thinking will inevitably bring down the government, as then the natural order of things will play out, and the party will fall.

However, a large development in Winston's life occurs at the beginning of the second part The dark haired girl he used to despise greatly became an ally to him instead. Being even more of an ally, the dark haired girl, whose name is revealed as Julia, actually loves him. After arranging meeting through elaborate means of communication, they are allowed to flourish together.

Being brought together by their resistance of the party, they enjoy each other in sexual acts to please themselves and as well as showing an act of rebellion to the government. But their love for each other is uncalled for, as they go from strangers to soul mates in a matter of days of being together. This raised a question in our group discussion of why Winston loves Julia and how their relationship grew so quickly. We came to a decision that Winston's want to destroy the party their the inevitable act that they had been trying to prevent from happening, sexual interaction and pleasure, and Julia was one of the only ways for him to do that.

1984: Winston's individuality.

 In the novel 1984, by George Orwell, the protagonist Winston, a man in his late thirties lives in a dystopian country of Oceania. He lives as a citizen of “The Party”, a group of government obssesed zealots that sole purpose in life is the preservation of the Party's principles. However, these principles are what makes the novel dystopian fiction: they revolve around oppressing the common people, making them nothing short animals. They watch the people and display propaganda through, “telescreens”, violating the privacy and having constant video and audio contact with everybody in the counrty. Through watching them, the Party aims to oppress the minds and destroy individuality among the people. Also, the culture is molded around militaristic ideals, so therefore, everybody is in complete unison and stepping out of line is impossible. To step out is to commit thoughtcrime, punishable by death. Thought crime can be anything that is different than what the party wants. Whether it be speaking your mind or showing any sort of intelligence beyond average, you are taken away during the night, “vaporized”, or having all records or you existing being deleted.

On the contrary however, Winston is unaffected by the Party mind altering tactics. Being a unique character in the book and the narrator, we are able to see through the party's eyes through the eyes of Winston. As a middle aged man, he lived near the establishing of the party, which was around the 1950s, as it is 1984 in the book.

Modern themes of democracy and natural rights that are common today are seen in Winston. As he is someone who commits thoughtcrime, you can see how the book is a inverse of today's world where equality is common.

The plot of the story and where I see it is going is how Winston becomes involved with the destruction of the party and the bringing about of a new better world. I see him gravitating and him become closer and closer to the Brotherhood, which is a rumored organization that conspires agianst the party that may or may not exist.

Book Review

In the novel by Julia Alvarez, “How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents”, the book explores many themes about growing up in different societies and the growth of all the girls in general.

In “How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents” one of the characters, Yolanda, goes through a exceptional college experience. Coming from the Dominican republic, the American culture is very different then her home. She is foreign and not used to American culture. In the 60s, this age-group was very sexually active, being that sex is something Yolanda isn't used to either. The way she feels relates back to how her family brought her up; woman being modest and sexually inactive until she is married. This may also stem from her religion. I can relate to Yolanda going to college. The atmosphere she describes in similar to college of Alameda. She describes it as being very academic. Showing how other students personalities come out in relation to their studies, her description emphasizes the academic atmosphere. While walking about in College in Alameda and have taken some classes there, I felt a connection to how Yolanda felt while going to college in America. The message Julia Alvarez is trying to send is that everybody goes though phases through their lives where they must accustom to change. Change is a common idea in ife, especially in adolescent and the beginning of adulthood However, Yolanda comes into contact with another thing about growing up: Sex. She feels conflicted as their as sex has always been unimportant in her life. As she comes into this sex-oriented culture, she doesn't know what to do. As with Rudy, she doesn't pick up on his hints inside the poem at first. She is too naive to see his flirtatious approaches. Eventually, her prudence drives him away, and this is what causes emotional conflict within Yolanda. Yolanda's innocence from her chidhopod show through at different times, such as this when she comes face-to-face with something that has been marked as a taboo throughout her life. Another thing I have seen while reading this book is how what content I have read relates to the title of the book. What has been described so far is how the girls learn from there mistakes. The events that have happened have all taught a lesson to the four sisters. Starting with Yolanda, she learns that some people are different than what they seem. Sofia learns that when you disrespect somebody, especially someone as important as your father, it takes time to heal. Hey all went through some sort of process that they have learned form they're mistakes. I expect to see similar themes like this happen throughout the book. They all learn something from each other.

In the second part of “How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents” we learn more about their life from their young adult to teenage years. Differing from the first part, which explored a later part of their life, the book explores their young adult and teen years. The theme in this part of the book is also different. In this section, the four girls learn how to acclimate to the teenager lifestyle in America after moving from the Dominican republic, instead of acclimating to college life. The girls also come into their first contacts with close relationships and other adult themes. As the girls are teenagers, they are pressured by the American way to become more American rather than retaining their traditional standards in America. They experience social pressures that other teens in America go through, but have the added stress from their parents that want them to be like. The parents keep them away from boys at every opportunity. whether it be on the way to school or when they want to go hang out. The parents think that if they can keep they're social life from expanding in America, they can keep their heritage intact. They go an extra measure too, as in the summer, the parents make the girls visit the Dominican republic for the whole time. They do this to keep the girls in touch with their family, but to also maintain their cultural image. The father is very resilient to have the girls even be in America, as they think they will blend with the culture and become a “Spanish American princess”. He is also afraid of them “whoring around”, and becoming versions of women he sees in the Dominican republic become unsuccessful. The girls also experience their first serious relationships. Sofia falls in love with a man at the young age of sixteen, and the relationship becomes controlling. Her boyfriend, Manuel, becomes very controlling, keeping her in the house, regulating her contact with other people, and even telling her what she can or can't read. However, she becomes docile and unresistant, letting Manuel control her.

The third and final part of “How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents”, we explore the young teen and childhood of the four sisters. The family lives in the Dominican republic in this time and are aught up in the history. During this time, the dictator that held total control of the Dominican Republic is power. The Garcia family comes into problems with the government, and immigration to America in the third part of “How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents”.In the first vignette, the family comes into conflict with the dictator. Being part of a supposed plot against the government, Carlos, the girls' dad, flees into hiding into the crevasses of the house as the dictator's agents come to him with questions. The arrival of the agent's sends the whole family into a panic, fearing charges of treason from the government. Trembling against the odds, the family holds up until they receive help from a friend, using code words to communicate to him and their father as the agents question them. The theme of danger is a new theme in the book, as never before has the writer incorporated suspense or thrill. New ideas, different then before which have revolved around growing up and losing innocence emerges. Ideas such as protecting ones family, or fighting for one's freedom occurs as we enter the realm of dictatorship and tyranny. As the family escapes the Dominican republic however, we learn of their struggles of immigrating to America. This is very new to all the children, and is a familiar theme. Growing accustomed to a different culture is a very strong theme throughout the story, . The girls are forced to adapt to the American way from the Dominican culture.

Book Post 3

The third and final part of “How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents”, we explore the young teen and childhood of the four sisters. The family lives in the Dominican republic in this time and are aught up in the history. During this time, the dictator that held total control of the Dominican Republic is power. The Garcia family comes into problems with the government, and immigration to America in the third part of “How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents”.

In the first vignette, the family comes into conflict with the dicttator. Being part of a supposed plot against the government, Carlos, the girls' dad, flees into hiding into the crevasses of the house as the dictator's agents come to him with questions. The arrival of the agent's sends the whole family into a panic, fearing charges of treason from the government. Trembling against the odds, the family holds up until they receive help from a friend, using code words to communicate to him and their father as the agents question them. The theme of danger is a new theme in the book, as never before has the writer incorporated suspense or thrill. New ideas, different then before which have revolved around growing up and losing innocence emerges. Ideas such as protecting ones family, or fighting for one's freedom occurs as we enter the realm of dictatorship and tyranny.

As the family escapes the Dominican republic however, we learn of their struggles of immigrating to America. This is very new to all the children, and is a familiar theme. Growing accostmed to a different culture is a very strong theme throughout the story, . The girls are forced to adapt to the American way from the Dominican culture.

Blog Post nummer 2

 In the second part of “How the Garcia Girls Lost their Accents” we learn more about their life from their young adult to teenage years. Differing from the first part, which explored a later part of their life, the book explores their young adult and teen years. The theme in this part of the book is also different. In this section, the four girls learn how to acclimate to the teenager lifestyle in America after moving from the Dominican republic, instead of acclimating to college life. The girls also come into their first contacts with close relationships and other adult themes.

As the girls are teenagers, they are pressured by the American way to become more American rather than retaining their traditional standards in America. They experience social pressures that other teens in America go through, but have the added stress from their parents that want them to be like. The parents keep them away from boys at every opportunity., whether it be on the way to school or when they want to go hang out. The parents think that if they can keep they're social life from expanding in America, they can keep their heritage intact. They go an extra measure too, as in the summer, the parents make the girls visit the Dominican republic for the whole time. They do this to keep the girls in touch with their family, but to also maintain their cultural image. The father is very resilient to have the girls even be in America, as they think they will blend with the culture and become a “Spanish American princess”. He is also afraid of them “whoring around”, and becoming versions of women he sees in the Dominican republic become unsuccessful.

The girls also experience their first serious relationships. Sofia falls in love with a man at the young age of sixteen, and the relationship becomes controlling. Her boyfriend, Manuel, becomes very controlling, keeping her in the house, regulating her contact with other people, and even telling her what she can or can't read. However, she becomes docile and unresistant, letting Manuel control her.

His madness part 2

I turned away from the beatings the Shadow Cloaks inflicted on the mother and her child to the ground. I hold back my tears of fear, a grim respite to what I see, and turn away, talking the long way back To my Mum. The sidewalk, a large pathway between building and street,funneling humans and Pokèmon every which way. It's gray concrete color shines with the materials of industries and the sweat of the workmen who laid them down. Strutting down Rain Corridor, Sun shining being harvested on rooftops by panels of light, turbines twirling, wondering really how all of this is powered. It's not by these sources of course, It's by, the space between you and me.

Sepior the scientist, Sepior the savior, Sepior the Chancellor, Sepior the Madman. Unlocking the strongest energy source we have ever known, he quickly rose from the lowest, most embarrassed part of the scientific community, to a celebrity, known all over the world. Unleashing the negative and positive matter reaction creates so much energy. Completely clean, inexpensive, just what the leaders before rambled on about. Just this time, The right combination for something came up, someone in charge, someone loved, someone totally wrong, a dictator.

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Has it been hours? Minutes, days? Or has it been a year? Looking back, I don't even remember that walk to the outskirts of the city. I think I closed my eyes, shielding myself from the horror. So many dead. Am I the only one left? My footsteps are a grim reminder of where I still am, a wondering soul in a real limbo. Everything seems like limbo when it's not what you're used to.

The sky, covered in a purple ash, resembles a bomb. Lighting flashing, yet no rain falling. It swirls to and fro, in and out. Near the horizon line, my farthest point, is a blur. Heat waves emanate from it, miles away, as I see the power plant. What used to be a huge building, towering over the city with it's stacks and labs, is now a pile of vaporized rubble. Burning rubble, burning stones. The power of the blast must have come from there.
The power plant exploded. The power existing between you and me, let loose a fiery, cataclysmic explosion. Burning life for miles around.
I look to the mountains, my view clean of buildings and rubble. Me, an oasis in a wasteland, the only one to perceive the horror, sees nothing. Black mountains. Black skies. Black clouds, and a black moon.
So I start my walk, down my endless highway, out from my home, to my unappealing demise.

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