Once upon a time there was a hungry bear. The bear's name was Mr. Chubs. Mr. Chubs lived in a forest all alone in a cave. The only possesions that Mr. Chubs had were a small fire pit, a blanket, and a pillow to sleep on. Every day, Mr. Chubs goes into the forest to gather berries and other foods. Mr. Chubs is kind of a grumpy bear, and he does not like to share any of his food that he gathers.
One day while Mr. Chubs was gathering food, a small rabbit asked him if he could spare a few berries for him and his family. Mr. Rabbit (the rabbit's name) has a very large family. He has twelve babies and a wife. It is very hard for Mr. Rabbit and his wife to collect enough food for their large family.
After seeing the sad and pathetic look on Mr. Rabbit's face, Mr. Chubs completely turned him down in a very cold manner. Mr. Chubs does not like to share any of his food. He has to eat enough to be able to hibernate all winter after all.
When Mr. Rabbit was turned done he told Mr. Chubs has he is very inconsiderate, and that he should not ever ask him for a favor.
One day, the day before Mr. Chubs was supposed to start hibernation, he was running low on food. Mr. Chubs started to run around to his neighbors in a panic. He did not want to starve through the winter! Every house that Mr. Chubs went to put him down. They said that he did not let them have some of their food, so why should they let him have any of theirs? When Mr. Chubs got to Mr. Rabbit's house, Mr. Rabbit reminded Mr. Chubs of how cruelly he treated Mr. Rabbit and his very large family.
Disappointed and confused, Mr. Chubs gloomily stalked home. He thought about all the times he was mean to his neighbors and did not share his food. Mr. Chubs started to regret the time that he let the poor little rabbits go hungry, and it was all because he was too worried about himself. Mr. Chubs realized that if he had shared with his neighbors when they needed his help, they would probably share with him when he need their help. So Mr. Chubs went back to Mr. Rabbit and all the rest of his neighbors, and he apologized for the times that he was mean to them. His neighbors, being way more courteous then he is, forgave Mr. Chubs, and they helped him get enough food to survive the winter.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Journal #1
I know a little bit about the Native American culture. I have visited a few remakes of Native American villages. I have been to Jamestown where Pocahontas was, and I have been to an indian village in Cherokee in the Smokey Mountains.
I know that there are several different "types" of indians. The Mayans, Incas, and Aztecs, where among the first indians in South America. They were very intelligent. The Aztecs were involved in a lot of human sacrifices, and the Mayans created one of the first calenders. The Spanish conquistadors massacred all the Mayans, Incas, and Aztecs.
The first of the indian tribes in North America used tepees to live in. They were called nomads because they moved from place to place for food. They did not know how to plant crops yet, so they moved around for food.
There were several other indian tribes in North America. One group of indians were called the Mound Builders. They lived in the Great Plains. They are called the Mound Builders because the built a lot of burial mounds. Some tribes built burial mounds in the shape of several animals. A common animal to make a mound in the shape of was a snake. One of the most well known Mound Builder tribes is the tribe that lived in Cahokia Mounds. Cahokia Mounds is in Illinois right outside St. Louis. Cahokia Mounds is probably the largest Mound Builder civilization. They were pretty advanced.
There were also Native American tribes that lived in Arizona and around there. They made their houses out of adobe, and they lived on the sides of cliffs. They were called Cliff Dwellers. The Cliff Dwellers were also pretty advanced. They made irrigation canals to bring water to their villages. They had to do this because they lived in the desert where there obviously is not a lot of water.
The Iroquois league was probably the most powerful group of indians. They set up there own form of government and had a good military. I'm pretty sure they lived in longhouses. The women were looked at as equals to the men. They took part in council meetings and other men dominated events.
The Seminoles were another type of indian tribe. They lived in the Everglades.
Most indian tribes were somewhat the same. Some tribes lived in tepees, some in lounghouses, wigwams, houses on stilts, or in adobe houses. The later indian tribes knew how to plant food which gave them more time for leisure. Some indians invented a game that is very similar to lacrosse. The men usually dominated the tribes. They were chief and participated in tribal meetings. They also did the hunting. The women typically did everything else. They made clothing, beads, baskets, prepared food, took care of the children, and other like things.
I know that there are several different "types" of indians. The Mayans, Incas, and Aztecs, where among the first indians in South America. They were very intelligent. The Aztecs were involved in a lot of human sacrifices, and the Mayans created one of the first calenders. The Spanish conquistadors massacred all the Mayans, Incas, and Aztecs.
The first of the indian tribes in North America used tepees to live in. They were called nomads because they moved from place to place for food. They did not know how to plant crops yet, so they moved around for food.
There were several other indian tribes in North America. One group of indians were called the Mound Builders. They lived in the Great Plains. They are called the Mound Builders because the built a lot of burial mounds. Some tribes built burial mounds in the shape of several animals. A common animal to make a mound in the shape of was a snake. One of the most well known Mound Builder tribes is the tribe that lived in Cahokia Mounds. Cahokia Mounds is in Illinois right outside St. Louis. Cahokia Mounds is probably the largest Mound Builder civilization. They were pretty advanced.
There were also Native American tribes that lived in Arizona and around there. They made their houses out of adobe, and they lived on the sides of cliffs. They were called Cliff Dwellers. The Cliff Dwellers were also pretty advanced. They made irrigation canals to bring water to their villages. They had to do this because they lived in the desert where there obviously is not a lot of water.
The Iroquois league was probably the most powerful group of indians. They set up there own form of government and had a good military. I'm pretty sure they lived in longhouses. The women were looked at as equals to the men. They took part in council meetings and other men dominated events.
The Seminoles were another type of indian tribe. They lived in the Everglades.
Most indian tribes were somewhat the same. Some tribes lived in tepees, some in lounghouses, wigwams, houses on stilts, or in adobe houses. The later indian tribes knew how to plant food which gave them more time for leisure. Some indians invented a game that is very similar to lacrosse. The men usually dominated the tribes. They were chief and participated in tribal meetings. They also did the hunting. The women typically did everything else. They made clothing, beads, baskets, prepared food, took care of the children, and other like things.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Journal: Symbols in The Catcher in the Rye
I think the Museum of Natural History is one of many symbols in The Catcher in the Rye. Holden tells the reader that he likes the museum because it is always the same. He likes how everything is always in the same place every time he visits the museum. Holden also says that he does not like the fact that every time he goes to the museum he is different. He does not like how he changes, and he wishes he could stay the same like the statues in the museum.
From these explanations I have come to the conclusion that the Museum of Natural History probably represents Holden's fear of growing up. The entire novel is about Holden's struggle with knowing that he must become an adult. Holden wishes he could stay the same forever, which is why he idolizes the museum so much. At a certain point in the novel, Holden decides to go to the Museum of Natural History, but he does not go in because he is afraid that it will be different. This act symbolizes that Holden is still not ready to grow up, and that he has a fear of things that he is not certain about. Not knowing if the museum has changed would symbolize the fear of things that Holden is not certain about.
From these explanations I have come to the conclusion that the Museum of Natural History probably represents Holden's fear of growing up. The entire novel is about Holden's struggle with knowing that he must become an adult. Holden wishes he could stay the same forever, which is why he idolizes the museum so much. At a certain point in the novel, Holden decides to go to the Museum of Natural History, but he does not go in because he is afraid that it will be different. This act symbolizes that Holden is still not ready to grow up, and that he has a fear of things that he is not certain about. Not knowing if the museum has changed would symbolize the fear of things that Holden is not certain about.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Final Thoughts On All Books
I managed to read all of the books on the summer reading list for junior 332 honors english. I started with The Old Man and the Sea, then I read The Catcher in the Rye, then The Grapes of Wrath, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Fahrenheit 451, and to wrap it up I read My Antonia.
The Old Man and the Sea is not a big book, but it took me forever to read. I thought it was so boring. There were only really three characters in the novel, which can get kind of boring at times. Almost the whole novel took place out at sea, which is also kind of a boring place to be. It would be fun if it was on a cruise or doing something fun, but it was not. I had to sit there and read Santiago go on and on about this huge fish that is so beautiful that he must kill. That he is a worthy opponent and all that stuff. Some people may have liked the book, but I just thought it was one of the most boring things I have ever had to read.
The Catcher in the Rye was one of my favorite books. I could relate to Holden because he does not want to grow up. I do not really want to grow up either. I have no idea what I want to do with my life or what college I want to go to. I have spent my whole life so far preparing for college and the rest of my life, but I have no idea what I want to do. It is kind of silly. I loved Holden's strange sense of humor. I zoomed through the book because I could not get enough of his cranky but hilarious attitude.
The Grapes of Wrath was an okay book. I do not really have a lot to say about it. I liked how it showed the farmer's point of view of the Dust Bowl. I also liked how the family went through so many things and almost fell apart, but in the end we see that there is still hope for them.
Their Eyes Were Watching God was another pretty good book. I would recommend it to a friend or family member. I loved how the novel took us through Janie's life and her journey to "the horizon". I also liked reading about her different husbands, and how they treated her and how she responded to them and grew as a person for it.
Fahrenheit 451 was definitely not one of my favorite books. I do not really like any novels that take place in the future. I think they are just kind of weird. I really like novels that take place in the past. I guess I like fact more then fiction. I like to know what was and how it affects our community today instead of how it will affect our community in ten years.
Finally, I kind of like My Antonia. Like The Grapes of Wrath and Their Eyes Were Watching God I liked how the novel took me through a long journey that the main character went on. I like the idea of having a long and beautiful relationship with someone just like Jim and Antonia.
The Old Man and the Sea is not a big book, but it took me forever to read. I thought it was so boring. There were only really three characters in the novel, which can get kind of boring at times. Almost the whole novel took place out at sea, which is also kind of a boring place to be. It would be fun if it was on a cruise or doing something fun, but it was not. I had to sit there and read Santiago go on and on about this huge fish that is so beautiful that he must kill. That he is a worthy opponent and all that stuff. Some people may have liked the book, but I just thought it was one of the most boring things I have ever had to read.
The Catcher in the Rye was one of my favorite books. I could relate to Holden because he does not want to grow up. I do not really want to grow up either. I have no idea what I want to do with my life or what college I want to go to. I have spent my whole life so far preparing for college and the rest of my life, but I have no idea what I want to do. It is kind of silly. I loved Holden's strange sense of humor. I zoomed through the book because I could not get enough of his cranky but hilarious attitude.
The Grapes of Wrath was an okay book. I do not really have a lot to say about it. I liked how it showed the farmer's point of view of the Dust Bowl. I also liked how the family went through so many things and almost fell apart, but in the end we see that there is still hope for them.
Their Eyes Were Watching God was another pretty good book. I would recommend it to a friend or family member. I loved how the novel took us through Janie's life and her journey to "the horizon". I also liked reading about her different husbands, and how they treated her and how she responded to them and grew as a person for it.
Fahrenheit 451 was definitely not one of my favorite books. I do not really like any novels that take place in the future. I think they are just kind of weird. I really like novels that take place in the past. I guess I like fact more then fiction. I like to know what was and how it affects our community today instead of how it will affect our community in ten years.
Finally, I kind of like My Antonia. Like The Grapes of Wrath and Their Eyes Were Watching God I liked how the novel took me through a long journey that the main character went on. I like the idea of having a long and beautiful relationship with someone just like Jim and Antonia.
My Antonia: Keeping In Touch
The novel My Antonia takes place in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During that time there were not a lot of ways to keep in touch with someone. You could either write them a letter or go to see them. Keeping someone in your memory was a big deal. Seeing someone after a very long time and barely recognizing them was a huge deal. Of course, it is still a big deal today, but there are a lot of other ways to keep in touch today.
In our world today we have several ways of keeping in touch with someone. We have home phones, cell phones, texting, facebook, instant messengers, skype, myspace, twitter, letters, and many other things. Today it is almost impossible to not keep in touch with someone. I think this is a great quality for our society to have. I think it is very important to keep in touch with people that you were once great friends with.
I used to live in Florida. I was born there and moved here to Springfield, Illinois when I was seven. I attended St. Agnes for my first grade year, and then I moved to Farmingdale Elementary for my second grade year. I have been going to Plains ever since.
Because I have been to kind of a lot of places, I have friends from a lot of different places. I remember a few years after we moved to Illinois we took a trip back down to Florida. We met my best friend Chloe and my brother's friend Isaac and their family for a day. It had been a few years since we had seen them, and Chloe and I were both very shy. After being left alone to play, Chloe and I started to pick up right where we left off. We started to talk about our old memories together living in the same neighborhood. It felt so awesome to be able to talk to someone about some of my most loved memories. It was especially special because I shared those memories with Chloe, and she cherished them too.
Today, facebook is a huge help in keeping in touch with many of my "lost" friends. I am friends with a lot of people I went to elementary school with in Florida and at St. Agnes.
Just like Jim and Antonia think, I believe keeping in touch with someone is a very important thing to do. I hope I can be friends with someone for as long as Jim and Antonia are friends.
In our world today we have several ways of keeping in touch with someone. We have home phones, cell phones, texting, facebook, instant messengers, skype, myspace, twitter, letters, and many other things. Today it is almost impossible to not keep in touch with someone. I think this is a great quality for our society to have. I think it is very important to keep in touch with people that you were once great friends with.
I used to live in Florida. I was born there and moved here to Springfield, Illinois when I was seven. I attended St. Agnes for my first grade year, and then I moved to Farmingdale Elementary for my second grade year. I have been going to Plains ever since.
Because I have been to kind of a lot of places, I have friends from a lot of different places. I remember a few years after we moved to Illinois we took a trip back down to Florida. We met my best friend Chloe and my brother's friend Isaac and their family for a day. It had been a few years since we had seen them, and Chloe and I were both very shy. After being left alone to play, Chloe and I started to pick up right where we left off. We started to talk about our old memories together living in the same neighborhood. It felt so awesome to be able to talk to someone about some of my most loved memories. It was especially special because I shared those memories with Chloe, and she cherished them too.
Today, facebook is a huge help in keeping in touch with many of my "lost" friends. I am friends with a lot of people I went to elementary school with in Florida and at St. Agnes.
Just like Jim and Antonia think, I believe keeping in touch with someone is a very important thing to do. I hope I can be friends with someone for as long as Jim and Antonia are friends.
My Antonia: Memories
The narrator, Jim Burden's, memories play a big part in My Antonia. The novel opens with Jim explaining to an old friend that he wrote down all of his memories with his friend Antonia. At first he titled the works "Antonia", but he soon changed it to "My Antonia". This change shows how special Antonia is to Jim.
Jim and Antonia have been friends since they were children living in the country in Nebraska. They stayed friends in their teenage years, and Jim even tried to kiss Antonia once. As Jim grew older and went to college they did not see each other as much. When Jim is in college he thinks of Antonia often. Jim visits Antonia after her first fiance runs away to Mexico. Jim promises that he will return again, and Antonia promises that she will never forget him.
Soon, Jim goes to law school and becomes a lawyer. He does not see Antonia for several years, but on the way home from a business trip, Jim visits Antonia and her family. After a little while, Jim and Antonia are talking like they are best friends again. They pick up right where they left off.
Throughout all the years that Jim does not see Antonia, he thinks of her often. Jim has a special place in his heart for her. He treasures the memories that they have together, and that is why he decides to write them down. A friendship like theirs is a very special and unique one.
It is also very cool for Jim and Antonia to be able to pick up their relationship right where they left off. I have been able to do that maybe once with a best friend from Florida. It is a very cool and awesome feeling to be able to keep a friendship going after not seeing each other for several years.
I think everyone should try to have a friendship like Jim and Antonia's. It would be really cool to be able to keep your friendship going for so long.
Along with Antonia, Jim also keeps the memory of Nebraska in his heart. He is always thinking back to Nebraska and the quiet beautiful plains.
Jim and Antonia have been friends since they were children living in the country in Nebraska. They stayed friends in their teenage years, and Jim even tried to kiss Antonia once. As Jim grew older and went to college they did not see each other as much. When Jim is in college he thinks of Antonia often. Jim visits Antonia after her first fiance runs away to Mexico. Jim promises that he will return again, and Antonia promises that she will never forget him.
Soon, Jim goes to law school and becomes a lawyer. He does not see Antonia for several years, but on the way home from a business trip, Jim visits Antonia and her family. After a little while, Jim and Antonia are talking like they are best friends again. They pick up right where they left off.
Throughout all the years that Jim does not see Antonia, he thinks of her often. Jim has a special place in his heart for her. He treasures the memories that they have together, and that is why he decides to write them down. A friendship like theirs is a very special and unique one.
It is also very cool for Jim and Antonia to be able to pick up their relationship right where they left off. I have been able to do that maybe once with a best friend from Florida. It is a very cool and awesome feeling to be able to keep a friendship going after not seeing each other for several years.
I think everyone should try to have a friendship like Jim and Antonia's. It would be really cool to be able to keep your friendship going for so long.
Along with Antonia, Jim also keeps the memory of Nebraska in his heart. He is always thinking back to Nebraska and the quiet beautiful plains.
My Antonia: Final Thoughts
My Antonia was the last book that I read for the summer reading. I thought it was an excellent novel. It is full of compassion and it is kind of sad. Throughout the novel Jim and Antonia lose many friends and family members, but they manage to always be there for each other.
I would recommend this novel for teenagers and adults. I think teenagers could learn a lot from it. They can learn that friendships are very important. Jim and Antonia show this to us. Also, keeping in touch with someone can be very rewarding because then you will not lose a friend that you loved so much.
Besides friendships, family was also very important in this novel. Antonia is very connected to her family. When her father commits suicide, Antonia and the rest of her family are completely devastated. They mourn for a very long time. Antonia still mourns for her father even when she is a lot older. I can not relate to her experience because I have not lost my parents or my grandparents. I have lost my grandma and grandpa on my mom's side of the family, but they died before I was born or when I was very little. I do sometimes think what they were like though, and I wish I could have known them better.
Jim and Antonia are very easy to relate to. I can especially relate to them in their teenage years (umm probably because I AM a teenager...).
I love how the novel took us through Jim and Antonia's whole friendship. It took us through their very happy and very sad parts. There was a time when the reader thinks that Jim and Antonia may become more then friends, but it never happens. I am actually glad they never became more then friends because then the novel shows people that a man and a woman can be great friends but nothing more.
All in all, I thought My Antonia was a terrific book.
I would recommend this novel for teenagers and adults. I think teenagers could learn a lot from it. They can learn that friendships are very important. Jim and Antonia show this to us. Also, keeping in touch with someone can be very rewarding because then you will not lose a friend that you loved so much.
Besides friendships, family was also very important in this novel. Antonia is very connected to her family. When her father commits suicide, Antonia and the rest of her family are completely devastated. They mourn for a very long time. Antonia still mourns for her father even when she is a lot older. I can not relate to her experience because I have not lost my parents or my grandparents. I have lost my grandma and grandpa on my mom's side of the family, but they died before I was born or when I was very little. I do sometimes think what they were like though, and I wish I could have known them better.
Jim and Antonia are very easy to relate to. I can especially relate to them in their teenage years (umm probably because I AM a teenager...).
I love how the novel took us through Jim and Antonia's whole friendship. It took us through their very happy and very sad parts. There was a time when the reader thinks that Jim and Antonia may become more then friends, but it never happens. I am actually glad they never became more then friends because then the novel shows people that a man and a woman can be great friends but nothing more.
All in all, I thought My Antonia was a terrific book.
My Antonia: Lost Characters
There are many characters in My Antonia that we do not see after the leave. The first characters, the Russians, vanish after Pavel's death. Peter and Pavel ran away from Russia when they fed a bride and groom to the wolves so that they could live, and now Peter ran away again after Pavel's death. These two characters share a very sad history.
Another character, Mr. Shimerda, leaves us towards the beginning of the novel. Mr. Shimerda never feels at home in the United States. They moved here from Bohemia. Mr. Shimerda can not take the feeling of homesickness, so he commits suicide. The rest of the Shimerda family mourn him for a very long time. Antonia often misses him very much.
Jake Marpole and Otto Fuchs, two men that were hired by Mr. and Mrs. Burden decide to move out west to seek their fortune when the Burdens move into the city. We never hear of them again. Jake traveled with Jim from Virginia to Nebraska, and Otto picked them up at the train station.
Tiny Soderball also moves out west, and she makes a fortune for herself from the Alaskan Gold Rush.
Larry Donovan, the man Antonia was supposed to marry, also ran off. Antonia took a train to Denver where they were supposed to get married, but Donovan soon ran off the Mexico. Antonia took a train back to Black Hawk feeling very sad. She had a baby soon afterwards.
Although Jim and Antonia lost touch with many characters from the novel, they never trully lost touch with eachother. Of course, they do not see eachother for long periods of times, but they are always in eachother's thoughts and hearts. Jim and Antonia had a friendship that could never be lost whether it stays in their memories, or it grows even stronger from being together. No matter what the case, Jim and Antonia will always be friends. Their friendship is way to precious for either of them to forget. Jim even writes down all of their memories and titles it "My Antonia", which is the title of this book.
Another character, Mr. Shimerda, leaves us towards the beginning of the novel. Mr. Shimerda never feels at home in the United States. They moved here from Bohemia. Mr. Shimerda can not take the feeling of homesickness, so he commits suicide. The rest of the Shimerda family mourn him for a very long time. Antonia often misses him very much.
Jake Marpole and Otto Fuchs, two men that were hired by Mr. and Mrs. Burden decide to move out west to seek their fortune when the Burdens move into the city. We never hear of them again. Jake traveled with Jim from Virginia to Nebraska, and Otto picked them up at the train station.
Tiny Soderball also moves out west, and she makes a fortune for herself from the Alaskan Gold Rush.
Larry Donovan, the man Antonia was supposed to marry, also ran off. Antonia took a train to Denver where they were supposed to get married, but Donovan soon ran off the Mexico. Antonia took a train back to Black Hawk feeling very sad. She had a baby soon afterwards.
Although Jim and Antonia lost touch with many characters from the novel, they never trully lost touch with eachother. Of course, they do not see eachother for long periods of times, but they are always in eachother's thoughts and hearts. Jim and Antonia had a friendship that could never be lost whether it stays in their memories, or it grows even stronger from being together. No matter what the case, Jim and Antonia will always be friends. Their friendship is way to precious for either of them to forget. Jim even writes down all of their memories and titles it "My Antonia", which is the title of this book.
My Antonia: Jim Burden
Jim Burden is the main character and narrator of the novel My Antonia. The novel stretches from his childhood all the way to when he is middle aged. Jim is a very smart and thoughtful person. He is also very sympathetic. Jim feels a great connection to his home in Nebraska. He refers to the trees as people.
Jim moves from Virgina to Nebraska when he is ten. He is an orphan boy who is going to live with his grandparents on a farm. Jim learns of another family that is moving to Black Hawk, Nebraska also. That family is the Shimerdas. Jim becomes best friends with one of the Shimerda's daughters, Antonia. He also likes to play with her little sister Yulka. Jim does not ever really play with the boys in the Shimerda household. He perfers to play with the girls. Jim is a quiet and sensitive little boy. He has some soft features, and Antonia is very tomboyish, which makes them perfect friends.
As Jim grows into a teenager he becomes very involved in school. He still rathers to hang out with Antonia and her friend Lena then with other teenage boys. Jim, Antonia, and Lena often go dancing, but his grandparents do not approve of it. After seeing his grandmother cry when she finds out that he has been sneaking out of the house to go dancing, Jim stops. He starts to feel lonely, but he does not want to upset his grandmother any more.
Jim soon goes to college. He starts in Lincoln, but he soon moves to Harvard. After Harvard, Jim goes to law school.
So from this evidence of his life, we can tell that Jim is a pretty good person. He does not like to upset his loved ones, he is very good in school, and he is a nice and compassionate person. Jim stays friends with Antonia for a long time, and when he is not with her, he keeps her memory in a very special place in his heart.
Jim moves from Virgina to Nebraska when he is ten. He is an orphan boy who is going to live with his grandparents on a farm. Jim learns of another family that is moving to Black Hawk, Nebraska also. That family is the Shimerdas. Jim becomes best friends with one of the Shimerda's daughters, Antonia. He also likes to play with her little sister Yulka. Jim does not ever really play with the boys in the Shimerda household. He perfers to play with the girls. Jim is a quiet and sensitive little boy. He has some soft features, and Antonia is very tomboyish, which makes them perfect friends.
As Jim grows into a teenager he becomes very involved in school. He still rathers to hang out with Antonia and her friend Lena then with other teenage boys. Jim, Antonia, and Lena often go dancing, but his grandparents do not approve of it. After seeing his grandmother cry when she finds out that he has been sneaking out of the house to go dancing, Jim stops. He starts to feel lonely, but he does not want to upset his grandmother any more.
Jim soon goes to college. He starts in Lincoln, but he soon moves to Harvard. After Harvard, Jim goes to law school.
So from this evidence of his life, we can tell that Jim is a pretty good person. He does not like to upset his loved ones, he is very good in school, and he is a nice and compassionate person. Jim stays friends with Antonia for a long time, and when he is not with her, he keeps her memory in a very special place in his heart.
My Antonia: Important Characters
The two main characters in My Antonia are Jim Burden and Antonia Shimerda. There are also a few very important characters. These characters include Mr. and Mrs. Shimerda, Mr. and Mrs. Burden, Lena Lingard, the Russians, Pavel and Peter, and Mr. and Mrs. Harling.
Jim Burden is the main character and narrator of the novel. When Jim was younger, he was not like most of the others boys in his town. He did not like to roughhouse or spit or anything. Jim was/is very intelluctual. He thought a lot about a lot of different things. Jim also liked to hang out with girls more than boys. He especially liked to be with Antonia and her little sister Yulka. As Jim grows older he still loves to learn, but he also still loves to be with Antonia. Jim grows up and goes to Harvard then he studies law.
Antonia Shimerda is Jim's childhood best friend. She and her family moved to Black Hawk from Bohemia. Antonia is a very tomboyish young girl. She and Jim play together all day. As Antonia grows older into her teenage years, she becomes more of a young lady. She catches many boys' eyes, and she loves to dance. Antonia's first fiance runs away leaving her with a child. Later, she gets married to another Bohemian man, and they live on a farm with a large family.
Mr. and Mrs. Shimerda are Antonia's parents. Mr. Shimerda feels very out of place in a country he does not know. He commits suicide very early in the novel. Mrs. Shimerda is kind of a bossy woman. She tries very hard to keep her family together after her husband's death.
Mr. and Mrs. Burden are Jim's grandparents. Jim comes to live with them in Nebraska when he is orphaned at ten. Mr. Burden is very hardworking, and Mrs. Burden is very compassionate. She often brings gifts to the Shimerda's house.
Lena Lingard is a friend of Jim and Antonia's in their teenage years. Lena is very attractive, and she and Jim have a relationship in highschool and in college. She works as a dressmaker.
Pavel and Peter where friends of the Shimerdas in the early part of the novel. They had a terrible encounter with wolves when they lived in Russia, and this encounter fascinates Jim and Antonia very much.
Mr. and Mrs. Harling give Antonia a job when she is a teenager. They live right next to Jim and his grandparents in the city of Black Hawk. The Harlings do not like when Antonia goes dancing, so they soon kick her out for it.
Jim Burden is the main character and narrator of the novel. When Jim was younger, he was not like most of the others boys in his town. He did not like to roughhouse or spit or anything. Jim was/is very intelluctual. He thought a lot about a lot of different things. Jim also liked to hang out with girls more than boys. He especially liked to be with Antonia and her little sister Yulka. As Jim grows older he still loves to learn, but he also still loves to be with Antonia. Jim grows up and goes to Harvard then he studies law.
Antonia Shimerda is Jim's childhood best friend. She and her family moved to Black Hawk from Bohemia. Antonia is a very tomboyish young girl. She and Jim play together all day. As Antonia grows older into her teenage years, she becomes more of a young lady. She catches many boys' eyes, and she loves to dance. Antonia's first fiance runs away leaving her with a child. Later, she gets married to another Bohemian man, and they live on a farm with a large family.
Mr. and Mrs. Shimerda are Antonia's parents. Mr. Shimerda feels very out of place in a country he does not know. He commits suicide very early in the novel. Mrs. Shimerda is kind of a bossy woman. She tries very hard to keep her family together after her husband's death.
Mr. and Mrs. Burden are Jim's grandparents. Jim comes to live with them in Nebraska when he is orphaned at ten. Mr. Burden is very hardworking, and Mrs. Burden is very compassionate. She often brings gifts to the Shimerda's house.
Lena Lingard is a friend of Jim and Antonia's in their teenage years. Lena is very attractive, and she and Jim have a relationship in highschool and in college. She works as a dressmaker.
Pavel and Peter where friends of the Shimerdas in the early part of the novel. They had a terrible encounter with wolves when they lived in Russia, and this encounter fascinates Jim and Antonia very much.
Mr. and Mrs. Harling give Antonia a job when she is a teenager. They live right next to Jim and his grandparents in the city of Black Hawk. The Harlings do not like when Antonia goes dancing, so they soon kick her out for it.
My Antonia: Books IV and V
Book four starts out with Jim finishing his years at Harvard, and he has now returned to Black Hawk. After being home for a little while, Jim soon learns that Antonia never was married. Her husband ran off on her, but he left her with a baby. Jim feels very sorry for Antonia when he learns this. Jim asks Mrs. Harling if she can tell him more about Antonia, but she says to visit Widow Steavens and ask her about it.
Later, Jim takes a horse out to Widow Steavens' house. She lives in the country, and she asks Jim to stay over night. She says she will tell him more about Antonia after dinner.
Once dinner has ended, Widow Steavens takes Jim into her family room, and she tells him about Antonia. She explains how Antonia was very excited for her wedding, but her husband had written her and told her that his train route would make them have to live in Denver. Antonia was kind of sad about this, but she soon brushed it off because she was so excited. Antonia takes a train out to Denver and sends a letter that she arrived there safely.
A few weeks later, Antonia arrives back home with nothing. She has not been married, and she is very sad. She says that her fiance ran off to Mexico without her. Antonia is very quiet for a few weeks. She spends all her time out in the fields working, and she only talks to her family. Soon, Antonia has a baby. This surprises her whole family because they did not know that she was pregnant because she always wore bulky clothing.
The next day Jim meets up with Antonia. They walk and talk for a long time. Jim promises Antonia that he will return to see her again, and Antonia promises that she will never forget him.
In book five about twenty years have passed. Jim is going to Nebraska on his way home from a business trip. He finds out that Antonia has married a Bohemian man named Cuzak. They have a nice farm and lots of children. When Jim goes to Antonia's house she does not recognize him at first, but when she does she is brought to tears. Jim and Antonia soon start acting like best friends again. They tell Antonia's children about many of their childhood adventures.
After a few nights, Jim leaves Antonia once again, but they have renewed their friendship.
Later, Jim takes a horse out to Widow Steavens' house. She lives in the country, and she asks Jim to stay over night. She says she will tell him more about Antonia after dinner.
Once dinner has ended, Widow Steavens takes Jim into her family room, and she tells him about Antonia. She explains how Antonia was very excited for her wedding, but her husband had written her and told her that his train route would make them have to live in Denver. Antonia was kind of sad about this, but she soon brushed it off because she was so excited. Antonia takes a train out to Denver and sends a letter that she arrived there safely.
A few weeks later, Antonia arrives back home with nothing. She has not been married, and she is very sad. She says that her fiance ran off to Mexico without her. Antonia is very quiet for a few weeks. She spends all her time out in the fields working, and she only talks to her family. Soon, Antonia has a baby. This surprises her whole family because they did not know that she was pregnant because she always wore bulky clothing.
The next day Jim meets up with Antonia. They walk and talk for a long time. Jim promises Antonia that he will return to see her again, and Antonia promises that she will never forget him.
In book five about twenty years have passed. Jim is going to Nebraska on his way home from a business trip. He finds out that Antonia has married a Bohemian man named Cuzak. They have a nice farm and lots of children. When Jim goes to Antonia's house she does not recognize him at first, but when she does she is brought to tears. Jim and Antonia soon start acting like best friends again. They tell Antonia's children about many of their childhood adventures.
After a few nights, Jim leaves Antonia once again, but they have renewed their friendship.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
My Antonia: Books II and III
At the beginning of book two Jim and his grandparents move to the city. Jim starts high school. Their neighbors, the Harlings soon loose a cook, so Mrs. Burden suggests that they hire Antonia. Soon, Antonia has a visitor. The visitor's name is Lena Lingard. Lena says that she has also found a job in town at a dressmaking place. Lena is also from the country. Lena and Jim soon become very good friends.
In the spring, a man named Samson D'Arnault comes to Black Hawk to play the piano. He stays in the Boys' Home. One day Jim goes to the Boys' Home to listen to D'Arnault play, and the men start to hear dancing in the other room. They find out that it is Antonia, Lena, and some of their friends. The men convince the girls to come dance with them, and they finally oblidge. After this Lena and Antonia start to love dancing. Antonia especially thinks about nothing but dancing for a long tim. Mrs. Harling does not like her to go out and dance all the time, but Antonia can not stop. Soon, Antonia finds work with the Cutters. The Cutters are a family in Black Hawk that nobody likes.
Jim admits that he likes the country girls more then he likes the proper city girls. He says the country girls are more fun. Jim also says that none of the other boys feel comfortable dating or being with the hired, or country, girls. Jim likes them though, and he gets rediculed for that.
Jim soon becomes bored with his high school life. He starts to go to the Firemen's House for dances. He sneaks out at night when his grandparents are alseep. One night, Jime returns home and sees that his grandmother has been crying. She has found out that he has been going to the dances, and she wants him to stop. Jim does what she says, but he soon starts to feel empty inside again.
One day, the Cutters leave town and tell Antonia to stay at the house by herself. She is afraid to be there by herself, so Jim stays in her stead. Jim wakes up one night to Mr. Cutter coming into his room. Mr. Cutter thought he was Antonia, and he had to returned to try to rape Antonia. Jim barely escapes.
Book three is all about Jim in college. He studies Greek. One day, Lena comes to visit Jim. After this they spend a lot of time together. Lena tells Jim that Antonia is engaged to Larry Donovan. The last chapter ends with Jim moving to Harvard.
In the spring, a man named Samson D'Arnault comes to Black Hawk to play the piano. He stays in the Boys' Home. One day Jim goes to the Boys' Home to listen to D'Arnault play, and the men start to hear dancing in the other room. They find out that it is Antonia, Lena, and some of their friends. The men convince the girls to come dance with them, and they finally oblidge. After this Lena and Antonia start to love dancing. Antonia especially thinks about nothing but dancing for a long tim. Mrs. Harling does not like her to go out and dance all the time, but Antonia can not stop. Soon, Antonia finds work with the Cutters. The Cutters are a family in Black Hawk that nobody likes.
Jim admits that he likes the country girls more then he likes the proper city girls. He says the country girls are more fun. Jim also says that none of the other boys feel comfortable dating or being with the hired, or country, girls. Jim likes them though, and he gets rediculed for that.
Jim soon becomes bored with his high school life. He starts to go to the Firemen's House for dances. He sneaks out at night when his grandparents are alseep. One night, Jime returns home and sees that his grandmother has been crying. She has found out that he has been going to the dances, and she wants him to stop. Jim does what she says, but he soon starts to feel empty inside again.
One day, the Cutters leave town and tell Antonia to stay at the house by herself. She is afraid to be there by herself, so Jim stays in her stead. Jim wakes up one night to Mr. Cutter coming into his room. Mr. Cutter thought he was Antonia, and he had to returned to try to rape Antonia. Jim barely escapes.
Book three is all about Jim in college. He studies Greek. One day, Lena comes to visit Jim. After this they spend a lot of time together. Lena tells Jim that Antonia is engaged to Larry Donovan. The last chapter ends with Jim moving to Harvard.
My Antonia: Book I
My Antonia is a very interesting book so far. The novel opens with an unknown narrator talking to a friend named Jim. Both the narrator and Jim start to talk about a girl they used to know named Antonia. The narrator has lost touch with Antonia, but Jim just became friends with her again. At the end of the introduction, Jim shows the narrator a folder filled with Jim's stories with Antonia. The folder is titled My Antonia.
Chapter one begins with Jim and another boy Jake moving from Virginia to Nebraska. Jim is an orphan boy who is moving to live with his grandparents. Jim is ten years old. Before Jim and Jake go to Nebraska they are told that another family is moving there too. The Shimerda family. The Shimerda's have a daughter about the same age as Jim. Her name is Antonia.
After arriving in Nebraska, Jim and his grandparents bring a house warming gift to their new neighbors, the Shimerdas. Jim goes and plays with Antonia and her little sister Yulka. Mrs. Shimerda asks Jim's grandmother, Mrs. Burden if she will teach Antonia and Yulka proper english.
Jim and Antonia soon become great friends. They ride horses together and play all the time. Antonia takes Jim to meet a pair of Russian immigrants that her family befriended. Peter, one of the Russians, gave Antonia and Jim and snack and played his harmonica for them.
A few days later Jim and Antonia come across a big scary snake. Antonia screams and starts to yell at Jim in her native tongue about it. Jim finally turns around and crushes the snake to death. Antonia is very proud of Jim's deed, so she always tells people about what he did.
After the snake encounter Jim, Antonia, and her family go to visit the Russians because they have been having a hard time. When they get to their house they see that Pavel is about to die. Soon Pavel does die, and Peter leaves shortly after.
When Pavel and Peter lived in Russia they had an encounter with wolves. After a wedding, Pavel and Peter were giving the bride and groom a ride on their sledge, and a bunch of wolves began to attack. To make their sledge go faster, Peter and Pavel threw the bride and groom off. The bride and groom were then eaten by the wolves, and Peter and Pavel moved to the United States in shame.
Christmas and New Years comes and goes and the weather starts to get really bad. Mr. Shamerda commits suicide. None of the churches will hold a funeral for him, so the Burdens and Shamerdas bury him in the Shamerda's yard.
School starts for Jim, and he and Antonia start to drift apart. Antonia has to stay on the farm and help out her family because they are kind of poor, and Jim goes to school almost all day. Jim and Antonia sometimes fight because they do not really understand eachother anymore.
Chapter one begins with Jim and another boy Jake moving from Virginia to Nebraska. Jim is an orphan boy who is moving to live with his grandparents. Jim is ten years old. Before Jim and Jake go to Nebraska they are told that another family is moving there too. The Shimerda family. The Shimerda's have a daughter about the same age as Jim. Her name is Antonia.
After arriving in Nebraska, Jim and his grandparents bring a house warming gift to their new neighbors, the Shimerdas. Jim goes and plays with Antonia and her little sister Yulka. Mrs. Shimerda asks Jim's grandmother, Mrs. Burden if she will teach Antonia and Yulka proper english.
Jim and Antonia soon become great friends. They ride horses together and play all the time. Antonia takes Jim to meet a pair of Russian immigrants that her family befriended. Peter, one of the Russians, gave Antonia and Jim and snack and played his harmonica for them.
A few days later Jim and Antonia come across a big scary snake. Antonia screams and starts to yell at Jim in her native tongue about it. Jim finally turns around and crushes the snake to death. Antonia is very proud of Jim's deed, so she always tells people about what he did.
After the snake encounter Jim, Antonia, and her family go to visit the Russians because they have been having a hard time. When they get to their house they see that Pavel is about to die. Soon Pavel does die, and Peter leaves shortly after.
When Pavel and Peter lived in Russia they had an encounter with wolves. After a wedding, Pavel and Peter were giving the bride and groom a ride on their sledge, and a bunch of wolves began to attack. To make their sledge go faster, Peter and Pavel threw the bride and groom off. The bride and groom were then eaten by the wolves, and Peter and Pavel moved to the United States in shame.
Christmas and New Years comes and goes and the weather starts to get really bad. Mr. Shamerda commits suicide. None of the churches will hold a funeral for him, so the Burdens and Shamerdas bury him in the Shamerda's yard.
School starts for Jim, and he and Antonia start to drift apart. Antonia has to stay on the farm and help out her family because they are kind of poor, and Jim goes to school almost all day. Jim and Antonia sometimes fight because they do not really understand eachother anymore.
The Catcher in the Rye: Leftover Characters
So far I have described a lot of the main-ish characters in the novel The Catcher in the Rye, but wait, there is still some more! A few more characters to describe are Sally Hayes, Sunny, Maurice, Mr. Spencer, and Carl Luce.
Sally Hayes is a girl that Holden goes out a few times in the novel. They have known each other for a while, and they have dated for a while too. Sally is very pretty, but Holden thinks she is dumb. Sally likes Holden a lot, but Holden denies the fact that he likes her. I think he likes her.
Sunny is a prostitute. Holden tries to lose his virginity from her because he can not do it with anyone else. He fails. We find out that Holden wants his first time to be special, and not with some lady off the side of the street. Holden hires Sunny through a man named Maurice, and when Holden does not pay Sunny what she wants to be paid, there is trouble.
Maurice is an elevator operator. He works at Edmont Hotel. This is where Holden stays after leaving Pencey Prep. Maurice asks Holden if he wants someone to come up to his room with him, and Holden says yes. Maurice sends Sunny up to Holden's room for him.
Mr. Spencer is one of Holden's teachers at Pencey Prep. He teaches him history. Before Holden leaves Pencey Prep, Mr. Spencer asks him to come to his house. Holden comes to his house because Mr. Spencer is a pretty nice old man, and his wife usually makes hot chocolate or something. While at Mr. Spencer's house, Holden is somewhat lectured by Mr. Spencer to start caring about school. Holden becomes angry that Mr. Spencer wants to talk to him about that, so Mr. Spencer's attempts at helping Holden are ruined.
Carl Luce went to once of Holden's other schools. They both went to Whooton School together. Carl is three years older than Holden, and he was Holden's student advisor. Holden looked up to Carl because he had a lot of sexual experience. Holden went to Carl very often and asked him for sexual advice.
Sally Hayes is a girl that Holden goes out a few times in the novel. They have known each other for a while, and they have dated for a while too. Sally is very pretty, but Holden thinks she is dumb. Sally likes Holden a lot, but Holden denies the fact that he likes her. I think he likes her.
Sunny is a prostitute. Holden tries to lose his virginity from her because he can not do it with anyone else. He fails. We find out that Holden wants his first time to be special, and not with some lady off the side of the street. Holden hires Sunny through a man named Maurice, and when Holden does not pay Sunny what she wants to be paid, there is trouble.
Maurice is an elevator operator. He works at Edmont Hotel. This is where Holden stays after leaving Pencey Prep. Maurice asks Holden if he wants someone to come up to his room with him, and Holden says yes. Maurice sends Sunny up to Holden's room for him.
Mr. Spencer is one of Holden's teachers at Pencey Prep. He teaches him history. Before Holden leaves Pencey Prep, Mr. Spencer asks him to come to his house. Holden comes to his house because Mr. Spencer is a pretty nice old man, and his wife usually makes hot chocolate or something. While at Mr. Spencer's house, Holden is somewhat lectured by Mr. Spencer to start caring about school. Holden becomes angry that Mr. Spencer wants to talk to him about that, so Mr. Spencer's attempts at helping Holden are ruined.
Carl Luce went to once of Holden's other schools. They both went to Whooton School together. Carl is three years older than Holden, and he was Holden's student advisor. Holden looked up to Carl because he had a lot of sexual experience. Holden went to Carl very often and asked him for sexual advice.
The Catcher in the Rye: Other Characters
There are more characters in The Catcher in the Rye. Some of these characters include Stradlater, D.B. Caulfield, Allie Caulfield, Mr. Antolini, Sally Hayes, Mr. Spencer, Carl Luce, Maurice, and Sunny.
Stradlater is Holden Caulfield's roommate at Pencey Prep. He is very good looking. He is also popular. Stradlater takes Jane Gallagher out on a date which upsets Holden very much. Holden is afraid that Stradlater will "put the moves" on Jane. Stradlater is sexually active. Holden calls Stradlater a "secret slob" because although he may appear very well groomed, his razor and other things are very disgusting and dirty.
D.B. Caulfield is Holden's older brother. He lives in California and works on Hollywood movies. He helps write the movies. D.B. once wrote a short story book that Holden likes very much. Holden thinks D.B. is wasting his time on Hollywood movies.
Allie Caulfield is Holden's younger brother. Allie died before the story took place. He died of luekemia. Allie used to play in the outfield for his little league baseball team. He would get bored out there, so he wrote poems all over his glove so that he would have something to read. Holden thinks Allie is the smartest out of everyone in is family. Holden carries around Allie's glove to remember him by.
Mr. Antolini was Holden's english teacher at another school. Holden looks up to him very much. He drinks a lot, but he is a very nice person. He is younger then most of Holden's teachers, so Holden goes to him for advice. At one point in the novel Holden calls up Mr. Antolini in the middle of the night and asks him if he can come over. Mr. Antolini says yes. Holden tells Mr. Antolini his problems, and Mr. Antolini tries to help him. Holden leaves when he awakes from Mr. Antolini stroking his hair. Holden thinks he might be gay, but he later feels bad for thinking that he could be gay.
Stradlater is Holden Caulfield's roommate at Pencey Prep. He is very good looking. He is also popular. Stradlater takes Jane Gallagher out on a date which upsets Holden very much. Holden is afraid that Stradlater will "put the moves" on Jane. Stradlater is sexually active. Holden calls Stradlater a "secret slob" because although he may appear very well groomed, his razor and other things are very disgusting and dirty.
D.B. Caulfield is Holden's older brother. He lives in California and works on Hollywood movies. He helps write the movies. D.B. once wrote a short story book that Holden likes very much. Holden thinks D.B. is wasting his time on Hollywood movies.
Allie Caulfield is Holden's younger brother. Allie died before the story took place. He died of luekemia. Allie used to play in the outfield for his little league baseball team. He would get bored out there, so he wrote poems all over his glove so that he would have something to read. Holden thinks Allie is the smartest out of everyone in is family. Holden carries around Allie's glove to remember him by.
Mr. Antolini was Holden's english teacher at another school. Holden looks up to him very much. He drinks a lot, but he is a very nice person. He is younger then most of Holden's teachers, so Holden goes to him for advice. At one point in the novel Holden calls up Mr. Antolini in the middle of the night and asks him if he can come over. Mr. Antolini says yes. Holden tells Mr. Antolini his problems, and Mr. Antolini tries to help him. Holden leaves when he awakes from Mr. Antolini stroking his hair. Holden thinks he might be gay, but he later feels bad for thinking that he could be gay.
The Catcher in the Rye: Characters
There are many characters in The Catcher in the Rye. These characters include, the main character, Holden Caulfield, Phoebe Caulfield, Ackley, Stradlater, Jane Gallhager, Allie Caulfield, D.B. Caulfield, Sally Hayes, Mr. Spencer, Carl Luce, Maurice, Sunny, and Mr. Antolini.
Holden Caulfield is the main character of the novel. He has been kicked out of many schools, and he just got kicked out of his newest school. Holden is a troubled teenager. He is afraid to grow up, and throughout the novel he tries to find a way to grow up.
Phoebe Caulfield is Holden Caulfield's little sister. Holden loves her very much. Phoebe loves Holden very much too. Phoebe thinks that growing up is a grand adventure, and she looks forward to it. Phoebe helps Holden find his way.
Ackley is one of Holden's "friends" at Pencey Prep. He lives in the dorm room right next to Holden. Ackley has a lot of pimples, and he has terrible hygiene. Holden makes fun of Ackley a lot, but sometimes Ackley does not understand his jokes. He is pretty dumb. Ackley comes into Holden's room a lot and just looks around and moves his stuff around. Although Holden clearly shows that he does not want Ackley in his room, Ackley does not seem to see it.
Jane Gallagher is Holden Caulfield's old next door neighbor. Holden and Jane became very good friends one summer. Jane is one of the few girls that Holden actually respects and thinks is pretty. Jane and Holden used to play checkers a lot, and Holden always wondered why she always kept her kings in the very back row. At one point in the novel, Stradlater takes Jane out on a date and Holden becomes very angry. He is afraid that Stradlater will make the moves on Jane. He is also afraid that Jane will like Stradlater. Once Stradlater and Jane's date is over, Holden tries to get Stradlater to tell him what happened.
Holden Caulfield is the main character of the novel. He has been kicked out of many schools, and he just got kicked out of his newest school. Holden is a troubled teenager. He is afraid to grow up, and throughout the novel he tries to find a way to grow up.
Phoebe Caulfield is Holden Caulfield's little sister. Holden loves her very much. Phoebe loves Holden very much too. Phoebe thinks that growing up is a grand adventure, and she looks forward to it. Phoebe helps Holden find his way.
Ackley is one of Holden's "friends" at Pencey Prep. He lives in the dorm room right next to Holden. Ackley has a lot of pimples, and he has terrible hygiene. Holden makes fun of Ackley a lot, but sometimes Ackley does not understand his jokes. He is pretty dumb. Ackley comes into Holden's room a lot and just looks around and moves his stuff around. Although Holden clearly shows that he does not want Ackley in his room, Ackley does not seem to see it.
Jane Gallagher is Holden Caulfield's old next door neighbor. Holden and Jane became very good friends one summer. Jane is one of the few girls that Holden actually respects and thinks is pretty. Jane and Holden used to play checkers a lot, and Holden always wondered why she always kept her kings in the very back row. At one point in the novel, Stradlater takes Jane out on a date and Holden becomes very angry. He is afraid that Stradlater will make the moves on Jane. He is also afraid that Jane will like Stradlater. Once Stradlater and Jane's date is over, Holden tries to get Stradlater to tell him what happened.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
The Catcher in the Rye: Holden's Sex Life
The main character of The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caufield, is a typical teenage boy. He is curious about certain things like a lot of other teenage boys are. Pretty much he is really interested in sex. Holden talks about it all the time. He thinks about it all the time too. The novel takes place over one weekend, and throughout the whole weekend Holden tries to have sex for the first time.
Holden is kind of a big talker. He likes to think that he is "sexy". He thinks some things that he does are sexy. All that "sexy"ness is all in his head.
We hear from the beginning of the novel that Holden has tried a few times to lose his virginity. He does not accomplish this task. He kind of makes a big deal out of it, so, as the reader, we can kind of tell that it is important to him.
Holden tells the reader a story of when he was in a car with his roommate. They both had girls with them. All Holden could do was make out with the girl. He could not make himself do anything else.
Holden also tells us about a girl who used to be his neighbor. Her name is Jane Gallagher. Holden and Jane used to play checkers a lot. They did a lot of things together. Holden really liked Jane. He still does like her. Holden explains how he and Jane would kiss sometimes, but he did not want to do anything else because he wanted it to be at the right moment. This shows us that Holden cares a lot about Jane.
When Holden leaves school and stays in a hotel, He finds a prostitute. From this we can see that Holden is kind of desperate to be rid of his V card, but he does not go through with it. Holden actually becomes very nervous when the prostitute takes off her dress and sits on his lap. He does not feel comfortable that she just wants to get it over with. Holden tries to strike up a nice conversation with her first. That does not work, so Holden tells her to leave.
Although we know Holden wants to have sex, we also know that he is not ready. Holden is actually kind of a sweet person on the inside, and he wants his first time to be special and with someone he really likes. That is why Holden does not end up having sex at all in the book.
Holden is kind of a big talker. He likes to think that he is "sexy". He thinks some things that he does are sexy. All that "sexy"ness is all in his head.
We hear from the beginning of the novel that Holden has tried a few times to lose his virginity. He does not accomplish this task. He kind of makes a big deal out of it, so, as the reader, we can kind of tell that it is important to him.
Holden tells the reader a story of when he was in a car with his roommate. They both had girls with them. All Holden could do was make out with the girl. He could not make himself do anything else.
Holden also tells us about a girl who used to be his neighbor. Her name is Jane Gallagher. Holden and Jane used to play checkers a lot. They did a lot of things together. Holden really liked Jane. He still does like her. Holden explains how he and Jane would kiss sometimes, but he did not want to do anything else because he wanted it to be at the right moment. This shows us that Holden cares a lot about Jane.
When Holden leaves school and stays in a hotel, He finds a prostitute. From this we can see that Holden is kind of desperate to be rid of his V card, but he does not go through with it. Holden actually becomes very nervous when the prostitute takes off her dress and sits on his lap. He does not feel comfortable that she just wants to get it over with. Holden tries to strike up a nice conversation with her first. That does not work, so Holden tells her to leave.
Although we know Holden wants to have sex, we also know that he is not ready. Holden is actually kind of a sweet person on the inside, and he wants his first time to be special and with someone he really likes. That is why Holden does not end up having sex at all in the book.
Fahrenheit 451: Final Thoughts
Fahrenheit 451 was a very interesting book. It took place in the future, so it was interesting to see how the author described this futuristic world. I would personally hate to live in this futuristic world because all they do is watch a lot of TV. I do not even like watching TV now. I would rather be outside or with my friends or reading a book.....READING A BOOK. They do not even like books! They are crazy. The society that Guy Montag lives in burns books. He burns books (because he is a fire fighter..well not really fighter because he makes fires). The society wants everyone to be the same, and that is why they do not like books because they are all so different.
I think whoever is the mayor or president or whatever of Guy Montag's society is just afraid that he will not be the "best". Like, he passes bills and laws to make people all the same so that no one is better then anyone else. That is lame. I think having different statuses of people in the world is good. Like having smart people that make awesome things. That is good. On the other hand it is not good to have poor people and stuff, but they have poor people in Fahrenheit 451 too!
I thought some parts of the novel were a little sketchy. Some of it was scary too. The mechanical dog was definitely scary. I did not like that thing, and I definitely did not like how it kept stalking Guy Montag throughout the whole book. That was weird.
So anyways, I thought the book was alright. It definitely was not the best book I have ever read. That's for sure. It was not my favorite out of the list of books we had to read either. If I had to choose a favorite right now I guess I would still say that I liked Their Eyes Were Watching God the best. The Catcher in the Rye was pretty good too because it was pretty funny.
I think whoever is the mayor or president or whatever of Guy Montag's society is just afraid that he will not be the "best". Like, he passes bills and laws to make people all the same so that no one is better then anyone else. That is lame. I think having different statuses of people in the world is good. Like having smart people that make awesome things. That is good. On the other hand it is not good to have poor people and stuff, but they have poor people in Fahrenheit 451 too!
I thought some parts of the novel were a little sketchy. Some of it was scary too. The mechanical dog was definitely scary. I did not like that thing, and I definitely did not like how it kept stalking Guy Montag throughout the whole book. That was weird.
So anyways, I thought the book was alright. It definitely was not the best book I have ever read. That's for sure. It was not my favorite out of the list of books we had to read either. If I had to choose a favorite right now I guess I would still say that I liked Their Eyes Were Watching God the best. The Catcher in the Rye was pretty good too because it was pretty funny.
Fahrenheit 451: Symbols
Two of the sections of Fahrenheit 451 are symbols. The Hearth and the Salamander and The Sieve and the Sand.
The hearth represents fire and the home. The first section is called The Hearth and the Salamander, and it is about Guy Montag's home and job. The hearth is also like a fireplace. It is a usual symbol for the home. The salamander is on all of the firemen's uniforms. They also call their trucks salamanders. The salamander is the official symbol for the firemen. The hearth and the salamander both represent fire. The hearth, obviously, holds fire in it, and salamanders are thought to live in fires and not be affected by them. Therefore the salamander is a good symbol for the firemen because it would be pretty bad if a fireman burned to death.
The sieve and the sand represent a childhood memory from Guy Montag. When Montag was little his cousin took a dime from him when they were at the beach. Guy Montag tried to find it in the sand by using a sieve. He was so frustrated he started to cry. Guy Montag compares this memory to the task of trying to read the Bible. Actually he compares it to the task of trying to memorize as much of the Bible as possible before he reaches Professor Faber's house. It is a very hard goal to reach just like finding a dime in the sand on the beach. (That rhymed!) Basically, the sieve represents Guy Montag trying to find a truth in the Bible, and the sand represents what he is thinking. His mean cousin also represents the people who are keeping Guy Montag from fulfilling this task. These people would include Captain Beatty and Guy's wife, Mildred Montag.
The last section of the book does not really represent anything inparticular. It is called Burning Bright. I think it is called that for a few reasons. First, Guy Montag burns his house down and burns Captain Beatty to death. And second, Guy's mind and future seem like they are going to be bright. At the end of the novel, the reader can kind of guess that Guy and the other hobos will help the survivors of the bomb, and maybe those people will finally except reading books and facing the real world.
The hearth represents fire and the home. The first section is called The Hearth and the Salamander, and it is about Guy Montag's home and job. The hearth is also like a fireplace. It is a usual symbol for the home. The salamander is on all of the firemen's uniforms. They also call their trucks salamanders. The salamander is the official symbol for the firemen. The hearth and the salamander both represent fire. The hearth, obviously, holds fire in it, and salamanders are thought to live in fires and not be affected by them. Therefore the salamander is a good symbol for the firemen because it would be pretty bad if a fireman burned to death.
The sieve and the sand represent a childhood memory from Guy Montag. When Montag was little his cousin took a dime from him when they were at the beach. Guy Montag tried to find it in the sand by using a sieve. He was so frustrated he started to cry. Guy Montag compares this memory to the task of trying to read the Bible. Actually he compares it to the task of trying to memorize as much of the Bible as possible before he reaches Professor Faber's house. It is a very hard goal to reach just like finding a dime in the sand on the beach. (That rhymed!) Basically, the sieve represents Guy Montag trying to find a truth in the Bible, and the sand represents what he is thinking. His mean cousin also represents the people who are keeping Guy Montag from fulfilling this task. These people would include Captain Beatty and Guy's wife, Mildred Montag.
The last section of the book does not really represent anything inparticular. It is called Burning Bright. I think it is called that for a few reasons. First, Guy Montag burns his house down and burns Captain Beatty to death. And second, Guy's mind and future seem like they are going to be bright. At the end of the novel, the reader can kind of guess that Guy and the other hobos will help the survivors of the bomb, and maybe those people will finally except reading books and facing the real world.
Fahrenheit 451: Professor Faber
Professor Faber is another important character in Fahrenheit 451. Faber is an old literature professor. Professor Faber helps Guy Montag a lot. Montag met Professor Faber earlier before the book takes place. He met him in a park. Professor Faber was reading a book, and he was afraid when Guy Montag approached him. Montag reassured him though and told him that he was interested in what he was reading. After a chat, Professor Faber began to trust Guy Montag, so he gave him his number and address just in case Montag had any questions.
Guy Montag decides to call Professor Faber when he and his wife are reading through all his books. He seeks Faber's help. At first Professor Faber thinks he is playing a joke on him or making fun of him. He hangs up on Guy Montag. Then Montag comes to his house with a couple of the Bible, so Professor Faber knows he is for real. Faber gives Montag a two-way radio to put in his ear. He gives him this so he can help him with Captain Beatty.
Professor Faber is kind of a quiet man. He is a little jumpy because he does not know who will except the fact that he reads, and who will not. The reader can tell this at two parts of the book. The part where Guy Montag first meets Professor Faber, and the part where Professor Faber hangs up on Montag.
The fact that Professor Faber gives Guy Montag an earpiece instead of being with him and telling him what to do says a lot about his character. Obviously, we can tell he is not very social. We can also come to the conclusion that he wants to help Montag, but he does not want to put his life in danger, just Montag's.
While talking to Guy Montag through the earpiece, Professor Faber tries to do several things. Sometimes he tries to control Montag, and other times he praises him for doing things on his own. Faber kind of contradicts himself. He praises Montag for doing things on his own because that is how an individual mind is created. He tries to help Montag become more of a smart individual.
Guy Montag decides to call Professor Faber when he and his wife are reading through all his books. He seeks Faber's help. At first Professor Faber thinks he is playing a joke on him or making fun of him. He hangs up on Guy Montag. Then Montag comes to his house with a couple of the Bible, so Professor Faber knows he is for real. Faber gives Montag a two-way radio to put in his ear. He gives him this so he can help him with Captain Beatty.
Professor Faber is kind of a quiet man. He is a little jumpy because he does not know who will except the fact that he reads, and who will not. The reader can tell this at two parts of the book. The part where Guy Montag first meets Professor Faber, and the part where Professor Faber hangs up on Montag.
The fact that Professor Faber gives Guy Montag an earpiece instead of being with him and telling him what to do says a lot about his character. Obviously, we can tell he is not very social. We can also come to the conclusion that he wants to help Montag, but he does not want to put his life in danger, just Montag's.
While talking to Guy Montag through the earpiece, Professor Faber tries to do several things. Sometimes he tries to control Montag, and other times he praises him for doing things on his own. Faber kind of contradicts himself. He praises Montag for doing things on his own because that is how an individual mind is created. He tries to help Montag become more of a smart individual.
Fahrenheit 451: Captain Beatty
Captain Beatty is another main character in Fahrenheit 451. Captain Beatty is Guy Montag's chief fireman. He is kind of a bully. Captian Beatty realizes early in the book that Guy Montag is becoming curious about books. He notices a change in Guy Montag. Changes like, he does not take part in fun bets, he questions things other people do not question, and he just is not a lot of fun anymore.
The day after Guy Montag steals the book from the old ladies house, Captain Beatty comes to visit him. Beatty guesses that Montag does not want to come to work that day, so he visits him and lectures him about books. He uses a lot of irony in his speech. Captain Beatty also uses a lot quotes from several pieces of literature. This is strange because he is giving a speech on how bad literature is, yet he uses a lot of references from several different books.
Captain Beatty tells Guy that he can keep the book for one day, but he has to burn it the next day or the other firemen will do it for him. So that day Guy Montag and his wife Mildred go through the several books that he stole. The next day he takes one of the books back to work for Captain Beatty. Captain Beatty throws the book in the trash can. He then continues to lecture Guy Montag on how bad books are. He still uses several references from different novels. These references egg Guy Montag on, and they make him confused. They make him angry.
Because Captain Beatty keeps using references from several novels, we can tell that he has read a lot of books. We can figure that he used to have a huge interest in books just like Guy Montag. He may still like books. We do not really know if he still reads them in secret, or if he really does think they should be burned.
The day after Guy Montag steals the book from the old ladies house, Captain Beatty comes to visit him. Beatty guesses that Montag does not want to come to work that day, so he visits him and lectures him about books. He uses a lot of irony in his speech. Captain Beatty also uses a lot quotes from several pieces of literature. This is strange because he is giving a speech on how bad literature is, yet he uses a lot of references from several different books.
Captain Beatty tells Guy that he can keep the book for one day, but he has to burn it the next day or the other firemen will do it for him. So that day Guy Montag and his wife Mildred go through the several books that he stole. The next day he takes one of the books back to work for Captain Beatty. Captain Beatty throws the book in the trash can. He then continues to lecture Guy Montag on how bad books are. He still uses several references from different novels. These references egg Guy Montag on, and they make him confused. They make him angry.
Because Captain Beatty keeps using references from several novels, we can tell that he has read a lot of books. We can figure that he used to have a huge interest in books just like Guy Montag. He may still like books. We do not really know if he still reads them in secret, or if he really does think they should be burned.
Fahrenheit 451: Mildred Montag
Mildred Montag is another main character in Fahrenheit 451. Mildred Montag is Guy Montag's wife. Mildred is a very depressing character. The first time we really meet her in the story she tries to kill herself. She takes too many sleeping pills, and Guy Montag has to call an ambulance to pump her poisoned blood out and give her new healthy blood.
Mildred Montag watches TV pretty much all day. She has three whole walls that are a television set. (Like the entire wall is a screen...but it is three entire walls.) Mildred and Guy Montag are not the usual loving couple. Mildred is actually a pretty cold person. They do not sleep in the same bed, and they barely ever talk to eachother. They definitely do not love eachother. They do not even remember where they met, and when Guy Montag leaves for work, Mildred feels relieved that he is gone.
Mildred Montag is a very sad character. She represents a lot of the people in their society. A lot of people are just completely brain washed by all the TV that they watch. Almost everyone focuses on only entertaining themselves. They do not pay attention to what is really going on in the world or in their own bodies and minds. They use the television as a sort of getaway from everyday life.
Mildred is a prime example of using the television as a getaway. Mildred watches the same soap opera everyday. She refers to the family in the show as her family. Mildred asks Guy Montag if he will buy her a fourth television wall. He says no. (If she did get the fourth wall she would be completely encased in the television show. It would be almost 100% real.) The TV shows even write out lines at the bottom of the screen, so the watcher can feel more apart of the conversations taking place in the show. The whole idea is extremely sick.
Mildred watches TV and denies that she has a serious problem. Mildred tried to kill herself. She is suffering from depression and she does not even know it.
Mildred Montag watches TV pretty much all day. She has three whole walls that are a television set. (Like the entire wall is a screen...but it is three entire walls.) Mildred and Guy Montag are not the usual loving couple. Mildred is actually a pretty cold person. They do not sleep in the same bed, and they barely ever talk to eachother. They definitely do not love eachother. They do not even remember where they met, and when Guy Montag leaves for work, Mildred feels relieved that he is gone.
Mildred Montag is a very sad character. She represents a lot of the people in their society. A lot of people are just completely brain washed by all the TV that they watch. Almost everyone focuses on only entertaining themselves. They do not pay attention to what is really going on in the world or in their own bodies and minds. They use the television as a sort of getaway from everyday life.
Mildred is a prime example of using the television as a getaway. Mildred watches the same soap opera everyday. She refers to the family in the show as her family. Mildred asks Guy Montag if he will buy her a fourth television wall. He says no. (If she did get the fourth wall she would be completely encased in the television show. It would be almost 100% real.) The TV shows even write out lines at the bottom of the screen, so the watcher can feel more apart of the conversations taking place in the show. The whole idea is extremely sick.
Mildred watches TV and denies that she has a serious problem. Mildred tried to kill herself. She is suffering from depression and she does not even know it.
Fahrenheit 451: Guy Montag
Guy Montag is the main character of Fahrenheit 451. He is the protagonist. Montag is a fireman in the twenty fourth century. Instead of putting out fires and he creates them. More specifically, he creates fires to burn books. His society does not like books because they are all different. His society is all about being the same. They want everyone to be the same, but if someone reads a book they may have different thoughts then everyone else.
At the beginning of the novel Montag meets a seventeen year old girl named Clarisse. She opens his eyes to a whole new world. Clarisse introduces nature and reading to Montag. Soon, Montag finds himself stealing books from fires. He does not really know what to do with them though. He blames his hands for acting on their own. He says his hands stole the books, not him.
Montag becomes overwelmingly curious about the books, so he soon starts to try and read them. He makes his wife Mildred read them with him. Montag is looking for some kind of hidden meaning in the books.
Montag is a somewhat stupid man. He is pretty vain, and because he is a firefighter, (they are really looked up to in his time because they entertain the people by burning books and houses) he thinks he is all that. Although Montag sees that their may be a different meaning to life, he is too stupid to figure out what it is. He goes to his friend Professor Faber for help. Faber give him an earpiece and talks to him through it. That was a pretty dumb idea too.
Montag does a lot of dumb things. First off, he should not have shown anyone that he had books. Not even his wife. (His wife did find one of his books though.) He definitely should not have tried to talk to his wife's friends, and he should not have read to them from a poetry book.
Guy Montag believed that his hands did all of his dirty work. He was unconcious to it all. His hands stole the books, and his hands killed his chief, Beatty. Even towards the end of the novel, Guy Montag still liked the feeling of burning down a house, and he was burning his own house. I personally think Guy Montag is just a crazy man who really needs some help.
At the beginning of the novel Montag meets a seventeen year old girl named Clarisse. She opens his eyes to a whole new world. Clarisse introduces nature and reading to Montag. Soon, Montag finds himself stealing books from fires. He does not really know what to do with them though. He blames his hands for acting on their own. He says his hands stole the books, not him.
Montag becomes overwelmingly curious about the books, so he soon starts to try and read them. He makes his wife Mildred read them with him. Montag is looking for some kind of hidden meaning in the books.
Montag is a somewhat stupid man. He is pretty vain, and because he is a firefighter, (they are really looked up to in his time because they entertain the people by burning books and houses) he thinks he is all that. Although Montag sees that their may be a different meaning to life, he is too stupid to figure out what it is. He goes to his friend Professor Faber for help. Faber give him an earpiece and talks to him through it. That was a pretty dumb idea too.
Montag does a lot of dumb things. First off, he should not have shown anyone that he had books. Not even his wife. (His wife did find one of his books though.) He definitely should not have tried to talk to his wife's friends, and he should not have read to them from a poetry book.
Guy Montag believed that his hands did all of his dirty work. He was unconcious to it all. His hands stole the books, and his hands killed his chief, Beatty. Even towards the end of the novel, Guy Montag still liked the feeling of burning down a house, and he was burning his own house. I personally think Guy Montag is just a crazy man who really needs some help.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Fahrenheit 451: Burning Bright
The third section of Fahrenheit 451 is the last section of the novel. A lot of things happen in this section. When the firemen reach Montag's house, Mildred runs out with a suitcase to a taxi. Montag assumes that she called in the report. Beatty makes Montag torch his own house. He does it. While torching his house, Montag feels good. He likes to set things on fire, and it seems like he does not even care that it is his own house.
After torching his house, Beatty tries to lecture him some more. Montag becomes very angry, so he torches Beatty and kills him. The mechanical dog then injects Montag with some anesthetic which causes his leg to go numb. Montag runs to his backyard and grabs his books. He takes them to another fireman's house and calls the fire department to burn that house. He then flees.
Montag returns to Faber's house one last time. Faber tells him to run to the country where some other hobo intellectuals live. He tells Montag to meet him in St. Louis sometime in the future. Montag then tells Faber how to cover up his smell so that the mechanical dog will not stop at his house. Before leaving, Montag takes a suitcase full of some of Faber's old clothes.
Montag tracks how far the dog is behind him by looking in through people's houses at their TVs. He sees that the dog paused at Faber's house but did not go in. Montag was about to reach a river when he saw that the television told everyone to open their doors and look for Montag on the count of ten. Montag manages to reach the river before the countdown is up, and he manages to stay clear of the helicopter lights.
Montag floats down the river for awhile; he washes away any scent that the mechanical dog could pick up. He goes ashore and notices that he is in the country now. It is beautiful and foreign to him. Montag soon meets three hobos sitting around a fire. One of the men's name is Granger. Granger says they have been watching the chase on their little TV. He says that they have been expecting him. The men watch as the helicopter goes in the opposite direction of where Montag is. The helicopter finds a scapegoat for Montag and kills him instead.
The hobos explain how they each have a certain literary masterpiece memorized. They say they will help others when they are ready to be helped. The men watch as some jets bomb the city. They think now that the survivors may need some help. They leave their hinding place to go to the city to help the survivors rebuild their society.
After torching his house, Beatty tries to lecture him some more. Montag becomes very angry, so he torches Beatty and kills him. The mechanical dog then injects Montag with some anesthetic which causes his leg to go numb. Montag runs to his backyard and grabs his books. He takes them to another fireman's house and calls the fire department to burn that house. He then flees.
Montag returns to Faber's house one last time. Faber tells him to run to the country where some other hobo intellectuals live. He tells Montag to meet him in St. Louis sometime in the future. Montag then tells Faber how to cover up his smell so that the mechanical dog will not stop at his house. Before leaving, Montag takes a suitcase full of some of Faber's old clothes.
Montag tracks how far the dog is behind him by looking in through people's houses at their TVs. He sees that the dog paused at Faber's house but did not go in. Montag was about to reach a river when he saw that the television told everyone to open their doors and look for Montag on the count of ten. Montag manages to reach the river before the countdown is up, and he manages to stay clear of the helicopter lights.
Montag floats down the river for awhile; he washes away any scent that the mechanical dog could pick up. He goes ashore and notices that he is in the country now. It is beautiful and foreign to him. Montag soon meets three hobos sitting around a fire. One of the men's name is Granger. Granger says they have been watching the chase on their little TV. He says that they have been expecting him. The men watch as the helicopter goes in the opposite direction of where Montag is. The helicopter finds a scapegoat for Montag and kills him instead.
The hobos explain how they each have a certain literary masterpiece memorized. They say they will help others when they are ready to be helped. The men watch as some jets bomb the city. They think now that the survivors may need some help. They leave their hinding place to go to the city to help the survivors rebuild their society.
Fahrenheit 451: The Sieve and the Sand
The Sieve and the Sand is the second portion of Fahrenheit 451. At the beginning of the section Montag and his wife Mildred are reading some of his stolen books. (It was revealed in the earlier section that Montag has stolen a lot more than one book. He asks Mildred's help in finding a meaning in the books.) Mildred is always protesting about reading the books. She is afraid of them, and all she wants to do is watch her three television walls.
As Montag reads some of the books he becomes very confused. He is reading the words, but he has no idea what they mean. To better understand what he is reading Montag calls a man he met earlier. He calls a man named Faber. Faber is an old english teacher. Montag met him in the park a while back. He saw that he was reading a book, and he asked him about it. They both soon began to trust eachother, so Faber gave Montag his adress and phone number just in case he wanted to call about some books.
When Montag calls Faber and asks about some books, Faber hangs up on him because he thinks he is messing with him. After that failure, Montag goes to Faber's house. He brings a book, so Faber will not think he is trying to do something to him. Montag asks Faber if he can help him understand what is going on in the book that he is reading. He is reading the Bible. Faber finally agrees to help Montag, so he gives him an earpiece. The earpiece is there so that Faber can tell things to Montag through it, and, in turn, Faber can hear what Montag is saying.
Montag goes home and sees that Mildred has two friends over. They are watching TV. Big surprise. Montag turns off the TV, and he tries to have a conversation with the women. He takes out a book of poems and reads some of it to them. They women become frightened. Midred explains that every fireman can take one book home a year to show to their families how terrible they are. After many attempts from Faber to convince Montag to agree, he finally does. The women leave the house in fright.
Montag then sees that his wife has been burning some of his books. He re-hides them in the backyard.
Montag finally goes back to work and brings a book with him for the chief. Beatty takes the book and throws it in the trash. He then talks to Montag in quotes from many books. He explains how bad literature is. All of this confuses Montag. They then get a call to set a fire. The call is for Montag's house.
As Montag reads some of the books he becomes very confused. He is reading the words, but he has no idea what they mean. To better understand what he is reading Montag calls a man he met earlier. He calls a man named Faber. Faber is an old english teacher. Montag met him in the park a while back. He saw that he was reading a book, and he asked him about it. They both soon began to trust eachother, so Faber gave Montag his adress and phone number just in case he wanted to call about some books.
When Montag calls Faber and asks about some books, Faber hangs up on him because he thinks he is messing with him. After that failure, Montag goes to Faber's house. He brings a book, so Faber will not think he is trying to do something to him. Montag asks Faber if he can help him understand what is going on in the book that he is reading. He is reading the Bible. Faber finally agrees to help Montag, so he gives him an earpiece. The earpiece is there so that Faber can tell things to Montag through it, and, in turn, Faber can hear what Montag is saying.
Montag goes home and sees that Mildred has two friends over. They are watching TV. Big surprise. Montag turns off the TV, and he tries to have a conversation with the women. He takes out a book of poems and reads some of it to them. They women become frightened. Midred explains that every fireman can take one book home a year to show to their families how terrible they are. After many attempts from Faber to convince Montag to agree, he finally does. The women leave the house in fright.
Montag then sees that his wife has been burning some of his books. He re-hides them in the backyard.
Montag finally goes back to work and brings a book with him for the chief. Beatty takes the book and throws it in the trash. He then talks to Montag in quotes from many books. He explains how bad literature is. All of this confuses Montag. They then get a call to set a fire. The call is for Montag's house.
Fahrenheit 451: The Hearth and the Salamander
There are three different sections in the novel Fahrenheit 451. The Hearth and the Salamander is the first section. This section is about the main character, Guy Montag's, life at home. Guy is a fireman in the twenty-fourth century. As a fireman he does not put out fires, but he creates them. More specifically, the firemen burn books. Montag lives in a world where everyone has to be equal. They have to look the same, think the same, and do the same things. Anyone who is not "normal" is considered crazy.
One day Montag comes across his neighbor, Clarisse. Clarisse thinks differently from everyone else. She likes to read and go on walks. Clarisse somewhat scares Montag, but she also fascinates him. She makes him wonder what life is really about. Soon, Clarisse and Montag are talking everyday.
At home, Montag's wife, Mildred, is pretty boring. She is always absorbed in her three wall television set. Mildred calls the family in the show that she watches her family. Montag and Mildred barely ever talk. They do not even really like eachother's presence. Montag finds that Mildred took too many sleeping pills, thus trying to kill herself.
At the job Montag starts to question a lot of things. He does not like to do a lot of things he used to do. He used to bond with the other firemen by making their mechanical dog chase down others animals and kill them. They saw this as fun. One day, while going to set some books on fire, Montag unconciously steals one of the books. When the firemen go to burn the books they also burn the old lady in the house. Montag feels terrible about this.
Soon Montag finds out that Clarisse has died. His chief, Mr. Beatty, notices certain changes in him, so he comes to Montag's house and has a chat with him. Montag also realizes that he does not love his wife Mildred at all.
One day Montag comes across his neighbor, Clarisse. Clarisse thinks differently from everyone else. She likes to read and go on walks. Clarisse somewhat scares Montag, but she also fascinates him. She makes him wonder what life is really about. Soon, Clarisse and Montag are talking everyday.
At home, Montag's wife, Mildred, is pretty boring. She is always absorbed in her three wall television set. Mildred calls the family in the show that she watches her family. Montag and Mildred barely ever talk. They do not even really like eachother's presence. Montag finds that Mildred took too many sleeping pills, thus trying to kill herself.
At the job Montag starts to question a lot of things. He does not like to do a lot of things he used to do. He used to bond with the other firemen by making their mechanical dog chase down others animals and kill them. They saw this as fun. One day, while going to set some books on fire, Montag unconciously steals one of the books. When the firemen go to burn the books they also burn the old lady in the house. Montag feels terrible about this.
Soon Montag finds out that Clarisse has died. His chief, Mr. Beatty, notices certain changes in him, so he comes to Montag's house and has a chat with him. Montag also realizes that he does not love his wife Mildred at all.
The Catcher in the Rye: Mr. Antolini
Mr. Antolini is a former teacher of Holden. He is probably the only adult that Holden really trusts. Holden does not see Mr. Antolini as a phony. Mr. Antolini does not talk to Holden like he is his superior, which is a big reason why Holden does not see him as phony. Mr. Antolini also invites Holden into his home in the middle of the night after Holden called him. Mr. Antolini's house is dirty, and he is a heavy drinker. Mr. Antolini does not try to hide these facts from Holden. This is another reason why Holden likes him. Mr. Antolini is probably one of the only adults who has been completely real with Holden. He never tries to hide anything from him.
When Holden arrives at Mr. Antolini's house, Mr. Antolini makes him feel at home. Mr. Antolini listens to Holden's problems. He also offers him advice. Mr. Antolini says that he thinks Holden should return to school. He thinks it is important for Holden to get a full education, and it is. Holden appreciates that Mr. Antolini will talk to him about his problems in the middle of the night. Holden really looks up to Mr. Antolini.
Holden falls asleep on Mr. Antolini's couch, but he awakens from Mr. Antolini stroking his hair. Holden is freaked out by that gesture. Holden comes to the conclusion that Mr. Antolini is gay, so he storms off. There is not enough proof to say that Mr. Antolini is really gay, but his gesture may not have been the best one. He was just showing his concern for the poor lost teenager, but he should have known that Holden might flip out.
As the reader we know that Holden has been obsessed with sex for the past couple of days. We also know that he does not like homosexuals, and that he is afraid he may become one. After leaving Mr. Antolini's house, Holden feels very bad for leaving him. He thinks maybe he made the wrong assumption about him, and he soons begins to wonder about his own character. This is the part of the story where Holden finally realizes he may be wrong about the many assumptions he makes about people.
When Holden arrives at Mr. Antolini's house, Mr. Antolini makes him feel at home. Mr. Antolini listens to Holden's problems. He also offers him advice. Mr. Antolini says that he thinks Holden should return to school. He thinks it is important for Holden to get a full education, and it is. Holden appreciates that Mr. Antolini will talk to him about his problems in the middle of the night. Holden really looks up to Mr. Antolini.
Holden falls asleep on Mr. Antolini's couch, but he awakens from Mr. Antolini stroking his hair. Holden is freaked out by that gesture. Holden comes to the conclusion that Mr. Antolini is gay, so he storms off. There is not enough proof to say that Mr. Antolini is really gay, but his gesture may not have been the best one. He was just showing his concern for the poor lost teenager, but he should have known that Holden might flip out.
As the reader we know that Holden has been obsessed with sex for the past couple of days. We also know that he does not like homosexuals, and that he is afraid he may become one. After leaving Mr. Antolini's house, Holden feels very bad for leaving him. He thinks maybe he made the wrong assumption about him, and he soons begins to wonder about his own character. This is the part of the story where Holden finally realizes he may be wrong about the many assumptions he makes about people.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Catcher in the Rye: Holden vs. The World
In The Catcher in the Rye Holden Caufield struggles with a lot of things. He thinks the entire world is against him. Holden struggles with "phony" people and the reality of growing up. He obviously does not want to grow up. Holden wants to stay a little kid forever. This, with him being a teenager and all, obviously causes a bit of a problem for the character.
From the beginning of the novel we can tell that Holden is struggling with who he is. He has been kicked out of many schools; he just does not seem to find something he really likes to do. He also does not think very highly of anyone. He only sees the bad things in everyone even the people who you, as the reader, would think is his friend. He thinks everyone is stupid and phony, especially adults. Holden really does think that the entire world is against him. The only people he cares about are his little sister, little brother, and a girl who used to be his neighbor that he played chess with. Everyone else Holden seems to hate.
Holden shows the characteristics of many teenagers. He, like many others, does not want to become an adult. Holden is caught inside his own little world, and he can not find his way out. His world is made up of himself, his little sister and brother, the ducks in the pond, and cigarettes and alcohol. Throughout the novel, Holden starts to gradually let people inside his world. He starts to notice people who are not as phony as he would think. He meets two nuns, and he has a nice conversation with them. He likes the nuns.
Holden is an example of a young man who does not want to grow up. He is pretty much in denial of his new responsibilities as a young adult. His responsibilities would include doing his homework, doing well in school, taking care of himself at a boarding school, and not getting into any really bad trouble. Holden does not stick to any of these responsibilities. In the end of the novel he finally comes to his senses though.
From the beginning of the novel we can tell that Holden is struggling with who he is. He has been kicked out of many schools; he just does not seem to find something he really likes to do. He also does not think very highly of anyone. He only sees the bad things in everyone even the people who you, as the reader, would think is his friend. He thinks everyone is stupid and phony, especially adults. Holden really does think that the entire world is against him. The only people he cares about are his little sister, little brother, and a girl who used to be his neighbor that he played chess with. Everyone else Holden seems to hate.
Holden shows the characteristics of many teenagers. He, like many others, does not want to become an adult. Holden is caught inside his own little world, and he can not find his way out. His world is made up of himself, his little sister and brother, the ducks in the pond, and cigarettes and alcohol. Throughout the novel, Holden starts to gradually let people inside his world. He starts to notice people who are not as phony as he would think. He meets two nuns, and he has a nice conversation with them. He likes the nuns.
Holden is an example of a young man who does not want to grow up. He is pretty much in denial of his new responsibilities as a young adult. His responsibilities would include doing his homework, doing well in school, taking care of himself at a boarding school, and not getting into any really bad trouble. Holden does not stick to any of these responsibilities. In the end of the novel he finally comes to his senses though.
Their Eyes Were Watching God: The Community
The Community plays a big part in Their Eyes Were Watching God. It influences a lot of things that some of the characters do. Nanny, Janie's grandmother, is influenced somewhat by the community to believe that marrying someone that is rich and is a good provider is the only way to find a good suitor. Therefore, Nanny sets Janie up with Logan Killicks. Logan is a good provider for Janie, but she just does not love him.
Janie soon leaves Logan after Nanny's death, and she finds Jody Starks. Jody soon becomes the mayor of the town they move too, and everyone absolutely adores him and Janie. The community starts to play a role in how Jody acts and how he treats Janie. Jody soon starts to treat Janie like a material object. He does not let her take part in community events. He does not let her even talk with the community on their store's front porch. The community helps to develop Jody into a crazy bussiness man who is only concerned with money and material possessions.
Soon, Janie leaves Jody and marries Tea Cake. The community highly frowns upon Janie even talking with Tea Cake. He is a lot younger then she is, and the community thinks that their relationship is a little scandelous. Many people try to talk Janie out of marrying Tea Cake, but by this time in her life, Janie has stopped listening to others. She now does what she wants to do. She does not take orders from other people, especially the community who barely knows the real Janie.
Throughout the novel Janie is influenced by the community. From the very beginning of the novel the community is talking and gossiping about her. They continue to talk about her for the rest of the book. They talk about the good and the bad things about her. They love her hair and her looks, but they sometimes question her character. At the end of the novel though, Janie learns to not listen to what the community thinks, so she finally finds the horizon.
Janie soon leaves Logan after Nanny's death, and she finds Jody Starks. Jody soon becomes the mayor of the town they move too, and everyone absolutely adores him and Janie. The community starts to play a role in how Jody acts and how he treats Janie. Jody soon starts to treat Janie like a material object. He does not let her take part in community events. He does not let her even talk with the community on their store's front porch. The community helps to develop Jody into a crazy bussiness man who is only concerned with money and material possessions.
Soon, Janie leaves Jody and marries Tea Cake. The community highly frowns upon Janie even talking with Tea Cake. He is a lot younger then she is, and the community thinks that their relationship is a little scandelous. Many people try to talk Janie out of marrying Tea Cake, but by this time in her life, Janie has stopped listening to others. She now does what she wants to do. She does not take orders from other people, especially the community who barely knows the real Janie.
Throughout the novel Janie is influenced by the community. From the very beginning of the novel the community is talking and gossiping about her. They continue to talk about her for the rest of the book. They talk about the good and the bad things about her. They love her hair and her looks, but they sometimes question her character. At the end of the novel though, Janie learns to not listen to what the community thinks, so she finally finds the horizon.
Their Eyes Were Watching God: Janie's Hair
There are several symbols in Their Eyes Were Watching God. Janie's hair is one of the main symbols.
Janie Crawford is the daughter of Leafy Crawford. Leafy was raped by her schoolteacher, thus resulting in Janie being born. Leafy's school teacher was white. Leafy is black, so Janie is a mixture of black and white. Janie holds some black traits and some white traits. Janie has lighter skin and eyes then most African Americans. She also has very long straight beautiful hair. Janie's hair is a main focal point of the novel.
Janie's hair represents many things. It represents whiteness, her individuality, and her strength as an African American woman.
As I described above, Janie has some white characteristics. The men in the novel go crazy over Janie's hair. They love how it is so different and straight. Jody makes Janie put her hair up in rags because he does not want the other men to see her beautiful hair. Mrs. Turner, a woman that Janie befriends, is absolutely obsessed with Janie because of her white characteristics. Mrs. Turner is African American, but she loves white people. Therefore, she loves Janie.
Janie's hair also represents her individuality. There are not many African American women who like her. She is one of a kind. At the beginning of the novel Janie was just one of a kind on the outside with her looks, but towards the middle of the novel she began to bloom on the inside too. Once Janie finally stood up against Jody, she started to become who she really wanted to be. People looked up to Janie. She was somewhat of an icon.
Finally, Janie's hair represents her strength. Throughout the novel Janie is fighting to reach "the horizon". Janie thought Jody Starks would help her reach it, but he was only in the way. Janie learned how to stand up for herself by using her voice while she was with Jody. Once Jody died, Janie took her lovely hair out of its bindings. This action shows that her hair represents her strength in standing up for herself.
Janie Crawford is the daughter of Leafy Crawford. Leafy was raped by her schoolteacher, thus resulting in Janie being born. Leafy's school teacher was white. Leafy is black, so Janie is a mixture of black and white. Janie holds some black traits and some white traits. Janie has lighter skin and eyes then most African Americans. She also has very long straight beautiful hair. Janie's hair is a main focal point of the novel.
Janie's hair represents many things. It represents whiteness, her individuality, and her strength as an African American woman.
As I described above, Janie has some white characteristics. The men in the novel go crazy over Janie's hair. They love how it is so different and straight. Jody makes Janie put her hair up in rags because he does not want the other men to see her beautiful hair. Mrs. Turner, a woman that Janie befriends, is absolutely obsessed with Janie because of her white characteristics. Mrs. Turner is African American, but she loves white people. Therefore, she loves Janie.
Janie's hair also represents her individuality. There are not many African American women who like her. She is one of a kind. At the beginning of the novel Janie was just one of a kind on the outside with her looks, but towards the middle of the novel she began to bloom on the inside too. Once Janie finally stood up against Jody, she started to become who she really wanted to be. People looked up to Janie. She was somewhat of an icon.
Finally, Janie's hair represents her strength. Throughout the novel Janie is fighting to reach "the horizon". Janie thought Jody Starks would help her reach it, but he was only in the way. Janie learned how to stand up for herself by using her voice while she was with Jody. Once Jody died, Janie took her lovely hair out of its bindings. This action shows that her hair represents her strength in standing up for herself.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Their Eyes Were Watching God: Final Thoughts
I thought Their Eyes Were Watching God was a very interesting book. I liked it a lot. I liked reading through Janie's journey to find "the horizon". I liked how we met a lot of very different characters. I also liked how we saw different sides of Janie as she moved on in life.
I am trying to read all the books this summer. I only have two more left to read, but right now Their Eyes Were Watching God might just be my favorite. I really like the time period it is set in. It takes place in about the 1920s or 1930s. I like seeing the racial differences in the story. I am not saying that I am racist or anything, but I mean I like to see different people's opinions on racism. For instance, Janie was born from a black woman and a white man. Therefore, she has nice straight hair like a white person. People see Janie's hair, and some of them think it is beautiful, but some of them think it is scandalous because they know she was born from a black and a white person.
Another example of racial views would have to come from Mrs. Turner. Mrs. Turner is a black woman, but she adores white people. She actually kind of hates black people. She takes to Janie because she sees that Janie has lighter skin and nice hair like a white person. Mrs. Turner tries to talk Janie into marrying her brother instead of staying with Tea Cake.
I think this is a good book for teenagers to read. It is not exactly a coming of age book, but it is kind of about reaching your goals. A teenager can learn a lot about find oneself from reading this book. The reader can learn how to be honest with oneself and with what they want. They can learn how to really treat others well by learning from the bad example of Jody Starks.
I am trying to read all the books this summer. I only have two more left to read, but right now Their Eyes Were Watching God might just be my favorite. I really like the time period it is set in. It takes place in about the 1920s or 1930s. I like seeing the racial differences in the story. I am not saying that I am racist or anything, but I mean I like to see different people's opinions on racism. For instance, Janie was born from a black woman and a white man. Therefore, she has nice straight hair like a white person. People see Janie's hair, and some of them think it is beautiful, but some of them think it is scandalous because they know she was born from a black and a white person.
Another example of racial views would have to come from Mrs. Turner. Mrs. Turner is a black woman, but she adores white people. She actually kind of hates black people. She takes to Janie because she sees that Janie has lighter skin and nice hair like a white person. Mrs. Turner tries to talk Janie into marrying her brother instead of staying with Tea Cake.
I think this is a good book for teenagers to read. It is not exactly a coming of age book, but it is kind of about reaching your goals. A teenager can learn a lot about find oneself from reading this book. The reader can learn how to be honest with oneself and with what they want. They can learn how to really treat others well by learning from the bad example of Jody Starks.
Their Eyes Were Watching God: Main Characters
There are several characters in Their Eyes Were Watching God, but there are only a few main characters. I think the main characters are Janie Crawford, Tea Cake, and Jody Starks.
Janie Crawford is the number one main character of the story. The novel is all about Janie's journey to "the horizon". Janie is a strong woman. She puts up with a lot of harsh beatings and harsh words. At the beginning of the novel, Janie is kind of soft spoken. She does what others want her to do. When she meets Jody, she starts out as that same quiet Janie, but, towards the end of their relationship, Janie finds her voice. Towards the end of the novel, Janie finds Tea Cake who helps her expand her voice. He helps her to finally reach "the horizon".
Tea Cake is Janie's third husband. He is the man that Janie loved the most. Tea Cake is very carefree and fun. He is imaginative and funny. Tea Cake is also a good gambler, and he sometimes he is gone for long periods at a time. This scares Janie, but he soon stops disappearing a lot. Tea Cake does not treat Janie like an object. He treats her almost as his equal. Tea Cake and Janie sometimes had some fights, but they ended in a good way. Tea Cake helps Janie to harness and expand her voice.
Jody Starks is Janie's second husband. He is a businessman. Jody is all about money and material things. Janie is not in to material things. That is a big difference that they had. Jody treated Janie as an object, which, in turn, made Janie hate him. He made her wear her beautiful hair in rags, and he did not let her take part in talking to people on the porch. Jody tried to show how much he cared by buying Janie nice things, but she did not care about all the nice things. She just wanted to be treated as an equal. She wanted to be able to voice her opinion.
Janie Crawford is the number one main character of the story. The novel is all about Janie's journey to "the horizon". Janie is a strong woman. She puts up with a lot of harsh beatings and harsh words. At the beginning of the novel, Janie is kind of soft spoken. She does what others want her to do. When she meets Jody, she starts out as that same quiet Janie, but, towards the end of their relationship, Janie finds her voice. Towards the end of the novel, Janie finds Tea Cake who helps her expand her voice. He helps her to finally reach "the horizon".
Tea Cake is Janie's third husband. He is the man that Janie loved the most. Tea Cake is very carefree and fun. He is imaginative and funny. Tea Cake is also a good gambler, and he sometimes he is gone for long periods at a time. This scares Janie, but he soon stops disappearing a lot. Tea Cake does not treat Janie like an object. He treats her almost as his equal. Tea Cake and Janie sometimes had some fights, but they ended in a good way. Tea Cake helps Janie to harness and expand her voice.
Jody Starks is Janie's second husband. He is a businessman. Jody is all about money and material things. Janie is not in to material things. That is a big difference that they had. Jody treated Janie as an object, which, in turn, made Janie hate him. He made her wear her beautiful hair in rags, and he did not let her take part in talking to people on the porch. Jody tried to show how much he cared by buying Janie nice things, but she did not care about all the nice things. She just wanted to be treated as an equal. She wanted to be able to voice her opinion.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Their Eyes Were Watching God: Janie's Journey
In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie has a mission in life. She wants to "go to the horizon and back". As a reader, we do not exactly know what Janie means by this statement at first, but after reading the book, we can make a pretty good guess.
The entire novel is about Janie's relationships. It is also about how she is treated in those relationships and what she gets out of them. Each husband Janie goes through takes her closer and closer to the horizon.
As a young girl, Janie is forced to marry a man named Logan Killicks. She does what her Nanny wants her to do because she wants to please her. At this point of the story Janie does not ever voice her opinion. She does what others want her to do. She has barely started on her journey to the horizon.
Soon, Nanny dies, so Janie leaves Logan Killicks for Jody Starks. Janie feels that Jody can help her reach the "horizon". He is a very bright young man with a lot goals for himself. Jody Starks and Janie get married, and they move to a little town called Eatonville.
Jody and Janie's life in Eatonville is very good at first. The townspeople look up to them. Jody becomes mayor, and he builds a postoffice and a store. Janie works in the store. Soon, Jody starts to belittle Janie by making her tie her hair up and by not letting her take part in certain conversations. He barely ever lets her talk or do fun things. These actions from Jody take the horizon away from Janie.
After a few years, Janie and Jody become pretty old. Jody notices that he looks a lot different, so to make himself feel better he criticises Janie's looks. One day Janie becomes very upset with Jody, and she uses her words to yell at him and finally tell him how she feels. Janie is now getting closer to the horizon.
When Jody becomes sick, Janie gets even closer to the horizon by telling him all the things that she has been bottling up for years. Jody soon dies, and Janie feels relieved.
After Jody's dealth, Janie finds Tea Cake. Tea Cake takes Janie to the horizon because he pretty much lets her be whoever she wants to be. He does not try to change her. Janie finds her voice while she is with Tea Cake, and she becomes very happy. After Tea Cake dies, Janie returns to Eatonville. She then explains to her friend Pheoby how she has finally been to the horizon, and now she has returned from it.
The entire novel is about Janie's relationships. It is also about how she is treated in those relationships and what she gets out of them. Each husband Janie goes through takes her closer and closer to the horizon.
As a young girl, Janie is forced to marry a man named Logan Killicks. She does what her Nanny wants her to do because she wants to please her. At this point of the story Janie does not ever voice her opinion. She does what others want her to do. She has barely started on her journey to the horizon.
Soon, Nanny dies, so Janie leaves Logan Killicks for Jody Starks. Janie feels that Jody can help her reach the "horizon". He is a very bright young man with a lot goals for himself. Jody Starks and Janie get married, and they move to a little town called Eatonville.
Jody and Janie's life in Eatonville is very good at first. The townspeople look up to them. Jody becomes mayor, and he builds a postoffice and a store. Janie works in the store. Soon, Jody starts to belittle Janie by making her tie her hair up and by not letting her take part in certain conversations. He barely ever lets her talk or do fun things. These actions from Jody take the horizon away from Janie.
After a few years, Janie and Jody become pretty old. Jody notices that he looks a lot different, so to make himself feel better he criticises Janie's looks. One day Janie becomes very upset with Jody, and she uses her words to yell at him and finally tell him how she feels. Janie is now getting closer to the horizon.
When Jody becomes sick, Janie gets even closer to the horizon by telling him all the things that she has been bottling up for years. Jody soon dies, and Janie feels relieved.
After Jody's dealth, Janie finds Tea Cake. Tea Cake takes Janie to the horizon because he pretty much lets her be whoever she wants to be. He does not try to change her. Janie finds her voice while she is with Tea Cake, and she becomes very happy. After Tea Cake dies, Janie returns to Eatonville. She then explains to her friend Pheoby how she has finally been to the horizon, and now she has returned from it.
Their Eyes Were Watching God: Janie's Relationships
In Their Eyes Were Watching God Janie goes through three husbands. The first is Logan Killicks. The second is Jody Starks, and the third is Tea Cake. Janie has very different relationships with all three.
Logan Killicks is a good hard-working man. Janie is forced to marry him by her Nanny. Janie and Logan Killicks do not have any love in their relationship. Janie just does not love him. He is a good provider, and that is it. After Nanny dies, Janie leaves Logan Killicks for Jody Starks.
When Janie meets Jody Starks, she falls in love with his never-ending charm and wits. She also loves his grand ideas for himself. Janie believes he can help her break out and become more free. Soon the couple move to a little town, Eatonville. The town starts out very small. Jody soon takes matters into his own hands and builds things for the town. He puts in a post office and a few stores. He even buys a lamp post. Jody, obviously, becomes mayor of the town.
Janie and Jody live a nice life for awhile. They are very wealthy compared to everyone else. They are always looked up to. Janie works in the store for Jody.
Soon, Jody starts to treat Janie differently. He does not allow her to wear her hair down. He does not want other men to admire its beauty. Jody scolds Janie for doing things wrong in the store. He does not allow her to socialize with the other townspeople. All in all, Jody treats Janie like an object instead of a person.
After being married to Jody for several years, Janie starts to fall apart. She can barely take his harsh words anymore. They are both getting older, and soon, Jody becomes ill. The doctor says that Jody will not live much longer, and soon, he dies. Janie feels relieved that he is gone. She pretends to mourn for about half a year, but she soon finds another man.
Janie meets Tea Cake in her shop one night. He entertains her with his humor and imagination. Tea Cake sweeps Janie off her feet, and they get married. They live a wonderful life together. Tea Cake has a lot of control over Janie, but she does not mind. Janie does not have as much control over him though. Soon, Tea Cake becomes ill, and Janie has to shoot him to save herself.
Logan Killicks is a good hard-working man. Janie is forced to marry him by her Nanny. Janie and Logan Killicks do not have any love in their relationship. Janie just does not love him. He is a good provider, and that is it. After Nanny dies, Janie leaves Logan Killicks for Jody Starks.
When Janie meets Jody Starks, she falls in love with his never-ending charm and wits. She also loves his grand ideas for himself. Janie believes he can help her break out and become more free. Soon the couple move to a little town, Eatonville. The town starts out very small. Jody soon takes matters into his own hands and builds things for the town. He puts in a post office and a few stores. He even buys a lamp post. Jody, obviously, becomes mayor of the town.
Janie and Jody live a nice life for awhile. They are very wealthy compared to everyone else. They are always looked up to. Janie works in the store for Jody.
Soon, Jody starts to treat Janie differently. He does not allow her to wear her hair down. He does not want other men to admire its beauty. Jody scolds Janie for doing things wrong in the store. He does not allow her to socialize with the other townspeople. All in all, Jody treats Janie like an object instead of a person.
After being married to Jody for several years, Janie starts to fall apart. She can barely take his harsh words anymore. They are both getting older, and soon, Jody becomes ill. The doctor says that Jody will not live much longer, and soon, he dies. Janie feels relieved that he is gone. She pretends to mourn for about half a year, but she soon finds another man.
Janie meets Tea Cake in her shop one night. He entertains her with his humor and imagination. Tea Cake sweeps Janie off her feet, and they get married. They live a wonderful life together. Tea Cake has a lot of control over Janie, but she does not mind. Janie does not have as much control over him though. Soon, Tea Cake becomes ill, and Janie has to shoot him to save herself.
Their Eyes Were Watching God: ch 15-20
A lot of things happen in the final chapters of Their Eyes Were Watching God. In chapter fifteen, a young girl named Nunkie starts to flirt with Tea Cake in the fields where they work. Janie notices this, but she tries to ignore it. One day she sees that they are both gone, and she finds them play wrestling on the ground. Tea Cake and Nunkie brush it off as nothing. Nunkie then runs away, and when Tea Cake and Janie return home, Janie tries to beat him. Her beating though soon turns into a more loving fight. They wake up the next morning and laugh about their argument.
The working season ends, so Janie starts to spend a lot of time with Mrs. Turner. Mrs. Turner is black, but she hates black people. She likes Janie because she has long straight hair like a white person. Mrs. Turner hates Tea Cake, so she says that Janie should marry her brother. Tea Cake does not like Mrs. Turner at all.
Soon, Janie finds out that a hurricane is coming. Everyone flees except for Tea Cake, Janie, and a man called Motor Boat. Everything begins to flood, so the three hurry to move on toward Palm Beach. (By the way I lived in WEST Palm Beach, which is obviously by Palm Beach.) They find an abandoned house where Motor Boat decides to stay, but Tea Cake and Janie move on. The couple gets stuck in deep water where they have to swim. Janie sees a cow swim by with a dog on its back. She decides to hold on to the cow as well. The dog starts to attack, so Tea Cake comes and saves her. He gets bit by the dog doing so.
Janie and Tea Cake finally make it to Palm Beach safely. They see that a lot of their friends have survived.
After awhile they decide to go back to the Everglades. While there, Tea Cake becomes ill. A doctor says that the dog that bit him probably had rabies, and that there is little chance of Tea Cake getting any better. Tea Cake soon becomes very paranoid. He keeps a gun under his pillow with three bullets, which scares Janie. She moves the barrel so that it has to go through the three empty slots before it gets to the three bullets.
One day, Tea Cake becomes very upset with Janie and tries to shoot her. Janie grabs the shot gun, and before Tea Cake could fire a real shot at her, she shoots and kills him. Janie feels terrible for killing Tea Cake. She gets put on trial, but is found innocent by the all white jury.
Janie returns to Eatonville and tells Pheoby of her story. We are now back at the beginning of the book. Janie has found peace and says that Tea Cake has helped her find the horizon, and now she is back from it.
The working season ends, so Janie starts to spend a lot of time with Mrs. Turner. Mrs. Turner is black, but she hates black people. She likes Janie because she has long straight hair like a white person. Mrs. Turner hates Tea Cake, so she says that Janie should marry her brother. Tea Cake does not like Mrs. Turner at all.
Soon, Janie finds out that a hurricane is coming. Everyone flees except for Tea Cake, Janie, and a man called Motor Boat. Everything begins to flood, so the three hurry to move on toward Palm Beach. (By the way I lived in WEST Palm Beach, which is obviously by Palm Beach.) They find an abandoned house where Motor Boat decides to stay, but Tea Cake and Janie move on. The couple gets stuck in deep water where they have to swim. Janie sees a cow swim by with a dog on its back. She decides to hold on to the cow as well. The dog starts to attack, so Tea Cake comes and saves her. He gets bit by the dog doing so.
Janie and Tea Cake finally make it to Palm Beach safely. They see that a lot of their friends have survived.
After awhile they decide to go back to the Everglades. While there, Tea Cake becomes ill. A doctor says that the dog that bit him probably had rabies, and that there is little chance of Tea Cake getting any better. Tea Cake soon becomes very paranoid. He keeps a gun under his pillow with three bullets, which scares Janie. She moves the barrel so that it has to go through the three empty slots before it gets to the three bullets.
One day, Tea Cake becomes very upset with Janie and tries to shoot her. Janie grabs the shot gun, and before Tea Cake could fire a real shot at her, she shoots and kills him. Janie feels terrible for killing Tea Cake. She gets put on trial, but is found innocent by the all white jury.
Janie returns to Eatonville and tells Pheoby of her story. We are now back at the beginning of the book. Janie has found peace and says that Tea Cake has helped her find the horizon, and now she is back from it.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Their Eyes Were Watching God: ch 7-14
In chapters seven and eight Janie and Jody's relation goes way down hill. They are both getting older, and they know it. One day, Jody lashes out at Janie in front of the whole store. Janie verbally abuses him back. A few weeks later Jody gets sick. Janie wants to see him one more time before he dies. When she goes to see him, they have another argument. Jody dies after the fight.
Janie pretends to be in mourning for about six months. Soon, she meets a man named Vergible Woods, otherwise known as Tea Cake. Tea Cake makes Janie laugh a lot. He is very playful and imaginative. He is younger then Janie though, which the town disapproves of. Everyone is afraid that Tea Cake will take advantage of Janie's wealth. Janie does not believe that he would do that. They seem like they are very much in love. Tea Cake does truly love Janie. Pheoby is asked by the town to talk Janie out of her relationship, but Janie replies with how wonderful he is. The conversation ends with both of them giggling over the romanticness of it all.
Soon, Janie and Tea Cake move away and get married. Tea Cake often leaves Janie for a day or two which worries her very much. One day he takes two hundred dollars of hers and spends it on food and alcohol for his friends. He returns home and tells her he is sorry that he did it. He wins back the money by gambling, but he also comes home with many scrapes and bruises.
After Tea Cake wins back all her money, Janie decides that she trusts him fully. She tells him that she has a lot more money in the bank, but he says that she will never have to use it because he will provide for her. The couple then move to the Everglades.
Within chapters thirteen and fourteen Janie and Tea Cake's love seems to expand even further. Tea Cake teaches Janie out to shoot, so they go hunting together. They also begin to become very popular in their community because they are so fun. Towards the end of chapter fourteen Janie decides to work in the fields with Tea Cake because he says he misses her too much. So far, their love seems to be pretty real.
Janie pretends to be in mourning for about six months. Soon, she meets a man named Vergible Woods, otherwise known as Tea Cake. Tea Cake makes Janie laugh a lot. He is very playful and imaginative. He is younger then Janie though, which the town disapproves of. Everyone is afraid that Tea Cake will take advantage of Janie's wealth. Janie does not believe that he would do that. They seem like they are very much in love. Tea Cake does truly love Janie. Pheoby is asked by the town to talk Janie out of her relationship, but Janie replies with how wonderful he is. The conversation ends with both of them giggling over the romanticness of it all.
Soon, Janie and Tea Cake move away and get married. Tea Cake often leaves Janie for a day or two which worries her very much. One day he takes two hundred dollars of hers and spends it on food and alcohol for his friends. He returns home and tells her he is sorry that he did it. He wins back the money by gambling, but he also comes home with many scrapes and bruises.
After Tea Cake wins back all her money, Janie decides that she trusts him fully. She tells him that she has a lot more money in the bank, but he says that she will never have to use it because he will provide for her. The couple then move to the Everglades.
Within chapters thirteen and fourteen Janie and Tea Cake's love seems to expand even further. Tea Cake teaches Janie out to shoot, so they go hunting together. They also begin to become very popular in their community because they are so fun. Towards the end of chapter fourteen Janie decides to work in the fields with Tea Cake because he says he misses her too much. So far, their love seems to be pretty real.
Their Eyes Were Watching God: ch 1-6
So far in Their Eyes Were Watching God we have met five characters. We met Janie, the main character of the story. We have met Pheoby, one of Janie's friends. We met Nanny, Janie's grandma. We met Logan Killicks, Janie's first husband, and we have met Jody, Janie's present husband.
The novel begins with Janie returning from a journey. As she sits on the porch telling Pheoby what happens, her story is unveiled.
Janie is the daughter of a slave women who was raped by a schoolteacher. Her mother's name was Leafy. After Janie was born Leafy ran away. Because Janie is the daughter of a black woman and a white man, she has long straight hair. Janie lives with Nanny in the Washburn's backyard. They work for the Washburns.
In Janie's teenage years she kisses a boy named Johnny Taylor, but Nanny soon marries Janie off to Logan Killicks because she believes he is a good suitor. Janie is unhappy with Logan, and after Nanny dies, Janie leaves Logan for Joe Starks, otherwise known as Jody.
Janie feels a more sexual connection to Jody; something she definitely did not feel for Logan. Jody is a rich man who has big plans for himself. Janie feels herself getting wraped around in all his glorious ideas, and she wants to be a part of it. Janie herself is a big dreamer, and she thinks Jody can help make some of her dreams come true.
The couple are soon married, and they move to a small black governed village. The village is very small, and Jody soon takes it over. He makes huge reforms for the village making it a town. Janie is very proud of her husband.
Soon, Jody starts to not let Janie do certain things. He makes her keep her hair in a rag so no one can see her beautiful hair. He does not allow her to take part in fun conversations, and he does show a lot of love towards her anymore. The only way he can show love, is through his money.
Towards the end of chapter six, Janie starts to rebel against Jody's harsh standards.
The novel begins with Janie returning from a journey. As she sits on the porch telling Pheoby what happens, her story is unveiled.
Janie is the daughter of a slave women who was raped by a schoolteacher. Her mother's name was Leafy. After Janie was born Leafy ran away. Because Janie is the daughter of a black woman and a white man, she has long straight hair. Janie lives with Nanny in the Washburn's backyard. They work for the Washburns.
In Janie's teenage years she kisses a boy named Johnny Taylor, but Nanny soon marries Janie off to Logan Killicks because she believes he is a good suitor. Janie is unhappy with Logan, and after Nanny dies, Janie leaves Logan for Joe Starks, otherwise known as Jody.
Janie feels a more sexual connection to Jody; something she definitely did not feel for Logan. Jody is a rich man who has big plans for himself. Janie feels herself getting wraped around in all his glorious ideas, and she wants to be a part of it. Janie herself is a big dreamer, and she thinks Jody can help make some of her dreams come true.
The couple are soon married, and they move to a small black governed village. The village is very small, and Jody soon takes it over. He makes huge reforms for the village making it a town. Janie is very proud of her husband.
Soon, Jody starts to not let Janie do certain things. He makes her keep her hair in a rag so no one can see her beautiful hair. He does not allow her to take part in fun conversations, and he does show a lot of love towards her anymore. The only way he can show love, is through his money.
Towards the end of chapter six, Janie starts to rebel against Jody's harsh standards.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The Grapes of Wrath: Final Thoughts
I thought The Grapes of Wrath was an excellent book. I loved how the chapters moved from the Joad family, to a more broad view of their predicament. Reading this book is about the third time I have learned about this time period within the past year. We learned about it in American History last year, and I just read a section over it in A People's History of the United States for my AP US class. I like how this novel gave me a different view of what happened. The history books always skim over the things that happen, but this book carried me through the journey with the Joad family.
I thought the book seemed very real. The Joad family is definitely not a perfect family, but they are a family nontheless. They will do anything for eachother, like every other loving family will. The novel takes us through very bad times with the family, but also very happy times. As the reader we share the greif of loosing a loved one as Grampa and Granma Joad die, and Noah and Connie leave. We also share the greif of loosing a friend when Casy and the family dog die.
I think any age group could read this book. Maybe not younger kids, just teenage to adult. Teenagers can relate to this novel through Al Joad. Al is the sixteen year old son who loves cars and girls. He's the typical teenager. At the end of the novel when he decides to marry Agnes Wainwright, the reader becomes very happy for him although a lot of other terrible things are happening.
I also liked how the novel showed the different types of people. For example, the wealthy landowners and farmers, the poor migrant farmers, and the people who work in gas stations, diners, ect. The reader gets to see the differences in all these people. The wealthy landowners and farmers tend to be mean. They do not let anyone farm on their land. They are afraid that the migrant farmers will try to overthrough them like their ancestors overthrew the Mexicans. Most of the poor migrant farmers are pretty compassionate. They see eachother as part of "their people". They try as hard as they can to help eachother out while aslo helping their own family. The other workers, like the gas attendants and waitresses seem mean and greedy at first, but when put in a situation, they usually do the right thing.
I thought the book seemed very real. The Joad family is definitely not a perfect family, but they are a family nontheless. They will do anything for eachother, like every other loving family will. The novel takes us through very bad times with the family, but also very happy times. As the reader we share the greif of loosing a loved one as Grampa and Granma Joad die, and Noah and Connie leave. We also share the greif of loosing a friend when Casy and the family dog die.
I think any age group could read this book. Maybe not younger kids, just teenage to adult. Teenagers can relate to this novel through Al Joad. Al is the sixteen year old son who loves cars and girls. He's the typical teenager. At the end of the novel when he decides to marry Agnes Wainwright, the reader becomes very happy for him although a lot of other terrible things are happening.
I also liked how the novel showed the different types of people. For example, the wealthy landowners and farmers, the poor migrant farmers, and the people who work in gas stations, diners, ect. The reader gets to see the differences in all these people. The wealthy landowners and farmers tend to be mean. They do not let anyone farm on their land. They are afraid that the migrant farmers will try to overthrough them like their ancestors overthrew the Mexicans. Most of the poor migrant farmers are pretty compassionate. They see eachother as part of "their people". They try as hard as they can to help eachother out while aslo helping their own family. The other workers, like the gas attendants and waitresses seem mean and greedy at first, but when put in a situation, they usually do the right thing.
The Grapes of Wrath: ch. 25-30
Many important things happen in the last five chapters of The Grapes of Wrath. After living in the migrant governed town for about a month, The Joads decide they need to move on. They get a job picking peaches, but only earn a dollar. They family manages to get something for dinner, but they are all stiff hungry.
Tom finds Casy, but they get in a fight with some people. Casy ends up gettting bashed in the head and dying, and Tom kills the man who killed Casy. After Casy dies Tom decides he is going to carry out what Casy was doing. That is, get people together to protest against what is happening to them.
The Joads soon find a job at a cotton field. The pay is pretty good, but there are a lot of people who want to work there. The Joads live in a boxcar with another family, the Wainwrights. Ruthie, the youngest daughter gets in a fight with another little girl, and she blurts out that her brother has killed two men. In fear of her son, Ma Joad tells Tom to leave. Later, Al announces that he and Agnes Wainwright are engaged.
Soon, it begins to rain. It rains A LOT. Cars are flooded and float away, and people get stuck where they are. During the downpour, Rose of Sharon has her baby in the boxcar. It is born a still born. The family sends Uncle John to bury the baby.
After a few days the boxcar starts to flood like everything else. The family decides to find higher ground, but Al stays behind with Agnes. The family comes across a barn with a man and a boy inside. The man is dying of starvation. Ma Joad gives Rose of Sharon a look. Right then, Rose of Sharon understands what she has to do. She asks everyone to leave. Then, Rose of Sharon, just being pregnant but without a child, nurses the man from her own breast. This sacrifice shows that Rose of Sharon has grown up a lot since Connie left and after her baby died.
Tom finds Casy, but they get in a fight with some people. Casy ends up gettting bashed in the head and dying, and Tom kills the man who killed Casy. After Casy dies Tom decides he is going to carry out what Casy was doing. That is, get people together to protest against what is happening to them.
The Joads soon find a job at a cotton field. The pay is pretty good, but there are a lot of people who want to work there. The Joads live in a boxcar with another family, the Wainwrights. Ruthie, the youngest daughter gets in a fight with another little girl, and she blurts out that her brother has killed two men. In fear of her son, Ma Joad tells Tom to leave. Later, Al announces that he and Agnes Wainwright are engaged.
Soon, it begins to rain. It rains A LOT. Cars are flooded and float away, and people get stuck where they are. During the downpour, Rose of Sharon has her baby in the boxcar. It is born a still born. The family sends Uncle John to bury the baby.
After a few days the boxcar starts to flood like everything else. The family decides to find higher ground, but Al stays behind with Agnes. The family comes across a barn with a man and a boy inside. The man is dying of starvation. Ma Joad gives Rose of Sharon a look. Right then, Rose of Sharon understands what she has to do. She asks everyone to leave. Then, Rose of Sharon, just being pregnant but without a child, nurses the man from her own breast. This sacrifice shows that Rose of Sharon has grown up a lot since Connie left and after her baby died.
The Grapes of Wrath: Rich vs. Poor
In The Grapes of Wrath, there are huge conflicts between the rich and the poor. In the time that the story takes place there are many difficulties finding and keeping jobs. Many families are going hungry and dying. There is also not a whole lot of compassion in the world.
We see from the beginning of the novel that the rich obviously triumph over the poor. The Joads and other families are kicked off their farms because they can not keep up with the growing agricultural machines. Soon, rich farmers take over their farms and destroy their homes. Once on the road the Joads get swindled by used car salesmen, gas station attendants, and others of the like.
In the side-note chapters the author tells about the rich farmers in California. He explains how they guard their land and do not let anyone farm on any little bits of it, even if those parts are not being farmed on at all. It seems that the rich are very selfish. It actually seems like everyone acts a little selfish in order to stay alive.
There are some cases that are told in the novel that show there is still a little bit of humanity and compassion in the world.
The story of the waitress at a diner is a good example of this unseen compassion. A man comes in to ask the waitress if she can sell him a loaf of bread for 10 cents. The waitress says no, she does not work in a grocery store, and if she were to sell him bread it would have to be for 15 cents. Then the man's two sons walk in the door and look longingly at some candy that costs about 10 cents. The waitress, seeing the sadness in the boys' eyes, sells the loaf of bread to the man and also two pieces of the candy for only a penny each. After seeing this good deed, the truckers in the diner (they usually give pretty big tips) gave the waitress an even bigger tip.
Another example of compassion comes from Ma Joad. While in one of the Hoovervilles, Ma makes her family some soup. Many children in the village can smell the soup, and they all come crowding around the tent. Ma feeds her family the soup, but she makes sure she has enough leftovers for the hungry children outside.
We see from the beginning of the novel that the rich obviously triumph over the poor. The Joads and other families are kicked off their farms because they can not keep up with the growing agricultural machines. Soon, rich farmers take over their farms and destroy their homes. Once on the road the Joads get swindled by used car salesmen, gas station attendants, and others of the like.
In the side-note chapters the author tells about the rich farmers in California. He explains how they guard their land and do not let anyone farm on any little bits of it, even if those parts are not being farmed on at all. It seems that the rich are very selfish. It actually seems like everyone acts a little selfish in order to stay alive.
There are some cases that are told in the novel that show there is still a little bit of humanity and compassion in the world.
The story of the waitress at a diner is a good example of this unseen compassion. A man comes in to ask the waitress if she can sell him a loaf of bread for 10 cents. The waitress says no, she does not work in a grocery store, and if she were to sell him bread it would have to be for 15 cents. Then the man's two sons walk in the door and look longingly at some candy that costs about 10 cents. The waitress, seeing the sadness in the boys' eyes, sells the loaf of bread to the man and also two pieces of the candy for only a penny each. After seeing this good deed, the truckers in the diner (they usually give pretty big tips) gave the waitress an even bigger tip.
Another example of compassion comes from Ma Joad. While in one of the Hoovervilles, Ma makes her family some soup. Many children in the village can smell the soup, and they all come crowding around the tent. Ma feeds her family the soup, but she makes sure she has enough leftovers for the hungry children outside.
The Grapes of Wrath: ch. 13-24
A lot of things happen to the Joad family in chapters thirteen through twenty-four. In chapter thirteen they set out for California. Grampa Joad takes a turn for the worst because he was taken away from his usual surroundings. He soon has a stroke and dies in a borrowed tent. Granma Joad dies shortly after Grampa Joad while the Joads were driving. They give Grampa Joad a funeral and bury him even though it is illegal, but they can not do the same for Granma Joad. They leave her in an office.
The Joads also witness their dog being hit by a car while they were stopped at a gas station. Rose of Sharon is afraid that her baby might suffer from her seeing such a terrible sight.
Noah, the oldest brother soon leaves his family because he believes that his parents do not love him as much as the other children.
Connie leaves the family also a little after Noah does. The family is not surprised that he left, but Rose of Sharon is.
The Joads start to loose a lot of hope and faith. Ma Joad believes her family is falling to pieces, and indeed, it is. Some family members have lost their way and departed from the rest of the family. Others are slowly loosing it, but they all try very hard to keep the family together.
After Connie leaves the family moves on. They go from one Hooverville to the next. Soon they find a little migrant governed town. They stay there for a little while. The men go to look for jobs, and Ma Joad and Rose of Sharon stay in the town and learn from the people there. They have their own set of rules.
Tom and Casy get in a fight with the police, but Casy takes the blame and goes to jail because Tom should not even be out of Oklahoma.
The family starts to look up to Ma Joad for guidance, but Tom finds a job. The family's hope comes back.
The Joads also witness their dog being hit by a car while they were stopped at a gas station. Rose of Sharon is afraid that her baby might suffer from her seeing such a terrible sight.
Noah, the oldest brother soon leaves his family because he believes that his parents do not love him as much as the other children.
Connie leaves the family also a little after Noah does. The family is not surprised that he left, but Rose of Sharon is.
The Joads start to loose a lot of hope and faith. Ma Joad believes her family is falling to pieces, and indeed, it is. Some family members have lost their way and departed from the rest of the family. Others are slowly loosing it, but they all try very hard to keep the family together.
After Connie leaves the family moves on. They go from one Hooverville to the next. Soon they find a little migrant governed town. They stay there for a little while. The men go to look for jobs, and Ma Joad and Rose of Sharon stay in the town and learn from the people there. They have their own set of rules.
Tom and Casy get in a fight with the police, but Casy takes the blame and goes to jail because Tom should not even be out of Oklahoma.
The family starts to look up to Ma Joad for guidance, but Tom finds a job. The family's hope comes back.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
The Grapes of Wrath: Other Characters
Besides the Joad family, there are other characters we meet along the journey to California. Some of those characters are Muley Graves, Agnes Wainwright, Floyd Knowles, Connie, Ivy Wilson, Sairy Wilson, and Jim Casy.
Muley Graves is the Joad's neighbor in Oklahoma. His farm is evicted just like the Joads'. Muley decides to stay behind and live off the land, and he lets his wife and children move to California. At the beginning of the novel Muley points Tom in the direction where is family is staying.
Agnes Wainwright is Al Joad's fiance. They meet in a boxcar that their families shared on their way to California. Al stays with Agnes Wainwright in stead of going on with his family.
Floyd Knowles is a migrant worker. He gets Tom and Casy to work for a labor organization. Floyd Knowles gets Tom in trouble with the police later in the novel.
Connie is Rose of Sharon Joad's husband. He is a big dreamer just like his wife Rose of Sharon. Once the Joad family reaches California, Connie leaves them and his wife. None of the Joads are surprised but Rose of Sharon.
Ivy and Sairy Wilson are a couple that the Joad's meet on their way to California. They meet them on Highway 66. Grampa Joad is dying when the Joads meet the Wilsons. The Wilsons let the Joads borrow their tent so that Grampa Joad has a nice place to die. Later the Joads help the Wilsons fix their car. The two families decide to go together to California, but soon Sairy becomes ill so the Wilsons have to stop and the Joads go on.
Jim Casy is an ex-preacher. Jim Casy believes are experiences in life are holy. He stopped preaching because he liked to fulfill his sexual needs. Jim Casy is a good friend of Tom because he goes to jail in Tom's stead. When Jim Casy gets out of jail he becomes a great organizer for the migrant workers.
Muley Graves is the Joad's neighbor in Oklahoma. His farm is evicted just like the Joads'. Muley decides to stay behind and live off the land, and he lets his wife and children move to California. At the beginning of the novel Muley points Tom in the direction where is family is staying.
Agnes Wainwright is Al Joad's fiance. They meet in a boxcar that their families shared on their way to California. Al stays with Agnes Wainwright in stead of going on with his family.
Floyd Knowles is a migrant worker. He gets Tom and Casy to work for a labor organization. Floyd Knowles gets Tom in trouble with the police later in the novel.
Connie is Rose of Sharon Joad's husband. He is a big dreamer just like his wife Rose of Sharon. Once the Joad family reaches California, Connie leaves them and his wife. None of the Joads are surprised but Rose of Sharon.
Ivy and Sairy Wilson are a couple that the Joad's meet on their way to California. They meet them on Highway 66. Grampa Joad is dying when the Joads meet the Wilsons. The Wilsons let the Joads borrow their tent so that Grampa Joad has a nice place to die. Later the Joads help the Wilsons fix their car. The two families decide to go together to California, but soon Sairy becomes ill so the Wilsons have to stop and the Joads go on.
Jim Casy is an ex-preacher. Jim Casy believes are experiences in life are holy. He stopped preaching because he liked to fulfill his sexual needs. Jim Casy is a good friend of Tom because he goes to jail in Tom's stead. When Jim Casy gets out of jail he becomes a great organizer for the migrant workers.
The Grapes of Wrath: Joad Family (younger relatives)
The rest of the Joad family consists of Noah Joad, Al Joad, Ruthie Joad, and Winfield Joad.
Noah Joad is Tom Joad's older brother. He is a little deformed because Pa Joad delivered him, and he panicked and tried to force him out. Noah is very quiet. He soon leaves his family because he believes his parents do not love him very much.
Al Joad is the sixteen year old brother. He is just like every other sixteen year old. He loves cars and girls, and he is a great mechanic. Al helps a lot with mechanic stuff when the Joads go to California. Al has a lot of respect for Tom, in fact, he idolizes him. Al finds a girl and falls in love with her. He decides to stay with her rather then go on with his family.
Ruthie Joad is the youngest daughter. She and her brother Winfield are extremely competitive. They are very dependent upon each other though. Ruthie tells a friend that her brother Tom has killed two men, so Tom has to run away and hide.
Winfield Joad is the youngest member of the Joad family. He is ten years old. His mother, Ma Joad is worried about him because he does not have a proper home, and she does not want him to grow up to be crazy.
The Joad family is just like every other family. They have a few mishaps and rough edges, but all in all they are a good family. They all help out to make sure they get to California safe and sound. Although some members of the family do not take the move very well, the family must move on for the health of everyone else. The big journey from Oklahoma to California brings out the best and worst in all of the members. Some have to step up and lead the family to safety, while others must learn to take the advice from others and follow their lead.
Noah Joad is Tom Joad's older brother. He is a little deformed because Pa Joad delivered him, and he panicked and tried to force him out. Noah is very quiet. He soon leaves his family because he believes his parents do not love him very much.
Al Joad is the sixteen year old brother. He is just like every other sixteen year old. He loves cars and girls, and he is a great mechanic. Al helps a lot with mechanic stuff when the Joads go to California. Al has a lot of respect for Tom, in fact, he idolizes him. Al finds a girl and falls in love with her. He decides to stay with her rather then go on with his family.
Ruthie Joad is the youngest daughter. She and her brother Winfield are extremely competitive. They are very dependent upon each other though. Ruthie tells a friend that her brother Tom has killed two men, so Tom has to run away and hide.
Winfield Joad is the youngest member of the Joad family. He is ten years old. His mother, Ma Joad is worried about him because he does not have a proper home, and she does not want him to grow up to be crazy.
The Joad family is just like every other family. They have a few mishaps and rough edges, but all in all they are a good family. They all help out to make sure they get to California safe and sound. Although some members of the family do not take the move very well, the family must move on for the health of everyone else. The big journey from Oklahoma to California brings out the best and worst in all of the members. Some have to step up and lead the family to safety, while others must learn to take the advice from others and follow their lead.
Monday, August 9, 2010
The Grapes of Wrath: Joad Family (older relatives)
There are many characters in The Grapes of Wrath. The Joad family is very big. There is Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Tom Joad, Rose of Sharon, Grampa Joad, Granma Joad, Al Joad, Noah Joad, Uncle John, Ruthie Joad, and Winfield Joad.
Tom Joad is the protagonist of the novel. The story opens with him returning home from being in jail. He killed a man. Although Tom killed someone, he is a very good person. He is strong and he helps to keep his family together and light-hearted. Tom has the respect of many family members and people.
Pa Joad is a tenant farmer in Oklahoma. His farm gets evicted, so he decides to move his family to California. He is a good man who wants the best for his family. He is often inferior to his wife.
Ma Joad is a very strong woman. She helps to keep peace in her family, and Pa Joad often looks to her for advice and guidance.
Rose of Sharon is the oldest girl in the Joad family. She is young and in love and tends to have big grand ideas for her life. She is married to Connie, and they are pregnant with their first baby. Soon Connie leaves her, and her baby is born dead. After these tragedies Rose of Sharon becomes more mature.
Granma Joad is a big time Christian. She likes to damn her husband to hell, but after he dies, Granma Joad becomes ill and dies shortly after.
Grampa Joad is a kind of comical relief in the novel. He has a bad temper. He says a lot of mean and sinful things. He is the founder of the Joad farm. The Joads have to drug him to get him to fall asleep so that he will leave the farm. He dies shortly after.
Uncle John is the Joad children's uncle. His wife died because he would not go get a doctor when she was complaining of stomach cramps. Uncle John feels badly about that every second of every day. He never gets it out of his mind, and it is his biggest regret.
Tom Joad is the protagonist of the novel. The story opens with him returning home from being in jail. He killed a man. Although Tom killed someone, he is a very good person. He is strong and he helps to keep his family together and light-hearted. Tom has the respect of many family members and people.
Pa Joad is a tenant farmer in Oklahoma. His farm gets evicted, so he decides to move his family to California. He is a good man who wants the best for his family. He is often inferior to his wife.
Ma Joad is a very strong woman. She helps to keep peace in her family, and Pa Joad often looks to her for advice and guidance.
Rose of Sharon is the oldest girl in the Joad family. She is young and in love and tends to have big grand ideas for her life. She is married to Connie, and they are pregnant with their first baby. Soon Connie leaves her, and her baby is born dead. After these tragedies Rose of Sharon becomes more mature.
Granma Joad is a big time Christian. She likes to damn her husband to hell, but after he dies, Granma Joad becomes ill and dies shortly after.
Grampa Joad is a kind of comical relief in the novel. He has a bad temper. He says a lot of mean and sinful things. He is the founder of the Joad farm. The Joads have to drug him to get him to fall asleep so that he will leave the farm. He dies shortly after.
Uncle John is the Joad children's uncle. His wife died because he would not go get a doctor when she was complaining of stomach cramps. Uncle John feels badly about that every second of every day. He never gets it out of his mind, and it is his biggest regret.
The Grapes of Wrath: ch. 1-12
So far The Grapes of Wrath is a very interesting book. Many things of happened. The author, John Steinbeck, separates the chapters by telling the story of a family in the even chapters and telling more metaphorical stories in the odd chapters.
The story starts out in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl time period. Many farmers are being evicted from their farms and homes because they can not pay for the big machinery that is now being used for farming.
Most of the farmers are poor. Steinbeck gives a good analysis of the "good and bad", "rich and poor", in the first few chapters of the book. The farmer is depicted as the good, yet poor person, and the salesmen, owners of big farm machinery, government, ect. are depicted as the bad rich people.
After the farmers are evicted from their homes they try very hard to sell some of their valuables, so they can save money to move to California (this is where the people who evicted them tell them to go). The wives gather up things for their husbands to sell, contemplating on whether to keep special family heirlooms. In the end, they sell almost all of their most prized possessions. The farmers take their things to the pawn shops hoping to make a lot of money, but they only come back with around 15 dollars.
After finally making enough money to buy a car, the farmers go to a used car dealership. The salesmen totally screw the farmers over. They sell them the worst car they have for a very high price. The farmers, not knowing much about cars and only wanting to finally get to California, pay the very high price and set out on their way. Unfortunately, the farmers hit many speed bumps along the way and always have to get their cars fixed, which costs even more terribly high prices.
All these things happen to the main family in the book, the Joad family. They also have problems with departing from their home, especially the grandfather. The family also starts to blur the lines of women's and men's work. Everyone helps out with everything to keep the family together and working.
The story starts out in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl time period. Many farmers are being evicted from their farms and homes because they can not pay for the big machinery that is now being used for farming.
Most of the farmers are poor. Steinbeck gives a good analysis of the "good and bad", "rich and poor", in the first few chapters of the book. The farmer is depicted as the good, yet poor person, and the salesmen, owners of big farm machinery, government, ect. are depicted as the bad rich people.
After the farmers are evicted from their homes they try very hard to sell some of their valuables, so they can save money to move to California (this is where the people who evicted them tell them to go). The wives gather up things for their husbands to sell, contemplating on whether to keep special family heirlooms. In the end, they sell almost all of their most prized possessions. The farmers take their things to the pawn shops hoping to make a lot of money, but they only come back with around 15 dollars.
After finally making enough money to buy a car, the farmers go to a used car dealership. The salesmen totally screw the farmers over. They sell them the worst car they have for a very high price. The farmers, not knowing much about cars and only wanting to finally get to California, pay the very high price and set out on their way. Unfortunately, the farmers hit many speed bumps along the way and always have to get their cars fixed, which costs even more terribly high prices.
All these things happen to the main family in the book, the Joad family. They also have problems with departing from their home, especially the grandfather. The family also starts to blur the lines of women's and men's work. Everyone helps out with everything to keep the family together and working.
The Catcher in the Rye: Phoebe Caulfield
Phoebe Caulfield is the main character, Holden Caulfield's, little sister. She is a very intelligent little girl. Phoebe knows Holden very well, and she is one of the few people that Holden actually cares about.
From the beginning of the story we get Holden's point of view of his world. He thinks everyone is stupid, phony, and against him. Not until we meet Phoebe do we get a better, more realistic point of view. Phoebe understands that her brother is going through a tough time. She understands this even though she is a young girl, which tells us a lot about her intelligence and maturity. Phoebe believes that Holden is afraid to become an adult. She thinks that he wants to stay a child for as long as possible. He wants to always be innocent like a child, and he does not want the responsibilties that adults have.
Phoebe, on the other hand, looks forward to growing up. She knows it is something all people must go through, and she sees it as an adventure. Phoebe tries to convince Holden that he is being stupid about wanting to stay young forever.
When Holden decides he wants to run away, Phoebe demands that she goes with him. A reader could take this as a young girl not wanting to loose her brother, but I think the real reason she wanted to go with Holden was because she thought he needed her. She thinks Holden needs someone to take care of him because he is a little on edge. She is correct. Holden is being irrational about his entire situation, and he needs to Phoebe to show him the way through all the madness. When Holden takes Phoebe to the park to ride the carousel, he finally discovers what he must do. When he gets home he starts to go the therapy, which is where we hear this story from. Holden says he will try hard in school and try to do better in all aspects of life. Whether these statements are true and will be carried out the reader does not know, but if they are true, they are thanks to Phoebe Caulfield.
From the beginning of the story we get Holden's point of view of his world. He thinks everyone is stupid, phony, and against him. Not until we meet Phoebe do we get a better, more realistic point of view. Phoebe understands that her brother is going through a tough time. She understands this even though she is a young girl, which tells us a lot about her intelligence and maturity. Phoebe believes that Holden is afraid to become an adult. She thinks that he wants to stay a child for as long as possible. He wants to always be innocent like a child, and he does not want the responsibilties that adults have.
Phoebe, on the other hand, looks forward to growing up. She knows it is something all people must go through, and she sees it as an adventure. Phoebe tries to convince Holden that he is being stupid about wanting to stay young forever.
When Holden decides he wants to run away, Phoebe demands that she goes with him. A reader could take this as a young girl not wanting to loose her brother, but I think the real reason she wanted to go with Holden was because she thought he needed her. She thinks Holden needs someone to take care of him because he is a little on edge. She is correct. Holden is being irrational about his entire situation, and he needs to Phoebe to show him the way through all the madness. When Holden takes Phoebe to the park to ride the carousel, he finally discovers what he must do. When he gets home he starts to go the therapy, which is where we hear this story from. Holden says he will try hard in school and try to do better in all aspects of life. Whether these statements are true and will be carried out the reader does not know, but if they are true, they are thanks to Phoebe Caulfield.
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