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.
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