Cuauhtemoc the cat sprinted alongside the Spirit of the forest, and his tail flapped behind him like a flag. Occasionally he would stumble–not just because the ground was uneven but because things kept erupting out of it. A fleet of deer, a flight of squirrels, mounds of loamy soil, mazes of dewy grass, a kitten … Read more
“Im gonna try to be smart. Im gonna try awful hard. ” In the short story Flowers for Algernon, Charlie Gordon is a 37 year old man with an extremely low I. Q. Throughout the story the author, Daniel Keyes, takes us on a roller coaster of emotions, which are constantly changing. One thing that … Read more
A number of themes are developed in the short story, “A White Heron” by Sarah Orne Jewett. However, the story’s main theme is one of self-discovery. The protagonist changes in a significant way as a result of an experience. Sylvia’s experience with the white heron leads to an understanding of herself and her own values. … Read more
In “A Journey” Colm Toibin discusses the lonely heart of a mother and wife. Mary is trying to make a connection with both her husband and son, yet they seem unwilling and secluded. The family in general is dysfunctional because not only do they lack communication, but they’re also not family oriented. It is unusual … Read more
Name three characters that may appear in the mini-short story you will write for this lesson. List four traits or characteristics for each of them. Wet Shoes – A baby born to a young couple. She is unable to speak except to the reflection that she sees in The River. Loyal to the one who … Read more
Ambiguity refers to the ability of a behavior, word or expression that can be understood or interpreted in different ways. There are two types of ambiguity. The first type refers to unintentional, ambiguity being used unintentionally. This means that the range of ambiguity is not under control and therefore can spiral into a negative outcome. … Read more
A day in the life of a teenager, what a waste. Alternatively, from another perspective, the life of the mother of a teenage delinquent. Tyler creates a rounded character within the writings of “Teenage Wasteland” in Daisy, the mother of the delinquent, and mostly disrespectful, teenager, Donny. From the beginning of the short story to … Read more
Omelas is an idea of utopia. It is an imaginary place where everything is perfect. Utopia is something absolutely necessary to social change with a perception of something better, filled with joy so the chances of social progress is high. However, someone’s utopia may cause others to lose their freedom. In the short story “The … Read more
“The Things They Carried,” by Tim O’Brien, brings to light the psychological impact of what soldiers experience during times of war. We learn that the effects of traumatic events weigh heavier on the minds of men than all of the provisions and equipment they shouldered. Wartime truly tests the human body and mind, to the … Read more
16:01 El Patron Analysis El Patron Analysis By The climax of the story is when Matt finds out the purpose clones serve. This is the climax because it is the major problem in this story. If El Patron needs an organ, then Matt is the person for El Patron to turn to even if Matt … Read more
the world is “An Indian Father’s Plea,” by Robert Lake. A quote from the story is, “Although you in Western society may argue that such a method serves to hinder motor-skill development and abstract reasoning, we believe it forces the child to first develop his intuitive faculties, rational intellect, symbolic thinking, and five senses” (Lake … Read more
The word invasion is often defined as the unwanted intrusion of ones personal space. The story “The Robot Invasion” written by Charlie Gillis is about how technology today is immensely strong and intricate that the evolution of robots is increasing as the years move forward. One of the ways technology is invading ones personal space … Read more
In Rumble Fish, Rusty James acts like the toughest cat in the neighborhood: prides himself on being mischievous, rebellious, and as if he’s invincible. Although deep down, he is falling apart at the seams. Rusty may seem fearless on the streets, but when alone, he’s in the greatest fear he can imagine. This causes him … Read more
The South in the 1960s was a very difficult time period. It was the Southern Gothic. Flannery called this “the action of grace in the territory held largely by the devil” (357). “A Good Man is Hard to Find” is the perfect example of this hypocritical period. White people saw themselves superior to everyone else, … Read more
“It’s the left over humans. It’s the survivors. They’re the ones I can’t stand to look at, although on many occasions I still fail…I am haunted by humans,” (Zusak, 5-550). Markus Zusak, filled with inspiration and education, created a thrilling historical fiction novel. Because of these principles, it has become highly successful and is a … Read more
A scene that describes Janie and Tea Cake’s relationship is on page 110. During this scene, Janie and Tea Cake made their first public outing – a big town picnic. After this outing, the town begins to gossip about Janie’s newfound relationship with tea Cake in a very scandalous was. A scene that shows Janie … Read more
90 MILES presents as a political drama. The opening scene sets the dramatic tone and offers a tension-filled sequence, in which two men struggle in the water. It certainly reminds one of the recent scenes in the news of refugees’ real-life struggle. It makes for a solid opening. The story then transitions to the past … Read more
What is life without hope? This is a theme that we have seen over and over again in the YA novels that we have looked at in our young adult literature class. I would like to look specifically at how Edge of Ready and Unchained by L. B. Tillit, Looking for Alaska by John Green … Read more
When The Giver told Jonas “Welcome Receiver of Memory,” on page 75, it was just part of the story. But now it’s, loaded with symbolism in this sentence. All the people in the story don’t get to know the history of the past, but this sentence shows that there is history in the book and … Read more
Works of literature are able to influence all forms of society, and the authors of said literature are the forces behind it. Sarah Orne Jewett is a notable author from the nineteenth century and wrote many short stories and novels. Most of these works directly reflect Jewett’s early life in the New England countryside, and … Read more
Over the years short stories have become popular for readers to be able to read and connect with the story that isn’t drawn out. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been” (Oates, 1966) and “Hills Like White Elephants, (Hemingway, 1927)”. Both of these short stories tell about decisions that have to be made through … Read more
Window by Jeannie Baker is a wordless picture book suitable for an audience of all ages. The illustrations are very detailed, hand drawn to perfection with pencils. Text is completely absent from the book, which therefor allows the reader to explore their thoughts and find their own conclusion. Window touches base on theme of the … Read more
In the novel, Running in the Family by Michael Ondaatje, the author uses figurative language in Ceylon where which the story of his family unravels. He uses figurative language to connect Ceylon to the people who live there, particularly his family. As the story goes on, Ondaatje has the climate and earth of Ceylon form … Read more
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was written by Mark Haddon, to tell the story of Christopher Boone, a fifteen year old boy living in Swindon Wiltshire. Christopher was trying to discover who killed Mrs. Shears dog. Throughout the investigation, the author, Mark Haddon, wrote about Christopher’s Asperger’s Syndrome. Christopher Boone is … Read more
Thinking about the world today and its society, lots of people are judgmental and hypocritical. Yet, some may also be very conscious of every step they take. Being courageous isn’t necessarily running in the face of danger, nor is it risking your life. Courage can be a private matter and to act with hope that … Read more
“That anyone could father a child, but a real man chooses to be a dad,” – J. Sterling. Hugh Garner’s short story, ‘The Father’, can closely relate to this quote with the protagonist John Purcell who chooses to dismay his fatherly duties of relating to and taking care of his only child, Johnny, and instead … Read more
In an attempt to place Heart of Darkness in a new historical perspective, Brook Thomas writes methodically, with intention, in an effort to convey his ideas. In an effort to get to his main point, Thomas must first define the terms he is going to use in his argument. This definition not only leads to … Read more
Introduction – 45 to 60 seconds Audio George knows all about the three reasons why authors write. He has been writing short stories and poems since he was in fourth grade. He has written stories intended to inform audiences, persuade them, and also merely entertain them. He enjoys writing for entertainment the most. With each … Read more
The Characters’ Gender Issues with the Role of Helpers In “Whispers in the Graveyard,” the author decided on a boy Solomon as the central character that she thought that more boys have learning problems (Breslin), same in “The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler” that Kemp portrays the character Danny who deals with learning difficulties as … Read more
Have you ever felt like the underdog? Have you been treated like you were less than a person? Well take a lesson or two from Freak the Mighty. Our main characters, Max and Kevin, are a dynamic duo. We have Max, the Mighty, who is considered to be the stupid and strong youth that is … Read more
Billy was being dropped home from school. There was supposed to be a bad storm later that night. His family was rich so he had his mom hire a private driver to drop and pick him up from school. He lived in a mansion because their family owned a well known business. But tonight was … Read more
In the article “History is a Bath of Blood,” William James writes that “modern man inherits all the innate pugnacity and all the love of glory of his ancestors. Showing war’s irrationality and horror is of no effect on him. The horrors make the fascination. War is the strong life; it is life in extremis; … Read more
Like Water for Chocolate is Laura Esquivel’s original romantic love story and is often dubbed as the “Mexican Romeo and Juliet. ” In just 246 pages, Esquivel created a breathtaking work of art, strategically incorporating love, desire, nurture, and feminism. Like Water for Chocolate is famously known for its magical realism. Esquivel uses magical realism … Read more
“The world is made up of two classes – the hunters and the huntees. “-Richard Connell. This man is extraordinary; he went through world war 1 as a writer, solider, and editor. He is the author of the short stories ” The Most Dangerous Game” and “The Cage Man”. His stories are based on his … Read more
In Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime, Christopher’s quest to find Wellington the dog’s killer leads to more discoveries than he anticipated. He has to learn how to be more independent and faces lies and betrayal. Christopher’s choice to solve Wellington’s murder leads to his evolution as he must mature … Read more
All the Literature We Cannot See With as much time and energy that readers divest into reading, they certainly want what they read to be worthwhile. According to Jago, literature is defined as works that are worthwhile, texts that “we’re likely to remember-ones that may, in fact, influence who we are”. By this definition, Anthony … Read more
Clemmy Sue and Estelle Louise enter the empty Diner, and as they head to their favorite booth, they leave a water trail behind them. Shortly after they sit down, Estelle Louise excuses herself and rushes to the public toilet. Ruby ambles over and says, “Clemmy Sue, on this dark and gloomy night you’re a breath … Read more
The Swimmer is based on a man not being able to deal with the present. He is mostly in denial through every part of the story and every character he meets expresses how much he is in denial, and shows he has an alcohol problem which he is covering up the depressed state he is … Read more
Why is it hard to love another? When true love, is at stake anyone would do anything to continue it or demolish it. The Princess Bride is a fictional tale and is centered on the love of a beautiful women and a skillful man of the name man in black. They vow to themselves that … Read more
Sherman Alexies short story “This is what it means to say Phoenix, Arizona” tells a story about Victor, a broken, lonely young Indian man, who is shaped by the circumstances of the reservation. He not only finds out that he lost his job but also that his father has passed away due to a heart … Read more
The Effects of Patience “Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy. ” (Saadi, 13th century Iran. ) A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park, is about Tree-ear (M. C. ), an orphaned child who lives in the seaside village of Ch’ulp’o, a place where potters reside because of the bountiful amount of … Read more
An astounding read, the Gravity Journal was a tear-jerking novel about the mental battle fought by, young Anise. A 16 year old girl who views herself as fat and ugly, although she is skin and bones, and she also self-mutilates when her depression becomes overwhelming. She comes from a rich but very dysfunctional family; she … Read more
The Prisoner of Tehran by Marina Nemat is a story of young girl who was born in 1965 in Tehran, Iran. Her father was a dancer while her mother was a hairdresser. Marina in her young days liked to dance, have fun at the beach and liked to spend time with her friends and crush … Read more
In My Year of Meats, the character progression of Ruth L. Ozeki’s heroine Akiko Ueno becomes increasingly evident. At the start of the novel, Ozeki portrays Akiko as a fragile woman with an abundance of personal issues, including constant abuse from her husband as she struggles with an eating disorder that renders her infertile. By … Read more
Jade Taylor lives with her family. She has five sisters (Amelie, Emma, Blythe and Mimi). Her mother is a medium, so she focuses on the spiritual realm. Her father died of smallpox, leaving her mother in grief. This whole book starts off with Maude Taylor connecting with the spirit of Mary Adelaide. Mary Adelaide’s husband … Read more
Growing up is something every individual has to encounter. It’s an unstoppable and unwanted part of life. In the “Monkey Garden” Esperanza deals with her realization that she is growing up. The overall theme is growing up. This is hinted and foreshadowed throughout the story. Sandra Cisneros’ use of symbolism depicts Esperanza’s feelings of grief … Read more
Lope de Vega is a Spanish playwright and was one of the important figures in the Spanish Golden Century of Baroque literature. He wrote a historical play named Fuenteovejuna and it was based on an uprising in the village of Fuenteovejuna in the year 1476; although this play was written in 1612 to 1614. Lope … Read more
Alfred Hitchcock’s suspense Rear Window (1954) is focused on Jeff, formally L. B. Jefferies, a cooped up action-shot photographer. After being injured from work, Jeff is left with a full-leg cast and nothing to do but peer at his neighbors (a salesman with a spotty marriage, a dancer, a failing musician, a lonely woman and … Read more
While reading The House of the Scorpion the reader sees that this book’s moral dilemma is being hated because he is different. The House of the Scorpion is about a boy clone named Matteo Alacran. In the book Matt faces numerous issues in his life do to the fact that he’s a clone. People have … Read more
Nearly everyone has been hurt by the words or actions of others. These wounds can leave someone with lasting feelings of anger, bitterness, and vengeance. However, if one does not forgive, they can that is hurt the most. In The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, the main character, Christopher … Read more
In Adam Foulds’ short story, The Rules Are the Rules, Peter’s closet homosexuality is the most obvious instance of a character being in the closet. His character steamrolls his way through the story, showing the challenges of being a closeted Catholic priest. Throughout the story, we see Peter struggling internally with his secret and his … Read more
The Braggart Soldier tells the story of a cunning slave’s plan to free himself from his egotistical soldier using a mistress to seduce him. Community tells the story of a group of misfits attending Greendale Community College that form a study group and become best friends despite religious, social, political, academic and age differences. I … Read more
Content Summary The book, The Great Divorce, was written in 1945 by C. S. Lewis. Lewis wrote the book as a response to William Blake’s book, Marriage of Heaven and Hell. In many ways, it is a refutation of Blake’s book; there is no marriage of heaven and hell. The book begins in a sad, … Read more
What exactly is freedom? Is it the ability to think for yourself, to speak without the fear of consequences, to be able to vote in federal elections or is it something much more? Ambrose Flask attempts to unravel the true meaning of freedom in his short story “The Strangers That Came to Town. ” This … Read more
By Life Ain’t Always Easy: An Analysis of the Themes in Spoon River Anthology Spoon River Anthology gives us a clear and detailed reminder that life isn’t always easy. There aren’t many people in here that didn’t have it rough in some way. However, while struggling to maintain focus in the process of reading such … Read more
For a story to be a good story, it has to keep the audience thinking during and long after the story is finished, through its display of literary elements. “The Cask of Amontillado”, by Edgar Allan Poe has many literary elements that give identity to the story. Through point of view, the audience enters the … Read more
Everyone has a mindset, whether it is a fixed mentality, or a growth mentality. Mindset is defined as an attitude, and a growth mindset is believing that “… intelligence is not simply a static trait that they inherently possess or lack to a certain degree, but something that can be grown and enhanced over time … Read more
Not everyone gets the happily ever after that we all desire so deeply. The lucky people who do get this neverending wish sometimes have a conflict that prevents them from receiving it. In Like Water For Chocolate, the main character, Tita, finds her happily ever after with a man named Pedro. But with all happiness … Read more
The novel Invisible Man by Raphel Ellison carries a lot of mean in it. A reader can learn more than one lesson from this novel, and those lesson could be life changing. Ellison writing technique is a little different than other authors. Somethings a reader just might miss if they are not reading carefully. one … Read more