Evaluating The Writings of Willa Cather.

Willa Cather, in her novel My Antonia, offers her view of life during the pioneer time.

 If her novel was written from Antonia's perspective instead of Jim's, the reader would have comprehended a completely different concept. The reader would have only known how Antonia felt, and would not have been given a chance to see her from another persons perspective. The reader would most likely be more empathetic for Antonia if it was written from her point of view; by feeling sorrow for her when she lost her father and when she had to work like a man in the fields to provide for her family. Jim's view only touched on the subject of Antonia's fathers death, because he did not feel that tragedy first hand. Antonia was Bohemian, therefore, if it was written from her view the dialogue would have been completely different. The conversations would have been held with a hint of Bohemian accent, which would have had a major effect on how much the reader comprehended.

Willa Cather, being a woman writing from a man's point of view, did a fairly decent job. If I had not known that the author was a woman, I would have assumed that the novel was written by a man. On the contrary though, sometimes I did not feel I was connected to Jim as the narrator. He sometimes seemed sporadic and discorded as a character. If the novel had been written by a man, Jim's character would have been more "manly." For example, at times Jim handled certain situations as a woman would. That is not particularly bad, because maybe that is how Jim really was. Over all, Cather completed her task very well, and made Jim's character believable to any reader.

Jim and Antonia always seemed to have a deeper love for each other than merely a friendship. Throughout the entire novel, dramatic irony was proven. The reader could infer that both characters cared for each other, even though their feelings were never openly revealed to each other. Jim always wanted to be with Antonia and spend time with her. He considered her to be someone more than a forever, childhood friend, but a very special person that he kept close to his heart, even though she later married a Bohemian man.

The dramatic, unpredictable story of My Antonia is a classic tale of hardships and striving to overcome them. The novel demonstrates the importance of having dependable people around to help in a time of need, to comfort and care throughout any situation.

The Effects of Setting

Chunk #1:

The setting had a crucial effect on all the characters, but specifically Antonia.  She moved from the country, where she worked hard on the farm providing for her family like a father, to the city where she had more opportunity to do things as she pleased than follow the rules and social regulations like other city girls. "The country girls were considered a menace to the social order. Their beauty shone out too boldly against a conventional background."  With Antonia working now in the city it effected the amount of time she spent with Jim. Now she was able to be with him more often than when she lived in the country.

Chunk #2:

I live on a vast, living farm around 140 acres with hills and valleys good for hunting, fishing, and living as most country girls do. The advantage I have over most families is I somewhat live a double life. I have to farm to get muddy in, to act like an old cowgirl would, herding and raising cattle. On the contrary, I live minutes from the city of Batesville, or the lack there of, but furthermore get to experience the life of the city. Whether its going shopping, participating in "social" events, or riding around with my friends, I love living a somewhat double life. If I simply "get tired" of living one life, I automatically have the other to lean on.

Argument Paragraph:

My Claim:

• Volleyball should be practiced during the school day, just like other sports.

Reason 1:

• Football and basketball are two "big" sports that are practiced during the school day, which gives the athletes an advantage over other athletes of different sports.
• Commentary 1: Volleyball for one, is practiced after school when football and basketball are let out. This gives the volleyball team a disadvantage. It makes it more difficult to get homework done with the decreased amount of time after school.
• Commentary 2: Another advantage that football and basketball have is that they are included as an elective. Players of different sports that do not practice during the school day choose a different elective, plus have to practice their sports on their own time.

Reason 2:

• It's common sence that the athleltes who practice after school have less energy than those who practice during the day. I mean, can you think of anyone that has more energy after school than during school? For me, after school I am honestly thinking naptime, not workout time.
• Commentary 1: Athletes that practice during the day only have around 6 hours of study and 2 hours of practice, equaling a total of 8 hours.
• Commentary 2: Athletes who practice after school spend anywhere from 2-2 1/2 more hours at school than the average student. That totals around 10 1/2 hours every day! Valley View, a rival school of the BHS volleyball team, wins state almost every year. They practice during the school day all year round. I believe this has a major affect on their teams notable success.

Opposing Claims:

• Volleyball is not as popular of a sport as football or basketball, so I believe that the class periods should stay as they are in order to keep main programs going as they always have.

My Rebuttal:

• Although given the valid point and not wanting to take away from the main programs, i have to disagree that the sports that practice out side of school should continue that way. These sports have not been given a chance and athletes are "becoming very overwhelmed" with the amount of school work and sports added together.

My Paragraph:

Volleyball should be practiced during the school day, just like other sports. Football and basketball are two "big" sports that are practiced during the school day, which gives the athletes an advantage over other athletes of different sports. Volleyball for one, is practiced after school when football and basketball are let out. This gives the volleyball team a disadvantage. It makes it more difficult to get homework done with the decreased amount of time after school. Another advantage that football and basketball have is that they are included as an elective. Players of different sports that do not practice during the school day choose a different elective, plus have to practice their sports on their own time. It's common sence that the athleltes who practice after school have less energy than those who practice during the day. I mean, can you think of anyone that has more energy after school than during school? For me, after school I am honestly thinking naptime, not workout time. Athletes that practice during the day only have around 6 hours of study and 2 hours of practice, equaling a total of 8 hours. Athletes who practice after school spend anywhere from 2-2 1/2 more hours at school than the average student. That totals around 10 1/2 hours every day! Valley View, a rival school of the BHS volleyball team, wins state almost every year. They practice during the school day all year round. I believe this has a major affect on their teams notable success. Volleyball is not as popular of a sport as football or basketball, so I believe that the class periods should stay as they are in order to keep main programs going as they always have. Although given the valid point and not wanting to take away from the main programs, i have to disagree that the sports that practice out side of school should continue that way. These sports have not been given a chance and athletes are "becoming very overwhelmed" with the amount of school work and sports added together. Therefore, sports should be given equal opprotunities.

My Thinking:

This paragraph is mainly Inductive because it is soley based on opinion and some facts.

Source:

http://www.planetberries.com/high-school-practice-hours.html

Poem:

As I lay anxiously,
Before the alarm clock rang,
While I anticipated the game,
Whenever I should have been resting,
I was mentally preparing for the big game.

While I laced up my shoes,
As I fixed my hair,
When I put on that jersey,
Before the first serve was tossed,
It is now time for the game to begin.

The Red Badge of Courage Essay:

Introduction 1:

          If you were told you could save thousands of American lives, protect their freedom, or save yourself from being killed would you be motivated to fight? Henry, the main character in “The Red Badge of Courage,” learned to be courageous and stand for what is right even if it meant his death. Therefore, the title definitely holds a role of significance for the entire novel.

Introduction 2:

          The title, “The Red Badge of Courage,” first reminded me of the movie “The Blind Side.” At first, both characters felt weak and insignificant, but both ended up gaining enough courage and strength to find out who they really are. Fortunately, both Michael from “The Blind Side,” and Henry from “The Red Badge of Courage,” proved their courage by leading their “teams” into victory. Therefore, the title definitely holds a role of significance for the entire novel.

Introduction 3:

          In the title, “The Red Badge of Courage,” the author creates a picture in my mind of a strong, courageous warrior who earns his place in the world, by shedding blood, tears, and precious memories. The title definitely holds a role of significance for the entire novel.

 Body:

          The author, Steven Crane, connected the significance of the color “Red” to the bloody aggression of the battle. As a child, Henry, anxious about what the war held for his future, “imagined the red, live bones sticking out through the slits in the faded uniforms.” Unfortunately, he was incapable of fully comprehending the entirety of war and its consequences. Henry also created a sense of energy and adrenaline with his words. Even though he was surrounded by war and death, he “[soared] on the wings of war.” Cranes way of speaking of war and death were lightened by his choice of words, making the scene seem less gruesome. The color red was interpreted as mostly blood, fire, and death, but also a hope buried in the fact that you are capable of overcoming anything you face.

          The title also consisted of the word “courage,” which played an important role in the story. Before the war could press on, Henry had to acquire “an expression of exalted courage,” that required him to give up his life at an instance as a sacrifice for his country. He learned that being courageous and having faith could take him further than taking the backseat, allowing his army to crumble around him. His personality shift allowed him to “[bear] a load of courage,” that he had never known before. His courage enabled him to lead when everyone else couldn’t, which required him to handle the pressure of being a soldier and fight for what he believed. His persistent and steadfast courage helped win the war, and more importantly, win his inner war.

Conclusion:

          The title “The Red Badge of Courage,” definitely holds an important role in the plot of the story. The courage that Henry learned to obtain brought a change in the war and in people around him. He proved that any potential goal is possible and within your reach.

Wounded Warrior Project.

I had never heard of the Wounded Warrior Project until Mrs. Gillmore, my 11th grade English teacher, presented the charity to our class.  The Wounded Warrior Project's mission states they want to "Honor and empower wounded warriors."
Chad Brumpton, a wounded warrior, ".. recently received a pair of running legs. It was the first time [he] was able to run in five years." Through this organization he was able to achieve his goal of being able to walk again even though doctors had told him it would be impossible.
 Another example of a wounded warrior survivor is a man named Anthony Villarreal. "[He] wants to help wounded warriors in their recovery process'. And [he] wants to give insight to civilians that these warriors are out there. Ask [him] and [he] will tell you [his] story.” Through the Wounded Warrior Project Anthony was able to wake up 3 months after his deadly encounter to see his family again. I think we should do everything in our power to help out men and women such as these that risk their lives daily to protect ours.
Thanks to everyone who supports and volunteers at this charity, men like Chad and Anthony are able to fully recover from their near death experience, and get back to living a normal life.

War is..

War is destructive, killing innocent people.
War is a battle, fighting for someone's beliefs.
War is security, protecting the rights of a citizen.
War is  meloncholy, shedding blood and tears for our country.
War is devastation, leaving families broken.
War is sorrow, mourning over the losses.
War is proving character, standing for something you believe.
War is commitment, giving our lives for others.
War is change, providing a new outlook on life.
War is hope, believing in the unknown.

The Notebook Book Review #1

Everyone hopes and dreams for their own perfect love life, especially girls..It’s easy to start daydreaming about love especially when you read Nicholas Sparks’ collection of heartwarming books. Nicholas Sparks, in my opinion, is one of the most incredible loves story authors ever.

Sparks style of writing is simple yet elegant, and can make you get lost in his words as if you were already there in the story. I can feel like I have lived in North Carolina along with Noah, the main character, for years. His work will “Captivate the hearts of every reader.”

The characters in the story remain so vivid in my mind; I am able to picture them as real people.  Sparks gives very detailed and descriptive, descriptions of the characters, even down to their likes and dislikes. He enables you to get inside of the minds of each character to get to know them more.

This book reminds me of other books written by Nicholas Sparks, as in “The Last Song” and “A Walk to Remember.” Both are love stories and give you the same warm, fuzzy feeling inside. The book doesn’t really relate to me on a personal level except through daydreaming about how that kind of love would be.

I would definite recommend this book to any teen girl with an imagination. It’s a very easy read, with great detail and style. Just perfect for anyone looking forward to “A classic tale of love.”

Remembering 9/11.

The building of the new World Trade Center will allow for a more high-tech facility than the old Trade Center. The infograph of the new building stated, "The tip of the antenna will feature a rotating beacon that flashes the letter "N" for New York in Morse Code." To me, that statement proves that the U.S. is using technology to improve even things like buildings, to show America's advancement in society. I believe it will stand as a memorial for that day, to represent what happened, and to remind us to be thankful for what we have.