It is Over

     I finished reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.  I actually really enjoyed reading this book.  I never found myself bored or uninterested.  I would definitely recommend this book to someone because it really captivated me.  I learned a lot as well.  I never knew that Frankenstein was the creator, and I never knew that there could have been a female creature as well.  The ending surprised and confused me in a way.  The creature said that he will "consume to ashes this miserable frame" (166).  Why did he want to burn himself to death?  He could have asked Walton to kill him and get it over with right then and there.  This book was one of my favorites that I have had to read in high school, and I am very glad that I got the chance to study it.

Thunderstorms

     In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley there are many times when the setting affects the mood of the situation.  The wedding night of Victor and Elizabeth is an example of this.  Right away it says that "suddenly a heavy storm of rain descended" (144).  When I read that line, I knew that things were not looking to good.  Victor says that he was calm during the day but as anxious as the night approached.  The storm adds to Victor's eagerness and he knows that the night will be bad.  The creature does end up appearing, and it seems to me that there are other times when the creature appears that there is bad weather.  I think it is smart of Shelley to work with the setting because it helps set the mood of the following scenes.  It allows the reader to predict what kind of events are about to happen and whether they will be good or bad.  Like I said, right when I read that it was storming, I knew that something horrible was about to happen.

Slavery

     In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley there seems to be a theme of slavery.  There are a few times when after Victor sees the creature he feels as if the creature is killing him.  He says "I felt the fiend's grasp in my neck" (135).  Victor soon becomes a slave to his own work, his own creation.  The creature begins to tell victor to obey him because he is the master now.  It is also kind of ironic that Victor's creation becomes his master.  Victor is such a slave to his work that he never asked himself in the beginning if he should do it.  He always asked himself "can I do it".  I believe that Victor could have avoided this if he realized what he was getting into.  He was the master in the beginning, the father to this creature.  His lack of raising the creature caused the creature to become evil and malicious.  

What About Your Wife?

    The creature tells Victor "I shall be with you on your wedding night" (123).  In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Victor believes that the creature means that he will be the one dying on his wedding night.  However, the creature is really after Elizabeth and ends up killing her.  The creature and Victor have parallel lives and it makes sense that since Victor ruined the creatures chance at true love and happiness, the creature will do the same to Victor.  The creature told Victor that he would hurt his heart before he hurt his body.  The creature was planning to do so when he told Victor that he will be there on his wedding night.  I do not understand that since the creature was already killing all of Victor's loved ones why he would not kill Elizabeth as well.  Victor should have been thinking about the possibility of it being her and not him.  The creature was only doing to Victor what Victor did to him.  To the creature, it seemed fair.  Victor killed his bride, and he would be sure to do the same no matter what.

Adam and the Fallen Angel

    In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley an allusion comes up more than once with the Bible and Adam and the fallen angel.  I found out later on that the creature learned about Adam in Paradise Lost.  The creature states that "like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence. . .but I was wretched, helpless, and alone.  Many times I considered Satan as the fitter emblem of my condition. . ." (92).  Throughout the novel, the creature connects himself and his situation with Adam and Satan.  At first I wondered how he knew about the creation story, but I soon found out that he acquired the knowledge from the books that he found.  The creature begins to convince himself that he comes from Satan.  He felt as if his feelings of envy and anger meant that he was more like Satan than Adam or anyone else.  I began to feel sympathy for the creature when he would compare himself to Satan.  If only Victor would have accepted him and loved him. Maybe then the creature would feel like a child of God.  The creature learns a lot from the books that he reads and the creation story was one of those that he took to heart and applied to his own life.

Frankenstein

     Already Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is not what I expected.  I honestly thought Frankenstein was the monster and was green and evil.  Then I come to find out that Frankenstein is the creator! Also, the creature is yellow, not green.  He is also the sweetest creature.  All he wants is to be accepted and loved.  It is sad to know that he knows he is ugly and that everyone is scared of him.  I could not imagine life without people who loved me and wanted to be with me.  One thought that came to mind though was that maybe Frankenstein is a monster? He is actually so crazy that he is the evil one.  I really just want to keep on reading to find out what will happen.  Will the creature ever be accepted, especially by Victor?  Did the creature really kill William?  I look forward to having these questions answered as I continue reading.

Frankenstein

     Frankenstein is quite depressing.  Mary Shelley likes to include a load of dark diction and tons of deaths! Will it ever stop?  For some reason I feel like someone is going to die soon and I do not know who.  Dark diction is displayed when Victor says that "remorse extinguished every hope.  I had been the author of unalterable evils, and I lived in daily fear lest the monster whom I had created should perpetrate some new wickedness" (62).  It is just so depressing how many negative words or phrases are used.  Then of course someone has to die.  Mothers, fathers, and brothers all seem to be dying.  This family just cannot seem to escape death.  I am anxious to find out what happens next.  Will someone else face the unfortunate event of death?

Frankenstein

    I feel as if Victor has a few people or events that act as his motivation for his experiment.  In Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Victor has this thirst for knowledge and love for natural philosophy.  His childhood is definitely a reason for his behavior.  He was, "to a great degree, self-taught with regard to my favourite studies" (21).  He would read the works of Paracelsus and Magnus that made him more interested with natural philosophy.  Also, Victor believes in destiny and fate and this pushes him to do what he wants to do with no thought in the consequences.  Finally, I believe that his professors, M. Krempe and M. Waldman, both push him to keep studying and experimenting.  He takes their advice and thoughts and uses them to help him achieve his goals.  These are all reasons for the way that Victor behaves.  He is motivated by them and by his own curiosity.

Frankenstein

     Oh, M. Krempe and M. Waldman.  These two act as foil characters in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.  M. Krempe is this mean professor that just likes to break Victor's hopes and dreams.  When Victor tells him that he studied Paracelsus and Magnus, M. Krempe stares at him and says, "have you...really spent your time studying such nonsense?...you must begin your studies entirely anew..." (26).  M. Waldman on the other hand is Victor's closest friend.  He was gentle and everything he said was genuine.  Victor obviously prefers Waldman over Krempe, but he still finds Krempe's words valuable.  Waldman made is easier for Victor to understand and start his studies.  These two contrasting professors have a huge impact on Victor.  I wonder if they will continue to influence Victor or if they only did in the beginning.

Frankenstein

      Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, begins to characterize both Walton and Victor right away.  Their personalities are quite similar, and this is shown when Walton meets Victor and says "I begin to love him as a brother..." (11).  He knew right away that there was something about Victor that he could connect with. They both have this thirst for knowledge that drives them to do bizarre things.  Walton wants to be the first person to find this new land and Victor wants to get rid of death and illness.  Victor realizes that they are similar because he tells Walton that he will learn something from his story.  Both Walton and Victor are curious people that tend to be isolated because of their passion.  I am anxious to find out the end of Victor's story and the reaction of Walton. Will Victor's story be some type of advice?  I hope Walton does realize the risk that he is taking and that maybe he will look at things a little more realistically.

Alienation Unit 5

     Well this poem is depressing.  APO 96225 by Larry Rottman made me think of how people hide their true feelings. The son in this poem is hiding the truth from his parents because he does not want to upset him.  He instead lies and tells him happy things.  People today hide how they feel and lie in order to make others happy.  After he told his mother the truth his "father wrote right back" (846).  Sometimes when people feel like they can talk to someone about how they truly feel, something happens and they shut out again.  The son did not want his mom to worry about him so he lied to her.  I know I have lied to someone, so they would not worry about me.  The son feels alone and keeps writing to his mother so she is happy and still close in some way.  War has alienated him from his family and his true thoughts.

Alienation Unit 4

     The use of imagery in I Felt a Funeral, in my Brain  by Emily Dickinson helps evoke some of the senses.  Right away the sense of touch was being used when the speaker said "I felt a Funeral, in my Brain" (776).  I could picture what was going on because of Dickinson's use of imagery.  She uses power words as well like "creak" and "treading" which is more vivid.  I believe that this use of diction is smart because it allows Dickinson to get across the use of the senses. I am not sure which sense is absent from the poem.  I am also wondering why certain words are capitalized throughout this poem.  I thought it was just words that had to deal with the senses or mind, but "Box" and "World" is capitalized as well.  Maybe they all relate in some way? They could be the main parts in the speakers mind that he/she is thinking about, but I am not sure.

Alienation Unit 3

     Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville was actually a shocking story.  I wish I could tell people that I did not want to do something when I was told to.  What I realized afterward though was that this story is about the lawyer, not Bartleby.  The lawyer showing so much sympathy for Bartleby shows how similar these two are.  The lawyer is almost as isolated as Bartleby.  I did not find out if he had family or did anything in his free time.  He says that he is going to "remove my offices next week" (668).  He is doing this because he himself won't make Bartleby leave.  The lawyer is crazy! He did not have to go to such extremes.  All in all, this story was about the lawyer, watching how he deals with Bartleby and learning a lot more about him then I set out to find.

Alienation Unit 2

  After I finished reading Bartleby the Scrivener by Herman Melville I thought about Bartleby's past job.  He burned letters that cannot be received because those people are dead.  What a hopeless job.  I feel like since Bartleby was working at this place with no promises and no hope, he became hopeless himself.  When he started his new job, I believe that he wanted to do well and work hard.  However, that despairing part of him came back because it is he who he is now. Slowly, I saw Bartleby in a sense give up and not do anything anymore. It got to a point where "at all events, he would do no copying" (661).  Bartleby gave up hope.  He would forever be that person that his old job of burning letters made him.

Alienation Unit 1

     Miss Brill by Katherine Mansfield is quite an interesting story.  There is a theme of loneliness in this story that is very saddening.  Miss Brill is so lonely that she talks to her fur like it is her friend.  The reader can also understand how alone she is when she has to live through the lives of others.  Miss Brill spent time watching others so much that she "noticed--there was something funny about nearly all of them" (183).  She spends all of her Sundays people watching at the park because she does not have anything else to do.  I think that it is hard for her to accept the reality of her loneliness, and when it is brought to her attention by the young couple that she is crazy, she breaks down.  I feel as if that is a reality check for Miss Brill, but I am not entirely sure if she understands what is going on with herself. Feeling alienated can cause people to have to live vicariously through others.  Miss Brill is to that point where to feel alive she has to watch these people every Sunday. It is something that she is missing in her everyday life.

Death Unit 5

     Death, be not proud by John Donne really made me think.  I came to the conclusion that death is just like a short sleep and when people wake up, they awake into eternal life.  Once this happens then death does not exist anymore, death died.  It is said that "one short sleep passes, we wake eternally..." (972).  This is interesting to think about because I never really thought about death in this way. In a way I guess that death dies, and at some point I am not dead anymore.  It is kind of a hard concept for me to wrap my head around, but I do understand it as best I can.  I am just wondering that after people wake in eternal life, are they not considered dead anymore?  Donne did a great job in making me think more after I read this poem.  It made me look at death in a different way.

Death Unit 4

     There is one phrase that caught my attention in Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas and that is "do not go gentle into that good night, old age should urn and rave at close of day" (968).  I believe that good night represents death in this poem.  When I read that, my first thought was that it was saying that a person should not give up and die because it will happen when that person is old and ready.  This then made me think of all the people that have been killed or have killed themselves before they grew old.  It is sad to think about because we as people should never "go gentle into that good night".  People should not give up and let death take over because everyone has a purpose in life and each one of them needs to go fulfill that purpose.  I thought that this poem was just giving advice on why someone should not give up.  People make mistakes but they should never think that they should not have the right to live because of them. I know that there could be other possible meanings to the term "good night".  I believe that it represents death and the poem does a great job of helping explain it.

Death Unit 3

     The point of view in A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner is quite interesting.  It is first person plural and is written from the perspective of the town of Jefferson.  It is not in chronological order and the people are not absolutely sure of anything.  When Emily buys the arsenic the people believed that she would use it, and "she will kill herself" (286). However, they are not entirely certain because they do not know the thoughts of Emily.  I enjoyed this point of view because I felt as if I was a citizen in the town that did not know Emily personally but knew of her.  I liked how the reader does not know exactly what Emily is thinking because it adds a more mysterious ora to the story.   Also, when the author is unsure, it makes me think of all the different possible outcomes and events.  This allows me to be surprised or upset when I found out the outcome of a situation.  When Homer never came out of her house and was never seen again, it made me think of what could have happened to him.  I enjoyed the feeling of uncertainty as I read this story.

Death Unit 2

     The Lottery by Shirley Jackson has a theme of the danger of blindly following tradition.  For one thing, these people are killing someone every year for no reason at all.  They do not understand what they are actually doing.  The people seem like they do not even want to change this ritual even though no one is forcing them to keep it.  Since the lottery is tradition, the people of the village continue to perform this ritual.  They do not know the exact origin or reason for it.  Mrs. Hutchinson does not even think that what they are doing is cruel.  She was hurrying to the lottery and said that when  she remembered what day it was, she "came a-running" (266).  This shows that these people do not even think twice about what they are doing.  It is tradition, and that is all that matters.

Death Unit 1

     The Lottery by Shirley Jackson definitely had a shocking ending.  As I was reading, I was thinking that someone was going to win a huge amount of money.  Then at the end, I find out that it is actually a tradition where the person that wins the lottery is stoned to death.  I feel as if the lottery symbolizes an idea or tradition that is passed on from generation.  The lottery in this story has been going on for a long time, and that is why it is still being done.  It has been going on long enough that people associate with it the phrase, "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon"(268).  People are used to following this tradition because no one has questioned it.  It seems a little weird to me that this town has not spoken up and tried to stop the lottery.  I would think that overtime people would realize that it is not needed anymore. If no one steps up and tries to stop the lottery then many more people are going to die for no reason at all.

The Glass Menagerie

     Tom is one confusing character in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.  At one point I can tell that he cares for his family, but for some reason he is always cruel to them.  He also has a strange attraction towards Laura which is quite weird.  However, in the end when he tells Laura to "blow out your candles" (1289) I can tell that he really does care for her.  I just do not get why he had to leave them behind.  I get that he wanted to free himself , but in doing so he hurt his loved ones.  Tom's situation makes me think about what I would do if I were him.  I can honestly say that I have no idea.  I hate not being able to make people happy, but I guess I cannot please everyone.  In the end, I would probably do what is best for me but still alright for my family.  I would start my own life but still help my family as much as I can.

The Glass Menagerie

     I want to take this time to talk about how unexpected the ending was in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.  I really did get excited and hopeful for Laura.  I thought that she would finally find a man that loved her for who she was.  I was thinking to myself that it would all work out. He kissed her and told her how beautiful she was.  Then he says to her, "I can't take down your number and say I'll phone. . ." (1284).  What kind of man does that ? It made me sick to my stomach.  He made her think that she had a chance, that maybe he was the one.  Then he just stepped on her heart and broke it.  I really felt bad for Laura because I think that she deserves to be happy.  I just believe that she needs to have more confidence in herself.  Maybe she will learn from that experience with Jim.

The Glass Menagerie

     Oh the symbolism in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.  I definitely believe that the glass menagerie symbolizes Laura's fragility in the play.  When they break, they symbolize Laura breaking as well.  They show how delicate she really is.  After Jim broke the unicorn, Laura "places the unicorn in the palm of his hand. . ." (1285).  She will forever be broken because of him, and she wants him to know that.  I believe that Laura likes making these glass menageries because she is trying to prove to herself that she is strong.  However, when they keep getting broken it just shows how fragile she really is.  When the horn of the unicorn is broken, the unicorn becomes a horse.  It became something normal and does not describe Laura anymore.  She cannot become normal without breaking somehow.  She knows this and decides to give the broken unicorn to Jim representing all that he has done to her.

The Glass Menagerie

     As I continued reading The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams I could not help but notice the nonrealistic aspects of the play.  Memory omits details and can definitely be exaggerated at times so having the play told from memory helps with the nonrealistic nature of it.  For example, throughout the play music plays at different times.  After Laura asks her mother what she should wish for, the scene ends with "the sound of the violin" (1261).  I do not know if people know this or not, but violins are not played at random moments in life. Also, the picture of their father lighting up throughout the play proves that the play is nonrealistic. Having transparent walls also tells the reader that the play is not realistic. I think that Williams makes it obvious so that the reader can clearly see what the play is.  Having the play told from memory enables Williams to exaggerate more and make it easier in having it be nonrealistic.  I wonder though if a play could be told from memory and be realistic.  Is memory always nonrealistic?

The Glass Menagerie

     In The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams I started to connect the story of the magician with Tom's own life.  Like the magician, Tom is trapped.  He is trapped at home and at work, and he is nervous to let himself free because he does not want to hurt his family.  Escape seems impossible for Tom, and he remains conflicted until the end of the play.  The magician is able to free from his coffin, not hurting himself or any of the nails.  Tom knows that he cannot escape his life without hurting his family or himself.  He asks Laura, "who in hell ever got himself out of one without removing one nail?" (1249). I think that Tom realizes that no matter what he decides, he cannot make everyone happy.  If he stays, confined and unhappy, then he will only hurt himself.  However, if he leaves then he will hurt the ones he loves.  By the end of the play, Tom decides to free himself, but I feel as if he might not be totally free.

The Joy of Cooking

    Yikes. I just know that I would not want to be the speakers' brother or sister in The Joy of Cooking by Elaine Magarrell.  Obviously the speaker thinks that his/her brother does not have a heart.  It is more evident when it is said that "my brother's heart barely feeds two" (16).  The speaker obviously thinks his/her brother has a small heart and does not care for anyone.  The speaker appears to be bitter and angry.  I mean, why else would he/she want to have someone's tongue or heart?  This poem was kind of disturbing, but I guess that is what it was suppose to do. The speaker gets joy out of this, and honestly that is so gross.  I do find any joy in that poem at all.  I really hope that this poem was not really written for someone's brother or sister.

The Drunkard

     The Drunkard by Frank O'Connor was a humorous story, however, there were undertones of pathos in it.  I started to feel bad for the boy because his father did not set a good example.  The boy said that he "knew I might have to bring him home, blind drunk. . ." (346).  I do not think that any child should know that about their father.  No child should have to know what is going to happen that night because his/her parent is going to be drunk.  I feel for the child because he does not have a good father.  Even though there is apparent humor in the fact that a little boy got drunk, there is definitely a feeling of sadness as well.  While I was reading this story, I told myself that I did not want the boy to show behaviors like his father at such a young age.  However, that is exactly what was happening. O'Connor did a great job of showing the humor but also adding a little pathos in there as well.  I believe that it made the story a little more realistic in a way.

Once Upon a Time

     The repeated phrase, "YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED"in Once Upon a Time by Nadine Gordimer foreshadowed the accident with the little boy.  The repetitiveness of it should make the reader question why it is showing up so much.  In the end, I realized that it was just foreshadowing the coming events of the story.  The Neighborhood Watch gave them a "a plaque for their gates lettered YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED" (233).  I believe that this plaque was on the wrong side of the fence.  It should have been facing inside to warn the little boy. I also felt like the phrase was talking to me in a way, telling me that I have been warned for the sad ending.  I mean, it was a child's story.  However, this one did not end in a happily ever after.  I feel like Gordimer was preparing readers for the tragic ending by using this phrase.

Once Upon A Time

     Oh the irony in Once Upon a Time by Nadine Gordimer.  It is ironic that the wire that was suppose to protect the boy ends up hurting him in the end.  Instead of making it over the wall, "the bleeding mass of the little boy was hacked out of the security coil"(236).  The parents motives of trying to keep their family safe ended up backfiring on them.  This adds to the theme that too much protection can be dangerous.  The parents were too busy thinking of all the different ways to protect their child when they should have thought about what he would think of what they were doing.  Also, they never watched him anyway.  If they really wanted to protect their son then they should not have left him alone without any supervision.  Their protection was in a way not protecting the child.  It added to the danger that the boy could get into, and in the end, he got into it.

A Worn Path

   As soon as I began reading A Worn Path by Eudora Welty I noticed the abundant amount of similes that were used. Towards the beginning, Phoenix Jackson was tapping a cane on the earth and it "seemed meditative like the chirping of a solitary little bird" (223).  The use of this simile allows me to imagine what the tapping of her cane actually sounded like.  Welty uses similes and metaphors throughout the story which adds to the great imagery.  I was able to connect more with what was going on when I could imagine something happening given another example.  The use of these similes makes the story more interesting because it allows the reader to picture what is going on in a more clear way.  When Phoenix continues on her journey the road ahead of her looks "as dark as a cave" (226).  Even though this simile is short, it gets straight to the point.  I can picture in my head a road that is so dark, I cannot even see my hand in front of my face.  I think the abundance of similes and metaphors is smart because it helps the reader really feel like he/she is in the story.

A Raisin in the Sun

     The theme of A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry is essentially about dreams and the obstacles that stand in the way of achieving them.  I feel as if the Youngers failure at accomplishing their dreams is what causes the depression in the household.  However, by the end of the story they realize that the dream of a new house is all they ever needed.  It ends up bringing them closer together and makes them happy again.  This realization was "kind of like a rainbow after the rain. . ." (534). It allowed the Youngers to learn what is really important in life.  The dream of a house is what proved to them that they could be happy without achieving all of their other dreams.  This is what brought them out of the sadness and depression. Their struggle to attain their dreams throughout the story ended up helping them come to the realization that a happy family and a new beginning was all that they needed. It changed them and even if they did not know it, their dreams actually did come true.

A Raisin in the Sun

     In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, there is definitely a generation gap.  Something that caught my attention was when Walter and Mama were talking how all Walter can think about is money.  Then Mama says that "once upon a time freedom used to be life-now it's money" (475).  I think that this shows how times have changed.  When Mama was younger all that black people yearned for was a sense of freedom, to finally have the rights that they deserved.  Now, her son is growing up wanting money, a life like the white people.  Mama does not get how things changed so fast.  She is hurt because no one is proud of what her generation achieved for everyone.  It is hard for her to deal with the fact that money is the biggest issue that her children and grandchildren are worrying about.  She does not understand how money is life and that it will be that way for a long time.  This gap between Mama and Walter cause some disagreement and confusion among the two and their wants.

A Raisin in the Sun

     Walter's father believed that it did not seem right for God to give black people dreams, but he knew that was what their children were for.  Their children were there to make their dreams all worth it.  In A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, Mama says that Big Walter "just couldn't never catch up with his dreams, that's all" (453).  Right when I read that line, I instantly connected it with the poem "A Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes.  It brought back to mind the line in the poem that asks if the dream deferred "is like a sore-And then run?" (433).  Big Walter's dream just ran away from and was not in his reach anymore.  He could never get it back.  However, his children made everything better for him.  He wanted his children to dream and achieve everything that he could not, and Walter was just like him.  Walter wants Travis to fulfill his dreams, but also wants to achieve his goals in life as well.  This is something that I want for my children in the future.  I want them to go after their dreams and be happy just like Big Walter and Walter.

A Raisin in the Sun

     As I continued reading A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry I felt like Walter and Ruth contrasted from one another.  Walter is a man of dreams, a man that believes that he can achieve anything if he puts in the effort and hard work.  Ruth on the other hand tries to be more realistic about situations.  She does not want Walter to risk anything because it might not work out.  She does not want Walter to keep giving his son money left and right because in reality they do not have it.  She does not want him to invest money into the liquor store that he wants.  Walter feels as if "nobody in this house is ever going to understand me" (447).  Ruth is a foil character to Walter and allows me to learn more about what Walter believes in because she has different thoughts and ideas.  Ruth tries to bring Walter back to reality telling him that his mama will not give him the money or that she can do whatever she wants with it.  I feel as if these two characters clash with their different beliefs about money and happiness.  It actually helps me to learn more about each of the characters and the story as a whole.

A Raisin in the Sun

     When I began reading A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry I could not help but notice the importance of money in the lives of these characters.  The Youngers believe that money will give them a better life, a chance to achieve their dreams.  Walter tells Ruth that all he has to tell his son "is stories about how rich white people live. . ." (443).  This displays the effect that being a poor, black family has on their lives.  They do not get the chances that white people get, and they know that.  Money symbolizes a new beginning for the Younger family and with the ten thousand dollar check coming in, they are going to do anything it takes to start over again.  They want to live like all of the white families do.  They want their children to grow up happy and not have a child that "sleeps in the living room" (443).  Money is the only way that they will be able to achieve this dream and make their family happy.  Without it, they are going to fall apart.  The Youngers are ready to use this money for a new beginning, one that will shed a little more light on their lives.

Interpreter of Maladies

     Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri was a little weird, but I still liked it.  Something that really struck out to me was when Mr. Kapasi asks Mrs. Das " 'Is it really pain you feel, Mrs. Das, or is it guilt?' " (Lahiri, 164).  I thought that it was kind of ironic that something that was meant to start a conversation would end up ending all discussion that there was.  Both of them did not find what they were looking for when the started the conversation.  I think that this is just tragic because I feel like they both need someone to relate to and to help them but neither of them are that person.  They are too different and really just want different things.  I believe that this really shows who each of them are and what they desire.  I realize that since everything goes downhill after that question, they were both searching for something in each other that they did not have. It is just too bad because I can sense the loneliness in both of them.  Mr. Kapasi responded in a terrible way, and it just lead to more terrible events.

Everyday Use

    Everyday Use by Alice Walker really grabbed my attention.  I was surprised yet excited when the mother refused to let Dee have the quilts.  I feel like that action showed that the mother changed.  She realized that she was proud of where she came from and everything she had and she would not let Dee try to change her mind.  The mothers says that after Dee left without the quilts her and Maggie "sat there just enjoying, until it was time to go in the house and go to bed" (Walker, 181).  I think that this shows that the mom is content with her life and happy that she made the decision to refuse to let Dee have the quilts.  Dee did not love her heritage and tried to change who she was.  Maggie did not and the mother did not either.  I think that that event sparked something in the mother's mind, and now she will be forever grateful for who she is and where she came from. She is upset that Dee is not proud of her heritage and wants to be someone else.  I really do believe that from now on, the mother will display her love for her heritage.

A Princess?

     I really just enjoyed most of these poems.  Hazel Tells LaVerne by Katharyn Howd Machan was pretty funny but also sad.  I think that there was indirect characterization in this poem.  Through the speakers speech and grammar I could conclude that the speaker was probably from the south and not very educated which led me to think that the speaker was also a black American.  During that time period, the people that were usually not educated were the minorities and some others.  I also knew that the speaker was a black American because he/she said "im cleanin out my howard johnsons ladies room" (Machan).  This made me think that the speaker was a maid and worked for someone else.  All of this helped me to understand why the speaker was so upset when the toad said that she could be a princess. She knew that because of her race she would never be anything.  She had identity issues and I could see that through her words and actions.

Two Toads

   Toads by Philip Larkin made me really think about a couple things.  It took me a while to figure out what the second toad was in the poem, but I actually think that I know.  Obviously the first toad represents work.  I believe that the second toad symbolizes the speakers' morals.  I made that connection when I read that "it's hard to lose either, when you have both"(Larkin).  I just think that without morals, one would not want to work for what that person needs in life.  Also, without work one cannot have morals.  If a person is working it shows that that person is working for something in life and that person's morals make them do that.  I believe that these two toads that symbolize work and morals is very interesting and smart.  It allowed me to picture and understand the poem more clearly.  I liked not having what the second toad represented stated because then I was able to think about what I thought it symbolized. Leaving that out made me really have to think about what the poem was saying.

Dreams

     I really enjoyed reading and studying Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes.  After I read it the first time I thought about dreams in general.  However, when I learned that the author was a black American, my understanding of the poem changed.  I realized that the author must have went through a lot as a black person living in America.  I became more aware of Hughes' thoughts and dreams, and it became more apparent that he had to put his dreams to the side. I also thought that maybe it was just a way to respond to what was going on during the time period. He says that "maybe it just sags like a heavy load"(Hughes).  It must have been hard for Hughes to realize that maybe his dreams would never come true and that they would just always be on his mind.  My understanding of the poem deepened because I could in a way understand his struggles.  Realizing that he is a black American helped me to connect the words more to his life.  Through his use of similes I understood how hard it was for him not to follow his dreams and have to put them off. Although as a whole the poem is a little cliche, finding out that the author was a black American really changed my understanding of the poem.

Perrine Blog!

     I just want to start by saying I really enjoyed reading this article.  I was  really shocked and intrigued as I was reading it.  I definitely agree that for symbols, a reader can interpret the meanings of objects in different ways but overall the message of the poem should be the same.  Laurence Perrine states that "both symbols define an area of meaning and a viable interpretation must fall within that area". I caught myself nodding my head in agreement as I was reading that sentence.  I feel like people can think that the Rose means innocence or love and that the worm can represent infidelity or death.  However, they have to know that the Rose is something good and the worm is not.  As long as they are staying within the overall message, then their thoughts are not wrong.  When people start making assumptions, they start to veer in the wrong direction.
     I feel as if after reading this article, I will start to interpret poetry differently.  It has taught me to really think about the context of the words and similar ones that show up more than once.  I have learned not to make assumptions because that will end with me making the wrong interpretation.  I am excited to see what I think poems are about now that I have read this article.  Before, I feel like I just took the poems a little too literally.  Now, however, I think that I will find deeper meaning to them.  I like all of the different strategies and ideas that I can think about as I read poetry.  It is amazing to me how authors can write something with so much meaning.  I am always in awe when I realize what they are trying to say through their writing.  I cannot wait to see if I can interpret poetry differently and maybe even in the right way after reading this article.

Oh you know, just trying to find a comfy place to read...

And Just Like That It Is All Over

     Time for me to state my opinion! First, I loved The Great Gatsby.  I really enjoyed reading it a lot more than The House of Mirth.  I think having it written in first person point of view really helped me get emotionally involved with the novel.  F. Scott Fitzgerald is a great writer, and he made me feel as if I was there the whole time.  His descriptions were very vivid and graphic.  I really cannot put into words how much I loved this book.  I went through so many emotions during the time I spent reading it.  I would definitely recommend this novel to someone.  Actually, I would highly recommend it.  It is probably one of my favorites that I have had to read for school.  When I read the final line of the novel, "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past" I felt as if the author was speaking to me personally. Some type of advice or something to think about and question.  It was a great ending to the novel.  I LOVED IT.

NOOOOOOO! But Okay...

     I am so upset. Why did this have to happen?! I won't spoil it for anyone, but that is such a tragic ending to The Great Gatsby. Something that caught my attention was the way F. Scott Fitzgerald concluded the novel.  I feel like it was a good quote to end on.  Nick said that "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future. . .to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms father. . . .And one fine morning. . ." (Fitzgerald, 180).  I believe that he is talking about the past and the future at this point.  The green light symbolizes the future.  When we "run faster" and "stretch out our arms farther" we are using our energy to reach a goal or a dream that we have for our future. I believe that Nick is trying to explain how hard it was for Gatsby to reach his dreams.  He worked and put all of his energy towards them. This is a good way to conclude the novel because it gives the reader something to think about.  It made me think about what my dreams are and how much effort I am putting forth to achieve those dreams.

I am also confused as to what the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg symbolize?  They are brought up a couple times throughout the novel, and I do not really know what they mean.

I Love The Way You...Write

     I really enjoy the way F. Scott Fitzgerald writes in The Great Gatsby.  His diction and use of adjectives allows me to picture and feel what is happening.  Fitzgerald uses a lot of adjective noun combinations and this allows me to picture a vivid image in my head.  For example, when Gatsby was with Daisy five years ago, he says that "It was a cold fall day, with fire in the room and her cheeks flushed. . .he kissed her dark shining hair" (Fitzgerald, 150).  I am able to picture this moment because of the diction that is provided.  I am amazed at the way he writes because it seems like every event I can picture clearly. I definitely prefer this style of writing to The House of Mirth's.  I feel as if I can connect more with each and every moment.  It holds my attention more and makes me want to keep on reading. Fitzgerald's writing seems more easier for me to read through and is more smoother.  I am so close to finishing this novel but part of me does not want it to end.

So Sad

    The Great Gatsby is just too depressing.  I just want Gatsby to be happy because he deserves it.  However, his dream is gone, dead.  This is clearly shown when Gatsby says he will take full blame for the accident and Daisy shows little or no concern for him anymore.  Gatsby is literally sacrificing himself for her and she doesn't even care anymore.  Also, his lost dream is displayed when F. Scott Fitzgerald talks about Gatsby standing outside Daisy's house until he knows she is safe.  Nick asks Gatsby how long he is going to wait and Gatsby tells him " 'all night, if necessary' " (Fitzgerald, 144).  This shows how deep his love for Daisy is even though inside the house Daisy is comfortable and not even thinking about him.  When Nick leaves Gatsby he says that he leaves them there while he is "watching over nothing" (Fitzgerald, 145).  This proves to me that his dream is gone. I became upset when I learned about Gatsby's criminality but somehow I look past it all. When he is standing outside Daisy's house, I can feel his love for her.  Even though I am not sure if he will end up with Daisy anymore, I at least hope that he will be happy by the end of the novel.

This part in the novel reminded me of the song Sad by Maroon 5.  I feel like Gatsby could really relate to this song.

Confrontation

     As I continue reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald I get the feeling that there is a little tension in the room.  Tom has finally confronted Gatsby in front of everyone.  I feel as though these two characters are similar in some ways.  They both have bad things about them that become more apparent as the argument progresses. Gatsby's illegal work is revealed and Tom's hypocrisy is shown more clearly when he is angered by Daisy's infidelity. Both Tom and Gatsby love Daisy and are fighting to have her.  Although I like Gatsby much more than Tom, I begin to feel bad for Tom when Gatsby tries to get Daisy to tell him that she has never loved him.  No one wants to hear that from someone they love. Gatsby wants to know that Daisy has loved him and has been loyal to him for those five years that they have been apart.  However, Daisy tells him that " 'Even alone I can't say I never loved Tom. . .It wouldn't be true' " (Fitzgerald, 133).  I feel as though Gatsby is stuck in the past and doesn't want to think that Daisy has loved anyone but him.  I wonder what Daisy will decide to do.  I really hope that she chooses to be with Gatsby because I feel like he loves her more than Tom.  He has proved his love for her all throughout his life, and I think that he deserves to be with the woman he loves.

The Life.

     Money and social rank play a huge role in The Great Gatsby.  The more money someone has the more popular that person is.  Being wealthy seems to make people more attractive and more approachable.  Daisy is a beautiful young woman and Nick could never seem to figure out why every time she spoke he was amazed.  Then, Gatsby made him realize what it was.  " 'Her voice is full of money' " Gatsby told Nick (Fitzgerald, 120). Then Nick realized that that was her amazing charm that she had.  She captivated everyones attention when she spoke, partly because of her beauty but also because she was wealthy.  It was effortless for her, and that is what makes her so sweet and enchanting.  I believe that this shows how monumental wealth and class was during this time.  It could make or break a person.  F. Scott Fitzgerald does a great job of displaying the crucial role of status and makes it so I understand why money plays such a huge role.  It changes people and also allows them to live without a care in the world.

Dreams vs. Reality

     I feel like as I continue reading The Great Gatsby I learn more and more about Jay Gatsby.  I find out that this man Cody that he once met made him want to be wealthy and live a glamourous life.  Also, he thought if he was this rich man then one day he would be able to have Daisy to himself.  I believe that a lot of what he wants are dreams that in reality may not live up to his expectations.  Gatsby dreamed of being a rich wealthy man, which he made himself to be.  However, deep down that is not who he really is. He is not like every other wealthy person that takes it for granted. Also, he dreams of having Daisy, the Daisy that he knew five years ago.  However, she has changed with time and she might not live up to his expectations either. Gatsby created Jay Gatsby to achieve all of his dreams.  F. Scott Fitzgerald states that "he invented just the sort of Jay Gatsby that a seventeen-year-old boy would be likely to invent, and to this conception he was faithful to the end" (Fitzgerald, 98).  I believe that this clearly shows that he still acts as this person that he dreamed of being.  His whole life has been him trying to live up to his own dreams and expectations.  I wonder if he will figure out who he really is deep down and what he really wants without having to be someone else.  I am eager to find out what happens with Gatsby and Daisy.

It's Love!

     I feel like chapter five is a pivotal chapter in The Great Gatsby because I am finally able to see Gatsby for who he really is.  He does not have to put up walls and try to be someone that he isn't.  I am finally able to see a more genuine side to him.  I come across the word "embarrassed" quite often during the meeting between Gatsby and Daisy.  When Gatsby freaks out and goes to talk to Nick, Nick just tells him that Daisy is embarrassed "just as much as you are" (Fitzgerald, 87).  This embarrassment that has come across Gatsby really helps me see another more softer side to him.  F. Scott Fitzgerald reveals his character the most at this time.  He is not hiding anymore or trying to live up to anyones expectations.  Daisy has brought back to light his old self.  I really hope that they end up together.  I like Gatsby a lot and wish him the best.  He has been searching for Daisy to come back into his life for so long, and I feel like it is time for him to finally be content and happy with his life and himself.

Awe How Cute (:

     I am really enjoying The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald!  This novel is just getting better and better.  I found out the reason for Gatsby's glamourous parties and house.  It is all for Daisy.  He loves her and moved right by her so that maybe one day he would see her again or she would walk into his house one night.  I could tell that he was in love with her when Jordan was telling Nick that Gatsby watched Daisy "in a way that every young girl wants to be looked at some time. . ." (Fitzgerald, 75).  This little love story reminds me of the movie The Notebook.  In the movie, a man does all he can to get a woman back after being apart for some time.  He builds a house that she once told him she dreamed of having.  When I was reading the part about Gatsby and Daisy that part of the movie came to mind.  I am so excited to see what happens between Gatsby and Daisy.  I really want them to be together!


By the way, I was just wondering why Gatsby calls people "old sport" all the time? Is there a reason behind it?

A Mysterious Character

   The Great Gatsby continues to hold my attention. This Gatsby fellow is still a mysterious character, and as I start to actually learn about his life there is still something secretive about him.  His past is questionable even though he holds some evidence.  As I begin to think that I have an understanding as to who Gatsby is, F. Scott Fitzgerald throws in something that makes me question it all.  For example,  when Nick is at lunch with Gatsby and Mr. Wolfshiem, I find out that Wolfshiem is one sketchy person.  This makes me wonder why Gatsby associates with him!  Also, when Nick goes to say hello to Tom he "turned toward Mr. Gatsby, but he was no longer there" (Fitzgerald, 74).  Why does he keep disappearing?! That makes him more mysterious.  So, I am curious as to find out more about Gatsby and to see if he holds any secrets.  Surely there is something huge that I will find out.  I definitely cannot wait to see what Nick, Gatsby, and Jordan have to talk about.

Balance

     By the end of chapter three of The Great Gatsby Nick tells himself that he is "one of the few honest people that I have ever known" (Fitzgerald, 59).  He talks about how Jordan Baker is a dishonest woman but that he forgets about it easily.  I believe that moving to New York has made him want to be more adventurous and outgoing.  This experience for him is new and intriguing.  However,  I think that he has to learn to balance his new New York life with his morals and standards of his old midwestern life.  I feel like this will cause him some trouble in his future with making the right choices.  F. Scott Fitzgerald does a great job of showing me that there is a lack of balance in his life at the moment.  There are good and bad qualities that New York possesses that will impact Nick as he continues living there.  He is so caught up in this fascinating life that he is forgetting what really matters.  I wonder what will happen with him and Jordan.  Will he overlook her dishonesty and continue to see her or will he realize that she is not what he wants? I hope he stays true to himself because I really like Nick.  Hopefully he will learn to take into consideration his morals but still enjoy his new life.

The 1920s

     It's time to party!  When I started reading chapter three of The Great Gatsby, I started to realize the glamour of Gatsby's parties.  F. Scott Fitzgerald brings into focus wealth and status when he starts to vividly describe the parties.  The East and West Eggs are brought together, and people are in awe when they attend because they are not use to this glamourous setting.  There is a mixture of all sorts of people from a variety of classes.  I believe that there is a certain American mood created and is more distinctly shown when Nick is "immediately struck by the number of young Englishmen dotted about. . ." (Fitzgerald, 42).  I could tell that they were the odd ones out searching for a way to get rich.  Fitzgerald does a great job in displaying the nobility status and mood of the 1920s.  I can tell that he is intrigued with this decade by the way he goes into intricate detail about Gatsby's party. Fitzgerald's knowledge and fascination of this time has allowed me to better picture and understand what is happening. I am interested to find out more about the 1920s as I continue reading.

I am curious as to why Gatsby throws these parties so often.  What made him start doing this? Hopefully I will find the answers as I begin to figure out who Gatsby really is.

Abusive Relationships

     The Great Gatsby is becoming more and more intriguing as I continue reading.  So much is happening, and I just want to keep turning the pages and find out more! I just want to say that I was shocked when Tom hit Mrs. Wilson.  That is uncalled for on so many levels.  When Mrs. Wilson is arguing with him "Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand" (Fitzgerald, 37).  This is so sickening to me because since he hit her once, nothing will stop him from doing it again.  Abusive relationships are so scary.  There are so many that go on today and many people do not even realize it.  They are unhealthy and can result in serious injuries or even death.  I hope that Tom learns his lesson some how and that Daisy and Mrs. Wilson realize that they need to stay away from him.  F. Scott Fitzgerald does a great job in displaying Tom's character.  I now know what he is like, and I have no respect for him.  I wonder what will become of Tom as the novel continues.  Does this act of violence foreshadow something in the future?  I am curious to find out.

That's Exactly What I Was Thinking

     Daisy, why stay with Tom?! He is seeing another woman! Strike one.  As I continue reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald I begin to really like Nick.  I feel like we agree on a lot.  After hearing that Tom has another woman and is becoming depressed, Nick does not understand why Daisy is still with him!  He says that "It seemed to me that the thing for Daisy to do was to rush out of the house, child in arms-but apparently there were no such intentions in her head" (Fitzgerald, 20).  That is exactly what I am saying! Why is Daisy staying with a man like that?  I am definitely curious as to where Daisy and Tom's relationship is headed.  I wonder if they will end up staying together or if she will leave him.  Also, I am excited to learn more about Nick and the others, and of course I cannot wait to meet this mysterious man named Gatsby.  

I am not going to lie, the end of chapter one was pretty creepy.  Gatsby vanishing?  It kind of reminded me of a scary movie.  

HERE WE GO...

     Let me just start off by saying that I was so excited to start reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Knowing that there is a movie coming out based on this novel has made me more eager to read it.  When I started reading I was amazed at Fitzgerald's use of adjectives and descriptions of the characters.  He really helps me to understand each character more deeply. The way that he described Tom Buchanan allowed me to visualize him and get a sense of what he is like. Fitzgerald states that "two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of leaning aggressively forward" (Fitzgerald, 7).  The diction that Fitzgerald uses is smart and makes me want to keep reading.  I really like the way that he writes.

So here is my first question.  Of course I am not really introduced to Gatsby yet, but he is obviously a monumental person in this novel. I was confused as to why Daisy asked " 'What Gatsby?' " (Fitzgerald, 11).  He is a person so I am not really sure as to why she said "what".  I am definitely interested to find out more about this fellow.

Thoughts

     Now comes the part where I state my opinion of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.  Overall, it was a good novel.  Edith Wharton is a great author, and I definitely saw that in this book.  However,  I did get confused throughout the book.  There were many words that I did not know and had to look up. Not saying that that is a bad thing, but it did make my reading a little more harder.  Also, there were parts that just made me want to stop reading.  I felt as if I wasn't as into the book when there wasn't much dialogue going on.   I look forward to discussing this novel during class, so I can better understand it.  Also, at the end of the novel Wharton states that "in the silence there passed between them the word which made all clear" (Wharton, 268).  I think that that word is love, but I am not entirely positive.  I feel like she should have said what the word was just so I had confirmation.  I would not necessarily recommend this novel to someone, but if someone asked me whether it was a good book or not, I would tell them that it was.  It just is not my type of novel that I like to read. 

The End

     As I finish The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, I can't help but to have questions.  First, did she commit suicide or was it an accident? She knew the amount that she should take, but she went above it.  Second, I feel as though it is a little random to have the scene with Nettie.  Why did that have to be included?  Third, why did Lily not marry Selden?  They both loved each other, so I do not get why they could not have married earlier on or even at the end.  Overall,  Wharton does a great job of describing the social disasters of Lily.   From being the rich beautiful woman that she was in the beginning, Lily slowly went downhill in the social latter, and soon it ended with her death.  " 'Goodbye,' she said, and as he bent over her she touched his forehead with her lips" (Wharton, 252).  I feel as if this goodbye is Lily telling Selden goodbye forever.  I believe that deep down, Lily knew that that was going to be her last time seeing him.     

The scene of Lily telling Selden goodbye reminded me of the song Sweetest Goodbye by Maroon 5.

Getting Older...

     As I get closer to finishing The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton starts to show the reader that Lily is getting older.  Lily is becoming more tiresome, and I start to feel her both mentally and physically drained.  Wharton starts using negative diction throughout the end of the novel to portray this. Wharton says that "from increasing physical weariness. . .she was beginning to feel acutely the ugliness and discomfort of her surroundings" (Wharton, 233).  This is an example of some of the words and phrases that Wharton uses to help understand that Lily is getting older and weaker.  I start to feel for Lily in some ways because she was never raised to have to work for her money, and now she has to.  She is not use to the work and effort that it takes. I am glad to see that Lily is starting to realize what most people actually have to do in order to live.  Most people are not rich and well off.  I feel like she gets a sense of that when she is working and hears people talking about her old friends. Wharton's clever use of diction makes the mood a little more depressing toward the end of the novel.  Although there are some words throughout the novel that I do not quite understand, the context clues that she uses around them help to me get an idea of the meaning.

Power

     Edith Wharton does a great job of illustrating the importance of power throughout The House of Mirth.  From the beginning I knew that money meant one was rich and high society.  However, it wasn't until the end that I came to realize how much power money gave people.  Lily does not have that power anymore, and she is becoming ill and poor.  The power that this money has over people is absolutely ridiculous.  Without it, they cannot seem to be able to live.  Wharton states that there is "an influence stronger than any she could exert.  That influence, in its last analysis, was simply the power of money. . ." (Wharton, 211).  The amount of power that people have depends on how much is in their bank account.  Lily, without any money, realizes how much power being rich gives to someone.  She is becoming very sick and depressed because she is a poor woman that has been kicked out of high society.  Today, I do believe that money holds a certain power as well. It allows people to buy material items in order to fit in with the people around them. However, I do not think that it is as important as it was back then.

Get Married....Now

     Edith Wharton does a great job in showing the importance of marriage from the beginning of the novel to the end.  In the beginning of The House of Mirth, marriage is Lily's way of becoming higher in society and rank.  She was looking for a rich but nice man to marry just like all of her friends.  However, in the end she is desperate to marry to get her back in high society.  It is her only way of surviving financially and physically.   Mrs. Fisher tells Lily " 'you must marry as soon as you can' " (Wharton, 193).  Mrs. Fisher realizes that Lily needs to marry now if she wants to get back into society again.  Wharton clearly illustrates the importance of status and marital status in society at the beginning of the novel and at the end.  She pushes the reader to realize how monumental all of this is to Lily and others.  If Lily wants to have any chance of staying in that higher status then she needs to find a husband as soon as possible.  I wonder if she will marry Mr. Rosedale or even if she will marry at all.


I have noticed throughout the novel that many french words or phrases are used.  Why does Wharton put those in the novel?

Rejection

     While I continue to read The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton starts to describe the consequences that Lily is starting to face.  First, Bertha tells her not to return to the yacht, then when returning home, Lily's aunt pretty much kicks her out of the family, and finally Lily realizes that she only has one true friend, Gerty.  This begins a pattern of exclusion in Lily's life.   Lily realizes that "for the first time in her life she found herself utterly alone except for Gerty Farish" (Wharton, 183).  Wharton starts to portray to the reader what Lily has to face because of her past choices.  She begins to lose everything that she once had.  People begin to reject her, and it is hard for her to process.  Lily is not use to people that she once thought were her friends talking behind her back, she is not use to her family looking down upon her, and she is not use to being poor.  Lily is facing a hard time in her life, and it is hard for her to adjust to.  She has many problems to fix upon returning to America.  The hardest part is happening to her right now, but I believe that she will be able to push through it all.

I'll Keep You My Dirty Little Secret

     As I begin book two of The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton I am shocked by how unfaithful people are.  Whether they are actual affairs or rumored ones, it seems that people just cannot trust one another.  Mrs. Dorset and Ned Silverton are having an affair, and people start saying that Lily and Mr. Dorset are having an affair as well. Lily and Mr. Dorset had to return to their place alone because Mrs. Dorset, "she didn't turn up at all" (Wharton, 161).  Instead, she was sneaking around with Silverton during that time. I am so surprised by how people cannot stay in a relationship in this novel.  It seems like the men fancy almost every woman even if they are married. Wharton does a great job by showing the unfaithfulness of people during that time.  I am just wondering if people were really like that back then? It just seems crazy to me. This part in the novel reminds me of the song Dirty Little Secret by The All-American Rejects.  Mrs. Dorset is keeping Silverton her "dirty little secret"!

Selden My Man!

    I really do like Selden.  He was raised in a way that my parents have tried to raise me and how they were raised as children.  He was taught to not take anything for granted.  His mother was the "one woman who had given him his sense of 'values'" (Wharton, 124).  He did not like those who obsessed over money, although he did love Lily.  Edith Wharton does a great job in displaying Selden's character in The House of Mirth.  I can relate to him because my parents taught me to have morals and values.  They taught me that material things are not necessities.  I really hope that Lily ends up with Selden because I believe that he will make her a better woman. He has a good head on his shoulders and that is what Lily needs in a man. I know that they both love each other, so they should just  get married already.  I hope there is a wedding at the end of this book and that it is Lily and Selden at the altar.

Crazy.

     "Her heart was beating all over her body-in her throat, her limbs, her helpless useless hands" (Wharton, 119).  Edith Wharton's use of diction really helps me feel what Lily is feeling when she goes to Trenor's house and is trying to get away.  When she was explaining how Lily was feeling I felt as if I was Lily feeling those same emotions.  I wanted to get away from Gus Trenor as much as she did.  I know that Lily did do wrong in leading him on, but the way he was treating her was no way to treat a woman.  I was scared for Lily.  Wharton's use of descriptive diction during this scene in The House of Mirth really helped me picture what was happening.  The way she would describe Trenor and Lily's actions and feelings allowed me to feel as if I was in the room with them.  I am a little nervous to find out what happens when the two come into contact again.  To be honest, I did not know if he was going to let her leave the house.  I did not know if I liked Gus Trenor at first, but now I know for certain that I am not too fond of him. As for Lily, I do not like who she has become.  She is creating this person that people do not like.  Many people are starting to talk about her.  She is receiving money behind her aunts' back, and I do not know how that is going to end.  Guess I will just have to keep on reading, and find out.

Freedom

    A theme that has become apparent to me while reading The House of Mirth is that of freedom vs. servitude.  I have come to realize that when Lily has money, she feels like she is free and independent.  However, when she is in debt or does not have enough money to buy the material items that she needs then she feels like a slave.  Edith Wharton states "that money freed her temporarily" (Wharton, 90).  This clearly shows that when Lily has money it causes her to not have to care about other things.  However, when she is low on money she feels depressed and chained down.  This theme tells me a great deal about how Lily was raised and helps me realize that she learned from her parents that when one has money one can have freedom.  I believe that as I continue reading, I will see more of Lily feeling like a slave.  I think that what is happening with Trenor will cause Lily to become in debt.  She will begin to really experience what it is like to be poor and having to become independent.  Lily is too dependent on money and others at this moment.  I wonder if in the end she will learn from her mistakes, become a better person, and see the reality of things.

Money Money Money

     Money is a huge symbol of nobility status. While reading The House of Mirth I realize how a person's status means the most to them.  Edith Wharton does a great job in revealing what people think of their status.  Lily continues to realize that people are watching her continuously.  When she is with Mr. Rosedale she became "aware of being followed by looks of amusement and interrogation" (Wharton, 79).  I believe that the importance of wealth causes people to become more interested in what people think of them.  Money is mentioned almost always as I continue reading this novel.  Lily is now being loaned money from Gus Trenor, and I feel that that cannot end on a good note.  I think that she is going to have trouble paying him back.  Everything that I have read so far tells me that wealth and status will continue to play a huge role in the novel.  I am very interested to see what comes of Lily's relationship with Trenor because of what he is doing for her, and I am curious to find out how Lily's story ends.  I wonder if her desperate need for money will hurt herself in the future.

Guy Friends

      Gus Trenor begins to help Lily confirm her thoughts that she does not have to marry the richest man just because everyone else does.  She begins to talk to him about how she feels about it, and his response to her makes her feel like "he understood her better than her dearest friends" (Wharton, 68).  Although he is a minor character, his role plays a huge impact on Lily's actions.  He helps her confirm her confused thoughts and helps her realize that she does not have to marry Mr. Gryce because his wife thinks she should.  She realizes that she does not have to live like everyone else does there, Trenor helps her feel better about moving to Richfield with her aunt.  If it was not for Gus Trenor than Lily still might have felt bad about moving away and not living like all of her friends.  Trenor gave her the confirmation that she needed and now Lily is able to move on to the next step and start living like she wants to. Edith Wharton helps show that his role in The House of Mirth so far has played a huge impact on Lily's decisions.  Unlike her girl friends, Trenor sympathizes with her and agrees with what she is saying.  I wonder if Trenor's role will become more major or if this is his big part in the novel.  I am glad that he helped Lily realize that she should not do what everyone else expects and just sits there and listens to her like a real friend should.

Who Will She Choose?

     Mr. Lawrence  Selden and Mr. Percy Gryce.  Which one will Miss Bart choose?  As I continue to read The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton I notice that Lily Bart has two men that she is interested in.  She says that she is going to go for Mr. Gryce, but somehow Mr. Selden is always popping up in her mind.  Lily "is like a water-plant in the flux of the tides, and today the whole current of her mood was carrying her toward Lawrence Selden" (Wharton, 42).  This simile that Wharton uses really explains how fast Lily can go from Mr. Gryce to Mr. Selden.  One day she is leaning more toward Mr. Gryce and the next she could be wanting the company of Mr. Selden.  All of this makes me wonder who she might pick or end up with in the end.  I feel like she likes Mr. Selden more ( that is why he always creeps into her mind), but she would like to be with Mr. Gryce in the end because he seems like the perfect man.  I believe that she wants to go with her head and keep trying to win over Mr. Gryce.  However, I think that she should go with her heart and keep trying to keep Mr. Selden close.  At this point I do not know what is going to happen with Lily and these men, but I am very curious to find out.

Family

     As I continue to read The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton I come to realize how much a person's family molds the person.  Lily Bart has depended on her beauty to win over a rich man.  Her mother used Lily's beauty as if "it was the last asset in their fortunes" (Wharton, 26).  As a young child Lily was both rich and poor.  She knew what it was like to have everything and also to have nothing.  She knew that she did not want a man just because he was rich.  However she grew up in an environment where being wealthy meant being successful.  Lily has been taught to use her looks to get her a man, and her different feelings and choices reflect her parents' feeling and choices when she was little.  I have realized that I possess aspects from both my father and my mother.  I know I get my drive from my dad because I always saw him being focused and driven when I was young.  I looked up to them, and just like Lily Bart, I have possessed many of their qualities.

Introducing...

     As I began reading The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, I was introduced to Selden and Lily Bart.  They are acquaintances and Selden seems to be very interested in Lily.  While reading I come to realize that Lily is a beautiful young woman who is always dressed to perfection.  However, she keeps claiming she is poor and has to marry a man with money.  Then I learn that she feels that she has to live up to her friends and other people and that she dresses fancy because she is expected to. She says that "the clothes are the background, the frame, if you like: they don't make success, but they are a part of it" (Wharton, 8). Her appearance means the most to her because she believes that it is the only way that she can find a man.  However, I believe that she is seeking to find a man who loves her for more than her appearance.  Also, she seems upset by the fact that men get to choose whether they marry but a woman must, and I believe that Lily is a dynamic character because she is going to change throughout the novel.  I think that she will learn many lessons and qualities about herself and others as the novel moves forward.  She is stuck in this thought that money and appearance means everything to men and others, but I suspect that those thoughts will soon change.