Poetry Analysis

Out, Out

 

The overall tone to the story is kind of gruesome. Well, before the child cut his hand off it wasn't but I could definitely tell it was going to happen at the first mention of a saw. The line "Five mountain  ranges one behind the other under the sunset far into Vermont" makes me think right away the boy may die. the numbered ranges could be a countdown to his death, and the sunset being the end. The saw could represent the bad in the world and they boy represents the normal people. everyday we face at least one challenge, like the saw, but its up to us to not get knocked down or our hands cut off by the saw.

MASTERPEICE :)

 

At this point in  time I'm making great progress with my masterpiece. I've decided that I will be teaching a course on a piece of American history which will relate to my future profession of teaching this subject to high schoolers (who will be much like you guys). Currently, I am re-learning American history through the eyes of General George Patton by reading his biography. I think it should give me an interesting perspective on history.  I'm going to try to make it on something my students for day haven't learned yet. I hope everyone will enjoy my lesson!

Green eggs and Hamlet

 

A) I know nothing.

 

B) That name rings a bell. Shakespeare is a author that has works that have been read by millions.

 

C) Shakespeare has always been tied to men in strange costumes speaking words that are fairly difficult to comprehend, which makes me sad.

 

D) If we could somehow "dumb it down" a tad for me and possibly a couple of other students, that'd be great.

 

Big Question

 

Ah, the big question. Something I've been putting off for weeks. I love the idea of the whole class actually working with the teacher on something meaningful. Now, what is my big question? Most of the people reading this are expecting to see a generic question that anyone could think of, not that any of my classmates have anything like that, its just I'm not the kind of intellectual that can come up with something as great as what my classmates have. Hell, it took me five minutes to figure out how to spell intellectual. What I do know is that I love history. Dr. Preston has given me options that involve history, but I haven't quite found out what I want to do yet, so of right now, my big question is how am I going to use what I love as a big question?

Character Study

 

He's not just a pretty face. Just kidding. He's a funny person that never hesitates to put a smile on someone's face. In a social circle, he is great to have around (but that's just my opinion). When he moved for the second time to a location that is completely new to him, he didn't wait to put himself out there, even though he was shot down by his peers a number of times. Sometimes it seems like he doesn't have a problem in the world, it is true that has his own worries that continue to trouble him. But basically all in all he is a nice, fun and somewhat athletic person that will never turn down a person in need. Nowadays he's living in the dorms of Colorado State University at Fort Collins. Everyday he attends classes and attends a regular football practice where he completes his dream of being a long snapper for any college that needed him. It may seem like an unimportant job, but hey, at least he's on the team. Every other weekend he is visited by his loving parents and occasionally his older brother who has a college team of his own he has to worry about. Today he is awakened by the loud snoring of a monstrous offensive lineman that sounds more like troll than a person. He gets dressed and goes to his first class of the day.



Literary Analysis #1

 

      All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy is a classic story set in 1949 in the American west. John Grady is a good old fashion American cowboy, and when he learns that his mother intends to sell his grandfather's ranch, he leaves to work on a ranch in Mexico. Grady's character is put to the test, he must either stay with his mother or follow his true calling to be an all star cowboy with the ability to succeed in his line of work.

 

      The author was attempting to convey one simple message: always follow your heart, no matter how challenging it may be. I know it seems like a corny message, considering that author could implicate anything he wants into a story, but it reached out to me and I'm sure plenty of other people. While in Mexico, he finds nothing but chaos around him. I felt like he was in danger at every turn, but Grady did everything he could to look past the bad things that were happening, and onto the ideal that he could settle down and do what he loves to do.

 

Bleak as it may have looked, John Grady eventually went on to escape the troubles of Mexico and moved on with his life. My favorite thing about Grady is that he never gave up, never gave in to fate. Even during his imprisonment, due to his love of a girl that he was not allowed to love, in the cruel jail in Mexico, he was no coward and stuck it out. 

Vocabulary #5

 

1. shenanigans-  a devious trick used especially for an underhand purpose
The hooligans shenanigans were annoying the neighbors.

2. ricochet- something (such as a bullet or stone) that ricochets off a surface
Luckily for the soldier, the bullet only ricocheted of his helmet.

3. schism- a division among the members of a group that occurs because they disagree on something
The team had a schism when they couldn't decide between tacos and hamburgers for dinner.

4. eschew-  to avoid (something) especially because you do not think it is right, proper
They now eschew the violence of their past.

5. plethora- a very large amount or number
They had a plethora of turkey at thanksgiving.

6. ebullient-  lively and enthusiastic
All the students were ebullient when they heard they are going to Disneyland.

7. garrulous- tending to talk a lot : very talkative
The garrulous woman bragged about her children for 4 hours straight.

8. harangue- a forceful or angry speech
He delivered a long harangue about the evils of popular culture.

9. interdependence- depending on oneself
The young man was interdependent after his parents were killed by Voldemort.

10. capricious- changing often and quickly; especially : often changing suddenly in mood or behavior
The workers were at the mercy of a capricious boss.

11. loquacious- liking to talk and talking smoothly and easily
Morgan Freeman is a loquacious man, making him perfect for narration.

12. ephemeral- lasting a very short time
Although it is the most exciting rollercoaster at the park, it is an ephemeral one.

13. inchoate- not completely formed or developed yet
The inchoate teens were ruining their brains by drinking underage.

14. juxtapose- to place (different things) together in order to create an interesting effect
I saw two billboards juxtaposed together.

15. perspicacious- having or showing an ability to notice and understand things that are difficult or not obvious
He was perspicacious hunter, having the ability to spot tracks before anyone else.

16. codswallop- nonsense
 Although what he said made sense, he was just full of codswallop.

17. mungo- reclaimed wool of poor quality and very short staple
The itchy sweater was mungo.

18. sesquipedalian- having many syllables
The lady's name was of a sesquipedalian nature.

19. wonky- unsteady
It seemed sturdy from afar, but the bridge looked extremely wonky once we got closer.

20. diphthong- two vowel sounds joined in one syllable to form one speech sound