The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail discussion

Throughout the book, there are examples of irony. One example of irony I found was how John died. He thought about someone funny and started to laugh, and ended up dying. Irony is a different outcome than one would expect, and this fits the definition. Another example I found was when Henry taught Bailey how to write, then yelled at him for writing. One would think that Henry would encourage him to keep writing, but instead Henry tells him to unlearn it. Finally, an example of irony I found was Waldo not practicing what he taught. Although he spoke about Transcendentalism, he didn't act it out to the fullest, as Henry did. One would think that Waldo would be all for his teachings, but Waldo would rather keep to his same old ways.

The three most important characters to me are Henry, Waldo, and Lydian. I would cast Johnny Depp as  Henry. Johnny Depp can play the most unique and diverse personalities. Henry has s different way of thinking and reasoning, but Depp would rise to the occasion and make it believable. I would cast Leonardo DiCaprio as Waldo. He usually plays more serious and powerful roles, which Waldo is. Waldo only gives partial effort on Transcendentalism, which I think DiCaprio could act out well. Finally, I would cast Anne Hathaway as Lydian. Lydian is somewhat powerful by standing up to Henry, but she's also gentle. This describes Hathaway perfectly, I think it would fit her just right.

Henry's protest of the war was not successful. The war was still going on in the end of the book. Despite all of his protests, it did not stop. Henry's protest to paying taxes was successful, because he didn't have to pay them and still got out of jail. But it also wasn't successful in the way that someone was still giving money to the war. Henry's protest to get Bailey a trial was successful, at least I think so. Sam went back to talk to the judge about it, and then Henry left before he was sure Bailey got a trial. Bailey most likely got a trial though, because Henry's protest was pretty strong.

The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail quote

I chose the quote "Our own school, John. No buildings. Break out of the classroom prison. All we need is the sky!".  It reflects the Transcendentalist thought in a few ways.

First of all, Transcendentalists don't believe in the school education system. They think that education gets in the way of education. You need to abandon the normal ways of teaching to really learn. That's what Henry is saying when he says to break out of the classroom. It means mentally break out, to find a new way of learning. Also it means to physically break out and have a school of their own taught their own way. Henry is saying they need intellectual independence abandon the old ways for the new, right ways to learn.

Next, this quote shows presentism. Presentism is the only thing that matters is the present. When Henry says, "All we need is the sky," it shows how he's not worried about the further and what might come. He's also forgetting the past where he was forced to whip students. He going to start over again, and focus on the present.

Finally, it shows you need to trust your instincts. Henry is following his instinct when he suggests that he and John make a school on their own. Henry's not waiting to really think it over and see how it's going to work, he just goes for it. Your instincts are usually right, and following them is the best idea. If Henry wasn't trusting his instincts, he would have planned, and agonized over making his school. But he trusted his instincts and it turned out alright in the end.

As you can see, this quote shows many of the Transcendentalism thoughts, such as intellectual independence, presentism, and to trust instincts.

Odyssey and Most Dangerous Game (MDG) Comparison

In MDG I saw that desire and danger equaled drama with the desire to stay alive and the danger of getting killed. His desire to live was so powerful that it helped him control the danger, but there was still drama. In the Odyssey, there was the desire to get home and the danger of dying. There was definitely drama because he was fighting to get home, and had to persevere through the danger to reach his goal/desire.

1. For background information in the Odyssey, they told you straight out what it was. Everyone told their life story and left nothing for you to figure out. In MDG, they told you in a more descriptive way. The background information would come in dialogue and you had to put the pieces together.

2. I think it's more of a character versus an external something or someone. In the Odyssey, Ulysses would have been home faster if it wasn't for external things keeping him away. In MDG, it's Rainsford trying to stay alive against the General and wouldn't be put through this if it weren't for the General. It could also be internal for MDG because he has to stay alert and think of ways to trap the General. Ulysses has to stay cunning which also helps against any problems.

3. In the Odyssey, there are a lot more than one problems that keep him from his goal. Problem after problem show up to stop him, whereas in MDG, there aren't as many problems. The General is the only thing keeping Rainsford from his goal of returning back to shore.

4. In the Odyssey, there is a big flashback about Ulysses's adventures before then. It gives you a lot of information about what is going on. In MDG, there isn't a flashback. There was only background information and a little bit of dialogue about what had happened in earlier events.

5. The Odyssey has a big resolution, where peace is restored everywhere and his family is reunited. His goal is reached and all of the conflicts are resolved. In MDG, he does manage to stay alive, but you do not know if he is safely on shore again. The resolution was also less dramatic. Some of it was for sure resolved, and some is unknown (but you could assume the General kept his deal and sent him back to shore).

Odyssey Review

After this weeks reading, I was surprised that Penelope didn't believe that it was Ulysses at first. I thought she would be overjoyed that he was home, but instead she was skeptical. I was also surprised that Ulysses let some men survive. I was expecting him to kill them all and show no mercy, but he let two of them go based on what Telemachus said.

I thought it was interesting that none of the other men could string the bow. From what I've read, I expected them to be really strong. I also found it interesting that one man was only grieved that he was not stronger than Ulysses, not that he wouldn't be able to marry Penelope.

Finally, I was confused about the part that talked about blood on the ceiling and walls, and the men laughing forcefully. I didn't get what that was about, and why none of the men really seemed to notice it. I was also a little confused about the suitors being so mean to strangers, when hospitality is such a big belief back then.

Overall, I thought it was a pretty good book. It could get difficult at times, but I think it was worth it. I would recommend it to someone who was up for a challenge.

Reaction to the Odyssey and answer to question

After reading this weeks assignment, I found some things interesting. One thing I found interesting was how King Alcinous wanted Ulysses' approval so much. Once he found out they were not the best in sports, he found other things they could be the best at and showed Ulysses. When Ulysses said they were the best dancers in the world, Alcinous was overjoyed.

Something I found confusing was why they gave Ulysses so many gifts. They just met him and they throw a banquet in his honor. They also provide him with an escort back to Ithaca. When Ulysses said they had the  best dancers, he received so many gifts. The king demanded he be showered in gifts of one compliment. I don't understand why he gave so much to a complete stranger.

Something I found surprising was when Ulysses went on a rant about his athletic ability. He went on and on about his ability to throw, shoot, etc. I thought he was more calm than he was when he was insulted about his skill. That was surprising to me.

My question was: What does "Child of morning, rosy-fingered dawn" mean?

I see it may times throughout the book and I wondered what it meant. I found out that it symbolizes a new beginning to whatever is coming. It can also foreshadow a difficultly coming in the future. Another thing I found out about it was that it helped storytellers keep track of what they were saying.  Finally, represents the book as a whole because of the 24 books and the books starting at day and ending at night.

Reactions to The Odyssey and response to pictures

In books 2-4, a lot more happened then in the first book. One thing that confused me was how everyone always switched their opinions on if they thought Ulysses was alive or not. Also, Telemachus was making offerings to the god that was holding his father back, which kind of confused me at first, but then I realized he wouldn't know about that. Something that surprised me was how when Minerva turned herself into an eagle to fly away. I thought the point of her disguise was that they wouldn't know she was a goddess, but then she revealed herself to Nestor and Telemachus. I found it interesting how Nestor's story went and how the story of Agamemnon went. It was interesting to hear another side of the story. Telemachus's and Menelaus's conversation was also interesting.


The pictures all had heroic qualities in them.  They showed people doing things that benefited other people and overcoming fear. That fits perfectly for our class definition, which is: a hero is a selfless person who is courageous and overcomes fear to benefit others despite any obstacles. For example, firemen were helping put out a fire. They are overcoming their fear of fire to help the people in the fire. Another example is a picture of some soldiers putting the American flag on a piece of land. They had just fought and won a battle, benefiting America as a whole.

Reactions to the first book of The Odyssey

After reading the first book of The Odyssey, I have some things to share.

First of all, I found some things interesting, such as how Minerva had a whole plan of how Telemachus was supposed to find Ulysses. She followed through with that plan and disguised herself to tell it to Telemachus. Another thing I found interesting was why Ulysses hadn't come home yet, and partly it was that the gods hadn't decided for him to come home yet. Neptune was keeping him from returning because of Ulysses blinding his son.

I also found some things confusing, such as why the suitors were still around. Telemachus should have kicked them out earlier so they wouldn't be wasting his animals. Why did he wait so long to find his courage to tell them to leave? Also, why did Minerva need to disguise herself to go talk to Telemachus and tell him the plan? Why didn't she just walk in there normally?

Finally, I found some things surprising, such as when Telemachus was talking to his mother. I didn't think he needed to be so harsh. She only wanted to not be reminded of her lost husband, Ulysses. Telemachus was very stern and also sent her away.

Active reading also helped me comprehend the reading because it forced me to think through what was happening and the meaning behind some words or actions. It also helped me visualize and get a picture in my head of what was going on.

"Geeks Bearing Gifts" Writing Techniques

When I read "Geeks Bearing Gifts" by Ron Koertge, I found some writing techniques that I could use in my own writing.

One writing technique I found was using lots of dialogue to describe what was happening and people's personalities. The author used that technique whenever the main character met somebody new or had a new experience. Whenever she would interview someone, most of the description came through dialogue. To use it in my own writing, it would have to be a piece with characters, not an informational piece. It would have a lot of conversation between characters that included description of them through what was happening.

Another writing technique I found was using strong language to show that the characters were telling the truth. The word choice also got somewhat persuasive, so you were on the side of the outcasts along with the main character. The author uses them to give a clear view of what's going on and make you feel what the main character's feeling. In my writing, it would look like strong word choice and no subjective words. It would be words that get the point across but also send emotions with them.

"A Worn Path" Discussion

I just read "A Worn Path" by Eudora Welty and I have some things to discuss.

First of all, the title is significant because it refers to the path taken many times by the main character, named Phoenix, to get medicine for her grandson. She knew the path very well and had been taking it constantly for 3 years for her grandson. Sometimes the trip would take so long that Phoenix would forget what she came for.

Next, Phoenix is an appropriate name for the protagonist because the phoenix bird from mythology symbolized some of the same things as Phoenix. In Greek Mythology, the phoenix bird lives a very long time, which relates to Phoenix, who was also very old. Phoenix birds also had new birds take their place when they died, which is like Phoenix's grandson, who will have to take over going on the path once Phoenix dies.

One motif I found is about birds. Every time they're mentioned, it's only one bird. Also, when they're mentioned, it's when  Phoenix does something for her grandson, such as steal a nickel or get medicine for him. There was also a dove and a buzzard. They seem like two choices, life and death, or good and bad. This motif contributes to the meaning by giving us hints of what's going to happen next or hints of Phoenix's past.

Another motif I found was her shoelaces. At first they mentioned them being untied as she walked through the forest and on her path. But once she gets to city, they're mentioned again, and a city person ties them for her. They symbolize how she is from the country and how she has to change to be acceptable in the city. It ties the two parts of the story together, unifying it.

Her journey back is symbolic because it shows selflessness, going the whole way to get medicine and a present for her grandson. It's also symbolic of courage because she is willing to do whatever it takes to get the medicine for her grandson.

Finding Your Voice vs. The Sound of Your Voice

Recently I read two great chapters about your voice as a writer and style.  While they are based on the same topic, they have some things that are the same and others that are different.

For example, both pieces encourage imitating another writer's style.   The first one, Finding Your Voice  says you can borrow pieces of a writer's style, but discourages their whole style because doing it wrong can ruin their style. This differs from the second piece, The Sound of Your Voice, says to never hesitate to imitate another writer's style or taste. Your style will emerge while imitating another writer's, according to the second piece.

An example of how they're alike is that they both say that it takes time to develop your style. In Finding Your Voice,  it says to dig down deeper into yourself and that it takes time to find that spot with your voice. In The Sound of Your Voice, it says that you have to imitate another writer's style for yours to emerge after you've been using another voice for a while.

Also, Finding Your Voice explains more about digging down into yourself to find your true voice and finding your true self to use in your writing. The Sound of Your voice explains more about elements of style you can use, such as eloquence.

As you can see, both pieces are based on the same topic, but have some things the same and some things that are different.  Overall, they both say to find your voice as a writer which is the most important thing.