Open Prompt December 4

1970. Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot.

It is human nature to react in one way or another to your surroundings. The way in which you react depends solely on whether you enjoy being in that surrounding or not. In the book 1984 by George Orwell, the main character Winston Smith lives in a society run by an oppressive, controlling government. Winston reacts to this awfully intrusive government by quietly rebelling, and breaking the laws because he does not think the way they are treated is fair and just. 

Throughout this novel, Orwell uses many details to add to the idea of the party in control being cruel and  ruthless towards its people. The children are often times forced into learning to be a spy, and these kids attempt to find people breaking laws and accuse people of "thoughtcrimes." Thoughtcrimes are when someone thinks something against the government and it's considered illegal. These thoughtcrimes are yet another example of detail added in to the work that support the idea of an oppressive government. The Ministry of Truth is a department of the government that basically brainwashes the population into thinking that specific historical events did not occur and others did in order to keep the party in power. The Ministry of Truth adds to and gives the government virtually all power in society. These details included by Orwell support and exhibit the government as an all powerful force that is over-controlling and oppressive. 

Because Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth, he knows that the history he rewrites is not true, and things have not always been as they seem with this government in control. He constantly thinks about how terrible the party is, and is afraid of being caught for thoughtcrime. Winston feels such a strong hate for the party, that he keeps a journal and has written in it "DOWN WITH BIG BROTHER." Big brother is what the head of the party is referred to as. Winston also has an affair with a character named Julie, which is something that is very illegal in this society. Winston responds to the standards placed by the party by breaking them, because he does not believe in them and feels a hatred for Big Brother. 

Throughout the novel, 1984, Orwell uses many specific details to enforce the idea of the government being oppressive, and cruel. The main character, Winston Smith reacts to this society by rebelling and breaking the laws, because he knows the truth and wants to be free from Big Brother's power. 

Close Reading November 25

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2011/02/28/110228sh_shouts_martin

"Who Am I?"

Many times, authors write to amuse and humor their audience. In Demetri Martin's piece "Who Am I?",  he successfully achieves his goal of amusement. In "Who Am I?", Martin uses syntax, diction, and details to entertain his audience, while also telling the audience about himself.

Martin successfully uses syntax throughout his piece to entertain and keep the reader interested and involved. The repetition of "I am..." throughout the piece emphasizes the ideas that follow, and keep the piece moving at a good pace. It keeps the reader thinking about what Martin is identifying himself as and comparing himself to. Another use of syntax within Martin's work is when he has one sentence separate from the rest of the paragraph, for example, "I am a man." "I am the silent majority." "I am the loud minority." When Martin chooses to separate these sentences from the rest of the ideas, he is emphasizing those points specifically, and making them stand out in the work. Throughout "Who Am I?", Martin uses syntax in a creative way.

The diction used in this piece written by Demetri Martin greatly supports the humor and entertainment part of this work. The words chosen and used throughout this piece give this piece a humorous tone that is exciting and interesting to read. He starts off this work by saying he is not something that lies around, like a pen, toaster, or housewife. The use of these words in the introduction bring the reader in because they are interested in what he will talk about next. Martin also uses slang in his piece. "I am friend. I am foe. I am fo’ sho’. What up, y’all?" This use of slang is very informal, and allows the reader to feel comfortable laughing with or at Martin. The use of diction in this piece successfully gives off a humorous, informal tone.  

Details are also used in Martin's "Who Am I?". Not only does he choose to include specific details that are relatable to his life, but he also chooses them because they are entertaining and funny for the reader. "I am Batman, but only on Halloween. And then I am not invited to many parties. But I am fine with that, because that just makes me an even more accurate Batman (because Batman does not go to parties as Batman but only as Bruce Wayne). I am right about this." This small paragraph presents a joke that relates to Batman, a superhero most readers know and enjoy. It also shows the reader a piece of Martin's life, being that he is not invited to many parties. The details that are chosen to put in this piece give information on the author, and also bring humor into the picture. 

Throughout his witty and humorous piece, Demetri Martin successfully utilizes features including syntax, diction, and details to entertain the reader and also let them know a little bit about himself.

Response to Course Material- November 25

Recently in AP English, we have been learning about and reviewing the different eras of literature. We have only gotten through a couple of the slideshows, but so far they have been interesting and helpful for me. I knew of the different eras but I never really knew a lot of the details and ideas involved with them. My group had Victorian, Realism and Naturalism. I specifically looked up the details on Naturalism, and I found a lot of interesting information on it. I think it is so interesting to look at the different ways in which people looked at life and the world around them, and learning about the eras has been quite interesting. We are also supposed to be finishing up our first read of Ceremony. I still have to read kind of a lot, but I think I will get through it. I expected it to be very very difficult to read because Ms. Holmes said it was hard and to just try to get through it, but it hasn't been awful for me. I mean I have gotten a little lost at points but overall I think I am understanding everything. At least I hope I am... Overall the class is going alright right now.

Open Prompt November 11

1982. In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Choose a work of literary merit that confronts the reader or audience with a scene or scenes of violence. In a well-organized essay, explain how the scene or scenes contribute to the meaning of the complete work. Avoid plot summary.

Violence is something that is inevitable in human nature. Whether it is in a work of literature, or in real life, violence happens for a reason. In literature specifically, violence adds and contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. In Shakespeare's famous work, MacBeth, the violence greatly adds to the overall theme of tyranny versus kingship. 

The first scene in which MacBeth is introduced is shortly after the fighting and killing of invaders, which quickly brings the reader into the idea of violence as a typical occurrence. MacBeth and Lady MacBeth also start to work on a plan to kill the current king, in order to obtain the throne themselves. The diction and details used to describe their plan gives the reader an uneasy feeling, because it is somewhat dark and gruesome. MacBeth also constantly hallucinates about a bloody knife, reinforcing the violent aspect of the play.  

Because MacBeth is power hungry and wants all of the power to himself, he has to make sure that he is only person alive that has the power to be king. To ensure that this happens, MacBeth has everyone who could take it away from him killed. He violently murders friends, women, and children, and does not care much about how it affects their families. Kings are usually seen as firm, but fair human beings who serve the best interest of their people. MacBeth, although a king, is not seen in this manner. He is insane, violent, and selfish, and is seen as a tyrant throughout the work. His major killings and acts of violence contribute to his reputation of a tyrannical leader. 

Throughout Shakespeare's famous play, Macbeth, the character MacBeth displays insanity and violence towards others. These violent acts and murders are specifically directed at those who test his power. the killing of multiple people in order for MacBeth to keep his power greatly supports the theme of tyrannical rule versus kingship. 

Open Prompt October 28

1980. A recurring theme in literature is the classic war between a passion and responsibility. For instance, a personal cause, a love, a desire for revenge, a determination to redress a wrong, or some other emotion or drive may conflict with moral duty. Choose a literary work in which a character confronts the demands of a private passion that conflicts with his or her responsibilities. In a well-written essay show clearly the nature of the conflict, its effects upon the character, and its significance to the work.

Love is a strong emotion most people face and struggle with in their life times. It is so strong, it can often cause one to lose their path, and move away from making moral decisions. In the book Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, the main character, Pip, must struggle and decide between attempting to please the one he loves, and making a moral decision. 

Pip lives in a small, poor community with his older sister and her sisters husband Joe, whom he works with and loves dearly. Once he meets a wealthy girl named Estella in a mansion he is asked to work in, all Pip wants to do is become a gentlemen and win her heart. He receives money from a secret benefactor and moves to London to try to learn to be a gentlemen. Even though she is rude and cold towards him, he still feels he loves her and wants to please her. Joe tries to keep in touch with Pip while he is in London, but Pip is disrespectful and feels he is superior to Joe because of his recently increased status. Pip must face the conflict of trying to please a girl who doesn't love him, or doing the moral thing and keeping in touch with his old friend Joe. 

This conflict has a large effect on Pip throughout the novel. He feels how cold and rude Estella is towards him, and this constantly upsets him. But when she has one split second of kindness towards him, he notices it and becomes hopeful again. Pip also notices his new behavior towards Joe. Deep inside, he does feel bad for being so disrespectful to Joe, but it is difficult for him to face the idea of being good friends with someone of that low social status. Pip is constantly worrying and thinking about what to do: please Estella, or move back home and work and have a close relationship with his old friend Joe. 

This moral conflict Pip faces makes up a majority of the novel. It adds to the reoccurring theme of social class. Would he rather be unhappy with Estella and a have a high social status, or be happy with Joe and have a lower status? This conflict greatly adds to the theme of social status. 

In the novel, Dickens makes it very clear that Pip must struggle between attempting to please the one he loves, or making a moral decision to stay close with Joe.