• Blog – What do you make of the last chapter? Is this a happy ending for Huck and Jim?
The last chapter is a happy ending for Huck and Jim. It is a happy ending for Huck when the reader learns that Tom is now well and wears his bullet around his neck. For Jim, he becomes free. This chapter takes the novel back to the beginnings of the story when Aunt Sally tries to “sivilize” Huck. The last chapter could be hinting at yet another adventure for Huck when he announces that he will continue to try and avoid the trappings of civilization and find his own freedom.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Blog 8
• Blog – Why does Huck tear up the note to Miss Watson? What change does this mark within him?
In chapter 31 Huck decides to write a note Miss Watson telling her of Jim’s whereabouts. After he wrote the note Huck felt he had gotten rid of sin for the first time. But, Huck began to think about the trip down the river with Jim. He thought of how Jim always treated him kindly, and just about how appreciative Jim was to have a friend like Huck. After processing this through, Huck decides to tear up the note.
In chapter 31 Huck decides to write a note Miss Watson telling her of Jim’s whereabouts. After he wrote the note Huck felt he had gotten rid of sin for the first time. But, Huck began to think about the trip down the river with Jim. He thought of how Jim always treated him kindly, and just about how appreciative Jim was to have a friend like Huck. After processing this through, Huck decides to tear up the note.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Blog 7
• Blog – How does Huck ruin the Duke and King’s plan? Why does he do it?
The Duke and King’s plan was to get to the river at about 3am and leave with what they have. At first, the King doesn’t agree but later aggress to it. Huck hears this when he is hiding in the Kings room. Huck sees where they hid the bag of money and took it out of the bed before they were half-way downstairs. Huck then takes the bag of money and puts it in the coffin. Huck then goes and tells Mary Jane of the Dukes and King’s plan. He tells her to go to a relative’s house so she doesn’t give anything away. Huck does this because he feels guilty about the grief she is feeling, the separation of a slave family.
The Duke and King’s plan was to get to the river at about 3am and leave with what they have. At first, the King doesn’t agree but later aggress to it. Huck hears this when he is hiding in the Kings room. Huck sees where they hid the bag of money and took it out of the bed before they were half-way downstairs. Huck then takes the bag of money and puts it in the coffin. Huck then goes and tells Mary Jane of the Dukes and King’s plan. He tells her to go to a relative’s house so she doesn’t give anything away. Huck does this because he feels guilty about the grief she is feeling, the separation of a slave family.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Blog 6
• Blog – At the end of Ch. 23 Jim tells as story about his daughter. What is significant in that story and what does it reveal about Jim?
At the end of chapter 23 Jim tells a story about his daughter. In his story Jim tells Huck that his daughter Lizabeth, who was around four years old, did not follow Jim’s orders. He then tells Huck that he feels guilty about the way he had treated her, because it wasn’t until he had struck her that he realized that she was deaf. The fact that Jim is telling this story to Huck shows that this incident as haunted him ever since. To Huck, this story shows him that blacks can possibly love their families as much as whites love theirs. Other whites in society do not believe that blacks are as capable of such strong emotions as whites are.
At the end of chapter 23 Jim tells a story about his daughter. In his story Jim tells Huck that his daughter Lizabeth, who was around four years old, did not follow Jim’s orders. He then tells Huck that he feels guilty about the way he had treated her, because it wasn’t until he had struck her that he realized that she was deaf. The fact that Jim is telling this story to Huck shows that this incident as haunted him ever since. To Huck, this story shows him that blacks can possibly love their families as much as whites love theirs. Other whites in society do not believe that blacks are as capable of such strong emotions as whites are.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Blog 5
• Blog – What do you make of the Duke and the King? Is it wise for Huck and Jim to go along with them?
To me, the duke and the king are full of themselves. It is all about them. However, Huck did think to himself “these liars warn’t no kings nor dukes, at all, but just low-down humbugs and frauds.” (Pg. 183) He did not mention this to other people, but rather just kept it to himself. Huck decided to do this so not to cause any trouble. So I think that it was fine for them to go along with the Duke and King.
To me, the duke and the king are full of themselves. It is all about them. However, Huck did think to himself “these liars warn’t no kings nor dukes, at all, but just low-down humbugs and frauds.” (Pg. 183) He did not mention this to other people, but rather just kept it to himself. Huck decided to do this so not to cause any trouble. So I think that it was fine for them to go along with the Duke and King.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Blog 4
Blog – In what ways are Buck and Huck similar?
In this chapter we are introduced to a character named Buck. Buck and Huck are both around the same age and also have a similar personality. Both Buck and Huck are impatient. This is shown when Buck first meets Huck and tries to tell him a riddle about a candle. Huck did not understand the riddle, which made Buck impatient. There is another aspect of their personalities that are similar. Both like adventure in their lives. Huck used to plot with his friends about how they would rob people and Buck is in a fight with the Shepardson family. That is why men with guns surrounded Huck when he poked his head through the door. However, the reader only gets to know a little about Buck for the Shepardson family kills him at the end of chapter 18.
In this chapter we are introduced to a character named Buck. Buck and Huck are both around the same age and also have a similar personality. Both Buck and Huck are impatient. This is shown when Buck first meets Huck and tries to tell him a riddle about a candle. Huck did not understand the riddle, which made Buck impatient. There is another aspect of their personalities that are similar. Both like adventure in their lives. Huck used to plot with his friends about how they would rob people and Buck is in a fight with the Shepardson family. That is why men with guns surrounded Huck when he poked his head through the door. However, the reader only gets to know a little about Buck for the Shepardson family kills him at the end of chapter 18.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Blog 3
Blog – How do the events in this chapter characterize raftsmen?
In this chapter the reader learns a lot about how raftsmen behave. Raftsmen are loud, obnoxious people, at least that was the case when they tell stories to each other in their free time. One of the stories told was about a ‘haunted’ barrel. Huck experienced this when he jumped onto a large raft in his attempt to find Cairo. Raftsmen like to talk about strange things such as how to make cats fight.
In this chapter the reader learns a lot about how raftsmen behave. Raftsmen are loud, obnoxious people, at least that was the case when they tell stories to each other in their free time. One of the stories told was about a ‘haunted’ barrel. Huck experienced this when he jumped onto a large raft in his attempt to find Cairo. Raftsmen like to talk about strange things such as how to make cats fight.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Blog 2
• Blog – Why does Huck want to help the men on the wreck? What does this show us about him?
Huck wants to help the men on the wreck because after taking their boat he realizes he left them with nothing. He takes off down river looking for their raft because he feels guilty. To me this shows the reader that although Huck enjoys playing tricks on people that he knows when it is appropriate to help someone.
Huck wants to help the men on the wreck because after taking their boat he realizes he left them with nothing. He takes off down river looking for their raft because he feels guilty. To me this shows the reader that although Huck enjoys playing tricks on people that he knows when it is appropriate to help someone.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Blog 1
• Blog – What trick does Huck play on Jim? Why is he tricking him now when he didn’t want to before?
Huck, in chapter ten puts a snake on Jims blanket while he is sleeping. He does this because the day before Jim and Huck are talking about bad luck and Jim tells Huck that it is bad luck to touch the skin of a snake. Because Huck doesn’t believe that touching snake skin is bad luck he decides to trick Jim.
Huck, in chapter ten puts a snake on Jims blanket while he is sleeping. He does this because the day before Jim and Huck are talking about bad luck and Jim tells Huck that it is bad luck to touch the skin of a snake. Because Huck doesn’t believe that touching snake skin is bad luck he decides to trick Jim.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Last American Man Chapter 9
Is Eustace the ‘last American man’? Why or why not? Is that idea a good or bad one?
I don’t think that Eustace is the last American man because at the end of the book it talks about Eustace’s new dream to have a big house with “walk in closets.” It is apparent that Eustace is starting to gradually becoming like many modern-day Americans. Anyone with this dream should not be given the name “The Last American Man.” I think that the idea of “The Last American Man” is a good one because of how people today think that they need things that are really a luxury to have. It is nice to create a view of what people used to be like in early history.
I don’t think that Eustace is the last American man because at the end of the book it talks about Eustace’s new dream to have a big house with “walk in closets.” It is apparent that Eustace is starting to gradually becoming like many modern-day Americans. Anyone with this dream should not be given the name “The Last American Man.” I think that the idea of “The Last American Man” is a good one because of how people today think that they need things that are really a luxury to have. It is nice to create a view of what people used to be like in early history.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The Last American Man Chapter 8
• Blog – Why do the apprentices dislike Eustace so much? Would you want to work for him?
The apprentices dislike Eustace because he wanted more out of them then they could do. According to Eustace’s program manager 90 percent of his apprentices left “under of angry and bitter circumstances.” (Pg. 201) Eustace wanted his apprentices to do everything he did, which was everything. Eustace knew he worked hard to keep Turtle Island the way it is, but he was unaware of the unreal hours that he worked, and no one “was willing to work all day on building a barn and then sit up all night making phone calls and writing land deeds.” (Pg. 198) Even Eustace’s best apprentice, Jason quit before his two-year commitment was through. Jason had quit because he was unhappy of Eustace’s leadership.
I personally would not want to work for Eustace for mostly the same reasons as the people who actually worked for him. I agree that it would be fun to do for a little bit, but all day everyday I just wouldn’t be able to do it.
The apprentices dislike Eustace because he wanted more out of them then they could do. According to Eustace’s program manager 90 percent of his apprentices left “under of angry and bitter circumstances.” (Pg. 201) Eustace wanted his apprentices to do everything he did, which was everything. Eustace knew he worked hard to keep Turtle Island the way it is, but he was unaware of the unreal hours that he worked, and no one “was willing to work all day on building a barn and then sit up all night making phone calls and writing land deeds.” (Pg. 198) Even Eustace’s best apprentice, Jason quit before his two-year commitment was through. Jason had quit because he was unhappy of Eustace’s leadership.
I personally would not want to work for Eustace for mostly the same reasons as the people who actually worked for him. I agree that it would be fun to do for a little bit, but all day everyday I just wouldn’t be able to do it.
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Last American Man Chapter 7
• Blog – Why does Eustace want to ride his horse across the country? What is one significant thing that happens to him on the trip?
In this chapter the reader discovers Eustace’s love for horses. Eustace would use his newly purchased horse named Bonnie to do farming and hauling. Eustace was “fascinated with the idea of taking a horse on the road for some serious distance travel.” (Pg. 153) However, in order to do this Eustace needed a better horse. Once, he bought his new horse he went riding from the mountains to the North Carolina coast.
Having had traveled all over America by foot, the idea of taking a horse across the country intrigued him. It intrigued him because it would allow him to see a different way of traveling. Eustace wanted to push himself, his brother, and his horses to their limit. He did not want to take a slow steady pace; this trip would be all about speed. A significant thing that happens while on the trip was when Eustace wanted to go one why but Judson and Susan wanted to go the other way. Eustace said that it would be burdensome to the horses and when they met up again he saw that he was right. Another to event that took place while on his coast-to-coast adventure was him fighting a mule. The owner from which Eustace bought the mule from told him of the mule’s intent to kill people if they ever touched its ears, belly, feet, or for no reason, but Eustace would have none of that. He fought that mule until it finally saw him as the one who would make the decisions.
In this chapter the reader discovers Eustace’s love for horses. Eustace would use his newly purchased horse named Bonnie to do farming and hauling. Eustace was “fascinated with the idea of taking a horse on the road for some serious distance travel.” (Pg. 153) However, in order to do this Eustace needed a better horse. Once, he bought his new horse he went riding from the mountains to the North Carolina coast.
Having had traveled all over America by foot, the idea of taking a horse across the country intrigued him. It intrigued him because it would allow him to see a different way of traveling. Eustace wanted to push himself, his brother, and his horses to their limit. He did not want to take a slow steady pace; this trip would be all about speed. A significant thing that happens while on the trip was when Eustace wanted to go one why but Judson and Susan wanted to go the other way. Eustace said that it would be burdensome to the horses and when they met up again he saw that he was right. Another to event that took place while on his coast-to-coast adventure was him fighting a mule. The owner from which Eustace bought the mule from told him of the mule’s intent to kill people if they ever touched its ears, belly, feet, or for no reason, but Eustace would have none of that. He fought that mule until it finally saw him as the one who would make the decisions.
Friday, October 24, 2008
The Last American Man Chapter 6
In chapter six the reader learns that Eustace was starting to get tired of running Turtle Island. “Working seven days a week, all hours of the day for a year now.” (Pg. 129) That was a year after establishing Turtle Island; two years after his purchase of Turtle Island “Eustace was starting to burn out.” (Pg. 137) However, as tough as it was running Turtle Island, Eustace still wanted to purchase more land. He wanted to purchase the land surrounding his current property so that the land around him wouldn’t become polluted. He especially wanted the land called the Cabell Gragg Land. He had to work with David Kaplan who had recently bought a piece of land adjacent to Eustace’s and who had built a resort called Heavenly Mountain. Eustace and Kaplan were not exactly friends with each other but when Eustace asked Kaplan to buy the Cabell Gragg Land and then sell it to him, he agreed.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Last American Man Chapter 5
• Blog – What does actually starting Turtle Island do to Eustace? What does it allow him to do?
To Eustace, obtaining the loan from his father in order to purchase part of Turtle Island was a life changing experience. Eustace’s father, of course, loaned him the money on “at a competitive rate…” (Pg. 106) So, on October 15, 1987, Eustace Conway bought his share of Turtle Island. He immediately started to build a tool shed with, surprisingly, his dad. Eustace loved the dense forest, and even before purchasing the property he began mapping out the whole 107 acres and figuring out were to place various structures that he would later build. So actually starting Turtle Island and creating it into a camp where children could come to learn about the wilderness excited Eustace, as did anything and everything about nature. He wanted “Turtle Island to be the setting of colossal utopian experiment in which he would try to do nothing less than change and save America.” (Pg. 95) He loved the experience of taking the children into the forest and explaining how the forest floor was ‘alive’. He would bury himself in the moist ground and then describe what he felt, this made all the kids wanted to buried. That is why Eustace wanted to purchase Turtle Island.
To Eustace, obtaining the loan from his father in order to purchase part of Turtle Island was a life changing experience. Eustace’s father, of course, loaned him the money on “at a competitive rate…” (Pg. 106) So, on October 15, 1987, Eustace Conway bought his share of Turtle Island. He immediately started to build a tool shed with, surprisingly, his dad. Eustace loved the dense forest, and even before purchasing the property he began mapping out the whole 107 acres and figuring out were to place various structures that he would later build. So actually starting Turtle Island and creating it into a camp where children could come to learn about the wilderness excited Eustace, as did anything and everything about nature. He wanted “Turtle Island to be the setting of colossal utopian experiment in which he would try to do nothing less than change and save America.” (Pg. 95) He loved the experience of taking the children into the forest and explaining how the forest floor was ‘alive’. He would bury himself in the moist ground and then describe what he felt, this made all the kids wanted to buried. That is why Eustace wanted to purchase Turtle Island.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Unit Essay Blog
• Blog – What are your preliminary ideas for your essay? How to those ideas relate to your own life?
I plan to write about the Special Olympics and how it helps people. Not only does volunteering at the Special Olympics make the lives of many intellectually disabled people better, it also batters your own life. It gives everyone the chance to build character and further their social skills. These ideas relate to my own life because last year I volunteered at the Special Olympics Bowling. I met new people and the athletes who participated were all happy and friendly. Volunteering for the Special Olympics doesn’t take much of your time and it is also fun. I am looking forward to volunteering again this year.
I plan to write about the Special Olympics and how it helps people. Not only does volunteering at the Special Olympics make the lives of many intellectually disabled people better, it also batters your own life. It gives everyone the chance to build character and further their social skills. These ideas relate to my own life because last year I volunteered at the Special Olympics Bowling. I met new people and the athletes who participated were all happy and friendly. Volunteering for the Special Olympics doesn’t take much of your time and it is also fun. I am looking forward to volunteering again this year.
Friday, October 3, 2008
End of Book Blog
• Blog – This is a novel about one slave’s quest for freedom. What other groups today still suffer from confinement as Linda did?
The novel, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl as the title suggest, about a slave and her troubles. Linda, the main character tells all about her hard times as a slave trying to escape to freedom. Although most people tend to think that discrimination against blacks is gone, it is not. It still lurks around, but not as much. Today minority groups are the ones that suffer from confinement. Groups such as the Klu Klux Klan are looked down upon by a majority of people. Everyone in American has the same rights, and chooses how to live their life.
The novel, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl as the title suggest, about a slave and her troubles. Linda, the main character tells all about her hard times as a slave trying to escape to freedom. Although most people tend to think that discrimination against blacks is gone, it is not. It still lurks around, but not as much. Today minority groups are the ones that suffer from confinement. Groups such as the Klu Klux Klan are looked down upon by a majority of people. Everyone in American has the same rights, and chooses how to live their life.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Chapters 35-41
• Blog – How does Linda eventually gain her freedom? Why does she have mixed emotions at the end of the novel?
Linda gains her freedom when Mrs. Flint, now Mrs. Dodge came to New York and wanted Linda to pay her for her freedom or to go back to the south. When Mrs. Bruce hears of this she hires a lawyer to negotiate with the Dodges. “He proposed to pay three hundred dollars down, if Mr. Dodge would sell me…” (Pg. 250) Linda thought that in a free state her freedom should not be bought so when her freedom was bought she objected to it; but at the same time was deeply grateful to Mrs. Bruce bought her to be released. However soon after Linda gains her freedom she hears the news of her grandmother’s death. Also she receives an obituary notice of Phillip’s death. While two people close to Linda die Linda still has comforting memories of her grandmother, who helped her endure everything that Linda went through.
Linda gains her freedom when Mrs. Flint, now Mrs. Dodge came to New York and wanted Linda to pay her for her freedom or to go back to the south. When Mrs. Bruce hears of this she hires a lawyer to negotiate with the Dodges. “He proposed to pay three hundred dollars down, if Mr. Dodge would sell me…” (Pg. 250) Linda thought that in a free state her freedom should not be bought so when her freedom was bought she objected to it; but at the same time was deeply grateful to Mrs. Bruce bought her to be released. However soon after Linda gains her freedom she hears the news of her grandmother’s death. Also she receives an obituary notice of Phillip’s death. While two people close to Linda die Linda still has comforting memories of her grandmother, who helped her endure everything that Linda went through.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Chapters 29-34
• Blog – What is Linda’s experience of the North? Is it what she had hoped for? Think particularly about the train ride.
In Chapter 30 both Linda and Fanny are smuggled onto a ship that is headed north, to Philadelphia. The ship arrives to port during the night so that captain suggests to them to wait until daybreak to leave the ship to avoid any suspicion. It took Linda some time to get use to things in a big city. “At daylight, I heard women carrying fresh fish, berries, radishes, and various other things.” (Pg. 204) Later, Linda experiences her first discrimination when she learns that blacks are not allowed to ride in the first class section of the trains. “They don’t allow colored people to go in the first-class cars.” (Pg. 205) This is not what Linda had hoped for; she thought that people of her race were allowed to do the same things as white people.
In New York Linda and Fanny separate and Linda found her daughter Ellen. However, Linda was upset to hear that her daughter still could not fully comprehend the letters she had written to her. Linda had expected Mrs. Hobbs to see that Ellen received an education. “When she was placed with Mrs. Hobbs, the agreement was that she would be sent to school.” (Pg. 209) There is however one bright moment for Linda when she is in Brooklyn. Linda reunites with her son William.
In Chapter 30 both Linda and Fanny are smuggled onto a ship that is headed north, to Philadelphia. The ship arrives to port during the night so that captain suggests to them to wait until daybreak to leave the ship to avoid any suspicion. It took Linda some time to get use to things in a big city. “At daylight, I heard women carrying fresh fish, berries, radishes, and various other things.” (Pg. 204) Later, Linda experiences her first discrimination when she learns that blacks are not allowed to ride in the first class section of the trains. “They don’t allow colored people to go in the first-class cars.” (Pg. 205) This is not what Linda had hoped for; she thought that people of her race were allowed to do the same things as white people.
In New York Linda and Fanny separate and Linda found her daughter Ellen. However, Linda was upset to hear that her daughter still could not fully comprehend the letters she had written to her. Linda had expected Mrs. Hobbs to see that Ellen received an education. “When she was placed with Mrs. Hobbs, the agreement was that she would be sent to school.” (Pg. 209) There is however one bright moment for Linda when she is in Brooklyn. Linda reunites with her son William.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Chapters 25-28
• Blog – Why does William leave Mr. Sands? Do you think his actions were justified or rude?
“A lad was sent by Mr. Sands to tell grandmother that William did not return with him; that the abolitionists had decoyed him away.” (Pg. 168) William did not leave Mr. Sands because of the abolitionists; he left because since he was a boy longed for freedom. He told his grandmother in a letter not to worry about him and that he would always think of her. His actions were somewhat rude. In his letter he stated, “Mr. Sands had always treated him kindly…” (Pg. 169) If someone is nice to you and doesn’t make you work, then why would you leave? When the Flint’s heard of Williams decision they chuckled to themselves. Just goes to show that the Flint’s are unfriendly people.
“A lad was sent by Mr. Sands to tell grandmother that William did not return with him; that the abolitionists had decoyed him away.” (Pg. 168) William did not leave Mr. Sands because of the abolitionists; he left because since he was a boy longed for freedom. He told his grandmother in a letter not to worry about him and that he would always think of her. His actions were somewhat rude. In his letter he stated, “Mr. Sands had always treated him kindly…” (Pg. 169) If someone is nice to you and doesn’t make you work, then why would you leave? When the Flint’s heard of Williams decision they chuckled to themselves. Just goes to show that the Flint’s are unfriendly people.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Chapters 22-24
• Blog – How does Mr. Sands come to get possession of the children? Why does Linda trust him? Do you feel he’s trustworthy?
Mr. Sands gets possession of Linda’s children when he hired a speculator to buy her children for him. The speculator was to buy her children and then commission them to Mr. Sands, which he did. Linda trusts Mr. Sands because he has always been there for her when she needs him to be. I believe that he is trustworthy because not only does he promise to do what he can with Linda’s children he also goes to Linda’s grandmother and tells her that he has talked to Linda and that he feels Linda should not stay the night there because “it was the height of madness for me to be there…” (Pg. 159)
Mr. Sands gets possession of Linda’s children when he hired a speculator to buy her children for him. The speculator was to buy her children and then commission them to Mr. Sands, which he did. Linda trusts Mr. Sands because he has always been there for her when she needs him to be. I believe that he is trustworthy because not only does he promise to do what he can with Linda’s children he also goes to Linda’s grandmother and tells her that he has talked to Linda and that he feels Linda should not stay the night there because “it was the height of madness for me to be there…” (Pg. 159)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Chapters 14-17
• Blog – Why does Linda get so upset when her daughter is given a gold necklace to wear? What is she comparing that act to? Do you agree with the comparison?
At the very end of chapter 14 Linda’s daughter is given a gold necklace from her father’s old mistress. Linda thanked her for the gift as every polite person would, but in reality she was upset with the gift. In her eyes, Linda saw the gold necklace as a symbol of slavery. “I wanted no chain to be fastened on my daughter, not even if its links were of gold.” (Pg. 100) Linda never wants her daughter to be in the same situations as she was when she was a kid. Obviously slaves see things differently then we do so I can’t say that I agree or disagree with Linda’s comparison. It would have been so easy for a slave to portray something, as being bad while another person wouldn’t even have thought of it. Not only was Linda upset with the gold necklace but also upset at her father. “I loved my father; but it mortified me to be obliged to bestow his name on my children.” (Pg. 100) Before Linda’s daughter received the gift she was christened. Linda gave her daughter the surname of her father, which she did not want to do.
At the very end of chapter 14 Linda’s daughter is given a gold necklace from her father’s old mistress. Linda thanked her for the gift as every polite person would, but in reality she was upset with the gift. In her eyes, Linda saw the gold necklace as a symbol of slavery. “I wanted no chain to be fastened on my daughter, not even if its links were of gold.” (Pg. 100) Linda never wants her daughter to be in the same situations as she was when she was a kid. Obviously slaves see things differently then we do so I can’t say that I agree or disagree with Linda’s comparison. It would have been so easy for a slave to portray something, as being bad while another person wouldn’t even have thought of it. Not only was Linda upset with the gold necklace but also upset at her father. “I loved my father; but it mortified me to be obliged to bestow his name on my children.” (Pg. 100) Before Linda’s daughter received the gift she was christened. Linda gave her daughter the surname of her father, which she did not want to do.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Chapters 11-13
“The slaves generally compose their own songs and hymns; and they do not trouble their heads much about the measure. They often sing the following verses:
Old Satan is one busy ole man;
He rolls dem blocks all in my way;
But Jesus is my bosom friend;
He rolls dem blacks away.
If I had died when I was young,
Den how my stam’ring tounge would have sung;
But I am ole, and now I stand
A narrow chance for to tread dat heavenly land.”
This passage interested me because it shows the reader a clear example of something the slaves can choose if they want to do. It also portrays the slaves’ involvement in how they see the church. The slaves use these verses when working in the fields to pass by the time. During this point in the book, Linda is describing how the church relates to slavery. She told stories of different ministers and depending on the minister whether he saw slavery necessary or that blacks and whites should be equal.
Old Satan is one busy ole man;
He rolls dem blocks all in my way;
But Jesus is my bosom friend;
He rolls dem blacks away.
If I had died when I was young,
Den how my stam’ring tounge would have sung;
But I am ole, and now I stand
A narrow chance for to tread dat heavenly land.”
This passage interested me because it shows the reader a clear example of something the slaves can choose if they want to do. It also portrays the slaves’ involvement in how they see the church. The slaves use these verses when working in the fields to pass by the time. During this point in the book, Linda is describing how the church relates to slavery. She told stories of different ministers and depending on the minister whether he saw slavery necessary or that blacks and whites should be equal.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Chapters 5-8
It is hard for a slave to even love at all. If they do love someone, they soon figure out that it is not as easy as they thought. As Linda put it, although she loved a free black man, he would have no power over her master if they became married. She also said that if they were to have any kids that they would then belong to Dr. Flint, so it would be hard enough to have a family. Throughout chapters 6 and 7, Linda repeatedly asked to be sold to her lover. She thought that since Mrs. Flint was jealous of her that she would be more than willing to sell her, that way she could stop worrying about Linda and her husband. But, as soon as Dr. Flint found out about Linda’s affection towards this man, he told Linda never to mention his name or to speak of the situation again. He told her that if he caught the man in his premises that he would shoot him as he would a dog. The man told Linda that he was going to Savannah to look at a piece of property and that he would be back to see her, but, as hard as it was for Linda to tell him, she told him that it would be best if he stayed there. For Linda to tell this to a free man, shows that she really cared for him.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Chapters 1-4
In the first few chapters of Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl the author Harriet Jacobs does an excellent job of portraying the different aspects of slavery to the reader. In the first chapter the readers learns how black mothers are devoted to their children. In the narrative, Linda Brent, a slave, describes her grandmother, who was forced to watch her son sold at the age of ten. Brent describes that instead of just passively accepting her fate, her grandmother did everything she could to reunite her family again. Jacobs illustrates the cruelty of the slave owners, in this case Dr. and Mrs. Flint. Near the end of chapter two Jacobs tells the story of a male slave who is nearly beaten to death. These are just a few examples of the way Jacobs illustrates slavery. What is so powerful about it is that the story is from a slave’s perspective. Linda presents a broad view when she describes stories about other slaves.
Colonial Period Blog
Today in class we were assigned different periods in history. I was assigned the Colonial Period and read different articles about the period. One of the articles that I read to learn more about the Colonial Period was Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford. The article began with the Mayflower Compact of 1620. It described the voyage that the Pilgrim’s had to endure to reach the New World. From these articles we were to pick out important events, historical figures ect, to make a PowerPoint about. In US History we just completed our unit that talked about the Mayflower Compact. This article would have been helpful in writing our unit paper which had us compare two colonies, one of them being Plymouth.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
In Class Response
Today we discussed the three levels of reading. Level one being the level where all you do is understand the content of the novel such as the main characters, where the story takes place and when. The second level of reading is the symbolic level. In The Great Gatsby this would be an object like the green light, which represented Gatsby’s adulthood dream. Level three is the evaluating and connection level. This is where the reader should ask himself or herself how this book could relate to their own life. When ended the day’s discussion talking about hopes and dreams and whether or not people should have them. I think that people should have dreams, because if not, their life would be boring and that is what realized in the middle of the book.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Chapter 9
In chapter nine it is Nick who feels that he has the responsibility for making Gatsby’s final arrangements. Later on in the chapter Nick receives a phone call from Henry Gatz, Gatsby’s father. These are the only two people who show up to Gatsby’s burial. Nick wanted the minister to wait “…but it wasn’t any use…nobody came.” (Pg. 174) This shows the reader who Gatsby’s real friends are. It also confirms that besides all Gatsby had done for many other people, they didn’t think to thank him by attending his burial. The final chapter ends with the attention turning back to the green light at the end of the dock.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Chapter 7 and 8
In the beginning of the book Daisy and Tom had a lot of tension in their marriage in the beginning of the book regarding the “business” phone calls Tom receives at home. This hinted at the fact Daisy knew about Tom having a mistress and that there would be a confrontation at some point. As well, Daisy always covers up her emotions and appears as though she is in denial. This also is seen when she strikes and kills Myrtle while driving. Daisy acts as though she didn't do it and allows Gatsby to be blamed. The only confrontation Daisy had with Myrtle Wilson was a deadly one. In chapter 7 Daisy ran over Myrtle on her way home from the city. This event ultimately leads to Gatsby’s death in chapter 8. The reason for that is because Gatsby covered for Daisy by saying he was operating the car when it ran over Daisy. This causes George Wilson to track down Gatsby and eventually kill him. Gatsby did nothing more than to follow a dream, and he did that till the very end.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Chapter 6 and 7
In this chapter Nick tells us more about Gatsby, and who he is. We first learn that his first name was James Gatz and that he changed it to Jay Gatsby when he began his career with Dan Cody. He did this because he wanted to break away from his poor parents and start a new life. Gatsby was in charge of Cody’s yacht for about five years and because he was in charge of the yacht he didn’t drink which explains why Gatsby doesn’t drink at his own parties. Nick decides to tell the reader this now because the reader still didn’t know all that much about Gatsby and may have some misconceptions about who he is. People think that Gatsby is a partier himself because he throws all of the parties but in fact he learned from his past that drinking only causes trouble, which he learned from Dan Cody. The reader just thought that Gatsby’s life was easy and that he was happy with himself. Before Nick had reviled the truth about Gatsby’s background people had come up with stories about Gatsby and now that the truth has been reviled the stories will lessen.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Gatsby's Enchanted Object
In chapter 5 Nick tells the reader that Gatsby’s “count of enchanted objects had diminished by one.” Nick is referring to the green light that glows on the end of Daisy’s dock every night. Prior to this day the green light represented one of Gatsby’s biggest dreams; becoming closer to Daisy. Now that Daisy is standing by his side, the green light will not hold the same amount of meaning. Daisy however, is completely unaware of the meaning the green light had on Gatsby. Gatsby’s dream that he had throughout his adulthood, now must change because he feels he can no longer get any closer to Daisy.
Friday, August 22, 2008
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