Blog #13

Favorite poem/ Least favorite

My Papa’s Waltz was my favorite poem because depending on how the reader interprets it, it has different meanings.

My least favorite poem was Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird because I found it strange and boring.

Favorite short story/ Least favorite

My favorite short story was Girl because I liked to format it had to it. Making it easy to read.

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings was my least favorite because I found it hard to read and boring.

Next year’s English 150 should read Death of a Salesman. I enjoyed reading it and watching the film.

Watching the video of Bartley and Death of a Salesman helped me get a better understanding and visual of what I was reading.

Favorite in class activity/ Least favorite

I like splitting up into small groups and working on questions together. I felt like I got a better understanding and more covered that way. I also like the test prep for the short story test. The little pieces of paper and sorting them was helpful for the test.

I didn't miss presenting in our small groups. I did like when as a class we talked about the poems and doing that with short stories and Death of a Salesman might have been nice.

Favorite Blog/ Least Favorite

I liked doing the blog post. I would keep that for the next English 150.

My favorite blog was whenever you had us do our own version of a poem like a sestina.

My least favorite blog was making the connection to “The Lottery”. 

"Grandpa" Willy

Your grandfather Willy was someone Uncle Biff and I looked up to as kids. We always tried our best to make Willy proud. Doing our best to get good grade and then go out and make something of our lives. Biff was into football and trying to make something of it. Grandpa was very supportive of Uncle Biff for this. I went on and started to make money. Although later on Biff and I both moved back with grandma and grandpa because they need some help.  Sadly, this is when I noticed the difference in how grandpa acted towards us all.  Grandpa Willy was an excellent salesman, although as he got older he struggled to do his best. He hated to struggle so he would continue to make long trips. He always wanted to provide for us the best that he could. He was such a driven man. Always going after what he wanted. That is one of the main traits that stuck out to me when thinking about Grandpa Willy. I hope that I can show you, my children, that characteristic like my father did to me. I think it is very important to have and helps you go far in life.

I know if grandpa was still here with us today he would want the best for you guys. He would love to see you succeed just like he did for Biff and I. Just remember he is still with us and is looking down on all of us. So let’s make him proud. 

Linda's Diary

Saturday, 1949

Biff and Happy are back home with us for the time being. It’s so nice to have our whole family together again. Since the boys got home all they do is talk about work and what they want to do with their life’s next. It’s so nice to see how happy Willy is with the boys. When they are home, he always remembers the good memories that all four of us shared together as a family. I just hope Willy does well in work this week because I have a lot of bills building up that I need to pay off as soon as possible.

Monday, 2013

All that has been on my mind lately is Willy. I’m just so worried about him, especially when he leaves for work. Driving as far as he does alone just make me sick to think about it. After his two car accidents, I can’t help about think there is going to be another one.  He needs to realize that he is getting old and need to slow down some but; he is so focused on work I don’t see that happening anytime soon. He will not let me get a job to help pay the bills. He says that that is his job not mine. Although if I did get a job I wouldn't be so worried about the bills. 

The Lottery

"The Lottery"

Theme: Tribal nature

                The short story by Shirley Jackson discusses a town that is stuck in there ways about a bad tradition. Stone is something the town must take part in once a year. One person a year is picked to be stoned which is friends and even family pick up rocks and throwing them at the person that was chosen. No one in the town is brave enough to speak up and try to stop this tradition although some characters hint at it. Such as Mrs. Adams “Some places have already quit lotteries” (294). Everyone is scared or worried about the outcome.

                In Nampa there was a big disagreement a while back. The main rodeo in town was thinking about moving the outdoor rodeo to an indoor rodeo. Many people were upset because putting it indoor takes away the effect of the rodeo that many attended every year. However, the other side was agreeing to move it because that way they could have air conditioning making the rodeo more enjoyable.

                Although no one likes change sometimes it is for the better. If someone in the community where the Lottery takes place would speak up they could stop this horrific event and have a better community as a whole. Just like in Nampa, they ended up voting on it and moved the rodeo indoor. At the time many were boycotting that rodeo. As time passed, people got over it and the attendance went higher than ever. 

Mrs. Mallard Facebook Post

The Story of an Hour

Post 1: I have been told by my doctor that I have heart troubles. Please keep me in your thoughts.

Post 2: A day that I will never forget, my husband was killed in the train accident.

Post 3: I am so alone, not happy, and heart broken.

Post 4: Out my window it is beginning to look like spring. Pretty blue sky. The smell of rain in the air.

Post 5: Free free free!

Post 6: I have no one to live for. I shall live for myself.

Post 7: I loved him!

Post 8: Free! Body and soul free!

Post 9: I am not making myself ill.

Post 10: My life is such a train wreck. 

http://www.scai.org/SecondsCount/Disease/HeartAttack.aspx?gclid=CJqWoND9-rUCFY-iPAodIlIAwQ

"Girl" Imitation

 "Girl" Imitation 

Be kind and nice everyday so you make friends, don’t be judgmentally. Have manners, say you’re please and thanks yous with seniority. Stay clean. Take a shower daily and put on clean clothes. Put the dirty clothes in the hamper. Keep the carpet on your floor visible. Don’t interrupt, or talk without being called on, that makes the majority of people irritated  Look up to your elders, especially your mother and father. Work harder than your dad; always give him an extra hand. As for your mother, be very appreciative to all she does for you. Further your education to support for your family.  Date for a while to make sure you find the right one so, you don’t end up in a divorce. Treat a lady with the most respect.  Enjoy your job but, love your family more. Travel. Capture and cherish the good memories forgive the bad. Raise your kids to be successful individuals. Take good care of your mother and father, when they become older, as they did for you. Make a difference. Live every day that you have to the fullest! 

Dialogue

In this scene a teacher is telling her husband about an argument between two kids at the school she teaches at.

The bully of the school is walking down the hall way with his group of friends. The “new” boy accidentally bumps into the bully.

“Sorry about that. It won’t happen again.”  Said the new kid as he gathered his things.

“It better not happen again or else there is going to be a major problem.” The bully pushed the wimpy "new" kid into the wall.

The frightened kid didn't know what to do “Look would you stop I said I’m sorry and I need to get to class.”

“Hey! You can go to class when I am done with you and not until then!” Said the bully as he pushed him again.

The “new” kid raises his voice and says, “Well we are done.”  And walks away.

“No because I did not say we were done, therefore we aren't done.” Says the bully and then continues to hit the kid.

“Please stop please” Cries the “new” kid.

By this time the bell has rang and the hallways are nearly empty. A student teacher walking down the hallway finds the bully beating the kid. She then pulls off the bully and drags him to the principal’s office.