My Masterpiece

My masterpiece! This project quite interests me I would like to start off and say. It should interest everybody involved as well! My master piece is High School Transformation. Not only am I emphasizing on your physical transformation but your inner and mental transformation as well. I thought that I could put together a video simply just interviewing my senior classmates and learning about their 4 year journey. Highschool is 4 of the most important years of our lives! I don't know about most people, but I myself have changed an incredible amount and looking back reminiscing on that factor absolutely amazes me. Just the way I handle situations, talk, choice of diction, dress and choice of activities is sooooooo different it's crazy! I'd like to end this year by putting a huge smile on everyone's face while we get to sit down and relax watching a video of just growing up. Well all be leaving and to actually go in depth and look into how much we did grow up interests and excites me:) can't wait to get this thing started! 

Literature Analysis #1

Title: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Author: Mark Twain
Summary: 



1. The book is based around the character of Huckleberry Finn, who is a poor boy living with adopted guardians since his father is a alcoholic. He is unhappy with his new way of life and dreams  of going back to the way things used to be. Unlike in his past, Finn is forced to be respectable and be a good image towards society. This changes once his father kidnaps him in order to start a new life. Sadly, instead of getting a better life, Huck is locked in a cabin while his father drinks until he can drink no more. In addition, Pap beats poor Huck every time he's intoxicated, which causes Huck to run away and to fake his own death in order to escape from Pap. While on the run, Huck runs into a former slave of his adopted guardian named Jim.  Jim has run away from Miss Watson (adopted guardian of Huck)  after hearing her talk about selling him to a plantation down the river, where he would be treated horribly and separated from his wife and children. Luckily, the two find a raft and pass my a floating house on the Mississippi river, which leads to them finding a body, but Jim won't let Huck see who it is.  The two are soon separated when their raft is destroyed by a steamboat. Huck is able to find shelter with the Granderfords, who have an intense feud with the Shepherdsons. A battle begins between the two families while Huck is there due to the fact that a Grangerford daughter eloped with a Shepherdson son (reminds me of Romeo and Juilet). Huck escapes the battle by finding Jim on the repaired raft and the two hurry down river. As their journey continues, the two pick up a few hitchhikers, who are actually con-artists. The con-artists pull off tons of scams as they traveled along the river, which makes Huck and Jim want to get rid of the two men. Sadly, they tried to by exposing one of their plans, but the con-artists make it to the raft just in time. The two robbers end up selling Jim to a local farmer, which was their worst crime of all. Huck is enraged and decides he was going to save Jim from slavery. Now, Huck finds out that the farmer Jim was sold to was Tom Sawyer's aunt and uncle, so they welcome Huck thinking he was Tom. A few days later, Tom arrives and realizes the plan his friend has devised, so he says that he is his younger brother, Sid. The two hatch a ridiculous plan to free Jim that ends up not working and causing Tom to get shot in the leg. The next morning, Tom tells the truth to his aunt and uncle, which ultimately frees Tom. During that time, Huck also finds out that the body in the house was his father's and instead of being adopted by Tom's aunt, he decides to live out West.
2. “Please take it”, says I, “and don’t ask me nothing- then I won’t have to tell no lies.”  This book has various themes, but the two that were most evident to me were racism and the hypocrisy of being civilized or morally/socially acceptable. The struggles with Jim and the fact that Huck is constantly trying to escape from being civilized shows these two themes in a perfect way.
3. “All right, then, I'll go to hell"—and tore it up.” The author's tone changes throughout the novel since the author, Mark Twain, would use it as a way of characterization. 
4. Ten Literary Techniques: 

-“Right is right, and wrong is wrong, and a body ain’t got no business doing wrong when he ain’t ignorant and knows better.” 

cliche: The idea of right and wrong is a common cliche within our culture and was actually a part of my big question.

-“He was sunshine most always-I mean he made it seem like good weather.” 

metaphor: This is an example of a metaphor because it's a comparison without using like or as.

-"It's not as bad as it sounds.” 

understatement: This technique was used to make the dilemma seem less important and to "understate" it's value.

-“To be, or not to be; that is the bare bodkin 

That makes calamity of so long life;” 

connection: This was a connection to Shakespeare's "To be or not to be" speech!

-“The widow she cried over me, and called a poor lost lamb, and she called me a lot of other names, too, but she never meant no harm by it.”

pathos: This elicits a connection family and compassion, which causes emotion within the audience.

-“It's lovely to live on a raft. We had

the sky, up there, all speckled with stars, and we used to lay on

our backs and look up at them, and discuss about whether they was

made, or only just happened- Jim he allowed they was made, but I

allowed they happened; I judged it would have took too long to make so

many.” 

imagery: This created a beautiful setting in which the audience was able to create within their minds. 

-“What got you into trouble?" 

rhetorical question: This quote established a question that didn't need to be answered, which makes it a rhetorical question.
-“It's as mild as goose-milk.”
simile: This quote is a perfect example of simile because it is a comparison that uses the word as.
-“little smoke couldn't be noticed now.."
allusion: This imagery of smoke alludes to the fact that their position could be compromised.
-“frills. I won’t have it. I’ll lay for you, my smarty;”
“All right, then, I'll go to hell"—and tore it up.” 
tongue in cheek: Both of these quotes pokes fun at certain themes, which provides a humorous tone for their characters and the author.
Characterization:

Direct characterization is when the author makes statements about a character's personality directly to the reader. 

Indirect characterization is when the author reveals the character's personality through that character's thoughts, words, or interactions with others.

1. 

-Direct Characterization Examples:

“here was a free nigger there from Ohio-a mulatter. most as white as a white man. He had the whitest shirt on you ever see, too, and the shiniest hat; and there ain’t a man in that town that’s got...”

“Now she had got a start, and she went on and told me all about the good place. She said all a body would have to do there was to go around all day long with a harp and sing, forever and ever. So I...”

-Indirect Characterization Examples:

“I felt so lonesome I most wished I was dead. The stars were shining, and the leaves rustled in the woods ever so mournful; and I heard an owl, away off, who-whooing about somebody that was dead, and a whippowill and a dog crying about somebody that was going to die;” 

“It didn't take me long to make up my mind that these liars warn't no kings nor dukes at all, but just low-down humbugs and frauds. But I never said nothing, never let on; kept it to myself; it's the best way; then you don't have no quarrels, and don't get into no trouble.”

2. The author's diction and syntax didn't change that much when he began to focus on his characters because it allowed the book to have more of a flow. 
3. Huck was a static, round protagonist due to the fact he has various traits, but his ideals our civilization doesn't change throughout the book.
4.“All right, then, I'll go to hell"—and tore it up.”  Honestly, I feel like I know Huck because the author writes in a way in which the audience is able to truly connect with him on a deeper level. (In addition, I liked Huck's attitude and sarcasm!)

Vocabulary List 3

Exposition: beginning of a story that sets forth facts, ideas, and/or characters, in a detailed explanation.

 Expressionism: movement in art, literature, and music consisting of unrealistic  representation of an inner idea or feeling(s).

 Fable: a short, simple story, usually with animals as characters, designed to teach a moral truth.

 Fallacy: from Latin word “to deceive”, a false or misleading notion, belief, or argument; any kind of erroneous reasoning that makes arguments unsound.

 Falling Action: part of the narrative or drama after the climax.

 Farce: a boisterous comedy involving ludicrous action and dialogue.

 Figurative Language: apt and imaginative language characterized by figures of speech (such as metaphor and simile).

 Flashback: a narrative device that flashes back to prior events.

 Foil: a person or thing that, by contrast, makes another seem better or more prominent.

 

Folk Tale: story passed on by word of mouth.

 Foreshadowing: in fiction and drama, a device to prepare the reader for the outcome of the action; “planning” to make the outcome convincing, though not to give it away.

 Free Verse: verse without conventional metrical pattern, with irregular pattern or no rhyme.

 Genre: a category or class of artistic endeavor having a particular form, technique, or content.

 Gothic Tale: a style in literature characterized by gloomy settings, violent or grotesque action, and a mood of decay, degeneration, and decadence.

 Hyperbole: an exaggerated statement often used as a figure of speech or to prove a point.

 Imagery: figures of speech or vivid description, conveying images through any of the senses.

 Implication: a meaning or understanding that is to be arrive at by the reader but that is not fully and explicitly stated by the author.

 Incongruity: the deliberate joining of opposites or of elements that are not appropriate to each other.

 Inference: a judgement or conclusion based on evidence presented; the forming of an opinion which possesses some degree of probability according to facts already available.

 Irony: a contrast or incongruity between what is said and what is meant, or what is expected to happen and what actually happens, or what is thought to be happening and what is actually happening.

R.I.P. Bree

Last night, was a tragic night for many of our senior classmates. Heaven gained the most hardworking, devoted and intelligent woman I've ever met in my life. When I think of Bre I think of nothing but happiness and positivity. Reminiscing back to every single party, Bre would be there and no matter who you were or where you came from she was always the one to give you the biggest hug and biggest greet to welcome you in. I can say with 100% truth she was indeed the life of the party. Always dancing, always smiling and always making friends. She never had an drama or issues with anybody throughout highschool. I remember the day where we were taking out senior panorama picture... The camera man just got everyone to finally stop talking and ready to smile and all of a sudden we look across the football field at the big tall gate and we see this girl alone hoping the fence sprinting her ass butt off trying to make the picture in time. Once someone acknowledges it's Bre every single senior starts chanting "BRE BRE BRE BRE!" It was by far the highlight of the day and put a smile on all of our faces. Well all remember her as the one in class always participating, doing her work and organizing senior trips for everyone to have a blast. Well always remember her as the beautiful person she was inside and not just out.  She was one hell of a woman and she will never be forgotten. Rest in peace beautiful ❤️ #RIPBreetheG

All That David Copperfield Kind Of Crap

The first line of J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye is, "If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth." What does Salinger mean when he says, "all that David Copperfield kind of crap"? What is he referring to? Salinger is referring to Dickens' autobiographical work, titled David Cooperfield. Many of the elements in this novel follow Dickens' own life. It has a very personal touch to it, sharing Dickens' personal thoughts and experiences. So, when Salinger says he's not going to get into "all that David Copperfield kind of crap", he means he's not going to bring his personal life into his work like Dickens is so famous for. I believe this is Salinger's way of saying that his past doesn't have any relevance to his current topic he's trying to convey. 

Interesting Conversation with Stevie Wisz

Me and Stevie talked about how we found it was interesting that Dickens used Jaggers and Joe as foils and related their personalities to pip. It was interesting that the two male figures were so different yet, they both contributed and related to pip as a child. 

Great Expectations Lecture Notes

Great expectations 

Coming of age story-  buildons romon 

Pip: (protagonist) main character

Orphan, feels unwanted and feels the normal path of life (family job etc) isn't going to fulfill him

Vulnerable, adopts role models and try to mimick their lives such as...

Magwitch: guy in church graveyard, eats like an animal( not governed by civilization) wickedness and brutality. Showing the animals need to survive and shows the strand of abandonment that pip may become.

Havasham: having shame, witch like figure that has a shining promise or horrible decay. Sacrificed her life to moralize dead hope and betrayal. Her house has not moved or been touched since she was left and abandoned at her alter (wedding) she's the monster side of the female. Havasham has trained Estella to be a heartbreaker and destroyer of men. Represents dual possibility of adult hood. She's rich and adopted Stella (positive pip takes) on the other hand she and Estella are not what they seem. 

Havasham and Estella remind him of himself and his working class background 

Magwitch reminds pip of his violent side

Question in his mind: am I wicked? Do I deserve what has happened in my life?

Novel of childhood fantasy

Imagines what his life would be life but he doesn't see what it's going to require of him (typical child idealism) 

He meets two father figures named Joe Grogery and Jagger's......

•Joe is the blacksmith , physical strength. Lives by feeling and goes with his gut/heart. He's not a success because he's not rich but he's happy and has a great romantic life. Doesn't judge people's appearances and is kinda of romantic. Joe comes across mother and his children and keeps them together living a happy life. 

•Jaggers knows things about people. Knows secrets. And he holds then over people to keep them loyal( blackmail). He's cold hearted and goes by the book. Doesn't believe in people or ideas. Not successful emotionally, but does have a lot of money. 

Separates mother and child, sells child to Havasham and keeps mother as a slave. 

People like Jaggers: Estella, Molly, Havasham, early magwich

•Wemick plays off of jaggers. Clerk that works with jags. Different guy at home and at work. Lover of Mrs skifins. Pip plays both Wemick and magwich. 

•Magwitch: he identifies with pip as an orphan. Also has a double life: evil life of a child or life after pip influenced a positive life. 

1.Havasham is not his fairy godmother 

2.Estella is not intended for pip and was just part of her training process. 

3. Magwich has authored and created pips expectations. 

4. Pip comes to an understanding that what's old is new again, ideas that we've had before are still there. A young person coming up to a discovery of his own and not an adult telling and showing him a set out path. 

Pip is a fantasist not a realist and that how he differs from joe and jaggers. 

Joe and jags understand that they live in a real world and there's consequences. 

Pip becomes a snob. Attracts to a women that's nothing but horrible (Estella). Conveys his impurity by talking about his bad attitude with joe.. We see he knows he's not in a fantasy world but still doesn't quite get it. 

By the end of the book pip and Estella are a middle age couple that failed. Pip returns to the forge at the end of the novel. Joe and his wife have a son named pip.

College Acceptances

Got accepted into 2 out of my 4 schools I've applied to! Fresno State and University of Arizona so far! Still waiting on San Diego State and Cal Poly.... the wait continues!

Sidartha Notes

He lived a depressing life and had no home for years 

In the beginning of the passage it is very depressing, there looks like there is no hope for the young man

A Brahmin (most religious in India and are thought highly of) of high standing, an extremely  religious man

He felt very alone, did not know where he belonged in life or the type of person he needed to be

He began to think about these things and moved on. He was ready for a new beginning, not looking backwards. He was maturing. Finding who he really was and what he really needed to do in life. 

He had grown in a Brahmin lifestyle where he was always expected of so highly and lived under such a high expectations and he wants to get away from that. 

The snake in his path as he stands paralyzed symbolizes the devil/evil. 

Snakes "shed" their skin like he shuffles off his old identify and begins a new one in a new skin. 

Who he's going to be is yet undefined. 

He's no longer looking back to what had prohibited him from being the person he is destined to be. 

The town is overwhelming and stressed because he is suddenly brought upon himself a massive bunch of ideas of who he is and has been and who he should be. 

The story, instead of keeping a depressing tone, turned out to be a positive thing because he finally figured himself and gave himself that boost t a new life and the person he needed/wanted to be.

Hacking My Education

This semester I want to really focus on creating my master piece the ultimate best it can be. I'm a huge procrastinator, but I really want to make this happen because this is something I'm highly interested in! When we were discussing in class which book we wanted to read first, I was highly interested in reading Great Expectations! I'm glad we picked this one first! I'm excited to read McBeth also because my other classmates in other classes have already read it and loved it! If I were to change anything about this class it would be absolutely nothing! I love the way you teach this class and the freedom we have. We have the ability to not have the "typical" school structure with every assignment we get and it's amazing. I'm looking forward to having an amazing last semester of high school and enjoying every minute possible! :)

Vocabulary #7

Allegory: a tale in prose or verse in which characters, actions, or settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities; a story that uses symbols to make a point

Alliteration: the repetition of similar initial sounds, usually consonants, in a group of words

Allusion: a reference to a person, a place, an event, or a literary work that a writer expects a reader to recognize

Ambiguity: something uncertain as to interpretation

Anachronism: something that shows up in the wrong place or the wrong time

Analogy: a comparison made between two things to show the similarities between them

Analysis: a method in which a work or idea is separated into its parts, and those parts given rigorous and detailed scrutiny

Anaphora: a device or repetition in which a word or words are repeated at the beginning of two or more lines, phrases, clauses, or sentences

Anecdote: a very short story used to illustrate a point

Antagonist: a person or force opposing the protagonist in a drama or narrative

Antithesis: a balancing of one term against another for emphasis or stylistic effectiveness

Aphorism: a terse, pointed statement expressing some wise or clever observation about life

Apologia: a defense or justification for some doctrine, piece of writing, cause, or action; also apology

Apostrophe: a figure of speech in which an absent or dead person, an abstract quality, or something inanimate or nonhuman is addressed directly

Argument(ation): the process of convincing a reader by proving either the truth or the falsity of an idea or proposition; also, the thesis or proposition itself

Assumption: the act of supposing, or taking for granted that a thing is true

Audience: the intended listener or listeners

Characterization: the means by which a writer reveals a character’s personality

Chiasmus: a reversal in the order off words so that the second half of a statement balances the first half in inverted word order