Latin Roots #7

Roots & Derivatives
1) Duc(t), Duce (to lead): Conduct, reduce, education, abduct, deductive, ductile, induction, deduce.
2) Fed(er), fide(e) (faith, trust): Federal, confidence, affidavit, infidel, bona fide, confide, confederate
3) Fine(e) (end, limit): Finish, confine, define, infinitesimal, affinity, infinity, finial
4) Flect, Flex (to bend): Deflect, reflex, reflector, flexibility, genuflect, flexor

Word List
1) Aqueduct: A large pipe or other conduit made to bring water from a great distance.
The Romans were such a successful civilization because of their ability to transport water through aqueducts across their entire empire. 
2) Conductive: Tending to lead, help, assist, or result in.
Leaders tend to be quite conductive people for they must assist others through their obstacles. 
3) Definitive:  A completely accurate, reliable, and authoritative; decisive or conclusive.
His finger prints on the weapon used to murder the man was definitive proof that he was guilty.
4) Fidelity: A faithfulness to one's promises or obligations; steadfast faithfulness, technological faithfulness.
Adultery can also be considered infidelity for it is unfaithful. 
5) Fiduciary: An individual who holds something in trust for another; a trustee.
We used a mutual friend as our fiduciary for our wager.
6) Finale: A "grand" conclusion, as of a performance; the last scene of a play.
After the finale all the actors came out and took a bow during a final applause.
7) Finite: A limited or bordered by time or by any measurement; measurable.
There is no finite amount of numbers. 
8) Flexuous: Winding in and out; bending or wavering.
The young sapling was quite flexuous during the storm.
9) Inducement: Anything used or given to persuade or motivate; an incentive.
With the promise of a candy bar as an inducement I had my younger siblings cleaning the house in no time.
10) Inflection: A slight change in tone or modulation of the voice, as in a point of emphasis. 
In an attempt to foreshadow what would happen next I changed my inflection for certain words in the story. 
11) Perfidious: Characteristic of one who would intentionally betray a faith or trust; treacherous.
Because he only ever sought opportunities that would only benefit himself he had no second thoughts about giving the lock combination away for a few thousand dollars.
12)Traduce: To speak falsely of; to slander or defame; to disgrace another's good name; to vilify.
Our department manager called a meeting because one of our colleagues has been spreading rumors and traducing the name of our other colleagues. 

Joy Luck Club Essay Choice #9

Face of Conformity & Non-Conformity

“I think about our two faces. I think about my intentions. Which is better? If you show one, you must always sacrifice the other.” Lindo Jong the mother of Waverly Jong says this after realizing that her daughter has lost all the cultural values that she tried so hard to instill into her. Upon looking at her daughter’s face and her own she notices the obvious similarities and while they are almost identical she can see the subtle differences etched, by the American culture. Lindo Jong only briefly elaborates on the two faces that she can portray. One is her “American face.” This is the face that Americans think is Chinese, the one they cannot understand. On the other hand is her “Chinese face” the one that her daughter despises. Each of these faces represents either conformity or non-conformity.

Her “American face” represents the times she chooses to conform and play the oblivious foreigner. This face is blank and child-like for it must come off as ignorant. Her “Chinese face” is the face that she chooses when she stands firm in her beliefs and doesn’t care what others think. This face is battle hardened, prepared, and cultured for it is put into use when Lindo will not take no for an answer. We all use our own versions of these faces but they are our face of conformity or non-conformity.

Lindo also says, “One always sacrifices part of oneself by putting on one’s ‘American face’ or one’s ‘Chinese face.’” This is the same when one conforms and doesn’t conform to the societal standards. The wearer of the Chinese face is someone who is standing firm in their beliefs because they find the standards set forth by society to be unessential to their well-being. By doing this they gain a sense of pride for they did not need society to tell them what to do. The wearer of the American face is someone who decided to allow the pressures of society to overcome them and conform. However the wearer of the American face also gains something. They gain the reverence of society and fit in to the culture they live in just fine. However, donning one face means sacrificing something from the other. The wearer of the American face is sacrificing all of their beliefs, ethics, and morals. When they put on the American face they conform to the standards set forth by society and do not think for themselves. The wearer of the Chinese face also is at a loss for they sacrifice all relevance to society, will be shunned, and condemned to a life of scrutiny and ridicule.

Inside all of us is a face we wear when we conform to the pressures of society and another face we wear when we decide to put our foot down and stand strong. While each has its benefits it also comes with sacrificing part of oneself. We are constantly faced with a choice and must decide to pick a face that will benefit us the most. However, wearing one face for too long can mean that you have sacrificed the other face or part of yourself.

Leppard Man Questions

9. Tom Leppard is called Leopard Man because he has tattooed his entire body in leopard print and he often lives/acts like a wild animal.
10. The author thinks people with extreme tattoos and piercings are attention seekers and he thinks this because he believes some people are psychologically dependent on others opinions.
11. Leopard Man is different from other tattooed and pierced people because he doesn't desire people's reactions, he is the way he is because it makes him happy.
12. Leopard Man lives in solitude in a small cabin in the Scottish wilderness.
13. According to Feys society fears people who are different from the majority of the crowd and they fear them because they do not understand them.
14. The "worlds most common but dangerous psychological disorder" is conformity. Conformity is the worse disorder because it can lead to the suppression and destruction of one's self.
15. Leopard Man is so happy because he is doing what he enjoys and he is not subjected nor does he care about the opinions of society.

Diction Handout

Low Or Informal Diction
1) Grind, drop in, crossed up, dunked on.

Elevated Or Formal Diction
1) Undeterred by any though of rejection or ridicule.
Undeterred: Unable to be discouraged or restrained from acting
Rejection: The act or process of rejection
Ridicule: Speech or action intended to cause laughter
Others discouragement could not stop him.
2) An elevated tone makes the person seem stronger and larger than life while after paraphrasing the passage the person seems to be cut down to size.

Abstract & Concrete Diction
1) Happiness, time, freedom, fighting
2) Conrad may have left the captain, ship, and crew nameless because they either may not have carried much relevance or because he wanted these characters to be flat and static.

Denotation & Connotation
1) The denotative meaning of the title The Secret Sharer  means someone who is giving something to another without anyone knowing

Word	Denotation	Connotation
Cadaverous	Haggard and thin	Like a corpse
Darkling	In the dark	Threatening or menacing
Pale	Whitish complexion	Lacking color
Phosphorescence	Having a luminous appearance	Enduring under great trails
Ghastly	Shockingly frightful	Horribly done
Headless	Without a head	Stupid
Fishlike	Of or like a fish	Adapted to the water

Latin Roots #6

Roots & Derivatives

1) Corp (or) (body): Corpse, corporation, corps, corpuscle, corporeal, corpus, corset

2) Cred (to believe/trust): Credo, credit, discredit, credence, credentials, accreditation

3)Cur(r), curs, course (to run/flow):  Current, excursion, discourse, concur, recourse, curriculum, recurrent

4) Dic(t) (to speak/say):  Diction, indication, edict, jurisdiction, dictionary, addict, interdiction.

Word List

1) Benediction: The invocation of a divine blessing, as at the close of a religious service, a blessing or state of blessedness.
After the message had been given the preacher invited the lord into their lives during the benediction.

2) Concourse: A running or flowing together; a broad public walkway or hallway, a crowd or throng.
After training camp the players played with a state of concourse, each knowing the others moves.

3) Concurrent: Occurring at the same time; meeting or acting together.
The dropping of the ball and countdown are always concurrent to mark the beginning of the new year.

4) Corporal: Related to the physical body.
After stealing the thief was given a corporal punishment.

5) Corpulent: Very stout; fleshy and obese; fat
After being fed continuously to win the competition the pig had become quite corpulent.

6)Credibility: The quality of being believable or trustworthy.
After lying repetitively the child lost all his credibility.

7) Credulity: The (naive) willingness to believe to easily without proof.
Often older siblings use the credulity of their younger sibling to their advantage.

8) Cursory: Done in a superficial or hasty manner.
When told he could leave the house after he did his chores the boy did them in a cursory manner.

9) Dictum: An authoritative saying or maxim.
The school's dictum could be seen above the entrance to the main building.

10) Incorporate: To form into one body or functioning unit; to combine several different things into a whole.


11) Incredulous: Not believing, skeptical, or doubting.
No matter how the facts were given most people were quite incredulous about the idea of flying.

12) Indicative: Characteristic of or very much like; suggestive.
The dead animal appeared to have feathers, indicative of an avian descent.

Literature Analysis of "All The Pretty Horses" by: Cormac McCarthy

Part 1:
The novel, “All the Pretty Horses” by Cormac McCarthy starts out by introducing the reader to John Grady, a 16 year old boy who is mourning the loss of his grandfather. With the recent death of his grandfather, john feels compelled to cut all ties to his parent’s bankrupt ranch and sets out on a journey to begin his adult life with his best friend Lacey Rawlins. Before crossing a river they begin to feel as if they’re being followed and decide to set up a stakeout to ambush their follower. Sure enough the friends meet Blevins, a 13 year old boy that reeks of trouble.
After crossing a river with their new companion the trio sets off to Mexico leaving their troubles behind. However, it seems as though trouble will always find them. The two friends get separated from Blevins when he loses his horse and ends up killing the man who “stole it.” John and Rawlins then leave and find work at a ranch where John loses his heart to his boss’ daughter, Alejandra. Living a seemingly perfect life, trouble once again finds John Grady. Corrupt officers tie John and Rawlins to Blevins’ murder and imprison all three.
Once in prison they realize how different things are in Mexico. Continuously battling for their lives John and Rawlins finally escape when they are bailed out by Alfonsa, Alejandra’s great aunt. The two part ways each with home as their destination but John still has a few stops to make. All his detours are in an effort to win Alejandra over, find answers, and seek vengeance for his fallen comrade Blevins.

Part 2:
The main theme of the story that the novel addresses is the loss of innocence that comes along with the coming of age. Cormac McCarthy often addresses these topics as seen in his other novel, “The Road.” While most his books address denying the human instinct this one addresses the coming of age because in no other time is one most compelled to find oneself and lose innocence due to human instinct.

Part 3:
The protagonist in the novel is John Grady. Readers can find John to be quite flat but have a dynamic life experience. His image never changes. Throughout the book he maintains the image of a strong –willed prideful desperado. However, because of his experiences John learns much more about life and changes his personality just enough to be noticed.

Part 4:
In the novel water comes to represent John’s loss of innocence. Any body of water will be described in great depth to foreshadow John’s next action. Water appears when they first cross the river and over the threshold of no turning back. Water can be found again when John loses his virginity after swimming nude in a lake with Alejandra. Rain also appears when John loses Alejandra and sets out on his trek home. Often water or rain would represent his loss of innocence and realization to the harshness of life.

Part 5:
I chose this book merely because it was written by Cormac McCarthy. After reading, “The Road” also by Cormac McCarthy I often found myself lost in the worlds he created. His uncanny ability to design a character that spoke and acted seamlessly realistic has drawn me back to his works.

Part 6:

Throughout the book I often found correlation to my own life. More specifically, my relationship with my older brother. Growing up in the foster system my brother and I depended on each other, just as Rawlins and John do. Rawlins being rash, outspoken, and temperamental is a spitting image of my brother Nick. I feel I am more like John. While still outspoken I maintain my cool and am quite analytical because I cannot stand making a fool of myself. 

Part 7: 
The novel often addressed the topic of human instinct. More specifically, denying human instinct. No matter how much the trio tried to stay out of trouble some way or another violence and bloodshed would follow in their wake. The fact that life is unfair basically is what the novel portrays. For example, Alfonsa states to John that, “It’s not a matter of right. You must understand. It is a matter of who must say. In this matter I get to say. I am the one who gets to stay.” She disregards John and his desires because she understands this basic given aspect of life.

Antigone Questions

1. What kind of prize is given for dancing choruses of worshippers? A bull or a goat was the prize given.

2. How many spectators would gather in the open-air theater of Dionysos? 

As many as fourteen thousand spectators would gather in the open-air theater of Dionysos.

3. How did the mask affect the voices of the actors? The masks had exaggerated mouthpieces that amplified the actors' voices, making it easier for the entire audience to hear.

4. Why was Antigone suspenful to viewing audiences?Antigone was suspenseful to the audiences because although they already knew the story the actors didn't and the audience would pity and want to warn them about their impending doom.

5. How is the sheperd to leave the infant on the mountainside? The sheperd was suppose to leave the infant on a lonely mountainside with its ankles pinned together.

6. What is the riddle the Sphinx gave to Oedipus? The riddle the Sphinx gave to Oedipus was, "what creature goes on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?"

7. Who are Oedipus' kids?Oedipus' kids are Polyneices, Eteocles, Antigone, and Ismene.

8. After Oedipus is exiled, who takes over Thebes?After Oedipus was exiled Creon took over Thebes.

9. What did the family do to the body? After death, the family closed the dead person's eyes and mouth and began to prepare the body for the próthesis, the wake. The women of the house washed the body and dressed it in white or in wedding clothes. Then they placed the body on a bier making sure that the feet pointed toward the door and sprinkled it with wild marjoram and other herbs to keep evil spirits away. Then the men would enter in a formal procession, their right arms raised high in the air. When the closest relative reached out and hd the dead persons head with both hands, the other mourners began to beat their faces and tear their hair. They also wailed and sang to wind pipes.

Into Antigone

Upon waking up and only remembering a few uncanny and eerie sequence of events I think my first reaction would be to use an acronym I learned from one of Bear Grylls’ many survival shows. That acronym is S.T.O.P. it stands for S.top, T.ake stock, O.bserve, and P.lan. After applying that acronym to my situation I would have come to a realization. I would have come to realize that I only have two options. Either I leave my brother to rot and let his soul wander aimlessly and desperately around our world, or attempt to bury him in an effort to assist his soul on its way to the underworld. Eventually I feel I would have come to the decision that I must bury my brother for I am quite prideful and would not let someone in my family die an honorable death and only be left to rot without a proper burial.
After a day or two of planning, for I would not enjoy being caught in the act, I would make my move. My plan would be to sneak out in the dead of night because that would be when most are sleeping or on the verge of succumbing to their fatigue. Despite maybe being able to convince my sister to help I would not even try to enlist her into my crime because I would not like to take her down with me if I am caught. Even attempting to convince her would make her an accessory to my crime even if she denies my request. Therefore, alone, I would bee-line my way to the city dump to ensure that I wasn’t being followed. Once there I would survey the scene and decide on the best possible way to get in and out without being noticed. When I finally arrive in I would bury my brother as much as I could to prove to everyone else that whoever had done it was not afraid to be reprimanded. When I finally make it out safe and sound I would go directly to a friend’s house, after washing and destroying evidence, in order to provide myself with an alibi to the crime.

Johnathan Safran Foer Webinar Reflection

Category: Persuasive/Informative

Name of Presenter: Johnathan Safran Foer

Title of the Excerpt: A Case for Eating Dogs

Date Accessed: October 28, 2014

In the excerpt of “A Case for Eating Dogs” Safran Foer starts by first giving examples of how our society views eating dogs. Then he expands and elaborates on how many other cultures use dog as a staple meat supply. After that he compares dog to any other animal by giving a broader view of the situation and ask the question, “Why is it ok to eat other animals but not dog?”

I found that when Safran Foer stated that the consumption of “man’s best friend” is actually legal in 44 of the 50 states appalling. However, not in a way that suggests disgust. This also led me on to wonder about why we don’t eat dog and how we could benefit from it. When he later compares dog meat to other consumed meats I was also appalled and led to question my views again.

When Safran Foer gave a two sided argument with actual points that seemed valid for the other side only to rebuttle with an even more stunning case I was once again appalled. From the argument I learned what is crucial to Safran Foer’s entire argument. I learned that eating dog meat is actually a good idea for us to do but we don’t because we it as unethical when they are “just an animal” like other meats we consume.

Another point that struck me as important and crucial to his argument was when Safran Foer actually gave a recipe for how to prepare a wedding style dog. I realized that the recipe wasn’t to promote eating dog but the exact opposite. The recipe was put there to show just how much dog is like any other animal. Yet our society still believes in the hypocrisy that it is ok to eat other farmed meats but not dog.

Latin Roots #5

Roots & Derivatives

1. Cent(i) (Hundred): Century, centipede, centennial, centigrade, centimeter

2. Cid(e), Cis(e) (cut, kill): Homicide, incision, suicide, scissors, circumcise

3. Clam, Claim (cry out, declare): Clamor, exclaim, proclaim, disclaim

4. Cord, Cour (heart): Accord, courage, encouraged, cordiform, cordate

Word List

1. Bicentennial: (related to) A celebration of a two hundredth anniversary; happening once in a period of two hundred years or lasting two hundred years.

After 200 hundred solid years of quality service the clothing line had a bicentennial celebration.

2. Centenarian: A person who has lived to be one hundred years old.

Still breaking records and astonishing people all over the world there is a centenarian who competes in triathlons and marathons.

3. Centurion: A Roman officer commanding one hundred men; related to the military mind, especially as it favors military solutions for handling social problems.

Although there was plenty in the army, centurions played an important role in the empire of Rome’s conquest around the Mediterranean Sea.

4. Clamorous: Characterized by continuous loud and complaining voices; noisy complaining; insistent.

After the accidental gas leak at the school there have been a continuous flow of clamorous calls from parents concerned about their children’s wellbeing.

5. Concise: Covering much in few words; brief and to the point; specific.

After coming to terms with our procrastination we can all find spark notes concise summaries to be a life-saver.

6. Concordance: A condition of harmony or agreement; an alphabetical index indicating reference passages, as from a writer’s works.

For the fundraiser to be legal and safe it must fall in concordance with the city’s health and safety regulations.

7. Cordial: Of the heart; warm and friendly; amiable.

Despite having such a hard breakup I found her family to still be quite cordial when we ran into each other at the market.

8. Discordant: (sounding) Harsh or inharmonious; clashing.

With so many musicians missing practice for various reasons the orchestra sounded nothing but discordant.

9. Genocide: The systematic extermination of an ethnic group.

Most acts of genocide are made upon an ethnic group that some political leader has used as a scapegoat.

10. Incisive: Keenly penetrating, cutting into.

With years of studying under his belt the physicist was easily able to incisively solve the equation.

11. Proclamation: An official statement or announcement that informs or honors.

King Creon’s first proclamation was to ban the burial of Polyneices.

12. Reclaim: To claim again; to restore to former importance of usefulness.

Despite having no proof that it was his horse, Blevins, Grady, and Rawlings still snuck into the town to reclaim what was rightfully theirs.

Latin Roots #4

Roots & Derivatives

1. Bon. Boun (good): Bonus, bounty, bountiful, bonify, boon, bon voyage, bonhomie

2. Capit. Capt (head, chief, leader): Capital, captain, capitalize, decapitate, per capita.

3. Carn(i) (flesh): Carnal, carnality, carnival, carnation, carnify.

4. Ced(e), Ceed, Cess (go, yield, surrender): Recede, proceed, success, concede, exceed, procession, unprecedented.

Word List

1. Accession: The attainment of a certain rank or dignity; an increase by means of something added; the act of becoming joined.
After the accession of the soldier he know carried a rank of great stature.

2. Bona Fide: In good faith; genuine.
I trusted my little brother, in bona fide, to be responsible for doing his chores.

3. Bonanza: A sudden and unexpected source of money or riches; a windfall
After winning the lottery, one can expect a huge bonanza.

4. Bounteous: Inclined to be generous; plentiful and abundant
Now that he had enough to give the man became quite bounteous with his poor past in mind.

5. Capitulation: A surrendering, usually upon prearranged terms or conditions; a final giving up.
Once they realized it was in their best interest to not fight they arranged a capitulation.

6. Carnage: A great slaughter, as in battle.
The battle old veteran was a snapshot of what the carnage on the battle fields in Vietnam were like.

7. Carnivorous: Flesh-eating, as an animal
Being carnivorous, the shark went into a frenzy after the scent of blood entered the water.

8. Incarnate: Literally, in the flesh; in bodily form; personified; flesh-colored
After the full moon had waned the werewolf went back to being incarnate.

9. Intercede: To act on another’s behalf; to mediate
After the argument had become quite heated I interceded before things escalated out of hand.

10. Precedent: A previous act or decision taken as a valid model; having gone before
Teachers state the rules on the first day of school as a precedent to prevent any acts of mischief.

11. Recapitulation: A brief reputation; a summary, as of what has already been said
After being bombarded with important due dates our teacher gave us a recapitulation in order to erase any confusion.

12. Reincarnation: A thing that is reborn, or comes back into being, although perhaps in a different (bodily) form.
Many religions attribute life after the present life to reincarnation.

Literature Analysis of The Road by Cormac McCarthy

1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses.
The story begins with the author introducing the reader to a man and his son who are struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. They continuously travel in search of food and survival. Their travels lead them to stumble upon marauding ragtag armies, cannibalistic trappers, and other people just fighting to stay alive. Eventually staring death right in the eye the pair decides to make a few desperate decisions that result in them running for their lives and his boy falling ill. The story climaxes when his child is on the brink of death but miraculously pulls through due to some medicine that is salvaged by his father at the expense of a few treacherous trips to the city. The rest of the story all falls together when they reach there seemingly never ending journey to some southern coast and stumble upon their biggest treasure trove so far, a beached ship. After stocking up they are once again on the road. The pair travels with only the clothes on their back some food in a shopping cart and each other, but even that relationship is at jeopardy in the hopeless world they stumble through.

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. 

Although each new challenges that the pair faces usually brought up a new theme pertaining to perseverance and the unbreakable human spirit I believe the primary theme of the story was that whoever carries the fire will survive, the “fire” being the drive to survive and innocence that the man sees within the boy.


3. Why did you choose this book?
I chose this book because after seeing the list Mr. Ostini put up and hearing him make a few comments about the book I decided to check it out. I found it in his bookshelf by where I sit and opened to a random page in the middle. Upon opening it I noticed how the author didn’t use any punctuation during conversations and I also noticed how eloquent he wrote. Next I noticed the bleak and harsh tone the author used but still somehow managed to make me begin to feel for this nameless man and child. Once I began to read the same things kept me reading. I didn’t even know who this pair could have been before the apocalypse but I felt every emotion they felt and hoped for them just as much as they hoped for themselves.

4. Did you find the book realistic?
I found the book quite realistic. I noticed the way the man talked to his child and how it correlated to the way that social workers used to talk to me. Although I hated it I eventually realized a lot of what people did for me was to protect me from the harshness of what was happening just like the man did to his son. Plenty of times the man treated the child like an adult but also did his best to protect his innocence. Also from my past reading experiences the world they live in is quite the same to many other post-apocalyptic worlds that I have read about.

5. Describe the author's tone.
The author’s tone was quite somber and serene despite the world’s actual state of chaos. “Can’t we help him Papa?’ ‘No. we can’t help him. There’s nothing to be done for him.” “You took everything.’ ‘Come on, man. I’ll die.’ ‘I’m going to leave you the way you left us.” Countless situations like this arise where the boy and his father must push their emotions aside and leave others to die so they themselves can survive. The author treats these situations as almost nothing as they occur often and give readers the sense of inhumanity that goes on every second of the day in their world.

6. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques
Throughout the novel Cormac McCarthy used different literary elements and techniques. Prose is often used to emphasize the utter bareness of the world they live in. No form of mannerism is used throughout the story. “You’ll freeze your tokus off.” (pg. 217)

Common every day hyperboles are often used but without the nonchalant tone we use them today. Each one literally means what it means no matter how exaggerated we use it today. “I’m not hungry.’ ‘No youre starving.” (pg. 203)

Almost every sentence is written so eloquently that the words jump off the page and paint a picture for you. “What the boy had seen was a charred human infant headless and gutted and blackening on the spit.” (pg. 198)

The novel is full of metaphors that enhance our understanding and provides a better image. “Scrawny, sullen, bearded, filthy, a deer caught in headlights.” (pg. 255)

To provide the reader with a better sense of what is happening or how something appears to the boy and his father the author used personification. “The earth itself contracting with the cold.” (pg. 261)

The novel often has similes used in the same way as metaphors are used. “Raw, naked, filthy, starving, the same mental state as animals.” (pg. 257)

Among all these other different elements the novel is also filled with basic sensory details. “They stood in the wind from the sea with the grass hissing all about them.” (pg.233)

Symbolism is a key part of the story that comes up often in the form of fire. Fire is there key to survival in the wild and also their key to mental survival. The boy’s father refers to their inner drive to live as their fire that they carry. “Is it real? The Fire?’ ‘Yes it is.” (pg.278)

The dialogue in the story is also unpunctuated and I think that the author did this to provide emphasis on just how bare the world is and how primal in nature things have become. For example the lack of punctuation on the following quotes. “They wouldnt be able to see far.’ ‘No they wouldnt.’ ‘whats on the other side’ ‘Nothing.’ (pg.216)

The author also uses indirect characterization to prompt us to feel for the characters. When we see the little boy grow and mature we also feel for him as the father does. Each new responsibility and naivety pulls us closer to him. “We could take him and we could take the dog, I’ll give him half of my food and the dog can catch his own.” (pg. 86)


CHARACTERIZATION

1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. 

One example of direct characterization in the novel is when the author describes the man’s past and says that he was once a light-hearted man but now after the world betrayed him no longer trusts anyone. Also in the same scene the author details the boys boisterous and curious personality. The author indirectly characterizes the man every time he puts him in a situation where he would normally be seen as cruel to us but is actually just doing his best to protect his son. Indirectly characterizing the man like this gives us a sense of mystery and reinforces the mystery of the past since he is the only representation of what the world was like before the apocalypse. The author also indirectly characterizes the boy when he is reprimanded by the father for being so naïve and curious by wanting to keep a pet dog. Although he has already directly characterized this part of the boy’s personality by doing it this way we once again can’t help but notice the boy’s innocence and how he represents the good that is still left in the world. 

2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character?
The author’s syntax changes between the boy’s and father’s unique dictation. It also changes for other minor characters that are briefly a part of the story but instead of having their own unique diction they all possess the same diction. The father uses an advanced vocabulary but never tries to explain to the boy what he actually means only reassures him with and repeats what he says when is questioned by the boy. The father often makes joke about religion, god, and praying that the boy does not understand yet makes no effort to enlighten him. The boy uses the same words as his father but it is quite obvious that he doesn’t know what he is talking about.

3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
The protagonist is the boy in this novel and he is dynamic and a round character. Throughout the story the boy will become more responsible with his decisions. At first he pouted and cried when his father made a decision that he did not agree with but later on although he doesn’t agree with it he understands why his father does it and doesn’t intervene to make a change, which is a blatant representation of a boy maturing and changing personality.

4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?
After reading the book not only did I feel like I had met a person or read a character I felt like I had walked through all their trials and tribulations right alongside them. When the father dies the boy spends a few days on his own until he meets someone who ends up being a part of “the good guys.” To know that the boy had found a new family after losing his mother and father it was quite relieving and resolved the entire story for me.


ENDURING MEMORY

Write a paragraph in which you describe the one or two ideas from this book that you expect to remember for a long time.
After reading the book this book I know I will remember one idea for a very long time. It is that we all carry a fire within us. It is our own personal drive to be the best we can and in some cases, like the father and his son, their strive to survive. For each of us carrying the fire is a choice. Evidently, some people cannot take it and lose hope, like the boy’s mother. Some may burn brighter than others but even when the world is doing everything it can to shut us out and put us down we will always have the choice to carry the fire. You aren’t just a good guy or bad guy, it’s a choice that we all have to make in our lives and what we stand up for determines just that.

Latin Roots #3

Roots and Derivatives

Aud(it): Hear

Avi: Bird

Bell(i): War

Ben(e): Good

Word List

Antebellum: Before or existing a war, particularly the civil war.

A lot of people today would argue that the US wasn't a nice place to be antebellum. 

Audit: An official examination and verification of accounts and records, especially financial accounts.

Businesses must go through an audit to ensure that there is nothing illegal going on. 

Auditory: Perceived through or resulting from the sense of hearing.
Our ears are an example of our bodies own auditory system. 

Avian: Of or pertaining to birds.

the avian species contains many different animals from all around the world. 

Aviary: A large enclosure in which birds are kept. 

My friend Ian keeps his pigeons safe from stray cats by locking them in an aviary. 

Avionics: The science and technology of the development and use of electrical and electronic devices in aviation.

Avionics is a crucial part of engineering new and improved airplanes. 

Bellicose: Inclined or eager to fight; aggressively hostile.

A lot of teenage boys are quite bellicose due to an onslaught of different hormones. 

Belligerency: State of being actually engaged in war. 

For quite a while the US was in a state of belligerency in many countries. 

Benefactor: A person who confers a benefit; kindly helper. 

Thanks to Erik being such a benefactor, Christian and I came to a compromise in our argument.

Beneficiary: A person or group that receives benefits, profits, or advantages. 

Our water polo team holds annual barbecues with ourselves as beneficiaries to the fundraiser.

Benign: Having a kindly disposition. 

Some people are often so benign it is quite uncanny. 

Inaudible: Incapable of being heard.

Through the window all we could see were Andrew's inaudible attempt to communicate with us. 

Myth Final Study Session: Homer The Blind Poet

Main Characters
In the story of Homer the Blind Poet there are only two major characters. Homer the blind storyteller who traveled around and composed epic poems, which would eventually become two of the most well-known myths around the world, and his young unnamed helper that assisted him in various aspects.

Setting
The story of Homer the Blind Poet didn't have a specific setting because he was a traveling storyteller. However, we do know that when Homer was in town the next few nights would consist of a feast where Homer was pampered and then prompted to tell a story. All that came out to listen would gather around a fire and wait eagerly while his helper tuned his harp. Then he would begin to weave a complex poem while playing the harp and never breaking meter. Homer told stories so enticing that most would forget the time and stay out listening in a trance until the fire had died down to mere embers.

Plot
All we truly know about Homer is that he traveled from town to town searching for a place to stay and eat in payment for his storytelling. He traveled with a helper who assisted him in every day actions that a blind man would need help with. Throughout his years of storytelling he has been accredited with composing classic myths that live on today; such as Odysseus and Iliad.

Conflict
We decided that there was no conflict in the story.

What Does the Myth Attempt to Explain?The myth attempts to explain how the human voice is the first instrument to be played and will always be heard from generation to generation. Homer entrapped the minds of people from city to city, no matter what their origin or social status, while he recited countless stories that he had created and memorized to the sound of a harp and fire crackling.
Now we can also use the myth as an insight to the Greek social structure because traveling storytellers were the very first celebrities. They were welcomed in any city and lavished with food and gifts for their stories of adventure. Also the myth gives us a first-hand experience of what entertainment was like for this ancient culture.

Journal Post

I'm more of a person that usually keeps to myself and I actually really love to be alone. However, I would prefer to live in a big city rather than a small town. If I could pick a specific place I'd prefer to live in one of these really larger apartment buildings because I love the sense of camaraderie like you would experience in a small town. Also heavy traffic would mean walking/skating to school or work wouldn't be an inconvenience. The US would be my first choice of countries to live in, but I wouldn't mind living in another country. I'd like a big city in the US because you are exposed to a lot of different culture just as you would in another country. Whether or not I live near or far from my family is a hard decision because there are many pros and cons to both lifestyles. Living far from my family would mean I would truly be on my own, without any other insight on how to live my life. I'd enjoy this because I have always been a very independent person and like being completely on my own. On the flip side, living far from family means I have absolutely no one to have with me. For the first few months I would be pretty lonely until I built strong relationships with other people in my area. Living near my family would mean I could constantly visit and always have a place to go. However, it would also mean having my parents breathing down my neck and trying to micromanage my life, which is what I absolutely hate. Where I live will most likely depend on where I'm working or going to school, but one can always dream, and these places are where I dream to live.

Latin Roots #2

Roots and Derivatives

1. Anni, Annu, Enni: year, yearly

2. Aqua, Aque: water, marine

3. Arm: weapon, weaponry

4. Art: art

Word List

1. Aqua - A water, liquid, or solution.

Many fish that are used for our food supply are grown in aqua farms.

2. Aquaculture - The cultivation of aquatic animals and plants, especially fish, shellfish, and seaweed, in natural or controlled marine or freshwater environments.
There are many possibilities and discoveries waiting to be made in the world of aquaculture.

3. Aqueous - Of, like, or containing water.
The goo we made in science class was very aqueous.

4. Armada - A large group or force of vehicles.

The United States has one of the best navy armadas out of the entire world.

5. Armature - Armor.
Our soldiers use vehicles layered in armature to prevent from hostile attacks.

6. Armistice - A temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement of the warring parties; truce.
In the better interest of both countries and their citizens the two leaders declared an armistice to save innocent lives.

7. Artifact - An object made by human beings, especially with a view to subsequent use.
The highest priced item from the estate sale was an artifact that was hundreds of years old.

8. Artifice - A clever trick or stratagem; a cunning, crafty device or expedient; wile.
In mythology there is often a character who attempts some type of artifice to betray the hero.

9. Artisan - A person skilled in an applied art; a craftsperson.
After years of practice and lessons the once apprentice could now be considered an artisan.

10. Millennium - A period of 1,000 years.
My goal is to impact the world so much that after a millennium my name will be remembered

11. Perennial - Lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring.
With new discoveries daily we will be able to build safe perennial structures all over the world.

12. Superannuated - Retired because of age or infirmity.
After years and years of great work our first forklift was superannuated by decision of the department.

Purpose Of The Myth

Myths usually answer four fundamental questions for a certain culture. They include the following: Who am I? What is the nature of the universe in which I live? How much control do I have over my own life? How can I reconcile myself to the inevitability of death? Myths also usually contain four themes. They are often about how the first parents are the gods of sky and earth, a creator god that fashions the first humans from parts of the earth, a god that destroys the earth with a flood, or some heroes who are the children of gods that posses powers, kill monsters, and have an unusual death. According to myths the beginning of the universe, for most major cultures, was a chaotic mass that a god or pair of gods separates. Then the gods multiply and a creator god brings life. Hero myths and epics are primarily to teach normal people the appropriate attitudes, behaviors, and values of that culture. Ordinary people can often identify with heroes because they still have human weaknesses or similar psychological needs and can be seen as ourselves, yet larger and grander.

Birth Order Research Paper

Predetermined Personalities 

According to what esteemed psychologists and scientists have discovered each and every one of us actually have our own personalities and mindset based on our birth order. Many people actually have personalities that contain many similarities to others in their birth order. My own personality can testify for the research’s accuracy. Based on the research I am a youngest child and many of the qualities listed pertain to me also.

 
What the research says about youngest children’s personality matches up with mine quite well. As a youngest child should be charming and a people person. I believe the research was accurate in this aspect. I feel that I usually am a people person. For example at my church a leader usually comes up to me to make a new kid my age feel welcome. The research also says that as a youngest child I will have a bit of a rebellious streak in me. Sadly, I also agree with this conclusion made by the research. I often do a lot of little things that won’t get me into a lot of trouble to continuously nag at someone I either dislike or don’t respect. I’m sure some of my past teachers and parents can vouch for my confession.

 

However, while a lot of the research may be almost spot on there are some findings that I feel do not reflect well upon the accuracy of the research. As a youngest child short term rewards motivate me and I carry a “Do it now and worry later” mindset. This is one of the only findings I do not agree with. I am a planner and long term goal setter. Although I try to live a worry free life, I don’t carry a mindset like that because it will almost always turn into headache worth of worry in the end. I analyze my actions and decide based upon what I feel will let me spend as much time as possible worriless.

Once again to represent the accuracy of the research it states that as a youngest child I have career opportunities in show business and other professions that require an onstage performance. These are career opportunities that I can see myself pursuing and making a life out of, especially because of the fact that I am very comfortable speaking to crowds no matter the size. While the rest of my peers may dread oral presentations I enjoy presenting them, just not making them. Being a youngest child I am supposed to find motivation in words praise and encouragement. This part of the research also defines me very well. I can think of many times where either on the field, court, or in the pool a coach has acknowledged my good work and I feel better about my actions. All it takes is a bit of encouragement and I reenter any situation with a renewed vigor.

The research gives specific attributes, mindsets, and personalities that most children of a certain birth order should contain. As you can see by the correlation between my own life examples, attributes, and mindset there is definitely some truth behind these studies and their findings. After reading and then realizing that I actually contain some of these traits myself, I can use what I know about each birth order to work more cohesively with those of other birth orders. My own life reflects the accuracy of the birth order research findings.

Latin Roots #1

ROOTS AND DERIVATIVES
1. act, ag, ig: to do, to move, to drive
2. ali, alter: another, other
3. am: at/ to love
4. anim: life, spirit, soul
WORD LIST
1. Agenda - a list, plan or outline of things to be done
Responsible adults often use an agenda to log and keep track of their daily events.                  
                                    
2. Agile - quick and well coordinated in movement    
Athletes spend many hours training to become agile and out do other players.
                                                             . 
3. Alienate - to make indifferent or hostile
To protect his dictatorship Kim Jung Un chose to alienate North Korea from the rest of the world.    
                                                                    
4. Altercation - a heated or angry dispute
Temperamental people often find themselves involved in an altercation when they lose control.    
                                                                                 
5. Amiable - having or showing pleasant good natured qualities
Most people have a grandparent that is amiable and showers them with love.

6. Amorous - inclined or disposed to love                                    
Many people can vouch that hormones often make us feel amorous.

7. Animated - full of life, action, or spirit; lively; vigorous                       
You can see Andrew visibly become animated when he talks about basketball.      
                          
8. Equanimity - mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain              
Good leaders show equanimity during chaotic situations in order to assure others that things are under control.
                                                                                                                         
9. Inalienable - not transferable to another or capable of being repudiated
In the US we all have rights that are inalienable no matter the circumstances.
                  
10. Inanimate - lifeless, spiritless dull
Children often become emotionally attached to inanimate objects that carry sentimental meaning.
                                                                               
11. Magnanimous - generous in forgiving an insult or injury, free from petty resentfulness
According to the bible Jesus taught others to be very magnanimous.

12. Reactionary - pertaining to favoring reaction, especially extreme conservatism or rightism in politics; opposing political or social change                                      
A lot of older people that believe in strict tradition and culture can be considered reactionary.

Birth Order Traits

What the Research Says	Personal Reasons Proving Inaccuracy or Accuracy
As a youngest child I am charming and a people person.	I believe the research was accurate in this aspect. I feel that I usually am a people person. For example at my church a leader usually comes up to me to make a new kid my age feel welcome.
As a youngest child I should be rebellious.	Sadly, I also agree with this conclusion made by the research. I often do a lot of little things that won’t get me into a lot of trouble to continuously nag at someone I either dislike or don’t respect.
As a youngest child I have career opportunities in show business and other professions that require an onstage performance.	I feel like these career opportunities would suit me very well. I am very comfortable speaking to crowds no matter the size. While the rest of my peers may dread oral presentations I enjoy presenting them. Just not making them.
As a youngest child my motivating factors include praise and encouragement.	This part of the research also defines me very well. I can think of many times where either on the field, court, or in the pool a coach has acknowledged my good work and I feel better about my actions. All it takes is a bit of encouragement and I reenter any situation with a renewed vigor.
As a youngest child short term rewards motivate me and I carry a “Do it now and worry later” mindset.	This is one of the only findings I do not agree with. I am a planner and long term goal setter. Although I try to live a worry free life, I don’t carry a mindset like that because it will almost always turn into a lot of worry in the end. I analyze my actions and decide based upon what I feel will let me spend as much time as possible worriless.

Reflections On Week 1

So far I haven't had any problems with getting all my work done. The only factor I do see affecting my participation would be my schedule. This year water polo training is getting to be quite intense so I end up exhausted by the time I get home. 

My awesome best learning experience occurred in Target. I was getting ready to go on a trip to a church camp so I was picking up some snacks. I turned the corner into an aisle in search for some sunflower seeds. As I did a really old man, probably about 70, saw me and put his hand in his pocket. As I neared him he pulled out a butterscotch candy and tossed it at me. At the moment I was completely oblivious to the old man and just noticed a yellow ball coming towards me. I tore my hands out my pockets and barely succeeded in catching it. I looked up to see where it came from and the old man just said, "Wow nice catch! But keep your hands out of your pockets son. You'll never know what you'll miss out on in life if you walk through it with your hands in your pockets." Astonished I kinda just stared until he raised his hand and made a fist. I couldn't leave the dude hanging so we fist bumped and I muttered a thanks and went on my way. While walking away I realized what exactly he meant and what I just learned. From the experience the most important thing I learned was in our crazy world how are you ever supposed to catch an opportunity that's flying by if you walk through it with your hands in your pockets. 

For this class I am most excited about the new relationships I can build with my new classmates and Mr. Ostini. So far I've come to realize that English teachers can either be the best people and provide you with so many good memories, or the exact opposite. I'm not really worried about the opposite because it seems like I'll leave this class with a whole lot of new memorable experiences. I actually look forward to learning how to write very well. I enjoy writing but its a bit hard for me to get my thoughts down on paper. I think when I can get exactly what I want to say down on paper in a respectable and educated manner it will open up a lot of doors for me, either in school or in a workplace. 

My Six Words

My Six Words
#AFaçadeUnderstoodOnlyBySquad #MrOWorldLit
I chose these six words because most people don't know anything about my past and I don't let people know because they usually feel the need to pity me. Which I absolutely hate. Hence the part about a façade. The only people that do truly know about me have been there for me and had my back. Like my squad.

First Blog

I never thought I would actually have a blog, just testing it out...