Reflection on “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”
In “The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”, the author uses tone and irony of a situation to influence the story. The author’s tone in the story is joking of his main character that is hooked on gambling. The author seems to be saying that if you gamble too much, some one will eventually cheat you and you will lose your money and possibly other stuff. The character always gets a lucky animal that he can bet on, but then something bad happens to the animal and he can not bet on them any more. The author seems to be saying that he should just give up and stop betting or else one time he could lose more than just money in his betting. The author also uses irony of a situation when the main character makes a bet with a gentleman that his frog could out jump the gentleman’s frog. The gentleman fills up the main character’s frog with lead pellets so the frog can not jump, but the main character does not suspect a thing. He does not know until after the contest when he picks up his frog, and by then the gentleman is gone. Alas, the main character still does not learn the lesson that the author is trying to teach, and he goes on to continue his betting. There is also some irony of situation in the beginning when the narrator goes to ask about the main character and the man tells the narrator about a different person then he asked about. The author seems to make fun of the narrator also for falling into this trap that his friend got him into.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
"The Outcasts of Poker Flats" Reflection
Reflection on “The Outcasts of Poker Flat”
While I was reading “The Outcasts of Poker Flat”, I found that the author used tone and irony to influence the story. Many of the characters in the story have ironic meanings, like Tom Simson’s nickname, the Innocent, even though he is an amateur gambler. The main character in this story was a man that was a professional gambler and he was from the town called Poker Flats. Tom’s future wife is named Piney and she is destined to freeze to death among the pine trees. Another one of the outcast’s names is Duchess, even though duchesses in history would never get in trouble with the law. Uncle Billy deserted all these people and so he is not much of an uncle. Mother Shipton was a foul mouthed lady that took a liking to Piney, and ended up doing a very motherly thing for Piney; by starving herself, she saved food for Piney so that Piney could survive. Mr. Oakhurst dies at the end of the story and his tombstone is a deuce of clubs card that states that he got a streak of bad luck and had to turn in his money; and bad luck is a gambler worst enemy and turning in his money is something a gambler never wants to happen. But Mr. Oakhurst turned in his checks to increase his remaining friend’s chances of surviving.
The author also uses tone by almost making fun of the characters by saying it was dumb to be caught in a situation like this and getting the two others involved in their problems. Also, he wrote it was dumb to stop and take a break for the night when they should have just rode all the way through to the next town and now get stuck in snowstorm that ends up taking all character’s lives but one survives, and he was the one that stole the horses from the people he was traveling to save his own skin. Later, when the snowstorm was in full swing, the author changed his tone and made it more sympathetic to the people trapped in the snowstorm by making these hardened outcasts go soft and motherly towards the young piney and having two of the characters sacrifice their lives to give the rest of the characters a chance at living.
While I was reading “The Outcasts of Poker Flat”, I found that the author used tone and irony to influence the story. Many of the characters in the story have ironic meanings, like Tom Simson’s nickname, the Innocent, even though he is an amateur gambler. The main character in this story was a man that was a professional gambler and he was from the town called Poker Flats. Tom’s future wife is named Piney and she is destined to freeze to death among the pine trees. Another one of the outcast’s names is Duchess, even though duchesses in history would never get in trouble with the law. Uncle Billy deserted all these people and so he is not much of an uncle. Mother Shipton was a foul mouthed lady that took a liking to Piney, and ended up doing a very motherly thing for Piney; by starving herself, she saved food for Piney so that Piney could survive. Mr. Oakhurst dies at the end of the story and his tombstone is a deuce of clubs card that states that he got a streak of bad luck and had to turn in his money; and bad luck is a gambler worst enemy and turning in his money is something a gambler never wants to happen. But Mr. Oakhurst turned in his checks to increase his remaining friend’s chances of surviving.
The author also uses tone by almost making fun of the characters by saying it was dumb to be caught in a situation like this and getting the two others involved in their problems. Also, he wrote it was dumb to stop and take a break for the night when they should have just rode all the way through to the next town and now get stuck in snowstorm that ends up taking all character’s lives but one survives, and he was the one that stole the horses from the people he was traveling to save his own skin. Later, when the snowstorm was in full swing, the author changed his tone and made it more sympathetic to the people trapped in the snowstorm by making these hardened outcasts go soft and motherly towards the young piney and having two of the characters sacrifice their lives to give the rest of the characters a chance at living.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Visuals That Speak Essay
What Is Your Favorite Season? – Visuals that Speak Essay
No matter where or when you were born, you have most likely lived through at least one season. Seasons are important benchmarks in the year, fall means that school is starting up again and summer means that school is almost out. Winter means Christmas is almost here and spring means flowers, cute little bunnies, and Easter. So whoever you are, you probably have a favorite season, even if you have not really thought about it.
So I took a poll in my English class and out of 14 answers, 6 voted for winter, 5 voted for summer, 2 voted for fall, and 1 voted for spring. Winter was first probably because of Christmas, you get time off to see your family and you get presents. Summer is pretty much self explanatory; you get two and a half months of school. Fall may be a pretty season with all the leaves changing color, but let’s face it, it means back to school. While spring is kind of in the middle, just stating that there is still about three to four months left. Seasons are important to everyone even if they do not always think about them much.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Romanticism Essay
Romanticism Essay
Throughout history, man has been obsessed with the idea of evil and has given it incarnations in the form of an animal or human that they hunt and try to kill. The Dark Romantics from the Romanticism period of literature were some of those people that were obsessed with the idea of evil. In Moby Dick, Herman Melville uses Ahab’s conflict with the White Whale Moby Dick to portray Ahab’s obsession with the evil of Moby Dick. In “The Minister’s Black Veil”, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the preacher’s veil that covers his face to symbolize hidden sin or an evil deed. Herman Melville used the symbols of Moby Dick and Ahab, as well as Ahab’s conflict with Moby Dick and foreshadow; and Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the symbol of the preacher’s black veil to demonstrate man’s obsession with evil.
In “The Minister’s Black Veil”, Hawthorne uses the symbol of Mr. Hooper’s black veil to portray an obsession with evil. When the people of Mr. Hooper’s church first see the veil, they immediately think of it as a symbol of evil, “He has changed himself into something evil, only by hiding his face” (Hawthorne 319). This shows how all the people automatically think that the veil symbolized something bad or evil. This also demonstrates how obsessed the people are with the thought of evil to not even ask Mr. Hooper and just believe it is evil. This veil even pushes away his fiancée, who should trust his judgment no matter what, but she eventually falls into the belief that the veil symbolizes something evil, “But in an instant, as it were, a new feeling took the place of sorrow; her eyes were fixed insensibly on the black veil, when like a sudden twilight in the air, its terrors fell around her” (Hawthorne 323). When someone finally asks Mr. Hooper why he is wearing the veil, he will not give an answer, and the last person who believes in him is gripped by fear and finally believes it is evil. No one knows what the reason is behind the black veil, and Mr. Hooper will eventually be buried with it on, and everyone still thinks it is a symbol of something evil he did. Hawthorne uses the symbol of the black veil in The Minister’s Black Veil to show the Dark Romantics idea of man’s obsession with evil.
In Moby Dick, Herman Melville uses symbolism to show man’s obsession with evil. Captain Ahab of the whaling ship Pequod is obsessed with chasing Moby Dick, a whale he claims is evil, “ Moby Dick seemed combindedly possessed by all the angels that fell from heaven” (Melville 596). This shows how everyone on the Pequod believed that Moby Dick was such an evil thing, even though they could have looked at it rationally and found another reason why he was always taking down ships. This also shows how Melville uses symbols from the sea to convey some of his Puritan beliefs, such as Satan’s rebellion in heaven and his falling out of heaven, which was when evil was first born. Ahab could be seen as a symbol of obsession in Moby Dick, “And I’ll chase him round Good Hope, and round the Horn, and round the Norway Maelstrom, and round perdition’s flames before I give him up” (Melville 179). This demonstrates that Ahab is the symbol of obsession and Moby Dick is the symbol of evil in the Dark Romantics belief that man is obsessed with the idea of evil. Ahab is so obsessed with catching and killing Moby Dick that Ahab is willing to sacrifice his life, crew’s lives, and his ship to kill Moby Dick, so he can be seen as a symbol of obsession with evil. Melville uses the symbols of Moby Dick and Ahab to prove that man is obsessed with evil.
In Moby Dick, Melville also uses conflict and foreshadow to show that man is obsessed with evil. The whole story is of Ahab’s conflict with Moby Dick and Melville reveals how much Ahab wants to kill Moby Dick, “Ahab had purposely sailed upon the present voyage with the one and only all engrossing object of hunting the White Whale” (Melville 203). This shows the conflict between Ahab and Moby and how Ahab had tricked everyone on his ship into helping him fulfill his obsession with the evil Moby Dick. Ahab follows his obsession to the death, while trying to kill what he believes to be the evil in his life. After the first encounter with Moby Dick and Ahab’s whaling boat is wrecked, Starbuck, the second in command, states, “‘tis a solemn sight; an omen, and an ill one” (Melville 582). This demonstrates how the men of the Pequod believe anything to do with Moby Dick is evil or a sign of evil. This also shows how Starbuck becomes superstitious through his prediction that foreshadows that they will all die because of Ahab’s obsession with the evil Moby Dick.
To demonstrate that man has an obsession with evil, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the symbol of the black veil in “The Minister’s Black Veil”, and Herman Melville uses the symbols of Moby Dick and Ahab, Ahab’s conflict with Moby Dick, and foreshadow. In “The Minister’s Black Veil”, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the people’s reactions to the black veil to turn it into a symbol of evil. In Moby Dick, Herman Melville uses Moby Dick as a symbol of evil and Ahab as a symbol of man’s obsession. Melville also uses Ahab’s conflict with Moby to convey man’s obsession with evil. He also uses foreshadow to show man’s obsession with evil. People today are still obsessed with evil, except they are now calling people and nations evil and starting wars with them. This kind of thinking is what started the war in the Middle East; the terrorists believe that the Western world is evil and oppressing the, while the Western world believes that they are evil for attacking us through terrorism.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Battle of the Bulge Expository Essay - Revised
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was the last major offensive of the European Theatre of World War II, as well as Hitler’s last major stand of the war. The Battle of the Bulge was the beginning of the end for Hitler’s Nazi empire, with the Nazi’s armies stretched to the breaking point across the east, south and west. The allied armies finally were able to push over the Rhine River in to the Rhineland of Germany, as well as opening the door for the allies to move towards Berlin. The long term effect was that the American and British armies could not reach Berlin before the Soviets and caused Germany to be split into West Democracy and East Communist.
This was the last major stand by Hitler’s armies, and he poured most of his remaining resources into making a breakthrough the allied lines. This mass amount of resources that Hitler poured into this battle may have cost him the war, among other factors. Trying to breakthrough the allied lines cost the Nazis massive amounts of men and tanks, and allied bombers and fighters now had free reign of the skies because the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) was now nonexistent. The war economy of Germany during WWII was going downhill due to a lack of oil/gas for their vehicles, and the factories could not match the output of tanks and manpower of the Americans. So this lack of resources and massive push of resources in the Battle of the Bulge contributed to Germany’s loss of the war.
Consequently, after the battle, the allied armies finally were able to cross the Rhine River into Germany after they capture the bridges across the Rhine. This was a race against time as the Germans were trying to blow them up to prevent the allies to cross it. Although, the allies were able to capture some of the bridges before they were destroyed, allowing the massive amounts of allied manpower to cross the Rhine and push to Berlin and eventually force the Germans to surrender.
As a result of the Battle of the Bulge, American and British armies could not reach Berlin before the Soviets and caused Germany to be split into West Democracy and East Communist. At the war’s end, East Europe was given to the Soviet’s and Western Europe was given to America and Great Britain, which laid the basis for the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union. The Russians beat the Americans to Berlin and claimed half of Germany (East) and the eastern half of Berlin, while the Americans got West Germany and West Berlin. Berlin became a symbol of the Cold War with the Berlin air drops and the Berlin Wall. This was all an effect of the Battle of the Bulge holding the Americans back and allowing the Soviet armies to capture Berlin.
The Battle of the Bulge was the last major offensive of the European Theatre of World War II, as well as Hitler’s last major stand of the war. The Battle of the Bulge was the beginning of the end for Hitler’s Nazi empire, with the Nazi’s armies stretched to the breaking point across the east, south and west. The allied armies finally were able to push over the Rhine River in to the Rhineland of Germany, as well as opening the door for the allies to move towards Berlin. The long term effect was that the American and British armies could not reach Berlin before the Soviets and caused Germany to be split into West Democracy and East Communist.
This was the last major stand by Hitler’s armies, and he poured most of his remaining resources into making a breakthrough the allied lines. This mass amount of resources that Hitler poured into this battle may have cost him the war, among other factors. Trying to breakthrough the allied lines cost the Nazis massive amounts of men and tanks, and allied bombers and fighters now had free reign of the skies because the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) was now nonexistent. The war economy of Germany during WWII was going downhill due to a lack of oil/gas for their vehicles, and the factories could not match the output of tanks and manpower of the Americans. So this lack of resources and massive push of resources in the Battle of the Bulge contributed to Germany’s loss of the war.
Consequently, after the battle, the allied armies finally were able to cross the Rhine River into Germany after they capture the bridges across the Rhine. This was a race against time as the Germans were trying to blow them up to prevent the allies to cross it. Although, the allies were able to capture some of the bridges before they were destroyed, allowing the massive amounts of allied manpower to cross the Rhine and push to Berlin and eventually force the Germans to surrender.
As a result of the Battle of the Bulge, American and British armies could not reach Berlin before the Soviets and caused Germany to be split into West Democracy and East Communist. At the war’s end, East Europe was given to the Soviet’s and Western Europe was given to America and Great Britain, which laid the basis for the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union. The Russians beat the Americans to Berlin and claimed half of Germany (East) and the eastern half of Berlin, while the Americans got West Germany and West Berlin. Berlin became a symbol of the Cold War with the Berlin air drops and the Berlin Wall. This was all an effect of the Battle of the Bulge holding the Americans back and allowing the Soviet armies to capture Berlin.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Pics for Battle of the Bulge
It wouldn't let me put this in my report so here's a map of the Battle of the Bulge. The red arrows show the last offensive of the Nazi army, trying to regain some ground into Belgium.The Effects of the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was the last major offensive of the European Theatre of World War II, as well as Hitler’s last major stand of the war. The Battle of the Bulge was the beginning of the end for Hitler’s Nazi empire, with the Nazi’s armies stretched across the east, south and west. The allied armies finally were able to push over the Rhine River in to the Rhineland of Germany, as well as opening the door for the allies to move towards Berlin. The long term effect was that the American and British armies could not reach Berlin before the Soviets and caused Germany to be split into West Democracy and East Communist.
This was the last major stand by Hitler’s armies, and he poured most of his remaining resources into making a breakthrough the allied lines. This mass amount of resources that Hitler poured into this battle may have cost him the war, among other factors. Trying to breakthrough the allied lines cost the Nazis massive amounts of men and tanks, and allied bombers and fighters now had free reign of the skies because the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) was now nonexistent. The war economy of Germany during WWII was going downhill due to a lack of oil/gas for their vehicles, and the factories could not match the output of tanks of the Americans. So this lack of resources and massive push of resources in the Battle of the Bulge contributed to Germany’s loss of the war.
The allied armies finally were able to cross the Rhine River into Germany after they capture the bridges across the Rhine. This was a race against time as the Germans were trying to blow them up to prevent the allies to cross it. This could have destroyed the allies attack plan if the bridges were destroyed, allowing the Soviets to capture the rest of Germany. Although, the allies were able to capture some of the bridges before they were destroyed, allowing the massive amounts of allied manpower to cross the Rhine and push to Berlin and eventually force the Germans to surrender.
The long term effect was that the American and British armies could not reach Berlin before the Soviets and caused Germany to be split into West Democracy and East Communist. At the war’s end, East Europe was given to the Soviet’s and Western Europe was given to America and Great Britain, which laid the basis for the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union. The Russians beat the Americans to Berlin and claimed half of Germany (East) and the eastern half of Berlin, while the Americans got West Germany and West Berlin. Berlin became a symbol of the Cold War with the Berlin air drops and the Berlin Wall. This was all an effect of the Battle of the Bulge holding the Americans back and allowing the Soviet armies to capture Berlin.
The Battle of the Bulge was the last major offensive of the European Theatre of World War II, as well as Hitler’s last major stand of the war. The Battle of the Bulge was the beginning of the end for Hitler’s Nazi empire, with the Nazi’s armies stretched across the east, south and west. The allied armies finally were able to push over the Rhine River in to the Rhineland of Germany, as well as opening the door for the allies to move towards Berlin. The long term effect was that the American and British armies could not reach Berlin before the Soviets and caused Germany to be split into West Democracy and East Communist.
This was the last major stand by Hitler’s armies, and he poured most of his remaining resources into making a breakthrough the allied lines. This mass amount of resources that Hitler poured into this battle may have cost him the war, among other factors. Trying to breakthrough the allied lines cost the Nazis massive amounts of men and tanks, and allied bombers and fighters now had free reign of the skies because the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) was now nonexistent. The war economy of Germany during WWII was going downhill due to a lack of oil/gas for their vehicles, and the factories could not match the output of tanks of the Americans. So this lack of resources and massive push of resources in the Battle of the Bulge contributed to Germany’s loss of the war.
The allied armies finally were able to cross the Rhine River into Germany after they capture the bridges across the Rhine. This was a race against time as the Germans were trying to blow them up to prevent the allies to cross it. This could have destroyed the allies attack plan if the bridges were destroyed, allowing the Soviets to capture the rest of Germany. Although, the allies were able to capture some of the bridges before they were destroyed, allowing the massive amounts of allied manpower to cross the Rhine and push to Berlin and eventually force the Germans to surrender.
The long term effect was that the American and British armies could not reach Berlin before the Soviets and caused Germany to be split into West Democracy and East Communist. At the war’s end, East Europe was given to the Soviet’s and Western Europe was given to America and Great Britain, which laid the basis for the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union. The Russians beat the Americans to Berlin and claimed half of Germany (East) and the eastern half of Berlin, while the Americans got West Germany and West Berlin. Berlin became a symbol of the Cold War with the Berlin air drops and the Berlin Wall. This was all an effect of the Battle of the Bulge holding the Americans back and allowing the Soviet armies to capture Berlin.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Literary Analysis of Bartleby The Scrivener
Literary Analysis of Bartleby The Scrivener
Melville’s use of satirical method in Bartleby The Scrivener was meant to amuse the readers as well as make fun of the Transcendentalist views and Thoreau by having Bartleby represent the Transcendentalist views and Thoreau. Melville reveals his sarcasm towards Thoreau and Transcendentalist views when Bartleby begins to refuse to do what the narrator asks him to do by saying “I would prefer not to” (Melville 12). Melville seems to be paralleling an instance where Thoreau refused to pay his taxes and was put in jail for not paying them because he did not want to be forced to be a member of a society that he does not want to be a part of. Melville seems to be stating Thoreau can not withdraw completely from society, because even he was depending on people by building his cabin on other’s land. Melville also makes fun of Thoreau’s love of nature in this statement, “Bartleby remained standing at his window in one of his profoundest dead-wall reveries” (Melville 31). Thoreau would sometimes just stare at nature, and Melville seems to be making fun of him by having Bartleby stare out the window at a brick wall. Melville seems to be stating that just staring at nature will not get you anywhere because it will not help you live or make any money. Melville uses satirical method in Bartleby The Scrivener to make fun of Transcendentalist views and Thoreau.
Melville’s use of satirical method in Bartleby The Scrivener was meant to amuse the readers as well as make fun of the Transcendentalist views and Thoreau by having Bartleby represent the Transcendentalist views and Thoreau. Melville reveals his sarcasm towards Thoreau and Transcendentalist views when Bartleby begins to refuse to do what the narrator asks him to do by saying “I would prefer not to” (Melville 12). Melville seems to be paralleling an instance where Thoreau refused to pay his taxes and was put in jail for not paying them because he did not want to be forced to be a member of a society that he does not want to be a part of. Melville seems to be stating Thoreau can not withdraw completely from society, because even he was depending on people by building his cabin on other’s land. Melville also makes fun of Thoreau’s love of nature in this statement, “Bartleby remained standing at his window in one of his profoundest dead-wall reveries” (Melville 31). Thoreau would sometimes just stare at nature, and Melville seems to be making fun of him by having Bartleby stare out the window at a brick wall. Melville seems to be stating that just staring at nature will not get you anywhere because it will not help you live or make any money. Melville uses satirical method in Bartleby The Scrivener to make fun of Transcendentalist views and Thoreau.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
My View on Death
A View on Death
By: Ben Veen
Death is a mystery
That leaves no clues
For the great Sherlock Holmes to solve
Even with the help of Watson
Death is like a deep sleep
That you can’t wake from
And no medicine can help wake
Or Life's kiss can awake
Death is a battle
Between the angels of heaven and demons of hell
Each wanting to take you to their respective homes
But your decisions on earth are what will decide this battle
Metaphors: Green
By: Ben Veen
Death is a mystery
That leaves no clues
For the great Sherlock Holmes to solve
Even with the help of Watson
Death is like a deep sleep
That you can’t wake from
And no medicine can help wake
Or Life's kiss can awake
Death is a battle
Between the angels of heaven and demons of hell
Each wanting to take you to their respective homes
But your decisions on earth are what will decide this battle
Metaphors: Green
Simile: Blue
Allusion: Red
(Sherlock Holmes written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Personification: Orangey yellowy color
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Revised Expository Essay
How To Make A Home Movie
Follow these simple steps to make a great home movie you can watch over and over. First, decide what you want the topic of the home movie to be. For example, you could choose to make your movie about skateboarding and rollerblading at the skate park. Next, then choose who will be the stars of the movie. You can choose to tape your family or your friends, or anyone else you want.
After these decisions have been made, go to the location of the movie. Once at the location, get the video equipment out and get it ready to film the movie. Then, have the stars start doing whatever they are supposed to be doing.
After that, start shooting the movie, and make sure to film the shot from many different angles to get a better selection of clips for editing. Try to get more footage than needed so there is a better selection of clips during editing. For example, for a twenty minute movie, then shoot at least forty to sixty minutes of footage. Once the shooting is done, pack up the equipment and leave to go home.
Once at home, take the video camera and plug it into the computer and get it ready to transfer the clips. Next, open a movie editing program and transfer the video clips to the program. After the video clips have finished transferring, begin editing the movie. Take the video clips and rearrange them, have the shot switch from angle to angle, or add effects to make the shots more interesting.
Finally, once the editing is done, put a blank DVD in the DVD-rom drive and copy the movie over to the DVD. Once that’s done pop in some popcorn, get some soda, put the DVD in, sit down on the couch, and enjoy the new home movie you made.
Follow these simple steps to make a great home movie you can watch over and over. First, decide what you want the topic of the home movie to be. For example, you could choose to make your movie about skateboarding and rollerblading at the skate park. Next, then choose who will be the stars of the movie. You can choose to tape your family or your friends, or anyone else you want.
After these decisions have been made, go to the location of the movie. Once at the location, get the video equipment out and get it ready to film the movie. Then, have the stars start doing whatever they are supposed to be doing.
After that, start shooting the movie, and make sure to film the shot from many different angles to get a better selection of clips for editing. Try to get more footage than needed so there is a better selection of clips during editing. For example, for a twenty minute movie, then shoot at least forty to sixty minutes of footage. Once the shooting is done, pack up the equipment and leave to go home.
Once at home, take the video camera and plug it into the computer and get it ready to transfer the clips. Next, open a movie editing program and transfer the video clips to the program. After the video clips have finished transferring, begin editing the movie. Take the video clips and rearrange them, have the shot switch from angle to angle, or add effects to make the shots more interesting.
Finally, once the editing is done, put a blank DVD in the DVD-rom drive and copy the movie over to the DVD. Once that’s done pop in some popcorn, get some soda, put the DVD in, sit down on the couch, and enjoy the new home movie you made.
Reflection on "Walden"
Reflection on “Walden”
In “Walden”, Henry David Thoreau uses his style to discuss life and property. He also uses figurative language to describe the farms he is looking to buy and his cabin in the woods.
Thoreau begins “Walden” off by talking about how there will come a time in every person’s life when they will want to buy a property, and he compares this time to when he was looking at property. While he is thinking through his purchases, he begins to ponder what it means to be rich and have a lot of money. This links to romanticism because he is trying to define what it means for him, or other people, to be rich. He came to conclusion that it does not matter about how much money you have, but what you can do with the stuff you have. When Thoreau retires to his abode in the woods, he moves far from the town so he can think about nature and try and learn what nature can teach him. This links to transcendentalism because transcendentalists were obsessed with nature and it also links to romanticism because he is trying to define what it means to be an individual. He wants to learn what nature has to teach him so he can die a content man. He is also trying to ponder what it means to be an individual and incorporate nature into what he learns. He wants to reduce life to the simplest it can be, and he is content with that.
Thoreau also uses figurative language such as metaphors and similes. Thoreau compares his new cabin in the woods to a place for a traveling god to rest, or where a goddess can rest. He also compares his new life in the woods to that of the Spartans, whose lives were simple.
In “Walden”, Henry David Thoreau uses his style to discuss life and property. He also uses figurative language to describe the farms he is looking to buy and his cabin in the woods.
Thoreau begins “Walden” off by talking about how there will come a time in every person’s life when they will want to buy a property, and he compares this time to when he was looking at property. While he is thinking through his purchases, he begins to ponder what it means to be rich and have a lot of money. This links to romanticism because he is trying to define what it means for him, or other people, to be rich. He came to conclusion that it does not matter about how much money you have, but what you can do with the stuff you have. When Thoreau retires to his abode in the woods, he moves far from the town so he can think about nature and try and learn what nature can teach him. This links to transcendentalism because transcendentalists were obsessed with nature and it also links to romanticism because he is trying to define what it means to be an individual. He wants to learn what nature has to teach him so he can die a content man. He is also trying to ponder what it means to be an individual and incorporate nature into what he learns. He wants to reduce life to the simplest it can be, and he is content with that.
Thoreau also uses figurative language such as metaphors and similes. Thoreau compares his new cabin in the woods to a place for a traveling god to rest, or where a goddess can rest. He also compares his new life in the woods to that of the Spartans, whose lives were simple.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Extra Credit Picture for Expository Essy
I couldn't think of any better picture for creating a home video.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
My Expository Essay: How To Make A Home Movie
How To Make A Home Movie
Follow these simple steps to make a great home movie you can watch over and over. First, you must choose something to video tape. For example, you can go to the skate park. Next, you must choose who will be in the video. You can choose to tape your family or your friends, or anyone else you want. After you have made these decisions, you must go to where you have planned to shoot the video. When you get there, you must get out your video equipment. Next, have your stars start doing whatever they are supposed to be doing. When you have started shooting the movie, make sure to film the shot from different angles to give you a better selection of clips while you are editing. You always want to get a lot of footage so that you have a better selection of clips during editing. For example, if you want a twenty minute movie, then you would probably want to shoot at least forty to sixty minutes of footage. When you have the amount of footage you want, you must then pack up your things and leave to go home. When you get home, you must then take your video camera and plug it into your computer. Next, you need to open a movie editing program and transfer your video clips to the program. After you have transferred over your video clips, you can begin editing your movie. You can take your video clips and rearrange them, have the shot switch from angle to angle, or you can add effects to make the shots more interesting. Finally once you have finished editing your movie, you have to put a blank DVD and copy the movie over to the DVD. Once you have done that you can pop in some popcorn, put the DVD in, sit down on the couch and enjoy the home movie you made.
Follow these simple steps to make a great home movie you can watch over and over. First, you must choose something to video tape. For example, you can go to the skate park. Next, you must choose who will be in the video. You can choose to tape your family or your friends, or anyone else you want. After you have made these decisions, you must go to where you have planned to shoot the video. When you get there, you must get out your video equipment. Next, have your stars start doing whatever they are supposed to be doing. When you have started shooting the movie, make sure to film the shot from different angles to give you a better selection of clips while you are editing. You always want to get a lot of footage so that you have a better selection of clips during editing. For example, if you want a twenty minute movie, then you would probably want to shoot at least forty to sixty minutes of footage. When you have the amount of footage you want, you must then pack up your things and leave to go home. When you get home, you must then take your video camera and plug it into your computer. Next, you need to open a movie editing program and transfer your video clips to the program. After you have transferred over your video clips, you can begin editing your movie. You can take your video clips and rearrange them, have the shot switch from angle to angle, or you can add effects to make the shots more interesting. Finally once you have finished editing your movie, you have to put a blank DVD and copy the movie over to the DVD. Once you have done that you can pop in some popcorn, put the DVD in, sit down on the couch and enjoy the home movie you made.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
"The Devil and Tom Walker" Literary Analysis
Literary Analysis of “The Devil and Tom Walker”
In “The Devil and Tom Walker”, Washington Irving demonstrates that greed can lead a man to do desperate things by using his tone to affect characterization. Irving begins to poke fun at Tom’s greed when the devil tells him about Captain Kidd’s treasure, “…He was not a man to stick at trifles where money was in view” (Irving 240). Irving is basically stating that Tom would do anything to get money, even give up his wife to get some money. Irving gets to poke more fun at Tom when he sells his soul to the devil for the treasure, because Tom’s life is turned around and he becomes rich and powerful. Even when he’s rich, Tom’s greed remains the same “He built himself, as usual, a vast house, out of ostentation; but left the greater part of it unfinished and unfurnished, out of parsimony” (Irving 243). Again, Irving is stating that even though he now has all this money, Tom is still just as greedy as before. He has all this money but he will not even furnish his house, just to save money, so all in all, Tom really did not change at all after he got all the money. Washington Irving demonstrates in “The Devil and Tom Walker” that greed can lead a man to do desperate things through his use of tone to affect characterization.
In “The Devil and Tom Walker”, Washington Irving demonstrates that greed can lead a man to do desperate things by using his tone to affect characterization. Irving begins to poke fun at Tom’s greed when the devil tells him about Captain Kidd’s treasure, “…He was not a man to stick at trifles where money was in view” (Irving 240). Irving is basically stating that Tom would do anything to get money, even give up his wife to get some money. Irving gets to poke more fun at Tom when he sells his soul to the devil for the treasure, because Tom’s life is turned around and he becomes rich and powerful. Even when he’s rich, Tom’s greed remains the same “He built himself, as usual, a vast house, out of ostentation; but left the greater part of it unfinished and unfurnished, out of parsimony” (Irving 243). Again, Irving is stating that even though he now has all this money, Tom is still just as greedy as before. He has all this money but he will not even furnish his house, just to save money, so all in all, Tom really did not change at all after he got all the money. Washington Irving demonstrates in “The Devil and Tom Walker” that greed can lead a man to do desperate things through his use of tone to affect characterization.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
The Devil and Tom Walker and Snowbound
While reading The Devil and Tom Walker, I found that the conflict and the theme helped the story progress. While reading Snowbound, I found that the symbolism and metaphors helped the story.
In The Devil and Tom Walker, there are two conflicts, Tom Walker vs. Himself, and Tom Walker vs. the Devil. At the beginning of the story, the conflict is between Tom Walker and his greed, because he wants to become rich. He became so greedy that he sold his soul to the devil to get Captain Kidd’s treasure. Later, he realized that when he was to die, he would have to go to hell, because of the deal with the devil. So he started to go to church to try and get out of his deal. The theme, greed can lead to a man’s downfall, really helps the story progress, because it really sums up Tom Walker’s life. The theme also teaches a good lesson because it shows what can happen to people who get wrapped up in getting money.
In Snowbound, the author really uses symbolism to great affect. He says that there is a storm that is angry, which can symbolize how nature is angry that man is changing from its original pure state. The cave made of snow in the story can symbolize the place of refuge from the wrath of the storm. He also uses a lot of metaphors, such as the snow as “Nature’s geometric signs” (Whittier 268) or as the cave as “Aladdin’s wondrous cave” (Whittier 269). The author also likes to make allusions to other stories.
While reading The Devil and Tom Walker, I found that the conflict and the theme helped the story progress. While reading Snowbound, I found that the symbolism and metaphors helped the story.
In The Devil and Tom Walker, there are two conflicts, Tom Walker vs. Himself, and Tom Walker vs. the Devil. At the beginning of the story, the conflict is between Tom Walker and his greed, because he wants to become rich. He became so greedy that he sold his soul to the devil to get Captain Kidd’s treasure. Later, he realized that when he was to die, he would have to go to hell, because of the deal with the devil. So he started to go to church to try and get out of his deal. The theme, greed can lead to a man’s downfall, really helps the story progress, because it really sums up Tom Walker’s life. The theme also teaches a good lesson because it shows what can happen to people who get wrapped up in getting money.
In Snowbound, the author really uses symbolism to great affect. He says that there is a storm that is angry, which can symbolize how nature is angry that man is changing from its original pure state. The cave made of snow in the story can symbolize the place of refuge from the wrath of the storm. He also uses a lot of metaphors, such as the snow as “Nature’s geometric signs” (Whittier 268) or as the cave as “Aladdin’s wondrous cave” (Whittier 269). The author also likes to make allusions to other stories.
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