Dear Mattie,
Your story is very interesting, and I am having trouble putting the book down. I really admire your determination and hope, and was fascinated when I read this, “I remained on the ladder, looking at the figurine in my hand. You’re wrong, Aunt Josie, I thought. It’s not pride I’m feeling. It’s another sin. Worse than all the other ones, which are immediate, violent, and hot. This one sits inside you quietly and eats you from the inside out like the trichina worms the pigs get. It’s the Eighth Deadly Sin. The one God left out. Hope.” (114). Hope is all you can do when you are in the situation you are in. In the story you really rebel against your family and the town, and though people look down on you for it, but I think someone will eventually understand and it will all be worth it. I think that the reason you are so smart is because of how much you put into it no matter what anyone tells you. Even when a boy like Royal likes you, you don’t fall into everyone’s trap, and you keep your eye on the prize. If I was you, I probably couldn’t handle the pressure, and would end up staying home and helping my dad and marrying Royal. Obviously we know you do go to Glenmore because we’ve read about it, but I am still excited to learn how you convinced your dad. Especially after he hit you for buying a notebook, which was horrible, I am surprised he ever let you go. Overall I think you are very courageous to face people how you do, and I think you truly deserve to make enough money to go to New York. Good Luck!
-Annabel
Monday, February 25, 2008
A Northern Light- Week 3, Post A
VOCAB
Wan (84): showing or suggesting ill health, fatigue, unhappiness, etc.
Rheumatism (105): any disorder of the extremities or back, characterized by pain and stiffness.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “Charred tree stumps stuck up in the front yard, as black and as random as an old man’s teeth” (85). This is a simile because it uses ‘as’ to compare the stumps in the yard to an old man’s teeth.
2.) “Everything changed as I spoke. Aunt Josie’s smile slid of her face like ice off a tin roof” (113). This is a simile because it uses ‘like’ to describe how fast her smile slid off her face.
3.) “‘You’re on a very high horse, Mathilda. I don’t know who put you there, but you’d best get down off it. And fast’” (113). This is a metaphor describing how Mattie, according to her aunt, has gotten herself into a lot of trouble, and she doesn’t know how she is going to get out of it.
QUOTE
“Wilcox had books but no family. Minnie had a family now, but those babies would keep her from reading for a good long time. Some people, like my aunt Josie and Alvah Dunning the hermit, had neither love nor books. Nobody I knew had both.”(97). This quote shows how the people of this time period felt about reading. It seems that people like Mattie’s teacher Miss Wilcox, are excluded from many parts of society because they want to learn. This quote makes me wonder why Mattie still wants to keep reading. I think Mattie will convince the people of her town that learning isn’t such a bad thing.
THEME
A theme in this section of the book is choices. Mattie’s aunt and her father both put pressure on Mattie, forcing her to make choices. Mattie usually ends up doing what the other person wants, rather that reading or doing what she pleases. I feel bad for Mattie, but in her situation sometimes she has to give up reading to support and work for her family.
Wan (84): showing or suggesting ill health, fatigue, unhappiness, etc.
Rheumatism (105): any disorder of the extremities or back, characterized by pain and stiffness.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “Charred tree stumps stuck up in the front yard, as black and as random as an old man’s teeth” (85). This is a simile because it uses ‘as’ to compare the stumps in the yard to an old man’s teeth.
2.) “Everything changed as I spoke. Aunt Josie’s smile slid of her face like ice off a tin roof” (113). This is a simile because it uses ‘like’ to describe how fast her smile slid off her face.
3.) “‘You’re on a very high horse, Mathilda. I don’t know who put you there, but you’d best get down off it. And fast’” (113). This is a metaphor describing how Mattie, according to her aunt, has gotten herself into a lot of trouble, and she doesn’t know how she is going to get out of it.
QUOTE
“Wilcox had books but no family. Minnie had a family now, but those babies would keep her from reading for a good long time. Some people, like my aunt Josie and Alvah Dunning the hermit, had neither love nor books. Nobody I knew had both.”(97). This quote shows how the people of this time period felt about reading. It seems that people like Mattie’s teacher Miss Wilcox, are excluded from many parts of society because they want to learn. This quote makes me wonder why Mattie still wants to keep reading. I think Mattie will convince the people of her town that learning isn’t such a bad thing.
THEME
A theme in this section of the book is choices. Mattie’s aunt and her father both put pressure on Mattie, forcing her to make choices. Mattie usually ends up doing what the other person wants, rather that reading or doing what she pleases. I feel bad for Mattie, but in her situation sometimes she has to give up reading to support and work for her family.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
A Northern Light, Week 2- Post B
“I thought of my word of the day. Can a girl be unmanned? I wondered. By a boy? Can she be unbrained?”(78). I think this quote shows a lot about the story, and Mattie’s character. Mattie is very intelligent and everyday looks up a new word. She is always looking for ways to use her word of the day, and loves to write, but can barely afford a pencil. Mattie is very smart, but unlike today, girls, like her seem to be looked down on for there intelligence, especially by boys. When Mattie wonders this, I think she questions whether or not a man can take her intelligence away from her. Can they take her right to read and write away from her?
Mattie always stands up for herself, but when men like Royal and her father question her, I think Mattie becomes less confident. Even though Mattie’s father doesn’t have a son that helps him anymore, I don’t think that is a reason for him to not let her go to Glenmore. I think he should take some of the burden of her hands, and let her do what she wants for a change. Her father should be encouraging rather than discouraging Mattie.
Obviously Mattie’s father lets her go to Glenmore because she is there in the other chapters, but I wonder if she still is learning a new word each day. I wonder if she will continue to have the determination to learn as she has now.
Mattie always stands up for herself, but when men like Royal and her father question her, I think Mattie becomes less confident. Even though Mattie’s father doesn’t have a son that helps him anymore, I don’t think that is a reason for him to not let her go to Glenmore. I think he should take some of the burden of her hands, and let her do what she wants for a change. Her father should be encouraging rather than discouraging Mattie.
Obviously Mattie’s father lets her go to Glenmore because she is there in the other chapters, but I wonder if she still is learning a new word each day. I wonder if she will continue to have the determination to learn as she has now.
A Northern Light, Week 2- Post A
VOCAB
Adamant (48): utterly unyielding in attitude or opinion in spite of all appeals, urgings, etc.
Unman (75): to deprive of courage or fortitude; break down the manly spirit of
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “It was as black as wet coffee grounds” (52). This is a simile because it compares the dirt to the coffee beans by using the word ‘as’.
2.) “My pa was so handsome when he smiled, with his eyes as blue as cornflowers and his beautiful white teeth” (55). This is a simile because it uses the word ‘as’ to compare his eyes to cornflowers.
3.) “Guilt gnawed at my insides” (71). This is personification because it gives human qualities to guilt. Guilt can’t gnaw.
QUOTE
“His hand finds mine. ‘I hate this place Mattie,’ he says. ‘It kills everything.’” (83). Weaver is talking to Mattie after he saw the women who was killed in the boat accident, and says this. We still don’t know much about Mattie’s life here in Glenmore, but maybe this is telling us that either there have been more deaths here, or maybe this place just kills people’s hopes and dreams.
THEME
I think a theme is perseverance. Mattie has worked hard her whole life, especially since her mother died, and still has overcome obstacles to reach her goal of getting into college. Though people in the town question, and look down on Mattie, especially her father, she still succeeds.
Adamant (48): utterly unyielding in attitude or opinion in spite of all appeals, urgings, etc.
Unman (75): to deprive of courage or fortitude; break down the manly spirit of
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “It was as black as wet coffee grounds” (52). This is a simile because it compares the dirt to the coffee beans by using the word ‘as’.
2.) “My pa was so handsome when he smiled, with his eyes as blue as cornflowers and his beautiful white teeth” (55). This is a simile because it uses the word ‘as’ to compare his eyes to cornflowers.
3.) “Guilt gnawed at my insides” (71). This is personification because it gives human qualities to guilt. Guilt can’t gnaw.
QUOTE
“His hand finds mine. ‘I hate this place Mattie,’ he says. ‘It kills everything.’” (83). Weaver is talking to Mattie after he saw the women who was killed in the boat accident, and says this. We still don’t know much about Mattie’s life here in Glenmore, but maybe this is telling us that either there have been more deaths here, or maybe this place just kills people’s hopes and dreams.
THEME
I think a theme is perseverance. Mattie has worked hard her whole life, especially since her mother died, and still has overcome obstacles to reach her goal of getting into college. Though people in the town question, and look down on Mattie, especially her father, she still succeeds.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
A Northern Light, Week 1-Post B
After reading my book, A Northern Light, by Jennifer Donnelly for the first time, I think it is good. As I can tell so far, the book switches from present to past, every couple chapters. The book abruptly started at a hotel where Mattie and her friends are working, and they just found a dead body in the lake. I was confused at what was happening at all, until it switched to the past and I got some background. Mattie seems very smart, but is always writing sad poems and stories, rather that happy, which I think is probably because she is still grieving over the loss of her mother. After her mother died, it seems that Mattie has taken the mother role of the family, and feels responsible for everyone. Thought Mattie has this burden, I think this gives her a better reason to go to college and gives her more determination. I think Mattie deserves it.
When Mattie is at the hotel wondering what possibly could have happened to the couple who died, she makes up a story and at the end says,
“I decide that I like it. It’s a new kind of story for me-the kind that stitches things up nicely and leaves no end dangling and makes me feel placid instead of all stirred up. The kind that has a happy ending-or at least as happy an ending as possible with the heroine dead and the hero presumed so. The kind of story I once told Miss Wilcox was a lie. The kind I said I would never ever write.” (pg. 47).
I think this tells us that eventually something that happens to Mattie before or during her stay at the hotel, that helps her get over her grief, or helps her realize there is more to life than sadness. Maybe, right then after making up that story, Mattie realizes she shouldn’t find reasons to make her sad when she could be happy.
When Mattie is at the hotel wondering what possibly could have happened to the couple who died, she makes up a story and at the end says,
“I decide that I like it. It’s a new kind of story for me-the kind that stitches things up nicely and leaves no end dangling and makes me feel placid instead of all stirred up. The kind that has a happy ending-or at least as happy an ending as possible with the heroine dead and the hero presumed so. The kind of story I once told Miss Wilcox was a lie. The kind I said I would never ever write.” (pg. 47).
I think this tells us that eventually something that happens to Mattie before or during her stay at the hotel, that helps her get over her grief, or helps her realize there is more to life than sadness. Maybe, right then after making up that story, Mattie realizes she shouldn’t find reasons to make her sad when she could be happy.
A Nrothern Light, Week 1- Post A
VOCAB
Peevish (23): showing annoyance, irritation, or bad mood
Abecedarian (26): a beginner in any field of learning
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “The sky, gray and lowering for much of the year, becomes an ocean of blue”(pg. 1). This is a metaphor because it describes the sky as looking like an ocean, without using like or as.
2.) “ Her head lolls against him like a broken flower”(pg. 3). This is a simile because it uses like to compare her head to a flower.
3.) “I tell myself that Ada is a nervous hen, always worrying when there’s no cause.” (pg. 3). This is a metaphor because it compares Ada to a hen without using like or as.
QUOTE
“Right now I want a word that describes the feeling you get- a cold, sick feeling deep down inside-when you know something is happening that will change you, and you don’t want it to, but you can’t stop it. And you know, for the first time, that there will now be a before and an after, a was and a will be. And that you will never again be quite the same person you were.” (pg. 2).
This quote is at the beginning of the book, and I think that it is foreshadowing that this event will indefinitely change Mattie. This also describes Mattie in that she is always looking for what words to use, because she is so interested in words and writing. Even though you really have no idea what is happening in the story, this gives you an idea of how major this is.
THEME
I think an emerging theme is determination, Mattie is determined to keep learning, go to school, keep her family going, keep everyone happy, and is even trying to save money for college.
Peevish (23): showing annoyance, irritation, or bad mood
Abecedarian (26): a beginner in any field of learning
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “The sky, gray and lowering for much of the year, becomes an ocean of blue”(pg. 1). This is a metaphor because it describes the sky as looking like an ocean, without using like or as.
2.) “ Her head lolls against him like a broken flower”(pg. 3). This is a simile because it uses like to compare her head to a flower.
3.) “I tell myself that Ada is a nervous hen, always worrying when there’s no cause.” (pg. 3). This is a metaphor because it compares Ada to a hen without using like or as.
QUOTE
“Right now I want a word that describes the feeling you get- a cold, sick feeling deep down inside-when you know something is happening that will change you, and you don’t want it to, but you can’t stop it. And you know, for the first time, that there will now be a before and an after, a was and a will be. And that you will never again be quite the same person you were.” (pg. 2).
This quote is at the beginning of the book, and I think that it is foreshadowing that this event will indefinitely change Mattie. This also describes Mattie in that she is always looking for what words to use, because she is so interested in words and writing. Even though you really have no idea what is happening in the story, this gives you an idea of how major this is.
THEME
I think an emerging theme is determination, Mattie is determined to keep learning, go to school, keep her family going, keep everyone happy, and is even trying to save money for college.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Telemachus, "Stop and Stare"-One Republic
I picked Telemachus because of his determination to find his dad, Odysseus. Telemachus left everything behind, with no guarantee he would actually find his dad, or even ever return home again. He left everyone wondering where he was and what they should do in his absence. It really surprised me that he didn’t even tell his mom, Penelope, that he was leaving to find his dad. Even though he probably wanted to avoid the pressure she would put on him to stay, it still seemed like telling her first would have been the right thing to do.
The song “Stop and Stare”, by One Republic, reminds me of Telemachus’ determination and the events that happened because of his journey. After his abrupt disappearance, the town, the suitors and his mother were mad at him for leaving, but Telemachus decided this is what he needed to do, and he was set on finding his dad. Telemachus was determined and wouldn’t let anyone stop him.
This town is colder now, I think it's sick of us
It's time to make our move, I'm shakin off the rust
I've got my heart set on anywhere but here
I'm staring down myself, counting up the years
Steady hands, just take the wheel...
And every glance is killing me
Time to make one last appeal... for the life I lead
While Telemachus kept moving in his journey, he wasn’t really moving forward. Even though he received information from Nestor, Helen, and Menelaus, he never actually came closer to finding his dad. Sometimes Telemachus second guessed himself and wondered if he should be home rather than searching, but in the end he was willing to give anything to find his dad.
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're 'here' not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, can u see what I see
They're tryin to come back, all my senses push
Un-tie the weight bags, I never thought I could...
Steady feet, don't fail me now
Gonna run till you can't walk
But something pulls my focus out
And I'm standing down...
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, you don't need
What u need, what u need...
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be
Oh, do u see what I see...
The song “Stop and Stare”, by One Republic, reminds me of Telemachus’ determination and the events that happened because of his journey. After his abrupt disappearance, the town, the suitors and his mother were mad at him for leaving, but Telemachus decided this is what he needed to do, and he was set on finding his dad. Telemachus was determined and wouldn’t let anyone stop him.
This town is colder now, I think it's sick of us
It's time to make our move, I'm shakin off the rust
I've got my heart set on anywhere but here
I'm staring down myself, counting up the years
Steady hands, just take the wheel...
And every glance is killing me
Time to make one last appeal... for the life I lead
While Telemachus kept moving in his journey, he wasn’t really moving forward. Even though he received information from Nestor, Helen, and Menelaus, he never actually came closer to finding his dad. Sometimes Telemachus second guessed himself and wondered if he should be home rather than searching, but in the end he was willing to give anything to find his dad.
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're 'here' not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, can u see what I see
They're tryin to come back, all my senses push
Un-tie the weight bags, I never thought I could...
Steady feet, don't fail me now
Gonna run till you can't walk
But something pulls my focus out
And I'm standing down...
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be, oh
Stop and stare
You start to wonder why you're here not there
And you'd give anything to get what's fair
But fair ain't what you really need
Oh, you don't need
What u need, what u need...
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be
Oh, do u see what I see...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
