Unforgiving

          Author's Note: I wrote about the theme of bullying.

What would you think if someone was insisting that what you were telling them was false even though you knew for a fact it was true?  When someone does that, you get an unjust feeling of discouragement. That feeling doesn't go away until they see that you're not crazy and know exactly what you're talking about. These feelings were experienced by nine year old Margot, in Ray Bradbury’s “All Summer in a Day". That feeling caused by bullies is a big theme of this story.

    Margot struggled with being bullied at her school in Venus. In this story, the planet Venus has seen non-stop rain for 7 years. Margot is from Earth, so she remembers it being sunny and not rainy 24/7. Although the kids in her class don't believe shy Margot that the sun is going to peek out on that specific day or the that it looks like a lemon drop, she knows that she is right. However, Margot's classmates her names, criticize her, and don't believe anything she says

   Aside from the fact that they don't believe her, they put her down a lot and discouraged her. A lot of the time they told her she doesn't know anything or she is a liar, and that is bullying. Because Margot is quiet, smart, and..... well, different, the kids in her class hate her. The teacher never sees the bullying that goes on in Margot's class so that makes the bullying and discrimination worse. The kids don't bully her just about the sun coming and how she apparently "thinks" she knows what it looks like. She very well does. However, they bully her just because they feel like it.

  On the day the sun came out, the kids decided to lock Margot in a dark and dreary closet in the classroom.  As soon as they locked her in a closet, they ran to the window to see the unveiling of the mysterious sun. While the sun was only up for a minute, rain started to pour down again and devastate the whole class including the teacher because they knew they wouldn't see it for another seven years. The class then remembered that they left poor Margot alone in the closet and realized that she wasn't lying and she was actually telling the truth! After rushing to the closet, the kids opened the door, and freed Margot.  However, the damage has been done. She once again, experienced icy behavior from them to her which could have been the breaking point for her because it was incredibly mean. Actions can speak louder than words, and this action scared Margot to death.

"All Summer in a Day"reminds me of the book The List by Siobhan Vivian. I noticed the similarities between the two because they both have a theme of bullying and it's pretty evident. In the list, a high school puts up a list of the "prettiest" and the "ugliest" girls in the school. Even though the students don't just blurt mean things out like the students in "All Summer in a Day" do, they still are saying who has the looks to be classified as "pretty" and to point out the people who apparently just don't cut it. This list was a given respect ticket to all of the girls who were on it. Anyone whose name was on their were treated like the princesses they thought they were. Certain girls who were placed on the "ugly" list probably had their feelings hurt just as bad as Margot did. 

Applying to the bullying theme of the story, the bullies in the story are derogatory to themselves and damaging to others. Dealing with being bullied  required Margot to face those two startling things by the kids in her class.  Poor little Margot remained in her timid "shell" of shyness after going what she went through. Bullies are unfortunately powerful and are all over the world. Even though there are different types of bullying, all bullies have the same goal. As disturbing as it is, their goal is to make you feel bad about yourself. The bullies in this story sadly accomplished that goal every time they talked to Margot.

Change of Heart

Author's Note: I predict that Skeeter Phelan will accomplish her goal to make her book be successful. I also think that the people's attitude in her town will change.

Imagine being forced to use a different bathroom because of your skin. Or, imagine having to sit in a separate part of the public bus because of the color of your skin. Well, in The Help,by Kathryn Stockett, that's how life was for black people in 1962 living in the heart of Mississippi. That was their life until an ambitious, fresh out of college girl came along and tried to change things. This leads me to believe that because Skeeter is strong-willed she won't back down from the fight and things will go as planned for her....and the town both. I predict that she will accomplish her book of showing the horrible relationships between black maids and white women will go number one in the country. Also, I think it will end the dreadful lives of all black people,especially the maids.

    The reason I think that her book will become such a success, is because so many maids don't want to live like they do but they're just afraid to speak up in fear that they would possibly be beaten or lose their life. It started with just Aibileen and Minny helping Skeeter but then it turned into five. Six. Seven. And  many more  maids who wanted to contribute. People want to help her help them. Skeeter and the maids always meet in secrecy at Aibileen's house. You could tell that it was such a big risk when Skeeter first came over to her house, Aibileen said to her " you know, I ain't never had no white person in my house". That pretty much clarified that what they were doing, was dangerous

 Another reason that I predict the book will be a success is because Skeeter is a very good writer. She has a college degree in writing and also writes the 'Miss Myrna' column at the local newspaper firm. Skeeter contacts executive editor, Elaine Stein in hopes of publishing her book. To spare punishment to all the maids, Skeeter changed all of their names and the name of their town. For each maid, she wrote a genuine word-for-word chapter as the maids sat in front of her and told them their heartbreaking stories. Skeeter was adamant  on delivering the truth and nothing less.

 This novel reminds me of the book Freshwater Road by Denise Nicholas. Freshwater Road  is about a young woman, Celeste, who takes a vacation to the south and gets the surprise of her life. Celeste helps people with the evil ways of racism,violence, and social change. Meanwhile they teach her a thing or two about valuable life lessons.  I think these are similar because they both take place in the early 1960's in the south and they both deal with racism and exclusion. In both books people find love, redemption,and identity.

  Based on my background knowledge, I can conclude my prediction that  Skeeter will accomplish writing a successful book. I also think the town will change and look at their fellow colored neighbors equally as they do white.  The unfairness in that town would soon be gone after Skeeter made her book, so it's kind of a double whammy. If there was another story I believe that all the characters would be nicer and more friendly. Attitudes will change.

Changing

   I wrote this character development on Landon Carter from Nicholas Sparks' A Walk To Remember. His transformation was remarkable and I thought it would be great to give examples.

 In the beginning of the book A Walk To Remember, by Nicholas Sparks, one of the main characters,  Landon Carter had a  wretched attitude towards life, and  he had  to deal with that hard fact of his true love having cancer. He is a judgmental, cocky, and unappreciative teenager. Popularity wise, Landon ranks in the top five at  his school alongside his best friend Erik, who is captain of the football team and who is also egotistical. Landon recently dated a popular girl and he is possibly the richest kid in the town.  When Landon came in correspondence with Jamie, however, he realized that he needed to change, but for the better. And that's just what he did.

Breaking up with someone is always hard to do,but , that's what Landon did with his girlfriend  Angela just before his high school's homecoming dance.  Landon was still single at the time of homecoming and he didn't want to attend the dance without a date, as of course that would make him look "lame". When the dance got closer, everybody was arranging plans for themselves leaving very little amount of people free.  As the desperation intensified, Landon had no other choice but to ask the strict minister's daughter, Jamie Sullivan , who has a reputation of the "goody-goody" to be his date. Jamie  and Landon continued to do things together after the dance. The two of them  did things like, star in the school play and visit the local orphanage, although Landon did do them reluctantly giving off the major hint when he said to his mom " How could I say no to her? She's so sweet". During their time together, Landon changed, but for the better and fell in love.  Deep into their relationship, Jamie told Landon that she had leukemia and was going to die soon. Achingly watching her suffer from the illness, Landon tried everything he could to save her, but nothing could beat the violent disease.  One  thing that could help would be to have their spirits uplifted. The solution to that was the wedding between the perpetual  lovebirds. From there on out, Landon wasn't a boy anymore, he was a man.

  While Jamie held on to  her deteriorating life weakly, Landon's influential 'manly' acts advanced. He started to noticeably be nicer to not just his  parents, but his whole town and school along with nurturing Jamie. His priorities really straightened out for him . During the quick time from when he fell in love and up until their wedding, Landon had an epiphany of how he should be more kind and appreciative, just like Jamie. In the midst of his transformation,  his annoying best friend Erik, became inspired by Landon's generous new ways. Erik realized that Landon was being more respectful and respected him for that and decided that he wanted to be someone admirable like that. So, Erik did exactly that." Miraculous transformation" was all people could say from then on about the two best friends.  Another inspiration that evolved, was Landon's father who is rarely home and too caught up in his own life to pay any attention to his son.Landon's father noticed his son's change and was motivated to be a better father for his son who was now very mature. At a point in the book, Landon's dad actually said to him, " son, you're really starting to grow up, and I'm proud of you".

  

 Though Landon's bad-boy turn around  was remarkable, it still wasn't original. Just like one of the main characters  in the short story  Thank You Ma'am  by Langston Hughes, Roger  had a bad-boy reputation just like Landon. This reputation could've easily gotten Landon or Roger in serious trouble, like peer pressure incidents. Perhaps that would've happened  if they didn’t change it quickly.  Roger's situation is quite different than Landon's because he tries to steal and Landon never did, tough they do have a similarity in being taught a valuable lesson. By the end of the story, specific people thought differently of each character.

       Landon kept up his inspirational image even after the devastating loss of Jamie that happened three months after their wedding.  There are many reasons why the "new" Landon was such an inspiration. One of the biggest reasons was because he was a more positive person. That positivity showed vividly. Because of him being such a nice and generous person, his whole school, town, and family admired and looked up to him. Landon Carter had indeed changed.

Excogitation

 Traveling back in time to talk to the founding fathers of our country would be an amazing experience.  

                                 

   What would you say if you could travel back to 1776 to talk to the founding fathers of our country? Well, If you think about it, I mean truly think about it, it’s a thought provoking and powerful question. If I had that chance I would tell them what a great country we’ve become based upon the constitution they wrote over 200 years ago that was the foundation of our desirable country. Additionally, I'd want them to know that the way they set up our country, based on freedom has prevailed and benefitted so many people.

    Since the constitution was written, our country has opened the doors for people to immigrate here from all over the world to make a better life for their families.  They came for job opportunities and of course, freedom. Some of the biggest freedoms that stood out were religion and speech. Those things matter immensely to people and are the core elements that play a part in establishing the definition of a strong, independent nation.  

    Personally, I'd desire to let them know that the founding fathers have excelled when they set up this country. Perhaps, if they heard that, they’d know they succeeded .Also, they’d know that they’ve accomplished exactly what they set out to do.  In a way, I feel as if it would reassure them and make them feel confident. The constitution vividly states that freedom is a must and will be the foundation of our country forever and always. Our founding fathers thought incredibly about whether these things would succeed or not.

    Rethink that topic. Having a word or two with Thomas Jefferson or George Washington to tell them how our country stands today. Now don’t tell me you don’t think that would be impeccably eye-opening.  American citizens should thoroughly ponder the idea, as if it were to happen to them . On the spot, if you asked someone that question, I bet they wouldn’t have an answer immediately. The attention grabbing question displays itself like a magnet for strong opinionated people. So, really, what would you tell them?

  

The Everlasting Love

Author's Note:  I wrote this cause and effect piece on The Notebook by Nicholas sparks because of the touching and inspirational moments the couple have shared together. 

In the book The Notebook  , a wealthy teenage city girl, Allie, falls in love with a low-paid country boy, Noah,  in the 1940's.  Their love lasts throughout the summer, but begins to deteriorate as fall approaches because of major disapprovement of Noah by Allie's parents .  The climax is determined when 63 years later, Noah reads Allie a letter about  the married couples life, and Allie recalls that Noah is her husband.  Allie has  severe Alzheimer's and can barely remember anything. This is the turning point because Allie falls in love with Noah all over again and actually can remember him. 

The result to this climax was that Allie and Noah can actually enjoy their time together. In the past , Allie would have short outbursts of fear around people, including Noah, because she forgot who he was. As her Alzheimer's progressed badly  and Noah's health grew worse as well, the two of them spent as much time with each other as they possibly can by doing things like playing the piano, reading, or walking in the garden etc.  At one point in time, the doctor actually thought that Allie's Alzheimer's was doing better, but turned out to be doing the opposite. Eventually the two died together in the same bed, holding each others hands.

Thriving for Answers

Author's Note: I wrote this response on the main conflict in the book The Secret Life of Bees and the explanation and resolution to the conflict.

   Lily Owens lives on a peach farm with her careless and abusive father who wishes to have a "normal" family .There are multiple conflicts in this book like, Lily having an abusive father. However, the main conflict is  Lily wanting to find out certain information about her dead mother. Lily wants to find information about her dead mother but she is unable to because her dad will not tell her.

 In the book, it clearly shows that Lily is longing for a caring father and wants to know about her mother who has been dead for 10 years. The things Lily wants to know are things such as, the person who killed her mother with the gun, the reason her mother had a gun, and the reason her mother was acting the panicky way she was the day she had been killed. Lily has been stuck for many years wondering these things, but had a major deprivation of the details regarding them.

 The resolution turned out to be very happy and relieving. It started when Lily and her housemaid ran off to a small town that Lily's mother was linked to. Lily and the maid ended up in the house of three loving sisters who were friends with Lily's mother a while back when Lily was a baby. Over the course of time during Lily's stay at the three ladies' house, she slowly discovers information that she has been thriving for so long. She was  upset at first, because she found out that she was the one who accidentally killed her mother. Lily eventually came to terms with the shocking details and was put at ease. The love grew fond between Lily and the three women, so it was decided that Lily would stay with them as her permanent home and would be free from her unlovable father. 

In the book The Secret Life of Bees the main conflict is Lily wanting to find information about her mother who is dead. Over the course of the book, Lily learns valuable life lessons and discovers information that she was in search of.

The Big Apple Escapade

Author's Note:  I wrote about this for my personal narrative/memoir because it's a very fond and unforgettable memory of mine.

It was surprisingly NOT an invigoratingly cold-feeling afternoon in the Big Apple on December 26th. Maybe I was a little far stretched by having two pairs of gloves, ear warmers, and a hat  on. Anyways, my family embarked on a trip to New York City for the day to basically do everything "tourists" do. I do hesitate calling us tourists because we've already been there 5 times and have lived near there,  but love it enough to go back. I was ecstatic to return to such an, I guess you can call "magical" place that I have many fond memories from.  Once we finally parked our car, my cousin Kelly, Aunt Kerry, Mom, sister Ashley, and I headed towards Rockefeller Center to ice skate. In the meantime  my Dad, Uncle Jim, brother, and other cousin James went to the spot that John Lennon was murdered at.  My brother is an absolute Beatles fanatic , so that explains the death site visit for them.

  We were waiting in line for about one and a half hours before we could even get our skates and pay. Let me tell you though, those one and a half hours were not as atrocious as you would think they would be. They were actually kind of entertaining. I snapped  pictures of the golden angels spread out throughout the plaza, but if you want to know something about being mesmerized , let me tell you about the beautiful Christmas tree. The 74 foot Norwegian spruce was twinkling with lights and dazzling with ornaments. As I stood there admiring it, my mom called out to me,

 " C'mon Grace, it's time to get skates"

     

I acknowledged my mom and scurried along. The blonde lady handing out skates was most definitely  in the Christmas spirit because she had on elf shoes and a priceless jingle bell hat which I thought was just awesome . In a confusingly high pitched voice she asked me,

 

 " What size are you sweetheart"?

   

  I told her my size and she handed me a dark blue pair of skates. I swiftly laced up my skates and was ready to go. The five of us cautiously stepped onto the ice, awaiting that  inevitable moment for one of us to fall. My cousin, sister and I started getting the hang of things by picking up speed and practically prancing on the ice  while my Mom and Aunt struggled to get a steady pace going.  Watching the ice shave up against my blades reminded me of why I love ice skating and doing little family things like this. A woman who saw us trying to get pictures approached us,

  

 " Do you guys want me to take a group photo for you?''

    

 " Yeah, sure! If you don't mind" My aunt told her.

   

  So the lady took our picture, and must I say it's a quite admirable one. The glistening  Christmas tree next to us, us with rosy cheeks, and the whole splendiferous  city before us. It was perfect. After time escaped us with fun, we decided to get off of the ice, but I knew I could've skated longer. Before we entered the small recreation room, I turned around one last time to take a final glimpse of the rink, and continued to follow my sister to the skate return. Once all of our skates were off, we decided to grab some hot chocolate at a local café  to reward ourselves.

  " Oh my god, that was so much fun" my sister  squealed.

  Everybody nodded in a satisfied agreement. The five of us all ordered the same thing at Café Mocha. A double fudge chocolate hot cocoa. Just thinking about it made my mouth water. The café was a petite, but very cozy place. The walls were painted a deep purple, and candles of different scents were burning everywhere. A fireplace was lit giving it the perfect affect.

  We all sat there in the brown leather chairs, sipping on our drinks nearly scorching our tongues. All of us started to reminisce about our humorous moments, like when my cousin tried to save herself from falling by kicking the air but fell on her butt anyways.

I could tell that we were all pleased, so I knew the rest of our "touristy" day was going to be very enjoyable. My mom spotted  the rest of our family outside of the café, so we exited Café Mocha and approached them. Gathering together and exchanging  memories of our first activity, we were contemplating where to go next. I decided to give a hint of our next potential destination by smiling and saying,

  " Hey, who's looking forward to some original New York cheesecake?"