Masterpiece Academy Question

This year in this class was a lot different than what I was use to and what I expected. The past years that I've spent in AP English, we were assigned traditional assignments in pretty traditional structures. When I signed up to take AP English Literature and Composition, I knew it would be different and I knew it would be challenging. This course has opened me up to a new style of learning, open source learning, and has helped me to improve my skills in many aspects.

In this course, us students were given a lot of trust. We have dealt with points, grades, and structure since we were little; my classmates deserved this freedom. At the beginning of the year we valued this freedom and trust. We had the option to make this course how we pleased and we had the option to decide which direction the course should go. Unfortunately by the end of the year, some students took advantage of this trust. Because we had the choice to make decisions for this course, some decided to make the choice to not do quality work, if they did the work at all.


One piece that I could relate to was The Poisonwood Bible  by Barbara Kingsolver. This book was told from 5 different perspectives and it shows how differently people handle situations. This is something that I think about often when stuck in  dilemma; I constantly try to remind myself and others that people see situations different and react to them differently as well. I would say that I relate to Rachel the most, in the sense that she refused to accept the burden. This book also dealt with feeling alone, even when you have people around you. I think that everyone can relate to this sometimes because you feel as if no one understands you and it's challenging to communicate your feelings. Another piece that we read this year that I connected with was Brave New World. We are all surrounded by a world that is constantly developing and technology is growing. There are times where I don't agree with the way society does/handles things and I feel like I can't relate to people so I just keep it to myself. Lastly I can connect with Great Expectations. Respect, self worth, and loyalty are much more important to me than wealth and social advancement. A lot of people today are so consumed with trying to become popular or rich that they lose sight of having a conscience. The theme of the story and the realizations made are something that I can relate to.


This class has connected me to being more accepting of other's ideas. Sometimes we can forget that other people have their own opinions and beliefs. Through open source learning and talking out loud with my classmates, I have seen that there can be a variety of interpretations and also opinions on a subject. This class helped reconnect me with the fact that there isn't always right or wrong; everything isn't always white or black, in literature and in life. Being open-minded will give me a big advantage when it comes to learning.

Something that made me really laugh this year would be my classmates. There were so many hilarious people in my class this year that would make comments on something we read/watched/discussed that made the mood lighter and the atmosphere more connected. Some of the comments made in class were so dorky and cute that it made it even funnier.

A unifying theme that I recognized throughout quite a few masterpieces was travel and journey; whether it was physically traveling or self discovery, everyone was on their own journey. Many people had discussed how they got to a certain point in their life, how experiences have made them who they are, and how they've had to conquer some steep hills but they keep on hiking. Brenissa talked about how she was in a bad place at a point in her life where she was sick in the hospital. She had to give up a lot of physical activity and contact sports. Through this process and this journey she found her love for hiking and the beauty of nature. Melissa discussed how she likes to travel and meet new people. My masterpieces went over experiencing different cultures and atmospheres. Shailynn showed her journey since she was a little girl and how her dreams have grown. Susel showed how she has conquered her fears and now proudly sings and performs in front of hundreds of people. Matthew/Aaron talked about their journey since birth and what that journey has been like for them. Mellany and Daniel used pictures to display a journey through high school. There was a diverse variety of masterpiece topics but they were interconnected through the power of one's journey. Everyone has a story and everyone has experiences that make them who they are.


I in no way am a hero. I am an average person that someday would like to consider myself a hero, even if it's only to one person. I want to become a doctor, I want to help people, I want to save lives, and most importantly I want to make a positive impact on people's lives. I believe my adventure is still going. I have yet to find a solid mentor, probably because I am still trying to find myself. Friends, family, and any one that has ever had faith in me and supported me are my mentors. They have helped me get to where I am and will help get me to where I want to be. Through my masterpiece I discovered the beauty in different cultures. It's going to be hard moving to Texas and leaving my friends behind, but I have came to know that this will only be the beginning. This is the time that I will set out and explore the world and see what life has to offer.

Writing this essay has made me look back on times throughout the year. There has been positive moments but negatives ones as well. This journey through senior year, and throughout high school, has been a rollercoaster.

Act V Study Questions

5.8
1. Macduff was looking for Macbeth because he wanted to fight him and kill him. Macduff didn't want to fight any of his soldiers, just Macbeth. It would haunt him if he didn't kill him.

Act IV Study Questions

4.1
1.  There are 3 witches in this scene.
2.  The first apparition says to be wary of Macduff and careful of him.  The second tells Macbeth he should be a strong willed ruler- bold and brace.  In other words he should not accept defeat.  The third warns of attacking armies coming, and tells Macbeth he won't be defeated until the kingdom of Norway attacks.

Macbeth doesn't feel safe after the apparitions.  He has worries about Macduff's intentions and the possibility of an oncoming attacking army.  Yes he should feel unsafe because he is in a very precarious position.

After the fourth, the line of kings, Macbeth is terrified.  He saw the ghost of Banquo at the end, whom he killed.  This frightened him as well as drawing out his guilt.
3.  In line 158 Macbeth learns from Lennox that Macduff is running away to England.  In response Macbeth decides to send someone try to kill as many of Macduff's family members as he can.
4.2
1. Lady Macduff seems to feel betrayed and angry at Macduff because he left them (her and her son) to die. She was advising her son to dislike his father because he fled when he discovered that Macbeth is planning to kill him.
2. The purpose of the scene between Lady Macduff and her son is to have his son have false impression about his dad. Also, the scene assists in the growth of the theme : fair is foul and foul is fair. This is because Macbeth is willing to kill Macduff in order to achieve what is"rightfully" his and Macduff fled, afraid of Macbeth's actions towards him. It also shows how Macduff's son refused to believe that his father left them to die, showing devotion, faith, and trust.
3. The entire Macduff family ends up being killed by Macbeth.
4.3
1. Macduff's family has been killed. 
2. Malcolm doesn't want to go home because he's afraid of judgement since he ran away. Malcolm is suspicious of Macduff bc Macduff has his own personal agenda. He might be secretly working for Macbeth since he left his family. Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty to him and he passes. When Macduff starts to leave Malcolm takes back the lies he's told and trusts Macduff now- they're now allies. 
3. Malcolm says he's a bad king but Macduff says Macbeth is a way worse king and that he needs to return to restore peace and justice. Avarice bothers Macduff more in a king, it sticks deeper with kings in the terms of greed and lust. 
4.

5.
6. Ross tells Macduff that his family is dead, it takes him a while to tell him. Macduff says they must save their grief for later and Malcom says to turn their revenge into a medicine for their grief. Macduff says "he has no children" and he is referring to Malcom because he says he needs to mourn and "feel like a man" when Malcom tells him to dispute it like a man. To be a "man" in this play means to have feelings and don't hide but don't let them cloud your judgement.
7. Malcom, Macduff and Ross are ready to attack Macbeth's castle, they just need to go there.

Journal Discussion

I don't think Macbeth would be a very good ruler. The way he has proven himself so far throughout the play makes it seem that he isn't going to be a strong leader. Macbeth is greedy. Nothing is ever enough. He wanted to be the king so bad that he killed anyone that threatened his chance. Even though witches were seen as agents of Satan, Macbeth still believed in their prophecy because of how badly he wanted it to be true. He is becoming heartless and his greed is taking over. He even had the audacity to blame his killing of Duncan on innocent guards.

Macbeth Act III and IV Reading Notes

Act III
-Banquo is questioning the witches prophecies and that if the first one happened, the second one must happen as well
-Macbeth invites Banquo and his son over for dinner
-Macbeth says a soliloquy about how Banquo is his only old friend but the only friend that he fears
-Macbeth talks to two men who agree to murder Banquo and Fleance
-Lady Macbeth is full of despair and Macbeth agrees that he feels guilty but things must be done in order to secure his place at the throne
-Macbeth says that Lady Macbeth needs to play along at dinner
-The murderers are waiting for Banquo and Fleance
-They kill Banquo but just before he dies he tells Fleance to avenge his death
-It's dark and Fleance escapes
-The murderer tells Macbeth that Fleance got away which makes Macbeth really angry
-Back at dinner Banquo's ghost shows up and causes Macbeth to freak out; no one can see him but Macbeth which makes it seem like he's gone crazy
-Lady Macbeth makes excuses for Macbeth and the ghost disappears and then reappears so Lady Macbeth sends the guests to another room
-Macbeth says that he will visit the witches tomorrow and see what the future shows
-The witches meet Hecate who scolds them for getting in the middle of Macbeth's business; she says that she will take over
-When Macbeth comes they must send him false visions and spirits
-Banquo's murder was blamed on his son Fleance who fled, but they suspect Macbeth
-A lord and Lennox are talking
-Macduff has gone to England to join Malcom in asking England's king for help
-Macbeth is now prepared for war
-Hopefully Malcom and Macduff are successful in saving Scotland from Macbeth
Act IV
-The witches are chanting around a cauldron when Macbeth walks in and he asks about the truth of their prophecy
-A floating head says to beware of Macduff (he is not surprised)
-A bloody child says that none of woman born shall harm Macbeth
-A crowned child holding a tree says that he is safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill
-8 crowned kings walk by and the last one is carrying a mirror; Banquo's ghost walks at the end of the line
-Macbeth asks what this means but the witches just dance and then disappear
-Lennox tells Macbeth that Macduff fled to England
-He plans to send people to capture Macduff's castle, wife, and children
-Lady Macduff asks Ross why her husband fled and he says that she just needs to trust her husband
-Lady Macduff tells her son that his dad is dead but he says he isn't
-A messenger tells Lady Macbeth to leave but she doesn't think she did anything wrong
-Murderers enter and denounce Macduff, the son argues so they stab him and then chase Lady Macbeth
-Outside of King Edward's palace, Malcom tells Macduff that he doesn't trust him because he left his family and thinks he is working with Macbeth
-Macduff passes Malcom's test by staying tru to Scotland and disagreeing that Malcom would make a good king
-A doctor tells King Edward that wretched souls are waiting for him to be cured because the king has the power to cure disease
-Ross tells Macduff that his children and wife are fine and urges Malcom to return to Scotland
-Malcom said he'll return with the king and an army
-Ross breaks down and says that Macbeth murdered Macduff's family
-Malcome convinced Macduff to get revenge

Act II Study Questions

2.1

1.The opening gives a sense of forboding, things are not as they should be. The discussion serves to have Banquo acknowledge the weird sisters rather than claim they are a hallucination.
2. Macbeth is extremely stressed about having to Duncan and he is attempting to talk himself into committing the deed. He talks about it as if he is in a haze, a dream and he continues by making it a reality and committing the deed.

2.2

2.3 

1. The porter, in the third scene of act ii, is drunk and is pretending to be the Porter of the gate to hell. In the play, Macbeth has the trait of equivocation, where he manipulates his listener by circumlocution and the expectations of the other person without actually committing. For example, he does this when Lady Macbeth asks him to kill King Duncan.
2. The thematic function of Lennox describing the night as unruly was because that night was when King Duncan was killed by Macbeth. It was "unruly" not only for King Duncan but also for Macbeth because the guilt and fear of getting caught will always make him say and do things that might be suspicious, dark, and unruly. The scene is necessary to show Macbeth's transformation from the character before the murder vs. the character after the murder. This also connects back to what the witches had said earlier in the play: Fair is foul and foul is fair.
3. Macduff reports that the king has been murdered. Lady Macbeth appears to be horrified that this act could take place on his household. Macbeth is in encaged and kills the chamberlains. Malcolm and Donalbain decide to flee Malcolm and will go to England and Donalbain will go to Ireland. They're fleeing because they fear they will be murdered.

2.4

1. The function of the dialogue between Old Man and Ross is to discuss the strange happenings that have been occurring such as how an owl killed a falcon, the horses went wild and are one another, and several other things.  This wicked behavior symbolizes and foreshadows the promotion of Macbeth to the thrown. 2. Macduff tells us from the castle that Macbeth has been made king by his fellow lords and that he will travel to Scone to receive the promotion and get crowned. He tells us that Malcolm and Donalbain are suspected of the murder of Duncan. They are suspected because they fled the scene. 

Macbeth Notes

-Great chain of being (Aristotle)
-God, king/ruler, down through social classes, servants, animals
-Gave us social structure where there often wasn't one
-"Fair is foul and foul is fair"= most memorable quote from the witches (contrast, paradox)
-Witches were agents of Satan, evil servants; witchcraft became a capital offense two years before play was published
-King was interested in witchcraft
-The devil was real during this time period; taken very seriously
-"Come what come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day"

Macbeth Character Map

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/m/macbeth/character-map

Love is Blind

The audience sees Lady Macbeth as ruthless...and maybe even a little crazy. She will do whatever it takes to make her husband king. After receiving the letter from Macbeth, right away she starts making plans. She heartlessly takes this opportunity, and mocks her husband for being hesitant. He feels guilty but she shows no remorse. Macbeth on the other hand sees his lady as only trying to help him. He just wants to please her. He sees Lady Macbeth as possibly stronger than him and more brave.

Act I Study Questions

1.1

1. Beginning the play with a dialogue between the witches sets the mood to be dark, evil, and mysterious. This foreshadows the plot, theme, and mood for the future of the story in the same manner. In comparison of Shakespeare's other plays, Macbeth requires more ambiguity and the syntax and diction used needs to be more bleak. For example, Hamlet highlighted the themes of betrayal and complexity of relationships and power. Even though, the theme falls in the same ballpark with Macbeth, the gloominess of the plot of Macbeth overpowers that of Hamlet. In the beginning of the play, the witches were going to meet Macbeth at the "ere of sunset." Line 10 was "Paddock calls" and line 11 was "Anon." The phrase paddock class means a toad, which symbolizes transformation. The word anon means soon or shortly. The "toad" and it's transformation could metaphorically be compared to Macbeth and his evolving and transforming to be a completely different person or even having a transformation in his status and power. The witch's response as anon signifies how Macbeth will shortly have a transformation - to be declared a thane. 

1.2

1. The bloody seargent indirectly characterizes Macbeth by glorifying his actions towards Macdonwald. Macdonwald is a rebel who was executed. He tried to attack them. Macbeth executed macdonwald with his sword. This did not end the fight with the rebels, the Norwegians are still attacking.

2. The traitor was the Thane of Cawdor, as we learn from Ross. Duncan says that its a relief the thane of cawdor was executed and that Macbeth now owns his previous title.

1.3

1. The witches speech gives a first look at Macbeth and his wife without saying who they are. Indirect characterization of the two. Similar to Hamlet where he gives a mini synopsis early in the story. "Weird" in Shakespeare's day meant future seers not weird as we know it, prophecy and destiny. Shakespeare means that Macbeth's wife has him by the balls. They  cast a spell to control his destiny. 

2. Macbeth says something very similar to what the witches said at the beginning of the play. This could be him falling into the destiny the witches set up. Dried, chapped fingers, gender ambiguity, hairy, old, they have literal beards. The witches tell Macbeth that he will thane of Candor and eventually King, right then he finds out he is thane of Cawdor. Banquo asked the witch why they had nothing for him, they told him he is lesser but greater than Macbeth. We knew he was thane before he was thane.
3. Banquo says the witches were a figment of their imagination that they lie or that they are hallucinating. Macbeth learns that he is thane of Cawdor from Ross and Angus. During lines 114-156 he was going over his plan in his head and how everything had just happened to him. He acts very happy and shows no incredulity at being thane. Macbeth's aside shows him rationalizing what happened to him and he begins to think that he is going to be King soon. Macbeth tells Banquo that he is happy and excited and nothing more he explains his behavior by saying he is confused.

1.4

1. Cawdor was executed after openly confessing his treason and pleading for mercy. Malcolm tried to stick up for the thane, but the king responds by basically saying that you can't trust a man according to his face. He doesn't believe the thane was truly repentant.

2. The king greets them by saying that he can never repay them enough for their good deeds, but announces he will leave all his estate and names his son, Malcolm, prince of Cumberland. He then proposes that they go to Macbeth's castle at Inverness. Macbeth tells himself that the only way to be king is to get rid of Malcolm, and even though he'll be appalled at his action, he must do it.

1.5

1. Macbeth was honest with his wife when he informs her of his new title as "Thane of Cawdor." He refers to the witches as "weird sisters" probably because he doesn't want her know that he is associated with the "evil servants."

Lady Macbeth responds by saying that she thinks Macbeth is playng things off as if everything is fine. By saying "but be the serpent under't", she describes him as someone that lies to make everything appear under control. This doesn't really match the characterization of Macbeth so far in the story which implies that there is something the audience doesn't know about him. 

2. The wife was confident about the guests visit. She also seemed prepared and a little cocky about the way her and her husband would handle it.

3. Lady Macbeth. Yes she wants to kill Duncan. No, he isn't sure whether he wants to follow through with Lady Macbeths orders or not. She tells him not to let Duncan see tomorrow.

4. The question appears to answer itself. 
1.6

1. The opening speeches (1.6.1-10) describe how the surroundings of the castle are "pleasant" and the air is sweet-maybe even too sweet. From the outside, the castle appears to be paradise.

Lady Macbeth's welcome is formal. Her language is totally different from her language in the previous scene which shows how fake and dishonest her welcome was.

1.7

1. "If it were done when 'tis done then 'twere well." If it were done when it was done it was done well. (Meaning if he completed the death quickly and efficiently and with no complications then he did the job well.) Macbeth is determined to kill the king and be done with him but in lines 1-12 he is fearful of how the "inventor" will judge his actions. He's violating the hospitality of his kinship and responsibilities as a host towards his guest by trying to kill his guest instead of protecting them. The motivation that Macbeth attributes to himself in lines 25-28 is the attribute of an Arabic heaven-like God. He will be seen as a "God" and that is his source of motivation to get the job done.
2. In lines 28-30 she is complaining about him leaving the chamber because it was  almost time for dinner. Macbeth responds to her complaining by saying did he ask for me? And lady Macbeth says don't you know he did? The positions are lady Macbeth is ready for the King to be killed while Macbeth is still hesitant and on the fence about it. Macbeth convinced Lady Macbeth by explaining that he is an respected person and doesn't want to lose his honor while Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth by convincing him to gain the power and kill the king. The stronger person in the scene is Lady Macbeth because  she's more verbally confident in her argument while convincing Macbeth to kill the King. 

Meet Macbeth

Macbeth is introduced as a strong, brave character through a speech about him in battle. "For brave Macbeth- well he deserves the name-disdaining fortune- with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution." Macbeth is praised for being a tough, honorable soldier. Even though the witches speak good about Macbeth, they hint that there is a dark side to him. Witches were seen as satanic and evil servants. If they are so frowned upon, why is Macbeth drawn to them?
When the witches say "fair is foul, and foul is fair" I think it's foreshadowing to possibly Macbeth not being able to distinguish the difference between fair and foul since it seems to be that Macbeth has a hidden dark side. It foreshadows a discrepancy between how someone is and how someone seems (Macbeth). Witches were seen as agents of Satan so their presence alone foreshadows satanic characteristics.
Shakespeare provides us with a vague prophecy that does not include instructions for Macbeth, therefore not spoiling the play for us. He does however say through the witches that Macbeth will jump two positions from where he currently hold, therefore, the characters holding those positions are likely going to be involved in an unfortunate event. 
Shakespeare's characterization of Macbeth gives readers a feeling that yes Macbeth is looked highly of, but that he has a hidden side/agenda.
Guilt seems like an evident theme that will drive the rest of the play. Macbeth is going to do something that he is going to regret. This glorious "hero" will somehow cause a bad ending.

My Macbeth Resources

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/macbeth/macbethresources.html
http://www.absoluteshakespeare.com/guides/summaries/macbeth/macbeth_summary.htm
http://www.macbethonbroadway.com/macbeth-synopsis.html
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/macbeth/macbethps.html
http://shakespearenet.net/macbeth/macbreak.htm
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/m/macbeth/study-help/quiz

Spring Break Homework: Poetry

Poem: Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden
Prompt: Write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how the poet uses language to describe the scene and to convey mood and meaning.
I chose this prompt because the majority of the other prompts were specific to a particular poem. This poem that I chose is quite short and specific as well, and Robert Hayden's diction is what helped the reader understand the mood and meaning.

When we're young we don't appreciate what our parents voluntarily do for us, but as we grow older we become more grateful for the simple things in life. In Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden, Hayden's diction plays an essential role in helping the reader comprehend the poem and it's purpose. Hayden's use of language describes the scene in a way for the reader to comprehend the atmosphere of what is going on and to then better understand the mood of the entirety of the poem and the meaning of it all.
The poem starts out with the author describing what he woke up to every Sunday morning. The father too got up early on Sundays...in the blueblack cold...with cracked hands that ached. After these few lines, one can see that the father worked hard every day of the week in the cold winter weather. "No one ever thanked him." The boy never thought anything of it...until he later looked back on his life.
Through the majority of the poem, Hayden's language gave a mood of "normalness," as if what the father did was not a big deal. In the last few lines however, there's a shift. The reader sees that now grown up, looking back at "those winter Sundays," the man understands that what his father did for his family was the way he expressed his love. The father's love was quite yet powerful. That love is what drove him to make sacrifices for his family. After reading the poem, Hayden's language puts the mood of regret and gratefulness inside a reader's head.  It wasn't that he purposely took advantage of what his father did for him, he just never recognized that it was his way of showing his love for his family. No one ever thanked the father, but looking back the speaker is truly grateful for him. 
The poem isn't very lengthy, but it didn't need to be for one to understand its meaning. The lines are short but powerful. The language is simple yet descriptive. There didn't need to be 20 stanzas for the reader to see that the boy didn't recognize all that his father did for him, until later. Hayden made it clear that simple gestures are ways that one can express their love for another person. The father in the poem warmed up the house for his family, after working immensely hard all week, and still never expected a thank you. He didn't need a thank you. He continued to do what seemed like a small gesture because he wanted to show his love for his family. The father would suffer to keep his family warm. 

Masterpiece association-Dove

Check out Dove's Youtube channel and their Self-Esteem Projects!
https://www.youtube.com/user/doveunitedstates

Masterpiece

I saw this tweet today and it resembled exactly what I want to achieve with my masterpiece- changing the conversation of negative body image comments to positive empowerment because WE have the ability to do so. Dove is a huge representation of health/body image activism and they are someone I am definitely going to get in touch with!

Literature Analysis #3 The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

1. The House on Mango Street is about Esperanza Cordero who is a young Latina living in an unstable society and her journey of transformation into adulthood. The novel tells about her life as a young girl in this area of her town, where she is faced with hardships, one of them being sexually assaulted, and comes out of each difficult moment with more wisdom and knowledge about the world than in the beginning of the book. Esperanza wants to leave Mango Street, but realizes that she is mentally scarred by the place where she grew up. She wants to leave and then come back to help others who are unable to escape this place. The author's purpose is to teach her readers about unbelievable things that occur in the real world. The author shows us how well Esperanza copes with the situations she is put into.
2. The theme of the novel is a resolution of personal conflicts and hope of better life. Esperanza had to face many challenges, but overcame them. Yes bad things happened, but she didn't give up. She wanted to leave everything that she had dealt with behind, and not look back. She wished to start a new life, and though she knows this isn't thoroughly possible, she still had hope. She knew that she deserved better and would work to get it.
3. The author's tone is blunt, straightforward and sometimes negative. It seems that she doesn't really care about much, not even herself. This is shown when she says, "I am an ugly daughter," "My Papa's hair is like a broom, all up in the air. And me, my hair is lazy," "In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting."
4.  Anaphora: "Not my house. Not my car. Not my room. Not my family." 
Onomatopoeia: "Bam! Buzz." 
Simile: "My life, it is life the number 9." 
Alliteration: "...crumples like a coat and cries." 
Idiom: "Get your head out of the clouds." 
Personification: "But I think diseases have no eyes. They pick with a dizzy finger anyone, just anyone."
Synesthesia: "a loud color"
Hyperbole: "Anthony Haselbauer is a giant!" 
Symbol: The American flag, symbolizing the American dream that Esperanza wants so desperately.
Metaphor: "Like it or not, you are Mango Street."
Characterization
1. Indirect characterization: "He worked two jobs. He came home late and left early. Everyday." "...first annual Tarzan jumping contest, Meme won. And broke both arms." 
Direct characterization: "She is very sassy." "She was a horse woman too."
Both approaches are used so that the characters and the way they are introduced are more realistic. These methods allow the reader to imagine and infer aspects of the characters but then they can also directly get to know what the author wants them to see about the characters.
2. The book is pretty simple so the syntax/diction doesn't really tend to change when focusing on specific characters. The story is viewed entirely through the eyes of Esperanza as she describes the settings and gives the reader insight on the characters, which tends to be biased toward the smaller characters. The way Esperanza talked to and about characters did vary since each played a different role in her life.
3. Esperanza is definitely a dynamic and round character. At the beginning of the book she is naive and who slowly learns about growing up as the story unfolds. At first, all she wanted to do was play and interact with the children living in the neighborhood, but then she began to interest herself in boys and sexual matters. She was maturing. Esperanza is left disappointed at the end because it isn't what she expected. She goes on to worry about more important things like leaving Mango Street.
4. After reading this book, I can say that I met a character. Esperanza went through stages of life that all of us go through. She was a curious young girl with dreams, she set goals and wanted to become something greater and learned a lot along the way. She was a character with real emotions, hardships, and aspirations. She resembled someone who is determined to achieve something in the real world.

TPCASTT: Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden

Title of poem means: "Those winter Sundays" remind the speaker of his childhood. It seems to be a flashback from a long time ago. Now that he thinks about it, these specific Sundays were meaningful.
Paraphrase parts of the poem: The dad of the speaker would get up really early to warm up the house for the family, after he had worked hard all week long. No one would thank the dad, or show any enthusiasm. The speaker was afraid of his dad so he would speak without affection. The speaker's dad did all of this stuff for him, but he never understood why. He never understood that his father truly loved him, and showed it by lighting the fire and polishing his shoes, until now.
Connotation of some of the words – changing literal meaning to implied or associated values: His father warmed up the house and polished his shoes...but why? These are the ways he showed his love.
Attitude: The speaker is regretful, yet grateful. It wasn't that he purposely took advantage of what his father did for him, he just never recognized that it was his way of showing his love for his family. No one ever thanked the father, but looking back the speaker is truly grateful for his father.
Shift: The poem shifts at the end where the speaker says, "What did I know, what did I know of love's austere and lonely offices?" At this point the reader realizes that now he understands his father's love and why he did the things he did. The reader sees that the speaker wasn't ungrateful, he just never understood that that was how his father showed his love until then.
Title revisited: "Those winter Sundays" are significant to the speaker's childhood. Every Sunday his father would warm up the house and polish his shoes, yet no one would ever thank him. These simple gestures were overlooked, until now where the speaker is flashing back.
Theme: Love and sacrifice. This poem shows the love between a father and his child. This bond is what makes a father get up early after a long week of work to warm up the house. This love is quiet yet powerful. This love is what drives the father to make sacrifices for his family.

College?????

College is such a scary yet exciting word. Thinking about going off to college, 1,500 miles away from my hometown, all alone, having to make new friends, not knowing what to expect gives me anxiety...but sometimes it's good anxiety. I'm anxious to start a new chapter in my life. I'm ready to explore and experience new places and people. I believe that this is the perfect time in our lives to try something totally new. This is the time where you search for yourself and the person you want to become. Even though I am going to miss this small town (as much as I complain about it) and all of the people I have grown up with, I'm ready.

Tobermory Explained

"Watch what you say/do, even if you think no one is watching/listening" (or something like that?)

Conforming/Questioning? (Brave New World Essay)

In Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Bernard Marx is caught between conforming to the standards of society while also questioning the way in which the World Controllers are running the world. He is surrounded by the World State rules so conforming is expected of him, but is tormented by his own thinking. Bernard’s outward conformity and internal thinking contribute to the author’s voice and develop his warning to the readers.
Bernard conforms by simply doing his job, working in the Hatchery and genetically engineering children. He doesn’t approve of what the World State is doing, yet he continually does what is expected of him. By Bernard taking soma and engaging in orgy-porgy, he’s conforming to the World State’s culture. He’s trying not to be a part of society but results to conforming to avoid internal questioning.

Bernard does however question actions of society, especially when he is alone. The World State doesn’t like when people, such as Bernard, are alone because it gives them the availability to actually think about their actions and thoughts. When alone, Bernard continuously questions the entirety of the World State and the culture that comes with. It’s uncommon for people in this society to question anything so Bernard is one of the few that are considered outcasts.

Bernard’s actions of conforming outwardly yet questioning inwardly are a representation of the author’s voice and attitude. The author portrays his voice through Bernard’s action. The author wants the reader to question this dystopian society and the restriction of freedom. Through the process of reading the story, Bernard’s personality urges the reader to ponder the importance of freedom and the dangers of scientific driven society.