Motif
1)Name a motif and explain it
One motif is in the story in Lennie keeps being compared to animals. Some animals he is compared to animals. Some animals he is compared to are a bear and an ox. I think Steinbeck is trying to show hoe because of his mental retardation, that people try to dehumanize him. I also think he is being compared to animals because of his size. Like bears and oxen, he is very large.
Symbols
2) what does Candy’s dog represent ?
In a way, I think Candy’s dog represents Candy himself. Like his dog, Candy is very old.Candy and his dog both have handicaps, Candy lost an arm and the dog is blind. That’s probably why Candy got so upset when his dog was shot. A piece of him died along with the dog.
Theme
3) Describe a theme in the story.
A theme in Of Mice and Men is the need for human companionship. An obvious example of this is Curley’s wife. Curley’s wife is very lonely and unhappy being the only female on the ranch. Some may mistake her for a loose woman, but really she’s just looking for a friend. Also, look at Lennie and George, they need each other.
Setting
4) What does the ranch represent?
I think the ranch is similar to the American Dream. They travel somewhere in hopes for a better life. Everyone is out working to get their fair share. They all work to achieve a common goal. All the ranchers work endlessly, and sometimes don’t get what they set out for.
Characters
5) Do you think George needs Lennie?
I do think George needs Lennie. He uses his strength to earn him money. The money they earn goes towards something they both want. He also needs Lennie for his friendship. Like he says, a rancher is the loneliest guy in the world.
Conflict
6) Describe a man versus man conflict in Of Mice And Men.
A man v man conflict in this story is the one between Curley and George. Curley has what you would call Napoleon Complex, because he is short. He dislikes tall men because of the automatic respect they receive. Unlike them he has to earn respect or use someone else’s power, like his father’s. Automatically, when he sees Lennie he is jealous and makes things difficult for poor
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Beyond The Line - Characters
Imagine being the only woman being around for miles, like Curley’s wife on the ranch. For many women of the 1920s and today, that can be the harsh reality, literally and figuratively. The 19th Amendment was passed in 1920, thanks to the suffragettes, but women still have a long way to go. To start of with, women feel free to judge other and call other women derogatory names. Next, gender roles are still very traditional. Finally women still face employment discrimination.
Since that time period, women have come a long way, however, I don’t believe females are united, as we should be. Today’s women are very quick to judge and label others with derogatory terms such as whores and bitches. Men hear women calling each other that, feeling it’s acceptable for them. When we feel free to use these words, we’re as stranded as Curley’s wife.
Although you may not realize it, gender roles are still pretty traditional. Females are expected to take care of the household. They do most of the cleaning and cooking around the house. While some may enjoy this, others may feel like that’s what is expected of them, therefore they have to All of this while holding down a job.
Women of the 1920’s and today both face employment discrimination. Imagine Curley’s wife working on the ranch along side George and the other ranchers. That never would have been possible! We have made great progress, but work still needs to be done. For example, it is rare to see a woman firefighter or policeman.
Female have achieved so much since the 19th Amendment was passed. Look at people like Hilary Clinton. Still, much needs to be done for women to be seen as equal to their male counter-parts. First of all, women don’t respect each other enough. Secondly, many women feel obligated to fill traditional roles. Last, but not least, women still face employment discrimination.
Since that time period, women have come a long way, however, I don’t believe females are united, as we should be. Today’s women are very quick to judge and label others with derogatory terms such as whores and bitches. Men hear women calling each other that, feeling it’s acceptable for them. When we feel free to use these words, we’re as stranded as Curley’s wife.
Although you may not realize it, gender roles are still pretty traditional. Females are expected to take care of the household. They do most of the cleaning and cooking around the house. While some may enjoy this, others may feel like that’s what is expected of them, therefore they have to All of this while holding down a job.
Women of the 1920’s and today both face employment discrimination. Imagine Curley’s wife working on the ranch along side George and the other ranchers. That never would have been possible! We have made great progress, but work still needs to be done. For example, it is rare to see a woman firefighter or policeman.
Female have achieved so much since the 19th Amendment was passed. Look at people like Hilary Clinton. Still, much needs to be done for women to be seen as equal to their male counter-parts. First of all, women don’t respect each other enough. Secondly, many women feel obligated to fill traditional roles. Last, but not least, women still face employment discrimination.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Civil War Essay
The Civil War lasted from 1861-1865. It was one of the most devastating wars the United States was involved in. Diane Hart said as many 620,000 people lost their lives because of this bloody war (131). Today, the Civil War still fascinates many Americans. It has also deeply affected how we live as a people. Shelby Foote explained this change “ “Before the war, it was said, “ The United States are…” Grammatically, it was spoken that way and thought of as a collection of independent states. After the war, it was always “The United States is…”- as we say today with out being self-conscious at all. And that sums up what the war accomplished. It made us an is ”
Although women were treated as second-class citizens, they played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Firstly, women contributed to the war efforts by making uniforms and munitions for the soldiers. Next, females served their country by becoming spies and nurses. Lastly, women made sure others were properly fed; they even held the Bread Riots.
First of all, women worked in factories created uniforms and weapons. While the men were away fighting, women fought the war at home. The Civil War created a need for more uniforms and munitions. In the North, women worked in clothing factories and textile mills. Southern women made uniforms as well, but in the comfort of their home. Women also took jobs at munitions plants. (Hart 129). These jobs were very dangerous, and many women gave their lives for the cause. A munitions plant explosion in Richmond, Virginia killed 40 women. Accidents like this also occurred in Connecticut and Pennsylvania (Hart 129). If these women had not supplied soldiers with these supplies, the Civil War may not have had such an impact on American History.
Secondly, women also served as spies and nurses. Women had to overcome sexism and prejudice to serve their cause, but they persevered. Women such as Rose Greenhow and Elizabeth Van Lew served as spies. (Hart 128) Greenhow, an infamous Confederate spy used her connections in Washington to learn about the Union Troop’s positions. In a letter to Secretary of State William H. Seward, she explains how her correspondence with the Confederacy was taken from her “I therefore most respectfully submit, that on Friday, August 23d, without warrant or other show of authority, I was arrested by the Detective Police, and my house taken in charge by them; that all my private letters, and my papers of a life time, were read and examined by them; that every law of decency was violated in the search of my house and person, and the surveillance over me.” (http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/greenhow/1861-11-17/1861-11-17.html)
Elizabeth Van Lew was a Union Spy living in Richmond, Virginia. She created a code to send important information to Union Generals. She obtained a job for Mary Elizabeth, a former Van Lew slave, at Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s house. She used her photographic memory to record what she saw in his office and listened in on conversations she heard. After the war ended, General Ulysses S. Grant told Van Lew “You have sent me the most valuable information received from Richmond during the war” Women made good spies because they were punished less severely than men and were rarely suspected to be spies.
(http://www.libertyletters.com/resources/civil-war/elizabeth-van-lew.php).
Colonel D.B Parker stated in an 1883 interview, “Shoes were pretty scarce in those days, but Miss Van Lew’s servants had two pairs each and changed them every day… The soles of these shoes were double and hollow and in them were carried through the [Confederate] line letters maps, plans, etc. which were regularly delivered to General Grant… the next morning”
Nurses helped soldiers injured on the battlefield. Confederate Nurse Kate Cumming said “Nothing I had ever heard or read had given me the faintest idea of the horrors witnessed here…I sat up all night bathing the men’s wounds, and giving them water. The men are lying all over the house, on their blankets, just as they were brought in from the battlefield”(Hart 129). Another women who served as a nurse in the Civil War was Clara Barton. She served as a Union nurse she explained her duties by saying “ I can stand and feed a nurse them” During her time, she sometimes went directly onto the battlefield dodging flying bullets as she went. Her wartime experiences led her to found the American Red Cross several years after the war in 1881 (128)
In 1863, the Civil War was taking a toll on the Southern Economy. The prices of food and other necessities were rapidly increasing beyond what people could afford. Women were having trouble feeding their families. Finally fed up, women in Richmond, Virginia held the Bread Riots. An unidentified bread rioter from Richmond, Virginia defended the plan “ We are starving. We are going to the bakeries and each of us will take a loaf of bread. This is little enough for the government to give us after it has taken our men” On April 2, starving women gathered at a church and started to move towards Capitol Square. At their arrival, they demanded lower food prices from Governor John Letcher. He could not meet their demands, and the rioters suddenly turned into an ugly mob. The women began smashing in store windows and taking their wares.
Even more women arrived and began grabbing what they needed. Suddenly, Jefferson Davis arrived. He threw all the money he had on him into the crowd, saying, and “You say you are hungry and have no money, here is all I have”. (Hart 88) He then told the angry mob they had to leave within 5 minutes, he would get the army to shoot into the crowd. As the weapons were pointed at them, they started to scatter. After the riot, Jefferson got some of the leaders arrested, and some were convicted.
Similar riots broke out across the South; one woman from North Carolina explained her predicament to the governor “ A crowd of we Poor Women went to Greenesborough [North Carolina] yesterday for something to eat as we had not a mouthful of meet or bread in my house what did they do but put in gail [jail] in plase of giving us aney thing to eat…I have 6 little children and my husband in the armey and what am I to do” (Hart 88)
Although women were treated as second-class citizens, they played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Firstly, women contributed to the war efforts by making uniforms and munitions for the soldiers. Next, females served their country by becoming spies and nurses. Lastly, women made sure others were properly fed; they even held the Bread Riots.
First of all, women worked in factories created uniforms and weapons. While the men were away fighting, women fought the war at home. The Civil War created a need for more uniforms and munitions. In the North, women worked in clothing factories and textile mills. Southern women made uniforms as well, but in the comfort of their home. Women also took jobs at munitions plants. (Hart 129). These jobs were very dangerous, and many women gave their lives for the cause. A munitions plant explosion in Richmond, Virginia killed 40 women. Accidents like this also occurred in Connecticut and Pennsylvania (Hart 129). If these women had not supplied soldiers with these supplies, the Civil War may not have had such an impact on American History.
Secondly, women also served as spies and nurses. Women had to overcome sexism and prejudice to serve their cause, but they persevered. Women such as Rose Greenhow and Elizabeth Van Lew served as spies. (Hart 128) Greenhow, an infamous Confederate spy used her connections in Washington to learn about the Union Troop’s positions. In a letter to Secretary of State William H. Seward, she explains how her correspondence with the Confederacy was taken from her “I therefore most respectfully submit, that on Friday, August 23d, without warrant or other show of authority, I was arrested by the Detective Police, and my house taken in charge by them; that all my private letters, and my papers of a life time, were read and examined by them; that every law of decency was violated in the search of my house and person, and the surveillance over me.” (http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/greenhow/1861-11-17/1861-11-17.html)
Elizabeth Van Lew was a Union Spy living in Richmond, Virginia. She created a code to send important information to Union Generals. She obtained a job for Mary Elizabeth, a former Van Lew slave, at Confederate President Jefferson Davis’s house. She used her photographic memory to record what she saw in his office and listened in on conversations she heard. After the war ended, General Ulysses S. Grant told Van Lew “You have sent me the most valuable information received from Richmond during the war” Women made good spies because they were punished less severely than men and were rarely suspected to be spies.
(http://www.libertyletters.com/resources/civil-war/elizabeth-van-lew.php).
Colonel D.B Parker stated in an 1883 interview, “Shoes were pretty scarce in those days, but Miss Van Lew’s servants had two pairs each and changed them every day… The soles of these shoes were double and hollow and in them were carried through the [Confederate] line letters maps, plans, etc. which were regularly delivered to General Grant… the next morning”
Nurses helped soldiers injured on the battlefield. Confederate Nurse Kate Cumming said “Nothing I had ever heard or read had given me the faintest idea of the horrors witnessed here…I sat up all night bathing the men’s wounds, and giving them water. The men are lying all over the house, on their blankets, just as they were brought in from the battlefield”(Hart 129). Another women who served as a nurse in the Civil War was Clara Barton. She served as a Union nurse she explained her duties by saying “ I can stand and feed a nurse them” During her time, she sometimes went directly onto the battlefield dodging flying bullets as she went. Her wartime experiences led her to found the American Red Cross several years after the war in 1881 (128)
In 1863, the Civil War was taking a toll on the Southern Economy. The prices of food and other necessities were rapidly increasing beyond what people could afford. Women were having trouble feeding their families. Finally fed up, women in Richmond, Virginia held the Bread Riots. An unidentified bread rioter from Richmond, Virginia defended the plan “ We are starving. We are going to the bakeries and each of us will take a loaf of bread. This is little enough for the government to give us after it has taken our men” On April 2, starving women gathered at a church and started to move towards Capitol Square. At their arrival, they demanded lower food prices from Governor John Letcher. He could not meet their demands, and the rioters suddenly turned into an ugly mob. The women began smashing in store windows and taking their wares.
Even more women arrived and began grabbing what they needed. Suddenly, Jefferson Davis arrived. He threw all the money he had on him into the crowd, saying, and “You say you are hungry and have no money, here is all I have”. (Hart 88) He then told the angry mob they had to leave within 5 minutes, he would get the army to shoot into the crowd. As the weapons were pointed at them, they started to scatter. After the riot, Jefferson got some of the leaders arrested, and some were convicted.
Similar riots broke out across the South; one woman from North Carolina explained her predicament to the governor “ A crowd of we Poor Women went to Greenesborough [North Carolina] yesterday for something to eat as we had not a mouthful of meet or bread in my house what did they do but put in gail [jail] in plase of giving us aney thing to eat…I have 6 little children and my husband in the armey and what am I to do” (Hart 88)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Change has come
Change has come. No, this article is not about Barack Obama, I'm talking about right here at Constitution. Many changes have been made since the 3rd Quarter. At the beginning of the third quarter here at CHS, our students underwent some big adjustments to the school schedule. Students here switched classes. The 10th graders switched from Gym to Humanities, from Spanish to English, and Biology to Geometry. Of course, people are dealing with these changes differently.
Although children enjoy their new classes, some children miss friends they had old classes with. Some children went from having all classes with their friends to having little or none together. Sophomore Kameko says, “ I wanted to stay in classes with my best friend Georgia. Now I only have one class with her”
Children also miss their old classes. 10 Grader Ralph misses Biology, after he started taking Geometry instead. “I like Romero, but I had a lot of friends with me in Spanish” he added. For some students, the roster changes bring about discussions about our schedule. Many students feel that instead of 90 minute classes foe half of the year, we should have 45 minutes instead. “90 minute classes are too long. They get boring” Kameko believes.
Others believe that 90 minutes are fine. Maggie Irwin, graduating class of 2011 says
“ 45 minutes doesn’t give enough time for class". It's clear everyone is still getting used to these changes.
Monday, February 23, 2009
In Between Seasons
Picture your life flying by in a year. Fast-forwarding from the new birth of Spring to old snowy days of Winter. Right now, my life is stuck like prey in a spider web between Spring and Summer . People in between the 2 seasons have some responsibilities, but not many. Even my personality displays a person split between Spring and Summer. My developing conscience proves what season my life is in.
My life is stuck between Spring and Summer because I have some responsibilities, but not many. In school, my responsibilities include the Debate Team, Newspaper Team, and completing my homework. While at home, it’s a different story. My wonderful parents are constantly complaining about my lack of cooperation with chores. “ You need to help out more around the house” they always say. However true or not true this may be, they still know I can be responsible. Dad and Mom still trust me enough to baby sit my brother.
Personalities can sometimes provide clues to people’s seasons. This is a fact in my case. I can joke around, but also know there’s a time and place for that. Students who see me during the day are surprised how I while not in school. Outside of the classroom, a different me takes hold. “Nikki, I didn’t know you were so funny!” a peer once told me.
The developing conscience growing in me shows I’m moving from Spring to Summer. Sometimes, my conscience shows, other times it doesn’t. My feelings get hurt when I don’t meet other’s expectations. In “Marigolds by Eugenia Collier, Lizabeth rips the flowers out of Ms. Lottie’s garden and she had the same feeling of guilt I have had before. During the Summer, my mom signed me up for a writing class at Temple. She wanted me to take the bus all the way there, but I didn’t want to go. So, I lied and told her I went while she was at work. When she arrived home, she was pleased with me for going, but eventually I had to tell her. Although she was angry, I felt better because I told the truth.
Life flies by quickly, and one shouldn’t grow up too fast. At this time, I still want to be in Spring, but have the ability to be in Summer. Some responsibilities occur within me, but not as much as those fully in Summer. The personality I have can be youthful, but still mature at the same time. A conscience is starting to in me, another clue I’m slowly moving into Summertime.
My life is stuck between Spring and Summer because I have some responsibilities, but not many. In school, my responsibilities include the Debate Team, Newspaper Team, and completing my homework. While at home, it’s a different story. My wonderful parents are constantly complaining about my lack of cooperation with chores. “ You need to help out more around the house” they always say. However true or not true this may be, they still know I can be responsible. Dad and Mom still trust me enough to baby sit my brother.
Personalities can sometimes provide clues to people’s seasons. This is a fact in my case. I can joke around, but also know there’s a time and place for that. Students who see me during the day are surprised how I while not in school. Outside of the classroom, a different me takes hold. “Nikki, I didn’t know you were so funny!” a peer once told me.
The developing conscience growing in me shows I’m moving from Spring to Summer. Sometimes, my conscience shows, other times it doesn’t. My feelings get hurt when I don’t meet other’s expectations. In “Marigolds by Eugenia Collier, Lizabeth rips the flowers out of Ms. Lottie’s garden and she had the same feeling of guilt I have had before. During the Summer, my mom signed me up for a writing class at Temple. She wanted me to take the bus all the way there, but I didn’t want to go. So, I lied and told her I went while she was at work. When she arrived home, she was pleased with me for going, but eventually I had to tell her. Although she was angry, I felt better because I told the truth.
Life flies by quickly, and one shouldn’t grow up too fast. At this time, I still want to be in Spring, but have the ability to be in Summer. Some responsibilities occur within me, but not as much as those fully in Summer. The personality I have can be youthful, but still mature at the same time. A conscience is starting to in me, another clue I’m slowly moving into Summertime.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
What I Make
I make my brother wish he didn’t have a big sister
I make my mom wish she had a daughter with a quiet English reserve
I make it seem like I never have anything to do so I can waste my time
doing unimportant stuff
I make it seem like my life is perfect even when it’s not
I make you feel so guilty, you’d think you need a lawyer
I make a moment of silence feel like a lifetime
I make Myspace crash because I’m on it so much
I make my phone freeze because I’m texting so fast
I make my friends laugh till they have tears in their eyes
I make absolutely no money because I don’t have a job
I make that allowance last approximately no money because I have yet to
get a job
I make that allowance last approximately for about an hour
I make Ramen Noodles because we never have anything else good to eat
I make trips to the supermarket an incredibly journey because I love
food so much
I made you read this poem
I make my mom wish she had a daughter with a quiet English reserve
I make it seem like I never have anything to do so I can waste my time
doing unimportant stuff
I make it seem like my life is perfect even when it’s not
I make you feel so guilty, you’d think you need a lawyer
I make a moment of silence feel like a lifetime
I make Myspace crash because I’m on it so much
I make my phone freeze because I’m texting so fast
I make my friends laugh till they have tears in their eyes
I make absolutely no money because I don’t have a job
I make that allowance last approximately no money because I have yet to
get a job
I make that allowance last approximately for about an hour
I make Ramen Noodles because we never have anything else good to eat
I make trips to the supermarket an incredibly journey because I love
food so much
I made you read this poem
Favorite Poem
Have you ever read a poem that you really enjoyed? When I answer this question, I think of Graduation Notes by Sonia Sanchez. First of all, the poem has images that capture the reader’s imagination. Another reason I chose Graduation Notes is that it has a positive message that everyone should hear, especially graduates. Thirdly, I can relate to this poem because it reminds me of my rapidly approaching 12th Grade graduation.
To start off with, this poem has images that grab the reader's attention. One example from the poem is “ A dance of summer rain. A ceremony of thunder waking up the human monuments”. Reading this, I picture seniors starting a new chapter of their life. I envision walking up on stage to receive their diplomas. Everyone who reads this poem can close his or her eyes and picture the scene the poet set. Her images dare the reader to finish the poem.
An additional reason I chose this poem is it relates to me a big way. Being a sophomore, I am excited about my graduation 2 years from now. Sanchez perfectly sums up my emotions with this quote “ so much of growing up is an unbearable waiting”. The poem also reminds me of my past experiences. It reminds me of my 8th Grade Graduation.
Lastly, Graduation Notes is my favorite we read because it has a positive message. Poet Sonia Sanchez makes you understand graduation is only a stepping off point. She gives the readers hope that they will do great things even after their education. The author helps you understand with this quote “at this moment your skins living your eighteen years suspend all noises. Your days still half opened, crackle like the fires to come”.
In conclusion, Graduation Notes contains elements every good poem should have. The poem has images that capture your attention and help you picture what’s happening. Next, it has a message that gives graduates hope that they will move on to great things. Lastly, Sanchez provides me with a deep text to self connection, because it reminds me of my 8th Grade Graduation and my 12th Grade Graduation in 2 years. Read this poem, you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
To start off with, this poem has images that grab the reader's attention. One example from the poem is “ A dance of summer rain. A ceremony of thunder waking up the human monuments”. Reading this, I picture seniors starting a new chapter of their life. I envision walking up on stage to receive their diplomas. Everyone who reads this poem can close his or her eyes and picture the scene the poet set. Her images dare the reader to finish the poem.
An additional reason I chose this poem is it relates to me a big way. Being a sophomore, I am excited about my graduation 2 years from now. Sanchez perfectly sums up my emotions with this quote “ so much of growing up is an unbearable waiting”. The poem also reminds me of my past experiences. It reminds me of my 8th Grade Graduation.
Lastly, Graduation Notes is my favorite we read because it has a positive message. Poet Sonia Sanchez makes you understand graduation is only a stepping off point. She gives the readers hope that they will do great things even after their education. The author helps you understand with this quote “at this moment your skins living your eighteen years suspend all noises. Your days still half opened, crackle like the fires to come”.
In conclusion, Graduation Notes contains elements every good poem should have. The poem has images that capture your attention and help you picture what’s happening. Next, it has a message that gives graduates hope that they will move on to great things. Lastly, Sanchez provides me with a deep text to self connection, because it reminds me of my 8th Grade Graduation and my 12th Grade Graduation in 2 years. Read this poem, you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
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