I chose this as my redesign of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird because I wanted to portray how Bob Ewell almost stabbed Scout (the mockingbird) beneath an oak tree at the end of the novel, and how it would've been a sin.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
To Kill a Mockingbird: A new cover
I chose this as my redesign of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird because I wanted to portray how Bob Ewell almost stabbed Scout (the mockingbird) beneath an oak tree at the end of the novel, and how it would've been a sin.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Boys Only: Lord of the Flies
Female characters in a novel are usually intelligent, caring, and compliment the male, main character by taking care of the more delicate problems a male character wouldn’t be able to handle. Her presence may cause a change in the main character’s behavior and maturity.
A female character in The Lord of the Flies would have altered the outcome of the story in numerous ways and impede the growth of savagery in the island. She would have been able to prevent Jack’s rise to power and Piggy’s death, and her presence would have changed the boy’s behavior on the island.
First of all, a female character would have prevented Jack’s rise to power because she would have taken care of the little ’uns while they began to fear the beast. She would have been able to convince them that there is no beast on the island because boys their age tend to have a higher level of communication and trust with older girls they do with boys, possibly because they represent a mother figure to them. By doing so, she would have prevented Jack from using the boys’ fear for it as a way to gain power over Ralph. Without Jack in power, the boys would have kept some sort of order in the island and the boys would have remained civilized, therefore preventing the killing of Simon and Piggy.
Another way a female character would have altered the events in the novel is by preventing Piggy’s death. She would have seen the value of Piggy’s intelligence and protected him from Jack and the other hunters better than Ralph was able to. To everyone else, Piggy might seem completely useless, but the female character would have probably not settled for that, because she is more caring, and suggested an advisor job. With Piggy as some sort of advisor, he could’ve, with the assistance of the female character, help Ralph come up with ideas on what to do as chief and they would have kept the fire going in order to get rescued properly, instead of burning down the island recklessly. Also, Ralph, Piggy, and she would have been able to get things done because really, the only thing that functioned properly in the island was the signal fire, and Piggy was the one that used the spectacles as a way to ignite it. Science and intelligence was the only way to get things done in the island, and now they would’ve had the female character in addition to Piggy.
The behavior of the boys would’ve changed in many ways with the existence of a female character in the novel because – as thirteen year-olds – her presence would have made them behave more maturely, instead of the reckless savages they became. With the boy’s coming of age, they would’ve been more concerned about their behavior and appeal around girls, so it is possible that that would be the case in the island. Another reason why their behavior would have changed is because she would have been the closest thing to an “adult figure” as possible because girls mature more quickly boys, therefore being closer to being an adult than Ralph or Jack.
One might argue that the boys would have behaved the same as they did, whether there is a female character or not, but as it is seen in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Holden’s behavior took a turning point when Stradlader told him he was going on a date with Jane. Holden then, in an attempt to preserve her innocence got in a fight with Stradlader, although Stradlader had already gone out with Jane, and later ran away from Pencey. Even though Holden’s behavior had always been poor, it worsened significantly when Salinger mentioned Jane, Holden’s long-time friend, in the novel. If she had not been part of the novel, Holden would have not left Pencey a week early, he wouldn’t have gone home to see Phoebe, and he wouldn’t have gone to the park with her. His behavior changed with the presence of Jane, without her, the story would’ve ended much differently.
To understand why William Golding did not include a female character in his novel, one must first know the main theme of the novel. The theme of the novel is the contrast between civilization and savagery, and the questioning of an actual, mayor difference between civilization and savagery. With that said, a female character would have conflicted with the message that Golding was portraying, by preventing savagery in the island in multiple ways: not letting Jack rise to power, keep Piggy alive, and change the behavior of the boys. Without savagery in the island, Golding would have not been able to contrast savagery and civilization.
The lack of a female character in the novel is a clear compliment to women because it can be understood that women in the island would have prevented savagery. This can be seen as a way of Golding expressing the importance of women in a society, and the possibility of savagery in a community if there were no women.
A female character in The Lord of the Flies would have altered the outcome of the story in numerous ways and impede the growth of savagery in the island. She would have been able to prevent Jack’s rise to power and Piggy’s death, and her presence would have changed the boy’s behavior on the island.
First of all, a female character would have prevented Jack’s rise to power because she would have taken care of the little ’uns while they began to fear the beast. She would have been able to convince them that there is no beast on the island because boys their age tend to have a higher level of communication and trust with older girls they do with boys, possibly because they represent a mother figure to them. By doing so, she would have prevented Jack from using the boys’ fear for it as a way to gain power over Ralph. Without Jack in power, the boys would have kept some sort of order in the island and the boys would have remained civilized, therefore preventing the killing of Simon and Piggy.
Another way a female character would have altered the events in the novel is by preventing Piggy’s death. She would have seen the value of Piggy’s intelligence and protected him from Jack and the other hunters better than Ralph was able to. To everyone else, Piggy might seem completely useless, but the female character would have probably not settled for that, because she is more caring, and suggested an advisor job. With Piggy as some sort of advisor, he could’ve, with the assistance of the female character, help Ralph come up with ideas on what to do as chief and they would have kept the fire going in order to get rescued properly, instead of burning down the island recklessly. Also, Ralph, Piggy, and she would have been able to get things done because really, the only thing that functioned properly in the island was the signal fire, and Piggy was the one that used the spectacles as a way to ignite it. Science and intelligence was the only way to get things done in the island, and now they would’ve had the female character in addition to Piggy.
The behavior of the boys would’ve changed in many ways with the existence of a female character in the novel because – as thirteen year-olds – her presence would have made them behave more maturely, instead of the reckless savages they became. With the boy’s coming of age, they would’ve been more concerned about their behavior and appeal around girls, so it is possible that that would be the case in the island. Another reason why their behavior would have changed is because she would have been the closest thing to an “adult figure” as possible because girls mature more quickly boys, therefore being closer to being an adult than Ralph or Jack.
One might argue that the boys would have behaved the same as they did, whether there is a female character or not, but as it is seen in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Holden’s behavior took a turning point when Stradlader told him he was going on a date with Jane. Holden then, in an attempt to preserve her innocence got in a fight with Stradlader, although Stradlader had already gone out with Jane, and later ran away from Pencey. Even though Holden’s behavior had always been poor, it worsened significantly when Salinger mentioned Jane, Holden’s long-time friend, in the novel. If she had not been part of the novel, Holden would have not left Pencey a week early, he wouldn’t have gone home to see Phoebe, and he wouldn’t have gone to the park with her. His behavior changed with the presence of Jane, without her, the story would’ve ended much differently.
To understand why William Golding did not include a female character in his novel, one must first know the main theme of the novel. The theme of the novel is the contrast between civilization and savagery, and the questioning of an actual, mayor difference between civilization and savagery. With that said, a female character would have conflicted with the message that Golding was portraying, by preventing savagery in the island in multiple ways: not letting Jack rise to power, keep Piggy alive, and change the behavior of the boys. Without savagery in the island, Golding would have not been able to contrast savagery and civilization.
The lack of a female character in the novel is a clear compliment to women because it can be understood that women in the island would have prevented savagery. This can be seen as a way of Golding expressing the importance of women in a society, and the possibility of savagery in a community if there were no women.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Lord of The Flies: Tankas
Piggy, Ralph, Sam and Eric,
the only ones that are left
that have not joined Jack.
Ralph says they are murderers,
Piggy denies killing him.
Power has shifted
to Jack's hands at Castle Rock,
His hunters attacked,
And stole Piggy's spectacles,
The tool used to light the fire.
the only ones that are left
that have not joined Jack.
Ralph says they are murderers,
Piggy denies killing him.
Power has shifted
to Jack's hands at Castle Rock,
His hunters attacked,
And stole Piggy's spectacles,
The tool used to light the fire.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
You Can't Have it All
But you can have hot chocolate on a bitter, rainy day,
Its warmth like a comforting hug from your family.
You can have the always-hilarious stories your seven-teen year-old sister shares
with you about the things that have happened over the years
amongst her friends.
You can have the sound of the alarm clock,
Waking you up at six on a Saturday morning
because you forgot to switch the alarm of the night before.
You can have a sold-out crowd at a game,
when hopes of winning it all were lost two months and a huge disappointment ago.
You can have the heaviness of your sweaty shirt
Like giant hands grasping you back,
Not letting you move
after a difficult, demanding practice.
You can have sound of your parents’ radio,
Barely being able to determine if it’s talk radio or music
between the deluge of static.
You can visit your grandparents,
And having them comment on how much you’ve grown since you last visited them,
Three months ago.
You can have a “Yankees Suck” chant
At a Red Sox vs Twins game.
You can have the taste of a cold, chilly Gatorade after running three miles,
And you can have a twelve hour sleep during the weekend after a rough week.
You can have the constant pain in your shoulders and back
After spending a day at the beach refusing to put on sunblock.
You can wear the shirt you’ve had for so many years,
And wondering how it still fits you,
Despite outgrowing all your other clothes.
You can have a can of Coca-Cola when you get home,
And you can have the smell of the cookies your grandmother makes
As she takes them out of the oven.
You can stay up to midnight doing absolutely nothing,
And fall asleep at eight while doing homework.
You can have the chocolate bar you where saving for later melt,
And instead lick it off the wrapper.
You can dive into the pool straight after eating,
Refusing to listen to your mother,
You can have all these wonderful things,
But you can’t have it all.
Its warmth like a comforting hug from your family.
You can have the always-hilarious stories your seven-teen year-old sister shares
with you about the things that have happened over the years
amongst her friends.
You can have the sound of the alarm clock,
Waking you up at six on a Saturday morning
because you forgot to switch the alarm of the night before.
You can have a sold-out crowd at a game,
when hopes of winning it all were lost two months and a huge disappointment ago.
You can have the heaviness of your sweaty shirt
Like giant hands grasping you back,
Not letting you move
after a difficult, demanding practice.
You can have sound of your parents’ radio,
Barely being able to determine if it’s talk radio or music
between the deluge of static.
You can visit your grandparents,
And having them comment on how much you’ve grown since you last visited them,
Three months ago.
You can have a “Yankees Suck” chant
At a Red Sox vs Twins game.
You can have the taste of a cold, chilly Gatorade after running three miles,
And you can have a twelve hour sleep during the weekend after a rough week.
You can have the constant pain in your shoulders and back
After spending a day at the beach refusing to put on sunblock.
You can wear the shirt you’ve had for so many years,
And wondering how it still fits you,
Despite outgrowing all your other clothes.
You can have a can of Coca-Cola when you get home,
And you can have the smell of the cookies your grandmother makes
As she takes them out of the oven.
You can stay up to midnight doing absolutely nothing,
And fall asleep at eight while doing homework.
You can have the chocolate bar you where saving for later melt,
And instead lick it off the wrapper.
You can dive into the pool straight after eating,
Refusing to listen to your mother,
You can have all these wonderful things,
But you can’t have it all.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Poetry Notebook - April 2011: Frozen Snowflake
Frozen Snowflake
Description:
The poems I've selected all share the same theme of the hopelessness and loneliness of winter, but also the importance of family, portrayed through the Holiday Season. Some years it may feel like winter never ends and you can't wait to see the sunshine once again, but this season is all about sharing with your loved ones, your friends and family.
Synopsis:
Poems about the Holidays and winter season.
Theme:
Winter, the Holidays, and Family.
Poems:
The poems I've selected all share the same theme of the hopelessness and loneliness of winter, but also the importance of family, portrayed through the Holiday Season. Some years it may feel like winter never ends and you can't wait to see the sunshine once again, but this season is all about sharing with your loved ones, your friends and family.
Synopsis:
Poems about the Holidays and winter season.
Theme:
Winter, the Holidays, and Family.
Poems:
Christmas Spirit by Paul Moosberg
A Christmas Tree! A Christmas Tree! by David Keig
In Winter by Marchette Chute
Holiday Season by Mittur Ramprasad
In Winter by Marchette Chute
Holiday Season by Mittur Ramprasad
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Traffic Light Green - Benjamin Moore 2032-20
Traffic Light Green – Benjamin Moore 2032-20
He looks through the taxi cab’s window,
Raindrops rolling
Down the glass.
The stoplight illuminates the rain
A red,
Light that prevents
progress.
Looking beyond the window’s surface,
He sees the same sight he had seen for so many years.
The buildings,
Lifeless,
Monotonous,
A dull grey color.
The rainy days,
Interminable storms,
Washing away hopes
Of a sunny day
A brighter future.
The stoplight,
Always on red,
Never giving in,
Never giving him the green light.
Every day,
Is a bleak winter day.
His hands rest in his coats pockets,
Taking deep breaths
and watching the vapor assimilate in the air.
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