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.

Maycomb Messenger

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.

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.

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.

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:

Christmas Spirit by Paul Moosberg

Winter by Joanna Hamilton
Winter Nightfall by Robert Seymour Bridges
Winter by Courtney Beaudry

A Christmas Tree! A Christmas Tree! by David Keig
In Winter by Marchette Chute
Holiday Season by Mittur Ramprasad

Winter Rain by Georgina Rossetti
Christmas Cheers by Karon Yan

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.

House on Mango Street: Book Review

House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Publisher: Arte Publico Press
Genre: Coming-of-age

Where I got it: It was a recommended to me by Mrs. Meadows and my classmates.
One sentence summary: Esperanza talks about one of her homes, the house in Mango Street, and shares vignettes the show her coming-of-age and hopes of a better home.
First sentence: We didn't always live on Mango Street.
First chapter review: The first chapter introduces Esperanza's meaning and importance of home and how she desires a real home for her family to be proud of.
Verdict: I enjoyed reading this novel, although it doesn't rank up there with my favorite books.
Cover comments: The cover shows three women, one of them shinning light above the one on the front.

Lord of The Flies

He saw something

big and horrid

moving in the trees.

The Beastie.

There is no Beastie...

Fear cant hurt you more than a dream.
The snake,

The fire,
The frightening Beast.

There is no Beastie...

He says the Beastie comes from the sea
the unknown indigo of infinite possibilities.

There is no Beastie...

It feels like
things don't make sense
not here,
in this island.

Where I'm From

I am from flour.

From bread and butter.

From the tree with a swing in the yard,

From the small red palm tree that refuses to grow.

I’m from my uncle’s lake house,

From my grandmothers apartment,

The only places where my family reunites.

I am from the jokesters and the pranksters,

From Juan Carlos, and Jorge, and Eduardo.

I am from my dad’s side of the family,

From long dinner tables at family trips,

From passing the salt all the way down,

And then back up.

I am from going to church on Christmas Eve,

And not returning until the following year.

From Medellin and Bogota,

From Ajiaco and Bandeja Paisa.

From moving away from our home

Into a different house.

I am from the shelves of photo albums,

Filled with colorful memories,

Waiting to be looked at and remembered.

I am from those moments.

A tree that continues to grow,

Despite not being watered often.

Terrible Catastrophe

Copious Amounts of Japanese citizens have been killed by the sequence of natural disasters. On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the island country. This tremor preceded a tsunami, also in Japan, that affected the northeastern portion of the nation.
At 2:46 local time the three-minute quake began. Tsunami warnings where sent out immediately to the entire Pacific coast of the Americas, and Japan. The inevitable happened and not even an hour later the ten-meter high tsunami washed away the city.
As if it weren’t bad enough, the quakes produced malfunctions in nuclear power plants that are bound to meltdown and release lethal radiation. Adept, fastidious scientists have been working together in order to figure out how to safely contain the radiation and eventually shut down the plant in order to repair it.
Relief efforts have already been put into action by over 70 countries around the globe, deploying crucial equipment, temporary homes, clean water, clinics, and blankets, in order to facilitate the people of Japan after the fitful event.
The entire world as been moved by this incredible catastrophe, and people feel pang of sorrow for the thousands of affected citizens.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames - Book Review

Book: When You Are Engulfed in Flames

Author: David Sedaris

David Sedaris's memoir, When You are Engulfed in Flames, is a comical piece that will keep you laughing every chapter. However, if you just focus on the thin, comedic meaning you will miss most of the book.

David Sedaris is a forty-year-old man that tells about his childhood, and his young adult life in a collection of short essays arranged in a non-chronological order. David lives in France with his longtime partner, Hugh.

The title of this book is derived from a chapter where David begins his efforts to quit smoking. He takes a trip to Japan and is amused by the broken english around the hotel room. One example is on a fire safety sign that says:

"When you check in the hotel room. When you find fire. When you are engulfed in flames"

The significance of the title is that sometimes there is nothing you can do about something. When you are engulfed in flames there almost nothing you can do. This could shift the focus into prevention, for him it was quitting smoking.

Numerous chapters have David speaking about death, whether it was to someone really close to him – his mother – or a complete stranger. David realizes that everyone dies sooner or later and that no one escapes it. He learns to acknowledge his mortality and accept it.

Lines I loved:

"Ive often hear cigarettes compared to friends. They can't loan you money, but they are, in a sense, there for you, these mute little comfort merchants always ready to lift your spirits. It's how I now feel about macadamia nuts, and these strange little crackers I've been buying lately."

"I was awoken at dawn by my uncle's hacking, which was mucky and painful-sounding and suggested imminent death."

What I Believe

I believe that some people can be

blinded by their pride.

I believe everyone always has something

on their mind.

I believe that people stay the same,

they pretend to change

to satisfy others.

I believe everyone has something that

they excel at, they just need

to find it.

I believe that the poor can be

some of the most

jubilant,

joyful people.

I believe in taking action,

but destiny will get us where we need to be

eventually.

And I believe that there are some mistakes

that we have to make.

If not, you always wonder...

If not, you wont know

the consequences of it.

WWL6: The Interrogation Room

"Alright, bring him in, we will begin interrogation shortly," a man called out from a small room. The room had no windows, a table, a flickering lamp that emitted a dull, yellowish light, and two plain metal chairs. On the table there was a pen, and three documents.

Three police guards, clad will bullet proof vests and with rifle in hand dragged in a man wearing ragged jeans and a torn shirt. He was of average height, had messy, unwashed hair, and sported an overgrown beard. A shackle rested on his ankle and his hands where held together behind his back by handcuffs.

"He's all yours detective," one of the officers step forward and said as he took another pair of handcuffs out and tied up the man by the wrists to a steel bar on the roof. The detective took a seat near his documents and the prisoner sat at the other chair.

The man was David Antonio Koster, he was lionized as an extremely dangerous man and was the third most wanted man on the face of the Earth. He was apprehended just five months ago at a Spanish hotel and was sent to Madrid's prison. He was going to be arraigned, but the FBI intervened and took over the case. This is the number one suspect of whom it is thought to have lead the conspiracies that are responsible for the John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations, and several other calamities overseas.

Ten minutes elapsed before either one of the men spoke a word. The detective was being as meticulous as he could, he knew that his presence placed him in imminent danger, and that if he made one slight mistake this opportunity could go to waste.

There was no air flowing in the room. There were no fans or air vents in the room, so the two were soon sweltered.

The long, heavy silence was at last broken. "Welcome back," the detective said with a smirk.

It was fifteen years ago, when David Koster and Seth Tomson had gone through training camp together. They were friends before a dissension split them up, they hated each other since. They became enemies. They went different ways after that, but Koster had always been looking for a way to get back at him, and now he was in the same room as him. For detective Tomson it was really bizarre to have to interrogate his enemy, but he had looked forward to it all his life.

He wanted to get the most information out of him as he could in order to be able to assimilate it, and be able to know what exactly what happened when when the bomb at Ukraine went off, killing most of the government and sending the country into a state of anarchy.

The Compromise

There was strong dissension between Russia and China in the mid-20th century. The arguments where about a strip of land in North-East China and South-East-Russia.

In the 1960s, both presidents endeavored to end the disputes, but a agreement could not be made. However, as time elapsed, both presidents gave in a little and formed a compromise. The land in dispute was to be split equally into two, North and South, and where given to Russia and China respectively.

The presidents where meticulous in order to make sure the bill was through, and got rid of all the loop holes. Peace spread between both countries, not only between the governments, but also throughout the people. Both presidents where lionized for their accomplishment.

The citizens of Russia's newly acquired land were assimilated into Russia's population.

Three Word Short

There is little known about the Germans who conspired to create a biochemical weapon int the 1970s, at least there is little known to the public.
Deep in the German soil were the test labs where the gases would be tested on chickens, monkeys, and some insects. But why did they create all this in the first place? Germany was bitter after their loss in World War II so they gathered all of the greatest German scientists and thinkers. They eventually apprehended that the best way for the Germans to attack was biochemically, so they initiated research. The weapons where meant to be spread around the the United States capitol, in order to kill the president, sending the country into a state of anarchy.

Decades passed until they figured out the exact amount and type of gases in order to create the weapon. All the scientist and supervisors of the project gathered around to see it in action. A shot was heard and one of the pipes containing the gas began to leak. Very quickly, the gas took away the lives of every person in that bunker, except one. Me.