4th QUARTER REFLECTION (the curtain is finally drawn)

I am very excited to be finally leaving high school to further my education in college but the very thought and memories of some good times in high school especially those memorable ones we shared as a class in our Advanced Placement Literature class is definitely going to count as one of the best times in high school. I say this because of several reasons which I believe is common to each and every single individual in that class, because as fun and sociable as it is in that class we always find time to study, discuss our opinions and learn new things each and every single day in that class.

As a class filled with a wide variety of smart people, everyday is considered as a challenge and an adventurous endeavor. Instead of whining and scaring the courage out of myself, I always took it as an opportunity to learn from other smart people and that was fairly simple because great minds think alike.

In the AP literature class we learnt a whole lot of things from analyzing poems to reading books and writing essays, creating blogs just to mention but a few. In all these aspects we focused on, I put in my possible best to learn and understand it the best way I could because I know that the journey does not end here. Most especially, I learnt a lot from our essay writings and our poem analyzing skills since those where my major weakness before entering this class. I even further understood the timed writing essay well when we had the opportunity to peer review each other’s essays. This put in the perspective of the teacher thus showing me how and which areas to improve to further catch the attention of my teachers and others who grade my work. With this preparations, I felt really confident when taking the Advanced Placement exams.

As good as the class is, there are but a few things I recommend which I believe will also help the class a lot. I believe that the topics should be evenly spread in the quarters a little bit, because we did a lot of reading in some of the quarters which took a lot of my time and held me back in other classes.

Apart from that I will always say this class is hands down the best class in Duval high school and we owe all of this to our lovely teacher, Ms. Ahearn who dedicated all her time and selflessly helped us in all the ways she can. I will always remember this class and I will always cherish the good times we had in this class. Quarter 4 was a good one and so were the other quarters. I wish all the juniors who will be coming to this class good luck. I’m heading for college park so catch me if you can. SEE YA.

QUARTER 3 REFLECTION

Albert Einstein, one of the most renounced scientist there ever was, once said that “time is directly proportional to maturity”. I stand greatly by this statement. Looking back at the first three quarters, there is no doubt that I have seen great improvements. In all three quarters we touched up on everything but we mainly focused on one or two particular areas of literature of which we took great care and time to grasp and understand fully.

In the first quarter, being new to the whole concept of literature, we did little. Our main focus for that quarter was to build upon our reading and poem analyzing skills. We had the opportunity to TPCAST and analyze various poems. Also we touched on some basic parts of our writing skills. Also we read our first two books of the academic year namely Oedipus Rex and Fences.

Second quarter saw the beginning of major work. It was where we started focusing more on our writing skills. We started coming out with outlines and plans for our essays. Our reading skills were not forgotten either. W read a number of books in the second quarter too; which included Tartuffe, Othello just to mention but a few.

In the third quarter, we focused mainly on two things. First on foremost were our reading skills. W e read the most number of books in this quarter, this included Wuthering heights, As I lay dying, Notes from the underground man, bluest eye just to mention but a few. We also did a lot of analyzing and comparison at this juncture too. Our second focus was on the fast approaching Advanced Placement Literature Exams. With this we solved and discussed a whole lot of questions and even had to purchase 5 steps to a 5, a book which systematically prepares you for the Advanced Placement Literature exams.

We’ve come a long way so far and with just one more quarter to go we still know that there is still more to achieve. It hurts me so much that this class and the whole high school experience is finally coming to an end. This class will still remain one of my favorite classes of all time. With great minded students and with all the fun we had in that class (class parties, discussions, movies, bluest eye play) it is an inevitable fact that this class is one of the best classes I’ve ever been in. The first three quarters were really great but I will love to end in style. I will love to end with one more “A”. I know for sure that it would not be easy considering the various activities and programs this quarter holds but I have my eyes on the grand price and nothing will stop me from attaining it.

HOW WE ARE MADE OR UNMADE BY LOVE AND HATRED

Birds of the same feathers flock together. Wuthering Height’s by Emily Bronte and Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, as different as they might seem, also have a lot in common and expresses similar ideas in different forms. Wuthering Heights talks about how Heathcliff, (a once homeless child who is brought from Liverpool is brought into Wuthering Heights by Mr. Earnshaw) desperately fights to gain revenge on all those who caused him to loose his one and only true love Catherine Earnshaw and also those who gave him a brutal and undeserved childhood. Their Eyes were watching God talks about how Janie goes on a journey of self discovery which involved marrying three men and consistent movement. Her last husband however was the one in whom she discovered true love and treated her well. The two novels collectively talk about the repression and possession by men over women and also elaborate on how love and social status changes people and their perception about life.

The depictions of women in the two novels are very similar. In Their Eyes Were Watching God, women were the least concern of men. They were always left at home, cooking and looking after the children whilst the men worked to fend for the family. We also notice that the men were usually seen in front of Joe Starks store talking and having fun leaving their wives at home to take care of things. In the very beginning of the book the Hurston clearly points that out by saying “Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by time. This is the life of men”. In Wuthering Heights, women were treated no differently. They were not considered as heir’s to the families property even if they were the oldest amongst the children. Women who are not fortunate enough to be born into a rich family depend solely on their family, their husbands or do odd jobs like working as maid servants for other people. Most women try to avoid these hardships by marrying men with good social status, In Wuthering Heights, Catherine admits that she would not marry Heathcliff because by doing so both of them would end up as beggars even though she loved him. She also admits to wanting to be “lady of the whole neighborhood”. In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie is forced to marry Logan by her grandmother because of his social status. Her grandmother claimed that “I don’t want you to end up like your mother, I want to see you big n at the top”.

Love is another important theme that both novels have in common. The love affairs in both novels are expressed in different forms but have the same meaning. In Wuthering Height’s, the love affair between Heathcliff and Catherine stood out the most. Having loved each other right from childhood, the two of them were so fond of each other to the extent that not even death could separate them. Their love for each other was tested when Catherine married Edger. But that was not enough to stop them from loving each other. Catherine said during a conversation with Nelly Dean that “I am Heathcliff! He’s always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being.” Heathcliff was torn apart after the death of Catherine and he tried to take revenge on all those people he believed were the cause of her death. In Their Eyes Were Watching God, the love affair between Janie and Teacake stood out the most. Janie’s ultimate and final self discovery came during her marriage to Tea Cake. Her love for Teacake was so much that she shut down her store and left her magnificent house only to go and live with Tea Cake in a creepy and rented place far away in Everglades. She was willing to go the extra mile with Tea Cake because of the unconditional and extreme love and respect he had for her. Janie expressed her love for Tea Cake during a conversation with Phoeby when she said “Ah’m older than Tea cake, yes. But… He done taught me de maiden language all over.” Love always conquers all, which is why the two novels shows us the odds the characters had to go through in other to be together
Despite the similarities that exist between these two novels, there are still some differences that make them individually. One major difference is the narrative styles. Wuthering heights has a unique and different type of narrative style which involves two narrators. One of whom is an outsider (Mr. Lockwood) and the other an insider (Nelly Dean), thus giving the reader a two points of view of what the whole novel is really about. With this form of narrative style, the reader has some trust for the narrator’s because they both tell the same thing which proves that none of them is lying. On the other hand, in Their Eyes were watching God, there is only one main narrator who tells the story and in whom the readers are solely dependent. The two narrating styles the writers used differentiate their works and also makes them unique in their own way.

Another significant difference between the two novels is the difference in setting. Wuthering Heights has a setting which portrays the life and conditions in which the writer, Emily Bronte lived in. Wuthering heights takes place in the Thrushcross Grange, Wuthering Heights and the Moors. Every house has its own kind of people, with different behaviors and characters. For example the Lintons in Thrushcross Grange are more civilized than the Earnshaws who reside in Wuthering Heights. Also the Lintons are more united than the Earnshaws. This shows how, ones environment determines his or her life stlye. On the other hand, Their Eyes Are Watching God doesn’t have a steady or specific setting. This is due to the fact that the protagonist keeps moving from one place to another. She first starts off in West Virginia with her Grandmother and then moves in with Logan after their marriage. After about six months with Logan, she runs off with Joe Starks to Eatonville, where she lives for twenty years. Then after the death of Joe Stark’s, she goes off with Tea Cake to Everglades. The different setting portrayed by both authors also differentiates their works and shows us how the setting affects the lives and decisions of the characters.

By comparing and contrasting the two novels we learn how the two authors portray love and also the stand of women in a family. We also learn the differences that exist between them. Comparing and contrasting also lets us into the minds of the authors, us we try to reason with both of them.

SECOND QUARTER REFLECTION

Comparing my reading skills and writing skills of second quarter to that of first quarter, I can proudly say that I have made a significant improvement which I hope to even better this coming quarter.

My main reading weakness this quarter was my lack of interest in some books, which I was able to overcome by the very end of the quarter. I’ve now learnt to appreciate every book I read and also try to make out what every book is really trying to send across. My reading goal for this quarter is to read even more books than I’ve read before. My passion for reading has really heightened this quarter and I plan to keep the pace up. Both of the books we read this quarter were not only exciting but touching. Othello talks about how a man, bound by the invisible chains of racial inferiority complex falls from extremely great heights as a general of his country to the point of murderer his wife and committing suicide. Tartuffe, on the hand, which I consider my favorite book for this quarter, talks about how a canny man, disguised as a holy person manages to manipulate a very rich man to give him his daughters hand in marriage and also pass on his entire wealth to him. What makes the story really interesting is the humor, and the constant rhyming of the ending words embedded into it by Moliere.

My writing skills have really improved this second quarter. I started off having minor problems, all of which I now don’t suffer from any more. With the introduction of pre-writing and outlining, writing which was very difficult to even start at first is now at my finger tips. One major thing about writing I learnt this quarter was, about the rampant use of dead words by students. I never really considered it till I was fully convinced that I am one of those students. Therefore my writing goal for this coming quarter is to focus on bettering my writing skills and avoiding the abuse of dead words. My writing strength is my ability to come up with evidences for my work and this mainly due to my strategic reading ability of capturing every detail of what I read in class.

Second quarter came with its nooks and cranny’s, but overall I put my very best of efforts in it and I hope to do very. I’ve decided to also focus on the coming quarter and how I am going to work, in order to pass it.

BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHERS FLOCK TOGETHER

TARTUFFE AND IAGO

Shortcuts are dangerous! But for villains like Tartuffe and Iago this saying is nothing but a mere sentence. A villain is usually the character who detests the protagonist and thus tries to cause the downfall of him or her. Iago is the villain of Othello whilst Tartuffe is the villain of the story, Tartuffe. Villains have a lot in common and this can be seen from the ways both Shakespeare and Moliere portray their characters. But like most villains, their greedy quest for power and wealth leads to their downfall.

Tartuffe and Iago are classified as villains because of their participation in causing the downfall of the heroes. Most villains find the weak points of the protagonists and use it against them. Tartuffe takes advantage of Orgon because of his irresponsible nature and how vulnerable he was. Orgon cares for Tartuffe more than he does for his wife and household and these statements clearly points that out: “You don’t know of whom you speak”. “There has been no loftier soul since time began. “He is a man who… a man who… an excellent man”. This statement shows how much Orgon cherishes Tartuffe. Iago on the other hand sorts for the downfall of Othello because he fells betrayed due to the fact that Othello chose Michael Cassio as his lieutenant instead of him. In a conversation with Roderigo Iago said, “I follow him to serve my turn upon him. “In following him, I follow but myself”. Iago is only following Othello because he wants to become a general and to become a general; he has to eliminate Othello and Michael Cassio. With this notion of getting what they want in mind, the villains will stop at nothing than to cause the downfall of the protagonist at all cost.

To carry out their plans without being caught, villains try to gain the trust of the people around them, especially the protagonist and to achieve this they hide their true characters. Tartuffe disguises himself as a holy and noble person and thus has gained the attention and trust of Orgon and his mother (Madame Pernelle). Cleante on the other hand see’s through Tartuffe’s character and in an interrogation with him made this comment, “Were you commanded, Sir, to indulge the whim of poor Orgon and to encourage in suddenly transferring to your name a large state to which you have no claim”. Iago’s case is no different than that of Tartuffe. He also appears as an honest and trustworthy man. He is trusted by every single person around him. Othello said “Your honesty has no end, oh honest Iago” and Cassio said “Truly you are the most honest person I’ve ever known”. These quotes show the intensity of the trust the people have for Iago. Due to the intensity of trust the people have for Iago, it is no surprise that Othello bought his lie about Desdemona cheating on him with Cassio. With these disguises, the villains are able to convince almost everybody and therefore are not suspected at all to be the cause of the downfall of the protagonist till the very end when the cat is finally let out of the bag. That is when their true characters are revealed which leaves everyone in a state of great shock.

One of the greatest strengths that villains possess is their ability to manipulate the people around them. They take advantage of the trust the people have for them and manipulate them. Tartuffe is able to convince Orgon and his mother to allow him to stay in their house and later talks Orgon into giving him his daughter to marry as well as his entire wealth. This statement from Madame Pernelle “whatever he reproves deserves reproof”, he’s out to save your souls and all of you” shows that she trusted Tartuffe with all her heart and this statement by Orgon “Oh, had you seen Tartuffe as I first knew him, your heart, like mine, would have surrendered to him” shows how deeply manipulated he had been. Madame Pernelle and Orgon are deeply influenced by the nobility of Tartuffe. They trust him so much that they would not even listen to what others would say about him. Iago on the other hand is also able to manipulate everybody around him; which includes Desdemona, Emilia, Cassio, Roderigo and even Othello. He convinces Roderigo to help him execute his plans claiming he would talk to Desdemona into falling for him. He also manipulated and convinced Othello to believe that his wife, Desdemona was cheating on him with his former Lieutenant, Michael Cassio. It was hard not to believe Iago because they thought know him to be a very honest person and also because he gives Othello vital evidences to prove everything thing he was saying. Othello, “Henceforth, thou art my Lieutenant”. This statement shows the extent to which Othello began to trust Iago. Othello ends up making Iago his Lieutenant and later killing his own wife. Without the trust of the people and also the manipulating them, the villains would not have even got close to bringing down the protagonist.

There is a saying that what goes around comes around. Even though most villains succeed in causing the downfall of the heroes, they end up falling from grace to grass themselves. Tartuffe, after almost amassing the entire wealth of Orgon got arrested by special orders from the King of France. Meanwhile Iago is also arrested, after killing Roderigo and causing the deaths of Othello and Desdemona. These villains suffered their tragic fate because they sort for easy ways of achieving their goals, but life can never be cheated and one who tries to cheat life ends up cheating nobody but himself.

REFLECTION

Literature is a study in human nature, one that is too deep for formal analytical science-like concepts. When I first read a big time Russian novel, what so impressed me was that a 200 year old story seemed so immediately true, that it was talking about my life, right now and situations that I had observed real people go through. What makes the stuff great is its grasp of the human dilemma together with the rhythm, meter and satisfaction of the writing itself. Ever since I started to learn literature I started to think of books and poems in a different way because by studying literature, you can understand what people thought of in the past time, and by understanding those concepts, you are able to further understand the commonality of all human beings.
I have always thought of myself as a good reader but reading in literature class taught me that there is more to reading than what I used to do. I got to know that there were some open pot holes in my reading which needed to be filled up. I really enjoyed the reading in this class because it was easier to comprehend when a text or poem was always read twice or more by two or more people. I also loved the class discussions, where we all had open and healthy arguments about a controversial stuff that we read. My reading goal for next quarter is to be a better reader than I was in the first quarter.
My writing skills have improved dramatically during the course of this quarter, which has helped me a lot in the essays I had to turn in for my college applications. All throughout this quarter we have had to do a lot of essays which I thought at first was too much but realized in the long run that it was very good since it helped me build more stable and better essays than I used to write. My weakness at first used to be; coming up with ideas to write about but that has not been a problem for me quite recently. I know that by the time I would finish next year I would have mastered the writing process and would be coming up with great essays.

PANCAKE PAPER

Of all the books I have read so far, “Fences” by August Wilson has always been my favorite of them all. I have read it over and over again, and the more I read it the more clearer and interesting I find it to be. “Fences” was published in 1983 and has received quite a handful of awards. August Wilson, author of “Fences” died on October 2, 2005 at the age of 60 after being declared as one of the most influential writers in the 20th century. “Fences” tells the story of the struggles an African American family had to go through, both at home and outside home. August Wilson's use of social commentary is quite significant. He also throws more light on the American dream which was hard to achieve by African Americans during the post slavery times. The symbol of a “fence” also shows barriers as different conflicts among the characters.
First and foremost, August Wilson uses “fences” as a symbol of the American dream, as the backbone of the overall theme of the story. Literally, the white Pickett fence built in the Maxson’s house symbolizes the image of the American dream. Their house, education and some opportunities they attained (like Troy getting to drive at work) are also symbols of the American dream. The American dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. And it is this dream that the Maxson’s like any other African American family in the early 1950’s were trying to achieve.
August Wilson also uses “fences” as a symbol of Troy Maxson’s separation and isolation. Troy’s negative view on society made him a closed minded person; it eventually builds up a barrier between him and his son Cory. He feels that since he did not get anywhere trying to play baseball, his son would also fail trying to play a football. By doing this he not only shuttered Cory’s dreams of playing football but also his chance of going to college and living a better life in future. Troy also built a fence between him and Rose when he had a child with another woman. After eighteen years of what seemed to be a perfect relationship, Troy ruined everything by cheating on his wife with another woman and so Rose wanted to have nothing to do with him again after that incident. Again, Troy built a fence between himself and Lyons when he refused to go to watch Lyons play in the band, claiming that it was a waste of time and that Lyons should rather find a better job like the one he was doing. Lastly, Troy built a fence between himself and death, after claiming he had wrestled with death for three days and three nights and won, but that fence did not hold for long since death had the best of him.
It is observed that in spite of all the conflicts that went on in the Maxson’s house there was still some amount of love that they showed to each other. Rose was more or less the backbone of the family. She was really selfless and always tried to keep the family protected and united at all cost. She also corrected Troy whenever he went wrong and even it didn’t take Bono (Troy’s closest friend) that long to notice that and so he even made Troy aware of that shortcoming of his, “Some people build fences to keep people out… and other people build fences to keep people in. Rose wants to hold on to you all. She loves you.” Also, in another perspective, Troy not letting Cory play football in an attempt to create a better future for him shows Troy’s love for his son. Troy’s acceptance of Gabriel into his house after he got injured in the World War and he also bailing him out of jail several times also shows Troy’s love for his family. All their efforts to keep the family together were in vain since the whole family broke up anyway.
When reading the play, one initially believes that the fence building project didn’t really do anything for the family because their conflicts got the better of them but we start to see hope for the family again after Troy passed away. Readers not only see how barriers can break people down but how they can bring a family together. Troy Maxson’s death brought the whole family back together again. Troy was gone and so were the fences he had built between himself and his family. They put all hatred aside and came back together as a family to witness the funeral of their dear relative.