Hello there all! I hope that everybody had a good winter break and a happy new year! It's going to be a good semester of PATH, I can tell!
Well, this reading assignment was... interesting? I suppose that's a word to describe it. It didn't really get the entire meaning, I don't think. I read it a few times but still felt like I was missing something. It was a very different story--something that I feel like I would dream up, considering how random my dreams tend to be. I mean, a family just happens upon a serial killer after getting into a car accident? And the way that the people acted... it was a very strange story, and I can't imagine how Mrs. O'Conner managed to think this up!
Summery:
Well, I don't know how well I'll be able to complete this portion. From what I can tell, an old grandmother is going on vacation with her son, his wife, their three children, and a cat. She reminisces about how good life was in the olden days during their drive to a vacation destination. While driving, the family stops at a restaurant. The grandmother and the old man owner talk about how a good man is hard to find--everybody and everything seems to have something bad about them these days. The family takes back off onto the road. On the way to Florida, the grandmother remembers a house that was on the drive, and the children want to go see it because it has a secret passageway.
While they're going down a dirt road that leads to the house, the grandmother remembers that the house was not in Georgia (their current location) but in her home state of Tennessee. She upsets the cat, which in turn attacks her son and causes him to swerve off the road, getting into a wreck. The family emerge from the wreck, relatively unharmed but needing assistance.
In time, a car drives by and three men get out. The grandmother eventually recognizes the man as "The Misfit" an escaped convicted that is running from the law with his companions. The grandmother pleads for him to spare her life, and is forced to watch as her family is lead into the woods and killed by the Misfit's companions. The Misfit talks about how he never did anything but was sent to prison anyways. The grandmother convinces him that praying would lift the burdens and regrets from his heart, and then recognizes the man as... "her own child?" (Didn't get this part at all.) The Misfit kills her, and the story is left with an ambiguous ending.
Thoughts on the Reading:
Ahem... not the most easy story to read, and not the easiest to understand, either. I could appreciate the plot well enough--a family gets killed by your friendly neighborhood serial killer--but I constantly feel like I missed something important. I mean, I understand the questions given for reading homework all well and good, but I leave the story feeling unsatisfied. I don't know. Something to talk about on Wednesday, I suppose.
Questions and Discussion:
1. What is the role of chance or fate in the story?
Well, from what I understand, the most influential part of the story that fate had began when the grandmother happened to kick the cat out of the box. From there, it caused a car crash, and the vehicle just so happened to dump everybody out into a ditch and leave the mother injured. Then, three men just so happen to be wandering by. Then, the three men just so happen to be escaped convicts, and serial killers at that. And then it all goes downhill from there, what with all the murder and all. Fate seems to be the driving force of many of the actions--I can't imagine that any of the happenings in the reading was anything more than pure coincidence. Fate kinda sucks that way, huh?
2. Discuss the grandmother's definition of a "good man" using specific examples from the text.
This one took some pulling and shoving. From what I can understand, the grandmother would view the ideal "good man" as a religious, non-violent gentleman. I chose gentleman because the grandmother seems to appreciate a man who treats others (especially ladies) right, as she explained when talking about how much she enjoyed Mr. Edgar Atkins Teagarden and how he left her watermelons. Non-violent was a shoe-in--she didn't seem to appreciate how The Misfit dealt with his inner turmoil, resulting to screaming and shouting at him for his actions. (Granted, he was killing her family and was obviously a little/lot off his rocker....nevertheless, it's a good trait that I think she would appreciate based on her reactions). And finally, religious was also a pretty obvious trait. She constantly went on about how praying and finding Jesus would help the troubled killer find peace.
Well... All I can say is that if all the PATH readings of 2012 were of his caliber, I'd say we have a pretty interesting school year on our hands, wouldn't you?
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Reading Log 6: The Odyssey Books VIII-Ending
Well. Old habits die hard, huh? I'm so bad--putting off posting this until Tuesday night... blarg. Well, here it is! The final posting... this makes me sad! I really enjoyed reading the Odyssey, and think that now I'll buy the actual book now. It was a colorful, good book, filled with exciting places and interesting characters. (My new book crush is now Telemachus, or Ulysses if he was younger. =D)
Summery:
Ulysses begins to plot his revenge against the suitors. He stealthily infiltrates the house of his wife and son, and sizes up the competition. Through many days and nights, he broods and becomes bitter over how they are treating his property and his wife. He looks forward to the day where Minerva shall aid him in the killing of all the men. She herself was responsible for many outbursts that the suitors had against Ulysses, and aided the hero in putting them back into their places. She wanted to make Ulysses as bitter as possible before he reached his breaking point, so that he would fight like a lion to kill the men.
Eventually, the inevitable battle draws near, and Ulysses reveals his true identity to the many perverted suitors. At first, they beg for forgiveness from the legendary hero, but quickly find that this will not work. They try to fight, but Ulysses, Telemachus, and his aids are more than a match for the men. Ulysses takes pleasure in killing all the men with his arrows and swords, and we're offered a lovely description of how the suitor's brains spatter the floor. In the end, Ulysses stands triumphant over the men, smeared with blood. Telemachus begs for his father to let two of the men go, who had done no wrong and only what the suitors forced them to do.
Ulysses then orders the 12 maids that betrayed his wife to clean up the mess, then tells his companions to "take the hussies of of doors, and run each one through with your sword until they are quite dead." (Direct quote, I may add.) He then reveals his true identity to his wife, who after some persuading that this really is her husband, rejoices and weeps for his return. They... ahem... spend a night together, and then Ulysses and his men set off for other adventures as the gods talk over the great adventure that they have played a role in.
Thoughts on the Reading:
Oh god... where to begin?! All the way through, I was thoroughly enchanted by the book. To think that Homer could have written such a great story in ancient times inspires me to think about what I myself could write if I really tried hard. I really loved all the detail, but my favorite parts would have to be the beginning and the end. I loved the beginning because it really shows Telemachus and his situation, and also establishes Ulysses' journey. The midsection gets a bit slow and confusing, but was still a fun read. However, the story goes out with a bang when Ulysses and Telemachus kill the suitors in a mighty, gory battle, and some happy resolution is reached. I might read this again over break... just 'cause. It was that good.
Final Note:
A big "good job" to all my fellow Pathies--it's been a great experience to read and share my thoughts with you, not to mention read your own thoughts on the book! And thanks to Mrs. Marietta, who let us combine blogging with our schoolwork. I think I may start another blog for another reading project of mine... What are the odds I could become the second "Julie and Julia" writer?
We shall see...
Until we meet again, (or are just given another blogging assignment,) Faretheewell!
Summery:
Ulysses begins to plot his revenge against the suitors. He stealthily infiltrates the house of his wife and son, and sizes up the competition. Through many days and nights, he broods and becomes bitter over how they are treating his property and his wife. He looks forward to the day where Minerva shall aid him in the killing of all the men. She herself was responsible for many outbursts that the suitors had against Ulysses, and aided the hero in putting them back into their places. She wanted to make Ulysses as bitter as possible before he reached his breaking point, so that he would fight like a lion to kill the men.
Eventually, the inevitable battle draws near, and Ulysses reveals his true identity to the many perverted suitors. At first, they beg for forgiveness from the legendary hero, but quickly find that this will not work. They try to fight, but Ulysses, Telemachus, and his aids are more than a match for the men. Ulysses takes pleasure in killing all the men with his arrows and swords, and we're offered a lovely description of how the suitor's brains spatter the floor. In the end, Ulysses stands triumphant over the men, smeared with blood. Telemachus begs for his father to let two of the men go, who had done no wrong and only what the suitors forced them to do.
Ulysses then orders the 12 maids that betrayed his wife to clean up the mess, then tells his companions to "take the hussies of of doors, and run each one through with your sword until they are quite dead." (Direct quote, I may add.) He then reveals his true identity to his wife, who after some persuading that this really is her husband, rejoices and weeps for his return. They... ahem... spend a night together, and then Ulysses and his men set off for other adventures as the gods talk over the great adventure that they have played a role in.
Thoughts on the Reading:
Oh god... where to begin?! All the way through, I was thoroughly enchanted by the book. To think that Homer could have written such a great story in ancient times inspires me to think about what I myself could write if I really tried hard. I really loved all the detail, but my favorite parts would have to be the beginning and the end. I loved the beginning because it really shows Telemachus and his situation, and also establishes Ulysses' journey. The midsection gets a bit slow and confusing, but was still a fun read. However, the story goes out with a bang when Ulysses and Telemachus kill the suitors in a mighty, gory battle, and some happy resolution is reached. I might read this again over break... just 'cause. It was that good.
Final Note:
A big "good job" to all my fellow Pathies--it's been a great experience to read and share my thoughts with you, not to mention read your own thoughts on the book! And thanks to Mrs. Marietta, who let us combine blogging with our schoolwork. I think I may start another blog for another reading project of mine... What are the odds I could become the second "Julie and Julia" writer?
We shall see...
Until we meet again, (or are just given another blogging assignment,) Faretheewell!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Reading Log 5: The Odyssey Books VIII-XVII
Oh my gracious. How do these things happen? I finish my reading on Friday and the next thing you know it's Sunday! I should have had this posted by then by my blogger account was having problems. Turns out I was just on the wrong Gmail account. =P Oh well... better late than never, right? Anyways, on with the review!
Summery:
Some of my favorite chapters are when nothing much happens. =) It's quite easy to summerize this week's reading. Ulysses, with the help of his new friend in king Alcinous, returns home to Ithaca. His crew lays him upon the beaches as he sleeps, and he awakens, confused. Then, under the guidance of Minerva, he is taken to a pig farmer's home, where he and many others spend their nights. He is then informed of just how serious things have become since he left Ithaca over a decade ago. He is disgusted by the suitor's behavior, and wants nothing more than to kill them bloodily and mercilessly.
Telemachus then returns from his journey, greets his mother, and goes out to meet the man that Ulysses is disguised as. After talking with the man, it is revealed that this is indeed Ulysses, and that Telemachus' long lost father is home at last. After a tearful reunion, the two plan to dispose of the suitors and bring honor back to the name of the Hero Ulysses once and for all.
Thoughts on the Reading:
I honestly really liked this series of chapters. They were easy to read, and I felt myself spending a lot less time taking notes over things that I didn't understand, and didn't use a whole tube of highlighter going over the pages. Reading is getting easier for me.
Seeing the reunion between Telemachus and Ulysses made me so happy and was one of my favorite parts. I was happy to see the return of Telemachus, and I'm always a sucker for a good father/son relationship in any writing. Especially one like that! I'm eagerly awaiting to see how the suitors are dealt with.
Predictions:
Summery:
Some of my favorite chapters are when nothing much happens. =) It's quite easy to summerize this week's reading. Ulysses, with the help of his new friend in king Alcinous, returns home to Ithaca. His crew lays him upon the beaches as he sleeps, and he awakens, confused. Then, under the guidance of Minerva, he is taken to a pig farmer's home, where he and many others spend their nights. He is then informed of just how serious things have become since he left Ithaca over a decade ago. He is disgusted by the suitor's behavior, and wants nothing more than to kill them bloodily and mercilessly.
Telemachus then returns from his journey, greets his mother, and goes out to meet the man that Ulysses is disguised as. After talking with the man, it is revealed that this is indeed Ulysses, and that Telemachus' long lost father is home at last. After a tearful reunion, the two plan to dispose of the suitors and bring honor back to the name of the Hero Ulysses once and for all.
Thoughts on the Reading:
I honestly really liked this series of chapters. They were easy to read, and I felt myself spending a lot less time taking notes over things that I didn't understand, and didn't use a whole tube of highlighter going over the pages. Reading is getting easier for me.
Seeing the reunion between Telemachus and Ulysses made me so happy and was one of my favorite parts. I was happy to see the return of Telemachus, and I'm always a sucker for a good father/son relationship in any writing. Especially one like that! I'm eagerly awaiting to see how the suitors are dealt with.
Predictions:
- Telemachus and his father will destroy the suitors
- Ulysses will get his wife back, and win her over again
I SENSE HAPPY ENDINGS!! OH THE JOY.
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