The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail is a play based upon Henry David Thoreau's life, and how his Transcendentalist ideals led him to be at odds with the rest of his society in Concord, Massachusetts. Despite his enlightened state of mind, he is arrested for tax evasion due to the fact that he doesn't believe the government is doing any good in the Mexican War. Through his night in jail, he reminisces about his lifetime and all that Transcendentalism has brought him.
This Week's Assignment:
Read Act I of The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail. Then chose one of the following quotes and discuss on your blog how, given the notes from class and any other legitimate, reliable resource, the passage reflects Transcendentalist thought.
Quote: Henry: Our own school, John. No buildings. Break out of the classroom prison All we need is the sky! (24)
I chose this quote to write about because I felt like it best supported the Transcendentalist ideals that Thoreau so idolized and lived by. All his life, he wanted to break the mold that society had set for education. He didn't want his students to fear asking questions. He wanted them to learn in their own way and make up their own minds on issues. He encouraged debate and questions that were considered blasphemous or inappropriate. He wanted to share his enlightened state with the ignorant masses.
Thoreau wanted to do this by teaching classes with his brother. He wanted to hold it within the meadow in the town: out of a classroom. He wanted his students to see the sky, and let their minds reach up to the heavens. Thoreau held the classes in the meadow because he wanted the sky to symbolize how boundless the mind is, if one allows themselves to open up to new ideas and to listen to everything possible.
If this is anything like what Thoreau was like, I need to start reading some of his stuff. This play is amazing!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Reading Analysis: A Perfect Day for Bananafish
A Perfect Day for Bananafish, written by J. D. Salinger, ends with a man committing suicide. You know that the story is an interesting one when the tale ends with somebody killing themselves. And through analysis of the characters, the motifs, symbolism and the setting, I’ve found out that there’s more than one layer to the short story. There’s what people can read, and the deeper parts of the thing that they can interpret.
This Week's Assignment:
Read "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" and, on your blog, compare the characters to CitR
Comparison:
Truth be told, I honestly had a hard time comparing the characters to one another. But, finally, I came up with a good set.
I mostly identified Seymour Rye Seymour
Muriel could have been one of many characters in CitR, but I mostly compared her to Sally Hayes. Both women are completely taken by social status and material objects. The conversation in the beginning of the story just shows how Muriel and her mother are obsessed with how they look. Both have lost their innocence because of society.
Finally, I identified Sybil with Phoebe. Like Holden from CitR, Seymour Seymour Seymour
You know, when I start up a new blog, I do think I’ll do a full on analysis of this story. I liked it better than Salinger’s novel, to be honest. =)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Reading Log: CitR Chapters 6-12
... I don't really like this book. Well, I guess that's not all true. The further I get into it, I'm enjoying some of the things that the writer decides to talk about--Jane specifically. But Holden... he's very prideful and not a very humble person at all. I appreciate J.D. Salinger's attempt, but some of the things seen through the eyes of a teenage boy are just plain... disgusting. Can't we read about ponies and unicorns instead? Or at least something mildly pleasant?
Questions:
If you were Holden, and you had just been kicked out of school, where would you go? Why?
Alright--let's change the scenario a little bit, because the idea of getting kicked out of school would never even remotely be an option. But if I had to go somewhere--anywhere? I might go to Paris. I don't know--something about the city just inspires me from what I've seen and heard about. Great artists come from that city: I want to be one of them. =) I would love to go abroad for a time, maybe go to Ireland or Scotland too. But if it had to be in the states? For some reason I'd want to go to Forks, Washington. (And not because Twilight was shot there.) I really, really want to see the scenery and the La Push. They're so beautiful in the movie and in pictures that I've seen.
Free-write about Jane's character and her importance to Holden.
From what I can tell so far, I know that Jane's a pleasant girl. Determined, strong-willed, easy to get along with (if Holden managed to do it, I'd think anybody could,) but I also think that she's a terrific liar. I don't think that her step-dad treats her right, just by the way he carried himself in the few pages that he managed to squeeze himself into. He just sounds like a disgusting man and he probably did abuse Jane at one point or another.
But she hides it. I think she's a bit on the prideful side too--considering how she wouldn't really open up to Holden and wouldn't talk to him about the big fuss his mother made over their dog. She's only really been talked about in one chapter so far, but I really hope she comes into play later in the story. I like her and her character--that's one character in this book I think I really honestly like.
At the end of chapter 12, Holden says "people are always ruining things for you." Discuss whether or not you think this is true. Can you think of a time someone ruined something for you?
Well... it's a bit of a broad question, isn't it. Of course people sometimes ruin things for you. That's just a bit of common nature for you: a dose of reality. Things like that are going to happen. I think it's really based on the type of person where you should draw your reaction from. If a person--a kind person--accidentally ruins something for you? I shouldn't be a big deal. But if a mean, terrible person went out of their way to ruin something for you? Then yeah, that deserves a fuss.
But whether or not you can rationally react to it, things will get ruined. It's always going to happen, and it happens to everyone. I remember one time I was so pleased with myself that I had such a good lesson in band and I managed to ace a hard challenge piece. Then this jerk had to ruin it by kicking my stand over and tripping me as I walked by to put my things away. That kind of ruined my good mood for me, but hey, it happens.
...Come to thing of it, that guy goes out of his way to ruin things for a lot of people. Just another reason why I shouldn't let it get to me, am I right?
Questions:
If you were Holden, and you had just been kicked out of school, where would you go? Why?
Alright--let's change the scenario a little bit, because the idea of getting kicked out of school would never even remotely be an option. But if I had to go somewhere--anywhere? I might go to Paris. I don't know--something about the city just inspires me from what I've seen and heard about. Great artists come from that city: I want to be one of them. =) I would love to go abroad for a time, maybe go to Ireland or Scotland too. But if it had to be in the states? For some reason I'd want to go to Forks, Washington. (And not because Twilight was shot there.) I really, really want to see the scenery and the La Push. They're so beautiful in the movie and in pictures that I've seen.
Free-write about Jane's character and her importance to Holden.
From what I can tell so far, I know that Jane's a pleasant girl. Determined, strong-willed, easy to get along with (if Holden managed to do it, I'd think anybody could,) but I also think that she's a terrific liar. I don't think that her step-dad treats her right, just by the way he carried himself in the few pages that he managed to squeeze himself into. He just sounds like a disgusting man and he probably did abuse Jane at one point or another.
But she hides it. I think she's a bit on the prideful side too--considering how she wouldn't really open up to Holden and wouldn't talk to him about the big fuss his mother made over their dog. She's only really been talked about in one chapter so far, but I really hope she comes into play later in the story. I like her and her character--that's one character in this book I think I really honestly like.
At the end of chapter 12, Holden says "people are always ruining things for you." Discuss whether or not you think this is true. Can you think of a time someone ruined something for you?
Well... it's a bit of a broad question, isn't it. Of course people sometimes ruin things for you. That's just a bit of common nature for you: a dose of reality. Things like that are going to happen. I think it's really based on the type of person where you should draw your reaction from. If a person--a kind person--accidentally ruins something for you? I shouldn't be a big deal. But if a mean, terrible person went out of their way to ruin something for you? Then yeah, that deserves a fuss.
But whether or not you can rationally react to it, things will get ruined. It's always going to happen, and it happens to everyone. I remember one time I was so pleased with myself that I had such a good lesson in band and I managed to ace a hard challenge piece. Then this jerk had to ruin it by kicking my stand over and tripping me as I walked by to put my things away. That kind of ruined my good mood for me, but hey, it happens.
...Come to thing of it, that guy goes out of his way to ruin things for a lot of people. Just another reason why I shouldn't let it get to me, am I right?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Reading Log: CitR Chapters 1-6
Weekly Overview of the Reading:
So. I've seen this book before--sitting on the Barnes and Nobles' shelf. I wanted to read it really badly, but I'd always heard bad things about the language, the sex talk, the message. This gave me a good excuse to start what I've been wanting to do. However... I've got mixed feelings towards J.D. Salinger's only novel. It's a good one, certainly, but a little big much. The constant swearing, all the mention of sex, and the disgusting descriptions of the boy's bodily features.
I suppose this must have been what life was like for boys in this time... I'm glad I wasn't a pubescent male back then, that's for sure.
Questions:
What does it mean to be unique?
Well... unique in itself is an almost indescribable word. It means to be something special: something away from the norm. I usually view unique as different in a good way. I wouldn't go around saying that a serial killer was unique because he enjoyed the thrill of killing somebody... no. Somebody who takes advantage of their differences and uses them for good, as corny as it sounds. A painter may be unique because they find joy in painting, as does a writer in writing and a student in studying. Everybody's unique, even if it's not in completely unique ways.
How do we keep individuality in an adult world?
I think this ties in with last week's writing prompt pretty well. All of us should retain an essence of childlike curiosity and innocence, which all helped us view the world in a different way, once upon a time. By doing that, we can truly determine what makes us individuals, and what makes us happy. What makes us "unique," one may say.
How is Allie's character similar to a person you know?
From the brief description that Holden gave us, he seemed like a great person. I don't really get how watching his brother play golf made him a ginger... but anyways. He seemed to know how to enjoy life, like a lot of my favorite people in school. There's a certain group that he really reminds me of. There was a member of PATH class last year that still goes to my school--he and our friends really know how to have a good time. I value that in people.
So. I've seen this book before--sitting on the Barnes and Nobles' shelf. I wanted to read it really badly, but I'd always heard bad things about the language, the sex talk, the message. This gave me a good excuse to start what I've been wanting to do. However... I've got mixed feelings towards J.D. Salinger's only novel. It's a good one, certainly, but a little big much. The constant swearing, all the mention of sex, and the disgusting descriptions of the boy's bodily features.
I suppose this must have been what life was like for boys in this time... I'm glad I wasn't a pubescent male back then, that's for sure.
Questions:
What does it mean to be unique?
Well... unique in itself is an almost indescribable word. It means to be something special: something away from the norm. I usually view unique as different in a good way. I wouldn't go around saying that a serial killer was unique because he enjoyed the thrill of killing somebody... no. Somebody who takes advantage of their differences and uses them for good, as corny as it sounds. A painter may be unique because they find joy in painting, as does a writer in writing and a student in studying. Everybody's unique, even if it's not in completely unique ways.
How do we keep individuality in an adult world?
I think this ties in with last week's writing prompt pretty well. All of us should retain an essence of childlike curiosity and innocence, which all helped us view the world in a different way, once upon a time. By doing that, we can truly determine what makes us individuals, and what makes us happy. What makes us "unique," one may say.
How is Allie's character similar to a person you know?
From the brief description that Holden gave us, he seemed like a great person. I don't really get how watching his brother play golf made him a ginger... but anyways. He seemed to know how to enjoy life, like a lot of my favorite people in school. There's a certain group that he really reminds me of. There was a member of PATH class last year that still goes to my school--he and our friends really know how to have a good time. I value that in people.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Reading Log 7: A Good Man is Hard to Find
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?
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?
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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