“Fenris the Feared turned slowly to the high table, raising his great tattooed fist, opening his chasm of a mouth, a hideous spasm running over his face. ‘Angland!’ he screamed, louder and more terrible by far than the Lord Chamberlain had ever been. The echoes of his voice bounced off the domed ceiling high above, resounded from the curved walls, filling the great space with piercing sound.” (140)
This quote gives a very terrifying image of this thing-ish person. It gives a distinctive image of what Fenris looks like, acts like, sounds like, etc. You already are glad that you aren’t at the scene right now. I find that the author does a great job at describing this scene. He doesn’t force a specific image into your head, but rather, he give the basic outline for the character and you create the rest of the image based on what each individual person would feel was more fearsome. Personally, I think this is an excellent display of the skill of this author, and I think that more parts like these give the book more potential to be decent to people who don’t read this genre very often. Hopefully, this book will seem more worth it to have read after some time has passed and I begin to forget the … gory parts.
Showing posts with label Quarter 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quarter 2. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Post #13 Form A
Vocab (all definitions are from dictionary.com)
Gall (105): impudence; effrontery, bile, something bitter or severe.
Intoned (106): to utter with a particular tone or voice modulation, to give tone or variety of tone to; vocalize.
Figurative Language
"crash to the floor with a sound like a cupboard full of saucepans." (103) A simile because it is comparing the sound to a cupboard full of saucepans.
"creaking" (118) is onomatopoeia because it represents a sound.
"patter" (141) is onomatopoeia because it too represents a sound.
Quote
"Hard words are for fools and cowards. Calder might have been both, but Logen was neither. If you mean to kill, you're better getting right to it than talking about it.. Talk only makes the other man ready, and that's the last thing you want." (101)
This quote is significant because it shows a realistic approach to fighting rather than the kind you tend to see in movies and such.
Theme
There are many types of people in the world; know who you can beat and who you can't.
Gall (105): impudence; effrontery, bile, something bitter or severe.
Intoned (106): to utter with a particular tone or voice modulation, to give tone or variety of tone to; vocalize.
Figurative Language
"crash to the floor with a sound like a cupboard full of saucepans." (103) A simile because it is comparing the sound to a cupboard full of saucepans.
"creaking" (118) is onomatopoeia because it represents a sound.
"patter" (141) is onomatopoeia because it too represents a sound.
Quote
"Hard words are for fools and cowards. Calder might have been both, but Logen was neither. If you mean to kill, you're better getting right to it than talking about it.. Talk only makes the other man ready, and that's the last thing you want." (101)
This quote is significant because it shows a realistic approach to fighting rather than the kind you tend to see in movies and such.
Theme
There are many types of people in the world; know who you can beat and who you can't.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Post # 12 Form B
“Bethod’s second son turned his contempt on the First of the Magi. ‘My father will be displeased, Bayaz! That my men must wait outside the gate shows little respect!’
‘But I have so little, Prince Calder,’ said the wizard calmly. ‘Please don’t be downhearted, though. Your last messenger wasn’t allowed over the bridge, so you see we’re making progress.”’ (101)
This quotes shows that there is an order to this society. There is a hierarchy and assumed respect. This quote gives some insight to that order and the rest of the page continues to develop the order of things. It is clear that a lot of thought was put into how this society should be implemented. The chapter continues on to have Bayaz talk about how he would follow no one’s orders but on man whom is dead. He also says that he would much rather have the father come to talk to him in person rather than the son or messenger. He also refers to following the older traditions which shows a change over time in this society as it becomes more and more advanced. The ways of old are dwindling just as in our society today. All in all this portion of the book show a clear development of the world in which the charters live in and makes apparent the similarities and differences between this fictional world and the world in which you and I live.
‘But I have so little, Prince Calder,’ said the wizard calmly. ‘Please don’t be downhearted, though. Your last messenger wasn’t allowed over the bridge, so you see we’re making progress.”’ (101)
This quotes shows that there is an order to this society. There is a hierarchy and assumed respect. This quote gives some insight to that order and the rest of the page continues to develop the order of things. It is clear that a lot of thought was put into how this society should be implemented. The chapter continues on to have Bayaz talk about how he would follow no one’s orders but on man whom is dead. He also says that he would much rather have the father come to talk to him in person rather than the son or messenger. He also refers to following the older traditions which shows a change over time in this society as it becomes more and more advanced. The ways of old are dwindling just as in our society today. All in all this portion of the book show a clear development of the world in which the charters live in and makes apparent the similarities and differences between this fictional world and the world in which you and I live.
Post #11 Form A
Vocab (all definitions are from dictionary.com)
Lichen (94): any complex organism of the group Lichenes, composed of a fungus in symbiotic union with an alga and having a greenish, gray, yellow, brown, or blackish thallus that grows in leaflike, crustlike, or branching forms on rocks, trees, etc.
Rheumy (96): pertaining to, causing, full of, or affected with rheum (A watery or thin mucous discharge from the eyes or nose.)
Figurative Language
Page 91 ‘calm waters’ waters can not actually be calm. Personification.
Page 91 ‘patter’ onomatopoeia.
Page 93 “The apprentice didn’t even move, just hung there like a sack of wet rags” Is a Simile because it is comparing the apprentice to a sack of wet rags using the word like.
Quote
Page 93 “First they fell to the back, then they fell behind, then they fell over.” Significant because it shows how tough the lives of the people were and how people did die and there wasn’t a whole lot someone could do about it.
Theme
A theme I found in this portion of the book is "courtesy should be answered with courtesy" (99)
Lichen (94): any complex organism of the group Lichenes, composed of a fungus in symbiotic union with an alga and having a greenish, gray, yellow, brown, or blackish thallus that grows in leaflike, crustlike, or branching forms on rocks, trees, etc.
Rheumy (96): pertaining to, causing, full of, or affected with rheum (A watery or thin mucous discharge from the eyes or nose.)
Figurative Language
Page 91 ‘calm waters’ waters can not actually be calm. Personification.
Page 91 ‘patter’ onomatopoeia.
Page 93 “The apprentice didn’t even move, just hung there like a sack of wet rags” Is a Simile because it is comparing the apprentice to a sack of wet rags using the word like.
Quote
Page 93 “First they fell to the back, then they fell behind, then they fell over.” Significant because it shows how tough the lives of the people were and how people did die and there wasn’t a whole lot someone could do about it.
Theme
A theme I found in this portion of the book is "courtesy should be answered with courtesy" (99)
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Post #10 Form B
‘“Porridge and honey, better than money, everything’s funny, with porridge and honey!’
‘It’s a rhym for children. My mother used to sing it to me. Never actually got me to eat this slop though. But now,’ and he dug the spoon in, ‘I can’t get enough of it.’
‘Healthy,’ said Glokta, forcing down a mouthful of sweet mush and spooning up another, ‘delicious,’ choking down some more, ‘and here’s the real clincher.’ He gagged slightly on the next swallow, ‘no chewing required.’” (81)
This quote is interesting because it gives some sarcastic insight as to what Glokta’s life is like. The difficulty he has with just the things the average person takes for granted, to the things some have difficulty with which he takes for granted. The author uses a unique way of displaying a character with a way of life most would never wish to have and making the character someone whom you, as a reader, can relate to. I have found that I have warmed up the Glokta and even find his sarcasm amusing, at times. Every chapter gives the reader more and more insight as to what Glokta’s life was like before he was captured and crippled. One might even go so far as to say he might have been pleasant to be around when he was younger. Crazy thought for someone who is now a torturer. Yet, somehow it works out that way.
‘It’s a rhym for children. My mother used to sing it to me. Never actually got me to eat this slop though. But now,’ and he dug the spoon in, ‘I can’t get enough of it.’
‘Healthy,’ said Glokta, forcing down a mouthful of sweet mush and spooning up another, ‘delicious,’ choking down some more, ‘and here’s the real clincher.’ He gagged slightly on the next swallow, ‘no chewing required.’” (81)
This quote is interesting because it gives some sarcastic insight as to what Glokta’s life is like. The difficulty he has with just the things the average person takes for granted, to the things some have difficulty with which he takes for granted. The author uses a unique way of displaying a character with a way of life most would never wish to have and making the character someone whom you, as a reader, can relate to. I have found that I have warmed up the Glokta and even find his sarcasm amusing, at times. Every chapter gives the reader more and more insight as to what Glokta’s life was like before he was captured and crippled. One might even go so far as to say he might have been pleasant to be around when he was younger. Crazy thought for someone who is now a torturer. Yet, somehow it works out that way.
Post #9 Form A
Vocab (all definitions from dictionary.com)
Gormless (74): Lacking intelligence and vitality; dull.
Fronds (74): The leaf of a fern or a large compound leaf of a palm.
Figurative Language
On page 82 the author compares people in a hallway to ants on a dunghill. This is a simile because he uses the word like to compare the two objects.
On page 85 the author compares the country to a leaking vessel. This is a metaphor because he compares the two things without using like or as.
On page 86 it says that "noblemen can line their pockets with bribes," which is figurative language because pockets can't really be lined with bribes.
Quote
'"Some may be loyal, some are definitely not, each intent on pulling the King his own way." How frustrating, when I suppose they should all be pulling him in yours?' (85). This quote is significant because it well represents the point in this book that everyone has a facade of some sort and just want what's best for themselves.
Theme
I'll differ from my norm and say that another theme I've found in this book is that no one is truly all 'good', we all have some bad within us. (some more than others)
Gormless (74): Lacking intelligence and vitality; dull.
Fronds (74): The leaf of a fern or a large compound leaf of a palm.
Figurative Language
On page 82 the author compares people in a hallway to ants on a dunghill. This is a simile because he uses the word like to compare the two objects.
On page 85 the author compares the country to a leaking vessel. This is a metaphor because he compares the two things without using like or as.
On page 86 it says that "noblemen can line their pockets with bribes," which is figurative language because pockets can't really be lined with bribes.
Quote
'"Some may be loyal, some are definitely not, each intent on pulling the King his own way." How frustrating, when I suppose they should all be pulling him in yours?' (85). This quote is significant because it well represents the point in this book that everyone has a facade of some sort and just want what's best for themselves.
Theme
I'll differ from my norm and say that another theme I've found in this book is that no one is truly all 'good', we all have some bad within us. (some more than others)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Post #8 Form B
Dear Joe Abercrombie author of the book The Blade Itself,
Having started reading your book it occurred to me that you use a lot of description for certain aspects of the story such as the fencing matches. Do you fence? If not, did you do a lot of research in order to learn enough about the topic to write about it in such detail? In fact, all of you fighting scenes are quite thoroughly written. Did you just kind of make it up as to how you envisioned it or did you do research? I ask this because I really like the practicality of your fight scenes. They aren’t embellished or made too simple. They are how one would think a fight would be in the real world. If we still fought with swords that is…
Also, much of this story seems to be modeled off of medieval times. (as many fantasy stories are) Was this something you studied as well? Or was it based off of prior knowledge? I don’t really know why but it seems to me, from reading the book, that you must have researched these topics. They seem too precise to just be made up or based off of prior knowledge. Anyway, I hope the book continues to impress me with it’s quality.
A content reader,
Virginia
Having started reading your book it occurred to me that you use a lot of description for certain aspects of the story such as the fencing matches. Do you fence? If not, did you do a lot of research in order to learn enough about the topic to write about it in such detail? In fact, all of you fighting scenes are quite thoroughly written. Did you just kind of make it up as to how you envisioned it or did you do research? I ask this because I really like the practicality of your fight scenes. They aren’t embellished or made too simple. They are how one would think a fight would be in the real world. If we still fought with swords that is…
Also, much of this story seems to be modeled off of medieval times. (as many fantasy stories are) Was this something you studied as well? Or was it based off of prior knowledge? I don’t really know why but it seems to me, from reading the book, that you must have researched these topics. They seem too precise to just be made up or based off of prior knowledge. Anyway, I hope the book continues to impress me with it’s quality.
A content reader,
Virginia
Post #7 Form A
Vocab (all definitions are from dictionary.com)
Gorse (59): any spiny shrub of the genus Ulex, of the legume family, native to the Old World, esp. U. europaeus, having rudimentary leaves and yellow flowers and growing in waste places and sandy soil.
Bout (65): a contest or trial of strength; period; session; spell; a going and returning across a field, as in mowing or reaping.
Figurative Language
"ooof" (64) is onomatopoeia because it represents the sound it stands for.
"They say Bremer dan Gorst has a back leg like a pillar of steel." (65) is a simile when they compare the leg to a pillar of steel using the world like.
'squeak' on page 73 is onomatopoeia because it represents the sound it stands for.
Quote
"Mildly offensive to my brother, which is good. Somewhat amusing, which is also good. Honest, which is refreshing, and wildly complimentary to me, which, of course, is excellent. A little late, but on the whole worth waiting for." (71)
This is kind of random for the book to put in but I thought it was significant because it adds a little humor which breaks up the bloody gory parts of the book well. It makes The Blade Itself at least bearable to read if you aren't used to this type of story.
Theme
I'm sorry if I seem unimaginative however, I still prefer my original theme-Life is hard; deal with it.
Gorse (59): any spiny shrub of the genus Ulex, of the legume family, native to the Old World, esp. U. europaeus, having rudimentary leaves and yellow flowers and growing in waste places and sandy soil.
Bout (65): a contest or trial of strength; period; session; spell; a going and returning across a field, as in mowing or reaping.
Figurative Language
"ooof" (64) is onomatopoeia because it represents the sound it stands for.
"They say Bremer dan Gorst has a back leg like a pillar of steel." (65) is a simile when they compare the leg to a pillar of steel using the world like.
'squeak' on page 73 is onomatopoeia because it represents the sound it stands for.
Quote
"Mildly offensive to my brother, which is good. Somewhat amusing, which is also good. Honest, which is refreshing, and wildly complimentary to me, which, of course, is excellent. A little late, but on the whole worth waiting for." (71)
This is kind of random for the book to put in but I thought it was significant because it adds a little humor which breaks up the bloody gory parts of the book well. It makes The Blade Itself at least bearable to read if you aren't used to this type of story.
Theme
I'm sorry if I seem unimaginative however, I still prefer my original theme-Life is hard; deal with it.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Post #6 Form B
‘“Wait!” screamed the prisoner.
Bang! The heavy blade bit deep into the table top, neatly paring off Teufel’s middle fingernail. He was breathing fast now, and there was a sheen of sweat on his forehead[…]
“Confess.”
“You couldn’t.”
Bang! The cleaver took off the very tip of Teufel’s middle finger. Blood bubbled out on to the table top. Severard’s eyes were smiling in the lamp light. Teufel’s jaw dropped. But the pain will be a while coming. “Confess!” bellowed Glokta.
Bang! The cleaver took off the top of Teufel’s ring finger, and a little disc out of his middle finger which rolled a short way and dropped off onto the floor.’ (55)
How creepy! It’s one thing to read that someone was tortured but an entirely different thing to actually read about it in detail. This book is far more gruesome than anything I usually read. The way the author uses his words makes it seem real and that is even scarier. However disgusting this portion might be, it does give insight to what life is like for Glokta. I couldn’t imagine doing something like that for a living. How terrible it must be to constantly cause others to suffer by your hands. What got me the most though was when the author talked about the pieces of flesh rolling across the floor and flying into the air. Ugh…
Bang! The heavy blade bit deep into the table top, neatly paring off Teufel’s middle fingernail. He was breathing fast now, and there was a sheen of sweat on his forehead[…]
“Confess.”
“You couldn’t.”
Bang! The cleaver took off the very tip of Teufel’s middle finger. Blood bubbled out on to the table top. Severard’s eyes were smiling in the lamp light. Teufel’s jaw dropped. But the pain will be a while coming. “Confess!” bellowed Glokta.
Bang! The cleaver took off the top of Teufel’s ring finger, and a little disc out of his middle finger which rolled a short way and dropped off onto the floor.’ (55)
How creepy! It’s one thing to read that someone was tortured but an entirely different thing to actually read about it in detail. This book is far more gruesome than anything I usually read. The way the author uses his words makes it seem real and that is even scarier. However disgusting this portion might be, it does give insight to what life is like for Glokta. I couldn’t imagine doing something like that for a living. How terrible it must be to constantly cause others to suffer by your hands. What got me the most though was when the author talked about the pieces of flesh rolling across the floor and flying into the air. Ugh…
Post # 5 Form A
Vocab (all definitions are from dictionary.com)
Briar (56): a prickly plant or shrub, esp. the sweetbrier or a greenbrier.
Auspicious (58): promising success; propitious; opportune; favorable; fortune
Figurative Language
'Bang!' on page 55 is onomatopoeia because it represents the sound it stands for.
'Frost's face was carved from marble' on page 55 is a metaphor because Frost's face isn't really carved from marble it just looks like it.
Page 55 again (it was a gold mine for these things) has 'tap, tap, tap' which is, again, onomatopoeia because it represents the sound it stands for. In this case-blood dripping.
Quote
"He looked mostly hungry, cold, and ill. He looked something like Logen felt, in fact." (57)
This is segnificant because it show how the average traveller felt and was is a good indicator of what the setting of this book is like. It's a hard life and doesn't give way to many pleasures.
Theme
This is the third week in a row however I do think my first week pretty much nailed the theme of this book. Life is hard; deal with it.
Briar (56): a prickly plant or shrub, esp. the sweetbrier or a greenbrier.
Auspicious (58): promising success; propitious; opportune; favorable; fortune
Figurative Language
'Bang!' on page 55 is onomatopoeia because it represents the sound it stands for.
'Frost's face was carved from marble' on page 55 is a metaphor because Frost's face isn't really carved from marble it just looks like it.
Page 55 again (it was a gold mine for these things) has 'tap, tap, tap' which is, again, onomatopoeia because it represents the sound it stands for. In this case-blood dripping.
Quote
"He looked mostly hungry, cold, and ill. He looked something like Logen felt, in fact." (57)
This is segnificant because it show how the average traveller felt and was is a good indicator of what the setting of this book is like. It's a hard life and doesn't give way to many pleasures.
Theme
This is the third week in a row however I do think my first week pretty much nailed the theme of this book. Life is hard; deal with it.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Post #4 Form B
This… is a weird book. The genre is definitely not one I am used to. The bloody gory is kind of bearable but the overall attitude of the characters is hard to connect to. So far the book has introduced three of the four main characters. The first was Logen. He is hard to connect with because he is constantly fighting to survive and I must admit I have never really had the experience of fighting (literally) for life. Though so far only two chapters have been about Logen, in both of these chapters, pages 7-15 and 32-38, he is killing human/lizard like creatures in order to survive. The second character introduced is named Glokta. Glokta is a torturer. He tortures people. Not someone who you just immediately connect with. Besides being a torturer he is old and, because of an injury when he was younger, crippled. Again, not something I have experienced or could really have a full understanding of. The most recent character is named Jazel. He is introduced as a man who drinks and gambles to pass the time (pages 39-42). He is also apparently a rich captain who is fairly pathetic when it comes to physical prowess. Despite not bonding with any of the characters the book is fairly decent and it has been interesting seeing the various walks of life people, is this fantasy land, have. Also, I must say that I find myself feeling the same way as I did with my quarter 1 book, I’m glad I don’t live in this book. ^^
Post #3 Form A
Vocab (all definitions found at dictionary.com)
Eminence (31): high station, rank, or repute
Magus (37): a magician, sorcerer, or astrologer
Figurative Language
On page 39 the author uses the word 'clacked' which is an onomatopoeia word representing the sound it is used to signify.
"darting like a snake!" (43) is an example of a simile. It uses like or as to connect two unlike things.
The author uses the word 'yow' on page 43 which is a onomatopoeia word.
Quote
"'Until then, clean living is what we need. Do you understand me, Captain Luthar?' He leaned down further, pronouncing every word with great care. 'Clean. Living. Captain.' 'Yes, Marshal Varuz,' mumbled Jezal. Six hours later he was drunker than shit." (48)
This quote is important because it gives valuable insight to what the wealthy and powerful chose to do in the setting of this book. It is a fair example of the corruptness and money-driven attitudes of every high ranking official this book has introduced thus far.
Theme
I shall stick to my previous theme: life is hard; deal with it.
Eminence (31): high station, rank, or repute
Magus (37): a magician, sorcerer, or astrologer
Figurative Language
On page 39 the author uses the word 'clacked' which is an onomatopoeia word representing the sound it is used to signify.
"darting like a snake!" (43) is an example of a simile. It uses like or as to connect two unlike things.
The author uses the word 'yow' on page 43 which is a onomatopoeia word.
Quote
"'Until then, clean living is what we need. Do you understand me, Captain Luthar?' He leaned down further, pronouncing every word with great care. 'Clean. Living. Captain.' 'Yes, Marshal Varuz,' mumbled Jezal. Six hours later he was drunker than shit." (48)
This quote is important because it gives valuable insight to what the wealthy and powerful chose to do in the setting of this book. It is a fair example of the corruptness and money-driven attitudes of every high ranking official this book has introduced thus far.
Theme
I shall stick to my previous theme: life is hard; deal with it.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Post #2 Form B
The book The Blade Itself is not necessarily a book that fits into the outline for a book. For one, the book has four main characters instead of one. Thus far I have only read about two of them. One is a barbarian who is fighting to survive and killed multiple people in the first ten pages. The second is a torturer/inquisitor. He, well, tortures people for information. Neither of these people are what one would consider ‘good’. This leads me to my next point. So far there has been NO protagonist. None. Zip. Zero. Nada. But other than this odd classification the book is pretty good. It has been well written and the author uses a lot of description when he is explaining how people are acting or the environment of the scene. “The gorge was deep. Very deep with sheer, rocky sides. Here and there a tree clung to a crack, growing out into the empty air and spreading its leaves into space. The river hissed away far below, fast and angry, foaming white water fringed by jagged black stone.” (8) This passage is an example of the description the author uses. It paints a vivid picture in the mind of the reader and gives off a definite mood to the scene. Thus, overall the book is pretty decent despite being very blood gory.
Post #1 Form A
Vocab (all definitions were found at dictionary.com)
Blithely (16): without thought or regard; carefree; heedless
Lolled (24): To move, stand, or recline in an indolent or relaxed manner.
Figurative Language
In the book one of the characters is a torture/inquisitor and he threatens a man and fears the same threat only a few pages later. To me this is an instance of irony because it is a flip around of what it was before.
When the author is describing Glokta's walk he uses the words 'click' and 'tap' which are onomatopoeia because they sound like the sound the are representing.
"The river hissed away far below, fast and angry, foaming white water fringed by jagged black stone." (8) This sentence has an example of personification because a river can't really be angry.
Quote
"Will they find me in the canal tomorrow? Dead and bloated, far... far beyond recognition? The only emotion that he felt at the idea was a flutter of mild relief. No more stairs." (25)
This quote is significant because it gives some idea as to what this man's life was like. Pain filled and merciless. That was his life and the only thought he had when faced with death was that he wouldn't have to deal with stairs anymore.
Theme
Thus far the emerging theme seems to be: life is hard; deal with it.
Blithely (16): without thought or regard; carefree; heedless
Lolled (24): To move, stand, or recline in an indolent or relaxed manner.
Figurative Language
In the book one of the characters is a torture/inquisitor and he threatens a man and fears the same threat only a few pages later. To me this is an instance of irony because it is a flip around of what it was before.
When the author is describing Glokta's walk he uses the words 'click' and 'tap' which are onomatopoeia because they sound like the sound the are representing.
"The river hissed away far below, fast and angry, foaming white water fringed by jagged black stone." (8) This sentence has an example of personification because a river can't really be angry.
Quote
"Will they find me in the canal tomorrow? Dead and bloated, far... far beyond recognition? The only emotion that he felt at the idea was a flutter of mild relief. No more stairs." (25)
This quote is significant because it gives some idea as to what this man's life was like. Pain filled and merciless. That was his life and the only thought he had when faced with death was that he wouldn't have to deal with stairs anymore.
Theme
Thus far the emerging theme seems to be: life is hard; deal with it.
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