Showing posts with label Week 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Week 3. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Post #6 Form B
“In the Palace of Celestial Breath, I followed the training given to new women at Court. The great curtsey, the minor curtsey, greetings of respect, greetings of condescension, greetings from equal to equal, the quick walk, the slow walk… there was no spontaneity in the Forbidden City. Natural responses were considered the premise of the people and of Barbarians; all the elegance of our movements derived from the height of restraint.” (42) I found it very interesting that these women who are granted a life of luxury create their own hierarchy. They make rules and laws to govern themselves within the Forbidden City. Though it seems very superficial it gives these women something to do rather than laze about. They make friends and enemies and create their own little world within the palace. It seems so distant, so dreamlike to read about. But I suppose to the women who lived there it was very real and very, very real. And very, very dull. They must have come up with many more rules and games in order to entertain themselves. And of course they chatted with the eunuchs to learn about the affairs of the outer realm. I feel sorry for them but I also admire their ingenuity and the cunning plans they made in order to gain power and influence despite being in a patriarchal society and being cut off from the world.
Post #5 Form A
A major cultural difference which has arisen is in the existence of the Forbidden City. In the Forbidden City hundreds of women live lives of luxury, pettiness, and jealousy while waiting and hoping for the Emperor’s favor so that they might go to bed with him. That’s not something that exists in current day America, at all. Though this seems like a lowly existence for these women it is actually the best way and one of the only ways to gain any power at all. “My heart leapt with pride. As Talented One of the fifth rank, I immediately overtook my brothers in the imperial hierarchy; they were officials of the seventh rank. The next time we saw each other they would have to prostate themselves at my feet!” (34) The women within the Forbidden City were the ones who became the Emperor’s concubines and wives. They were surrounded by government officials and were able to have some influence within the government. They were also the ones who gave birth to possible heirs to the throne. It’s a major cultural difference but it is also one of the only ways a woman could obtain power and influence in this highly patriarchal society.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Post #6 Form B
“I want that one,” I said.
Dad grinned. “That’s Venus,” he said. Venus was only a planet, he went on, and pretty dinky compared to real stars. She looked bigger and brighter because she was much closer than the stars. Poor old Venus didn’t even make her own light, Dad said. She shone only from reflected light. He explained to me that planets glowed because reflected light was constant, and stars twinkled because their light pulsed.
“I like it anyway,” I said. I had admired Venus even before that Christmas. You could see it in the early evening, glowing on the western horizon, and if you got up early, you could still see it in the morning, after all the stars had disappeared.
”What the hell,” Dad said. “It’s Christmas. You can have a planet if you want.”
Then he gave me Venus.’ (40)
Despite the many poor qualities Jeannette’s parents display, it is clear that they truly love their children. Despite their lives being harsh and variable, her parents do their best to make their kids feel special and to look out for them. Whether it’s making them conquer their fears or giving them planets and stars on Christmas because they can’t afford real presents, her parents are always finding creative ways to display their love for their children and care for them to the best of their ability. I think it’s really neat how creative and insightful Jeannette’s parents are. Though the actions they sometimes display aren’t necessarily what one might consider appropriate for a parent trying to be a good role model, they never allow their children to feel unequal to others. That’s really good of them and I admire them for it.
Dad grinned. “That’s Venus,” he said. Venus was only a planet, he went on, and pretty dinky compared to real stars. She looked bigger and brighter because she was much closer than the stars. Poor old Venus didn’t even make her own light, Dad said. She shone only from reflected light. He explained to me that planets glowed because reflected light was constant, and stars twinkled because their light pulsed.
“I like it anyway,” I said. I had admired Venus even before that Christmas. You could see it in the early evening, glowing on the western horizon, and if you got up early, you could still see it in the morning, after all the stars had disappeared.
”What the hell,” Dad said. “It’s Christmas. You can have a planet if you want.”
Then he gave me Venus.’ (40)
Despite the many poor qualities Jeannette’s parents display, it is clear that they truly love their children. Despite their lives being harsh and variable, her parents do their best to make their kids feel special and to look out for them. Whether it’s making them conquer their fears or giving them planets and stars on Christmas because they can’t afford real presents, her parents are always finding creative ways to display their love for their children and care for them to the best of their ability. I think it’s really neat how creative and insightful Jeannette’s parents are. Though the actions they sometimes display aren’t necessarily what one might consider appropriate for a parent trying to be a good role model, they never allow their children to feel unequal to others. That’s really good of them and I admire them for it.
Post #5 Form A
Vocab
Gila Monster (35): A venomous lizard (Heloderma suspectum) of arid regions of the southwest United States and western Mexico, having black and orange or yellow scales.
Creosote (35): an oily liquid having a burning taste and a penetrating odor, obtained by the distillation of coal and wood tar, used mainly as a preservative for wood and as an antiseptic.
Figurative Language
"I wondered if the fire had been out to get me" (34)
This is personification because the author is giving the fire the human trait of being 'out to get
her'.
"He tossed the half-eaten head at me like a grenade." (46)
This is a simile because it is comparing the half-eaten head of lettuce to a grenade using the work like.
"The wind shrieked through the compartment." (49)
This is personification because the author is the wind shrieked which it can't really because shrieking is a human trait.
Quote
"She told us that both our grandmothers were angry because neither Lori nor I had been named after them, so she decided to call the baby Lilly Ruth Maureen. [...] That, Dad told us, would make everyone happy except his mom, who hated the name Ruth and wanted the baby called Erma, and Mom's mom, who would hate sharing her namesake with Dad's mom." (47)
This is is a great example of the humor which rears its head constantly throughout the book. It's a nice touch considering how serious the author's situations are.
Theme
When life throws you a curve ball make the most of it.
Gila Monster (35): A venomous lizard (Heloderma suspectum) of arid regions of the southwest United States and western Mexico, having black and orange or yellow scales.
Creosote (35): an oily liquid having a burning taste and a penetrating odor, obtained by the distillation of coal and wood tar, used mainly as a preservative for wood and as an antiseptic.
Figurative Language
"I wondered if the fire had been out to get me" (34)
This is personification because the author is giving the fire the human trait of being 'out to get
her'.
"He tossed the half-eaten head at me like a grenade." (46)
This is a simile because it is comparing the half-eaten head of lettuce to a grenade using the work like.
"The wind shrieked through the compartment." (49)
This is personification because the author is the wind shrieked which it can't really because shrieking is a human trait.
Quote
"She told us that both our grandmothers were angry because neither Lori nor I had been named after them, so she decided to call the baby Lilly Ruth Maureen. [...] That, Dad told us, would make everyone happy except his mom, who hated the name Ruth and wanted the baby called Erma, and Mom's mom, who would hate sharing her namesake with Dad's mom." (47)
This is is a great example of the humor which rears its head constantly throughout the book. It's a nice touch considering how serious the author's situations are.
Theme
When life throws you a curve ball make the most of 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.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Post #6 Form B
I admire Jung’s mother a great deal for her strong will and unwavering beliefs. At one point in the book, pp 101-103, Jung’s mother is arrested for being a Communist. When General Chiu told the group that they were unknowledgeable about politics and being used by the communists she shouted back at him. She asked “What mistake have we made?” (101). The General became irritated at this and tried to justify himself but she only shot back, “Our friends died in Tianjin because they had run away from the Communists, on your advice.” (101)
She was then dragged to the prison and “shown around” (101). She saw a man who was tied to a pillar and had bricks placed under his heels making the bones crack and break. She saw another man’s flesh burned with an iron bar. However, no matter what she saw she did not waver or show any sign of fear. Even when she was dragged to a prison cell she refused to write a confession. Despite seeing people around her being tortured and killed she remained strong. To me, that shows a lot of courage on her part and I really respect her for it. Even at the possibility of being shot she kept her dignity and was proud of whom she was and the cause she stood for.
What a brave woman.
She was then dragged to the prison and “shown around” (101). She saw a man who was tied to a pillar and had bricks placed under his heels making the bones crack and break. She saw another man’s flesh burned with an iron bar. However, no matter what she saw she did not waver or show any sign of fear. Even when she was dragged to a prison cell she refused to write a confession. Despite seeing people around her being tortured and killed she remained strong. To me, that shows a lot of courage on her part and I really respect her for it. Even at the possibility of being shot she kept her dignity and was proud of whom she was and the cause she stood for.
What a brave woman.
Post #5 Form A
Vocab (all definitions found at http://www.dictionary.com/)
Hara-kiri (76): also called seppuku (せっぷく). ceremonial suicide by ripping open the abdomen with a dagger or knife: formerly practiced in Japan by members of the warrior class when disgraced or sentenced to death.
dilettante (82): a person who takes up an are, activity, or subject merely for amusement.
Appeals
"To try to reassert his superiority, he added: 'Now, have you read Madame Bovary? That's my all-time favorite. I consider it the greatest of Maupassant's works.'
My mother had read Madame Bovary-and she knew it was by Flaubert, not Maupassant. This vain sally put her off Liu in a big way, but she refrained form confronting hm there and then-to do so would have been considered 'shrewish'." (82)
This is an emotional appeal. It appeals to me emotionally because it is humorous and I always love books that have a good dose of humor to them. Though it contains humor it also goes back to the point that there is a proper way to behave, especially for women, during the last part of the quote.
On page 102 Jung writes about a incident when her mother was arrested. Her mother was blindfolded and propped up against a wall next to another prisoner. That prisoner was shot. This was supposed to frighten Jung's mother into writing a confession to being communist but it only fueled her passionate rage against the Kuomintang. This is an emotional appeal because it gives you the feeling of respect for Jung's mother.
"Inflation had risen to the unimaginable figure of just over 100,000 percent by the end of 1947-and it was to go to 2,870,000 percent by the end of 1948 in the Kuomintang areas. The price of sorghum, the main grain available, increased seventyfold overnight in Jinzhou." (107)
This is a logical appeal because it gives hard facts in order to reach and stir emotions in the reader instead of heart bending experiences.
Quote
"All over Jinzhou Japanese were committing suicide or being lynched. Japanese houses were looted and my mother noticed that one of her poor neighbors suddenly had quite a lot of valuable items for sale." (76)
When the Japanese lost control of Manchuria they either killed themselves or were the object of revenge by the people of Manchuria. This was a time of quite a bit of chaos in Manchukuo.
Theme
Again the theme of this book goes back to women's rights or lack there of and suppression. But it also is starting to form the themes of doing what you believe is right no and to protect those close to you no matter what the cost.
Hara-kiri (76): also called seppuku (せっぷく). ceremonial suicide by ripping open the abdomen with a dagger or knife: formerly practiced in Japan by members of the warrior class when disgraced or sentenced to death.
dilettante (82): a person who takes up an are, activity, or subject merely for amusement.
Appeals
"To try to reassert his superiority, he added: 'Now, have you read Madame Bovary? That's my all-time favorite. I consider it the greatest of Maupassant's works.'
My mother had read Madame Bovary-and she knew it was by Flaubert, not Maupassant. This vain sally put her off Liu in a big way, but she refrained form confronting hm there and then-to do so would have been considered 'shrewish'." (82)
This is an emotional appeal. It appeals to me emotionally because it is humorous and I always love books that have a good dose of humor to them. Though it contains humor it also goes back to the point that there is a proper way to behave, especially for women, during the last part of the quote.
On page 102 Jung writes about a incident when her mother was arrested. Her mother was blindfolded and propped up against a wall next to another prisoner. That prisoner was shot. This was supposed to frighten Jung's mother into writing a confession to being communist but it only fueled her passionate rage against the Kuomintang. This is an emotional appeal because it gives you the feeling of respect for Jung's mother.
"Inflation had risen to the unimaginable figure of just over 100,000 percent by the end of 1947-and it was to go to 2,870,000 percent by the end of 1948 in the Kuomintang areas. The price of sorghum, the main grain available, increased seventyfold overnight in Jinzhou." (107)
This is a logical appeal because it gives hard facts in order to reach and stir emotions in the reader instead of heart bending experiences.
Quote
"All over Jinzhou Japanese were committing suicide or being lynched. Japanese houses were looted and my mother noticed that one of her poor neighbors suddenly had quite a lot of valuable items for sale." (76)
When the Japanese lost control of Manchuria they either killed themselves or were the object of revenge by the people of Manchuria. This was a time of quite a bit of chaos in Manchukuo.
Theme
Again the theme of this book goes back to women's rights or lack there of and suppression. But it also is starting to form the themes of doing what you believe is right no and to protect those close to you no matter what the cost.
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