If for whatever reason, you like my blog, you definitely need to follow Shane Cheverez's blog. Honestly, it's far better than mine. Just look at that layout! That color pallet!
That was pretty much it. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to look at some words I typed on my keyboard that somehow became a group of pixels on a screen transported to you through a piece of wire. Magic.
Thank you all.
Dale.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Literature Analysis #5: Catching Fire
FICTION ANALYSIS
Catching Fire
Suzanne Collins
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses (exposition, inciting incident, etc.). Explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
- The story picks up where The Hunger Games left off; Katniss and Peeta have returned from their battle in the arena to face their home back in District 12, which hasn't changed since they left for their trials. They are now victors and must act like it, they're treated much better than the rest of the district's people; getting to live in modern houses, no more worries about money, and the ability to ensure their families are taken care of. Unfortunately, the next Hunger Games, the 75th annual, has a twist in store for them. They are put back into the arena again to face past victors, all who have won past games.
They battle new enemies, who've all been there before, and face new dangers, from Gamemakers out to force them to fight, or kill them themselves. They make new allies and new enemies in interesting ways. And fight to the death once more, almost bringing them to death again. Their allies devise new strategies and use old tricks to beat the other tributes and survive until their last ditch plan goes wrong.
In the effort to electrocute the final remaining hostile tributes, things go wrong, some are attacked or killed, and they all think the plan is falling apart. However, due to Katniss' quick thinking and immaculate shooting skill, she electrocutes the force field around them, causing the entire arena to malfunction. This allows her apparent "rescue party" to pick up her, and most of her team, to fly them to a safer location. They are the last hope for the rebellion, but Peeta is gone and, worst of all, so is District 12.
They battle new enemies, who've all been there before, and face new dangers, from Gamemakers out to force them to fight, or kill them themselves. They make new allies and new enemies in interesting ways. And fight to the death once more, almost bringing them to death again. Their allies devise new strategies and use old tricks to beat the other tributes and survive until their last ditch plan goes wrong.
In the effort to electrocute the final remaining hostile tributes, things go wrong, some are attacked or killed, and they all think the plan is falling apart. However, due to Katniss' quick thinking and immaculate shooting skill, she electrocutes the force field around them, causing the entire arena to malfunction. This allows her apparent "rescue party" to pick up her, and most of her team, to fly them to a safer location. They are the last hope for the rebellion, but Peeta is gone and, worst of all, so is District 12.
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
- The theme of the novel is about the same this time around. I still believe that the novel describes suffering provides entertainment, inequality between people, and the importance of appearances in great depth. I'm not going to reinvent the wheel very much this time around, so, if you want to see the original, check here for a good idea.
To be brief, it hasn't changed much from before, it still feels like the same feelings are given off. I do, however, feel that more compassion was given in this part of the narrative. I think that the characters were much more emotional this time around and pulled out all the stops to show that, no matter how fake. I appreciated the small changes, but it still remained very similar in values.
- The theme of the novel is about the same this time around. I still believe that the novel describes suffering provides entertainment, inequality between people, and the importance of appearances in great depth. I'm not going to reinvent the wheel very much this time around, so, if you want to see the original, check here for a good idea.
To be brief, it hasn't changed much from before, it still feels like the same feelings are given off. I do, however, feel that more compassion was given in this part of the narrative. I think that the characters were much more emotional this time around and pulled out all the stops to show that, no matter how fake. I appreciated the small changes, but it still remained very similar in values.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
- In this book, I think the tone was explained in a newer way, and it wasn't as displayed the same way as it was last time. I feel, because this is a very "close to the original" sequel, it wasn't meant to introduce, it was meant to expound on the topic and show just how far it had gotten, especially in the center of the evil, The Capitol. It gave readers an inside look at how they live in their posh comfortable lives, and how, no matter what, people are always ready and willing to put others down. "There's no welcoming committee on the platform, just a squad of eight Peacekeepers who direct us into the back of an armored truck. Effie sniffs as the door clanks behind us. "Really, you'd think we were all criminals," she says." (Pg. 447) Even with their sensational victor status, they can be treated as low as a criminals, just because they can.
It makes a fool of the people, honestly, who could be so "honored" to ride in such a vehicle, and for the measly cost of their disagreement. "A pair of Peacekeepers dragging the old man who whistled to the top of the steps. Forcing him to his knees before the crowd. An putting a bullet through his head." (Pg. 451) It's [the little] things like this that reinforce what we are exposed to all along. That the regime has ways of dealing with people, and they are swift and decisive.
- In this book, I think the tone was explained in a newer way, and it wasn't as displayed the same way as it was last time. I feel, because this is a very "close to the original" sequel, it wasn't meant to introduce, it was meant to expound on the topic and show just how far it had gotten, especially in the center of the evil, The Capitol. It gave readers an inside look at how they live in their posh comfortable lives, and how, no matter what, people are always ready and willing to put others down. "There's no welcoming committee on the platform, just a squad of eight Peacekeepers who direct us into the back of an armored truck. Effie sniffs as the door clanks behind us. "Really, you'd think we were all criminals," she says." (Pg. 447) Even with their sensational victor status, they can be treated as low as a criminals, just because they can.
It makes a fool of the people, honestly, who could be so "honored" to ride in such a vehicle, and for the measly cost of their disagreement. "A pair of Peacekeepers dragging the old man who whistled to the top of the steps. Forcing him to his knees before the crowd. An putting a bullet through his head." (Pg. 451) It's [the little] things like this that reinforce what we are exposed to all along. That the regime has ways of dealing with people, and they are swift and decisive.
4. Describe a minimum of five literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.)*
- Pg 392 - "If it were up to me, I would try to forget the Hunger Games entirely. Never speak of them. Pretend they were nothing but a bad dream." Katniss reflects on the games many months after. She'll soon be on a tour in all the districts to thank them for their participation. It reminds her of what she has done in the name of sport.
- Pg 402 - "Haymitch is still dead to the world" Their mentor has been forgot by the people, and so he forgets them by drinking his way though life. He can be of use, even helpful, but he often doesn't care to.
- Pg 403 - "Just the sound of his voice twists my stomach into a knot of unpleasant emotions like guilt, sadness, and fear. And longing." Katniss, although honest, is still very confused as to what she wants, and what she needs. She's put into difficult situations often, not always at the hands of others, though.
- Pg 406 - "I'm staring into the snakelike eyes of President Snow." Obvious villain, right? He's quite the character in the story, though he on;y shows up occasionally, and knows how to create a mood. He's feared by most because he's the reason everything is the way it is. Katniss is right to be fearful, and hateful, he orchestrates all of the conflict in her simple life.
- Pg 406 - "In my mind, President Snow should be viewed in front of marble pillars hung with over-sized flags." Although, right after, he's painted into his currently plain environment, this is eluding to him being a Hitler-like character that symbolizes the evil. It puts a face, and a voice, to all the evil you can think, which is convenient.
- Pg 392 - "If it were up to me, I would try to forget the Hunger Games entirely. Never speak of them. Pretend they were nothing but a bad dream." Katniss reflects on the games many months after. She'll soon be on a tour in all the districts to thank them for their participation. It reminds her of what she has done in the name of sport.
- Pg 402 - "Haymitch is still dead to the world" Their mentor has been forgot by the people, and so he forgets them by drinking his way though life. He can be of use, even helpful, but he often doesn't care to.
- Pg 403 - "Just the sound of his voice twists my stomach into a knot of unpleasant emotions like guilt, sadness, and fear. And longing." Katniss, although honest, is still very confused as to what she wants, and what she needs. She's put into difficult situations often, not always at the hands of others, though.
- Pg 406 - "I'm staring into the snakelike eyes of President Snow." Obvious villain, right? He's quite the character in the story, though he on;y shows up occasionally, and knows how to create a mood. He's feared by most because he's the reason everything is the way it is. Katniss is right to be fearful, and hateful, he orchestrates all of the conflict in her simple life.
- Pg 406 - "In my mind, President Snow should be viewed in front of marble pillars hung with over-sized flags." Although, right after, he's painted into his currently plain environment, this is eluding to him being a Hitler-like character that symbolizes the evil. It puts a face, and a voice, to all the evil you can think, which is convenient.
CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
- (D) Katniss may not always understand herself, or often others, but she's very clear and concise about what she's thinking. Not always why, but always what.- (D) Peeta doesn't do very much different from when he first met Katniss. He was, ad is, always her ally, no matter what she does to him. You could say it's blinding love, but he chooses the person he knows inside, and ignores the outside that makes mistakes. What ever she's going through, he believes he can help solve it, not not let her down, or slow her down.
- (I) Katniss likes to analyze, but she keeps it all to herself. She never brings up the fact that she does it all the time, and that she may over-analyze things, thus causing her to make decisions that otherwise could have gone over better.
- (I) Haymitch cares for his new victors, he really does. Unfortunately, life has disappointed him after his rise, and he's fallen from eye, and let himself fall as well. It any be a lack of motivation, but he's abandon himself so that others don't have to do it.
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
- You see it when Katniss talks/thinks about Peeta the most. It's slight tone change, and it's not always the same. Depending on who's in the power position, and it changes surprisingly often, she thinks of him differently. As she always assumes the worst, it makes it difficult to rely on people, no matter the situation. It's a desire to succeed with an expectation of failure. It isn't always bad, and it isn't always unwarranted. Katniss just has some trouble around people, driven by her past notions and her current practices. She can accept change, but very slowly. Like I mentioned before: "Just the sound of his voice twists my stomach into a knot of unpleasant emotions like guilt, sadness, and fear. And longing." Which continues: "I might as well admit there's some of that, too. Only it has too much competition to ever win out...He looks strong and healthy, so different from the sick, starving boy I knew in the arena, and you can barely even notice his limp now." (Pg 403) Though thoughtful, there's no mistaking the size-up and the determination if he's worth it. If they weren't forced to be the "star crossed lovers", would they have remained separate? One can only assume so.
- You see it when Katniss talks/thinks about Peeta the most. It's slight tone change, and it's not always the same. Depending on who's in the power position, and it changes surprisingly often, she thinks of him differently. As she always assumes the worst, it makes it difficult to rely on people, no matter the situation. It's a desire to succeed with an expectation of failure. It isn't always bad, and it isn't always unwarranted. Katniss just has some trouble around people, driven by her past notions and her current practices. She can accept change, but very slowly. Like I mentioned before: "Just the sound of his voice twists my stomach into a knot of unpleasant emotions like guilt, sadness, and fear. And longing." Which continues: "I might as well admit there's some of that, too. Only it has too much competition to ever win out...He looks strong and healthy, so different from the sick, starving boy I knew in the arena, and you can barely even notice his limp now." (Pg 403) Though thoughtful, there's no mistaking the size-up and the determination if he's worth it. If they weren't forced to be the "star crossed lovers", would they have remained separate? One can only assume so.
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
- I would like to think that Katniss is more evolutionary this time around. Especially in her social ability, she's engaging much more, though it is still very tactically inclined. There's always a plan to kill everyone at any time, so to speak, and she entertains the fact that she's the only reason things are the way they are. She takes no credit, but she realizes that she's the catalyst for many of the events that take place across the districts. She accepts more responsibility as time goes on, and learns to live with, though not well, her choices.
- I would like to think that Katniss is more evolutionary this time around. Especially in her social ability, she's engaging much more, though it is still very tactically inclined. There's always a plan to kill everyone at any time, so to speak, and she entertains the fact that she's the only reason things are the way they are. She takes no credit, but she realizes that she's the catalyst for many of the events that take place across the districts. She accepts more responsibility as time goes on, and learns to live with, though not well, her choices.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
- I feel like I met her again for the continuation of her life and the battles that she fights. She's grown, and that can engage different parts of your expectations of her, as well as change some old ideas of what she would or wouldn't do. It's different, and that's good. She adapted to fit into her environment, and, although it was very familiar, she refused to assume and took matters into her own hands. She may let you guide her, but she'll drink when she wants to.Monday, February 24, 2014
Welcome to the Interdisciplinary
My topic is freedom. Very broad, very difficult to put into words. It means different things to different people. It's a best friend to some, and a mortal enemy to others. The word can bring happiness or sadness. It can create or be destroyed. But you can see it, hear it, speak it, feel it, maybe not taste it, but you know it's there or, a lack thereof. It isn't a new word, or idea, or concept, and not just humans understand it. It's complicated, because we made it that way. We used our freedom to limit others, increase others, and diversify this great word with-which brings great solidarity or change. Say it in the West, the North, the East or the South, it means any things. Not just in your community, but your country, or your planet. Is this all good? Did we make the right decision? Do we make the right decisions? Who made the decision? Who makes them? How? When? Why?
Again, it's complicated. It always has been, ever since humans decided to evolve society into what we know today. It's a basic concept, an Old English word, "frēodōm" which meant "freedom, state of free-will, charter, emancipation, deliverance" (wiktionary.org). The meaning hasn't changed much, no, but it's use has. It varies by place, people, language, and meaning. Especially it's meaning which, may be definable, but that's simple a best-case-scenario. Most of the time, it's being used in conjunction with other words, or a subject relating to it. It's useful to use "Freedom" because, if you attach other words or ideas to it, it becomes easier to understand and to relate to.
Heck, you're probably doing something right now relating to freedom. Reading this on my blog is an exercise of your first amendment right of "free speech". I write what I want, without worry that any government will come arrest me for it (unless they decide to). And you read it, without worry that you will be caught reading material from another person (unless you're offended). And Google has the ability to offer people the ability to rent web-space for free without worry they'll be in trouble for the things I write or what you read (unless they are). Those statements are true, but so are my parenthesis. It just depends on your freedoms, their freedoms, the laws, our feelings, [etc.] and what you can do with these. It's not impossible to say that these freedoms can change, that they'll be altered, that they'll effect us in a profound way or that they'll change a life. It's complicated.
And, because I don't like to go on for forever, I'll finish with what I think is the most important thing. No matter what; Think. If anything else, it will impact you more than anything. No matter the amount of freedom given to you, you'll always have freedom in the mind [unless they take it away from you].
Welcome to my Network
Shane Cheverez, because his subject is simply emotion. It relates to my field and could help explain the emotional effects of my idea.
Johnathon Begg, becuase of his desire of writing, specifically fiction, which deals a lot with creative freedom.
Jacob Lear, due to his interest in cooking, and I think I can explore the culinary freedom associated with that.
Maria Luna, she is looking into a few subjects such as language, culture, and religion. These are some core ideas for freedom or control.
Chance Miranda, because he's very interested in baseball. Not just current players, stats, games, teams, and more, but maybe a career. Sports offer freedom but create boundaries as well.
Johnathon Begg, becuase of his desire of writing, specifically fiction, which deals a lot with creative freedom.
Jacob Lear, due to his interest in cooking, and I think I can explore the culinary freedom associated with that.
Maria Luna, she is looking into a few subjects such as language, culture, and religion. These are some core ideas for freedom or control.
Chance Miranda, because he's very interested in baseball. Not just current players, stats, games, teams, and more, but maybe a career. Sports offer freedom but create boundaries as well.
Monday, February 10, 2014
My Vocabulary #1
Freedom - noun the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints; immunity from an obligation or duty
Visa - Noun A legal permit to enter a country.
Representative - Noun A person who represents others.
Refugees - Noun People who flee their country because of persecution or danger.
Principle - noun a basic truth or law or assumption; a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system; a basic generalization that is accepted as true
Society - noun an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
Control - noun the activity of managing or exerting control over something
Standards - ideas about morally correct and acceptable behavior
Regulation - adj. prescribed by or according to regulation; noun the act of controlling or directing according to rule; the act of bringing to uniformity; making regular
Communism - noun a political theory favoring collectivism in a classless society; a form of socialism that abolishes private ownership
Socialism - noun a political theory advocating state ownership of industry; an economic system based on state ownership of capital
Legality - noun lawfulness by virtue of conformity to a legal statute
Politics - noun the profession devoted to governing and to political affairs
Equality - noun the quality of being the same in quantity or measure or value or status; a state of being essentially equal or equivalent; equally balanced
Self-Control - noun the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior; the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses
Liberty - noun freedom of choice; personal freedom from servitude or confinement or oppression; immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority
Moral - adj. concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
Right - adj. correct in opinion or judgment
Duty - noun work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons; the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
Visa - Noun A legal permit to enter a country.
Representative - Noun A person who represents others.
Refugees - Noun People who flee their country because of persecution or danger.
Principle - noun a basic truth or law or assumption; a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system; a basic generalization that is accepted as true
Society - noun an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
Control - noun the activity of managing or exerting control over something
Standards - ideas about morally correct and acceptable behavior
Regulation - adj. prescribed by or according to regulation; noun the act of controlling or directing according to rule; the act of bringing to uniformity; making regular
Capitalism - noun an economic system based on private ownership of capital
Communism - noun a political theory favoring collectivism in a classless society; a form of socialism that abolishes private ownership
Socialism - noun a political theory advocating state ownership of industry; an economic system based on state ownership of capital
Legality - noun lawfulness by virtue of conformity to a legal statute
Politics - noun the profession devoted to governing and to political affairs
Equality - noun the quality of being the same in quantity or measure or value or status; a state of being essentially equal or equivalent; equally balanced
Self-Control - noun the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior; the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses
Liberty - noun freedom of choice; personal freedom from servitude or confinement or oppression; immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority
Moral - adj. concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
Right - adj. correct in opinion or judgment
Duty - noun work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons; the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
Launch: Freedom
-What are you passionate about? What do you want to do?
=I want to explore freedom. In more ways than one, I want to understand as much as possible about its facets. I desire to learn as much as possible about this broad topic, to be able to correlate between ideas.
=I want to explore freedom. In more ways than one, I want to understand as much as possible about its facets. I desire to learn as much as possible about this broad topic, to be able to correlate between ideas.
-How can you use the tools from last semester (and the Internet in general)?
=I can use sources from last semester, as well as sources in general, to fill in the blanks and to expand. I'll be looking for sources to help me find new answers, and maybe new questions.
=I can use sources from last semester, as well as sources in general, to fill in the blanks and to expand. I'll be looking for sources to help me find new answers, and maybe new questions.
-What will I need to do in order to "feel the awesomeness with no regrets" by June?
=I want to be able to teach people about things they don't know or understand. I want to prove to myself that learning benefits everyone, not just the individual. Success is a definite goal, but failure is always a possibility.
=I want to be able to teach people about things they don't know or understand. I want to prove to myself that learning benefits everyone, not just the individual. Success is a definite goal, but failure is always a possibility.
-What will impress/convince others (both in your life and in your field)?
=Showing new information or explaining things we thought we understood. Expanding knowledge and providing another body of knowledge.
=Showing new information or explaining things we thought we understood. Expanding knowledge and providing another body of knowledge.
-How will I move beyond 'What If' and take this from idea --> reality?
=I will keep looking for new things to bring in, different ideas to consider. I'll be writing these things down in order to share my ideas/findings/questions/etc.
-Who will be the peers, public, and experts in your personal learning network?
=I will keep looking for new things to bring in, different ideas to consider. I'll be writing these things down in order to share my ideas/findings/questions/etc.
-Who will be the peers, public, and experts in your personal learning network?
=People that I know, people with different ideas. People with similar ideas or people who challenge them. It's important to take comments from all angles.
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