Literary Analysis #2

Literary Analysis #2
1.Well this book is not really so much of a plot, but more like a time line kind of in chronological order. Still I Rise is a brief history of Black America, told in an graphic-novel form.

2.Theme on this book would be Bravery, Depression, Hatred, or even Embracing because African Americans have come a long way to fight for whats right.

3.I chose this book because Mr. Ostini was showing us that not only is Persepolis a graphic novel, but many other books are written like it. What got my attention was the front cover of African Americans and the Title: Still I Rise, because I knew it was going to be about African Americans who were about to go through some serious slavery and i never really got to learn about that. The book got me going because I was pulled in by how the art was drawn and how the writer made it all packed in a single page. 

4.I definitely found this book realistic. I connected this book to those in the past such as: Tupac, Obama, Martin Luther King, and Rosa Parks.

5. I think tone would be based on how the "old lady and old man" talked liked they lived threw the experience of slavery, no rights, etc.

6.Figurative Language
Hyperbole-"Better be a damn fine silver w. We nearly lost all our property" (Laird 7).
Imagery-"...and two months after the Birmingham bombing, John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Americas violence was catching up  with her" (Laird 187).
Onomatopoeia-"and when the slaves retaliated, they were punished...CHOOF!" (Laird 21). 
Onomatopoeia-"its time those niggers get put in their place....POW!" (Laird 83).
Symbolism-"I'm glad you blokes could get her to fight for us.......I aint fightin for you. Im fightin for me" (Laird 47)

Characterization
There wasn't any characters or protagonist and antagonist because its like a brief history or background of Black America. There was like an old lady and old man who would be talking, but that's it. not really ant description about them anyways. 

3. Extra Credit: Access Map of the Dead

Argumentative Essay

Christopher Rojas

11/8/13           

2°

English II

Argumentative Essay

            Do you think, Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi should be banned from public schools? Johan Bennett, Chief Executive Officer, from SMJUHSD thinks so. I very much disagree with banning Persepolis, but as well agree with some points he has.

            Bennett wants Persepolis banned, but why? Because it has “crass language, graphic violence, torture, sexual content, lewd humor, and an instance of suicide” (para 2). I agree with Bennett that Persepolis is a inappropriate book, but “we”, tenth graders, are all exposed to this in the real world. I disagree because an example would be teens watching Rated R movies, or playing violent, bad-language, and sexual content video games like the following: Ted, Kick-Ass, Medal of Honor, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, etc. So come on Bennett, whets your real point?

            Bennett also says, “Throughout the books she demonstrates her rebelliousness by going against her parents, teachers, and government” (para 3). Yes! She is going against them because she is standing up for what’s right, but officers shot anyone who demonstrates or goes against the government or their rules. She still doesn’t care and does this because her Grandma and Uncle Anoosh inspired her too. An example would be on pages 55-61. She learns how her Uncle Anoosh stood up for what’s right, but he was imprisoned for 9 years defending another man…..a true hero! She wants to follow her Uncles footsteps, but along the way she has her bad and good decisions which she then makes up.

The only reason why I agree with Johann Bennett, Yes! Persepolis does have crass language, graphic violence, etc., but that doesn't mean it should really be banned. I think it should just say PG-13 or something. But do you really think this is going to stop a “tenth grader” from getting a hold of this book, Persepolis?

            In conclusion, I don’t think Persepolis should be banned from public schools. After all, these so called “tenth graders” are now high school students, a closer step to the real world. Persepolis is a great way to connect your much better, safer, and educational life then having to be ruled, tortured, or even killed for talking bad about the government. I bet parents out there who think this book is disrespectful, inappropriate, or even a asinine waste of time, you might want to think again. This book, Persepolis, is in the Top 100 Best Selling Graphic Novels which I think tells me that it’s a great book to be read and discussed in World Literature classes.

            

Vocabulary #10

Bemoan
Pensive
Devoid
Melancholy
Mollify
Memento
Illicit
Ascend

1. I bemoaned about how sick I was at school.
2. I was pensive about how school should really end.
3. I was devoid one piece of candy when I went Trick o Treating.
4. I was melancholy because I was sick on a school day.
5. I had to mollify my sister because she was going to get a shot.
6. My dad brought me a memento from Mexico.
7. My parents are illicit in the United States.
8. I had to ascend in order to get attention of a passing plane.

Vocabulary #9

savory
incite
tactless
integrity
compensate
aloof
Goad
Cohort
1. Taste the savory rainbow with Skittles.
2. I always incited my sister to ask our parents to pass by Mcdonalds.
3. The tactless hobo always cried for money at Mcdonalds.
4. I show integrity when I'm at weddings
5. My dad is well-compensated at his job.
6. My sister always aloof when her school has show-and-tell.
7. I goad my sister and her friends about how girly and immature they are, and World War III broke out.
8. My stupid cohort disrespected my butterfingers.

Vocabulary #8

Malignant
Ornery
Indolent
Belittle
Jeopardize
Demise
Awry
Frugal
1. His sister was malignant when she dared challenge him on /dance Dance Revolution.
2. I was ornery by how people kept on touching peoples butterfingers.
3. My sister is indolent when she has to do her chores.
4. My parents always belittle me, so I do it right back.
5. He jeopardized his house by betting on the Lakers game.
6. My demise began when I drank Starbucks.
7. The soldiers were attacked by the terrisrists; however, it was awry.
8. The only frugal place to buy stuff is at the swap-meet

Literary Analysis #1

THE GOOD SOLDIER-Ford Maxx Ford

1. The Good Soldier by Ford Maxx Ford was written in World War I. This book is not in        chronological order, and it’s in 4 parts. It takes place in many places at first in the following places: Country Side of French, Nauheim, and Nauheim Spa. The meeting of John and Florence Dowell and Edward and Leonora Ashburnham in a German health spa is the center of a train of lies, deceptions, adulterous love triangles, and deaths. John Dowell, a memorably "unreliable" narrator, calls it "the saddest story I have ever heard". Heart disease is the major problem that both Flourence and Edward play. They both fake the "heart" condition in service of his/her serial "affairs" Florence fabricates her heart trouble before her marriage is ever consummated, using it to turn Dowell into a cardiac nurse and keep him out of her bedroom. Edward Ashburnham fakes his illness to escape his military post and take his latest love object to Germany. When the focus shifts to Edward, Leonora, and their ward Nancy Rufford, The Good Soldier becomes a tragedy of emotional sadism. It all turns out that there are two tragic flaws, but I’m not going to ruin it for you unless you read it! ;)

 2. Theme:

The Difference between Appearance and Reality

The distinction between appearance and reality is one of the most important themes of the novel. No one in The Good Soldier is really who he seems to be, or who Dowell thinks him to be. Edward is not an honest, trustworthy "good soldier"; Florence is not a demure and faithful wife; and Leonora is not an upright, "normal" woman devoid of passion or emotion. The villain would be Florence and Edward meanwhile Edward and Leonara are good.

3. Tone: 

Confused, naive, and angry; the narrator's tone changes throughout the novel as he tells the story and reflects back on the events which have occurred; above all, he seems to be earnestly searching for meaning and simplicity, though he is utterly lost.

4. Literary Techniques/Devices:

Florence's suicide which foreshadows the suicide of Edward Ashburnham; the actions of the Hurlbirds foreshadows tragedy for Dowell and Florence.

Ford creates imagery of umbra and shadow elsewhere in the novel: “inevitably they pass away as the shadows across sundials.”

Ford alliterates “the flames still fluttered.” Nancy’s passion prevails while “introspection”; about desire and love pervade her. Nancy considered marriage as a

“Sacrament”; and the burning logs once represented an “indestructible mode of life.” Now the world Nancy is absorbed in becomes embroiled in doubt and uncertainty. 

Ford exploits repetition in: “love was a flame,” and “a man who was burning with inward flame”; to reiterate fire signifying Passion. The tone shifts after the passage, passion is extinguished by “the whole collections of rules:”; “the fire had sunk to nothing…a mere glow amongst white ashes.” 

Vocabulary #7

Inhibit
Aberrant
Loathe
Prowess
Incoherent
Epitaph
Elaborate
Countenance

1. If I was"Butterfingers-Man" I would inhibit like people touching other peoples butterfingers.
2. My aberrant sister is always drinking water from the hose.
3. The only way to loathe butterfingers is if you never tried them.
4. My prowess to protect butterfingers is very asinine.
5. Antigone by Sophocles wasn't easy to read because it was incoherent.
6. The epitaph in which I would lie down someday will be red, and say "Butterfingers-Man".
7. The story was very elaborate, but it was perplexing.
8. My sisters countenance was devastated when someone touched her butterfingers.

Antigone Compare/Contrast Essay

            In Antigone by Sophocles, the basic problems between Antigone and Creon would be claims of state, and quarreling between families. The conflicts between the characters are the result of both their similarities and differences. The major conflict between Antigone and Creon would be over the burial of Polyneices. The least conflict between Antigone and Creon would be about beliefs.

            Antigone is loyal to family in certain ways. Antigone says, “I will bury the brother I love” (Prologue. 69). Antigone is loyal to gods because in Scene II she says that everyone is to follow god’s laws, and no one below them are to make such laws. Creon is loyal to state when he says, “You will give no support to whoever breaks the law” (I. 59). Creon is not loyal to family because in Scene II he didn't want to bury Polyneices even if he was his nephew.

Some similarities of Antigone and Creon would be how they show “pride”. Pride is a major character trait for both Antigone and Creon. Antigone shows pride when she says, “I do. I deny nothing” (II. 59). In scene II, she tells Creon she isn't guilty of anything she’s done. She is prideful because she disobeys Creons law, and buries Polyneices body because she loves him. Creon shows pride when he says, “If we must lose, lets lose to a man, at least! Is a woman stronger than we?” (III. 50-51). In scene IV, he shows us how “women” were defying him so he sends Antigone to be locked in a vault to live or die. He is prideful because he doesn't have any respect for women. Even if Antigone and Creon have pride it all ends up as a tragic flaw for Creon.

At the end, I think each character deserves to be blamed. Antigone is arrogant in pride which defies the law and buries her brother who was a traitor. Creon is arrogant in pride which caused his downfall of losing his niece, son, and wife. After all, I think the tragic hero would be Creon because he failed to pay attention to Tiresias causing three tragic flaws all due t o his “pride”. 

The Monkey’s Paw

The Monkey’s Paw

1.   If you had three wishes, what would they be?  Why?  (No wishing for more wishes.)  Explain each response. My first wish would be to have lots and lots of money because ill have enough money to pay for college, my car, house, and most importantly take care of my parents. My second wish would be to have more valuable time with my family because we rarely do anything or nothing. My third wish would be to make Mondays fun-days because Mondays are boring and some of us are recovering from the weekend.

1. Is there anything that you are superstitious about?  Explain.  (If not, explain why not.) I'm superstitious about the money because it could get to my head. 

Vocabulary #6

Inevitable (going to happen no matter what)
Phobia (a strong fear)
Seclude (to hide away from others)
Rebuke (to criticize publicly)
Notorious (famous for something bad)
Fluctuate (to change often)
Candid (honest)
Sophomoric (immature)

1. My English class has tests every Friday Inevitable.
2. I have a phobia about those damn clowns.
3. I to seclude because every one was going to egg me.
4. I was rebunk about how my sister dislikes showers.
5. My brothers favorite rapper was notorious because he did a "Snatch-and-Run" at 7-Eleven.
6. Its good to fluctuate when its hot or cold.
7. My mom and dad come from candid families.
8. My brothers sophomoric girlfriend is a huge pain in the butt.

Vocabulary #1

Debunk (Prove something false)

Imminent (about to happen)

Affluent (wealthy)

Routine(ordinary, normal)

Benign (harmless)

Enlighten (to teach something new)

Malevolent (evil)

Inquire (to ask)

1. I had debunk my friend about who was stronger.
2. The biker was going to jump over 30 buses which was imminent any minute now.
3. The affluent football player had 10 Superbowl rings, 2 mansions, 5 Lamborghini's and a jet.
4.Monday through Friday is a routine day like always.
5. I'm benign, but I'm malevolent when you touch my butterfingers.
6. I'm a malevolent person when you talk about my mamma.
7. My teachers always enlightens me everyday with a fun fact.
8. I had inquired the teacher about who was going to win the Superbowl.

Vocabulary #2

Perplexing (confusing)

Resilient (tough/determined)

Amend (to fix/to change)

Fickle (indecisive)

Benevolent (good)

Desist (stop doing something)

Listless (tired/lazy)

Lackluster (not impressive)

1. Word problems are the most perplexing thing in math.
2. The tiger is the resilient cat of the jungle because it's not afraid of anything or anyone.
3. I had to amend my bike in order to get to school tomorrow.
4. I was fickle when it comes to candy.
5. I'm a benevolent child when I'm left home alone.
6. I desist when I hear the Palletero coming along.
7. I'm listless on Friday's because its the weekend.
8. My dancing is lackluster especially at party's.

Vocabulary #3

Dwindle (to reduce in number or amount)

Subtle (not obvious)

Gullible (willing to believe anything)

Erratic (unpredictable)

Condescending (conceited/talking down to someone)

Aspire (to seek to become or achieve)

Pristine (untouched/in perfect condition)

Nettle (to annoy or bother)

1. Every time I go to Starbucks, my savings dwindle.
2. I'm subtle when I'm supposedly not checking out the chocolate bars in the vending machine.
3. My sister is gullible when people tell her she is adopted.
4. Norm used the shrink ray and yelled "erratic!"
5. Jessica was condescending because she likes to take "selfies" on her Ipod.
6. I'm aspire to become a creative artist in Santa Barbara.
7. Every time I trip, and get up, I'm in pristine condition.
8. My sister is always nettle because I touch her butter finger.

Vocabulary #4

Hapless (unlucky)

Scrutinize (To look closely)

Domicile (home)

Clarify (to explain more clearly)

Asinine (stupid/idiotic)

Infer (to figure out without being told)

Eloquent (well-spoken)

Strife (conflict)

1. Since I was hapless to get in 1st place,  I still got a prize for being in 2nd place.
2. After the "Project X" party, my domicile was an unbelievable disaster.
3. After the referees scrutinized the tackle made by Hamilton when Kapernick was out of bounds, they let it stand as third down still.
4. Before I clarify about my shoes, there the newest Jordans, high max, waterproof, and are red.
5. Since people are so asinine of saying "YOLO", I tell them "O! Really!?!? You fight in the army"
6. Instead of inferring what the teacher was trying to say, we called her Penelope from "Pitch Perfect."
7. Since I'm so eloquent when girls need money, I just say "I'm broke."
8. When people act like there better or stronger than me, they start a strife.

Vocabulary #5

Plaintive (Very sad)

Flaunt (to show something off)

Distraught (emotionally upset)

Queue (a line of people or things)

Accrue (to gather over time)

Relentless (never stopping)

Leery (untrusting)

Crass (rude/vulgar/having bad manners)

1. I was plaintive when the 49ers lost to the Ravens at the Superbowl, but they will win it next year.
2. My friend Jorge flaunts his Star Wars Collection, yet there fake.
3. Because she isn't going to Disneyland, my sister had a huge distraught.
4. Every queue at In-and-Out is backed up, but its worth the wait.
5. I've been going to the gym everyday since 8th grade, but accrued I haven't got any bigger.
6. If I didn't keep on getting my butterfingers relentlessly I could die!
7. My sister is leery when I leave my phone at home, yet i still have a lock on it.
8. Famous people are so erratic sometimes, yet they do crass behaviors on stage like Miley Cyrus.

My AutoBiography

For those who know me, I’m Chris Rojas, and for those who don’t, Listen Up! I’m 15, born January 3 in Santa Barbara, a sophomore at PVHS, CLASS OF 2016 IS THE DAY!!! WoopWoop!  I’ve lived in Santa Barbara for a  year, moved to Lompoc for 3 years, and later to Santa Maria for now 10 years. I’ve been to clearance Ruth, La Honda, and Rice Elementary. I went to Fesler Jr. High as well. So far I’ve moved 5 times, and by next week, it will be the 6th time. I live with my parents, sister, brother, and cousin. I have a green parrot, Pako, black-and-white bunny, Panda, and a brown rabbit, Mr. Wabbit. I really love my family; we are a close, fun, trustworthy, and a responsible family. The Rojas Family.

I am currently in AVID, Advanced Via Individual Development. some people will be hating on us AVID students because were “smarter” then them. I just ignore them haters because they be hating. No one will get in between my AVID FAMILY! I wanted to be in football this year so bad, but i mean BAD! I couldn’t because I had to take care of my mom; however, I spent my summer taking care of her during the football practices. She had surgery on her right ovaries. I also ended up working with my dad at his company which will soon be my brothers after he takes the exam. Its on Betteravia, Broadway Way Co. It was a long, awful, and worst summer so far since 2009. I’ve always worked summers and Saturdays during the School Year. I love having my own money because I don’t have to ask my parents for it; however, I would be told “its too expensive” or”no”. Thanks to my dad for showing me how to work hard, and what working hard is really about; therefore, I am proud of saying “I can buy whatever the hell I want!”

Im a creative and artistic person, a lot of people know by now. I lOVE to draw, see what I did there; I used all capitals on “Love”. I would like to major in Multimedia Artist and Animators. I would either go to Los Angles, Santa Barbara, or Florida. I’m really interested in Santa Barbara because its a good school, its close to the beach, I’ve seen the art studio, and its close to family! I also would love to make my own clothing brand and, for example, Drama Beats’ brand “Young & Reckless”. I would like to have at least a couple of people to help represent my brand. Well this is me, my future plans, and WHAT I WILL DO BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT I DO…..