Popular Mechanics

"But he would not let go. He felt the baby slipping out of his hands and he pulled back very hard. In this manner, the issue was decided." 


1. Discuss the story's final lines. What is the "issue" that is "decided"?


I think the issue is that both parents want the child. Obviously, the couple's relationship has gone downhill. The wife yelling at the husband, "I'm glad you're leaving" gives off the impression that the husband did something wrong. He could have cheated or been abusive. However, the fact that the husband wants to baby makes me think that he did care about the family. The way these parents are handling the situation shows how immature they are. It's understandable that they both want their kid; however, they aren't taking into account that they are physically hurting this baby by pulling the baby in two directions. I think the issue decided is who got the baby. It sounded to me like the baby was being physically torn apart and so no one got the baby. I don't think it really matters if the baby was physically hurt or not. I think the author is trying to show how these two parents going their separate ways is going to affect the rest of this baby's life. 

You're Ugly, Too

"Then he went up and bought a round of drinks for everyone but her. She got her coat, went home, and shot a gun through her head." page 369


4. Find an instance in the story when Zoe speaks sarcastically, then find another instance when she speaks ironically. How do they differ?


I think irony and sarcasm differ in that irony is more funny and intelligent while sarcastic is more rude. Zoe talks about one time when her student asked "what is your perfume?" and Zoe replied, "room freshener". Also, when Evan says that Zoe is just jealous because she isn't married yet, Zoe says, "Oh, my God...I forgot to get married." Zoe is saying these things because she thinks they are funny. These are examples of irony because Zoe isn't intentionally trying to hurt someone's feelings. An example of sarcasm is when Zoe tells the story about the woman killing herself because her love interest was being cruel to her and then calls it a "love story". This story was more sarcastic because Zoe didn't want to talk about love because she hadn't been in any good relationships. She wanted to get Earl off her back about love and move on to a different topic. 

The Drunkard

"My brave little man!" she said with her eyes shining. "It was God did it you were there. You were his guardian angel." page 351


This story contains a lot of irony. The young boy gets drunk and the father takes him home. It is expected that the boy will be punished for his actions. However, instead of being angry at the boy, the mother is happy and praises him. This is ironic because a young boy getting drunk is not usually something to be grateful and happy about. Nevertheless, the mother was excited because the boy getting drunk meant that the father wasn't drunk. The mother did not want the father to be drunk because he would then refuse to go to work and make a fool of himself. Another ironic piece of the story happened on the way home. The father was so embarrassed of the way his son was acting. The boy was singing and yelling at strangers. The irony is that the father was embarrassed about something he has done quite a lot. He saw being drunk differently when it was his son instead of him. 

The Lottery

"Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones." page 271


1. What is a "lottery"? How does the title lead you to expect something very different from what the story presents?


A lottery is a chance in which a person could win or lose. Winning a lottery usually has a positive connotation because it means a lot of money is won. Reading the title of the story makes it look like a prize is going to be won. The entire village comes to the lottery and everyone takes it seriously. It is ironic that the winner of the lottery actually loses their life. However, after reading the ending, the things that happen earlier in the story begin to make sense. The boys made a pile of stones in order to prepare for the stoning. Mr. Adams mentioning that some villages had stopped doing the lottery showed that people were apprehensive about continuing it, meaning winning the lottery wasn't a good thing. Tessie complaining when her husband "won" the lottery also foreshadowed that something bad happened to the winner of the lottery. 

Miss Brill

"But today she passed the baker's by, climbed the stairs, went into the little dark room-her room like a cupboard- and sat down on the red eiderdown. She sat there for a long time." page 186


9. Describe Miss Brill's sense of herself at the end of the story.


I think Miss Brill has a low self worth at the end of the story. Throughout the entire story, Miss Brill is observing people and making judgments about them based on her observances. However, when the couple stereotypes her and judges her, she becomes depressed. I mean I understand where she is coming from. If someone called me a "stupid old thing" I would probably start crying. The reader can tell that Miss Brill is hurt by the couple's words because she doesn't go to the baker's where she normally looks forward to going every day. She also takes off her fur which she was so proud of. I'm not sure what the "something crying" is at the very end of the story. I feel like it could be her soul. Miss Brill doesn't really show emotions throughout the story, so I think she might not even recognize her own tears.

Once upon a Time

"Again: the creaking. I was waiting for it; waiting to hear if it indicated that feet were moving from room to room, coming up the passage- to my door." page 231


1. The opening section of this story is told by a writer awakened by a frightening sound in the night. What two causes for the sound does she consider? Ultimately, which is more significant cause for fear? How do these together create an emotional background for the "children's story" she tells?


The two causes of sound that she considers are a murderer sneaking into her house or the house itself making noises. I think the murderer is a more significant cause for fear. I think these two causes create the background of her children's story. In the story, the family hears about murders and robberies happening to other people. This causes them to be scared and take caution in their own home. The house itself then becomes a weapon. Bars are installed on the windows and bricks are added to the walls. The family lives in fear and tries everything they can to protect their house from robbers or murderers. Their death trap ultimately kills their son. I think this shows that people can not be afraid to live their life or else they will never truly live a meaningful life. The author's own fears contributed to her story and created a fear among the family. 

A Worn Path

"I remember so plain now. I not going to forget him again, no, the whole enduring time. I could tell him from all the others in creation." page 230


6. In answer to a student who wrote to ask her "Is the grandson really dead?" Welty responded, "My best answer would be: Phoenix is alive." What might have led the student to ask the question? How can the author's remark be seen as an answer?


I think the student's question is a valid question to ask. Phoenix has traveled a long distance and the entire way she was hallucinating. When she finally arrives to her destination, she forgets why she even made the journey in the first place. This makes the reader wonder if Phoenix knows anything about her real life or if she even has a grandson. The student's perspective is that if Phoenix can't even remember why she walked to town then how is she supposed to remember whether her grandson is dead or alive? I think the author's remark can be seen as an answer because the focus is not on the grandson, it is on Phoenix. The author is trying to get the reader to understand where Phoenix is coming from and understand her character. To me, Phoenix comes across as a woman devoted to the people in her life and a completely selfless person. She may not be as sharp as a regular person, but she still knows what her priorities are. I think the author wanted to have the story center around Phoenix instead of the grandson.

Eveline

"She sat at the window watching evening invade the avenue. Her head was leaned against the window curtains and in her nostrils was the odor of dusty cretonne. She was tired." page 218


1. Analyze the first brief paragraph in detail. How doe it help to introduce the story's theme? Why does the narrator use the unexpected word "invade" in the first sentence? Why is the second sentence written in passive voice?


I think the the first paragraph introduces the story's theme of letting life pass us by and not taking opportunities presented to us. The first sentence says that Eveline was "watching". She has been a spectator her entire life, always doing what she was told and never really making decisions for herself. I think the narrator uses the word invade because something new and unexpected has entered Eveline's life. Before Frank, Eveline had lived a life of pleasing others and always doing what was expected of her. Frank entering Eveline's life has forced her to make a decision that could ultimately change her life. I think the second sentence is written in passive voice to emphasize that Eveline is a passive person. She doesn't take control of her life or make decisions. She sits back and observes other people live their lives, never taking time for herself. She's clearly not happy with her life, with her dead mother, verbally abusive father, and unsatisfying job. However, she is too scared to take initiative and make a change in her life that could make her happier. 

Bartleby the Scrivener

"I would prefer not to," he said, and gently disappeared behind the screen." page 650


Bartleby reminds me of the character Adrian Monk from the tv show Monk. Monk has O.C.D. so he is always making sure everything is perfectly in place. He has a million fears of things ranging from milk to bridges. He refuses to drive or shake people's hands. Bartleby reminds me of Monk because they are both socially awkward. Everyone around them thinks that their antics are weird but both Bartleby and Monk see nothing wrong with what they are doing. When Bartleby refuses to do something for the lawyer, he doesn't get angry or upset. He just says "I would prefer not to" and returns back to his desk. I think that Bartleby lives in his own little world. He doesn't go out of his way to meet people or make friends. Another way that Bartleby reminds me of Monk is that their obscure ways make them very good at their jobs. Monk's attention to detail makes him a great detective. Bartleby is very diligent as a copier, although he refuses to do anything else but copy. I feel like there was a part of Bartleby just waiting to come out. I feel like he was just waiting for someone to break through his shell and understand who exactly he was.

Bartleby the Scrivener

"Some few days after this, I again obtained admission to the Tombs, and went through the corridors in quest of Bartleby, but without finding him." page 674


9. Does Bartleby have any lasting impact on the lawyer?


I think Bartleby does have a lasting impact on the lawyer. Throughout the entire story, the lawyer can not get Bartleby out of his head. He continuously has a battle within himself on what to do with Bartleby. He even thought that random people on the street were talking about Bartleby when they didn't even know him.  I think the lawyer truly cared about Bartleby. Bartleby annoyed him and it was a huge inconvenience to the lawyer that Bartleby refused to do anything outside of copying. However, the lawyer still wanted to help Bartleby out. He didn't throw Bartleby on the streets and he offered to give Bartleby money if he was ever in need. That's more than anyone else offered to do for Bartleby. Also, the fact that the lawyer frequently visited the Tombs showed that he still thought about Bartleby. I think deep down the lawyer wanted to do something more for Bartleby and help him become normal but he didn't know how to go about doing that. Also, the fact that the lawyer is writing an entire story about Bartleby makes it obvious that Bartleby had a lasting impact on him. 

Hunters in the Snow

"He leaned forward on his elbows and rested his chin in one hand. "Go on, Tub." page 200


7. What is the purpose of the scene in which Frank and Tub stop at the tavern for food and coffee, leaving the wounded Kenny in the back of the truck? During their conversation, Frank analyzes his own character and expresses remorse. Are his insights and remorse genuine? Why or why not?


I think the purpose of the scene in which Frank and Tub stop at the tavern is to show the change of allegiances. At first, Frank and Kenny stuck together and kind of ganged up on Tub by almost hitting him with the car, calling him fat and leaving him in the woods. After Kenny was shot, Frank and Tub bonded and almost forgot about Kenny. I think they were sick of Kenny instigating situations and bringing out their insecurities. I do not think that Frank's insights and remorse were genuine. I do not think he was remorseful at all. He confessed that he was in love with his babysitter but he never said that what he was doing was wrong. He sounded like he was going to keep pursuing the babysitter. Also, he was encouraging Tub to eat more and more food basically saying it was okay for him to be fat and eat all the time. He was trying to justify Tub's actions so that he could justify his own actions.

Everyday Use

"I did something I never had done before: hugged Maggie to me, then dragged her on into the room, snatched the quilts out of Miss Wangero's hands and dumped them into Maggie's lap." page 181


4. Does the mother's refusal to let Dee have the quilts indicate a permanent or temporary change of character? Why has she never done anything like it before? What details in the story prepare for and foreshadow that refusal?


I think the mother's refusal to let Dee have the quilts indicates a permanent change of character. Mama has never stood up to Dee before or contradicted her. Dee was always the confident one with the sharp tongue and always dictated what was going to happen. By Mama standing up to Dee, she showed that she wasn't going to back down any longer from what she believed in. I think that Mama had never done anything before because she was scared of Dee. I think she thought that if she ever got angry at Dee or didn't let Dee have something then Dee would leave and never come back. No mother wants their daughter to permanently leave their life. One detail in the story that foreshadows the refusal is when Mama thinks to herself, "I didn't want to bring up how I had offered Dee a quilt when she went away to college. Then she had told me they were old-fashioned, out of style." This showed that Mama was angry at the fact that Dee had rejected her gift and now all of the sudden wanted it. Another detail that foreshadows the refusal is when Mama says, "It was Grandma Dee and Big Dee who taught her how to quilt herself." This showed that Mama understood how important the quilts were to Maggie and that she didn't want to take that away from Maggie.

How I Met My Husband

"I was fifteen and away from home for the first time." page 132


I think Edie's character is very relatable. The reader can sympathize with her because she is a young girl trying to figure out who she is. In some aspects, she is innocent and naive. She doesn't know how to act around Chris or what being intimate means. She hasn't had experience with boys so when Chris shows interest in her, she is flattered. Edie has qualities that make the reader admire her. She strives to do good work at her job and keeps her mouth shut when she knows she shouldn't say anything. She could have lied to Alice and said that she did nothing with Chris but she knew that telling the truth was the right thing to do. Edie just wanted to be loved and appreciated by someone which I think is what we all want. However, Edie learned that she wasn't going to wait around for someone that was most likely never going to show. She proved to be a strong and independent women which is a trait that all girls can look up to. 

A Rose for Emily

"We did not say she was crazy then. We believed she had to do that. We remembered all the young men her father had driven away, and we knew that with nothing left, she would have to cling to that which had robbed her, as people will." page 285


What are the advantages of first-person plural point of view in this story? What would be lost if it were told in first-person singular, by one of the townspeople, or in third-person limited point of view?


I think the advantages of using first-person plural point of view in this story is that it makes the narrator more reliable and makes the reader side with the narrator. Using the word "we" automatically makes the narrator seem reliable because it means that multiple people feel the same way. If the entire town thinks the same things about Miss Emily, then the reader believes they are true. Using the word "we" also put's the reader on the town's side. The reader usually wants to associate themselves with the majority, not the lady that everyone thinks is weird. I think the story would lose a part of Miss Emily if the story were told by only one townsperson. The entire town is characterizing Miss Emily and all believe the same things about her. If only one person thought Miss Emily was crazy, then the reader could have doubts that the narrator's opinions were legitimate. Also, having the story told by the townspeople means that the reader does not know what Miss Emily is thinking. This makes Miss Emily's character more mysterious and adds to the suspense of the story.

How I Met My Husband

"She hadn't taken her eyes off me. I thought she suspected my lie." page 143


How does the story generate suspense? Which developments of the plot help to increase the suspense?


This story was very suspenseful and contained many exciting moments. Chris first appearing created suspense because Edie thinks she is alone in the house and the reader doesn't know what kind of a person Chris is yet. Alice coming to town was a twist in the story. It created the image of a villain because the reader sees a potential love story between Chris and Edie and then Alice coming interrupts that idea. After Edie leave Chris and returns to the house, the reader is on the edge of their seat. I know for me personally, I was almost scared for what might happen next. I knew that Edie kissing Chris would not be tolerated well by Alice so I was greatly anticipating how Alice would react if she found out the truth. I think the most suspense came towards the end of the story while Edie is waiting by the mailbox. The author has Edie routinely going to the mailbox everyday with high hopes. This makes the reader sympathize with Edie and want her to receive a letter so badly. Edie's husband being the mailman created a surprise ending. The reader was expecting the husband to be Chris the entire story so changing up the ending definitely created suspense.

Interpreter of Maladies

"Mr. Kapasi stepped out of the car. He wanted to holler, to alert her in some way, but he worried that if she knew they were behind her, she would grow nervous. Perhaps she would lose her balance. Perhaps they would pull at her bag or her hair. He began to jog up the path, taking a fallen branch in his hand to scare away the monkeys." page 164


How does Mr. Kapasi's job as "interpreter of maladies" relate to the action in this story? Does he have the occasion to use his diagnostic ability in his interactions with the Das family?


At first, Mr. Kapasi did not see his job as important. His job made him feel worthless and pathetic. However, like Mrs. Das said, Mr. Kapasi was crucial in helping patients receive the medication they needed. Mrs. Das viewed Mr. Kapasi as someone who can fix people's problem and offer advice. She took the term interpreter to mean that Mr. Kapasi can figure out what is causing the root of people's problem and come up with a way to fix it. This is what causes Mrs. Das to confess to Mr. Kapasi, she is seeking answers to her pain. I think Mr. Kapasi does have the occasion to use his diagnostic ability to interact with the Das family. Despite being disconnected from his own family, Mr. Kapasi likes helping people. After Mrs. Das leaves the car clearly angry at Mr. Kapasi, Mr. Kapasi chases after her. He is hurt that things didn't turn out the way he had hoped, but he was still concerned for her safety. He was not even a member of the Das family, yet he was the only one to risk being in danger in order to save Bobby. This showed that although he had his own struggles in life, his first thoughts were of what he could do to help others. 

Delight in Disorder

"A careless shoestring, in whose tie
I see a wild civility"


This poem contains many oxymorons. Different articles of clothing are discussed throughout the poem. The "sweet disorder" means the speaker is praising being different and not always abiding by the rules. The "fine distractions" of the linen scarf seems to mean that the speaker encourages distractions. The final oxymoron of "wild civility" represents the poem as a whole. I think the speaker is criticizing order and everything always being perfectly in place. I think the speaker is also criticizing the perfectionists. The speaker is encouraging people to be different and they are doing this through clothing. This makes me think of people who always look at what celebrities are wearing or what the fashion magazines are saying is the latest trend instead of wearing what they like. I think this poem just emphasizes the importance of being individual and not letting other people define who you are.

Edward

"And what will ye leave to your own mother dear,
Edward, Edward,
And what will ye leave to your own mother dear?"


Wow, this poem was really weird and creepy. It's basically a conversation between Edward and his mother. The mother keeps asking her son about crimes he has committed and as the poem goes on, the crimes get worse. I think that is why the structure of the poem is so important. The poem starts with a simple killing of a hawk. Then is moves to his father, then he leaves his wife and kids with nothing and then he abandons even his own mother. Throughout the poem, the mother seems very forgiving of Edward and doesn't really get angry with him. She just keeps asking him why he is doing what he is doing. She asks "And what will you leave to your children and wife?" trying to remain optimistic and allow Edward to make up for his mistakes. Edward on the other hand, appears selfish and cold-hearted. However, he also appears scared and helpless. I think that the only true crime he does, is kill his father. He is trying to explain to his mother what he did, but doesn't really know how to tell her. He know he will be punished for his actions and know that his mother will have to share the burden.

Lonely Hearts

"Please write (with photo) to Box 152."


I found this poem entertaining. It makes me think of the commercials for the online dating sites like eHarmony. I think this poem is a satire of people who are desperate and do any means necessary to find someone. Some of the situations described in the poem are just so ridiculous like a "gay vegetarian whose friends are few" and "attractive Jewish lady with a son". I think the speaker is trying to say that people sometimes say too much about their personal life and just want so desperately to be loved. I think the structure of this poem is perfect for the situation. It is a villanelle so each section is three lines and the last section is four lines. Each tercet is describing someone who is looking for that special someone. The final quatrain gives a final plea to people to answer the advertisements and I cracked up when it said "with photo" because obviously these people have pretty specific requirements that they expect to be met.

That time of year

"To love that well which thou most leave ere long."


This poem is a sonnet. But not just any sonnet, a Shakespeare sonnet! This means the last two lines will be a shift in tone or emotion. The poem is broken up into three quatrains and each quatrain gives off a feeling of depression and somberness and death. The first quatrain talks about "yellow leaves...do hang upon those boughs which shake against the cold" creating an image of fall turning to winter, when the trees become bare and lifeless. The poem gives off a somber tone when talking about "death's second self that seals up all in rest". The speaker is talking to someone and says twice "in me thou see'st". The first time he talks about the twilight and the black night and the second time he talks about "the ashes of his youth". It makes me think that when this person looks at the speaker, they see darkness. But it says "his youth", so who is the his? The final lines say "thy love more strong". So this person understands something about the speaker that will only make their love grow. But before long the love will be gone. I wonder if this means that death is approaching and they are running out of time. 

Elegy for My Father, Who Is Not Dead

"I see myself on deck, convinced 
his ship's gone down, while he's convinced 
I'll see him standing on the dock 
and waving, shouting, Welcome back."


This poem is an elegy which is usually about someone who has died. However, the speaker's father has not actually died yet, he is just ready to die. I think the other definition of elegy which is a poem of mourning is present in this poem. The speaker is not ready for his father to die. The father is very accepting of death and "he talks about the world beyond this world as though his reservations have been made". I think the main problem is that there are two different views on faith. The father seems to have a strong faith and knows there is an after-life like when he talks about the world beyond this world. The son on the other hand is not so sure about life after death, "He thinks that when I follow him he'll wrap me in his arms and laugh, the way he did when I arrived on earth. I do not think he's right". The son has a lack of faith and therefore is sad about his father's death because he thinks he will never see his father again. I think that is what the final four lines are enforcing. The son thinks that the father's "ship's gone down" meaning that once he dies, it is over. The father believes that he will be "standing on the dock" meaning that the father will be awaiting his son. The father does not fear death because he knows there is a more important life after the human one. 

Crossing the Bar

"I hope to see my Pilot face to face when I have crossed the bar."


I think this poem is about dying and going to heaven. I think "crossed the bar" is a metaphor for going to heaven. The Pilot is God, one because it is capitalized and two because you see God when you go to heaven. I feel like the speaker may be wanting death so almost suicide. The phrase "And may there be no moaning of the bar when I put out to sea" makes it sound like the speaker is willingly dying. I'm not exactly sure why the speaker does not want people to mourn over his/her death. People who commit suicide usually feel like people don't care about them but the speaker makes it sounds like he/she knows people care so he/she doesn't want them to mourn. Maybe the speaker is going off to war or something? That could make sense, because maybe then he knows he is dying for a good cause so there is no reason to mourn the death. Now I feel like I might be just making up things that may or may not be true. I'm confused on why "Time and Place" are capitalized. There seems to be a destination of this "Time and Place". Is it heaven? At the end of time? 

My mistress' eyes

"And yet..."


I found this poem humorous and I think that was it's intent? It seemed to be a satire of the typical love poems. The poem begins with a simile "my mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun" basically saying that his mistress' eyes are dull not bright like the sun. The fact that this poem was written by Shakespeare is funny to me since he wrote Romeo and Juliet which is a complete love story. The speaker's tone for most of the poem seems to be critical. He is pretty much bashing his girl saying that she has nice traits but not as good as they could be. The speaker "loves to hear her speak, yet well I know that music hath a far more pleasing sound" saying that his mistress doesn't quite measure up to his standards. The tone then shifts with the phrase "And yet". The speaker states that "my love as rare as any she belied with false compare". I'm not sure exactly what this means. I think he is saying that although he sees all these flaws in his mistress, his love for her is still genuine. But then again, I feel like this entire poem is making fun of poems that declare their love for their significant other with similes and metaphors to things of beauty.

Hazel Tells LaVerne

"well i screams
ya little green pervert
and i hitsm with my mop"


I really liked this poem because it was easy to follow and funny. I visualized the speaker of this poem as being an uneducated woman judging by her language of "hitsm" "ta flush" and "musta". I'm thinking maybe a black woman who is a housekeeper because she is cleaning toilets in a "howard johnson" or hotel room. This poem seems like a satire of the "Princess and the Frog". In the original story, there is a pretty girl who is dying to be a princess. However, in this poem the woman can never see herself as a princess and sees the frog as some sick joke or a "little green pervert". I think the humor in this poem conveys a theme of everything is not what it seems. When first reading this poem, I thought the woman would love to kiss the frog and be a princess and live a better lifestyle. It's surprising and funny that the woman wants nothing to do with being a princess. I think she already had a sense of who she was and her place in society and wasn't really searching for anything more. 

Getting Out

"Taking hands, we walked apart, until our arms stretched between us. We held on tight, and let go."


Begging with the simile "that year we hardly slept, waking like inmates", the poem immediately establishes the relationship of the couple. I think the inmates is referring to inmates of a mental hospital because of it describes them as those "who beat the walls" and the poem gives off a feeling of confinement. I think the author's tone at first is bitter. She is describing how annoyed the two were at each other with "we gave up" and "you tried to pack up and go". I think the speaker is blaming both of them for messing up the marriage. The last line of the second stanza states, "Finally locked into blame, we paced that short hall, heaving words like furniture." They both knew that their marriage wasn't working out and the simile "heaving words like furniture" gives off a sense that the couple was starting to develop a strong dislike for each other. The tone then shifts to a more distressed tone. The line "I'm startled by mean who look like you" means to me that the speaker is sad about the breakup and still gets anxious when she sees men who look like her ex-husband. The last line of the poem which is written above kind of summarizes the whole poem to me. It seems that the couple was naive and not emotionally mature enough for a serious relationship. When they were with each other, they were unhappy and annoyed at their confinement. However, once they gave up on their relationship, they couldn't seem to let go. 

Dover Beach

"The Sea of Faith
Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore
Lay like the folds of a girdle furled"


I think this poem is all bout the loss of faith and trying to get it back. The simile above is comparing how faith used to be present in the world to the folds of a girdle furled. I didn't know what girdle or furled was but I looked them up and a girdle is a light corset and furled is rolled tightly. I think this means that faith used to be extremely present in the world and was held tightly and regarded as important by people. However, now faith is lost. The speaker says "I only hear its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar, retreating to the breath of the night-wind". The departing diction of "withdrawing" and "retreating" show how the faith of the people is slowly declining. I feel like the speaker may be addressing a group or people or making a speech of some kind. The last three lines of the poem talk about the "struggle and flight where innocent armies clash by night". I think the speaker is using the armies as a metaphor for what will happen to the people the speaker is addressing if they don't regain their faith. Another simile is used to compare the world to a "land of dreams". It's like the people have these big dreams and they look promising, but they can't fulfill them because of their lack of faith. 

Mr. Z

I think this poem is a complete satire of society. The society is extremely judgmental of race, ethnicity and religion. The fact that Mr. Z isn't given an official name only clarifies to me that this poem is a satire of society and not an individual person. Mr. Z could represent any person who is discriminated against. This character was "taught early that his mother's skin was a sign of error" basically forcing him to disown his heritage and conform to what society thinks is acceptable. The man had to be "careful whom he chose to kiss" and "choosing the right address" which means society contolled every aspect of his life.
The last line of the poem was also satirical. He was classified as "One of the most distinguished members of his race" yet the man did everything possible to disown his race. I think this poem is saying that it's hard to live in a society that doesn't accept your race/ethnicity/religion. People often feel like their only option and opportunity for success is to go along with society and try not to call too much attention upon themselves.

APO 96225

I found this poem very sad and disheartening. I think situational irony is taking place here. The mother knows her son is holding back information, but once she gets the information it's too much for her to handle. I think the irony is effective because it's very understandable. Most mothers worry about everything especially their children, and they can't stand to hear bad things happening to them. I think this poem really relates to America and it's past.
The questions after the poem stated that APO 96225 was the mailing address for the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam. I know that during the Vietnam War and just wars in general, the people at home really have no idea what's taking place overseas. They act like they want to know what's going on but they really don't want anything to do with the horrific scenes taking place. At first the mother wanted to know everything telling her son "don't hold back" and "tell us what it's really like". However, once she learned the truth, the father had to respond to the son telling him that his story was "upsetting" his mother. I think this is true for many people. We want to hide problems and act like they don't exist so that we don't have to deal with them.

Sorting Laundry

The entire poem "Sorting Laundry" seems to be a metaphor. The opening line "Folding clothes, I think of folding you into my life" sets the tone for the entire poem. The speaker compares her household chores to her life with her love. The speaker states that "towels patterned orange and green...reserved, we said, for the beach" and "pillowcases, despite so many washings, seams still holding our dreams". The comparison of her goals and dreams with this person to household objects reflects how her job as a housekeeper has influenced her life.
There is also an overstatement in the poem. The last stanza states, "a mountain of unsorted wash could not fill the empty side of the bed". The overstatement is in the "mountain of unsorted wash". Obviously there is not a mountain of clothes, but it shows the speaker's huge desire and need for this man in her life.
I thought that maybe this guy cheated on the speaker judging by the lines, "the strangely tailored shirt left by a former lover". I thought that maybe the speaker was saying that she was willing to look past that because of all the history the two have together and because she can't have a void in her life.

Barbie Doll

This poem was kind of amusing and kind of serious at the same time. I felt bad for laughing but I couldn't help it at the lines, "Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said: You have a great big nose and fat legs." Although I thought that line was funny, it is actually very true especially in today's society. I think this poem is all about the pressue to be perfect. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the girl in this poem, "she was healthy, tested intelligent, possessed strong arms and back". However, "she went to and fro apologizing. Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs." It is so sad that all anyone cares about is looks and the girl couldn't get passed her insecurities about her looks. Society was telling her to "play coy" and "exercise, diet, smile and wheedle" instead of promoting her strong features.
One simile in the poem really represented the theme for me. It says, "Her good nature wore out like a fan belt". I wasn't sure what a fan belt was but I looked it up and it is in a car or vacuum and wears out after being used. I think this simile is extremely effective because it really puts this girl's life into perspective. She was being advised to be fake like a barbie doll and she was pretending to be something that she wasn't. It wore her down until she was gone completely.

Much Madness is divinest Sense

This poem begins with a paradox, "Much Madness is divinest Sense" basically saying that those who are mad actually have the most sense. I think this paradox is effective because to me, it really is an opposite statement that contains truth. Sometimes, people who go off on their own ideas and don't follow the path set by society, often achieve the most success.
The speaker states later in the poem that "assent-and you are sane-demur-you're straightway dangerous-and handled with a chain". I think this is saying that society often wants people to conform. If people agree with the rules set by society and go along with what society says is right then they are considered normal. Those who stray away from society and strive to be different are considered "weird" or "strange" or "insane". They are treated badly just for being different. I think the speaker is saying that it's okay to be different and those who are different are actually the wisest of everyone.
This poem makes me think of the movie Legally Blonde. Elle Woods is a typical sorority girl living in a society that classifies her as a dumb blonde whose only good trait is her looks. However, she breaks out of the sterotypes and decides to enroll in Harvard Law School. Everyone thinks she is insane and crazy, but she proves them all wrong and solves a murder case.

Toads- Philip Larkin

This poem kind of confused me. I got the fact that there were two toads and each represented something different. The first toad was called "work". The speaker begins the poem by stating that he works hard six days a week only to "pay a few bills". The speaker is saying that he is working too much and too hard and is not able to enjoy life. The "lecturers, lispers, losels" work at a minimum and still survive and lead happy lives. The speaker is envious of these people even though they are very poor. However, the phrase "to should stuff your pension!" states that the reader is too scared to take a chance and leave his money behind. The second toad is introduced after this. I'm not sure exactly what the second toad represents. The phrase "and will never allow me to blarney my way to getting the fame and the girl and the money all at one sitting" make me think that the second toad is the voice of reason within the speaker. The speaker wants to step away from his high-profile job so that he can enjoy the simple things in life and indulge in some pleasures. However, the voice of reason is telling him that he can't abandon his job because that will mean no income which will lead to difficulties down the road. I feel like I may be completely wrong on this but that was my initial interpretation.

Pink Dog- Elizabeth Bishop

I felt like I understood parts of this poem but not all of it. I think the poem as a whole was a satire. The speaker almost has a teasing tone throughout the poem. The speaker is telling the dog what the town does to "idiots, paralytics, parasites" and asks "what would they do to sick, four-legged dogs?" I feel like this poem is a satire because it is using a helpless, ugly dog to represent the poor and beggars of Rio de Janeiro. The speaker tells the dog to "dress up and dance at the Carnival". The dog has to dress up and hide his true identity in order to be accepted. The dog will be ridiculed unless he conforms to society. I think the speaker is showing how poorly treated the beggars of Rio de Janeiro are if they are being compared to a "naked" dog. Some figurative language is also used in the phrase "you simply can't afford to be an eyesore". The speaker is implying that people will not want to look at the dog because it is so ugly. People look down on the poor and beggars; therefore, they don't want anything to do with them.

Bright Star- John Keats

This entire poem is an apostrophe. The speaker is addressing the bright star and wondering what it would be like to be the star. First, the speaker envies the star and wishes it could be "steadfast" like the star. I think what the speaker means is that stars remain in one place and are unchangeable. The speaker wants his love to remain unchangeable. However, then the speaker moves into some doubts about being a star. "Lone splendor" is something that the speaker does not want because he wants to remain with his love, not be alone. The phrases "my fair love's ripening breast" and "her tender-taken breath" imply that the speaker is male and longs to be with his woman. The phrase "and so live ever-or else swoon to death" implies that the speaker would rather die than be without his love. One of the questions asked what the meaning of repeating the word "still" was. I think the speaker was trying to emphasis how a star remains still and how his love remains faithful. The apostrophe was effective because it's almost like the speaker was having a conversation with the star and was discussing the positives and negatives of being a star.

I Taste a Liquor Never Brewed- Emily Dickinson

This poem was very interesting. I think it is comparing the intoxication of alcohol to the intoxication of nature. The speaker discusses flowers, air, butterflies, bees and the sun which imply a theme of nature. The speaker uses a lot of figurative language and symbols. "Tankards scooped in Pearl" and "Debauchee of Dew" connect the pleasure and addiction of alcohol to the pleasure of nature. "Out of the Foxglove's door" symbolizes a drunk being kicked out of a bar, and a bee leaving a flower. The last stanza talks about "seraphs" and "saints" which implies that the speaker will not stop indulging in nature until the day she dies. I think the figurative language in this poem is effective because the speaker is more implying what she means instead of straight out saying it. She is using symbols like "tankards", "vats", and "mountain dew" to portray her thoughts about alcohol and nature.

Dreams Deferred- Langston Hughes

There are many literary techniques in this poem. I found it interesting that almost the entire poem contained rhetorical questions. The speaker is asking the reader what happens to dreams or goals that they don't go after. Although rhetorical questions don't require an answer, I think they are effective because they allow for reader involvement. While reading this poem, I found myself seeking an answer to each of the questions posed. Do my dreams "dry up like raisins in the sun?" Do my dreams "stink like rotten meat?" I suppose they do. Rhetorical questions get the reader thinking.


Another literary technique used in this poem was a metaphor. The entire poem contained five similes and was only eleven lines long. That impressed me. The last line however contained a metaphor. The metaphor was "or does it explode?". I think this metaphor that compares giving up dreams to explosions is effective because it creates a lasting image. I think the writer used five similes and then one metaphor to contrast his final idea and show how it was different from the others. The word explosion brings up images of destruction and doom which is what the speaker says will happen if we don't go after our dreams. 

London

I found this poem extremely depressing but also interesting. The poem starts out with pretty much everyone being miserable. It makes me think that some sort of tragedy or disaster occurred. The last line of the first stanza contains alliteration, "weakness and woe". I feel like this is effective because it is emphasizing the pain of the people in London. The third stanza moves into the specific classes of people. It pushes the blame to the upper class/royalty. It makes me think that something big must have happened because usually the government gets blamed when a huge disaster occurs.


The last stanza I think contains the most meaning. It offers two paradoxes: "youthful Harlot" and "Marriage hearse". The paradox of youthful harlot shows that the prostitutes are to be sympathized with not blamed. The speaker is claiming that they are still innocent and the destruction in London have left them with no other choice but to turn to prostitution. The second paradox of marriage hearse is kind of reiterating the destruction. It's basically saying that the prostitutes are ruining marriages and bringing children into an unhealthy environment. However, again the speaker is not blaming the prostitutes, just stating what the world has come to. 

The Panther

This was another poem where I was unsure of the overall meaning, but I did notice things. The main thing I want to point out is the simile the author uses. He states, "the movement of his powerful soft strides is like a ritual dance around a center". When I think of a ritual dance, I think of a tribe of Native Americans dancing around a fire. That may be a stereotype but that is what comes to my mind. I think this simile is effective because it clarifies that fact that this panther cannot escape. A ritual dance is a routine of some sort and the movements have to be done just right. I think this poem contains a tone of panic. The line "a thousand bars; and behind the bars, no world" seem to me like the panther is trapped and can't escape. But escape from what? That is the question. Another phrase "the curtain of the pupils lifts, quietly" symbolize the panther's eyes opening. This means that the whole first stanzas could be existing inside of a dream or within the mind. The poem also makes me think that the setting is a prison, with the "passing bars" and "no world" behind them. But then why would a panther be at a prison?

Those Winter Sundays

There were parts of this poem that confused me and I really want to uncover the meaning of it. So beginning with the first stanza, the speaker describes with very good diction his father's work ethic. The "blueblack cold" and "cracked hands" really make the reader feel bad for this poor father who gets up tired every day to support his family and keep them warm. The last line of the stanza is "No one ever thanked him". After reading that stanza, I really felt sorry for this guy, and I was angry that no one every thanked him. Then the second stanza goes on to state that the child never wanted to get out of bad and even when the father called, he "slowly would rise and dress". At this point, I was really thinking that this kid was a brat. However, then the next line really stuck me, "fearing the chronic angers of that house". 

Why does the speaker fear the house? When we discussed this topic in our small groups today, most of the people brought up the point that the father could be abusive. This would make sense, especially with the first line of the third stanza which says, "Speaking indifferently to him". Nevertheless, I'm not so sure that the father was abusive. Why would the speaker regret how he treated his father if the father beat him? The line "angers of that house" make me think that the animosity has more to do with the house itself. Maybe it contained many unhappy memories of loneliness for the boy. There is no mention of a mother so that could be the root of it. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm not exactly sure what the angers of the house are, but I have a few ideas.


This poem kind of makes me think of the song Haunted by Taylor Swift. One because I still feel like there is something scary or secretive about the house and the song's title relates to that. Also, the poem makes me think that maybe the boy had a falling out with his father and this song is about losing someone and regretting letting them go. The first line of the song "you and I walk a fragile line, I have known it all this time but I'd never thought I'd live to see it break" could be relevant to the relationship between the father and son saying that he always knew they didn't get along but now he regrets not saying enough to his father. 

The Widow's Lament in Springtime

I felt a lot of sympathy for the speaker of this poem. She's looking at the nature around her and all of it reminds her of her deceased husband. I found a  paradox in the poem, "cold fire". She is explaining how she sees things differently now that her husband is gone and pain is now overcoming her life. I think the paradox is effective because it shows how drastically the speaker's emotions have changed. She feels like she is being engulfed by darkness and despair. The vibrant "fire" or zest for life she once had has been transformed to "cold". However, it's not the nature's beauty that has changed, but the woman's attitude. The line "some bushes yellow and some red but the grief in my heart is stronger than they" states that the woman has given up hope and feels like her only option is suicide. 

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain

I found myself excited to read this poem. After looking at the title, for some reason it interested me.


While studying this poem, I found a lot of imagery. However, after reading the poem a second time, I realized that all of the imagery had to do with hearing and there was no sight involved. With sight usually being the most prevalent sense expressed in imagery in poems, I knew the author had to have a specific purpose for excluding it. The lines of imagery "like a Drum-kept beating" and "mourners to and fro kept treading" allowed me to visualize what was taking place: a funeral. I think the author excluded the sense of sight because the speaker is the participant in the funeral. He or she is being buried, hence "and then I heard them lift a Box". Also, the funeral is taking place inside of her/his brain; therefore, she/he can't see what is taking place. The speaker is going insane, "and then a Plank in Reason, broke" and feels like a part of her/his soul is dying. The author's use of the imagery of sound allows the reader to understand where the speaker is coming from. 

So this is poetry

I was really dreading having to read The Nature of Proof in the Interpretation of Poetry by Laurence Perrine. However, I actually  learned a lot from it and found it very interesting. For my two paragraphs I am going to answer these two questions: What idea/strategy/concept do you agree with? and What can you use from this article to help guide your study of poetry in this class?


Although I have not spent a ton of my years in school studying poetry, I always thought that a poem could be interpreted any way the reader wanted to interpret it. Boy was I wrong. Perrine immediately states that this idea is "a critical heresy". Nevertheless, the more I read the essay, the more I agreed with Perrine. Poems don't have to have one set meaning, but they can't just mean anything we want them to mean. I liked his example of the poem The Sick Rose by William Blake. When we were asked to read this poem for homework, I thought that the rose symbolized love or a lover and the worm symbolized what went wrong in the relationship. (this was the only poem I got even close to being right) Anyways, Perrine goes on to explain that the rose must mean something beautiful or desirable and the worm must mean some kind of corrupting agent but the two things can't just mean anything. Perrine relates his idea to an ink blot. Poems are not like ink blots, poets have a specific purpose for writing their poems and they strive to have the reader understand these meanings.


I think this article could be very helpful in studying poems in class.  I really liked when Perrine said that a correct interpretation of a poem must explain details in the poem and not rely on assumptions based on things outside of the poem. Personally, when I attempt to interpret poems, I find myself assuming things and stating a meaning that is based on things I don't know for sure. Perrine states that we have to use the details given in the poem and not rely on outside sources. As I study poems now, I will try to interpret the meaning based on what the writer has given me. When I feel like I have discovered the meaning, I have to make sure that it is not far-fetched and the details in the poems support my analysis. Perrine's example of Emily Dickinson's poem helped explain this theory. Although the garden meaning could be right, the sunset meaning is more applicable. The garden meaning doesn't define all the details in the poem and relies on assumptions like the wind stopping. In order for a poem to be correctly interpreted, the meaning has to satisfy all the details of a poem.

One strong woman- 20

"I keep thinking about this river somewhere, with the water moving really fast. And these two people in the water, trying to hold onto each other, holding on as hard as they can, but in the end it's just too much. The current's too strong. They've got to let go, drift apart. That's how I think it is with us. It's a shame, Kath, because we've loved each other all our lives. But in the end, we can't stay together forever." (Never Let Me Go, page 282) 


I really liked Kathy's character. I felt like she was strong and considerate, yet had insecurities just like all of us. I felt like I could really relate to her. She loved Tommy all along, yet she never tried to steal him from her best friend. Kathy was also very positive. While other carers hated their jobs and the solitude, Kathy found comfort in the alone time she had. I also find it heartwarming how much she loved Hailsham and all the memories she had there. She could have been angry at the way her life turned out and wanted more from it. I'm sure she was a little bitter, but she chose to embrace the life she had and live it to the fullest. This idea of clones is scary and throughout this book I wondered how our society today would embrace it. It's strange to think that if these students did exist, they would pretty much be just like us. I enjoyed this book a lot better than Brave New World and I feel like that is because it was written in first person point of view and I could really relate to Kathy.

Misunderstood- 19

"And I saw a little girl, her eyes tightly closed, holding to her breast the old kind world, one that she knew in her heart could not remain, and she was holding it and pleading, never to let her go." (Never Let Me Go, page 272)


The conversations that Kathy and Tommy have with Miss Emily and Madame answer many questions. I found the above quote very interesting because I always wondered what exactly Madame was thinking when she saw Kathy dancing in her dorm room. The students always saw Madame as harsh and afraid, but I can see now that she was just misunderstood. She worked hard to give those students a fair chance at having the best life possible, and she feels bad that Hailsham had to close.


Madame's job couldn't have been easy. When everyday people like herself were afraid of the students and didn't want to think they existed, it must have been hard to come to Hailsham and work with them. She took their art because she wanted to showcase that they were just like everyone else. I'm surprised people wouldn't be more grateful towards these students that were giving them a cure to cancer. I applaud Madame because she stood up for what was right. 

Well that was surprising- 18

"Do I go too far?" And now: "Do we continue?" I realised, with a little chill, that these questions had never been for me, or for Tommy, but for someone else--someone listening behind us in the darkened half of the room." (Never Let Me Go, page 255)


This chapter was very suspenseful and raised a lot of questions. I was really confused by the way Madame was acting and how she kept asking these questions. The fact that the person in the shadows was Miss Emily was definitely a shock, yet I don't really know what I was expecting. And when Madame said, "It's you they've come to speak to" it makes me think that the rumors are true, and Tommy and Kathy might get a defferal. Although the whole defferal thing is a little weird. I mean after the three years is up, then what? Do they go back to exactly what they were doing before?


I also really want to know who the man was that Madame was speaking to. They never addressed if she was married or not. I wonder is she has a husband? I also want to know why Miss Emily is living with Madame. I'm sure these questions will be answered soon...

Ruth says sorry?-17

"The main thing is, I kept you and Tommy apart." Her voice had dropped again, almost to a whisper. "That was the worst thing I did." (Never Let Me Go, page 232)


In my opinion, this is the climax of the story. I feel like the plot has been leading up to this moment when Ruth FINALLY admits that she has wronged Kathy. I'm not saying Kathy is completely innocent, because she isn't; but Ruth did some pretty awful things to her. From the beginning, I thought Tommy and Kathy liked each other, that's why I was so shocked when Ruth and Tommy became a couple. It really makes me angry that Ruth was just with Tommy to keep her away from Kathy.


I'm glad Ruth finally admitted it and is trying to correct a wrong, but seriously did she have to wait this long? I'm not sure if Tommy and Kathy will be able to be a couple now. I think they do have feelings for each other, but with all the history they have, it will be hard to start fresh. 


I'm also glad that when Ruth died, her and Kathy were on a good note. I didn't think they would ever get that way, but I guess as they grew up, they became wiser and less childish. I think Kathy's friendship with Ruth will always mean a lot to her, but now her and Tommy can be together without Ruth hanging over them.

End of an era- 16

"I thought about Hailsham closing, and how it was like someone coming along with a pair of shears and snipping the balloon strings just where they entwined above the man's fist. Once that happened, there'd be no real sense in which those balloons belonged with each other any more." (Never Let Me Go, page 213)


I really like this analogy because it puts into perspective how Kathy feels about Hailsham closing. It is kind of like her childhood is gone because this was the place where she grew up and where she created her fondest memories. I feel sad for Kathy because I know how much Hailsham meant to her. It would be like if Roncalli or Saint Barnabas got torn down. Even though I wouldn't still be going to school there, I would still be incredibly sad because that is where a lot of my childhood memories are.


The second part of the analogy discusses that after the balloons are separated, they can't really be connected to each other any longer. Kathy feels like now that Hailsham is gone, there is no reason for all the former students to stay in touch. There is no longer something that connects them. I kind of feel like all the characters think that once they leave Hailsham, there good days are behind them. Now that they are carers and donors, there is nothing really to look forward too. Although Kathy enjoys being a carer, I think she cherishes Hailsham so much because it was a huge part of her life. 

Daft and Jealousy- 15

"In fact, if that's why you're hiding in here now, it's really daft." (Never Let Me Go, page 188)


"She said immediately how daft it was, the three of us having rows over the most stupid things." (Never Let Me Go, page 199)


Daft: senseless, stupid, or foolish; insane or crazy. I had no idea what daft meant but I guessed it was something bad. The constant usage of the word daft in the novel is an example of dialect. I think it was a term mostly used in England since that is where the characters are from. I think dialect is effective because it shows the reader where the characters are coming from. 


On another note, I'm starting to think Ruth is jealous of Kathy's relationship with Tommy. I think Ruth feels threatened by Kathy and doesn't want to lose Tommy. Especially when Ruth tells Kathy that Tommy could never see Kathy as a "proper girlfriend", it's clear that Ruth has some jealousy. Kathy doesn't share much insight on what Ruth said and leaves the subject kind of mysterious. This makes me think that deep down Kathy does have feelings for Tommy. 

Hailsham vs Non-Hailsham- 14

"They were relieved they wouldn't have to face, more starkly than ever, the notion which fascinated and nagged and scared them: this notion of theirs that there were all kinds of possibilities open to us Hailsham students that weren't open to them. I remember thinking then how different they actually were, Chrissie and Rodney, from the three of us." (Never Let Me Go, page 165)


That last line really hit me. At first, I didn't really see a big difference in the kids that came from Hailsham and the kids that didn't. However, it is becoming more and more apparent that the kids from Hailsham are "special". I'm not exactly sure what makes them so special, but there has to be something. Clearly Chrissie and Rodney have heard many rumors about Hailsham students getting more opportunities than others especially the situation where a couple can have more time together if they are truly in love. I'm sure Ruth will want to explore this with Tommy, but I really think that deep down Tommy is in love with Kathy, not Ruth. I'm interested to see how this will play out.


I do think that Tommy, Kathy, and Ruth understand each other in a way that Chrissie and Rodney can't. The two groups are different from each other, and because they have different backgrounds, they don't share as much common ground.This situation is kind of like the tv show Switched At Birth. A deaf boy named Emmett is trying to pursue a relationship with a hearing girl named Bay. While the two do share some similarities and do like each other, they can never truly understand each other fully. Emmett's mom tells him that Bay can never understand him like a deaf girl would. I think that different people can have relationships with each other, but it's easier for people who come from the same background.

Searching for something more- 13

"That was probably why we went on shuffling around that gallery for so long; we were delaying the moment when we'd have to confer. Then suddenly the woman had left, and we all kept standing about, avoiding each other's eyes." (Never Let Me Go, page 163)


I think the author has definitely created a mood in this passage. The "shuffling around that gallery" and "avoiding each other's eyes" are details which clearly present the atmosphere in the room. The reader can feel the tension and anxiety in the gallery. None of the characters want to address the subject of Ruth's "possible" because no one wants to be responsible for ruining the happy mood. 


The mood is effective because it helps the reader clearly identify the atmosphere in the story. Reading this passage, I almost felt uncomfortable too, because I felt like I knew exactly how the characters were feeling. Ruth is such a strong character and the others feel like they can't let her down. 


It's interesting how much they care about finding their possibles. Like Tommy said, just because they find them, doesn't mean they will end up exactly like them. However, I kind of understand their desire to find their possibles, because these people are almost like their parents. They are the ones who created them. The characters have never had parents and don't understand what it's like, so they are almost searching for that empty place in their hearts. 

End of a friendship? -12

"As it turned out, though, it was just about the last moment like that between me and Ruth for the rest of that outing." (Never Let Me Go, page 149)


I think this line is definitely foreshadowing Ruth and Kathy's friendship. The girls are growing further and further apart, and I think this trip to Norfolk may be the final straw. Ruth has made it clear that she wants to be connected to the veterans at the Cottages like Chrissie and Rodney. She cares a lot about her reputation and if Tommy and Kathy are messing it up, I have no doubt she will drop them in two seconds.


The structure of this book is very different. The sequence of events is all out of order and there is a lot of foreshadowing at the end of every chapter. I think foreshadowing is effective because it makes the reader want to keep reading on. So far, I like this book better than Brave New World because I feel like there is more excitement and secrets to be discovered. I also feel like the characters have more depth to them.

The Many Sides of Ruth- 11

"I'd had this notion there were two quite separate Ruths...there'd been a definite understanding these two Ruths wouldn't merge; that the one I confided in before bed was one I could absolutely trust." (Never Let Me Go, page 129)


The reader can clearly tell that Ruth is a round character. She has lots of dimensions to her and seems to almost be two different people like Kathy states. It is difficult to identify which is the real Ruth. I think she values her friendship with Kathy, but I also think she strives for attention and popularity. Round characters are very complex and Ruth is definitely complex. I'm not evens sure if Ruth herself knows who she is. She cares so much about how other people perceive her and contemplates her every move. It looks like she is trying way to hard to get people to like her. What I still don't understand is how her and Tommy are a couple. Tommy is completely down to earth and isn't afraid to be himself. Ruth is the complete opposite and will lie about anything to get people to like her. There hasn't been a scene in the book about how Ruth and Tommy act when they are alone together and I'm curious to know.


Ruth reminds me of the character Nathan from my favorite tv show One Tree Hill. Nathan tries to act cool and is a jerk to a lot of people because he wants to be popular and have the popular people like him. However, when he is with his girlfriend, Haley, he acts completely different and is actually a sweet guy. In the end, he chooses Haley over his friends; so we will see what Ruth chooses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw1m4XPC8TE&feature=related

Check Mate- 10

"It was like when you make a move in chess and just as you take your finger off the piece, you see the mistake you've made, and there's this panic because you don't know know yet the scale of disaster you've left yourself open to." (Never Let Me Go, page 124)


I think an extended metaphor is being used here. Kathy is comparing her confrontation with Ruth to the point in a chess game when you know you made the wrong decision but it's too late to correct it. The metaphor also develops over many lines. I think this extended metaphor is very effective because it defines the moment perfectly. The reader can sense Kathy's panic as she realizes she has now turned the situation around, and she is the one who is going to be attacked by Ruth.


I also like this metaphor because I feel like it applies to Ruth and Kathy's friendship as a whole. Their friendship is like a chess game. They both are trying to make moves that they know will upset the other, and they both try to be the best. I think Ruth is more guilty of this because she is usually the one who starts drama. However, both girls know how to push each other's buttons and are constantly competing for the other's "queen" or attention.