I have read The Giver twice. After reading the novel the second time, the book had a little bit of a different meaning to me. I understood the story better and was more aware of what was taking place. I enjoyed the book very much both times.
Jonas, the main character, goes through a very deep transformation. Being selected as the "Receiver of Memory, he begins to realize his "perfect" community is not so perfect. He sees that his people are deprived of some very special aspects of life that today I know I could not live without. He tries to make his closest friends and family understand that life has a lot more to offer than what they are getting.
After reading this story, plus, many others which are similar, I am convinced that a true "utopia" can not exist. People are going to be constantly rebelling and trying to find loopholes which prove that their world is not perfect like Jonas does. Too many different mindsets and differences among people exist for there to be a world where all people are happy and everything is perfect. There will never be a "perfect world".
This book is a great read for everyone. I recommend anyone to read the novel if they get the chance. The story is a fast read and very enjoyable. Although, I can predict that some people will be unhappy with the ending. I thought the ending was good, though. You just have to think a little bit. You have to make your own ending.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
So Much Depends Upon
So much depends
upon
an ancient basketball
goal
damaged from endless
weather
behind the abandoned
house.
Now, many of you are probably saying, "What could depend on that?". That is a very good question. Definitely a question requiring a little thought, so do just that.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
#9 - Animal Farm
I never thought a fairy tale would have such a deep meaning. Animal Farm by George Orwell is the fairy tale I am talking about.
George Orwell used farm animals as an allegory to the Russian Revolution. The meaning of the story was so much easier to understand with the use of animals as the characters instead of the use of humans in a more history report-like story.
The themes of the story came to me in many different forms including: power is corrupting and ignorance is passive.
Power is corrupting. In the story, power corrupts one of the main characters, Napoleon. Because he is so powerful, he is able to take over the farm and turn the animals and land into what he wants. The farm becomes less and less like the equal land they agreed they were trying to achieve because Napoleon is constantly using his authority to his advantage.
Ignorance is passive. In the story, other than the pigs, dogs, and a few other animals, the animals are very ignorant. They take in and do whatever they are told without resistance. They are very censored as to what is going on, and because of this, they have no idea what is really happening on the Animal Farm. They are easily influenced and convinced because they are so ignorant.
This was more interesting than some books I have read, but Animal Farm is not high on my recommendation of books.
George Orwell used farm animals as an allegory to the Russian Revolution. The meaning of the story was so much easier to understand with the use of animals as the characters instead of the use of humans in a more history report-like story.
The themes of the story came to me in many different forms including: power is corrupting and ignorance is passive.
Power is corrupting. In the story, power corrupts one of the main characters, Napoleon. Because he is so powerful, he is able to take over the farm and turn the animals and land into what he wants. The farm becomes less and less like the equal land they agreed they were trying to achieve because Napoleon is constantly using his authority to his advantage.
Ignorance is passive. In the story, other than the pigs, dogs, and a few other animals, the animals are very ignorant. They take in and do whatever they are told without resistance. They are very censored as to what is going on, and because of this, they have no idea what is really happening on the Animal Farm. They are easily influenced and convinced because they are so ignorant.
This was more interesting than some books I have read, but Animal Farm is not high on my recommendation of books.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Favorite Techie Tool
My favorite techie tool would have to be this...the blog! A blog enables people to do many different actions. With a blog you can:
- Do school assignments
- Express your thoughts
- Share opinions
- Share facts
- Get information
- If you miss school or forget the assignment, get school assignments
- Comment on other's blogs
- Help others
- AND MUCH MORE!
A blog is helpful both in class and out of class. Therefore, a blog is a very popular favorite techie tool!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
#8- P.S. I LOATHE YOU
I read this book all in one day! All 208 pages! I was so surprised with myself. I just thought I would let everyone know that because I am not one to read a book that fast. The book was just that entertaining. Lisi Harrison's P.S. I LOATHE YOU is a book to read...that is, of course, after you have read the first nine in the series.
I love Lisi Harrison's Clique Series. I started reading them in the seventh or eighth grade, and I cannot stop. I just have to know what happens in the next book because she usually ends the story in a way that lets you know that another one is soon to come. This frustrates me sometimes, though, because I just want to know what is going to happen next. I do not want to wait! Despite this, though, her books tell very good stories about the difficulties and triumphs of a clique.
This book is one of my favorite out of the ten because the story's main focus is not just on one of the girls in the clique. Instead, the story focuses on all of them. The story tells the typical story of mean girls and their fight for popularity and yes...BOYS. The fight for these forces the clique to begin to tear apart. The alpha, Massie, begins to lose power. Just as every mean girl, she stoops to denying the fact that the tear is all her fault. Basically, the story is about typical teenage girl drama which is the main reason the story is so easy for me to read.
As you could probably already guess, I recommend people read this book (after the other nine, of course). The book is more of a "chick book", so I would not really recommend the book to guys.
P.S. I LOATHE YOU is a fictional story which contains an abundance of truth.
I love Lisi Harrison's Clique Series. I started reading them in the seventh or eighth grade, and I cannot stop. I just have to know what happens in the next book because she usually ends the story in a way that lets you know that another one is soon to come. This frustrates me sometimes, though, because I just want to know what is going to happen next. I do not want to wait! Despite this, though, her books tell very good stories about the difficulties and triumphs of a clique.
This book is one of my favorite out of the ten because the story's main focus is not just on one of the girls in the clique. Instead, the story focuses on all of them. The story tells the typical story of mean girls and their fight for popularity and yes...BOYS. The fight for these forces the clique to begin to tear apart. The alpha, Massie, begins to lose power. Just as every mean girl, she stoops to denying the fact that the tear is all her fault. Basically, the story is about typical teenage girl drama which is the main reason the story is so easy for me to read.
As you could probably already guess, I recommend people read this book (after the other nine, of course). The book is more of a "chick book", so I would not really recommend the book to guys.
P.S. I LOATHE YOU is a fictional story which contains an abundance of truth.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
#7-The Color Purple
The Color Purple by Alice Walker has to be one of the best books that I have ever read. The novel told a great story. I am not much of a reader, but I just could not put the book down because the story just kept me reading.
The book is written all in letter form. The letters are written from Celie, the main character, to God and to Nettie, her sister. Later in the novel, some of the letters are from Nettie to Celie. Since the book is written in letter form, the grammar and spelling is not all correct, but the book was still very easy to read and follow.
Celie. Throughout the book, she is abused in all ways possible by men. Since her sister Nettie left her, she has no one to help her. She feels used and worthless. Shug comes to her rescue and teaches her many aspects of life she has never been able to know.
Throughout the book, each character learns more and more about the ways of life. The characters go through great transformations which made the book even more inspiring. The book is full of symbolism and themes which show the strength of women's relationships and much more. The book is a very meaningful and a very worthwhile to read.
As you can probably tell, I recommend to people to read this book. The Color Purple is a great book that should be read!
[308 pages..2 books]
The book is written all in letter form. The letters are written from Celie, the main character, to God and to Nettie, her sister. Later in the novel, some of the letters are from Nettie to Celie. Since the book is written in letter form, the grammar and spelling is not all correct, but the book was still very easy to read and follow.
Celie. Throughout the book, she is abused in all ways possible by men. Since her sister Nettie left her, she has no one to help her. She feels used and worthless. Shug comes to her rescue and teaches her many aspects of life she has never been able to know.
Throughout the book, each character learns more and more about the ways of life. The characters go through great transformations which made the book even more inspiring. The book is full of symbolism and themes which show the strength of women's relationships and much more. The book is a very meaningful and a very worthwhile to read.
As you can probably tell, I recommend to people to read this book. The Color Purple is a great book that should be read!
[308 pages..2 books]
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Spring Break '09
During this Spring Break, I did not do much. I was grateful to have a break from the stresses of school, so even though I did not have the most exciting Spring Break, I am not complaining.
I did some typical Spring Break activities like riding four-wheelers and being outside to just enjoy the great spring weather. By the way, the weather was good almost the whole break.
Along with those typical activities, I ran to stay in shape for track. I ran over twenty-five miles during the break. I felt like I had accomplished something!
While running, though, I was chased by a miniature horse while taking a shortcut through some fields to avoid getting too soaked from the rain. That was a pretty interesting encounter.
My boyfriend was gone almost the whole Spring Break! That was a huge disappointment. Along with him being gone, so were a lot of my other friends. I felt like I was the only one still in the town! Finally, though, everyone came back, and I got to enjoy some time with them.
Hmm...that pretty much sums up my Spring Break. Now, I have a little over eight weeks until summer. I can't wait because summer is always great! (Ha..that rhymed.)
I did some typical Spring Break activities like riding four-wheelers and being outside to just enjoy the great spring weather. By the way, the weather was good almost the whole break.
Along with those typical activities, I ran to stay in shape for track. I ran over twenty-five miles during the break. I felt like I had accomplished something!
While running, though, I was chased by a miniature horse while taking a shortcut through some fields to avoid getting too soaked from the rain. That was a pretty interesting encounter.
My boyfriend was gone almost the whole Spring Break! That was a huge disappointment. Along with him being gone, so were a lot of my other friends. I felt like I was the only one still in the town! Finally, though, everyone came back, and I got to enjoy some time with them.
Hmm...that pretty much sums up my Spring Break. Now, I have a little over eight weeks until summer. I can't wait because summer is always great! (Ha..that rhymed.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)