Reading Audit

Throughout the English ll course, I think I read at least 700 pages and at least 70,000 words! That includes all of the books we read in class and any other assignments we completed throughout the year. Most, if not all, were read during class or in regards to in-class assignments. The list of novels read that were connected with in-class assignments includes "Life of Pi", "Julius Caesar", "The Motorcycle Diaries" and my favorite, "The Great Gatsby". Outside of class, I read "The Fault in Our Stars", which is an outstanding novel and "Beautiful Disaster". Both of these books were recommended by friends and one of them was actually read at the same time by all of us.

The types of book s read were mostly to learn something since they were connected to our unit question. "Life of Pi" was a work of magical realism, where there is no clear line that divides what is real and what appears to be real. The other three books had more of a realistic genre, since they were either historic or romantic. Changes in the novels we read were interesting, since the genres shifted from fiction, to nonfiction, back to fiction and finally nonfiction. I think this change was healthy so we were able to read different kinds of literature throughout the year. Preferably, I enjoy reading books by Nicholas Sparks, including "The Notebook" and "The Lucky One". As I sat in class, I would read the work of my classmates, and even though I found it to be interesting, I don't think their work influenced my work very much. In the beginning of the year, I would read supernatural books that were quite unrealistic. Now, however, I feel that I enjoy reading books dealing with magical realism instead. Either way, I am not fond of reading many books because I am more of a visual person and prefer to watch the movies instead.

Looking back at everything I have read this year, I don't feel surprised, yet I do feel disappointed. I set high expectations for my love of reading to gradually grow over the year. However, today, I still feel the same about reading. as mentioned before, I recommend "The Fault in Our Stars" because the book is simply incredible. Reading this book shows how I enjoy reading romantic books instead of any other books. Reading means growing into the person you fear to become. Reading too much will cause you to become a book worm, but nor reading enough will have other people doubt your ability to read at all.

Childhood Memories

I don't remember you as well as I wish I did.

You were my first pet.

Short, brown and friendly.

You'd greet me when I's get home from school.

Then one day

I walked in the house,

And figured you had forgotten to greet me.

...

That day, your friendliness drove you to your death.

I drew one last picture

And never saw you again.

I Write Like...

According to the I Write Like analyze, I write like H. P. Lovecraft. I find this very interesting because he is a famous writer known for writing horror books. I used previous work from last semester to compare my work with his, and I see no similarities. I suppose some of my writing might be mysterious or weird in some ways, yet I would not classify it as a horror. Therefore, comparing my work with that of a famous writer is an incredible compliment.

Act V

“O Julius Caesar! Thou art mighty yet. Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords in our own proper entrails.” What truth about wars might this speech by Brutus be said to acknowledge? (III, 101-102)

This speech given by Brutus explains the idea of Caesar no longer being alive, due to his death. However, his death does not mean that his influence is no longer there. With this, "Thy spirit walks abroad and turns our swords in our own proper entrails," (III, 101-102) proves that Caesar's spirit still lingers in this world, and his death did not impact much at all. In regards with war, Caesar is still present in some sort of way, and he still leads the way for many people at war. Thus, Caesar's death did not guarantee a life without Caesar's influence.

5. Since Brutus himself is said to have been “the noblest Roman of all” (V, 74), why do you think Shakespeare kills him off before the play’s conclusion? That is, is Shakespeare conveying any message, moral or practical, by killing him off? [Remember: The reader must assume that nothing in such a play is included by accident.]

Brutus, also known as "the noblest Roman of all", faces a very tragic fate in the conclusion of Julius Caesar. His actions are what leads him to ultimately sacrifice his life, due to him killing Caesar. Brutus knows that murdering Julius Caesar was for the better of the Roman Empire, since he believed Caesar was not a "well-suited" leader. In the end, Brutus realized that no one is able to please everyone, and admits to having some flaws of his own. These events eventually lead up to Brutus' ultimate death.

Acts lll & lV

Why does Antony befriend Brutus, Cassius, and the other conspirators?

Antony befriends Brutus, Cassius and the others after they assassinate Caesar. Antony immediately realizes that his safety is at stake because he was a friend of Caesar. Anyone with common sense will know not to disagree or interfere with someone who just murdered someone with such political power. Instead, Antony agrees and sort of sides with Brutus and Cassius, so that he will be "safe". However, Antony knows and hopes that those two assassins will face the consequences for their terrible actions.

When is “death” a suitable punishment for “ambition”?

When someone is ambitious, they will literally do everything they can to surpass their goals and accomplish them. In some cases, their ambitions can hurt others, whether it is physically or emotionally. Sometimes, death is a suitable punishment when it involves the death of another; a life for another life. It might be difficult to determine a suitable punishment, depending on how your ambitions affected you or anyone else around you. However, the only time that death should be a "punishment:, is when you physically or emotionally damage another being, which can ultimately lead to the death of that being.

Acts l & ll

9.Why does Brutus tell Cassius the story about Caesar and himself, swimming the Tiber River and fearing for their lives?

            Brutus shares this story with Cassius because he wanted to provide his own experiences with Caesar to show how much in common he has with Caesar. Before he shares this story, Cassius and Brutus were describing their opinions toward Caesar, and how his power creates inequality. They both feel that Caesar should not have as much power as he does, and that they feel they should have as much power as he does. Cassius states, “I was born as free as Caesar, so were you” (Act i Scene ii). Therefore, Brutus mentions the story so he can provide an experience to emphasize the fact that Caesar is no more of a man than they are.

3. What are Brutus’s deepest feelings about his plan to murder Caesar?

            It seems as if Brutus wants to kill Caesar, in a non-murderous way. He knows and explains to the others that Caesar must “bleed” in order for them to stop him. Brutus seems to be the only one with a real conscience in regards to other people’s feelings and life. He states, “Let’s be angry only long enough to do the deed, and then let’s act like we’re disgusted by what we had to do” (Act ii Scene i). This shows that Brutus wants to kill Caesar, as if it was his obligation, but afterwards, he wants to feel regret and disgust. 

Music

Music is imperative because it allows people to unite under one idea. For instance, Sarah Dessen says, “Music is a great uniter. An incredible for something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common." This tells us that everywhere you go, you will see very diverse people with unique ideas. However, music, especially in schools, helps people connect in ways they didn't know possible. This leads to diversity as well as unity, and can also stimulate a better educational environment for the students. Thus, Dessen emphasizes the idea of unity through music that will allow the world to learn through music's importance. 

"Music can change the world because it can change people."

-Bono

"Music is the literature of the heart; it commences when speech ends."

-Alphonse de Lamartine

"We listen to great music and know that all our joys and sorrows are part of something beyond our comprehension - and

so indefinitely valuable."

-Jesse O'Neill

"High school music students have been shown to hold higher grade point averages (GPA) than non-musicians in the same school."

-National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988