Monday, November 17, 2014

Latin Roots #6

Roots and Derivatives

  1. corp(or) (body):corpse, corporation, corps, corpuscle, corporeal, corpus, corset,
  2. cred (to believe, to trust):credo, credit, discredit, credence, credentials, accreditation
  3. cur(r), curs, course(to run, to flow):current, excursion, discourse, concur, recourse, curriculum, recurrent
  4. dic(t) (to speak, to say):diction, indication, edict, jurisdiction, dictionary, addict, interdiction


Word List

  1. benediction- the invocation of a divine blessing, as at the close of a religious service; a blessing or state of blessedness
  2. concourse- a running or flowing together; a broad public walkway or hallway; a crowd or throng
  3. concurrent- occurring at the same time; meeting or acting together
  4. corporal- related to the physical body 
  5. corpulent- very stout; fleshy and obese; fat
  6. credibility- the quality of being believable or trustworthy
  7. credulity- the (naive) willingness to believe too easily without proof. 
  8. cursory- a done in a superficial or hasty manner
  9. dictum- an authoritative saying or maxim
  10. incorporate- to form into one body or functioning unit; to combine several different things into a whole
  11. incredulous- not believing, skeptical, or doubting
  12. indicative- characteristic of or very much like; suggestive


  1. As the priest finished reading the benediction was soon to come.
  2. There is always a concourse of people in line at theme parks.
  3. My two favorite movies of all time are playing at concurrent times.
  4. Corporal punishment is still very common in some schools.
  5. Pigs are considered corpulent animals.
  6. A cop must have extreme credibility.
  7. A judge does not have credulity when it comes to any case.
  8. I woke up late for school so I had to do my bed very cursory.
  9. A person I once knew favorite dictum was “Si se puede”.
  10. In order to make a delicious cake you have to incorporate many different ingredients.
  11. When my sister crashed the car my parents looked at her incredulously because she’s usually a great driver.
  12.  My parents gave me many indicative choices for college.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Literary Analysis #2

The Color Purple
By Alice Walker
1 The plot of the novel is about a young 14 year old girl named Celie who is given away as a wife by her father to a man she only knows as Mr._____ and he abuses her throughout the years. Before this happened, her father had raped her and she had two children, Adam and Olivia, who her father gave away and Celie thought they were dead. Celie moves in with Mr._____ her sister Nettie goes with her but she soon runs away. Celie’s sister Nettie writes to her for years but Celie never receives the letters because Mr._____ has kept the letters from her so she assumes Nettie is dead like her children. Mr._____ bring his old lover back Shug Avery, who is a famous singer, because she was sick and he still had feelings for her. Celie was the one to care for her and they soon became close friends. Both Celie and Shug Avery cared and loved each other. After many years have passed Shug Avery was the one to find out that Mr._____ had been keeping all of Nettie’s letters. Together they took them all back and read them. After learning that her sister and children are alive in Africa with the couple that adopted her children she rights her back. Shug Avery has given Celie the courage to stand up to Mr._____ and declare that she was leaving him to start a new life of her own. Celie had moved in with Shug and lived with her for a few years until she receives notice that her father had died and that the house that he lived in belongs to her and her sister. In the end Celie is finally reunited with her sister and children.
2 I think that the theme of the book is about hoe heroic Celie is after suffering many years of abuse by her father and Mr._____ and the fact of having to think that everyone she loves is gone.
3 The protagonist, Celie is dynamic because she has changed from a shy girl who let herself be bullied and bossed around to taking charge of her own life. Shug Avery is an important character because she gave Celie the help she needed to become the character she is in the end of the novel.
4 The letters that Celie and Nettie write to each other are symbols in the novel because the letters that Celie received from Nettie gave her something to live for and make her hope that they will soon meet.
5 The reason I chose this book is because the person who read it said they liked it and it looked like an interesting but sad topic. What kept me reading was the fact of what will happen to Celie. Will there be a happy ending, will she see her sister and children again.
6 Shug Avery was in a way Celie’s parent she loved Celie and cared for and she wouldn’t let Mr._____ beat her. In a way Shug is like my parents they too love me and care for me. I guess I can compare myself to Celie because she is lost and hurt and needs to find who she is in the world even if it took some time. I too need some time to find out where I am going and what I want to do in the world.
7 The one thing that I won’t forget are the letters that Celie wrote to god and Nettie. Celie can look back at those letters and remind herself how much she has changed and how strong and brave she has become. I think memories are important even the bad ones because you can tell yourself that you are stronger then you’ve ever been. They can change you and make you the person you are and will become.

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Greek Drama Questions

1.       What kind of prize is given for dancing choruses of worshippers?
Bulls or goats were given as prizes for the dancing choruses of worshipers.

2.       How many spectators would gather in the open-air theatre of Dionysos?
As many as 14,000 thousand spectators would gather.

3.       How does the mask affect the voices of the actors?
The masks had exaggerated mouthpieces which amplified the actors’ voices.

4.       Why was Antigone suspenseful to viewing audiences?
Since the audiences already knew how the story ended their suspense came from knowing the
impending doom of the characters on stage.

5.       How is the shepherd to leave the infant on the mountainside?
He was to leave the infant to die on a lonely mountainside with his ankles pinned together.

6.       What is the riddle the Sphinx gave to Oedipus?
“What creature goes on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?”

7.       Who are Oedipus’ kids?
Oedipus’ children are Polyneices, Eteocles, Antigone and Ismene.

8.       After Oedipus is exiled, who takes over Thebes?
Antigone’s two brothers agreed to rule in alternate years.

9.       What did the family do to the dead body?
The family closes the dead person’s eyes and mouth and began to prepare the body for the prothesis, the wake. The women of the house washed the body and dress it in white. Then they placed the body on a bier, a portable framework, making sure the feet pointed toward the door, and sprinkled the body with herbs which were believed to keep evil spirits away. At the prosthesis, while the women waited near the body, the men entered formally, with their right arms raised high in the air. When the closest relative held the dead person’s head with both hands, the other mourners began to beat their faces and tear their hair. They also wailed and sang.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Antigone Writing Assignment

 First off I would plan to bury my brother because it is the right thing to do even if no one else sees that. I have tried to convince my sister to join me because it is not right to leave someone unburied and left for the birds to eat. His soul will never be at rest. It is not fair that my jerk of a brother is being buried like he was some hero when he is just as guilty. My brother deserve to rest in the afterlife and no rule or proclamation can stop me. My sister does not agree with me she is afraid of the consequences if we are caught. She’s always thinking of the “What ifs”, she might have a point, my brother might not want me to sacrifice my life to bury him but I must do it. I must not let anyone else know about my plans and hope my sister does not tell my uncle. I will have to move his body so anyone who is against his burial cannot find him. I will have to bring a shovel so I can dig his grave and when I am done I will bring flowers to plant on top to mark where he is buried. I will come back each year to where those same flowers bloom. But I have to be careful that my uncles’ men don’t catch me. I have to make sure that no one can connect me to doing this. I will have to create an alibi to put me somewhere else and not burying my brother. Maybe my sister will vouch for me that we were together. After it’s all done I’ll need to make sure to clean my shoes just in case I bring back dirt and I’ll need to change my clothes as well. If my uncle finds out someone has buried my brother I must act surprised to find out someone has went against him so he does not suspect me and believes I am loyal to him. It would be a true pleasure if he never finds out who did it. And then maybe my brother can rest without ever being disturbed.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Jonathan Safran Foer Webinar Reaction Assignment

A.   The category of the video and excerpt from book "A Case for Eating Dogs" is informative/persuasive because the author is trying to make you become aware of the topic for eating dogs or any animals for that case.

B.   The name of the presenter is Jonathan Safran Foer.

C.   The title of the video is Jonathan Safran Foer Webinar.

D.   My class watched it on October 28, 2014.

E.   The video we watched contained the author of "Eating Animals" Jonathan Safran Foer who held a live webinar to talk or ask him any questions we had on his book. He talked about the research he did to make his book, the fact that his children are in fact vegetarians, and the poultry industry and how improving their produce is not there highest goal at the moment.

F.   1.  One of the moments that I found educational was the fact that Safran Foer said was that it is possible that 1/2 of Americans could become vegetarians in maybe 10 years or so. I choose this because a lot can happen in 10 years or more. It can be a time of improvement and change or not so much change because we are just so used to the way we live now.

      2.  A second moment that I found educational as well was the fact that people can enjoy eating meat when they know about the animal cruelty that is happening but they choose to ignore it. People fail to see the fact about how the entire process is for the meat to end up on our table. We don't really sink it in and become aware because we are just so used to it being the way it is.


      3.  The third moment that I found important was that the US. Corporation is not really moving forward to improve their produce. They are not really trying to give the products the nutrients it should have to be healthy. Instead they are making products that we like and taste really good so they have us coming back for more. Few people look at the back of the nutrition facts and just take what they know taste well to them. Corporations do this because that how they know there products will sell.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Latin Roots #4

Roots and Derivatives

  1. bon, boun (good): bonus, bounty, bountiful, bonify, bon voyage, bonhomie 
  2. capit, capt (head, chief, leader): capital, captain, capitalize, decapitate, per capita, capitol
  3. carn(i) (flesh): carnal, carnality, carnival, carnation, carnify
  4. ced(e), ceed, cess (go, yield, surrender): recede, proceed, success, concede, exceed, proceddion
Word List
  1. accession-the attainment of a certain rank or dignity; an increase by means of something added; the act of becoming joined
  2. bona fide-in good faith; genuine
  3. bonanza-a sudden and unexpected source of money or riches; a windfall 
  4. bounteous- inclined to be generous; plentiful and abundant
  5. capitulation-a surrendering, usually upon prearranged terms or conditions; a final giving up
  6. carnage-a great slaughter, as in a battle
  7. carnivorous-flesh-eating, as an animal
  8. incarnate-literally, in the flesh; in bodily form; personified; flesh-colored
  9. intercede-to act on another's behalf; to meditate
  10. precedent-a previous act or decision taken as a valid model; having gone before
  11. recapitulation-a brief repetition; a summary, as of what has already been said
  12. reincarnation-a thing that is reborn, or comes back into being, although perhaps in a different (bodily) form

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Literature Analysis #1- The MEMORY KEEPER'S DAUGHTER

1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses (exposition, inciting incident, etc.). 
In the book The Memory Keepers Daughter Dr. David Henrey's wife Norah Henrey had just had twins, a boy and an ill girl, knowing what pain she will cause his wife he asked his nurse Caroline Gill to take his daughter to an institution were she will receive help for someone in her condition.
Instead of leaving the new born child in the institution she keeps the baby for herself to care for and raise.
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches (Why did your author choose to write about this topic, person or event?).
I think the theme of the novel is that children with cases of down's syndrome can still be loved and cared for and have the same education like any other child.

3.     Why did you choose this book?  What about the book appealed to you the first time it came to your attention (and how did it come to your attention)?  What about the book made you want to keep reading once you began?
I read this novel because my sister read it before and she liked it so she encouraged me to try it. What made me keep reading this novel was the mystery of what will happen to the lives of David Henrey and Caroline Gill.

4.     Did you find the book realistic?  Did you make any connections between people/events you read about and people/events in your own life?  Why or (if you didn't) why not?
This book was realistic because the events that happened in the book could happen in real life. Some person can give their child away to save themselves from a lifetime of suffering and sadness.
When David and Norah's son Paul was older he wanted to have a career path in music but his father did not agree with him. He wanted his son to have a more stable future. This relates to my life because my parents want me to have a future that is successful.

5. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
I think the authors tone in the book is subjective because he includes the feelings and thoughts of the characters. For the first example he included the thoughts of David Henrey when he was giving his daughter Phoebe to Caroline and explains why he did it. 

6. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques (figurative language/symbolism/imagery/ allusions, etc.) you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. F
or each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers (include page numbers). 
Simile: "Outside, snow continued to fall through the darkness, as bright and thick as static in the cones of light cast by the streetlights." (p. 3).
Imagery: "By the time he rose and looked out the window, their car had become a soft white hill on the edge of the street" (p. 3).
Dramatic Irony: " There's a place, I'd like you to take her there. When it's light, I mean. I'll issue the birth certificate, and I'll call to say you're coming" (p. 18), " Oh, my love, I am so sorry. Our little daughter died as she was born." (p. 20).
Hyperbole: " She could have died" (p. 169)
Metaphor: " Rain" " Cats and dogs" (p. 233)

CHARACTERIZATION
 1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization.  Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
Direct characterization: She was tall, so thin and angular it seemed the bones might poke from beneath her skin at any moment, her large blue eyes were solemn and intelligent
Indirect characterization: A young woman dressed in black with cascading hair asked something angrily about form

2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character?  How?  Example(s)?
The author uses diction when he focuses on a character. They describe the character by how they are feeling, how they talk, what something looks like, and what they're wearing, Example "Her voice was harder now, determined. Caroline's room on the third floor of Doro's house had become a place as mysterious and sensual as the garden

3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic?  Flat or round?  Explain.
David is static because he changes very little since the being of the book. He just becomes more distant from his family.
Caroline is the dynamic character because she was the one who had to change her life around. She got a baby, moved to a new place, and met a guy, who later she would date.

4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character?  Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction. 
I felt like I read a character because of all the personal thoughts I read about the character. "Caroline felt suddenly depleted, almost faint"

ENDURING MEMORY
Write a paragraph in which you describe the one or two ideas from this book that you expect to remember for a long time. Explain your choices and their importance. Share a passage or two that give your reader a taste of the same effect.

The choice that David made to send their mentally ill daughter away without consent of his wife. I chose this because I think it would be hard to let go of your child before you got to know them. Then you will regret your decision and you will live a life feeling guilty of what you did and what you could have done for that child.Caroline made a decision to take Phoebe away from that institution that David would have left her in and care for her and give her the love she needs to grow up. In the book Caroline talks to David about that place. 
"Have you been there?" she asked, remembering, that pale woman, her dark hair falling into the cold linoleum. "Have you seen that place?"

"No." He frowned. "It came highly recommended, that was all. I've sent other people there, in the past. I've heard nothing negative."
"It was awful," she said relieved.