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Michael Y.
3-4
April
“The Retuners”
Gemma Malley

I think Emma’s purpose in writing this story is to allow people to ask themselves this question, “Are we born with a predetermined destiny or can we change who we were meant to be?” Then, answer it after reading and trying to experience the book. I think she is trying to target adolescents as her audience for the book, so that they can get a grasp of life.

I rate this book a 9 out of 10.

I gave the book a 9 out of 10 because I felt it the story took too long to get to the specific Returners story line. Most of the book deals with Will’s denial of his connection to the strange people following him.

Michael Y.
3-4
March 2011
“Al Capone Does My Shirt”
Gennifer Choldenko

I think Choldenko’s purpose in writing this story is to make a story that connects with people by showing a boy’s attempt at living a normal life. Everyone wants to live a normal life and this is boy’s attempt at living one. I believe the audience of the book should be anyone who has family problems at home. I rate this book a 9.

ONE QUESTION:

Describe one major external conflict and one major internal conflict found in this book.

One external conflict in the book is Moose dealing and having to take care of his 10 year old(Even though she’s really 16) with autism. She is constantly having episodes and Moose has to take care of her, and he’s only about 12. One internal conflict is Moose coming to peace with having to take care of his sister, and feeling compassion for her.

1. Winter is used to describe the mood of the story in that particular time. The winter is cold,empty,and lonesome. The cruelty throughout the story somewhat becomes apparent and abrupt in “Winter” as Pecola is picked on, teased, and interrogated about her father by Maureen. Winter somehow comes to life and identical to this section of the book.

2. Pecola is teased and ridicule by a group of boys but does not stand up for herself. She becomes helpless almost succumbing to the insults. She is not immune to them but gives in to them just taking them without even trying to defend herself. These are common characteristics of a victim of bullying.

3. Maureen is this ‘perfect’ girl that is introduced in the section “Winter” in the story. She has everything that Claudia and Frieda wish they had. She is pretty, high class, confident, and everyone likes her. Maureen is seen trying to befriend Pecola in some sense but it’s later discovered that she really wanted to know more about Pecola and her father.

4. Claudia and Frieda were fine the way they were. The way they felt about themselves and in every aspect until they met Maureen. Maureen being ‘perfect’ made them start to question their beauty, worth and everything about themselves. But, what I think really got to them was when Maureen called them ugly. Because she was ‘perfect’ she was pretty and if she called someone ugly they were ugly because her word is just.

5. When Claudia and Frieda see China and Maginot Line the prostitutes there mother and her friends talk about they stay far away from them. This suggest that they take in and believe everything their mother says.

6. Geraldine is Junior’s mother. She adores her cat so much and treats it better than her own son. She is seen by others as a saint, a ‘perfect’ woman. She is rarely seen showing love to anything or anyone but she loves the cat.

7. Junior gets everything he wants from his mother except the attention and love that he wants. He hates his mother’s cat because she treats it better than she does him. All this hate can possibly be the reason why he torments Pecola in school.

8. Earlier in the story Junior is one of the boys that tease and pick on Pecola. But, he then acts as if he wanted to be her friend. He invites her over only to trap her in his house then he kills his mom’s cat and blames it on Pecola. Junior’s mom then yells at Pecola calling her names and treating her like nothing. Pecola doesn’t even try to defend herself she just takes all of the insults and walks away with her head down.

ACT I:

1. What causes do Salerio and Salanio suggest for Antonio’s melancholy?
-They suggest that he is sad because he is in love and that his ships might be indanger.

2. What humorous advice does Gratiano offer Antonio?
-He told Antonio to talk because he would forget his own voice.

3. Why does Bassanio want Antonio to loan him more money?
-Bassanio wants Antonio to loan him money because he wants to go on a journey to Belmont to marry Portia.

4. Why is Portia angry with her deceased father?
-Portia is angry with her father because he left a system so the man who choses the right casket gets to marry her. Portia disagrees with this because she can’t chose who she wishes to marry.

5. Why does Nerissa tell Portia she “need not fear” her unwelcome suitors?
-Nerissa tells Portia this because if she ignores or doesn’t acknowledge the unwelcome suitors they will leave her alone.

6. What do Portia and Nerissa think of Bassanio?
-Portia and Neriassa think that he is the most suitable person for Portia to marry out of all the others that tried.

7.According to Shylock, why does he hate Antonio?
-Shylock hates Antonio because he spat on him in a previously and ridicules him and the jews.

8.Why is Shylock indignant over Antonio’s request?
-Shylock was indignant because he felt as if he shouldn’t give them what they want because they treated him poorly.

9. What is Antonio’s response to Shylock’s accusation?
-Antonio’s response to Shylock’s accusation was shocking because he should do it as his job not from personal grudges.

10. In exchange for what does Shylock agree to lend Antonio and Bassanio the money?
-Shylock agrees to lend him money, but he must give Shylock a pound of flesh in returnif the due isn’t paid.

ACT II:

1. Why does Morocco fear Portia will reject him at the outset?
-Morocco thinks he will be rejected by Portia because of his skin color.

2. What is Bassanio’s reservation about Gratiano accompanying him to Belmont?
-Bassanio’s reservation was that Gratiano had to act more mature in this voyage.

3. What is Jessica’s dilemma concerning her father, Shylock?
-Jessica’s dilemma is that she can’t love a Christian and she is ashamed of him.

4. How does Lorenzo plan to disguise Jessica in order to escape from her father?
-Lorenzo plans to disguise Jessica as a boy to escape from her father’s house.

5. Before going to dine with Antonio and Bassanio, what advice does Shylock give his daughter?
-The advice that Shylock gave Jessica was to lock all the doors and not to leave the house.

6. Why does Jessica not want Lorenzo to see her when he arrives at Shylock’s house?
-Jessica didn’t want Lorenzo to she her because she was disguised as a boy and she was embarassed.

7. What is Morocco’s rationle for choosing the gold casket?
-Morocco choose the gold casket because he thought that she is worth nothing less and every suitor wants her.

8. What news has Salerio heard, making him anxious?
-Salerio heard that some ships have sank on a voyage and he fears that they may be Antonio’s .

9. How does Solanio interpret Antonio’s sadness at Bassanio’s departure?
-Solanio says that Antonio is upset because Bassanio is leaving and that he’s losing his bestfriend.

10. Which casket does Aragon choose, and why?
-Aragon choose the silver casket because he thinks he deserves her more than any other suitor.

ACT III:

1. Why, since it won’t result in any financial gain, does Shylock insist on the terms of his bond with Antonio?
-Antonio and Shylock made a deal and if Antonio doesn’t give his bond he must give a pound of flesh and a deal is a deal.

2. What news does Tubal bring Shylock?
-Tubal told Shylock that Antonio’s ships sank and he wouldn’t be able to pay back the bond.

3. Why does Portia want Bassanio to wait before facing the challenge of the three caskets?
-Because Portia wants Bassanio to wait and be with her for a little while so that if he get’s it wrong they still spent time together.

4. Why does Bassanio select the lead casket?
-Bassanio select the lead casket because he thought it was the right one and indeed it was.

5. What does the lead casket contain?
-The lead casket contain Portia picture and a scroll.

6. What doe Portia claim will occur if Bassanio gives up the ring she gave him?
-Portia claim that it will sow that Bassanio doesn’t love her as much as she thought.

7. What does Gratiano reveal after Bassanio solves the riddle of the three caskets?
-Gratiano revealed that Portia would now be Bassanio’s.

8.Why does Portia allow Bassanio to leave before they get married?
-Portia allow him to leave becasue she knows that Antonio is in trouble and that they are best friends.

9. According to Antonio, why won’t the Duke be able to intercede on his behalf?
-Because a bond is a bond and it was a written agreement and it was signed so Antonio must hold up his end of the bargain.

10. What does Portia decide to do at the end of Act III?
-Portia decides to dress up like a man and go to the court for Antonio to help him so that Shylock doesn’t recieve the pound of flesh.

ACT IV:

1. What does the Duke request of Shylock?
-The Duke requests that Shylock is to forgive him and come up with a different agreement.

2. What reason does Shylock give for his wanting the pound of Antonio’s flesh?
-That the Jews and Christians should have the same rights. Shylock also mentioned that Antonio always spat on him.

3. Why does Antonio advise his friends to give up attempting to dissuade Shylock?
-Because Antonio knows that Shylock wont back down and that the deal was what it was.

4. Why does Shylock believe the Duke must enforce the terms of the bond?
-Because the bond was made and it should be followed up with no matter what.

5. Why does Portia, disguised as the lawyer, initially conclude that Shylock’s bond must beadhered to?
-Portis disguises herself so she can help Antonio, so that he doesn’t have to give one pound of flesh to Shylock.

6. Although she acknowledges Shylock’s right to a pound of Antonio’s flesh, how does Portia prevent the usurer from acting on it?
-She says that if any drip of christian blood is dripped he Shylock has the right to die.

7. Why is Shylock stripped of his possessions?
-Because he tried to murder or harm a christian.

8. Apart from the financial conditions, what does Antonio’s new arrangement demand of Shylock?
-He doubles his money and Antonio does not lose one pound of flesh, and half of the money goes to Jessica.

9. What does the disguised Portia demand from Bassanio for her services?
-She demands the ring that she gave to him.

10. Why is Bassanio reluctant to give up the ring?
-Because it was the ring his wife gave him showing her love, and she made him promise that he wouldn’t give it away or loose it no matter what.

ACT V:

1.What message does Stephano deliver to Lorenzo and Jessica?
-The message was that Portia and Nerissa have arrived.

2.What opinion does Lorenzo hold of men who don’t like music?
-Lorenzo thinks that they feel no emotion of love.

3.What does Portia order her household not to do?
-Portia orders that they take no being of the absence.

4.To whom does Nerissa claim to believe Gratiano gave his ring?
-Nerissa belives that Gratiano gave it to another woman.

5.What does Portia threaten when Bassanio admits he gave the ring away?
-She threatens him that she will not see or talk to him until the ring is returned.

6.What does Portia claim she will do if she encounters the doctor to whom Bassanio gave the ring?
-She says if she sees the doctor with her ring the doctor must lay with her.

7.How does Antonio attempt to placate Portia?
-By telling her he witnessed give the ring to the clerk.

8.What does Portia offer Bassanio to seal the new promise?
-Another ring.

9.What secret does Portia reveal to the company?
-That she was infact the doctor and Nerissa was the clerk.

10.What good news does Portia tell Antonio?
-That shylock’s gift is that after he dies all his possessions go to him.

http://storycorps.org/listen/stories/john-vigiano-and-his-wife-jan/?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4cd9581665365f74,0

The story I heard is so effective simply because

What does it mean to be just
-To be just is to be given or awarded rightly, or what is to be deserved to someone or something.

What does it mean to be merciful?
-To be merciful is to bbe full of mercy. It’s the expression of mercy and mercy is an act of kindness, compasion, or favor on behalf of someone who has done wrong.

In what ways can justice and mercy work against each other?
-A person cannot be merciful and just at one time. Mercy being the protagonist and justice the antagonist. They’re just opposite. For example, if a murderer in a court is victim to the possibility of the death penalty but the judge wants to be merciful and just send him to jail. The family of the person the murderer killed would want justice instead of mercy. Now the judge is faced with either justice or mercy.

How do the issues of race/gender/religion that are discussed in Shakespeare relate to current issues?
-Racial prejudice is very well still about in societies today. It may not be so direct anymore but is still present.

Michael Y.

3-4

October

“Soulless”

Christopher Golden

I think Golden’s purpose in writing this book was to portray and evoke human emotions in a time of crisis. The intended audience in my opinion is anyone that likes to read horror books that are as realistic as it can get.

I rate this book a 10 out of 10.

ONE QUESTION:

       I rated this book a 10 out of 10 simply because it was a magnificent read. It may have been about zombies but, it was one of the best novels I’ve ever read. Golden does an excellent job with the characters emotions, and decisions they make as they try to survive. He describes the scenary so well and the characters that it fells like I was sucked into the book watching what was going on instead of reading it. That is how every story should be( well every good one at least). “Soulless” was a great book written by a great author and I recommend it to everyone.

•What did you think about doubters and believers?

- I think “Doubters and Believers” was very insightful, mainly because it showed me what my peers beliefs on certain topics were. How, they reacted and responded to the statements posed was very interseting. As well as actually asking myself what I honestly think about certain things.

•What did you learn about yourself and others?

- I learned other peoples perspectives on topics such as, “Should spouses share the same values?” and detailed opinions supporting their arguements. I actually had to tap deep into myself to pick sides and respond when necessary.

•What values are important to you based on what we did this morning?

-Not judging people is one of the values I embody, simply because I would never want someone to judge me. I think that’s the most important one as well as respect for others. That’s all.

1. First Response: Given the situation both of the characters, Gurov and Anna are in I could justify their actions. Anna married young and she says, “I have been decieving myself for a long time.” She was lying to herself but she wanted a better life, so much she just wanted to get away. Gurov is married to a woman he no longer loves nor respects. He cheats often because of this. Were they wrong for cheating on their spouses? Yes, but why throw away a love obviously meant to be. It’s like Romeo and Juliet. Forbidden to  be together but loved each other enough to set  aside the rules. What is marriage besides committing yourself to one person as well as half your belongings. Some people just take the concept way to seriously. Marriage is a promise and some promises just get broken.

2. The setting of the story being in a resort in a town is significant simply because they have no one to hide from, no one to go home to( at least for that time being), and free of the type of ways and morals they live by in their own home towns. It also set sort of a romantic atmosphere, like the ocean, the clouds, the sky things you normally wouldn’t notice in your home town.

3. Gurov’s view of woman would suggest that he is deceitful, sly, and cunning enough to get any woman and basically do what he wants. In my opinion, he regards woman as the “inferior race” to explain his dealings with the mind of a woman. He outsmarts them and he considers himself superior.

5. Gurov’s feelings of Anna change when he goes home, probably because he realizes she wasn’t like any other woman he met before. I think he actually does love her, he went out of his way to see her, so I would assume he’s in love with her.

7. Having Gurov as the central consciousness  was having the point of view of a man that could have any girl in town basically fall in love with a young, timid girl who respected herself. It’s more interesting as Gurov becomes confused as of why he can’t get Anna out of his head. Anna’s version would be more emotional(not because sh’s a woman)with her thinking about morals and virtues.

I’m from the womb of a woman
But if you ask where I was raised
I’ll say the cement cracks
Where I peek my head
I’m from the booming ring
of church bells miles away
I’m from the squaks of the hawks
in the backyard tree
I’m from the cracks in the walls
children playing football
The talking of the teens
From the books I read
I’m from the screams of the fathers
The worry of the mamas
The pain of the present
and the tomorrow
The lights of the city,
might seem happy but it actually cries deep within
I’m from the liberty bell
The city that murders, so bad
the people replace “phil” with kill
I’m from the house tha’s blue
with six other siblings
The ashes of the gone
The fan on the ceiling
The yells of the streets saying,
“UPTOWN!!”