Michelle Toribio English Blog
Sunday, May 31, 2015
To Kill A Mocking Bird Book Review
In the book called To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, their were many characters who showed their genius qualities through out the novel: Atticus, Miss Maudie, and Jem. When I was reading the novel I notice that the character known as Atticus Finch possess a genius quality, which is flexibility, this was stated in page 87," It's different this time," he said. "This time we aren't fighting the Yankees, we're fighting our friends. But remember this, no matter how bitter things get, they're still our friends and this is still our home". This shows how Atticus quality is flexibility because his objective is something that his neighbors, friends, including his own family don't support and not really fond of him for following this absurd concept and believe that he is shaming the family's name, but no matter what his friends, family members, or the people of Maycomb call him he keeps on going the path he chose without no hesitation. Atticus genius quality gave me a insight of what courage truly means and I can connect with this because I'm a person who doesn't have that much confidence and don't have the courage to make decisions, but Atticus has taught me that true courage is sometime to stand up tall and defend your claims. Another character that possess a genius quality is Miss Maudie, she possess vitality, this was stated in page 82,"Miss Maudie looked around, and the shadow of her old grin crossed her face. "Always wanted a smaller house, Jem Finch. Gives me more yard. Just think, I'll have more room for my azaleas now!"......."Grieving, child? Why, I hated that old cow barn. Thought of settin' fire to it a hundred times myself, except they'd lock me up." This shows how Miss Maudie quality is vitality because she loses something that is so significant to her life, but somehow she isn't devastated about her loss, she is content with it and seems that this loss hasn't affect her at all. Miss Maudie genius quality reminded me of how many people in our society always lose something they value so much, but only some are able to stand up from their depression and continue on with their lives. And I guess this is what Miss Maudie genius quality shows us that we can be strong and positive in the most hardest moments in our life. Another character that I notice possessing a genius quality is Jem Finch, he possess sensitivity, this is stated in page 6, "I did not miss her, but I think Jem did. He remembered her clearly, and sometimes in the middle of a game he would sigh at length, then go off and play by himself behind the car house." This shows how Jem quality is sensitivity because he has dealt with the passing away of her mother, which it really takes a toll on a kid especially, and he has develop these emotional walls in order to protect himself from all the pain, but the memories of her mother is what makes all the pain return. I can connect with Jem genius quality because I, myself dealt with losing someone and I was vulnerable to all the mix emotions I felt , it look like my parents or other adults were calm, probably because they knew how to deal with these emotions but like Jem I didn't understand these unidentifiable emotions that were deep inside me. These are the characters that I notice that had genius qualities.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Maus- A Survivors Tale Book Review
The book Maus: A Survivors Tale, is a very unique book that portrays the story of a holocaust survivor in the envision of a mouse. In the book, the fictional character Artie, visits his dad in order to obtain primary research about the holocaust.What makes this text unique is that the author uses his dads life and merges it into a graphic (comic-like )novel. Whether it was was their actions, thoughts, or the dialogue, the characters in this graphic novel all experienced genius qualities. In the book I believe that Artie's dad was very wise, for even though he dropped out of school, he still took private classes and got educated, he didn't have to MUSE about it for he knew it was for a greater future, "I had to quit school at about 14 to work...but i took private lessons...I always dreamed of going to America"(16). This clearly shows that although he couldn't obtain some high DECREE he made a wise decision in working with what he had. In the book Artie's dad, prior to his marriage, had a relationship with Lucia and she was very sensitive, she was way to clingy and took everything way to seriously and didn't let the situation be when Artie's dad called it off, " PSHH! And look what beauty you picked...Forget her !!!Let me make you happy!...It was not so easy to get free from Lucia" (17). Lucia was very sensitive and even mocked Anja (Artie's mom) based on her VISAGE saying that she was better, she definitely possessed sensitivity. Deeper into the novel you also find that Anja was sensitive as well but in a more controlled and civilized way. Anja risked her safety and well being in helping this communist ENTERPRISE, " The police were here!Looking for Anja!That boy form Warsaw brings communist messages.She translates them into German and passes it on!" (27) This clearly shows Anja's clear dedication to a cause and therefor proves that she is sensitive in a positive an productive way, unlike Lucia. As the story progresses, Anja's character become more and more FEEBLE, she is just unknowingly low and sad and lacks vitality. "But why are you crying?... I don't know. I have a good family...a fine son...I should be happy...But I don't care.I just don't want to live!", in the story the doctor said that it was the stress and the birth of Artie's brother (died in war) that was putting a strain in her life causing her to feel depressed and have breakdowns.This is a perfect example of her not possessing the quality vitality. Artie's grandfather's actions, thoughts , and dialogue helped me learn more about myself and my society because it shows how people do crazy things to survive."So when my brother Marcus got 21 years, father put him on a starvation diet.Always Marcus was sickly-so-thin.And when he went for the army examination...they didn't take him." (45)When Artie's dad was taken BONDAGE and was treated like a SERVILE, many men wanted to stay in the camps for their pride but he possessed the power of being wise he didn't want to die for he knew he had a family to get back to! "If we have to die, let's die here! NO! I didn't agree! I'm not going to die, and I won't die here! I want to be treated like a human being!"Artie also possessed genius qualities, he was very creative because in the book he made a comic expressing his feeling of his moms suicide, for this was a way of coping with his moms loss. I believe Art Spiegelmans made and awesome job, and gave an extraordinary envision of a variety of different genius qualities.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl Book Review
The book Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl is a very inspirational book in which it tells the story of a young teenage girls life during the holocaust. Anne Frank was a young Jewish girl, with a normal life, when suddenly her life changes drastically for they did not ANTICIPATE that her sister Margot would be sent a letter which ADDRESSED that she was to be sent away. The Franks had planned to go into hiding, so they quickly packed their bags, and moved to the "Secret Annexe" with the Van Pels and Fritz Pfeffer, where their life of hiding began. Whether it was Peter, Margot, Anne, or even Fritz they all at some point throughout the diary experienced genius qualities. During the holocaust there were many people that were forced to be bystanders, and witness all this hatred targeted towards this group of people. Many of these people had the virtue of sensitivity, "You could see by their faces how sorry they were they couldn't offer us a lift, the yellow star spoke for itself." (16) The people were worried of them, and were hurt that they weren't able to help them, for they were "Jews". The franks also possessed the genius quality of being wise. This is because when they were TRANSITIONING from their home to the annexe, they piled clothes under their coats to avoid SIGNIFICANT suspicions." I had on two vests, three pairs of pants, a dress, on top of that a skirt, jacket, summer coat, two pairs of stockings, lace-up shoes, woolly cap, scarf, and still more; I was nearly stifled before we started, but no one inquired about that."(15) This book also helped me have deeper INSIGHT about myself and my society, it showed me that even throughout the roughest of times, you always have to aim to be happy and have fun. Anne Frank was very joyful for when everyone else was mourning about the life of hiding, she was putting up pictures and making the best of the situation, and she even gave kitty a tour of her new home, " So there you are, I've introduced you to the whole of our beautiful Secret Annexe"(18). Some genius qualities also were reflected on the characters actions, their actions lead me to believe me that they had curiosity. " The first day Russell was here, he immediately asked me all sorts of questions: when does the charwoman come? when can we use the bathroom? When is one allowed to use the lavatory?..."(53). The people living in the annexe ANTICIPATED the day when they could finally leave the crowded area, and have a normal life once again.This quote also helps me understand that today's society is so messed up, the people from the annexe wished they could go out and be normal, but people today prefer being indoors instead of enjoying their life productively.I also took time to see the Anne Frank website in which there is a 3D house , and you can clearly see the beds, kitchen, pictures of the "Secret Annexe". If Anne Frank would see that today there is no discrimination, that children from different colors/races/religions all go to school together , I'm sure she'd say how lucky we are to have this.
3D Annexe: www.annefrank.org/en/Subsites/Home/
3D Annexe: www.annefrank.org/en/Subsites/Home/
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
The Lovely Bones Book Review #1
The book Lonely Bones, tells the story of Susie Salmon, a 14 year old girl who was brutally raped and murdered by her neighbor Mr. Harvey. Throughout the book, Susie Salmon spectates her family, Ray Singh, and even her murderer. In the after life she starts discovering that she wasn't Mr. Harveys only victim, her father becomes obsessed with the idea of Mr. Harvey being involved in his daughters death.Many characters had genius qualities while others lacked some. Susie Salmons younger brother, Buckley,says "Do you see her?.... No said Nate... She was gone fir a while , but now she's back.Race!". Buckley has so much vitality, he is so positive and happy that he believes Susie will come back some day, eventhough sadly it wont happen. The detective Len Fenermans actions, thoughts and feelings show that he CONSISTENTLY is looking for clues and/or leads that may be helpful to Susies case. After Mr. Salmon informed him on his suspicions, he not only looked into it but he warned him to stay away as if not to interrupt the investigation " I'll check it out,Len Fenerman said....."Dont talk to any one and dont approach him again (62)". Mr. Salmon lacked having wonder in the begining because there was no PRECISE evidence thats linked Mr. Harvey to Susies death. Later on, he develops the genius quality of wonder, in which he uses to try to obtain CONCRETE evidence to prove Mr. Harveys guiltiness. I learned many things about my society based on the genius qualities Mr. Harvey possessed. He was a normal man, living a normal life, and no one could've ANTICIPATED that he could be a rapist and murderer. Mr. Harvey had a cohesion of two main qualities, wisdom and creativity. He pre-meditated his attack by building the place where susie was held, he also had a lot of creativity in the way of disposing and/or getting rid of susies body.The reason why he was so wise was because he had a primary OBJECTIVE which was to seem normal and to avoid being held responsible for his crime. The character that was the most interesting has to be Mr. Harvey, he was so suspenseful, and if he had any IMPLICATIONS, he would try to play it off and act normal like everyone else. During the investigation he couldnt give Mr.Harvey " He set up clocks. One to tell him when to open the blinds, one to close them. In conjunction with these alarms, he would turn lights on and off throught the house (128)". From this book and ita characters actions I learned that what goes around comes around. My opinion on this book is that you will be surprised to find so many qualities in some fictional characters, and then you might start wondering.... what genius characters do I possess? You should find out!
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
I Am a Genius
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