Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter is arguably the most popular book series of my generation. Many of my friends have read the books, and several have watched the movies. I have watched the movies, but not read the books. I feel like I need to read these books to better understand the movies and because they have had such an impact on my generation.
Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
This book was referred to me a little over a year ago by my mother. I made a mental note of it, but never had time to read or access to the book. Now, I've seen it become a bestseller that is described as a "modern classic." As always, my mother was right. I want to read this book because it is popular and my momma told me to.
Quiet Strength, by Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy is the former coach of the Indianapolis Colts, an NFL football team. I always admired his personality and the manner in which he conducted himself, on the field and off the field. This book is a great way for me to simultaneously learn more about his football life and personal life.
A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini
A Thousand Splendid Suns is written by the same author as Kiterunner, the book my momma suggested to me. I stumbled across this book after seeing Kiterunner, and it seemed just as interesting as Kiterunner itself. So I decided to add it to my list, because momma is always right. In all seriousness, though, history intrigues me. This book tells the story of the recent history of Afghanistan, so it interests me.
It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life, by Lance Armstrong
I always admired Lance Armstrong for his story of overcoming cancer and never giving up to do what he loves and be once of the best bikers in the world. Originally, that is why I chose the book. Now, he has been charged guilty of using performance enhancing drugs, and I am even more curious to see if there is anything regarding that subject in this book.
Treasure Island, by Robert-Louis Stevenson
Many years ago, I read the abridged version of Treasure Island and loved it. Now that I have grown and my reading level has advanced, I am capable of now reading the unabridged version. The childhood memories in combination with the fact that it is a classic made me decide to add this book to my list.
The Natural, by Bernard Malamund
This is another classic book, but this one is about baseball. I will admit, I read this book many years ago when I was around eight years old. I loved the book. But when I got right to the last twenty or so pages of the book, I lost it! I reached the very end just to not finish it. So I added this book to my list out of reminiscence and the desire to finally finish the book.
Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe
This book has much of the same story as Treasure Island, only I liked this book even more. The abridged version was excellent, but that was many years ago. I enjoy stories of shipwreck and improvisation to overcome natures dangers. Robinson Crusoe uses every bit of wit and skill he has to survive, and that type of story is one I would love to have on my list.
Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann David Wyss
I promise this is the final book in this pattern of pre-read books. Again, I read this book about ten years ago, but it was the abridged version. I would really like to go back and read the full version. This book has a similar storyline to Robinson Crusoe, but it is an entire family instead of just one man, so there is more dialogue and interaction.
Geeks, by Jon Katz
This book is on my list because the title caught my name. It is about two "geeks" who get rich and famous, if memory serves me correctly. This book gives me hope because I too am somewhat a "geek" and would like to think that someday I too could become rich and famous. This book should be fun as well as relate to me, and that is why I chose it.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
An American Classic: "Rebel Without a Cause" Review
"Rebel Without a Cause", released by Warner Bros.on October 7th, 1995, is arguably the most famous movie of the 1950s. In addition to directing the movie, Nicholas Ray wrote the story with the assistance of Stewart Stern and Irving Shulman. Talented main actors, combined with a cleverly developed and intriguing storyline, make for a great movie that has been appreciated and enjoyed by several generations.
17-year-old Jim Stark (James Dean) has recently moved to Los Angeles to flee from problems and trouble he has caused elsewhere. His parents have done this multiple times for the sake of their reputation. After being arrested for public intoxication, he meets Judy (Natalie Wood) at the police station. Viewers are also introduced to another important character, Plato (Sal Mineo), at the station. Here at the station, Jim's internal family problems are revealed. His parents often argue, and his weak-willed father continually gives in to the wishes of his mother. This fighting tears away at Jim, and he feels betrayed and alone due to the fighting and lack of strength in his father.
Jim also works to fit in and make friends at his new school, coping with his problems from home all the while. As the movie progresses, he befriends Judy and Plato, who both also have problems at home and seek to compensate for them elsewhere. "Rebel Without a Cause" gives an insight to the 1950s teenager's struggle to communicate and be understood by his or her parents and to be accepted by his or her own peers. When Jim and his friends engage in dangerous, reckless activities so Jim can "prove himself" to his new peers, things go terribly wrong, and the consequences are dire. Their actions get a boy killed, and the rippling effect of this horrible event are felt by every character.
"Rebel Without a Cause" focuses on the relationship between a teenager and the parents of the teenager. It seemed like none of the characters had a strong father figure or parents that could understand the hardships that each of the characters were facing. Perhaps in the 1950s or in the childhoods of the writers, this was a common problems. In today's world, though, this relationship between teenagers and parents isn't emphasized. In fact, it is largely irrelevant in many movies today. In a movie, where there are only a few hours to develop characters, it is difficult to reveal to the audience the true depth of characters. Instead, Jim, Judy, and Plato are developed just enough so one can understand their similarities and problems they all face, which bring them closer together. The problems these three teenagers face may not always be relatable, but they are fairly easy to sympathize with, inspiring emotion in the audience when bad things happen to the characters.
All things considered, "Rebel Without a Cause" is what one would call a good movie. Despite the outdated conflict, the story crafted is still captivating. The story is well written, and the actors, especially Dean, do a great job embracing and assuming the roles of their characters. "Rebel Without a Cause" is a classic that many people have enjoyed and many more will continue to enjoy for years to come.
17-year-old Jim Stark (James Dean) has recently moved to Los Angeles to flee from problems and trouble he has caused elsewhere. His parents have done this multiple times for the sake of their reputation. After being arrested for public intoxication, he meets Judy (Natalie Wood) at the police station. Viewers are also introduced to another important character, Plato (Sal Mineo), at the station. Here at the station, Jim's internal family problems are revealed. His parents often argue, and his weak-willed father continually gives in to the wishes of his mother. This fighting tears away at Jim, and he feels betrayed and alone due to the fighting and lack of strength in his father.
Jim also works to fit in and make friends at his new school, coping with his problems from home all the while. As the movie progresses, he befriends Judy and Plato, who both also have problems at home and seek to compensate for them elsewhere. "Rebel Without a Cause" gives an insight to the 1950s teenager's struggle to communicate and be understood by his or her parents and to be accepted by his or her own peers. When Jim and his friends engage in dangerous, reckless activities so Jim can "prove himself" to his new peers, things go terribly wrong, and the consequences are dire. Their actions get a boy killed, and the rippling effect of this horrible event are felt by every character.
"Rebel Without a Cause" focuses on the relationship between a teenager and the parents of the teenager. It seemed like none of the characters had a strong father figure or parents that could understand the hardships that each of the characters were facing. Perhaps in the 1950s or in the childhoods of the writers, this was a common problems. In today's world, though, this relationship between teenagers and parents isn't emphasized. In fact, it is largely irrelevant in many movies today. In a movie, where there are only a few hours to develop characters, it is difficult to reveal to the audience the true depth of characters. Instead, Jim, Judy, and Plato are developed just enough so one can understand their similarities and problems they all face, which bring them closer together. The problems these three teenagers face may not always be relatable, but they are fairly easy to sympathize with, inspiring emotion in the audience when bad things happen to the characters.
All things considered, "Rebel Without a Cause" is what one would call a good movie. Despite the outdated conflict, the story crafted is still captivating. The story is well written, and the actors, especially Dean, do a great job embracing and assuming the roles of their characters. "Rebel Without a Cause" is a classic that many people have enjoyed and many more will continue to enjoy for years to come.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
A Candle in a Hurricane: An Analysis of "In New Orleans, a Resounding Victory for the Human Spirit"
Tony Kornheiser, a famous talk show host for ESPN and former columnist for the Washington Post, commonly uses sarcasm and bluntness to convey his message in a comical yet effective manner. This article about New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina is somewhat different, though. In Kornheiser's article "In New Orleans, a Resounding Victory for the Human Spirit", his animated admiration reveals his along with the rest of the nation's support of the New Orleans residents attempting to rebuild their lives after the hurricane as well as their respect for the resiliency of the citizens who refused to give up on their city. Kornheiser uses ethos, pathos, and pathos to transfer his tone and message to his audience.
Kornheiser begins by establishing ethos with the use of exemplification. He has been at "hockey playoff games where it seems like the noise is louder than in any other arena," basketball games where "it sounds like U2 and Green Day are playing inside your head," football stadiums that "shook with noise," and "the 1987 World Series in Minnesota, where the noise level inside the Metrodome made it feel like your eyeballs were about to pop out." Kornheiser has been in the business for years. These four examples, each pertaining to a different sport, show his experience in a wide range of sports. He then follows this up by stating that he "cannot recall anything" even comparatively close to the "noise, glee, gratitude, relief, hope and prayer" that the Superdome contained during that Monday Night Football game. Despite his expertise and years in the profession, nothing compares to what he experienced at that game. Portraying this event on a scale of such magnitude conveys to the reader how astounding Kornheiser believes this event to be.
While it is not the focal point of his argument, pathos is used briefly and effectively by Kornheiser to aid in the reader's understand of the situation. The Atlanta Falcons, who were playing the Saints, felt at a "competitive disadvantage" because "the whole world" was "against them," and "everyone [was] rooting for the Saints." It's not that people hated the Falcons, they were simply the opponent to the world's temporarily favorite team. That was the simple truth: everyone wanted the Saint's to win, everyone wanted the Saints to overcome their tragedy. Kornheiser stated that "If the Saints [could] rebuild," then, by "metaphoric extension," "so [could] New Orleans." This was a belief and hope that was clung on to by the citizens of New Orleans. Their local heroes were rising from the debris and carrying on for their community, and this inspired the rest of the town to pick themselves up and do the same.
Pathos is utilized effectively by Kornheiser throughout the essay to invoke the readers emotions and sway them in favor of his own emotions. He points out that outside the Superdome, there are "miles and miles of ravaged houses and empty neighborhoods," and it will take "years and years" for New Orleans "to come back whole again." This painstaking imagery reveals to the reader how catastrophic the destruction was from Hurricane Katrina. By tugging these emotional strings, he sparks feelings of sorrow and sympathy in the reader. He later concludes the column by describing the events of the night as "a script that was perfectly written and a moment that was perfectly lived." Even though times are hard and problems abound, there is still a shining light of hope in the darkness. The Saints fighting and continuing symbolize this hope, and the reader recognizes this determination with respectful admiration.
At the time it was written, the destruction from the hurricane was fresh, and the problems were largely unattended to. When Kornheiser wrote and published this column, it voiced the opinion of many Americans. He, as well as everyone else, was rooting for the community of New Orleans. Everyone wanted to see them overcome the hardships placed before them. The spirit shown by the Saints and Saint's fans showed hope. Hope that they would survive, hope that they would rebuild their destroyed town. And the whole world was behind them.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
"Kill 'Em! Crush 'Em! Eat 'Em Raw!"
1. John McMurty's essay begins with a personal anecdote about the results of playing sports- especially football- since childhood. When he can no longer ignore his physical condition, he seeks treatment and is hospitalized. How does the anecdote lend credibility to his argument?
By beginning with his personal experiences and integrating them throughout the essay, McMurty effectively establishes and maintains ethos. It lets the reader know that he has experienced everything he talks about on a first-hand basis. Someone with personal experience is more credible than someone who does not have this experience.
2. Paragraphs 5-7 compare and contrast football and war. Is this comparison convincing? How does the comparison appeal to logos?
Yes, the comparison is convincing. McMurty compares facts to show similarities between war and football. For example, he states that the "virtues" celebrated are "almost identical", and afterwards, there is a "injury report" much like a "body count". He points out many visible similarities, and in doing so, appeals to logos.
4. In paragraph 14, McMurty cites a Harvard study showing that some of the more brutal characteristics of football players are valued in the business world. How do the study's findings support McMurty's arguments against the brutality of football?
"Acceptance of inflicted injurty" is common in football as well as the business world, and time is spent to "systematically destroying and harming human life." This harsh diction reveal the horror underlying football as well as the business world. The "organized destruction" is a very harsh part of society. Football mirrors this brutality.
7. Who is McMurty's audience? Is it necessary for the reader to understand or care about football to understand what McMurty is saying about society? Explain.
McMurty's main audience is people who are interested in football. But it is not necessary to have an understanding of football to have an understand of his message. The connections can be made easier with football knowledge, but a member of society can see the comparison of football to society and realize what McMurty is talking about. The brutality shown in football is evident in the rest of our world today.
By beginning with his personal experiences and integrating them throughout the essay, McMurty effectively establishes and maintains ethos. It lets the reader know that he has experienced everything he talks about on a first-hand basis. Someone with personal experience is more credible than someone who does not have this experience.
2. Paragraphs 5-7 compare and contrast football and war. Is this comparison convincing? How does the comparison appeal to logos?
Yes, the comparison is convincing. McMurty compares facts to show similarities between war and football. For example, he states that the "virtues" celebrated are "almost identical", and afterwards, there is a "injury report" much like a "body count". He points out many visible similarities, and in doing so, appeals to logos.
4. In paragraph 14, McMurty cites a Harvard study showing that some of the more brutal characteristics of football players are valued in the business world. How do the study's findings support McMurty's arguments against the brutality of football?
"Acceptance of inflicted injurty" is common in football as well as the business world, and time is spent to "systematically destroying and harming human life." This harsh diction reveal the horror underlying football as well as the business world. The "organized destruction" is a very harsh part of society. Football mirrors this brutality.
7. Who is McMurty's audience? Is it necessary for the reader to understand or care about football to understand what McMurty is saying about society? Explain.
McMurty's main audience is people who are interested in football. But it is not necessary to have an understanding of football to have an understand of his message. The connections can be made easier with football knowledge, but a member of society can see the comparison of football to society and realize what McMurty is talking about. The brutality shown in football is evident in the rest of our world today.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)