Blogging has been a real learning experience for me. I enjoyed it because it made writing and presenting my ideas very easy and beneficial by seeing what the other students had to say about my work in both 11-1 and 11-2.
I have taking a new outlook on writing by using blogger. I realized my flaws through the constructive criticism of my peers.
Blogging is very organized and prepares us for college. From what I have been told a lot of classes as we progress through the years are beginning to use tools similar to blogger. I feel that we should continue this approach. I like the way our assignment is on the sight just in case we don’t write it down. I also like the fact that we can read other people’s work and comment on them.
The use of blogger is different than the traditional writing of a paper and turning it in. It allows us to work at our own speed while still meeting deadlines. We are able to relate to each other’s work, and display our own work nicely organized.
I feel that as a teacher you are doing a great job with the blogger site. I find that it is confusing for you to tell who comments on other people’s work because everyone does that at different times and we are supposed to get credit for that so maybe that can be improved. Other than that I think it is a perfect way to do English.
I always interacted between 11-1 and 11-2 I enjoyed the fact that we are all connected in blogger. I think this is a nicer way for the people who are not used to seeing work from the other class to finally have that option.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Scott Fitzgerald
“Riches have never fascinated me, unless combined with the greatest charm or distinction.”
–Letter, Aug. 1936, to Ernest Hemingway
People with high moral standards will be the ones to appreciate this quote by Fitzgerald. It is relating to the saying that money cannot buy you everything. In this part of the letter he is stating that money and riches are not important to him. The only way that money and riches held interest to him was if it held and brought something with greatness attached. Fitzgerald could also be implying the idea that riches can change people. The way that people behave and carry themselves is crucial. In most cases, riches and everything that comes with it change people for the worst. He wants people to know that in his eyes, if the riches do not bring good character to you then it’s worth nothing and people need to see that.
This quote can be related to The Great Gatsby. Gatsby was a rich man that lived in a mansion. He had plenty of money and lived the way any person would only dream. He had the fortune and the great lifestyle; however he was not entirely happy. He didn’t have the charm like the quote, or the distinction of his character and true love. His past true love Daisy was married to someone else and he longed to be with her again. This hole in his heart proves the quote true. All the money in the world, the big houses or the fame cannot buy your happiness. The only way that it can buy you happiness is if there is something more meaningful attached.
–Letter, Aug. 1936, to Ernest Hemingway
People with high moral standards will be the ones to appreciate this quote by Fitzgerald. It is relating to the saying that money cannot buy you everything. In this part of the letter he is stating that money and riches are not important to him. The only way that money and riches held interest to him was if it held and brought something with greatness attached. Fitzgerald could also be implying the idea that riches can change people. The way that people behave and carry themselves is crucial. In most cases, riches and everything that comes with it change people for the worst. He wants people to know that in his eyes, if the riches do not bring good character to you then it’s worth nothing and people need to see that.
This quote can be related to The Great Gatsby. Gatsby was a rich man that lived in a mansion. He had plenty of money and lived the way any person would only dream. He had the fortune and the great lifestyle; however he was not entirely happy. He didn’t have the charm like the quote, or the distinction of his character and true love. His past true love Daisy was married to someone else and he longed to be with her again. This hole in his heart proves the quote true. All the money in the world, the big houses or the fame cannot buy your happiness. The only way that it can buy you happiness is if there is something more meaningful attached.
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby
Chapter 2
This chapter discussed the affair that Tom Buchanan had with Myrtle Wilson. It took place in the Valley that was in between New York City and West Egg. Fitzgerald makes the setting of chapter two here to define the desolation and gloom that the characters’ are experiencing. Nick starts by talking about his experience with his walk through the Valley of Ashes.
This darker place made it easy for him to notice the business of Dr. Eckleburg. Tom led Nick there after the train ride there. Tom then meets Myrtle Wilson who he has been having the affair with. These events of Chapter two are showing the types of people both Nick and Tom are. Tom is careless while Nick cares more than he probably should.
“Above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it.” This quote is the author trying to show the vast differences of the grayness of the valley and the vision Nick then sees. Fitzgerald used a lot of figurative language here and throughout the book so far.
http://www.wordle.net/create
Chapter 2
This chapter discussed the affair that Tom Buchanan had with Myrtle Wilson. It took place in the Valley that was in between New York City and West Egg. Fitzgerald makes the setting of chapter two here to define the desolation and gloom that the characters’ are experiencing. Nick starts by talking about his experience with his walk through the Valley of Ashes.
This darker place made it easy for him to notice the business of Dr. Eckleburg. Tom led Nick there after the train ride there. Tom then meets Myrtle Wilson who he has been having the affair with. These events of Chapter two are showing the types of people both Nick and Tom are. Tom is careless while Nick cares more than he probably should.
“Above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it.” This quote is the author trying to show the vast differences of the grayness of the valley and the vision Nick then sees. Fitzgerald used a lot of figurative language here and throughout the book so far.
http://www.wordle.net/create
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Monica Argenzio
March 8, 2009
English 11 – 1
Denise Levertov
Denise Levertov was born in England in 1923. She was home-schooled and became interested in writing as early as age five. She began to strive for success with her writings by sending her work to be reviewed by professionals at the age of twelve. By the time she was seventeen, she published her first poem and did nothing but publishing and writing afterwards.
When she started as a writer, she wrote in English dialect. When she married and moved to the united states where she continued to write, she became interested in the way that American dialect was written and accustomed herself and her writing to that. The very first book that she wrote in American dialect was Here and Now. By reading poems from this book and comparing them to the ones before, you can notice the transition that she made with her new American Lifestyle.
It is interesting to see that this author wished to change her English way of writing to American style because so many other kept their own English writing dialect. The year that Denise moved to America with her husband was 1948. Times were changing and so was she. Her way of writing was more modern now in the American way.
The poem “In Mind” (http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-mind/) by Denise Levertov incorporates a lot of figurative language. For instance, she uses descriptive adjectives comparing the smell and features of the woman in the poem to apples and grass. The meter of this poem is not traditional. She doesn’t use end rhyme or a specific rhyme scheme. She tells a story about a girl who is troubled. She uses few words, but they are all symbols and very descriptive. For example in the sixth stanza, she says; “And there's a turbulent moon-ridden girl.” That is Denise using a great adjective to describe that the girl in the poem who remains anonymous is troubled and confused about life. Based on the first stanza, I can guess that Denise is creating this woman in her poem to be her troubles within herself. She says in the first stanza “There's in my mind a woman of innocence, unadorned but.” She is saying that in her mind there is a woman that is so kind and innocent but as the poem progresses she explains the problems. I believe that she is talking about her own self.
Denise Lovertov wrote a lot of other works that express her American Style as well as her talent to so briefly get a point about herself or others across. The poem she wrote entitled “Celebration” (http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/celebration/ ) This poem was about the simplicity of celebration. Denise compares all the glorious things and feelings that associate with a celebration or party of any kind of important event to beautiful things of nature.
There are things about the works of this poet that makes her distinctly American. Denise Lervertov began her writing career in her homeland of England. When she moved to America she learned and accustomed herself to their way of writing based on her experiences and observations of America. Most of her poems that I read are about the simple American things. She describes them is such a way that the simplicity of it all is enriched with beautiful adjatives and comparisons and symbolism. She is not big on rhyme, but she writes more in a free verse type way. They are the kind of poems that should be read by readers so that they can appricate the little things in life and see them for what they are and have their own take on them as well. Also, her poems show that you should be able to self evaluate yourself based on how you are as a person.
March 8, 2009
English 11 – 1
Denise Levertov
Denise Levertov was born in England in 1923. She was home-schooled and became interested in writing as early as age five. She began to strive for success with her writings by sending her work to be reviewed by professionals at the age of twelve. By the time she was seventeen, she published her first poem and did nothing but publishing and writing afterwards.
When she started as a writer, she wrote in English dialect. When she married and moved to the united states where she continued to write, she became interested in the way that American dialect was written and accustomed herself and her writing to that. The very first book that she wrote in American dialect was Here and Now. By reading poems from this book and comparing them to the ones before, you can notice the transition that she made with her new American Lifestyle.
It is interesting to see that this author wished to change her English way of writing to American style because so many other kept their own English writing dialect. The year that Denise moved to America with her husband was 1948. Times were changing and so was she. Her way of writing was more modern now in the American way.
The poem “In Mind” (http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-mind/) by Denise Levertov incorporates a lot of figurative language. For instance, she uses descriptive adjectives comparing the smell and features of the woman in the poem to apples and grass. The meter of this poem is not traditional. She doesn’t use end rhyme or a specific rhyme scheme. She tells a story about a girl who is troubled. She uses few words, but they are all symbols and very descriptive. For example in the sixth stanza, she says; “And there's a turbulent moon-ridden girl.” That is Denise using a great adjective to describe that the girl in the poem who remains anonymous is troubled and confused about life. Based on the first stanza, I can guess that Denise is creating this woman in her poem to be her troubles within herself. She says in the first stanza “There's in my mind a woman of innocence, unadorned but.” She is saying that in her mind there is a woman that is so kind and innocent but as the poem progresses she explains the problems. I believe that she is talking about her own self.
Denise Lovertov wrote a lot of other works that express her American Style as well as her talent to so briefly get a point about herself or others across. The poem she wrote entitled “Celebration” (http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/celebration/ ) This poem was about the simplicity of celebration. Denise compares all the glorious things and feelings that associate with a celebration or party of any kind of important event to beautiful things of nature.
There are things about the works of this poet that makes her distinctly American. Denise Lervertov began her writing career in her homeland of England. When she moved to America she learned and accustomed herself to their way of writing based on her experiences and observations of America. Most of her poems that I read are about the simple American things. She describes them is such a way that the simplicity of it all is enriched with beautiful adjatives and comparisons and symbolism. She is not big on rhyme, but she writes more in a free verse type way. They are the kind of poems that should be read by readers so that they can appricate the little things in life and see them for what they are and have their own take on them as well. Also, her poems show that you should be able to self evaluate yourself based on how you are as a person.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Amercan Realism/Mark Twain
American Realism is the work of many talented writers that write about the real issues that people face each day. Mark Twain is one of these very talented writers. His writings deal with the problems people face, the solutions people chose, and their outcomes. The works of Twain and all of these other writers differ a lot from American Romantics, which are writings that deal with nature and their affect on humans.
The writings of Mark Twain differ from those of the American Romantics that we have read about. The American Romantics discussed more universally symbolic issues. They talked about how nature and pure love were the solutions to problems. They also showed how the roles of us as humans were affected by the nature and love in our world. Mark Twain wrote about different things however. He talked about the actual problems and issues that people of this time, and the past have to deal with. In Twains story’s “The Story of the Good Little Boy”, and “The Story of the Bad Little Boy”, Twain talks about how our lives are affected by the way we lead them. This is a real life issue and not just based on nature and love like the American Romantics.
Mark Twain often writes about real life issues. His theme in the stories “The Story of the Good Little Boy” and “They Story of the Bad Little Boy” was that we shouldn’t always try to be good and live good lives because that’s not always how good things happen to us. In “The Story of the Good Little Boy” Twain shows a model little boy who aspires to be in a Sunday school book because of his good doings. The ironic outcome of this story is that the good little boy ends up having unfortunate luck and dies in the end always trying to help people. What I believe Twain is trying to convey in this story is that you shouldn’t only do good deeds to be recognized for them. In contrast to this story Twain backs up this theme in “The Story of the Bad Little Boy”. This story was about a bad boy who actually leads a very full and lucky life. Good things happened to this boy all the time, and he was always doing bad things. The truth about the bad little boy was that even though he was being bad all the time, he did everything he did because it was what he believed in and did not see wrong in it. What this shows is that you shouldn’t focus so much on dong good of others and let it happen. All you can hope in life is to have good judgment and be a good person.
Mark Twain wrote these stories to any individual out there. I believe that any person can relate to the issue of “The Good Little Boy” and “The Bad Little Boy”. The reason why anyone can relate is because of the vast variety of life problems that Twain writes about. H writes about real issues that can reach out to people of any age or culture. He writes about real topics that help you learn life morals.
When I read the writings of Mark Twain I was able to relate to it as a person. No, my life is not all about walking around looking for bad boys and trying to help them, or their victims to be in a Sunday school book; And no, my life is also not all about being careless and living a life that may hurt others just because I do not see wrong in doing so. However, I try to live my life to its fullest and to set a fulfilling future for myself. Twain’s writings; “The Story of the Good Little Boy” and “They Story of the Bad Little Boy” helped show me that I should not try so hard to be good like the good little boy, but I need to try a little bit so I won’t become careless like the bad little boy.
Mark Twain caught my attention above other writers at first because I heard of him. His name is popular among works of Literature, but I never read any of his works. I am happy I did because his stories taught me valuable lessons that deal with the everyday life of any individual. “Nothing could hurt him. He even gave the elephant in the menagerie a plug of tobacco and the elephant didn’t knock the top of his head off with his trunk.” This is a small portion of Twain’s “The Story of the Bad Little Boy.” I chose to quote Twain here because it shows a perfect example of Twain’s theme. His lesson that he displays here is that this bad little boy did everything wrong and broke all the rules, but still ended up better than the good little boy in the previous story. This means that you shouldn’t try so hard to be good or bad but do what you feel is right and see what happens. This lesson along with the rest of Twain’s writings is a prime example of American Realism.
The writings of Mark Twain differ from those of the American Romantics that we have read about. The American Romantics discussed more universally symbolic issues. They talked about how nature and pure love were the solutions to problems. They also showed how the roles of us as humans were affected by the nature and love in our world. Mark Twain wrote about different things however. He talked about the actual problems and issues that people of this time, and the past have to deal with. In Twains story’s “The Story of the Good Little Boy”, and “The Story of the Bad Little Boy”, Twain talks about how our lives are affected by the way we lead them. This is a real life issue and not just based on nature and love like the American Romantics.
Mark Twain often writes about real life issues. His theme in the stories “The Story of the Good Little Boy” and “They Story of the Bad Little Boy” was that we shouldn’t always try to be good and live good lives because that’s not always how good things happen to us. In “The Story of the Good Little Boy” Twain shows a model little boy who aspires to be in a Sunday school book because of his good doings. The ironic outcome of this story is that the good little boy ends up having unfortunate luck and dies in the end always trying to help people. What I believe Twain is trying to convey in this story is that you shouldn’t only do good deeds to be recognized for them. In contrast to this story Twain backs up this theme in “The Story of the Bad Little Boy”. This story was about a bad boy who actually leads a very full and lucky life. Good things happened to this boy all the time, and he was always doing bad things. The truth about the bad little boy was that even though he was being bad all the time, he did everything he did because it was what he believed in and did not see wrong in it. What this shows is that you shouldn’t focus so much on dong good of others and let it happen. All you can hope in life is to have good judgment and be a good person.
Mark Twain wrote these stories to any individual out there. I believe that any person can relate to the issue of “The Good Little Boy” and “The Bad Little Boy”. The reason why anyone can relate is because of the vast variety of life problems that Twain writes about. H writes about real issues that can reach out to people of any age or culture. He writes about real topics that help you learn life morals.
When I read the writings of Mark Twain I was able to relate to it as a person. No, my life is not all about walking around looking for bad boys and trying to help them, or their victims to be in a Sunday school book; And no, my life is also not all about being careless and living a life that may hurt others just because I do not see wrong in doing so. However, I try to live my life to its fullest and to set a fulfilling future for myself. Twain’s writings; “The Story of the Good Little Boy” and “They Story of the Bad Little Boy” helped show me that I should not try so hard to be good like the good little boy, but I need to try a little bit so I won’t become careless like the bad little boy.
Mark Twain caught my attention above other writers at first because I heard of him. His name is popular among works of Literature, but I never read any of his works. I am happy I did because his stories taught me valuable lessons that deal with the everyday life of any individual. “Nothing could hurt him. He even gave the elephant in the menagerie a plug of tobacco and the elephant didn’t knock the top of his head off with his trunk.” This is a small portion of Twain’s “The Story of the Bad Little Boy.” I chose to quote Twain here because it shows a perfect example of Twain’s theme. His lesson that he displays here is that this bad little boy did everything wrong and broke all the rules, but still ended up better than the good little boy in the previous story. This means that you shouldn’t try so hard to be good or bad but do what you feel is right and see what happens. This lesson along with the rest of Twain’s writings is a prime example of American Realism.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
writting enacting social change
Does writing have the power to enact social change?
Every day there is a point where we interact with texts and gather information. Some do it for research or current events; others even do it for pleasure. What we as individuals gather from the texts vary. Great writers have the power to convey messages to their readers. Some pieces of literature help us grow as people and that leads me to my point that writing does have the power to enact social change.
In political pieces that deal with current events and issues, there is a lot of information for the reader to take in. There are also a lot of lessons to learn from them. People can not only take the facts from the writings, but they can take social pointers from it. In “The Bombing of Bagdad” by June Jordan, She writes a lot of the tragic things that happened with the Bombing of Bagdad. She discusses the horrible tragedy that it turned into, but she also shows the way it affected people personally. In part of her poem she writes, ‘“We fired them into Iraq, and I am not pleased, I am not very pleased, none of this fits into my notion of "things going very well."’ She is trying to convey a point to the readers that firing and war is necessary in the rebuttal against an opposing force; however it makes her unhappy. In my opinion she is trying to say that war is not the answer. When people read this they should try to oppose violence in their lives and reject war.
“The Bombing of Bagdad” along with many other writings shows this tribute to non violence. It conveys the message to readers that fighting is not the answer to all problems, but unfortunately is the way we in life solve some problems. This poem also showed that history repeats itself because we repeat the same mistakes, and the mistakes may include this violence. This shows the way that writing has the power to enact social change.
Every day there is a point where we interact with texts and gather information. Some do it for research or current events; others even do it for pleasure. What we as individuals gather from the texts vary. Great writers have the power to convey messages to their readers. Some pieces of literature help us grow as people and that leads me to my point that writing does have the power to enact social change.
In political pieces that deal with current events and issues, there is a lot of information for the reader to take in. There are also a lot of lessons to learn from them. People can not only take the facts from the writings, but they can take social pointers from it. In “The Bombing of Bagdad” by June Jordan, She writes a lot of the tragic things that happened with the Bombing of Bagdad. She discusses the horrible tragedy that it turned into, but she also shows the way it affected people personally. In part of her poem she writes, ‘“We fired them into Iraq, and I am not pleased, I am not very pleased, none of this fits into my notion of "things going very well."’ She is trying to convey a point to the readers that firing and war is necessary in the rebuttal against an opposing force; however it makes her unhappy. In my opinion she is trying to say that war is not the answer. When people read this they should try to oppose violence in their lives and reject war.
“The Bombing of Bagdad” along with many other writings shows this tribute to non violence. It conveys the message to readers that fighting is not the answer to all problems, but unfortunately is the way we in life solve some problems. This poem also showed that history repeats itself because we repeat the same mistakes, and the mistakes may include this violence. This shows the way that writing has the power to enact social change.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Price of a Child
Monica Argenzio
January 29, 2009 1
English 11-1
Mr. Fiorini
English
NIG-NAG
NIG-NAG, a kind-hearted, tender man died after a privileged dinner given by the Quick family to honor his outstanding rescue of Ginnie Pryor, now known as Mercer Gray. Nig-Nag was a noble man who believed in the good of others. He was looked after by Bo-Bo and Jack who took care of him. Nig-Nag’s home however was not much. He lived in a small alley full of filth, but despite all this learned how to be a genuinely considerate person.
He will be missed by good friend Mercer Gray that is free from the captivity and ownership that slavery put her in as well as her family. This could not even be possible, nor occur if it were not for Nig-Nag. He put the family on a carriage to live with Tyree Quick, another friend of Nig-Nag that will miss him as well. The Quick family grew to love Mercer and her family and they took very good care of her and keeping her protected. When it came time for Mercer’s trial for fleeing the Pryor name that she escaped, Nig-Nag was there too. This righteous man kept his word in making sure that Mercer and her family was safe, even if that meant endangering his very own life. When Mercer was free to leave the trial free, Jackson Pryor who originally owned Mercer and her family was not pleased with this man to which we honor on this day. He wanted him and the other participants in Mercer’s freedom to be punished.
Nig-Nag suffered a death due to good and well being of another’s life at heart. Mercer Grey and her family will always remember Nig-Nag in their hearts. The quick family also will cherish his graciousness. “Love might be as strong as death, but who of the sparse group of assembled mourners had loved this pitiful young man?” Words said by Mercer Grey at the thought that this man is no longer with us and has no family or close ones to mourn, but she knew how great of a person he was and wishes he had relatives to honor his life on earth.
The service for Nig-Nag was held in Ephriam’s church, and was buried in a lower class cemetery, although there was nothing low class about this man’s heart and soul. Nig-Nag will be remembered fondly by those who shared his heart through his life on earth, and may he rest in peace.
January 29, 2009 1
English 11-1
Mr. Fiorini
English
NIG-NAG
NIG-NAG, a kind-hearted, tender man died after a privileged dinner given by the Quick family to honor his outstanding rescue of Ginnie Pryor, now known as Mercer Gray. Nig-Nag was a noble man who believed in the good of others. He was looked after by Bo-Bo and Jack who took care of him. Nig-Nag’s home however was not much. He lived in a small alley full of filth, but despite all this learned how to be a genuinely considerate person.
He will be missed by good friend Mercer Gray that is free from the captivity and ownership that slavery put her in as well as her family. This could not even be possible, nor occur if it were not for Nig-Nag. He put the family on a carriage to live with Tyree Quick, another friend of Nig-Nag that will miss him as well. The Quick family grew to love Mercer and her family and they took very good care of her and keeping her protected. When it came time for Mercer’s trial for fleeing the Pryor name that she escaped, Nig-Nag was there too. This righteous man kept his word in making sure that Mercer and her family was safe, even if that meant endangering his very own life. When Mercer was free to leave the trial free, Jackson Pryor who originally owned Mercer and her family was not pleased with this man to which we honor on this day. He wanted him and the other participants in Mercer’s freedom to be punished.
Nig-Nag suffered a death due to good and well being of another’s life at heart. Mercer Grey and her family will always remember Nig-Nag in their hearts. The quick family also will cherish his graciousness. “Love might be as strong as death, but who of the sparse group of assembled mourners had loved this pitiful young man?” Words said by Mercer Grey at the thought that this man is no longer with us and has no family or close ones to mourn, but she knew how great of a person he was and wishes he had relatives to honor his life on earth.
The service for Nig-Nag was held in Ephriam’s church, and was buried in a lower class cemetery, although there was nothing low class about this man’s heart and soul. Nig-Nag will be remembered fondly by those who shared his heart through his life on earth, and may he rest in peace.
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