Six-Word Memoir

Bucket List!

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

This book takes place in colonial times of the New World. I am no history expert, but it is fascinating to me to learn about the mindset and day-to-day lifestyles of the people living a century ago. Since this book is revolved around the mindset of morality and societal expectations of this time period, I feel that it would be an interesting read for me.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

I am blessed with a normally-functioning brain, full physical capabilities, and the ability to interpret “between the lines”. Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to say the same. Most of us could never begin to imagine the thought process of someone who is handicapped with autism, and we take it for granted. Haddon bases his story on a 15-year old autistic boy who is falsely accused of a crime. It is a mystery that will simultaneously allow me to delve into the thoughts and emotions of this boy.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Classic love story. Classics are called classics for a reason, and I have liked every classic I have read but one. It is a thick book, but I am willing to give it a chance. It will also make my mom happy for her to know that I am reading one of her favorite books.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Living in the United States, we take our freedom for granted. Outside of our borders, mind boggling atrocities happen each and every day with no one to step in and defend their rights. I honestly do not know why I want to read it, but since reading the description on the back cover, I have wanted to.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

I said before that I enjoy reading about the mindset of people before our time. I am not rascist, but the few decades of our country where rascism was slowly beginning to ebb away is absolutely captivating to me. I have seen the movie, which I immediately fell in love with. Given that I usually believe a book to be better than its movie, I can fairly confidently say that I will love this read.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Being a high school student, I can relate well to this story of another high school student. I have heard from several classmates that it is a wonderful book, and I know that there is a movie coming out with Hermione Granger in it (yes, Hermione Granger, not Emma Watson. She will always be Hermione to me).  I bet that there are thousands of readers like me who are reading Chbosky’s book primarily because of the movie and Ms. Granger’s role. So 10 points to her.

Sold by Patricia McCormick

As I said about The Kite Runner, there are thousands of atrocities occuring every day. A young girl, only 13-years old, was sold by her step father into prostitution. Just as we could never imagine autism, we could never begin to imagine the life this girl was forced to endure. Books like these are heartbreaking for me to read, but I feel that every person should read works of this ilk. It opens our eyes and makes us grateful that we are fortunate enough to not be subject to that life.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I read this book as a requirement from my CLUE English Class in 7^th grade. Even as a a 12-year old, I loved and appreciated it. I have wanted to re-read it since then but I have never gotten around to it. I feel that as a 17-year old with a wider range of knowledge, I can re-read it with a better understanding.

No Promises in the Wind by Irene Hunt

I have also read this before as a requirement for my CLUE English Class in 8^th grade. I do not remember details, but I do remember absolutely loving it. Just like To Kill a Mockingbird, I feel that with a wider range of knowledge, I will have a better understanding and appreciation of it.

Three Cups of Team by Greg Mortenson

In the overview, it describes him as a "real-life Indiana Jones". He goes to a third-world country to make a difference in the lives of the children there, giving them an education that they could never have dreamed of. I want to read this book because I enjoy reading about real people making a real difference. It warms my heart that there are people in the world who have the courage to do this without expecting any personal gain.

Rebel Without a Cause Film Review

In Director Nicholas Ray’s Rebel Without a Cause, with an opening scene in the local police station the majority of the main characters were introduced. Jim Stark (James Dean) was intoxicated in public, Judy (Natalie Wood) ran away from home and aimlessly wandered the streets, and John “Pluto” Crawford (Sal Mineo) shot and killed several puppies. Soon after, they encountered one another again when they realized on Jim’s rough first day that they all attended the same high school. This introduction seemed rather cliché; the main characters all met in some dramatic situation and coincidentally ended up living in the same town with the same routine.

                It was evident from the beginning that these three “delinquents” had very similar backgrounds. Jim’s household was, for lack of a better word, backwards; his mother was the man of the house while his father was a weak, feminine figure. Judy sought love and attention from her father, who was adamant against showing affection towards his 16-year-old daughter, and Pluto was unfortunately abandoned by both of his parents, but was well cared for and loved by a middle-aged black woman. Each one lacked a proper father figure, causing them to recuperate in various unacceptable ways in public.

                Screenwriter Stewart Stern underscored the importance of having a prominent father figure, along with a stable family ad home environment, for the absence of such a figure could have a negative effect on any given child. With divorce rates steadily increasing during this time period, it had a relevant, controversial message for the audience.

                Obtaining insecurities due to their insufficient home lives, they were prone to trouble. They felt a need to prove themselves worthwhile. This mindset aided Jim in accepting a challenge of “chickie run” from the school bully, Buzz (Corey Allen). In this game, two contestants drove stolen cars towards the edge of a cliff, and the first to jump out of the car was the chicken. The game became a tragic accident when Buzz got caught on his door handle and flew over the edge along with the car. Although he was intent on harassing Jim, he previously admitted that he did, in fact, like him, but said “you got to do something.”

                These words alone addressed the timeless issues of bullying and peer pressure. Had Buzz not tormented him to begin with, Jim would not have felt the need to prove himself to the taunting onlookers, and he would not have succumbed. Had Jim not given in, Buzz would not have fallen to his death.

Being one large, unimaginable chain reaction, bullying could be dangerous. As time continued, the pressures of one’s peers have greatly intensified. Society has changed throughout the past few generations, and with new technological developments, the possible methods that could be used as tools are infinite, horrendous, and unavoidable. Every parent tries to teach his or her child to defend what they believe in and to “not let anyone tell you you’re not special”. For many, these encouraging words suffice. However, for many it does not, especially those who do not have strong parental figures, which goes back to the trio’s home lives.

Speaking of society, consider Pluto’s feelings toward Jim and Judy. Many speculate that he was gay, but there would not have been any sense in producing a film with a homosexual character. Society simply would not have tolerated it at the time. The directors and screenwriters of any film are, of course, part of their society, so would they create such an “abomination” within their own work? They wouldn’t. Men 50 years ago were able to act in an entirely different way than they are able to now. They were able to show their true emotions without being misjudged as being gay. Jim and his father seemed to be feminine and soppy as well, but they were obviously not gay. Pluto was not necessarily homosexual, but he was simply missing parental figures, which is a recurring point made throughout the film. He idolized Jim and Judy, and in an empty mansion, they took the role of being the parents Pluto needed in his life.

It has also been wondered the reason behind Judy’s father’s rejections was due to an unhealthy attraction to his daughter. It is reasonable to say that once a child reaches a certain age, there are things that become inappropriate, such as kissing his or her father on his lips. However, a peck on the cheek is hardly inappropriate. Really, it would be a quick recognition. Strangely, her father was entirely too offended at her show of affection, giving an impression of such an attraction.

Although the acting was merely mediocre, the various messages delivered throughout the movie were superior and timeless, for the same morals incorporated are just as relevant now as they were when it was newly released. It is a great film to watch to compare teenagers and societal issues and viewpoints of the mid-20^th century and 21^st century.

This Warner Bros film was released in the United States on October 27, 1955.

Danger in the Kitchen: An Analysis of 'The Art of Cooking' by Dave Barry

           Barry’s reasonable, persuasive tone portrays to the reader his utter opposition of cooking. He uses ethos, humor, diction, and logos to support his claim, conveying the dangers and absurdities of cooking to his audience, and relating the “art” to everyday life.

He uses ethos, opening with a true story that personally happened to him. While his family was awaiting guests, “[his]” mom was cooking” beef in a “double boiler” that unfortunately “exploded violently,” sending chunks “flying…with tremendous force.” Although this does not happen on a regular basis, considering this is a true, personal account, this story increases Barry’s credibility.

Consistent with his signature style, Barry uses humor and diction to specifically express certain ridiculous factors of cooking. After the “Big Beef Bang,” he felt that any cooking should be required a “welding helmet.” It is not uncommon for him to create his own words as he did with the Big Beef Bang. Also, a welding helmet has the connotation of something that protects one’s face from mutilation caused by extreme conditions. This humorous diction helped underscore the frightening possibilities by hyperbolizing kitchen mishaps. Once there initial fears are overcome, producing a half-decent meal becomes an adventure of its own, for the recipe’s creator, who happened to be “snorking down cooking wine” begins inventing ingredients such as “free-range whelk corneas.” By addressing this tendency of requiring imaginary gourmet ingredients, he reveals his exasperation at the impossibilities involved in cooking.

Lastly, Barry uses logos to contrast his previous statements and support cooking by indirectly relating the “art” to everyday life. In order to be a “successful cook,” certain recipes must be “[adapted]” by “making substitutions.” Parallel to the “real world,” in order to be successful, adjustments must be made to reach any given goal. There will always be obstacles to overcome, and if something does not go exactly as planned, one must know how to make these adjustments.

Cooking, although often a pain in the neck, covertly teaches necessary ethics despite its dangerous tendencies. Like many other seemingly useless things we are forced to do, cooking does have a purpose other than putting everyone within a 50-mile radius in mortal danger.

"Kill 'Em! Crush 'Em! Eat 'Em Raw!"

1. John McMurtry'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?
          -The anecdote at the beginning establishes ethos, because he is talking about something that personally happened to him. Anyone can talk about a topic, but it is not as credible until the speaker is experienced in that field. Since he had been involved in football for the majority of his life, his claims are believable, for he has lived through it.

2. Paragraphs 5-7 compare and contrast football and war. Is this comparison convincing? How does the comparison appeal to logos?
          -McMurtry logically compares football to war. He pulls multiple aspects of both and makes them one and the same. For example, he talks of the football and war terms, such as "field general," "long bomb," "take a shot," and "front line." It is not difficult to see how these all apply to both, for they are similar not only in words, but in meaning. Although there are many similarities, McMurtry also pointed out the differences. His main point was that in football, injuries excite the crowd -- it's what they have been waiting for all night! However, casualties and deaths of war are looked upon with grief from the country as a whole.

3. In Paragraph 9, the tone shifts. How is the shift achieved? Explain how the shift mirrors a transition in McMurtry's argument?
          -From the beginning, he is giving football a bad reputation. He talks of how dangerous it is, and how chronic and infinite the injuries can be. On the other hand, he also supports it and expresses his love of the game. However, in Paragraph 9, he switches to a more adamant attack on it. He still supports it, but he really opens the eyes of readers to how much the game and concepts itself really do hurt people.

6. Consider the language of football, especially the words shared by the military. What sports other than football have a militaristic side?
          -Football is probably the most similar to military. However, all team sports including a ball is similar to the military. Every member is important, and every member must work together to be the most successful. These sports also have strategies that they must learn that better their chances of achieving their goal, just like in war.