Parallel Reading

• Brave New World TV/Movie trailer for book. https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/s/?view=att&th=161a2bbfcb68dde9&attid=0.1&disp=attd&safe=1&zw&saddbat=ANGjdJ_hszrvs8sdJFqQD2BKOsvQupy6-I25B7Dl7SUmo8EFEGMIoDhb0s-iTGa-RGaMyDM9xILPiuRJ0ayv7VfRf081X6mfdHHvopnVPMxCauNr99V6D36T2UPJ8d1E22LMdsK72ghvinCOq-dRDyNUU1Sq5DxR_44vxYT-oJshLaRkcHzmDzVrsqwiccvHicFQlAaT8TuFQm0GbtJMyyStDWOb1RJUNaL0OF7froMelSCbn8ujPJMGQrVkKz9jq2EoxwX1HHdCwls741_STP69z6qJzwM3_NFfzPwPoh2TJ0hT5gYAA6KlSpfL2eFtdjzfQvEWZds09G1NS6d1z43mLWbxyfR-Wq-UDNZV8etyUCxIvGoLjIN2tllfAFFkxlxrk8oMdZSuV1xoYd_AVRb_txmlo-G8WXPKvUurQqvF6TxrltKSXEWJKZlsLkWS_0Y7UuCPQEyGvZ5WHUkqI7gkXPyB6dI3SgmIdB_RZXpWNn_Ii5AHIHGHa7CQiwN41HWp6KuFIreiqFYGPZeHe84mbNRfL8w8C-NB0oOJh4qST_d1Y8mkmQkn5LrJq64HmsJ2ZUbm5cRkMTJn8Np2y_DuQL6YRtL2GtCh7M7-DA

 

– collage (w/ paper explanation)

Grendel Summer Reading Assignment

* Chapter 1:
What is the significance of the scene wherein Grendel challenges the “dark chasms?”
Grendel has come face to face with the inner darkness of evil, death, and the lack of meaning of life.
Describe Grendel’s mother and his relationship with her?
Grendel mostly feels pity or compassion towards his mother but covers it up with anger. He has trouble understanding her because she is more animal than human. In spite of that, Grendel sees her as his protector. When he was being tortured at the Oak tree he called out for her mother and she arrived or when he was wounded by Beowulf he cried out for his mother and died in her arms.
From Grendel’s point of view, what is man? From Grendel’s point of view he thinks men are hopeful, proud and  low level creatures who don’t have the same abilities as him.

* Chapter 2:
In a flashback to his early childhood, what is Grendel’s relationship with the “large old shapes” and with his mother?
Grendel’s relationship with the large old objects is non-existent. The shapes didn’t recognize his existent, they just see right through him. Unlike the shapes, his mother recognize his presence and see’s all of him both inside and out. They seem to have an unbreakable bond but Grendel still feels unsure with his own mother.
What is the significance of the scene wherein Grendel catches his foot in the crack in the
treetrunks and is attacked by a bull?  When Grendel got his foot stuck in the cracks of the tree trunks he realized the real definition of life. He started to view the world around him differently. He realized that humans were the most dangerous creatures he had ever encountered.
How does Grendel’s first meeting with men affect him? Why does he fear them more than he fears bulls?  Grendel fears humans more than bulls because humans are more intelligent. It affect Grendel because now he has to be more cautious.

* Chapter 3:
Why is Grendel so impressed and affected by the Shaper? Why does he fear the Shaper? The shaper impressed Grendel because the song made him viewed life differently. The song brought meaning to his meaningless life. The shaper scared him because he could possibly have the power to change everyone’s belief and minds.
According to Grendel, what is the truth about poetry? Grendel’s thinks that poetry lies.
Why does Grendel scream “Lost!” and crawl on all fours as the chapter ends?  He yells “lost” because he knows nothing and everything has changed and he can’t seem to gather himself to what is going on in the present.

* Chapter 4:
Why does Hrothgar build Heorot, the Hall of the Hart?
Hrothgar was inspired by the shaper’s song. The hall would be a symbol of the eternal justice of Danes, Hrothgar wants the hall to be the holder and dispenser of great treasures. He wants everyone to know about it.
How does the story of Cain and Abel affect Grendel? Grendel is cursed by it, he is a punishment from God.  He is a savage that only wants to fight humans.
What is Grendel’s “conversion?” Grendel accepts the words of vision of the shaper.

* Chapter 5:
How does the dragon’s mind differ from Grendel’s and from men’s?  The dragon has special capabilities. He’s able to see the past, present and future.
From the dragon’s point of view, what is man? What is man’s mind? The dragon has a different opinion towards men. He thinks humans are selfish, hard headed and unreasonable.
How does the dragon explain the role of the Shaper? The role of the shaper is to provide an illusion of reality. He puts together all the facts and spin them together playing the harp so people will believe it.

* Chapter 6:
How is the dragon’s charm a curse?
It makes Grendel solitary and alone.
According to Unferth, what is heroism?
What is poetry? Heroism to him means to see values beyond what is possible. Poetry to Unferth means comfort to the hopeless.
Why doesn’t Grendel kill Unferth? And why is Unferth so bitter? Unferth hates seeing grendel’s depressed because he’s never the one to die.

* Chapter 7:
What is Grendel’s law? What does it mean? Balance is everything and it means that everything in moderation.
How is Wealtheow like the Shaper’s songs? How is she different? She gives her life for the ones she loves but at the same time she is still a human.
Why doesn’t Grendel rape, torture, and murder Wealtheow? Or does he? He convinces himself out of his attraction to her.

* Chapter 8:
What threats surround Hrothgar after Hrothulf’s arrival? How is Hrothulf like a scorpion?  Too man heir, rivalry. He is compared to a Scorpio because hes a poisonous loner.
What is Grendel’s Theorum? What does it mean? Any action of the human heart must trigger an equal and opposite reaction.
How can violence be creative? What do Grendel and Red Horse have to say about violence and “legitimate force?” “Laws rule the land. Men’s violance is chained to good. Legitimate force that chops the bread theifs neck and wipes its ax-death by book.” The government can use violence to punish people for doing the exact same violent actions, which makes it legitimate.

* Chapter 9:
How can Time be inside the hunter and the hart? Because it’s a trap inside an hourglass
What is Grendel’s opinion of religion? Grendel thinks religion is meaningless.
Why is Grendel so disgusted by the speeches of the Fourth Priest? Grendel is disgusted by the priests because they symbolize all that man is.

* Chapter 10:
Why is Grendel so frightened and so infuriated by the goat? Grendel was really amused but scared of his stupidity.
How does the Shaper’s death affect Grendel? The shaper gave Grendel a sense of history, true and untrue, that he did not have. History for Grendel no longer had meaning after the shaper died.
Who is the other monster Grendel meets on the moors? The dragon.

* Chapter 11:
What has Grendel come to understand about the “dark realities” of self and the world? He realizes that everyone must die in time 157 and that he was born to live and die evil.
What does Grendel mean when he says he has seen “the vision of the dragon?” Beowulf is going to kill Grendel.
Explain the saying “Things fade; alternatives exclude”. Nothing is important because everything becomes the past but other forces are important because it can change the future.

* Chapter 12:
How and why is Grendel defeated? He has his arm ripped off and he’s tricked by beowulf.
How do illusion and words help cause Grendel’s death? Grendel gets distracted by the words of the dragon.
Explain Grendel’s last words: “Poor Grendel’s had an accident. . so may you all. Presumptions kill.”

* General Questions:
In what ways does the story Grendel differ from Beowulf? In the book, Grendel portrays as a lonely, serious creature who fears that his life has no meaning. Grendel has a complex relationship with humans who hate and fear him. He is cursed with a life of solitude.
In what ways do Grendel and Beowulf complement each other? Grendel and Beowulf both value family and also both fight by themselves.

* Part Two Of Summer Reading

Question to prompt number three:
Because Grendel is so akin to men, but at the same time distant enough to be an alien, his point of view provides an opportunity for us to see more clearly what it means to live as homo sapiens.

* Essay: Looking at life as an outsider and feeling as though one is being treated as an outsider is a matter of perspective or point of view. Someone who always feels like an outsider may conclude that life is unfair. In the novel Grendel, he was considered the odd one because of the way he looked or the way he grew up. The experiences that Grendel experienced as a young child will let you understand why he does the things that he does. Gardner wrote Grendel in his point of view to let readers realize that evil is the result of ignorance towards other people. For example, Grendel was a descendant of The Cain which means that he was punished from God, so he was born to be evil it was in his genes. With that being said, people jump straight to conclusions and conclude that Grendel is a monster. Grendel is similar to men but he distance himself away from society. In Grendel, John Gardner describes the nurture aspect, while the novel of Beowulf reveals the nature aspect. An example of nurture is that Grendel lacked the guidance of his mother and that led him to become a confused individual.  Considering the fact that Grendel has monstrous features, he’s human after all and craves the same attention, love, and acceptance that we all do but was unable to have it. By not having these desires he became angry at the world and that’s when he went on a killing spree. Killing gave him fulfillment and that’s why he killed everyone in The Danes for twelve years. Since Grendel grew up away from society and had no moral guidance he does not realize that killing is unacceptable, in his eyes it’s considered normal. Both novels explain why and how Grendel is view as a monster. In Beowulf it focuses on the ideas of Christianity and the existence of evil while, Grendel by Gardner is based on discrimination towards Grendel. Due to Grendel’s conflicted behavior to fit in, he struggled to act like a monster or a human. Also Grendel was big in size and had super strength but he was not brave because he would only attack at night when all men were asleep, which made him seem like a coward. People are so quick to judge others by there differences but don’t realize that their actions are changing the person mentally and they don’t realize that they start viewing the world as an unjust and cruel place. In Grendel’s eyes he was being bullied by society so he wanted to get revenge and started killing everyone that came to sight to satisfied his loneliness.

 

Winter Dreams Literary Analysis Questions and Answers

1. What is the significance of the title? Why do you think Fitzgerald used “winter” and not “spring” or “fall” in the title? In what ways do the seasons affect Dexter’s outlook on life? For Dexter, all his daydreams took place in winter. Fitzgerald seems to like that, He likes the colder aspects of his title when put in context of young love and renewal.

2. Discuss the significance of this line: “… Dexter was unconsciously dictated to by his winter dreams.” Are you dictated to by your “winter dreams”? Winter depresses Dexter. It gives him sadness that disconnects him from his life. Winter makes Dexter think magical illusion of the rich. Dexter’s winter dreams take hold of him until there is nothing else in his life. Unfortunately his winter dreams are an illusion, Wealth and status are never within Dexter’s reach.

3. What does Dexter “surrendering” part of himself (beginning of part IV) mean? He had to give up a part of his personality and act like someone else

4. Describe the adult Judy Jones. What kind of person is she? Do you know anyone like her? Judy is a horrible person, she is selfish and spoiled, but eventually karma catches up to her by the end of the story. The problem is, Judy’s beauty and money guarantees her everything she wants. She’s never satisfied because “She was entertained only by the gratification of her desires and by the direct exercise of her own charm”. Judy is super self-absorbed, she never has to try for anything, she doesn’t understand real value. She is perfectly happy to keep Dexter hanging around for a bit, but he is always one of many other lovers, whom she kicks to the curb whenever she wants. Eventually, Dexter wises up and decides that he needs a more lasting relationship and leaves Judy behind.

5. Why do you think Dexter quit? Dexter obviously quit his job at the Golf club because he wants to impress Judy by becoming a millionaire. He thinks if hes rich like her maybe Judy will find him attractive. Although at age twenty-three Dexter had already made a name for himself, he then realizes that he will never be able to call Judy his own.

14. Dexter was glad that Judy took the trouble to lie.

15. She dismisses men with disarming regularity, only to call them back at her own interest.  She moves from man to man without showing much in way of emotional connection or shared stability.

16. Irene’s characterization is important to the overall view of Dexter’s “winter dreams.”  After experiencing a sense of tumult with Judy, where Dexter’s emotions and finances are spent to a level that can no longer be tolerated, he regroups and gets away from Judy.
1.With low taxes, beautiful views and a mild climate, this city is a great place to live.
Though he was very rich, he was still very unhappy.
After our trip to the beach, school started back, and I was excited to see my friends.

2.My life is my purpose. My life is my goal. My life is my inspiration. Anaphora is most commonly seen in poetry, essays, and formal speeches.

3.During the dinner conversation, Clifford, the messiest eater at the table, spewed mashed potatoes like an erupting volcano.
My 486 computer, a modern-day dinosaur, chews floppy disks as noisily as my brother does peanut brittle. Appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it. The appositive can be a short or long combination of words. An appositive is a noun or pronoun set beside another noun or pronoun to explain or identify it.

Edgar Allen Poe Quiz

1. Elizabeth Arnold Poe, Poes mother also a British actress, and David Poe, Jr, Poes father also an actor who was born in Baltimore. His father left the family early in Poe’s life, and his mother passed away from tuberculosis when he was only three.
2. Poe’s mother passed away from tuberculosis which is a serious infection in the lungs when he was only three.
3. By the time he was three, Edgar, his older brother, and his younger sister were orphans. The children were sent to different families to live.
4. Edgar went to the Richmond, Virginia. He lived in the home of John and Frances Allan, whose name Poe was to take later as his own middle name. The Allans were wealthy. They never adopted Poe, they treated him like a son, and also made sure he was educated in private academies, and took him to England for a five year stay.
5. Poe then signed up for a five-year term in the U.S. Army. He also later in 1827 published a book at his own expense and the book failed to attract notice. Poe then later was offered a job at Southern Literary Messenger.
6. Poe went to the University of Virginia in 1826, however, he didnt receive enough funds from Allan to cover all of his costs. Poe turned to gambling to cover the difference, but ended up in debt.
7. Poe signed up for a five year term in the U.S. Army. By January 1829, serving under the name of Edgar A. Perry, Poe rose to the rank of sergeant major. He did not want to serve out the full five years, however, and he arranged to be discharged from the army on the condition that he would seek an appointment at West Point Academy.
8. In 1836 Poe married his cousin Virginia who was then thirteen years old and moved to Richmond with her and her mother. Many people disagreed with the view of Poe and his marriage with his first cousin. The citing of a fervent love letter to argue that Poe loved his little cousin not only with the affection of a brother, but also with the passionate devotion of a lover and prospective husband.
9. Poe was a successful writer. He published his first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems in 1827.
10. Poe published Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque, a collection of stories. It contained several of his most known to be creepy tales, including “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “Ligeia” and “William Wilson.” Poe launched the new genre of detective fiction with 1841’s “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.”
11. Poe married his cousin Virginia who was half of Poe’s age. She began showing signs of the consumption or tuberculosis, an infection of the lungs who later died at the age 24.
12. “The Raven” was one of Poe’s successes. Others may have read one of his more popular dark and creepy tales like, “The Fall of the House of Usher” or “The Tell-tale Heart.”
13. Poe wrote ‘The Raven’ for his wife, while she was ill.
14. Poe suffered from depression, a bipolar disorder and suffered from alcohol and drug abuse.
15. October 3, 1849, Poe was found in Baltimore in great distress. He was taken to Washington College Hospital where he died on October 7, 1849. Poe had a congestion of the brain and it was later believed that alcoholism led to this cause.

Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams revised Letter

Abigail Adams shows important significance in the letter she wrote to her son, John Quincy Adams. Abigail uses rhetorical devices like pathos. Abigail evoked her feeling of appreciation for her son and expressed how much of a tender parent she was. The letter expressed the rhetorical device, tyranny. Abigail also explains that her son, John, that nature isn’t enough for him. In this letter, Abigail shows extreme happiness to be John’s mother. She explains how she wants John to do good honor to the country and to give her pleasing hope to not let her down and disappoint her wishes. Abigail uses phrases like “great necessities call out great viruses” which explains her dignity and pride for her son. Abigail expresses she’s the parent who has taken a large and active share in the context of John’s journey. In my opinion, Abigail gives great advice. She shows a lot of personification. She greatly expresses to John to render your parents supremely happy, particularly herself, being John’s mother.

Narrative Response

WRITING PROMPT-

Choose ONE character from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.  Rewrite the ending of the play in which the character you chose experiences a different fate than the one he or she experiences in the play.  How does this change the overall theme of redemption Miller is expressing?

 

I knew my from the beginning it was probably wrong to make up lie after lie. I didn’t want to be sentenced for witchcraft. I watched all the girls’ fear in their faces as we all sat being questioned by Judge Danforth. I thought to myself, this can’t be right. Dancing in the woods mid-day was not the purest of us puritans but a simple mistake doesn’t define us. I stepped forth with shame and guilt crawling up my spine. Pure sweat gathered all over the girls’ faces. At that very moment I was breathless. My eyes looking left to right rapidly. I turned behind me to see all the girls looking up at me. Not a single soul would confess and at this point, I didn’t want to experience the death of any us. Later that day, I saw John walking with his goody wife, Elizabeth Proctor through the village. I walked over slowly to his presence where his wife stands near him looking me up and down with an ugly facial expression towards me. I began to talk to John in a calm manner. “John, how do you do this evening?” I said. John looks over at Elizabeth then back at me. “What are you doing standing upon me, Abigail?” John expresses. At that very moment, I began to wonder why I even felt the courage to share conversation with John. Elizabeth gave me a horrifying stare. “I came to explain my love for you.” Elizabeth dropped dead to the ground. I couldn’t believe the reaction but that’s what my heart felt most. “Abigail, I’m in complete lost in words.” John states. “I shall give you space to think. Sorry about Elizabeth.” I then scurried across the village and into the church. I dropped down to my knees begging the God above me for forgiveness. All the guilt was eating me up inside and I felt like a devil’s daughter. From this day on, my life was a complete lie.

My body was aching and my head was pounding and I was dying for air. I woke up in a massive sweat. All night I had nightmares of the day me and the girl were dancing in the woods. That’s the only thing I seemed to ever think about. The guilt is practically eating my soul and everything I could ever have. I couldn’t imagine one of the girl’s taking the punishment of death for something I encouraged. I jumped up and quickly ran out of my house into the court. Through the double doors stood Judge Danforth. “I DID IT! I WAS THE FIRST TO EVER DANCE IN THE WOODS AND WORSHIP THE DEVIL. I DID IT! I TAKE ALL BLAME. PLEASE DON’T DO DEATH TO MY GIRLS! PUNISH ME. I SHALL BREATHE NO LONGER JUDGE DANFORTH.” Danforth had complete shock to his face. “Abigail, you are sentenced to be hung, immediately!” Danforth shouted. The entire village gathered around the rope where Abigail was sentenced to be hung. Everyone was against Abigail, There was hate posters made and people shouting their hate for Abigail. “NO ONE WHO WORSHIPS THE DEVIL SHALL LIVE.” John standing right beneath the rope looked as if disappointment gathered him. “Abigail Williams, you shall not live another minute.” Then, she was pushed and hung and immediately death consumed her. The crowd shouted in cheer.

Assignment #1

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou 

Decoded: Have potential in yourself. Be about what YOU want. If you see yourself failing, change your perspective, your entire MINDSET.

Concept of rhetoric: Potential is key in your mindset. You have to have confidence all the way around. Some key words: Attitude, change. Without those two words it doesn’t make up the quote and it’s meaning. The whole meaning of the quote is your attitude and how your mindset is based.

Importance: I use this quote in my daily life because it’s useful in all ways. For example, my motivation at work and school. I work at a local fast food restaurant, Zaxby’s. Every day I approach many customers and it’s up to me to provide the best customer service. At Zaxby’s, my approach to them is expected to be appropriate and if i don’t give the correct greet, their body language may not be as accepting or come off well and I may not like the response so therefore, I have to change my attitude/mind set.

Visuals: For example: If you include ALL black in your wardrobe , you might feel gloomy or sad all the time SO to change that you might wear bright colors like yellow to change your attitude.

 

Photography Final- Yearbook

4 objects

My object I picked as my time currently present at Pebblebrook is an tree. A tree represents my time because of the wind blowing through the trees, “time flying as fast the wind” type thing. Just last May, exactly a year ago, I was a freshman and now here I am, a rising junior.

2 Selfies

I picked these specific positions because it’s a natural to do these anytime I’m taking a selfie or many and it describes an outgoing, fun me!

2 moods

The first mood picture up top is the Eiffel Tower of Paris with roses and hearts underneath it. I choose this to be one of my moods because I plan to graduate not only high school but college also and someday I wanna be able to set up a small business there. I feel like I could get a lot of profits and then again I would love to travel there because it’s beautiful. For my second mood picture is a picture of me with the sun behind me because I believe I always should keep some type of positivity on me at all times.

 

 

 

 

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome to my website. My name is Ainsley Montgomery. I recently read the book above, and reflected on it in my own words. Below is where you will find many chapter summaries I wrote. Feel free to leave commentary. Hope you enjoy! Thank you.