Marsh

Years ago, my family went to Horicon Marsh. We brought along my friend and his two siblings. Each of us kids got a disposable camera to take pictures while we were there. The marsh was home to many different types of birds and other wildlife. Throughout the day we took numerous pictures. As we got tired of walking and as the sun went down, we decided to leave. Our day at the marsh would make a great memory.

The Lottery

As we read The Lottery in class, I noticed the use of symbolism. In the story, some kids gather stones near a corner. Then the people in the town draw from a black box. Whoever draws the black dot is stoned. Tessie drew the black dot. One of her friends, during the stoning, finds a larger rock to through.

The black box is a symbol of death or of gambling. It also caused anxiousness. The slips of paper that the people drew from the box, represent their fate; life or death. The stones symbolize death or the ritual of the Lottery. The larger rock represented friendship. Tessie's friend wanted to end it faster so Tessie wouldn't have to endure it.

There were several symbols in The Lottery. They all shared one meaning in common: death.

Window

I look at all of the surrounding houses. Their windows all clean and spotless. No wonderful smudges or smears. All of them but me. I am the dirtiest window on the block. I need a wash, but don't want one. I like the layers of dust I've acquired. They make me who I am. The rain will occasionally bring a rinse, but it's not enough to scrub me clean. So I wait here, covered in filth, hoping that no one will notice me. I closely dodge the inevitable every time someone walks past. Eventually I will have to take a bath. I am still trying to get used to that truth. But for now, I can watch and wait.

Were they really free?

After black slaves were freed in the north, they lived a restricted life. White men had more privileges. They also were separated from the whites. So how free were free blacks in the north?

In Philadelphia, African Americans were excluded from concert halls, public transportation, schools, churches, orphanages, and other places. Not so free. Soon after, they began to lose the right to vote. They were also required to carry passes when traveling in some places and couldn't own property in others. They could only use the ferry in certain conditions. They couldn't own horses or sheep. In Boston, they were not allowed to carry a cane unless they couldn't walk without one.

Whites could have all these things. They took the property requirement to vote from the whites and kept it for blacks. White men could go wherever they wanted, walk wherever they wanted, and do whatever they wanted. They didn't need passes like blacks. They could own firearms too. The whites had more rights than blacks.

Blacks were treated poorly because of their skin color. In addition to all of the restrictions they had, the whites treated them like outcasts. Some states would not allow free blacks to enter the state. In Illinois, if a free black entered the state and stayed for more than 10 days, were guilty of "high misdemeanor."

Blacks had a lot of restrictions. White men had more privileges and rights. They were also treated poorly because of their skin color. I don't think free blacks were really free.

"Big Yellow Taxi" and "Field Below"

 Author's Note: We read two poems as a class: "Big Yellow Taxi" and "Field Below". They both had the same mood while reading them.

These poems both sound sad and have a sense of regret to them. In "Big Yellow Taxi", they paved paradise and put up a parking lot, which sounds sad. In "Field Below", they wish they could see a field below giving a sense of regret and sadness. The song of "Big Yellow Taxi" sounds energetic and happy almost, unlike the poem. However, the song of "Field Below" sounds the same. It has the sad and regretful feeling of the poem. I didn't expect "Big Yellow Taxi" to be a happy song just by reading the poem. I expected "Field Below" to sound sad though.

Mother to Son

Author's Note: I read a poem called Mother to Son by Langston Hughes. I noticed a lot of figurative language as I read.

In the poem, Mother to Son, by Langston Hughes, there is a lot of figurative language. There are a lot of metaphors that play into a bigger one. The big metaphor is the stairs. The mom isn't really talking about stairs, she's talking about life and that we shouldn't give up. When she talks about it having tacks and splinters, it means painful times. Torn up boards and places without carpet mean lonely times or poor times. Reaching landings and turning corners are like resting or easy times. She tells her son these things like she is scolding him. The mom tells him not to give up. I think that we should never give up.

Pi will Survive

Imagine being stranded at sea. Now imagine being stranded at sea with a wounded zebra and a 450-pound Bengal tiger. That's Pi's story. The boat Pi and his family were traveling on just sank and Pi is alone on the Pacific. I predict that he will survive on the boat with the zebra and the tiger, Richard.

One reason I think this is because up to this point in the book, there have been little parts about Pi when he is older. Pages 91-93 talk about Pi and his children. If he doesn't survive, how could he have children.

He is also the son of a zoo owner/keeper. He might find a way to 'tame' Richard so that he won't eat him. Earlier in the book Pi talks about lions at a circus. The circus trainer enters the ring first to establish that it is his territory, not the lions'. The lions respect that. They will do want he wants possibly in return for protection (pages 43-45).

Lastly, lifeboats usually have some sort of supply and I don't think this lifeboat is an exception. The supply might consist of food, water, or other necessities. I think Pi will make good use of these items to survive.

Pi will survive this dreadful disaster. It might take everything Pi's got to live to tell this tale. It might be hard to keep the social status in line. It might be rough with what they've got. Putting a positive spin on this situation won't be easy, but Pi will figure it out and live through this mess.

Pi Patel

Author's Note: This is how I think Pi Patel in the book, Life of Pi, would act walking into a classroom. Please comment on figurative language.

He would walk in like he was on a mission; straight to his desk and sit down. He wouldn't say anything. Not to the teacher. Not to other students. Not to anyone. As soon as the teacher called his name for attendance, he would go beyond the usual 'here' by rushing up to the board and start writing like he owned it. Absolutely nothing could stop him. His name would no longer be the center of bullying. He would write it so no one could confuse it. He made his point so no one could forget it. When he finished, the room was so silent, you could hear a pin drop. Finally the teacher would move on signaling his approval. Pi would confidently walk back to his desk.