Introduction

Here is my second semester english portfolio for senior year. I hope that through this portfolio, I can compare and contrast the differences in my writing as the semester progresses, how well I wrote each essay, how comfortable I was on each essay, and keep track of the weekly blogs and what we learn throughout the 4 months. I believe that this portfolio will also show progress by comparing itself to my first semester portfolio as well. Overall, although it is my senior year and second semester as well, I hope that my writing will continue to improve, no matter how lazy I may get throughout the semester. Finish strong is a cliche motto, but one that always applies, and I hope that my writing continues to be strong towards the end of the school year.

ESSAY 6

Sestina Human nature is defined by a number of aspects, one being that the
elderly possess more wisdom than youth through experience. Children gain wisdom by learning from adults- one of the constant reoccurrences throughout the generations. Without this knowledge, one may not fully recognize the cruelty of reality, and instead, succumb to the misleading perception of fantasy; whether or not this is a bad or good viewpoint, it is a part of human nature and maturing towards adulthood. Human nature is a paradoxical existence and this poem seeks to solve this contradiction.
Sestina is a poem written to compare and contrast the ideals and perspective of the elderly versus youth. The old grandmother in the poem represents wisdom through age: throughout the first stanza her point of view is realistic and pragmatic. However, her realism is quickly contrasted when the child is introduced in the third stanza in the statement “It’s time for tea now; but the child is watching the teakettle’s small hard tears dance like mad on the hot black stove…” The fact that the child is imagining the teakettle’s tears contrasts the grandmother’s rather common actions, such as cutting the bread. Furthermore, the child’s drawing illustrates his fantasies when he draws the “man with buttons like tears”; however, the grandmother has no reaction to such a fantasy and goes on “[busying] herself about the stove” instead.
This overall theme directly applies to society today. Through the use of the metaphor comparing tears to fantasies and age to reality, the author of the poem is able to effectively show that youth today is very ignorant to many of life’s occurrences. Only through experience can one gain the wisdom to realize life’s hardships and take it realistically, such as the grandmother in this poem. Life is a difficult journey to travel through, and one only realizes this after many years of tears and melancholy as illustrated by the author’s tone throughout the work. Although this knowledge may be somewhat beneficial, the ignorance of younger generations and their misleading view of life may make them happier- their fantasies and naïve ideas flourish, and may make them look at life in a much more positive view.
When put side by side, one can obviously see the differences between an elderly and young person. Their ideas and perspectives toward life are strikingly different as shown by the grandmother and child in this poem- shown side by side we can effectively analyze their actions in order to reach the conclusion that reality is hard to face; staying ideological may be joyous, yet, one that does so will not be able to face reality.

ESSAY 5

Invisible Man Essay Ellison’s bildungsroman, Invisible Man, seeks to show the world of
society’s condition and the people in it throughout the critical early 1900’s. Invisible Man defines a narrator who is guided throughout the story by the characters around him, thus reaching an epiphany at the end of the novel. As a dynamic character looking back towards his past throughout the book, it is shown that through the influence of society the narrator is able to change his perspective of society and his role in it as well. Starting as an innocent black young man who is striving to do well in college, he slowly learns of society’s downfall through his experiences and the characters around him such as Brother Jack and Ras the Exhorter. Only after these experiences is he able to fully understand his role in society and relinquish his invisibility.
The narrator begins his journey as a naïve and innocent bystander of society- a follower, not an activist, and one who has never actively engaged himself. Due to this type of personality, he is tricked into participating in the Battle Royal event, as well as conned into accepting false letters of recommendation to obtain a job. However, his encounter with Brother Jack later in his story changes many of his perspectives. Because Brother Jack provides the narrator with money and a job as a speaker, the narrator views him as a trusty man who has taken action throughout the Brotherhood to fight towards social movements. Brother Jack is an activist: quite visible to society when compared to the narrator’s idle and non-influential nature. Despite this, the narrator is later able to see through Brother Jack as a person who is just using him to advance the Brotherhood itself; the narrator is able to realize that he must partake in society just like Brother Jack did in order to express himself and rid of his invisibility.
Another character with a similar relationship to the narrator is Ras the Exhorter. Although his ways are violent in dealing with the racial conflict during the time period, he proves himself to also be an important figure in the eyes of society. Although the narrator does not directly approve of Ras’ nationalist beliefs, he still looks up to him as an activist. Through this relationship as well, the narrator reaches the epiphany at the end of the novel that he must be seen by society instead of ignored like he once was.
The Invisible Man stands for every American man during the time of segregation. He is another face in a sea of faces, representing the common misconception of being unable to find your place in the world. By nature, he represents life’s struggle of constantly trying to achieve success but falling short. At first unaware of his condition and status in society, he is finally able to realize that he must put faith himself instead of being another invisible man. Through the positive and negative influences of Brother Jack and Ras the Exhorter, he discovers true freedom and independence and refuses to adhere to societies whims. An outcast who does not fit the mold of society, he is able to struggle to a point where he can stand up and express himself, showing who he truly is.

This essay was the easiest Q3 to write about this year, because the prompt was very specific and directly correlated to the text Invisible Man.

ESSAY 4

Devoting oneself to a relationship is a promise of trust and dedication. However, when trust is lost, it is difficult to regain; amending a relationship is much more difficult than dedicating to one. Today’s pop culture music often reflects upon this problem in society, and similarly in past novels, such as Tess of the D’urbervilles. Through this time gap, we can assume that this phenomenon has occurred throughout history because trust is both easily earned and lost. Tess’ story in Tess of the D’urbervilles is accurately represented by the song “Keep on Loving You” by Reo Speedwagon, because both show the entire perspective of the man who was involved in a relationship that lost its trust: in this case, Angel, and how his feelings toward Tess change and develop towards the end of the novel. Both mediums show the relationship between a woman and a betrayed man in different ways such to express this phenomenon to society.
Both “Keep on Loving You” and Tess of the D’urbervilles show the sadness that people experience when in a relationship that goes through a period of mistrust. During the scene when Tess reveals that she had Alec D’Urbervilles child, Angel is severely shocked and in a state of pure disbelief, as if all his plans with Tess have been lost. Similarly, the singer of Reo Speedwagon sings with a passion: “And though I know about those men still I don’t remember, because it was us baby, way before then…” This claim shows that the singer clearly lost trust in the relationship in his woman, which relates to Angel whom said that Tess is not the woman he thought she was. Both men show discomfort when the truth is revealed to them, the pain and sadness that enveloped their hearts rendered their emotions similar, even though the time periods in which Tess of the Durbervilles
and “Keep on Loving You” were written are nearly a century apart. The tone that is shown in both is extremely surprising and disappointed at the same time. Thus, we can see that both mediums effectively show the effects of such a revelation in a once-reliable experience.
Despite the obvious similarities between both men, there are also differences in how they individually handle their respective situations. Angel decides to break off the relationship, and he goes to Brazil for some time to think. During this time, Tess is in a state of despair and, in utter confusion and need for a companion, she goes back to Alec D’urberville. After much pondering, Angel decides to go back to Tess thinking about how he also admitted to a betrayal as well. This is different in “Keep on Loving You” because the singer never claims that he came back to the woman he loved. He still loves her, stated in the lines “And I meant every word I said when I said that I love you, I meant that I love you forever”. Despite this, the woman seems to have left him: quite the contrary from Tess whom decides to reconcile with Angel and taking it to a greater extent of even killing Alec D’urberville. Overall, the outcome of the situation in the similar event changed and the relationship between the two lovers ends up taking a different path in each medium.
Overall, these mediums effectively show the situation that many relationships encounter. Especially in this day and age, this type of relationship and these outcomes are not uncommon. The various similarities and differences between “Keep On Loving You” and Tess of the D’urbervilles can be seen in the men that are involved: both Angel and the singer are experiencing the same emotions, yet the outcome is different. In media, literature, music, this phenomenon has been reoccurring throughout history, and these outcomes have been the result of many relationships experiencing mistrust.

Another Q3 this semester that was not too interesting to write about, but I managed to pull off a somewhat decent essay.

ESSAY 3

Feminine Criticism
Females have often been discriminated against throughout the history of mankind. Most of the ancient civilizations, such as Mesopotamia and the Roman Empire, have shown signs of being Patriarchal societies. It is evident that this feminine criticism has also been reflected in our literature. Authors write for the purpose of expressing a theme; in “Eveline”, the author portrays the female protagonist as a confined character who desires freedom and control of her own life. Published in 1904 when discrimination was a large concern worldwide, the author uses a change over time type of storyline in order to show this viewpoint.
Eveline is a character who grew up listening to her parent’s every word. However, the death of her parents left her in solitude. This is the first stage that Joyce introduces in the feminine perspective. Eveline primarily shows ignorance when she says “she had never dreamed of being divided.” This is because she has never been able to make her own decisions yet, and has been used to following the commands of others. This directly relates to feminine criticism itself because it shows the ignorance of females to live their own lives. Yet, later in the story Joyce gives Eveline a more independent character by showing that she wants to get married: “People would treat her with respect then. She would not be treated as her mother had been.” This development in her character pursues further in the story when she rejects Frank, the “kind, manly, and open hearted” person who invited her to become his wife in Buenos Aires. Her sudden and unexpected rejection of him leads the audience to believe that Eveline is not the same person that she was in the beginning of the novel. Instead, she has learned to make her own decisions and has thus evolved into a more independent being. Through Eveline’s change over time, the author is able to show that females can take action within their own lives. Ergo, this rejection scene is significant because it differs from the common viewpoints towards women. Joyce successfully incorporates the theme in this story that, although women have been discriminated against in the past, the world must learn to treat both genders equally. Society must adapt to the new times and relinquish discrimination as a whole.
The “change of time” organization of a story can prove to be very effective in showing the aspects of a dynamic character. Joyce’s use of this technique shows Eveline’s maturity to take responsibility in her own hands after her parents death. Her change also allows her to become a symbol of the entire feminine race during this time period. Subtly prompting change, this feminine criticism has allowed us to live in a more equal society today and has changed our perspective of thinking. Despite the fact that many countries still remain highly patriarchal, feminine criticism will further encourage change until our world evolves into a perfectly equal society.

This essay proved to be an interesting write. After discussing it much in class, we were allowed to express our feelings on the topic through this essay. It was a relatively open prompt which allowed me to expand on my own ideas more instead of staying strict on a novel or topic.

ESSAY 2

Author’s Attitudes

A change in tone during the course of a novel often signifies an important event or scene. In Tess of the D’urbervilles, a change in tone can be seen during the scene in which Tess gravely performs the Baptism  of the children. The author voluntarily uses negative and serious diction and syntax in order to emboss this scene from the rest of the novel, thus bringing out its significance. Overall, the author’s use of figurative language enables the characterization of Tess as a one-dimensional character whose single task is to baptize the children.

There are many direct descriptions in this scene that serve to give a specific image of Tess. Her stiff and serious attitude is shown when the narrator states that “her figure looked singularily tall and imposing as she stood in her long white nightgown, a thick cab of twisted dark hair hanging straight down her back to her waist.” The narrator’s usage of specific descriptions in this sentence shows a very serious tone. Even during the actual process, the narrator states that “she sprinkled the water, and there was silence.” This statement itself can be used to show that the narrator views Tess is a revering manner, putting on her a pedastal in this scene. She can also be viewed as a mature young lady towards the innocent and naïve children. Overall, this concrete description of Tess’ appearance and description helps the narrator establish a serious tone in which he is effectively able to convey his attitude and tone toward her character.

Another way that the narrator is abile to create this tone in the passage is by his descriptive and specified diction. Words such as “abstracted” and transfiguring effect” give Tess the image of being more of a dignified and complex character. The style of writing being used in this passage differs from the rest of the novel as well, making its significance clearer to the reader. By including personification, the narrator is able to show this event more sharply, as if time itself was being slowed down for this single moment “their physical heaviness at that hour would not allow to become active.” Ergo, the narrator’s unique diction allows him to express his tone though the literary devices.

Tess is the main protagonist of the novel: a character whose personality  is built upon throughout the entire course of the novel. Throughout the chapters, the readers learn more and more about Tess’ personality and character. Scenes like this Baptism scene allow us to see another dimension of Tess, one that we have never experienced before. Thus, the narrator allows us to experience these traits by adding these concrete descriptions and specific diction. As readers, we are able to connect further with Tess as a human being by knowing more about her, and therefore, this scene’s is extremely significant in showing us that Tess is no ordinary character.

This essay was a simple Q3 that we initially wrote in class. I believe I was able to get most of the main important points that should be mentioned according to the prompt in this essay. Although not one of my best essays this year, i think i did a solid job on it.

ESSAY 1: Formal Essay Revised

PROMPT:Benjamin Franklin said concerning death, “Fear not death; for the sooner we die, the longer we shall be immortal”. The great Shakespeare pondered one’s end in his famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy. Using the works below, discuss the different ways man has perceived death. Include in your discussion how life would be different if we were not afraid of death, how our actions would be changed if death did not exist, and whether or not we live for our death?
Like You’d Understand Anyway, Portrait of the Artist, Bible, Into the Wild, Crime and Punishment, Curiosity, Death Comes for the Archbishop, Henry IV Part 1, Oedipus

One’s death is inevitable- whether justified by reincarnation, heaven, or another supernatural effect, death awaits us all through old age, sickness, and accidents. Philosophically speaking, one always asks “what do we live for?” This question sparked the need for theories that could answer this simple yet such complex inquiry. Theories developed into religion, and many religions formed around the world. Through these different ideas, man has created many perspectives towards the concept of death, primarily the idea of an afterlife. Despite the attempt to answer the question, humans still fear death. They fear the nothingness, losing all they once had in the time span of a blink of an eye. This fear drives the majority of how humans act: driving safety to avoid an accident or spending millions to provide a cure for the latest epidemic. Through these multiple perceptions and conflicts between the concept of an afterlife and self-realization that there is no greater entity after we die, humans were able to evolve as a technologically advanced race. If humans were not afraid of death, we would have turned into a completely different species, unable to create the things we did because of lack of motivation. Thus, humans ultimately live for their death- they strive to achieve accomplishments that will make their lives worthwhile during the short time they last, only reaching an inevitable end. Religion has given humans a perspective of death that differs from common reality. The Bible, for instance, informs a worshipper that based on his behavior during his lifetime, his death will result in his transfer to either heaven or hell. The Bible’s influence has given humans a way to lessen their fear of death. Thus, man has given itself the opportunity to believe in a somewhat immortal essence after death. Other religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism also stress the belief of life after death, and this belief is what helped religions spread throughout the world. Through these beliefs, one can concur that religion stemmed from man’s perception of death itself. Religion was formed in order to answer the question of “what do we live for”, and thus, due to its success, it has been able to spread its ideas all around the world for centuries’ and throughout all of the world’s history. It has impacted all our wars and societal relationships- the world itself is based on religion- which started as a mere belief of human progression in the afterlife. Many ideas and themes in literature are also sparked by this fear of death. In the novel entitled Battle Royale, students from a classroom in Japan are taken hostage to an island for a competition in which the last student alive would be able to return home. Each student received a random weapon which they had to use to survive. The story focuses on the main protagonist, a boy who hides after witnessing countless murders until he and another classmate are the only two remaining. Out of his fear of death, the boy musters up courage and is able to combat the competition and find a way to kill its administrators. Fear drives him to strive to ally with his last opponent instead of combating him. Through this fear of death, he achieved what seemed to be impossible and was able to put an end to the sick and cruel tournament. This fear gave him motivation to live on the only life he had, which shows how death can affect our personalities and abilities so much. If, for instance, humans were not afraid of death, the world would be much more different than it is today. Many would try to gain absolute power. In this day and age, starting a revolution by rebelling or protesting is rare due to the fear of failing, which can lead to death. For example, Adolf Hitler started the Holocaust as a plan to take over the world- being able to do this, he himself was not afraid of death. This lack of fear would allow humans to make more daring decisions and take more risky actions throughout their lives. This could be for better or for worse- people could rise up and try to take over the world much like Hitler did. But, others would try to end the dictator’s reign. Another example is when the colonists decided to rebel and overthrow the British rule in the colonies. Their desire for liberty and justice from the British Government overshadowed their fear of losing the Revolutionary War. In this battle for life, liberty, and property, the colonists were able to fight a successful war and declare their independence from Britain forming the United States of America. Thus, people who are not afraid of death could cause much violence due to their desire for power. This immunity to the fear of death is shown in the novel titled Death Note. The main protagonist Light acquires the ability to kill anyone of his choosing after receiving a special notebook. Light is a person who did not fear death and thus, he chose to use this power in order to attempt to become God of the world. Gaining supporters by killing criminals under the alias of “Kira”, he successfully is able to start a revolution through his murdering. Despite this, he is revealed by a master detective named L who risks his life to find out Light’s identity. Both of these main characters do not fear death throughout the novel, and therefore are able to achieve accomplishments that would not be possible for others. Humans live for their death. Everyone in the world knows that they will, sometime or later, die and be left alone as time carries on, replacing each generation one by one until the former is forgotten. With such a limited lifetime, humans try to accomplish as much as possible before they die. The fear of dying motivates our race to achieve the impossible and is the reason why we are so technologically advanced today. Without this fear of death or even death itself, this world would be nothing like it is now; instead, it would be filled with violence and rebels who desire absolute power. Overall, the question “what do we live for” along with the fear of death has been the impetus for human characterization, development, and evolution. Although we still do not know exactly what happens to us as we pass, this simple idea will encourage us and give us motivation to succeed throughout our lives.

This was my second favorite essay that i wrote from first semester, and my favorite topic that i wrote on. It was a question 3 from a sample AP prompt that I found. Through this revision, I added more analysis and tried adding more sentences that linked to my thesis. I believe that this essay was better than my first draft because the paper itself has better vocabulary, sentence structure, and unity overall. It flows instead of having evidence thrown around randomly.

WEEK XIV

For the last blog, I just want to say that this year was full of mixed emotions: fun, stress, laughter, laziness, etc. It was a bumpy year in our english class, but in the end it was all beneficial and memorable. The things we learned and the themes we found apply to life, and as we strive to graduate we must remember everything we’ve learned. I will miss this english class because it was the most enjoyable one out of my four years. Hopefully I will be able to express this through my memoir project. I never enjoyed poetry before and I must admit that throughout the entire first semester I did not like poem responses at all. However, today I enjoy it due to the amount we worked with it in class, and somewhat show interest in some of it as well.

Thanks Mrs. Elliott!

WEEK XIII

This week was quite a short one. We spent most of the week viewing Edward Scissorhands, a rather bland movie that I had already seen before. However, this was a nice strawberry on the cake of english class, because it topped the year off with something relating to the theme “The Monsters we Create”. The movie greatly represented this theme because the protagonist is judged due to his appearance, and is thought of to be a monster in the eyes of others. However, he is quite nice and friendly, as we learn throughout the plot of the movie. It shows that there are monsters we create that are not truly monsters, and we much use our eyes to see through the facade that we place them in.

WEEK XII

This week we got free time to work on our portfolio and essay revisions. It was a rather carefree week, until the day that the assignments were due. However, due to the time we received in class it was quite easy to meet the deadline. Andrew and I were able to finish our Independent Study Project in 4 days, and it was quite an accomplishment. We had plenty of information on the author Gwendyl Brooks, as well as deep analysis’ on three of her finest and most famous poems. I was quite happy with the results of our project. I spent the remainder of the time in class further organizing my blogs as well as working on my essay revisions to try to improve my grades.