Willa Cather offers her view of life in the pioneer time. She chooses the narrator of the story to be Jim Burden. He is the protagonist in this story. From Jim's perspective the pioneer life is about working hard. He observes many people working hard for their family, such as Antonia.
If she had choosen Antonia to be the protagonist the story probably would not have been focused on Antonia as much. Her feelings would come out from her perspectiv, and she would probably be focused on Jim until he leaves for school. The story would tell about her life changes with Jim gone. She got married and had six children. The readers did not learn about this information until the end of the book.
With the narrator being a man and the author being a woman, Jim seems to have more emotions. It almost seems like you can tell that the author is a woman trying to be a man. Men do not really express their feelings as well as a woman can, but Jim seems to not have a problem doing so.
Throughout the story, Jim and Antonia became close. They started building a connection absentmindedly almost. In my opinion, Jim changed the title from Antonia to My Antonia because of the connection he developed with her. Jim had feelings for Antonia, and in a sense, Antonia was his love in his mind.
All in all, My Antonia is a great story for the imagination of the youth. It creates a setting that most kids are not used to so the use their imagination to fulfill the setting in the characters perspective.
Friday, December 16, 2011
The Effects of Setting
Author Willa Cather embedded literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, and personification, within her writing.
"As I looked about me I felt that the grass was the country, as the water is the sea. The red of the grass made all the great prairie the colour of wine-stains, or of certain seaweeds when they are first washed up. And there was so much motion in it; the whole country seemed, somehow, to be running."
"The grave, with its tall red grass that was never mowed, was like a little island."
"Winter comes down savagely over a little town on the prairie. The wind that sweeps in from the open country strips away all the leafy screens that hide one yard from another in summer, and the houses seem to draw closer together. The roofs, that looked so far away across the green treetops, now stare you in the face, and they are so much uglier than when their angles were softened by vines and shrubs.
The effects of the setting give characteristics to the people in the book. They show how the people react to such surroundings. Everyone is different so most people wouldn't take things the same as their neighbor, so to say, would. The description that Jim is giving of the surrounding really puts the image in your mind as if you were there. You can see things from Jim's perspective in a positive way because that is how he describes it to the reader.
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As I lie on my back on the soft, cool ground, I look at the stars in the night sky. I intake every commotion around me, such as the crickets chirping hidden in the grass. The trees whisper to me when the wind blows a nice, gentle breeze. The stars above flicker and twinkle as they catch my eye. In my periphery, I see a light shoot across the sky. I close my eyes and wish to myself. Thoughts escape my mind in peace, relieved they are finally free.
"As I looked about me I felt that the grass was the country, as the water is the sea. The red of the grass made all the great prairie the colour of wine-stains, or of certain seaweeds when they are first washed up. And there was so much motion in it; the whole country seemed, somehow, to be running."
"The grave, with its tall red grass that was never mowed, was like a little island."
"Winter comes down savagely over a little town on the prairie. The wind that sweeps in from the open country strips away all the leafy screens that hide one yard from another in summer, and the houses seem to draw closer together. The roofs, that looked so far away across the green treetops, now stare you in the face, and they are so much uglier than when their angles were softened by vines and shrubs.
The effects of the setting give characteristics to the people in the book. They show how the people react to such surroundings. Everyone is different so most people wouldn't take things the same as their neighbor, so to say, would. The description that Jim is giving of the surrounding really puts the image in your mind as if you were there. You can see things from Jim's perspective in a positive way because that is how he describes it to the reader.
.
As I lie on my back on the soft, cool ground, I look at the stars in the night sky. I intake every commotion around me, such as the crickets chirping hidden in the grass. The trees whisper to me when the wind blows a nice, gentle breeze. The stars above flicker and twinkle as they catch my eye. In my periphery, I see a light shoot across the sky. I close my eyes and wish to myself. Thoughts escape my mind in peace, relieved they are finally free.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Age Shouldn't Determine Relationships.
My claim: Age should not matter in relationships.
Concrete: Some people date because they have developed feelings for the other person despite their age.
Commentary 1: All people don't base their relationships off of sex.
Commentary 2: Most people get in a relationship because of the way they feel about each other.
Concrete: Some people date people because of everything they have in common.
Commentary 1: Past traumas, whether it's relationship, family, or financial troubles, help determine the understanding of experiences.
Commentary 2: Same interests help in relationships whether there is an age difference or not.
Opposing: Age should matter in a relationship.
Rebuttal: Relationships should not depend on the age difference between the two people in the relationship.
Age shouldn't matter in relationships. Some people date because they have developed feelings for the other person despite their age. All people don't base their relationship off of sex. Most people get in a relationship because of the way they feel towards that person. A lot of people don't believe in pre-marital sex. So they don't base their interests in people on how they look, if they have a nice body, or if they are cute. Of course, there is always that first attraction, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they will get far in a relationship. Most people try to look at the attitude or personality of that person before they enter a serious relationship with them. Some people date other people because of everything they have in common. Past traumas, whether it's relationship, family, or financial troubles, help determine the understanding of experiences. People who can't understand what you are going through or what you have experienced can't completely see your point of veiw enough to help you through a situation. They can try to be there for you, but in the end, they don't completely understand the stress of traumatic situations because they haven't experienced it. Just because someone is your age doesn't mean they have gone through everything you ahve gone through. It doesn't mean they are on the same maturity level as you either. Same interests mean a lot in relationships whether there is an age difference or not. For example, if you have a certain religion that the other person doesn't agree with, then how could you keep from having a conflict with them? Who would you talk to about your religion if the person you are in a relationsip with doesn't know anything about it or won't even accept it? Same interests have a lot to do with determining relationships no matter the age. The opposing claim is that age should matter in a relationship. People who are over the age of 18 (adults) should not be with anyone who is younger than the age of 18 (minors). This is because they believe that a relationship requires sex. "Research generally supports such views, finding that female teenagers who are romantically involved with older males are at greater risks for a variety of negative health outcomes--including early sexual intercourse, unprotected sex, STDs and pregnancy--than their peers dating similarly aged males." If an adult is sexually active then they would most likely try to persuade a minor in which they are in a relationship with to engage in sexual activity, taking their innocence. This is not necessarily true. Just because they are an adult does not mean they are sexually active, and just because they are in a relationship does not mean they will have sexual intercourse.
Relationships should not depend on the age difference between the two people in the relationship. All that should matter is the way they feel about each other.
My thinking: My reasoning would have to be inductive thinking because I believe exceptions should be made. Men over 25 should not be dating any younger than the age of consent and the age of consent should not be dating anyone over 25.
Source: http://findarticles.com/
Concrete: Some people date because they have developed feelings for the other person despite their age.
Commentary 1: All people don't base their relationships off of sex.
Commentary 2: Most people get in a relationship because of the way they feel about each other.
Concrete: Some people date people because of everything they have in common.
Commentary 1: Past traumas, whether it's relationship, family, or financial troubles, help determine the understanding of experiences.
Commentary 2: Same interests help in relationships whether there is an age difference or not.
Opposing: Age should matter in a relationship.
Rebuttal: Relationships should not depend on the age difference between the two people in the relationship.
Age shouldn't matter in relationships. Some people date because they have developed feelings for the other person despite their age. All people don't base their relationship off of sex. Most people get in a relationship because of the way they feel towards that person. A lot of people don't believe in pre-marital sex. So they don't base their interests in people on how they look, if they have a nice body, or if they are cute. Of course, there is always that first attraction, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they will get far in a relationship. Most people try to look at the attitude or personality of that person before they enter a serious relationship with them. Some people date other people because of everything they have in common. Past traumas, whether it's relationship, family, or financial troubles, help determine the understanding of experiences. People who can't understand what you are going through or what you have experienced can't completely see your point of veiw enough to help you through a situation. They can try to be there for you, but in the end, they don't completely understand the stress of traumatic situations because they haven't experienced it. Just because someone is your age doesn't mean they have gone through everything you ahve gone through. It doesn't mean they are on the same maturity level as you either. Same interests mean a lot in relationships whether there is an age difference or not. For example, if you have a certain religion that the other person doesn't agree with, then how could you keep from having a conflict with them? Who would you talk to about your religion if the person you are in a relationsip with doesn't know anything about it or won't even accept it? Same interests have a lot to do with determining relationships no matter the age. The opposing claim is that age should matter in a relationship. People who are over the age of 18 (adults) should not be with anyone who is younger than the age of 18 (minors). This is because they believe that a relationship requires sex. "Research generally supports such views, finding that female teenagers who are romantically involved with older males are at greater risks for a variety of negative health outcomes--including early sexual intercourse, unprotected sex, STDs and pregnancy--than their peers dating similarly aged males." If an adult is sexually active then they would most likely try to persuade a minor in which they are in a relationship with to engage in sexual activity, taking their innocence. This is not necessarily true. Just because they are an adult does not mean they are sexually active, and just because they are in a relationship does not mean they will have sexual intercourse.
Relationships should not depend on the age difference between the two people in the relationship. All that should matter is the way they feel about each other.
My thinking: My reasoning would have to be inductive thinking because I believe exceptions should be made. Men over 25 should not be dating any younger than the age of consent and the age of consent should not be dating anyone over 25.
Source: http://findarticles.com/
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Sub. Clause Poem
When I woke up this morning,
As the sun arose,
After I put on my clothes,
Before i put on my shoes,
I realized I had nothing to lose.
Although the days would be long,
Since the punishment has been set,
When I made my mistake,
Until I learn to do better,
I must follow the consequences.
As the sun arose,
After I put on my clothes,
Before i put on my shoes,
I realized I had nothing to lose.
Although the days would be long,
Since the punishment has been set,
When I made my mistake,
Until I learn to do better,
I must follow the consequences.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wounded Warrior
I believe donating to the Wounded Warrior is a great idea considering the medical expenses in the current time. I think the families of the soldiers would appreciate the help. Hardly anyone thinks about the soldiers fighting and dying in the war for our country. I believe it would be beneficial to recognize the sacrifices and bravery these American soldiers are making for us. Then spread the word about donations to these wounded warriors. The sicknesses and traumas that they go through are expensive to handle so, yes, I would donate to the wounded soldiers
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