Last Essay

            Literature is an open-ended question, one which leads to an answer only through an open mind. What separates literature from writing is that it does not give a solid answer, and is food for thought that the mind so desperately craves. In the Life of Pi, Yann Martel raises the question of truth, and the relativity of the principle. Martel delicately argues the absolute nature of truth by raising a double sided plot, relinquishing unanswered questions and writing a fictional author’s note.

            The nature of the book seems to present itself as a lie. Chapter 99 is the turning point in which Pi presents a new story, and describes each character in the other 98 chapters as symbols of people. Yet, there is no tangible proof of either story. Pi asks the Japanese researchers on page 398, “Since it makes no factual difference to you and you can’t prove the question either way, which [story] do you prefer?” The question that Pi raises to the researchers is the argument of the entire book. In the Author’s note (pg.ix) an elderly man promises a story that can make one believe in God. Martel accomplishes this feat by allowing a reader to choose the side that they prefer, essentially choosing the best story. This idea relates back to the first segment of the book where Pi is still a young boy living in India and practicing three religions, picking the best stories and combining them. This is Martel’s attempt to denounce the absolute ideals of truth.

            Although Pi acquiesces to the scientists and tells a “flat story, an immobile story, a dry and yeastless factuality” (pg.381) his attempt at truth provides no more proof than the old one. Many ends to the stories are still left open, such as the Meer cat bones on the ship, or the carnivorous island. Both attempt to prove a point that has no absolute truth. Martel leaves questions open on both of his stories so that the reader may assume the end and pick his or her favorite conclusion. By doing so the author begins to address the relationship between certainty and doubt. Although it is certain that Pi arrived on the island it is no better to not believe something that cannot be proven than to believe that which satisfies the imagination. The author indirectly critiques those who doubt instead of picking the ‘preferred story’ through Pi’s dislike of agnosticism on page 81. Pi defines agnosticism as a lack of imagination and reach to the better story. Although there are many “open ends” left on life’s stories Martel encourages his reader to believe rather than to doubt.

            Ironically Martell indirectly indicates his position on the absolute nature of truth in his fictional author’s note. Typically a nonfiction precursor to reading, Martell redefines the common conception to form a better story. It is the lack of admittance that the author’s note is fictional that solidifies the book’s key argument. By not surrendering to the simple title of fiction or nonfiction the writer sets up a story that is easily taken how the reader attempts to believe it was meant to be written.

            Roland Barthes stated, “Literature is the question minus the answer” but in the Life of Pi Yann Martell attempts to prove that the answer of literature is simply what the mind wishes it to be. Martell treats the book in a manner that proves his point with a double-sided plot, unanswered questions, and a deceiving author’s note.

After Obama's historic remarks supporting gay marriage unions he called a meeting with Christian pastors to explain his newly acclaimed support. To avoid negative political feedback in the upcoming election Obama voiced his opinion to several African American pastors. Although the large percentage of African Americans in the United States continue to support Obama it is the minority of black pastors to speak out against Obama. In this indecisive time in America the idea of gay marriage is coming under fire. Churches primarily have chosen one of two approaches, to remain silent on the issue of gay marriage, or to but President Obama under fire for his remarks.


StableForth, Dylan. "Obama Calls Pastors to Explain Gay Marriage Support; Black Churches 'conflicted'". 14 May 2012. 14 May 2012. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-calls-pastors-explain-gay-marriage-support-black-145755127.html

This book, like you promised Mrs.Leffler, would reveal itself all in the last chapter. Although the book I felt, never fully revealed its meaning in the carnivorous island I feel satisfied in the ending. The book adresses the sides of each human, the moral and religious side, as well as the animalistic side. I was most suprised to find that Richard Parker was Pi himself. In some ways it did click, after all it was his animalistic instincts that kept him alive on the boat, but it was also the humane side that sparked the will to live by igniting the internal struggle. Without the animalistic side, there is no doubt that Pi would not have survived, but even so I found the most important illustration was that of Pi training his tiger into doing tricks. It was quite a while on the boat before he could train much of anything into effect but the act was symbolic of the training of instincts. What first appeared to be simply a beautiful and strange story was so much more. I was dumbfounded as Pi explained his story to the Japanese and realized that every event in the story was symbolic of his struggles on the ship, externally and internally. This was the best use of symbolism that I have ever seen and thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Joe Biden, Vice President of the United States is the highest ranking official to publicly support gay marriage. Although Democratic policies lean toward gay marriage, in contrast to republican views, the Obama administration has not stated that they will push for gay rights legistlation. Biden was quoted saying that he personally feels comfortable with gay marriage but cannot speak for the president. Although the conflicting statements from the Obama administration's stance and Joe Biden lend to controversy, this is a turning point for gay rights. In a world where a vast majority of the population supports gay marriage, it's only a matter of time until that view leaks into the presidency itself.

Dylan Stableforth. "Biden on Gay Marriage". news.yahoo.com. 2012. 4 May 2012. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/biden-gay-marriage-absolutely-comfortable-men-marrying-men-152035862.html

Life of Pi Blog

The theme of the second part of the book, once Pi is on the boat, is essentially written about the relationship of fear and its effects on Pi's life. In one sense he is afraid of the tiger, but at the same time he is fearful of his life. So the majority of the chapters revolved around his daily activities and which fear they complied to. Yet it is also fear that controls Richard Parker, the whistling and blowing demonstrate the power that Pi assumes over Richard Parker. In this sense you could say that Richard Parker and Pi are on the same boat (how punny!) Yet it is the fear of death that gives the will to live. When Pi accepts that he has the will to live, he lives. In fact a large part of the book while on the boat is comprised of deciding that death is the greatest fear, not Richard Parker, and by achieving this knowledge Pi can begin to live harmoniously. As Pi stated on page 274, "Only death consistently excites your emotions whether contemplating it when life is safe and stale, or fleeing it when life is threatened and precious." Ironically however, the one thing that Pi initially feared was the dangerous animals. But through his trial to survive he became exactly what he feared-- an animal.

Although debtor prisons were outlawed in 1830, more than a third of US prisons allow people to be jailed for failing to pay debts or bills. Recently a breast cancer survivor was arrested and served time for failing to pay a medical bill. Under the charges those arrested aren't serving time for "failing to pay debts," but for failing to respond appropriately to their collection agency or courts and are held in contempt of court. A loophole like this, while now under criticism, is a danger to American rights in society. Although getting money back is a demanding issue for collection agencies, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to imprison those too poor to pay their debts. An issue like this should be put to an immediate stop.

Alan Sheirter. Jailed for $280- The Return of Debtors Prisons. finance.yahoo.com. 2012. 26 April 2012.http://finance.yahoo.com/news/jailed-for--280--the-return-of-debtors--prisons.html

The start of chapter 33 definitely didnt have a boring introduction. Starting with quite a twist, the book never slowed down. In fact the plot moved so fast, I honestly cant say that I understand the symbolism of the characters. At first I thought I understood the tiger, in accordance with Ravi's tiger and lamb analogy.. but then when the Hyena's and Zebra were introduced my mind was blown. That is unless the story is simply just about a boy stranded with a tiger on a boat. So here is a cry for help about the underlying meaning of the book?!
But aside from the argument, I love this author. Although his material isn't always humorous he seems to find the humor in alot of situations. And although this maybe wasnt meant as humor I couldnt help but laugh at Pi crying and cursing "Jesus, Muhammed!" Overall, once i understand it more fully I would love to see where the book goes.

In a such a weakened economy it is no wonder that 1 in every 2 new college graduates are jobless. The terrifying statistics state that more college graduates are forced to settle for jobs that don't fully use their knowledge or their skills, and instead choose to settle for jobs as waiters or baristas. Although it is true that the average student that goes to college makes more money than a highschool grad, this case is not always true. The failing economy is allowing more and more students to accumulate college debt with no way to pay it off.
Personally an article like this is especially scary as I begin to reach the end of my highschool career. It would be nothing short of a nightmare to accumulate massive amounts of college debt only to go right back into the workforce that I would have been in without any extra education. Hopefully the economy will improve, but just in case I plan to get a broad major that is applicable to many fields so I can be the 1 in every 2 that does have a job.

Valdes, Manuel. "One in Two Graduates are Jobless or Unempoyed". www.finance.yahoo.com. 22 April 2012. Web. 22 April 2012

Life of Pi (pg1-100)

I read the Life of Pi once in the seventh grade, and am amazed at how much more I grasped in the book than I did four years ago, although the underlying meaning is still elusive to me. However, as I have read the book before the very basic plotline is with me and so I did see some foreshadowing that was interesting to me.
The first moment that Pi really reflects on his journey is on pg9 when a man remarks on his terrible table manners. This realization of his uncivilized manner cuts Pi very deeply, and so you begin to see a very educated and well informed individual take character. One other thing I noticed was how (also on pg.9) Pi remarks that his parents dont like water, but it is his gift. His uncle presents him this gift, although his parents don't understand it, ironically then the journey surrounds water. Although the relation may have not been intentional I felt that there was a relation between water and religion, both things that are bizarre to his parents and will take him on a unique journey.
I also feel that Pi's connection to the animals is important to the plotline. Each animal is dangerous and must be regarded as such, each element in nature should be carefully considered or it will bring pain. He takes careful notice not to regard any animal as human but gives each animal bits of personification and personality. It is strange that although Pi cares so much about religion he also loves animals which have no interest in religious matters.

Ending of Farenheight 451

The final two chapters of farenheight 451 were, to be honest, somewhat depressing and sad. Yet at the same time the point made by the book is clear, while technology advances society it can also be it's demise. The dehumanized society in which Montag lives in is free of all intelligence. However, living by the idea that ignorance is bliss corrupts morality and the joy of living life. The quote, "maybe the books can get us out of the cave"  ( 74) perfectly demonstrates Montag's dilemma. With the quote, Bradbury eludes to Plato's alegory of a cave. In the Allegory of a Cave the characters are restrained by ignorance as well, and when Montag tries to educate Mildred's friends they are frightened and disbelieving. Although politically and socially intelligence had been looked down upon, it was in fact human nature that drove the race to rely on such convenient technology instead of building lasting relationships or relying on emotion. Eventually, the technology in which humans set out to create dehumanized the self. Although the point of Bradbury's fiction society is happiness, emotion is the very thing that eludes all members of the dystopian world. The reliance on technology can never satisfy human thirst for need, and technology can never love. Without human interaction and educated thought life is meaningless.

The Hearth and the Salamander

Despite the fact that this book was written nearly fifty years ago it predicts a future ruled by technology. Although the fictional world of the story is much more extreme in depicting the reliance on technology than today it shows the slip inot ignorance. The statement 'Ignorance is Bliss' might be the ruling ideology of the first chapter in Bradbury's fictional world. Ray Bradbury's predictions of the future are eerily similiar to the problems faced in society today: extreme political correctness, sensless violence (possibly caused by the violent media streamed constantly), and overuse of technology. This people once had the ability to choose between right, wrong, educated and ignorant and above all chose ignorance. However, this morality is a characteristic unique to the human speces and as the characters in this book begin to loose their sense of morality and individual thought process through technology they begin to lose the very thing that makes them human. In a world of technology it is in fact the technology that dehumanizes the race of mankind.

Great Gatsby - Final Essay

Fitzgerald’s depiction of the American Dream is a dim and distorted one. Each character in their lavish lifestyle cannot achieve happiness. Each character, miserable in their unique way, cannot be satisfied through financial means. The American Dream is that anyone in society can rise above their social standings to achieve happiness through money. However, Fitzgerald addresses the theme in The Great Gatsby that money does not equate fulfillment, shown as each character reaches their demise through death or a life doomed to unhappiness.

            A key example of a character looking for fulfillment in wealth is Daisy. Although she claims to have loved Gatsby she moves on quickly in the hopes of the financial security of another. Even in her rocky marriage Daisy ignores her husband’s infidelity in order to continue feeling secure. Finally as she begins to reach out to Gatsby for a relationship, she sees the tremendous wealth he has acquired and weeps for the financial advantage lost when she compares his clothing to her own husband’s. Although there may have been emotional feelings coupled with her financial motives, Daisy’s priorities are clear. Her shallow upbringing led her to become acquired to wealth and rely on it to live. Due to her greed her world revolved around money, Gatsby even describes her voice as, “rich with money.” Yet despite all of the riches her husband owned not only was her marriage unsuccessful but neither partner remained faithful to the other. At the end of the book, as Gatsby waits outside of the house for Daisy there is silence between the two partners. In the silence however there is an unspoken acquisition, and a promise to continue life as it had been although neither partner was contented.

            Myrtle, Tom’s mistress, found herself in a marriage where she could not respect her husband. Originally she married her husband, but when he could not come into any money their relationship began to suffer. She began to cheat on him with Tom, a man with wealth. It was this confidence she found in Tom’s money that made the relationship so serious to her. Like Daisy, she found security in money that Tom could offer her. However, the relationship she found with Tom was unhealthy: she found the security in his wealth, was hit by him, and was continuously lying to her husband. Ultimately this connection she made with Tom’s money led to her death as she ran to the car she believed she was in. Although she knew she was hurting herself and her husband she was so attached to the prestige that Tom’s money granted her that she fell into a vicious cycle that led to her demise. Ultimately she could not find any fulfillment in the money Tom could give her.

            Gatsby’s relationship with money is a key example of the statement that money does not equate happiness. Although Gatsby does not want money for the sole purpose of the security or glamour that it holds as Myrtle and Daisy do, he understands that without any wealth he cannot attract Daisy. In this way the pursuit of riches is so important to Gatsby that he resorts to criminal activities to get Daisy back. However, these pursuits of Daisy cannot be satisfied through money. His money cannot guarantee Daisy’s commitment, or his happiness. Even before Gatsby had reunited with Daisy, his lavish parties and extravagant house could offer him any consolation or fill the void he had. In chapter 9 Gatsby’s money couldn’t offer him any protection from a shooter or any friends at his funeral. In the end no amount of money could offer him any contentment in his life.

            The Great Gatsby argues the corrupt nature of the American dream. This central theme, shown through the book, portrays a world in which money guarantees no happiness. No character in the book reaches a state of fulfillment despite the riches they possess and find their identity in. As no character could find the satisfaction that the American dream promises follows wealth Fitzgerald depicts the illusion that money can fulfill anyone.

The Great Gatsby- Final Analysis

The Great Gatsby was a unique book. Honestly when I read the final page my mind was swimming with thoughts. Namely, Did I like the book or not? In so many ways the underlying themes seemed amazing, yet how could any author end a book in such a miserable way? As a typical romantic I couldnt help but feel heartbroken for poor Gatsby. Yet the idea of such a miserable mundane life was exactly the idea to be accomplished. The general thought of such a boring life is a terrible idea, yet in America many people do subject themselves to the average 'American Dream.' Making plans for college I couldnt help but to be scared that the career path I am looking forward to will lead me to a materialistic existance that Daisy seems to be made of. But, If truly everyone lives a miserable life and dies does it really matter. I found the theme, though intriguing, just slightly too depressing to believe in. Maybe it is the unathiestic way in which I view the world or the desperation I hold that I cannot end in the same manner as Gatsby that keeps me believing that something about the theme cannot be true. Although it is Fitzgeralds argument in the book I must admit that I must disagree that I will find happiness, and  none of my lovers frightfully murdered. Overall, the book was generally a great read. Although it tugged at my heart strings and made my eyes sting a little I'm glad I had the pleasure of reading the book.

Great Gatsby Ch.1-6

The Great Gatsby has gotten more interesting with every chapter laying more and more detail over the other. However, the resounding theme in all the chapters is simply that money cannot buy happiness. Both Gatsby and Tom are supplied with seemingly endless amounts of money but neither have found happiness. Despite Gatsby's money he yearns for Daisy, and despite Tom having Daisy, he yearns for another. It seems that no matter the situation no character can truly be without want; their lives can never be truly complete.

The usage of the weather as symbolism of the progressing story line was definitely a technique that I enjoyed to read. I've rarely seen this tactic used but greatly enjoyed the underlying symbolism. However incorrect, I believe that throughout the plotline up to chapter six, Tom doesnt necessarily want a mistress, but merely what he cannot have. When Myrtle explains why Tom will not divorce she blames the wife for being Catholic, which she surely is not. The most important and defining moment for me however was Tom's dislike of Daisy being out and about. Tom was fine prancing about with some other woman but suddenly when Daisy's interests have changed, Tom is in for the challenge. Although there were no signs of Tom trying to win Daisy's affection back, he certainly was not a cheery character in the company of Gatsby who threatens his relationship.

Young Goodman Brown

In the story Goodman Brown begins by leaving his wife on an overnight journey where he meets a stranger in the woods (who we find out is later the devil.) As Brown begins to travel he notices peculiar things about the stranger he is traveling with, like the fact that as the stranger holds plants in his hand they seem to wilt. Brown, a firm christian holds onto his faith but begins to get scared as he journeys through the woods. He stops walking several times because he is scared to go any further because it is unrighteous but eventually moves forward. Brown hears voices of the townspeople talking as they gather to meet for a congregation of evil, inviting two new members into their group. No townsperson isn't in the congregation., High and low, good and bad alike join for the induction of members. Soon the townspeople grab Goodman Brown and his wife and begin to throw them into a fire of the devil to induct them as Goodman Brown resists the devil and begs his wife not to. However, as Goodman Brown is taken from the situation by the Lord he is unable to hear what his wife's decision was. The next morning Goodman Brown awakes and realizes that he is unable to decipher whether last nights proceedings were real or fakes. He can not determine who is a devil worshipper any more and everyone's image in his mind is dashed. When he visits church he sees everyone as a hypocrite and cannot even trust his own wife. Goodman Brown dies a gloomy man with no friends.

The central theme of this story is that everyone in the Puritan village was hypocritical. Everyone lived out holy lives while secretly making a deal with the devil. So in essence, everyone was a hypocrite but is held together by the standards of what they should be by putting up a front.

On Writing

King is consistent in his advice to young writers to always continue writing. To be a writer, one must be a reader. Reading is essential to the development of writing and to understand the trade of a writer, exploring different writing styles is necessary. King needed writing like he needed air to breathe. An example of this is pg.41 of On Writing, King is quoted stating, “The nail in my wall would no longer support the weight of the rejection slips impaled by it.” King had submitted his work so many times that he had trouble even recording the amount of rejection he received. However, the more submissions King made the more writing experience he achieved and the more tips that he received from publishing magazines and newspapers. To King writing was something he had always had an interest, from the 8^th grade he was selling small ‘books.’ Through all the trouble that writing land Mr. King in (from the 8^th grade book failure to the high school newspaper fiasco. Pg 48-50) nothing could dissuade him from the need to write. In fact King even admits to using writing as a crutch to help him through his drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Even in the financially rough times in King’s life (pg.86) he continued to write, possibly in hope for that big break, or just for a way to continue his passion. Throughout his life King has essentially written without ceasing, except to catch his breath and to find a new idea for a book. To King, writing is a way of life that he simply and honestly cannot live without. Writing without ceasing is the only way to gain any literary success.

Stephen King On Writing- Blog 3

Beginning to read the last portion of the book I'd thoroughly convinced myself that this part would be the most boring. I just knew that this would only speak on grammar rules and proper writing etiquette. However, to my pleasant suprise I must say that although this last bit wasn't, perhaps, as comical as the first half, it rang a deeper note with me than that. (Not to mention I think I just fell in love with Stephen King's romance with his wife. His love for her, shown by his sporadic comments throughout the book, is no doubt the best thing I've ever read in a book about writing.)
At one moment I had to put down the book and think when he explained that every good writer writes for someone. This idea had really never occurred to me. I'm not sure why I never really thought about a writer as a real person or that they actually have to write for someone, but my realization almost stunned me. Obviously at this moment I'm writing a blog for your class, Mrs.Leffler, but the realization that every book or bit of writing ever written was written for someone certainly put a pause on what I thought I knew about writing. (King wrote, "Tabby, she's the one I write for, the one I want to wow" which further solidified my love of  him as the author.)
Just another highlight and moment that challenged my thinking on writing was when King began to discuss those who correct his story, and edit his book. I thoroughly agree with King that close and personal friends should be able to edit or critique your writing. I personally have no fear of letting my best friend, Hannah Williamson, see my work because if it doesnt have potential she'd bluntly let me know. Of course I dont write that in a rude tone, I think that that type of critique is only one true friends can share. King's writing I did find however, seemed to have a lot of 'if and or but's. You can have these adjectives IF you do this. You may have a flashback BUT you can't forget that. Of course every 'if and or but' was justified, but I couldn't help but remember you explaining how you grade our essays or projects. You know the AP rubric, but I specifically remember you saying that, "Good writing is just good writing, and I know it when I see it." I feel that Stephen King I felt aired that fact out in the open. Through this book I really began to understand that. You can't make a great writer, but you can improve one. This was just one of many realizations that I enjoyed making throughout this book.
I know this blog is a bit lengthy, and for that I'm sorry. For all that said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and think I learned alot about writing. The task of reading a book on writing seemed daunting, but in the end I'm glad I did. Long live the King.

State Of the Union Address

Just as expected the State of the Union adress largely consisted of shaking hands and greeting the president until 8:11. Ten minutes of shaking hands and meeting and greeting left me a little wary of the hour before me. But with a flash of his professhional and charismatic struggle the president began his speech with the reassuring statement, " We can do this. I know we can." I found it particularly interesting that Obama mentioned in passing the family that we had read a little bit about. The American promise that Obama used to take him to the office of presidency was being threatened. The economy is the agressor taking away from the american people and so to fix this problem Obama lays out his 'blueprint' of major ways to save the economy.

First, Obama discussed American manufacturing. He smiled and grinned as he bragged that General Motors was back on top as the number one automobile manufacturer in the nation. He explained that he wanted to achieve great manufacturing in American again. The first way to achieve this was to allow tax breaks for businesses in the United States, while announcing that every multinational company should pay taxes. To keep American economy afloat all businesses that can stay in America should, and Obama is willing to offer incentives to make sure that they do. Another way to keep manufacturing in the nation was to develope a 'Trade Enforcement Unit'- meaning more inspections on goods, to make sure that they are up to safety standards. These new acts the president hopes to pass are to "level the playing field." Through a new employment program he hopes to make new vocational groups in community colleges to hire straight into businesses and suggested that all highschool students are required to graduate highschool. Obama stated that the education of americans is the key to the improvement of the economy.

Other highlights of the speech include: his take on illegal immigration  (that i dont particularly agree with), and his joke about crying over spilled milk. His joke about spilled milk was definitely the highlight of my night, and reminded me that even presidents can have senses of humor.

Stephen King: The Toolbox

The clear way in which King simply states that writing is telepathy. Writing is the key to plant ideas and stories in reader’s minds. This opening paragraph is really the way that Stephen King justifies and explains his love of writing, the use to give a story to someone else. Although this seemed like some extended or far out analogy, the truth was that the only way to achieve telepathy is through writing. He beautifully demonstrates this in his example of showing various passages and then explaining that anyone who reads the same passage will see the same picture (save a few minor details.)

                The extended metaphor of a toolbox was especially interesting to me as he used it to describe ‘the tools necessary to get the job done.’ Simply, he states pet peeves and techniques that work well in writing and tools that don’t. Specifically, the strangest thing was how King referred to his characters as people. His characters came to life and chose their own story, regardless of what his own original ideas had been. He spends a good amount of time explaining how the characters must be real to develop any story, and his characters did come to life, eventually dictating how his story played out. Despite the fact that King does briefly describe basic grammatical rules he spent the vast majority of his time explaining the process behind putting a story together and the writing styles begging to be used.

Stephen King: On writing

            Stephen King begins his book correctly with the statement: “for all have sinned and fallen short of editorial perfection.” This play on a biblical reference perfectly portrays the sarcastic and humorous tone in which he continues to write in throughout the beginning portion of the book. Stephen King is simply captivating as he comically writes his life story, and it always amazes me how he manages to write so conversationally, even about touching subjects like his mother’s death.

             His stories seemed so conversational at points that a reader could forget they were learning step by step how Stephen King could become a writer. Especially in the story of Eula-Beulah, when Stephen casually inserts the lesson of the story, “After having a two-hundred-pound babysitter fart on your face and yell POW!, The Village Voice holds few terrors.” Mr. King’s thought process behind the stories he began were one of the most interesting parts. The inspiration behind the book Carrie was especially unsettling to me as Stephen King simply and unemotionally wrote about his classmate, Dodie, and the high school horrors she encountered.

            The stories not only recorded the life of a famous writer, but also explained the experiences that he went through to shape him to what type of person he is as writer today. Although he did not directly address any writing styles he wrote about what kind of a person a writer had to be and the trials he went through to achieve the success that he has.