The Night Circus

CTQ: Who has “power” in your text?  How does that power get shown?

            I have recently read the book “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern.  It’s about how two magicians, Celia and Marco, are put into a magical duel by their guardians.  This event takes place in a circus, and it lasts many years.  As time goes by, Celia and Marco fall in love, but they figure out that the only way to play the game is to outlast the other player.  I believe that Hector Bowen (Celia’s father) and Alexander (Marco’s adopted father) have the most power in this text.

            Celia and Marco are expected to have an inner drive to try to out last each other.  But they love each other and Celia sometimes thinks of committing suicide to let Marco win.  But, thanks to their parents, they are forced to never run away or even think about it by a scar that will blindingly hurt whenever one of them gets any ideas about it.  This shows the power that the parents have over their lives.  “And then his right hand begins to burn, the pain sharp and searing, beginning at the scar around his finger and racing up his arm, blacking out every thought in his mind.” (page 351).This is what happens when Marco asks Celia to run away with him.  His scar was made when he first started preparing for the challenge.  This shows how much power and influence the parents have over the magicians lives, so much that they can get into their children’s thoughts.

            Whenever Celia and Marco kiss, either Alexander or Hector shows up to lecture his child about how their love will get them nowhere in the challenge.  Celia and Marco are constantly being reminded that their love is fake, disgusting, and irrelevant by their guardians.  “ ‘Stop behaving as though you love that boy’ Hector says.  ‘You are above such mundane things.’ “ (page 397). This quote shows Hector Bowen’s attitude towards Celia and Marco’s love for each other.  Hector and Alexander can only think about how everything affects their competition for who’s the better magician and they never think of their children’s feelings.  They have power and influence over what their children should feel.

              Hector and Alexander also affect the other people involved in the circus.  The fact that Alexander had no shadow convinced Charles Lefèvre (the owner of the circus) that there was something secret and evil going on behind his back.  That caused him to attempt to kill Alexander with a knife, but he misfired and it hit Herr Friedrick Thiessen (the maker of the famous clock on the gates of the circus) instead.  “…Mr. A. H-‘s suit shifts…the knife brushes by his sleeve, and comes to rest instead in the chest of the man he’s speaking with…[he] catches Herr Friedrick Thiessen as he slumps forward.” (page 375).  This shows how entangled other people can get in the web of magic that Alexander (A.K.A. Mr. A. H-), Hector, Celia, and Marco have created.  It makes normal people suspicious and causes them to do drastic things.  Hector and Alexander have taught their children to do the same as them.

            After I read this book, I thought that it kind of related to “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins, in a sense that two people who love each other are being forced to kill each other.  This text makes me wonder how they would have turned out if Marco actually did commit suicide without Celia, how would she react and would she ever be the same?  Would she ever use magic again?   

Who has power in The Hunger Games?

     Who has "power" in your text?  How does that power get shown?

     In the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, President Snow and the Capitol have power.  This book is about how in the future country Panem, there are 12 districts and a Capitol.  Every year, each district has to randomly chooses one girl and one boy between the ages of 12 to 18 and puts them into an arena to fight to the death.  This annual death sentence to children is called "the hunger games" and it is televised to everyone in the districts and Capitol.  

    The main character Katniss Everdeen is one of the contestants in the "Games" and she experiences the power of the Capitol firsthand.  In the arena, "game makers" control all "natural disasters" and mutations to make the games more interesting for the Capitol viewers.  This is one way that the Capitol has power over the children in the arena and the districts.  People in the districts are constantly being reminded that themselves or their children will be picked to have a 1 out of 24 chance of survival.  In the arena, game makers always injuring and killing people to remind the tributes of their power.  This is how the Capitol's games scare people into staying in line.

   The Capitol also has power over people's lives in the districts.  It keeps people from running away by surrounding each district in an electrified chain-link fence.  It keeps people working under the threat of execution.  It also makes sure that the people of the districts have barely any food, but enough to keep going.  The Capitol is also always reminding the districts of what happens when you rebel and how the it blew up District 13 to remind the citizens of (once again) their power.

    Obviously, the most powerful thing in this book is the Capitol.  Unless someone successfully rebels against them… Read the next book to find out!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

      When I was little, I loved it when my parents read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle to me.  The book was so large and colorful.  My favorite part was when the caterpillar ate and ate until he became a large caterpillar.  I loved to flip through the pages and count how much of each food he ate.  I liked seeing him turn into a big, beautiful butterfly also.  Sometimes after reading this, I would pretend to be a caterpillar in her cocoon until I would suddenly pop out from under my blankets and fly around the room.
       If I wasn't already going to be Cinderella for Halloween, I probably would've been the butterfly.  I would always ask my parents that if I ate a lot of food, would I become a butterfly?  They would always burst my bubble and reply no, but I never believed them.  I wonder what my three year old self would think if she saw how she would be in ten years.  Probably disappointed that she didn't turn into a butterfly, a fairy, or a princess.  But maybe proud that I made it that far without getting attacked by evil witches or dragons.  I remember how jealous I was that the caterpillar was allowed to eat as many cupcakes, ice cream cones, and pieces of chocolate cake as he wanted.  But my mom always pointed out how at the end, the caterpillar got a tummy ache.  This book taught me many important lessons and it has always meant a lot to me.

Argument Essay Draft #2

      Many people all over the country are taking sides in the battle on banning books.  When people ban books, they are getting rid of life lessons and important morals for many children.  Some banned books, like Animal Farm by George Orwell aren't so inappropriate that they should be banned from libraries everywhere.  I just read this book a couple of weeks ago, and I am glad I read it.  Banning Animal Farm is taking the wrong side of the fight.

      Animal Farm is a classic book with an important message.  Sure, it has some violence.  But it isn't all that graphic.  Probably the most graphic scene is on page 41 when the animals are at war with the humans.  It says, "The pellets scored bloody streaks along Snowball's back, and the sheep dropped dead."  According to the article "Banned Books We Have Loved" by Jen Doll, "Over and over again, the books worth reading were the banned ones."  This book teaches us that some types of governments don't work out the way they're supposed to by using kid-friendly characters such as pigs as the dictators/bad guys and other farm animals as the characters being affected.  You can learn a lot from this book.
      You shouldn't ban books for everyone.  Books like Animal Farm deserve to be in libraries.  Although it has some graphic scenes, it is overall a classic book.  For instance, on page 22 of the book when the animals finally get their freedom, it says "Yes, it was theirs- everything they could see was theirs…. They rolled in the dew, they cropped mouthfuls of sweet summer grass, they kicked up clods of black earth and snuffed its rich scent."  Even in a book whose message is dark, it is scenes like this and in-depth descriptions that make up for the violence.  If you are a parent personally thinks that your child isn't ready for this stuff and you're planning to ban it, don't get rid of it for everyone.  It is a personal decision of what your child can and can't read.
      Book banning isn't even all that affective.  When I first saw the banned books list, I saw many books that I had either already read, or was planning to read.  The fact that these books were banned made me want to read them even more.  For many authors such as R. L. Stine,  your books being banned can be a source of pride.  It means that their books are actually being read.            All in all, instead of trying to ban books for everyone, try discussing with your child what they can and can't read.  Also try to get their insight on what they feel comfortable reading.  If we ban relevant books like Animal Farm, then over time future generations might forget the moral of the story.  If we aren't reminded of these lessons, we might forget them someday.  Overall, I am happy that I read this book and I don't regret choosing it.  Maybe some day people will realize how irrelevant book banning is.

Argument Essay Draft #1

      Many people all over the country are trying to censor certain books.  This is a bad idea.  Some banned books, like Animal Farm by George Orwell (which I have just read) aren't so inappropriate that they should be banned from libraries everywhere.  Animal Farm is being banned for all of the wrong reasons.

      Animal Farm is a classic book with an important message.  Sure, it has some violence.  But it isn't all that graphic.  Probably the most graphic scene is on page 41 when the animals are at war.  It says, "The pellets scored bloody streaks along Snowball's back, and the sheep dropped dead."  According to the article "Banned Books We Have Loved" by Jen Doll, "Over and over again, the books worth reading were the banned ones."  This book teaches us that some types of governments don't work out the way they're supposed to by using kid-friendly characters such as pigs as the dictators/bad guys and other farm animals as the characters being affected.  You can learn a lot from this book.

      You shouldn't ban books for everyone.  Books like Animal Farm deserve to be in libraries.  Although it has some graphic scenes, it is overall a beautiful book.  For instance, on page 22 of the book, it says "Yes, it was theirs- everything they could see was theirs…. They rolled in the dew, they cropped mouthfuls of sweet summer grass, they kicked up clods of black earth and snuffed its rich scent."  Even in a book whose message is dark, it is scenes like this and in-depth descriptions that make up for the violence.  If you are a parent personally thinks that your child isn't ready for this stuff, don't ban it for everyone.  It is a personal decision of what your child can and can't read.

      Book banning isn't even all that affective.  When I first saw the banned books list, I saw many books that I had either already read, or was planning to read.  The fact that these books were banned made me want to read them even more.  For many authors such as R. L. Stine,  your books being banned can be a source of pride.  It means that their books are actually being read.
     
      All in all, instead of trying to ban books for everyone, try discussing with your child what they can and can't read.  Also try to get their insight on what they feel comfortable reading.  When I told my dad that I was reading the book Animal Farm in school, he said that it was a really great book and that I should read it.  Overall, I am happy that I read this book and I don't regret choosing it.

Monday Muses

I was inspired to write this fictional story on Monday, September 30 for Monday Muses based on the poem The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. 

  There was a fork in the road.  This was where Celia and I had to take separate paths.  She hugged me and said, "Oh Emma, see you on the other side!"  We had no idea where we were going, we just wanted to go on an adventure.  

 

  One path was old and dark and falling to pieces, while the other path was new and bright and promising.  Obviously, we both wanted to go on the cleaner, newer path, so we played rock-paper-scissors for who would take it.  I won (I cheated)!  

  "Bye, see ya soon! *wink wink*" I exclaimed.  Celia dragged her feet down the path and angrily shouted, "I hate you!"  I giggled.  I took a couple of happy leaps down my path.  I then heard loud cackling sound coming from behind me and I ran the rest of the way.  At the end of the road, I saw a large factory that was heavily polluted with smoke.  Everyone was dirty and sad.  I missed my mommy and daddy!  I tried to take the road back but it was gone.  I spent the rest of my life as a factory worker and here I am now, an old woman in her hut getting sicker and sicker, all because I took the nicer looking path.

***

  It all started when Emma and I wandered into the woods as young determined children, hoping to escape our lives and find beautiful castle to live in and become princesses.  Okay, we were six.  How was I supposed to know that I'd never see my family or Emma again until now?  

  "So the rules are, that at the first fork in the road we will both take different paths and meet up on the other side." I explained while Emma sat there nodding.  So we ran into the forest and we stopped at where the road was parted.  "Celia, can I take the pretty path?"Emma asked.  "No!!!  This was my idea in the first place so I get that path!"I shouted.  "Okay fine.  We'll play rock-paper-scissors."said Emma and she smiled. 

  After it was decided that I should take the spookier path, I shouted some cruel words at Emma and slowly walked tearily down the path.  I came upon a mansion at the end.  It was so beautiful.  A nice young couple adopted me.  Now, I'm a rich old lady who generously donates large amounts of money to charity every year.  But I'll never forget Emma.

Then, I woke up.  I was six years old again and Emma and I were at the fork in the road.  "I change my 

mind." I said.  "We should go back.  Race ya!"I exclaimed and we both lived out normal peaceful lives.   

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

From Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken

A Theme in "Animal Farm" by George Orwell

    The frightening book Animal Farm by George Orwell has many themes in it.  Today I will be focusing in on the theme of what each character symbolizes in the book.  To start, this book is about a farm of animals who decide to start a revolution.  They kick out the previous owner of the farm, Mr. Jones and install  two pigs named Snowball and Napoleon as their new leaders.  They live by the rule that "all animals are equal".  The animals live in paradise, they learn how to read and write, they are allowed to graze the wide open fields, and they are asked to do little work.  Then, (spoiler alert) Snowball is kicked out of the farm by Napoleon and everything goes wrong.  The animals are overworked and are starved.  Napoleon is a brutal leader and changes the law of "all animals are equal" to "all animals are equal but some animals are more than others."  Then, he walks on his hind legs and acts like how Jones used to.  He even changes the name of Animal Farm to Manor Farm.
    Each animal symbolizes someone.  For example, Napoleon represents a brutal dictator who is no better than the last ruler.  All of the pigs represent the upper class or the ones who are treated better in society.  The dogs represent the threat that is making the animals follow the dictator's rules.  The sheep represent the unaware citizens who are oblivious to the dictator's cruelty and unjustness.  Benjamin represents the old and wise people who adjust to situations when they become hard or unfair.  All of these animals represent people when a country or society is taken over by a dictator.  I find that this is a very creative and effective way of proving a point.  This could help more people understand an issue who don't know about it already.  If you use different animals or creatures to represent people in the real world, people at a younger age could understand what the author means.
    This book seems like just a story about animals who take control of their farm but there is a deeper meaning.  This book represents how sometimes governments don't work out.  As the book goes on, Napoleon and the other pigs slowly take away all of the animals rights.  It starts when Snowball is in power and the pigs get more apples and milk than the other animals. They say that they took the extra food because the pigs need the energy to come up with new ideas on the farm. Then, when Napoleon becomes the next ruler he slowly changes the Seven Commandments of Animalism as time goes on.  It finally ends with him getting rid of the Commandments all together.  He replaces it with one single rule of "all animals are equal but some animals more than others."  I think that the pigs symbolize how a revolution can turn worse than the previous situation (the revolution on Animal Farm turns out worse than when Mr. Jones was in control).
    In conclusion, Animal Farm holds the important theme of how each animal represents a human equivalent.  I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a classic well written book with a political meaning behind it.  Just so you know, this book is being banned in some schools. Don't let it happen!  Animal Farm deserves to be in every library.  This book was amazing.
   

The Borrowers by Mary Norton

    In The Borrowers by Mary Norton, the character Arrietty changes throughout the book.  In the beginning, she curious and naive.  In the middle of this book, Arrietty changes by going outside her home for the first time.  In the end, Arrietty is more mature, and cautious about who sees her and what the consequences are for being seen.
    The Borrowers is about a family of little people (about two inches tall) who call their species borrowers because they borrow things humans leave around (blotting paper, hat pins, etc.). They live in a hole next to a clock in a kitchen.  This is why the family is called the Clocks.  The Clocks consist of a mother named Homily, a father named Pod, and their daughter named Arrietty.  They are the last borrowers in the house.
    In the beginning of the book, Arrietty is curious about the outside world and borrowing.  She is so curious, that when he father first takes her borrowing, she is told to stay put but she wanders into the garden and explores underneath a tree.  That is when she is seen by a little boy who temporarily lives in the house.  She is very naive at this point in the story because she then starts talking to the little boy and tells him where she lives.  Arrietty has no idea how destructive this boy could be, for all she knows, he could kill her!  But Arrietty tells the boy everything anyway.  In fact, at one point the boy threatens her and says, "...I'll hit you with my ash stick!".  When Arrietty calmly replies "All right, hit me!" the boy threatens to break her in half!  This shows just how naive Arrietty really is.
    In the middle of the book, Arrietty changes.  When she gets a letter from her uncle, it says "Tell your Aunt Lupy to come home".  This is when Arrietty realizes her Aunt is probably lost or dead.  She figures that her Aunt probably left their badger's hole where the rest of their family was hiding and tried to make it back to the house.  She also realizes that the fields are dangerous and immigrating to the forest is a risky plan.  When the boy who lives upstairs discovers Arrietty's house, he brings them doll house furniture and the Clocks become dependent on the boy.  Pod even stops borrowing outside of the kitchen.  Arrietty now trusts the boy.
    In the end of the book, (SPOILER ALERT) Mrs. Driver, the maid discovers how the boy is giving the borrowers expensive antique doll house furniture.  At first, she sees them and thinks they're rats so she calls the rat catcher.  Mrs. Driver locks up the boy in his room and the borrowers are forced to immigrate.  Arrietty learns her lesson, don't trust the human "beans".  Now she is more cautious and mature about what she does.
    All in all, Arrietty's character changes throughout the course of this book.  She goes from being a naive little girl to a mature young woman.  Arrietty was excited to live in the badger's hole, so I wonder if she'll become as raggedy as her boy cousins who she'll have to share her new home with.

World War Z by Max Brooks

  Over the summer, I read the book World War Z by Max Brooks.  It takes place in the near future, when the living dead walk the Earth.  It's about how a journalist interviews people about their experience in the "Zombie War".  The people who he interviews are from all over the world and they all have amazing accounts of the war.  For example, at one point he interviews a blind man who lived in a national park in the mountains of Japan during the war.  
  I thought that this book was awesome because it felt so real and it didn't just describe the zombies themselves, it described how the whole world was in denial before the war.  It also described how people called the plague "African Rabies" before they realized that this was the living dead.  I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn't get scared easily and any fans of books about zombie apocalypses.