English 10

“‘And if a girl from District Twelve of all places can defy the Capitol and walk away unharmed, what is to stop them from doing the same?… What is to prevent, say, an uprising?'” -President Snow, p. 21

Background
In the country Panem, there are 12 districts. Each district has to produce two tributes, a boy and a girl, to fight to the death as the punishment of rebelling against the capital 74 years ago. This punishment is called the hunger games, where only a lone victor can arise. In the 74th hunger games, Katniss Everdeen and Peta Melark, both from District 12 fell in love during the games and defied the Capitol by both of them provoking the Capitol that they were going to suicide; so the Capitol would not have a victor. A victor was essential to the capitols citizens, and so they allowed it, making Katniss and Peta indirectly rebelling against the Capitol. In the quote, it says, “District 12 of all places” The background information for this is of the 74 years of hunger games, only four have arrived victorious. District 12 was always considered a harmless weak and pathetic district.

I picked this quote because it shows what impact someone can have both in the book and real life. To what I interpret, it says that no matter where you come from or whom you are, you always have the opportunity to make a difference.

Animal farm, by George Orwell is about the dangers of  communism using animals as an example. Major, an old boar, has gathered all the pigs on the farm.Before his death he wanted to share his  wisdom with the other pigs, and translates them into visions and prophecies.

-“These comrades, is the answer to all our problems. It is summer up in a single word – Man. Man is the only real enemy we have.”

-“The man is the only creature that consumes without producing.”

P.4

I picked this quote because even though it is in the beginning of the book in my eyes it is one of the most aesthetic moments.  I really enjoyed  the truth behind these words. Why are we standing over pigs, chickens, and cows? What gives us the right to destroy their lives like we do.

 

That summer in Paris

By Morley Callaghan

That summer in Paris is by Morley Callaghan and is a book based about her trip of an adventure and she explain all about his trip and experience there. The upshot of his summer with Hemingway and Fitzgerald was a barrage of alarums and explosions like violent etc..

It can be only done by telling where I was and what I was doing in 1923 when I was twenty and in my second year at collage in Toronto. Five foot eight, with darkbrown curly hair and blue eyes, I was not overweight then. I was fast with my tongue and, under pressure, fast with my fists, but tell me that I moved around rather lazily. At collaged I played football and boxed.

The quote shows all about her, about how she is physically and what she likes to do besides traveling, tells us about what she was doing in her second year of collage and where she lived, she was very strong and she didn’t care about what other people said and, so that’s why se played football and boxed.

The City of Ember is a book based upon a few instructions that were written by the chief builder of the city. The instructions said that the citizens inhabiting the city of Ember must not leave it for at least two hundred and twenty years.

“Will you trade with me?” Doon asked.

“Trade?” Lina asked.

“Trade jobs. I don’t want to waste my time being a messenger. i want to help save the city, not run around carrying gossip.”

In the city of Ember, the sky was always dark. The only light came from great flood lamps on the tops of buildings and poles. When the lights were off, the city was so dark that people might as well be wearing blindfolds. The citizens used to wonder that someday the lights of the city might go out and never come back on. The graduating students had to draw jobs, the job of a messenger was the most preferred one whereas the job of an electrician’s helper was the least preferred one. Doon got the job of a messenger and wished to trade with his classmate Lina who had the job of an electrician’s helper. I like this quote because it showed the audience that Doon was willing to help the citizens of Ember and end their suffering by improving the light systems. There was an old generator in the pipeworks that he had ideas for.

The 100-year-old man who climbed out the window and disappeared by Jonas Jonasson.

Allan Karlsson is living in a nursing home, the place that he had believed would be his final destination. Today, Allan is turning a 100 and a big celebration is being planned, but Allan has a different agenda and makes the rash decision to climb out the window, and escape. With only his wallet in pocket, and slippers afoot, he decides to embark on what he describes as “anyone else’s adventure of a lifetime.” But not for Allen, with his larger-than-life backstory.

After his master escape, he heads to the bus station and is waiting to board his bus when a young man, who is described as “A rather stocky, unimpressive build of a man” strides towards him and requests this.

“The young man wanted Allan to keep an eye on the suitcase while the owner relieved himself. Or as he expressed it:                                                                          -I need to take a dump.” [8]

“Allan looked at the bus and then at the suitcase, then again at the bus and then again at the suitcase. It has wheels, he said to himself. And there’s a strap to pull it by too. And then Allan surprised himself by making what- you have to admit was a decision that said “yes” to life.” [9]

“The driver put the newly stolen suitcase in the baggage area” [9]

These quotations are a clever demonstration of foreshadowing Allen’s personality. It gives indications that even at 100 years old, there is still a playful and almost perilous aspect to his choices. It signifies his newfound hare-brained sense of life. Making choices not based on future consequences, or repercussions, but off pure impulse. The child-like feel to this old man’s decision leads the reader to a feeling of innocence where one should not exist but is appreciated. Demonstrating that even at a hundred years old wisdom might not lead are choices, but that is ok.

In The Perks of being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky, the narrator and aforementioned wallflower, Charlie, begins writing letters to an anonymous, sympathetic ear. Charlie is using his letters as an outlet to share his life, and to know that someone is genuinely listening. He’s had a challenging life, but in some ways he doesn’t truly realize that. In fact, he has a tendency to look on the bright side, which makes him such a likeable character. Through Charlie’s encounters, thoughts, and explanations, it isn’t hard to figure out the title very accurately describes his life.

But I guess I did worry about it. I’ve been worrying about it ever since he told me. I look at people holding hands in the hallway, and I try to think about how it all works. At the school dances, I sit in the background, and I tap my toe, and I wonder how many couples will dance to “their song”. In the hallways, I see the girls wearing the guys’ jackets, and I think about the idea of property. And I wonder if anyone is really happy. I hope they are. I really hope they are. (23-24)

This quote shows two different sides of Charlie. On one hand, it demonstrates how he seems to have always lived on the sidelines. In the kindest way possible, his thoughts somewhat convey social ignorance, or possibly just an absence of experience in that area. However, where he lacks in social skills, he makes up in maturity and kindness. As we can see in this quote, he has a sincere, almost candid sense of altruism that we don’t often see in teenagers his age, or even in general. Reading this book, and this quote specifically is very interesting, because being a teenager, and constantly being surrounded with them, I get to compare and contrast my life and his. It’s refreshing to see how Charlie doesn’t judge people, and instead he accepts them for who they are.

The book Alias Grace was recreated from the story of a famous murderess of the nineteenth century, written by a Canadian author Margaret Atwood. The book introduces the death of Thomas Kinnear and his housekeeper Nancy Montgomery, for which Grace Marks and James McDermott were accused of murdering. James McDermott was publicly hanged and Grace Marks was sentenced to life imprisonment. Doctor Simon Jordan, a young man in need of success in his research of the criminal mind approaches the case and discusses the details with Miss Lydia, the daughter of the Governess of the Penitentiary.

“Here is the execution”, says Miss Lydia. “Of James McDermott. It was in several of the newspapers. This one is The Examiner.”

Simon reads:

What a morbid appetite for such sights, must exist in society, when so large an assemblage, in the present state of our roads, had collected, to witness the dying agony, of an unfortunate but criminal fellow-being! Can it be supposed that public morals are improved, or the tendency to the commission of flagrant crimes repressed by such public sights as these?

“I am inclined to agree,” says Simon. (page 99)

This section of the book establishes an interesting point about public executions. People have been especially fond of attending public hangings in the nineteenth century, and even throughout history. The reason may be because that perhaps this was one of the only summonings that the attenders wouldn’t be arrested for. I find it very attractive that Simon tends to express his opinion of questioning the morality of this practice not because of the temptation to justify his morals, but because of his practiced and refined mind which is what differentiates him from the rest of the crowd. I think it is very important to have such qualities because it prevents the unconscious mind being affected by the popular practices and therefore makes one no longer themselves.

 

In Alex Rider Stormbraker, by Anthony Horowitz, it is about Alex Rider an orphaned boy  living with his uncle Ian Rider and his educator Jack in London. At the evening a police car arrived at his house and Alex was told that his uncle died in a car accident. On the day of Ians funderal, Alex met Mr Blunt the boss of his uncle that he never met before, because Ian never said something about his work. Alex Rider is verry surprised about his statements:

“You must be Alex.”

“My name ist Alan Blunt.”

“Yout uncle often spoke about you”

“That’s funny”

“He never mentioned you”

“We will miss him”

“He was a good man”

“What was he good at?”

“He never talked about his work”

“Your uncle was a overseas finance manager”

“He was responsible for our foreign branches” (10)

Quotes from the page number 10 shows that Alex didn’t really know his uncle Ian. He has to realize that there are secrets about his uncle Ian that make him insecure.

In Queen of Shadows, book four of the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, the witch clans have a very hierarchical culture, in which to question your superior is to show yourself to be unloyal and useless. Manon, Wing Leader of the witch clans, is ordered by Duke Perrington to provide one of her Blackbeak covens to be used as child-bearers for the Valg. However, as all witches are female and do not breed with mortals, in witch culture witchlings (children mothered by witches) are very rare, and considered sacred. For this reason, Asterin, Manon’s Second, is insistent on ensuring Manon isn’t considering complying with the duke’s request. When Manon replies to Asterin that she hasn’t decided, suggesting she may hand one of the covens over, Asterin presses further.

“And if they object?”

Manon hit the stairs to her personal tower. “The only person who objects to anything these days, Asterin, is you.”

“It’s not right-”

Manon sliced out with a hand, tearing through the fabric and skin above Asterin’s breasts. “I’m replacing you with Sorrel.”

Asterin didn’t touch the blood pooling down her tunic.

Manon began walking again. “I warned you the other day to stand down, and since you’ve chosen to ignore me, I have no use for you in those meetings, or at my back.” Never- not once in the past hundred years- had she changed their rankings. [103]

This quote is interesting because it showcases the witch culture regarding obedience. The idea of a society that so heavily punishes even the hesitation of immediate deference to decisions made by superiors is interesting. Without any kind of advice from others even being considered by leaders, you could imagine how easily a society could become ruled by tyrants, and full of docile, unthinking citizens. With complete authority such as Manon has, realistically it would be extremely difficult for her not to become corrupt with power.

 

“And he heard the call- the call of the wild.” (pg 186, Chapter 20)

When I read this quote, I interpret it to mean “follow your dreams.” This quote is so uplifting as we get to see that Buck is finally getting to do something that makes him happy. But I find this quote makes me question what Buck’s life will look like in the near future.

During this quote, the author is explaining (narrating) Bucks happiness while he is with Thornton and how deep down he has this feeling that he needs to answer the call of the wild and go to his rightful place, free of the rule of mankind.

I recommend for you to read this book as it will make you want to pursue the dreams you have deep down in your heart.

In Handle with Care by Helena Hunting, Lincoln Moorehead is named the CEO Moorehead Media thanks to his father’s death, he’s been trying to avoid his family for a long time, specially his brother who’ve always wanted to be the CEO Moorehead Media. Lincoln’s bad attitude will change completely thanks to Wren Sterling, the woman he met at a bar; he was totally drunk that he can’t remember a thing about the night he met her, but there was some sort of connection.

Things will change when Wren starts working at Moorehead Media, she remembers Lincoln perfectly, but Lincoln doesn’t, he just seems she is quite familiar from somewhere.

“That solving your problems?” I gave him a wry grin and tip my chin in the direction of his bottle of Johniee. (2)

“Nah, but it help quiet down all the noise up here.” He taps his temple and blurts, “My dad died.” (2)

“I’m drunk,” he mumbles. (2)

I take his hands between mine. (5)

“Your hands are small,” he observes as I line his thumb up with the sensor pad and press down. (5)

“Something about big hands, big heart” (5)

“What’s the plan if you’re not putting Armstrong in charge?” “I need you to stay in NY for a while and help manage things”. (27)

Quotes from page number 2 are showing the time they first met at a bar, where Lincoln told Wren about his problems thanks to the state of alcoholism he was. Wren’s and Lincoln’s connection started growing since they first crossed looks, words, and hands.

Behind Enemy lines, by Carol Matas, Sam fredriksen was being held as a prisoner in Germany after having his plain shot down about a week before he was arrested. He is being transported from the prison he was being held in with thousands of other solders to what he predicts to be a pow camp. They are being transported in a boxcar on a long railway.

It was so packed that once we were in there was nowhere to move from my  spot near the door and I almost fell out of the door again. And then the huge door was shut and bolted tight and immediately felt like here was no air at all. So many unwashed bodies in such close quarters.

In this quot it really explains how rough and gross being a prisoner in Germany during world war two was in very great detail.

 

In The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, a boy named Amir and Hassan are high up in a tree, sitting on two separate branches. The two of them have been best friends since they were kids. Up in the tree, they are playing a game where they try to hit their neighbor’s German Shepard by using a slingshot which is loaded with Walnuts. Often being caught by Hassan’s father Ali, who would yell at his son for doing such mischevious things. Even though it was Amir’s idea, Hassan would never tell on Amir. This goes to show how strong their friendship was.

“And he laughs while he does it.” {4}

“The smoking room.” {4}

“Fattening the pipe.” {5}

“The Wall of Ailing Corn.” {6}

“This is grown-ups time.” {5}

This last quote tells us of the time when Amir asked his father Baba if he could sit with him and his friends while they stuffed their pipes, and discussed politics, business, and soccer. But his father just stood in front of the doorway and told him to: “go on, now.”