Why "Monster"

I chose "Monster" purely because I needed a simple and quick read but what I found was that the book very much pertained to my interests in movie making and the cleverness of it's format is very intriguing and different. I loved the constant format and font changes to show a new person speaking while I also had to back and forth between excerpts making connections and predictions by comparing testimony's. This was a very fun and interesting book and I would recommend it to a friend. 

"Monster" excerpt

"Maybe I could make my own movie. I could write it out and play it in my head. I could block out the scenes like we did in school. The film will be the story of my life. No, not my life, but of this experience. I'll write it down in the notebook they let me keep. I'll call it what the lady who is the prosecutor called me." This is the overall basis for the style of the book and why it's written as a movie script.

"monster" characters

This book tells the reader the backgrounds of each criminal, (Bobo, Steve, King, Osvald) and about their account of that night, starting with Osvaldo Cruz. He states that his participation with three others in a drugstore robbery resulted in the unplanned murder of the drugstore's proprietor, Alguinaldo Nesbitt. According to Cruz, the original plan was that Steve would go into the drugstore, check for police or citizens, and then make a signal if the coast was clear. All sources indicate that Nesbitt drew a gun to defend himself against the robbers, then one of the robbers wrestled him for it causing Nesbitt's death when the gun discharged. Bobo takes the witness stand to confirm that James King pulled the trigger and Steve, who he hardly knew, was indeed meant to signal an all-clear. Other than this synopsis of the night of the murder not much else is revealed about the characters and their personalities.

"monster" intro

So far "Monster" by Walter Dean Myers focuses on Steve, an aspiring filmmaker, who is writing about his experience and involvement in a current case involving robbery and murder. The book is written in a screenplay format like a movie script, which I find to be extremely unique and cool. Steve's trial involves 4 men, 3 black, 1 Hispanic. Two of these men have entered a deal by pleading guilty. The overall feeling in the courtroom is a malignant one, demonizing the others waiting on trial. The Judge called the remaining men "monsters." 

Why Holes?

 

 

I chose "Holes" because I have seen the movie and I really enjoyed it, so I wanted to read the book. I also thought it would be a relatable book because it centers around teen. Watching the movie also helped me start the book knowing more about the characters and made it less confusing.

Holes excerpt

 

 

 

 

"His hole was waist deep. He dug his shovel into the dirt. As he dumped it out, he thought he saw something glisten as it fell onto the dirt pile. Whatever it was, it was quickly buried.
Stanley stared at the pile a moment, unsure if he'd even seen it. Even if it was something, what good would it do him? He'd promised to give anything he found to X-Ray. It didn't seem worth the effort to climb out of his hole to check it out." (13.10-11)
This excerpt from "Holes" shows the mystery as well as character interaction that is such a big part of "holes" story.



Holes characters

 

 

 

Holes has many unique characters with different stories and wishes. Stanley doesn't feel like he belongs where he is, he just wants to go home or at least fit in with his new friends. "Zero" is quiet and nonsocial, but eager to talk to someone who will let him, like Stanley. The Warden is manipulative and gets angry easily. All the characters differences creates friendships as well as enemies. 

Holes intro

 

 

So far, "holes" is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats,who has been wrongly incriminated for something he says he didn't do. He is sent to camp Greenlake where he and many other juveniles are sent instead of jail. Everyone in this camp must wakeup early every morning and dig a hole around 5 feet deep, for what seems to be no reason. They work in dangerously hot conditions and don't get a lot of water. Stanley is accompanied by "Armpit" and "Zero" as well as others while the deal with each other and the brutality of camp Greenlake.

Blogging Assesment #1

Bilbo is a very good example of a dynamic character. In the beginning of the story he is timid and un-wanting of the journey he has been asked to partake in. Through multiple encounters with danger throughout the book Bilbo learns about his own self-worth and improves his confidence helping him face the ultimate obstacle "Smaug" at the end of the book. He brags to the Dragon about his accomplishments instead of cowering in fear, earlier in the book he wouldn't have this sense of confidence.

1. I use my writers voice by using good diction, and by giving large attention to specific details. I showcase my ability to comprehend the text by writing about a characters change throughout the novel. I structure and apply intelligent wording in the blogs to improve my writing and give a clear picture of what I am trying to get across. I convey a sense of unserstanding of my novel.

2. I used very elevated diction in my blogs, one example of this is when i used words like timid, cowering, encounters, and self-worth. These words help my writing sound more intelligent therefore improving my text. I used good syntax to improve my writing, an example of this is, "In the beginning of the story he is timid and un-wanting of the journey he has been asked to partake in." This is a well structured sentence, that demonstrates my ability to flow words together.

The Hobbit: Characterization of Bilbo

Bilbo is a very good example of a dynamic character. In the beginning of the story he is timid and un-wanting of the journey he has been asked to partake in. Through multiple encounters with danger throughout the book Bilbo learns about his own self-worth and improves his confidence helping him face the ultimate obstacle "Smaug" at the end of the book. He brags to the Dragon about his accomplishments instead of cowering in fear, earlier in the book he wouldn't have this sense of confidence.

The Hobbit: Plot

The Hobbit's plot moves along very fast and keeps my attention throughout. Every chapter has a story or event which is an effective tool in holding the reader's attention. Bilbo Baggins is the main character in this fantasy story that includes wizards, dwarves, giants, dragons, etc. Bilbo is a hobbit,(a small sneaky creature with hairy feet, human-like in appearance) who one day is visited by a wizard named Gandalf. The wizard simply asks him to join him on an adventure. He needs a sneaky quick "burglar" to steal something. Gandalf introduces Bilbo to 13 dwarves  who will assist him on this quest. The leader "Thorin" tells him he needs to steal a treasure from his old homeland which is now ruled by an evil dragon named "Smaug" they must travel through every mystical obstacle in order to reach their end goal, setting up the plot of the book.

The Hobbit: Syntax and Diction

I've been reading The Hobbit written by J.R.R. Tolkien, and so far the book has me very interested. It was written nearly 100 years ago and the overall diction and syntax is a lot different than how books are written today. He uses words and phrases in different ways than we do today. He uses "queer" with the meaning of odd or foolish, as well as uses the word "lodging" meaning residency. Also I learned the book was designed to be a children's book, even though it is over 300 pages and requires a high level of reading skills to read it today. The book is a good example of how literature has changed over a short amount of time.

Characterization: Guy Montag

 

Guy Montag is a fireman in a futuristic time where firemen set fires to books instead of putting out fires. It's an odd society, with lack of emotion no cares. Guy is slightly different though, he is curious about books and what information they hold. He asks himself why his government wants to keep books out of people's hands, but this curiosity is dangerous because books are a deadly thing to ponder over. People hiding or reading books will be killed. Captain Beatty is an authority figure killing anyone attempting to store books, Guy fears him and his power.

Fight Club Ending/Theme

At the end of Fight Club I decided to revise my theme for the story, I believe Fight Club is about a man seeing no purpose and no reason for everything in his own existence. So his mind creates a purpose for him to live. It forces him to become a leader, a lover, and a happier person. Tyler saved him from his own destruction in the end, he taught him to find his true manhood and well as his soul. At the end of the book he learns Tyler will soon blow up half the city. The only way to stop Tyler.. himself, is to put a bullet in his mouth. As Marla watches he shoots a bullet in his mouth. The bullet fly's out the side of his mouth, but kills Tyler. The act of attempting to kill himself in order to kill Tyler was enough to subconsciously kill Tyler, and he survived in the process. Fight Club in the simplest way, is about founding a purpose for yourself, in a world where there isn't one. 

Fight Club: Plot Twist

The big revelation of Fight Club was revealed in my last reading and it all makes sense to me. The reason for the main characters confusion, his insanity, and his need for destruction. Tyler Durden is him. He is Tyler Durden. When he sleeps, Tyler wakes up and carries out Project Mayhem. Tyler is who he wants to be deep down. he wants people to look at him like they do Tyler, especially Marla. He realizes he's in love with Marla and that his brain created Tyler to reach Marla. But he doesn't want the world to burn. He doesn't want Tyler to carry out his plans. He is scared of Tyler. He plans on killing Tyler and saving himself from his own demise.

Fight Club: Characterization

Tyler has set in place "Project Mayhem" he wants human nature as we know it, to crumble and burn. He thinks we should roam the earth wild, fighting for our food and supplies. Survive rather than thrive. He hates everything and everyone, he wants to plant bombs all around a city and click the button that destroys it all. He says people try to find comfort through god in hard times, but they don't get his attention. He wants to get gods attention and he thinks this negative attention is better than being ignored by god. Tyler is recruiting 72 Fight Club members for Project Mayhem. They all have assigned jobs in the project. The first rule of Project Mayhem is.. Don't talk about Project Mayhem.

Fight Club: Analyze

As the story continues, the confusion of "Fight Club" reflects through the psyche of it's protagonist. His sense of humor is dark and disturbing, and he doesn't see it that way. His mind drifts and relates random memories to newer memories in odd eccentric ways. He is beginning to act more like Tyler, despising the world and its inhabitants. He recognizes his change in behavior also, but he embraces it. He talks about the destruction of his apartment as the destruction of himself. And it wasn't a rebirth, just his own destruction. He is nothing but a meaningless pawn in a pointless game of life. In the end of my reading he asks a hotel receptionist to stop hitting him, even though the receptionist hadn't touched him. He then proceeds to throw himself into the nearest wall and punch himself and the receptionist until they each bled. He giggles and repeats "stop punching me!" It's obvious he is losing his mind in a way I don't understand yet.

Fight Club: Analyzation

The relationship between Tyler and the main character has a deeper unheard of meaning I feel. Tyler has never had any interaction with Marla unless they are in bed together. Whenever Marla comes in Tyler just "vanishes." He seems to have a grip over protagonist on a much deeper level. He has some kind of "initiation" with protagonist in which he says "your life before now has been a story, after this the rest of your life is a story. He then proceeds to kiss the protagonist's hand and an odd mark is left behind. His lips were covered in a poison that will turn into a strong acid if water is applied. He then talks the protagonist through a somewhat spiritual journey similar to the therapy at his seminars. He tells him not to cry, because the tears will burn his hand and he says he must except that death will be his fate one day, let go. And when he opens his eyes there are burn marks on his hands and Tyler is crying. I don't know the connection between Tyler and our main character yet but I'm more than excited to find out.

Fight Club: Theme

Now fight club deepens in plot and confusion, as well as begins to start telling a story of morals and manhood. The protagonists apartment blows up in a fiery explosion one day while he's traveling forcing him to stay with his only friend Tyler. One night at the bar both are drunk and Tyler asks to be punched in the stomach. The protagonist proceeds to lay one into his face. Tyler responds without warning and they launch into an all out fight. But the point was not to harm the other in anger, but to let all that bent up aggression out on the other guy. They continued this in the coming weeks growing spectators. Others would soon fight also for the same goal. So they decided to find a better place where they could continue their "therapy" which they found to be the basement of a neighboring bar after closing. A list of rules were created. One, don't talk about Fight Club. Two, Don't talk about fight club. And three, if this is your first night you have to fight. The club gave these men more drive to work and stay fit, Fight Club gave them a new sense of what being a man was, and they knew it wasn't sculpting their body for their image. They went to the gym and kept themselves fit so they could hit harder and take more hits. This all alludes to what I think is the Theme of "Fight Club" which is that the world is to boring for some, new outlets can be made. Tyler and our main character found something that reached their animalistic lust for violence as well as their need for brotherhood. Also Tyler is sleeping with Marla Singer. The woman the main character hates.

Fight Club: Main Character

"Fight Club" written by Chuck Palahniuk has so far introduced me to a nameless protagonist and his struggles against depression, insomnia, and overall bad outlook on life. The first chapter alludes to what I assume is the end of the book where the protagonist has a gun in his mouth and there are bombs ready to explode in neighboring buildings. But the very next chapter talks about his sad need to attend different seminars for people who are clinically ill and reaching death soon. This is the only thing that allows him to sleep. He enjoys sobbing and letting all his pain out with the dying people, who believe he is also dying. But a problem occurs, and her name is Marla Singer. Her stare lets him know that SHE knows, that he is a fake. This keeps him from crying, therefore sleeping. He wants to address this issue to her for this is his only outlet in life. Another seemingly important character in this book is Tyler Durden. He has been talked about a lot but in meaningless ways. Only explaining Tylers job and his encounter with the main protagonist. So far not much makes any sense in Fight Club. With it's plot being intentionally told to confuse the reader it has intrigued me to uncover it's secrets.