American Lit: What's your thought?

“What this books represents is not a database of all the cultural codes by which writers create and readers understand the product of that creation, but a template, a pattern, a grammar of sorts from which you can learn to look for those codes on your own.”

I enjoyed reading Foster and the fact that he states that this book is simply an outline for readers to find their way. Reading is meant o be enjoyable and Fosters created a textbook that opens the eyes of readers to the various concepts and patterns he’s found. Fosters states there is no magical English book holding all the secrets to English symbolism, but he produced to the best of his ability a book to guide us through patterns and symbols he recognized. I applaud Foster for his writing and to opening my eyes to the new patterns.

via Foster, Envoi.

” Never these. They’re nightlock. You’ll be dead before they reach your stomach. Just then, the cannon fires,. I whip around expecting Peeta to the ground, but he only raises his eyebrows . The hover craft appears a hundred yards or so away. What’s left of Foxface’s emaciated body is lifted into the air.”

It is with this passage we are reminded of the sort of danger Peeta and Katniss are in. For several Suzanned Collins creates a romantic atmosphere between these two slowly removing themselves from their current situation and the horrors they’ve been through. The shift from violence to romance can be seen as foreshadowing of future events. As the book comes to an end the couple released from the guilt of having to directly kill the remaining competitors with Foxface poisoning herself, and Cato being killed by the mutated dogs.As we see Collin’s transition from death and tragedy  the story becomes hints toward future conflicts regarding love, guilt, and other matters of the heart.

via Collins, The Hunger Games (18-27).

“Foxface- she’s the one we couldn’t remember this morning-creeping out into the plain. Then she begins to approach the pyramid with strange little hops, sometimes landing on one foot, teetering slightly, sometimes risking a few steps.”

Foxface is the elusive character who’s real name we never learn. Unlike the other characters it seems that Foxface sticks to herself and is very skilled in acrobatics and sneaking. This makes her a difficult target because of her ability to hide from others. Also we can infer that she also has incredible scouting skills considering she knew and memorized the placement of each of the land mines. How will the remaining tributes handle her or will she do them in first?

via Collins, The Hunger Games (10-17).

When hoping to receive peer reviews I find that most useful information is usage of detail, and If I am properly using my quotes. It is easy to mistakenly start to summarize a passage of a story when writing an analysis paper and by having someone peer review i hope they tell me when I need more details or analysis to make my point come across.ALso quotes are important having a quote just dropped into the text is not as effective as working it into idea.

What I offer most to my peers during my peer review is a way to improve the structure and wording of passage, also looking at the grammar used. I also play the role as an observer so I can see if a person’s thesis or points are coming across properly

via Paper 2 Peer Workshop.

“What irony chiefly involves, then is a deflection form expectation.” Irony is meant as a means to throw off readers in a sense with situations that go opposite of what is expected almost. As the case with The Hunger Games, we are introduced to a giant piece of irony from the get go with Prim, the younger sister of the protagonist, being chosen to participate in the hunger games despite her sisters name being in the lottery. The levels of irony seen in this book are endless and as the book continues the irony grows becoming almost devious, with peacemakers being almost agents of death bringing peace though murder.

via Foster, 26.

Poetry and the usual dread of reciting it aloud is truly not one of my favorite things in the world. Yesterday, technically considering it is now 12 in the morning, this was our joyous assignment. However this poetry reading went considerably well, despite my concerns. In actuality the experience was quite enjoyable. As a child I never enjoyed public speaking, or anything for that matter involving talking in front of crowds, but who hasn’t been scared of public speaking? Public speaking is a naturally frightening experience at first but over time it is something that can be overcomed through exposure and practice. I find that to be the case with my poetry reading.

Since coming to college I have been exposed several times to having to read in front of classes or give presentations, and I find that it is becoming easier with each experience.

The Hunger Games. After reading Catch-22, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Trifles and various other works of literature and dramas I find this book to be a relaxing fresh of breath air to some of the more critical readings this semester. While this book may not be college level reading material it reminds us that not all books need to be painstakingly difficult to comprehend.

Reading this novel I find Peeta to be an interesting character, who seems to always know what to do. In chapter 7 Peeta states “She said she’s a survivor, that one’ She is,”

Peeta does not have any faith in himself and it seems to spur from his mother and her feelings towards him. When Peeta mistakenly, or maybe purposefully burns the edges of a few pieces of bread we see his mother verbally and physically assault him for his blunder. However even though Peeta does  not confidence in his self he seems to know what to do in trying situations, in order to make them beneficial for him or others.

via Collins, The Hunger Games (1-9).

Reading this drama instead of looking at this book in the light of globalism, I more saw themes of self gain and humanity. Globalism is defined as placing the interest of the entire world over other nations or countries. While the crucifixion could have an affect world wide, if he is truly God’ son, Felix only wants him crucified for the future of his nation and himself. While Henri struggles to convince Felix to stop he begins opposing the commercial because of the affects it could have on his business if a commercial for his products appeared during the crucifixion. While this was not solely the reason for Henri’s opposition, it shows that he thought of his own well being before that of the worlds.

via Miller, Resurrection Blues.

Reading this book Heller creates this contradictory image to the typical American soldier who is brave, strong, and honest. The soldiers we se in Catch-22 are, for the most part, cowards, crazy, and corrupted. However in this while the remaining soldiers are becoming more bold and courageous, we see the corruption of the higher ups run rampant in these last remaining chapters.

For example in chapter 35 on page 377, While Milo is talking to Colonel Cathcart about feeling he should fly more missions and the men (other Soldiers) talking about him Col Cathcart responds by saying

“Oh is that it? Give me their names, Milo. Give me their names and I’ll see to it that they go on every dangerous mission the group flies.”

This among other acts of corruption signify how the higher ups of the army used their powers to smooth out any problems they may encounter. If they cannot solve a problem they simply try to find a scapegoat to place the problem on, for one instance framing the Chaplain. The Commanding officers seen through this book hold their position and reputation as the most important thing, going as far as comparing themselves to being America and the soldiers are fighting for them. Are these officers really heroes, or just sly men trying to preserve a wealthy lives for themselves with the least amount of effort?

via Heller, Catch-22 (31-42).