Diction: My Worlds

Last night I was enthralled, buried in a novel I have almost completed, when I heard a yell, a cry, and scrambling footsteps pounding on the stairs. As I pulled myself away from the pages below  me and to the outside world around me, I was suddenly aware something had gone awry from the daily business occurring in my household. I quickly tread into my parents bathroom to find my little sister, rocking to and fro on the bathtub bench. When I went over to examine what the matter was, she stuck a single finger out, which was emitting a steady flow of scarlet blood. I rushed to grab some tissue, and was hence absorbed yet again, in another world. This one, concerning the safety of my sister. I was in action, making sure she was not about to fall into a sea of darkness, and that each of my parents knew the condition she was in. As everyone raced around, busying themselves with other tasks, I found myself pondering what she would want. A snack? Her Pooh Bear? A refreshing glass of water? When I went to see what exactly she may have been craving it occurred to me that she may just prefer seek comfort. So I sat beside her and in the kindest and most nurturing way, stroked her head and comforted her with words of great sentimental value.
After all of the hullabaloo was over, I peacefully made my hike back up the stairs into the clouds of my imagination and own sanctuary. I fell back into a restful daze, which then lead me back to novel. I was at peace in a whole new world, away from everything-the stress, the sadness, and yet, the happiness as well-and I sank deeper and deeper into the pages of my book. This new world(which I came to discover) was filled with only one thing-homework. But I was happy about it, being able to accomplish everything in time, with no nonsense, all immaturity gone, and thus, I was able to accomplish so much, in so little time.

My Outside Reading Book: The Catcher In the Rye

I chose the book The Catcher In the Rye because after reading  To Kill a Mockingbird. I realized that I actually enjoyed reading classic stories. Ive been told to read certain books just because they were famous, and I was wary at the beginning when I was considering the book, just because everyone last year was reading because J.D. Salinger died. I didn’t want to seem like a fanboy, but I also wanted to read a very good book.

So after reading the first 15 chapters, I decided I actually like the book. The way the main character, Holden Caulfield, tells the story made me automatically want to read more. I am choosing characterization because in the novel there are many minor characters, and one main. The way each one comes and goes is interesting to me and I want to explore each aspect of the story more than any other. Holden leads a very shady life, and each other characters either push him in the direction of a positive life or a negative one. He likes the high life; drinking, smoking, sex, women, and money. He doesn’t put any effort into anything else, and slacks off in every private school his parents ship him off to. One thing I did happen to notice was, Holden has the urge to grow up and be an adult, similar to Ruby McCollin in the novel Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen. Ruby’s mother abandons her, but then she is sent to live with her older sister and her husband. She thinks that because her mother doesn’t want her, she has to be an adult, especially since she’s 17. She reminded me of Holden, because she can be cocky, and is also self-centered. Holden only cares about himself, and no one else.

For my project, I have decided to make a poster of the novel. I am going to make a mural and have a quote from the story. I think that with making a visual, it will explain more about the book make people more interested.  I hope the poster will be a good idea, and get people interested.

The Novel and I

When I first read To Kill a Mockingbird, I wanted to read the novel just to comprehend it. I wanted to understand the main meaning of the plot, and not read the novel and become personally attached. When I re-read the book, I found myself not liking it, but as the rising action took place, I began to find myself falling in love. The way the characters are all interconnected, as well as each subplot is intertwined, made me look at life  in general in an entirely different way.
I have read several books that include racism in the plot as well as discrimination, but Harper Lee opened my eyes to an entirely new world. Having the narrator talk about the unfairness from both points of view made me realize how lucky I am today to be living in a society where discrimination is frowned upon and there is a higher level of exceptance towards difference. In Maycomb, it is definitely a different story. If you disagreed with someone on a higher level of prosperity than you, you were excluded and shunned from the community. If you were against slavery and the idea of harassing African-Americans, you were the gossip of the town. No one stood up against the injustice of gossip, discrimination or in other words, what was right.
When Atticus showed his caring nature as well as Jem and Scout, I was at awe. There aren't that many people in the world who will defy the odds against their friends, and it has made quite an impact on me. The novel has made me realize that you need to stick up for those people who can't support themselves, and to stick with your beliefs no matter what anyone thinks. Even though it may not be "the" decision that everyone else is making or deciding on, you need to only think about what is the "right" decision. In other words, I gained a lot from the knowledge Atticus gave Scout and Jem, as well as respect towards each character.Also, I appreciated the ever present Boo Radley, whose shy demeanor but important role showed me a new type of hero. Without all the characters coming together in the very end, the messages Ms. Lee is trying to convey would be different.