Reflective Essay

Now looking back at the beginning of the school year, I remember being excited to begin the new year with an A and end it with an A. Truthfully I thought what more can I learn about English, every year is like another year, you analyze it and then you move on to the next book. But then that was me being naive because this year was my last year and every class and every book I read should have a meaning to. I wouldn’t think teachers or who ever pick the books for no reason, unless it could impact us in some sort of way. After reading all these books and being able to reflect on it, I now gain a motive and understanding of the meaning of life. And I think this class did that for me. I guess I started the year as a very motivated student. But this year only made me better and progress as a student, mentally. I know most seniors want to get this year over and done with, but this is our last year to gather all information we can get for free, and prepare us for our next chapter in life.

I’ve realized that all the things we read from poems to books was written by an author who, himself/herself was striving for some sort meaning in life either through the character or the authors background, which usually intertwine the similarities or events that actually happen within the authors’ life and with the character in the book. I remember when we began to read “The Stranger”, I thought it was boring but the storyline got even more interesting especially the climax. I remember the night before it was due I was rushing to write that paper, it was intense. From then I’ve learned not to procrastinate and when writing a paper, because one you don’t get enough sleep and two it’s stressful. That’s why I started working on my time management skills.

I’ve learn that I should not have the mentality that everything I read should interest me rather than bore me to death but expand my mind by reading other books. It’s like a grown man watching cartoon all day, and doesn’t expand his mind by watching the news and understanding the state of the county. If I stick to reading the things I like I would not progress and become a well rounded student. And I do think that “The Stranger” by Albert Camus affected me, because of Meursault’s personality as a character. Meursault basically describes living through life without any hopes or ambition, but the idea that Camus use of absurdity where in the end Meursault is in jail and realizes the truth about his life. This is someone that I don’t want to be. This character taught me that we are human and that all human have needs and wants to spur that ambition. As for Meursault he never new what he was living for until it is too late. He was always living in his comfort zone. When you’re a child many parents let their children have second chances, but the truth is not everyone or everything get that second chance, just like death, when you’re dead your dead there is no second chance to that.

When we read “A Portrait as an artist as a Young Man”, it blew my mind away. This book was filled with so many symbolisms, religion, and everything you can think of. This was where I began to brainstorm and try to analyze like everyone else did. It was such an interesting book. The fact that you could analyze in a psychoanalytical way and a feminist way was interesting. That’s what this class taught me, to be a critical thinker and analyze things in anyways as I can. And then that’s when the explications became almost fun to write, except for the whole procrastination. I think the hardest part about this class is constant workload but this is a good practice for college. Also when we read this book and had class the next day, every one had a lot of good points and theories. And it forces us to state our opinion and give the fact which is reason that’s something that everyone should have. A skill that will help us through life. This year has far exceeded my expectations, I’ve learned and gain so much. And I’m most definitely glad that we have to do this reflection paper because through out this whole process I’ve realize that I’ve learned so many things. Thanks Mr. G!

Myth and the Modern World Test

In Passage one, relates to the modernist thinking because it describes the improvement of life in finding the truth. The first passage basically talks about two roads one of which we achieve our goal which when leaving it would leave us in "endless despair". The second road is one where it's unpredictable, like how do we know if this road will lead us to where we want to get to. Sometimes "perhaps never and we drift in doubt" which describes The Stranger by Albert Camus, where Meursault basically describes live through life without any hopes or ambition, but the idea that Camus use of absurdity where in the end Meursault is in jail and realizes the truth about his life. That is the "inconceivably beautiful diversity". Which is the steps and experiences that it takes to get to the meaning or goals. Modernist thinkers are progressive thinkers, their purpose was to improve, control, reshape the meaning of life. the re-examine every aspect of life. So the steps that Meursault takes is the progression of his life.
In the passage where it says the "inconceivably beautiful diversity" also describes Aristotles definition of tragedy, it means to arouse pity to the audience with a purged or cleanse. And in Borge case he says "Blindness has not been a total misfortune; it should not be a pathetic way of living, it should be a way of living". Which basically means that, although blindness is the experience that he's faced along the way but that obstacle leads him to create his own literary world of mythology. "The accomplishment of hopes remains an always unexpected miracle" means that getting to that goal is always unpredictable, but leading into the ending of the passage that "in compensation, the miracle remains forever possible". In other words, yes the miracle is unexpected and you won't know when you'll ever reach it but in contrast to that the miracle will always be there. For example in " The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus says that Sisyphus punishment is to ceaselessly roll rocks over hills but for some strange reason the gods thinks that its a futile punishment. But the moments that Sisyphus roll the rocks over the hill he has the hope that one day his punishment will end which is that unexpected miracle but that miracle will be possible in his mind.
In conclusion modernism is all about the improvement, control and reshaping life. Its all about re-examining every aspect. The steps obstacles that every character of the text face is the improvement steps of achieving or finding the meaning of life, like modernism.

Phillips' A Humument

On page 191 of Tom
Phillips' A Humument, Phillips suggests that in any person’s life there is always hope even through the bad by the various color, shading, shape and text of the composition.

In Phillip’s drawing the object shapes out to be a lifeless tree that grows in a barren land. The tree has the color of green, red, blue, and yellow, but all the colors except for yellow is shaded to black meaning that it’s almost lifeless and the ground is colored brown with tints of purple creating a dead color. In this drawing the tree is a symbol of life. It is here where it’s ironic that in such a barren place, a tree can sprung from the ground. It seems like the ground gets little to no water and the tree is lifeless because of the dark shadings. But it is in times like this where it seems that nothing is valued in such place that life can withhold through such a harsh obstacle. This is the tree of hope. The ground can symbolize a person who is lifeless and have nothing to live for but from this person’s mind springs hope, which is the tree. Their hope is having something to live for. That’s why the text says “Can it be in my barren garden that you flower?” implying that garden is the ground and the flower is the tree.

Another interpretation of this drawing is that the lifeless tree symbolizes a person’s mind. The shape of the tree is almost molded like a human brain, it seems soft and squishy. Also there are a many words written in the blobs almost like the human mind thinking about different things. Think of it as a person growing in a harsh environment, which is the barren ground where the tree gets very little water from. This is the root of the tree/person where there were many obstacles already surrounded the person. And yet this tree/person struggles to grow with all the source that they have which is the small amount of water and sunshine. Knowing that the tree is shaped like a human brain, the person’s brain is covered with different blobs with words in them with the colors green, blue, red and yellow. But yet the colors is shaded over by the darkness of the black which can symbolize that the person is unhappy or depress with the way things are going in their life that it’s slowly taking over the good memories. This signifies that the person is changing, which is into the dead tree. But within the tree or the persons mind there is something that lights it up. It is the yellow blobs that pop in the tree. The first thing that Phillip draws the attention to is the brightest color on the page, which is the yellow. The yellow represents hope. In this person’s mind springs out a feeling of hope, the yellow is the only thing alive in this picture it is the “flower” in the barren garden that the text talks about.

On the trunk of the tree says Chapter XIX, this could possibly be the title of the picture because the tree represents life. It could possibly mean the beginning of a new chapter where a person who went through many downfalls has strength and hope to move on because they see that there is something there to hold on to. And that’s why Phillip suggests that in any person’s life there is always hope even through the bad by the various color, shading, shape and text of the composition.

Hamlet D.J

Ophelia & Polonius:

Ophelia is Polonius's daughter. Polonius seems mean to Ophelia because he accuses her about the news between her and Hamlet being true than she isn't restraining herself and so he asks "give me up the truth"(98) Ophelia says that Hamlet offered a lot of affection to her and Polonius says "Affection! Pooh, you speak like a green girl, unsifted in such perilous circumstances " (101-102). He seems to mock her by saying affection and that she's not a little girl who doesn't understand the way of the world. He even tells her to "think yourself a baby" for believing in the offer. And though Polonius is temperamental and Ophelia is obedient because she listens to what he says. Polonius is unreasonable because he didn't have anything to back it up but only use his feeling to express why she should leave Hamlet.

Imitating the writer

Between Chapter 56 & 57 of Sailing to Capri

The next day we left the beautiful Blue Boat and ventured on to our new luxurious life that Bob has given to us. Well, all except Davis because he turn down the offer and confidently said that he will be mentioned daily on the financial paper. As for Filomena, she eagerly decided to start living in Capri where Bob has given her second chance in life with a new home and a clothing boutique in store for her. I think I’ll see Filomena very often because Villa Belkiss is there. And after saying goodbye to her with eyes fill with tears, we all left for the airport and went our separate ways, except for Bordelaise and I. And yes Montana went separately because he has to check on work, but this is time he said actually said goodbye not like the other times.

On the airplane, I felt so relieved from all the drama that happened and ended up falling asleep through out the flight back home. I think it was the best nap I’ve ever had since Bob’s death. When we arrived, Bordelaise had to nudge me a few time for me to wake up and pestered me about my sleeping habits until we got into the cab. After 30 minutes the cab stopped in front of a large square Georgian-style building, like a typical Yorkshire home it was built with dark gray stones. From the gate was a long stoned driveway that leads to the side of the house. This is my home, Sneadley Hall. I pull my luggage in front of the doors with the two long windows with an arched fanlight above it and rung the doorbell. Mrs. Wainwright in her pajamas gasps and hugged me tightly. She asked me many questions about the cruise. So many that I couldn’t comprehend. So I told her about the whole entire trip and the killer. She was shocked and overwhelmed that she said she needed to rest. And I went into my room and took out the yellow envelope from underneath my pillow that contains the letter that Bob wrote to me. One letter was the one I’ve already read and the other one hasn’t been because Bob wrote to be read at the appropriate time. And so I sat down on my bed with my back against the sleigh bed frame on top of my plump cream silk quilt and look over the letter that I’ve already read. I began to cry. Bob did not deserve to die in such a horrible way. I wish he would have walked farther away from the car before it exploded. Then I wouldn’t be here crying. Bob is my savior, friend, and boss. He took me from my hell and made me a heaven by taking me under his wings. He provided me with a job and a house but most of all love. I love Bob and he loved me, but we both knew it was not lovers. A few moments later, Rats walked into my little Tuscan room, with his paw clicking against the chestnut floor. He stops in front of me and glance at me then jumped right onto the bed and lay on my knee. It’s as though he knew that I was missing Bob and decided to comfort me. I wrapped my arm around his stomach and pet him, I said good boy Rats, good boy. During that moment I felt one of the corners of the envelopes underneath him. It was the one that I have not read. I tried to pull it but I felt like he added more pressure in keeping the letter. I turn and looked at him and said I won’t read it boy, and he got up and lay at the end of the bed. I walk over to the little dressing table with little shaded silver sconces on both side of the Venetian mirror and pull the golden Venetian handle and place the letter underneath my neatly folded sweater. Coincidentally, my cell phone rang and on the screen in bolded letters was P.I Montana. I picked up the phone and said I think you’ve got the wrong number and bluntly said I miss you Daisy Keane. We talked for awhile and afterwards I went to bed and closed the light. It was strange that night because Rats and I felt a warm breeze even though the windows and door was close. But I think we both knew who it was. Rats barked and I whispered we miss you Bob.

Passage Explication of the Inde book,

Sailing to Capri Passage Explication

In Sailing to Capri, Elizabeth Adler creates spontaneous characters by using imagery in order to convey the purpose of the novel. Towards the end of the book, Harry Montana reads the individual letters that Bob had written to all the suspects and Daisy Keane describe in a passage about the consequences of all the suspects. Elizabeth Adler suggests that no matter how hard people try to escape from the crime they’ve commit in the end they’ll get caught. But for those who commit no crime will be safe from all harm.

Elizabeth Adler creates a witty, intelligent, and sophisticated character in Robert Hardwick, by convincing the murderer to tell the truth through his will. He basically describe his love for them and gives them a second chance in life by offering them money and a new home. After hearing the will, Roberts ex-lover, Rosalia admits that she killed him because her friend Hector had tricked her into calling Robert by saying it was him. And once Rosalia called the number she had activated explosive device in Robert’s car that Hector had affixed. In this passage when the truth has been told, Adler uses the imagery to convey the meaning of the novel. After, Hector “made a run for the door but the guards moved to block him…and headed for the French doors with the guards after him” (343). As Hector ran Daisy snagged him because she was outraged that he killed Robert for money. So Hector decides to hold her hostage. “He swung around, got her neck in a headlock and held her in front of him” (343). In a few seconds later a storm burst open the French doors and Hector dragged Daisy “out to the edged onto the terrace”(344). Daisy has always been a good person, she never commit a crime and only helped people. She was a good friend and kind assistant to Bob. So at that crucial moment, she begged silently to Robert, “Help me, Bob. Please help me” (344). And out of nowhere a mini- tornado came, “circling and swirling, shafting between them like a sword. Hector was knocked to the ground.”(344). Montana grabbed Daisy away from her threat and Hector made his way toward the blue door that led from the garden and onto the cliff. Montana stopped everyone who tried to go after him. He said that there is no where for him to run because this is an island and the storm is hitting hard and the police are waiting for him. Everyone stayed inside and Daisy wept her eyes out but no major harm was put on her physically except for the bruise around her neck. In the end Hector was surrounded by the police on the cliff. Hector “made a run for it, it was dark and wet, he didn’t know the terrain. A fissure runs deep into the cliffs there; obviously he didn’t see it….found his body on the rocks below” (355).

Therefore Elizabeth Adler suggestion that no matter how hard people try to escape from the crime they’ve commit in the end they’ll get caught is true. Hector eventually died as a penalty for taking someone else life. And Daisy is safe and happy because she hadn’t committed any crime.

College Essay

Overcome

I was overwhelmed with joy. I didn’t realize that I bowed and raised my hand up waving the peace sign up in the air. After noticing people laughing and smiling at me, I saw my arm, and the first thing that came across my mind was “I didn’t just do that in front of people, did I?” . Then I made my exit off the stage and there was a sigh of relief, I was so happy I sang the song to the best of my ability and exited with the most infamous sign in front of college students at the Umass Amherst, Cambodian New Year party.

I am a Cambodian. I live and breathe by that title, but that is not the only thing that shapes my life and perspective. My family plays an important role in motivating and influencing me. I have one older sister and two older brothers who broke the ice for me. My parents were once very strict. My dad use to make sure that school was what we lived and breathed. He would lecture us every day about it and told us that it was no time to fool around. Even a B was not acceptable or even doing any extracurricular activity. I remember when my older sister graduated out of high school and started living on campus at Umass Dartmouth. My dad would make sure she would not hang out with college boys or party. But when she met her first boyfriend, my sister persuaded him that she was in control of herself academically.

I was always scared of my dad. He scolded me a lot so I never had the guts to ask him for anything. But in order to sing I had to ask him this time I would not give up. I remember that my whole family had persuaded him to let me sing at the Cambodian New Year show, but it was entirely up to me to prove it to him with my grades. He approved but I wasn’t to sure if I could sing. I was such a nervous wreck in front of people; I didn’t know how I could overcome the fear of being nervous. But all it took was time and dedication to boost up my confidence from being nervous. Now that my dad is more lenient and understanding we are becoming the best of friends.

As you can see I had succeeded in overcoming my obstacles and fears. From the first year that I sang in Umass Amherst, I had participated in the same show there for 3 consecutive years, I sang the Star Spangle Banner at my 8^th grade graduation, joined chorus and a youth singing group. No I’m not famous like Britney Spears or those other famous singers but I fulfill my dream of singing in front of crowds. I have taught myself to never let any obstacle interfere with my dreams and goal because that struggle will lead me to success no matter how long it takes. And along that way I’ll gain something beautiful like a friendship between a father and a daughter.