Dear Ellie,
Three weeks you have been in America! How wonderful! What does it feel like to embark on a journey so grand, to learn a differnt language in only three weeks? I'm amazed... I've been taking French for almost five years and I still only know the basics. Do you think you are starting to fit in? It's really amazing here, the country of freedom. Some things that you need to know are:
1) You can always ask for help. Most people are kind here, and would not feel annoyed to give you some of their times.
2) Be polite and courtious, and it will come back to you.
3) copy and you will learn. Also, immitation is the best form of flattery, and people generally love to become someone's idol.
I hope you feel like a true American soon, Ellie!
Best of luck,
-Dani
Vocab
Incarcerated- imprison/confine (41)
Gulag- political USSR prisoner (59)
Appeals
1) 'Aunt Celia keeps up her banter all the way home from the doctor's office, teasing me mercilessly about having "bewitched a perfectly nice doctor"' (40) - This is a kind of comic appeal towards the audience. She is in the midst of all this rushing and she has caught the eye of her own doctor!
2) "'Where did you leave your shopping wagon?' the store manager asks, incredulous. 'Outside the store? On the street? What did you expect?'" Poor Ellie, this is another example of emotional appeal- they expected America, 'the land with it's arms wide open' to be free of such petty things as thieves. (53)
3) "I'm thrilled. To be in a classroom once again! To sit in a college class!" Yet another example of emotional appeal, she now has friends and a plausible future. So naturally, the audience feels happy and excited for her. (60)
Quote: "They're called coolie coats, the latest fashion rage." (55) Shows the way she is beginning to live an American life. It's clear that she is adjusting, and that not only just is she accepting America, but America is accepting her.
Theme: These three chapters focus on adjusting, setting our standards, and controlling our destiny. These are the themes that Ellie has to adjust her mindset to.
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2 comments:
Dani,
I'm going to reply to a couple of things you said and to your blog as well. First of all, you make a good point about whether Homer's dad just doesn't support him or if it's just disapproval. Now that I come to think of it, I believe it's just plain disapproval and no confidence. His dad doesn't think he is capable of more because in the small town of Coalwood, there isn't much besides coal mining and football (neither of which Homer excels at). And I'm pretty sure when given the right circumstance and evidence of Homer's talent, his dad will probably turn around and realize what he couldn't see.
As for your book, from what I read, I'm assuming this is about life in America for immigrants? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have to say that I can relate to this. I moved from China when I was 5 years old and I half expected America to be like heaven, where money rained from the skies and we all had grand houses. It's quite a surprise to find out that America isn't like that at all. We still have to work hard to get what we want, but getting what we want is much easier. I just thought this was kind of a fun fact and it's nice to be able to relate to things in real life. It usually gives you a better perspective of the book, don't you think?
Dani I thought the way that you wrote the letter to the author was intresting, especially the way you gave her advice!
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