Post A.
votress (213)- a woman who is votary
masectomy (235)- medical removal of the breast
Fig. Lang.
"I'm grand about it, Says Carmel. -but I'm going to be nicer.
Paula laughs.
F*** off, says Carmel. -I am."
I thought this was an amusing bit of irony. Hopefully, you can see it.
(237)
"I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY, LUCKY,- and she held up John Paul a couple of inches so he'd be the same height."
Irony again. This is Paula before losing her son, and then gaining him back. I wonder if she knew then that she'd feel like that after losing him?
(251)
Nicola picks up her forms and papaers. She taps them on the table. She slips them into a plastic folder. She standus up. She stretches, a long time, her arms way up."
(256)
Imagery. Nicola is a very visual person, so I thought it was neat the way the author portrayed that through using imagery.
Theme:
Loss and gain. Paula's sister Carmel is diagnosed with breast cancer in this section. This both positively and negatively affects her. She knows she most likely has little time left since she is an aging woman, however, she gains a new respect for others and for life in general.
Quote:
"She's gorgeous. Her tummy there, where her blouse has come up out of her trousers. The little mark where she once had her belly-button pierced." (256)
Nicola shows beauty in change in this quote, and Paula accepts that the scars are there forever, and sometimes cannot be healed. However, they don't affect the beauty overall if you don't let them.
Post B.
I actually really liked this chapter for showing me another side to all the characters. Firstly, I noticed Nicola a lot more, who was once a character who just lounged in the background. She is a bit like a mother, a bit like a child playing grownup. But she’s good at both respects. She was never a child, says Paula, and this gives us some insight as to how things where growing up for her. Also, I liked the bit where Paula falls on her sister Denise, and they start talking about Denise’s ankle bracelet. Denise says that her husband didn’t buy it for her, and the reader doesn’t know what to assume. Denise is actually cheating on her husband, and this shows a bit of shadiness in her character, because as far as I know, none of the characters in the story are especially rich. I still want to know more about Jack. He is a background character, who is in the middle of everything. So it’s a bit hard to get a handle on Jack. What we do know of Jack is that he has a crush on his teacher, and is a ‘good lad’… not really enough to make much of any sort of assumption on, is it? So Paula has changed. We see that. She believes that other people notice that she has changed as well. However, we still see the side of Paula that is accepting things when she comments on how she is glad that people smile at her when she walks into a store because she is a customer and welcome there. I really liked this bit.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Post A
Vocab-
bollix- confused situation (210)
mastectomy-removal of breast: the surgical removal of a breast, usually as a treatment for breast cancer. (220)
Literary Elements:
Carmel nods; she shrugs. She drinks. She coughs. (219)
-this is an example of the ever lovely Shakespearean method of iambic pentameter.
Are you into it yet? (215)
Example of a rhetorical question, and speaking to the reader.
The telly's on, the sound's down.
(213)
Great useage of voice by the author.
Theme:
Bad things happen to good people. For example, Jack tries to help his school by rating his professors' performances online. However, he is a bit harsh in his opinion, and gets a suspenstion for it. The reader knows that Jack is a good character, and that he is trying his best to be what our world considers normal for the average 16 year old kid in high school, with a brother who's on drugs, an alcholic sister, and a recovering mother. The reader knows this, but the teachers do not.
Quote:
"I'll say I know nothing about the changes" (213).
This is a quote from the book by Paula to Jack. Jack needs to change his comment online so that he can show his teachers that he has reformed himself. I like this because it shows that Paula is not only gaining ownership of her son, which before was extremely shady, but she also fails to see most of the signs of his deteriorating performance in school.
Post B
Dear Paula,
Since I have stumbled around in your mind for a good period of time now, I am beginning to understand some things. First, that you are caring- to your children you show great support and love. Also, you display great moral restraint. Where things get rough, whether it be your job or your household, you keep yourself objective to the possibility that things might change, might be better tomorrow. Also , I like the way that you continue to perservere through the hard times even through they get very rough. It intrigues me that someone of your stature would be able to sustain such stress, because I know that it would really bog me down. I agree with your understanding of the world in the way you separate everything into cold, hard facts. One way which I would like to change myself to be more like you is to find the truth more often. I think that there would be a lot less wars and violence in the world if people would just take the time to find the facts like you do. Not only do you find the truth you find the optimistic truth. Somehow through all the faults of the world, you seem to keep your cool and live up to your potential. You always see good in people and not only does that allow you to find the truth, but it allows you to better the world while you do it. Regardless, I think that you should sometimes be more pessimistic like me.
Vocab-
bollix- confused situation (210)
mastectomy-removal of breast: the surgical removal of a breast, usually as a treatment for breast cancer. (220)
Literary Elements:
Carmel nods; she shrugs. She drinks. She coughs. (219)
-this is an example of the ever lovely Shakespearean method of iambic pentameter.
Are you into it yet? (215)
Example of a rhetorical question, and speaking to the reader.
The telly's on, the sound's down.
(213)
Great useage of voice by the author.
Theme:
Bad things happen to good people. For example, Jack tries to help his school by rating his professors' performances online. However, he is a bit harsh in his opinion, and gets a suspenstion for it. The reader knows that Jack is a good character, and that he is trying his best to be what our world considers normal for the average 16 year old kid in high school, with a brother who's on drugs, an alcholic sister, and a recovering mother. The reader knows this, but the teachers do not.
Quote:
"I'll say I know nothing about the changes" (213).
This is a quote from the book by Paula to Jack. Jack needs to change his comment online so that he can show his teachers that he has reformed himself. I like this because it shows that Paula is not only gaining ownership of her son, which before was extremely shady, but she also fails to see most of the signs of his deteriorating performance in school.
Post B
Dear Paula,
Since I have stumbled around in your mind for a good period of time now, I am beginning to understand some things. First, that you are caring- to your children you show great support and love. Also, you display great moral restraint. Where things get rough, whether it be your job or your household, you keep yourself objective to the possibility that things might change, might be better tomorrow. Also , I like the way that you continue to perservere through the hard times even through they get very rough. It intrigues me that someone of your stature would be able to sustain such stress, because I know that it would really bog me down. I agree with your understanding of the world in the way you separate everything into cold, hard facts. One way which I would like to change myself to be more like you is to find the truth more often. I think that there would be a lot less wars and violence in the world if people would just take the time to find the facts like you do. Not only do you find the truth you find the optimistic truth. Somehow through all the faults of the world, you seem to keep your cool and live up to your potential. You always see good in people and not only does that allow you to find the truth, but it allows you to better the world while you do it. Regardless, I think that you should sometimes be more pessimistic like me.
Call Monitoring
Intro- ask Q
Imagine breaking some private news to a friend on a sunny day in the park. Next, imagine how you might feel if an undercover CIA agent were writing down your every word without your consent. Some might ask, is this appropriate? Is this constitutional? Is this right? This same question is asked surrounding the issue of call monitoring. When is it just for government officials to monitor their citizens’ calls?
Background-
Call monitoring exists in the United States at present, and has been an issue of debate for as long as it’s been around. Some believe that it is an illegal invasion of privacy, while others see it as a necessary measure in the aid to the prevention of terrorism on the home front. One example of call monitoring that has been widely accepted is in the workplace. Workplace call monitoring is used as a method of making sure that employees are on task and dedicated. There it is virtually unregulated. In the practice of call monitoring at work, “80% of employers disclose their monitoring practices to employees” (Privacy Rights ClearingHouse) However, if a monitor finds that they have found themselves listening to personal information, they are required by law, to hang up. Exactly the opposite of this is domestic call monitoring, sometimes called ‘domestic spying’. Since September 11th, the NSA logged tens of millions of recorded calls,
pros-
cons
conclusion- opinion!
Imagine breaking some private news to a friend on a sunny day in the park. Next, imagine how you might feel if an undercover CIA agent were writing down your every word without your consent. Some might ask, is this appropriate? Is this constitutional? Is this right? This same question is asked surrounding the issue of call monitoring. When is it just for government officials to monitor their citizens’ calls?
Background-
Call monitoring exists in the United States at present, and has been an issue of debate for as long as it’s been around. Some believe that it is an illegal invasion of privacy, while others see it as a necessary measure in the aid to the prevention of terrorism on the home front. One example of call monitoring that has been widely accepted is in the workplace. Workplace call monitoring is used as a method of making sure that employees are on task and dedicated. There it is virtually unregulated. In the practice of call monitoring at work, “80% of employers disclose their monitoring practices to employees” (Privacy Rights ClearingHouse) However, if a monitor finds that they have found themselves listening to personal information, they are required by law, to hang up. Exactly the opposite of this is domestic call monitoring, sometimes called ‘domestic spying’. Since September 11th, the NSA logged tens of millions of recorded calls,
pros-
cons
conclusion- opinion!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
141-192
Post A
eejit (185)- derogatory name for someone from Ireland.
biro (170)- Irish word for 'pen'
Figurative language
"Her body was a map of his scars (150)"
Metaphor for the pain he caused her. I like the 'map', like there's a story to ever scar.
'It feels strange, knowing the house is empty." (174)
Metaphor for Paula's new life away from the drink.
'Is this the way she'll save Leanne? Find a bottle and put her mough to it? Pull her head back. And Leanne will be saved.' (180)
Don't know what this is called, but it's mother becoming daughter and likewise. Thought it was clever.
Quote:
'He's having his bowl of cornflakes standing up' Before, the cornflakes have alwalys been at the table! This is a major character change. I like how the author incorporates small things into the story, it lets the reader think about the plot for themselves.
Theme:
Switching. Leanne and Paula, John-Paul and Nicola, her sisters, everyone is switching roles. They each show something within them that Paula has never seen before. Confusion? Yes. Expected? Of course.
Post B
Dear Mr. Doyle,
I am really beginning to get into your book. I must admit, when I first set eyes on it, it looked a bit standoffish, but now that I am more than halfway, I really do sympathize with your characters. They do say that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover, so I guess shame on me, right? But I do have to say that you are a phenomenon writer, and your style is stunningly knitted together with theme. I enjoy reading mostly because you show me how lucky I am, how incredible it is to have what I do. Secondly, I love how simple Paula is. She is ordinary, and I like that you didn’t compromise her character with some huge secret or superhero quality, which would have- pardon- completely ruined it. I like her just the way she is, and I think her struggles show her character in more ways than just the alcohol business. Because as important as that it, it’s not the only thing necessary to show off a character. As you say, ‘anyone can be an alcoholic’. Right?
Mostly, your dialogue impresses me. I like the way you have to read between the lines to see what people mean. This reminds me of Richard Wright’s Black Boy which had similar qualities. I like the way you are delving into Leanne more. She is very vague, but very interesting. I feel like Paula at times, like I’m just about to understand something about her, but it bounces off my fingertips.
eejit (185)- derogatory name for someone from Ireland.
biro (170)- Irish word for 'pen'
Figurative language
"Her body was a map of his scars (150)"
Metaphor for the pain he caused her. I like the 'map', like there's a story to ever scar.
'It feels strange, knowing the house is empty." (174)
Metaphor for Paula's new life away from the drink.
'Is this the way she'll save Leanne? Find a bottle and put her mough to it? Pull her head back. And Leanne will be saved.' (180)
Don't know what this is called, but it's mother becoming daughter and likewise. Thought it was clever.
Quote:
'He's having his bowl of cornflakes standing up' Before, the cornflakes have alwalys been at the table! This is a major character change. I like how the author incorporates small things into the story, it lets the reader think about the plot for themselves.
Theme:
Switching. Leanne and Paula, John-Paul and Nicola, her sisters, everyone is switching roles. They each show something within them that Paula has never seen before. Confusion? Yes. Expected? Of course.
Post B
Dear Mr. Doyle,
I am really beginning to get into your book. I must admit, when I first set eyes on it, it looked a bit standoffish, but now that I am more than halfway, I really do sympathize with your characters. They do say that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover, so I guess shame on me, right? But I do have to say that you are a phenomenon writer, and your style is stunningly knitted together with theme. I enjoy reading mostly because you show me how lucky I am, how incredible it is to have what I do. Secondly, I love how simple Paula is. She is ordinary, and I like that you didn’t compromise her character with some huge secret or superhero quality, which would have- pardon- completely ruined it. I like her just the way she is, and I think her struggles show her character in more ways than just the alcohol business. Because as important as that it, it’s not the only thing necessary to show off a character. As you say, ‘anyone can be an alcoholic’. Right?
Mostly, your dialogue impresses me. I like the way you have to read between the lines to see what people mean. This reminds me of Richard Wright’s Black Boy which had similar qualities. I like the way you are delving into Leanne more. She is very vague, but very interesting. I feel like Paula at times, like I’m just about to understand something about her, but it bounces off my fingertips.
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