After class today I started to think about what today's society would be like if we were grouped by phyles. Such as in the book The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer that we are reading in class. When I did my reading, I looked at phyles more as different tribes. They are grouped by shared values, ethnic heritage, common religion, or just simply common interests. So far in the book, it seems rather confusing why there is such a system like this. If it existed today, I feel like our society would be even more so racist. Also, if this were going on, there would be segregation and separate schools/banks/neighborhoods/etc. It may go as far as living with that group of phyles in a designated location. It makes me wonder a lot about what the future will be like after we are gone. I remember back in elementary school when everyone thought in the 2000's we'd have flying cars and what not. I don't think a lot of people think about the possible negatives that could go on in the future.
Anyways, before I get on a long rant, the other things I asked myself was about Nell's character. In class, we determined that she will be the main character of the book (by 2 points). I feel she will be a central character for what happens next with the book/primer she receives. Right now, she does not know the power of that book but I think it'll be able to do some powerful things. My guess is that Nell will become very educated and overcome something that will happen soon. Since Nell is looked at as uneducated at the moment and she lives in a lower standard of living, no one will suspect her to be knowledgeable about whatever is coming next.
Let me know what you think!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
A Fulfilled Journey
After finishing this novel, I most definitely had an "awww" moment at the end and then realized how happy I was for Lissar. She has been a consistent strong character throughout the book and I feel like the ending of the book gave her justice and closure at the same time when it came to what happened between her and her father. An added bonus was that she met the person she was destined to be with, Ossin. I believe Ossin's character really proved himself as well at the end of the book. I got the impression that Ossin was just lazy for not going after Lissar the first time so when he stood by her side when she spoke to her father and then ran after her when she fled I thought he fulfilled his duty as being her love interest.
As I thought, Ash ends up bringing both Lissar and Ossin together. When Lissar is torn whether or not to be with Ossin and marry him we get a description of Ash walking over to Ossin and leaning on him.
"And then Ash moved forward from Lissar's side, and leaned against Ossin's leg, and sighed. And they both looked down at her," (372).
Ash, in so many ways, helps Lissar through her journey. Lissar makes it known to Ossin that she has scars and wounds that go deeper than most and he accepts her for that and compares her to Ash who has a visible scar on her side. I loved this moment because it really bonds both Lissar and Ash together because they truly have been through everything together.
One thing I asked myself after finishing the novel was how this story would be different if the main character, Lissar, was a man. This is something I hope to explore when writing my extended response paper.
As I thought, Ash ends up bringing both Lissar and Ossin together. When Lissar is torn whether or not to be with Ossin and marry him we get a description of Ash walking over to Ossin and leaning on him.
"And then Ash moved forward from Lissar's side, and leaned against Ossin's leg, and sighed. And they both looked down at her," (372).
Ash, in so many ways, helps Lissar through her journey. Lissar makes it known to Ossin that she has scars and wounds that go deeper than most and he accepts her for that and compares her to Ash who has a visible scar on her side. I loved this moment because it really bonds both Lissar and Ash together because they truly have been through everything together.
One thing I asked myself after finishing the novel was how this story would be different if the main character, Lissar, was a man. This is something I hope to explore when writing my extended response paper.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Lissar & Ash
After Lissar's traumatic experience with her father, the King, we as readers see her go on a journey to find who she is once again. At first, all she knows is that she wants to get away from the place where something haunting happened. As the story goes on we realize that Lissar has little, if no recollection of who she used to be. Flashes of memories come and go of her former life. When reading Lissar's journey through the forest and bearing the winter in the cabin Ash led them to, I felt anxious and couldn't stop reading because I wanted to see them both make it through. For awhile I thought the King would come back and find her in the cabin before the Lady came. As Lissar continues her journey to the 'yellow city' she meets the royal family and gets a job as a nursemaid watching over the prince's new litter of puppies. I believe Ash got her to this point, just like Ash has helped her through everything. My prediction is that Lissar and Prince Ossin will fall in love. This has a lot to do with Ash as well. Lissar was not just noticed for her exotic looks and bare feet when she met the royal family but also for the curly haired animal that stood to her side. The Prince automatically sat a little straighter when he saw Ash.
Overall, Ash has played a big part in this story so far. Ash has protected Lissar as best as she could, helped Lissar on their journey through the forest by providing food and now she has led Lissar to her future husband (or so I believe). Ash is the magical part behind this book. She has such a keen sense of what Lissar needs. One question I asked myself while reading was about the possibility that Lissar's mother, now dead, feels guilty for neglecting Lissar and came back in the form of Ash to help her on her way. The Queen could also be The Lady but I believe that is another form of magic. I can't wait to see what happens next!
I found a fan based trailer that was made for this book, watch at your own risk! It may be a bit of a spoiler if you haven't read the full assignment yet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ui8rKO1lKU
Overall, Ash has played a big part in this story so far. Ash has protected Lissar as best as she could, helped Lissar on their journey through the forest by providing food and now she has led Lissar to her future husband (or so I believe). Ash is the magical part behind this book. She has such a keen sense of what Lissar needs. One question I asked myself while reading was about the possibility that Lissar's mother, now dead, feels guilty for neglecting Lissar and came back in the form of Ash to help her on her way. The Queen could also be The Lady but I believe that is another form of magic. I can't wait to see what happens next!
I found a fan based trailer that was made for this book, watch at your own risk! It may be a bit of a spoiler if you haven't read the full assignment yet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ui8rKO1lKU
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Mockingjay
To start off, I have not read the first two books of the Hunger Games series. Thus, this book is really standing on its own for me as a reader. When I began to read this book I had pre notions in my head about the series due to things I've heard from those who have read it. Mostly, these were not great comments. However, I was pleasantly surprised to fall for this book and become very intertwined with it. I am very curious about Katniss Everdeen's character along with that of Peeta's. I am very excited to keep reading and learn what happens to Peeta.
Many questions arise for me while reading this book because I have not read the two previous books. I get the sense that the actual 'Hunger Games' was not a good experience for any of those in it and Katniss is still trying to recover from it. Why are there these 'games?' Is it just for pure enjoyment of all the districts or the Capitol?
A particular point I like about Katniss is how she does what she wants and is very different from all those around her. District 13 has been trying to create propos about Katniss to show other districts what their Mockingjay is like. One propos takes them to a district where Katniss greets the wounded in a hospital. This later turns into disaster when there is a bombing and I believe the author does a great job at describing Katniss' quick, gut reaction to try and save those people in the hospital. I believe she is more worried about the people around herself than her own well being. This is something I can connect with very well. Obviously I am not in her situation but sometimes I run around and do so much that I realize I haven't even eaten lunch and now it is 4 o'clock. I feel a connection towards Katniss.
Katniss is her own person and one moment I really enjoyed in the reading was when she sang to the Mockingjay's in District 12. This was on page 123-124 and I thought it was unique but that song was sad and a little haunting.
Many questions arise for me while reading this book because I have not read the two previous books. I get the sense that the actual 'Hunger Games' was not a good experience for any of those in it and Katniss is still trying to recover from it. Why are there these 'games?' Is it just for pure enjoyment of all the districts or the Capitol?
A particular point I like about Katniss is how she does what she wants and is very different from all those around her. District 13 has been trying to create propos about Katniss to show other districts what their Mockingjay is like. One propos takes them to a district where Katniss greets the wounded in a hospital. This later turns into disaster when there is a bombing and I believe the author does a great job at describing Katniss' quick, gut reaction to try and save those people in the hospital. I believe she is more worried about the people around herself than her own well being. This is something I can connect with very well. Obviously I am not in her situation but sometimes I run around and do so much that I realize I haven't even eaten lunch and now it is 4 o'clock. I feel a connection towards Katniss.
Katniss is her own person and one moment I really enjoyed in the reading was when she sang to the Mockingjay's in District 12. This was on page 123-124 and I thought it was unique but that song was sad and a little haunting.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where they strung up a man they say murdered three.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where the dead man called out for his love to flee.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Where I told you to run, so we'd both be free.
Strange things did happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
Are you, are you
Coming to the tree
Wear a necklace of rope, side by side with me.
Strange things do happen here
No stranger would it be
If we met up at midnight in the hanging tree.
Overall, I'm very intrigued to keep reading and find out what happens next!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Aliens!
This morning I had a meeting with Dr. Hager to discuss our paper that is due this week. After all my questions were answered we talked a little about the movie Aliens we are watching in class and Sigourney Weaver's role. This got me thinking. Throughout the whole first movie of Alien Weaver is coming into her own. She is defending what she thinks is right and basically kicking ass. The whole movie goes on this way up until the very end where Sigourney Weaver undresses in order to get into the hyper-sleep bed. The way this is done or the camera angles view shows Weaver in another 'light' than what she was being portrayed as throughout the whole movie.
I researched to try and find a clip of this scene, but unfortunately all I could find were clips that people had put in slow motion or zoomed up on. So nonetheless, you will need to venture out and look for that video if you would like.
It is interesting to me that 'Hollywood' seems to not be able to go a movie without a female/male strip-down. The Alien series still is a fun one to watch but I believe I wouldn't have had any criticism towards the first film if it hadn't been for that one scene.
Any-who, I did stumble across this video and I must say it is quite impressive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq0a2ed5JfQ
I'd like to hear all your thoughts on Sigourney Weaver's character!
I researched to try and find a clip of this scene, but unfortunately all I could find were clips that people had put in slow motion or zoomed up on. So nonetheless, you will need to venture out and look for that video if you would like.
It is interesting to me that 'Hollywood' seems to not be able to go a movie without a female/male strip-down. The Alien series still is a fun one to watch but I believe I wouldn't have had any criticism towards the first film if it hadn't been for that one scene.
Any-who, I did stumble across this video and I must say it is quite impressive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq0a2ed5JfQ
I'd like to hear all your thoughts on Sigourney Weaver's character!
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