Comments Q2W6

Why Every New Star Wars is Horrible - Matthew Bickham

Free Post - Saad Ali

Free Post - Review of COD: WWII

          I recently picked up Call of Duty: WWII, the newest installment of the long-running Call of Duty video game series. As I've already put in about 25 hours into the game since I purchased it a few days prior to Thanksgiving, I have been able to collect sufficient information to accurately put it against the standards set by previous installments in the series, namely COD: World at War (2008). In this mini-review, I will address several points about what has improved, what has not, and the several controversially significant appendages to this game that has made it stand out in the series among the community. 

          Although I would rather not begin on a bad note, a major point that is on nearly every online forum addresses a severe issue with the servers. Frequent crashing, bugs, and other technical issues have plagued the online services of the game, but personally, this is more minor to me as it is easily fixed by restarting the program (which only takes about 10 seconds realistically speaking). On the positive side, I have heavily enjoyed the historic approach that the series took with this game, returning to the series' original WWII setting. The campaign (a single-player, story-driven game mode), although rather short, does create an immersive--albeit not quite realistic--adventure for the player. The famous Nazi Zombies mode (a cooperative mode in which the player(s) survive for as long as possible against waves of gory zombies) has retained some familiar aspects: combinations of big and small maps (in-game worlds), "Wonder" (special) weapons, and interactive "Easter Eggs". Being a major component in COD Zombies in the recent installments, the Easter Eggs were less exciting than what I had expected (and much shorter). Moving on to the largest component of COD games in general, the PvP (player vs. player) multiplayer has been an addicting experience for me. Although the community is still displeased with the server issues and microtransactions, the gameplay itself has been a somewhat-blissful yet somewhat-rage-inducing yet awe-inspiring experience for me. The introduction of "Divisions", the return to "boots-on-the-ground" style, and the familiarity with iconic WWII-era firearms has made me more-than-content with this game. Moreover, despite microtransactions still present as aforementioned, they all simply contain cosmetic collectibles and upgrades (no gameplay advantage), so it is much less of a "pay-to-win" style COD. Overall, using an IGN scale, I would rate this game 9.3 out of 10 for its immersive campaign, somewhat-compelling Zombies mode, and traditional COD multiplayer mode. 

Thesis Draft

          Golding creates a sibling-like rivalry to illustrate an unspoken covenant between two people who treat each other like enemies but think of each other as family. Regarding the filial side of my statement, a clear bond is shown between the two boys fairly early in the novel. “At the return Ralph found himself alone on a limb with Jack and they grinned at each other, sharing this burden" (39). During this first major trial for the boys, being the starting of the fire on the mountain in chapter 2, Ralph and Jack find each other deeply connected and form an (almost) everlasting bond throughout the novel. As we know that Ralph and Jack's relationship is generally full of conflicts, both verbal and physical, we can infer that underneath their bickering and fighting, these two boys are still brothers.

Comments Q2W5

LOTF Response - Saad Ali

LOTF Passage - Matthew Bickham

Symbolism Flash Fiction (#3)

          The wind picked up. Coffee-stained leaves blew past my hands. I felt like an old man. I watched the dazzling, bright sky with the intent to burn my eyes. The driver turned another corner; who was the driver again? Where are we going? The driver rolled up his window; I didn't. Turning my attention back to my window, the leaves that were spotted red and orange disappeared. The trees turned barren, the breeze became a flurry. I felt prickles on the tip of my nose and the insides of my fingers. The van seemed to move slower. It rained small pieces of ice with designs never seen before. I could no longer withstand the frozen wind. I slowly rolled up my misty window. As it fully shut, I felt my eyes darkening. The road ended in a tunnel. At the end, there was a bright light.
          The light was unbearable. I felt wet and putrid. Around me, dahlias and tulips bloomed. I found insects crawling up my tiny legs and hands; I forgot their names. Goliath trees stood tall and dignified above my spherical little head. Their bright leaves let in minimal sunlight. I wonder where it comes from? A furry little version of me with 4 legs passed by. I tried to name it, but only a babble of sounds came out and my mind couldn't quite make it out. I found two larger humans cradling me. I fell asleep once more.

P.S. The symbolism in this story is about the seasons and reincarnation. As the narrator progresses through fall and winter in his old state, he finally reaches "the light at the end of the tunnel" (AKA death). Then, he is reincarnated as a baby again in the spring.

LOTF Response: p. 83-84

[Piggy:] "I don't agree with all Jack said, but with some.  'Course there isn't a beast in the forest.  How could there be?  What would a beast eat?"
"Pig."
"We eat pig."
"Piggy!"
"I got the conch!" said Piggy indignantly.  "Ralph--they ought to shut up, oughtn't they?  You shut up, you littluns!  What I mean is that I don't agree about this here fear.  Of course there isn't nothing to be afraid of in the forest.  Why--I been there myself!  You'll be talking about ghosts and such things next.  We know what goes on and if there's something wrong, there's someone to put it right."
He took off his glasses and blinked at them.  The sun had gone as if the light had been turned off. [...]
"Life," said Piggy expansively, "is scientific, that's what it is.  In a year or two when the war's over they'll be traveling to Mars and back.  I know there isn't no beast--not with claws and all that, I mean--but I know there isn't no fear either."
Piggy paused.
"Unless--"
Ralph moved restlessly. 
"Unless what?"
"Unless we get frightened of people." (83-84)

Above is the passage that I am analyzing.

          As we are almost finished with Lord of the Flies (I can't believe it myself!), now is the time to reflect on what we have learned through Golding's rhetoric so far. This passage above from pages 83-84 of Lord of the Flies holds much code to be deciphered. To start from the top, as the boys argue over the existence of a "beast" on the island, Golding here uses some possible foreshadowing. In lines 2-5, as the Piggy asks the others "What would a beast eat?", someone replies with "Pig", then Piggy responds back with "We eat pig," while someone else shouts "Piggy!" In short, the foreshadowing takes place in that Piggy says that they eat pigs, while someone shouts his name (Piggy) the next line, possibly foreshadowing that Piggy could be "eaten", which we all know too well to be true.
          A different hidden message in this passage refers to Simon's view of the beast as an entity. Going back to the first few lines, when the second speaker responds to Piggy's question with "pig", but Piggy also says that they eat pig, it helps reinforce Simon's idea that the beast could perhaps be humanity itself. Not only these first few significant pieces of dialogue but as well as the last line in this passage: "Unless we get frightened of people." This last statement hints at the idea that perhaps they themselves could become (or already are) beasts. So, the fear comes not only from an imaginary, supernatural creature but also from among themselves.

Q2W4 Comments

LOTF Reading Response - Saad Ali

Vocabulary Free Post: Pancakes or Waffles - Evan Meek

Vocabulary Free Post

          I remember my 5th Grade year very well at Episcopal. I can't even remotely remember a significant amount from my 7th Grade year, nor much from even my 8th Grade year, as my most memorable experiences took place in the school year of 2014-2015. These experiences taught me how to life lessons, how to behave, and it opened my eyes to other new experiences. I had never felt more sanguine at school than when I was pushed to learn through fun and 10-year old joy.

          The more notable experiences that I had during that year included both on-campus and off-campus activities. My "homeroom" and science/social studies teacher was Mr. James, who is now retired from teaching. As one of his side-jobs at Episcopal, he was a gardener and in charge of the recycling projects here. Every Friday or Monday all of the classes at each of their own periods that day would spend most of the class touring the Middle School and Lower School classrooms and would empty their recycling bins in a large container. It was not appealing at first for me, but incrementally I learned to love it. Mr. James used it to teach us how to be polite and serve others humbly. It also eventually became a lesson in teamwork, as we worked in teams of two or three. Another more physically intense activity, this time off-campus, was our class's trip to a bayou for (my first time) canoeing. Each canoe held two or three of your selected buddies. We canoed along the bayou to Lake Pontchartrain and back. As a painful yet determined challenge, perseverance and teamwork became the core lessons in this activity. There were a plethora of meaningful experiences that each of us in my 5th Grade class had gone through. Sadly, however, as we graduated from Lower School, the fun in our classes began to deteriorate. Although 5th Grade is long past, my classmates and I will remember our time that year for as long as we are here at Episcopal.

Reading Response - LOTF

          Lord of the Flies is a story of perseverance, survival, and togetherness. These topics show up in the book many times, but they aren't always surfaced easily. Instead, the reader must dig deep into the language and literary devices Golding has put forth and decipher what every event truly means at its core. Togetherness, however, stands out to me as the most important and prominent topic in the novel as a whole so far. This idea of working together to reach a common goal has never failed to reach out to me as a realistic and morally ideal topic.
          To be specific, in Lord of the Flies, as the boys work together to survive and to attempt to keep a signal fire going, they start out somewhat successful. As their time on the island continues to lengthen, they start to fall apart as a group. They start breaking up into factions and eventually stop keeping the signal fire altogether. They become increasingly aware of their demise, especially with the thought of a "beast" on the island. This "beast", although it brings them back together for a short time, doesn't have a significant effect on their conflicts between themselves in the end. Therefore, with their togetherness crumbling, they fight with the reality that they may never be rescued.

Q2W2 Comments

"Why is music important?" - Ethan Webb

"My Own Prompt" - Matthew Bickham

Custom Prompt: I Need a New Outside Reading Book

          I recently finished The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls as my outside reading book. This novel is a memoir about Jeannette Walls' childhood and teen life in an odd family. Her family became heavily nomadic as they were driven out of Phoenix, Arizona at a young age. As they moved from home-to-home, they came closer together as a family, but they still had to drive through a few potholes along the road. Although I was skeptical about this book when I started a few weeks ago, I was increasingly surprised at how the story, despite being non-fiction, held my attention. However, now I am in need of a new outside reading book.
          Although I have my own ideas about my endless choices, I am still open to suggestions. After reading The Glass Castle, I am also now more open to the non-fiction genre, but I still heavily enjoy the genres of fantasy, fiction, and historical fiction or non-fiction. I am also comfortable reading a book of any size or reading level, so you don't have to take those factors into account. A novel that ties into a series would be the best option for me, as I usually prefer to read a chain of novels with a linked story, but standalone books can also be highly enjoyable for me. Please take these into consideration and get back to me ASAP.

Thanks,
Robert

Human Nature

          Much can be said about us humans. The way we speak, act, and think are all prime examples of human complexity. Our complexity is what makes us such interesting topics. Our disposition as organisms is generally similar to that of most organisms: to survive. However, our nature doesn't stop at simply primal instincts. We have developed a much deeper thought process, one that draws a blurry line between good and bad. Our truest nature is often said to be greedy, deceiving, and dominating. While these traits are all seen in many people, there are also some who say that humans can be loving, generous, and empathetic when facing others. I personally agree with both of these ideas. We tend to stray towards a deceiving and greedier nature many times, usually for self-preservation, but we can also be emotionally deep characters. What defines us as humans; aside from our body, speech, and mind; is how we interact with each other.
          These thoughts of mine have required much thinking throughout my life. I often ask myself questions such as: "Why do we do this?" or "How do we impact each other?". I think about such topics as my mind drifts, which it tends to more than I would like it to, but I almost never find a definite answer. I think and think, but I always seem to come back to the conclusion that we are too complex for us to even begin to understand. Still, I have managed to collect my thoughts from many philosophical thinking sessions (many of which were sadly conducted in classes) to convey that all of these ideas of mine are mine alone, and not much except the observation of others has affected that one statement.

Q1:W8

The Client - JC Neumann

Response to reading - Evan Meek

Flash Fiction #2 (Fall Break Free Post)

          "Scratch!" I contemplated this move. I took the risk to see if he was going to try for the cluster of solids by the left corner. In that cluster, was the Black 8. "Good game, better luck next time."
          "Hmph, don't get arrogant."
          "C'mon, don't be a sore loser." I performed my best poker face. He picked up the smooth, white ball. He placed it a foot away from the left-corner cluster. While aligning his aim and stretching his arm, I calculated the chances. If he tilted his hand a mere quarter-of-an-inch while shooting, he could tilt the Black 8 into the hole. He realized this too, so he attempted to calm his shaking hands. I looked at him with cold eyes. I could feel the pressure mounting on his back as he leaned forward. Time paused as he analyzed his next move with a marksman's focus. I half-expected to see beads of sweat down the sides of his face. His arm pulled back. The pole collided with the ball. Traveling at almost terminal velocity, the white ball raced across the green felt table. A crack, and then a tumble. I no longer saw the Black 8 on the table anymore.
          "Good game, better luck next time."

Reading Response - Harrison Bergeron

          Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. is the first short story we read to start off this unit. Being the first short story, I read it with an open mind to give me a refreshing idea of the layout of these short stories. With this open outlook, I tried to analyze some key aspects of short stories and their general plot graph. Fortunately, Harrison Bergeron has a very clear plot graph, as I could easily spot rising and falling action as well as the general climax. Aside from the plot, Harrison Bergeron's characters are also very clear, but they're not as round or deep as I would see in most stories, but I suppose that would be natural for a story only a few pages long.
          Despite these somewhat-flat characters, they still held my attention and interest through a strange uniqueness. Specifically, George and Hazel Bergeron intrigued me the most. George and Hazel are simply ordinary citizens of the United States, meaning that they are handicapped to the lowest possible standard. Due to their handicaps, these "main" characters are able to express some emotion, but only in short bursts, as they would soon forget about their feeling and thoughts. In short, their uniqueness as characters come from how they aren't able to express much emotion or thought, yet rather than repelling any interest with their shallowness, they instead captured mine. In this way, Kurt Vonnegut is able to create characters of interest and intrigue in a short story through his use of a lack of depth, rather than an excess.

Q1W7 Comments

Da-Duh - Ethan Webb

Hunger Games Reading Response - Evan Meek

Flash Fiction

          Trumpets filled the air. Silence fell across the swarms of flesh as all eyes were directed towards the Founder. A boy cried for his mother, whom he lost in the fray. The Founder flinched at the outcry. Before the Founder even needed to nod his head, the boy was silenced. No one winced at such an abnormal interruption. Natural selection they said it was. The Founder redirected his attention back to the flocks of his pale-skinned subjects. He rose his hand. Every knee was bent towards him. His hand lay suspended in the air for a small eternity. His thumb began to point towards his chest. The silence grew. Soon, the wind stopped as well. As the point of his thumb brushed his sternum, the crowds began to slowly rise. The Founder left his podium, and so silence was lifted.

Reading Response - The Glass Castle

          As I continue to read The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, I notice character changes on a deeper level than I had noticed before. As the novel introduces even more characters, some minor and some major, they each seem to have specific backgrounds and motives. Many of these characters grow, to a certain extent at least, to have an impact on the main characters themselves. Some main characters however, such as Rex Walls, undergo internal and external changes as well, although they don't always last. It is important to note however, that character changes aren't exclusively positive.
          Rex Walls, being the father of the narrator and the patriarch of the family, is initially described as a loyal and caring father, but he shows more complexity than that in his actions, which sometimes contradicts this statement. Although he's had a drinking problem since Jeannette Walls was a toddler, it seems to steadily grow worse as his kids grow up and they move from home-to-home frequently. This often leads to his "drunken rampages", which causes family complications as he attacks anything or anyone in his way, often leading to the rest of the family going into hiding. However, Rex is aware of his destructive drunken nature and even tries to become sober, which succeeds for a few months, but he eventually returns to his alcoholic state. Being one of the roundest yet simultaneously flattest characters in the novel so far, Rex Walls truly is a human who behaves true-to-nature.

Q1W5 Comments

Dialogue - Ethan Webb

Narrative Reading Response - Mathew Bickham

Dialogue

          "Dude, you're such a wimp!"
          "I don't care, I'm not doing it!" They could say whatever they wanted about me, but I wasn't going to do it.
          "We've done it before, and it's not that bad; really, we're serious." They gave me more undermining looks, and I could almost physically feel the pressure stacking in the space between us.
          "I think I'm good." They were used to my overwhelmingly abundant sarcasm.
          "Come on man, we don't have much time left; they're about to close," he said, failing to conceal the apprehension on his face.
          "Guys, I really don't think I want to do this." I failed concealing mine too.
          "Trust us, it's really not that bad."
          "Yeah, it really isn't," said the slightly quieter one, finally breaking his judging silence. I looked around, deep in thought. I thought of myself as a very stubborn character, however, these were my friends, and a part of me thought that maybe they knew me better than I did.
          "Ugh, just do it by yourselves guys, I already made up my mind." In truth, I really hadn't. "I'm just going to waste more y'all's time."
          "No, you're doing it with us right now." He grabbed me by the wrist, preparing to drag me if necessary, knowing that I wasn't nearly strong enough to put forth any significant resistance. The other followed suit.
          "Guys, please." I let go of my resistance and simply resorted to desperate begging. They seemed to not hear me, however, so I did what little I could to rebel against their combined strengths as they slowly dragged me in the direction in which I was avoiding. They sped up as I surrendered myself and prepared to face what was ahead of me. They let go of me, and I found my legs and feet moving of their own accord. I exhaled deeply.
          "Let's go."

Reading Response: The Glass Castle

          The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is a memoir about her life before she matured and pursued her own dreams as an adult. The story consists of a continued string of stories in chronological order, skipping periods of time when necessary or appropriate, such as a week on the road in which nothing significant to the themes occur. Starting with Walls' earliest memory as a three-year-old living in an Arizona trailer park, The Glass Castle captures the life of a poor, dysfunctional, and mostly nomadic family in the years before Walls' life as a true member of society and civilization. 

          Although I honestly simply picked up this book from the store because I had seen the trailer for the film, I can easily say that I currently hold no regrets whatsoever about that poor-appearing decision. The story moves rather quickly, natural for a memoir that covers multiple years of the author's life, so many events and details can easily be glossed over or forgotten, but the book appears to be gradually spinning a web that will be able to connect each event to the themes. These "themes" aren't fully clear quite yet in the earlier parts of the novel, but I can only speculate that they will soon develop strong tastes of determination and perseverance. The Glass Castle as a story is a "glass castle" of the ties and emotions that challenged the Walls' family.  

My Comments Q1W4

Dear 12 Year Olds - JC 

Week 4 Reading Response - Mathew Bickham

Reading Response: Check. Mate?

          Check. Mate? by Miles Pequeno follows his story about the unforgettable bonding moments between him and his father. Mainly told through a flashback revelation, Pequeno takes on the mysteries of his father's actions through near-daily chess games. It is almost immediately revealed to the reader that the narrator's relationship with his father was expressed the strongest through their competitive matches of chess that took place nearly every night. The narrator then goes on to explain the lessons he learned his whole life through these chess games, starting with one significant night. Revealing the hidden principle which he took to heart that night, the reader is able to take his advice to heart as well.

          Through the intense moments of rapid thought between moves, the unconditional desire to win, and the unbreakable hidden bond of the two players, the relatively short plot leaves the reader's train of thought continuing even after its conclusion. The simplicity of the situation and the complexity of human behavior blends together in such a way in this narrative that it mimics human emotions well enough for most readers to feel as they are reading. Any author knows that a well-written narrative is based off of interactions, and those of sentimental humans make the deepest cuts. Those cuts made by the plot then create scars, and scars can be felt forever. This story had not only left a scar for the narrator to relive throughout his life, but it may also scratch the reader deep enough for him or her to not easily forget about.

Dear 12-year old...

Dear 12-year old,
          Don't stress out. You are much younger than you think you are when it comes to issues about "life", and most definetly, school. I used to think too much about the future at your age. I used to worry that I would fail at everything and anything I would ever do, so I would need to try my hardest at whatever I do. Looking back at this, I do still think that trying your hardest at anything and everything is what it takes to be successful; however, never should you ever push yourself to the brink of collapse. Never allow yourself to be let down due to a mistake. Simply relaxing and moving forward while learning from those mistakes is the best thing you can do, because you will have to try even harder sooner than you might think.
          As long as you don't stress yourself out too much, then you can accomplish much more than you might think that you can. Despite this, you might still have regrets and be repulsed by your past. Don't be. Almost nothing that you have ever done at your age, or even mine, is going to seriously impact you in a life-changing way in the future. So don't regret whatever embarrassing thing you might have done in front of your classmates; don't think that your previous mistakes will lead you to further mistakes; and most importantly, don't stop moving forward, as looking back won't put you closer to your goal.

My Comments Q1W3

Tucker H. - Current Reading Book

Nick Delahaye - article link

September 11th, 2001 Documentary Response

Link to the documentary: https://youtu.be/-zc5lwR5nB0

          I recently viewed a documentary called "September 11th, 2001: A Day That Changed The World | 9/11 Documentary" that reviewed the events leading up to and after the attacks of 9/11. The documentary starts by analyzing the details and records of the perpetrators. Going over the specific events of how each person who played a role in the attacks, it is amazing to think about how these terrorists managed to sneak into the U.S. and prepare for the attacks in a matter of weeks. These terrorists had been planning and acting simultaneously to use their time wisely in order to make sure that their plans and efforts would come to fruition; and as we all know, they did.
          After the attacks were successfully executed, and the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda took credit for the attacks, a manhunt was ordered on Osama Bin-Laden and a war was declared on Al-Qaeda. Although the long and controversial war eventually did lead to the death of Osama Bin-Laden, the aftermath left a strong taste of bitterness and tragedy, but also a sense of unity. The world recognized these attacks and paid their respects not only to the civilians who lost their lives but also the first responders and rescuers who risked or gave their lives for the safety of others'. These attacks allowed the U.S. to realize that they could not allow something of this manner ever occur again, and that rationalization still thrives today.

Reading Response: Fairest

          Fairest is the 4th installment and the prequel to The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer. The novel is set about a decade before the events of Cinder, the first installment in the series. The story follows Levana Blackburn and her life before she was Queen of Luna, as well as her rise to power. Therefore, Fairest provides the necessary background information to solve a few mysteries about the Blackburns that arose throughout the series. In addition to the final scenes in Winter, the finale of the series, some light is finally shed on Levana's motives and mind. Although it may not completely justify Levana's cruel methods of rule and leadership, readers may find that Levana is a much deeper antagonist than she exhibits.
          As the novel moves forward, Marissa Meyer attempts to portray Queen Channary as the larger antagonist in the story, where Levana is the oppressed victim who looks for revenge. This creates a nice contrast to the story in the main series, where Levana is the perpetrator. However, although it does stir a sense of curiosity in the reader to solve Levana's past, the novel has not created the same impact on me as the rest of the series. The plot's action seems to be hinting at a steady rise, but it doesn't seem to have a significant effect on the plot and characters' development, at least early in the novel. As I continue to read, my opinions may change, but I have a stubborn sense that I will not be able to enjoy this novel as much as the others in the series.

My Comments Q1W2

Mathew Bickham - That was a Close One

Charlie Roth - Going Backstage at COME FROM AWAY

A Story from the Summer

          This past summer I took a vacation to the Carribean. Although I had stayed in the Virgin Islands for most of the time, I also visited Puerto Rico for a few days. During this time I had one of my most thrilling experiences in recent years: jet-skiing. I had never jet-skied in my life before, so this was a completely new experience for me, but I do not regret it at all. Although I generally avoid water sports, being in a tropical setting for the first time in a few years had allowed me to open up more. I am not sure if I'll ever do it again in my life, but given the opportunity again, it is likely that I'll take it.
          My story begins on the beach. My mom, my sister, and I walked along the sandy shore until we came across a small wooden stand, paint still peeling off from its sides. After talking to the employee from the company who owned the jet-skiing service, we set off towards another nearby beach. We walked along the relatively narrow beach until we reached the furthest boundary, leading to a narrow, quiet street. Making our way through a maze of cold concrete alleyways was not the easiest challenge that we came across, but we still found our way in a matter of minutes. Soon, a second, much larger beach came into sight. Relieved that we could finally walk on soft, smooth sand again instead of rough stone and concrete, we quickly made our way there. After a short walk on the gleaming, hot white sandy path, we found a stand similar to the one we encountered at the first beach. We talked with the employees of the jet-skiing service, and then my sister and I prepared ourselves for the ride. Since I was not 16+, I was not able to drive, but my older sister could. We started slow, allowing ourselves to adjust to the uncomfortable seating and cold water. Soon, as my sister gradually built up the skill and courage, we found ourselves speeding along the blue water of the Atlantic Ocean. Water sprayed up from our sides and targeted our eyes as we made laps around the shore boundaries. Time quickly passed from our overwhelming thrill and adrenaline of the ride, so we disembarked back on the sandy shore. We descended from the jet-ski, handed our life vests over, and promptly left the large, busy beach. As we moved on with the rest of the day's activities, I could not help but think that I should have never left that jet-ski.

Summer Reading Response - Scarlet

          Scarlet, my first choice book that I read this summer, was everything that I wished for. Scarlet is the second installment in "The Lunar Chronicles" series. Scarlet follows a new addition to the roster of main characters: Scarlet Benoit. Her inspiration as a character, as well as most of her story, stems from the "Red Riding Hood" European fairy tale. Scarlet herself also happens to wear a red hoodie, further connecting the two stories. Scarlet, however, was not one of the deepest characters that I came across in the novel and the series. She isn't necessarily shallow or superficial in any way, but she did not fully meet the standards set by characters such as Cinder, Carswell Thorne, or even Wolf, another character introduced in Scarlet who has his origins in "Red Riding Hood". I have never thought of her as a poor character, but never as the best.

          I'm sure most of you know the general story of the "Red Riding Hood" fairy tale, but for those who don't, the tale simply follows a girl in a red hood and cape who journeys through a forest to find and visit her grandma; however, a wolf stops her in her journey and tricks her into thinking that the wolf wants to help her by finding her grandma, but the wolf secretly knows that he already ate her grandma and so wishes to eat Little Red Riding Hood as well. Scarlet follows its origin story extremely well, except for relatively minor changes. To me, however, Scarlet follows the fairy tale a little too well. I thought that although the story was intriguing in its own ways, Marissa Meyer could have made slightly larger changes plot-wise. Despite my small complaints, I still was able to enjoy the novel to its fullest extent and I have no regrets whatsoever for reading it.

My Comments Q1W1

Evan Meek - Free Post.

Mathew Bickham - High School - My Thoughts and Goals

My Introduction to This Course and Blogging

          English has, consistently, been one of my favorite courses. Although I am far from perfect in any particular topic that we may discuss and review in this class, I hope to improve my understanding of literature and grammar, as well as my fluency and literacy. The course so far has made an excellent impression on me, so I have high expectations for the course, and likewise conversely. I will be sure to push myself to my full potential in this course in order to meet my set goals for the semester and year, assuring that my aspirations meet the expectations of myself and others. In short, any obstacle that I will or may encounter in the course will be overcome.

          This blog is intended to help meet those aspirations and expectations so I will not allow myself to give anything less than what I know I can accomplish. I have not previously created a blog in a long time so I will have to get re-accustomed, but I am confident that I can consistently post high-quality entries each week to meet the assignment requirements. Although last year we completed "Writers' Notebook" entries, they were not nearly as frequent or challenging as a blog may be. Nevertheless, blogging is a unique type of writing in the way that it can be done in a multitude of ways. Blogs can be created formally or informally, allowing a space for any type of writing to succeed.

Summer Reading Response - Cress

          One of the greatest books that I have ever truly enjoyed as a reader was Cress. Cress is the third installment in "The Lunar Chronicles" series. The novel, like its predecessors, introduces yet another new main character with origins taken from a fairytale: Cress. Cress's inspiration comes from the fairytale of Rapunzel. Cress herself exhibits many of the same traits as Rapunzel, and even has a similar background, at least in a sense. Immediately, however, the reader is introduced to her and given many powerful first impressions. In the beginning, she comes off as a timid and playful girl who delves too deep into her own imagination sometimes. Soon, though, she starts to undergo character evolutions that will ultimately lead to her major roles in the plot of the series as a whole.

          As for the novel, it digs a little deeper into the backgrounds of certain characters and their past. It helps identify many of the mysteries and issues that the previous books had formed and answered many of the long-lasting questions that had been introduced even at the very beginning of the series. Cress put even more personality into the original characters, and it crafted some of the most memorable new ones. It paved the road for the conclusion of the series, and it filled in the potholes of the plot. Cress exemplifies in stunning performance the ideal model of what Marissa Meyer had dreamed of creating in "The Lunar Chronicles".