For our followers, let me share with you what our Honors English 10 classes at Wetumpka High School are doing. They're reading a book (of their choice) listed on the Recommended Reading List for College-Bound Students. After reading the book, they'll write a short literary analysis of one element, such as character, motivation, symbolism -- anything but plot.
What I'd like to ask students to write about in responding to this post is this: What book are you reading, and why do you believe it's recommended reading for college-bound students? Remember that your ideas must be developed. Include a clear topic sentence, developing ideas with examples, some insight, and a logical conclusion that shows you've proven (not just stated) your point.
Thank you for the great job you're doing! Please respond by Jan. 30.
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The book I am reading is "Les Misérables " by Victor Hugo. The overpowering impact of this book caught many readers by surprise with the sensational excitement and violence of human passions. Les Misérables is a melodramatic novel written to show that any man can rise above their circumstances to reach perfection. The novel's plot is suspenseful from start to finish. The plot follows both Jean Valjean's, and the society's struggles with good and evil. Today I believe that this book can still inspire the hearts of those being oppressed by their daily lives.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this writing by Hugo is definitely a great novel for college-bound students. It shows that any person can rise above their circumstances and overcome their troubles. Jean Valjean became a harsh man after imprisonment, but after some help from a good man, he broke free from his old life and became well-known and rich in both life and wealth. This should help college-bound students realize while they are going through hard times, they can overcome it. Also, this novel's language is lavish in high vocabulary. The choices of words in this novel are great for college-bound students to learn before they are in literature.
Many people today may find this book to be hardly as interesting as it was in 1862, but it shows more than just history. It shows how anyone( not just prisoners that get help from priests) can overcome the obstacles that life lays out.
I am currently reading one of the bestseller books from the eighteenth century, “Pride and Prejudice”, a classic novel written by the brilliant, insightful Jane Austen, who also in her prime authored three other classic novels; Scene and Sensibility and Mansfield Park and Emma. She was “page turner” type of author, her romantic fiction collection made you want to never put one of her books down.
ReplyDeleteI believe one reason this narrative is recommended for college bound reading is to be due to the fact that it is a timeless, classic and even today, anyone could relate to the heart jerking storyline. The topics and ideas about the book resemble the beliefs of today and the situations that we must challenge ourselves with on a daily basis, “to not judge a book by its cover”. This is the main idea in romantic tale of two lovers who deny their true feelings towards each other due to the stereotypical impressions they develop in their own opinions about the other one’s character while in their first encounter, then growing a hatred and argumentum, disrespectful act towards one another, only to discover that they were misguided by unraveling their true integrity.
A second way it could be considered a college bound reading book, is because the novel involves intellect knowledge and a mandatory comprehensive vocabulary to understand the writing of grammatically correct, sophisticated, speaking style used in the writings of eighteenth century literature. An intelligent novel you wouldn’t find any younger reader trying to detect apart.
A third way this novel could be recommended for college bound reading, is the fact that in this one novel, you can compare, contrast, discuss, evaluate, depict, give special attention to, and answer critical questions dealing with various categories such as; social class, certain behaviors, looking at the relationships of the various characters, opinions of marriage and the woman standpoint of the eighteenth century, statuses for single/married women in this time period, depicting different and similar relations of two completely different characters. These challenging questions and topics to evaluate make this book so interesting and college worthy.
So in conclusion, as you can see, there are many proven facts why this story is recommended for college bound reading, it is a relevant story that even 200 hundred years later, we can relate to; it is an intellect, and challenging text, though great story line; and it has various topics to discuss and evaluate to figure Austen’s true and hidden messages
Written by Joy C. Jackson
No References used
1/24/10
The book I am reading is called The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and it is about a 16 or 17 year old boy named Holden Caulfield. Holden is the narrator in the book and he tells of his life starting from his dorm room at the private high school he is attending called Pency. I think high school teachers reccomend this book because a lot of teenagers can relate to the situations in the book.
ReplyDeleteOne situation inparticular that Holden discusses is the types of boys there at the private high school he was attending. Some guys were nice, and others were jerks. Teenagers always debate on the type of people they want to assosiate with and this book does the job in describing it.
Another situation is when Holden talks in such foul language and activities that most teenagers do. Many teens can relate to Holdens language and actions, and that's another reason why teens can relate to him.
The final situation I'd consider a reason is the emotions that Holden feels. During the entire book he feels depressed and alone, but in some parts of the book he does talk of being happy and getting excited. He talks about the certain people and how they make him feel. Teenagers can very much relate to the emotions Holden feels.
I am reading Brave New World, one of Aldous Huxley’s extravagant novels. The book is complex in its conclusion of the future world. Not only does it include the new mechanisms and technology of the future, but it also portrays future ideas and ways of life. The most important attribute of this future world, as that all are expected to be happy. Christianity is now out of the question, with a similar philosophy taking its place. Men and women even take turns having each other, basically giving them freedom from the confinements of commitment.
ReplyDeleteSocial class is still played in the future world society; they have names for the certain status that you are, but none seem to be completely effected due to the rightful placing of these classes. Education is strangely taught to adolescents in their sleep; a voice is played under their pillow so they learn it as they sleep. There are also some characters who question this way of life. The civilization of our world is similar and varied in this story. The book most likely resembles how our way of life would be if there weren’t any questions to be answered.
The book I am reading is “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” by Carson McCullers. I think that this book was selected for the college bound reading list because it shows how people fight through their problems. How they learn to cope with things that they love being taken away from them. It shows that some people handle situations differently than others, and sometimes not always in the best way with the smartest decisions. So far reading this book has taught me that everything happens for a reason, and pain will only make you stronger in time. As long as you let it.
ReplyDeleteI am currently reading "The Awakening". The novel was begun in 1897 and completed on January 21, 1898. It was published by Herbert S. Stone & Company in Chicago on April 22, 1899. It was written by the American aurthor Kate Chopin (1850-1904). Kate wrote two novels and almost a hundred short stories in the 1890's. Most of Kate's best known work mainly focuses on the lives of sensitive, intelligent women. A few of Kate's short stories were published by some of America's most prestigious magazines, such as "Vogue" and "Antlantic Monthly".
ReplyDelete"The Awakening" was widley condemned. Critics called it morbid, vulgar, and disagreeable. In my opinion "The Awakening" is a good recomendation for college bound students because of it's complex portrayal of the experience of a married womanat the end of the nineteenth century. The novel implies historical, literary and cultural contexts that are not always familiar to readers of the twenty-first century.
Another reason i think that it is a good book for college bound students is becausee it is a book of strong emothion. It is considered to be a feminist classic for its open treatment of a woman's search for self-understanding.
So in conclusion, "The Awakening" makes a strong statement as well as telling a interesting story about a New Orleans woman who has been set off on a different and difficult path. Not only does she learn not to live by her own needs rather than in accordance with the rigid standards of society, her experiences and journeys have set a good example for the readers, makeing the book not only a great story but a good learning experience as well.
The book I am reading is “Daisy Miller” by Henry James. I think this book is suggested for college bound students because the vocabulary is very difficult. One example of the vocabulary is this sentence describing Mr. Winterbourne’s aunt, “She had a long pale face, a high nose, and a great deal of very striking white hair, which she wore in large puffs and rouleaux over the top of her head.” The word rouleaux in this sentence mean ringlets. This book would be very difficult for an elementary or middle school student to read.
ReplyDeleteThe play that I am reading is A Raisin in the Sun. I think this play is on the list for college-bound students because it talks about a very important part of history. This part of history is the way that African Americans lived their lives in the 1950s. Lorraine Hansberry also discusses the following issues: value systems of the "black" family; concepts of African American beauty and identity; class and generational conflicts; and the relationships of husbands and wives.
ReplyDeleteThis play is written about the Younger family's way of living in 1959. One of the issues that I have read about is the Younger famly's money. Ruth(the mother) and Walter(the father) both react differently to this situation. Ruth and Walter have a son named Travis. Walter wants his son to be happy. In the play, Walter gives Tavis a coin. This shows me that he would rather see his son happy, instead of having a little extra change in his pocket. Ruth is a hard working mother, but does not believe anything good can happen. She also does not want to take any risks.
In conclusion, I would say that this play should be on the list for everyone to read! I know that from reading this I am grateful for the little trials I face in life, and I am also grateful that I don't have to face the trials the Younger family went through during this time of their life. Lorraine Hansberry posed the essential questions-about identity, justice, and moral resposibility-at the heart of these great struggles. I know that we can also learn from these struggles that are told to us in A Raisin in the Sun!
The book I am currently reading is "On the Beach" by Nevil Shute. The fact that it is fiction but it seems so real is what caught my attention. It is about a man, with a wife and child, who goes off on a submarine mission to view most the areas that were affected by an accidental war.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this book is on the reading list for college-bound students because it is about the last generation who fought through their struggles. The last generation refers to those not affected by the war. It shows the struggles they face and the responsibilities they have as adults. It also talks about how the other people who lived through the war went to church. That shows that even though the times were tough, they still kept their faith and worshiped God.
This book should make students realize that even when times are hard and you don't know what to do you have to keep going and to keep their faith.
The book I am reading is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Lewis Carroll used unrealistic and absurd situations to comment on the real world.
ReplyDeleteThe experiences of Alice can relate to the dreams that most humans have. Also, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland symbolizes Alice’s struggle to live in the perplexing world of adults. While in Wonderland, Alice comes across a way of living that is very different from her own. Eventually Alice adapts to this different life and lost most of her imagination that comes with being young, which is Lewis Carroll’s way of showing maturity.
This book is recommended for college bound students for many reasons. First of all, Lewis Carroll introduced many themes throughout the story. The main one that can be found is the theme of growing up. Also, since this book was written in the 1800s, it uses a vocabulary that is not commonly used in the world today.
I am reading the book The Color Purple.This book is on the Recommended Reading List for College-Bound Students. It gives good insight on how the lives of African Americans were difficult back during the mid 1900s. They struggled with many things like money and abuse.The way they talked was diffrent and hard for the white Americans to understand. They began struggling when they came to America from Africa.
ReplyDeleteThe African Americans did change in the end and become more civilized. They ended up being okay once they did away with the money problems and the abuse. They began talking more like the white Americans. This made them more acceptable and approachable to the rest of the society. They ended up having a joyous and prosperous life.
In the end, the reason why this book is on the Recommended Reading List for College-Bound Students is because it can teach you that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. They wanted to live more prosperous and get out of the situation they were in and they were capable of doing it. They turned a wasteful life into a meaningful life.
The book I am reading is “Catcher in the Rye” by J. D. Salinger. Unlike most authors on the college bound reading list, Salinger only has one or two major sellers. This book is about the struggles of a disturbed teenager in the early 1950’s. In the story the main character, Holden Caulfield, is dealing with his conflicting desires. On one hand he wants to be treated more like an adult, but he also rejects most things in the adult world as “phony”. I think this book is on the college bound reading list because of the way it makes you think. As you read you can’t help wondering how you would have handled the same situations.
ReplyDeleteI am currently reading the award winning book The Color Purple. This outstanding book is written by Alice Walker. The book is about the life of a woman named Celie. This fictional book shows how a woman did what she could to survive. Celie learned many lessons through out her life and finally a special friend gave her the courage to love.
ReplyDeleteI believe this book was recommended reading for college bound students because its such a life changing book. Even though its fiction, the book tells a wonderful story of life in the past for African American women. It also shows how one person can be a miracle in someone's life and help them view people by who they are in the inside.
The book i am reading is "Over the Moon" by John Steinbeck. This book is about a war between Germany and Norway. It describes the effects of an invasion and the conquering of of a society.
ReplyDeleteI believe this book in on the recomended reading for college bound students because if it's connection to the world and war. This book also describes the view of the Norwegian people and how much patriotism they had, and that they would never let their spirits die. I believe it tells a great story with many points that we should also view our everyday life with such as not giving up on something you believe in.
The book I’m currently reading is George Orwell’s 1984.
ReplyDeleteIn this book the main character is know as Winston. Winston lives in the post capitalist nation known as the Republic of Oceana. One thing that drew me about this book is the thought of a moral fight. In this world any thought contrary to Party doctrine is prohibited and is weeded out by the “Thought Police”. If you’re even suspected of “crimethink” then they find you and you “disappear”, Winston rebels against the twisted system know as doublethink and in turn has to run for his life. Sadly he is caught and reeducated, thus being assimilated into the cruel communist world. I think what Mr. Orwell was trying to say, and with great success, was if we don’t prevent the eroding of our morals and society then when that time comes we will be enslaved by our minds and prisoners to tyranny. You cannot beat the system.
-------Andrew Cribb
The book i am reading is "The Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison. The book is based on a black college student who is "invisible" but his conscience is still alive. People don't see him but his spirit is there and he is invisible to them. It has a very different way of looking at a book. It makes you think outside of the box and it really puts you inside the story. But this book should be ready by college bound students because this books uses a lot of words you'll need to know if you want to expand your vocabulary. You will need to have an expanded vocabulary to succeed in college, life, and the workforce.
ReplyDeleteThe title of my book is “Murder in the Cathedral” by T. S. Eliot. This book is one that makes you think. You have to put yourself in each person’s position and see what you would do if you were put in that situation. I believe that, that is why it is on the recommended reading list. It makes you think about who you really are, and who you agree with in a situation like murder, when both sides make a great argument as to why and why not kill the main character Thomas.
ReplyDeleteMy book is a play where the plot is set in the year 1170. God is a big thing in England and Thomas is the Archbishop and he has finally returned, after seven years, to Canterbury. He was with King Henry, the king of France, and then left. The four knights came and found him and wanted to kill him. (You have to read the book to find out why they wanted to kill him.) The priests are telling him to hide in the cathedral from the knights, and basically in simpler terms than the book has it, he says no I am in the house of my God and I will be protected from anything. This man is so strong in his faith he is willing to give up his life for his God. He has been accused of doing things wrong and is man enough to admit to those things but does not believe it is a reason to kill him, or that it is totally his fault for why things went so bad in France.
In conclusion this is one of the best books I have ever read in my life and recommend it to anyone who likes to think about what they would do for their belief, and who they think was at fault for the murder, and who they agree with, the priests or the knights, when it comes to killing Thomas. Anyone who is going to college should read this book.
I'm reading "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens. As confusing as it may be to read, I believe the vocabluary and grammar makes the book very advanced, which supports why it would be a college-bounding book. I don't know much about other novels written by Charles Dickens, but my book is placed in the 1800s, which could also support the reason. It is also very reality-like, as if it would be in those times. The book helps to see the way things were, how people were punished, how people lived, and how they got from place to place. The setting is based on France and England as well.
ReplyDeleteGood job, guys. I'm reading some of these comments on the heels of the literary analysis that you've turned in. I can see how you formed opinions about the books very early.
ReplyDeleteBut if you read OF MICE AND MEN, be sure to finish the book!
Great job on your first literary analysis, by the way. You're the greatest!
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