In Character

Hannibal Lecter: Our culture has always been drawn in by serial killers, and Hannibal Lector allowed people to learn about one personally. Even though the audience knows he is extremely dangerous, and fairly messed up they related to him, and see him as a real person not just a killer. In a way he was too understood. People looked at him too much as a person and less of a killer. Regardless of how human he seems, he has committed the most disturbing crimes.

Willy Loman: Willy Loman is important in our culture because his character is so timeless. Who hasn't known a simple person who loved their family, job, but made many mistakes along the way? He falls apart in front of readers but is still lovable. He commits suicide to save his family, and in a way end the humiliation he is going through. No longer able to sell things the way he once did he is ashamed and wants to make things right. Many people feel the same way, even if they don't go to extremes the way he did.


Carrie from Sex and the City has changed the way a lot of younger women (and older) view life. She is thirty something, successful, independent and has three great friends. In a way Carrie Bradshaw encompasses what many young women want for themselves, happiness without necessarily having a man. Even though we see her Independence we also see her turmoil with men, and how important healthy relationships are. Her weekly dates with her best friends, who have also done the same thing in today's culture, show that friendship is just as valuable as a good career and a good relationship. People constantly watch this hit HBO series, because her drama is so easy to relate to, with a bit of comedic relief. Plus we all waited patiently to see her and Mr. Big together in the end. I do feel that she really managed to change the expectations that young women have for themselves by showing how fun it can be to be independent instead of always being in some sort of relationship.

Part One: Stories are important in a child's life because even from an early age they teach kids stories and life values, and set up moral beliefs. It's also a way for children to bond with their parents, or other older people in their lives through learning about different things wheather real or imaginary.

Part Two: Older people read stories for mental stimulation. Through reading they can learn about different things while doing something productive.

Part Three: Stories are important in America because it's something that everyone can bond over, and talk about. Many people judge others on their book choice and the things they have to say about them. They are more or less the intelligent sector of American pop culture.

Part Four:

Life as I know it.

The only thing I can think of to write for this is just current happenings. Currently I'm sitting in the computer lab listening to The Higher, who I really love. I saw them play last week at the Varsity Theater in dinkytown. After the show my friend Jack had people over and The Higher showed up. I've heard really negative things about the lead singer but I didn't necessarily believe it. Too bad all the things were right. He was completely rude and didn't talk to anyone. So I ate his Taco Bell. Even after my bad encounter with him, I still love the band.

Spring break is in less than two weeks! That's making my life better. I'm going to Texas with my friend Margot to see our friends who are on tour with Avenged Sevenfold and Atreyu. I'm actually nervous to go. I've never been so far away, in a car, without my mom. But I guess being eighteen means I have to do these things.

After Spring break, I'm going to California May 22nd. My dearest friend Mike lives in the Bay Area and asked me to his prom. I didn't actually think he was serious at first. Then when I realized he was I said yes :) At his school they all take a bus to San Fransisco and they have their prom on top of some hotel. It should be a lot of fun. I'm also going to look at some schools out there too. I haven't even come up with a college plan. So after a semester off I really need to figure my stuff out.

Right now I'm really happy with the people in my life. I realized last night that I have the most genuine friend. I dated this boy Alex briefly, but that fell through. We make better friends, and in the end he's one of the best friends I've ever had. I was talking to Sandy about him and she told me that he always says the most wonderful things about me and even though he doesn't like my friends he took me really seriously when I told him how legit Sandy is. It's really nice knowing that someone you're close to values your opinion and listens to it.

Tori is probably my favorite person ever. I know this blog is just getting more and more random, but I enjoy typing complete nonsense. Yesterday tori and I went out to lunch at byerly's. She had crab pasta, while I went for the Caesar salad pasta. She listened to me vent about Tyler (who really upset me) for an hour, and didn't complain at all. We always have so much fun. Even if she hates me for getting the same phone as her.

Now I'm listening to The Maine. They remind me of Tiffany, Tori, and Alex. Tiffany turned me on to them and we drove home from Brooklyn Center listening to them through the city at night WHILE eating french fries. It was a girl moment for sure. Singing in the car to pop-y music, and fast food. Tori loves The Maine. Especially the Akon cover song. And Alex. . . he hates them. With a fiery passion. Whenever I listen to the song "the way we talk" all I hear is him mocking them. Even though it ruined the song a bit for me, he is so funny when he does it.

Last night. Was the best night in awhile. My lovely friend Cristal had a bad day so me, Tiffany, and Sandy went to her place with food and had a girls karaoke night. Me singing "toxic" by Britney spears might have been the most horrible idea of all time, but made Cristal's day a lot better.

Okay! I'm done!

The way I am

If you were falling, then I would catch you.
You need a light, I'd find a match.

Cuz I love the way you say good morning.
And you take me the way I am.

If you are chilly, here take my sweater.
Your head is aching, I'll make it better.

Cuz I love the way you call me baby.
And you take me the way I am.

I'd buy you Rogaine if you start losing all your hair.
Sew on patches to all you tear.

Cuz I love you more than I could ever promise.
And you take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.

The way I am
By: Ingrid Michealson


2. I chose this song because I really like the way it's just a sweet song about love. It's not over the top, but I really like the line "Cuz I love the way you say goodmorning, and you take me the way I am". It's one of the little things that really makes a person fall in love.

3. The line "you take me the way I am" is repeated throughout the song, and is really what it's about. The person she's in love with just takes her the way she is, which is simple but really makes a relationship complete.

4. Comment on the author's use of poetic devices. Identify two devices such as metaphor, alliteration, personification, imagery, and consonance, and point out where the author uses them. Then comment on how they influence the poem. Do they create an emphasis on a certain word or words? Do they focus the reader's attention on an image? Do they create a feeling within the poem?

5. The tone of this song is very upbeat, and genuine. It talks about the little things that people do for each other when they're in love. Sacraficing your own warmth for the one you love. Just little things.

1.


2. If I could give someone five years younger than me any advice, I'd tell them to value the relationship they have with their parents. It's so easy to get caught up in thinking parents are trying to keep you stuck at home, but building trust makes life so much easier. The older you get with builded trust, the more freedom you get. Along with freedom you get an awesome relationship with the people who know you best. Parents are irreplaceable people, and have so much they are willing to share with you. I'd also tell them to start good study habits young. It's easier to maintain postive study habits than it is to start them later in life. My advice is given based on my own experiences. I am so grateful for the relationship I have with my mom, and I know that having her so involved has helped me through a lot of things. I thinking working is also a really good thing to do. You learn the value of money, and start to break away from being completely dependant on parents. Overall keeping a strong base of people is important, as well as starting good habits early.

3. Great works of literature are a rarity in today's society. At least in a sense that they'll be known years from now. Most known works from the past all have characters that we can truely understand. And contain subjects we can relate to, or can completely put ourselves in. Not only are they well written, and relateable, but they contain truths of life. The truths that are behind the story are timeless and universal. You don't need to be a specific gender, or race to understand true love. Or fighting for personal freedoms. That's something everyone can put themselves in. In today's society it's hard to create a story like that. Especially in this country. As a whole, our society is very selfish and literature isn't a focus.

1. How important is theme in what you write? Does a great piece of literature need to express an idea? Explain your thoughts on the matter using examples from things you've read. In your response, address the opposing viewpoint. (Write at least 100 words.)


2. What might be a theme that you'd consider communicating through your play. It could be a theme about something that concerns you (think back to what you wrote in your first blog), a theme about something you see socially or politically. It could be a theme about anything else. Write about that theme and why it is important to you? (Write at least 100 words).

3. What is one conflict you write about in your play. Generate some ideas for conflicts you could write about. This may or may not be connected to potential themes. (Write at least 75 words)

Blog #1

1. The importance of reading to a writer is crucial. A person learns how to read stories before they know how to write them, and through reading a writing can develop their own style. Reading exposes people to different things that otherwise they may never experience. It can also put you in someone elses mind, and as a writer it is important to learn how to pull yourself away from your own thoughts and put yourself in someone elses mind. Reading widens your vocabularly, and in the end can only help a writer develop further.

2. Something that really concerns me is state of our country, and the chosen leadership the U.S. has. Our economy is falling apart, and billions of dollars that could be put into our country are being spent on a war. At home there is a national drug crisis, vast homelessness, and an upcoming energy crisis. The money being spent in places we have no business being could be put into discovering new forms of energy, and becoming more self sufficent as a country. Before we know it, China will become the worlds super power and we will be forced to take a look at our own country when it is too late.

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