Character Profile for My Sister's Keeper

Julia

• Anna's guardian ad litem for the case against her parents, was Campbell Alexander's high school girl friend
• Julia is thirty-two years old, she has grown up from being a crazy teenager with pink hair to a grown women that acts the part of her job in law. She grew her hair out and wears clothes that represent her authority in court and has signs of age. 
• Occupation: guardian ad litem 
• Personality: Julia is a pretty unique type of person. In high school she was the out cast because she was different from everyone else but then Campbell started dating her and things weren't so bad. Once she had to get a real job that required her to fit in she did. She changed her clothes and hair but her personality is about the same. She is very independent and a little wild but is also caring and compassionate about looking out for others who need help. 
•  Quirks: she names her kitchen appliances
• Quote: "I remember everything, Campbell," she interrupts. If I didn't, this wouldn't be so hard." (Page 224) This quote tells readers that although Julia is a strong independent person that she does get hurt and she did care a lot about him. 

Figurative Language in My Sister's Keeper

Simile: figure of speech that expresses the resemblance of one thing to another of a different category, usually introduced by as or like
Metaphor: A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison, as in "a sea of troubles"  
Sources:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/metaphor 
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/simile 

Similes
1. "Actually, that's not quite true -- right now she doesn't have it, but it's hibernating under her skin like a bear, until it decides to roar again." (Page 2) 
2. "Normal, in our house, is like a blanket too short for a bed -- sometimes it covers you just fine, and other times it leaves you cold and shaking; and worst of all, you never know which of the two it's going to be." (Page 3)
3. "Kate's face looks as tiny and white as those distant moons that Brian likes to spot in his telescope-still, remote, cold." (Page 118)
4." Kate's ribs seem as thin as matchsticks, and there is a large gray blot just off center." (Page 117)
5. " He is talking about my little girl as if she were some kind of machine: a car with a faulty carburetor, a plane whose landing gear is stuck." (Page 111)

Metaphor
1. "The angel that arrives is wearing Armani and barking into a cell phone as she enters the hospital room." (Page 120)
2. "As I watch, Kate's features smooth, blur, obliterate, until her face is a white oval that could be anyone at all."(Page 119)
3." The doctors hover over Kate's feverish body,bees over a field of flowers." (Page 116)
4. "When she is tied to the bed, I am her eyes and ears." (Page 80) 
5. " My cheeks are on fire, my hear starts to pound." (84)

Victoria's Keeper

        I would consider myself as my friend, Victoria's, keeper. I have known Victoria since we were in Kindergarten and now we even go to high school together. Although we became friends in 7th grade I would consider myself as her keeper since I look out for her often and try to give her helpful advice. She often jokes around that I'm her mom at school while her mom is at work which also led me to believe I am her keeper. At times I think I might even baby her which isn't exactly a good thing since she's only five months younger than me. Throughout the years while I was there for her, she has also helped me a lot during difficult times. I hope our relationship grows even stronger as we go through high school and we continue to support each other.

Jodi Picoult

A picture of Jodi Picoult 

Jodi Picoult is a 46 year old author that has 21 best selling books. Picoult is a graduate from Princeton who then attended Harvard to get a master's degree in education.  Her husband Tim Van Leer was a student at Princeton while she was attending school. The first book she wrote was during her first pregnancy. Picoult now lives in Hanover, New Hampshire with her husband and three children.  She has many animals that live with her including two donkeys, two Springer spaniels, two rescue puppies, eight chickens, two geese, and sometimes a Holstein. Picoult has received many awards including Book Browse Diamond Award, Romance Writers of America, New England Bestseller for Fiction, and many more. 

Source for picture and information: http://www.jodipicoult.com/JodiPicoult.html 

I expect this book to be very interesting. I knew this was about two sister where one is sick and the other gives organs to keep the other alive but I did not really know all that much. I also think it will be very sad and give a new perspective on relationships of sisters. I have a sister of my own and I would not think twice of helping her in any way I could but giving your own body is something that is very hard but still worth the pain.  I have not seen the movie so once I am done the book I would really like to see the movie to see any differences and similarities. 

Chris McCandless, Hero or Fool?

Sydney

Mrs. Zurkowski

English 9 Reds

26 March 2013

Chris McCandless, Hero or Fool?

            Could you picture yourself walking in the Alaskan woods all by yourself for more than three months? McCandless was a man about the age of twenty-three who went on a two year adventure and ending up in Alaska where he died. There are people who believe he was amazing and brave while others think he was foolish and stupid. McCandless was a young boy that wanted freedom society couldn't give him. He was more a hero than a fool because he did things most of us would be too afraid to do.

            McCandless was brave enough to do things most people would not even think about doing. "He was looking for more adventure and freedom than today’s society gives people,” comments one of Chris’s friends" (Krakauer 174). What modern society offers did not appeal to Chris McCandless; he wanted a different life that most people had themselves.  He saw the influences society puts on our lives and decided he did not want to live that way. “No longer would he answer to Chris McCandless; he was now Alexander Supertramp, master of his own destiny" (23). McCandless, now known as Alexander Supertramp, did not want to be held back in any way; to insure he would get full freedom he changed his name so he was able to start fresh. McCandless took charge of his new life and was brave to be able to just leave everything he knew and was comfortable with to start new.

            Whatever makes you happy you should pursue, McCandless did just that even with all the negative people telling him it was a bad idea. People find happiness in multiple ways; through relationships, nature, religion, and many more ways.  In a letter to Franz, Alex writes, “You are wrong if you think joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us" (57). McCandless knew that although it is nice to have relationships you can find happiness in nature and that is where he found true happiness. “He is smiling in the picture, and there is no mistaking the look in his eyes: Chris McCandless was at peace, serene as a monk gone to God" (199). Before McCandless’s death he took a picture and in the picture he was at peace and happy even though he was alone and going through the pain of starvation. He was happy because he finally found true happiness.  McCandless found happiness in ways most did not, once he found what made him happy he pursued in no matter what the consequences were.

            People called McCandless foolish for his mistakes but everyone makes mistakes. “Instead of feeling distraught over this turn of events, moreover, McCandless was exhilarated: He saw the flash flood as an opportunity to shed unnecessary baggage" (29). Although he made a mistake of sleeping in an area where there are flash floods and lost his car, he accepted it and used it as a way to get further into his adventure by just living off what he needed. “Chastity and moral purity were qualities McCandless mulled over long and often” (65). Although Chris made fatal mistakes he knew what was right and wrong and would think about it a lot.  McCandless overall had respect and good morals but made fatal mistakes which led to his death.

            People who did not think McCandless was a hero thought he was a young foolish man who caused many pain with his leaving and death. Chris did make mistakes but so do other and that does not mean he is foolish.  He did not want to cause others pain but he needed to start fresh and away from everyone he knew. "Alex is a nut in my book,” wrote a resident of Healy, the hamlet at the head of the Stampede Trail. “The author describes a man who has given away a small fortune, forsaken a living family, abandoned his car, watch and map and burned the last of his money before traipsing off into the 'wilderness' west of Healy"(71). Although McCandless did all of those things, he did it to have a fresh start. He did not want to be held back from anything and in the end it made him happy. A reader of the Outside magazine asked, “Why would any son cause his parents and family such permanent and perplexing pain?”(71) McCandless did not want to cause his loved ones pain but ended up causing them pain since the only way he could find true happiness was to leave everyone he loved. Although some may not be able to see the reasons McCandless left all his opportunities and loved ones behind to go on an adventure that caused him his death, he only did it because that was what made him happy.

            Chris McCandless was a young man that went against society and found happiness in things most people would be afraid to try. He had the bravery it took to go against society to find his happiness and although he made mistakes he did what he enjoyed even if people thought he was foolish. People should not judge others for what they do that makes them happy and being brave enough to do something different than what most do.

Work Cited:

Krakauer, Jon. Into the Wild. New York: Anchor, 1997. Print. 

Connecting with Nature- Escaping Society

               In the book Into the Wild Chris McCandless and other men left the real world to go into secluded areas to try to find spiritual enlightenment. In almost all the cases, the men die from going into remote areas that can be life threatening. One man in the book did an experiment to see if it would be possible to live without modern technology. He literally lived off the land and used nothing that was even possibly made by man. In the end he found it wasn't possible. I don't think they're adventures out into the wild was worth it, they might have found peace but they also caused much pain for their family and friends and also died at the end. There are other ways to find spiritual enlightenment than to seclude yourself in dangerous areas. Personally I wouldn't want to take the adventure of going to an area no one is near and trying to find peace. I wouldn't be able to live without others company but I would like to see how to live without modern technology such as phones and computers that take a lot of time out of our day. There are other ways of connecting with nature than going out on your own, you can live on a farm with your family or do hobbies that include the nature such as rock climbing. Some things I wouldn't miss if I went on the adventure is the worry of life around me, what I had to do or what others expected from me. I wouldn't have to think about day to day worries but I would have to worry about what I was going to eat or sleep. I would miss my home, family, and being able to talk to people. The adventure would push myself to do things I wouldn't normally do and meet others I wouldn't talk to. Overall it would be a challenging experience that I personally wouldn't really care to do when there are other ways of finding spiritual enlightenment.

My Special Place

Rosebud County, Montana
Source: http://www.landandfarm.com/property/

                Many people might want to go to places with miles of beaches or endless shopping but I would rather go to an area that incorporates a life of slowing down with wildlife. Rosebud, Montana is a small town containing about 9,000 people. All of the activities are outdoors and a lot of them include animals and is known for its natural beauty of land. The land is very diverse containing mountains that change to fields to streams of trout. It is a land for those who appreciate nature.

                To get there I would take Interstate 94 W, it would be a 30 hour drive but I much rather drive and see the scenery than go in a plane. While I drive I would go to spots on the way and enjoy the adventure and anticipation of what will happen. About halfway through the drive is the city of Chicago; that is one stop that I have to see. Another reason I chose to drive the long distance is to hopefully meet people along the way like Christopher did in Into the Wild. I am a fairly outgoing person so I don’t think I would have trouble meeting new people and enjoying the freedom that comes along with it.

                When I arrive it will be the beginning of June, if I don’t get side-tracked on the drive, that way I have the entire summer to spend my time there.  In Montana it can be very warm to cool 70° F in a matter of days. Though the weather might change it won’t stop me from having an awesome adventure. While I am there I would like to find a ranch for cattle and work there for a while. I want to embrace the wildlife and work a rancher does on a daily basis; sure it is hard work but I would rather be working hard with animals and other people than living a boring summer. I expect to make several friends while living in a small town where everyone knows each other while accomplishing my dream of living on a ranch. 

Same Source as above 

Into the Wild

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer is a non-fiction book that was published in 1996. It is about a man whose body was found in a deserted bus in the Alaskan area. Christopher McCandless, the man found in the bus, was hiking to the coast of Alaska surviving only on rice, meats from wild game, and plants around him. McCandless could not proceed and decided to camp in the abandoned bus. Later on near the month of July he decided to leave but discovered the only path was cut off by a river that melted that led to a hand powered tram. At the end of July, McCandless wrote in his journal that we was weak from a potato seed. Krakauer considered that McCandless ate a plant that is nourishing during the spring time but to course to eat later on through the season. When this occurred McCandless most likely ate the seed instead which is poisonous.

                The book sounds very interesting and I’m excited to start reading it with my fellow classmates. The book looks to be a good length and should not be too hard to read. I am fairly sure that we will start reading it on Monday, can’t wait till then! 

Sources:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Wild_(book)

Source: http://www.fanpix.net/0650599/012029946/into-the-wild-2007-large-picture.html 

Romantic Comedy in A Mid-Summer Night's Dream

Sydney

Mrs. Zurkowski

English 9 Reds

5 February 2013

Romantic Comedy in A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream

            For hundreds of years romantic comedies has been popular in movies and books. Wikipedia defines romantic comedy as “two characters, usually a man and a woman, meet, part ways due to an argument or other obstacle, then ultimately reunite.” Authors use romantic comedy to allow the readers to relate the story to their own lives. Shakespeare uses romantic comedy to create a funny, light hearted scene that captures the audience’s attention while having it be relatable with everyday life.

            Throughout the play Shakespeare uses romantic comedy through his characters, choice of words, and actions. Farther into the story Shakespeare uses the characters Titania and Bottom to reveal romantic comedy in his play.  While Titania was under the spell she said many words she normally would not have. While under the spell Titania says to Bottom, “You are as wise as you are beautiful” (3.1, 150).  This quote is exhibiting romantic comedy because Titania is telling Bottom that he is smart as handsome while he has a head of an ass and is neither smart nor handsome. Further on in the book, Bottom was ordered by Oberon to put the love potion on the Athenian man’s eyes. Oberon says to Bottom, “What hast thou done? Thou hast mistaken quite and laid the love juice on some true- loves’ sight.” Oberon is talking to Robin in this quote when they discovered they have put the potion on Lysander instead of Demetrius (3.2, 90). This quote displays romantic comedy because even though they have messed up the potion the two men fix it causing a happy ending. Shortly after Oberon and Bottom have discovered that Bottom has put the potion on the wrong man’s eyes, Oberon sends Bottom out to put the potion on the eyes of Demetrius. While both men are under the spell Demetrius is talking to Lysander when he says, “I say I love thee more than he can do.”  (3. 2, 260) Although the couples are fighting in this scene, it demonstrates romantic comedy because both men are under a spell and do not know it. The audience knows it though making the scene comical.  The romantic comedy in the play creates funny scene while containing a relatable and enticing plot-line.

             In the modern world today, authors, actors, and even real people use romantic comedy either in movies, books, or day to day life experiences. Throughout the years, movies have used romantic comedy as a base-line or just as a side scene to create more drama to the movie. The movie Overboard, filmed in 1987 starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, is a perfect example of a romantic comedy. Hawn’s character falls in love with Dean Proffitt when he comes to get her at the local hospital after falling off her yacht and suffering from amnesia. They go through a few troubles but in the end live happily ever after.  In books just like A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, authors use romantic comedy to make the book relatable and to capture the readers’ attention.  Sarah Dessen, a popular author for teenage readers, uses romantic comedy in almost all of her books.  Although you may not know it is happening we use romantic comedy throughout our life time. We will eventually fall in love with someone go through a few bumps and have a happy ending.

William Shakespeare uses romantic comedy throughout his book, A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, by purposefully using his characters to demonstrate romantic comedy through their words and actions. His plays entertained his audiences while showing them the great world of love. Now people use romantic comedies in entertainment and our daily lives.

Work Citied

"Overboard (film)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Jan. 2013. Web. 05 Feb. 2013.

"Romantic Comedy." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 Mar. 2013. Web. 05 Feb. 2013.

Shakespeare, William. N.p.: Simon & Schuster, 2003. Print.