9 weeks Reflexion

*What have you learned about English/Literature over the past 9 weeks?

I learned many things these past nine weeks, such as: how to analyze, how to write a better essay and literary terms/devices.

*What have you learned about your classmates?

I have learned that my classmates and I are very simular on many levels.

*What have you learned about life?

I can not even begin to desribe all the thing I have learned about life. This class has not only helped me with literature. I have discovered where I want to go with my life as well as who I want to be.

Did you enjoy the novel unit (Perks of Being a Wallflower and Looking for Alaska)? Would you recommend I use those two novels next year? What assignments changes would you make (if any)?

I enjoyed both books very much. I would recommend those novels for next year. All assignments were great and helpful. I would not change anything.

What should I change for next year's class?

Not a single thing should be changed. I love learning in this class and I know others will also.

What area of the AP Exam do you feel that you need to work on the most?

Timed writing is a major factor I need to work on for the AP Exam.

J.K Rowling Speech

Discussion Questions

1. What is one thing you would like to give back to others?
2. Can you desribe a situation in a novel we have read where one character gives back to someone else or a group of people?
3. What failure are you the most afraid of?
4.Which character in the novels we have read would you consider to be the most afraid to fail?
5. As of this moment in time, do you believe you have gave your life purpose? and if so, how?

Quotes

1. "Life is difficult, and complicated, and beyond anyone's control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes."

This is one of my favorite quotes by Rowling because she is right. There is not a way to control things life may throw at us. We have to accept it and move on with it. This relates to many novels we have read because many characters had to accept the burdens of life and push past it.

2. "It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all- in which case, you fail by default."
 - Rowling

I feel very passionate about this quote because you can not be afriad to live. You have to take chances or you'll miss out on opportunities. I would rather fail for trying then to fail by not trying at all. Atleast you have a chance at success.

3. "...raise your voice on behalf of those who have no voice..."

This is a section from a larger quote, however it grabs my attention. There are several cases in life that one must speak up for not only themselves but for others. If you have the power to stand for something then you should, because someone may feel the same way.

Looking for Alaska Novel Examination

1. The title of the novel shows a great significance because throughout the novel one of the main characters named Alaska was struggling to get out of her labyrinth. She was looking for herself while trying to escape her sufferings. After her death her friends took over her search to put the pieces together for her. Other titles that could be used for this novel would be Alaska's labyrinth or Searching for Alaska. The following titles sound very familiar to the orignial, therefore the title was well chosen.

2. The most important chapter of the novel Looking for Alaska would be the concluding one because this is when Pudge realizes everything he was missing throughout the story. He goes through something very simular to Alaska with her mother. He sets an example for everyone to let go of things we can not control. The overall meaning of the story is to move forward past all the struggles in life and use the suffering to learn more about yourself. The last chapter ties the meaning with the story completely.

3. The most important quote in the novel would be by Alaska when she says "That's the mystery, isn't it? Is the labyrinth living or dying? Which is he trying to escape- the world or the end of it?" This relates to the novel as a whole because Alaska is looking for the end of her own labyrinth. She states later on she believes the labyrinth is the suffering in the world. Some could say Alaka found the end to her labyrinth by slamming into the police cruiser. The real labyrinth was within herself.

5. The most important character would be Alaska. One can tell not only by the title of the book but by the contents within it. Alaska struggled with simular things most of the teenage generation deals with in present time. A teen is at the age to where they know what is happening around them however, they have no ability to control it. Most things in life are uncontrollable and Alaska could not accept that. She was a lesson for others, including pudge. Pudge says in the end he will forgive himself because he knows that is exactly what Alaska should have done with her mother.

8. The event of Alaska dying in a car accident is simular to the death of my grandmother. She was not drunk or driving away her sorrows however, she was killed suddenly in a metal contraption just as Alaska was. Pudge had to deal with this event and realize it was not his fault. He came to conclusions Alaska forgave him and he forgave himself. He knew he could not hold Alaska's death on his back. I am still learning to do the same with my grandmother. I thought if I would have said or done things differently, then somehow I could have changed it. Dealing with her death is my own personal suffering much like pudge's with Alaska.

14. Pudge in Looking for Alaska is very simular to the character Charlie in The Perks of being a Wallflower. They both lived in the shadows without any friends or communication with the outside world. In time both characters progress finding friends and dealing with their problems. In the ending they learned something new about themselves and who they want to become. Pudge and Charlie are both wallflowers in their own way.

2 songs from Charlie's mixtape

Nick Drake "Time of No Reply" - The lyrics relate to Charlie because the song talks about having a bunch of people in life then they all go away. Charlie had a bunch of friends and they slowly drifted apart. His friend Micheal committed suicide, his other friends grew up and found different friends. He feels alone now.

The Beatles "Dear Prudence" - The lyrics is trying to convey that one needs to come out and show the world their talents, beliefs, personality, etc. This relates to Charlie because he had a hard time opening up to the world. He likes to sit back and watch the world instead of joining.

Finishing "The Perks of Being A Wallflower"

Part A.
What is the overall meaning of "Perks of Being a Wallflower" (the Book)?
The overall meaning of the book is finding youself, and using the mishaps of life in a positive manner. One must take the cards they are dealt and build a house. In other words, take what life throws at you and make it into something positive.

Does the movie emphasize or change the overall meaning? How so?
The movie most certainly emphasizes the overall meaning by using background effects like music to give the audience a chance to become more empathetic.

Part B.

Replying to the letter written on February 23, 1992

Dear Charlie,

I have a brother around your age and I would hope he would do the same for me if I was put in that position.It is not good to lie to your parents however, under the circumstances it was very noble of you. Always be there for your sister and know deep down past the bratty teenage girl; she loves you very much. On to another important issue, smoking is a very bad habit therefore, I agree with your sister. Stop smoking! At your age there is so much more to live for than a puff of a cigarette and I hope you will realize that soon. I'm looking forward to more letters and I hope all is well outside of this incident.

Love always,
Jocelyn

My dedicated song

I would give someone anonymous, "Crash My Party" by Luke Bryan because no matter what I'll always be there for them.