CHARACTER STUDY (III)

I end up meeting all of my targets at the station. Surprisingly, this is where they all eat just like I did. I didn't know that the same people I saw everyday were my former targets. But, now that is out of the way, we all eat together and have fun. We became great friends as we talked about things for hours and hours. As we were about to leave, three men, Hingle McCringleberry, Quatro Quatro, and Sequester Migriclle M.D. came inside to the station. Since all five of us got along pretty well, we thought it would be great to add these three people to our group. So, now our group consists of myself, a Sage (Ian) , a Warrior (Danny) , a London spy (Miranda) , a Navy Seal (Eli) , Hingle McCringleberry, Quatro Quatro, and Sequester Migriclle M.D. Our group decides to head on our journey to the institute. We left the station and embarked on our journey.

CHARACTER STUDY (II)

The clean, organized young man I just described is actually packing for some undercover work. I am a secret agent/spy out to get my targets that were assigned to me. As I search for my targets, I come to find out that each target of mine was sent to target me and each other. We then join together as one force, and we set out on our journey to the secret unknown headquarters to resolve the issue of why our director has sent each one of us to kill each other.

CANTERBURY TALES (I)

*I would most likely want to read about the Parson and the Nun.

The things that really popped out are the descriptions of the Nun and the Parrdoner.

 I was surprised by how ironic Chaucer's description that the Nun wore extravagant clothing and knew many things about other people. It stood out to me because the nuns we know today are the ones who dress up in their uniforms and are very pure and solemn, but the Old English nuns seems very different to the modern day nuns. But, this Chaucer's perspective so he can describe however he wants.

Also, the description of the Pardoner sticks out to me because he is one of the church, but he does make fun of the priest and the congregation. This irks me because I guess you could be one with the church, but then make fun of the church? Chaucer's description says " Made monkeys of the priest and congregation. But still to do him justice first and last In church he was a noble ecclesiast." That description really made the Pardoner segment memorable.

CHARACTER STUDY (I)

I'll be straightforward and say that it is a challenge for me to create a fictional character of myself using in/direct characterization, but I will try my best. So here it goes...

As I prepare to embark on my journey, I pack my suitcase with tshirts, shorts, pants, the essentials, my cell phone charger, a flashlight, and my laptop (with charger). I am not sure where I am going, but I want to make sure that I am prepared. I am not fully sure if what I'm packing will even help me, but at least I will have the things that I usually use on a daily basis with me.  I'll pack paper and some pens just in case I would need that for notes or for other things. I'll also bring my headphones in case I want to just have some "me" time. I would also bring a good book to read or use my phone for reading a book. For this journey, I would also try to make sure that I am at good terms with my friends so I won't be left behind in any collaboration process we would have in the future. I want to make sure that I have everything, and that everything is in order. Hopefully this is enough for my journey.

Netvibes

My netvibes dashboard is my homepage on my web browser. Also, I have added the three most viewed websites on my lists. These websites are Dr. Preston's AP Lit Comp Blog, Mr. Rodriguez's Physics Website, and Mr. Nesper's AP Econ 2013 Blog. These three website are on the top of my first 3 columns so they would show first whenever I open my web browser. Underneath Dr. Preston's Blog is my blog. This way I can easily go directly to my blog and check and/or add on things when necessary. My fourth column consists of the things that I would use or check on a daily basis such as the weather, a calculator, and my facebook feed. I will be adding on to my dashboard when I feel it is necessary.

VOCAB #6

(VOCAB 4 + 5=6)

accolade-any award, honor, or laudatory noticeThe group of young teenagers received an accolade for assisting in the community wide event in which they would do construction work around town for those who need.
acerbity-harshness or severity, as of temper or expression

• The mother had to contain her anger and her acerbity when her kids brought the running garden hose into the house.

attrition-a wearing down or weakening of resistance, especially as a result of continuous pressure or harassment

• The young man had an attrition when he realized that bullying was not good at all.

bromide-a person who is platitudinous and boring

• The lecture about pencils was a bromide because everyone knows how to be safe with pencils.

chauvinist-a person who is aggressively and blindly patriotic, especially one devoted to military glory; a person who believes one gender is superior to the other

• The man was a chauvinist because he thought men can do all things better than women.

chronic-constant; habitual; inveterate

• The man had a chronic routine in which he would wake up, brush his teeth, and eat the same thing every single day at their respective time.

expound-to explain; interpret

• The teacher had to expound the lecture in a different way so that her students can understand the topic at a more personal level.

factionalism- of a group or clique within a larger group, party, government, organization, or the like

• The factionalism of the group brought much awkwardness to the original group because it was as if the group was made in a group.

immaculate-free from fault or flaw; free from errors

• The brand new car was in immaculate condition.

imprecation-a malediction; curse

• The old man made imprecation on the people who always walked on his grass

ineluctable-incapable of being evaded; inescapable

• Being cornered by hungry lions is ineluctable.

mercurial-animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted

• The young teen was very mercurial at the launch of the new club.

palliate-to relieve or lessen without curing; mitigate; alleviate

• We all must palliate our stress levels in order to live a healthy life.

protocol-the customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence, and etiquette

• Students must follow protocol to make sure that they will be accepted for the scholarship.

resplendent-shining brilliantly; gleaming; splendid

• The assignments from the students were surprisingly resplendent because those students really didn't care about school, but when they realized how important school will be, the finally became motivated to work.

stigmatize-to mark with a stigma or brand

• All shirts are stigmatized before distributed.

sub rosa-confidentially; secretly; privately

• The meeting that would discuss employee salaries must be done sub rosa.

vainglory-excessive elation or pride over one's own achievements, abilities, etc.; boastful vanity

• He had much vainglory when he achieved straight A's this semester.

vestige-a mark, trace, or visible evidence of something that is no longer present or in existence

• The plaque for the tree was a vestige for the one who had much influence in the community park.

volition-the act of willing, choosing, or resolving; exercise of willing

• You must have volition if you would like to make a difference in the world.

1. obsequious
1. characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: 
2. servilely compliant or deferential
3. obedient; dutiful.
• One can be obsequious when they do whatever they are asked to do or not asked to do and take initiative to get it done without expecting anything in return.
2. beatitude
1. supreme blessedness; exalted happiness.
2. ( often initial capital letter ) any of the declarations of blessedness pronounced by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
• You will be granted a beatitude if you help others without expecting anything in return. (non-religious)
3. bete noire
1. a person or thing that one particularly dislikes or dreads
• Stepping up for your friends from bullies is really a bete noire.
4. bode
1. to be an omen of; portend: The news bodes evil days for him.
2. Archaic. to announce beforehand; predict.
• Making fun of other people bodes the same treatment to you in the future.
5. dank
1. unpleasantly moist or humid; damp and, often, chilly:
• The room seemed very dank especially because there was mold and it was dark.
6. ecumenical
1. general; universal.
2. pertaining to the whole Christian church.
3. promoting or fostering Christian unity throughout the world.
4. of or pertaining to a movement (ecumenical movement)  especially among Protestant groups since the 1800s, aimed at achieving universal Christian unity and church union through international interdenominational organizations that cooperate on matters of mutual concern.
5. interreligious or interdenominational
• The two churches came together and celebrated an ecumenical service together.
7. fervid
   1. heated or vehement in spirit, enthusiasm, etc.: a fervid orator.
   2. burning; glowing; intensely hot.
   • The football team was very fervid at their games, especially the home games when all their friends are cheering them on.
8. fetid
1. having an offensive odor; stinking
• One has a fetid if they have not showered for more than 2 days.
9. gargantuan
1. gigantic; enormous; colossal
• The Washington Memorial is gargantuan.
10. heyday 
    1. the stage or period of greatest vigor, strength, success, etc.; prime
    2. Archaic. high spirits
    • The students had a heyday at the rally for the football game.
11. incubus
1. an imaginary demon or evil spirit supposed to descend upon sleeping persons, especially one fabled to have sexual intercourse with women during their sleep.
2.  a nightmare
3. something that weighs upon or oppresses one like a nightmare.
• One has an incubus when they are dealing with something terrifying.
12. infrastructure 
1. the basic, underlying framework or features of a system or organization.
2. the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area, as transportation and communication systems, power plants, and schools.
3. the military installations of a country.
• The infrastructure of this company is built on trust and communication.
13. inveigle 
    1. to entice, lure, or ensnare by flattery or artful talk or inducements (usually followed by into  )
    2. to acquire, win, or obtain by beguiling talk or methods (usually followed by from  or away  )
    • One can inveigle little kids into giving them their lunch money.
14. kudos
1. honor; glory; acclaim
• Much kudos to you for giving that great lecture on the elements of the new learning techniques.
15. lagniappe 
    1. a small gift given with a purchase to a customer, by way of compliment or for good measure; bonus.
    2. a gratuity or tip.
    3. an unexpected or indirect benefit
    • Waiters/waitresses receive lagniappes when they perform good customer service.
16. prolix 
    1. extended to great, unnecessary, or tedious length; long and wordy.
    2. (of a person) given to speaking or writing at great or tedious length.
    • His essay was a prolix because he added information that did not connect with his thesis.
17. protege
1. a person under the patronage, protection, or care of someone interested in his or her career or welfare.
• Karen was Chef Rachel's protege at the restaurant because Karen assisted Chef Rachel in every prepared meal.
18. prototype 
1. the original or model on which something is based or formed.
2. someone or something that serves to illustrate the typical qualities of a class; model; exemplar: She is the prototype of a student activist.
3. something analogous to another thing of a later period: a Renaissance prototype of our modern public housing.
4. Biology . an archetype; a primitive form regarded as the basis of a group.
• The new movie was based on a protoype of a ride for the new theme park.
19. sycophant
1. a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite
• You will be a sycophant if you just flatter people just so you can be praised for flattering people.
20. tautology 
    1. needless repetition of an idea, especially in words other than those of the immediate context, without imparting additional force or clearness, as in “widow woman.”
    2. an instance of such repetition.
    3. Logic.
    1. a compound propositional form all of whose instances are true, as “A or not A.”
    2. an instance of such a form, as “This candidate will win or will not win.”
    • Tautology is used all the time when it comes to always repeating something that isn't clear.
21. truckle
1. to submit or yield obsequiously or tamely (usually followed by to  )
• The young man was submitted to truckle when he knew he did something wrong.

Definitions are from dictionary.com! Sorry about the highlighting, the text format is not the same especially when I got the words and definitions from my past lists. The sentences are new though, but in order to achieve a uniform format, I needed to highlight everything and change the color of the text.

AP Exam: Partner Essays Feedback

I didn't realized that I forgot to press Publish for this one, but here I have provided feedback for my partner's 1987 AP Exam Essays. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Great essays by Meghan Martella!

WHAT A CHARACTER

Professor Morrie Schwartz from Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom made a pretty effective impression on me. His perspective on life and how we should cherish the moments we have with our loved ones as much as we can, really enlightened my perspective on life. His experience in life is truly cut short due to his fatal illness that he was going through. With his experience, his words about life and the meaning of life were truly powerful. Professor Morrie and Mitch alludes to the meetings they had when Mitch was still his student which pretty much describes the whole story. I feel the allusions were the many of the literary techniques that were in the book, but I know there are more.

DECLARATION OF LEARNING INDENPENCE

My goal this year is to graduate with at least a 4.0 GPA. I declare that I will do my utmost best to achieve at least a 4.0 GPA this semester and of course, at the end of this school year. I measure my progress during each grading period. I can achieve this by being diligent in my school work and always having a great attitude for school. I can also achieve this by utilizing the tools that are offered to me such as asking the teachers for help and asking my fellow classmates for some assistance. I have more than enough time to achieve this goal because there are two more grading periods for this semester, and there are three more grading periods next semester.

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Reinforcements
Timely

VOCAB #5

1. obsequious
1. characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: 
2. servilely compliant or deferential
3. obedient; dutiful.
• In order to be obsequious, one must follow whatever is being told.
2. beatitude
1. supreme blessedness; exalted happiness.
2. ( often initial capital letter ) any of the declarations of blessedness pronounced by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
• The Beatitudes from Jesus have been the basis of our youth group for many generations.
• You will be granted a beatitude if you do good towards others. (non-religious)
3. bete noire
1. a person or thing that one particularly dislikes or dreads
• The young boy dreaded a bete noire because he always gets teased by him every morning.
4. bode
1. to be an omen of; portend: The news bodes evil days for him.
2. Archaic. to announce beforehand; predict.
• The writer includes certain details so that readers can bode of what will happen next.
5. dank
1. unpleasantly moist or humid; damp and, often, chilly:
• "Don't be clubbed into dank submission." The Laughing Heart by Charles Bukowski
• The room was very dank after the water leak.
6. ecumenical
1. general; universal.
2. pertaining to the whole Christian church.
3. promoting or fostering Christian unity throughout the world.
4. of or pertaining to a movement (ecumenical movement)  especially among Protestant groups since the 1800s, aimed at achieving universal Christian unity and church union through international interdenominational organizations that cooperate on matters of mutual concern.
5. interreligious or interdenominational
• We become ecumenical when all come together.
7. fervid
   1. heated or vehement in spirit, enthusiasm, etc.: a fervid orator.
   2. burning; glowing; intensely hot.
   • The teacher was very fervid when he emphasized his points in his lecture.
8. fetid
1. having an offensive odor; stinking
• When sprayed by a skunk, you have a disgusting fetid.
9. gargantuan
1. gigantic; enormous; colossal
• The huge Roman Colosseum is gargantuan.
10. heyday 
    1. the stage or period of greatest vigor, strength, success, etc.; prime
    2. Archaic. high spirits
    • The soccer team had a heyday when they won the championship.
11. incubus
1. an imaginary demon or evil spirit supposed to descend upon sleeping persons, especially one fabled to have sexual intercourse with women during their sleep.
2.  a nightmare
3. something that weighs upon or oppresses one like a nightmare.
• People have incubuses, especially when they are really worried about something and when it shows up in their mind a lot.
12. infrastructure 
1. the basic, underlying framework or features of a system or organization.
2. the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area, as transportation and communication systems, power plants, and schools.
3. the military installations of a country.
• The infrastructure of this company is built on trust and communication.
13. inveigle 
    1. to entice, lure, or ensnare by flattery or artful talk or inducements (usually followed by into  )
    2. to acquire, win, or obtain by beguiling talk or methods (usually followed by from  or away  )
    • You can inveigle candy from a kid when you tell them that their teeth will all fall off.
14. kudos
1. honor; glory; acclaim
• Kudos to you for accomplishing that difficult calculus problem.
15. lagniappe 
    1. a small gift given with a purchase to a customer, by way of compliment or for good measure; bonus.
    2. a gratuity or tip.
    3. an unexpected or indirect benefit
    • We gave the waitress a lagniappe for superb customer service.
16. prolix 
    1. extended to great, unnecessary, or tedious length; long and wordy.
    2. (of a person) given to speaking or writing at great or tedious length.
    • The boring lecture was a prolix because it went on for more than 4 hours.
17. protege
1. a person under the patronage, protection, or care of someone interested in his or her career or welfare.
• John was Mr. Smith's protege when it comes to assisting with Mr. Smith's carpentry business.
18. prototype 
1. the original or model on which something is based or formed.
2. someone or something that serves to illustrate the typical qualities of a class; model; exemplar: She is the prototype of a student activist.
3. something analogous to another thing of a later period: a Renaissance prototype of our modern public housing.
4. Biology . an archetype; a primitive form regarded as the basis of a group.
• The small model was a prototype for the brand new ride in the theme park.
19. sycophant
1. a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite
• The young man was a sycophant when all he did was flatter other people to and be praised for doing that.
20. tautology 
    1. needless repetition of an idea, especially in words other than those of the immediate context, without imparting additional force or clearness, as in “widow woman.”
    2. an instance of such repetition.
    3. Logic.
    1. a compound propositional form all of whose instances are true, as “A or not A.”
    2. an instance of such a form, as “This candidate will win or will not win.”
    • A politician can always utilize tautology when it comes to emphasizing this and not this.
21. truckle
1. to submit or yield obsequiously or tamely (usually followed by to  )
• The young man always truckled when he knew he was wrong, and the only way he knew would make things right is if he obeys whatever his parents tell him.

(Thank you dictionary.com! You have been such a great resource!)

ALL OF THE ABOVE

I did not do very well. I thought I got many answers correct, but I didn't meet my expectations. I surprised myself pretty hard when I graded these answers. The certain kinds of questions that I got wrong are the ones that have the vocabulary I am not used to seeing or the questions that are worded differently than the ones that I am use to seeing on AP Exams. But, the ones that stick out the most are the poetry questions. I really need to study and analyze more on the styles and techniques of poetry. Another reason why I got many wrong is because I probably rushed on this test. If I took more time and paced myself, then I probably would have gotten many more correct. But, I do go much respect to Dr. Preston for getting a 3 on the exam. Other than getting the answers wrong already, I probably would not have gotten a 3 on the exam.

Literature Analysis #1

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses (exposition, inciting incident, etc.). Explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).

• The story first starts out with a man named, Marlow, who is the main character. He sets out on a ship with an organization named, The Company, which sends men to Africa. When Marlow gets there, he becomes a in charge of a ship. He soon finds his ship to be in badly need of repair. Also, when he gets to Africa he hears about the legendary Kurtz. He becomes interested about Kurtz who is greatly praised. He then sets out to find Kurtz, but he is put through many obstacles such as being attacked by natives after the thick smoke went away, being tricked by firewood which were next to a peculiar hut, and becoming in shock when his helmsman gets killed by a native. When he finds Kurtz, Marlow becomes enlightened by Kurtz findings, experiences, and information. Although Kurtz is ill, he is able to talk about many things, but when he is near death, Kurtz speaks about personal documents that Marlow would take care of when Kurtz passes away. When Kurtz passes away, Marlow then becomes ill, but when he recovers, he finds himself going to Kurtz's fiancee, a year after his death. When he gets there, Kurtz's fiancee, just questions and questions Marlow of why Kurtz left without her being there with him. She pleads and begs Marlow to say what Kurtz's last words were. When Marlow thought about it, he said that Kurtz's last words were her name, but really Kurtz's last words were "The horrow! The horror!"
• The purpose of the "Heart of Darkness" is described within the story when Marlow sets out to the country of Africa which has been under imperialism for many years. The term imperialism can sometimes even mean darkness because of the control an outside country has. The firms from these outside countries are not usually checked by the country's government which has allowed them to manage the company however they want. My "take-home" from this story is that Marlow has gone to this imperialistic business in Africa which makes his experiences,pretty much, the heart or the center of the story. With putting it together, Marlow's experiences in Africa becomes the "Heart of Darkness". I could be wrong, but that is my understanding.

2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.

• I feel the theme of this novel is that we go through many experiences in our lives, but there always will be those experiences that stick out the most. That experience can also be the one which makes us who we are today. The experiences you have will most likely affect you and your future. I say this because Marlow, the main character, goes on a voyage in Africa and sees what imperialism has done to the country. He also meets the legendary Kurtz who is very ill. But, the experiences that they had made Marlow think about what his life should be like and how it will change. 

3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).

• The author's tone, I feel, is about how the world has a desire for control.
• "You know I hate, detest, and can't bear a lie, not because I am straighter than the rest of us, but simply because it appals me. There is a taint of death, a flavour of mortality in lies- which is exactly what I hate and detest in the world- what I want to forget." Pg. 37
• "I saw him extend his short flipper of an arm for a gesture that took in the forest, the creek, the mud, the river, - seemed to beckon with a dishonouring fourish before the sunlit face of the land a treacherous appeal to the lurking death, to the hidden evil, to the profound darkness of its heart." Pg. 45
• "We could have fancied ourselves the first of men taking possession of an accursed inheritance, to be subdued at the cost of profound anguish and of excessive toil." Pg. 49

4. Describe a minimum of ten literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.)

• Symbolism- Women was a major symbol in the story and in the life of Kurtz, especially his mistress.
• " She carried her head high; her hair was done in the shape of a helmet; she had brass leggins to the knee, brasswire gauntlets to the elbow, a crimson spot on her tawny cheek, innmerable neckalces of glass beads on her neck...She must have had the value of several elephant tusks upon her...And in the hush that had falen suddenly upon the whole sorrowful land, the immense wilderness, the colossal body of the fecund and mysterious life seemed to look at her, pensive, as though it had been looking at the image of its own tenebrous and passionate soul." P. 86
• Protagonist- Marlow is the protagonist, and the story describes his love for traveling which shows why Marlow travels to Africa.
• "'Now when I was a little chap I had a passion for maps. I would look for hours at South America, or Africa, or Australia, and lose myself in all the glories of exploration. At that time there were many blank spaces on the earth, and when I saw one that looked particularly inviting on a map (but they all look that) I would put my finger on it and say, When I grow up I will go there.'" P. 9
• Antagonist: The antagonist of this story could be the natives of the country, but it is debatable since they are not used to being controlled by foreign power. It gave a feelign of the hostility the men had in the country.
• "'I could only hear the heavy splashing thump of the stern-wheel and the patter of these things...We were being shot at!...I saw a face amongst the leaves on the level with my own..'" P.62-63 
• Narrator: With narrator being Marlow, we get a better understanding of how he is making his points of the story.
• "'I had to wait in the station for ten days- an eternity.'" P.25
• Characterization: The book had parts where it the natives were characterize of how distinctive they looked.
• "'Dark human shapes could be made out in the distance, flitting indistinctly against the gloomy border of the forest, and near the river two bronze figures, leaning on tall spears, stood in the sunlight under fantastic head-dress of spotted skins, warlike and still in statuesque repose.'" P. 85
• Conflict: The conflict of this story is when the country of Africa was under imperialism for their ivory.
• "'The word 'ivory' rang in the air, was whispered, was sighed. You would think they were praying to it.'" P. 31
• Setting: The story had described a setting of what the water way was in Africa.
• "'The broadening waters flowed through a mob of wooded islands; you lost your way on that river as you would in a desert, and butted all day long against shoals, trying to find the channel, till you thought yourself bewitched and cut off for ever from everything you had once somewhere- far away - in another existence perhaps.'" P.46-47
• Theme- The theme of the "Heart of Darkness" makes what the story is truly about at the end of the story.
• "Marlow ceased, and sat apart, indistinct and silent, in the pose of a meditating Buddha...The offing was barred by a black bank of clouds, and teh tranquil waterway leading to the uttermost ends of teh earth flowed sombre under an overcast sky - seemd to lead in the heart of an immense darkness." p.110 
• Foreshadowing: When Marlow read a sign next to firewood, the reader can then foreshadow that there will be much death in the story.
• "'Wood for you. Hurry up. Approach cautiously.'" P.52
• Hamartia: Kurtz was known in being an intelligent and an enlightening man, but his illness makes him very difficult to deal with. He was once praised for being an intelligent man, but then when he got ill, people started to think that he isn't very valuable anymore.
• "'Believe me or not, his intelligence was perfectly clear...No eloquence could have been so withering to one's belief in mankind as his final burst of sincerity. He struggled with himself too. I saw it.'" P. 94

(Disclosure: I admit, it was a really hard book to grasp, but with a little bit of assistance with my friends, Danny and Taylor, and my former teacher, Mrs. Byrne, I got the many key points of the book that would help me understand the meaning more.)

VOCAB #4

accolade-any award, honor, or laudatory notice


The group of young teenagers received an accolade for helping save the community park from becoming the new highway.


acerbity-harshness or severity, as of temper or expression


The mother had to contain her anger and her acerbity when her kids spilled chocolate milk all over the car.


attrition-a wearing down or weakening of resistance, especially as a result of continuous pressure or harassment



The young couple experienced an attrition when they constantly kept fighting.


bromide-a person who is platitudinous and boring


The man was a bromide because he told the same story over and over again which caused the boredom level to rise up in the room.


chauvinist-a person who is aggressively and blindly patriotic, especially one devoted to military glory; a person who believes one gender is superior to the other


The man was a chauvinist because he thought men can do all things better than women.


chronic-constant; habitual; inveterate


The young teen had a chronic routine that he never went away from.


expound-to explain; interpret


The tutor had to expound to his student the way the math problem should be worked out.


factionalism- of a group or clique within a larger group, party, government, organization, or the like

The factionalism of the group brought much awkwardness to the original group because it was as if the group was made in a group.


immaculate-free from fault or flaw; free from errors


The brand new 80" television was in immaculate condition when we bought it.


imprecation-a malediction; curse


The witch made an imprecation on the people who messed up her front yard decorations for Halloween.


ineluctable-incapable of being evaded; inescapable


The elevator car was nearly ineluctable when the power shut off and there was no where to find an evacuation exit.


mercurial-animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted


The young teen was very mercurial in her brand new job because she was excited for being on there on her first day.


palliate-to relieve or lessen without curing; mitigate; alleviate


The woman had to find a way to palliate her headache without taking any pills.


protocol-the customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence, and etiquette


The agents must follow protocol in order to not be fined or terminated from they have done.

resplendent-shining brilliantly; gleaming; splendid


The essay was surprisingly resplendent because the student who wrote the essay never wrote with much motivation before; it is the greatest work that they have ever done so far in essays.


stigmatize-to mark with a stigma or brand


The cows had to be stigmatized so they will not be confused with the other cows of the different farm.


sub rosa-confidentially; secretly; privately


The meeting was done sub rosa because they were planning for the organization's 140th anniversary.


vainglory-excessive elation or pride over one's own achievements, abilities, etc.; boastful vanity


His parents had much vainglory when they boasted about his 5.0 GPA with everyone they saw and/or met.


vestige-a mark, trace, or visible evidence of something that is no longer present or in existence


The old man left a vestige before he died that represented his presence.


volition-the act of willing, choosing, or resolving; exercise of willing


Everyone must have volition in order to be open-minded on many things.

BEOWULF ESSAY

Compare Beowulf with a modern hero, both as characters and as symbols of the times in which both were created.  Support your thesis with at least three (3) literary techniques and three (3) textual examples that strengthen and illustrate your ideas for your readers.

Beowulf & Batman

Different people have different views on heroes. One view on heroes is that they are the ones who make difference in the world no matter of how big the good deed is. Beowulf, classified as a "classical hero" because of being in the classical story of "Beowulf", can be compared with Batman from the famous DC Comics. They both have similarities such as they both have huge reputations, they both save lives, they both are called heroes, and they both have huge egos. Both stories utilizes indirect characterization, allusions, and setting to emphasize who the characters are of each story.

Since both "Beowulf" and "Batman" are both from works of literature, both of their authors have used similar literary techniques. One literary technique that they both have used is indirect characterization. In "Batman", Bruce Wayne/Batman , the main character is depicted as the "richest man in Gotham". The author uses indirect characterization when Bruce Wayne has many rich parties and invites everyone. This allows the audience the figure out that Bruce Wayne is extremely wealthy because of the impression he gives. The author didn't really have to say what Bruce Wayne is like. The author just needed to provided scenes to characterize what Bruce Wayne is like. The author/storytellers of Beowulf have used indirect characterization as well. In the feasting hall scene, Beowulf is praised for being a great life saver to many people with the experiences Beowulf has gone through that were described in the story. This telling of experiences has prompted some indirect characterization inferences of who Beowulf is and what Beowulf is like. He has been described as one who fights, has a big reputation, and has much endurance. Indirect characterization allows the readers to use the give information to make their own perspective of the characters.

Another literary technique that both stories have is the literary technique of allusions. Allusions can be about something that happened a many, many years ago. Allusions can also be about something that happened not too long ago. In "Batman", Batman uses many allusions to his past which allows the audience to find out why he became the "Batman". An allusion he always refers back to is when he falls into a cave full of bats, but his father then came to save him which gave the words "Why do we fall, so we can learn to pick ourselves up". Batman became the one who would attempt to save the city from turmoil because of what he experienced and of what his father told him. In "Beowulf", Grendel, the antagonist, is said to be a descendant of Cain. This is a Biblical allusion because it refers back to Cain and Abel in which Cain kills Abel because he was jealous of Abel. Although Beowulf was not jealous of Grendel, Beowulf felt like Grendel was a demon or had a devilish attitude which also goes back to how Cain had a devilish attitude when he slew his own brother. Using allusions help emphasize the moral of the story to an even better extent.

A third literary technique would be the setting. The setting is one of the most important parts of the story because it shows the environment the characters are going through. The setting also foreshadows what events that will occur throughout the story. In the story of "Batman", the city of Gotham has always been shown as dark, poor, muggy. With these elements, the audience has the opportunity to foreshadow what type of events that will happen in the story such as Gotham being taken over by the notorious "Two Face", one of the antagonists of Batman. In Beowulf, the story describes the kingdom of Heoroth. The story talks about the feasting hall scene where Grendel approaches every night. From this, the audience can now understand what that part of the story is all about when the story is currently at the spot about the feasting hall. Even the tiniest detail such as setting can tell what the story is  really about or will be about.

There, simply, has to be literary techniques that will get the reader to be connected with the story. Utilizing indirect characterization gets the audience to stop, think, and analyze who the character is which will allow them to have a better connection with the characters. Utilizing allusions allows the audience to take hold of the what the moral of the story is or will be. Utilizing the literary technique of setting get the readers to be pinpointing out the tiny details that could potentially lead to the meaning of the story and the events in the story. These three literary techniques are three of the many important techniques used in literature in order to grasp the audience into finding out more about the stories that they are already partaking in.

WILL STUDY FOR FOOD

At the moment, I am still looking for great scholarships. But, anyways, I would like to have scholarship money for everything that involves with the university such as books, tuition, etc. My goal is to acquire at least $20,000 in scholarships. I would like to have many things be covered under the scholarship funds. The last thing I would like to have to do is to keep paying for an immense amount of student loan debt after I graduate. I am planning to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the future, so, I might be considering to work and study in order to help pay for the cost of my education ad the transportation to Cal Poly. Since it is such a close commute, I will be commuting from home, family's house, or friend's house to save on the money that I might spend for housing/utilities.

Vocabulary #3

apostate
— noun 

1. a person who forsakes his religion,cause, party, etc. 

— adjective 

1. of or characterized by apostasy. 

• The young man became an apostate when he joined the opposing group on campus.

effusive
— adjective 

1. unduly demonstrative; lacking reserve 
2. pouring out; overflowing 

• The effusive man just kept pouring out his thoughts even though it was his turn to talk was over 20 minutes ago.

impasse
- noun

1. a position or situation from which there is no escape; deadlock. 
2. a road or way that has no outlet; cul-de-sac. 

• The road came to an impasse when the landslide occurred and affected both ways of the road.

euphoria
-noun

1. a state of intense happiness and self-confidence
2. Psychology . a feeling of happiness, confidence, or well-being sometimes exaggerated in pathological states as mania. 

• The young kids had euphoria when they visited the Disneyland Resort for the first time.

lugubrious
-adjective

1. mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner: lugubrious songs of lost love.

• The lugubrious man was very sad when his girlfriend of three years broke up with him.

bravado
-noun

1. a pretentious, swaggering display of courage.

• The young man showed bravado when it became his turn to jump out of the plane to skydive.

consensus
-noun

1. majority of opinion: The consensus of the group was that they should meet twice a month. 
2. general agreement or concord; harmony. 

• The collaborative group made a consensus that they will work on the project without opposing views on how to do it.

dichotomy
-noun 

1. division into two parts, kinds, etc.;subdivision into halves or pairs. 
2. division into two mutually exclusive,opposed, or contradictory groups: a dichotomy between thought and action
3. Botany . a mode of branching byconstant forking, as in some stems, inveins of leaves, etc. 
4. Astronomy . the phase of the moon or of an inferior planet when half of its disk is visible. 

• The 40-person group was divided into a dichotomy of two equal-numbered groups.

constrict
-verb (used with object)

1. to draw or press in; cause to contract or shrink; compress. 
2. to slow or stop the natural course or development of 

• The 20-page essay was constricted into a 2-page essay because of the irrelevant content it had.

gothic
-adjective

1. ( usually initial capital letter ) noting or pertaining to a style of architecture, originating in France in the middle of the 12th century and existing in the western half of Europe through the middle of the 16th century, characterized by the use of the pointed arch and the ribbed vault, by the use of fine woodwork and stonework, by a progressive lightening of structure, and by the use of such features as flying buttresses, ornamental gables, crockets, and foils. 
2. ( usually initial capital letter ) pertaining to or designating the style of painting, sculpture, etc., produced between the 13th and 15th centuries, especially in northern Europe, characterized by a tendency toward realism and interest in detail. 
3. ( initial capital letter ) of or pertaining to Goths or their language. 
4. ( usually initial capital letter ) of or pertaining to the music, especially of northern Europe, of the period roughly from 1200 to 1450, including that of the Ars Antiqua, Ars Nova, and the Burgundian school. 
5. ( usually initial capital letter ) pertaining to the Middle Ages; medieval. 

• The gothic building in France attracted many people for tours.

punctilio
-noun

1. a fine point, particular, or detail, as of conduct, ceremony, or procedure. 
2. strictness or exactness in the observance of formalities or amenities. 

• The punctilio of the ceremony was that everyone must follow the agenda to experience a smooth and fun celebration.

metamorphosis-noun

1. Biology . a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly. Compare complete metamorphosis. 
2. a complete change of form, structure, or substance, as transformation by magic or witchcraft. 
3. any complete change in appearance, character, circumstances, etc. 
4. a form resulting from any such change. 
5. a type of alteration or degeneration in which tissues are changed: fatty metamorphosis of the liver. 
6. the resultant form. 

• The caterpillar underwent metamorphosis to become a beautiful butterfly.

raconteur
-noun

1. a person who is skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly.

• The old man is a raconteur due to always having a story for every experience.

sine qua non
-noun

1. an indispensable condition, element, or factor; something essential

• The sine qua non for the party is the food.

quixotic
-adjective

1. ( sometimes initial capital letter ) resembling or befitting Don Quixote. 
2. extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable. 
3. impulsive and often rashly unpredictable. 

• The quixotic accident occurred because of the traffic light turning green for both ways.

vendetta
-noun

1. a private feud in which the members of the family of a murdered person seek to avenge the murder by killing the slayer or one of the slayer's relatives, especially such vengeance as once practiced in Corsica and parts of Italy. 
2. any prolonged and bitter feud, rivalry, contention, or the like 

• The Smith family has been in a vendetta with the Johnson family because the Johnson's won the game with the Smith's by just one point.

non sequitur
-noun

1. Logic. an inference or a conclusion that does not follow from the premises. 
2. a statement containing an illogical conclusion. 

• The non sequitur is to think that the food was warmed up by the microwave even though there is no microwave to be found.

mystique
-noun

1. a framework of doctrines, ideas, beliefs, or the like, constructed around a person or object, endowing the person or object with enhanced value or profound meaning: the mystique of Poe. 
2. an aura of mystery or mystical power surrounding a particular occupation or pursuit 

• The mystique of Sherlock Holmes' findings have always made the reader eager to read more.

quagmire
-noun

1. an area of miry or boggy ground whose surface yields under the tread; a bog.
2. a situation from which extrication is very difficult: a quagmire of financial indebtedness.
3. anything soft or flabby.

• After becoming a doctor a dentist, one finds out that they are now in a financial quagmire.

parlous
-adjective

1. perilous; dangerous.
2. Obsolete . clever; shrewd.

-adverb

1. to a large extent; greatly

• Jumping off a parlous cliff can end up in a variety of ways that should not even be mentioned.

Definitions from dictionary.com Thank you dictionary.com!

WHY THIS BOOK?

I chose the Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad because I saw how many times the book was utilized in the AP tests. Many times it has appeared consecutively. Other times, it has jumped from one year to another. I also learned from my, Sophomore year Honors English teacher, Mrs. Byrne, that it is a pretty good book, and that the book is deep and has much meaning. She has said that there is much to analyze, learn, and put together in this book. She also suggested to watch "Apocalypse Now", the (1979) movie, which is pretty similar and has many connections with the book.