http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3BxfD2JwGQ

Poetry Outloud Performances

I listened to “Danse Russe” by William Carlos Williams, read by Will Farley. I found the meaning of the poem by listening carefully and of course seeing hes presence and expressions. His tone was happy for the average of the performance, with little to no hand movements, this made his physical presence go up to a six on the chart. While the overall performance was nice points were lost because of the simplicity of the poem, or at least that's how i see it. Will's voice was clear and crisp making every word ring, overall i enjoyed it very much.

I think the poem is about a man who's in the wrong life. About the inability in our society to express ourselves in unusual ways to the point where we must hide ourselves, express the "ugly" in secret. Because of this the man is lonely, and trying to convince himself that he's happy when he really isn't. This meaning is clear after listening several times the the reciter, Will Farley. Though his performance should have shown a little hidden remorse for the sad life he lived.

Mockingbird Motif

Before reading To Kill a Mockingbird, i was still unsure of what motif was, I knew the dictionary meaning but i couldn't explain it in my own words. Now i have a much stronger understanding, maybe even find a motif in any piece of literature. Of course in To Kill a Mockingbird, there is a very meaningful motif, this motif brings the theme to the readers attention with two characters, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson.
Boo Radley is the fascination of Jem and Scout for most of their childhood. He is kept inside and out of sight from everyone at all times. This shows the theme, which is oppression, and racism. Boo does only good things to everyone but is being oppressed by his brother Nathan. I put racism into the theme because Tom Robinson is a black man being tried for rape. The case is built of false accusations and he is completely not guilty. He also like Boo is only ever nice, but the men on the jury trying him put him to death just because he is of colored skin. Though the motif and theme aren't exactly happy they are deep and make To Kill a Mockingbird and great book.

Life Lessons

My mom put me in this situation, I'm pretty sure she adopted Beth just say I'd have some one to play with. But two children mean twice the problem. Beth and I play together (as my mom hoped) but sometimes we fought. My life lesson was said many times before I heard "Walker you have to share." This particular time it was more Beth's fault then mine, we were on the plane coming back home. Before getting on the plane my aunt gave Beth and I a deck of cards. Once on the plane my mom divided the cards between us. Beth (being the troubled one) started to throw a fit. She wanted all of them. She threw such a big fit she started throwing up all over me and my mom. Mom looked at Beth and I and said "you always share it's the right thing to do."

Since being thrown up on, I've used this lesson many times. When i got to kindergarten i became very popular because i shared. I've thought about it many times, whenever i see someone on the street i feel bad when I don't have anything to give them. Sharing has been worked into my DNA i can't help it, probably because i feel when I don't share I'll be thrown up on.

Characterization: Beth

Beth, my sister, and newly found best friend is just below five-six, though her attitude and personality make her seem much bigger. Her hair is light brown with streaks of copper, a natural cause, Beth's hair matches her eyes flawlessly, which are a light green, brown color. Beth is dedicated to her art, school, and of course family, she succeeds in everything she works for. Beth doesn't want to be the most popular girl in school, but she also doesn't want to be kicked out of groups or away from her friends, so what she has done is make herself individual and amazing.

My best friend has been drawing for ever, I think a few of you have seen her work. While in school Beth is always with friends, but at home she has a chance to think and be alone, i think she enjoys this just as much as being with friends. With that said she is definitely an ambivert. I would be in a sad place without my best friend, she has been in my life forever and its going to stay that way forever.

Bloody Memories

The story I've chosen to tell is dramatic and kinda sad. Unfortunately i can't remember happy child hood memories as much as the bad ones. I was three years old and lived in Tenino. "I wanna climb higher!" I yelled, i was at the stand stone quarry. It's a bunch of gigantic blocks of stone stacked in the back of a park in Tenino.
"You can't go any higher," Lin my neighbor said.
"Then we are going under!!!" Yelled my older sister Lily. She lead Beth and I to a break between two blocks, we could get inside and pretend it was a cave!!!
Something I haven't mentioned is that the quarry was a teen hang out, and they didn't think it was cool to throw things away. And when you throw glass into bricks in makes a cool noise.
Lily lead the way and then followed Beth, when it was my turn i got on my hands and knees and prespared to crawl under. With my first step my hand landed on a broken bottle. "AHHHHHH!!! IT HURTS!!!" I screamed. Lin rushed to me and carried me across the street to my house. She explained what had happened to my mom, and she got out the needle.
We used to use needles to get glass and dirt out of deep wounds, and this was a deep wound. After much pain and crying my Mommy fixed me all up and sent me on to play. Sorry for a gross story but it's my favorite one to tell, and if you ask me in class I'll show you the big scarre.

The Invisible Man

The dominant literary element in the Invisible Man , by Ralph Ellison, is imagery. The author did this to brighten his book with great visions. Also since the protagonists image is kept mostly hiden from the reader, the author wants to make every other part of the story vivid and colorful. All this makes for a very enjoyable read.


Ralph Ellison isn't constantly using imagery though. It's mainly at the beginning of a chapter. This sets the mood and the sciene for most of the chapter. Ellison also uses fantastic imagery to discribe a character, for some character Ellison uses whole pages to create an image of someone. Without imagery this book would be dull, and seem to drone on and on, but since this is not the case The Invisible Man in interesting, and exciting.

Out Side Reading

I'm reading Ralph Ellison's "The Invisible Man." At first the book captured me, but in the pas three chapters he has been reflecting on past events. I know it's going to lead to something good, but it isnt exactly fun or interesting. If this was'nt for school i would most likely still be reading this, I like long books, and i love the thought of invisiblity.
So far the dominant element is imagery. At first i thought it was because he was invisible, but now im so confused i don't know. The images I see are dark and cold, except for a few moments when he is truly happy. It's a depressing book, but has interesting concepts, and characters.
My best guess for why Ralph Ellison is using imagery is because he wants the readers of his book to see how horrible racism was, even after slavery. There is a whole chapter of black men fighting eachother, blindfolded for money. Either way i hope the great sciences continue, i enjoying myself. This world seems more peaceful in the past.
For the first chapter the protagonist seemed happy. But then he almost became a robot, conforming to the the white man wants. It seems like torture to keep your emotions and thoughts to your self for so many years.

Writing About Reading

I've been reading for many years, so far i have no destinct patern in what type of book i like most, and how i might begin it. Most books i read are given to me. I start them late at night in the sanctity of my room. most of the time i read without any niose, so the authors ideas can flow into my head. But if I'm reading during the day, the noises of life are everywhere, in these cases i but my stereo volume on high and block out everything. When i start i book i like to read the first chapter and see if it really seems interesting enough to consume my time for the next week. If the book does not capture my curiousity I put it down for a rainy day. But if it's required for class I forge through it, every book can be interesting.
When i read somehow i forget about the words on the page, and all i see is the scene distinct in my head. i see all the colors and movment, i make up what the characters and scenary everything comes alive. That's why movies made from my favorite books arent excting or a must see kinda thing. For the most part I've always been disapointed with the actors casted for the main characters. No one can come close to the world authors can create without images, only words. But that was a very long tangent, I'll try to control myself next time.
I read fiction because nothing in our bright modern world, can come close to the worlds authirs create. I've always loved reading about knights and dragons, but when i think about living in those strange worlds, i can't help but cower. A life of fighting is' nt appealing unless it's being read about. I love having my idea of our world challenged by this fictional place that could easily dwell someone hidden by magic. And sometimes life becomes boring or challenging, a great way to find a release and forget your troubles can be waiting hidden in an authors new world.