Friday, May 20, 2011

Why I Write


George Orwell said he wrote for many reasons such as pride, aesthetics, and history. Despite this, he claimed that politics were definitely the driving motive that produced satisfying results for him. I write to convey thoughts or messages. Even though Orwell gave four reasons that he thinks people write, I do not really see myself writing for those reasons. But, I guess if I had to choose a category, it would be most like aesthetics and historical motives. I learned about different motivations for people to write. I thought that it was interesting that he shared his journey in figuring out his motive to write and that he said that it is important to look at a writer’s life and experience with writing when figuring out his motive. Orwell presented one controversial statement in his explanation. He said, “all writers are vain, selfish, and lazy, and at the very bottom of their motives there lies a mystery.” It is the best grounds for an argument because it a personal opinion. Personal opinions can usually spark some arguments. Also, it is an offensive and collective statement.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Tolkien Quotes

"The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot forever fence it out."

"A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities." 

 -J.R.R. Tolkien


I like the first quote because it is a good reminder of reality. I think sometimes we become so absorbed with our own life that we become disconnected with what’s going on around us. Despite this, we cannot completely separate ourselves from the world and its realities. Though the second quote seems contradictory to my first quote, I like it because it is kind of like a hope, aside from Christ who is the one true hope. Dreaming and acting on your dreams allow you to change your reality and the realities of those around you. It is good to be reminded of how powerful dreams can be. 

Another J.R.R. Tolkien Link

Coronation Address and Truisms


Graves, Robert. “Coronation Address.” British Literature. Ed. Ronald A. Horton. Greenville, SC: BJU Press 2003. 713-714. Print.
MacNeice, Louis. “The Truisms.” British Literature. Ed. Ronald A. Horton. Greenville, SC: BJU Press 2003. 716-717. Print.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Response of Hope

Virginia,

Don't give up! There is still hope. There is strength in Christ. He will save you and empower you to continue to live and feel better. He will give you a purpose and joy. You have so much to share with the world and there is so much that you could do for God. There are people around you that support and care for you. Please don't feel like all is lost. There is hope for you.

Paige

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

An Araby Critique



link to video

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Kipling Short Stories

Name of the story: How the Camel got his Hump

Theme/Moral: The story teaches a lesson on the importance of working hard and the consequences of laziness.

Opinion: I thought that the story was good and interesting. The title attracted me to the story because after I read the title, I wondered about camels and their hump. So even though I know the story is not true, it was an interesting explanation and it had a good lesson. 

Kipling, Rudyard. "How the Camel Got His Hump." Read Book Online: Literature Books,novels,short Stories,fiction,non-fiction, Poems,essays,plays,Pulitzer Prize, Nobel Prize. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. <http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/914/>.

Friday, April 8, 2011

A Poem Inspired by Kipling


If you can find beauty in the world around you,
Even if it appears as though there is none
In places where everything is gray and the sky is dark.
If you can see and feel the morning sunshine,
And be joyful in a new day, despite what has happened before
Embracing the new day’s opportunities.
If you can point to God in all of life’s situations
Praising His name with unfaltering faith
Then you will be like a light to those around you.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Dicken's Stories


The wealthy Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge is a stingy and mean old man, who is visited by the spirit of his friend and business partner, Mr. Marley, and by three ghosts that show him his past, present, and future Christmases. While being transported throughout time, Scrooge's heart began to soften, as is he is shown the world around him, and the life he’s lived from a different perspective. Scrooge returns to the real world on Christmas and, with his new outlook on life, he becomes a kind and giving man, who is quick to be a help to others.

Another Summary: A Christmas Carol


"A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens." The Literature Network: Online Classic Literature, Poems, and Quotes. Essays & Summaries. Web. 07 Apr. 2011. <http://www.online-literature.com/dickens/christmascarol/>.

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on A Christmas Carol.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. n.d.. Web. 17 Mar. 2011.