Individual Reflection For The End Of The Year

I think my favorite lesson for this year lays beyond academics. I was blessed to learn more about myself. I discovered that it doesn't matter where you come from or what your past holds. All that matters is where you are going, and how you plan in getting there. I found out that I don't have to let my past define me. It helped me to better understand myself, and to be able to love myself more. However if you want something you made us do, I have to say I enjoyed making a video based on The Taming of The Shrew. 

My least favorite lesson from this year would probably be anything dealing with the meaning of the work as a whole. No I'm just kidding. My least favorite lesson is probably the times writings. I hate those with a passion, however, I wouldn't get rid of them. I just struggle with them, but they are crucial to the class, and to the AP test. I just hated being dishes to write. 

Academically I have learned more about writing. I know that sounds crazy, but I just feel like my writing skills have improved. I also feel like my vocabulary has expanded, as well as my understanding of literary devices. 

Here we go. Life lessons. I have learned that it's ok to cry. Actual crying really helps. I have also learned that despite what your differences are, it's ok to have them. I went at it with a few friends and then I finally realized how much I missed them. It's ok to have differences as long as you don't let them come between you. I also discovered that when it comes down to it, people are going to walk in and out of your life. Sometimes it's going to hurt. Actually most times it's going to hurt, but you can make it through it. Sometimes it's for the best. I also learned more about me in a crazy way. Like English made me question everything about me, while simultaneously giving me a better understanding of myself.

I hate being asked what to change. I think the class is great. The blogs can be a handful sometimes, but I think I would keep them. I like the reading assignments, and everything about this class. I seriously can't think of any changes. It just isn't happening.

In all honesty this was one if my favorite classes of all times, and easily my favorite English class.

A Thousand Splendid Suns LRB #4

In part four of Khaled Hosseini's, "A Thousand Splendid Suns", the story ends by having the two continue on the journey of life. Laila and Tariq live in Pakistan for a few years, and then they journey to Herat. She feels like she needs closure, and so she goes to seek it. Then she decides that she wants to go back to Kabul. So they do. Then Laila works as a teacher at the orphanage, and Tariq works to fix it. That's how the story ends.

A Thousand Splendid Suns LRB #3

In part three of Khaled Hosseini's "A Thousand Splendid Suns" Mariam and Rasheed nurse Laila back to health. He pays a guy to lie to her about Tariq being dead. So she marries him. She's pregnant with Tariq's baby. But she doesn't tell Rasheed that. Well she has a baby girl which frankly kills Rasheed. He is upset because he wants a baby boy. Then he starts to be hateful again because he thinks Laila is awful because she had a baby girl. So Laila and Mariam are finally speaking and it is all because Laila refuses to let Rasheed beat Mariam. Then Laila tells Mariam that she plans on taking the baby and running away. She begs Mariam to go with her. Mariam agrees and the two of them leave one day. That was a fail. They get busted and get sent back to Rasheed. He beats the tar out of Mariam. Then he locks Laila and Aziza, the baby, into the bedroom with no food or water. They nearly die. They are scared to death now. Eventually she has a baby boy. She is forced to put Aziza in an orphanage, and she finds out that Tariq is not dead. Well then Rasheed becomes outraged because Zalmai, who is the baby boy, tells about Tariq coming to see Laila. He is about to kill Laila, so Mariam kills him. Then Laila takes her children and runs away. Yes she goes and gets Aziza, who is Tariq'a baby. They leave and go to Pakistan. Mariam refused to go with them. Which is heartbreaking. She is executed. She died for the family that she was never able to have. Laila became the daughter she never had. That's how part three ends.

A Thousand Splendid Suns LRB #1

"A Thousand Splendid Suns", by Khaled Hosseini, is divided up into four parts. The first part of the book, labeled as part one, is told from the point of a view of the main character Mariam, and consists of the first one hundred and fifty three pages. The story starts by introducing the girl, and the author gives small bits of background history as you read more about her. Part one begins in the city of Herat, Afghanistan and then ends later in Kabul, Afghanistan. Mariam lives with her mother in a small shack of a building that is called a kolba. Her father's name is Jalil, although I prefer to call him her sperm donor. He has three other wives, however, that seems to not be enough for him. Mariam's mother Nana worked as a housekeeper for Jalil, and that is how the two met. When she began to show, the wives demanded that something be done about it. Hence how the two got to the kola. Jalil didn't want to throw her out, but he couldn't have her in his house, bringing shame to his name. That stupid name of his. It is funny because there is three of them, and now they want to be jealous. Like why? So anyway Mariam thinks the world of her father, and in her eyes he can do no wrong. Nana tries to warn her, but the poor child refuses to listen. When Mariam turns 15, she decides she wants to go to the cinema that her father owns and watch a movie. She waits and wait and waits for him, but he never comes. Then she travels from her kola, that is in the middle of the nowhere, and goes to Herat. She finds his house, and he is home, however he refuses to come out. They let Mariam sleep outside on the sidewalk and refuse to let her in. Then the next day the driver tells her that she must go home, so he takes her. When they get there Nana is hanging from a tree by a rope. She killed herself. So Mariam is forced to live with her father, who lets his wives convince him to marry her off to a man named Rasheed from Kabul. That's how she gets there. He makes her wear a burqa. She does all of the housework and cooking. He makes shoes for a living. She gets pregnant and has a miscarriage. That ends up happening like seven times. Then he gets mean because he wants a son to replace the one that he lost, and at one point in the story he makes her eat rocks, and it breaks several of her teeth. That's how part one ends.

A Thousand Splendid Suns LRB #2

"A Thousand Splendid Suns", by Khaled Hosseini, is centered in the country of Afghanistan. In the second part of the book, ranging from pages 153 to 272, the books centers around a girl by the name of Laila. Part two begins with Laila as a young girl. Her best friend Tariq is out of town, and she is worried sick about him returning safely. Then he comes back. The story continues on as the child grows older. Sometimes there is even small mentions of Mariam. However, she is not the focus right now. When Laila reaches the ago of fourteen, Tariq is sixteen, the two decide to have a secret fling. It is a romance that makes your heart skip a beat. It's so cute. They meet in alleys and sneak around. Tariq even tells Laila that he only has eyes for her. How precious! So anyway the two are doing their own little thing, but Tariq is hiding a secret from Laila. His family is leaving Kabul because of all of the fighting. When he finally tells Laila it's after the two have already made love to each other. Which is so sad. He tries to get her to go with him, but she refuses. She can't leave her father. So she stays and he leaves. The saddest thing ever. Two weeks after he leaves her mother agrees to leave. They are packing up their things, when a stray missile hits her house. It kills her father and her mother, and almost kills her. Did I mention that her mother is crazy? Well she is. Also, her brothers are dead. So anyway she gets hit by junk, and she is in rough shape. Then comes Rasheed and Mariam to the rescue. They take her in, and begin nursing her back to health. End of part two.

Questions for Inner and Outer Circle

I don't remember my original questions, so I came up with a few new ones.

Do you find it ironic that Assef considers Amir and his father traitors for leaving Afghanistan, when his parents left, and he doesn't consider them to be traitors?

Do you think that Amir and Soraya not being able to have kids is punishment for him not standing up for Hassan when he was raped?

How do you feel about Baba not being more upfront about being Hasan's father? Why do you think he didn't openly admit it?

Do you think that Ali knew that Hassan wasn't his son?

How do you feel about Hassan's mother coming back? What do you think is the significance of her returning ugly, or not as physically attractive, as she was when she left?

The Kite Runner Time Writing

1. Examine the rubric closely. What score do you deserve based on that rubric? Justify why by giving examples. 

If it was up to me, I would give myself a 5. My analysis was thinly developed, however it was on the verge of being developed. The essay contained some plot summary, however, there was some good analysis. Although the pivotal moment that was saw as the actual pivotal moment was not used, I still picked a pivotal moment and attempted to analyze it. My analysis just fell short of the bar. I understood the effect of the pivotal moment, I just didn't get the words out on the page. 

2. Read the student performance "Common errors" section. What common errors did you commit? If you were going to do this prompt over again, how would you correct these errors?

I made the mistake of using the words meaning of the work as a whole in my paper. Also I didn't just restate the prompt in my introduction, I practically wrote the entire prompt in my introduction. I didn't just throw in some of the phrases from it. I didn't use enough details. All I done was talk about the pivotal moment, not how it affected the protagonist. If I could do it over, then I would change the phrases, and reword my introduction. Also, I would try to focus on my analysis more.

3. After reading the student response examples what have you learned? Is there anything specifically you would change in your own paper?

I would change the pivotal moment that I used. I realized that my moment was pivotal, but it was not the best option. I have learned that I need to practice analyzing and not just summarizing. I also realized that I don't need to simply restate the prompt as my thesis. I need to state the prompt, but develop my own thesis. 

4. What aspect of timed writings do you feel you need the most help on? What do you suggest we do in class to help with this?

I just hate timed writing. I hate them with a passion. I can do ok picking something to write about. I just think it's the pressure of doing a timed writing. On the AP Exam I can take as much time as I want, although I know I am being timed. In class, I am being graded and it kills me. I take time to write. I have a hard time with my introduction. I hate introductions. 

Literary Response Journal From Where I left Off To The End Of The Book

Let's see. I hate how this book ended. It was ok. It was a descent ending, but I just wouldn't have wrote it that way. I didn't like that Hassan died, however, considering the events of the story it made sense. I also had this feeling like from the beginning that there were no Caldwells. Then it turned out I was right. I hated that Sohrab tried to kill himself. It made me feel so sad. Like this poor kid has been through so much already. This book was honestly a wake up call to what those people have been through. I never realized that this stuff actually went on. I knew it did, I just had never had it put so bluntly in front of my face. It's an entirely different culture. I thought it was ironic that Hassan had a harelip, which marked him for greatness. Then Amir gets a harelip fighting with Assef. I think that it is his price to pay though. I don't know if that makes any sense or not. I just feel like he is finally redeeming himself, and paying that price. It makes me think of jesus. I know that sounds crazy. Amir didn't die and Jesus did. Amir also sinned and jesus didn't. Amir is paying for his sins and the sins of his father just like jesus paid for our sins. This book also does a biblical reference to the story of david and goliath. Assef is goliath. Amir is david. At the point where the the two fight for Sohrab, I feel like this is the major turning point in the story. The dream that Amir had was a key point. Like at first he thought that Baba was wrestling a bear, but it was actually himself. This is important because the bear is like their sins. Baba had to battle his sins, and now Amir is battling his. They had to wrestle their bears. There are so many differences in the book and the movie. I'm just not even going there. I do like this book though. It is up there with Looking For Alaska and The Fault In Our Stars.

Literary Response Journal Number 3 The Kite Runner Page 165 March 17 2014

During the next several pages of The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, I have come to have an extreme hatred for Amir. His father is sick and dying, and what does he do, he asks his father to go see the General and ask for his daughters hand in marriage. I guess I skipped a little far though. I could talk about how Amir and his father fled Afghanistan after the Russians took over. They hid out on a bus with a bunch of other Afghans. Then Amir's father almost got himself killed by standing up and protecting an Afghan woman. After the bus reached it's destination, they came in contact with a another set of Afghans who were fleeing the country. Amir saw Kamal, Assef's friend. After hiding in the gas tank of a gas truck when they got out of the truck Kamal died. I think it served him right because he helped Assef rape Hassan. Kamal's father was so devastated that he shot himself. Crazy right. I think so too. If he only knew what a pig his son was. I guess he would still love him though. Which I think is crazy, but I don't have kids, so I suppose I can't fully understand. Anyway after fleeing the country, Amir and his father came to America. When they got to America, Amir's father started working at a gas station. Then Amir graduated high school at the age of like 20. Then he enrolled in Junior College classes. They sold the Buick. They bought a Volkswagen van. The two started to participate in flea markets. The night of Amir's graduation, his father took them to a bar, and bought drink for everybody there that night. He started a party. That was the night that Amir was given a grand torino by his father for a graduation present. When the two got home, his father made a remark about Hassan being with them, which totally killed Amir. Amir is a completely selfish bastard by the way. I'm going back to his father dying, and him wanting his father to secure his marriage. It kills me. He is such an ass. I can relate to Amir's struggle with losing his father. He is struggling with it, and it is causing him pain. He is hurting and trying to deal with it the best he can. I can relate to that because I have felt the same way before.

Literary Response Journal The Kite Runner Thursday 3/13/14 Page 109

In the novel The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, Amir and Hassan are on the adventures of a lifetime. They are growing up. Life is a wild ride. As I continued to read to page 109, I began to realize that I had a hatred for Amir. He is such a lucky kid. I understand that he struggles with the relationship with his father. It's rough. I have been there, but come on. He is punishing Hassan for no reason, and poor Hassan has already been through so much. At one point in the story Amir looks at his father and says, "Baba, have you ever thought about getting new servants." He literally wants to get rid of Hassan. Then he asks Hassan to go with him to the top of the hill, and he tells Hassan that he has a story to read to him. Instead of reading to the eager Hassan, he pelts him with pomegranates. The poor child just stands there. Defenseless. Amir's father threw him the best birthday party that could have ever been asked for. Amir believes that it is solely because he won the kite tournament, and he may be right. Assef brought Amir a copy of the biography of Hitler. Talk about gross. Amir received a new watch from his father, as well as envelopes of money from various guests. He plants the money and the watch under Hassan's mattress, and then tells his father. Poor Hassan is being accused of stealing, and when he is asked about it, he says that he did it when he didn't. Ali says that he is leaving, and Amir believes that Hassan told Ali about everything, and he also believes that Hassan knows he witnessed what happened. I hope he feels like complete scum. He deserves it. The work uses elements of literature such as foreshadowing. Hassan was asked if he would dirt for Amir, and Hassan replied yes, but he also asked Amir if he would ask him to eat dirt. Later though Hassan ate dirt for Amir when Assef raped him. Amir done all of these things out of his quest to redeem his self in the eyes of his father. Chapters from How To Read Literature Like A Professor relate to the story. There are bible references, so the bible chapter relates. The violence chapter would relate. I think that the quest chapter would relate because I think Amir is on a quest to redeem himself in the eyes of his father. I am trying to decide whether or not Amir is a static or dynamic character. I feel like he could be both. I think that it would be easier to decide when I finish the book.

First Literary Response Journal 3/11 Page 80

During the first forty pages of The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, the author introduces the main characters of the story. Their names are Amir and Hassan. They are two boys that are closet to each other in not only just their ages, but also their personalities. As you approach page 80 in the book, you come to gain a little insight to the name of the book. In Afghanistan kite flying is a hobby. Amir and Hassan always fly kites every year in the competition, and the fallen kites are always prizes. The children who chases after the falling kites are referred to as kite runners, and Hassan is known as the best kite runner of them all. Amir himself even acknowledges Hassan's talent on page 52 when he says, "But Hassan was by far the greatest kite runner I'd ever seen. It was downright eerie the way he always got to the spot the kite would land before the kite did, as if he had some sort of inner compass." Amir is a privileged kid. He comes from a wealthy family, and for him to say the this about Hassan, I believe it must be true. Plus he tells the story of Hassan running a kite, and he sat down and waited. Then he saw the kite start to fall, and he took a few steps and opened his arms, and the kite fell into them. This story seems to be revolving around the two boys, but I believe that it is going to focus on Hassan. Maybe not directly on him, but indirectly. I feel like after reading about Hassan being raped by Assef, that's going to be the central conflict through the story. Amir struggles with his guilt. He knows that he should have stepped in, or at least when and got help. Instead he done nothing, and the guilt of his decision is causing internal conflict. So, that's why I feel like this story is going to indirectly revolve around Hassan. I think that because the author grew up in Afghanistan, he is able to easily write about it. It's not that it is easy for him. He is just so knowledgable about the culture and the people, that he is able to write in detail. He writes in such great detail that it makes it seem so much more real to me than most books normally do. This book makes me realize how real everything is that goes on over there, and that even though this is a fictional story the events that take place are real. I struggle with the names of food or other household items. I don't know if I am pronouncing them correctly, and there are times when I question what they are. However I like that they are in the story because it relates to the author's heritage. So far, I am loving this book. I just want to keep reading it.

The Taming of The Shrew Act Five

1.

Analyze Kate's final speech. Is she sincere or ironic? Should we take her at her word? Or should we imagine a gap between what she says and what she means? Does the context of her words change their meanings? What are different possibilities in performing this scene? To much disappointment Katherine is being sincere when she gives this speech. I feel like she has been broken, and is tired of being starved. So,  I feel like now this submissive side of her has come out as yet another defense mechanism. She is being submissive, so that she can survive. She tells them what she knows her husband wants her to say, and  I think that she is speaking sincerely, and means that she should do what they say. I think that she done this as a sign of her taming, so that way her husband would maybe treat her better. If I was her, I would be murdering him in his sleep, or counting down the days until he died.

2.

What happens to the power dynamics in this scene–between men and men, women and women, men and women? In the beginning Baptista has all of the power, but in the end Lucentio has the power. Bianca has the power in the beginning of the play. At the end of the play, Katherine has all of the power because she appears to be the better sister.

The Taming of The Shrew Act Four

Act 4 (due Tuesday)

1.

How is Petruchio's masculinity represented? Examine his treatment of servants, Kate, etc.

2.

He barks out orders. He constantly demands things, and orders his servants around. He beats on his servants as if they are no more than rag dolls.  Many critics mark the sun/moon scene in the road to Padua (scene 5) as the turning point in the play which indicates Kate's taming. What is different about this scene? If she is tamed, what is she submitting to? Is it really a "submission," or can it be interpreted in other ways? Petruchio is talking about the sun, but he calls it the moon. Katherine goes to correct him, and says that it is actually the sun and not the moon. Then, he calls her out and humiliates her by saying that if he wants to call it the moon, then it is the moon. She agrees to call it whatever he wishes, so that she does not upset him. This is odd because this is not Katherine. So, this is really signs of her being tamed. She I don't know if she is tamed or not. I almost think that she is agreeing just so she doesn't have to deal with her husband. I mean if she is submitting I don't know what she would be submitting to other than a life of slavery. That's how she is being treated. It's awful. I don't know if I think that it is submission. I think it is her picking her battles. It may be submission though so that she can avoid arguments.

The Taming of The Shrew Act Two and Act Three

Acts 2&3 (due Monday) 1. How does Petruchio "tame" Kate? Consider how he seems to define their roles.  In order to 'tame' Katherine, if you can really call it taming, is to simply talk to her. People are always putting her down, and being negative, so he walks in and talks to her nicely, and compliments her. He is feeling her with sweet nothings. She feels bad for being the older sister, and not being married, or having any suitors. So, she built up this wall of defense, and so people put her down. Her bitter attitude is really just a defense mechanism. Really though this makes Kate feel good because he is being so nice to her, despite knowing what others call her. When he talks about marrying her, and that they should be wed on Sunday, she doesn't argue. She is probably really happy because she feels that somebody actually loves her. He takes charge and defines the role that a male held in that time. He is authoritative. She for the first time actually does what she is expected to do, and agrees with the marriage, and goes along with it.  2. 3. 4. How does Katherine act in the scenes where she says little or nothing? For example, in Act 2, scene 1, how does Katherine behave when Petruchio reports on his success in wooing Kate and in their plans for marriage? Because the text provides little explanation, you must decide how she would act based on your interpretation of her character from previous scenes. She acts very much like she is expected to act. She keeps her mouth shut. It is out of character for her though, which takes me by surprise. The thing that really stood out, was when the announcement of the two to be wed on Sunday came out, and she didn't object. From the way she has acted, I would expect her to object without giving a second thought to it, if she really didn't want to get married. Imagine viewing this play in the Elizabethan era. Identify 4 moments of comedy. One moment of comedy would be when you see the page dressed up as a women. Another would be when the Lord wants to play a prank on the drunk man Sly. Petrucio dressing like a not so hot hot mess for his own wedding would be another moment of comedy. Pertuchio unveiling his master plan for winning Katherine would be a fourth moment of comedy. Disguise is a major theme in TotS. What famous Bible story involves deceit and disguise?  One major story of disguise in the Bible is the story of Esau and Jacob. Issac was blind and he was old. He knew that he was about to die, so he told his wife to send him his son Esau, who was the eldest of the two sons. He was going to bestow upon Esau his blessing, his natural birthright as the eldest, was to receive everything that was his fathers, or everything that his father saw fit for him to have. Their mother did not want Esau to receive the blessing, so she disguised Jacob, by putting hair on his arms. She prepared her husbands favorite foo. Then, she sent Jacob in. He talked like his brother, and acted like him, and tricked his father into giving him his brother's birthright. Thus deceiving his father and his brother.

The Taming of The Shrew: Induction and Act One

In particular, we will examine Taming of the Shrew and how it relates to gender, family, and class.

Notes

Induction:

This is the only Shakespeare play that has an induction. The main thing to note here is that The Taming of the Shrew is a play within a play. They are producing this play in front of Christopher Sly (who they convinced is a Lord).

Act I Points of Interest:

• Dowry: The money, goods, estate that a wife brings to her husband upon marriage
• In this culture the eldest daughter must wed first, then the youngest. Women were not allowed to hold jobs and they depended on a man for survival. In order to guarantee that all children were secure and taken care of, a Father would refuse to marry younger daughters off until older ones were first married. This ensured that everyone in the family had a match.
• Katherine is a Shrew. Ill tempered and full of rage.
• Bianca is a mild mannered young lady who has Germio and Hortensio both competing for her affection. However, she cannot marry until Katherine is first married. 

Questions

Induction and Act 1

Describe each character:

• Katherine-Bold, freely spoken, determined, referred to as the shrew
• Bianca-younger sister of katherine, beautiful, modest
• Gremio-older man who seeks bianca's hand in marriage
• Hortensio-younger than gremio, seeks to marry Bianca
• Petruchio-foolish, wealthy, seeks Katherine's hand in marriage
• Lucentio-Noble, wealthy, seeking an adventure, he wants to marry Bianca
• Compare Katherine and Bianca to modern day people

Katherine and Bianca I don't know that they put me in mind of two sisters. They do put me in mind of people in general though. I know it sounds corny, but I think very much of my friend Chelsey, when I read of Bianca. She is gorgeous, modest, beautiful in every way possible. She is highly sought after, and could have any guy she wants, and so I relate the two. As for Katherine, I like to think I am like her. I am determined, and I am called bitter, and many other names. I speak what is on my mind, and I try to tell it like it is. I just think that I relate to this character.

1.

The Induction portrays role-playing. Who acts the part of whom? Why? How does such role-playing address issues of gender and class? What effects might these representations have on the play? Sly is playing the role of a lord. There are servants in the story and the page is used to pretend to be his wife. She is viewed as a sex object though. You can tell that the actual lord has money because he has servants, and is obviously of the upper class. Women are obviously not regarded with much respect. I think it sets the time of the play.

2.

From the outset, we learn from Bianca's suitors that Katherine is the less desirable of the two sisters. Examine and question this claim. How are Biance and Katherine different? What makes Katherine rather than Bianca the shrew? They view her as less desirable because she is older, and she is freely spoken. She speaks what is on her mind, and that is a trait that is not viewed positively in this time period. Because of these traits she is viewed as undesirable and as a shrew.

Othello Movie Review

Ugh Katie I am wracking my brain for ideas to write about. I thought about doing a high school rewrite, but I feel like that would be cliché because the movie "O" was high school based. So, now I am thinking of what to do. So, I am just going to keep talking to myself, and pretend like you are there. Maybe I will tweet you. I tweeted you. Now to wait for a response. I am just trying to think. I know the rewrite has to be based on Othello. It's like I said, I don't want to do a high school setting. Those are already popular as it is. I would like to do something different, if I could just think of something. I swear I feel like I could write a brilliant story. Let's think. I don't know. I swear you better not judge me because when you read this you will die. Like you may see an entirely new side of me. It's an ugly side. I mean it's evil. It is not pleasant. So, I am still brain storming a topic, and I am having no such luck. What to write about? Let's see. I was thinking about writing something to do with school, but not like high school. I was thinking college related, but I feel like there are enough rewrites with stuff like that. So, let's think. I wish I could come up with something that wouldn't change the ages too much. What if I wrote something army related? I would feel bad though if I wrote something about soldiers killing other soldiers, but it happens right? I mean their are t.v shows where soldiers kill other soldiers, so would it technically be so bad if I based it on the army? I just feel like if I done it that way it would be controversial, but let's face it Othello in general is going to be controversial.


Cast:
Othello- Owen
Iago- Ian
Roderigo- Roger
Emilia- Emily
Desdemona- Destiny
Michael Cassio- Mike
Bianca- Bianca
Minor Characters- which are of no concern to me quiet honestly



Setting: Fort Stewart, Georgia
             Afghanistan


I would change it so that the characters were in Afghanistan, and they were fighting. Owen is the general, and Iago, Roger, and Mike are all soldiers under his command. Owen is a Major General, and he is going to recommend who is to be the Lieutenant General, which is second in command. Ian saved Owen's life, yet when they get back home, and the award/ promotion is given, Mike is the recipient. This is what outrages Ian, and causes him to go on his downward spiral.

Roger obviously will love Destiny.
Owen will obviously be black.
I would try to keep the ages as close to the same as possible.

After they get back from the war, and they begin their leave, Mike, Ian, and Owen decide to go out one night. While they were out, they encounter Destiny and her friend Emily. They are out at the movies, and this is where Destiny first meets Owen. He asks if he can take her out sometime. She agrees. The two continue to see each other for the three months that Owen and his soldiers are on leave. Owen decides to propose to Destiny, but this is a bad idea seeing as it is the first time he is set to meet Destiny's dad. When he gets there, her dad doesn't know that Owen is black, and he is clearly unhappy about it. He doesn't hold his tongue about how he feels either. So, then while they are eating, Owen decides to reveal his feelings of love for Destiny, and ask her father for permission to marry his daughter. He then gets down on one knee, and proposes. Well, this sets Destiny's father over the edge, and he has a heart attack. Destiny says yes anyway, and on the day that the two get married, her father dies of heart failure. As a sign of his love on the day that Owen leaves to return to Afghanistan, he gives to destiny his medal that he received for good conduct. It is a red and white ribbon with a medal on the end of the ribbon.

So, while they are gone on leave yet again, Mike gets into trouble with some of the other soldiers while he is drunk, courtesy of Ian. So, he is forced to return home. While he is preparing to leave, Ian tells Mike to speak to Destiny, and to have her tell him to speak on behalf of Mike, and give him his title back. He says that Owen will not refrain from listening to her. This entire time Roger is killing Ian by aggravating him with questions demanding to know when he is going to get to be with Destiny. So, while Mike is back home Ian decides to take advantage of this, and to turn Owen against Mike and Destiny. So he begins to tell him one night of his suspicions while they are on guard duty, and it is just the two of them. While they are watching for god only knows what, Ian says that he is curious about how Destiny is doing. Owen replies that she is good, and that every time he talks to her she brings up Mike. He then says that he is considering reinstating Mike. That's when Ian seems to sound disappointed and like he is holding something back. So, finally he says that he just isn't sure about Destiny being by herself with Mike back home, and he has heard from Mike, and he talks about this girl, and the things that they do. He calls her a sex maniac, etc. This begins to start the downward spiral of Owen.

Finally they get to go back home for leave. When they get back, Owen demands to see the medal that he gave to Destiny. She shows it to him, and it is while she shows it to him, that she drops it, and Emily takes it, and gives it to Ian. Ian then gives it to Mike, and tells him to give it to Bianca, who is actually the whore that he is involved with. So, he does. Ian continues to plan his psycho plan of bringing Owen down. That night Owen and Destiny consecrate their marriage for the first time. Note that Owen is going to be older like Othello is from the play, and Destiny will be young like Desdemona. The next day, Ian decides that it is time for him to really kick things into gear. Owen is visiting Ian, and telling him about how things with Destiny went, and how he can't bear the thoughts of her cheating on him. Then Mike comes to see Ian, and that is when Owen hides, and Ian convinces Mike to tell him about his dinner plans with Bianca, and how had given her the medal earlier, and now he was hoping to see some action tonight from her. He never refers to her as Bianca though, but rather as a whore. So, then this outrages Owen, and he decides that tonight will be the night that he kills Mike and Destiny. He cannot bear anymore. So, Ian convinces him to let him take care of Mike.

Later that night, when Mike is coming back from dinner with Bianca, Roger is hiding waiting to attack Mike. So as Mike walks by, Roger attacks him from behind, and the Mike overcomes him. Seeing as he can't identify his attacker because he is wearing a mask the two struggle for what would seem to be forever, but was really just a few seconds. By this time, Ian realizes that if you want to get the job done, you must do it yourself, so he takes his gun, and shoots Mike in the leg. By this time though, Mike had already taken his gun, and shot Roger in the chest. It would prove to be fatal if given the time. By this time though people are showing up because they heard the gunshots, and so Ian removes Roger's mask,  so that they could see who the attacker was. Mike is unconscious from blood loss. Ian hurries and hides, and then comes running, claiming that he came running the moment he heard the shots. Then when he realizes that it is Roger who "attacked" Mike, he shoots him in front of everybody. He calls him a traitor and says that he would have been charged with treason, and he would have got the exact same thing either way. Then he calls for help for Mike. He really shot Roger so that way he couldn't talk, and tell on him.

Meanwhile, Owen is visiting Destiny who is by this time in her room, alone. She is sleeping when Owen comes in. It is already late, and with the way he had been acting she didn't know if he would be  coming to join her or not, so she went on to sleep without him. He comes in, and while he is in there, he becomes outraged, and he begins to choke her. She of course wakes up, and while he is choking her, Emily comes to the door. Then after Owen thought that she was dead, he opens the door to see what Emily needs. She sees her friends, and asked what happened. Owen says he has no idea that he just got there. Then Destiny wakes up and says that she was attached by a white man wearing a mask. Emily says this is awful we must do something. Owen confesses Then Emily goes psycho, and at this point in time, Ian shows up, to bring the news about Mike. This is when Emily reveals her stealing the medal for Ian. Ian who still has the gun from earlier kills her. Then he is arrested, and due to be charged with as many crimes as possible. Owen is about to be arrested when all of a sudden, he lurches for the gun that has been seized from Ian. When he gets it, he points it at everybody, makes his speech about being fooled by a white man, and then shoots himself.


The End.

Othello Act Five

1. At the end of this scene we witness the murder of several characters. Did this ending satisfy you? Why or why not?

Define satisfied Katie!!!!!! Was I pleased? No. Was I displeased? No. I really dislike this story though because I feel like some justice wasn't served, and like more characters died than necessary. Yet, I am glad that Cassio was proved innocent, and Iago is going to be tortured. Does that make me a cruel human being? Ahhh, who cares. He deserves it. I feel like this ending was stupid. I honestly hate this story. Like it was so messed up. I think it is a Shakespeare thing. I don't know I feel like bluhh about the ending of this story. It just is what it is, nothing more and nothing less.

2. This play is considered to be one of the greatest tragedies of all time. Why is it so tragic (avoid the answer: they all died).

It's considered tragic??? What?!?!?! It's tragic that we have to read it!!!! Who writes this kind of stuff???? Seriously. If you ask me it is not a tragedy, it is just what happens when Shakespeare was high and writing. If everybody else wants to consider it a tragedy then I guess I will write about how "tragic" it is-even though it is not tragic. I don't care if I didn't use the dash right Katie. I don't need to know how to English, just how to stick my hand up a cow's butt. If I had to pick a reason why it was tragic, I would say because of the fact that a manipulative and evil person can ruin the lives of innocent people who didn't deserve it. Iago was a jerk. He ruined the lives of countless people, whether by his own doing or as a consequence of his actions. That would be my reason for it being "tragic". 

3. What does the handkerchief symbolize?

I think the handkerchief is a symbol of love. It was Othello's first give to his lover, Desdemona. It symbolizes love to Desdemona and to Othello. Othello also uses it as a symbol for faithfulness and devotion. He believed if she did not have it then she was cheating on him. 

4. Examine Othello's last words. What do these words show us about him?

He is dumb. He is noble. Yet so dumb. He wants the world to learn from his mistakes, and he wants them to know what happened. Yet, he chose a cowards way out of life. I know I don't have much room to talk, but what I tried to do was cowardly too. He ran from his problems and the consequences of his actions rather than facing them head-on. 

Othello Act Four

1. In Act 4 we learn the character of Desdemona. Choose two quotes that you believe best illustrate her character. 

DESDEMONA

Quote 1:I swear to God you’re accusing me wrongly!

Quote 2:Oh God, Iago, what can I do to win my husband back again? Please go to him, my friend. I swear I have no idea why he stopped loving me. Here I’m kneeling to swear that if I ever did anything to destroy his love for me, either by thoughts or actions, or if I ever took pleasure in anyone else, or if I never did love him, or don’t love him now—even though he tries to shake me off—then I hope I have a life of misery! Unkindness is powerful, and his unkindness may kill me, but it’ll never destroy my love. I can’t say “whore.” It makes me sick to say the word even now. I wouldn’t do the thing that would make me a whore for all the money in the world.

These two quotes illustrate her character because she is defensive, and knows that she did not have an affair on her beloved. She is determined to have her husband believe her. She is foolish though without realizing it. Nobody knows that Iago is behind all of this, but she goes to hime for help. She is desperate for her husband to know that she is not having an affair. So I admire her for being bold enough to stand up for herself, and try to convince her husband. Yet if I was her I would just be like well I don't care if you believe me or not, and if that is how you feel then we are done. 

2. How is Othello changing in Act 4? What is the effect of his public humiliation of Desdemona by slapping her?

He is becoming consumed with jealousy. He is outraged with the thoughts of cheating on him. He is becoming angry and bitter. He is no longer the calm and collected person that he was at the beginning of the play. 

3. At the end of Act 4 we get a glimpse into the private world of women. How does Shakespeare portray this world?

He portrays two women talking. Desdemona and Emilia. It is similar to two best friends talking if you ask me. They are talking about their problems, and the things going on in life. It it as Desdemona is going to bed, and Emilia is there with her. It is a private conversation with the two. He portrays it by talking about the way women think and what they say and do. He talks about how women learn form men. 

4. Analyze "The Willow Song". What is the literal meaning of this song? What does this song symbolize?

The song symbolizes pain and desperation. Not only that but it also symbolizes fear. Desdemona's fear of what is going to happen to her. The literal meaning of the song is unclear to me. I'm not really sure what it means, but I have a feeling it is not good. 

Othello Act Three

1. What is a tragic flaw? What do you believe is Othello's tragic flaw? What is your tragic flaw? Explain.

A tragic flaw is a characteristic of a person that if taken advantage of could cause them extreme emotional and possibly even physical damage. Othello's tragic flaw is that he is naive, and he will listen to anything. He is easily manipulated because of how naive he is. My tragic flaw is that I am a prideful person. This pride makes me hold grudges, and often time it causes me to make stupid decisions.

2. Below is the Shakespearean and modern version of Othello. Examine the quote about a good reputation. What does Iago mean through this quote? How valuable do you believe a reputation is? What is your reputation? What kind of name do you have amongst others? 

"A good reputation is the most valuable thing we have—men and women alike. If you steal my money, you’re just stealing trash. It’s something, it’s nothing: it’s yours, it’s mine, and it’ll belong to thousands more. But if you steal my reputation, you’re robbing me of something that doesn’t make you richer, but makes me much poorer."

"Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,

Is the immediate jewel of their souls.

Who steals my purse steals trash. 'Tis something, nothing:

'Twas mine, ’tis his, and has been slave to thousands.

But he that filches from me my good name

Robs me of that which not enriches him

And makes me poor indeed."

He means that every person has a reputation to others. This reputation is what describes who we are, regardless of whether it is true or not. He is just telling the truth in this quote. Nobody else can own your reputation, but if they trash it and destroy it, then they haven't helped themselves, but they have hurt you. I hate reputations, but they are "valuable". Society places too much on reputations. I think that sometimes they can be important, but you ought now judge too heavily on a reputation because you don't know if it is true. I don't know what my reputation is to be exact. I can't read other peoples minds. I know how I act and what I say,  and I know that sometimes people don't always see you for how you are. There are misconceptions. I know that I have made numerous mistakes in my lifetime, and they are mistakes that will live with me forever. To some people that is all they see is the mistakes. To others they see the better side of me. My positive attributes. I am known as a pure bitch to some people, and to others I am as nice as they come. That is a misconception though because there are plenty of people out there that are nicer than myself. My reputation depends on our past relationship, or what somebody has heard about me. Somebody who has heard nothing but bad things about me will say I have a bad reputation. Others who have heard good things will say I have a good reputation. I know who I am, and what I stand for. I know the mistakes I have made, and the things that I have said. Ultimately I would like to think I have a positive reputation, however, I know that this is probably not true. There are people who think poorly of me. I work everyday to better myself, and to make my life better, and to live the life that is best for me.

3. Connect this quote to another film/movie/book or to your own personal life. 

Ideas can be like poisons. At first they hardly even taste bad, but once they get into your blood they start burning like hot lava.

Dangerous conceits are in their natures poisons

Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,

But with a little act upon the blood

Burn like the mines of sulfur.

 I can relate this to my life easily because it is the story of my life. There are moments in my life that have made me into who I am today. There are things in my life that I have struggled with. I used to think so negatively about myself. I used to be able to dismiss it, but then it grew harder to blow it off. It got to the point where I felt so depressed all of the time. One day the thought of suicide popped into my head. I told myself that I was crazy, and that I couldn't do that. I just dismissed it. I done this several times, until it became harder and harder. Finally I decided I would try. So I did. Obviously and thankfully I was not successful because I wouldn't be as strong as I am and I wouldn't be as lucky as I am, or as privileged as I am had it not been for the fact that I failed. The thought of suicide was nothing to me at first, but then it kept popping back in my head over and over.

Othello Act Two

so·lil·o·quy

  [suh-lil-uh-kwee]  

noun, plural so·lil·o·quies.

1.

an utterance or discourse by a person who is talking to himself or herself or is disregardful of oroblivious to any hearers present (often used as a device in drama to disclose a character's innermostthoughts): Hamlet's soliloquy begins with “To be or not to be.”

2.

the act of talking while or as if alone.

1. Choose one of Iago's soliloquies (end 2.1 or end 2.3) and thoroughly analyze it.

As you analyze think about the following questions:

1. What is Iago saying?

2. Figurative language?

3. How is his rhetoric? His tone?

4. What is he revealing? Revealing about himself?

IAGO-2.1

I think Cassio really does love her, and it’s perfectly likely that she loves him too. I can’t stand the Moor, but I have to admit that he’s a reliable, loving, and good-natured man. He’d probably be a good husband to Desdemona. I love her too, not simply out of lust, but also to feed my revenge. I have a feeling the Moor slept with my wife. That thought keeps gnawing at me, eating me up inside. I won’t be satisfied until I get even with him, wife for wife. If I can’t do that, I can at least make the Moor so jealous that he can’t think straight. If that piece of Venetian trash Roderigo can do what I need to carry out my plan, I’ll have power over Cassio. I’ll say bad things about him to the Moor. I have a feeling Cassio seduced my wife as well. I’ll make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me, even though the joke will be on him the whole time. I’ve got a good plan, though I haven’t worked out the details yet. You can never see the end of an evil plan until the moment comes.

In this soliloquy Iago begins to reveal his innermost thoughts. He speaks of his hatred for the Moor, and how he plans to enact revenge upon him. He goes about justifying his actions though. He says that he cannot stand the Moor,and he feels as if he slept with is wife. He wants to make the man suffer because he has  a suspicion. Yet, he has no evidence, so where does he get his motive? He seeks revenge. It is something he needs. He also contradicts himself by speaking of his dislike of Othello, and then talking about how admirable he is, and the positive qualities he has. His real identity is coming out as a thief and a rat. A true villain. He is lying to everybody, deceiving them. He is playing everybody as pawns in his game, using them to his greater advantage.  He is revealing his true inner nature, and intentions. He is playing on the old law and eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, when he says a wife for a wife. His tone and demeanor are angry, and he is consumed with vengeance.


2. In Act Two Iago launches his plan to destroy Othello. What is his motive? Jealousy? Racism? Is he opportunistic? A sociopath? All of the above? None of the above? Use textual support.

His motive is revenge and anger. He is outraged at the thought of Othello sleeping with his wife. Then he is infuriated because he is a slave, and he feels that he has been robbed. Robbed of his dignity, and robbed of second in command. A title that he feels he deserved. He just feels cheated. This drives his quest for revenge. He  is a sociopath. When he talks to himself, he reveals his true intentions. To be able to carry this plan out, you would have to be a sociopath. He hides all of his inner emotions. He doesn't let anybody see his true thoughts or feelings.

3. Choose another character that reminds you of Iago. Explain.

Iago from Aladdin is similar to Iago. So is Jafar from Aladdin. Jafar plays as consultant to the Sultan, just as Iago plays consultant to Othello. They are both manipulative, and influence the other so that they can achieve what they want. They also manipulate Aladdin. Nobody would ever expect them to be deceiving, yet in both stories the audience knows different.

4. Create two discussion questions from Act 2 that you would like to discuss with the class.

Now what do you think of Iago?

Do you sympathize with Othello, or do you still resent him for marrying Desdemona? 

Othello Act One

1. What conflicts do you already see beginning to emerge? Choose two quotes from Act I that expose these conflicts. Explain why each quote is significant and what it reveals about the characters. 

It is already apparent that there is conflicts between Iago and The Moor. Now there are conflicts with Othello (The Moor) and his father in law. 

Barbantio: You evil thief, where have you hidden my daughter? You devil, you’ve put a spell on her! Anybody with eyes could tell you that a beautiful and happy young girl like her, who’s refused to marry all of the handsome young men of the city, wouldn’t run off with a black thing like you unless she’d been bewitched. You’re something to fear, not to love. It’s obvious to everyone that you’ve tricked her, drugged her, or kidnapped her. That’s probably what happened, so I’m arresting you.—Arrest this man as a practitioner of black magic. Grab him. If he struggles, use force!

This quote reveals Barbantio's opinions of Othello. He is upset, and it is important because it foreshadows further conflicts between the two, and conflicts with his new wife, too. 

Iago: That’s how I always do it, getting money from fools. I’d be wasting my skills dealing with an idiot like that if I couldn’t get something useful out of him. I hate the Moor, and there’s a widespread rumor that he’s slept with my wife. I’m not sure it’s true, but just the suspicion is enough for me. He thinks highly of me. That’ll help. Cassio’s a handsome man. Let’s see, how can I get his position and use him to hurt Othello at the same time? How? How? Let’s see. After a while I’ll start telling Othello that Cassio is too intimate with Desdemona. Cassio is a smooth talker and a good-looking guy, the sort of man that people would expect to be a seducer. The Moor is open and straightforward. He thinks any man who seems honest is honest. People like that are easy to manipulate. So it’s all decided. I’ve worked it out. With a little help from the devil, I’ll bring this monstrous plan to success.

This quote reveals Iago's true personality. He is a liar, and he deceives people. He is an evil person. This quote suggests further conflicts between The Moor, Cassio, Iago, and Roderigo. 

2. Create three discussion questions of your choice based on Act I

Do you think Barbantio has a right to be upset with his daughter and Othello?

Do any of the chapters of How to Read Literature Like A Professor apply to the story so far?

How do you feel about the marriage of Desdemonda and Othello? 

3. In a paragraph each, analyze the character of Othello and Iago (so far). 

Othello seems to be a noble and well mannered man. He has obviously had a rough life, yet he has still worked to make something out of himself. He is obviously well respected by the Duke, and is thought of as a highly skilled soldier. Yet, he has his flaws. He knew that Desdemonda's father would b upset with him for making her his bride, so he married her in secret. This makes him out to be rude and foolish. At the same time he is wise because he knew that he would not allow it if he asked. He seems to be a smart individual who is honest. 

Iago is a sketchy character. He is a liar and a thief. He has stolen from somebody he calls his friend. He is smart to be able to pull this off. It makes me question his true intentions. I have no respect for him. Perhaps it is a good thing he was not appointed to the position that Cassio got. He seems to be very manipulative.