June 14th, 2007
ELA9 Mrs. LaMotte
Elizabeth Selinger
The Lottery
Character Sketch: Dusty Hanson
Let’s say you’re in grade ten and have an older brother. He’s a few years older, taking university classes, and teaching you how to drive. However, let’s say he still lives at home, because your mother is distant workaholic, and he worries about you growing up. Let’s say he’s been the only strong person to look up to in your life. You love him more than any other person in the world. Let’s say that all the things being said are added up. The result is Dusty Hanson, from the viewpoint of the main character, Sal.
Dusty is a stereotypical older brother in the way that he’s overprotective. A good example of this is near the end of the book, when Willis visits the Hanson house to practice his and Sal’s duet. In one part it says, “— he’d kicked up a mini-uproar that morning when he’d heard Willis was coming over,” and he insists upon answering the door and somewhat defending Sal. Though he has the obvious reasons to be on guard – his past with Shadow, the fact that Sal is the victim and Willis the president – the fact is clear by the way he subtly banters with Willis, disgusted by him; demands a guarantee from him, and watches him so warily during practice. He wants to be a shield for his little sister, and keep her safe and well to an extreme. Another section of the book showing this trait in Dusty is when Sal thinks that he can’t get his own life because he cares too much about her’s.
Though he strives to keep his sister safe; Dusty’s desire to keep her well goes to a further extent – her psychological security. His character is very intelligent, or at least thoughtful. It is stated that Dusty is a psychology major at the University of Saskatchewan, and twice in the book he references his texts in attempts to explain Sal’s behavior to their mother. Also shown are segments where he is acknowledged to be studying or working on projects. While this may demonstrate academic intelligence, Dusty is also portrayed as a very thoughtful and observant person. He almost catches on when Sal primarily questions Lizard, very casually, about the Lottery. Throughout the book he seems to be noting her behaviors and trying to help and be a support, even though he doesn’t actually have an honest understanding of the situation.
If the original summary of this character was taken back into focus, Dusty Hanson looks the perfect person to have around at this point in Sal’s life. However, one feature holds him at a far from perfect position: his passive stance concerning confrontation. Right through about the first three-quarters of The Lottery, the main character maintains that her brother would never challenge any of her issues. For instance, when Sal mentions the Lottery while driving (to which Dusty gives a remarkably cold response), and then decides not to question Dusty about his reaction because she thinks he will only back off the subject. Or, another case in point is after one of Sal’s The Wall Live screaming sessions, when she knows Dusty won’t ask her straight out why she’d been screaming at such a level. According to Sal, no one in her family tackles important matters head-on, not even something as key as her father’s suicide. This explains Dusty’s mannerisms, and the wall he has to break down before he can conquer that passive trait.
At this point, all of the subject’s characteristics involve his younger sister. He cares for her visibly, and even beyond her, Dusty has quite a caring persona. The author illustrates this through Dusty’s quiet worry for his mother at the beginning of the book, when he warns Sal of their mother’s concern about her hypnosis while screaming, and requests Sal tell her good-night before bed. It even displays the previously mentioned section in which Dusty indicates toward his studies on scream-therapy to explain Sal’s actions. An event such as this really shows his concentrated nurturing and attention on both Sal and his mom. Later in the story, Dusty reveals the truth about his high school years: how, although Lizard won the Lottery, Dusty tried to stick by him. He was tremendously loyal and really troubled himself by caring about his best friend so much. This is a distinct quality in a young male person especially, because today’s society makes it a lot harder for that gender of teens to show real caring in a setting with peers.
Still on that note, Dusty continued to make more of an apparent break from his peers. Despite the fact that residing with Lizard didn’t work out, he started what is written in the novel as “random acts of intelligence” against Shadow Council. After he graduated, Shadow apparently still wanted a kind of vengeance, selecting Sal Hanson as Lottery winner. This only goes to show exactly how major a stand like Dusty’s was. No one during Sal’s term does anything remotely close to what Dusty describes he did. It appears this character is nonconforming as they come, if he wants to be. Indicating this furthermore is the mention of his supreme talent in basketball, and yet he’s never joined a basketball team. Even though basketball may have been his way to deal with his father’s death, in a conformist a talent such as that would only lead to teams. Another part that could be mentioned is his shag carpeting in the basement – definitely not something regular in modern day.
This material concludes that the character Dusty Hanson of The Lottery by Beth Goobie is overprotective, intelligent, passive, caring, and nonconforming. Additionally, that he’s thoughtful, observant, and loyal. Consequently, he could be seen as complex or entirely not, as typical older brother type, or an expressively pleasing character of many coats. Overall Dusty Hanson is much like the book itself – looking typical at first glance, but if explored, something quite unexpected and multifaceted.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
References
1) http://www.britainexpress.com/ > click on History and Culture > click on The Middle Ages > Click on Town Life in the Middle Ages (under Society)
2) http://www.camelotintl.com/ > click on soldier (feathered headgear) – “Click Now To Enter Heritage” > click on Medieval Life
3) http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/ > click on Medieval England > click on Medieval Manor Houses
4) http://www.historyonthenet.com/ > click on Medieval Life > click on Houses
5) http://www.kathimitchell.com/ > click on Social Studies > click on Middle Ages
6) http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages
7) http://www.thinkquest.org/ > search for fief > click on Medieval Fiefdom
8) Trueman, Dawn & John. (1974). The Peasant’s World: The Manor. Canada: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited.
9) Trueman, Dawn & John. (1973). The Peasant’s World: The Town. Canada: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited.
1) http://www.britainexpress.com/ > click on History and Culture > click on The Middle Ages > Click on Town Life in the Middle Ages (under Society)
2) http://www.camelotintl.com/ > click on soldier (feathered headgear) – “Click Now To Enter Heritage” > click on Medieval Life
3) http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/ > click on Medieval England > click on Medieval Manor Houses
4) http://www.historyonthenet.com/ > click on Medieval Life > click on Houses
5) http://www.kathimitchell.com/ > click on Social Studies > click on Middle Ages
6) http://www.learner.org/exhibits/middleages
7) http://www.thinkquest.org/ > search for fief > click on Medieval Fiefdom
8) Trueman, Dawn & John. (1974). The Peasant’s World: The Manor. Canada: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited.
9) Trueman, Dawn & John. (1973). The Peasant’s World: The Town. Canada: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Feudalism: Towns & Villages
In the 1200s, northern Europe's largest towns--London, Paris and Ghent--contained no more than 30,000 or 40.000 residents. Southern European cities like Venice and Florence had over 100,000. The world s largest cities--Constantinople and Baghdad--each had about a million people. How do these figures compare with the population of your city or town?
Europeans established the world's first universities in the 1100s. Like the world outside then, the university could be a violent place: Oxford University in England had rules that specifically forbid students from bringing bows and arrows to class.
Under Medieval law, animals could be tried and sentenced for crimes, just as though they were people. There are records of farm animals being tried for injuring or killing people. Animals were charged with smaller crimes, too. Some mice were taken to court for stealing part of the harvest, and, in another case, a flock of locusts was convicted --in absentia--of eating crops
A feudal society very much like that of Europe's developed in Japan in the 1100's. The Japanese called their knights "samurai," and, like the knights of Europe, they fought on horseback. As in Europe, Japanese feudalism developed at a time of anarchy.
In the early Middle Ages, Europeans told time in a way that would seem very strange to us today. They divided the day into 7 hours' of equal length. Because summer days are longer than winter ones, a winter 'hour" was about 60 minutes, but a summer one was 150 minutes! By the late 1300s, Europeans had mechanical clocks and often installed them in the towers of churches and town halls.
- The knight on horseback would have been impossible without an important innovation that reached Europe from India in the 700s-- the stirrup Mounted warriors could now maneuver their horses more effectively and carry heavier armor and weapons.
A number of European advances during the Middle Ages were made possible by the Moorish occupation of Spain. Most important was the use of Arabic numerals, which we still use today. The Moors also brought new words to Europe. "Algebra," "lute," "magazine," "orange ," and "tariff" all come from Arabic. In addition, the Moors introduced a game that quickly became popular from Cadiz to London: chess.
What kind of meal was "fit for a king"? King Richard II of England sometimes gave feasts for as many as 10,000 people at once. One of these required 140 hogs, 14 oxen, 12 calves, 12 boars and 3 tons of salted venison.
http://www.themiddleages.net/life/facts.html
Pictures of planned towns:
http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/education/medieval_town_plans.htm
Other site:
http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/education/medievaltowns.htm
Europeans established the world's first universities in the 1100s. Like the world outside then, the university could be a violent place: Oxford University in England had rules that specifically forbid students from bringing bows and arrows to class.
Under Medieval law, animals could be tried and sentenced for crimes, just as though they were people. There are records of farm animals being tried for injuring or killing people. Animals were charged with smaller crimes, too. Some mice were taken to court for stealing part of the harvest, and, in another case, a flock of locusts was convicted --in absentia--of eating crops
A feudal society very much like that of Europe's developed in Japan in the 1100's. The Japanese called their knights "samurai," and, like the knights of Europe, they fought on horseback. As in Europe, Japanese feudalism developed at a time of anarchy.
In the early Middle Ages, Europeans told time in a way that would seem very strange to us today. They divided the day into 7 hours' of equal length. Because summer days are longer than winter ones, a winter 'hour" was about 60 minutes, but a summer one was 150 minutes! By the late 1300s, Europeans had mechanical clocks and often installed them in the towers of churches and town halls.
- The knight on horseback would have been impossible without an important innovation that reached Europe from India in the 700s-- the stirrup Mounted warriors could now maneuver their horses more effectively and carry heavier armor and weapons.
A number of European advances during the Middle Ages were made possible by the Moorish occupation of Spain. Most important was the use of Arabic numerals, which we still use today. The Moors also brought new words to Europe. "Algebra," "lute," "magazine," "orange ," and "tariff" all come from Arabic. In addition, the Moors introduced a game that quickly became popular from Cadiz to London: chess.
What kind of meal was "fit for a king"? King Richard II of England sometimes gave feasts for as many as 10,000 people at once. One of these required 140 hogs, 14 oxen, 12 calves, 12 boars and 3 tons of salted venison.
http://www.themiddleages.net/life/facts.html
Pictures of planned towns:
http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/education/medieval_town_plans.htm
Other site:
http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/education/medievaltowns.htm
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Introduction Mayans?
The Maya civilization was one of the most culturally powerful and thickly populated societies in the world. Its people were noted for their art, architecture, and developed mathematical, astronomical, and writing systems. Mayan history is divided into three parts: 1500 B.C. to 300 A.D. was the Pre-classic period, 300 to 900 A.D. was Classic, and 900 to 1500 A.D. was Postclassic.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Religion & Values
Their religion revolves around the cyclical nature of time
They believed that heaven had 13 different layers, and the underworld had 9 layers
Gods weren't distinct, they merged with eachother regularly; the Maize (Corn) God was a central diety
Animal and human sacrifices were made if something bad was coming
The Mayans practiced "bloodletting". Ex: pulling thorn-studded ropes through tongues
To them, the night sky was a window showing all supernatural worlds
They believed that heaven had 13 different layers, and the underworld had 9 layers
Gods weren't distinct, they merged with eachother regularly; the Maize (Corn) God was a central diety
Animal and human sacrifices were made if something bad was coming
The Mayans practiced "bloodletting". Ex: pulling thorn-studded ropes through tongues
To them, the night sky was a window showing all supernatural worlds
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Mayans powerpoint info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_civilization
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_religion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_society
Social Structure
- kingdoms - capital city & neighborhood with lesser towns
- royal court, everything focused especially around royal family
- cities were basically enormous royal households
- slaves were used for sacrifice
- lower beings' spaces were built around the royal temples & etc.
- peasant workers did work for building projects
- increased burden of work may have caused lower class Mayans to revolt against the elite
Religion and Values
- cyclical nature of time
- hundreds/thousands of celestial/terrestrial cycles
- cycles were all observed and written as separate calendars (infinite duration)
- Maya shaman intrepeted cycles and prophesizated the future or past based on calendars
- if prophecized of bad times, then sacrifices were made
- sacrifices: small animals: chickens, "bloodletting" by high officials, human sacrifices
- heaven, earth, underworld
- heaven: 13 different layers for various gods
- underworld: Xibalbá, 9 layers, aged Maya gods of death and putrefaction. final resting place of souls, gods would torment any one there
- night sky: window showing all supernatural activities, constellations of gods, narratives, intersection of all possible worlds
- Maya gods: not separate like Greek, rather merged with eachother
- good & evil aren't permanent characteristics, and not only good is admirable
- inappropriateness of something changes through seasons, because tradition based on cycles
- Maize (Corn) God - major god, model of life
- Maya bodily ideal is based on young Maize God, seen in artwork
- universe - flat & square but infinite in area
- worshipped the circle (balancing of forces)
- symbols: swastika, perfect cross
- 260-day calender, the tzolkin, used to determine important activites relating gods & humans
- date which born determines fate through life
- 365 day solar calender, the haab, recorded moon and Venus
- rituals, practice a lot of bloodletting
- thorn-studded ropes through tongues, human sacrifice - low social status like slaves sacrificed on tops of pyramids
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_religion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_society
Social Structure
- kingdoms - capital city & neighborhood with lesser towns
- royal court, everything focused especially around royal family
- cities were basically enormous royal households
- slaves were used for sacrifice
- lower beings' spaces were built around the royal temples & etc.
- peasant workers did work for building projects
- increased burden of work may have caused lower class Mayans to revolt against the elite
Religion and Values
- cyclical nature of time
- hundreds/thousands of celestial/terrestrial cycles
- cycles were all observed and written as separate calendars (infinite duration)
- Maya shaman intrepeted cycles and prophesizated the future or past based on calendars
- if prophecized of bad times, then sacrifices were made
- sacrifices: small animals: chickens, "bloodletting" by high officials, human sacrifices
- heaven, earth, underworld
- heaven: 13 different layers for various gods
- underworld: Xibalbá, 9 layers, aged Maya gods of death and putrefaction. final resting place of souls, gods would torment any one there
- night sky: window showing all supernatural activities, constellations of gods, narratives, intersection of all possible worlds
- Maya gods: not separate like Greek, rather merged with eachother
- good & evil aren't permanent characteristics, and not only good is admirable
- inappropriateness of something changes through seasons, because tradition based on cycles
- Maize (Corn) God - major god, model of life
- Maya bodily ideal is based on young Maize God, seen in artwork
- universe - flat & square but infinite in area
- worshipped the circle (balancing of forces)
- symbols: swastika, perfect cross
- 260-day calender, the tzolkin, used to determine important activites relating gods & humans
- date which born determines fate through life
- 365 day solar calender, the haab, recorded moon and Venus
- rituals, practice a lot of bloodletting
- thorn-studded ropes through tongues, human sacrifice - low social status like slaves sacrificed on tops of pyramids
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Science Project
Written Project Plan
Date Project is Due:
March 8th, 2007
Name of Student Scientist:
Elizabeth Selinger
1. Investigative Question(s) – problem to be solved.
What is the purpose of your experiment?
Does microwaved water affect plant growth compared to regular water (over the course of one month)?
2. a. Hypothesis – based on Investigative Question, written in future tense.
b. “If… then… “ statement of the Hypothesis.
If a plant is watered with only microwaved water, then it will have slightly retarded growth and/or other bad side effects.
3. Materials – List Materials needed (vertically, not in a sentence)
- 2 identical pots of soil
- 2 plant seeds of the same type
- window(s) with room for both pots to get the same amount of sunlight
- a microwave
- water (preferably a water source where the water will have close to the same things in it every time used) (will use Culligan water)
- measuring cup
- tape/adhesive
4. Procedure – Numbered, step by step instructions.
1) Place pots of soil in (close to) identical positions near window
2) Use tape/adhesive to secure pots in place
3) Plant 1 seed per pot
4) Take 1 picture of each plant (overhead view)
5) Record observations
6) Measure 2 amounts of water (a and b), exactly the same amount
7) Microwave water (a) for 3 minutes
8) Pour water (a) into plant 1 and water (b) into plant 2
9) Repeat steps 4 – 8 once per day
5. Identify the “Control” (conditions or materials that stay the same) for your experiment.
The controls in this experiment will be: the type of seed, amount of sunlight, amount of water, size and type of pot, [anything else except condition of water].
6. Identify the “Variable” (conditions or materials that change; only change one thing at a time) for your experiments.
The only variable will be the water condition; for one plant the water will have been microwaved, for the other the water will be basically untouched.
7. Attach sample data sheets you will use to record your data (sketches, log, chart, etc.).
Day 1
Day 2
Plant 1
Picture:
Observations:
Picture:
Observations:
Plant 2
Picture:
Observations:
Picture:
Observations:
Date Project is Due:
March 8th, 2007
Name of Student Scientist:
Elizabeth Selinger
1. Investigative Question(s) – problem to be solved.
What is the purpose of your experiment?
Does microwaved water affect plant growth compared to regular water (over the course of one month)?
2. a. Hypothesis – based on Investigative Question, written in future tense.
b. “If… then… “ statement of the Hypothesis.
If a plant is watered with only microwaved water, then it will have slightly retarded growth and/or other bad side effects.
3. Materials – List Materials needed (vertically, not in a sentence)
- 2 identical pots of soil
- 2 plant seeds of the same type
- window(s) with room for both pots to get the same amount of sunlight
- a microwave
- water (preferably a water source where the water will have close to the same things in it every time used) (will use Culligan water)
- measuring cup
- tape/adhesive
4. Procedure – Numbered, step by step instructions.
1) Place pots of soil in (close to) identical positions near window
2) Use tape/adhesive to secure pots in place
3) Plant 1 seed per pot
4) Take 1 picture of each plant (overhead view)
5) Record observations
6) Measure 2 amounts of water (a and b), exactly the same amount
7) Microwave water (a) for 3 minutes
8) Pour water (a) into plant 1 and water (b) into plant 2
9) Repeat steps 4 – 8 once per day
5. Identify the “Control” (conditions or materials that stay the same) for your experiment.
The controls in this experiment will be: the type of seed, amount of sunlight, amount of water, size and type of pot, [anything else except condition of water].
6. Identify the “Variable” (conditions or materials that change; only change one thing at a time) for your experiments.
The only variable will be the water condition; for one plant the water will have been microwaved, for the other the water will be basically untouched.
7. Attach sample data sheets you will use to record your data (sketches, log, chart, etc.).
Day 1
Day 2
Plant 1
Picture:
Observations:
Picture:
Observations:
Plant 2
Picture:
Observations:
Picture:
Observations:
Thursday, February 1, 2007
My Life Powerpoint
color · thatblue/greendarkturquoisecolor butmoreonthegreenishside
food · italian, east indian, japanese, mexican, swiss...
drink · chocolate milk, water, lemonade, smoothies ^-^
bands · Damone, Senses Fail, Hedley, A&A, blink-182, SOAD, Evanescence, Maroon 5, Keane, Jet, P!ATD, Linkin Park, The Ramones, Billy Talent
movies · The Notebook, H&K go to White Castle, Napoleon Dynamite, Mean Girls, Snow White, Ghost Ship, Titanic...
song · Justin Timberlake's "FutureSex/LoveSounds"
month · November
day · Friday
pie · blueberry or apple, depending on my mood
holiday · Christmas
number · 11
books · HP series by JKR, Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
subject · English Language Arts
season · autumn
animal · penguin
actors · Jude Law, Rupert Grint, Adam Brody, Liam Aiken
actresses · Michelle Trachtenberg, Reese Witherspoon, Kirsten Dunst, Rachel McAdams
male artists · Sean Paul, John Mayer, James Blunt, Bobby Darin, Justin Timberlake, Usher
female artists · Aly & AJ, Shania Twain, Aselin Debisontv series · Family Guy, 6teen, House M.D., Canadian Idol, How I Met Your Mother, Gilmore Girls, Sex and the City, The O.C., entourage
first movie ever · Disney's Snow White first
limo · auntie's wedding, I was a flower girl.
first type of music remember hearing · Grandpa's guitar and him singing "Train Whistle Blowing".
first username · tencea.
first sleepover experience · Marlene & Carolina when I was 3 or 4, who now live in Guatemala O.o
first formal outfit · my baptism at 2 weeks old lol.
first favorite outfit · matching purple&white kitty outfit ^^;
first concert · never :'(first piercing · both ears at age 6 months.
first funeral · great-grandpa George.
first CD · Spice Girls.
first pet · Cuddles the cat.
first job · paper route XD.
first big travel · Anaheim, Calif. (Disneyland!).
first car · not yet ;)
first names for future childses · James & Emily, also December & Autumn for girls, and boys names for girls are cute.
× is l o v e ·
·reading & writing & running & food & picwhoring & Harry Potter & Angels&Demons & all fantasy & movies & Gilmore Girls & ANTM & Family Guy & Entourage & The OC & Adam Brody & Brendan Urie & penguins & cell phones & friends & family & Christmas & shopping & shoes & clothes & giggles & my futon & shweet lamps & piano & percussion & violin & New Apostolic Church & earrings & imagination & Photoshop & traveling & Disneyland & cheese & late nights & rain & hyperness & coffee & YouTube & The Notebook & Happy Feet & Memoirs of a Geisha & Mean Girls & The Incredibles & POTC & Dirty Dancing: HN & Napoleon Dynamite & the library & humidifiers & sleep & Junior Achievement & lunch hour & the[love]bus & subconscious & minds+thoughts & lip gloss & earrings & band & fairytales & Disney
× is e w w ·
·coconut & cantaloupe & honeydew & avocado & peppers & bugs & tAlkIn lyk dIS!!!11 & physical pain & nails on chalkboards & homework & embarrassment & failure & being late & public speaking & being grounded & violence & fighting/arguing & swimming for too long & nosebleeds & bad breath & no chocolate
× t u n a g e ·
·P!ATD & blink-182 & Jack's Mannequin & FOB & OK GO & The Veronicas & Rihanna & John Mayer & Maroon 5 & SOAD & Billy Talent & Anti-Flag & Justin Timberlake & Aly&AJ & AAR & Ciara & Akon & Damone & Evanescence & Hedley & Pussycat Dolls & Sean Paul & TBS & Yellowcard & Jet & Mozella & Michael Buble & Good Charlotte & The Used
Shopping, graphic design, reading, writing, RPG, jogging, photography, picture-whoring, chatting, my cell phone <33,>
I like reading and writing, of course, and I might want to have a future career in writing (journalism has been suggested among other things). Another very prominent interest and activity I enjoy is playing the piano. This year, I hope to pass my grade six practical exam, which, as I’ve mentioned, will earn me credits for high school as I’ve already completed the grade one rudiments of theory exam that goes along with it. I take one-hour lessons once a week, which (for this year and the last) have totaled up to be $1100 a year. My piano lessons have benefited for the church I go to, which is most definitely my largest interest. I’ve been playing the organ for the New Apostolic Church since I was about ten, though last year was the first year I began to play with the organ pedals, because I began taking organ lessons. My religion and church are the most important things in my life; I grew up in the church and was baptized and sealed as a baby. This coming April I am going to be confirmed. The confirmation is an enormous deal, it means that I can make my own decisions to come to church and basically that I am responsible for myself and am an adult in the congregation. Some of the interests I have that may not be as obvious as the ones I’ve already mentioned are graphic design and history. With my hobby of going on the computer, I started teaching myself to use the Adobe Photoshop 6.0 program to design and manipulate graphic art, (mainly to use as signatures in forums and etc.) and I really enjoy it and believe that I’ve gotten very good at designing and creating graphics. Only recently did I learn how to do animation, so I’m still working on that. Then there’s my interest in history, which my grandpa largely introduced me to. He enjoys reading a lot, like myself, and took an interest in reading on the history of the royal family in England. You would be amazed at how intriguing it all is, it’s almost like fiction, and though I’m not very learned on any of the history in England or anywhere else in the world, my interest has been sparked. A few other activities I enjoy are cooking, basketball, tennis, bike riding, and I just found out that I may enjoy volleyball a little more than I thought I did. A little interest I have to add, too, is genetics/DNA. In grade six and seven I took some books out of the school library on genetics, though there aren’t very many, and I learned a lot about chromosomes, how our DNA works, how molecules produce more molecules, etc. I’d love to learn more on that topic, though I haven’t looked into it much further.
Pets: Pumpkin Pie Kanevil, Angel, loads of fish, Teddy, Meeko, Silver, Cuddles
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
SSR – Eragon, con’t.
January 31st, 2007
ELA9 Mrs. LaMotte
Elizabeth Selinger
Brom had been sliced between his ribs by the Ra’zac, and later he passes on, but reveals to Eragon that he was one of the last Riders. He was the one who stole Saphira’s egg from King Galbatorix and killed Morzan, the King’s second-in-command. Murtagh decides to accompany Eragon and Saphira from then on and they set off to find the Varden. He also gives Eragon information that his sword, Zar’roc, was Morzan’s before Brom killed him. Along the way they encounter Durza the Shade (a Shade is a dark sorcerer) and rescue Arya, an elven maiden who had been tortured relentlessly in Durza’s prison for information.
Now, the Empire’s soldiers are chasing them, and they begin to cross the expansive, blistering Hadarac Desert. The elf Arya is still unconscious and her condition is getting worse as they start to trek the monstrous Beor Mountains. Finally, Eragon is able to contact Arya through his mind and she tells him they must get to the Varden so she can be cured, and reveals to him to path to reach it. As the group travels they must fight off a gathering of slavers,
[Note: Apologies, the Eldest summary could not be included. Before I was finished reading the book, it had to be returned to the public library, because there was a waiting list and I could only keep it for so long. Instead, the following is an SSR assignment for Blister, a small book I read after realizing I wouldn’t be able to use Eldest.]
ELA9 Mrs. LaMotte
Elizabeth Selinger
Brom had been sliced between his ribs by the Ra’zac, and later he passes on, but reveals to Eragon that he was one of the last Riders. He was the one who stole Saphira’s egg from King Galbatorix and killed Morzan, the King’s second-in-command. Murtagh decides to accompany Eragon and Saphira from then on and they set off to find the Varden. He also gives Eragon information that his sword, Zar’roc, was Morzan’s before Brom killed him. Along the way they encounter Durza the Shade (a Shade is a dark sorcerer) and rescue Arya, an elven maiden who had been tortured relentlessly in Durza’s prison for information.
Now, the Empire’s soldiers are chasing them, and they begin to cross the expansive, blistering Hadarac Desert. The elf Arya is still unconscious and her condition is getting worse as they start to trek the monstrous Beor Mountains. Finally, Eragon is able to contact Arya through his mind and she tells him they must get to the Varden so she can be cured, and reveals to him to path to reach it. As the group travels they must fight off a gathering of slavers,
[Note: Apologies, the Eldest summary could not be included. Before I was finished reading the book, it had to be returned to the public library, because there was a waiting list and I could only keep it for so long. Instead, the following is an SSR assignment for Blister, a small book I read after realizing I wouldn’t be able to use Eldest.]
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
SSR: Eragon
Title: Eragon
Author: Christopher Paolini
Setting: Eragon takes place in the fantasy world of Alagaesia, throughout about 1 year. Many different types of weather and settings are experienced, from rough mountain trails at high altitudes; a seemingly endless desert with blistering winds; to large seaport cities filled with murk and fog. This world seems reminiscent of medievel times (for example, major weapons are swords and the bow and arrow).
Plot: The story begins with a 15-year-old boy named Eragon hunting in The Spine, a dangerous range of mountains and forestry that seem to be cursed with magical properties. Here he finds a large, blue rock, which eventually turns out to be a dragon egg. Eragon hides the dragon in the woods near his family's farm, because dragons have a horrible history in Alagaesia: Dragon Riders and their dragons were once the leaders and peacekeepers of the land, but were destroyed by the evil Gallbatorix and his demon dragon Shruiken, so Gallbatorix could gain power and become King.
He names the dragon Saphira, and she (the dragon) and Eragon can communicate through their minds. While in the city of Carvahall, Eragon discovers that there are two strange and dangerous-sounding creatures called Ra'zac looking for the dragon's egg. The 15-year-old rushes back to the farm to warn his uncle (Garrow) and Saphira about the strangers, but ends up taking his first flight on Saphira's back. She is in such a rage over the mere thought of these strangers that she flies until it becomes impossible to return the same day. In the morning they return to find his uncle's house blasted apart, and Garrow himself horribly sick and injured. After a few days the beloved uncle passes away. Eragon then decides that there is too much he cannot explain any more, and he and Saphira will pursue the two strangers.
Their plans are interrupted by Brom, who somehow can talk through thoughts to Saphira also, and makes Eragon agree to let him join them on their journey. Brom knows a great deal about almost everything, it seems, and gives Eragon a sword called Zar'roc, tells him the strangers are creatures called Ra'zac, shows him how to make a saddle for Saphira, and teaches him to swordfight. They stop in the next city to buy horses (Saphira cannot carry both men), then continue to track the Ra'zac across the plains, where they meet with a magnificent storm. Finally, the group reach Yazuac, the city to which they have followed the Ra'zac, but find the people of the town slaughtered by menacing creatures called Urgals. Here, whilst fighting these brutes of animals, Eragon discovers he is able to use magic by saying certain words. Once Brom finds out, he is extremely wary of this dangerous power, and teaches Ergaon very strict discipline when using it.
The group continues to travel, to Daret for supplies, then to Teirm to find shipping records of Seithr oil, a very expensive flesh-eating acid that the Ra'zac use. Here, Eragon has his fortune told by Angela, a witch, meets a wise werecat named Solembum, and learns to read and write. Then they continue to Dras-Leona, and along the way Brom reveals to Eragon that a war is waging between the Alagaesian Empire and the Varden (the rebel group) in which Eragon is a key part because he is the first in a new generation of Dragon Riders. Eragon almost kills himself trying to defeat a pack of Urgals with magic, and keeps dreaming of a maiden in a dungeon. After these events, they reach Dras-Leona, where eventually the Ra'zac find them and they are chased out of the city. Outside the city that night, though, they are captured by the Ra'zac, but are saved by a man called Murtagh.
[end of summary: approx. page 269][Note: Though this is my second time reading Eragon, I didn't read enough over the break to review the whole thing for a complete plot summary. This is half of the summary of the entire book. The second half will be in my next SSR Monthly Book Assignment, as well as the plot summary to the sequel, Eldest. So, next month = half of Eragon + whole Eldest summaryand I will answer the questions on Eldest.]
Questions
1. One of the characters I liked the most in Eragon was Murtagh. He was the surprise twist that saved Eragon and Brom from the Ra'zac when I couldn't even fathom how they were going to get free. Obviously a very strong character, Murtagh stands his ground against the Twins' mind probing, saying that it is the only part of him that is his own (or something to that effect). This is one of my favorite lines in the entire book. Also, how he has gained such strong views against the Empire, although he is Morzan's son (Morzan was the equivalent to King Gallbatorix's second in command). I guess the major reason I like Murtagh is that, although he has personality flaws, his character demands respect.
2. I read books in the fantasy fiction genre a lot, and this book is likewise a work of fantasy. The surroundings Eragon takes place in remind me of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, yet the actual plot has bits of such other series as Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, Inkheart/spell, and more. It is the first fantasy book I've read that focuses so much on dragons, which makes it more original and gives it a name in an age with so many fantasy reads that each seems to be stealing concepts from another.
3. Though, yes, I would most definitely recommend this book to any of my friends, I doubt any of them would actually take the time to read it. Reasons for this are (1) it would actually take quite a bit of time to read, and (2) none of them are normally into fantasy, other than movies. However, if I had recommended it, I would persist because for a reasonably lengthy book, I feel not very much of it was dragged out. Eragon keeps you enticed and wanting to read all throughout its 513 or so pages.
4. This book in the Inheritance trilogy changed me as a reader by helping me warm up to the idea of reading books that are suggested by people I don't know especially well. It was recommended to me by a "significant other" of one of my close friends, and I decided to try it out. Now, the Inheritance trilogy (or rather, the 2/3 books that have been released) is one of my favorite reads to disappear into a fictional world to for a weekend.
Elizabeth Selinger
Author: Christopher Paolini
Setting: Eragon takes place in the fantasy world of Alagaesia, throughout about 1 year. Many different types of weather and settings are experienced, from rough mountain trails at high altitudes; a seemingly endless desert with blistering winds; to large seaport cities filled with murk and fog. This world seems reminiscent of medievel times (for example, major weapons are swords and the bow and arrow).
Plot: The story begins with a 15-year-old boy named Eragon hunting in The Spine, a dangerous range of mountains and forestry that seem to be cursed with magical properties. Here he finds a large, blue rock, which eventually turns out to be a dragon egg. Eragon hides the dragon in the woods near his family's farm, because dragons have a horrible history in Alagaesia: Dragon Riders and their dragons were once the leaders and peacekeepers of the land, but were destroyed by the evil Gallbatorix and his demon dragon Shruiken, so Gallbatorix could gain power and become King.
He names the dragon Saphira, and she (the dragon) and Eragon can communicate through their minds. While in the city of Carvahall, Eragon discovers that there are two strange and dangerous-sounding creatures called Ra'zac looking for the dragon's egg. The 15-year-old rushes back to the farm to warn his uncle (Garrow) and Saphira about the strangers, but ends up taking his first flight on Saphira's back. She is in such a rage over the mere thought of these strangers that she flies until it becomes impossible to return the same day. In the morning they return to find his uncle's house blasted apart, and Garrow himself horribly sick and injured. After a few days the beloved uncle passes away. Eragon then decides that there is too much he cannot explain any more, and he and Saphira will pursue the two strangers.
Their plans are interrupted by Brom, who somehow can talk through thoughts to Saphira also, and makes Eragon agree to let him join them on their journey. Brom knows a great deal about almost everything, it seems, and gives Eragon a sword called Zar'roc, tells him the strangers are creatures called Ra'zac, shows him how to make a saddle for Saphira, and teaches him to swordfight. They stop in the next city to buy horses (Saphira cannot carry both men), then continue to track the Ra'zac across the plains, where they meet with a magnificent storm. Finally, the group reach Yazuac, the city to which they have followed the Ra'zac, but find the people of the town slaughtered by menacing creatures called Urgals. Here, whilst fighting these brutes of animals, Eragon discovers he is able to use magic by saying certain words. Once Brom finds out, he is extremely wary of this dangerous power, and teaches Ergaon very strict discipline when using it.
The group continues to travel, to Daret for supplies, then to Teirm to find shipping records of Seithr oil, a very expensive flesh-eating acid that the Ra'zac use. Here, Eragon has his fortune told by Angela, a witch, meets a wise werecat named Solembum, and learns to read and write. Then they continue to Dras-Leona, and along the way Brom reveals to Eragon that a war is waging between the Alagaesian Empire and the Varden (the rebel group) in which Eragon is a key part because he is the first in a new generation of Dragon Riders. Eragon almost kills himself trying to defeat a pack of Urgals with magic, and keeps dreaming of a maiden in a dungeon. After these events, they reach Dras-Leona, where eventually the Ra'zac find them and they are chased out of the city. Outside the city that night, though, they are captured by the Ra'zac, but are saved by a man called Murtagh.
[end of summary: approx. page 269][Note: Though this is my second time reading Eragon, I didn't read enough over the break to review the whole thing for a complete plot summary. This is half of the summary of the entire book. The second half will be in my next SSR Monthly Book Assignment, as well as the plot summary to the sequel, Eldest. So, next month = half of Eragon + whole Eldest summaryand I will answer the questions on Eldest.]
Questions
1. One of the characters I liked the most in Eragon was Murtagh. He was the surprise twist that saved Eragon and Brom from the Ra'zac when I couldn't even fathom how they were going to get free. Obviously a very strong character, Murtagh stands his ground against the Twins' mind probing, saying that it is the only part of him that is his own (or something to that effect). This is one of my favorite lines in the entire book. Also, how he has gained such strong views against the Empire, although he is Morzan's son (Morzan was the equivalent to King Gallbatorix's second in command). I guess the major reason I like Murtagh is that, although he has personality flaws, his character demands respect.
2. I read books in the fantasy fiction genre a lot, and this book is likewise a work of fantasy. The surroundings Eragon takes place in remind me of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, yet the actual plot has bits of such other series as Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, Inkheart/spell, and more. It is the first fantasy book I've read that focuses so much on dragons, which makes it more original and gives it a name in an age with so many fantasy reads that each seems to be stealing concepts from another.
3. Though, yes, I would most definitely recommend this book to any of my friends, I doubt any of them would actually take the time to read it. Reasons for this are (1) it would actually take quite a bit of time to read, and (2) none of them are normally into fantasy, other than movies. However, if I had recommended it, I would persist because for a reasonably lengthy book, I feel not very much of it was dragged out. Eragon keeps you enticed and wanting to read all throughout its 513 or so pages.
4. This book in the Inheritance trilogy changed me as a reader by helping me warm up to the idea of reading books that are suggested by people I don't know especially well. It was recommended to me by a "significant other" of one of my close friends, and I decided to try it out. Now, the Inheritance trilogy (or rather, the 2/3 books that have been released) is one of my favorite reads to disappear into a fictional world to for a weekend.
Elizabeth Selinger
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)