Frozen in the Present

Some Spoilers!

In the book “Th1rteen R3asons Why” by Jay Asher, Hannah Baker was a girl with many problems. She was always something to talk about in school. But, one thing that no one knew was that she was planning her death. I think that Hannah’s reasons for committing suicide where really complicated. She sent tapes to all those people who took a part in her suicide. Each reason she described in the tapes were very personal to the person she spoke about.

            Hannah was always talked about. She felt the need to isolate herself sometimes. Isolate from all the rumors. I think that If Clay, or someone had been able to keep up with her, they could have saved her from committing suicide. But still, Hannah had many problems she faced. So, to demonstrate those “responsible” for her death, she sent tapes; those tapes that would change each individual life forever. Each moment she shared with that certain person became the times she grew closer to her own death. Anxiety, anger, betrays, disbelief, and hurt; that was what every person in the tape had brought to her life. One over another until she could no longer sustain with all this swelled up in her. And what better way to release this emotions?  

Suicide was the best way out of the black hole that sucked her deeper and deeper. She no longer wanted to be humiliated by the rumors, nor be betrayed a best friend who believed rumors, but she also didn’t want to push away or be pushed away by the only person she could connect to. Yes, that is where Clay Jensen comes in to play. The tapes were to be heard at different locations. So, clay followed each location, one by one he discovered what each location contained. I think that what Hannah wanted to accomplish was very mysterious. She led each individual to the location where something had happened. Each location brought them deeper into the black hole she once was.

I think it was a really brilliant idea for the book cover to contain a replica map of the map that was described in the story. I wonder what would have changed if Clay had helped Hannah, and had gotten closer to her. Would she have changed her mind? I think if Clay had been more of a helpful person, and less nervous he could have helped her think of a way out of this stress that did not include committing suicide. But, another part of me says maybe she truly had no hope I herself. Even though if she had no hope, she could have tried again, one last time, for a hand to reach out and help her, instead of isolating herself from those around her.

A Place for All

Extra Credit Poem: A Place for All

A place for all.

The winds blew,

Doors slammed, echoing hall.

No sounds, nothing new.

A place full of wonders

BOOM! CRACK! Houses shake,

Noise covered by thunders.

Nothing left but mistakes.

A place for none.

No noise to be heard.

Silence fulfills,

No voices misheard.

Alone stands one.

"Talc Mine - Distant, Cameron, Montana" by Victoria Sambunaris

Artwork Name and Artist: 

"Talc Mine - Distant, Cameron, Montana" by  Victoria Sambunaris

For the artwork assignment I choose "Talc Mine - Distant, Cameron, Montana" by Victoria Sambunaris. This photo may appear simple or boring to you, but there are so more to the image than blue skies and dirt. That’s a reason that this picture caught my attention. Even though there is dirt, skies, and mountains, I think there’s a bigger purpose behind the image.   The picture reminds me of a country side and mountains. I think that the picture isn’t about its scenery but it’s more about having a quiet place or a place filled with unforgettable memoires. the first thing that comes to me is the artist misses her quiet place. There are many things and questions I could get out of this poem, but which would could be a good explanation of this poem and its setting?  This varies because everyone has their own personal point of view.

Evident that support my theory are one of the first things that I think of when i see this picture, which is someone feeling lost.  The contrast in lighting and how the picture was positioned are important key things of its structure. My interpretation of the picture displayed is the distance of the picture; the distance from the photographer to the mountains in the back is really far, but there is emotional distance as well. The darkness of the hills and mountains to the half lit sky shows sadness and sorrow. It’s as if the picture was taken to demonstrate someone’s far sight into the mountains or down on the mountains with their head hung low. There is a sense of depression in the picture as well.

The scenery shows natures beauty. If someone who had a conservative mind about nature looked at the picture, they would infer it was about saving the nature, plants, and trees, to maintain this scenery for the future generation. Can you tell how interpretations vary from the person who “reads” the picture?

In reality, i think the picture is trying to give hope for people who are bored of life. There are people who always have a negative impulse on everything. But, if they were more willing to explore or let themselves learn about things, then they would be able to do something enjoyable and worth their while. Meanwhile, if they cage themselves in their daily routines, they wouldn’t know what it is to experience something new; if they continue to block out those opportunities of doing something different, they would not know the delight of trying or doing something different.

All Star Mentor Nomination

 All Star Mentor Nomination

For the All Star Mentor, I nominated Sarahs blog post about the book Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini. I think Sarah's blog post is well written and mind provoking. Her blog post compares three different genres to one main point. Her blog post was very descriptive and not biased. Her argument was really convincing that I plan on reading the three books to find that connection she mentioned in her blog post. Sarah extended her main point really well. I think that her argument is well supported and is not boring. It keeps the reader engaged. I notice how Sarah used some prior knowledge in her blog post.

Great blog post. 

Link to Sarah's Blog Post: 

http://once-upon-a-time-sj.blogspot.com/2011/11/be-more-chill-by-ned-vizzini.html

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Some Spoilers

Appreciation: 

I am in the middle of reading Hold Still by Nina LaCour. The story revolves around Caitlin’s point of view on Ingrid’s death. Ingrid was a close friend of Caitlin. Catlin has a deep depression from her friend’s loss. She honored their friendship and was heartbroken when she learned about what had killed Ingrid.

The few things I appreciate from Hold Still by Nina LaCour are the characters powerful emotion. I appreciated how the author made her story craft like diary. It helps give an insight on what Caitlin felt and it could be compared to other teens that have felt out casted by someone’s death or are labeled as mentally ill by the attitudes and opinions on her conduct. What if someone lost their friend or sibling? Would you consider someone crazy or mentally ill for missing that person and going through memories that were left of them? Sometimes its society that can ruin what is and what people think they see. I appreciate how the author tried to have as minimum of stereo types as possible which made the story a deep form the heart kind of story; and very narrative to what Caitlin felt.

Caitlin shows the stages of what happens to people, such as teens and what happens when someone beloved dies. The girls had made a promise to be together, but they were separated by death. It also shows how people can get back on track after a terrible incident. Restarting life after being “frozen” by emotions and thoughts was complicated for Caitlin. It was hard for Caitlin to return to her normal life. She stayed in a paused life while everyone else moved on. It was tuff for her to move on. This was reflected in her notes and thoughts on life.

I think by the end of the book Caitlin will be stronger than she was before, and she will be able to realize how to go through her agonizing moments remembering Ingrid’s lost. How to keep from breaking down or by not tormenting herself got her father than she imagined.

The Demon Trapper’s Daughter by Jana Oliver #2

Some Spoilers


Theme: 

   I am almost done reading The Demon Trapper’s Daughter by Jana Oliver. The book is about a demon trapper named Riley Blackthorne, who has to become a demon trapper master after her father.  All the demon trapper masters are males. If Riley joined the committee of demon trapper masters, she would be treated differently because she would be the only female in the committee. The theme that was shone a lot was differentiating between a male and a woman’s given powers and powers that were fought for.

   Things could have been different. Riley could have continued her life as a regular teenager in high school; yet she chooses to become a demon trapper. The levels of professionalisms in being a trapper are hard, but Riley is determined to be legendary like her father. Beck needs to help Riley choose her job, but Riley has such freedom that she chose it herself. Having a man as an Instructor is hell for Riley. But, she doesn’t realize that she had the choice of becoming what she wanted, it wasn’t assigned. Harper, Riley’s instructor is a dominant person. He wants to tower over people, even his colleagues. Riley is more of a free person who won’t be tossed around, she is not used to being ordered around.

    Riley takes advantage of the fact that she has to choice of choosing what she wants. A century ago, Woman were not able to do what they wanted, they had to be hidden in the shadow of men. A century ago Woman had not been given the right to vote. Now, People take that for granted, similar to how Riley takes her choices and decisions for granted. Riley can change Harper’s perspective on dominance. As well as being dominant, Harper is also an abuser. Riley can help cut out his actions, and enforce him to make better actions for his colleagues, instead of abusing them. This act also includes men and woman who do not have the same rights.

    I think that Woman and Men should be treated equally. This is something the world is trying to sustain. If people were more willing to change their beliefs or were willing to see the “bigger picture” or dilemma, things would be very different for woman, men, and children; in fact it would be make a different world for all humans.. However, not everyone has the “real eyes to realize real lies”.