Samurai's Garden, written by Gail Tsukiyama, features two main characters, known as Sachi and Matsu, whose relationship evolves from forbidden to true love. The beginning of their relationship is exemplified through Matsu's first visit with Stephen to Sachi's home in Yamaguchi, "As he led me toward the house... his steps lightened, his body relaxed, and he seemed almost young again" (Tsukiyama 26). This quote exemplifies Matsu's alter-ego when he is with Sachi, the first sign of peace, comfort and love emitted by Matsu, which will be replicated eventually by Sachi. Sachi is shown as closed off, hiding her face behind the black scarf, but metaphorically hiding her feelings as well.…
In Kurt Vonnegut’s novel Slaughterhouse Five, the main character Billy discusses death numerous times and how it’s simply a part of life. To further go on, The Tralfamadorians also see death as just another aspect in life, “Now, when I myself hear that somebody is dead, I simply shrug and say what the Tralfamadorians say about dead people, which is ‘So it goes’ (27). This quote talks about how the Tralfamadorians view death and that to them it is irrelevant. Vonnegut uses the phrase “So it goes” throughout the entire novel. By saying this, he is voicing how dying does not matter.…
His grandmother taught him to read…
A Place of the Heart Gardens are known for bringing beauty and color into people’s life and on many occasions they hold secrets to the creator's life. People plant their gardens to express themselves in a different way other than just words. The garden’s design or plants use can relate to certain aspects in a character's life. In the novel Samurai’s Garden, by Gail Tsukiyama, the author metaphorically compares the two very different gardens of Matsu and Sachi to show how they overcome their life challenges and how they both use their gardens as a place of therapy.…
People can naturally feel out of place and fearful in their world. This is a struggle present in the human experience. Using emotions such as being fearful or feeling out of place is a method that authors use to draw from a vulnerable place in the human struggle. This creates a window of connection based on emotions that better develops in-story characters. James Hurst uses these ideas that are present in the human struggle in "The Scarlet Ibis" to help the readers connect with the plot.…
Elizabeth Price Foley, an American legal theorist once wisely stated, “The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” This quote intelligently states with hidden meaning that two people do not have to think exactly the same way, or live near each other to remain friends. In The Chosen by Chaim Potok, the many different friendships that develop also reflect the meanings behind this quote. The characters in the book do not always agree with each other, yet they keep open minds about ideas differing from their own and consequently grow much because of these relationships. The necessity of friendship throughout life can be seen in the interactions between the characters Reuven, Danny, and Rev Malters.…
Brett is the protagonist in the novel who doesn't like to play by the rules, he doesn't respect authority figures such as Sam or the Police. Sam runs and operates The Farm, he has trust in all the boys he houses. Josh is an aboriginal boy who lives and works at The Farm by his own choice to earn and save money for university. Robbie is Brett’s 12 year old, shoplifting roommate. Tyson, a large pacific islander, is the resident bully on The…
Boxer is a loyal,strong horse who doesn’t question the leaders or government. He doesn’t complain, is constantly working, and is an optimist. “He had been a hard worker even in Jones’s time, but now he seemed more like three horses than one” (pg.29). On the other hand, Benjamin is a cynic,pessimistic donkey. He watches what is happening, but doesn’t get caught up in it.…
In the novel, Something Wicked this way comes, Jim and Will both show courageous acts, however the terms of courage differ. One moment when Will shows courage is when he confronts the Dust Witch. When the Dust Witch came in the balloon, Will decides to fight back with his archery kit instead of hiding. Even when the Bow shattered into pieces he “drew back and with all his strength threw the arrowhead” (p.151). Towards the end of the novel, Will continues to show courage.…
To be free means to have nobody in control every you and have no restrictions. Lyddie had always been obliged to take care of her sibling when her mom couldn’t. Lyddie had always been the leader of her farm and was the one to feed and take care of the animals. Lyddie was not always to do whatever she wanted because she was considered the ‘mom’ of her family. “Don’t nobody yell,” she said softly.…
Neruda's suit is his constant through the good times and the bad times because it is forever unchanging. I know that I can always find comfort in the constants and routines in my life and I like how this poem is able to put that feeling into words. My favorite quote reminds me to never take the things I love for granted, "I greet you/ with respect and then/ you embrace me and I forget you,/ because we are one being/ and shall be always/ in the wind, through the night,/ the streets and the struggle,/ one body,/ maybe, maybe, one day, still" (Neruda 61-69). This quote describes the feeling that you will never miss something until you know what it feels like when that something is gone. Even if my constant is something as simple as an old suit,…
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer is a biography. A young man named Christopher Johnson McCandless takes a journey to Alaska to get away from the society and people in his life, like his family. Chris goes to Alaska with no money and the bare necessities to survive in the wilderness. Chris dies because he ended up needing the items he did not have, but Chris did and experienced a lot before he died. Chris makes an identity, which is being stubborn, ungrateful, and only depends on himself and that changes his life and his choices, Chris built his identity by his actions, interest, and values and beliefs.…
Animal Farm Essay There are several examples of tyranny displayed throughout George Orwell’s novel Animal Farm . “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” a statement by Lord Acton, is a recurring theme throughout the text. This is shown with Farmer Jones at the beginning of the story, as well as with Napoleon through the rest.…
In the book The Killing Sea by Richard Lewis, Sarah and Peter have different point of view about how they treat Surf Cat. On chapter 6, the book states that when surf cat was meowing, “ Sarah said shut up” Therefore , the reader is told that Sarah does not care what is happening to surf cat. On the other hand, Peter says, “ Oh no some things wrong with surf cat, why is he acting like that.” From the quote, the reader can tell that Peter is very scared for surf cat.…
Survival skills that kept Aminata alive In the Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill, the life of an African woman named Aminata, who was kidnapped and forced into the slave trade, is explored. She Moves between Africa, North Carolina, Nova Scotia, England, and New York, facing many hardships and difficulties throughout the journey . Through it all, she manages to survive all her ordeals and lives to tell her story. Being able to read and write, speaking multiple languages and catching babies were some of the most useful survival skills that really helped Aminata stay alive, rather than coincidence, which may have had some influence on her survival. Aminata survives as a slave through the use and demonstration of her unique survival skills throughout…