Herod the Great

treasure chest depending on how much you read. I remember there was always a week called “TV Turn Off Week” where you couldn’t watch TV for a full week and instead read a certain amount of hours. At the end, you would receive a ticket to Six Flags Great America. There were rules though; you were not allowed to read…

The American Dream In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there are different symbols that all tie in to a message about the American Dream. During the rolling 20’s, everyone wants to achieve this American Dream; however, people couldn’t picture the reality. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald puts the American Dream in perspective when mentioning symbols such as, the valley of ashes, love in the 20’s, Gatsby’s anonymous parties, the green light from the light house that shined…

In the novel The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck, the protagonist, Wang Lung is overwhelmed by the society in which he lives. His overpowering society eventually causes him to lose touch with himself and succumb to society's many pressures. He ultimately separates himself from his loved ones and creates a sad and lonely life for himself due to all the coercion of his society. In the beginning of the novel, Wang Lung is a poor single man living in his father's house. He is not, by any means, well…

“The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck examines a moment in the life of Elisa Allen, house wife and gardener. The story tells of Elisa’s experience with a traveling tinkerer who aims to earn a bit of money repairing their pots and pans. While the interaction with the man does not last long, it awakens something in Elisa that she had long put to bed. Steinbeck masterfully captures the suppressive life of an American wife in the 1930’s with realistic style. The story beings on a hazy December…

Karen Hesse wrote a poetic story by weaving 11 different characters together to share this tale, based on real events. By having 11 different distinct voices, Hesse is able to represent America in the 1920’s as well as modern-day life. By representing in both time periods, Hesse’s story resonates with the young, modern reader. Every reader can find a character they can relate to. Whether it is Leanora, who is struggling to find her way. Or Reynard Alexander, who speaks his opinion in hopes of a…

Holden's isolation from society highlights how society values conformity and obedience even at the cost of one's identity. Throughout the novel Holden does not find anyone that shares his same disgust for society and he does not understand why all of society conforms to specific norms and acts a certain way. For example, when Holden is in a night club in New York City and he comes across one of the many habits of humanity he despises. Holden says to the reader, “You should’ve heard the crowd,…

Curley’s Wife: Alone and Unloved In John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men, Curley’s wife is a lonely character described as a “tart” (28). She only identifies as “Curley’s wife” in the book, and, as a result, she is not ever given a name. Curley’s wife has an obvious relationship with Curley, but other than him, she has no other relationships. This is because the men on the ranch have a fear of causing trouble with Curley. The so called “tart” in the novel is described as having “full…

The unemployment rate during the Great Depression reached a high of 24.9%! How do you solve such an issue? Well, the answer was certainly not Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal. The Great Depression was a tragedy that started on October 29, 1929, and put millions of Americans out of work. Franklin Delano Roosevelt devised a plan to solve the problems of the Great Depression; this was called the New Deal. The New Deal provided American people with a series of social and economic programs that…

I’m way too little. I used to be big, but not no more.” (Kesey pg.207, par.10). His many years at the hospital appear to have aided in his lack of self confidence, something he appeared to have struggled with even as a child. It was quite a great storyline to see unfold. Watching Bromden’s self actualization and confidence evolve throughout the story was like cheering for the underdog and watching the underdog slowly win. McMurphy’s presence and confidence seemed to have shown Bromden…

A Knight’s Tale is a movie directed by Brian Helgeland starring Heath Ledger, a young actor who has been in many well-known movies, as William Thacher, a man whose main goal in life is to change the stars and become a knight. In A Knight’s Tale, you follow William Thacher, who worked for a knight who passed away within the first minutes of the movie. When this happens William jousts in his place. He wins the joust which leads him and his friends to create the idea of competing in other…