In My Country

myself. Sweat dripped down the length of my body and into places I absolutely didn’t want to think about. My clothes were quickly becoming second skin, clinging in the most uncomfortable way. Furthermore it didn’t help that I was dressed from head to toe in sunlight absorbing black clothing. The only comforting thing that kept me going was having the knowledge that I knew everyone who surrounded me was going through the same experience. A quick glance to my left, a woman fans herself with a…

The American male fantasy is one that is often portrayed by the heroes in the books and films we watch. They tend to be strong, moral and exciting characters that men look up to. Therefore, these texts carry a lot of weight in terms of the reflection of society and the male perspective on life. Using the novel The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler and the film High Noon directed by Fred Zinnemann, this paper will argue that there are certainly element within the texts that both support and counter…

Set against the patriarchal backdrop of the Deep South with its norm of male dominance, Alice Walker’s, The Colour Purple, maps the journey the novel’s protagonist, Celie, makes toward self-awareness and freedom. Walker’s epistolary structure highlights the importance of having opportunities to express ones thoughts and feelings in order to develop a sense of self and demonstrates how women have had their voices taken from them. Celie’s growth and the resulting parallel decline of male dominance…

I gripped my lacrosse stick like a blanket on a cold winter night, scared down to my bones about what I was about to do. I peeked the back door open to see if anyone was watching, but I knew that no one would be up at this time of night. I grabbed my backpack from the table and quickly ran out the door toward the woods not sure what was lurking in its darkness. I ran through the trees as briskly as I could, nimble on my feet. I knew no one could catch me now, no one knows what I’ve done. I was…

pregnant, I didn’t know what to do. I was scared to tell the father of my baby, but more terrified to tell my parents. I had plans for my future that did not involve having a baby. This is my experience of being in school and pregnant. First I thought it was just the flu, but this flu was nothing like I had ever experienced before. When I was at work one day, I decided I wanted to eat hot Cheetos so I did. Once I was done eating, my stomach started to feel funny and I felt like I was going to…

there until I moved to California at the age of 7. Lubbock has always been my favorite place because of the traditions and memories it carries. The first tradition that comes to my mind is Mackenzie Park. My family, along with multiple other families would gather there every holiday, and most weekends and we would have a massive barbecue. My friends and I would "explore" the forest and use our imagination and creativity…

non-judgmental place where you can talk about anything on your mind. Being in middle or high school can make you feel alone even though you are never alone, there is always someone that is in a very similar position as you who can help you or guide you through. My circumstances of committing to Jesus started in 7th grade when I first when to Wyldlife. Before coming I had been going to church almost every Sunday but not caring and not believing what was said. After…

outstanding career in soccer… well, all except dad: my father had something else in mind for me and decided not to support the dream of my life. At the beginning it was hard to believe, unfair, selfish. Then we had a conversation and I learnt that he pursued a career in soccer when he was seventeen, contrary to my grandparents desire for his only child, and he didn’t get anywhere because of the injuries. This is probably the best advice I got from my dad: something with a negative connotation…

wouldn 't look into my eyes, I 'm not sure he has the whole time I 've been here. "What do you mean? You can 't just stop loving me!" I let out a nervous laugh, my hands were starting to shake and I could feel the tears in my eyes. "You can 't just throw three years away!" I screamed, anger taking over me. "Clara, things change! I 'm sorry but I just can 't anymore!" He yelled back at me, finally looking up at me as tears swam in my eyes and ran down my cheeks. I pressed my lips together and…

My Antonia by Willa Cather is a novel that includes bone-chilling tragedy and life affirming uplift. The story centers around a memoir by Jim Burdin, a middle age New York lawyer who decided to write down his reminsces of his dear friend Antonia Shimerda. The story begins with Burdin heading on a train for Nebraska to live with his grandparents. He is ten years old and both of his parents have recently died. On the train he spots a Russian immigrant family and he is intrigued by them; the family…