Pathos in "On Dumpster Diving" article

     Naz Erdeger 

     Mrs. Parkinson

     English III

     12 April 2016

                                 The author infuses pathos into the reading by showing the reality of dumpster diving. Eighner made sure to inform the audience that the term 'dumpster diving' didn't do it justice at all. He says "Dumpster diving seems to me to be a little too cute" (Eighner 713). Throughout this article, the author talks about the pros and cons of being a scavenger in America. On page 718, Eighner writes "At first the new scavenger is filled with disgust and self-loathing. He is ashamed to be seen and may lurk around" (718). This creates a feeling of sympathy for the audience. Especially if some of the audience have lived through this and can relate. For a new scavenger, it seems to be very difficult to get used to scrounging for materials just to survive. By speaking about the reality of 'dumpster diving', it infuses pathos into the writing.

             

Cullens’ importance to Society

Naz Erdeger

Mrs. Parkinson

English IIIB

8 March 2016

Cullens’ importance to Society

                       Between the 1920’s and 1930’s, African-Americans started to move to the urban areas of America. The Harlem Renaissance brought intellectual and artistic diversity to America. This was an influential movement because it brought forth the culture of African-Americans. One of the poets of that time was Countee Cullen. As a leading light in the 
Harlem Renaissance, his poem “Tableau” became very popular. In this poem, Cullen composes: 
That lightening brilliant as a sword / Should blaze the path of thunder. (Cullen, 1925). “Tableau” 
describes two white and black boys walking, locked arm in arm. The quote shows a metaphor, which 
is critical. Back then, racism was very alive. It still is today. This is significant because it’s showing 
that the boys are ignoring the judgement, which is very empowering. Cullen expresses his hope that 
someday people of any color and walk arm in arm and not be criticized.

Aspects of writer's voice shown in "The Important of Kindness"

They often employ techniques of narrative.

The video "The Important of Kindness", by George Saunders, shows many techniques of narrative. This video is about George Saunders' 42 years ago, talking about the time a new girl came to his school and she was bullied right in front of his eyes. Saunders' shows movement and fluidity by telling this story in chronological order for the audience which makes it easy to understand. I really enjoyed how the dialogue helped move the plot along. The narrator talks about the names that the bullies called Ellen in the video, which tells the audience that Ellen did not have it easy at his school. There is also very strong imagery used in this video, verbally and by drawing images. For example, "Ever so often she'd drift away, hair strands in her mouth". In the video, there are drawings of a braid on a plate, to show that she chews her hair, and it just paints a clear picture for the audience.

They exhibit perceptivity.


"Now why do I regret that? Why 42 years later am I still thinking about her? Unlike most of the other kids, I was actually really nice to her" (The Important of Kindness). By hearing this quote, you can tell that George Saunders was actually there in that moment. Since he is telling the story in a first person point of view, he has a better understanding of this situation which radiates credibility. The writer describes the situations that are unfolding in his video, by including many drawings of which I've mentioned before. It gives much more life to the video, than if he had just been talking and it was a blank screen. This also paves the way for strong characterization for the character Ellen. Saunders' talks about her cat-eye glasses and hair chewing habits while inserting a drawing to support his descriptions.

They offer surprising information and observations.

Saunders' surprised me in his writing because it was so informal and it feels like a friend talking to you. It's also amazing that he can recall all of these events, even though it was 42 years ago since they occurred. In the following quote the narrator includes so many small, details about Ellen by saying, "I'd still remember the way she'd look after such an insult. Eyes cast down, a little gut kick, as if having just been reminded of her place in things and she was trying as much as possible to disappear". These details make the text very authentic and interesting to the audience. I've found this video very unique and touching because it shows how vital kindness is to yourself and your peers, and hopefully a lot of people can learn from this.

Vignette in Chapter 15

Throughout reading chapter 15 and 16 I've recognized many vignettes in the text. There is a scene in chapter 15 where Holden is narrating his entire breakfast in a whole paragraph. He talks about how much food he consumed.   Holden says, “After I put my bags in one of those strong boxes at the station, I went into this little sandwich bar and had breakfast. I had quite a large breakfast for me—orange juice, bacon and eggs and coffee” (Salinger, 140). The reader would assume he has an amazing metabolism but then he goes on explain, "I'm a light eater. I really am. That's why i'm so god---- skinny." (Salinger, 140). This moment is powerful because he he uses 20 or more sentences just to describe his breakfast. Not only is that a great example of imagery, Salinger describes Holden's likes and dislikes, appearance, and actions. Lastly in this text, we see Salinger repeating the word "I" and "I'm", which really stood out to me. He repeats it about 11 times in the whole paragraph which causes it to be very emphasized to the audience.

Catcher in the Rye 9-10

Blog Option One

The writer of the article, "Your Rattle No One Else Can Hear?", pushes forth a greater idea then just complaining about a sound heard in her new car. In the beginning of the article, both her and her husband heard the rattling sound that was made by her car. Shortly after, the narrator decides to go to the car dealership so that they can help her with this issue. The person at the dealership was in the car with the narrator as it was driven on various roads, but he cannot hear the annoying rattling noise. He looked at her as if she was crazy because he couldn't believe there was anything wrong with her car.

The message of this article everyone has a rattle in their life. Whether that rattle is the chronic pain that doesn't go away from an injury, the cancer you survived,  but leaves you feeling unsettled, or the heartbreak you should be passed already. The narrator validates all of the readers rattles. She believes you and doesn't think you are crazy. The writer wants the reader to take comfort by the fact that she understands what a lot of the audience may be going through in their lives. She appeals to the readers sensitive side when she talks about this.

The second half of the article applies to Holden in Catcher in the Rye, when the narrator talks about "the chronic pain that doesn't go away from a long ago injury". This applies to Holden because when his little brother Allie died, he talked about how he was so upset that he broke all of the windows in the garage. Holden says, "My hand still hurts me once in a while, when it rains and all, and I can't make a real fist anymore..." (51). What we can conclude from this is, even though his injury occurred some time ago, it pains him to make a real fist and it reminds him of his brother dying. This is Holden Caulfield's rattle.

Looking For Alaska: 2nd Entry

Looking For Alaska, written by the amazing author, John Green. This book has won a printz award and is a New York bestseller. This novel focuses on Miles and his new life at Culver Creek. The main characters in this book are: Miles (Pudge), Chip ( The Colonel) , Alaska, and Takumi.

Each characters wants/desires:

Pudge- Pudge has always wanted to be admired by Alaska Young, who he's always had a crush on since the first day he arrived at Culver Creek. He also seeks a “Great Perhaps,” and really, any adventure greater than the bored loneliness of high school and people who never appreciated his quirky love of last words.

The Colonel- The Colonel's dream is to buy his mother a nice 2-story house of her own. That's his dream because his mother lives in a trailer home and he wants to do something nice for her. 

Alaska- All Alaska wants is to live a fun life consisting of pranks and her boyfriend, Jake, who she loves very much. Alaska, unfortunately, is involved in bad situations and makes bad decisions like cheating on her boyfriend because she likes Pudge and Jake.

Takumi- He is in Alaska's group of friends but always feels left out and wants to be included in what they're doing more often. He also likes Alaska along with Pudge but it never works out because Alaska never showed any interest in him but she did in Pudge which made Takumi really jealous.

The theme is self- discovery. By the end of the book, almost every character has figured something out about themselves because of the experiences they have been through. Self discovery is much more present as the theme within Pudge because he is the character that undergoes the most change throughout the entire book. Pudge used to be shy, lonely and very excluded from social tendencies. Because of the Colonel and Alaska, Pudge becomes completely different and discovers his true self with their help. Alaska helps Pudge discover a lot about himself. When Alaska dies, Pudge discovers a new part of him filled with regret, guilt, love, sadness, bitterness and gets to understand himself better by experiencing all these new feelings and thoughts. The Colonel discovers a lot about himself after Alaska’s death also, parts of him he did not know he had. 

The structure of this book is what I really enjoyed. John Green introduced Pudge and as the book went on it also included information about other characters' lives and situations. The story built up to Alaska's death and led you to discover the theme of the book.

Looking For Alaska : 1st Entry

Looking For Alaska, was written by the famous author and youtuber, John Green. John Green has also written some amazing other novels such as The Fault In Our Stars and Paper Towns. This book has won a printz award and is the New York Bestseller.

Some major characters in this book are:

Miles- After moving to Culver Creek and meeting his roommate "The Colonel" aka Chip, he gets nicknamed Pudge, which is ironic because he is tall, slender, and scrawny. Throughout the whole book the only talent Pudge seems to have is remembering peoples last words before they die, which is pretty cool if you ask me. Pudge went to the boarding school in Culver Creek in search of his own "Great Perhaps". He has feelings for this girl named Alaska Young, who for most of the novel does not return his feelings. He is frequently compared to Holden Caulfield of J.D. Salinger's novel The Catcher in the Rye.

Alaska- This crazy, moody, unpredictable, and rebellious girl captures Pudges' heart and attention. The Colonel most likely have crushes on her as well, although they are not stated in the novel. When Alaska was a child, her mother had a seizure due to a head aneurism. Alaska did not save her mother so she died. Alaska’s father blamed her for it and she regrets it to the present day in the story. Because of all of her issues at home, she turns to cigarettes and alcohol.

Chip- Also known as "The Colonel", A stocky, somewhat nerdy young man, he has gone to Culver Creek for a very long time. When he is not at school, he lives with his mom in a very small trailer. He is Pudge’s roommate, and he gives Miles the nickname “Pudge”. 

***********SPOILER ALERT***********

Alaska Young dies in a car crash near the end of this book and Pudge and Miles think it's their fault because they let her go into her car drunk, pissed, and crying. Later, they figure out that if she was as drunk as she was and didn't want to die she would've swerved her car but instead she hit a cops car head-on as if it was suicidal. They also figure out their friend Takumi was actually the last person to see her and he also had let her go but it didn't really matter to Pudge and The Colonel. My predictions are that Alaska actually committed suicide because, Alaska remembered the anniversary of her mother's death and came to the room sobbing that she had to go, referring to her mother's grave. But it was already after midnight, the next day. She was drunk and angry at herself. When she saw the truck and the police cruiser she was either drunk enough that she thought she could pass through or she was so angry with herself that she committed suicide, taking the 'straight and fast' way out.