Ashfall journel #2

What is the role of women in the novel? How are they treated by the author-important or marginalized? Strong or weak?

            Women have a very strong and important role in this novel. All the women that Alex met, encountered, or mentioned throughout his journey had similar traits. All the women were excellent caretakers to Alex. Even if they were not huge roles in the story at some point they helped Alex out.

            Alex’s mom is an important woman in this book even though she did not have a role in the novel. Alex talked about her the most out of his family. He talked about his issues he had with his mom and the fights they would get into between each other but throughout the book Alex’s thoughts about his mom became sweeter. By the end of the book whenever Alex talked about his mom he stated how important she is to him and how great of a caretaker she is.

            Another important woman in the story is Darla. Darla is very strong, smart, brave, and is a good caretaker to Alex. Darla nursed Alex back to health when he showed up at her farmhouse very close to death. Without her Alex could have easily died. Darla also taught Alex chores on the farm like making mechanical repairs, digging up corn, skinning rabbits, and running the machine that she created for recharging the batteries. “Darla shoveled maniacally, ramming in her spade and hurling each scoop away. Her mom kept up a measured pace, without any wasted effort.” Alex thought as he watched these strong women work so hard.

            Mrs. Edmunds’ Darla’s mom, was a hard working woman who delt with struggles in her life but she gladly took Alex under her wing when he was in dire need of help. Without her generosity Alex could have died. And when she died and the way she died really hurt Alex. He knew how important she was to Darla and even though he didn’t know Mrs. Edmunds for long he had a lot of respect for her and he truly cared about her.

            All these women played caretaker roles. For example, the woman at the camp who worked for FEMA. She truly cared about the well being of all the people and would do anything to help. She snuck 12 almonds in Alex’s pocket for him and Darla everytime they stood in line. Those 12 almonds were so special and important to them. Who knows those almonds could have saved Alex’s life.

Also the first farmhouse that Alex stayed at he was completely taken care of by the woman who lived their. She made him food and took care of them even though supplies are scarce in such a devastating time in their lives. The man of that house had to secretly sneak Alex out while the woman was sleeping because they both knew that she would have let him stay for however long it was dangerous outside. Alex understood the situation and gladly left but he will always appreciate that woman and what she did for him.

           

Ashfall Journel #1

Select a relatively important event in the book and describe why it was a turning point in the character’s life? What was it that the character decided or learned to do?

There are many important events throughout the book that can be marked as turning points for Alex. After Alex’s house burnt down during the volcano eruption he was taken in by his neighbors, Darren and Joe. One evening, some bandits decided to break in the door at Darren and Joe’s house. This was a turning point for Alex. It was the first time that Alex would have to use his taekwondo skills in such a real scenario in which he had to defend his life. Alex had only taken taekwondo lessons in order to defend himself from a school bully not expecting that he would actually have to use these skills to defend his life.

During the fight at Darren and Joe’s house it got very serious when Darren brought out a gun. Darren shot and killed the bandits causing a bloody mess in the house. There was blood splattered everywhere in the house and all over their clothes. Alex could not bear to be in that house after that incident and he immediately ran out of the door escaping the bloody torture. “But I couldn’t go back to Darren’s house. I doubted I could ever look at him again without seeing that rage-contorted face. And just thinking about returning to his gore-drenched foyer-no way.” Alex thought as he left the house.

After leaving Darren and Joe’s house and realizing that he himself could put up a fight and defend himself, Alex thought “Would I see them again? Yes, I decided. If they were alive, I would find my family.” He had his mind set and he thought “Tomorrow, I’d set out for Warren to find my family. The journey might be impossible, but I had to try.”

After gaining the confidence that he could fight, Alex made up his mind, he would go and find his parents. He was dedicated and this motivated him to be strong throughout his journey. With each struggle Alex faced he kept hope and stayed strong. He never gave up or broke down.

If that fight at Joe and Darren’s house never happened and Alex stayed there with them the entire time, the story would be different. Alex probably would not have left, stayed cooped up in the house, and later died from starvation or other bandits. He also would have never met Darla and he would have never expanded on his taekwondo knowledge. The fight at Joe and Darren’s house is what really got Alex’s momentum going to find his family.

Even though Alex did not find his parents, he found his sister and made it to his destination in Warren at his Uncle’s farm. He even remained hopeful for his parents the last line of the book Alex states “Despite my worries about Mom and Dad, I felt strangely hopeful.  Even in the icy wind, the warmth of Darla’s body against mine felt like spring.”

College Essay

 I adored my grandma Sharon, but never truly knew how amazing she was until January 2011. To my sister Nicole and me, she was the fun-loving grandmother who treated us like royalty. However, in January after her long fight against ovarian cancer, I found that she was as special to others as she was us. What I knew of Grandma then was that she was a spunky hospice nurse wearing bright colors, kept a candy jar filled, and had the biggest collection of teddy bears. What I did not know, was what her job meant and how she affected people.

            On the 29^th of January I learned Grandma was being admitted into the very hospice she had helped start. I did not know what to expect as my family made a solemn trip to Jacksonville. Hospice was not the cold sterile environment of a hospital. It was beautiful, spacious, and actually welcoming. Grandma was smiling, propped up with perfectly fluffed pillows, and snuggling a handmade quilt. Surprisingly, she was the one comforting us.

            Throughout the next three days there was a constant flow of people, each with their own “Sharon Story”. I especially remember an elderly sophisticated lady named Jean who led us in a heartfelt prayer. Jean was the friend who had knit Nicole’s Christmas stocking, which I envied for its great size my whole life. She told us the part Grandma played in the success of Hospice and of times when she helped others, including Jean’s husband, in their final days. Although Grandma grew tired and less talkative, the parade of visitors continued. Friends came to say their goodbyes from Hospice, Sassy Tappers, Red Hat Ladies, book club, and yoga. Eventually, it was my turn to say good-bye

            It is because of Grandma that I know what it means to live your life to the fullest. I saw how strongly she affected so many people in an honest and caring way. Grandma’s life may have appeared simple and boring. She lived in the same city, in the same house, and worked the same job for over 20 years. I learned in those three days that her life was truly full and exciting. From her example, I know that I am more than the clothes I wear, the friends I have, or the school I attend. I believe what made my Grandma so special to all those people was her ability to accept everyone as they are and without judgment. People knew that with her their secrets were safe and, no matter what, they would always be loved. Grandma has inspired me to live my life to its fullest by treating all those I come in contact with the same non-judgmental acceptance. I believe through my care and support of the people in my life I will achieve true success.  If there are times that this becomes difficult for me, I always have the memory of Sharon Jewel McKinnon to help me. Thank you Grandma. I love you.

Beowulf in the City

Grendel as Gerry

Beowulf as Billy

Hrothgar as Herriot

Billy vs. Gerry

It was a long day on the play-ground and the first graders were getting sick and tired of the third grader named Gerry taking over the jungle gym. Gerry was a bully. Everyday he kicked sand in there faces, stole their toys, and caused havoc on the swinging-bars. First grader, Herriot decided this needed to end. One day Herriot worked up the courage to approach Gerry the terror-causer of the play-zone. Gerry was in the sand-box throwing sand at people as they walked by as usual.

“Can I use the sand-box? You have been hogging it for all of recess and you had it yesterday too. ” Herriot asks.

Gerry says “No.” without even looking at her.

“Please Gerry! You are always hogging everything!” says Herriot.

“Na Na Na Na boo boo stick your head in doo doo!” yells Gerry as he throws sand at Herriot and pulls her pony tail.

Herriot starts to walk away but when the anger and frustration builds up inside her she can not hold back.

“Gerry! You are a mean boy and one day you will pay for the horrible things that you have done to me and my friends!” yells Herriot from across the playground.

“Oh Yeah! What are you going to do freckles?” yells Gerry.

“You’ll see.” Mutters Herriot as she walks away.

Herriot was too small to take control of the situation, so she and her friends asked the biggest boy in the fourth grade to help out. His name was Billy. Billy was a big kid yet a huge fuzzy teddy bear. He learned about the bullying situation and immediately approached Gerry.

“Hey Gerry do you really think it is okay to bully those little girls?” says Billy in a calm manner.

“What do you care about it Billy? Mind your own Bees Wax!” Says Gerry as he continues to terrorize the other children on the play-zone.

“I care a lot about it! It is not right the way you treat them! How would you feel if some meany treated you like that everyday at recess?” exclaims Billy in a stern voice while he steps closer to Gerry.

While this is going on a crowd is forming and people are starting to watch. Including Herriot and her friends who are cheering Billy on as he serves them justice. Gerry stops what he is doing and looks at Billy. 

“I don’t care what you have to say! Lalalalalalala!” said Gerry while sticking his fingers in his ears to plug them shut.

Billy pulls Gerry’s hands down and continues to tell him that he is wrong in what he is doing.

“Whatever!” Gerry shouts.

Gerry grabs a handful of mulch and throws it at Billy. Gerry then walks away. As he walks away Billy comes up behind him and pulls Gerry’s pants down causing him to feel the humiliation that he has been putting on others.

“Na Na Na Na boo boo YOU stick YOUR head in doo doo!” Herriot yells at Gerry as he stands there all red faced with embarrassment.

After the humiliation of being “pantsed” Gerry apologized to everyone and began to play nice with everyone. He shared his sand-toys and even made a generous lunch trade with Herriot. The nice, true Gerry started to come out and everyone liked him and considered him a friend.

Earth Without People Reaction Paper

Alex McKinnon

Ms. Morrell

Honors English IV

10/3/12                   

Earth Without People Reaction Paper

            Alan Weisman, the writer of Earth Without People, uses a lot of imagery in his writing to involve the five senses. Weisman uses imagery to give the reader the right picture in their head and he does not “over do it” causing the reader to get lost. Imagery makes the story more entertaining and gives the reader a true understanding of the image that the writer is trying to portray.

            For instance, Weisman wrote “A dry lightning strike, igniting decades of uncut, knee-high Central Park grass, would spread flames through town.” This statement gives the reader a better understanding of the unusual idea that if humans were not around to cut and tame that grass in the famous Central Park of New York, something as simple as a lightning strike could start a fire and destroy the entire property. Also his choice to use words like “uncut” and “knee high” help give the reader that image in there head.

            Another example of imagery is when Weisman wrote “As lightning rods rusted away, roof fires would leap among buildings into paneled offices filled with paper. Meanwhile, native Virginia creeper and poison ivy would claw at walls covered with lichens…” This excerpt from the article gives many examples of imagery. He used phrases like “fires would leap among buildings” fires can not really leap onto buildings but his word choice gives you the right image in your head. He also describes how the fire would burn the papers in the office building which is not a complete necessity but it boosts the creativity of his writing. Along with his use of the word claw referring to the poison ivy which “claws up the wall”.

            One last example of imagery is when Weisman writes “As water sluiced away soil beneath pavement, streets would crater.” He suddenly gives us the image of water beneath the soil causing the streets to cave in. Weisman uses imagery throughout his writing to connect the reader and make them use their five senses.