Journal #1- The catcher in the rye

Over the first three chapters, I learned  a lot about Holden's personality and his relationship with others.  In some ways, he and I are actually quite alike.  Holden "could shoot the old bull to old Spencer and think about those ducks at the same time." (p.13)  Just like him, I daze off and daydream about something else during school or when someone's talking to me, but still manage to be able to understand what's going on.  As well, I can relate Mr. Spencer with a couple of my teachers.  Holden observed that Mr. Spencer "felt pretty lousy about failing <him>" (p.12)  I can tell that a couple of my teachers feel pretty bad too when failing or giving a bad mark for their students' work and some will even give the opportunity for students to redo their work.  I also learned that although Holden doesn't do well at school, he still likes to maintain a healthy relationship between him and his teachers, for example Mr. Spencer.  Mr. Spencer had "written <Holden> this note asking <him> to stop by and say good-by before vacation started"  (p.7) and Holden says that he "didn't have to do all that" for he would have "come over to say good-by anyway." (p.7)  This shows that Holden and Mr. Spencer value each other as good friends and before Holden would leave for good, they would want to say a friendly good-bye first.

comment

Alison, you do show how Macbeth evolves. Nicely done. You have brought in key events to demonstrate his change in character. You bring about his transformation by showing how his integrity changes.Ilike that you show how he goes from feeling gulit to no guilt, as you retell many key moments in the play. Good work.

Macbeth's Journal Entries

Day 1
Oh my gosh!!!  Today when my good friend Banquo and I were taking a stroll, these three weird sisters came up to us and told us that I would somehow become thane of Glamis, then of Cawdor then become king!!!  For some reason, I believe those three witches.  As well, a short while after, Ross and Angus come up to me and tell me that King Duncan has named me Thane of Cawdor!  What the three witches said are true!  I must become king then, I must!!!  What can I do to become king though... I know, kill King Duncan, yes that is what I will do!  I will do anything to become king!


Day 2
I... I don't think I can do this, I can't murder King Duncan.  He has just honoured me and everyone is praising and congratulating me about my new title.  But when I told my dear wife, Lady Macbeth about my withdrawal, she went crazy on me and called me a coward!  She says that she'd rather kill her own child than miss out on such a great opportunity to become king.  I can't believe she said that, but since she emphasizes on what a foolish mistake I have made, I have realized that I should be a man and jump back in the game and indeed, kill King Duncan.  She then tells me of her great plan that will proceed on the night of the murder, convincing me that I am and will be as ready as ever to commit the murder.  I am yet nervous and excited.  Murdering the king?  Something I've surely never done before and I'm not sure I can make it through.  However, becoming king?  Ahh, something I've desired for for my whole life! 


Day 3
I am officially too scared to sleep.  Although the murder of Duncan was successful, the thought of it haunts me now.  I hear voices and they cannot stop!  They keep on screaming "Sleep no more!"  How am I able to go on with my life with this incredible guilt I hold inside of me?  Is this what happens once one has committed a murder?  What can I do?  Is there anything I can do?  Sigh, why have I drawn my wife to be involved with this as well?  At least I know she is with me and supporting me along the way, but right now I'd rather be lost in my thoughts than be conscious of what I have done.


Day 4
Muahahaha, I am finally crowned king!!!  Ah, all this hard work has finally paid off.  Now, I can be in glory and look down amongst all the peasants.  Oh great day, I can now live life to its fullest alongside my beautiful wife.  All except for one thing...  It does seem to me that Banquo seems to be suspecting that I have killed King Duncan!  How could this be?  My best friend, my old pal, how could he suspect a thing?  Hmm, if he does spread this around, I could be in deep trouble and if people find out, I too will be sentenced to death!  This cannot be, think, think, how could I prevent him from doing this?  Ah, why of course!  Do the same thing I have done before!  I shall kill Banquo.  But this time it'll be better, because I'll hire two murderers to commit the murder for me!


Day 5
I can't believe I just embarrassed myself in front of all my guests.  I am such a fool!  Thankfully, my lady was there to sort things out.  Basically, when talking with my guests at the dinner table, I mentioned how it was such a shame that Banquo couldn't join us tonight, you know, not making it suspicious at all.  All of a sudden, he was there!  No joke, he was walking on the table towards me!  He didn't say much but boy, did that freak me out!  I started to say things I shouldn't have said and ordered him to leave.  Was it all a part of my imagination or...?  Thank goodness when I was raging out, my dear wife was there to escort the guests away.  I have to talk to the three weird sisters about what's going on and what will happen.


Day 6
The doctor tells me that my wife has well, become crazy!  But there is no time for me to take care of her, I must flee to Dunsinane, no one I say, no one can come between me and my throne!  I must conquer and kill Macduff, nothing is as important to me right now.  My wife and her health can wait, I have more important things to do.  I have worked so hard, nothing can stop me now!  I need my armour now!  I am not afraid of dying or the consequences that follow.  The English forces are coming, I must kill them all!


Day 7
After all I have come through, the murders, the secrets and the dishonesty, I have almost forgotten how it feels like to be scared of something.  What am I afraid of?  There is a whole army coming against me to kill me at their own will and am I afraid?  No, I have lost all feeling of that.  Ah, I hear a shriek!  What?  My... my wife is dead?    <Sobs> Why did she have to leave me at such an early age?  Why could't she wait for me?  Who am I?  What am I doing?  I am lost.  Without my beloved Lady Macbeth, life is meaningless now.  Without her, I have no drive to accomplish what I have done, yet alone, continue on in life anymore.


Day 8
What?  Are you serious?  You're kidding me right?  The English Army is moving towards the castle?  Ah, what do I have to lose?  I have already lost my wife, the troops are arriving to sentence me to death, I simply cannot win.  But, I must continue on.  I know I will die fighting, and that is how I want to die.  Although this has not turned out to be what I have anticipated to be, I must at least die with my sword against his neck and his against mine.  I suddenly feel weak.  Has the guilt finally hit me?  I, me, myself, have murdered a whole family!  Macduff's family!  But, I cannot stop.  This is the fight to the death.

Macbeth journal #8

What?  Are you serious?  You're kidding me right?  The English Army is moving towards the castle?  Ah, what do I have to lose?  I have already lost my wife, the troops are arriving to sentence me to death, I simply cannot win.  But, I must continue on.  I know I will die fighting, and that is how I want to die.  Although this has not turned out to be what I have anticipated to be, I must at least die with my sword against his neck and his against mine.  I suddenly feel weak.  Has the guilt finally hit me?  I, me, myself, have murdered a whole family!  Macduff's family!  But, I cannot stop.  This is the fight to the death.

Macbeth journal #7

After all I have come through, the murders, the secrets and the dishonesty, I have almost forgotten how it feels like to be scared of something.  What am I afraid of?  There is a whole army coming against me to kill me at their own will and am I afraid?  No, I have lost all feeling of that.  Ah, I hear a shriek!  What?  My... my wife is dead?    <Sobs> Why did she have to leave me at such an early age?  Why could't she wait for me?  Who am I?  What am I doing?  I am lost.  Without my beloved Lady Macbeth, life is meaningless now.  Without her, I have no drive to accomplish what I have done, yet alone, continue on in life anymore.

Macbeth journal #6

The doctor tells me that my wife has well, become crazy!  But there is no time for me to take care of her, I must flee to Dunsinane, no one I say, no one can come between me and my throne!  I must conquer and kill Macduff, nothing is as important to me right now.  My wife and her health can wait, I have more important things to do.  I have worked so hard, nothing can stop me now!  I need my armour now!  I am not afraid of dying or the consequences that follow.  The English forces are coming, I must kill them all!

Macbeth journal #5

I can't believe I just embarrassed myself in front of all my guests.  I am such a fool!  Thankfully, my lady was there to sort things out.  Basically, when talking with my guests at the dinner table, I mentioned how it was such a shame that Banquo couldn't join us tonight, you know, not making it suspicious at all.  All of a sudden, he was there!  No joke, he was walking on the table towards me!  He didn't say much but boy, did that freak me out!  I started to say things I shouldn't have said and ordered him to leave.  Was it all a part of my imagination or...?  Thank goodness when I was raging out, my dear wife was there to escort the guests away.  I have to talk to the three weird sisters about what's going on and what will happen.

Macbeth journal #4

Muahahaha, I am finally crowned king!!!  Ah, all this hard work has finally paid off.  Now, I can be in glory and look down amongst all the peasants.  Oh great day, I can now live life to its fullest alongside my beautiful wife.  All except for one thing...  It does seem to me that Banquo seems to be suspecting that I have killed King Duncan!  How could this be?  My best friend, my old pal, how could he suspect a thing?  Hmm, if he does spread this around, I could be in deep trouble and if people find out, I too will be sentenced to death!  This cannot be, think, think, how could I prevent him from doing this?  Ah, why of course!  Do the same thing I have done before!  I shall kill Banquo.  But this time it'll be better, because I'll... I'll hire two murderers to commit the murder for me!

Macbeth journal #3

I am officially too scared to sleep.  Although the murder of Duncan was successful, the thought of it haunts me now.  I hear voices and they cannot stop!  They keep on screaming "Sleep no more!"  How am I able to go on with my life with this incredible guilt I hold inside of me?  Is this what happens once one has committed a murder?  What can I do?  Is there anything I can do?  Sigh, why have I drawn my wife to be involved with this as well?  At least I know she is with me and supporting me along the way, but right now I'd rather be lost in my thoughts than be conscious of what I have done.

Macbeth journal #2

I... I don't think I can do this, I can't murder King Duncan.  He has just honoured me and everyone is praising and congratulating me about my new title.  But when I told my dear wife, Lady Macbeth about my withdrawal and she went crazy on me and called me a coward!  She says that she'd rather kill her own child than miss out on such a great opportunity to become king.  I can't believe she said that, but since she emphasizes on what a foolish mistake I have made, I have realized that I should jump back in the game and indeed, kill King Duncan.  She then tells me of her great plan that will proceed on the night of the murder, convincing me that I am and will be as ready as ever to commit the murder.

Macbeth journal #1

Oh my gosh!!!  Today when my good friend Banquo and I were taking a stroll, these three weird sisters came up to us and told us that I would somehow become thane of Glamis, then of Cawdor then become king!!!  For some reason, I believe those three witches.  As well, a short while after, Ross and Angus come up to me and tell me that King Duncan has named me Thane of Cawdor!  What the three witches said are true!  I must become king then, I must!!!  What can I do to become king though... I know, kill King Duncan, yes that is what I will do!  I will do anything to become king!

Identity video project

Song that connects to identity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BsLd4Y060Q

I chose the song Born this Way because Lady Gaga's lyrics really touched me in thinking that I was born this way and my preferences, beliefs and gender should not interfere with being proud for who I am.  Lyrics such as "There's nothin' wrong with lovin' who you are", tells us that you should't be ashamed to love and take care of yourself.  As well, "don't hide yourself in regret just love yourself and you're set", expresses that you shouldn't hide who you are in shame or in embarrassment but rather love who you are and you're ready to go on in life.  Lady Gaga informs us through her lyrics that even if you were hurt and picked on for being yourself, just bounce back up now from all of the pain from before: "Whether life's disabilities left you outcast, bullied or teased Rejoice and love yourself today." Ultimately, in the lines: "No matter black, white or beige Chola or orient made I'm on the right track baby I was born to be brave.", tells us that no matter what your race is, you don't have to be ashamed of it because that is the path you've got to take and even if you get picked on for that, you have got to stand up and be brave about it.  In Lady Gaga's "Born this way", she was a mentor for me and reminded me that I should never not love myself or feel ashamed for who I am because I was born this way and I should be proud of it.

Blog response

1.  Which of the poems had the most meaning for you personally?

2.  What thoughts and/ or feelings did the texts evoke in you?  Why?

            Out of all the five poems I read, they all had a different message.  Alone was about being in the dark and I am from swingsets and jungle gyms led us through the life of Debby Gordon, but they all connected to one thing which is identity.  Personally, As I Grew Older had the most meaning for me because it is something I can relate to.  As I Grew Older was unlike other poems like Alone or Richard Cory where there was no hope in the poem, instead As I Grew Older jumped from hope to interference to hope and determination.  As well, I can relate to As I Grew Older because just like Langston Hughes, I had a dream in front of me that was blocked.  I had always wanted to take singing lessons and had found a good teacher too, my dream was “in front of me, bright like a sun”.  However, my dream got interfered just like how “the wall rose, rose slowly, slowly, between me and my dream.” for my provincial exam marks came out poorly therefore I had to focus on my studies instead.  I was devastated for a moment but I realized that in order to “find my dream”, I had to work hard for it.  So, I studied hard and proved to my parents that if I maintained a good study habit, I should be able to take up singing lessons.  Furthermore, I am from swingsets and jungle gyms inspired me as well, especially within the last quote: “I am from the people who paved a way for me, I am from the best that could be, and I am the best I could be.”  Debby Gordon implied something that touched me, realizing for me that my friends and family have all influenced who I have become which made me the best that I could be.  However, Alone and Richard Cory did not light up my life one bit.  Alone showed signs of desperation especially since the refrain is “Alone, all alone Nobody, but nobody Can make it out here alone.”  There were no signs of turning to a different direction with some hope in this character’s life.  I thought that this person had no motivation too because they were “lying, thinking last night how to find my soul a home.” yet, still ended up “with one thing” “that nobody, but nobody, can make it out here alone.”  Richard Cory was one of the darker poems too in my opinion, because it is set in a rather unpleasant and poor setting, where the poor envied and looked up to Richard Cory, who was a king in their eyes.  It did teach me though, that not everything seems as great as it seems to be.  Richard Cory was “admirably schooled in every grace” but no one knew the troubles he was facing in order to “put a bullet through his head.”  Lastly, I am from pink tights and speak your mind, was rather a poem of relief.  This poem, however, had the least meaning to me though.  The character remains childish and never seems to want to grow up.  Perhaps it was from the mind of a child for much of its life is filled with “Winnie-the-Pooh and sweet fields of sugar cane.”  It did, though, remind me to loosen up in life and remember to just be a kid once in a while.  Throughout all five poems, they all spoke to me in different ways- to work hard for what you aim for, that I am already the best I can be, don’t judge books by its cover and to remember that a child lives inside of you.  They may all mean different things but it is all a part of identity.

I am video