Essential #6

There are many parallels that can be drawn between the Pardoner’s prologue and his tale. The definition of a pardoner is a medieval ecclesiastic authorized to raise money for religious works by granting papal indulgences to contributors. In the definition we see a sin that the Pardoner preaches against. In the tale he preaches against gluttony, indulgences, fraud and vulgarity. The Pardoner is guilty of all the vices he speaks about. This tale is different from the others that we have read. In the first two stories the focus is on love and friendship, but in the Pardoner’s tale the focus is on the negative aspects of life and how they should be avoided. The Pardoner only speaks about love of money. His story focuses on sins because if he gets people to think of their sins they may buy pardons from him. His job is to make money and his story is just a way for him to continue his business.

Essential Question 5- My Society

The ideal society is impossible to come by. Today’s society is unbalanced and imperfect. To have the perfect society there has to be a balance of good and evil. There are many roles for people to fit. A society must have a structure that it follows. When all these are met a group of people becomes a society.
In my ideal society I chose five different people who would play many roles. I chose Tom Brady, Gerard Butler, Mother Theresa, Taylor Swift, and Megan Fox. Each person would play an important role in the society. The society has to have structure, and political structure that I would choose is a democracy. These choices help to make a society run.
I chose Tom Brady for many reasons. He is an all-pro quarterback in the NFL. Quarterback is one of the most difficult positions to play in football, and Tom Brady is one of the best of all time. Brady dissects defenses with his passes, and is a student of the game. He is very athletic which is a positive in the society. He is a very strong leader. Through his play we can see his intelligence. Tom Brady is also a very good-looking man, or so I have heard. All these attributes made the decision very clear that Tom Brady would be a very good choice as a member of society.
Another member of my society is Taylor Swift. She is one of the most talented new starlets around. Her music has sold thousands upon thousands of copies. She is an entertainer. She is a very pretty girl. She is young and full of energy and that is what a society needs.
The third member of my society is Mother Theresa. She plays a major role in my society. She could be the nurturer of the society. She would provide the spiritual guidance in the society. Mother Theresa has knowledge of medicine and could be a healer, and with her overall knowledge she would be the sapient of the society. She would also help to educate in my society.
One of the final members of my society is Megan Fox. She is one of the most talked about actresses right now. She is gorgeous, and she is not a bad actress. She would play the role of the temptress, and possibly the villain. Along with Taylor Swift she would provide the females needed for procreation, which is obviously the most important factor if a society were to make it to the next generation.
Gerard Butler is the final member of my society. He is a leader. He plays a huge role in my society. He is a guardian and protector. He is a father figure. He is the enforcer and the law. He is the quintessential man in my society.
My society is not perfect, and it has some flaws. It would be hard to have a democracy with so many stars. They would all want the power. My society is not diverse, and diversity is important to me. My society also lacks a true villain, or challenge. These cons do not make my society completely dysfunctional.
This is my ideal society. It contains people that everyone loves. Most, if not all major roles have someone to fill them. There are strong leaders, and a knowledgeable sage. My society would hopefully thrive.

Essential #4

Sir Gawain and The Green Knight
Choice 2: Where do we see seduction and lust start to destroy Gawain, our young hero? What is the author trying to tell us?

Lust and seduction are the downfall of many. Sometimes it brings the best of people to a lower level. In the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight lust and seduction also helps to bring down Gawain.
Gawain is given a warm welcome by his host while on his journey to find the Green Knight. His host feeds and clothes him. He shows him a lot of hospitality. Gawain sees the wife of his host and thinks she is beautiful. In the text the author alludes to affair between the two. Through this affair Gawain would break the five knightly virtues of friendship, generosity, courtesy, chastity, and piety. He takes all the hospitality that was shown to him and throws it right back in his hosts face. This will most likely lead to the downfall of Gawain because in novels of this nature no bad act goes without punishment. The only question is how severe will Gawain’s punishment be?

Rules of Relationships

1. Never talk about the opposite sex in a sexual manner.
2. On the first date hugs and kiss on the cheek only don't make yourself look too easy.
3. Be polite. Chivalry is not dead.
4. Treat them around others like you would if you were alone.
5. The guy should pay. After time they should split the bill.
6. Always be honest. Any lie is a bad lie.
7. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Respect it, even if you don't agree with it.
8. Don't spend too much time together. Don't forget about your friends.
9. Remind important dates, just because you may not think it is important does not mean that your significant other thinks the same.
10. Don't say I love you unless you mean it.

Beowulf Essential 2

Discuss biblical allusions and religious symbolism in Beowulf
Religion plays a huge role in Beowulf. During the time that this poem was written Christianity was becoming big, and there is a religious undertone throughout the text. Whenever anyone accomplishes anything they praise and thank God for what they have done. An example of religious undertone is the explanation of Grendel and how he was born. Grendel is born from the seed of Cane and is essentially a spawn of Satan. The same goes for Grendel’s mother. She knows her fate, but still chooses to live her life the way she does because she gave birth to a demon. Religion is key in the poem.
After Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother he says, “our encounter would have ended at once if God had not guarded me” (1640-1641). Beowulf thanks God for him defeating Grendel’s mother. He said if God were not with him he would have died. This is just one of the numerous examples of religious symbolism in Beowulf.

Beowulf Essential 1

What are the social obligations of a hero? Is Beowulf aware of his deification process?

A hero is a person who helps protect society, and a hero is also admired by the people that he or she protects. A hero is courageous, strong, and is loyal to the people that he protects. the obligations of a hero are to uphold the certain qualities like selflessness and leadership. A hero must also live up to the expectations of society, and take upon themselves a role of leadership during a time of conflict or crisis. The hero must protect the people he serves, no matter how the outcome will affect him, and the hero must never give up because a hero is the one whom everyone relies on.

Beowulf is aware of his status as a hero, but not his deification process. He knows of his family's strong history. Beowulf knows of his great strength and bravery. Not only is Beowulf aware of these qualities but also others are aware. Beowulf is said to be "the strongest man alive, princely and powerful" (197-198). Beowulf is renowned for his strength and bravery, and Beowulf is highly respected because of these qualities. The people believe in Beowulf as a hero, but he has not reached the level of being a god yet.

P&P Essay

Andy Medina

AP English

Mr. George

Pride and Prejudice Essay

4/14/09

First Impressions vs. Pride and Prejudice

First impressions can be everything.  They are a major factor in how a person will be remembered.  In the novel Pride and Prejudice, first interactions between people are key to their future relationship.  In this novel there are many times when these first impressions turn out to be inaccurate.  First impressions in this novel are major factors in how the story plays out, and that is why the original title of First Impressions is more appropriate for this novel.  This title relates more to the characters than the title Pride and Prejudice, and is more fitting for the story.

Making a good first impression is hard, and the novel it proves this.  Many characters struggle with making good first impressions.  Jane is a good example of a character that makes a bad first impression which is very different from her true personality.  Mr. Darcy is close friends with Mr. Bingley who has seemingly fallen in love with Jane Bennet.  Mr. Darcy examines Jane at a ball, and the first impression she gives him is not good.  Mr. Darcy says that Jane’s “look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging as ever, but without any symptom of peculiar regard” (Austen 195).  Mr. Darcy went on to say that Jane “received [Bingley’s] attentions with pleasure, [but] she did not invite them by any participation of sentiment” (195).  He thinks he is looking out for Mr. Bingley’s best interests and breaks up the intended marriage that Jane and the rest of the Bennet family were hoping for.  Mr. Darcy’s first impression of Jane was that she was not fully interested in Bingley, but in reality she loved him.  This event leads to Mr. Darcy stopping the marriage, for the time being, of Jane and Mr. Bingley.  This is not the only case of misleading first impressions in this novel as similar situations arise as the plot plays on.  

Mr. Darcy himself does not avoid a bad first impression.  He comes off as a proud, as many note: “‘His pride,’ said Miss Lucas, ‘does not offend me so much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it. […] he has a right to be proud’” (21).  Mr. Darcy’s place at the top of the societal ladder makes him come off as haughty to those who are below his status, and this hurts his relationships with many, especially Elizabeth Bennet.  Elizabeth is told, by Mr. Wickham, that Mr. Darcy is an overcome with pride.  Mr. Wickham says these things about Mr. Darcy just a few minutes after he says that “It gives [him] pain to speak ill of a Darcy” (82).  Elizabeth already had been having ill feelings toward Mr. Darcy, and this created a prejudice against him.  Elizabeth believed that Mr. Darcy was an abominable man, but Mr. Darcy is far from that, he is almost perfect.  

Mr. Darcy is truly a kindhearted man, willing to give up a variety of things for Elizabeth, but she was blinded by the prejudice that was created by the bad impressions that Darcy had left with her.  This prejudice would lead to her rejecting his marriage proposal because she thought that he was such a debauched individual who cared for no one but himself.  Her prejudice blinded her to all the good deeds that Mr. Darcy had done and when the truth is revealed to her through Mr. Darcy’s letter she is humiliated and says, “Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind” (205).  The first impression of Mr. Darcy led Elizabeth to believe the worst about him, but luckily his love for her was not deterred by the cruel things that she said to him.  They are eventually married, but the poor first impression and the prejudice created from that, almost stopped that from happening.

In some cases, first impressions are not always bad.  In Mr. Wickham’s case his first impression is very beneficial to his public image.  He is a man who goes after girls for money and is in debt in many cities, but his strong first impressions make people believe that he is a respectable man.  Mr. Wickham is described as the “happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned” (77).  Elizabeth is attracted to him and she was the “happy woman by whom he finally seated himself” (77).  Mr. Wickham shows interest in Elizabeth out of mercenary needs only.  Elizabeth is unaware of this, and it is not until Mr. Darcy’s letter to Elizabeth that the truth about Mr. Wickham is revealed.  Mr. Darcy told Elizabeth that Mr. Wickham had taken the money that Mr. Darcy had given him, wasted it, and then came back for more.  When Mr. Darcy refused, Mr. Wickham tries to elope with Georgiana Darcy to get her money, but he fails.  Elizabeth is humiliated that she was deceived: “She grew absolutely ashamed of herself.  Of neither Darcy nor Wickham could she think, without feeling that she had been blind, partial, prejudice, absurd” (204).  Impressions can blind a person with prejudice, and decisions should not always be based on those feelings.

Pride and Prejudice is an appropriate title for this novel.  Pride and Prejudice is an exclusive title to the book and only is relevant to two characters, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.  The title First Impressions relates to more characters and the different relationships between them.  The prejudice amongst the characters is hard to avoid and is derived from the first impressions that people make.  The prejudices created from these initial meetings are important throughout the novel and are an integral part to the development of the relationship between the characters.  These impressions can be misleading, but in the end the true nature of the characters are unveiled, and things are made right.  The first meetings between characters in the story are important and are major factors in the novel, and that is why First Impressions would be the more appropriate title.  As everyone knows you can never have a second chance at making a first impression, so make it a good one, but do not let it misconstrue who you really are.  

Works Cited

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice New York: Barnes & Noble Books 2004

Character Analysis- Darcy

Andy Medina

AP English

Mr. George

Character Analysis

4/12/09

Darcy

Mr. Darcy is the perfect man; he is rich, handsome, and would do anything for the woman he loves.  

Mr. Darcy is a unique character.  He is a man of great stature, and many have a lot of respect for him.  Through his actions others see him as a haughty, prideful individual, but there are times where he is depicted as a caring man, especially in his interactions with Elizabeth.  Throughout the novel opinions on Darcy change, but his mannerisms do not change.  As the novel continues, Darcy proposes to Elizabeth only to be turned down.  She thinks that his pride is overwhelming and that he only cares for himself, but she could not be more wrong.  Elizabeth thought badly of Darcy because she misinterpreted his actions.  He broke up her sister’s marriage because he believed it was in the best interests for his friend.  Darcy did not give Wickham the money he asked for because he had already given him extra money before, not because Darcy hated him.  Darcy did things in the interests of others, and that is truly the individual that he is.  

Mr. Darcy is like a pineapple.  When you first look at a pineapple you see a thorny object that looks like it could never be a fruit.  Darcy was mistaken for a man who only cared for himself.  When you get past the thorns on a pineapple you get to the delicious fruit that many love.  As the novel went on people saw Darcy for who he really was, and not the pompous man they first thought he was.  

Mr. Darcy can be compared to George Clooney because of they are both very handsome, rich men who are also very caring.  

Character Analysis- Jane

Jane Bennet

Jane Bennet is a very sweet young woman who cares for everyone that she meets, as long as they have good manners.

Jane is the oldest of the Bennet sisters.  She is very kind and beautiful.  Everyone takes notice of her beauty.  “Jane united with great strength of feeling, a composure of temper and an uniform cheerfulness of manner, which would guard her from the suspicions of the impertinent” (22).  Jane is an optimistic person, and always gives a positive spin on negative situations.  She defends people, like Wickham, when others think very poorly of them.  The only way for someone to end up on her bad side is if she realizes their faults, like she did with Miss Bingley.  When Jane realizes Miss Bingley’s insincerity she does not look for a positive in her negative actions.  She does not make excuses for her, but when they become sister-in-laws Jane’s kindheartedness makes it so she accepts Miss Bingley again.  Jane is a good natured human being, and many other characters within the novel see that in her.  

Jane is a positive character and her feelings toward people stay the same like the needles on an evergreen tree.  There are times where her feelings toward others change, just as there are some needles of the tree fall off and become discolored.  For the most part Jane remains as a positive person, like an evergreen tree stays green all year round.  

Jane Bennet is comparable to Juliette Noonan, or really any of the Noonan girls, because they are very positive people, and try to see the best in people even if it is a bad situation.  

Pride and Prejudice 15: ch 16-END

“You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.” Elizabeth feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak; and immediately, though not very fluently, gave him to understand, that her sentiments had undergone so material a change, since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure, his present assurances” (354).

• In this quote Darcy tells Elizabeth that his feelings for her have not changed since he proposed to her.  He still is in love with her and he wants to know if her feelings have changed.  He says that if her feelings have not changed then he will not bother her with this subject again.  Elizabeth is so happy that she accepts his offer “not very fluently” which is surprising because she is very well spoken.  She is so happy that he is still in love with her and she now knows that she is in love with him.  She is probably excited because this also proves everyone else wrong.  Many said that Darcy’s societal status was too great for Elizabeth, and this proves all of them wrong.  
  

Elizabeth standing up to Lady Catherine is surprising because:

A.) Elizabeth is younger

B.) Lady Catherine’s position in society

C.) Elizabeth loves Lady Catherine

D.) Lady Catherine does not care about Elizabeth

Pride and Prejudice 13: ch 10-12

“She was even sensible of some pleasure, though mixed with regret, on how finding how steadfastly both she and her uncle had been persuaded that affection and confidence subsisted between Mr. Darcy and herself” (316).

• Elizabeth’s love for Darcy has been steadily growing over the last few chapters.  In this section we see that Darcy bribed Wickham to marry Lydia.  The reason for why Darcy did that is unknown, but her aunt speculates, and drops hints, that it may be because he has feelings for Elizabeth.  Her aunt even goes out and says, “Will you be very angry with me, my dear Lizzy, if I take this opportunity of saying (what I was never bold enough to say before) how much I like him?” (315).  Her aunt is speaking of how she likes Darcy and this relates to the part a few sections ago after the Gardiners met Darcy.  Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner both wanted to talk about Darcy and did not know how to go about it.  Now she feels comfortable speaking about it.  Elizabeth is dwelling on the fact that she spoke ill of Darcy and rejected him.  She feels stupid for doing it, and wishes it could be different, but she also realizes she may not get another chance with Darcy. 
  

“I fancy, Lizzy, that obstinacy is the real defect of his character after all” (313).  The word obstinacy most closely relates to:

A.) Stubbornness

B.) Pride

C.) Selfishness

D.) Stupidity 

Pride and Prejudice 12: ch 7-9

“She wanted to hear of him, when there seemed the least chance of gaining intelligence. She was convinced that she could have been happy with him, when it was no longer likely they should meet” (301).

• This quote is very interesting.  Elizabeth is saying that if Darcy were to propose to her now she would say yes.  There is only one problem with that… she doesn’t know if Darcy will propose to her again.  Lydia’s marriage to Wickham was a huge controversy and it would deter Darcy from making another proposal.  Elizabeth is falling for Darcy head over heals.  It is possibly because she has experienced her younger sister marrying a man before her, and quite possibly the man she had thought would be a suitable husband.  There are many possible reasons for this, but none for sure.  It is most likely that she is finally realizing how Darcy is a good man.  She should have said yes before, but she did not understand him like she does now.  
  

Why did Mr. Darcy attend the wedding?

A.) He hoped to see Elizabeth there

B.) He felt obligated to go

C.) He forgave Wickham

D.) He has a secret love for Lydia

Pride and Prejudice 11: ch 3-6

“But that was only when I first knew her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance” (264). 

This interaction between Darcy, Miss Bingley, and Elizabeth is very interesting.  Miss Bingley knocks down Elizabeth in front of Darcy like she usually does, but there is a difference this time.  This time her words are harsher.  She attacks Elizabeth more directly than before.  It is most likely due to the fact that Darcy’s love for Elizabeth is growing, and Miss Bingley knows this.  She tries to make Darcy sound like he did not appreciate before, but in this quote Darcy avoids Miss Bingley’s attack.  I believe that Darcy is growing on Elizabeth.  She is beginning to fall for him more than she had before and her interaction with her aunt at the end of chapter 3 shows this: 

“The looks and behaviour of every body they had seen were discussed, except of the person who had mostly engaged their attention. They talked of his sister, his friends, his hous, his fruites, of every thing but himself; yet Elizabeth was longing to know what Mrs. Gardiner thought of him, and Mrs. Gardiner would have been Highly gratified by her niece’s beginning the subject” (264).  

They both are interested in Darcy, but neither knows what to say about him.

Why does Elizabeth not speak about Darcy to Mrs. Gardiner?

A.) She is afraid of her

B.) She does not like Darcy

C.) She still has feelings for Wickham

D.) She is nervous of the opinion her aunt holds

Pride and Prejudice 9: ch 14-18

“Mr. Darcy has not authorized me to make his communication public […] The general prejudice against Mr. Darcy is so violent, that it would be the death of half the good people in Meryton, to attempt to place him in an amiable light […] Wickham will soon be gone; and therefore it will not signify to any body here what he really is. Some time hence it will be all found out, and then we may laugh at their stupidity in not knowing it before.  At present I will say nothing about it” (221).  

• Elizabeth shares the information that she has learned from Darcy with Jane.  She tells Jane about what she has learned about Wickham.  They choose not to tell the people about Wickham’s faults because he is leaving soon and they think that the rest of the people will figure it out for themselves.  Prejudice against Mr. Darcy is also shown in this quote.  Mr. Darcy brought this information about and it would be hard for the people to accept it due to the prejudice they still hold against him.  It is a sticky situation that the girls are faced with and it will be interesting to see how it will play out as the story goes on.  It will also be interesting to see if Elizabeth confronts Wickham about the news.
  

Why do Elizabeth and Jane choose not to bring Wickham’s faults to the public?

A.) They do not want to hurt his reputation

B.) Elizabeth still has feelings for him

C.) They are not sure if the accusations are true

D.) Darcy did not give his permission

E.) We do not know

Pride and Prejudice 8: ch 11-13

"Had I been in love, I could not have been more wretchedly blind.  But vanity, not love, has been my folly.  Pleased with preference of one, and offended by the neglect of the other, on the very beginning of our acquaintance, I have courted prepossession and ignorance, and driven reason away where either were concerned.  Till this moment, I never knew myself" (205). 

• Elizabeth has realized her faults through this quote.  She has been blinded by her first impressions of people.  She has also been blinded by her pride and prejudices towards people.  We now see where the two titles of the books came from.  First impressions are valued too much in this society and the people never really take a chance on getting to understand those who have a bad first impression.  On the other hand if a person has a good first impression they are thought to be a good person and their character is not questioned.  This is perfectly illustrated with Elizabeth’s feelings toward Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham.  Her first impressions of the two individuals created a prejudice that blinded her and it was not until now that she has realized her mistake.  She must not make an effort to try and make things right, but it will not be easy.
  

Mr. Darcy’s proposal and letter were

I- Heartfelt

II- Full of Pride

III- Thoughtful and showing his true feelings

A.) I

B.) II

C.) III

D.) I &III

E.) II & III

Pride and Prejudice 6: ch 2-5

“how can I promise to be wiser than so many of my fellow-creatures […] All I can promise you, therefore, is not to be in a hurry.  I will not be in a hurry to believe myself his first object. […] they parted- a wonderful instance of advice being given on such a point without being resented” (145).

• This quote takes place after Mrs. Gardiner, Elizabeth’s aunt, warns Elizabeth not to marry or fall in love with Mr. Wickham.  Mrs. Gardiner believes Wickham is a “most interesting young man” (144), but he is unsuitable for marriage because he is not wealthy.  She even speaks about the fact that if he had the money that he deserves, from the deceased Mr. Darcy, that Elizabeth “could do no better” (144).  Elizabeth’s response to these statements is weak, most likely because she may be in the process of falling in love with him.  Elizabeth promises that she shall try to keep him from falling in love with him, but she never says anything about trying to keep herself from falling in love with him.  I think that at the current moment that Elizabeth does have feelings for him, but she does not want to admit it.  It will be interesting to see how their relationship plays out.  
  

Mrs. Gardiner thinks that Elizabeth should not fall in love with Wickham because he

A.) has bad manners

B.) made a bad first impression on her

C.) is not wealthy enough

D.) has too much pride

Pride and Prejudice 5: ch 21-1

“I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and, considering Mr. Collin’s character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state” (125). 

• This section is very similar to Mr. Collins’s proposal to Elizabeth.  In Mr. Collins’s proposal to Elizabeth he spoke of things about the marriage that would benefit the two, but he never really spoke of his “love” for Elizabeth.  Charlotte is just happy to be married.  She obviously is not the most attractive girl and she is not very suitable for marriage.  She is happy because Mr. Collins is financially stable for the future and she will benefit from this marriage, even if she does not have real feelings of love for him.  Elizabeth did not agree with Charlotte’s decision: “Charlotte, the wife of Mr. Collins, was a most humiliating picture!” (125). It shows how Elizabeth’s view of marriage is different from many because she views marriage for her feelings for the other person and not how she could financially benefit from it.  
  

Charlotte’s explanation of her marriage to Mr. Collins and Mr. Collins’s proposal to Elizabeth are

A.) similar because they both speak of love of one another 

B.) different because they 

C.) the similar because both lack of personal interest of the other

D.) different because Charlotte speaks of love and Mr. Collins speaks of life

Huck Finn essay

Andy Medina

AP English

Mr. George

Huckleberry Finn Essay

3/23/09

Huck’s upbringing and how it helped him to act outside of the normal in his society

Huckleberry Finn is unlike many boys.  He is twelve years old and lives a different life than many would expect.  Huck Finn is more independent and has a different view on life.  He acts differently because of his upbringing which is different to say the least.  Huck is raised with different ideas and in different places.  Due to his unique upbringing Huck has different characteristics.  He is brought up with contradicting ideas about what he should be, and how he should act in society.  

Huckleberry Finn is raised and develops in a few different settings.  He lived in the woods with his father, in a house with the Widow Douglass and Miss Watson, and on the raft with Jim.  All three areas a much different, and what Huck experiences in each settings defines him as a person.  His views about life are different because of his rearing.  With Pap Huck’s life was much different from what people would consider the norm.  Huck’s time with the Widow Douglass and Miss Watson is quite contrary to his time with Pap.  He is more “civilized” in the sense that he sleeps in a bed, wears clean clothes, and goes to school.  This is a very different experience for Huck since when he was with Pap he had a lot of freedom.  He was not used to this life style and was not very sure if he liked it: “I had stopped cussing, because the widow didn’t like it; but now I took to it again because pap hadn’t no objections. It was pretty good times up in the woods there, take it all around” (Twain 34).  With Pap Huck could do what he liked and he had no real sense of what society saw as correct.  He viewed the world in a manner that was very different from others.  

Huck’s upbringing with the Widow Douglass and Miss Watson was contrary to what Huck had learned with Pap.  Huck was taught many new ideas that seemed alien like to him.  “She said the thing a body could get by praying for it was ‘spiritual gifts.’ This was too many for me, but she told me what she meant-I must help other people, and do everything I could for other people, and look out for them all the time, and never think about myself" (19).  Huck is hearing many new things and most likely he thinks that they are foolish.  These new ideas are much different from what he learned when he was with Pap.  Huck now has had two contradictory views on life, and they must have been confusing to understand which was right and which was wrong.  Huck’s view on the world only will become more difficult for him to understand because the diverse opinions that were being taught to him.

The next setting that Huck was exposed to was life on the raft with Jim.  Life was easy on the raft: “there warn't no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don't. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft" (128).  The raft was a place of freedom for Huck and Jim.  They lived their lives as they wanted to and did things to survive.  They encountered many different situations and people while on the raft, and during these experiences are where the reader is shown many examples of how Huck’s upbringing affects his view on situations in society.  

On the raft Huck was put into many new types of situations that he had to find a way out of.  There were times where they had no food on the raft and were forced to steal, but Huck would leave some other kind of food in its place because he thought it was what the widow would do.  In this type of situation there are examples of two of the forms of Huck’s upbringing.  He stole out of necessity, which is something he would have learned from Pap, and he left something behind in its place because it is something that he thought the Widow Douglass would like.  There are other situations where some event takes place and Huck’s explanation is outside of the norm.  For example there was a time while on the raft Huck found pieces of bread in the water that he could eat.  His answer for why the bread was there was simple: "I reckon the widow or the parson or somebody prayed that this bread would find me […] there's something in it when a body like the widow or the parson prays, but it don't work for me, and I reckon it don't work for only just the right kind"(48).  Huck is still a young, naïve boy, and he has not had the opportunity to learn and develop like others at his age level.  He sees life differently than others, and there are many times where he says things that show how he feels about situations that many people would feel differently about.  

There are issues that Huck has differing views about that many would see as simple to understand, like learning right and wrong: “what's the use you learning to do right, when it's troublesome to do right and ain't no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same?" (104).  Huck’s view on this situation is one from a person who, in his early life, was not taught the difference between right and wrong by societies standards, but he was taught what was right and wrong in order to survive.  Huck’s right and wrong is different from society’s right and wrong.  Another instance where Huck shows his opinion is when he speaks about telling the truth.  "I reckon a body that ups and tells the truth when he is in a tight place, is taking considerable many resks, though I ain't had no experience, […]  and yet here's a case where I'm blest if it don't look to me like the truth is better, and actuly safer, than a lie"(200).  Huck’s experiences have shown him how to act in certain situations, and he has grown as an individual. 

Huck Finn was raised outside of society and was never corrupt by its teachings.  He was exposed to some of societal views as his life went on, but he was always able to view the corruption from the outside since he never truly had a real part in society.  Huck never had to experience the corruption of society for long, and he escaped it because he was not born into it.  He was born outside of society and he could always look in and act outside of the corruption.  

Pride and Prejudice 3: ch 11-16

"She attracted him more than he liked; and Miss Bingly was uncivil to her, and more teasing than usual to himself. He wisely resolved to be particularly careful that no sign of admiration should now escape him" (60). 

• In this section of the reading we see the feelings that Mr. Darcy has for Elizabeth more in the open.  His attraction to Elizabeth is seen by Miss Bingley.  Miss Bingley tried to make Elizabeth seem more and more unsuitable for him, and this made him realize that his feelings for Elizabeth were present.  He figured he must not show his emotions to avoid further suspicion.  He did not want others to think he had feelings for someone who he thought was unsuitable for marriage.  In earlier pages we see interaction between Elizabeth and Miss Bingley.  Miss Bingley, speaking about Darcy‘s pride, says, "Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride - where there is a real superiority of mind - pride will be always under good regulation" (Austen 57).  She speaks about Darcy’s flaw being his pride.  She may have spoken about faults in Darcy, hoping that Elizabeth would say something of that nature and she could tell Darcy about it.  She wants Darcy to herself, but he has no interest in her.  Why would she talk about his pride?  Pride is not a simple little fault, but she must be too ignorant to realized it, and I’m sure Elizabeth must realize this also
  

In this novel a people are judged by their place in society.  What is another very important thing that is a character is judged by in this novel.

A.) Manners

B.) Expensive clothes

C.) Good looks

D.) None of the Above

Pride and Prejudice 1

“Which do you mean?” and turning round, he looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; and I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me” (13-14).

• Mr. Darcy does not start off on the right foot with Elizabeth.  He looks like a stuck up ass who is very shallow.  He says that Elizabeth is “tolerable, but not enough handsome enough to tempt me” (13).  This is obviously an insult towards Elizabeth and it gives the reader a glimpse of Darcy’s haughty disposition.  His remarks do not make Elizabeth happy, and he says these things after he makes eye contact with her and he knows that there is a possibility that she can hear him.  He makes himself look like a jerk to the townspeople who now feel indifferent towards him.  They were drawn to him because of his place in society, but his manners and iniquities now push people away.  It will be interesting to see how the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy will grow as the novel goes on.  
  

Darcy’s statement can be described as which vocabulary word?

A.) Affront C.) Amiable

B.) Felicity D.) Precipitate

Huck Finn 5: pg 185-208

“how ornery and tough the fried chickens was” (184). Ornery- ugly and unpleasant in disposition or temper; stubborn; low or vile ; inferior or common; ordinary 

“The lid was shoved along about a foot, showing the dead man’s face down there, with a wet cloth over it, and his shroud on” (192). Shroud-a cloth or sheet in which a corpse is wrapped for burial 

“I felt so ornery and low down and mean, that I says to myself, My mind’s made up; I’ll hive the money for them or bust” (188).

• This quote shows that Huck is growing.  It is the first time that Huck decides to actively try and stop the duke and dauphin’s plans.  He has decided to tell Mary Jane about the two frauds.  This is a major development in Huck’s character because he would never have done this before.  He tried to stay out of trouble and not say anything about the duke and dauphin’s plans to get money.  He didn’t even tell Jim about the two.  Now we see Huck has grown enough to try and thwart the two frauds.  He is aware of the trouble that he may cause himself, but that does not stop him.  He has decided to do the right thing and tell Mary Jane.  
  

"I reckon a body that ups and tells the truth when he is in a tight place, is taking considerable many resks, though I ain't had no experience, and can't say for certain; but it looks so to me, anyway; and yet here's a case where I'm blest if it don't look to me like the truth is better, and actuly safer, than a lie"(200). 

• Huck may be choosing to tell the truth to cause less trouble, but he is still telling the truth without knowing what the truth may hold.  The truth could break Mary Jane and cause a lot of trouble with the duke and dauphin, but it is safer than a lie.  If Huck lied, he would be stuck in that lie and most likely continue to build more lies around it.  Huck is still trying to stay out of trouble by not lying, but he is doing the right thing by telling the truth.  The duke and dauphin are taking advantage of the poor group of sisters and Huck is doing the right thing by exposing their plans.  Hopefully his decision will end good for him so it doesn’t stop him from telling the truth later in the novel.  
  

Huck and Jim Dialogue

Jim:

Der Huck was.  I seen Huck and some other folk.  Der wer two other men in de canoe wid ‘im.  I seen dem talkin’. Dey wer lafin and it seemed deys wer havin’ fun.  Huck came up to de raft and told me dat der names was Bob and Tom. Dey seemed like nice fold.  Dey both started talking bout deir der lives. Dey both was homeless.  Dey asked Huck fo sum money wen he went walkin by dem in de town.  Huck didn’t have no money so he went and told dem to come stay on de raft wit us.  Dey wer very happy bout Huck doin dat fo em.  Dey sed dey’d help us get anyding dat we needed help wit.  Dey sed dey help get food and help us get down de river.  So I says to myself dat dey was gud folk and dat we sud let dem stay wit us on de raft.  Dey were mighty happy dat me and Huck was ta let dem stay wit us.  Den we started movin down de river and we was havin a great ole time together.  We was singin and talkin and drinkin on de raft.  We was havin such a gud time.  Huck done gud by bringin dese guys on de raft. 

De next day Huck and Bob and Tom went out into de next town cause we didn’t have any food left.  Dey went into de town and dey went round askin fo any food dat folks wud givem.  De town folk wer very kind folk.  Dey gave em sum food and water and even gave em sum money on the count dat Huck was wit dem and he looked so dirty and cause he was yung.  Den Huck and de other guys cam back ta wer I was on de raft. Dey had all de stuff wit em and I was so happy ta see all de stuff dey got from dey folks in de town.  We went back on de raft and started gwyne down de river sum mo so we cud get ta wer we needed ta go so I cud get back my fambly.  I was so happy to see de money cuz I needed mo money to try and buy em back.  I hoped dat dis all wud work.  I was so happy Huck was wit me now.  He wer de only real fren I gots.  He wer de reason I was still tryn ta get back my fambly.

Huck:

Life on the raft is better than life anywhere else I have lived before.  I could live free as a bird and no one was there to tell me to do nothin.  Me and Jim was best of pals.  He didn’t care much for what I did as long as it wasn’t gettin us into no trouble.  Life was mighty easy.  We could sleep all day and stay up all night.  We weren’t gettin into any real trouble.  We got along just fine.  Me and Jim only argued about silly things like the starts and where we reckoned they were from, and things like that, and by and by we got along with out lives.  

There were times when we did get into trouble, but we always got out of it.  Like the time when we was on the river and the steamboat was comin right for us and they couldn’t see us in the night.  Jim and I paddled so hard that I thought my arms were gwyne to fall right off.  We almost got run over, but the steamboat missed us.  Course Jim went and said we got into that trouble on the count of the snakeskin, but Jim always went around sayin that when we got into any trouble.  Me and Jim got into and out of loads of trouble together.  We was a good team.  There was another time that we almost got arrested cause some folk thought I was harboring a runaway slave.  I had to try and tell’em that Jim was no slave.  I said he was the closest thing to family I got cause my family was killed by Tom Sawyers gang.  I couldn’t think of no other name of a gang.  I told ‘em that Jim saved me and we had to go down the river to escape the gang and to find us a new place to stay.  

Jim and me was great together.  I hope he gets the money he needs to get his family back.  He is a good fellow so I reckon he will do it.  Maybe I’ll even try prayin for him cause maybe this will be the thing that my prayers will be answered for.  

Huck Finn 5: pg 129-158

“Next you’d see a raft sliding by, away off yonder, and maybe a galoot on it chopping” (130).  Galoot- an awkward, eccentric, or foolish person 

“paddled about a mile up a crick” (130).  Crick- variant of creek

"If I never learnt nothing else out of pap, I learnt that the best way to get along with this kind of people is to let them have their own way" (137). 

• I’m glad that Huck saw through the duke and Dauphin’s lies.  There statements were obviously huge lies.  They thought them up on the fly to try and trick Jim and Huck.  It is very convenient that two people were running away from a mob and belonged to such royalty together, and it is even more convenient that Huck found them both.  Huck doesn’t want any issues so he does not call them out on their lies.  He learned this from dealing with his father.  If Huck knew his father was wrong he would not call him out on it because he would get in trouble and probably get beat.  He sees similarities between his father and the two new men.  It is possible that Pap had some qualities that were similar, most likely lying.  Huck does not want any trouble and does not want extra attention brought onto him and Jim so he will let the lies go as long as it does not interfere with him too much.  It is important to note that these men are liars, Pap was maybe a liar, and Huck is a compulsive liar who lies to get his way out of trouble.  
  

“dat’s all right, den.  I doan’ mine one er two kings, but dat’s enough.  Dis one’s powerful drunk, an de duke ain’ much better” (146).

• In this quote we see how Jim is naïve.  He is not stupid however.  He is just uneducated.  He does not realize what the duke and king is saying are lies.  He thinks they are looking out for him and Huck, but they are doing what is best for them.  The first time a decision has to be made by the king or duke and it does not benefit them, they will pick the other option, no matter what the consequence will be for Jim or Huck.  Huck realizes the duke and king’s lies, but Jim does not realize this.  In his life Jim has never encountered any types of kings, or any stories of kings.  Huck has probably heard stories of kings.  Huck can see through their lies.  Jim has never heard these stories and Huck has not told him about the lies so he stays in the dark, and it will take a lot for him to find out about their lies.  
  

Huck Finn 4: pg 88-129

"There was four or five men cavorting around on their horses" (126). Cavort- jump or dance around excitedly

"she was leaning pensive on a tombstone on her right elbow, under a weeping willow, and her other hand hanging down her side holding a white handkerchief and a reticule" (113).  Reticule - a small purse or bag, originally of network but later of silk, rayon, etc.

“what's the use you learning to do right, when it's troublesome to do right and ain't no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same?" (104).

• Huck has seemed to be confusion about right and wrong so far in the story.  He is seeing right and wrong in different.  He sees it in the view of right and wrong in law, and acts that are morally right and wrong.  He feels that he has to turn in Jim because he is a runaway slave and is someone else’s property, but he feels differently when Jim tells Huck that he is the only one who he can trust.  Huck is confused, but does the right thing, by moral standards, by not turning Jim in.  Huck’s decision making bothers him so much that he decides that the next time a decision comes up he is going to do what is easiest.  Hopefully this decision does not become a bad one, but most likely it will lead to some trouble Huck might regret.
  

“there warn't no home like a raft, after all. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery, but a raft don't. You feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft" (128). 

• Huck has moved from place to place and has really never had a permanent home.  He was beaten by Paps, he ran away from Miss Watson’s house, and then he escaped the feud between the Grangerfords and the Shepherdsons.  He has never really felt at home or free. On the rat he feels free with Jim.  They live simple lives without rules, and Huck is very comfortable with that.  At Miss Watson’s he did not like the rules, but he is free here.  He was beaten by Pap, but he has nothing to fear on the raft.  Huck escaped the Grangerfords’ feud, and left sickened with society.  On the raft he does not have to deal with any of these things and feels free.  Jim also live a free life with Huck.  It is a safe haven for the two of them.  
  

Huck Finn 2: pg 46-88

“I warn't feeling very brash, there warn't much sand in my craw; but I says, this ain’t no time to be fooling around” (50). Brash- impertinent; impudent; tactless

“There was two old dirty calico dresses” (61). Calico- a plain-woven cotton cloth printed with a figured pattern, usually on one side. 

"I reckon the widow or the parson or somebody prayed that this bread would find me, and here it had gone and done it.  So there ain't no doubt but there is something in that thing.  That is, there's something in it when a body like the widow or the parson prays, but it don't work for me, and I reckon it don't work for only just the right kind"(48). 

• Huck is very happy that he has found the bread floating down the river and believes the “right kind” (48) of person must have prayed for it.  He is still torn between good and bad pray, and he thinks pray is not for him.  He believes if a good person prays for something they will get it, and that he would not get what he prays for.  His ideas about prayer are changing because in the beginning of the novel he believes that there is nothing in prayer for him, but now he just thinks he is not the right kind of person.  This idea is better than believing he is the completely wrong type of person for prayer, and he never rules out becoming that type of person.  Huck just needs to realize anyone can pray because he may need to turn to pray during difficult times later in the novel.
  

"Jim knowed all kinds of signs.  He said he knowed most of everything" (56). 

• In this quote we see how Huck views Jim’s knowledge of superstitions.  Jim’s knowledge plays a continuous role in the story.  It is an ongoing theme.  Jim’s superstitions foreshadow events that are going to happen.  So far his superstitions have been correct.  His superstitions about the rattlesnake are a great example.  He told Huck that it was bad luck to touch the skin.  As a joke, Huck put the skin next to Jim and Jim was bit by a rattlesnake.  We should pay close attention to what Jim says throughout the rest of the story because it will most likely foreshadow what is to happen.  
  

Huck Finn 1&2

"I went down the front garden and clumb over the stile, where you go through the high board fence" (25).  Stile- a series of steps by means of which a person may pass over a wall or fence that remains a barrier to sheep or cattle

“The awfulest nabob in the State” (37).  Nabob- any very wealthy, influential, or powerful person 

“She said the thing a body could get by praying for it was “spiritual gifts.” This was too many for me, but she told me what she meant-I must help other people, and do everything I could for other people, and look out for them all the time, and never think about myself" (19). 

• Miss Douglass seems to really care for Huck.  She is trying to teach him to be a good human being.  She is teaching him to be a good person with good morals. She believes that he can change.  She treats him much different from how his father treated him.  She is nice to him and teaches him without physical abuse to be a better person.  Huck is probably confused about how this will help him, but most people at his age would be.  He is slowly changing, and is even now going to school.  Hopefully he will become a much better young boy with better moral values.  
  

“And after supper he talked to him about temperance and such things till the old man cried, and said he’d been a fool, and fooled away his life; but now he was agoing to turn over a new leaf and be a man nobody wouldn’t be ashamed of” (31). 

• Huck’s father says he will change, but I don’t believe him.  His words make the judge and his family cry, but the words are coming from a man who has been greatly troubled throughout his life.  He is an illiterate drunk.  Huck’s entire family was illiterate, and it doesn’t seem like any of them have amounted to anything in their lives.  Huck’s father saying these words are not very convincing since there is no reason for him to change this far into his life.  He is only saying this to escape more trouble, and this is obvious when he leaves the house in the middle of the night, sells his new jacket, gets drunk, and falls and breaks his arm.  I also do not understand why the judge was going to leave Huck under his father’s control.  If these actions do not change his view I don’t know what would.
  

Final Essay on Sin

Andy Medina

AP English

Mr. George

Final Essay on Sin

2/23/08

Topic 1

“Yet it was his duty to confess, to suffer public shame, and to make public atonement. There was a God who called upon men to tell their sins to earth as well as to heaven. Nothing that he could do would cleanse him till he had told his own sin” (228). After reading The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, do you believe this quotation is true or false? 

People deal with sins in a multitude of ways.  This includes holding your sin within, publicly sharing your sin, or bearing your sin to God.  After reading The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, and The Picture of Dorian Gray it is evident that dealing with sin is necessary to achieve redemption.  If you do not actively search to find a way to deal with your sin, you will not find redemption.  The different ways that a sinner deals with sin is demonstrated in the process that Abigail Williams, John Proctor, Reverend Dimmesdale, Hester Prynne, and Dorian Gray all go through.  Those who did not seek redemption did not meet a good end, as exemplified by Dorian Gray and Abigail Williams.  Those who actively sought redemption found it and ended up at peace.  It seems that those who found their redemption were drawn to seek redemption.  The only way to find redemption is to seek it, and those who do seek redemption are almost always successful.  

From the three novels there are three people who committed a sin and sought redemption.  In The Crucible, John Proctor, a married man, committed the sin of adultery with Abigail Williams.  He is one of those who sought their redemption throughout the novel.  John makes a bad decision and is conscious of his action, but he actively seeks redemption.  He first deals with his sin by being open with the public by telling his wife, Elizabeth.  This is a valid attempt to try and find peace within himself, but his sin continues to follow him.  Abigail continued to accuse more townspeople of witchcraft.  He had to act to save those who were falsely accused.  He next tells the judge about his affair.  He does this because he thought that this would help him in his process of redemption, while also trying to save those who were falsely accused by Abigail and the other girls.  His guilt continues to build until he goes so low as to even give a false claim of witchcraft against himself, thus tarnishing his own name.  He realizes that giving his name gives him life, but not redemption.  He asks Elizabeth if she would think less of him, and she responds, “I cannot judge you, John, I cannot” (Miller 138).  This is where John realizes that no matter what he says or does no one can judge him but God.  Reverend Hale tries to convince John that it is not worth his life, and that he cannot hang.  John responds by saying, “I can. And there’s your first marvel, that I can” (144).   John comes to the realization that with his death he gets rid of his public judges; they do not matter.  God is the final judge, and He awaits John through his death.  

In The Scarlet Letter there are two characters who actively seek redemption.  In the end it is evident that their efforts were worthwhile.  Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale both find redemption form their sin of adultery.  Hester Prynne’s sin of adultery is known to all because she has a child out of wedlock.  She is forced to wear the scarlet letter ‘A’ as a reminder of that sin and as a symbol to everyone else.  Her sin is known publicly, but it does not really help her along her path to judgment as much as opening herself up to God.  At first, she does not face her judgment through God.  She always dealt with her sin publicly, and for seven years she had to deal with the constant punishment of the townspeople.  Only after being prompted by Dimmesdale does Hester seek forgiveness from God.  Dealing with her sins publicly helped her overcome the evils in her past and find redemption, but it was not complete until she found peace with God.  After she makes peace with her sin she continues to wear the ‘A’ as a reminder of her sin and lives a good life.  She counsels those who are in need, especially women, and is buried in King’s Chapel which was the place where only the venerable were buried in Boston.  This shows how much change that her redemption brought in her life.  She went from the model of sin, to being buried in one of the most respected places in Boston.  

Reverend Dimmesdale’s redemption is different from Hester’s.  In fact, it is the exact opposite, but the result is still the same.  Dimmesdale is the town priest, and is highly respected and loved by all the members of the town.  He is the man whom people seek to solve their issues and help them with their sins, but this is ironic because he does not fully understand how to deal with his own sin.  He starts by privately dealing with his sin with God.  No one knows of his sin and he is tormented by the fact that he must watch Hester suffer under the public eye while he is still seen as a good man.  Seeing Hester deal with the people continues to torment him.  He believes that Hester is better off with her sin being in the public eyes, “Happy are you, Hester, that’s wear the scarlet letter openly on your bosom!  Mine burns in secret!” (Hawthorne 173).  Dimmesdale continues to suffer with his sin until he shows his sin publicly.  Everyone is in shock, including Hester.  She does not know what to do with her future, but Dimmesdale shares key advice that helps her to reach her redemption: “He hath proved his mercy, most of all, in my afflictions.  By giving me this burning torture to bear upon my breast […] Praised be His name!  His will be done!” (229).  This is coming from a man who went through both ways of dealing with his sin, and his advice is to understand that God has a plan and it will be done.

These three people were all successful because they pursued redemption.  There is much to learn from their success.  John Proctor, Hester Prynne, and Reverend Dimmesdale are examples of people are drawn to confess their sins, and because they continuously sought to find redemption they found it by the end of the novels.  

In the case of Abigail Williams and Dorian Gray, redemption was never sought or found.  They are two sinners who did not work towards redemption, and because they did not search neither found redemption.  They tried to avoid the consequences of their sins, but neither of them escapes their final judgment.  In The Crucible, Abigail lives in a town where the people “had no ritual for the washing away of sins” (Miller 20).  This is obvious through her behavior.  Throughout the story she wreaks havoc in the town of Salem.  Instead of seeking redemption and admitting her sins, she blames others: “She sends her spirit on me in church […] She comes to me while I sleep” (44).  In this quotation Abigail blames Tituba for a sin that she committed, and moments later she changes her story and says, “I want the light of God, I want the sweet love of Jesus!” (48).  It is evident that Abigail is willing to do anything to save herself from the punishment she should endure for her sins.  She continues her treacherous path throughout the book and incriminates many, even those who once were on her side.  She cannot runaway from her sins, and her sins eventually catch up to her as it is said that she turned up on the streets of Boston as a prostitute.

Dorian Gray is another character who does not seek redemption, and does not embrace his sins.  Dorian is first described as a beautiful young man whom Basil Hallward has drawn a wonderful portrait of.  The portrait is the best work Basil has ever done, but he is afraid to exhibit it: “I really can’t exhibit it.  I have put too much of myself into it” (Wilde 4).  Basil thinks that Dorian is young and beautiful and hopes that he continues to be that way, but is afraid of him becoming corrupt.  Basil is afraid of Lord Henry’s powerful influence and the fact that it could corrupt Dorian: “There is no such thing as good influence, Mr. Gray.  All influence is immoral […] to influence a person is to give him one’s own soul.  He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn his natural passions.  His virtues are not real to him” (20).  Lord Henry speaks will Dorian as Basil is finishing the portrait and speaks of how Dorian is young and beautiful.  Dorian is upset that he will grow old and says, “this picture will remain always young. [...] If it were only the other way. […] I would give my soul for that!” (28).  This was a major turning point in his life.  He had no idea that his wish would become his reality.

Dorian continues to change as the novel continues.  Dorian goes from a young, beautiful man who is innocent to a man who has become corrupted.  His actions take a full 360 degree turn.  This is evident through his interactions with Sybil.  He states he loves her, but he only loves her for what she could represent.  She is an actress, and Dorian never saw here for who she was.  She was always playing the part of another woman.  When she puts on a bad performance he is enraged and says he no longer lover her.  She apologizes to him but he pushes her away and watches her cry on the floor: There is always something ridiculous about the emotion of people whom one has ceased to love.  Sibyl Vane seemed to him to be absurdly melodramatic.  Her tears and sobs annoyed him” (92).  He goes from saying she is the love of his life to not caring for her at all.  He was corrupted by Lord Henry.  His actions lead Sybil to kill herself, and this does not take the affect that many would assume it would.  He felt some remorse and did not believe it happened, but his view quickly changed.  He was worried about himself and he hoped that he would not get involved in the investigation.  He even decided to go out with Lord Henry the night he finds out.  He shows how immoral he has become.  

After Sybil’s death Dorian looks at the portrait and sees a shocking change.  It the portrait has changed due to his guilt.  He said the portrait “would be to him the visible emblem of conscience.  He would resist temptation.  He would not see Lord Henry” (96).  This does not last very long.  After he speaks to Lord Henry he realizes that the portrait is a gift to him.  It would give him “Eternal youth, infinite passion, pleasures subtle and secret, wild joys and wilder sins- he was to have all these things.  The portrait was to bear the burden of his shame; that was all” (109).  He would change his life since he realized he no longer would carry the physical burden of his sins.  Since Dorian was not affected by his sins, he felt no need to seek redemption for them.  He continued through his life corrupting others and ruining their lives, while his portrait took the burden of his actions.  

Dorian’s life continued on a downward spiral, but he was never physically affected by his sins.  His portrait would take the burden of his sins.  It grew old and its beauty died with Dorian’s sins.  Dorian changed psychologically.  His change was noticeable and Basil confronted Dorian about the change, but met an untimely end when Dorian decided to kill Basil.  Basil was the only one who had ever been in the same room as the portrait.  Dorian killed him and destroyed the body.  Dorian continued to live a life of sin until he decided to destroy the only proof of his sins.  He wanted to destroy the portrait.  When he did so he died, and all the changes on the portrait are transmitted onto his body.  Through his death it is obvious that he did not receive redemption.  He never sought redemption.

Redemption is not an easy place to reach, but it is not impossible.  There are plenty of examples of people who sin, seek redemption, and reach it.  These people include John Proctor, Hester Prynne, and Reverend Dimmesdale.  They continuously sought redemption, and did not give up on their search.  They were sorry for their sins, and felt a need to find redemption for their sins.  Their redemption processes were different, but they all reached the same goal.  Those who did not find redemption, like Abigail Williams and Dorian Gray, did not ever search for redemption.  They did not feel the need to find forgiveness, so they did not seek redemption.  Those who want to be forgiven seek redemption, and they are almost always successful.  The secret of redemption is continuously trying to better oneself, and the three characters who reached redemption did so.  Redemption is important to reach if a person has sinned, and if a sinner does not seek it they will never find it.  

Works Cited

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter New York: Bantam Dell, 2003.

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible New York: Penguin Group, 1976. 

Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray New York: Barnes & Noble Classics 2003

February Break Assignment

1. School is like prison without the bars and the guns.  Your day is completely scheduled for you and you have no say in the matter.
2. Life is like sports.  There are winners and losers.  People get hurt and people get penalized, and there is always an end to the game.
3. Relationships are either good of bad, no in between.  If you think that your relationship is in between then your relationship is not real.
4. When someone falls in love they stop seeing the world around them for what it is.
5. If ignorance is bliss than what is intelligence?
6. In some cases hate is more real than love.  People say they hate things more than they say they love things.  How could love be more real?
7. Many people search for love, but it is not something you can find.  Many more people fall in love when they are not looking for it.
8. In many cases fame becomes a blindfold.  It is hard to see the world around you and the people in need.
9. Life gets harder when you have more money.  There are more decisions to be made.
10. It is said with great power comes great responsibility, but what happens if you do not have great power?  Are you really less responsible than others?

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 15-16

“isn’t he incorrigible?” (182).  Incorrigible- not corrigible; bad beyond correction or reform 

“lying back in the hansom” (189). Hansom- a low-hung, two-wheeled, covered vehicle drawn by one horse, for two passengers, with the driver being mounted on an elevated seat behind and the reins running over the roof 

“‘To cure the soul by means of the senses, and the sense by means of the soul.’  Yes, that was the secret.  He had often tried it, and he would try it again now. […] the memory of old sins could be destroyed by the madness of sins that were new” (189).

In this quotation we see that Dorian is haunted by his sins and is in search of a way to rid himself of his guilt.  His sins are heavy on his mind and he continuously is thinking of them.  This is interesting because he believed that the portrait would bear the burden of his sins.  The portrait only bears the physical punishment from his sins, but the mental punishment still is heavy on Dorian’s mind.  He looks for a way to lessen the burden on his mind and he resorts to opium.  The last line of the quote may relate to this because through this new sin the old ones are forgotten, or less prevalent in Dorian’s mind.

“Each man lived his own life, and paid his own price for living it.  The only pity was one had to pay so often for a single fault.  One had to pay over and over again, indeed.  In her dealings with man, Destiny never closed her account” (194).

This quotation is about sins and the price one pays for them.  Sin is always on a person’s mind.  When you commit a sin you can only be at peace once you have sought forgiveness.  Once again the question of ‘where is forgiveness found?’ arises.  Dorian says that one cannot take the burden of another man’s sins, and that is true to an extent.  You should not worry about other people’s actions, but there are some actions which can affect another person.  Your own sins stay with you and should weigh heavier on your mind, but should not consume you.  Dorian’s sins are beginning to consume him, and everyday he is reminded of another sin that he has committed.  He will never be able to escape his sins, or the final judgment that will come with them.

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 14

"He glanced at his own white taper fingers" (167-168) Taper- diminish gradually 

“that crouches in the porphyry-room"(169) Porphyry- a very hard rock, anciently quarried in Egypt, having a dark, purplish-red groundmass containing small crystals of feldspar 

“I will have absolutely nothing to do with it.  I don’t care what shame comes on you.  You deserve it all.  I should not be sorry to see you disgraced, publicly disgraced.  How dare you ask me, of all men in the world, to mix myself up in this horror?  I should have thought you knew more about people’s characters.  Your friend Lord Henry Wotton can’t have taught you much about psychology, whatever else he has taught you. Nothing will induce me to stir a step to help you” (173).

There are many different ideas that can be inferred from this quote.  Obviously Alan does not want to help Dorian for a specific reason.  Dorian must have wronged him in such a way that Alan feels no more connection to him.  It was said that they used to be inseparable, but now it is quite the opposite.  Alan said he would never have even entered Dorian’s house if it wasn’t a matter of life or death.  One can only imagine what Dorian could have done to Alan.  It must have been something awful just like how Dorian negatively affected the lives of so many others.  There seems to be another underlying tone in this quote.  Alan speaks of Lord Henry in a sort of negative tone, and most likely Lord Henry is seen as a bad person by Alan too.  Alan would not have helped Dorian if it wasn’t for the blackmail that Dorian has over Alan.  It will be very interesting how their relationship will unfold.

“Whatever my life is, he had more to do with the making or the marring of it than poor Harry has had. He may not have intended it, the result was the same” (173). 

Dorian defends Harry in this quote.  I don’t understand how Dorian can be this naive about Harry’s influence over him.  He has changed over time and it is obvious to him through the ever-changing portrait.  He must realize that Harry is the reason for this change, but he doesn’t.  Instead he blames others, like Basil, for his actions.  He says that Basil changed him more than Harry did.  That is absurd!  Harry was the worst influence over Dorian.  He was the one who put the thoughts of everlasting beauty in Dorian’s head.  All Basil did was paint the portrait of Dorian.  Dorian is really distraught and far from the truth.  I don’t know how or if he will ever see the truth.  It will be interesting to see if he does, and how he comes about it.  

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 12-13

“you should not have made his sister’s name a byword” (154).  Byword- a word or phrase associated with some person or thing; a characteristic expression, typical greeting, or the like 

“starred with myriads of golden eyes” (163).  Myriad- a very great or indefinitely great number of persons or things 

“to see your soul.  But only God can do that […] I shall show you my soul.  You shall see the thing that you fancy only God can see” (156-157).

Basil says that he wants to see Dorian’s soul, but what he doesn’t know is that it is physically possible.  In reality only God can look into a person’s soul, but this is not the case for Dorian Gray.  His soul is portrayed through the portrait that Basil has painted.  The changes within this portrait are the marks of sin, and no one would be able to see it without being horrified.  When Basil sees the portrait he is in shock and does not believe it is his own work of art, but all his marks are present.  He does not know how to handle the situation, but he does not have long to deal with the shock of the portrait.  Soon after a mysterious rage comes over Dorian and he kills Basil for no reason.  These two chapters were really exciting.  

“I worshiped you too much. I am punished for it. You worshiped yourself too much. We are both punished” (162).

In this quote we see Basil once again trying to make everything right.  He is such a genuinely nice person, and he continuously suffers for it.  Dorian shuns Basil and looks down upon him, just like when Basil came forth for why he painted the portrait.  Dorian says that Basil’s confession is not even a good compliment.  We see Basil through this quote try and take some of the blame from Dorian.  He should not do anything like that.  He did nothing wrong.  He is not responsible for the sins Dorian has committed.  All he is responsible of is painting a portrait, the most beautiful portrait he ever painted.  He put no magic into it; he only poured his heart into it.  Dorian is responsible for the wish and the sins that he is given.  He will be punished for his action.  This is not Basil’s punishment.

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 11

“He grew more and more enamored of his own beauty” (131).  Enamored- marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness 

"especially the art of those whose minds have been troubled with the malady of reverie"(134). Reverie- a state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing 

“He himself would creep up-stairs to the locked room, open the door with the key that never left him now, and stand, with a mirror, in front of the portrait that Basil Hallward had painted of him, looking now at the evil and aging face on the canvas, and now at the fair young face that laughed back at him from the polished glass” (131).  

In this quote we see a change in Dorian.  Before he was ashamed to look at the changes in the portrait, but after time has passed he enjoys looking at the changes in the portrait and is happy that they have not happened to him.  The portrait serves as mirror into his soul, and he could see that his actions were taking a negative affect on his soul.  He did not seem to really care that his sins were destroying the portrait, but he did wonder which sins were worse; “wondering sometimes which were the more horrible, the signs of sin or the signs of age” (131).  He was happy he was not affected by his sins directly, but was interested in the “corruption of his own soul” (131).  

“On his return he would sit in front of the picture, sometimes loathing it and himself, but filled, at other times, with that pried of individualism that is half the fascination of sin, and smiling, with secret pleasure, at the misshapen shadow that had to bear the burden that should be his own” (144).

Dorian is filled with horror by the portrait.  No matter where he goes he does not feel safe.  The lingering of the knowledge of the portrait weighs heavy on his heart, and he is always nervous about the portrait.  He thinks that while he is away that someone will break into the room and steal the portrait and his secret will be revealed.  There are times where he is entertaining guests and he runs away, back to his house, to check that the portrait has not been tampered with.  When he sees the portrait he is filled with many feelings.  He is happy that the portrait carries the burden that should have fallen upon him, but there are times he hates it and himself.  He feels some remorse for his actions, but he is filled with the pleasure that he must not carry the burden of his sins.  

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 9-10

“and became a confirmed misanthrope” (113).  Misanthrope- a hater of humankind 

"Old brocades, green bronzes, lacquer-work, carved ivories, exquisite surroundings, luxury, pomp - there is much to be got from all these" (Wilde 114).  Brocade- fabric woven with an elaborate design, esp. one having a raised overall pattern 

“A man who is a master of himself can end a sorrow as easily as he can invent a pleasure.  I don’t want to be at the mercy of my emotions.  I want to use them, to enjoy them, and to dominate them” (112).

In this quote we see a resemblance between Dorian’s words and Harry’s words.  This is something that I’d expect to hear from Harry.  Dorian is talking about how a man who masters his emotions is a true master if himself.  He can end sorrows and create pleasure for him, and is not at the mercy of his emotions.  Dorian is saying he wants to master his emotions and he wants to enjoy his life.  Harry’s influence is just seen more through this quote.  Because of Harry’s influence Dorian was able to get over the loss of the girl he “loved”.  Dorian is changing too quickly and it is being noticed by everyone around him.  Basil is one of those.  “You talk as if you had no heart, no pity in you.  It is all Harry’s influence.  I see that” (112).  

“‘Yes? I thought you would like it’ […] ‘I didn’t say I liked it, Harry, I said it fascinated me.  There is a great difference.’  ‘Ah, you have discovered that?’”  (129).

In this quote Dorian is telling Harry how he felt about the book that Harry had left him to read.  Dorian said it was a “poisonous book” (129).  The book fascinated him and he tells Harry this.  Harry is pleased because he thought Dorian would like it, but is mistaken.  Dorian says “I didn’t say I liked it” (129).  It is very interesting to see this interaction.  It shows how Dorian is evolving through the novel.  He saw things for their outward appearance, but is now seeing things more in depth, as it is shown through his talking of the book.  It also is interesting to see Harry’s reaction to Dorian.  He is surprised and seems happy that Dorian has changed this much because it is all a result of his influence upon Dorian.  

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 8

“There were opiates for remorse” (100).  Opiates- A drug, hormone, or other chemical substance having sedative or narcotic effects similar to those containing opium or its derivatives 

“the sanguine labyrinth” Sanguine- cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident ; reddish; ruddy 

“The girl never really lived, and so she has never really died.  To you at least she was always a dream, a phantom that flitted through Shakespeare’s plays and left them lovelier for its presence […] the moment she touched actual life, she marred it, and it marred her, and so she passed away […] don’t waster your tears over Sibyl Vane.  She was less real than they are” (107).

In this quote we see Harry speak of what we spoke of in class.  Dorian never saw Sibyl living her own life.  He fell in love with her acting, and the characters that she portrayed.  She always acted in love.  When she found true love it doomed her because she did not receive the same feelings.  Dorian’s love for her was different.  When he saw her for what she was he was displeased and heartbroken.  He shot her down and she killed herself because she had lost the love of her life.

“Eternal youth, infinite passion, pleasures subtle and secret, wild joys and wilder sins- he was to have all these things.  The portrait was to bear the burden of his shame; that was all” (109)

Dorian’s view about life has changed.  When he fell in “love” with Sibyl he vowed to avoid Harry’s influence.  In this quote we see that Dorian has come to the realization that he is going to live his life differently.  He vowed to not see Lord Henry again or listen to his “poisonous theories” (96).  In this quote we see that Dorian has realized he does not need to live with the affects of his sins or shame.  He is going to live a life of eternal youth and not be responsible for his actions.  The portrait would show the “burden of his shame” (109).  His life will be much different than before.  Harry’s influence is coming full circle.

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 7

“she was curiously listless” (87).  Listless- having or showing little or no interest in anything; languid; spiritless; indifferent 

“their beauty seemed to bring him an anodyne for his pain” (93).  Anodyne- a medicine that relieves or allays pain 

“She crouched on the floor like a wounded thing, and Dorian Gray, with his beautiful eyes, looked down ate her, and his chiseled lips curled in exquisite disdain.  There is always something ridiculous about the emotion of people whom one has ceased to love.  Sibyl Vane seemed to him to be absurdly melodramatic.  Her tears and sobs annoyed him” (92).

In this quote there is a change that is seen in Dorian.  He used to worship the ground that Sibyl walked on and now, because of a horrible acting performance, he cannot stand to even look and her and tells her he never wants to see her again.  This is amazing and really surprising.  I knew something would happen between them, but not because of her acting.  This shows that Dorian did not really love her but the acting or just the idea of her.  Dorian’s actions are shocking.  He is annoyed by her crying and really does not care that he just broke her heart.  It seems that his feelings are rapidly changing, and this is definitely not going to benefit him.  It is most likely because of the influence of Harry, and something terrible will happen because of this influence.  

“For every sin that he committed, a stain would fleck and wreck its fairness.  But he would not sin.  The picture, changed or unchanged, would be to him the visible emblem of conscience.  He would resist temptation.  He would not see Lord Henry” (96).

The picture is changing when Dorian commits a sin or has a feeling of guilt!  That’s pretty weird, but it is an interesting turning point in the plot of the story.  While Dorian tries to mend his relationship with Sibyl and end his relationship with Harry the picture should go through many different changes.  It will serve as a mirror to Dorian’s conscience.  When he does something bad or regrets and action it will be seen in the changes of the picture.  Most likely it will change to the point where it is old and withering away.  He will maybe be overtaken by trying to prevent the picture from changing, but will most likely make more changes in the picture trying to prevent it.  

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 5-6

“murmured Mrs. Vane, taking up a tawdry theatrical dress” (66). Tawdry- Gaudy and cheap in nature or appearance 

“‘You are quite incorrigible, Harry’” (81).  Incorrigible- not corrigible; bad beyond correction or reform 

“‘Yes, Dorian, you will always be fond of me.  I represent to you all the sins you have never had the courage to commit’” (84).

Once again we see the affect that Harry feels he has over Dorian, even after Dorian has said that when he is with Sibyl he regrets everything that Harry has taught him.  Harry acts as almost the other half of Dorian in this book.  Dorian is beautiful and young.  Harry is older and very wise and well-spoken.  They are almost exact opposites and that is maybe why they are attracted to each other.  Dorian is drawn to Harry in a almost supernatural sense.  He even says he does not know why he likes him.  It will be very interesting to see their relationship develop with Sibyl now being involved.  

“‘To be in love is to surpass one’s self’” (71).  “‘The real drawback to marriage is that it makes one unselfish.  And unselfish people are colorless.  They lack individuality’”  (78).

There is a similarity between these two quotes that no one would expect.  Sibyl and Harry are saying similar things, but no on would believe that the two share a common belief.  The two seem to be two very different people.  Harry, with all his very absurd ideas, has a very reasonable main idea.  Marriage makes a person unselfish, which it should.  When a person gets married they have to love and care for another as they would love and care for themselves.  Sibyl’s idea is that when you are in love you are more than yourself.  You are connected to like you are to no other person.  You surpass caring for yourself and care for another.  You are unselfish.  These two quotes are very similar and I was surprised to see them from two very different characters.  

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Chapter 4

“The same nervous staccato laugh broke from her lips” (49) Staccato- shortened and detached when played or sung 

“The subject is not so abstruse as I thought it was” (51).  Abstruse- hard to understand; recondite; esoteric 

“If one hears bad music, it is one’s duty to drown it in conversation.’ Ah!  That is one of Harry’s views, isn’t it Mr. Gray?  I always hear Harry’s views from his friends.  It is the only way I get to hear them’” (49).

In this quotation there are a few things that can be perceived.  The reader gets the sense that Lord Henry and his wife are not that close.  She says she never hears his views from him.  She always hears them from his friends.  Another thing is the continuous rubbing-off of Lord Henry on Dorian.  Lady Henry notices the comment as one Harry would make and that is an obvious sign of the influence that Harry has over Dorian.  His views are beginning to rub off on Dorian.  Another thing that is maybe overlooked in the quote is that fact that Lady Henry says she always hears Henry’s views from his friends.  That means that he is influencing a larger group than just Dorian.  He is obviously a very charming speaker and is very intellectual.  He must influence many using his talents.

“You could not have helped telling me, Dorian.  All through your life you will tell me everything you do.’  ‘Yes, Harry, I believe that is true.  I cannot help telling you things.  You have a curious influence over me.’” (56).

In this quotation we also see the affect that Henry is having over Dorian.  Dorian is obviously drawn to Lord Henry, but for what reason?  Lord Henry has a power over Dorian that is indescribable.  Dorian even says that he cannot help telling him everything and that Lord Henry has a “curious influence” over him.  A curious influence that Basil alluded to and a curious influence that Dorian, and others, has fallen under.  The other part to this quote is that Lord Henry knows that he has this power over Dorian.  He knows that Dorian cannot keep anything from him, and this is what his aim has been for some time.  He wanted to be the influence and Dorian’s life, and so far he has succeeded.  

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Homework 2

“Worlds had to be in travail, that the meanest flower might blow” (39).  Travail- pain, anguish or suffering resulting from mental or physical hardship 

“made it iridescent with fancy” (44).  Iridescent- displaying a play of lustrous colors like those of the rainbow 

“Yes, he would try to be to Dorian Gray what, without knowing it, the lad was to the painter […] He would seek to dominate him- he already, indeed, half done so.  He would make that wonderful spirit his own” (40).

In this quotation the reader sees the fear that Basil had of Lord Henry influencing Dorian come into play.  Basil was afraid that Lord Henry would influence Dorian, and he also said that no influence is good, even though we see that Dorian Gray is playing a major role in the influence on Basil’s paintings and life.  We now see that Lord Henry’s aim is to influence Dorian and to become the person that Dorian would want to be.  This is effective through the lunch they are both at.  Lord Henry speaks eloquently and charms everyone around him, including Dorian.  We see the influence come into play when Dorian is drawn to him and stares at him throughout his talking.  Another key action is Dorian wanting to follow Lord Henry and blow off Basil

“I can sympathize with everything, except suffering” (43)

This quote takes place at the lunch at Lady Agatha’s house.  Lord Henry speaks down upon Lady Agatha’s philanthropic ways.  She is very gracious and gives to those who are not as well off as others are.  He speaks about how the less one thinks about “life’s sores”, the better life will be.  It shocks the guests at the lunch party, but his charming speech still reaches those there.  He catches the attention of Dorian, who never stops staring at him and others at the lunch.  One guest also says that before they were embarrassed to look at Lady Agatha because they did not share the same view, but now they did no longer feel that way.  Lord Henry is a great speaker and a very influential person.  His influence will most likely play a major part in this book.

The Picture Of Dorian Gray: Homework 1

“Your cynicism is simply a pose” (7).  Cynicism- An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others 

“I remember her bringing me up to a truculent and red-faced old gentleman” (9)

Truculent- fierce; cruel; savagely brutal 

“The ugly and the stupid have the best of it in this world.  They can sit at their ease and gape at the play.  If they know nothing of victory, they are at least spared the knowledge of defeat.  They live as we all should live, undisturbed, indifferent, and without disquiet.  They neither bring ruin upon others, nor ever receive it from alien hands” (6).

I found this quote to be very interesting.  If you are too stupid to know good things then you will never know bad things.  That is a very interesting way of looking at life.  If this is how I do not know why Basil would think this way.  The ugly and stupid are obviously far behind the rest of the world.  They are really looked down upon by the rest of society.  The only way this quotation seems to make sense is that the stupid are just too stupid to realize they are under par and continue to live their life at ease.  Everyone else is so concerned with what they do, and how they are perceived by others that they continuously stress themselves over little things in life.  

“There is no such thing as good influence, Mr. Gray.  All influence is immoral […] to influence a person is to give him one’s own soul.  He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn his natural passions.  His virtues are not real to him” (20).

Basil is afraid that Lord Henry will have a negative influence on Dorian.  Basil has an obsession with Dorian Gray and does not want Lord Henry to corrupt his friend’s mind.  He says that there is no good influence, only bad since it changes the mindset of the influenced person.  It is not good for the person to be influenced and to believe something that is not their natural thoughts because it may change how they feel or react to different situations, as we see later in chapter two.  Dorian Gray is influenced by Lord Henry’s conversation and thinks negatively about the painting because it will stay youthful forever while he continues to grow older.