Book Review of “The Dead” by James Joyce

   Recently, I have read the book “The Dead” by James Joyce. This book is a continuation of a the series “Dubliners” this realistic fiction short story is the last of the series and it is, in my opinion, the best one of them all. This short story shows internal conflict and external conflict. The main characters are: Gabriel Conroy (He is the protagonist in the story),  Gretta Conroy (Gabriel's wife), Lily (Housemaid of the Morkan Sisters), Moly Ivors (Teases Gabriel in a dance), Julia and Kate Morkan (They throw a big dance party every year), and Michael Furey (Gretta's ex-husband who died for her). As ll these characters play an important role in the plot of this short story.
   The external conflicts would occur more often than internal conflicts. The book first stumbled upon its first conflict when Gabriel was talking to the Lily. He called her out because she had a boyfriend and he made it awkward. He was confused about what had happened wondering what he did wrong. The second instance of conflict was when Gabriel was on the dance floor with Moly Ivors. Moly Ivors invited him to visit his hometown stating that multiple of there acquaintance would be going and that i would be fun but Gabriel nervously denied this offer and would state that he travels with a couple of his personal friends. She would then precede to pick on him for not wanting to visit his hometown and she would later state that she was only joking. The last major conflict was when Gretta would act differently towards Gabriel towards the end of the story. Gabriel would later find out that Gretta still has feelings for her ex-husband who died waiting out in the cold for her. Astonished by this information Gabriel starts questioning his own mortality and wether or not the love in his relationship is true or not.
    What I liked about this short story is that it puts you in the mind of Gabriel say for instance you were in Gabriel's shoes a lot of people would react a lot different than the way he reacted to a lot of situations. What I disliked about this story was the scene were Miss Ivors would call Gabriel out for no reason in front of a crowd of people but Gabriel handled it well. I also disliked that the ending was so abrupt we never go to know what happened after he questioned his mortality at the end.
    If you want to read something quick and get good entertainment out of it as well I suggest reading  this book it hits all tje the points of a quality story other than the fact that it ended so abrupt. I also read the summaries of the other short stories in the Dubliners I would also suggest reading them as well they compliment each other very well.

Reflection of Fences

Today we started reading the play Fences. We met the characters Rose, Lyons, Troy, Gabriel, amd Jim Bono.  These characters are all unique in there own ways.  Troy is the protagonist (The Main Character). He is a big black man, very blunt, with his explanations and statememts.  Jim Bono is Troy's best friend  he is considered a follower he is always agreeing to what Troy says. The first beginning of the book started off wuth a long intriguing conversation between Troy, Bono, Rose, and Lyons enters later. This play has started well introducing all characters precisely and thoroughly.

Journal Entry

Yesterday was a productive day. I finally received  my Alabama A&M longsleeve shirt in the mail. I finally stayed up the whole day in school. I finally found out the secret. The secret is that I have to drink caffeine in the morning. Yesterday in my AP literature class we learned how to use the process  of elimination when choosing answers for the AP test. I hope I have a productive day tomorrow like I did today.

Reflection of Reading/ Journal Entry

Reflection: What we read today really moved me in a sympathetic way. I felt like Celie is now beibg lut in a position to care for a grown woman that can cate for herself. Shug Aver is now warming up to Celie though.

Journal Entry: Today was boring at school. Nothing went on but my morning was alright. I woke up late for school. Then when I got to school I went to sleep in my first and second block. So I need to learn to stay up in class so I won't  miss an important lesson.

Letter as The Store Clerk to God.

Reflection of Today's Reading and Journal Entry

Reflection : Today we met Shug Avery she I interpreted that she is an alcoholic. When she was introduced she was being rude and she was slurring her words, stumbling, and could barely walk. She is sick though so she may not be in her right mind. Once Shug Avery sibered uo and warmed up to Celie she started to treat her nicer, even though their first meeting did not go as Celie planned. Mr. is still trying to do whatever he can to please Shug Avery, so he put  Celie in charge of  her.

Journal Entry: Today was an up and down day. It started off okay then it gradually started going downhill. It all started going downhill when it was time to take senior pictures. I got into a verbal altercation with a teacher that could have been avoided. Then, when it was yime to take senior pictures I literally had nowhere to sit. So when I finally found me spot it took them forever to take the picture. I was ready to go already. Then after that it was game time. I had a decent game. I didn't really score to much but J played some really good defense and rebounded the ball really well. Today was really a Rollercoaster ride

Reflection of Reading/Journal Entry

Mr. finds out that Shug Avery is coming into town and goes all out the way to impress her. After awhile he started coming home very depressed, not working as hard as Celie does in the field. Harpo also complains to his father that Sofia doesn’t listen anything he says. Mr. and Celie advice was to beat Sofia. But due to Sofia having being strong mentally and physically she fights back unlike Sofia.

I was sick today. I woke feeling like a pile of poop lol. So I slept most of the day. Around noon time I woke up and fed my  puppies that we are selling. Thsy are so cute. It is 2 boys and 2 girls. After that, I fixed me a bowl of chicken noodle soup. I have not eatren that soup in yeats it tasted so funny to me. It helped me recover enough before I could  go to practice. I had an okay practice couldn't really get my feel for the ball, I play basketball by the way, but other than that my overall day was okay I was sad I missed school. I missed all of my friends.

Journal Entry

My weekend was alright for the most part. I went to work saturday from 4-11 and I played lazer tag with the kids. I also found out one of my co-workers was fired😱. Sunday  was kinda the same. Went to work from 1-8 and finished up on some homework.

Reflection of The Color Purple and Journal Entry

What we read today was kind of shocking to me the book is starting to unfold more as we arr getting to the rising action of the plot in the book. Mr. wants Nettie but cant get her because she is fresh and Fonso wanted to keep her for hisself.

Today we had a basketball game against the Baldwin County Tigers. We beat them by at least 15 points. The whole team played good in the first quarter the score was 21-2 we thought it was going to be a blowout early but by the time we got to the second quarter we were tired and we let them get back into the game.We finally got ourselves  together towards the end and pulled away again. Stats: 12 points 6 assists 8 rebounds  2 blocks

The Color Purple Letters 1-8

My Class started the book The Color Purple today. I do not know how i feel about it yet but from what we have read I can make the assumption that it is going to be a good a good book. I can tell it emphasizes about African American culture back in old times.

Day1: I had an okay day at school. I met Rodney Hudson. He plays center for the Oakland Raiders. When I met him it was kind of awkward because he is the same size as me. He is also going in the Hall of Fame at the Reese's Senior Bowl this weekend.

Short Story

Short Story 

       It was a normal day at Galliard elementary school except for in Mr. Rease's pre-k class. it all started when Antonio and Lucy made a play dough monster. all of the other kids thought it looked disgusting due to its different sized eyes, unfamiliar head shape, and its gloomy formed teeth. even though the monster they created seemed weird, the kids decided to give it a name: Edwardo. however, Jonathan put the icing on the cake by adding a special booger making the toy play dough monster, Edwardo, come to life. once recess was over, the kids came back inside not expecting the monster to be there. the kids shouted with fear and tried to run out but the door, all of a saddened becomes jammed leaving them stuck inside with the horrible monster. with a look of suspense, Mr. Rease returned to the room to see all of his students gone with Antonio's glasses still on the floor. Edwardo ate the children leaving Mr. Rease with calling for help to locking up the hideous monster. FOR LIFE.

Poem About the Monster

Why am I here?

 

 

 

Why am I here?

Is it a choice of neglect?

Why are the kids instilled with fear?

Is it because of human regret?

 

Since then of my creation. 

I did not understand my purpose.

Which then triggered my frustration.

Which led the children into being nervous.

 

With my hideous looks and furious hunger. 

My sense of starvation began to rise.

I snuck into their classroom eating and killing the younger.

Leading me to shock when everyone dies.

 

I don't know how to feel 

I don't know why I am here

which causes me to kill

ending my life yet severe.

Poem To The Monster

Edwardo the Monster

 

 

all kids play with play dough, 

but on a particular day they created a monster named, Edwardo.

he had a small right eye, but a huge left eye,

which made one think, did my kids give the monster a stye.

 

He had scars and hideous teeth, 

coming from the kids kicking him around the tree,

in that moment I seen fire in his eyes,

Which I felt that I may have to tell my kids goodbye.

 

He always gave me a weird vibe,

which explained his anger inside,

later on in the darkness of my home,

maybe I could've been tripping,

until I heard covers ripping,

 

The kids did a loud scream,

which made my ears ring,

I had no idea that my life would take this path, 

all I seen in the closet were my kids scraps.

Reflection of King Lear Scene 2 and 3

Scene 2: I feel as though scene 2 was very confusing but good. Edmund, Gloucester's real sln, was very deceiving. I felt as though  he tried to set up Edgar. I think he's jealous because he can't inherit King Lear's riches by inheritance so he will set it uo so he will be in position to get it. I didnt like how he tried to mess up Edgar's relationship  with his father.

Scene 3: This scene is very short it only consisted of a conversation of King Lear's daughter Goneril. I feel like tjis scene didnt leas up to it's potential because the scene before it had a lot of dialogue it had a "purpose", scene 3 really didnt have a purpose it was just a simple conversation

Comparison Between "Infant Sorrow" and " Infant Joy"

Infant Joy and Infant Sorrow are both about a child being born in the world but being looked at differebtly. In Infant Joy the author focuses on the positive perspective of child's birth. Repetition is used throughout Infant Joy to emphasize that the child is full of inncence and promise.
Infant Sorrow focuses on how an inncocent child is born into a bad world. In the first stanza the mother and father are weeping because the child is born into a hateful and dangerous world. Tje child sulked upon its mothers breast becaue it felt it had no other hope.

Analysis of Psalm 91

   This Psalm was very intriguing to me. I felt like I can relate to it. In the first four verses basically it was talking about how God is your protector and as long as you follow him he will protect you. One of the themes I picked was "If one serves under god he will serve you." Meaning that all you have to do is admit that God is your lord and savior and believe and have faith then yiu wiol be saved.
    Some symbolism that was used in the Psalm was wings, feathers, lion and, dragon. The wings and feathers represent a shield this shield is essential. It protects us it keeps all of the evil out and the blessings come in. The lion that is stated in verse 13 can be compared to the devil. I think it could mean something good though. I think that this verse means that if you accept God all good will trample evil. Basically meaning all good will overcome evil.

Readers Profile

I have many strengths and weaknesses when it comes to reading. Some of my strengths are reading speed and being able to comprehend the text. My weaknesses are being easily distracted and not staying focused if the story is not that interesting. One of my biggest weaknesses is procrastinating, I often put off reading because I'll tell myself I will do it tomorrow and so forth. Reading plays a major role for me because it helps me see the different perspective that of the author and the main character. Also it helps built my vocabulary because I am going to stumble upon a word I do not know when I read. Being able to connect what I have just read to something that I have read in the past is another big role reading plays in my education. I am very passionate when it comes to reading because ,I am able to paint a picture of what I have read in my head. Which helps me better understand the story at hand. My peeves about reading are sometimes I am not able to fully comprehend the story because of how it is written or some of the word usage, also I don't like when a story is all over the place like it doesn't really have a starting point.

“Worn Path” Reflection

Phoenix was a courageous selfless black woman v. Phoenix willingly took a long journey in order to help her grandson. This story teaches a lot about character and helping others in the time of need. This story was also a good motivator to keep being persistent. The way that Phoenix helps her grandson really moves and touches me cause she does it without nobody asking her she she just knew it was the right thing to do. Phoenix symbolizes how women are today. Strong, loving, caring, all of these are traits of how women act today
     Although she wanted  to stop, she kept moving on because, she knew that her grandson son was sick and that he needed her. She kept pushing and pushing until she arrived to her destination. Phoenix was persisten and full of fight and had a never quit attitude all for the love of her grandson. Some of Phoenixes wncounters surprised me because the way she is portrayed is as not the type of person to be able to push past those obstacles. I find it amazing that amazing that an old woman could walk that far without any help. This story was an inspirational way of being persistent.

Reflection on “The Rockpile”

     The Rockpile was a hit! It caught my attention because it almost sounds like a real life story with real-life situations. It really confused me how Gabriel was mad at John, who is his real son, for following rules. Roy should have never been disobedient and he would have never gotten hurt like he did. Roy caused more trouble than he should have. This teaches a life lesson that one should listen to their parents and be obedient. They are saying it for a reason, to keep one safe, because know the right thing to do. They have been through most stuff us kids and teenager go through.
    But all in all the story was good it started off a little boring but the, as it progressed it, it became more and more intriguing. The comparison the it made to the little boy that drowned really caught my attention. Because I had two friends that died from drowning. I felt some sympathy for Roy and John. I felt sympathy for Roy because if I were him I would feel bad because, he got his brother in trouble. I felt sympathy for John because his own father was troubling him for something he didn't even do. He obeyed the rules his brother did not so he got in trouble. This story really appealed to me, it caught my attention a lot cause I could relate to it.

Reflection about “A Lesson Before Dying”

Reflection: 

This book was a hit in my opinion. It grabbed my attention with every page that I turned. This book was about a man who was wrongfully accused of killing a white man. I feel as if the samething is happening in today’s society. Were young black men are being accused of doing crimes and getting the worst of if. When Jefferson was sentenced i felt a sense of ignorance because he was weongfully accused and while he was being accused Jefferson would be called a hog. This name calling would stick with Jefferson and it stuck with me to because I would think at my prosecution my lawyer would call me a hog. I would feel disgraced to. Thats why I think Jefferson was so cold-hearted at the beginning of his sentence. Jeffersoj thought that he was a nobody not knowing that many people cared for and loved Jefferson.

In the second half of the book(15-31) if really opened my eyes on how prejudiced Caucasian s were back in that time period. They treated Ms.Emma, Grant, Jefferson, and Tante Lou all with distespect. Of course back in that time Caucasians were the top dogs so blacks did not make that much money so Caucasians felt as though they were surperior to blacks and any other race for that matter. I really admired Grants love toward Vivian though he made Vivian feel special and he was always all eyes for her even though she was separated from her husband and had kids. Nowadays if a man finds out that a woman has kids or was even in a past relationship he would just look the other way. I found out it real suspicious that they scheduled Jefferson’s execution only 2 weeks after easter. If the government really cared about how people would feel about it he would wait at least a little bit more time than just two weeks. But overall this was an amazing book and it really caught my attention.