Chapter 1: Every Trip Is a Quest (Except When It's Not)
Paper Towns by John Green
Paper Towns by John Green
a) a quester
b) a place to go c) a stated reason to go there d) challenges and trials en route e) a real reason to go there |
a) Quentin Jacobsen is a good student and a relatively good guy spending his last year in high school. He lives a uneventful, normal life, but his obsession with his next-door neighbour, Margo Roth Spiegelman, initiates the whole story.
b) The destinations are fairly unlimited. But the clues narrows it down to an area of pseudovisions (a subdivision that was plotted but never built or finished). c) He has the urge to solve the mystery of Margo. He wants to get to know her. d) Our protagonist encounters many vague "clues", that he thinks that were left by Margo. e) The real reason |
Chapter 2: Nice to Eat with You: Acts of Communion
We all love food and we all love to eat don't we? Eating in literature is so much more than we think. As Foster mentions, "breaking bread together is an act of sharing and peace" (Foster 8). So it really is a communion. We gather with friends, family, or whoever - eating together brings us closer. Although at times, there is that meal that doesn't turn out so well. Hence Foster's other statement, "a failed meal is a bad sign" (Foster 11).
The Great Gatsby has a solid example of a meal going downhill or "failing". Tom hosts a dinner party with his best companions, but what seemed to be a friendly gathering turns into a tense environment for Tom. Tom is exposed to the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy (Tom's current wife); therefore, calling it quits to the entire dinner. All he wanted to do was leave the tension behind him. This one scene affects Gatsby's dream to proclaim his love for Daisy.
Chapter 3: Nice to Eat You: Acts of Vampires
Foster explains the four main essentials to exist in a vampire story: 1) a young, innocent, preferably a virgin female 2) an older, attractive figure with corrupt values 3) the life force of the older male who never dies and 4) the destruction otherwise the death of the young female.
I'm not into the whole vampire stuff, so the only vampire related story that I could think of was Twilight. The young, virginal female from this story is Bella. The older, debatably attractive, and corrupt male is Edward - and of course, he can't die. As the story progresses, the two fall in love and Edward explains his life as a vampire. But don't vampires suck human blood? Yeah, but Edward loves Bella, so he does everything to prevent himself from killing her. (I guess this odd "romance" is what teenage girls find interesting.) Though the other vampires aren't hesitant to suck Bella's blood; therefore, so she gets chased by them - as killing the young female is one of the essentials of a vampire story.
Chapter 4: It's My Symbol and I'll Cry If I Want To
Symbols are everywhere in literature, whether we notice it or not. Even if the author didn't intend for something to be a symbol, there is always room for the reader to make something into one. An example of a symbol is found in the poem "A Modest Love" by Sir Edward Dyer:
The lowest trees have tops, the ant her gall,
The fly her spleen, the little sparks their heat;
The slender hairs cast shadows, though but small,
And bees have stings, although they be not great;
Seas have their source, and so have shallow springs;
And love is love, in beggars as in kings.
Where rivers smoothest run, deep are the fords;
The dial stirs, yet none perceives it move;
The firmest faith is in the fewest words;
The turtles cannot sing, and yet they love:
True hearts have eyes and ears, no tongues to speak;
They hear and see, and sigh, and then they break.
In the line And love is love, in beggars as in kings. shows how love is all the same no matter who we are. Whether we are in a higher or lower class, love is love and it is unbiased.
Chapter 5: Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?
The similarities and correspondences found in a text is often connected with another. We call this intertextuality. Simply put, the books we read are evidently formed from an idea once created before. Stories are influenced directly from another text, or an idea may have been unintentionally added.
Beowulf is an example, developing from a vast number of Greek epics. Connections are shown between Beowulf, and The Iliad and
The Aeneid. All three texts provoke the same idea in which the protagonist is learning to accept the fate that was given to him.
Another example of intertextuality I found was between Divergent Trilogy and The Hunger Games Trilogy. These two trilogies involve intensely aggravating violence, formed in some what of a similar matter - in a confined, limited area. Both have several factions/districts that divide people in a particular way. As I write this, I also notice how Harry Potter has the same concept of dividing people into different houses according to their personality.
Intertextuality is also found between Romeo and Juliet and The Notebook. In Romeo and Juliet, their families don't approve of their relationship, because of their long lasting feud. The same concept is found in The Notebook. Noah and Allie fall in love, but Allie's mother does not approve of Noah's lower social class.
Chapter 6: When in Doubt, It's from Shakespeare...
Much through intertextuality, subtle ideas of Shakespeare's famous stories are incorporated in modern literature. Probably the most common story that is analysed in a lot of stories is Romeo and Juliet. The of "fordbidden love" is embraced among many works, such as The Titanic, The Notebook, and most definitely a thousand of other works.
Chapter 7: ...Or the Bible
In the story Araby, the author, James Joyce, uses references from the bible. The obvious theme of the story is the story of Adam and Eve in the garden. The boy is madly in love with the girl, but the feeling is not mutual. His obsession with the girl is so strong that he forgets about God. Much like Adam and Eve - Adam is tempted to eat the apple that he was told not to eat.
I think of the two jars as guards, better yet guardian angels that helped the boy realize his mistake. The last sentence show his grief, "Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger" (Joyce).
Chapter 8: Hanseldee and Greteldum
I think we can all agree (I hope) that all of us have read fairytales when we were younger. I believe that fairytales are fairly underrated, even though there are many popular stories. What I have noticed is that everything comes from intertextuality. With fairytales,
Literature is interpreted differently from
Chapter 9: It's Greek to Me
Powerful and determined - like the owl she swifts through battle.
With much pride was she active,
her wisdom brought her to victory.
As though her battle scars leave her stubborn,
Her legacy remains intact.
Chapter 10: It's More Than Just Rain or Snow
Weather is such a vital part in literature, as it expresses the mood of a specific scene in a story. It is more than just part of a plot. In the Wizard of Oz, the beginning of story gradually introduces a tornado - not a enjoyable start, but that's the way it is. In the tornado, the characters experience a near death scenario. In this one scene, we see the true relationship of the characters. Specifically Dorothy and her loving family. The tornado was that symbol for seeing the strong bond with Dorothy and her family. It showed how much they cared about each other, and how much they wanted each other to be safe.
We all love food and we all love to eat don't we? Eating in literature is so much more than we think. As Foster mentions, "breaking bread together is an act of sharing and peace" (Foster 8). So it really is a communion. We gather with friends, family, or whoever - eating together brings us closer. Although at times, there is that meal that doesn't turn out so well. Hence Foster's other statement, "a failed meal is a bad sign" (Foster 11).
The Great Gatsby has a solid example of a meal going downhill or "failing". Tom hosts a dinner party with his best companions, but what seemed to be a friendly gathering turns into a tense environment for Tom. Tom is exposed to the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy (Tom's current wife); therefore, calling it quits to the entire dinner. All he wanted to do was leave the tension behind him. This one scene affects Gatsby's dream to proclaim his love for Daisy.
Chapter 3: Nice to Eat You: Acts of Vampires
Foster explains the four main essentials to exist in a vampire story: 1) a young, innocent, preferably a virgin female 2) an older, attractive figure with corrupt values 3) the life force of the older male who never dies and 4) the destruction otherwise the death of the young female.
I'm not into the whole vampire stuff, so the only vampire related story that I could think of was Twilight. The young, virginal female from this story is Bella. The older, debatably attractive, and corrupt male is Edward - and of course, he can't die. As the story progresses, the two fall in love and Edward explains his life as a vampire. But don't vampires suck human blood? Yeah, but Edward loves Bella, so he does everything to prevent himself from killing her. (I guess this odd "romance" is what teenage girls find interesting.) Though the other vampires aren't hesitant to suck Bella's blood; therefore, so she gets chased by them - as killing the young female is one of the essentials of a vampire story.
Chapter 4: It's My Symbol and I'll Cry If I Want To
Symbols are everywhere in literature, whether we notice it or not. Even if the author didn't intend for something to be a symbol, there is always room for the reader to make something into one. An example of a symbol is found in the poem "A Modest Love" by Sir Edward Dyer:
The lowest trees have tops, the ant her gall,
The fly her spleen, the little sparks their heat;
The slender hairs cast shadows, though but small,
And bees have stings, although they be not great;
Seas have their source, and so have shallow springs;
And love is love, in beggars as in kings.
Where rivers smoothest run, deep are the fords;
The dial stirs, yet none perceives it move;
The firmest faith is in the fewest words;
The turtles cannot sing, and yet they love:
True hearts have eyes and ears, no tongues to speak;
They hear and see, and sigh, and then they break.
In the line And love is love, in beggars as in kings. shows how love is all the same no matter who we are. Whether we are in a higher or lower class, love is love and it is unbiased.
Chapter 5: Now, Where Have I Seen Her Before?
The similarities and correspondences found in a text is often connected with another. We call this intertextuality. Simply put, the books we read are evidently formed from an idea once created before. Stories are influenced directly from another text, or an idea may have been unintentionally added.
Beowulf is an example, developing from a vast number of Greek epics. Connections are shown between Beowulf, and The Iliad and
The Aeneid. All three texts provoke the same idea in which the protagonist is learning to accept the fate that was given to him.
Another example of intertextuality I found was between Divergent Trilogy and The Hunger Games Trilogy. These two trilogies involve intensely aggravating violence, formed in some what of a similar matter - in a confined, limited area. Both have several factions/districts that divide people in a particular way. As I write this, I also notice how Harry Potter has the same concept of dividing people into different houses according to their personality.
Intertextuality is also found between Romeo and Juliet and The Notebook. In Romeo and Juliet, their families don't approve of their relationship, because of their long lasting feud. The same concept is found in The Notebook. Noah and Allie fall in love, but Allie's mother does not approve of Noah's lower social class.
Chapter 6: When in Doubt, It's from Shakespeare...
Much through intertextuality, subtle ideas of Shakespeare's famous stories are incorporated in modern literature. Probably the most common story that is analysed in a lot of stories is Romeo and Juliet. The of "fordbidden love" is embraced among many works, such as The Titanic, The Notebook, and most definitely a thousand of other works.
Chapter 7: ...Or the Bible
In the story Araby, the author, James Joyce, uses references from the bible. The obvious theme of the story is the story of Adam and Eve in the garden. The boy is madly in love with the girl, but the feeling is not mutual. His obsession with the girl is so strong that he forgets about God. Much like Adam and Eve - Adam is tempted to eat the apple that he was told not to eat.
I think of the two jars as guards, better yet guardian angels that helped the boy realize his mistake. The last sentence show his grief, "Gazing up into the darkness I saw myself as a creature driven and derided by vanity; and my eyes burned with anguish and anger" (Joyce).
Chapter 8: Hanseldee and Greteldum
I think we can all agree (I hope) that all of us have read fairytales when we were younger. I believe that fairytales are fairly underrated, even though there are many popular stories. What I have noticed is that everything comes from intertextuality. With fairytales,
Literature is interpreted differently from
Chapter 9: It's Greek to Me
Powerful and determined - like the owl she swifts through battle.
With much pride was she active,
her wisdom brought her to victory.
As though her battle scars leave her stubborn,
Her legacy remains intact.
Chapter 10: It's More Than Just Rain or Snow
Weather is such a vital part in literature, as it expresses the mood of a specific scene in a story. It is more than just part of a plot. In the Wizard of Oz, the beginning of story gradually introduces a tornado - not a enjoyable start, but that's the way it is. In the tornado, the characters experience a near death scenario. In this one scene, we see the true relationship of the characters. Specifically Dorothy and her loving family. The tornado was that symbol for seeing the strong bond with Dorothy and her family. It showed how much they cared about each other, and how much they wanted each other to be safe.
Chapter 11:...More Than It's Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence
There two types of violence; one being specific injuries that characters inflict on themselves or another. The second is harm brought by the author to change/enrich the plot.
The first type of violence is found in The Outsiders, when two gang physically fight each other by aggression. People from the gangs get injured, creating more tension and heated arguments.
The second type is found in Divergent, when a character whom the protagonist loved and cared about dies unexpectedly. The main character, Tris, is in a tight situation by running away from enemies that try to kill her. Running beside her was her mom. They are both armed, shooting people along the way to defend themselves. And within a second, Tris sees her beloved mother, blood slowly oozing out from her wounds. She was shot. Tris couldn't protect her when she could have. She instantly breaks down, and her mother's death affects her emotionally further on in the book.
Chapter 12: Is That a Symbol?
The "fence" from Araby by James Joyce represents a barrier between Mangan's sister and the young boy. More specifically, it represented the barrier of the girl's love for the boy. She doesn't want to love him, but as the story progresses, the boy tries to "break" the barrier by buying her gifts.
Chapter 13: It's All Political
In One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, politics is what created this story. The story is based on the secrecy of the Soviet Union - how many people were put into jail under the influence and leadership of Stalin. These kind of stories are difficult to find in modern books, because we live in a more developed world where there is less slavery or imprisonment. Therefore I wouldn't completely agree with Foster's idea of political views in every literary book.
Chapter 14: Yes, She's a Christ Figure
A Christ figure doesn't necessarily have to be "holy". A Christ figure is found in stories about good vs. evil and the good side usually have that figure. The first character that came to mind was Dumbledore. (I don't know why, he just happened to pop up in my head.) Dumbledore was a kind and open character towards Harry Potter in particular. He always forgave people about many things and as the headmaster of Hogwarts, the students looked up to him very much. Towards the end of the series, Dumbledore would sacrifice himself to save Harry.
Chapter 11:...More Than It's Gonna Hurt You: Concerning Violence
There two types of violence; one being specific injuries that characters inflict on themselves or another. The second is harm brought by the author to change/enrich the plot.
The first type of violence is found in The Outsiders, when two gang physically fight each other by aggression. People from the gangs get injured, creating more tension and heated arguments.
The second type is found in Divergent, when a character whom the protagonist loved and cared about dies unexpectedly. The main character, Tris, is in a tight situation by running away from enemies that try to kill her. Running beside her was her mom. They are both armed, shooting people along the way to defend themselves. And within a second, Tris sees her beloved mother, blood slowly oozing out from her wounds. She was shot. Tris couldn't protect her when she could have. She instantly breaks down, and her mother's death affects her emotionally further on in the book.
Chapter 12: Is That a Symbol?
The "fence" from Araby by James Joyce represents a barrier between Mangan's sister and the young boy. More specifically, it represented the barrier of the girl's love for the boy. She doesn't want to love him, but as the story progresses, the boy tries to "break" the barrier by buying her gifts.
Chapter 13: It's All Political
In One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, politics is what created this story. The story is based on the secrecy of the Soviet Union - how many people were put into jail under the influence and leadership of Stalin. These kind of stories are difficult to find in modern books, because we live in a more developed world where there is less slavery or imprisonment. Therefore I wouldn't completely agree with Foster's idea of political views in every literary book.
Chapter 14: Yes, She's a Christ Figure
A Christ figure doesn't necessarily have to be "holy". A Christ figure is found in stories about good vs. evil and the good side usually have that figure. The first character that came to mind was Dumbledore. (I don't know why, he just happened to pop up in my head.) Dumbledore was a kind and open character towards Harry Potter in particular. He always forgave people about many things and as the headmaster of Hogwarts, the students looked up to him very much. Towards the end of the series, Dumbledore would sacrifice himself to save Harry.
Chapter 15: Flights of Fancy
The Fault in Our Stars is a well known book written by John Green. His works have gained popularity through young adults for its sincere, insightful stories. Although I am not a huge fan of all of his work, The Fault in Our Stars has a special spot on my bookshelf. In a nutshell, this story is your typical boy meets girl, they fall in love, and they deal with a problem (In which this case was cancer). This compelling story has characters that seem so realistic and the overall plot was well thought out. Perhaps it's the metaphoric dialogues that engages the readers, but The Fault in Our Stars has definitely impacted many young adults emotionally.
Flight in The Fault in Our Stars symbolises escape. The two main characters, Augustus and Hazel, are on a plane taking them to Amsterdam to meet Hazel's favourite author. This was a wish that she had kept as a cancer patient ever since she was thirteen. The trip was almost impossible with her condition, but as she flew on the plane with Augustus, it was like leaving all her stress behind. I think she felt like she was escaping and finally doing what she always wanted to do. Her limitations due to her cancer prevents her from doing things that she dreams of doing.
Chapter 16: It's All About Sex...
Chapter 17: ...Except the Sex
In The Night Circus by Erin Morgentsern exemplifies how sex in literature is written with more of an art form than a description. Usually, the author will write in a way that sex reflects and creates theme or character in a story. The Night Circus suggests that the two main characters have sex. Although the scene was very short and subtle, it was enough for us readers to recognize it. But with this short scene, it shows how the two characters had strong feelings of love for each other, regardless of the circumstances.
Chapter 18: If She Comes Up, It's Baptism
Foster explains how baptism symbolizes a new start. Jean Valjean from Les Miserables is man who spent many years in jail who is finally released. Though because he was a convict, nobody would take him in. Eventually, a bishop was kind enough to let him stay and treated him with a bed and food. On the same night, Valjean robs the bishop and is caught by the man himself. Instead of telling him off, the bishop states to the police that it was a gift from him to Valjean. Filled with so much guilt, Valjean transforms into a more civilized person towards the end of the story.
Chapter 19: Geography Matters...
According to Foster, geography defines a character or helps the character develop in a story. In the book Paper Towns, one of the main characters, Margo, disappears unexpectedly. Margo is a mischievous young adult, still figuring out her true self. People around around look up to her as the "cool, mysterious girl". But it turns out, she really isn't. Towards the end of the book, she is found in what the author calls a pseudovision, which is a subdivision was plotted but never finished building. She was found in a condition that was almost unimaginable. The characters that found her didn't see the Margo they all thought they knew. So who was the real Margo? You would have to read the book to find out. But the geography incorporated in this story shows how it connects with the character's development.
Chapter 20: ...So Does Season
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Robert Frost
The narrator in this poem describes how he is walking through the woods during the winter. "He will not see me stopping here, To watch his woods fill up the snow." As if he doesn't want to be found, he watches the snow fall. Considering he could be working for someone, if he gets caught, he will get in trouble. Towards the end of the poem, the narrator describes how he can't enjoy the scenery for much longer, as he has to get back to work.
Robert Frost emphasizes winter as the primary season of this poem. Winter was incorporated in a way that it was the darkest time of the year. No matter how much we want to rest, how much we need to take a break, it still seems we're far away from completing our responsibilities.
Chapter 21: Marked for Greatness
Harry Potter, "the boy who lived." This title wasn't given to him for a random reason. It is who he is, his symbol - his mark.
The scar shaped as a lightning bolt is his mark. It signifies the death of Harry's loving parents; their death, and their sacrifice for Harry's survival. The murderer? Voldemort. He kills Harry's parents and attempts to kill Harry along with them. But his death spell backfires with the powerful spell of love, the spell that Harry's parents had cast upon their child, leaving him to be "the boy who lived". In turn, Voldemort dies, but a part of him sticks with Harry. The scar is that symbol. Both the symbol of Harry's parents and the death of Voldemort. With evil living inside of him, Harry is the only one that has the ability to kill Voldemort forever.
Chapter 22: He's Blind for a Reason, You Know
Chapter 23: It's Never Just Heart Disease...
Chapter 24: ...And Rarely Just Illness
In literature, dying from disease symbolizes many things. It gives a significant appeal to the plot, theme, or symbolism. The two examples I am about to share reflects on that idea. In The Fault of the Stars, Augustus and Hazel are aware of Augustus' death due to cancer. Hazel describes her feelings with water - waves crashing over her but unable to drown. This analogy was found earlier in the story, when she talks about how her lungs are filled with fluid, making her feel like she was drowning,
In Marley & Me, Marley is an adorable puppy that is adopted by a family. He was a very hyper dog, always energetic. But as years go by, Marley catches a disease that makes him very weak. He wasn't acting the way he used to and eventually, he passes away. After Marley's death, we realize how short life can be, and that we should spend everyday of our lives to the fullest.
Chapter 25: Don't Read with Your Eyes
The Odyssey by Homer is the tale abut Odysseus' journey on his way home from Troy. Keep in mind that this journey lasted for 10 years overseas. In our modern world, I understand that may be hard to believe. Who can stand a 10 year sea voyage? We've got planes that can take us anywhere within hours for that. But contemporary readers of Homer wouldn't be shocked. They would find this story "normal", I should say - ships were the primary source of transportation during their time.
Other points to take note of is the mythical creatures. Again, not as many people in the modern society will easily believe these ancient Greek myths. Though to the people of that time, it was considered normal to have Greek heroes and mythical creatures that intertwined to make their lives meaningful.
Chapter 26: Is He Serious? And Other Ironies
I remember reading a book called The House on Mango Street in eighth grade. The most obvious irony found in the book is how the main character's family moves to a different house to feel safe and secure. But they realize that their neighbourhood - Mango Street - is neither safe or secure.
Chapter 27: A Test Case
What does the story signify?
What I noticed from The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield, was the life of the rich and poor. The rich people were the Sheridans, who fussed about the preparation of a garden party. They experienced a beautiful morning with loving guests and a delicious feast - surrounded by the stunningly arranged flowers. The poor side experienced a death of a loved one.
I think the meaning of all of this is about how life is not fair. Although there is an obvious contrast between the rich and poor, I also think that the story reminds us of how we should spend everyday of our lives to the fullest. Unexpected things happen, and we should be aware of that.
How does it signify?
There were many subtle things that signified the contrast between the rich and poor. When the main character, Laura, goes out to deliver a basket of treats, she walks down the hill through a smoky and dark lane. Already, the environment of the poor seemed darker than the top of the hill. As Laura reaches the poor family's house, she sees a woman, "her face, puffed up, red, with swollen eyes and swollen lips, looked terrible". The way the family talked was different - they probably had a strong accent - not like the rich people would talk.
I would say I got fairly close with basic idea of the story - the contrast between the rich and poor and how the main character was learning to be aware that difference. Although I wasn't spot on, this excersize really opened my eyes. It taught me to be confident with going a lot further when interpreting literature.
The Fault in Our Stars is a well known book written by John Green. His works have gained popularity through young adults for its sincere, insightful stories. Although I am not a huge fan of all of his work, The Fault in Our Stars has a special spot on my bookshelf. In a nutshell, this story is your typical boy meets girl, they fall in love, and they deal with a problem (In which this case was cancer). This compelling story has characters that seem so realistic and the overall plot was well thought out. Perhaps it's the metaphoric dialogues that engages the readers, but The Fault in Our Stars has definitely impacted many young adults emotionally.
Flight in The Fault in Our Stars symbolises escape. The two main characters, Augustus and Hazel, are on a plane taking them to Amsterdam to meet Hazel's favourite author. This was a wish that she had kept as a cancer patient ever since she was thirteen. The trip was almost impossible with her condition, but as she flew on the plane with Augustus, it was like leaving all her stress behind. I think she felt like she was escaping and finally doing what she always wanted to do. Her limitations due to her cancer prevents her from doing things that she dreams of doing.
Chapter 16: It's All About Sex...
Chapter 17: ...Except the Sex
In The Night Circus by Erin Morgentsern exemplifies how sex in literature is written with more of an art form than a description. Usually, the author will write in a way that sex reflects and creates theme or character in a story. The Night Circus suggests that the two main characters have sex. Although the scene was very short and subtle, it was enough for us readers to recognize it. But with this short scene, it shows how the two characters had strong feelings of love for each other, regardless of the circumstances.
Chapter 18: If She Comes Up, It's Baptism
Foster explains how baptism symbolizes a new start. Jean Valjean from Les Miserables is man who spent many years in jail who is finally released. Though because he was a convict, nobody would take him in. Eventually, a bishop was kind enough to let him stay and treated him with a bed and food. On the same night, Valjean robs the bishop and is caught by the man himself. Instead of telling him off, the bishop states to the police that it was a gift from him to Valjean. Filled with so much guilt, Valjean transforms into a more civilized person towards the end of the story.
Chapter 19: Geography Matters...
According to Foster, geography defines a character or helps the character develop in a story. In the book Paper Towns, one of the main characters, Margo, disappears unexpectedly. Margo is a mischievous young adult, still figuring out her true self. People around around look up to her as the "cool, mysterious girl". But it turns out, she really isn't. Towards the end of the book, she is found in what the author calls a pseudovision, which is a subdivision was plotted but never finished building. She was found in a condition that was almost unimaginable. The characters that found her didn't see the Margo they all thought they knew. So who was the real Margo? You would have to read the book to find out. But the geography incorporated in this story shows how it connects with the character's development.
Chapter 20: ...So Does Season
Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Robert Frost
The narrator in this poem describes how he is walking through the woods during the winter. "He will not see me stopping here, To watch his woods fill up the snow." As if he doesn't want to be found, he watches the snow fall. Considering he could be working for someone, if he gets caught, he will get in trouble. Towards the end of the poem, the narrator describes how he can't enjoy the scenery for much longer, as he has to get back to work.
Robert Frost emphasizes winter as the primary season of this poem. Winter was incorporated in a way that it was the darkest time of the year. No matter how much we want to rest, how much we need to take a break, it still seems we're far away from completing our responsibilities.
Chapter 21: Marked for Greatness
Harry Potter, "the boy who lived." This title wasn't given to him for a random reason. It is who he is, his symbol - his mark.
The scar shaped as a lightning bolt is his mark. It signifies the death of Harry's loving parents; their death, and their sacrifice for Harry's survival. The murderer? Voldemort. He kills Harry's parents and attempts to kill Harry along with them. But his death spell backfires with the powerful spell of love, the spell that Harry's parents had cast upon their child, leaving him to be "the boy who lived". In turn, Voldemort dies, but a part of him sticks with Harry. The scar is that symbol. Both the symbol of Harry's parents and the death of Voldemort. With evil living inside of him, Harry is the only one that has the ability to kill Voldemort forever.
Chapter 22: He's Blind for a Reason, You Know
Chapter 23: It's Never Just Heart Disease...
Chapter 24: ...And Rarely Just Illness
In literature, dying from disease symbolizes many things. It gives a significant appeal to the plot, theme, or symbolism. The two examples I am about to share reflects on that idea. In The Fault of the Stars, Augustus and Hazel are aware of Augustus' death due to cancer. Hazel describes her feelings with water - waves crashing over her but unable to drown. This analogy was found earlier in the story, when she talks about how her lungs are filled with fluid, making her feel like she was drowning,
In Marley & Me, Marley is an adorable puppy that is adopted by a family. He was a very hyper dog, always energetic. But as years go by, Marley catches a disease that makes him very weak. He wasn't acting the way he used to and eventually, he passes away. After Marley's death, we realize how short life can be, and that we should spend everyday of our lives to the fullest.
Chapter 25: Don't Read with Your Eyes
The Odyssey by Homer is the tale abut Odysseus' journey on his way home from Troy. Keep in mind that this journey lasted for 10 years overseas. In our modern world, I understand that may be hard to believe. Who can stand a 10 year sea voyage? We've got planes that can take us anywhere within hours for that. But contemporary readers of Homer wouldn't be shocked. They would find this story "normal", I should say - ships were the primary source of transportation during their time.
Other points to take note of is the mythical creatures. Again, not as many people in the modern society will easily believe these ancient Greek myths. Though to the people of that time, it was considered normal to have Greek heroes and mythical creatures that intertwined to make their lives meaningful.
Chapter 26: Is He Serious? And Other Ironies
I remember reading a book called The House on Mango Street in eighth grade. The most obvious irony found in the book is how the main character's family moves to a different house to feel safe and secure. But they realize that their neighbourhood - Mango Street - is neither safe or secure.
Chapter 27: A Test Case
What does the story signify?
What I noticed from The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield, was the life of the rich and poor. The rich people were the Sheridans, who fussed about the preparation of a garden party. They experienced a beautiful morning with loving guests and a delicious feast - surrounded by the stunningly arranged flowers. The poor side experienced a death of a loved one.
I think the meaning of all of this is about how life is not fair. Although there is an obvious contrast between the rich and poor, I also think that the story reminds us of how we should spend everyday of our lives to the fullest. Unexpected things happen, and we should be aware of that.
How does it signify?
There were many subtle things that signified the contrast between the rich and poor. When the main character, Laura, goes out to deliver a basket of treats, she walks down the hill through a smoky and dark lane. Already, the environment of the poor seemed darker than the top of the hill. As Laura reaches the poor family's house, she sees a woman, "her face, puffed up, red, with swollen eyes and swollen lips, looked terrible". The way the family talked was different - they probably had a strong accent - not like the rich people would talk.
I would say I got fairly close with basic idea of the story - the contrast between the rich and poor and how the main character was learning to be aware that difference. Although I wasn't spot on, this excersize really opened my eyes. It taught me to be confident with going a lot further when interpreting literature.