M.C. Higgins was set apart because of the pole his father gave him as a prize. In class we thought the pole could be a number of things from a throne, a haven, something connecting him to his family, or just something setting him apart from the community. In one instance we said it was a thing that made him a God-like figure.



This made me think of other stories where items made characters seem like they were God-like figures. In Peanuts, Linus had his blanket and in Genesis, Joseph had his mulit-colored coat. Linus always carried his blanket around and in the Charlie Brown Christmas, he delivered the true meaning of Christmas. In Joseph's story the coat set him apart from his siblings which ultimately led to his authoritarian role.



In many stories items can signify a heavenly status. In M.C.'s case he liked to sit on his pole high above the ground, gaze at his surroundings, and mold them to his liking. He appears to be on a pedestal in this story. The pole is the item setting him apart from his community. It is interesting to see the items authors can give characters to make them appear heavenly or God-like.

Lowry wrote The Giver differently than the other books we have read in class. Instead of depicting a world which we should strive for, Lowry creates a world that epitomizes a dystopian society. Sexual feelings are repressed. The chosen citizens release (or murder) the elderly, the rebellious, and those that display anything that goes against the grain. The citizens are being controlled and no one realizes that being oppressed is detrimental to their well-being.

My belief is that Lowry is informing of what our world might become. She sees negative trends that could take away creativeness and ultimately eliminate happiness. Instead of telling the reader how to live his or her life, she depicts a world that the reader should regard with caution. I find this way of story telling to be the most effective. When I read 1984 it made me question the government and their double speak. Likewise, The Giver made me aware that our society is capable of controlling every aspect from sex to occupation. This is not a world that I want to live in, and it is not one that Lowry wants to live in.


When Jonas and the Giver finally devise their plan to give back the memories, Lowry is freeing the community. She is telling us that it is not too late for the people in the book to turn back and it is not too late for us. At least not yet...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2hHRqF5zRM

The book we read for class today was the first book that dealt with a unique culture. We have dealt with English culture but that is very similar to ours. This book had Asian culture and sayings. As American reader some of the book was a new experience. Tree-leaf had to learn his ways from Crane-man while an American character would not have been as patient. In A Wizard of Earth Sea Ged blew up and was punished for his actions. Tree leaf did not lose his patience at any time of this book. Also when Min took as much time in developing his craft it was unusual. Min could only produce around ten molds a year. An American would produce a whole lot more because he would want to make a profit. In class we talked about how it was different and written from a different prospective. Park is American but of Korean descent, not many of us in the class can relate to how she was raised. Because she has different influences we as readers might have missed out on some points that she was trying to make. I know I could not grasp all the proverbs that Crane man was speaking of. Park had a much different upbringing than Rowling or some of the other authors that we have read. However some of her American influences came out when the town started to widely produce Kang's work and also how Kang put little time into his craft. Kang did not put pride in his work just like Americans don't put pride in their work. Our cars are often made fun of because they are mass produced, this is Kang's molds. We spoke in class how these were American attributes and they did not resemble Asian traits. The book closed with Tree-leaf finishing his journey. This is the appropriate ending for any culture. This goes to show that even if one's culture is different all the stories still end the same.

In class we have been discussing Peter Pan and other books. Every book that we have read has had some impact in our childhood. Last Tuesday we went behind the book and looked at the author. When I heard the story about the real J.M. Barrie I was disturbed. Any person who loved children that much must have been weird. No one knows what he did with those children or with any children, but it is eerie hearing how much he loved the kids. How could someone so weird write a story that impacted our childhood? Then I thought for a second and realized all great authors are somewhat twisted.

I went in thinking Barrie was the same charming man that was depicted in Finding Neverland, only to be let down. Barrie is by far the weirdest but all great authors have some quirk. Pullman was raised by religious parents, Rowling worked in a coffee shop before striking it rich, and we all have heard weird stories bout the person who wrote Alice in Wonderland. Everyone of them needed their history for them to write down their feelings. If Pullman didn't have his history he would have never wrote the Golden Compass. In the beginning it hurt me that Barrie was a strange man but now I realize it doesn't matter what they did. What matters is what they wrote. Some of the best things have been created by crazy people. Through chaos comes clarity. Artists are twisted but they are amazing. Van Gough cut his ear off and was depressed for most of his life. Most people forget about that. I would like to forget about what Barrie did and just concentrate on his work. He wrote Peter Pan, it's about a child who doesn't want to grow up. Written by a man who probably didn't want to either.

I don't know that much about wizardry books so I'm connecting this book with the greatness that is Star Wars. I believe that movie series and this book have much in common. I guess wizardry and space adventure aren't that far apart.

I believe the tow series follow the same rules when it comes to the stories heroes. In A Wizard of Earthsea, the hero is a wizard named Ged. Ged was anointed to be the greatest wizard of all time since he was a kid. Everyone saw it in this man; he was even sent to go train with an Arch Mage to perfect his powers. He loses patients and goes to a school where he can learn quicker. In this school he becomes powerful and is almost overcome by evil. He doesn't become pure evil but he does create a spirit that is trying to take him to the dark side. Through a long journey he becomes the man he is supposed to be and saves the day.

Now compare this to Darth Vader. Mr. Vader lost his mom at an early age, was told he was going to be the one to save the universe, was sent to trian with a Jedi named Obi-Wan (maybe you heard of him.) Then he becomes power hungry and leaves his training. When Vader does this he joins the dark side. This is the small difference in the two stories. However it is similar because this is where Vader ulitmately becomes the person that he is supposed to be. Through his journey Vader does bring peace to the universe and becomes one of the greats just like our friend Ged.

The similarities are eerie. I wouldn't consider either to be a true hero, but they are characters that people relate too and cheer on. This seems to be a winning formula for characters as both are legendary.

The clip I chose to pick is where Darth loses his patience and becomes evil. I see the similarities in him and Ged.

Darth Vader Scene

Intro

People tend to call me Marcus because that is the name my parents decided to give me. I am from Dallas, Texas and I am in love with the city. It kind of hurts me that I decided to spend four years in Fort Worth. I love music and sports, but who doesn't. One day hope to make a living in the entertainment industry.

My favorite children's books are anything by Dr. Seuss, however I don't know if y'all consider this to be extremely childish. My favorite book of his is Green Eggs and Ham. I love it because it reminds me of my childhood and the time when I cooked this dish. The story is not complicated but I believe it takes an extreme amount of talent to create this sort of work. I believe many have tried to duplicate his style but all have fallen to the mighty Doctor.

If that isn't good enough I also loved Number the Stars, which is on our reading list. I find that whole era to be interesting. I read it when I was young and it seemed to always stick with me.

I don't know how to end a blog so until I come up with a catch phrase I'm just going to say peace. Peace!