The Giver Final Reading Response

            A phase that happens when kids come of age if that a kid's false view of the world turns to a correct and more accurate view.  I finished reading The Giver by Lois Lowry.  It's about a boy named Jonas who gets selected to be the next Receiver.  He receives memories from the Giver of the past.  He receives memories of love and family, but also receives memories of pain and death.  Jonas' view of the world changed as he received memories and saw what the elders really did to release people.  His view of the world changed to be more accurate.
            Children have a false view of the world because they are young.  Parents and adults influence the view of little children.  They try to protect them by giving them a false view of the world.  They try to make the world seem like a perfect world full of peace.  In The Giver, the Childcare have strict policies to keep children from misbehaving and learning the correct view of the world.  A quote from the text is "The Childcare specialists were trained very carefully in the discipline methods."(54).  Sometimes strict policies are needed to keep children from learning the correct view just like the government in the Giver.
           As children come of age they go through many experiences that show them the correct view of the world.  The children who learn the correct view feel betrayed by their parents because they try to protect their children from drugs and violence.  Sometimes children are misunderstanding their parents who try to protect them, but they feel betrayed by their parents.  A quote from the text that shows how Jonas feels betrayed by his father because he lied to him.  "He killed it!  My father killed it.  Jonas said to himself stunning at what he was realizing."(150).  Later on in the book during the family talk at dinner time.  "Mother and Father making their customary comments (and lies Jonas knew) about the day."(164).  Jonas was betrayed because his dad told him release was that the person would leave the town but they actually kill the person.  But maybe Jonas' father was only trying to protect him by lying.
           Some experiences can change the view of children.  Gossip at school can change the views of how they see the world.  Also curiosity can lead children to find out their parents lied to them.  Also how their parents lied to them about their childhood views.  A quote from the text is " 'Giver,' Jonas asked the next afternoon.  'Do you ever think about release?"(139).  Later they are about to watch a release.  "They're in the Hall of Closed Records.  Do you want to see this morning's release?"(147).  After Jonas' dad kills the baby.  "The Giver turned to him. 'Well, there you are Jonas.  You were wondering about release,' he said in a bitter voice."(151).  It shows how curiosity to find out his father lied to him.
           In conclusion as children come of age their view changes to be more correct and accurate.  In the Giver Jonas thought that his town was nice and peaceful , nothing can go wrong in his life.  But then when he finds out what they really do during release and felt betrayed by his parents and his town.  His view of the world changed and felt betrayed by his community.  I can connect because when I was young, I thought the world was peaceful.  As I come of age my view of the world changed because the world is full of bad things and good things. 

The Giver Reading Response 1

            Childhood is a time where kids have some freedom and are new to the world.  I read the book The Giver by Lois Lowry, it’s about a kid named Jonas who turns twelve and gets selected to be the next Receiver.  As the new Receiver he learns about the past and pain.  He got horrified as he experiences true pain.  Jonas is experiencing the truth that the government is hiding from the town.  As people grow up they remember their childhood freedom.  Also how guidance and punishment helped them become more mature.

            During childhood kids have freedom that they lose as they grow up.  The freedom to do anything you want because they were little.  As kids grow up they lose some freedom because they have many responsibilities and need to meet some requirements for life.  A quote from the text is “He remembered when he had become an Eight and had been faced with that freedom of choice.”(26).  Jonas has many responsibilities that his freedom to choose what he is going to do today is completely gone.  When people are grown up they lose the freedom of their childhood, in Jonas’ case it’s his freedom of choice.

            With guidance children would become more mature and understand the world better.  Your parents are guiding and teaching their children between right and wrong.  A quote from the text is “But with guidance, as they developed self confidence and maturity, they moved on to other jobs.”(26).  Children need guidance to show them the right path and not wander on the wrong path.  The right path is where people have success and the wrong path is where people use dishonest means to get what they want.

            Punishment is needed to keep children from learning bad stuff.  If children don’t get punished for a bad thing then they will do it again because they think it’s okay.  A quote from the text is “The childcare specialists were trained very carefully in the discipline methods; a quick smack across the hand for a bit of minor misbehavior.”(54).  This quote is showing that adult punish kids for the good of it.  To help them learn not to do bad stuff.

            In conclusion kids have more freedom that adults.  But they need guidance and punishment so they become good people.  An example from the book is that Jonas remembers when he had recreation time where he decides what he wants to do.  But when he grew he has a specific schedule and he doesn’t decide what he is going to do that day.  Also Jonas remembered when he would get smacked if he did a misbehavior. I can connect with the book because like me I remember my childhood where I had the freedom to do anything.  But I also remember how my mom hit me if I lied or stole something.  I remember my parents teaching me to do a lot of stuff like riding a bike and how to write neatly. 

writing prompt 2

What are the main similarities and differences between childhood and adulthood?

          Some similarities are that you are still are the same person.  You still have the intelligence you had before.  Also you still have your same personality.  Also you still have the same love you had for your family.  These things stay the same because even when you’re grown up, you still stay the same in some things.  You have the choice to change what you want as you grow up.  These are what most people choose that remain the same.

          Some differences is that how people react to certain situations.  An example is when you were little your parents didn’t listen to you, you would cry.  As you grow up you would be angry at them.  Also before you relied on your parents all the time.  But as you grow up you become more independent.  As you grow up you have more peer pressure.  But when you were young , you didn’t have peer pressure and rarely cared about anything.  Also as you grow up you rebel against your parents more often.

Writing Prompt #1

 Write about 1 experience you have had that relates to one of these aspects.
            One experience that I had with the aspect I chose, disappointment.  I remember when I was young I would see my friends tell me their parents bought them these games and toys.  Then I would got to my parents and ask for the games and toys they would say yes.  Then when I was older my friends told me about this cool video game that like everyone had.  So I went to my parents to ask them if they could buy it for me.  Then they started yelling at me saying I have a lot of games and the games are affecting my schoolwork.  I was really disappointed and realized that when you are growing up you start to lose some things from when I was little.
            It goes to show as you grow up you need to learn how to become more independent.  It's disappointing that when you grow up you lose many things especially your parents listening to you all the time.  Disappointment is an aspect of growing up.  When you are young your parents listen to you all the time trying to make you happy.  But when you are growing up your parents wants you to succeed but in your own way.  My experience got me really disappointed but it made me grow up knowing it's not like old times.

Reading Response to "It's kind of a funny story"(revised)

              Have you ever thought what goes on in the mind of a person who suffers from depression?  Have ever thought what they think about and what they want to do?  Well I was reading an interesting book called It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini.  It's about a teenager named Craig Gilner who wants to succeed in his high school.  But the stress becomes unbearable, he starts to suffer from depression and nearly kills himself.  His actions gets him checked into a mental hospital with a lot of people who suffer from mental problems.  There he meets many people with mental disabilities and it seems that he fits right in.  He met a girl who also suffered from depression and cuts herself.  Also a professor who gets sprayed by insecticide and a boy who is a transsexual. The experience in the hospital will change his life.  Coming out and telling people about what's wrong with you can solve your problems.
               One observation that I made is that Craig wasn't the type of person who are depressed and does something drastic.  He was able to control himself and get enrolled in a hospital.  His mom said it was his smartest decision in his life.  In the hospital he got better and learned how to deal with it.  Craig said how the people and the friendly environment helped even though the people were kind of screwed up.  It showed how telling people about his problem and them telling him about theirs give all of them a way to connect.  Craig thought his life was hard when he stayed in the hospital his opinion was changed by seeing people with harder lives and is envious of his life.  Here is a quote from Bobby another hospital patient: "See, that's the part I don't get Craig.  I mean you're cool, you're smart, you're talented.  You have a family that loves you.  You know, what I would do just to be you, for just a day.  I would ... I would do so much.  I would ... I don't know.  I would just ... I'd just live.  Like it meant something."(115).  This made Craig rethink his own life.  The person that Craig connected most with is Noelle the girl who cuts herself because they both suffered from depression and nearly killed themselves.  Their similar experiences gave them a way to connect.
           Organisms can develop adaptations to changing environments.  Adaptations that are better suited for the environment. It relates to Craig because he changed while he was in the hospital.  Before he had too much stress from schoolwork and smoked pot.  While in the hospital and meeting people with mental disabilities his personality changed because now he seems more active and wants to keep on living.  Before he had nothing that he does with his extra time.  But after going to the hospital he found something that he likes like a hobby he would call  an "anchor".  "I know you're thinking.  "What is this?  Kid spends a few days in the hospital and all his problems are cured?"  But I'm not.  I know I'm not.  I can tell this is just the beginning.  I still need to face my homework, my school, my friends, my dad.  But the difference between today and last Saturday is that for the first time in a while, I can look forward to the things I wanted to do in my life.  Bike, eat, drink, talk ... Run, travel, swim, skip.  Yeah, I know it's lame, but, whatever skip anyway.  Breathe ... Live."(216).
            This book can relate to many people in the world who suffer from depression.  Most of them don't tell anyone about their depression.  Often resulting in lack of energy and suicidal thoughts.  With no one to talk to they slowly become a social loner.  But some tell people and some usually feel better and are able to get better treatments.  I would say if something is wrong don't hide it and tell it to people.  Just like Craig he talked to people who also has mental problems and talking about his seems to cure his depression.  Talking to people with a similar mental illness gives them a way to connect, so they don't feel lonely and talking to people might solve their mental illness.

Sonnet

I walk down the lonely street in the night
I am like the small guy in the big world
I am towered over and filled with fright
I wished to be like the others and the lord
I look upon myself to be like them
I hate the people who give me dark looks
I want to be famous like Eminem
I am disrespected like big bad crooks
But when I look at the sunrise I hope
I hope to fill my heart with contentment
From now on I will not act like a dope
Now I have a heart full of enchantment
Now I will strive to fulfill my life’s dream
Instead of stealing I will now come clean

Three Favorite Blogs

               I really like Tomin's response to "Please Don't Take My Air Jordans" because it goes straight to the point.  It is very well written and I really like how he incorporated his opinions about the poem.  I would have to agree with him because why in the world would some guy kill someone else for fresh gear.  I like how he presented his thoughts and gave a pretty good case about how stupid the people were in the poem.  His response wasn't very long so it wasn't boring.  It was short and straight to the point.
               Also I really liked Tulah's response to "My Papa's Waltz" because it has a lot of information and opinions.  Also I really liked how she elaborated on her points.  I also liked when she incorporated lines from the poem and used it to prove her points.  Also I liked how she got stuff from the big debate we had in our class.  She had many interpretations to the poems and I like how she used lines from the poem to back it up.  Also I like how she went in depth about the lines.  Like the line "But I hung on like death".  She really thought about why the author wrote like death than any other words.  She really went into depth.
            I also really liked Marek's response to "Please Don't Take My Air Jordans" because his response really talks to the reader.  Also his response is very strong and really proves his point.  He relates back to the poem and takes out lines that support his opinions.  I also really like he wrote about the language and the way he wrote the poem.  Also he says stuff about the narrator like how he cares more about looks than voice.  He relates to real life how some people care about their voice more than looks.  It is very strong and informative.

Interpreting a Poem "Please Don't Take My Air Jordans"

           My interpretation for this poem is that the author is telling us about social issues like peer pressure.  So the narrator is peer pressured by his crew because he has old gear.  The guy doesn't seem to care about someone's life because he shot someone just for shoes.  This poem kind of describe some people like the narrator.  We are living in a dangerous world that are full of people that would do anything to get what they want.  There are some people in the world that are under the influence and has social problems.  Some are lead to do bad stuff like killing people. The way someone is determined by how they were brought up and who they hang out with.  One theme that seems important is acceptance because the narrator was not accepted so he killed someone to get accepted.  Sometimes not getting accepted could lead people to do bad stuff.  Also poverty has a part because his parents might not be rich because they couldn't buy the
stuff for him.  So he had to do bad stuff to get what he wanted.  His parents are probably middle class.  The narrator was under the influenced and peer pressured. 

There Ain't No Place

There ain't no place
for me to settle down
I went walkin' down the street
everyone lookin' at my frown

I be walkin' in white man country
where I ain't respected
I be walkin' down the lane
feeling neglected

Then the doctor made his speech
fillin' my heart with a new beat
I didn't feel isolated anymore
as I listened to the doctor's amazing feat

But the white men don't listen
many shops closed in town
so there ain't no place
for me to settle down

Incident in Tuscon

It was a sunny day
a great day to go to the beach
when a politician
was giving a speech

Then a bald guy came
breaking in
with a smirk on his face
and a nasty grin

Then he took out
his gun and shot
everybody started to scream
then he was brought
down

It was a
terrible night
now the politician is struggling
to fight
for her life

The Scream Poem

The Scream
the loud piercing noise
heard a mile away
the noise filled with fear,
filled with pain

The Scream
coming from a bald man
skinny like a toothpick,
bony like a skeleton

The Scream
making the sky red
red like blood
the ocean roaring and thrashing
like a caged animal

The Scream
causing all the pain
all the agony
all the fear

The Scream

Response to The Starry Night

           When I first looked at the title I thought the poem is just going to be about the painting but when I read it was more than that.  It was a connection with the poet and the painting.  The poem is really personal and has a sad, dark, and violent mood.  It talks about death is a literal and figurative sense.  The poet is kind of stating she wants to die but the way she wants to die is figurative.  It has a lot of meaning.  It kind of tells the life of the poet and her personal connection to her interpretation of the painting by Van Gogh.  She is like saying she wants to rest in peace stay away from people and become one with nature.
           The lines she said about how she wants to die is emphasized because it was repeated.  Her ways of describing how she wants to die is figurative.  The way she described the night is like being it because she wants to be alone and be beautiful like nature.  The way she wrote this poem is like she described her life and how she wants to live her future life.  She is kind of relating to the predicament Van Gogh was in when he painted the Starry Night.  He was in a asylum.  The poet ended up committing suicide years later.  It was like for both of them The Starry Night poem and painting are connected to the lives of the poet and artist.  The Starry Night is more than just a poem or painting is a way to express oneself.

Interpreting a Painting (The Scream)

           This painting is The Scream by Edvard Munch.  The observations I can make from this painting is that there is a person holding his hands to his ears.  Also his mouth is opened wide.  The sky is not blue but reddish orange.  Also he is standing on a bridge.  The head of the person looks like a skull.  The head is bald and the chin is skinny and thin.  Also behind him looks like the sea.  The red sky is reflecting off the sea.  Also there might be boats on the sea.  The sky looks wavy from brush strokes.  Also the bridge is wooden.  Also there is a wavy horizon where it looks like the sky meets with the sea.  Also the person is not standing straight but crooked in a diagonal way.  Half of the picture is the background and the other half is the person and the bridge.
          Inferences that I can make is that I think the person is expressing an emotion.  Fear from a noise or voice inside head.  The person could be screaming and not listening to something.  The sky is red maybe because it represents pain  and agony that the person is feeling.  Maybe the artist is connected to the pain the person in the painting is feeling.  There could be a connection between the artist and the person in the painting.  Everything is wavy maybe because it is like a memory or illusion.
           My interpretation for this painting is that I think the artist painted this because he is somehow connected.  Maybe from his past or something.  I think the painting expresses pain.  Pain that the person is feeling and the pain the artist is connected to.  Everything is wavy because the person is feeling pain from around him and the wavy thing express pain.  The sky is red like blood which can also resemble pain.  The way the painting is painted it attracts attention and expresses what the person feels.  The source of the pain can be connected to the artist.