Scarlet's Essay

Scarlet Caruso
English 9
Hamilton Salsich
4/30/09

Kindness:
A Fictional Character, a Poet and a Fourteen-Year-Old Girl

1:If you could talk to a character in a book, what would you say? 2:Naomi Shihab Nye would certainly have a lot to say to Dexter Green of “Winter Dreams” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 3:Dexter would have much to say to her as well. 4:They would tell each other the truth, their opinions, their take on kindness and their relativity.(TETRACOLON CLIMAX)

TS:In “Kindness” by Naomi Shihab Nye she talks about how you can discover kindness, in your life, when you love, and when you can't find it. (LOOSE SENTENCE) SD:She would have a lot to say to Dexter Green. CM:She would tell him that, “Before you know what kindness really is- you must lose things.” CM:She would mean that in losing Judy maybe he might find kindness. SD:Another thing she would tell him is that she understands what he went through.CM: She knows, “how desolate the landscape can be between the regions of kindness.” CM:She would tell him that he isn’t the only one who, at one point, didn’t know kindness. CS:Ms. Nye would certainly have a lot to tell Dexter Green and if she could talk to him she would give him great advice and insight.

TS:Dexter Green experiences a lot of adversity(SAT WORD) throughout the story, so he would have so much to say to Naomi Shihab Nye. SD:Dexter, depressed and down, would disagree with Ms. Nye almost completely. (APPOSITIVE) CM:He would tell her that he doesn’t understand that, “you must wake up with sorrow” to see decency in the world. CM:He would ask her why he is so sad all the time if he lost Judy. SD:He would also question her saying that kindness would follow him “like a shadow or a friend.” CM:He would tell her that there is no gentleness that he has seen since Judy left him. CM:Dexter would not understand Ms. Nye’s interpretation of kindness. CS:Dexter Green would ask Ms. Nye many questions about her poem and how she believes we find benevolence (SAT WORD) in our lives.

TS:If I could join in this discussion of kindness, I would have a lot to say. SD:I would agree with many of the things Naomi Shihab Nye says in her poem. CM:For example, I thoroughly agree that you have to feel the absence of kindness to learn what it truly is. CM:In my life I have experienced cruelty and I know that it’s wonderful when you see loveliness again. SD:I might also agree with Dexter on a few of the things he said. CM:When you lose something forever it can really take your happiness away. CM: When My Aunt Elaine passed away I wondered where the kindness in the world had gone. CS:I would love being a part of this conversation because I could relate to the subject in many ways.

1:A fictional character, a poet, and a 14 year-old girl may seem to be an incompatible (SAT WORD) group but some very good points would be made about the kindness in life. 2:Losing people or objects you love helps you appreciate goodness. 3:Sometimes, when you lose these key things in your life it can hurt for a long, long time. 4: You can find out the answer to some of life's questions when you take people from different backgrounds, professions, and worlds. (LOOSE SENTENCE)

Kimo's Essay

Kimo Gray
4.30.09
English9
Mr. Salsich

Happiness: Lost in Translation:
An Essay about the Meaning and Toils of Kindness

(1) In the beginning we are small, helpless, and are unanimously cared for by others. (2) We are nurtured, we grow, we age, and we develop our opinions of the world, of life. (TETRACOLON) (3) Then we are touched by true kindness, know its fleeting presence in our life, and through this we mature. (4) It is with kindness that we grow into our spiritual awareness, and take on responsibility as one of a world of many.

TS In Naomi Shihab Nye’s Poem, Kindness, she describes kindness as something you earn, something that must grow out of a disheveled heart. SD1 She writes, “Before you know …kindness…you must first lose things.” CM There is much we are given in our comfortable lives, but there is much to give up in search of something greater. CM As Nye state, “all…must go so you know how desolate the landscape can be between the regions of kindness.” SD2 In giving up our worldly possessions we can have something much greater. CM We also must experience true sorrow in able to understand happiness. “Before…kindness [is] the deepest thing,” she writes, “you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.” CM We must feel pain in order to rebuild our hearts and minds. CS Though vague, kindness is a subject which Nye is a veteran, and shares her wisdom with all who will take it.

TS The short story “Winter Dreams” serves as a cautionary tale for kindness. SD1 In the story a man by the name of Dexter Greene believes he experiences happiness through Judy Jones, the love of his life. CM Judy is a woman who is always in a relationship, always with different men, but she takes the time to just be with Dexter.(LOOSE SENTENCE) CM Eventually she leaves him and he is crushed, his sorrow deepening and deepening each encounter. SD2 Flash-forward to Dexter in his later life, now past his prime, his colleague speaks to him of Judy Jones, casually mentioning how she had grown out of her beauty. CM When Dexter’s mental image of the old Judy is crushed, Dexter collapses along with it. CM Because he never appreciated what life threw at him and never knew sorrow, he never truly knew happiness. CS In his early life, Dexter was happy, but because he distorted his sorrow, he was parched(SAT) of happiness and became a shallow man still in love with the long gone Judy Jones.

TS In my life, I’m not sure if I have experienced this true kindness, but I have gone through sorrow. SD1 This summer my grandfather, one of the most influential men in my life, passed away. CM This was very difficult for me and my family, but for a while I didn’t feel sad, just numb. CM It was at the funeral that my emotions overwhelmed me and I cried, letting out my sorrow in waves. SD2 My grandfather was a great, venerable(SAT) man, and I learned a great deal about kindness from him. CM He had always taught me that happiness is important, but what’s more important is the happiness of you and those you love. CM When he died, my dad, his son(APPOSITIVE), was there to comfort me and to carry on his kindness. CS Sorrow is a very difficult emotion, it can be fought back into the bowels of your stomach or it can erupt spouting words, feeling, that are all painful to bear. CS I’ve felt true sorrow, and for this I know I appreciate happiness more.

(1) If brought together, these people would have a lot to say to each other. (2) Dexter could chastise Nye for always finding a way to preserve happiness when life is so enervating (SAT), while Nye could tell Dexter to just let go so that he can move on. (3) I have not had much experience with happiness, but I know I am happiest when I am with my friends and family. (4) Life is a tricky thing, for you must love it without it loving you back, and live each day knowing full well the emotional gamble it will bring you, then after the day when you are alone, compose yourself, filter all those bad feelings out, and love life anew. (LOOSE SENTENCE)


Self-Assessment
1.Kimo Gray, 4.30.09, Happiness Essay

2.I feel my opening and closing paragraphs were strong. I also think I used the special tools well.

3.I think I may have lost topic in the first body paragraph. I’m not sure if all my SAT words are apt.

4.I am working on omitting mistakes. I am also working on organization and planning ahead.

5.B

Kates Post

In my life I have had kindness.  I am lucky.  Some people have lost the happiness and kindness in there life.  Naomi Shihab Nye and F. Scott Fizgerald know about different kinds of happiness.  

In the short story, " Winter Dreams" by F. Scott Fizgerald, there is a lack of kindness.  SD  Dexter used to have kindness though.  CM He was in love with a girl named Judy Jones.  CM She was beautiful, and right when Dexter looked at her he knew he was in love and  hoped he could find kindness, and love. SD Through out the book Dexter keeps trying to find it.  CM Then he finds out the Judy doesn't really love him.  CM After all of the pain he had to go through with Judy, he doesn't understand why he isn't feeling kindness yet.  CS  In the End of the book he is starting to understand.  

The Poem "Kindness" by  Naomi Shihab Nye has a different view on kindness.  SD In the poem Ms. Nye talks about about how kindness follows you like a friend.  CM I think she is trying to tell us that when ever you are feeling down, kindness can all ways help you feel better.  CM Kindness is also something you can always count on.  SD The kindness that Ms. Nye is talking about, is the kind that Dexter Green was looking for.  CM  The kindness is one that will always have your back and that is what Dexter is looking for.  CS Ms. Nye really understood the meaning of kindness.

TS In my life I mostly have kindness.  SD Unlike Dexter Green I have not had a lack of kindness in my life, but I have witnessed small acts of unkindness.  CM They are not big acts, they are little acts, like not holding the door for someone, or people talking about someone behind the persons back.  CM They are little but they are still there and are not kind.  SD Kindness in my life comes from my friend and family.  CM They are always there supporting me and they always have my back.  CM They are always there to give me comfort.  CS Even though there is hurtfulness in my life, kindness can overpower.  

Kindness is a big part of my life.  If i ever am feeling down I can turn to my family and they can make me feel better with there kind words.  In "Winter Dream" Dexter was looking for that and in the poem "Kindness" that is what the poet was talking about. 

____________________________________________________________________

SELF ASSESSMENT

 

Things I've Been Working on=

I hAve been trying to correct all of my corrections.  The are usually stupid mistakes.  I have also been working on unnecessary words.  

Weak Parts in my Essay=

In my essay I don't have a lot of quotes.  It is also hard for me to find the grammatical errors.  

Grade=

C+

Parker Verhoeff
English 9
Mr. Salsich
4.27.09

Quest for Kindness:
An Analysis on a Poem, Short Story, and Human Nature

Before you can indulge in the highest highs of life, you must know the lows of life as well. You must know sorrow like the back of your hand, before you can even think about escaping it. The writings of Naomi Shihab Nye and F. Scott Fitzgerald prove this. They explain that his basic principle can be found in everyone's life, even mine.

TS: The poem "Kindness" by, Naomi Shihab Nye is actually more about the losses and the acceptance of the sorrow that comes with it. SD: Nye explains that, "before you know what kindness really is/ you must lose things." CM: You must experience adversity-FAST and depression, before you can experience bliss and true "kindness." CM: She realtes kindness to all of life, focusing on the downs, the hardships, the struggles and the toils that life brings-Tetracolon Climax. SD: Once you know of these things, only then may you realize, "how desolate the landscape can be/ between the regions of kindness." CM: You can see how long the journey is, and how much you want to make it the end. CM: You have to come to the realization that, "it is only kindness that makes sense anymore." CS: It is what drives you through life, and only then will it, "[go] with you everywhere/ like a shadow or a friend."

TS: "Winter Dreams" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, in comparison to Nye's poem, is a story of a man who tries his best to experience true "kindness." SD: Dexter Green falls in love with a girl by the name of Judy Jones. CM: He loved her the first moment he noticed the "ungodliness in the way her lips twisted, down at the corners when she smiled, and in the [...] almost passionate quality of her eyes." CM: Throughout the book he explores the "desolate landscape [...] between the regions of kindness," and tries to emulate-FAST the values in Nye's poem. SD: He gets to know the hardships, and depression of life in his pursuit for love. CM: He believes he will get his deserved reward in the end. CM: But she doesn't love him, and she hurts him numerous occasions claiming she does love him. CS: It was a hard thing to do but he finally lets go of his "winter dreams"-his love for this beautiful but cruel woman-Appositive and accepts the fact that "now that thing is gone[...] I cannot cry I cannot care. That thing will come back no more."

TS: I am not exempt from this rule of life, just like Ms. Nye and Dexter Green aren't-Loose Sentence. SD: I haven't experienced the deep sorrow that Nye talks about in her poem. CM: I guess that means I haven't experienced the true kindness that she talks about either. CM: I haven't had to appreciate kindness the way she has, because I haven't lost it the way she has. SD: Like Dexter green, I have to get through the lows of life before I can reach the highs. CM: He pursued his love for Judy, and accepted the obstacles as they came. CM: I have been tenacious-FAST while trying to get better at lacrosse. CM: I'm never going to give up the game I love, no matter what might stand in my way-Loose Sentence. CS: I will persevere, just how Dexter pursued his love for Judy, and Ms. Nye pursues her quest for kindness.

This simple concept is what drives us. It is human nature to strive and want to be better. To know how much better you can be, however, is to know how much you can lose in life. Finally, after you realize this you will notice kindness "[raising] its head from the crowd of the world to say/ It is I you have been looking for."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Self-Assessment

1. 4.30.09 - A Five Paragraph Essay on Kindness

Things I've Been Working on: I am still working on comma issues, and unnecessary words. Also, fitting everything under "one umbrella" has been an issue.

Things That I Like in this Essay: I see good uses of quotes, that help my writing flow. Also, I believe all of my special tools were apt.

Some Weak Parts: I might have been a little vague in some parts. There also might be some unnecessary commas.

Grade: B+

Scarlet's Essay

Scarlet Caruso
English 9
Mr. Salsich
4/26/09

SENTIMENTAL-NESS:
An essay on a story, an adjective, a poem and a vegetable

One dictionary’s definition for the word sentimental is “having an excess of sentiment” or an excess of emotion. Everyone has something that makes him or her feel sentimental. Most of the poems and stories we have read this year have had “an excess of sentiment” to them. People find many different things sentimental. If you look close enough you can find “an excess of sentiment” in almost anything.

In “The Traveling Onion” by Naomi Shihab Nye, there are a lot of sentimental feelings. She talks about the onion as if it was a great hero or politician. She, describing the onion, uses a lot more feeling than most people do when speaking about vegetables. (PARTICIPLE) Therefore, she uses a lot of sentiment. Another example of sentiment in her poem is when she talks about, “never scold[ing] the onion.” Of course no one would ever scold an onion but she is so touched by the simple beauty that she gets emotional. The onion, smelly and many-layered, makes her feel something so she becomes sentimental. (APPOSITIVE) Most people do not feel inspired by vegetables but Naomi Shihab Nye does.

Most poets do not mind being sentimental and their poems would not be very good without it. Emily Dickens, an exemplary (SAT WORD) poet, is very comfortable with being emotional. (APPOSITIVE) For example, she has an excess of emotion when talking about being a “nobody.” “I’m nobody!” she shouts as if it is a strange, alien thing to be. When talking about being nobody she gets sentimental. Another example is when she talks about “how dreary [it would] be to be somebody!” She speaks about this with such an excess of emotion. As if being “public like a frog” would be so incredibly terrible. Emily Dickinson would not be the great poet she is without the sentimental feelings she has.

People have different opinions on when and when not to be sentimental. For example, in “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield, Laura, the main character, feels sentiment towards a mundane (SAT WORD) woman who has just lost her husband. “That poor woman” cries Laura.
Her sister Jose thinks that Laura is being ridiculous. Jose is angry with Laura’s excess of emotion and says, “You won't bring a drunken workman back to life by being sentimental.” Another example of the right time to be sentimental is when Laura sees the dead workman lying in his bed. As she runs out of the house, crying, her brother finds her and gives her a hug asking, “Was it awful?”(PARTICIPLE) He fully understands why, in this situation, she would feel melancholy. He realizes that this is a time to feel sentimental. Some people might think it ridiculous to cry when someone you don’t know has died but Laura feels differently and never holds back her feelings


A lot of literature would not be as great if it weren't for the sentimentalism. The excess of feeling makes the poems and stories much better. Everyone has something to make them feel sentimental. For some people it’s a dead body or being famous and for some it may just be an onion.

Kimo's Essay

Kimo Gray
3.21.09
English9
Mr. Salsich

Parties, Onions and Pokémon:
An Essay on Sentimentalism

(1) I don’t consider many things to be sentimental. (2) I have many objects that hold memories, but there are only a few that will spark that all-too-familiar nostalgia. (3) One such incident happened just a few days ago. (4) As I walked into my friend’s house, I was caught off guard by the old 8-bit music of Pokémon. (5) I stood there, lost and confused, clinging on the music that tore me from reality, and I felt true sentiment. (6) There are many literary works we’ve read this year that discuss sentimentalism. (7) Though maybe not apparent at first, everyone has something to bring them back.
TS Though thoroughly unappreciated, the onion is one honorable vegetable that deserves to be remembered, as defended in “The Traveling Onion” by Naomi Shihab Nye. SD1 She takes the history of the onion, from a noble sphere worshipped by the Egyptians all the way to her cookbook today;(Appositive Phrase) and honors it. CM She understands that through each of its layers the onion still strives to humbly fulfill its place in this world. CM Though in the end, limp and translucent, there is still a miracle in the onion, and in the simple beauty it presents to the world. SD2 In life there are many things that we don’t notice. CM In a stew, one might comment on the beef, or the vegetables, or even the herbs, but few would take the time to pay respect to the onion, who “for the sake of others, /disappear[s].” CS Though remembered unfairly as a foul, tear inducing produce, the nonchalant(SAT) onion should be remembered for the sacrifices it makes for the bettering of our pallets.
TS In the short story, “The Garden Party,” by Katherine Mansfield, there are obvious signs of remembrance. SD1 When planning the party the protagonist, Laura, despondently says to her sister, “Just think of what the band would sound like to that poor [widow].” CM Earlier in the day, they had learned of an accidental death not too far away, and throughout the whole story Laura obsesses over it. CM She cannot get over the fact that they are not honoring this man, but rather throwing a care-free party. SD2 Later in the day, she goes to visit the widow and bring her the leftovers from their party. CM There she comes face to face with the dead man, and experiences a rush that sentimentalizes her entire life, every little thing, every garden party remembered in a loving way, and she appreciates life. CM Through tears she expresses her realization of life to her brother, mumbling, “Isn’t life, Isn’t life--” To which her brother knowingly responds, “Isn’t it, Darling?” CS In obsessing over an unrelated happening Laura is able to appreciate her life, and by experiencing the marvel of death, cherishes every moment of her life, including that same, simple, garden party.
TS How does it feel to be nobody? SD1 According to Emily Dickenson’s poem, “I’m Nobody,” to be somebody is to be “dreary.” CM She prefers a life of nonentity over a life of unending display. CM Because she is nobody she can be whoever she wants to be. SD2 Her sentiment towards living an invisible life may have been what brought about all her wonderful poems. CM Because her poems were never displayed, she was free to keep on writing without confrontation of criticizing from anyone. CM After death when Dickenson’s poems were published, the world learned a lesson; we can’t possess beauty. CS Because of Emily Dickenson’s bravery to be free, she was somebody who gave but never received, fighting passionately to preserve what she herself found beauteous. (Participial Phrase)
(1) Many people say that true sentiment lies with smell, but I believe it is sound. (2) There is nothing like hearing the forgotten warm voice of a beloved grandparent, hear the song that brings you back, or just hear absolutely nothing. (3) It is transient(SAT) times like these in which we feel true sentiment and our spirits erupt, crashing feeling with feeling and reinstating the thrill of a time long gone. (4) I don’t consider much to be sentimental, but it was Pokémon that sparked the sentimentalist nature within me, reminding me to just live. (Participial Phrase)

Kates post

Kate Scott

English 09

Mr. Salsich

April 22, 2009

Sentimental:

An Essay about Two Poems and a Story

The word sentimental can relate to a lot of things.  This word can have a lot of meaning but in the dictionary sentimental means, “prompted by feelings often tenderness, or sadness”. This definition can relate to two poems and one short story very well. 

           TS The word sentimental, is used in a negative way at the beginning of the “The Garden Party” by Katherine Mansfield. SD In the beginning of the short story the main character, Laura, is preparing for her party and finds out that a man has died right down the street from her. CM This man is a poor workman, but she still feels bad about his death and about the music that his heartbroken family will have hear. CM When she tells her sister about her idea about canceling the party, Laura’s sister, Jose, is not happy about it.  SD As she tells Laura that she is “just as sympathetic” as Laura is, her face gets angry. CM Not the kind of look someone would have when they feel sentimental towards something. CM Laura senses this and ends the conversation.  CS Even though Laura didn't cancel the party she stopped by the families house because her emotion was to strong to not do any thing.    

TS Unlike Katherine Mansfield's character Jose, the poem "The Traveling Onion" has a good view of the word sentimental.  SD Naomi Shihab Nye, the poet, really seems to appretiate the onion.  CM She has so much emotion in this poem.  CM She is putting so much feeling into the onoin she "could kneel and praise".  SD  In a way Ms. Nye respects the onion.  CM She writes that the union "disappears" so the rest of the stew gets noticed.  CS Ms. nye is truly in awa with the onion and what it does.  

TS  Emily Dickinson also shows sentimental feeling in her poem "I'm Nobody."  SD  When you read the poem it seems that she has excess emotion. CM In her first line she states "I'm nobody!" with an exclamation showing how happy she is.  CM Most people would not find it joyful to be nobody, but Dickinson does.  SD "How dreary to be somebody" she says with so much emotion.  CM Explaining to the reader that if you are somebody you are "public like a frog."  CM While talking about what it would be like to be someone she gets very sentimental. CS Emily Dickinson puts so much emotion in to her poems and that is what makes them so great.  

In the story and the two poems emotion is spilling out.  You can't help to see it and feel it. Katherine Mansfield,Naomi Shihab Nye, and Emily Dickinson show a lot of emotion while writing.  It is truly wonderful to read.  

Parker Verhoeff
English 9
Mr. Salsich
4.22.09

The Traveling Nobody Party:
An Essay Relating Two Poems and a Short Story, to a Word

Sentimental is word that can be defined as: "marked or governed by feeling, sensibility, or emotional idealism." Essentially, this means to base your actions on pure feeling. This word can relate to two poems by Naomi Shihab Nye and Emily Dickinson, and a short story by Katherine Mansfield.

TS:The poem, "The Traveling Onion," by Naomi Shihab Nye, can be seen as sentimental, but in a good way. SD:Nye is very passionate about the onion as she writes, "when I think how far the onion has traveled/ just to enter my stew today, I could kneel and praise." CM: She is putting excess amounts of feeling into that sentence, but it's a positive effect. CM: It just shows how much she appreciates the onion. SD: She goes on to notice, "how at meal, we sit to eat,/ commenting on texture of meat or herbal aroma/ but never on the translucence of onion," which she doesn't understand. CM: Onions, small but honorable-Appositive, almost are invisible after they are boiled and deprived of its color; however, that doesn't mean you should forget about this under rated food. CM: It's actually full of prosperity-FAST, so much so that it gives some of it up "for the sake of others," and "disappears." CS: Nye is a very sentimental person, and she truly is in awe of everything about the onion, from it being worshiped in Egypt, to simply "the way knife enters onion and onion falls apart on the chopping block, a history revealed."

TS: Comparable to Naomi Shhab Nye, the main character Laura in "The Garden Party," by Katherine Mansfield, is very sentimental about death. SD: After she hears about the death of a man next door, she quickly realizes that it would be in their best interest to cancel their garden party. CM: Laura explains to her sister Jose how horrible his family would feel, "and just think of what the band would sound like to that poor woman." CM: Jose completely disagrees, explaining "if you're going to stop a band playing every time some one has an accident, you'll lead a very strenuous life"-Participle Phrase. SD: Jose keeps her argument going by saying, "you won't bring a drunken workman back to life by being sentimental." CM: Jose calls her "sentimental" in the negative sense, but really Laura is being sentimental in the positive sense. CM: She is taking the feelings of others into account, treating them the way she would want to be treated- Participle Phrase. CM: Laura knows she doesn't have to call off the garden party, but she also knows it is the right thing to do, and thus she lets her feelings take over her actions. CS: Laura is a good-natured person at heart, and she won't let her sister, or anybody for that matter, guide her in the wrong direction.

TS: On the contrary, Emily Dickinson appears to have an entirely different approach to addressing this subject. SD: In her poem, "I'm Nobody", she describes herself as "nobody." CM: She then meets another "nobody," and puts down the idea of being "somebody." CM: She compares being "somebody," to being a frog by saying, "how public like a frog/ to tell one's name the livelong day/ to an admiring bog!" SD: Dickinson would rather have no label at all, than to have to be "somebody". CM: She does not want feelings to get in the way of her actions. CM: Dickinson dreads the "spotlight," it seems, and wants to go about her own business not worrying about anybody else. SD: However, there is some irony in this poem. CM: It's ironic that she actually found another "nobody", saying "there's a pair of us." CM: Thus, she actually did find "somebody"; she found somebody like her, and they bond and share their feelings. CS: "I'm Nobody", despite it's shortness,-Appositive is an interesting poem that has deep meaning and can be taken many different ways.

All three of these works of literature relate to the word, sentimental, in their own ways. Naomi Shihab Nye can even be passionate about an onion. Laura, from "The Garden Party", is very true to her feelings, even though her sister Jose prefers to keep them separate from her actions. Emily Dickinson, on the other hand, has an abstract way of saying that she prefers to be herself, without any labels attached. So, thank you Naomi Shhab Nye, Katherine Mansfield, and Emily Dickinson for opening my eyes to true sentimentality.

Did you know that a poem and a short story could sound a lot alike? Naomi Shihab Nye and James Baldwin both write about having problems with brothers. They both use figurative language. Overall they are two very similar writers.


Naomi Shihab Nye uses a lot of figurative language in her poem, "The Little Brother Poem". For example she says, "Today I am cleaning the house." Perhaps she is using personification in saying that she is cleansing her mind. She is not actually tidying up her home but looking through the memories of her younger brother who has been hurt, who has been teased, who has run away. (ASYNDETON). Another example is when she says, "a strange bruise you still carried under the skin." No, she is not saying that there is a visible bruise, but a figurative one. An emotional bruise that her brother had obtained from her teasing. Lastly Ms. Nye says, "fingering receipts and stubs, trying to put them back in some kind of shape." She is not thinking of the actual souvenirs her brother has kept, but the memories. She is "dumping out the whole drawer at once" ,looking at the hurtful things she has said and apologizing.(PERIODIC SENTENCE AND PARTICIPLE PHRASE) The figurative language Naomi Shihab Nye uses makes her poems stimulating(FAST), alluring(FAST), and consequential(FAST).

In "Sonny's Blues" by James Baldwin, the narrator has similar dilemmas as Nye has is her poem. For example, the narrator says, "where Isabel is weeping against me seems a mortal wound." This quote reminds me of when Ms. Nye says that her brother has a "strange bruise under the skin." Both speak of a imaginary bruise that someone has to deal with. Another example is when Baldwin says, "Freedom lurked around us." This quote sounds like the figurative language Nye used in her poem. Both examples of the figurative writing really help the story. The final example is when Baldwin speaks of feeling his brother's pain when Sonny plays the piano. It relates to how Nye was pulling out the drawer and looking at everything she has done to her brother. The both experience the pain all over again.

"Sonny's Blues" and "The Little Brother Poem" both have many similarities. A lot of figurative language is used in both. The characters see their brothers go through a lot of pain and suffering. These two pieces of writing are both congruous and ingenious(FAST).

Kate Scott

April 14, 2009

English 09

Mr. Salsich

Forgiveness:

An Essay about a Short Story and a Poem

Throughout your life your siblings are the most important people, but sometimes either you or your sibling does something wrong. Naomi Shihab Nye and James Baldwin knew this very well. In their writing they both describe forgiveness.


In Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem she used a lot figurative language. In her poem she says, “[I’m] dumping out a whole drawer at once.” This is figurative language. She is not actually dumping a drawer out, but she is dumping all of the mean things she has done or said to her brother, hopping he will forgive her. She also uses imagery in her poems to remember the times she had with her brother. She talks about the day when she saw “[his] face bleeding” after she pushed him in front of a bike. She uses many metaphors as well. One of them is, “you're Wall Street and I'm the local fruit market.” She is telling us how different she and her brother are but “that’s fine.” She doesn’t care that her brother isn’t like her because she knows that family is the most important thing.


The short story, “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin can relate to “The Little Brother” poem. In Mr. Baldwin’s story little Gracie dies and Isabel, the narrators wife, heard a thump. Even though she has a lot of kids and hears bangs all the time, that one time “something happened to her to make her afraid.” She knew that something was wrong and she was right. This reminded me of Ms. Nye’s poem when her little brother “disappeared into the streets of Dallas at midnight,” and she new that he was never coming back. In both stories they had an instinct that told them something was wrong. Also in both pieces of writing they talking about forgiveness. At the very end of Sonny’s Blues, Sonny “Looked towards [the narrator] and nodded”. This nod symbolized forgiveness. It reminded me of the very end of “The Little Brother” poem when she is laying out all of her memories asking for forgiveness. Over all, the story and poem are very similar.


Both authors no what it is like to love a sibling.  They have both experienced something that has pulled them apart, and they want them back in there life’s. Both Authors understood the word forgiveness very well.

Kimo's Essay 4.14.09

Kimo Gray
4.14.09
English

Cleaning the House:

An Essay on a Poem by Naomi Shihab Nye

I love my little brother. But sometimes, he can just be too much, like an indirect push to send me over the edge after a stressful day. But no matter what pain he and I cause to each other, I will always love my little brother. Another example of an adversative(FAST) yet compassionate sibling relationship is found in “The Little Brother Poem,” by Naomi Shihab Nye.

In this poem, Nye expresses her repentance towards her little brother for all the pain she’s caused him over the years. As she looks over all of his old things, memories stored in inconsequential(FAST) junk, she feels a longing for forgiveness for all the pain she caused him. As she “cleans the house,” she tries to wipe away all of the bad memories they shared. It is implied that she inavertedly drove him away. They are very different, she describes him as high fashion while she is a used bandana, but that doesn’t mean her feelings about him have changed. She takes the first step in trying to clean up all the mess she’s left so that he will come home. She’s thrown her share of cruelty, shoved him in front of a bike, told him of the evil monkeys who “kidnap boys with brown hair in the night.”(Asyndeton) But that’s all in the past now and all she wants to share is love. As she talks to him on the phone, he is not the man she remembers, but he sounds more like the “little brother” that she has lost. As she “cleans the house” she prepares a new foundation for her and her brother, and to atone(FAST) to her brother for all the things she’s done, so that they can share a future.

Earlier this year, we read “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin. And there was one passage that struck my heart, disturbed me, and has stayed with me even today. And I have been asked to relate to it. The passage in question is one where the main character, only known as Sonny’s Brother, tells the tale of how his two year old daughter died of polio. Things like this happen every day on our world. Yet because at that time I had a sister who shared the name of this poor girl and a brother at the precarious age of two, this passage really hit home (periodic Sentence). I kept seeing them in this situation, to have to die a painful, unfair death. And that caused me pain. In Nye’s poem, she talks of losing a brother, which I can imagine to be awful. But it cannot compare to the paternal bonds that were torn apart inside Sonny’s Brother. I love my siblings dearly, and I would never want something to happen to them, but I know that the pain I felt would not be the pain my father would bare. For in the end there is only pain, after a while the pain numbs away, and everyone is left hanging in that cruel, anesthetized state from which we must be brave for lost loved ones and live anew.

Another less painful topic we discussed in relation to “the Little Brother Poem” was the scene in “Sonny’s Blues” in which Sonny’s Brother finally hears Sonny’s music, and their relationship is rekindled. In the story, Sonny’s brother has to work up the courage to finally admit the wrongs that he has made, in relation to Sunny’s. This is similar to Nye’s process, as she has just now admitted that it was her who manipulated her brother and hurt him to the point he is today. Though it’s not entirely her fault, she’s willing to take responsibility and take that first step. Another theme in this passage was freedom. Sonny’s brother wasn’t free because he wasn’t complete without his relationship with Sonny in his life. Sonny was confined by drugs, but through music he was free (Participial Phrase). His brother described his music as “Freedom lurked around us and I understood, at last, that he could help us to be free if we would listen, that he would never be free until we did.” Nye found that she was confined by her wrongs against her brother, and sought to fix what she had wrought. We do not hear her brother’s side on the story, but I believe that he has left in an attempt to free himself from his sister. But as he “disappeared into the streets of Dallas,” he can feel that in this big world, without his sister he too is incomplete and will hopefully achieve peace and freedom through he and his sister’s presumed new relationship. Once again, it breaks down to she is “cleaning the house today,” the past is all said and done, and it is up to everybody to make it right.

Sometimes I have a rocky relationship with my sisters. We fight, we scream, we simmer, and we fight some more. But in the end we will all find happiness and I will beat them at Clue. No matter how bad things get Grace, Laura, Collin and I will always be close, and always have each other’s backs. I hope when the day comes to “clean the house,” we will clean it together.

Parker Verhoeff

English 9

Mr.Salsich

4.14.09

The Struggles of Siblings:
An Essay on a Poem, and Short Story

In the song, "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" by Baz Luhrman, he says "be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future." The main characters in Naomi Shihab Nye's "The Little Brother Poem," and James Baldwin's short story, "Sonny's Blues," do not follow this quote at first. But then, when they realize what they're doing, they stop and reach out to their siblings-Periodic Sentence. They understand that family is the most important thing after all.

Figurative language is an excellent writing tool to get your point across, and Naomi Shihab Nye uses it perfectly. She writes, "You're Wall Street and I'm the local fruit market," which is just one example of this tool, that seems to make her writing flow, making it easier to understand the main theme. She writes about her and her brother, and about how they've always been different. Also she has been cruel to her brother, pushing him in front of a bike, telling him about evil monkeys who, "arrive in the night to kidnap boys with brown hair"-Asyndeton. She says, "It's a large order I know, dumping out a whole drawer at once, fingering receipts and stubs," knowing she's asking a lot for his forgiveness, but apologizing nonetheless. This is also more figurative language. In her apology, she isn't really dumping a drawer, thumbing through receipts-Participle Phrase (closer). The drawer is their life, and the receipts and papers are all of the things that her brother needs to forgive her for. She began the poem by talking to her brother. She stated the fact that, "there [was] much you never forgave me for," but she still says, "when you were born I was glad [...] [and] I wanted you." Nye's use of figurative language was exemplary-FAST, and even though it might have expressed the main point in a slight circuitous-FAST way, it still gave you the impression of what the poem was really about: Family.

Furthermore, "Sonny's Blues", by James Baldwin is also about two siblings. The older brother has been hard on his little brother, Sonny. Sonny has had a hard life, getting into drugs, and finally getting arrested for peddling heroine. But his older brother didn't fully understand how hard Sonny had it, until his two year old daughter Grace died; Baldwin writes, "my trouble made his real." In comparison, Naomi Shihab Nye never understood how her bullying towards her little brother affected him, until it was too late. She didn't realize how hard she had hurt him, until he already "disappeared". "You disappeared into the streets of Dallas at midnight on foot crying and I realized you'd been serious;" she had finally got the message that her brother was traumatized, and it hurt her because of it. Her trouble of not having a little brother, made his trouble of not having a comforting older sister real. Baldwin and Nye talk of two older siblings, two people who didn't pay attention to their younger sibling. Nye needed compassion-FAST from her little brother, for closure even though she knew it was a lot to ask for. All Sonny's brother had to do was listen to his music and buy him a drink- for gratitude, to say, "thanks for everything you went through," to say, "sorry for everything I put you through," and when "he sipped from it and looked toward me, and nodded [...] for me, then, as they began to play again, it glowed and shook above my brother's head like the very cup of trembling."

Nye's poem and Baldwin's short story are very much alike. They talk about the struggles that siblings face, and how they should go about smoothing out the rough patches that they'll encounter. Your family is your past and your future; you can't afford to lose sight of either of those things.

Kate's Essay

Kate Scott
English 09
April 13, 2009
Mr. Salsich
Courage
An Essay About a Poem

If we take the time to look around, we realize that we are surrounded by courage. We see it and use it. Anna Sexton understood this, and explained it well in her poem.


The poem, “Courage”, by Anna Sexton has many themes. One is courage. Throughout the poem she is telling us about courage. Even when we were a little baby, she says we still needed courage to take that first step. Or when we got spanked. You went thought that alone, which took courage. She even talked about death, and how it takes courage. Another theme is growing up. As I said Ms. Sexton talks about taking your first step, then she talks about, “the death of bombs and bullets”. I think that she just wanted to tell the reader about the different stages we go through in life. These phases of life takes a lot of courage to go through.


In my life I use and see courage every day. When I wake up to when I fall back to sleep. It all takes courage. Especially playing sports. When you walk on to the sports field you need to have courage to be aggressive. You also need it if you lose. You need to be able to keep your head held high and hope that the next game, you will do better. I see it in my classmates this year especially, as we have all been working hard, trying to get in to the schools of our choice. We always know that there is a chance we won’t get in, but we have the courage to take a chance and try.


Every day people are courageous, seeing courage, and writing about courage. Anne sexton was someone who understood courage and the different ways people use it.

Scarlet's Essay!

Scarlet Caruso
English 9
Mr. Salsich
04/08/09

Courage in our Lives
An essay on Anne Sexton's "Courage" and courage in my life:

Courage is a wonderful thing and a strange thing.(ANTITHESIS) It helps you through tough times and can often amaze you. I see it in my life everyday. Anne Sexton perfectly describes what courage is in her poem “Courage”.

Courage is everywhere. In the poem “Courage”, Anne Sexton says, “It is in the small things we see it.” For example, getting up each day takes a lot of courage. It is courageous to get out of bed and not worry about what the day has in store for you. We can also find courage in love. It takes a lot of audacity(FAST) to love. And when in love you’ll do anything for that person and then “[your] courage [is] not courage, it [is] love” You can find courage in sadness too because you need courage to face grief. If you lose a loved one, a lot of bravery is required to accept your pain. It takes a lot of courage to give your sadness, “a back rub” and to care for it. Courage is everywhere. It is in love and loss and in that first step in the morning.(POLYSYNDETON)

In my life, I often witness courage. I constantly witness it from my best friend Anna. I find that she has the courage to do most anything. From making dignified announcements at morning meeting to kindly asking French strangers where the bathrooms are. She has courage that I can only dream of. Anna’s courage is a simple kind of courage. The kind of courage that only shows itself to you when you truly know her. Her courage is so beautifully simple. Finally, Anna Holt has the courage to be happy. Whether we are talking over the phone or taking a walk down Barnes road she is completely happy. Most teenagers would find something to complain about those situations. Like, “I can’t hear you and my phone battery is about to die.” Or “my feet really hurt!” But Anna let’s the happiness swirl around her. I often find it contagious when Anna is happy because you can see that she is not scared of the glee she is feeling. Anna is a perfect example of the courage I see around me everyday.


Courage is a magnificent and bizarre(FAST) thing. It is everywhere we look, whether it’s taking the courage to make it through the sadness of losing a loved one or maybe just being courageous enough to be perfectly happy. (LOOSE SENTENCE) Courage is all around us, helping and saving and trying.(POLYSYNDETON)

English Portfolio- Quarter 3

For my English class portfolio I chose a post I made on the class forum. One of the reasons I chose this is because I worked really hard on it. I wrote and re-wrote sentences and tried to capture exactly who I was at that moment. I tried really hard to get it just right. Another reason I chose it is because it’s simple. Often I find that my writing needs to have good vocabulary and have a wise meaning behind it to be good. Instead, I wrote using words I had learned in 2nd grade but it still came off a great writing. Finally, I really just enjoy it. I think it’s a fun and quirky piece of writing. I like the ways it sounds when I read it to myself and that’s a grand feeling!

My Post:
I must say that I disagree with Julie and Eleanor. I know who I am at the moment. So, who is Scarlet? I am an irritating, loud, outgoing, strange girl who chooses to dress as if she is from Hogwarts. Right now, I love Harry Potter, The Beatles, my three best friends: Ceilie, Anna, Lydia, the fact that there are only 9 days until we leave for England, and my dog Bella. Right now, I hate, that I still have to read the science homework, that I can't watch Across The Universe, that we have 3 months left until the end of school and the fact that I don't personally know President Barack Obama. Some of these things will change and others will remain a fact forever. This is who I am at 7:28 pm February 23, 2009. Hello, I am Scarlet Elizabeth Caruso.


First Body Paragraph:

Courage is everywhere. In the poem “Courage”, Anne Sexton says, “It is in the small things we see it.” For example, getting up each day takes a lot of courage. It is courageous to get out of bed and not worry about what the day has in store for you. We can also find courage in love. It takes a lot of audacity to love. And when in love you’ll do anything for that person and then “[your] courage [is] not courage, it [is] love” You can find courage in sadness too because you need courage to face grief. If you lose a loved one, a lot of bravery is required to accept your pain. It takes a lot of courage to give your sadness, “a back rub” and to care for it. Courage is everywhere. It is in love and loss and in that first step in the morning.

^MORE IS TO COME!

Kimo's Essay 4.09.09

Kimo Gray
4.8.09
H. Salsich
English9

The Idea Never Dies
An Essay on Courage
In her poem, “Courage,” Anne Sexton attempts the unthinkable; defining courage. Webster’s dictionary defines courage as, “The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear.” Anne Sexton describes courage as a triumph, as if courage is equivalent of strength(Loose Sentence). As seen through one of the greatest pieces of cinematography of the 20th century, “The Wizard of Oz” demonstrates that courage is if anything an idea, one that must be embraced with discretion.
Unfortunately for us, there is no such thing as “Liquid Courage,” a metaphor often used to express a feeling of impetuous(FAST) triumph of heart and soul. In Sexton’s metaphor-addled poem, “Courage,” she presents courage not as a fuzzy feeling in your stomach but as milestones in life that define who you are. One such milestone is as simple as your first moment of true sadness you’re your “heart went on a journey all alone.” It is moments such as these that shape our being, without being weathered away with sadness, you could not continue on with your ‘courageous’ journey. Another aspect Sexton suggests is that courage is merely an idea, but one that we must accept into our lives. If all you do is “fondle the weakness inside you,” then you’re life shall move in a solitary disposition. So many paths will be eliminated from your road purely because of the inability to accept courage. Another trait courage is tied close to is value. All courage is placing your health and your emotions and your life in perspective, and moving forward with your life in a way based off those assessments(Polysyndeton). When you suffer a great despair, you must asses that life is worth continuing. “You gave [you’re sorrow] a back rub…and after it had slept…it was transformed.” There is no such thing as Liquid Courage, and never will be. For I perceived Sexton’s interpretation of courage as carrying on even in the toughest moments of your life, as these are the most important, and the triumph comes when you know you’ve made the right choice.
In such an iconic film like, “The Wizard of Oz,” there are many examples of courage. “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” Even here when Dorothy is transported from her world into one very unlike her own she remains calm and keeps moving forward. She doesn’t contemplate why life has done this to her, she only dares to continue. Even a whole character is devoted to courage, and his quest to find it and learn it and embrace it. The ‘Cowardly’ Lion has been living a life of suppressed solitude for years, and it’s only when he meets up with others who want to see the Wizard that he displays his courage by joining them. In fact, the Lion shows much courage development throughout the story. He helps to fight the evil monkeys, defeat the witch and save Dorothy. Though the lion refuses to admit his courage, it is his gift from the wizard (A medal) that fortitudes (FAST) his belief in courage and belief in himself. He is even courageous enough to say goodbye to Dorothy, knowing that they would never meet again. The Wizard himself, ‘great’ as he is, shows courage in this film. When the Scarecrow discovers that the Wizard is merely a projection controlled by an ordinary professor, the Wizard (Professor Marvel) contemplates his life of self-confinement and manipulation, and strives to be a better person. He even leaves Oz to help Dorothy, even though his plan didn’t follow through. “The Wizard of Oz” being such the strange film it is offers courage even in the most simplistic forms, and shows that true strength comes from the ability to accept courage. Or the Lion’s definition, “Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! …Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage! …What puts the "ape" in apricot? What have they got that I ain't got?”
While researching courage I came across a quote that expresses what I, what Anne sexton, and what the Wonderful Land of Oz tried to compile, “The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.” (Charles Dubois) I don’t think of myself as a very courageous person. But then again I like to try new things, something to add a little more crazy to my life every day. For me it breaks down to this: If I am not courageous, my life will move like molasses and cease to socially function in all ways; or I could embrace courage, be wrong once in a while, let myself fall, so that I can rise again.(Antithesis)

Parker Verhoeff

English 9

Mr. Salsich

4.07.09

The "First Steps" of Courage:
An Essay on a Poem, by Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton has wisdom, and love, but most of all courage. She talks about horrific censure-FAST towards her, but she still persevered. I, on the other hand, haven't experienced life as much as Sexton, but I need courage just the same, even if it's for different things.

Anne Sexton's poem, "Courage", speaks of courage in everyday life. She speaks of courage in the child, taking his/her first step into the endless abyss that is our world. She writes, "The child's first step, as awesome as an earthquake", comparing a child's step to an earthquake-Loose Sentence. I believe a child's first step calls for as much courage as a soldier's first time at war. In addition, she goes on to to say, "You did not fondle the weakness inside you [...] Your courage was a small coal that you kept swallowing", because it takes courage to disregard your weaknesses and take the "bullets" of criticism, and the "bombs" of complete alienation-Polysyndeton. It's courageous to live. It's courageous to remain untouched by bitter society. In the last stanza she talks about death. She tells us, "You'll bargain with the calendar and at the last moment when death opens the back door you'll put on your carpet slippers and stride out", informing us that it's just as simple as walking out the back door. She explains it in such a nonchalant-FAST way, because death is not a big deal; it's natural and happens to everyone. Finally, she will "stride" out, not just walk, because she knows it's going to be alright; she had the courage, and the bravery, and the love that was needed to fulfill her life.
-Polysyndeton

Like Anne Sexton, I need courage in my life, but I need courage for different reasons. I need courage for performing in my band. Unlike Sexton, I have not experienced the "bullets" of criticism, and the "bombs" of complete alienation, enough to need courage for them. I need courage to get up on stage in front of people and play music, no matter what the crowd thinks of me. Furthermore, Sexton seems to not be afraid of dying, because she has fulfilled her life. Well, I haven't yet accomplished the majority of my life, and I am still very much afraid of death. I might not need courage for dying later in my life, but right now I don't have the complete temerity-FAST that is needed to just "stride" out, from the world, leaving everything behind, and yet leaving nothing behind-Antithesis. Finally, I believe that I needed courage for my first steps, as well. I needed courage to put one foot in front of the other, into the vast open air, alone. It is a great example of how fearless a child can be, by just using its legs. This poem, speaking of the courage that life asks for, pertains to my own life, even though my point of views might be a little different than Sexton's.

Anne Sexton and I probably aren't alike in any way, but we have one thing in common- courage. Everybody needs it, from soldiers to a baby, taking his/her's first step. I bet Sexton needed courage to write this extraordinary poem, in the first place.

ISP 09

Scarlet Caruso
ISP 09- England
March 5th - March 12th

Day 1-

A lot of emotions are involved in travailing. There's fatigue, irritability, excitement and nervousness. Currently, I am experiencing almost all of these. Fatigue being one of the most common emotions during travel is a feeling I am experiencing currently. Right now my feet are aching, my head is pounding and my eyelids drooping. There is nothing I can do to control this but to sleep. Another feeling i have right now is excitement. I have been waiting for this trip for a while, and its so exciting to think about all the wonderful things we'll be doing. OF course, the excitement is affecting my sleeping. The final emotion I am experiencing is nervousness. I am nervous I forgot to pack an essential. I am nervous that one of us is going to get hurt or lost. All of these emotions come with class trips, but the fact that we are going out the country makes all these emotions double.

Day 2-
As I am sitting here writing, I feel warmer than I have in quite a while. The green grass assures me that spring is coming soon. I haven't been able to look up and see the bright shining sun and blue sky in at least three months. The tinkling water has a calming affect on the class. For a few minutes we are quiet.

The city is moving at a fast pace. People running and rushing. A car honks at a slow mover. "s'cuse me"s and "move please"s could be heard throughout the exciting day. We are not like the people of this city. We wander and stop to look at the sublime sights around us. We enjoy the city more because our time with it is limited.

Day 3-

Restlessness.
The game begins.
The players feet maneuvering with skill.
GOAL!
The crowd goes wild....
"CHARLTON! CHARLTON! CHARLTON!"
The game continues in the same fashion.
Watford wins.
Disappointment swirling around us.

Day 5-

Brick Lane Markets:

The street is filled with wonderful goodies that any girl would want. We maneuver our way around leading one another to the "cutest" things we've found yet. "I would not mind shopping here for the rest of my life" I say. Ceilie agrees. We stare hungrily at the adorable clothing that we so desperately wish to purchase. Upset and disappointed we reach the group. The sadness swells as well look at our classmates purchases. We should have bought something.

Day 7-

I stare at the elaborate designs. What would it be like to live here? I would run, hide and play all over the castle. Being served anything and everything I need. It would be absolutely amazing. I would love it but if I was born into it I wouldn't know how lucky I was. As I stare at the beautiful fabrics, magnificent paintings and graceful furniture I am sure that living here would be divine.

Day 8-

We slop onto the train and ungracefully drag our luggage behind us. Anna kindly asks a nice man if could move because there is four of us. He abides and helps with our suitcases. As we settle we laugh and giggle. Someone mentions how we're the loudest on the train. Then a large group of third graders pile on. Not even the fours of us could compete with that boisterous noise. We hear screams, giggles, sound effects and little kid sneezes as the train continues to roll down the tracks. When they get off our entire car let's out an inward sigh. And the train goes on down the tracks.