The Darkness of Night

We were asked to write poetry that expressed figurative language, and I wrote mine about the night, giving it personification (giving something human like qualities) simile's, and metaphors.  

The Darkness of Night

What sights and sounds mingle,

 in the crisp evening air?

What mosaic of stars that is the heavens,

that sharpens the senses?

It is the darkness of the night.

A shooting star hangs,

In the evening blue,

Like a silver thread,

Loosened from the sky.

They symphony of day,

Has played its last notes,

The last chord hangs,

As the memory of a day gone by.

What music has ended,

What life has begun,

In all of its subtle glory and power?

It is the darkness of the night.

Analysis of Piece

In the piece I have written above, the types of figurative language I used were personification, simile, and metaphor. I used these specific types of figurative language not only to help the reader form an image in their mind’s eye, but also to bring a calm feeling to then, no necessarily depressing, but a calm, dream like feeling. I feel as though the type of figurative language that I used was very slow and flowing, giving the piece the dreamlike tone I wished to convey. The overall mood of the piece was darker, but not depressing like Edgar Allen Poe. I felt the figurative language really helped set the scene in the beginning by asking those simple questions, making this an overall proficient piece. I do not, however feel that this is an advanced leveled piece, because I feel like there was so much more I could’ve done with this piece, and I will most likely re-do this assignment.  

To Resolve Conflict

This is a reflection piece on conflict resolution, and the ways it may be resolved or managed. I feel as though this is an extremely strong piece of mine, only for the reason being I have experienced much conflict in m life, )much of which being in the last four months) and have found numerous and various ways to deal and/or cope with it. It analyses the roots of and difference between conflicts and disputes. I am a very analytical and philosophical person, and feel as though that this is one of my strongest standpoints in L.A. 

Conflict and dispute are two very different things. Disputes tend to arise over nonnegotiable issues such as fundamental human needs, intolerable moral bitchy differences, or high stakes distributional issues regarding essential resources, such as money, water, land, and/or some desirable object/prize. To truly resolve a conflict, the solution must go beyond just satisfying the parties interests as in dispute settlement. To end or resolve a long term conflict, a relatively stable solution that identifies the problem, and deals with the underlying sources of the conflict must be found. This is a more difficult task than simple dispute settlement, because resolution means going beyond negotiating interests to meet all sides basic needs, while at the same time finding a way to respect their underlying values and identities. However, some of the same intervention processes used in dispute settlement (a.k.a. mediation) are also used to achieve resolution.

True conflict resolution requires a more analytical, problem/solving approach than settling differences and disputes. The main difference is that resolution requires identifying the causal factors behind the conflict, and finding ways to deal with them. On the other hand, settlement is simply aimed at ending a dispute as quickly and amicably as possible. This means that it is possible to settle a dispute that exists within the context of a larger conflict, without resolving the overall conflict. This occurs when a dispute is settled, but the underlying causes of the conflict are not addressed.

There are many reasons why underlying causes of conflict may not be addressed. Often, the underlying causes of conflict are embedded in sperm the institutional structure of society. Achieving complete resolution of a conflict can require making significant socioeconomic or political changes that restructure society in a more just or inclusive way. Changing societal structures, such as the distribution of wealth in society is a difficult thing to do and can take decades to accomplish. Hence, fully resolving conflict can be a long, tedious process. As a result there are other conceptions of ways to deal with, but not necessarily "resolves" conflicts.

Conflict management involves the control, but not resolution, of a long term or deep rooted conflict. This is the approach taken when complete resolution seems to be impossible, yet something needs to be done. In cases of resolution resistant or even intractable conflict, it is possible to manage the situation in ways that make it more constructive and less destructive. The goal of conflict management is to intervene in ways that make the ongoing conflict more beneficial and less damaging to all sides. For example, sending peace keeping forces into a region of conflict may help calm the situation and limit carnage. However, peacekeeping missions will not resolve the conflict. In some cases, where non negotiable human needs are at stake, management is the best step.

Heroism

I wrote this piece not only for Language Arts, but for Social Studies as well. We were required to watch The Patriot in the class, and compare it to a book we read that took place in the same time period. I figured I already had a compare and contrast paper written, why not use it for Language Arts as well.   

Heroism, though of in many different ways all is brought down to one simple thing and a few simple words. Bravery, kindness, selflessness, and willing to sacrifice everything for others. In the film, the Patriot starring Mel Gibson, the main character Benjamin Martin is forced to leave his home and family behind in helping fight for the American’s in the Revolutionary War. Similarly, in the novel Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, the main character Isabella and her sister are forced to leave behind the life they knew and live with a wealthy and malicious New York couple. Though their battles in life may seem completely different, they both have the same goal in common; to concur their enemies and hope for a better life as hero’s not only to others, but to themselves as well.

Though they have the same purpose, Benjamin and Isabella have two very different backgrounds and beginnings. Benjamin cams from an extremely wealthy new world family with a good education, whereas Isabella came from a poor slave family with no education at all. Only after her first owner decided to teach her to read and write did she finally begin to receive an education. Social class and standing were an extremely important part of society, everything was segregated, not just by color, but by class as well. Slaves and the blacks were always sadly at the bottom of this social ladder, and were not even considered to be a full person, and on the census, they were considered to be only 3/5 of a person. Isabella and her sister were promised their freedom upon the death of their kind hearted first owner, however upon her death, there is no proof of this, and they are sold to their new owners in New York occupied by Britain at the time. Benjamin was born into a wealthy New England family, and always had a top notch education and an outstanding reputation as a member of the richest class. Though their backgrounds may seem very different, their goals in life are the same, to see a free America.

A free United States… it sounded impossible at the time. Benjamin had previously fought in the French and Indian War, in which Brita in had won. He had  not only been a soldier, but a warrior as well, carrying scars for the rest of his life not only physically, but emotionally as well. Isabella on the other hand had battles of her own. Though she had never fought in a war, she still had much suffering as a slave for her cruel hearted new owners. She had met a slave with Patriot connections, and she became a spy for the Patriot’s, because the couple she worked for had Loyalist connections, and supposedly had information on an upcoming battle. At this point, her life was on the line if she was found out to be a spy. She would be hanged for high treason. Similarly, Benjamin would be killed on the spot if he was found. They both lived every day with their lives on the line, hoping and dreaming of a free America, and a better life for themselves and their families.

Though they were completely different people with completely different backgrounds, they still had the same goal, and same dream. Aside from the gender and racial differences, they came from two completely different social standpoints and worlds. However, they both lived the life of a Patriot, and had to find their own inner strength to survive these hard times, and not only be a hero to others, but to themselves as well. They were forced to break the chains of the British, and help fight the battle for a free America. Heroism, there is no one definition of what makes a hero, but what I can tell you is if what these people did isn’t heroism, I don’t know what is, because they were a hero to others and themselves.  

The Deathly Hallows; Love, Sacrifice, and Loss.

Originally, I had planned to do my theme essay on the novel The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. Well, of coarse when I checked it last night the whole thing had been deleted, and I was forced to re write it on Harry Potter at one in the morning. I chose this secondary book, because I know the story-line by heart, and love it. 

Have you ever lost someone you love? Or had to give up your dreams to do the right thing? Loss and sacrifice are two very different things, but can have very similar affects. In the seventh and final volume in the Harry Potter novels, the main characters (Harry, Ron, and Hermione.) are forced to leave their homes, leave their loved ones behind, and begin searching for items that may or may not even exist. Only when they are slowly torn apart from each other do they realize the importance of friendship, loyalty, love, and courage, the main theme’s in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows along with the losses and sacrifices we they make.

Loss is an emotion that one cannot even begin to describe. Weather it is with death, losing touch with someone, or even (As stupid as it may sound.) the end of a relationship. It leaves a gap in your body that simply cannot be filled. I personally remember the death of my Gross-Oma Alix. (Which is German forGreat-Grandma Alice.) I remember after the phone call my father received the phone call about her death, and he told me, all I could do was just sit there with nothing. It felt as though I had been plunged into a tank of cold water, and the water was slowly beginning to boil. I didn’t know her very well, but she was sill family, and I loved her. In the Deathly Hallows, Ron (One of Harry’s best friends.) loses his brother, Fred, in the battle for Hogwarts. (Hogwarts, being the school they all attend to learn magic.) Reemus Lupin, and his wife Tonks (Friends of Harry’s.), are killed in the battle as well alongside Fred. However, before they died, they had a child together, and this just made the guilt heavier that Harry had to carry. I have personally experienced the pain of loss, and believe me when I say, no magic like the one taught at Hogwarts can ever fix the feeling of emptiness you feel. I have felt what the characters have felt in this theme, and I can relate to them more than anyone knows. However, sacrifice can be just as painful, if not more, than loss.

As I had mentioned before, loss and sacrifice are two very different things. In the Deathly Hallows, Hermione (Harry’s other best friend.) is born into a family of “muggles.” (Muggle, meaning non magical person, or mundane.) Knowing the Second Wizarding War is well on its way, she is forced to cast a spell on them, causing them to forget that they ever even had a child. She knew that if Lord Voldemort’s (Lord Voldemort is the main Antagonist throughout the series, and is often referred to as “The most dangerous wizard of all time.) followers found them, they would be tortured and killed. Imagine, being forced to leave everything behind, your home, family, and the only life you’ve ever known in order to save everyone else in the world. Only out of love for her parents did she leave them, and it was with great difficulty. I can only imagine what it must be like to do something that courageous (Courage, being one of the other dominant theme’s not only throughout this book, but the entire series.) and selfless. It was only out of sheer love (Every Harry Potter book has some sort of love theme or love theme undertones to it.) that she was able to do what she did in leaving everything behind. Only with the last themes of love, friendship, and loyalty, was not only she, but everyone else throughout the book able to have a fighting chance against Lord Voldemort and save not only the Wizarding World, but ours as well.

When you hear those words mentioned above, love, loyalty, and friendship, what do you think of? The first thing that pops into my head are my friends Sarah Wiedimann and Claudia Burns. Always there for me and each other, and willing to help with anything at anytime, just like with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. We do love each other, just like they love each other. Love is not just confined to family and the person you are seeing/married to. Love is an action, which is beautiful displayed in the Deathly Hallows when Harry goes to face his death. When he tells them that he is about to end his life to save everyone, they immediately insist they go with him to be with him. He says no to them, saying he loves them too much to let them do anything like that. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is. In that moment, they all showed the themes of love, courage, loyalty, and friendship. My friends and I are the same way, and we love each other in the same way Harry, Ron, and Hermione love each other, and we would jump in front of a bus for each other. In the novel the Hunger Games, the theme of friendship is present as well. It was through Katniss and Peta’s friendship and loyalty that they were able to win and survive the Hunger Games. This was shown when they were told there could only be one champion, and they did not want to go on without each other, so they began to eat poisonous berries that they knew would kill them. However, right before they were about to chew the berries, the Judges came on the microphone and screamed for them to stop, and that they had both won the Hunger Games. Throughout many books such as Harry Potter and the Hunger Games. The theme of friendship is the dominant theme, because it is with our friends and family that we succeed the most.

Though these themes of love, sacrifice, loss, friendship, loyalty, and courage may always not be seen in the Deathly Hallows, they are always there like a hidden message. In life I have noticed this as well, though things may not always seem their brightest, and as though light has always gone out, as long as we keep those themes in our life, everything will be ok, and life will go on. Though they were slowly being torn apart, Harry, Ron, and Hermione kept these themes in their lives, and that is what gave them the strength to stay together, 

Predicting Wuthering Heights

Our Language Arts teacher commissioned to write a piece about predicting the ending to a novel we're reading. Well, me being the person loving romance I am, I decided to write it on the novel Wuthering Heights. It has everything I look for a story, romance, drama, mystery, and death. I personally can't wait to finish this story, because I can finally see if my prediction was correct or incorrect. 

In 1801, Mr. Lockwood (A rich man from the south of England.) decides to rent Thrushcross Grange in the Yorkish Moors of the North of England for rest and recuperation. Life seems peaceful and relaxing upon his arrival in the moors, however, soon after his arrival, he decides to visit his Landlord at his farmhouse-manor, Wuthering Heights. Upon the four mile journey to Wuthering Heights, Mr. Lockwood reflects upon the peaceful quiet and admire the beauty of the moors. Upon his arrival at Wuthering Heights, he meets his landlord for the first time, Mr. Heathcliff. Though he may have the appearance of a gentleman, Mr. Heathcliff has something off about him. He dresses in a lord’s fashion and speaks like one, he has the appearance of a Gipsy with black hair and olive colored skin.  It is not that he is cruel or unkind to him, but he is more neutral and unfeeling towards him. This is where Mr. Lockwood begins to discover the secrets of Wuthering Heights, and the tragedy that happened there.

With the awkward uncaring attitude Mr. Heathcliff has toward Mr. Lockwood, this makes everything all the more uncomfortable when they are snowed in, and Mr. Lockwood is forced to spend the night. Not being a long staying guest, he is  only a small bedroom at the end of the second floor corridor. In this room, there are strange carvings on the wood panels of the walls, and he finds a diary inscribed with three different names. Catherine Earnshaw, Catherine Heathcliff, and Catherine Linton. Pondering these three “Catherine’s” he slowly falls into a deep lulling sleep, and is abruptly awoken the following morning, and is sent home. Curious as to know who these Catherine’s were, he asks his feeble old housekeeper as to they are. She then explains that they are the same person, and that Catherine Loved two men in her brief lifetime. With this, she begins to tell the tale of Wuthering Heights.  

With Mr. Lockwood discovering the truth about Catherine, this was as far as I have read in the story. With the basic knowledge I have from the amount that I have read, I can begin predicting what will happen next. From what I know about the story, I am able to know that this story is a romance, drama/tragedy, and somewhat of a mystery. Mr.Heathcff was alone at Wuthering Heights, and the room with Catherine’s diary was in disrepair. So, from what I can inference, Catherine either died, (Judging from the Drama element of the story, this is the most likely event.) or because of the other name “Linton,” I can assume that Catherine has left Heathcliff for Mr. Linton, or that there was some sort of love triangle between the three of them.

With the first option in the book (Where Catherine dies.) it has the element of tragedy and romance involved. With the whole subject of love and loss, it can be connected to many of history’s stories. Just look at “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe. In the story, it states that his wife has died, and he is fraught with grief. Only when the raven tells him he will never love again as he had with his wife, (Lenore.) does he truly realize what he has truly lost. But the saying goes that it is better to have loved then lost then to have never loved at all. Even in the real world, people lose loved one’s. Queen Cleopatra of Egypt married the Dictator of Rome, Julius Cesar. Their love has been made into countless movies and books. However, only after his murder by the senate of Rome does Cleopatra realize what she has truly lost. In the end, everyone must die, but when you are truly love  by someone, and they lose you, it can drive a person mad. I suppose the same can be said with the second course of events in Wuthering Heights, the love triangle option.

Books, stories, and movies have been popular since the beginning of recorded history, and recent history. If the love triangle option does happen in the book, it could be the reason Heathcliff had the neutral, unfeeling, almost nasty attitude. In the book, the love triangle would be that both Heathcliff and Mr. Linton both loved Catherine, except she chose Mr. Linton (Thus the name in the diary.). It reminds me of a little story almost every person in the free world probably knows; Twilight. In the Twilight saga, the main premises of the story is that you are either a Vampire, a Werewolf, or a Human. Moving past that, Edward, a Vampire, and Jacob, a Werewolf, both fall in love with a human girl (Named Bella.). In the end, Bella must choose to either choose Edward or Jacob to love or be with, and leave the other out in the . However if sparkling blood suckers, or big dog people are not your cup of tea, I can respect that, because it’s not really mine either. However, another story with the love triangle element is yet another story known to most of the free world; The Hunger games. In it, the main character Katiness (The Catherine/Bella character in the story.) falls in love with her friend Gale, and Peta (The Heathcliff/Linton and Edward/Jacob characters in the story.). In the end, she is forced to pick between them. As I’ve said before, the whole premises of a love triangle is a much loved topic in stories.

With these two themes of Catherine dying, and the love triangle, Wuthering Heights will be a spectacular book to read either way. In the end however, I believe that the love triangle will be the most likely course of events, because when Mr. Lockwood found the diary with the three different last names in it, it was a giveaway that she would have a love triangle. Who knows, maybe she’ll have the love triangle, and then die before she is given the chance to choose. Either way, Wuthering Heights will be dramatic and tantalizing book to finish, and of what happened there. 

My Grandmother's Gift

Author's Note- This is a short story about my grandmother. I have always enjoyed my grandmother's company, but I rarely see her. Last time I saw her was Easter, and the day before I left, she gave me a gift I will cherish for the rest of my life. I hope that you will see, even though I never see her, she is always with me.  

The smell of English muffins, eggs, and ham wafted in through the open guest bedroom door. As I lay there, half asleep, I listened to the sounds of morning. Birds chirped cheerfully in the distance, and my grandmother hummed in the kitchen. Golden light poured in through an open window near the air mattress I was laying on. It was a beautiful day, but I didn’t want to move, let alone wake up. I had been dreading this day for a while now. This was the last full day I had with my grandmother at her home.

As I lay there, with my eyes still closed, I absorbed all of the smells and sounds around me. A smile flickered across my face, At least I have today, I thought.

“Maxie, are you awake?” I heard my grandma coo softly from the bedroom door.

“Yes, Mimi,” (My family calls her Mimi how some family’s call their grandmother Nana.) I slowly opened my eyes to see her smiling face at the door. She always had the best smile, that could always make you feel better. She had that rare human kindness, which is hard to find nowadays. Always willing to help a stranger, or work in a soup kitchen. Wherever she went, she always left a wake of kindness behind her.

“Well, breakfast will be ready in five minutes, and is there any cereal you want sweetheart?” she asked?

I slowly raised myself into a sitting position, and thought for a moment about it. “No thank you,” I replied, “Whatever you made will be perfect.”

“Alright Maxie, but feel free to ask if you need anything.” She smiled and left the room.

“I will Mimi,” I said with a smile back.

She closed the door when she left the room, and I gently pulled the blankets off of myself, and reached into my open suitcase. I grabbed a tee-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, and put them on. I opened the door that lead into the hallway to the kitchen, the scent of her delicious cooking getting stronger with every step.    

As I emerged into the kitchen, I saw her standing there in her big black shapeless pajamas. It wasn’t that she was stout, on the contrary, she was tall and very slender, but not stout.

“Maxie,” She said, “since it’s your last day here, I bought you a present.” She nodded over to the counter where there was a beautifully wrapped package in gold with a silver ribbon. “Open it,” she said as she smiled at me, “I hope you like it.”

I crossed over to the counter, and slowly removed the ribbon with care, not knowing what was inside. Whit the ribbon off, carefully ripped the paper off, only to reveal a black leather bound copy of  Jane Eyre, with red trimmed pages. “Grandma… I… I don’t know what to say… thank you,” I whispered. It really was a beautiful copy of the book. I collect  books I love, and this was the perfect edition to add to my collection.

“I’m so glad you like it! I know you love the book, and I thought this copy was completely you.”

It was true, this one person knew me better than anyone else, maybe even better than I knew myself. After that trip to my grandma’s, I haven’t seen her since, and I most likely see her for a few more years. That’s why I carry that copy of Jane Eyre around with me wherever I go, because it was the one thing I have to remember her by, besides the blanket she gave me. I have read that copy two times, and am working on my third. I devour the book every time, and I know when I read it, she is thinking of me.           

Chiyo/Sayuri Character Development

Authors note- All of the students in our school were commissioned to write a character development piece on a character from one of our favorite books. I love the book Memoirs of a Geisha, because I can relate to so mush of what Chiyo is going through. I hope you take as mush out of my piece, as I did out of the book. 

Chiyo-chan Sakamoto (Or simply Chiyo.) has always dreamed of being what she has seen only in old photographs, or heard about only in legend. She has dreamed of being Geisha, the beautiful girls with the painted faces, flowing silk kimono’s, and trained in the fine arts of Japan. Of course, this is only a pipedream for poor Chiyo, after all, she is only a fisherman’s daughter. Born in the village of Yoroido on the coast of Japan, she is doomed to a life of poverty. However, when her father is forced to sell her into an okiya (geisha house), and she is separated from her older sister, she is given the chance to be Geisha however, she must prove herself not only to the head Geisha, but to herself as well, and rise to the heights of Japanese society.

In early 20^th century Japan, it is nearly impossible to ascend one level in the social ladder, let alone from the bottom to top. In the years before World War II, Japan was divided into a rigid social class system, and whatever class you were born in, you stayed in for the rest of your life. Chiyo, though born a very striking girl, is doomed to a life of poverty. Her father, one of the many fishermen of Yoroido dresses her family in rags, and feeds them nothing but rice and fish. Poverty is hard enough on Chiyo as it is, but when she turns nine, her mother is diagnosed with bone cancer, in constant pain. With his wife in such pain, this sends Chiyo’s father into a deep depression, until he is unable to care for her and her 15 year old sister. He is forced to sell them to a slave dealer, who then sells her into the okiya run by “Mother” (The Madame or owner of the okiya.), and her sister is sold into a different area of the city they are sold into, (The city is known as Kyoto.) and is forced to become a prostitute. After the devastation of the separation of her father, sister, and dying mother, Chiyo us forced to grow up faster than any nine year old should, and is forced to develop a strong skin never letting things out, but only in. She is forced to look after herself, and in this sense her character develops a strong emotional endurance at an extremely early age.

Aside from Chiyo’s character developing emotionally, she also develops physically. As I have said in paragraph two, she was born a striking young girl, with her unusual pale blue oriental eyes, and dark hair. It is said in ancient Japanese tradition, that people born with blue eyes were given extra water at birth (For, they believed that people were made up of five earthly elements.), and this shows on the outside of the body. Fitting for her charming personality, always in a hurry, just like water. However, her eyes are not just enough to allow her to become the geisha he has always dreamed of becoming. She must grow to become a beautiful young woman. Throughout most of the beginning, she is nine years old, however, after several years have passed, and she is now blooming flower in full peak. With her long flowing b lack hair, porcelain features, and smooth skin, she is a truly exquisite. She is finally ready to begin her geisha training. Her character has now developed into beautiful young woman, and is finally ready to begin her geisha training.

Finally, Chiyo’s dream of becoming a geisha is finally coming true. With her character developing stunning beauty and developing emotional strength, she was equipped to begin training. However, becoming is not as glamorous as it sounds. Japanese tradition dictates that an apprentice geisha must learn to sleep, eat, pour tea, walk, dance, and even sit in a precise fashion. However, she must not work alone. With the help of Pumpkin, (The other apprentice geisha in the Okiya.) and Mameh, Chiyo’s trainer, and a senior geisha. Geisha’s must be trained when they are very young, starting at ages 8 or 9, however, Chiyo displeased Mother, and she forced Chiyo to remain her indentured servant. Yet, Mameh  sees potential in Chiyo with her charming beauty, and takes her under her wing, and begins to train her in the Japanese arts, of dance, tea, music, art, and fan dancing, giving her the geisha name of Sayuri. She must then all of the arts listed above in what would normally take years, in six months in order to find a “Danna” or patron. Finally, just in time before she is too old, she is able to finish her training, and find her patron, Dr. Crab (This is not his real name, but Sayuri calls him this on account of his appearance. After her training and she finds her first Danna, her character has developed into a well rounded intellectual.

Sayuri has finally done it, she has risen the social ladder of Japan all the way to the top. After all that she has been through, her character starting out as a weak, small minded little girl, has developed into a beautiful, well rounded, emotionally strong geisha. Her dream has finally come true, and she has what she has always wanted, ever since she was separated from her mother, father, and sister; another family, being found in Mameh and Pumpkin. It in a way reminds me of the movie Ever After, in the sense that Daniel finally gets her wish granted, where she marries the prince, and is given a new family from her step sister, and mother and father in law. However, they story lines may be completely different, they both have the same meaning, that dreams really do come true. Chiyo has finally had her happy ending, and has risen to the heights of Japanese society.