Literature Analysis #2

1.       The plot of the book “For One More Day” by Mitch Albom exposition begins with a quote by Chick Benetto, “Let me guess. You want to know why I tried to kill myself.” A young sportswriter who is at Pepperville Beach to close a small house that had been in their family for years. The young sportswriter meets and old man at a baseball field and makes the mistake of tell him what they do. The old man then tells them if they want a good story to interview a man in the bleachers named, Charles “Chick” Benetto. Chick was once a baseball player who later one tries to kill himself. When he is in this process he meets his mother, whom is dead, he does not know if he is alive or dead. He spends one more day with his mother, Posy Benetto, as he wished he had. He learned the truth of his family and what happened. We also learn why he did the things he did and choose to no longer live.

 

2.       The theme of this book would have to be never assume something until you know the whole story. I think the reason why the author choose this as the theme is because teenagers like to usually assume things and they never listen to the full story. The theme of this book is also about forgiveness. Because Chick had to forgive his mom and himself for all the things he had done.

 

3.       The reason why I choose this book is because Mitch Albom also wrote one of my favorite books called “The Five People You Meet In Haven”. It was a very good book so, I wanted to read more books that he had wrote. “For One More Day” captured my attention by the first page because, this book started off differently from any other book I have read. This book started off with a quote and that this story is a ghost story. What kept me wanting to read it more is that in the first couple pages there is a sportswriter, but they do not say who it is or if it is a he or a she. It remains unknown until the end of the story, and that is where everything comes together, it also reveals a big plot twist. This book was also very interesting from begging to the end, I did not want the book to end.

 

4.       I did find this book realistic because I can relate to it and mostly anyone else can to. I did make connections with the book that helped me understand it much better. For example when he tries to do things all over again but he knows he can’t because, you can’t change the past but you can change what direction you want to lead his life. This book also taught me to forgive and not hold grudges over people.

 

5.       The authors tone in this book is sometimes innocent, for example when he talks to his mom “I took a few seconds to find my voice” (55). But sometimes the tone of his voice sounds angry when he yells, “You ruined my life” (40).

 

6.       Flashback-“I am eight years old. I have a homework assignment. I must recite to the class “What Causes an Echo?” (43)

 

Foreshadowing- “Let me guess. You want to know why I tried to kill myself.” (prologue)

 

Symbolism- “Two huge lights blinded me…” (14)

 

Imaginary-“It was cold and raining lightly  ...” (13)

 

Flashback-“It is Halloween. I am sixteen now, too old to go trick-or-treating” (97)

 

Onomatopoeia- “Is that what you”-slap!-“said?”-slap, slap...” (86)

 

Foreshadowing-“CHARLES BENETTO. OPEN YOUR EYES!” (175)

 

Imaginary-“She squeezed the corn puffs and they crumbled into floury dust” (23)

 

Onomatopoeia-“I heard the sizzling of butter and eggs” (55)

 

Symbol-“carved our names in it with steak knives” (47)

 

 

 

Characterization

1.       Direct Characterization

Posy (Chick’s mom) – “fun, perky, eccentric, headstrong” (29)

Leonard (Chick’s dad)-“thinning hair and a bulbous nose” (122)

Indirect Characterization

Chick – “for the last time I got drunk” (11)

Rose-“An elderly woman wearing a smock and holding a walker…” (79)

 

 

2.       No the authors syntax does not change he keeps everything the same as the book began till it ends. He has a steady flow even when he introduces new characters threw out the book.

 

3.       The main character in this book a dynamic character. He changes threw out the book he realizes thing that he did not realize when he was younger. He also sees things from different points of views. He also grows as a person as he gets to talk to his mom one last time. He is also a round character because he has more than one trait and the author has a good way of explaining them and really describes how he is.

 

4.        After reading this book I feel as if I have met a new person because I feel like he was talking directly at me and I understood everything he was saying. For example on page 3 I feel like he is talking to me directly as if I were a normal person.

 

ENDURING MEMORY

A idea that I learned from this book at that I will remember for the rest of my life is, to spend time with the people I love and care about because you may never know when it will be the last time you see or talk to them. For example, when Chick’s mom dies he regrets not being there for most of his childhood. He also regrets never spending time with her; he also taught me that family is import everything else can wait. Lastly never take people for granted and always forgive because holding grudges over people will just eat you up inside.

Persepolis

Persepolis, a novel by Marjane Satrapi a non-fiction novel, tells a story about a young girl who experiences living through the Islamic revolution and how she escapes the chaos of the revolution. Although everyone has an opinion about Iran, Satrapi tries to clarify ideas that people may have formed from stories they have heard about Iran. Satrapi releases the novel Persepolis; however, the book is banned in some schools. The Chief Executive Officer of SMJHSD, Johan Bennett, is planning to ban the book for, “crass language, graphic violence, torture, sexual content, lewd humor, and instance of suicide”, although there is much evidence on why it is inappropriate, it should ultimately be taught in schools everywhere.

                One reason that the novel should be taught in schools is because, Satrapi is a great role model to students and everyone. For example, when Satrapi over hears a couple of girls talking about her how she is not proud of who she is Satrapi exclaims, “… I am Iranian and proud of it” (197.1). This is important because she stands up for herself and teaches teenagers that they need to be proud of where they came from and never forget their roots. In addition, Satrapi also shows that she is strong and determined threw out the novel, for example on the last pages of the novel she shows her strength, by overcoming every obstacle she has been occurred. This is important because no matter what life throws at you, you must stay strong and determined. It is clear that she is a great model to not just students but also to adults.

Another reason that this novel should be taught in schools is because, it shows how real life is and how it is not perfect as some students may think. For example, when Satrapi explains how her parents had to go protest almost every day for their rights, “my parents demonstrated (protest) very day” (18.1). This is important because, whoever is born in the United Sates know they are born with freedom, but we must open the students eyes and show them that not everyone has the freedom as us Americans have, also that students and everyone should appreciate their freedom. In addition, life is not always perfect; for example, when Satrapi attempts suicide on page 272 and 273. This is important because after that tragic even she turns her life around becomes a dance instructor and starts eliminating the negative things in her life. Satraphi teaches students that you have to live life to the fullest and have no regrets; also she teaches you how real life in Iran is. It is clear that life is not perfect and people with go through obstacles both internal and external and yet you must fight for things that you believe in.

                But Bennett accusations of the novel are not completely incorrect. Bennett often argued saying, “the main character, Marjane Satrapi, is not a good role model. . .” There is somewhat of truth in Bennett’s words but Satrapi manages to educate students while staying true to herself. Opposing views clam the novel is, “not appropriate for our 10^th grade curriculum.” This is true but we do not live in a perfect world and students should know that. Overall Persepolis should be taught in schools.

                The final reason why this novel should be taught in schools is because, it has less violent graphics than what teenagers see now these days.  For example, on page 51 people find it very graphic but it is not that graphic as people may think it is. This is important because people need to know that teenagers have seen a lot more graphic things online. Furthermore, on page 52 panel 1, it seems very gruesome with the dismembered body but yet it is done in a way that will not traumatize students, it will just show them how monstrous people were in Iran. It is clear that this novel in not as bad as what teenagers see online or their video games they are playing daily. On another hand they should ban those violent/graphic games, not the novel Persepolis that is educational but makes you see life in another perspective.

          As a result Persepolis should be taught in schools overall, it will benefit everyone not just students but also the teachers teaching the novel. Because it will open their minds and challenge everyone to think differently and see things from a different point of view. By showing students that Satrapi is a great role model, how the novel shows how real life is, and how it is less graphic then what people may think it is. Schools should not ban the novel Persepolis; teaching this novel will expand everyone’s knowledge of the world.

 

Vocabulay #11

1. I get perturb when I do not get the grade that I think I deserve.
2. I love doing ludicrous thing with my friends and then talking about it.
3. I am a very cordial person until you get me angry.
4. When I am in a predicament I always ask for advise.
5. When I do not do my homework my grades descend.
6. Many people do not know that I used to be demure.
7. My brother usually does not shower for a week and he is very repugnant.
8. I always ponder how I am going to be in the future.

Vocabulary #10

1. My brother bemoans about every little thing it annoys me and sometimes I just want to slap him.
2. I find it very odd that I am always pensive in class.
3. My brain was devoid of any worries.
4.I am melancholy when I am at school, I feel like I am in prison.
5. I mollify my friends when they are stressing out.
6. I like getting random mementos from places that I visit.
7. For some reason it is always fun doing illicit things.
8. The mountain climbers ascend to reach the top.

Vocabulary #9

1. Candy is very savory that I can not just have one.
2. I am always enticed to eat burgers every day, but I must resist.
3. I dislike when people are tactless to each other.
4.She showed integrity by not wearing provocative cloths to school.
5. If I do a job right I am hoping they compensate me.
6.I am always aloof in school, I should really start paying attention.
7. I like to goad my brother with food, I just find it very funny.
8. I have a cohort that I have known since 2nd grade.

Persepolis

Persepolis a novel by Marjane Satrapi, tells a story about a young girl who lives in Iran. Although everyone has an opinion about Iran she tries to clarify a couple of things. She then releases the novel Persepolis. However, the book is banned in some schools even cities. The Chief Executive Officer of SMJUHSD, Johan Bennett, planning to ban the book for “crass language, graphic violence, torture, sexual content, lewd humor, and instance of suicide”. Although there is much evidence on why it is inappropriate, it should ultimately be taught in schools everywhere.

There is inappropriateness in this novel Persepolis, and the reasons on why Bennett’s action on banning this novel is reasonable. Bennett says, “this book in not appropriate for our 10^th grade curriculum”. Which is true but yet we do not live in a perfect world and kids should know that. Bennett also states that, “the main character, Marjane Satrapi, in not a good role model. . .”. This quote is very unfair and rude for Bennett to say because Marjane fought for what was right. On that had she also taught me to stand up for what you believe in. Bennett is only seeing the negative things in the novel and ignoring all the positive things that are in this novel.

The reason on why I agree to Bennett’s decision is because there are very inappropriate scenes in the novel. For example, when Marjane becomes the official drug dealer for her school, on page 222 panel  7. This is inappropriate because it is showing kids that it is okay to sell drugs or do drugs on school grounds. Another example is when Marjane tries to attempt suicide on page 271 and 273. These are a couple of reasons why I agree with Bennett’s decision to ban the novel.

On the other hand, I disagree with Bennett action on banning the novel. These are a couple reasons why it should still be taught in schools. Whereas, Marjane is proud to be Iranian and shows you should never be afraid of who you are or where you came from on page 197 panel  1, Marjane says, “ . . . I am Iranian and proud of it!”. This is a very powerful to everyone because it shows you must be proud of yourself and where you came from. Another example is that Marjane shows strength threw out the book and does not give up no matter what the situation is. For example when she tries to commit suicide and does not succeed and she decides to turn her life around on page 273 through 275.

Yes this book can be inappropriate at time but it also teaches a lesson in life. Therefore this book should not be banned and it should be taught in schools.

Vocab #8

1. Candy is very savory and I enjoy eating it.
2. I am always enticed when I see food to eat it.
3. I dislike when people are tactless to other people.
4. They showed integrity by not wearing provocative cloths.
5. If I get good grades my parents compensate me.
6. I am always aloof in class.
7. I dislike when my brother goads me!
8. My cohort is amazing and I have known her since 2nd grade.