Courage

Lauren West

3/23/16

Mrs. Gillis

Period 4

Courage in the summertime

Courage.

Like jumping into a pool,

on a hot summer day.

Overcome with heat,

staring at blissful relief.

The knowledge that the solution is right in front of you,

mixed with the tugging feeling of the deck pulling you towards safety.

Staring your opponent in the eye,

fear taunts you as you stand back in reproach.

One, two, three...

You wait for the push of courage to guide you forward.

 Fear holds on,

and holds you back.

You sense the breakthrough in your mind.

 The sight of the rippling water shaping to your body as you jump in. 

The sound of the splash made by your cannon ball.

The cool relief rushing around you as you are submerged in icy water.

You can sense courage burst out of you as you feel the barrier break.

Between water and air.

Intention and action.

Fear and courage.

Courage is the jump away of fear,

and into relief.

Confusion poem

Lauren West

Period 4

3/7/16

Confusion

Unavoidable confusion,

misunderstanding

nothing's making sense.

Feeling surprised and unsure.

Confusion.

Needing help.

Wondering why,

and being left out.

Taken advantage of.

Confusion.

A pothole in the road,

interrupting thoughts.

IATM reading response

Lauren West

Period 4

       Ed Kennedy and a small girl with and abusive father share a powerful moment showing what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger in the story I Am the Messenger Markus Zusak. In this book, local cab driver Eddie Kennedy accidentally spoils a bank robbery, causing him to become a local hero. His glory soon ends, however, when Eddie receives a mysterious card implying that he continues his hero streak.

       Being the curious man he is, with a less than exciting life Ed Decides to check out the stories behind the card. Eddie goes through the second and third assignments on the card before returning back to the first, more challenging task. Although the card only has the addresses of houses and certain time increments, Eddies finds it quite simple to decipher the hidden purpose within each house. When Ed first approaches the first house, he figures the situation out immediately. A woman is featured as the victim of rape, by her alcoholic husband. Ed knows he has to help her, but is not sure exactly how he will manage to do so. As he returns each night he learns this is indeed a pattern, and also that the abused woman has a daughter, Angelina, who sits on the house porch and cries each night when her father abuses her mother. One scene from this story that struck me as powerful was the scene following Eddie’s decision to confront the man. As Eddie stood contemplating whether or not he should enter the house, routinely the small girl Angelina came outside to sit on her porch. When she first notices Eddie, Angelia looks at him with a hopeful expression and says, "Are you here to save us?"(Zusak 78). This quote shows how Angelina has been waiting for someone to come save her, and that she is very hopeful for change. When Ed can't resist saying no to her, and assures her that he wants to help, she begins to exhibit a large amount of strength. She shows how her life experiences have shaped her into a stiff person with low expectations as Zusak writes, “Even a girl of about eight years can see there’s almost no rescue from her life”(Zusak 78). This scene is specifically powerful because the author shows this girl, no older than the age of eight, going through such a tough time that she’s so desperate for someone to help her she will look to a stranger trying to help with awe. The girl is so pressured that even when someone is offering help, she remains strong and untrusting, and she does not outright give in. The part of this scene that really made me think was when the author shows this girl as such a brave and accepting person after all she’s been through. When Ed fails to confront her father, Angelina understands beyond Ed’s belief. Ed observes, “I think she understands how physically powerful her father is and how scrawny I am. All she does is stumble over to me and hug me again…‘Thanks for at least trying, Ed” (Zusak 79). Ed realizes how strong this girl is and how weak he is. This little girl is incredibly understanding as she leaves the house and waits for the noise to end, does not get her hopes up with Ed, and understands Ed’s fear of her father. This girl grows up with a horrible home situation, yet she remains strong and goes back into the house, which Ed had failed to do.

          I believe that when we see a bad home situation, we all assume the child will be damaged. Whether they will grow to be a criminal, or a outright bad person, we cannot help but assume no good could come from bad. Yet what we forget is sometimes people gain strength from trying times. In this scene from I Am the Messenger eight year old Angelina learns this as she exhibits strength and understanding in her conversation with Ed.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Charles Darnay analysis

Lauren West
Period 4
11/18/15

Charles Darnay analysis

Charles Darnay pictures with quotes of Selflessness, Passion, and Bravery. These qualities are also symbolized by money, a ring, and a sword.

        Charles Darnay has displayed traits of bravery, selflessness, and passion within book two of the classic story A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Darnay has proven to be a mysterious character, as we haven't learned too much about him so far, however Dickens has hinted that Darnay may become a crucial aspect of the story line. We first meet Darnay in a courtroom as he is on trial for treason. During this scene one of the first characteristics of Charles we come across is his sense of bravery as Dickens writes, "The accused, who was being mentally hanged, beheaded, and quartered, by everybody there, neither flinched from the situation, nor assumed any theatrical air in it" (Dickens 47 book 2). Previous to this quote Dickens explains how the courtroom is full of people hoping to witness the murder of a prisoner, as this was a common form of entertainment at the time. Although Darnay can sense the stares of everyone waiting for him to be pronounced guilty he remains calm and displays bravery as he sits through his trial. Later in the story, after Darnay is released, he continues to prove his bravery as he stands up to his uncle and tells him about his belief that his uncle and him haven't used their power for good. Darnay's  bravery is displayed as he stays quiet when most would scream and cry, and speaks up when most would keep quiet. As we learn more about Mr. Darnay he proves to be a very selfless person. This trait is displayed as Darnay says to his uncle, "I would abandon it, and live otherwise and elsewhere. It is little to relinquish...If it ever becomes mine, it shall be put into some hands better qualified to free it slowly from the weight that drags it down" (Dickens 47 book 2). Darnay is proving to be a character who plans to do good with his life. He realizes the way his uncle is using his power and money is bad and vows to never be a part of it. In this quote Darnay explains how he doesn't believe he is qualified or worthy to take over his uncles power and money, therefore he plans to give it all up to a poorer more experienced person. Darnay is willing to give up his fortune and power for a greater cause. Lastly, Charles Darnay displays his passionate side as he professes his love for Lucie Manette. Lucie is a very popular woman among many men including Mr. Darnay. When Charles meets with Mr. Manette he reveals his passionate side as he says, "Dear doctor Manette, I love your daughter fondly, dearly, disinterestedly, devotedly. If ever there were love in the world I love her" (Dickens 101 book 2). Mr. Darnay is very open with Mr. Manette as he wishes to be completely honest about his feeling for his daughter. Throughout the chapters surrounding Charles Darnay we learn about his characteristics of bravery, selflessness, and passion.

A Tale of Two Cities light vs. dark analysis

Lauren West
11/9/15
Period 4

A Tale of Two Cities light vs. dark

                  Charles Dickens applies light and darkness to set the tone of optimism present in Lucie and Dr. Manette's  relationship in the classic story A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens expresses this sense of hopefulness as he writes, "...a little more light here. You can bear a little more'?...'I must bear it, if you let it in" (Dickens 30). In this quote Dr. Manette is being asked if he would mind a little light in the room. Previous to this question Dr. Manette had been sitting in the darkness of his room which symbolizes his time spent in a state of depression while he was imprisoned. When the questioner Defarge asks to open the door further and let in more light, in actuality he is letting in Dr. Manette's daughter Lucie whom is trying to free him from his depression. Lucie is an emblem for the change Dr. Manette needs in his life ,and is represented as the light to end his state of darkness. This demonstrates an optimistic tone when it says, "I must bear it if you let it in". When he says this, Lucie's father is symbolizing how he has to be strong through his recovery if his daughter is willing to help him through it. Dickens also adds to the optimistic tone when he writes, "...it had passed like a moving light, from him to her. Darkness had fallen on him in its place" (Dickens 32). This excerpt follows the light as it moves from Dr. Manette and falls upon his daughter Lucie. This movement symbolizes the change of mood between the two family members. It shows how the light shines over Lucie, as she is seen as the light and happy one sent to do good, and leaves her damaged father to sit in the darkness he has become comfortable with. It also represents Lucie's power to heal her dad as she is seen in the light. Lucie is an emblem of light and all things good whereas the darkness settled upon her father is whats holding their family apart. As Dr. Manette begins to recognize his daughter Dickens writes, "His cold white head mingled with her radiant hair, which warmed and lighted it as though it were the light of freedom shining on him" (Dickens 34). Within this quote the use of the word 'light' is repeated and it becomes obvious that it is more commonly used than dark. This scene portrays Manette's daughter as his savior once again, however in this case a direct sense of healing is shown. Lucie's affect on her father is simply described as, "the light of freedom shining on him", as she warms her fathers cold head. It is as if her hair is so radiant and beautiful that it has the power of showing she came from this man and he can make his way back to who he was before he was locked away. Throughout these scenes of A Tale of Two Cities the use of light contributes to the tone of hope and optimism as it overcomes the darkness looming over Dr. Manette's life.

A Tale of Two cities "Wine scene" foreshadowing

Lauren West

Period 4
11/5/15

A Tale of Two cities wine scene illustration

 

 

              Within the wine spilling scene of the classic story A Tale of Two Cities, there is an underlying sense of foreshadowing. The seemingly pointless scene, when given more thought, turns out to be a crucial part of the book as it foreshadows events surrounding the French Revolution. The most obvious situation in which this is displayed occurs on page 22 when Dickens writes, "The time was to come, when that wine too would be spilled on the street-stones, and when the stain of it would be red upon many there"(Dickens 22). This quote begins to explain how the red wine spilt upon the streets staining citizens hands symbolizes blood. This scene is in fact not about red wine, but actually the blood that will occur in the future as citizens and peasants are forced to kill for their rights. This idea is also previously mentioned on page 21 when the author writes, "it had stained many hands, too, and many faces, and many naked feet, and many wooden shoes. The hands of the man who sawed the wood, left red marks on the billets; and the forehead of the woman who nursed her baby, was stained with the stain of the old rag she wound about her head again" (Dickens 21). This quote furthers the theory that a battle will occur leaving these innocent people's hands dirty with the blood of their victims. Considering the location and time period the battle may have to do with a riot or fight leading up to the French Revolution. The red wine in this scene by Charles Dickens symbolizes the fighting that peasants of France will later undergo as the French Revolution begins.

             In addition, Charles Dickens elaborates on the semblance of hunger throughout the wine scene. The scene in this chapter surrounds peasants and paupers fighting for a drink of wine on the street. Although there is some playfulness to the situation, Charles stresses the dire situation of the peasants as he writes, "Hunger. It was prevalent everywhere. Hunger was pushed out of the tall houses, in wretched clothing that hung upon poles and lines" (Dickens 22). This quote may foreshadow the possibility of how the poor may take part in an uprising due to their hunger for life. During this scene we also see situations of people so desperate for nourishment they are chewing on wine soaked wood and drinking of muddy wine puddles. The scene is disturbing as it shows the extreme situations peasants of France face, and just how desperate they are for reprieve of their poor lives.

The Importance of Family

Lauren West

10/16/14

P. 4

The Importance of Family

          Like most things, with family you get the good and the bad. Hopefully, if you're like me it's mostly just the good, but to face the facts, things don't always go so smoothly. I find this to be especially true if you have siblings like me. I'm the youngest of three kids just like my mom and my dad and being the little sister of a 19 year old boy and a 17 year old girl isn't always so easy. Things have certainly changed over the years as my brother went of to college at U.N.H. last August and now my sister has begun the seemingly endless search for the perfect school herself (I can safely bet it won't be U.N.H). As my time before becoming a single child grows shorter I've realized three things; I can't wait to have the bathroom all to myself, It's possible to grow more from a bad experience than a good one, and I really love my family. If you haven't read stone soup by Barbara Kingsolver, a recently divorced single mother, I highly recommend it if you want to think a little deeper into the subject of what makes a family a family. In my opinion family isn't only a group of people related to you, but people who truly want to teach you and help you succeed in life. In all honesty how many of us always love our parents and never fight with our siblings? I know, as I grew up with the  captain of the wrestling team, that there have certainly been a few times in which I've wanted to fight back against my siblings. Instead I would take times like being thrown over my brothers shoulders, and learn from them. I became stronger as I got myself out of sticky situations and even learned a few wrestling moves. The book A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith also stresses the importance of making the best out what you have. Betty's writing in this book emphasizes  how although the two main characters have a hard life, they have each other and get through it together.

      When I first looked at Stone Soup by Babara Kingsolver I mostly thought about how long it was and how boring it would be. Although it may not be the most interesting thing I've ever read it certainly made me think in about things I don't typically address. Right off the bat her essay begins with a story of a soccer game of a boy from a blended family. Barbara writes, "I dare anybody to call this a broken home"(Kingsolver). Barbara implies that even though this boy has a step mom and his parents are divorced, to the little boy he simply has the largest cheering squad in the bleachers. Smith's essay continues by discussing how times are changing. She mentions, "Divorce, remarriage, single parenthood, gay parents, and blended families simply are"(Kingsolver). She admits that in the past even she thought divorce was wrong. She now realizes that sometimes staying together would do more damage than breaking apart. She's had to grow from his change in her life, but out of letting go of her husband she also lets go of some ignorance. Barbara writes about he daughters' transition through the divorce writing, "When anyone asks how she feels about it, she spontaneously lists the benefits: our house is in the country and we have a dog, but she can go to her dad's neighborhood for the urban thrills of a pool and sidewalks for roller-skating. What's more, she has three sets of grandparents!"(Kingsolver). When she writes this I think back to my theory on how tough times make tougher people, and the little boy at the soccer game, and how times are changing. All of these things Barbara writes about start from a bad thing, but create something possibly so good it was worth it. The boys parents aren't together, yet he has more people cheering for him. Divorce may not seem like a good idea but it can be a way out of a relationship that just keeps going downhill. Lastly this little girl, I'm sure she's upset over her parents divorce but she can still see the beauty of the new things in her life. Barbara's essay Stone Soup relates to families all over the world, separated or not we all need a little light in the darker times.

        The book A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith adds to my point of getting through tough times with your family. The main family of the story, the Nolans, know a lot about getting through the hardships of life. This coming of age story mainly follows Francie Nolan and her family throughout their life in Brooklyn. The Nolans are very poor and sometimes didn't have enough money to buy food, Betty writes,"When money gave out and food ran low, Katie and the children pretended they were explorers discovering the North Pole and had been trapped by a blizzard in a cave with just a little food...When some money came in and Mama bought a lot of groceries, she bought a little cake as celebration, and she'd stick a penny flag in it and say, 'We made it, men. We got to the North Pole"(Smith 218). During the time of this quote the Nolans were financially struggling. They had little money and Francie and Neeley (her brother), made a game out of their situation. Years later Francie and Neeley are discussing their sisters future with Mr.McShane as a father. Smith writes, "Laurie's going to have a mighty easy life all right'. 'Annie Laurie McShane! She'll never have the hard times we had, will she?' ' No. And she'll never have the fun we had, either.' 'Gosh! We did have fun, didn't we, Neeley?' 'Yeah!' 'Poor Laurie,' said Francie pityingly"(Smith 472). Near the ending of the book even though Francie and Neeley both had hard lives they can't help but feel bad for their little sister who won't have joy come as easily to her. They recognize how hard they had it growing up and now that life's become simpler they can't help but miss the old days with the North Pole game.Francie and Neeley Nolan understand what it's like to make the best out of the worst. 

    Families are so different that it's crazy to even attempt to make a statement that applies to all of them. My family is different from any other family in the would, and I'm grateful for that.I've learned that you can't change the past, things happen that we can't control. Every scream, fight, and tear was worth making me who I am today. Although life may not be as glamorous as it looks on T.V., being proud of what I've been through and the people who have helped me get to where I am is enough to keep me going. So yes, I might get in a small fight with my sister, or make a bad decision every now and then, but if everyone were perfect how would we ever learn? So what does family mean to me? Family is people who push you, and tease you. They might make you laugh, cry, or question your purpose in this world, but in the long run they've got your back and only want what's best for you. I don't have any idea where I'd be without my family but what I do know is I'm happy that I have them in my life.

Thanks for reading!

Until next time,

Lauren West :)