Question 1: How does the character search for solace, purpose, and/or redemption in this story?
In "A Sound of Thunder" Eckels is not looking for a purpose or solace. Throughout the story Eckels is looking to have fun on a trip of a lifetime. He is going hunting with a company that can take you back to the prehistoric era with the dinosaurs. He was very excited about hunting a 60 million year old animal. But when the time came to shoot and kill the enormous animal, Eckels freaked out. By the end of the story Eckels was searching for redemption from Travis. Eckels had stepped off the path, exactly what Travis told him not to do, and Eckels ended up stepping on and killing a butterfly. The butterfly affect affected the present day world for Eckels, Travis, and the other men who went on the hunting trip. When Eckels, Travis, and the others realized that spelling had changed and the dictator was elected president they realized what had happened. Everyone was infuriated, especially Travis. Eckels was then wanting redemption and to change what happened, but Travis shot him before he could redeem himself.
Question 2: How does the character's experience reflect the historical period in which his/her story is told?
The character's experience's reflect the time period because the author states it is in the future, 2055, and the techology. If the author had not mentioned the year in which the character's are living in you could predict that it is the future because we do not have time travel today and have not had time travel in the past. There are many technologic advances that conclude the story is taking place in the future. During the story, the characters use a time travel machine to go into the past during the Jurassic period, when dinosaurs flurished. The characters that went in to the Jurassic period were two hunt guides, Eckels, and two other hunters. The dinosaurs tell you that it is the Jurassic period because dinosaurs are extinct and the hunt guides have a time traveling machine. Another clue about the Jurassic era is that there are forests with many insects, animals, vegetation, and dinosaurs.
Question 3: How does the character's experience in the story symbolize the theme of survival and the human spirit?
Eckels' experience in the short story does not really symbolize survival, but his effort of surviving. Eckels thought he could save himself in the presence of the T-Rex by hiding and running away to the time maching, but by hiding and moving he created more danger for not only his self, but for the four other men he was on the hunting trip with. While Eckels was in a state of confusion and in a daze he stepped off the path. The other four men Eckels had fled were left to kill the T-Rex on their own. They killed it, but it was a shocking and hard situation. After Travis was infuriated enough at Eckels and found him in the time machine with dirt everywhere and got even more infuriated. Travis was very harsh towards Eckels, but wanted to get home. When they got back to 2055 Eckels noticed something different about the somewhat familiar home of the time traveling company and then noticed he had stepped on a butterfly and changed what had happened in the future. This affect is known as the butterfly affect. Eckels had mad a choice that he could not change and was upset with what had happened, but Travis could not bare with what Eckels had done so Travis killed Eckels.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
SURVIVOR: By the Waters of Babylon
Question 1: How does the character search for solace, purpose, and/or redemption in this story?
In the short story "By the Waters of Babylon," the main character John searches for a purpose because he is so restricted by the rules of his priests. He does not know what to believe in and wants to discover new things on his own. He goes against the rules of the priests and his own father to go on an adventure. He traveled to the three places that were against his peoples rules. John wanted to find a purpose, he wanted to learn on his own even knowing what the consequences would be, and do something that was different and unique that could possibly help his people. When he found the city he wanted to rebuild it and make it new. John realized that after his adventure it was a mistake. A mistake he would learn from and learn to appreciate what he has and follow the rules. By the end of the story John is looking for redemption because he knows his adventure to the forbidden places was wrong and he would or could be looked down upon it.
Question 2: How does the character's experience reflect the historical period in which his/her story is told?
At the beginning of the story you would think that the historical period would be around the 1800s to the 1900s because there were ridiculous rules and no technology. As the story progresses you learn more about John and his people. The rules that were put in place were for the good of the people. The priests or the ancestors of the priests had learned about the towns and the world that had become annihilated. Every person and animal had been killed by a nuclear bomb. It was a nuclear holocaust. We learn about the cities from John's adventures. When he goes into the city he finds a stone with the letters "ashing" written in the stone. In the city, John also finds huge buildings that are falling apart because no one is living or working in them. We can assume that the letters "ashing" stood for "Washington" but part of the letters had been destroyed. We can also assume that the city was New York because of the tall buildings and statues. There were many hints that helped the readers figure out which city John had visited. New York also gives us clues to where John and his people lived, obviously somewhere near New York but in the woodsy areas and a good traveling distance away.
Question 3: How does the character's experience in the story symbolize the theme of survival and the human spirit?
The character's experience in the short story "By the Waters of Babylon" symbolizes the theme of survival because even after a nuclear holocaust killed every known person living John and his people had survived and lived on nature and the few resources they had. Survival is a theme that was symbolized by John going against the rules of his priests and loved ones, knowing there was a possibility of death in store for him, but still continuing on his adventure to the forbidden lands. Again survival is a big part of the story because John travels to the forbidden places and survives when he would have thought he would die and the cities in a way symbolize death because they are run down and unoccupied. John and his people symbolize survival. The whole group and people lived through a nuclear holocaust and reproduced, showing death doesn't always conquer. This story is most likely something that could never happen because a nuclear holocaust means everyone would die. It is very unlikely, but a good story because it is different.
In the short story "By the Waters of Babylon," the main character John searches for a purpose because he is so restricted by the rules of his priests. He does not know what to believe in and wants to discover new things on his own. He goes against the rules of the priests and his own father to go on an adventure. He traveled to the three places that were against his peoples rules. John wanted to find a purpose, he wanted to learn on his own even knowing what the consequences would be, and do something that was different and unique that could possibly help his people. When he found the city he wanted to rebuild it and make it new. John realized that after his adventure it was a mistake. A mistake he would learn from and learn to appreciate what he has and follow the rules. By the end of the story John is looking for redemption because he knows his adventure to the forbidden places was wrong and he would or could be looked down upon it.
Question 2: How does the character's experience reflect the historical period in which his/her story is told?
At the beginning of the story you would think that the historical period would be around the 1800s to the 1900s because there were ridiculous rules and no technology. As the story progresses you learn more about John and his people. The rules that were put in place were for the good of the people. The priests or the ancestors of the priests had learned about the towns and the world that had become annihilated. Every person and animal had been killed by a nuclear bomb. It was a nuclear holocaust. We learn about the cities from John's adventures. When he goes into the city he finds a stone with the letters "ashing" written in the stone. In the city, John also finds huge buildings that are falling apart because no one is living or working in them. We can assume that the letters "ashing" stood for "Washington" but part of the letters had been destroyed. We can also assume that the city was New York because of the tall buildings and statues. There were many hints that helped the readers figure out which city John had visited. New York also gives us clues to where John and his people lived, obviously somewhere near New York but in the woodsy areas and a good traveling distance away.
Question 3: How does the character's experience in the story symbolize the theme of survival and the human spirit?
The character's experience in the short story "By the Waters of Babylon" symbolizes the theme of survival because even after a nuclear holocaust killed every known person living John and his people had survived and lived on nature and the few resources they had. Survival is a theme that was symbolized by John going against the rules of his priests and loved ones, knowing there was a possibility of death in store for him, but still continuing on his adventure to the forbidden lands. Again survival is a big part of the story because John travels to the forbidden places and survives when he would have thought he would die and the cities in a way symbolize death because they are run down and unoccupied. John and his people symbolize survival. The whole group and people lived through a nuclear holocaust and reproduced, showing death doesn't always conquer. This story is most likely something that could never happen because a nuclear holocaust means everyone would die. It is very unlikely, but a good story because it is different.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
SURVIVOR:The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses
Question 1: How does the character search for solace, purpose, and/or redemption in this story?
Question 2: How does the character's experience reflect the historical period in which his/her story is told?
Question 3: How does the character's experience in the story symbolize the theme of survival and the human spirit?
In the story "The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses," Brille did not need to find redemption or solace. He was content with himself, his life, and his actions. Brille does not treat the warders with much respect because they know that Brille and the other men around him are in prison for reasons they did not commit, just how they act as a person, which is not bad, just the fact that their skin color is different than others. Brille and the men around him do as they please for the most part and the past warders have let them get away with it, but the prisoners are tested when they are presented with a new warder that is harsh and cruel. The way Brille treats Hannajite shows that Brille does not feel guilty for his actions. He continues to treat Hannajite rudely and uses him. If Brille felt guilty in any way he would have tried to redeem himself and find a purpose.
The character's experience reflects the historical period in which the story of Brille is told because of the racism. Around the 1950s and 1960s racism was big and Africans were looked down upon. The story also reflects the time period because Brille and the other prisoners were being imprisoned because of their race, they were political prisoners and nothing less. Probably all the political prisoners were innocent and had done nothing wrong, but at the time, the minority of white people thought being of a different color skin was wrong and something people should be punished for. The story was also taking place in south Africa where a lot of racism was taking place between 1950s and now. There is a possibility that the story took place less than 50 some years ago because unfair judgement is still going on around the world about races, religion, and other views of life. Many places around the world still to this day discriminate against people that are different. The world has been through a lot of racism and has tried to overcome it, but personally I do not think racism will ever die, which is sad.
In this story the character's experiences in the story symbolize both survival and human spirit. Human spirit is shown because Brille knows he is a political prisoner, he finds it extremely wrong that he is punished because of his skin color and that is it. He is in prison because of his skin color and nothing more and he is a little aggravated and angry because he has a large family at home that he would probably like to be with so much more than being in prison with the white minority that think he is a disgrace and should not be alive, basically he is surrounded by racist people and cannot do a thing about it except try and enjoy what he can do. Survival is another theme because he is true to himself and does not take crap and nonsense from anyone, he believes in himself and certain rules he has given himself. Brille is a very upfront and honest guy, he tells the truth and stands up for his rights and what he believes in. Brille is also smart and cunning because of how he convinces the warders to be on his side or scares/threatens them. He does what he has to do to survive in a cruel world.
Friday, February 29, 2008
SURVIVOR: Narrator from The Pit and the Pendulum
Question 1: How does the character search for solace, purpose, and/or redemption in this story?
The character in "The Pit and the Pendulum," who is known as the narrator, is sentenced to death during the Spanish Inquisition. He is placed in a holding cell where he awaits to be tortured by the priests. While he was in the cell he walked around trying to get a feel of where he was because he could not see. He noticed there was a pit in the center of the room and went back and forth with himself if he wanted to die now or be tortured. He waited to be tortured and was drugged from the drink the priests had given him. He awoke in a new cell where he could see and was strapped to the floor. He noticed that above him was a pendulum moving slowly down towards the narrator's body. After thinking of ways to get out of the contraption he is strapped to he came to the conclusion that it was not possible to escape. But while time was passing, waiting for his death, he realized that when the pendulum was close enough it would cut through the strap first and he might have a few seconds to escape. He was nervous when the time came, but very sure he could do it. As he predicted, the pendulum cut the strap and he escaped just in time. The priests realized he has escaped and had the room collapse, like a card board box, so he would jump into the pit. But something intervened by the French. The narrator was saved and freed. The narrator showed purpose by trying to escape, even after he gave up he would try again. The character also demonstrated solace because although he was sentenced to death he did not on a rampage of anger, he tried different ways of escaping and trying to be at peace with his life.
Question 2: How does the character's experiences reflect the historical period in which his/her story is told?
The character's experiences reflects the historical period because the narrator was sentenced to death during the Spanish Inquisition. The priests thought certain people should be sentenced to death because of their different religious views if they were not Catholic. Also the historical period is reflected by that dungeon or cell he is being held in. It is stone, underground, damp, and empty. It also has painted pictures on the walls of demons and scary images. Another part in the short story that represented the time period was how the priests or "care keepers," whoever moved the prisoners walked down coble stairs carrying the narrator to his cell. You can tell because of the coble stone that it was around the 1800s, before wood was used for stairs and obviously elevators werent invented, as well as electric doors. There are a lot of hints in a story that will tell you what the time period is, it is just the interpretation that differs.
Question 3: How does the charater's experience in the story symbolize the theme of survival and the human spirit?
The character's experience symbolizes in the story the theme of survival because the narrator tries to get out of the traps the priests of the Spanish Inquisition create. He is put through many obsticles where he could die very easily, but the narrator wants to live and escape the priests and their tortureous ways. A couple examples of his esacpe is first when he walks around the first cell he is placed in and tries to figure out some clues as to where he is and what may happen to him and he finds a deep trench or hole in the center of the room that he almost fell into. Second is when the narrator is strapped down and above him is a pendulum that is slowly dropping faster and faster towards him. He realizes that before the pendulum will cut him it will cut the strap that is tying him to the floor. When the pendulum is close enough, it cuts the strap leaving the narrator with a few seconds to escape, which he succeeds. His next encounter with death is when the room starts collapsing like a card board box. The priests want him to be pushed in to the middle of the room and fall into the hole. But before the room had fully collapsed the priests were over taken by the French. The French had saved the narrator before he was pushed into the hole. The theme is symbolized in "The Pit and the Pendulum" because the narrator does not give up. He tries throughout the whole story to escape death by the priests of the Spanish Inquisition. Another theme from the short story, human spirit, is also shown because he tries and tries and does not give up. He believe that he can escape and live if he believes in himself and tries his hardest.
The character in "The Pit and the Pendulum," who is known as the narrator, is sentenced to death during the Spanish Inquisition. He is placed in a holding cell where he awaits to be tortured by the priests. While he was in the cell he walked around trying to get a feel of where he was because he could not see. He noticed there was a pit in the center of the room and went back and forth with himself if he wanted to die now or be tortured. He waited to be tortured and was drugged from the drink the priests had given him. He awoke in a new cell where he could see and was strapped to the floor. He noticed that above him was a pendulum moving slowly down towards the narrator's body. After thinking of ways to get out of the contraption he is strapped to he came to the conclusion that it was not possible to escape. But while time was passing, waiting for his death, he realized that when the pendulum was close enough it would cut through the strap first and he might have a few seconds to escape. He was nervous when the time came, but very sure he could do it. As he predicted, the pendulum cut the strap and he escaped just in time. The priests realized he has escaped and had the room collapse, like a card board box, so he would jump into the pit. But something intervened by the French. The narrator was saved and freed. The narrator showed purpose by trying to escape, even after he gave up he would try again. The character also demonstrated solace because although he was sentenced to death he did not on a rampage of anger, he tried different ways of escaping and trying to be at peace with his life.
Question 2: How does the character's experiences reflect the historical period in which his/her story is told?
The character's experiences reflects the historical period because the narrator was sentenced to death during the Spanish Inquisition. The priests thought certain people should be sentenced to death because of their different religious views if they were not Catholic. Also the historical period is reflected by that dungeon or cell he is being held in. It is stone, underground, damp, and empty. It also has painted pictures on the walls of demons and scary images. Another part in the short story that represented the time period was how the priests or "care keepers," whoever moved the prisoners walked down coble stairs carrying the narrator to his cell. You can tell because of the coble stone that it was around the 1800s, before wood was used for stairs and obviously elevators werent invented, as well as electric doors. There are a lot of hints in a story that will tell you what the time period is, it is just the interpretation that differs.
Question 3: How does the charater's experience in the story symbolize the theme of survival and the human spirit?
The character's experience symbolizes in the story the theme of survival because the narrator tries to get out of the traps the priests of the Spanish Inquisition create. He is put through many obsticles where he could die very easily, but the narrator wants to live and escape the priests and their tortureous ways. A couple examples of his esacpe is first when he walks around the first cell he is placed in and tries to figure out some clues as to where he is and what may happen to him and he finds a deep trench or hole in the center of the room that he almost fell into. Second is when the narrator is strapped down and above him is a pendulum that is slowly dropping faster and faster towards him. He realizes that before the pendulum will cut him it will cut the strap that is tying him to the floor. When the pendulum is close enough, it cuts the strap leaving the narrator with a few seconds to escape, which he succeeds. His next encounter with death is when the room starts collapsing like a card board box. The priests want him to be pushed in to the middle of the room and fall into the hole. But before the room had fully collapsed the priests were over taken by the French. The French had saved the narrator before he was pushed into the hole. The theme is symbolized in "The Pit and the Pendulum" because the narrator does not give up. He tries throughout the whole story to escape death by the priests of the Spanish Inquisition. Another theme from the short story, human spirit, is also shown because he tries and tries and does not give up. He believe that he can escape and live if he believes in himself and tries his hardest.
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