Never Goodbye, Just See You Later.

We've made it! Well, almost. Graduation isn't here yet, but it is definitely right around the corner. You don’t really know how far you've come, or how much you've grown, until you take a step back and look at your life for the past four years. On your eighth grade graduation day, did you see yourself doing that same thing four years later with a different cap and gown, and a new set of friends? On your first day of high school, did you imagine yourself walking down those halls for four years?  You probably didn't  yet here you are, about to walk them for the very last time. Every one of us has accomplished some great things, whether it’s a good grade, some type of award, or just managing to stay awake in class. Regardless of what we've done, we've all ended up in the same place: walking across a stage that holds one of our last high school memories.

Your last high school memory may be different than someone else’s. While one person will remember tripping across the stage for their diploma, someone else might remember that last hug from a good friend who leaves before the summer even starts. For me, I’ll probably remember both. After graduation, we all leave to do great things, whether it’s college, the military, or a job of any kind. No matter where we’re going, we’re all starting a new, scary adventure that will take us four years or more to get through, but, we all know we are perfectly capable. We've already completed one as it is.

I've learned a lot since my freshman year. I've mastered writing a Mr. O’Shea-approved SIFT essay; I've learned how to stay awake during a multi-slide PowerPoint with too many words on each and every slide; I've really learned how to fake my way through a titration lab, even though I really did try at first. Most importantly, I've learned how to push myself to do my best, while also helping others along the way. College will be opening many new doors for us, and for the first time, we’re on our own when deciding which ones to walk through and which ones to shut. We won’t have that guaranteed safety of our friends and school faculty to help us go in the right direction. We’ll have new friends and new faculty to depend on, but in the end, we all have to learn how to trust our own judgment.

It’s really important to remember that this may be the end of a four year journey, but it’s the beginning of something much greater. We've made our fair share of mistakes, and we’re definitely going to make more. We really are growing up, and as scary as it sounds, we’re all going to be just fine. We will be faced with many challenges beyond college, but as we grow, so does our experience. We’re ready for everything that is coming our way, and as time goes on, we will be better prepared for the things we haven’t seen yet.

Now, we all need a deep breath. We’re ready, whether we think so or not. “Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!”

Wait, Did That Really Just Happen, Or...?

Yes, what you think happened, really did happen, and according to Foster, it can all be tied back to politics. In the short stories, "Everyday Use," "Good Country People," and "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been," each character has some sort of moral downfall that results in their own tragedy.

In "Everyday Use," the author tells the story of a greedy older sister who tries to show appreciation for her heritage a little too late. Dee, innocent Maggie's older sister, has come home with her possible husband (no one really knows, but no one wants to ask), and announces a significant event in her life: she changed her name to reflect the culture of her significant other. This bold statement made by Dee, now known as Wengaro, reflects societies lack of appreciation for their culture. Many people generalize their heritage by saying they are simply American, rather than stating the culture they are actually a part of. Just like Dee/Wengaro, people often forget where they came from, and they realize much too late that they didn't cherish their heritage as much as they should have or could have. In this short story, Dee's actions symbolize society's gradual descent from her true culture.

In "Good Country People," a bitter woman named Joy/Hulga faces her demise when she finds happiness in the company of a bible salesman until she discovers that his true intentions were simply to take her wooden leg.This action represents the lack of morals society has today. The bible salesman is a superficial character. Rather than looking for love from Joy/Hulga, he simply wants her leg. In society today, people tend to look for what they can get easily rather than looking for something with an emotional attachment. Greed has become a major problem. People will kill for items like a video game, money, etc. In this short story, the behavior of the bible salesman reflects the behavior of a typical American.

In "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been," Connie, a self-centered teenage girl, uses her superficial nature for an evil purpose. Her main priority is to attract a boy to hang around with, and the one who finds her most appealing turns out to be an older man disguised as a teen. His charm and ability to say the right things lure Connie to her own death. Connie represents the vanity of society. Again, the theme of the superficial comes into play. Society focuses on the material things in life instead of things that hold true value. For instance, like Connie, many worry about their appearance and its advantages, not ideas of true value like their morals. Connie worries about what boy she dates today, not the repercussions of her actions.

While none of these stories reflect a positive aspect of society, how many political relations really hold a positive connotation?

The Scarlet Letter, Post Three: Life Gets Hard, Then it Gets Harder, Then You Die.

Well, I really was right. Dimmesdale really was Pearl's father. Sorry to disappoint you Vanessa, but I read your spoiler after the book. Woo hoo for me! The end of this book was a little disappointing. I'm glad that everyone ends up exactly where they are supposed to be, but what really happened? Is Pearl really happily married, not a devil child like everyone suspected? Where did she and Hester actually go? There are so many unanswered questions at the end of this novel, and it drives me absolutely crazy. If there's one thing I hate, it's definitely an obscure ending. This is The Scarlet Letter, not Inception. 

Regardless, this book was everything I hoped it would be. After hearing so many mixed reviews about the language and plot, I was definitely nervous to read it. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the way it turned out. This book forces you to ask a lot of questions. You have to use your imagination and prior knowledge to try and infer what different parts mean. It's also fantastic how many aha! moments a reader can have throughout the novel. I had quite a few. You also need to remember what just happened to get what happens next. If you forget something, it could throw off your entire analysis. I like reading those kinds of books because I'm always interested, and I'm kept on my toes. 

This book is truly a great read, but it also teaches some valuable lessons to the readers. Here are some of the ideas that I feel Hawthorne was trying to show us.

"We are sinners all alike" (231)- Everyone in this novel sinned in some way or another. Hester and Dimmesdale both committed adultery which is one of the ultimate sins. Then to try and hide their sin, they lied about it. What is lying? A sin. Pearl didn't necessarily sin, but she played a big role in a sin. Technically, she was a sin since she was a child born out of wedlock; however, this wasn't her fault. Either way, she was involved in sin. Chillingworth plays a part in sin when he and his wife split up. Hawthorne never really specified what happened with their relationship, nor did he explain any of Chillingworth's comments about it. Regardless, Chillingworth admitted that he sinned in their relationship. So let's go with that. What Hawthorne is trying to show readers is that we sin all the time. We might not realize it, or the sin might be so minute that we don't even regard it as a sin. Either way, we're all sinners; the important part is how we repent.

"'Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!'" (231)- At the end of all the games, Dimmesdale and Hester both came to the conclusion that lying was a bad idea, and telling the truth is always the best virtue. This is a life lesson too. You should always tell the truth, no matter what the circumstance is. If Dimmesdale would've told the truth from the beginning, maybe his illness wouldn't have affected him the way it did. Maybe he wouldn't have died before having the chance to watch his daughter grow up. Moral of the story? Honesty really is the best policy. You get so much farther in life being honest, even if it doesn't always seem like it.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. It may seem like a semi-difficult read. The language takes a bit of adjustment, and the plot tends to take a little while to pick up. Either way, this book was amazing. It makes you think while teaching you something that you will definitely find valuable later in life. 

The Scarlet Letter, Post Two: I Like it When I'm Right

In literature, readers often have an "aha!" moment. This moment is probably one of the best feelings a reader can have, and I definitely had it in the middle of this book. Remember my last post when I said that I'm pretty sure Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl? Well, I was right. Aha!

In the middle of the novel, we learn a lot about Dimmesdale's character. For instance, we see his weakness. He can never seem to get out how he's really feeling. In a moment of weakness, Dimmesdale sees all of the community judging him. Hawthorne writes, "It is the unspeakable misery of a life so false as his, that it steals the pith and substance out of whatever realities there are around us, and which were meant by Heaven to be the spirit's joy and nutriment" (133). Dimmesdale knows that his life seems to be a joke. He understands the consequences of his previous actions, and he can also predict the severe judgement that goes with it. He knows exactly what direction he is heading in, but he does nothing to stop it. He is too scared to try and fix the problem he has created for himself. Obviously, due to his physical ailment, we know that he is weak in the physical sense. However, through his actions involving the truth about his crime, we see that he is also weak when it comes to personality and mentality. 

In this portion of the novel, we also see some symbolism connected with Dimmesdale. One major symbolic object is Dimmesdale's glove. Somehow, Chillingworth stumbled across a glove, and Dimmesdale recognized it to be his. According to Chillingworth, "'A pure hand needs no glove to cover it!'" (143). The only one that needs a glove is the Devil because of all of his impurities. This illustrates how Dimmesdale's character is representative of the Devil. This also provides more clues as to what role Dimmesdale plays in Hester and Pearl's life. Although he hasn't just come out and admitted it yet, it is clear that Dimmesdale has committed some horrible crime that he will forever punish himself for. Once we hit chapter fourteen, the gloves come off and the truth comes out. 

This is the part where I get to say I told you so. There is no doubt that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father. Although he still cannot muster the courage to admit this to the community, he has an encounter with Hester, and they delve into their feelings a little bit. Readers really do learn that Foster was right when he said that an illness is more than just being sick. For Dimmesdale, his illness is representative of the poor mark on his reputation because of his sins. Chillingworth highlights this illness when he comes around. It is obvious that both Dimmesdale and Chillingworth suspect something about each other. When Hester finally tells Dimmesdale that Chillingworth was her husband, Dimmesdale said, "'I did know it!'" (175). Clearly, this illness is more than just some chest pains. This is the pang of guilt Dimmesdale constantly faces, as well as the struggle to continue on with life.

One of the biggest giveaways that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father is when Hester says, "Your sin is left behind you, in the days long past" (173). No other character has really hinted at the possibility that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father; however, when Hester makes this comment, it becomes clear that she knows something about Dimmesdale that no one else does. And what does she know? She knows that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father. They still have not come right out and said it, but I'll be extremely surprised if I really am wrong. There is no other logical explanation for all of the things happening, so I'm going to continue to think my idea is the right answer; that this was my aha! moment, and I really understood it. 

Now it's time to finish the rest of this novel. It's been great so far, and I'm excited to finish out this journey with Hester, Dimmesdale, Pearl, Chillingworth, that dog over there, the person making the coffee, and the editor of that one magazine. Needless to say, I'm intrigued and ready to see where these characters are headed.

The Scarlet Letter, Post One: Holy Irony, Batman.

When I first chose to read the Scarlet Letter, I knew it was rich with literary elements. Nathaniel Hawthorne develops themes that teach readers valuable lessons, some of which are applicable to their own lives. He also includes symbols and ironic occurrences that carry meaning throughout the entire novel, or at least the first nine chapters that I have read. One of the biggest ironic instances is the scarlet letter itself. The letter is "in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread" (Hawthorne 50). Hester Prynne, a master with a needle, sewed this beautiful, vivid scarlet A which she is forced to wear on her clothes for the rest of her existence; however, how embarrassing is it to wear something beautiful? Yes, the meaning behind the letter is horrid and uncomfortable. It draws attention to Hester throughout each chapter of the novel so far, and enforces constant judgement in a negative way. The meaning of the letter contrasts with the appearance of the letter, ultimately making the letter itself ironic.

Also ironic is the appearance of characters Roger Chillingworth and Mr. Dimmesdale. I believe that both of them have some connection to Hester and Pearl. In the fourth chapter, readers learn that Roger Chillingworth is actually Hester's mysterious husband that everyone knows about, but no one has ever seen. Although he does not fully blame Hester for leaving him because of his "unnatural decay" (whatever that means), he does ask that Hester "Breathe not, to any human soul, that thou didst ever call me husband" (71). Roger is embarrassed by his marriage to Hester, but that's not really the ironic idea. Mr. Dimmesdale is part of the clergy, and he seems to be a mediator between Hester and whoever she argues with at the time. Dimmesdale may be a younger member of the clergy, but there must be a more logical reason for him always sticking up for Hester and Pearl. He refused to punish her when she was first presented in front of the community after giving birth, and he helped protest against Governor Billingham when he tried to take Pearl away from Hester. Both of these instances show a deeper connection between Hester, Pearl and Dimmesdale, than a simple excuse of Dimmesdale being "young and foolish." Still, this is not necessarily the ironic part.

What really is ironic is the connection between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth at the the end of the ninth chapter. While Chillingworth has a definite connection to Hester, Dimmesdale only has one based on speculation. Is it possible that Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl? Hawthorne constantly mentions how Dimmesdale seems to stray from the traditional religious practice. Sometimes Dimmesdale doesn't even want to partake in it, and he enjoys "the relief of looking at the universe through the medium of another kind of intellect than those with which he habitually held converse" (112). Also, members of the community develop the notion that Dimmesdale and Chillingworth may have a relationship deeper than doctor-patient, if you get what I'm saying. Already, Hawthorne hints at Dimmesdale's tendency to not follow the rules. It wouldn't be surprising if he turned out to be Pearl's father. Also, this would increase the ironic factor in the novel. The man who was married to and left by Hester, has befriended the man who may or may not have impregnated Hester. If that's not ironic, I don't know what is. Again, this is all an assumption, but it really wouldn't surprise me if it were true.

So far, this novel is more than I expected it to be. It has taken a bit to pick up, but even the "boring" parts spark some interest in me. There are so many other lessons taught in the first nine chapters, but irony seems to be one of the major aspects of the novel so far, and definitely one worth discussing. I'm super excited to continue with the novel and get all of my strange, but important, questions answered.

[shy-ann]

Cheyenne [shy-ann]

Daughter of Robert and Renee, granddaughter of Anna, Stanley, Lorraine, and Charles, sister of none. The baby of the family. Owner of Minnie Mouse, the dog, and an infinite number of shoes. Best friend of Amaranta and Terry, partner in crime of Vanessa. A wishful thinker who hopes for the best in everything. Practices a religion based on God and coffee. Lover of the color yellow, sandy beaches, and warm nights. A daughter who constantly tries to please her parents, even when she gets flustered with failed attempts. A granddaughter, niece, and cousin who impresses her family with her accomplishments. A student who works her hardest, and aims for success and high goals.  A tennis player who strives to do her best on and off the court. A healthy eater who still succumbs to that chocolate cupcake too often. She's ready to head off to college, but leery of what lies ahead. Most importantly, she's a girl who is defining herself in new ways everyday.