my attempted haiku

Playfulness

Jumping on the trampoline,

I see a pile of leaves,

Wee, Wee, Wee

Mom waves,

And, I’m in the tub

Roselily Extra Credit

The day has finally came. He is going to take this beautiful women as his wife. He thinks about all the new responsibilities he will have. He knows he wants nothing more than for her to be happy and not have to worry about anything for the rest of their lives. So, he accepts this challenge. He can’t wait to take her back to Chicago where they will begin their life together.

Chopin Thesis Activity

Thesis #2: Chopin shows that Mrs. Mallard was imprisoned by the life she lived. The contrasting images of life and death supports the idea that she had not been fully alive until she got the news of her husband’s death. When she dies, the doctors come out and say, “she had died of heart disease-of joy the kills.” This symbolizes that she was finally at peace as a result from her husband being dead but because of that “joy” it killed her.

SSRJ # 2: D. Walker

1. Initial Personal Reaction: My initial reaction to this story was I was in a state of disbelief. I don’t know how he was able to deal with it all. He went through a great deal and I was surprised he wanted to go back to the same exact place to do some volunteer work. I know if that was me, I wouldn’t be able to return. I do have to commend him for going back though. Despite it all, it seemed like he owed it to the Vietnamese people to go there and do something good. By helping them, it helped mend some of memories that still haunt him.

2. Literary Element/Thematic Analysis: The literary element that stood out to me was the conflict. The conflict the narrator had with himself. He seems to have a lot animosity built up from his time served in Vietnam. For years, he was haunted by the memories of war. To make things worse, the narrator decides to go back to the same exact place where he fought many years prior. During his visit, he meets Dr. Dinh, who helps him make things right and resolve his conflict with himself. He no longer seems to be haunted by the images of Vietnam. He gets a sense of peace when he finally leaves.

3. Questions/Comments: Why do you think the narrator went back to the same place he fought? Would you be able to do the same thing?

SSRJ #1: Hemingway

1. Initial Personal Reaction: My initial reaction to Hemingway’s short story “Soldier’s Home” was at the beginning I was a bit confused on why Krebs returned so late compared to the other soldiers. I felt compassion toward Krebs because he had gone though a great deal and when he returned there was no warm welcome for him. There was nobody for him to talk to. He was all alone. This story is similar to what we are experiencing now with all the soldiers coming home from Iraq. This piece made me think about my dad. He served in Vietnam and to this day I still have not heard a word about it. I have asked him about it several times but he brushes it off and quickly changes the topic.

2. Literary Element/Thematic Analysis: The literary element that stood out to me was that the story was a bit ironic. The home that Krebs returned to after the war was his childhood home but he didn’t seem to feel at home. He seemed to feel more awkward then he did comfortable or relaxed. Moreover, he was quick in wanting to move away and get away from this place that was supposed to be his “home.” I think the author was attempting to say that war changes everything; what people thought they knew, who they once were. That lives are changed forever.

3. Questions/Comments: What do you think the real reason why Krebs said he doesn’t love his mother? Do you think going to war played a part on that? I mean the mother seemed like a very lovely lady who cared deeply about her son.  

BAZINGA!