H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man excited me. The title instantly gives the story away. It is about an invisible man. But what burdens does this man carry when his mental health begins to leave him?
The theme is hidden even if it seems obvious. Yes, it is about this invisible man. But what is the deep underlying theme to it, the meaning? Perhaps it's man lust for wanting to be known, to be noticed by society as a normal person. TIM, the invisible man for short, is the main character. He is seen as a gentleman and a scientist. He wears clothes so people think he is visible but gives the impression of a scarred, disfigured man since he wears bandages on his face and never removes his clothing. He wants people to know he's there. Mr. Marvel, a minor character toward the middle, is a sort of hermit and is very average. But it changes when TIM decides to use him for his own gain. Though Mr. Marvel wants people to know that this invisible man is holding him hostage, another wish to be noticed. Kemp, a professor, lives a boring, mundane life. Everything is always average until TIM begs him for help. Now he wants to be apart of a bigger picture.
A book that it reminds me of is, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde". Because both of these men are met with ill fortune by their experiments. As for current events, I can think of nothing. But it did get to me on a personal level. TIM just wishes to be normal and noticed.
I feel like I can believe in these characters, because they act the way I'd expect them to if they met an invisible man. But I did very much enjoy the characters. They made the story very enjoyable. TIM acts like a gentleman but if angered he gets very destructive and temperamental. Though he does it in a gentleman fashion with cool wit. Mr. Marvel is a sniveling coward who is terrified by TIM, but does as he says. But I like him because his cowardly humor is funny when TIM is around to make fun of it. Lastly, Kemp thinks he's crazy because he's helping TIM. So he argues with himself.
I have to say I loved this book. It's underlying was very funny, if caught. But it is for the older generations who understand Old English, so they may better enjoy it. Either way, this was a great read!
Pages: 200
Friday, November 19, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Argument: No Homework
Assertion/Claim (Topic Sentence)
Commentary 2- To me, it is only an unnecessary practice meant for children that need it. If a student makes good grades they should have the option of no homework. But if the student struggles homework would be good for grasping the concept.
Evidence (Concrete Details)
That with no homework, children had a better attitude with school and were more willing to attend.
Commentary 1- With the extra time reserved from the lack of homework, a child could spend it having family time with parents and siblings. This would benefit the relationship between children and their parents.
Commentary 2- Lack of attendance has been often linked to children forgetting homework or an assignment that was due that day. But if they had no worries about this problem then they would be more willing to attend.
Opposing Claims:
We should not have homework. It is proven that, in some cases, homework has no impact on grades or test scores. That with no homework, children had a better attitude with school and were more willing to attend. Also, parents reported that they had less conflict with their children without homework. Having no homework would help children learn more, because without the stress of homework they're minds would be more focused. Also, home life would improve because there would be no conflict over, "Have you done your homework?" Within my school, I know many students that hardly even do there homework and still make good grades. To me, it is only an unnecessary practice meant for children that need it. If a student makes good grades they should have the option of no homework. With the extra time reserved from the lack of homework, a child could spend it having family time with parents and siblings. This would benefit the relationship between children and their parents.
Some claim that without homework, children will start to fail their classes and lose their drive. They argue that homework has been fundamental for teaching children for generations. Why change a good thing? Though I concede that homework can be useful, I still insist it should only be used for children that need the extra help and practice.
My thinking: This paragraph is mainly deductive because I did it mostly from my own reasoning.
Source: The Pros of No Homework
- We should not have homework.
- It is proven that, in some cases, homework has no impact on grades or test scores.
Commentary 2- To me, it is only an unnecessary practice meant for children that need it. If a student makes good grades they should have the option of no homework. But if the student struggles homework would be good for grasping the concept.
Evidence (Concrete Details)
Commentary 1- With the extra time reserved from the lack of homework, a child could spend it having family time with parents and siblings. This would benefit the relationship between children and their parents.
Commentary 2- Lack of attendance has been often linked to children forgetting homework or an assignment that was due that day. But if they had no worries about this problem then they would be more willing to attend.
Opposing Claims:
- Some claim that without homework, children will start to fail their classes and lose their drive.
- They argue that homework has been fundamental for teaching children for generations. Why change a good thing?
- Though I concede that homework can be useful, I still insist it should only be used for children that need the extra help and practice.
We should not have homework. It is proven that, in some cases, homework has no impact on grades or test scores. That with no homework, children had a better attitude with school and were more willing to attend. Also, parents reported that they had less conflict with their children without homework. Having no homework would help children learn more, because without the stress of homework they're minds would be more focused. Also, home life would improve because there would be no conflict over, "Have you done your homework?" Within my school, I know many students that hardly even do there homework and still make good grades. To me, it is only an unnecessary practice meant for children that need it. If a student makes good grades they should have the option of no homework. With the extra time reserved from the lack of homework, a child could spend it having family time with parents and siblings. This would benefit the relationship between children and their parents.
Some claim that without homework, children will start to fail their classes and lose their drive. They argue that homework has been fundamental for teaching children for generations. Why change a good thing? Though I concede that homework can be useful, I still insist it should only be used for children that need the extra help and practice.
My thinking: This paragraph is mainly deductive because I did it mostly from my own reasoning.
Source: The Pros of No Homework
Friday, November 5, 2010
Book Review: Flags of Our Fathers
James Bradley's Flags Of Our Fathers made me understand. From the title and cover you can almost predict for certain that it's about a war. But it is much more than that. It's about boys becoming men, whether they want to or not.
The theme is not too difficult to decipher. This book taught me more than just men who gave up their lives to keep our freedom.But fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, and friends gave their lives. Rene Gagnon, a main character, was born to millfield workers. He had a family and siblings that loved him. But on his own choice he joined the war and risked everything. Jack Bradley had everything he ever wanted. But as the war started he chose the navy to help others with his medical abilities. Harlon Block was a star athlete with a way out of the war. He had no obligation to have to fight. But he chose to help the people of the country he loved.
I can not think of a book that connects to this book. But the book does relate to current events. As with this book, our we are at war with another country. Though men do not have to fight the war, they risk everything for us. But this book does not connect with me on a personal level.
As for the characters, I feel they are as real as possible because they are. Each man in this book were real people that fought for this country. I liked every character, though some more than others, making it very enjoyable to read. Mike Strank was an immigrant from the czech republic and had no obligations to fight this war. But he loved his adopted country so much, he sacrificed all he had to defend it. Frank Sously was not even old enough to go to war. But he fast talked his way into the ranks of the marines. Jack Bradley had finished all of his college education and was ready to start the business he always wanted but when war arrived. He was ready to battle for his country.
My recommendations are very high for this book! It was an excellent read and was bursting with imagery. Though I would suggest it as a teenager and up book. The imagery is gorey and not for the sensitive hearted. But men will be absorbed with this book. Even if they do not enjoy reading.
Pages: 250
The theme is not too difficult to decipher. This book taught me more than just men who gave up their lives to keep our freedom.But fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, and friends gave their lives. Rene Gagnon, a main character, was born to millfield workers. He had a family and siblings that loved him. But on his own choice he joined the war and risked everything. Jack Bradley had everything he ever wanted. But as the war started he chose the navy to help others with his medical abilities. Harlon Block was a star athlete with a way out of the war. He had no obligation to have to fight. But he chose to help the people of the country he loved.
I can not think of a book that connects to this book. But the book does relate to current events. As with this book, our we are at war with another country. Though men do not have to fight the war, they risk everything for us. But this book does not connect with me on a personal level.
As for the characters, I feel they are as real as possible because they are. Each man in this book were real people that fought for this country. I liked every character, though some more than others, making it very enjoyable to read. Mike Strank was an immigrant from the czech republic and had no obligations to fight this war. But he loved his adopted country so much, he sacrificed all he had to defend it. Frank Sously was not even old enough to go to war. But he fast talked his way into the ranks of the marines. Jack Bradley had finished all of his college education and was ready to start the business he always wanted but when war arrived. He was ready to battle for his country.
My recommendations are very high for this book! It was an excellent read and was bursting with imagery. Though I would suggest it as a teenager and up book. The imagery is gorey and not for the sensitive hearted. But men will be absorbed with this book. Even if they do not enjoy reading.
Pages: 250
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Bullying Mentality
In this world we live in there are many types of bullying behaviors. It's just the job of identifying them when they show themselves. The easiest to identify is name calling. The bully may think he/she is not hurting the victim but it causes more pain than they know. Name calling can be hurtful even if the person means to be playful. Next is physical bullying. Physically touching someone to cause bodily harm is never right, even if the victim is bigger than the bully. This type of bullying also leads to emotional abuse. Lastly, we come to mental abuse. Telling someone that they are not worth anything or that no one loves them is mentally tearing the victim apart. They could start to believe that what they say is true, leading to depression. Bullying comes in every shape and form but it is never right.
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