Montag's Marriage

In Montag's marriage, one significant thing was missing, something that relationships need to survive: love. Even in the beginning Montag knew that his marriage was falling apart, but he forced himself to believe that it would be fine. When one day Montag asked Mildred about the first time they met, things become clear. "Funny, how funny, not to remember where or when you met your husband'r wife." (Pg. 43) In a strong marriage, this answer would be imprinted in their heads. This shows how trust isn't present, how this marriage is a joke, and how little this marriage means. Mildred shrugged off the fact that neither of them remembered, but Montag started to realize that maybe his marriage wouldn't end the way he wanted it to and he needed to face the truth.

In a time of sorrow, where do we turn? In a time of distress, where do we look? In a time of troubles, where do we find comfort? Maybe family, maybe a friend, maybe a toy, maybe a room. Maybe some would try to think positive and seek an exhibit of hope. Something not many would turn to, infinite glass objects, could bring hope to all situations. Many may believe not, but think, maybe they're showing how life goes on. Maybe they're showing everybody is unique. Maybe they're showing different doors open. But right now, it helps me through, realizing life will go on, I am unique, and there are many ways my life could turn. All from these glass objects, giving hope.

I know it's blurry, but if you click on it, it will open and will be easier to read. Also, the rhythm is kind of off, so if you have suggestions, make sure to tell me.

Losing Love

After Pip turns down Joe for his supposedly intriguing new life—brought to him by his secret benefactor—Joe says this to Pip; "'Pip, dear old chap, life is made of ever so many partings welded together, as I may say, and one man's a blacksmith, and one's a whitesmith, and one's a goldsmith, and one's a coppersmith. Divisions among such must come, and must be met as they come. If there's been any fault at all to-day, it's mine.'" (Pg. 223) Joe has loved Pip with all his soul, his mind, and his heart, even when Mrs. Joe didn’t; within one day, even one moment, Pip has given away his love—the most precious gift of all. Most people would blame Pip for this situation, but Joe, being the loyal man he is, blames himself, without any remorse. With his new life falling into place, Pip’s love has been distributed to different things, like money, instead of beneficial things. Love in Pip’s heart used to be filial, like Joe’s continues to be, but once he heard that he could prosper, Joe was forgotten and washed down the drain.

Wemmick's Changing Personality

Wemmick was thought of as a stern man that worked for the prominent Jaggers collecting money. As Pip ventured out to Wemmick’s “castle” for dinner, he realized that there were two sides to this man. During Pip’s visit, Wemmick was pleasant and the exact opposite of his work self. Intimidated by Jaggers at work, Wemmick used his home to escape from that feeling. At home, Wemmick was free to act how he wanted, free to do what he wanted, and free to be himself. Wemmick’s personality contradicts from work to home because of this. “By degrees, Wemmick got dryer and harder as we went along, and his mouth tightened into a post-office again.” (Pg. 209) Every day, on the way to work, this change took place in Wemmick, just so he could fit in with the wealthier class.

Pip's Home Life

At the Gargery house, Joe and Pip are abused for little nonsense mistakes. All of their pain leads back to Mrs. Joe. Punishment occurs when Pip asks too many questions, and he is punished by having to drink tar water. Mrs. Joe, Pip’s sister, is in charge at the house while Joe sits back and is disciplined by her. She bangs Joe’s head against the wall when something happens that she doesn’t like. She’s very cruel, and uses the Tickler to prove her points. She beats Pip with the Tickler and doesn’t think anything of it. Many acts of violence have showed up so far in Pip's home life.

The Good Earth Summative Essay

http://jgohlke1615.blogspot.com/

This is my The Good Earth summative essay. While reading The Good Earth, I always thought about how there were choices in the novel. Wang was always making choices, and they always contributed to his fall as a person. He was also never pleased with what he had, and constantly wanted more. I wrote my thesis and my essay about those things. Enjoy!

Autumn Memories

Walking down the deserted path,

looking around and seeing all the colors.

The bright colors,

the oranges,

the reds,

the yellows.

Never ending all around me.

Overwhelming me.

Autumn memories.

Taking me to a new place,

where everything is perfect.

hear the wind whooshing through the trees.

The smell of leaves burning surrounds me.

Autumn memories.

A perfect life for a moment.

Nothing to be in the way,

nothing to stop me,

and nothing to hold me back,

from the life I always dreamed of.

But this path is leading me home,

to the place I know,

back to family,

back to friends,

back to reality.

I have this memory,

of this bright fall day.

Where nothing could prevent me from dreaming.

Autumn memories.

Mountain Gifts

The mountain comes into view,

I see how beautiful this thing is.

Sparkling in the sunset,

Twinkling in the sky.

It was a gift to us,

From God,

Showing how life can be amazing.

As I hike around the mountain,

The other side comes into view.

A hideous thing,

Opposite the other side,

I sit down to think.

Life has two sides,

Good and bad.

You will see both,

Feel both,

And live both.

Differences are a necessity in life.

It was a gift to us,

From God,

Showing how life can be difficult.

I start hiking home,

And thank God for this mountain.

W.H. Auden Biography Info

My poet is W.H. Auden. He was born on February 21, 1907 in York, England. His full name is Wystan Hugh Auden. He was the youngest of three boys born to George and Constance Auden. George Auden was a medical officer in Birmingham and a psychologist. Constance Auden was a devoted Anglican (a member of the church in England). He moved to Birmingham as a child.

W.H. Auden was a English-born American poet, inspired by Thomas Hardy, Robert Frost, William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Gerald Manley Hopkins, and Old English verse. His works are centered around moral issues and show strong political and social orientations.

He died September 28, 1973 in Vienna, Austria from heart failure. His remains are buried in Kirchstetten, Austria.

Wang's Uncle and New Life 9/25

Wang Lung's uncle did not have a very good first impression on me. The way Wang described him and held conversation with him made me feel like something was wrong between them. His uncle also didn't want to see his own brother, Wang's father. His wife is lazy, his kids are useless, and his land doesn't grow. Wang's aunt claims it's an evil destiny. It doesn't seem like his uncle is willing to work for the necessities in life, where as Wang is determined to suvive. The way Wang's uncle isn't willing to work makes me think of him as a lazy, self-centered, bum of a man, who will tear down anyone who looks like they're doing well in life.

Another important part of the book was when Wang moved his family. When Wang decides to take his family south, he knows things will be different, and he desperately hopes it will be for the better.They leave their home, their land, and their lives to go south for the hope of something, even just slightly, better than before. Wang isn't used to begging, he's used to being able to provide for himself. So when begging is the only way to support his family, Wang is very uncomfortable. He decides to earn money by taking people to and from their destinations. Men start telling him that he needs to argue for better pay. Since Wang Lung isn't used to doing this, he doesn't take action. Wang enjoys life in the city because of the food and shelter provided. I don't think he's having an easy time adjusting. Without his land, his house, and his home city, I believe that Wang is lost and powerless.

River Poem

Water pounds into rocks,
Flowing fast,
Slowing down,
Only to hit another rock,
And swiftly flow again.
Taking a leaf,
Taking a twig,
Taking a child.
These aren't just objects.
They represent my life.
Hitting obstacles,
Overcoming them,
A smooth ride for awhile,
Another rock,
Another obstacle,
Another thing to get through.
Back and forth.
Back and forth.
This is how life goes,
But don't give up,
and be washed ashore.
Keep slamming into rocks,
Until you move ahead,
Around,
Or above that rock,
That is how life goes.