The Garden Party

What does the story signify?

The Story exemplifies a hate between two classes. A hate so strong that a workman can't talk to a wealthy girl in a certain tone of voice.

How does the story signify this?

I did poorly in finding specific details in the story that Foster wrote about. One parallel I did find was between Mrs. Sheridan and Jose. In putting together the garden party both people went through the same troubles. While Mrs. Sheridan had to command her children Jose had to command is workers. In doing so the author makes a connection between the two even though they are separated by class.

Caparison

I did absolutely horrible in finding connections and similarities. While I did find one deeper meaning my understanding of literature is quite awful. However the want to understand these things is there thanks to my want to understand different ideas and viewpoints.

Harry Potter's Scar

Harry's scar is seemingly so small and insignificant but sums his entire existence. It doesn't do much to further the plot. The scar's whole purpose is to be one giant, everlasting symbol. It shows his intense past and his promising future, his acceptance of the world and his troubles with it. The Harry Potter Series is, at its core as most books are, the fight between good and evil. At the base of that fight is Harry, at the opposing side, Voldemort. The scar is the symbol of the relationship between them, thus the symbol of the whole book together. The scar is everything in the Harry Potter series. It's in the center of the plot, and the main character.

Archetype

If your planning on reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy don't read any further.

Archetype - The usual pattern that plot's center around.

An typical story might go as the following.

1.A group of people are in a sticky situation. A problem has presented itself.

2.A man takes it upon himself to be the leader.

3.That man sacrifices himself for the good of the others.

We've all heard this story before. The Bible, Harry Potter, and The Road all follow this typical outline to a certain extent, but especially The Road by Cormac McCarthy. In this novel the first thing the reader notices is the apocalyptic setting, the world has seemingly gone through a nuclear war. A boy and what seems to be his father are pushing a cart full of almost useless things, trying to survive, living off of whatever they can. The're on a journey, they even follow a road (it doesn't get more unoriginal then that). The man is obviously the leader and becomes worn and frail soon, he gives the boy the pistol and doesn't expect to survive, however when the time presents itself he sacrifices himself for the life of the child. By buying into what we all think is going to happen McCarthy makes the story predictable yet tasty, easy yet satisfactory.

Exept Sex

We all know Austin Powers. We all know the era. We all know Austin Powers gets laid in that era. This much information is well understood that showing it even further does nothing for the writer, its progresses the story none. So the author doesn't, instead he progresses the plot further by making a sort of metaphor. When Austin is about to do "it" the scene cuts out. But why? Isn't that what he was all about? Isn't that the plot of this stupid movie? Well yes to the both of those questions. The author instead cuts to a new scene in which a volcano erupts. It's a seemingly unimportant detail but it means a lot. By bypassing the usual sex scene the author moves on a new level. A metaphorical one. The viewer can feel the power of the night without having to really feel it.

Who is Peter Wood?

Political

Animal Farm

This book is wildly famous for being overwhelmingly political, and for good reason. It's parallel to the Russian revolution is as sharp as it is simple, brilliant as it is haunting. The book begins with a dream, just as all revolutions do, that was brought to life by an old dying pig. This dying pig, "Old Major or rather Vladimir Lenin, arouses an army of farm animals to overthrow their owner setting in motion a myriad of metaphors and allusions to Troshkey, Stalin, czars, and hypocrites. After Old Major dies two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball, fight for power to be the dictator, therefore buying into their roles as power hungry generals/tyrants. This is the brilliance of the novel. While the characters in the book are animals the men in reality are not. These two universes work in perfect harmony as perfect metaphor to build up to the end in which the owners, men, and the dictator pig, an animal, stare each other down across a table and it becomes hard to tell "which one was which".

Top Ten Reads for 2012

I was referred to Family Happiness (1859) by Christopher McCandless through a book called, Into the Wild, which is a novel based on a true story that I hold with great value. After further research into Christopher I learned of the books he read and loved. Soon after I learned that Family Happiness by Leo Tolstoy was right up my alley. Short only 164 pages, yet potent, the themes on marriage and settle lifestyles are very attractive. Should be a very enjoyable and powerful read.

The Metamorphosis (1915) by Franz Kafka was prescribed to me by Ms. Huff after she listened to a speech of mine in oral communications. After claiming I was doomed to grow up to be the same as everyone else she must have been reminded of The metamorphosis and it's themes of conformity. The book is simple and short, only 76 pages.

Zorba the Greek (1946) by Nikos Kazantzakis was also in a collection of books held by Christopher McCandless. I will admit I don't know much of the novel itself but of the author, Nikos Kazantzakis. He himself was a famous philosopher; this being his most famous work that explored themes of marriage I had to pick this one. I know the novel isn't challenging and at only 320 pages it should be fairly easy.

336 Henry David Thoreau is very famous and for good reason. Walden (1854) is very famous. I'm hoping that's also for good reason. The novel, from what I understand, is 336 pages of pure "hermit" confinment which is a lifestyle that I find interesting and possibly enjoyable thus the attraction to this book. By reading this novel I feel like I am investigating yet another type of life that I have not experienced.

The Awakening (1899) by Kate Chopin 192 Besides being incredibly famous, I feel the need and want to read this classic novel because of it's themes on individuality. I'm assuming the read will be very difficult considering the time period and author but I'm nonetheless hopeful it will prove itself valuable.

I'm yearning to understand the concepts and lessons contained in Friedrich Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra (1883-1885). I've read small increments of his work, which I've found interesting and entertaining, and obviously want to read more. This being one of his first works its seems like a logical place to start and at 330 pages it seems like a simple one too.

Nothing screams "classic" more than The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885). This combined with its short length, only 276 pages, and positive acclaim by most everyone I meet, drives me to read this novel. From what I understand its written in simple vernacular so it should be fairly easy to read.

Because both novels draw on very similar themes, I want to read The Catcher in the Rye (1951) by J.D. Salinger for the same reasons I want to read The adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I'd like to read The Catcher in the Rye because I've heard bits like "Salinger's genius..." and considering its shortness, 288 pages, and this being his most famous work I'd like to start her

Out of the Silent Planet (1938) by C.S. Lewis was recommended to me by my friend, Sean Roulier. He claims the book as one of his favorites for it's complexity and parallels to Christianity. I find Lewis's balance of religious faith and intelligence fascinating and would like to understand more of his wit. At 160 pages, it should be easy to do so.

At 460 pages, The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley (1987), should be one of the longer books I read this year. I stumbled upon the book on Time's list of the most influential nonfiction books of the 20th century, this impressive fact combined with my father constantly pushing in my face makes it hard to pass up. Although lengthy, my fascination with fantastic and strong-willed individuals should pull me through to the end, the read shouldn't be too challenging.