11th Grade
Metaphor & Memories
Junior year was my favorite and happiest year. I had complete control of my life, searching for what college I could potentially attend was my number one priority. My parents gave me the choice to choose they weren’t going to tell me where to go. During this year I was my most energetic, I pretty much went out every weekend with my friends, staying in the home was something I couldn’t go through. I always wanted to be out, Shiana and I were closer than ever, we spent almost every day together. Ringdance was the best night ever we had so much fun, it was definitely a night to remember. I had to be more precise with my life by taking the SATs to be qualified to go to the colleges I was interested in. All I can remember was studying night after night because I didn't know what to expect on the test. I also experience going to UVA to watch our football team in the finals, it was a tough lost for the team, and that day showed me how proud I am to a dolphin. I was depressed just as the team was when they lost because I really thought and wanted them to win. Making high school fun was important to me only because I want to be able to tell my future kids that high school is something to enjoy.
The stories we read this year embrace my mind, I was interested in most of the reading. The Great Gatsby was definitely one of my favorite stories. I love any love story, and this story really had me falling in love with Gatsby. I really believe guys should be more like Gatsby. The Scarlet Letter didn’t interest me at all. I just didn’t like the language it was written in, most of the time I barely understand the story.
Adding color to junior year was when Mr. Finnegan had us do the Into the Wild journal project. I was able to expressed my thoughts in a journal for 15 minutes in the quite with no electronics. I didn’t realize how much would go through my mind. I was very successful with this project, and actually enjoy it. This year was definitely a year I didn’t enjoy writing especially literary analysis. I dislike analysis so much but in the end I always wrote them.
Junior year was amazing. I don’t regret anything that had happen that year. I love almost every one of my teachers, they all help me through this year. I was never alone. Friends and family also made me a better person.
Junior year was my favorite and happiest year. I had complete control of my life, searching for what college I could potentially attend was my number one priority. My parents gave me the choice to choose they weren’t going to tell me where to go. During this year I was my most energetic, I pretty much went out every weekend with my friends, staying in the home was something I couldn’t go through. I always wanted to be out, Shiana and I were closer than ever, we spent almost every day together. Ringdance was the best night ever we had so much fun, it was definitely a night to remember. I had to be more precise with my life by taking the SATs to be qualified to go to the colleges I was interested in. All I can remember was studying night after night because I didn't know what to expect on the test. I also experience going to UVA to watch our football team in the finals, it was a tough lost for the team, and that day showed me how proud I am to a dolphin. I was depressed just as the team was when they lost because I really thought and wanted them to win. Making high school fun was important to me only because I want to be able to tell my future kids that high school is something to enjoy.
The stories we read this year embrace my mind, I was interested in most of the reading. The Great Gatsby was definitely one of my favorite stories. I love any love story, and this story really had me falling in love with Gatsby. I really believe guys should be more like Gatsby. The Scarlet Letter didn’t interest me at all. I just didn’t like the language it was written in, most of the time I barely understand the story.
Adding color to junior year was when Mr. Finnegan had us do the Into the Wild journal project. I was able to expressed my thoughts in a journal for 15 minutes in the quite with no electronics. I didn’t realize how much would go through my mind. I was very successful with this project, and actually enjoy it. This year was definitely a year I didn’t enjoy writing especially literary analysis. I dislike analysis so much but in the end I always wrote them.
Junior year was amazing. I don’t regret anything that had happen that year. I love almost every one of my teachers, they all help me through this year. I was never alone. Friends and family also made me a better person.
Introduction
During my junior year my assignment was to write a theme literary analysis on “Of Mice and Men”. I had to incorporate quotes from the book, used correction citations, and have my theme reflect off of the book.
During my junior year my assignment was to write a theme literary analysis on “Of Mice and Men”. I had to incorporate quotes from the book, used correction citations, and have my theme reflect off of the book.
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Weakness
Many people have problems in their life that they can’t handle. They struggle mentally and physically, and oftentimes these struggles can be described as some type of weakness. Mentally they are depressed; most are unsure about their lives. Steinbeck wrote Of Mice and Men having his characters struggle through their own weakness. George wanting to make it in life being something better than what he already is, but can’t with Lennie as a distraction. Candy isn't happy with the way his life is turning out, and finally Crook being the only African American. Lennie being mentally ill, George did whatever it took to protect him. “God a’ mighty if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an’ work an’ no trouble… I got you!.. You do bad things and I got to get you out (10)”. It was the Great Depression during the time and it was hard for George to get a decent job. During the Great Depression most people lost everything they had and they were broke too. George wanted to save his money to get his own farm. He didn’t want to work for others people anymore. George couldn’t live up to his expectations if Lennie was always getting in trouble. Lennie was so mentally confused that when he likes to touch something or someone it gets hurt. In their time mentally people was treated worse than jail prisoners. People didn’t care for them which is why George did everything he could to keep Lennie safe. George caring for another man other than himself is what’s make him weak. He couldn’t be the man he wanted to be if he kept running for Lennie. Imagine having to work with one hand as an elderly person. It’s not something most people would do. Candy was that person. When he work on the farm all he would do is sweep the floors, he had no real duty because of his arm and age. “Awright- take’em (47)” “You seen what they done to my dog tonight? ... I won’t have no place to go an’ I can’t get no more job (60)”. If anyone threatens someone they have the right to defend themselves. Candy couldn’t do that, he let most of the men in the house walk over him. During the Great Depression you would work for anyone that will hire you because you needed the money. That was Candy struggle he couldn’t work anywhere else with his arm being broken. In the end, the person who felt the most weak was Crook. He was the only African American working on the farm. “This is just a nigger talkin’ an’ a busted-back nigger (71)”. African Americans weren’t accepted down south where Crook was working. Many white people didn’t accept them. They would ignore and wouldn’t acknowledge a black person. From that being this made Crook lonely and depressed. The environment he lived in wasn’t the same as the one he grew up in. He was used to playing with the white kids when he was young so coming to the farm was a change for him. He saw how whites dislike him when they wouldn’t even be in the same room as him. Weakness can have people struggle in a mentally and physically way. Steinbeck wrote this novel explaining the struggle that was happening during the Great Depression. Every one of his characters was weak. They all had their problems that they couldn’t handle but they managed to find a way to deal with it. Reflection Application This assignment was similar to any other essay I wrote during my years in high school because being able to write an essay about the theme of a novel shows how well I had understand the . If I could use this essay in the future, it will to prove that Of Mice and Men theme was based off of weakness. Analysis I felt that I did pretty well on this assignment, I used correct citations. Each quote I used in the essay completely reflects off of my thesis. If I was to change this paper I would have made it longer than it was, I see now it was quickly written. I could have put more thought into the paper. I started my hook saying “Many people have problems in their life that they can’t handle”, that’s kind of too vague it didn't really catch my attention so it definitely probably didn't catch others. I would change my hook to be more efficient. My conclusion could have been better also. I said “They all had their problems that they couldn't handle but they managed to find a way to deal with it”. It wasn't a powerful conclusion. In an essay the introduction and the conclusion makes the essays the supporting paragraphs just to make the essay more entertaining to read. Evaluation Sophomore year was based on the American Dream so writing was very important. I need to work hard on my grammar again, I came to the conclusion my grammar isn’t the best. It still was my weakness but the more practice I know I could have improved. Mr. Finnegan was an amazing teacher because he helped me throughout the year to improve my writing. I wouldn't accept any essay of mine if it wasn't at its best. I improve more and more, one I never procrastinate on an assignment. I always had it done on time I feel when I procrastinate the assignment will never be at its best. Creation The only way for me to improve is practice more. Writing is something I will always have to do so why would I not practice. I know I’m going to college so I will have to keep writing. My teacher helped me throughout the year with giving an outline to start an essay. He should keep that process going because it works really well. My peers giving their though on my essay also helps too. It’s always good to know others feedback. |