The soloist chapters 13-22

Two different lifestyles.

As i read on in The Soloist, im starting to notice a strive for dominance in Nathaniels life. This struggle is between Nathaniel himself and Lopez.

Nathaniel seems to be happy with the life he is living. He is homeless, owns a wheel cart, his instruments, has no money or food, yet seems satisfied. Lopez doesn't understand how anyone, even one with mental illness can find this lifestyle appealing. Lopez seems to be almost forcing his own lifestyle and views on Ayers. Nathaniel is very resistant but eventually comes around to the idea of moving into an apartment and living a "normal" lifestyle.

What i really want to know in regards to Nathaniel, is just how conscience of his surroundings is he. Lopez sees Nathaniel as one who doesn't know any better. He feels that he is unaware of what is going on around him: such as being homeless, living in skid row around drug dealers and prostitutes. Nathaniel is living n a slum and Lopez does't understand why he he hasn't strived for more.

In my opinion i would have wanted Lopez to really try to understand Ayers; not jump in and be superman. It is however good that he is trying to help out Ayers, but that's not for everyone.

The Soloist chapters 7-12

I have furtheer dived into "The Soloist". Being a musician I have taken a great interest in the relationship between Nathaniel and music. Nathaniel is a paranoid schizophrenic. He keeps to himself and is a loner. When he plays music however, he tends to calm down and is not bothered or set off by his surroundings. As part of background information and interest i looked up a career choice called Music Therapy.

Musiic therapy is defined as- Music therapy is the application of music to aid in the achievement of specific therapeutic goals. Music therapy can also be defined as the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and well being. Music therapy is an established health service similar to occupational therapy and physical therapy. As a holistic treatment approach, music therapy focuses on the well being of the entire person, not just the part which is diseased or in distress.

-For people with Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias music, especially familiar songs, unlocks memories; participation in music improves communication, overcomes withrawal.
-For people with Depression, music is a powerful modality for connecting to feelings, expressing thoughts, and overcoming isolation.

Nathaniel seems to have created a form of (self)-Music Therapy for himself. Nathaniel suffers from similar symptoms of the above. It explains that msic familiar songs unlock memories: possibly he is trying to remember his time at julliard school of music. Helps improve communication; he focuses better and is in a calmer state. Expresses thoughts and emotions; this could be helping him express himself and get out his feelings, Overcome isolation; this could be helping him feel less lonely, being homeless and wandering.

After really analizing Nathaniel, music has a deeper meaning than just joy of playing. His music really helps him feel comfortable within his own skin and helps him threw life

The Soloist chapters 1-6

The Soloist is a real life story about a reporter Steve Lopez who meets a man named Nathaniel Ayers. Ayers is homeless and living on the street. He however possesses a talent and knack for music: cello and violin. Lopez is persistant and reachs out a helping hand to Ayers. Ayers is skeptical at first but slowly begins to open up.

What really caught my interest is Steve Lopez uncanny knack for finding interesting people for his stories. Lopez has done similiar stories like Ayers for other people. He takes interest in the underdog and those who have a major flaw. He knows exactly where to find his story and nourish it to bloom.

With Ayers, Lopez has raised him up to where his from. He took him off the streets and now has him sharing his talents with many. Is this all just for a good story? Or could this actually be on a true friend level?

"The Catcher in the Rye" free write

“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, was a new experience of in school reading for me. This was the most mature in school book I have read as of now. I think this book is really more of a transition book. Personally I didn’t really like the story plot or the ending. But many of the subject matters, and content were more adult. So for me this was really a transition book from teenage to adult literature.
The stories main character is Holden Caulfeild. He is somewhat rebellious and wants everything to go his way. If it doesn’t he just gives up. This may seem negative but the author phrases it from Holden’s point of view. You almost sympothize and agree with him. Throughout the book Holden has many encounters and situations. He fails his classes, drops out of school multiple times, buys a prostitute, and gets drunk. At many times he is lonely and a wanderer.
Holden also faces other real life experiences. One was his brother dying. His brother Allie was one of the few people and looked up to and could truly call his friend. His sister Phoebe is much younger than him but he thinks very highly of her friend wise. He doesn’t mention many positives on his parents however. Another reference to teenage rebellion.
Overall the main idea and aim of this book, I found very entertaining. It is a great transition book with many new ideas and themes for young adults.

Death of a Salesman Freewrite

I found the book “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller, to be an exciting and interesting read. It is a play/novel on a man named Willy. One of the main themes I got from this book is, to not ravel on the past.
Willy was once a proud father of two sons, Biff and Happy. Biff was Willy’s pride and joy and he invested everything into Biff’s football career. Things however do not work out for Biff. Willy then beats himself up over this. It leads to a point where he starts inhaling gas fumes. His son however has no regrets and doesn’t want his father taking blame for his life.
Overall what this has taught me is u cannot live in the past. You have to look ahead to a better future or at least maintain an acceptable way of living. Whose around you are affected and you cant bring them down with you. They really on you and need you.
I especially liked this book because of how realistic it is. Even up to today, these are common day situations and issues.

Third Quarter Reflection

The blogging experiance so far has been interesting. It's not always enjoyable but i think this is more so a matter of the blog we are working on. Some assignments are of course better than others. As a student, this is definately a good way to expand my creativity and confidence in my abilities. I also like the whole idea of using technology for our assignments.

I do however have a Major problem with using the computer though. Computers is a great means of expression, but we're hiding behind behindcomputers. Social speaking skills are an important part of life and we're not learning those skills. We should be able to share our skill and creativity face to face with our peers. A suggestion i have is, from time to time we should have to present our blogger of the week to the class.

A Quote and The Great Gatsby

“All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.”
–Letter (undated) to his daughter, Frances

To me this quote means, to take chances and hope for the best. You should have a general idea of wjat you're doing, but leave the rest to fate. Sometimes chances need to be taken because the outcome may be far greater than you imagined.

The Great Gatsby...

An interesting theme i see in the story is survival of the fittest. I want to focus in on daisy with this. By survival of the fittest i mean, she d oes what needs to be done to make sure she is on top. She has charm and beauty and takes dvantage. Daisy is easily swayed by money and the luxuries in life.
In the begining, she promised to wait and stay loyal to Gatsby. He made up this whole story about wealth and she was easily convinced. Then Tom came along, who was from wealthy, and she picked him to marry. Nick (paraphrasing) that she'sd a person who hides behind their money. This means she can buy her way out of trouble.
In the second to last chapter she puts the blame on Gatsby fot the death of Myrtle. In reality, Daisy was drivibg the car that hit Myrtle. This further leads to Gatsby being gunned down by George Wilson. Daisy and Tom did not attend the funeral.
Daisy's survival of the fittest mentality paid of for her. However, not so much those around. She was no more than a charming vemomous snake at the heels of man.

The Great Gatsby Journal

"Whenever you feel like criticizing any one...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." This is Nick quoting his father as he's looking back on the past.Nick was a very fortunate child and had many opprotunities. His father is telling him to never look down on those less fortunate. This is very good parenting in my opinion. It shows that though white, the were still human and had compassion. This is very important considering the times, and racial segregation.

"Civilization's going to peices...I've gotten to be a terrible pessimist about things. Have you read 'The Rise of the Colored Empires' by thisman Goddard?....The idea is if we don't look out the white race will be- willl be utterly submerged.....It is's up to us, who are the dominant race to watch out or these other races will have control of things."
These series of quotes made by tom really stuck out to me. This really helped put me in the mind-set of what's going on at the time. An important word in this i'd like to poin out is Civilization. The way it is phrased, he's basicly saying the white'sd are the only civilized people in America. This was clearly a comment based on rascism and hate. On the other hand, it's also showing that more immagrants are coming into America. The melting pot is starting to take action.

"I love to see you at my table, Nick. You remind me of a-of a rose, an absolute rose" This left me some mental images about Nick's character. Rose's are regarded to as beautiful and pure, yet able to fight back(thorns). So I'd like to see this a possibly some foreshadowing as we get further into the book

Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight

The other of my poem is Vachel Lindsey(male). He was born in Springfeild, Illinois; the same place his poem is set in. Vachel was born into a financial secure family and had many resources available to him. He was into politics and did a lot of research on his surrounds. He came across Abraham Lincoln, who was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 7th district. Lincoln was very popular among the residents of Springfeild.
After reading a little about Vachel Lindsey, I learned that a lot of his poems were in what is caleed Singing poetry, or lyrical poetry. He is actually considered the father of tthis art form. So going off this information there is a possibility that "Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight" is indeed written in the form of singing poetry. Throughout the poem, Vachel is trying to present Lincoln as the, the dead who's heart beats. By this i'm refering to, when your'e dead your heart no longer beats, you are no longer alive. In this poem Lincoln is presented as a ghost or spector who's heart still beats and cares for mankind and the issue's of this world. A lot of ghostly adjetives and verbs are used such as lingers, "he is among us", and mourning. He sets an atmosphere of a ghost flooting threw the town at midnight. There's also a since of reminesce. In the story there is refrence to a hill, him going to where his children use to play, and a market.

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-curse-for-kings/
This poem a curse for kings is very similar to Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight. They're both giving across the message of righting the wrongs of this world. A curse for Kings however comes across a lot more aggressive. A Lot of what is written in this poem is very true because there are situations as such:"Ah, he who starts a million souls toward death
Should burn in utmost hell a million years!
--Mothers of men go on the destined wrack
To give them life, with anguish and with tears:--"
This really stuck out to me. Though it is harsh, it's really only fair. People who kill others should bne done with themselves.

The only real distinct thing is that its historical fiction poetry. He's using an American figure in history, Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight

http://www.bartleby.com/104/83.html

American Realism- Kate Chopin

Kate Chopin is a female writer who has written, "A Pair of Silk Stockings" and "Lilacs". Her writting style is very simplistic ideas that are then elaborated on. She takes everyday things and goes into detail. It's almost like she's trying to get the reader to open their eyes to what's around them. You can really see the change in writing style.
Kate Chopin is introducing new themes to society as a whole. She comes off almost a little feminist in her writing. She focuses her two stories mainly around women. In this period of time women were becoming more outspoken. Chopin seems to be for this movement of women of becoming a greater part in society. She wants women to be more outspoken. Chopin is appaeling to women mostly throughout her writing.
As a modern day reader this is an example of women rising in the world. Her writings are expressing the modern day ideas women are fighting for. What drew me to this work was I was kind of bored with reading Mark twain and i've already read London's pieces. So i decided to chose between the women, and ended up picking Chopin.

"Once within the convent Adrienne's soft brown eyes moistened with tenderness as they dwelt caressingly upon the familiar objects about her, and noted the most trifling details. The white, bare boards of the floor had lost nothing of their luster. The stiff, wooden chairs, standing in rows against the walls of the hall and parlor, seemed to have taken on an extra polish sunce she had seen them, last lilac time. And there was a new picture of the Sacre-Coeur hanging over the hall table. What had they done with st. Catherine de Sienne, who had occupied that position of honor for so many years?..... Still wearing he garb of last spring, which looked almost dingy in contrast...."
In this passage you can clearly see chpins use of detail. Shes noticing all of the characters surroundeds. She's taking everyday things past and present and just writing.

Does writing have the power to inact social change?

I do believe this statement is true but in both positive and negative ways. Writing can be a very strong form of communication. Through writing, one can get all their ideas out in detail. History has shown undeniable proof of change due to writing and appaeling to a groups of people. Writing othen ties in very closely with cause and effect as i will further explain.

First the negative, writing does not always have positive effects. There was once a man named Martin Luther, who was a german monk theologist and started the Protestant Reformation. Some regard as a great man in history, some regard him as a radical. What many people do not know is, Martin Luther was Anti-Jewish and wrote many books on the subject matter. One of his books is named, "On the Jews and their Lies". A little harsh? Well, Martin Luthers ideas indeed were not over looked because almost Four Centuries after his death, a man named Adolf Hitler happened to come across his book. Yes the same man who was responsible for killing 17million people, 6million being jews. He realized that people can indeed be influenced threw writing. He proceed to gain support for the Nazi Party threw means of literature and propaganda. Hitler's hate for jews was a spark which increased into a full flame after being further influenced by, "On the Jews and their Lies".

On a positive note, there was once a man named Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was a major political and spiritual leader of India. He wrote books and taught ways of non-violent civil desobediance. Gandhi's methods of civil disobediance were picked up by a man named Dr. Martin Luther King. King was a major leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He used Gandhi's methods of Civil Disobediance to fight for black rights. His methods worked and is a major reason why we live in this world as it is today. He wrote man books which influence people to this day, inspiring. One of those people is now president Barack Obama, a half black man.

Writing does indeed cause social change. It molds our beliefs and ideas from a small spark to a blazing flame. Though their can be positive and negative effects, its writing all the same.

Due: January 30th Andrew Lawson
11-2
A Child’s hour of dream

An image imprinted into my memory
A gray cat which the earth has bestowed grace
And the gift to guide those lost along their way
Her left eye, the gleaming moon
A dark path of shadows and nightmares
Screaming and piercing glares
Her right eye, the glimmering sun
Blistering heat, bright rays come down
Refugee is searched for but not found
Her hair is that of the sea
Who’s waves flow slow, steady
And a tail which is that of a branch
That nurtures fruit to ready
What she bares can be sweet and bring joy
Or that of Adam’s downfall
Where she walks, death becomes flourished
Flowers grow and the soil rich
Where she walks, beauty crumbles
Plants decay and sink into earth
She presents the steps to Olympus,
Where mortals walk among gods
Carefree
She leads those to the Gates of Hades,
Where mortals succumb to anguish
Bonded
This cat doesn’t have a name
She’s just an angel
Who guides and watches over me
A babe in a manger
She led me to a twilight grove
Where I am safe from harm
Here, stars light the sky in a chromatic array
The trees protected us, it was safe to lay
The grove is my regal utopia
Vindication from the outside world
For I am only but a little girl
And my strength yet to unfurl
There the gray cat and I lay
Waiting for freedom
And a better day


My poem is based around Ginnie's dream of a Gray Cat. Not many details are given about the dream so i had a lot of room to be creative.