Themes

Author’s note: I am writing about the themes in the short story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. My purpose of writing is to identify the themes and support why I believe these are the main themes- Friendship and loss of innocence.

            “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson had a twist to it. When you think of the lottery today, you would think it means you would get money or something good? Well not in this short story. Towards the beginning of the text, as it said the town was gathering together, the little children were collecting stones. This is an example of the theme loss of innocence.

            While the children were just being young, and doing what kids do (collecting little rocks and making piles) they lost their innocence. It seems like they were just being kids, but really they knew exactly what they were doing all along. Gathering small rocks to be thrown at somebody. The lottery was a terrible village tradition, which includes the town getting together and picking a family first, out of a black box, and then picking a member of the family to throw rocks at to their death. The children lost their innocence because they helped kill somebody, and at such a young age.

            Another theme is friendship. Since the mother of the Hutchinson family, Tessie got picked, her best friend helped put her out of her misery faster by chucking a huge rock at her dear friend. By doing so, I’m sure she would rather have big rocks thrown at her rather than having a bunch of little rocks hurt her way more, so she doesn’t suffer. This is an example of friendship because as a friend of Tessie’s, she didn’t want her to suffer a slow, painful death

            These themes are important because they are major themes; they tie the whole story together. The themes Loss of Innocence and Friendship are very important in this short story.

As the Last Flower

It is me. Yes the last flower living in the flower bed. Of course I would be the last one living. I always knew I was special. But what I will admit is it does get kind of lonely being a lonely flower, I really miss my mom, and dad, and all my wild sunflower friends! But being the last flower does have its up sides like not being pushed around- or not having to worry if my pedals are perfect. Oh no- who is that coming towards me? "look! The last living flower! I might as well pick it so it isn't lonely! Wow, my mom is going to love this one for mothers day. Tulips her favorite!" who are you! Why are you touching me! No! don’t rip me out of my rip soil. What's going on? This is a lovely home you have. "Happy mothers day mom!" said the little girl. The mom replied "I love it."

Second Letter To Daniel

Author’s note: This piece is a letter written from Lucinda Price to Daniel Grigori, who Luce had met at her reform school. For some reason Daniel hates her from the start even though they had never met before. I will be demonstrating Luce’s point of view towards Daniel on why he hates her and how Luce feels throughout a letter that she writes him. The tone of this letter is angry, but also innocently stupid with all the questions she has for him. The first writing in italics is the first letter.


Dear Daniel,

I do not understand the hatred you felt for me since day one; starting off with me noticing you. I couldn’t help to stare, but that moment when I flashed you a smile, your reaction- I didn’t get it. Why did you flip me off? How could you do that? I have never spoken to you in my life. That was only the beginning. In detention, we had a connection- don’t deny it. In the cemetery the way the old statue toppled over me, and the way you saved me, I felt like nothing could get to me now, not even the shadows. I know that you know I see shadows, as well. I know this because whenever a dark cloud shadow comes for me, you get different, like you can see them too, just like me. I know, Daniel, that we have never met before but I can honestly say that I care for you. Don’t ask me why, because I won’t have an answer, but I feel that we have met before. I recognize you, and you stumbled, when you said you hate the way I crack my knuckles. Then I knew. I knew that you know me from somewhere. So, please tell me where. How do you know me? And why do you hate me? I only want to understand.

-Luce

Daniel-

I am so sorry. If I would’ve known you were an angel, nothing would have ever happened- the fallen angel war, the shadows (Announcers) everything was all so difficult to understand at the time. Now I am here, you are there, in a truce with the demon Cam. To think I thought he was a nice guy. Little did I know angels even existed, not even dark angels. It is so weird that there is a whole other “gifted” species of people-angels. Also, here at my new school, there are these people they call “Nephilim” and they can even turn into shadows. I am waiting 18 days for the truce to be broken until I can see you again. Please come faster.

-Luce

Prediction Torment

Author’s note: I am writing about predicting what is going to happen next in my book “Torment” by Lauren Kate. My purpose of writing is to predict what is happening within the book and finding out when I am finished reading it.

The way Luce summoned the “Announcer” was brave. Her bravery showed she was ready to be on her own for eighteen days or so, and that’s exactly how long she needs to be away from her fallen angel boyfriend Daniel. Ever since Luce found out her boyfriend is an angel, and she was gifted after every time she dies, she comes back every seventeen years, everything was hard to compress, but she had to be away from Daniel, it was just too dangerous. At least until the truce with Cam (evil) was over then the angel war would start up again.

Her bravery meant something; it meant that she is a strong person, but that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t miss Daniel. What I think is going to happen next is, Daniel might get hurt in the war, and Luce wouldn’t e able to see him in a longer while than she thought. I think this because it is the second book in the series and the first one “Fallen” was really action packed, and the action hasn’t started yet in this book.

Another reason why I think that Daniel would get hurt is because Cam sounds very aggressive while on their truce, and it seems he wants to fight him for Luce. If Cam and Daniel fight, Luce would get really scared and feel alone.

In conclusion, my prediction is that Cam and Daniel will fight for Luce and Daniel will win, even if it means getting hurt. I also think that one of Daniel’s secrets will come out in the way, because he is sneaky.

The Common Cold

The Common Cold

By Rhiannon Wasley

What is a common cold? A cold is a highly contagious virus that is spread super easily. Usually, it is mainly caused by germs spread around from telephones, pens/pencils, and physical contact with someone who has already been infected by the virus (Common Cold). Colds are prominent in areas such as school, the workplace, downtown cities, or any other place where many people inhabit (Doerr). Therefore, catching a cold can be easier than the sneeze that transmits it.  Although a simple cold is among the least serious sicknesses there are it is a worldwide illness that cannot be escaped.

Though a cold may not be a serious illness, it is very contagious. On average, the American kindergartener gets an ordinary cold up to 12 times a year, while the average adult gets a cold 2-4 times a year. Assumingly, this could be because kids are crammed into dirty schools with other sick children, and adults need to endure a hard day at work with other dirty slobs working to get their paychecks. Colds can be caused by a virus called “Rhinovirus” (Common Cold Cause).

            Because every single person gets a cold sooner or later, it’s not necessarily a big deal if you catch a cold, unless your condition worsens. For example, if you get a cold, that is no reason to miss school or work, unless if your symptoms have evolved to the point where you cannot function in your daily routine. There is technically no cure for a cold, but you can treat it just by home remedies. A great way to feel better, and try to get over a cold is drink lots of fluid, lay in bed, or take a Tylenol if you have a head ache to make it feel better, and that’s one less symptom out of the way.

Symptoms of a cold include coughing, sneezing, slight fever, sore throat, fatigue, and more (Common Cold Symptoms). The cold season is normally during the fall/winter seasons, but that doesn’t mean you can’t catch a cold year around. Most people think that you get a cold from the weather, but that is semi true. During the fall and winter months, the air is usually quite dry which can cause a cold. Also, that season is when children return to school, allowing exposure to a wide variety of germs and viruses. The weather plus exposure makes the fall and winter seasons the perfect time for catching colds, along with many other illnesses that may not be as minor.

With all the ways to receive an illness, it’s no surprise how easily colds are caught. There will always be those minor setbacks in every society, and ours is the common cold. But, if left untreated, colds can lead to more serious illnesses like Influenza. So to stay safe, one must know the various places colds could be lurking. One must also be aware of the various methods to treat a cold, to prevent further contamination or growth of the illness.

To Daniel-

Author’s note: This piece is a letter written from Lucinda Price to Daniel Grigori, who Luce had met at her reform school. For some reason Daniel hates her from the start even though they had never met before. I will be demonstrating Luce’s point of view towards Daniel on why he hates her and how Luce feels throughout a letter that she writes him. The tone of this letter is angry, but also innocently stupid with all the questions she has for him.


Dear Daniel,

I do not understand the hatred you felt for me since day one; starting off with me noticing you. I couldn’t help to stare, but that moment when I flashed you a smile, your reaction- I didn’t get it. Why did you flip me off? How could you do that? I have never spoken to you in my life. That was only the beginning. In detention, we had a connection- don’t deny it. In the cemetery the way the old statue toppled over me, and the way you saved me, I felt like nothing could get to me now, not even the shadows. I know that you know I see shadows, as well. I know this because whenever a dark cloud shadow comes for me, you get different, like you can see them too, just like me. I know, Daniel, that we have never met before but I can honestly say that I care for you. Don’t ask me why, because I won’t have an answer, but I feel that we have met before. I recognize you, and you stumbled, when you said you hate the way I crack my knuckles. Then I knew. I knew that you know me from somewhere. So, please tell me where. How do you know me? And why do you hate me? I only want to understand.

-Luce

Song to a Poem

Author's note: I am comparing the song "Big Yellow Taxi" to the poem with the same words/lyrics. I am also comparing and contrasting "Field Below" with the song, and the poem as well. My purpose of writing is to prove that the lyrics and words are the same but when you sing it, the words sound different than when you read it and how different it is.

In the poem, Big Yellow Taxi, the message sent out is to not take anything for granted, also that nobody really knows what they have until it is gone, so you should appreciate everything you have. Field Below has nearly the same message sent out but they are sort of trying to make you feel sorry for them in sympathy.

Big Yellow Taxi: The song sounds happy, with the music but with the poem, it sounds depressing. It just sounds really different. Unless you really listen to the words you kind of get distracted by the music because it sounds happy, and louder. I like the poem better, because you actually realize that it is depressing. The song and the poem are very different and they contrast.

Field below:
Other than the poem, the song is slow, and the singer's voice is soft and you focus more on the depressing tone, and it goes with the poem, more, and there is a little piano solo that makes the song relaxing to listen to. The poem and song are alike in ways being the song you actually feel more emotions unlike the poem which you just read it and don’t really think anything of it, but the song has more emotion.