Literary Analysis: "Hangman" by David Mitchell

The short story "hangman", by David Mitchell, helps portray the commonly used term "ignore the haters" in a  more mature and relatable way. Jason, the main character, has developed tis stammer that immediately diminished his confidence. He doesn't talk in class during school, and if he does he makes himself seem stupid by answering questions incorrectly. Mitchell uses multiple literary techniques to help him get across this message. For example he uses imagery to show how everything around Jason is sad. As he describe the rain on his way to the therapist office, "the wipers couldn't keep up with the rain, not even at the fastest speed", you get this sadness in the tone. Yet, this could also be a metaphor of Jason's life, how he couldn't fix his stammer no matter how hard he tried. Other techniques such as personification and similes were also used. All of these things were used to show Jason's coming of age into himself; meaning in order to come of age he has to mature and accept himself. Personification shows this perfectly. For example when he talks about how "hangman" was always inside him how "he'd slid his fingers into my tongue and was clasping his throat and pinching the veins that take oxygen to my brain." Jason never forgot about this nightmare that is hangman, this is a sign of immaturity. One must forget about the past and move on. But, as the story goes on Jason slowly starts to grow up. When he used this simile; "I asked if stammers're like zits that you grow out of...". This shows Jason's want to change, to become a better version of himself. David Mitchell uses imagery by painting a picture of the story for his readers, personification to help his readers relate and understand Jason as a character, and similes to express his want to be normal. The use of all of these techniques are used to convey the message that in order to come of age one must embrace all of their flaws and live without them getting in their way.

"Shaving" by Leslie Norris

The short story Shaving, by Leslie Norris, describes the role of the main character, Barry, who has to shave is sick Father's face because he is too weak to do so himself. The author shows, through her writing, how Barry had to grow from being a little boy looking up to his dad, straight to being a the man of the house, now taking care of his weak father. Barry shaving his dad's face was not just the simple act of shaving, it was an act of coming of age. it was a symbol of how is dad was so worn out, so tired, that he didn't have the strength to do simple everyday activities. One quote that perfectly describes the way that the roles of father and son have been switched between the two characters; "Barry cradled his father's head in the crook of his left" as if a dad would to his child as a way to comfort them. It is common for children who have ill parents to feel the need to grow up sooner and gain more responsibilities, but it doesn't always have to be the big things like paying the bills, it's the little things that make the biggest impact.

The Maasai People: Coming of Age

The Maasai people, who live in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, are a Nilotic ethnic group of semi-nomadic people. It is said that their lifestyle should be embraced due to the fact that the are one of the only tribes who have stuck to the old-age traditions almost fully. In their culture there are multiple ceremonies that both boys and girls have to go through in-order to be looked at as true adults. For the girls the only two that they experience are Emuratta (circumcision), and Enkiama (marriage). Circumcision for girls is becoming less popular, especially with the ides of the 21st-century being prominent all over. The rest of their status is based off of who the man is that they marry and how far he is into his initiations. For the boys it is a little more detailed. Like the girls they two go through Emuratta shortly after puberty. Along with the circumcision, Enkipatta is one of the first rituals that is performed usually by the father. This is when boys aged from 14-16 go on a journey for four months across their land, and are later joined by elders who help them to realize the man who they want to become and help them to mature. About 30-40 houses are built for the initiating boys, for them to live in with their future family. The Emuratta ceremony is not just that, it also requires the boys to herd cattle for seven consecutive days. Then to stand in the cold and after bath themselves in a cold shower. These things are supposed make them more manly and warrior like. There are several other steps in becoming a senior warrior, which is the highest honor. This includes the shaving of the head and many other intriguing events. My culture in America is very different from the Maasai's but one similarity is that boys usually get circumcised as babies, but otherwise the gap is quite large but truly inspiring.  This culture is full of loyalty and is truly an inspiring little look at how the other half of the world lives!

Enkipaata:

 

 

 

MLA citation:

 

"Maasai Culture | Ceremonies and Rituals." Maasai Culture | Ceremonies and Rituals. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. http://www.maasai-association.org/ceremonies.html



Year Long Essential Question

People face obstacles throuout their life, but it's how they deal with these difficult things that truly shapes their identity. When something goes "wrong" in ones life, or something scary, sad, or difficult gets in their way one may think their life is crashing down. This instinct to fall apart versus the actual reaction is what makes a person who they are. If one gives in to the initial reaction, to fall down and decide not to get up, this is an example of someone without hope or faith. But people with this hope also have strength, to get up and beat the obstacle that is put in front of them. Even if one does not overcome a tough time the way they had hoped, that also shapes them. That realization of admitting that one did not handle something the correct way or the way they had wanted also is a step in shaping themself into the person they want to become.

Letter of Introduction: Getting to Know Me

Dear Ms. Carvalho,

I walked out of freshman year with a smile on my face and a great past behind me. Now it was time for summer.

During summer vacation I was busy almost everyday of the week. Whether I was playing in lacrosse tournaments, all over New England, or teaching kids how to sail through the Scituate Recreation Department. These activities always kept me going, there was never a dull moment. I also had time to visit my grandparents in New Jersey with my parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles; the whole gang.

Once you get to know me I am a very loud and engaging person. These personalities were really brought out in me when working with my little sailors. During that specific job I learned a lot about responsibility and the importance of making your voice heard. I think that these qualities are both helpful and important for English class, specifically discussions and Socratic seminars.

Even though I had all of these things going on in my life I did have just enough time for summer work. For my summer reading I read "Looking for Alaska" by John Green. I really enjoyed this book and I strongly recommend it, definitely my favorite school-assigned book thus far. I loved the lesson it taught about how everyone leaves their mark when they eventually pass away, but it is now where we make the memories people will have of us, so make them memorable.

I did not start reading the book right away but once I got going I could not put it down! When I get assigned something, whether it's over the weekend or during the summer, I always try to get it out of the way as quickly as possible. That is always easier said than done. I am a hard-worker and I try to do everything with the utmost effort. I participate a lot in class and love to share my thoughts and ideas with others.

My learning style is hands on, taking notes and interacting with others is what works for me. I believe that when you work with other people it helps your realm of thought increase. It also pushes you to do better for, not only for yourself, but for the people your working with. One of my strengths in English would be writing. I think that I can better share my voice through my words on paper. My weakness is that sometimes I do have a lack of organization, but I always find my way and get right back on track. I hope to become more organized during this school year, by always having my things in order and always handing things in on time.

I am excited for the upcoming school year, and my brain is ready to absorb as much knowledge as possible!

See you soon!

Sincerely,
Ally Irish