Dear Laura (protagonists mother),
I am wondering how you have managed to make such a large change in your life so quickly? As you say in the book ,"You have entered every stage of hell."(199) Meaning that you have done almost every sinful act in the book. But somehow you have recently stopped cheating on your husband, stopped abandoning your loved ones, as well as stopped lying. Was Trixie's raping the main influence on your decision to change?
Another question I have for you is why are you so obsessed with The Inferno? I understand that you teach a class on it but it seams like you talk about the book all the time. Even when you play with Trixie in the snow you bring up how this is similar to Dante's seventh stage in hell. Don't you ever get tired of interpreting the same text over and over again? Were any of the punishments Dante received motivation for you to change you life style?
My last question is why Daniel Stone? From how the book talks about him it seams as though he has every quality a girl would want in an ex-boyfriend, not a husband. This is just proven by the fact that you didn't want to tell him you were pregnant. Do you ever regret marrying Daniel? Or do you ever regret making him change who he was just to be with you? I have always heard marriage is all about compromise, what did you compromise?
Sheri Hickey
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Tenth Circle post #4 a
anapest(205):a foot of three syllables, two short followed by one long in quantitative meter, and two unstressed followed by one stressed in accentual meter, as in for the nonce.
canzone(205):a variety of lyric poetry in the Italian style, of Provencal origin, that closely resembles the madrigal.
Figurative Language
"Or the ice storm that made the needles on the pines look like they were out of crystal."(196) This is an example of figurative language because like is used to compare the the needles on the pine trees to crystal.
"Or the kind of snow that landed like goose down, during mud season." (196) This is an example of a simile because the word like is used to compare how snow falls to how goose down falls.
"She started to role across the lawn, like a bandage." (197) This is a simile because the word like compares how she rolled across the snow to a bandage.
Quote
"Her eyes widened, hopeful and then dimmed with disappointment as she realized that in spite of her best intentions she was still there." (168)
This quote is significant because it refers to the most important event in the book so far, next to the raping, Trixie attempted suicide and lived through it.
Emerging theme
A new emerging theme would be that teenagers are ignorant. Examples of this are when Jason goes to his hockey game drunk, Trixie attempts suicide, and when Jason approaches Trixie in the grocery store parking lot even though he could go to Juvenile Hall for it.
canzone(205):a variety of lyric poetry in the Italian style, of Provencal origin, that closely resembles the madrigal.
Figurative Language
"Or the ice storm that made the needles on the pines look like they were out of crystal."(196) This is an example of figurative language because like is used to compare the the needles on the pine trees to crystal.
"Or the kind of snow that landed like goose down, during mud season." (196) This is an example of a simile because the word like is used to compare how snow falls to how goose down falls.
"She started to role across the lawn, like a bandage." (197) This is a simile because the word like compares how she rolled across the snow to a bandage.
Quote
"Her eyes widened, hopeful and then dimmed with disappointment as she realized that in spite of her best intentions she was still there." (168)
This quote is significant because it refers to the most important event in the book so far, next to the raping, Trixie attempted suicide and lived through it.
Emerging theme
A new emerging theme would be that teenagers are ignorant. Examples of this are when Jason goes to his hockey game drunk, Trixie attempts suicide, and when Jason approaches Trixie in the grocery store parking lot even though he could go to Juvenile Hall for it.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The tenth circle week 3 post#2
As a teenager I find this book difficult to read. I have no way of relating what Trixie, the main character, has been through(rape) to myself but I can relate to how mean kids can be. I find myself having difficulty getting through some sections of the book, like when Trixie's nude photo is put on every computer screen in the school. I can't believe someone would do this, but then when you think about it there are kids going into schools and killing people for this kind of thing. It must be going on in real life as well. So as far fetched as it seams, it's really quite realistic.
I also can relate to Trixie in feeling that ones social life is very important. Although it seams that Trixie is a bit more obsessed with her social status I understand where she is coming from. Its so easy for a teenager to get so rapped up in the social scene that they can't think of anything else. You can get self absorbed and completely forget about that test you have in Math on Monday because you have to go to this big party.
But I think the one thing Trixie and I do not have in common is our quality of Friends. I know for a fact this could not happen to me because i surround myself with people i can trust. Where as Trixie basically discards all of her close friends who are girls just because she is now dating Jason. And the one friend she did have, turned out to be the worst friend of all. If Trixie had focused more on friendships than her and Jason's relationships I think it would be much easier for her to face what happened.
I also can relate to Trixie in feeling that ones social life is very important. Although it seams that Trixie is a bit more obsessed with her social status I understand where she is coming from. Its so easy for a teenager to get so rapped up in the social scene that they can't think of anything else. You can get self absorbed and completely forget about that test you have in Math on Monday because you have to go to this big party.
But I think the one thing Trixie and I do not have in common is our quality of Friends. I know for a fact this could not happen to me because i surround myself with people i can trust. Where as Trixie basically discards all of her close friends who are girls just because she is now dating Jason. And the one friend she did have, turned out to be the worst friend of all. If Trixie had focused more on friendships than her and Jason's relationships I think it would be much easier for her to face what happened.
The tenth circle week 3 post 1
coxcomb:A vain, showy fellow(118)
calumny: False accusation of a crime or offense, intended to injure anothers reputation.(133)
Figurative language
-When Mike goes to the hospital to interview the doctor who examined Trixie he immediately is reminded of the last time he was in the hospital, to identify his daughters dead body.(141) This a flashback because he recalls a moment in the past, due to something he sees in the present.
-"She was immobile."(144) This is an example of a metaphor, Laura sees that Trixie has attempted suicide of some sort and is shocked, but she can move if she wants.
-"The walls of the room were covered in blood; streaks, puddles, splotches as Laura ran into the bathroom."(148)
Quote
"Trixie began running as far as she could from the school. She stopped at the bridge where a few days ago Zephyr had told Trixie how to win Jason back, an event in her old life."(137)
This shows you how Trixie is deeply effected by what is going on in her life. She has realized that she is a completely changed person and will never be what she once was, no matter how hard she tries.
Theme
A new theme occurring in the book is that kids can be unbelievable mean. Towards the end of this section a naked picture of Trixie is placed on every computer screen in the school as well as sent out to many e-mail address' and cell phones, this was obviously done by a student. The book continues to tell horrifying stories about how Trixie is torched by her once friends.
calumny: False accusation of a crime or offense, intended to injure anothers reputation.(133)
Figurative language
-When Mike goes to the hospital to interview the doctor who examined Trixie he immediately is reminded of the last time he was in the hospital, to identify his daughters dead body.(141) This a flashback because he recalls a moment in the past, due to something he sees in the present.
-"She was immobile."(144) This is an example of a metaphor, Laura sees that Trixie has attempted suicide of some sort and is shocked, but she can move if she wants.
-"The walls of the room were covered in blood; streaks, puddles, splotches as Laura ran into the bathroom."(148)
Quote
"Trixie began running as far as she could from the school. She stopped at the bridge where a few days ago Zephyr had told Trixie how to win Jason back, an event in her old life."(137)
This shows you how Trixie is deeply effected by what is going on in her life. She has realized that she is a completely changed person and will never be what she once was, no matter how hard she tries.
Theme
A new theme occurring in the book is that kids can be unbelievable mean. Towards the end of this section a naked picture of Trixie is placed on every computer screen in the school as well as sent out to many e-mail address' and cell phones, this was obviously done by a student. The book continues to tell horrifying stories about how Trixie is torched by her once friends.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
hornet league debate
Debate #1: A childs curfew
a. Mainly at the house of the child.
b. The debate ensures that both parties compromise on the child's curfew.
c. Most of the time the outcome is a compromise between both parties, making both parties happy.
d. The debate is unstructured
e. The debate brings attention to the parents that the child is unhappy with their curfew.
f. The parents take into consideration what time the child would like to be home at so that both parties are happy.
Debate #2: A woman's right to abortion
a. Mainly between political figures in government facilities.
b. The debate ensures that every ones different opinions are taken into account to make the decision.
c.Yes, if there was no debating of the issue then its possible that no one would agree with the outcome.
d.Majority of the debates are some what structured, but are not in a formal debate setting.
e. The debate ensures that the decision made is what the majority party wants.
Debate #3 Using electronics while driving.
a. Normally in government offices or in social conversations between people.
b. The debate ensures that people are safe when driving.
c. No, i would say that statistics are more of a deciding factor than debating.
d. These debates are never in a formal setting but are either in government settings or just in social conversation.
e. I think the debate changes the severity of the decision but when it comes to does it cause an unsafe situation that based on mainly facts.
Debate #4 should fast food restaurants be held accountable for making people overweight?
a. The debates are always in social settings, like in the movie, Super Size Me.
b.The debate attempts to pin point the largest cause of obesity.
c. I think this debate just cause a lot of discussion but it doesn't really force anything to happen to the restaurants.
d. The debates are unstructured
e. There really is no decision being made so the debate really doesn't do anything.
Debate #5 Do movie ratings really prevent children from being exposed to things at too young of an age?
a. These debates occur whenever people talk about censorship.
b. The debate ensures that children are not exposed to crude material too early.
c. Yes, this is an issue that is decided on debate only. Is it socially acceptable for a child to watch people doing drugs on TV?
d. The debate is unstructured.
e. This allows the decision to be a happy medium, not to severe and not too loose.
a. Mainly at the house of the child.
b. The debate ensures that both parties compromise on the child's curfew.
c. Most of the time the outcome is a compromise between both parties, making both parties happy.
d. The debate is unstructured
e. The debate brings attention to the parents that the child is unhappy with their curfew.
f. The parents take into consideration what time the child would like to be home at so that both parties are happy.
Debate #2: A woman's right to abortion
a. Mainly between political figures in government facilities.
b. The debate ensures that every ones different opinions are taken into account to make the decision.
c.Yes, if there was no debating of the issue then its possible that no one would agree with the outcome.
d.Majority of the debates are some what structured, but are not in a formal debate setting.
e. The debate ensures that the decision made is what the majority party wants.
Debate #3 Using electronics while driving.
a. Normally in government offices or in social conversations between people.
b. The debate ensures that people are safe when driving.
c. No, i would say that statistics are more of a deciding factor than debating.
d. These debates are never in a formal setting but are either in government settings or just in social conversation.
e. I think the debate changes the severity of the decision but when it comes to does it cause an unsafe situation that based on mainly facts.
Debate #4 should fast food restaurants be held accountable for making people overweight?
a. The debates are always in social settings, like in the movie, Super Size Me.
b.The debate attempts to pin point the largest cause of obesity.
c. I think this debate just cause a lot of discussion but it doesn't really force anything to happen to the restaurants.
d. The debates are unstructured
e. There really is no decision being made so the debate really doesn't do anything.
Debate #5 Do movie ratings really prevent children from being exposed to things at too young of an age?
a. These debates occur whenever people talk about censorship.
b. The debate ensures that children are not exposed to crude material too early.
c. Yes, this is an issue that is decided on debate only. Is it socially acceptable for a child to watch people doing drugs on TV?
d. The debate is unstructured.
e. This allows the decision to be a happy medium, not to severe and not too loose.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The Tenth Circle post #2 part B
Analyzing Trixie before and After the rape
Before:
Before the rape Trixie was a fun and social girl. She hung out with friends a lot, had a lot of friends, and was dating one of the most popular boys in school. "And then there was the lunch table were Trixie once belonged- the one with the popular kids."(117) Trixie was a popular girl.
Trixie and Jason then break up. Although Trixie is very sad she still has her good friend Zephyr on her side, as well as Jason's friends who directly tell Trixie that they are on her side.
After
Trixie now can barely look anyone in the eye. The police detective says,"Trixie please speak up, and look at me when giving your statement."(84) This shows you Trixie has lost a lot of her social skills and confidence due to the raping. Trixie also mentions that her best friend Zephyr did not call her once after people found out about the rape, a time period of over a month. Trixie also refuses to go to school for about three weeks, because she is afraid of how people will react to her. And lastly, Trixie decides to cut her hair, this is the only physical change that occurs to Trixie after the rape. This shows the reader she has changed as a person, she is no longer that happy social girl, but a sad lonely no body.
Before:
Before the rape Trixie was a fun and social girl. She hung out with friends a lot, had a lot of friends, and was dating one of the most popular boys in school. "And then there was the lunch table were Trixie once belonged- the one with the popular kids."(117) Trixie was a popular girl.
Trixie and Jason then break up. Although Trixie is very sad she still has her good friend Zephyr on her side, as well as Jason's friends who directly tell Trixie that they are on her side.
After
Trixie now can barely look anyone in the eye. The police detective says,"Trixie please speak up, and look at me when giving your statement."(84) This shows you Trixie has lost a lot of her social skills and confidence due to the raping. Trixie also mentions that her best friend Zephyr did not call her once after people found out about the rape, a time period of over a month. Trixie also refuses to go to school for about three weeks, because she is afraid of how people will react to her. And lastly, Trixie decides to cut her hair, this is the only physical change that occurs to Trixie after the rape. This shows the reader she has changed as a person, she is no longer that happy social girl, but a sad lonely no body.
The Tenth circle post #2 part1
Contrition: sincere penitence or remorse
Regressed:To go back; move backward.
Figurative Language
"She got in the shower but could not rinse herself clean. She would be dirty forever."(82)
- This is a metaphor because it says that she would always be dirty. We know that she will not always be physically dirty but we can assume that the statements means she Will feel dirty for the rest of her life.
"He grabbed Laura's upper arms and shook her so hard that her head snapped back and her eyes became wide open with fear."(91)
-this is an example of irony because the beginning of the book talks about how Daniel has become a new man. He was once a very bad person who was always violent, but once he married Laura he claimed to become a new person. Now that Trixie is rapped Daniel rages at Laura and begin to act like he claimed he would never act like again.
"I tried to get away, but he's bigger than I am, and he pushed me down again. It was like a game to him. He held my hands up over my head and he pulled down my pants. I said i wanted him to stop, but he didn't and then he pushed me down hard and raped me."(79)
-This is an example of imagery because it tells the reader a detailed description of how Trixie was raped.
Quote
"I want a buzz cut."(100)
-This quote is significant because it's about when Trixie get her hair cut. She decides to drastically shave her head of long hair because of the rape. This signifies that the rape has not only made Trixie out of sorts, but has also made her become a different person.
Theme
A new emerging theme in the book if that rape changes your life. Through out this chapter you realize how Trixie is changing because of the rape, even only days after it, like the buzz cut or not hanging out with friends at all. Trixie now completely isolates herself from the social world.
Regressed:To go back; move backward.
Figurative Language
"She got in the shower but could not rinse herself clean. She would be dirty forever."(82)
- This is a metaphor because it says that she would always be dirty. We know that she will not always be physically dirty but we can assume that the statements means she Will feel dirty for the rest of her life.
"He grabbed Laura's upper arms and shook her so hard that her head snapped back and her eyes became wide open with fear."(91)
-this is an example of irony because the beginning of the book talks about how Daniel has become a new man. He was once a very bad person who was always violent, but once he married Laura he claimed to become a new person. Now that Trixie is rapped Daniel rages at Laura and begin to act like he claimed he would never act like again.
"I tried to get away, but he's bigger than I am, and he pushed me down again. It was like a game to him. He held my hands up over my head and he pulled down my pants. I said i wanted him to stop, but he didn't and then he pushed me down hard and raped me."(79)
-This is an example of imagery because it tells the reader a detailed description of how Trixie was raped.
Quote
"I want a buzz cut."(100)
-This quote is significant because it's about when Trixie get her hair cut. She decides to drastically shave her head of long hair because of the rape. This signifies that the rape has not only made Trixie out of sorts, but has also made her become a different person.
Theme
A new emerging theme in the book if that rape changes your life. Through out this chapter you realize how Trixie is changing because of the rape, even only days after it, like the buzz cut or not hanging out with friends at all. Trixie now completely isolates herself from the social world.
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