FINAL REFLECTION FOR AMERICAN LITERATURE 2019-2020

Dr. Prestons AP American Literatur class was different from any other English I've taken. On the very first day of school, he was already letting the class take control of the class. He exited the classroom and let us decide between open-source learning or a normal way.  He was willing to teach any way his class chose would be best for them.
The most meaningful thing I learn from his class was that writing is supposed to be a fun liberating way to get your point across. Not a forceful writing structure with a teacher who's not giving clear feedback.
This year I'm most proud of learning how to write a resume. I will be able to use this throughout my career and maybe help others with what I learned.
In the beginning, I wish I didn't slack off as much. I thought it would be something easy to get used to, but I was very wrong. The course only gets easier when you give yourself a routine that helps you be the best you.
In this course, I learned how to interview. Dr. Prestons final interviews definitely allowed me to learn some skills that I will use in the future. Plus he gives us the important do's and don'ts when it comes to an interview.
For this semester I'm choosing the letter grade option. I think I earned my A in this course because even though school was canceled I still kept up with the assignments for this class and I participated in the class meetings on Zoom.

a nonfiction essay/reflection, OR in a fiction story

Describe what happens when an SMHS student goes to sleep on March 12 wishing for no more school this year. And gets her wish, in the form of a pandemic.

Chel a straight-A student who hates failure. She puts her best efforts in everything she does but has a bad habit of bringing herself down when things turn out the way she hoped. Her life is just about school. She's very shy but works extremely hard to prevent that from holding her back.

Junior year in high school became the hardest year for her. She really doubted herself. Her study skills were put to the test. She began to drop grades in classes that before were easy for her even though they were honors. Chel quickly became stressed at the beginning of Junior year.

 She was aware that science wasn't her strong suit but for the past two years study and good note-taking got her to pass science both years with an A+. That totally changed Junior year. No matter how long she studied or practiced she couldn't get good grades on her tests. This really made Chel doubt herself. Soon math started to become a problem. The first two years of high school math was pretty easy for her. Passing math with A's or A+'s. Math that year was just not making sense.

Junior year became hard for her to handle. Even though she kept a good schedule it wasn't enough to get her where she wanted to be. Her at-home problems also didn't help. Leaving stressful school to go to a stressful home became her daily routine sadly. She also didn't let herself take a break. She was always on top of her school activities and community services. It took her family awhile to notice her change in attitude and lack of happiness.

 Chel was at the breaking point at the beginning of March 2020. The person she loved the most was leaving her, school wasn't enjoyable and she couldn't recognize herself anymore. Then the night of March 12 2020 Chel went to bed wishing school would end.
Who knew that her wish would become true, but not in the way she hoped.

The next morning was a regular Friday. Same old boring routine for Chel. The day went by as normal. When Chel got home she decided to finally give herself a break. She watched tv for the first time in months. Everything on tv was about a virus that was going around killing people. Schools, businesses, and sporting events were closing down that day immediately. Soon the house phone rang and Chel's mom gave her the news that her school was closed as well.

Chel soon realized that wish did come true, but in a terrible way.
Everyone was put in quarantine and social distancing was placed. People had to wear a mask when going out in public for essentials. Life became total isolation for months all around the world. Months soon began to pass, but life as before was never the same. Chel's only good outcome was spending time with her grandma during her last days. Now Chel had to learn to survive a pandemic without the person who gave her strength.

Today I took my AP TEST :/

I began preparing for the exam the night before. I turned off my phone around 11pm and set my alarms. I couldn't fall ASLEEP. I tossed and turned for a good couple of hours. I remember looking at the clock on last time at 2am before I finally actually fell asleep. I woke up at 8am and went to my doctor's appointment at 9. I got home on time to eat some breakfast and login to my AP exam at 10:30. Everything was going fine until I opened my word document to write my essay. Well, my computer said error :/ and it restarted. It took up 10 minutes. When I finally got in I had like 35 minutes. I was panicking at this point. I did my best and basically wrote like a maniac. Once the timer hit five minutes I began to save the file. When I went to look for the file I had a hard time finding it. It wasn't saving properly or not in the area I saved it. I was panicking. I kept looking at the clock and it looked like it was moving faster. I thank god that I was able to turn it in. I turned it in with 30 seconds to spare and shed a small tear of relief once it was over. 

FAHRENHEIT 451 ESSAY

    Fahrenheit 451 is a novel that really opened mind my and got me thinking. The main character Montag is a fireman who starts fires and lives in a society filled with what looks like unhappy people. He seems to be surrounded by people who decided to conform to whatever everyone considers normal. From the beginning of the book to the end you can see Montag search for happiness and peace of mind.
    The characterization used for Montag's character really helps us see the type of person he is. Early on in the book Montag appears to be like everyone else around him. He appears to have no emotion or empathy. Then came along a young girl named Clarisse who really made Montag question himself if he was happy. Then there was the house he burned down with an old woman inside it. Those two moments in the book are what caused Montag to really question his happiness with the life he was living. We really saw Montag show his emotions for the first time. Montag then went on a run for his life when he decided to find some type of happiness for himself.
    Bradbury used metaphors as a form of figurative language in his book. One metaphor that stood out to me the most was when Montag told Mildred "Maybe the books can get us half out of the cave". Montag knows the rules and still decides to break them. He decides to open the book and read out loud. Montage knew that his life felt like a cave that he couldn't escape and at some point, it was just gonna collapse on him if he didn't do something about it. He was trying to find peace of mind in books after he came to reality with the society he lives in.
    The plot development of the story also helps to see how Montag went in search of his happiness and peace of mind. From the start, we knew that Montag wasn't happy, but he didn't. His marriage, to begin with, wasn't even a marriage. His wife practically avoided him at all costs and did leave after all. Then it was when he didn't want to go to work anymore because he understood that job was wrong. He then went to search for someone who can really tell him the knowledge of the books he begins to admire. This is when Montage meets Faber an English Professor. Faber is the person who really opened Montag's eyes to what society is for them. Montag then begins to run for is life when the mechanical hound is sent to finish him. This leads him to a group that he kinda wants to relate to. The group of people appears to have knowledge of what Montag is looking for. In the end, Montag seems to happy with what he has done.
    Characterization, figurative language, and plot development are the techniques Bradbury used to help us understand the theme throughout the story. Finding happiness and peace of mind doesn't come easy when it really shouldn't be something we have to look for. Maybe we need people who are open-minded to help us show us the way sometimes.
 

Journal Topic- April 27 2020

Do you crack your knuckles? I started in the sixth grade. It's a weird habit. Why does anyone do this?

Yes, I do crack my knuckles. I feel like people do this as a form of stress relief. Some even do it as a distraction when in an awkward situation.

April 28 Journal Topic

If you were going to write a book about life during the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020, what would you title? Why?

I would title it " Natural Selection at its Finest".

Some people are taking this situation seriously and some people aren't. People should be doing their research and not believe everything they see on the internet. I feel like the people who take this seriously and protect themselves and others will are the ones who come out of this pandemic strong.

April 16 2020-- My choice of Journal

To was actually very hard. I experienced my first loss. I sadly lost my grandma to cancer. She was my second mother and I own everything I am to her.

April 15 2020 Journal

Question?
What do you think is easier-- doing something well or teaching someone else to do it? Why?
I think its easier to do something well yourself. Teaching someone takes more patience and they might make mistakes. You can be a very good teacher but have a student who just doesn't put in the effort to do it well. You doing it creates room for fewer mistakes and more efficient.

AP PRACTICE PROMPT

My childhood revolved around this large empty room in my house. It belonged to my uncle before he moved. I was lucky enough to grow up with a sister and a cousin around my age to let our imaginations run wild in this room. We created the biggest messes there and to this day were some of the best memories I have of my childhood. 

The room was turned upside to be like a hotel. The room is the master bedroom in my home. It has a large walk-in closet, a his and her bathroom, and a large bed area. The bed area was to resemble a lobby. The actual bed was the second floor. The bathroom became the third floor and finally, the closet was the fourth floor. Me, sister, and my cousin would take turns playing different roles. We would alternate between hotel guests, receptionist or hotel staff. 

We took this very seriously. We used actual props. Our outfits would match the role we were playing. We would use real luggage sometimes. When the “ guest” called for room service we would actually prepare the food. Fake money was also created to make this more fun. The room’s being occupied on each floor were decorated somehow. That's really the only thing I can’t remember. I remember the role that we all fought over was the receptionist because it was the easiest one. Our imagination could’ve kept going, but at some point, we grew up and stopped.

Just because I got older doesn't mean I stopped being creative. My childhood imagination defiantly fueled my love for fashion and design when I got older. Now when projects are given to me, I definitely find myself going overboard. I also rearrange and change everything around me once I get bored. Sometimes I even annoy myself when I can’t make up my mind because I don’t like to settle for the basics.

SOMETIMES YOU NEED A PROFESSOR

In the novel Fahrenheit 451 Montag gets in touch with a man named Faber. Montag has stolen books and wants someone to tell him what they mean. He tries to get as much information as he can before Beatty gets to his stash of books. Faber is an old English professor who tries to avoid any contact with the fireman but makes an exception for Montag when he shows up to his house with the bible in his hands.

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING NOW

If we let ourselves be controlled we will never know what to believe. As an individual, we should be allowed to be fully informed about whatever is going on and make a decision based on what we have learned. Having others control what you see and hear makes for a very dysfunctional society. We become puppets to a puppet master. Society will be lead by people's greed and personal ambitions.

WHY I WORK

Why do you care about enough to work for? A relationship? A project? A principle?
 A care enough about my mental health and goals to work for them. I know if I keep a positive mindset I can accomplish many things. Putting effort into something you love or passionate about makes the results feel amazing.

451 QUESTIONS, 20 ANSWERS

1. “The Hearth and the Salamander” seems an odd choice for a chapter title. Why do you suppose Bradbury chose it? What connections did he want to create? (hint: in mythology, the salamander is a fire lizard, said to be capable of starting and putting out fires) . I suppose Bradbury choose the salamander to show imagery. He wanted to create a connection with the main character Montag maybe.
2. The lines, “It was a pleasure to burn. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten, to see things blackened and changed” (1) tell the reader a great deal about the protagonist, Guy Montag. What assumptions can the reader make? We can assume that the protagonist is a firefighter who enjoys their job.
3. Bradbury’s use of metaphor and animal imagery begins on page one of the novel. He writes, “With the brass nozzle in his fists, with this great python spitting its venomous kerosene upon the world, the blood pounded in his head...” (1). Why would he have chosen to characterize a fire hose as a “great python?” Is the imagery positive or negative? He chooses to characterize the hose as a great python be it shoots venom that destroys and the hose doesn't shoot water it shoots kerosene. The imagery here is negative.
4. Also on the first page, we learn that Montag’s fire-helmet is inscribed with the number 451. What is the symbolic importance of this number?  The number 451 is the temperature in which paper burns. The firemen in this novel cause fires instead of preventing them.
5. Explain how Clarisse McClellan is first described. What is it about her that immediately strikes Montag? Clarisse McClellan is first described as a young fierce girl. Montage is immediately struck by her unusual opinions and interests.
6. The names “Clarisse” and “Guy” are significant. How? The names Clarisse and guy are significant because even though she only appeared at the beginning of the novel, Clarisse symbolizes everything the guy is not.
7. Clarisse questions Montag about his way of life. How does she question him, and how does he react to
   her questions? Clarisse questions if Montage is happy and if he really enjoys what he does for a living. Montag reacts very quick in an offended manner.
8. During the first conversation between Clarisse and Montag, the reader discovers several odd things about the society in which these two characters live. Describe at least three odd things we learn. Fireman cause fires, society is very depressing, people don't stop to take a good look anymore.
9. Montag employs two similes in thinking of Clarisse. What comparisons does he make and why? He compares her to other people her age and how she's very outspoken.  Everyone during this time is very kept to themselves.
10. What does Montag realize about himself after Clarisse leaves him the first time? Montag realizes that he's not happy.
11. What are “Seashells” and how does Montag’s wife, Mildred/Millie, use them? The seashells are earphones. Montag's wife uses them when Montag is speaking to her.
12. There is a stark difference between Bradbury’s first description of Clarisse and his first description of
    Mildred. What does the reference to her face (11) signify and how does it contribute to our
    understanding of both her character and the marriage between Montag and Mildred? The marriage between Montag and Mildred is very happy. They sleep in separate beds and they don't even have proper conversations. 
13. Describe the machine used on Mildred. Explain the symbolism. The machine has a tube that first slides down her throat and the other machine sucks all the blood out and replaces it with new blood. The machine used on Mildred is described as a snake.
14. Montag’s comment that “Nobody knows anyone” (14) is telling. What is the epiphany he has? That no one talks to each other anymore. Everyone is basically like a robot and doesn't pay attention to actual life.
15. Unthinkingly, Montage finds himself drawn to the window of the McClellan household. Explain the
    contrast between his house and this one. What does the contrast tell the reader about society at large? In the McClellan house, the lights are on. Their people inside have conversations and look alive. This tells the reader that society is in a way dead.
16. Montag’s confused statement, “‘I don’t know anything anymore’” (15) signifies a pivotal moment in the
    text. Explain. He doesn't know who he really is. He now is aware of his unhappiness. He doesn't know why he chooses the job he does. 
17. When Mildred wakes up from her near-death experience, she does not seem to remember what
    happened. Describe her mood at this point. Why has Bradbury characterized her this way? What does
    Millie’s conversation with Montag reveal about her? Her mood is very calm and unaware of what just happened. She does wake up hungry. Bradbury describes her as a forgetful uncaring person. The conversation with Montag reveals that she's selfish.
18. Why does Clarisse visit the psychiatrist? Clarisse visits the psychiatrist to keep people from thinking she is crazy.
19. What is “the Hound” and what is its function? Why is Montag bothered by the Hound? The hound is a mutant robot dog. The hound is used to search for books. Montag is bothered by the hound because is always growls at him.
20. Why does the woman want to stay-- and burn, and die--with her books, rather than surrender to the fireman and leave the books and her home to burn? Her life revolves around books. Without them she feels dead. She rather leave with them, then to feel alone.

ACADMENY OF ONE

During this time of isolation, I've been pretty calm. It wasn't much of a routine difference for me (perks of having strick parents). I really do just miss seeing my friends. Even though I talked to them every day through the phone, it's not the same. The only thing driving me kinda nuts is having my siblings around full time. It was kinda nice having my parents both home for once in a very long time. We haven't eaten at the dinner table all together since probably Thanksgiving. Now I'm kinda over them being both around because it drives me nuts having two strick parents breathing down my neck 24/7. I'm very grateful that I got to spend time with my grandparents during this time. My grandma has a severe pancreatic cancer, so it was especially nice to cook her meals and just spend time without worry about the time. I've got back into baking. I was a pro at this during Jr High and haven't done it since freshman year. I had time to practice my instrument and it was a refreshing hobby to do once again. I also had fun with makeup. I even order a highlight palette that I've wanted since Jr High and just a couple days ago they brought it back. That was probably the highlight of all this. I especially enjoy online gaming with my friends. My best friend and I  are on our 12 season of PUBG mobile. We both became addicted to this game during freshman year and now it is a rewarding distraction after all school work is completed. Cleaning the house was also a major part of isolation (LOL). I've got so bored on a day I began cleaning the walls. I sadly did mess up my sleeping schedule, but it was bound to happen at some point. During this time of isolation, I learned that I'm not a person to panick.

Cue Theme Music

I think the central message of The Great Gatsby is that no matter how much you pursue something it doesn't always end up how you wanted it. It's simply a possibility.

I think this because

• Gatsby became a man with money to impress Daisy.
• He through the enormous party's to attract Daisy to him. 
• Gatsby die and all his efforts went to waste because Daisy didn't even choose him.

Preview Of Great Gatsby Essay

  
Topic

Is Gatsby’s desire for success—however we define it—evidence of the American dream, obsession, a personal sense of honor, or something else? Does Gatsby symbolize our culture and even our own desires, or is he an outlier?



The American dream is something everyone tries to accomplish. Having a home with a husband or wife and kids. Maybe with the occasional pet dog. Gatsby's desire for success is evidence of the American Dream. His obsession with a woman that was already out of his reach, cost him his life at the end. Just like in our culture we sometimes work ourselves to death to achieve what we want.

Everything Gatsby did was to impress Daisy. Hoping that she would leave her husband for him. Gatsby bought himself a large mansion across the water from where Dasiy lived. He would through enormous party's, in the hope of one day to attract Daisy. Throwing large party's and moving close to women whose's already taken for small the hope she will willing come back to you seems pretty obsessive.

Gatsby even got close to Nick whose Daisy's cousin. He was able to convince Nick to invite Daisy over for tea at Nicks's place. This was the beginning of Gatsby's obsession. This later led Nick and Gatsby to go over to Daisy's place. Gatsby created a friendship with Nick to get what he wanted, which was Daisy. His plan almost worked, but Daisy decided to be indecisive. She admitted loving both Tom and Gatsby. You would think this would show Gatsby that Daisy was a waste of his time, but that wasn't enough for Gatsby to end his obsession with Daisy.

I feel like Gatsby's actions from the novel do symbolize our culture. We still now do everything in our power to get what we want. Sometimes our selfishness gets in our way, but humans do make mistakes. Sometimes when we try and fix our mistakes we hurt others in the process. 

Whats So Great About Gatsby

1. Is Gatsby great?  Is he even good?  Why/ why not?
2. Nick opens the book by complimenting himself for his honesty.  Is Nick honest with himself?  Why does he constantly hang out with dishonest people?  Why does he respect them and seek out relationships with them?
I feel like Gatsby is a little great, but more on the selfish side as well. I find it amusing that he put all that work in for a woman who doesn't know what she wants. Gatsby was foolish to change himself for a person who doesn't give him respect. Gatsby's efforts to get Daisy was selfish because his actions harm others in the way. I feel like Nick is no longer honest with himself. He knows what Gatsby's intentions with Daisy are and yet he still follows along. Maybe Nick hangs out with dishonest people to make himself feel better about himself or needed. Nick respects the people he surrounds himself with because he was taught not to judge others.

3. Fitzgerald describes Daisy and Tom this way: “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made.”  What does this mean?  Do you agree?
It means that their people who act when it benefits them, but when it doesn't go as the plan they let others suffer their consequences. I agree with Fitzgerald. Daisy never tells Tom she's the one that killed Murtle and Tom knew that Mr. Wilson plans to kill Gatsby. They both keep quit and watch others get hurt.

4. Do you understand Daisy's behavior?  Do you agree with her choices?  Is she a person you would let your brother/son/friend date?
I don't understand Daisy's behavior. She has what they call the American dream. I don't agree with her choices. She leads Gatsby on and gets his hopes up only for her to lock her self up and let him suffer. Daisy is not the type of person I would let my brother, son or friend date. 

5. The last line of the book: "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."  What does this mean?  How does it relate to the theme/s of the book?
This means we try very hard to change the past because we didn't like the outcome of it in the future. This relates to the theme of the story by showing greed. Instead of moving on from what has happened we let our greed make chooses to try and change what is already done because it didn't turn out how we wanted it.

Gatsby Chapter 9 Notes and Thoughts

• Madman- George Wilson was living in a moment of pain that no one can understand.
• Wilson shot Gatsby in cold blood.
• Gatsby was shot in his pool and the Wilson shot himself.
• Catherine, Daisy's sister lies about her and Gatsby's relations and about Toms's affairs.
• Catherine that Daisy was happy with her husband and her sister was in no mischief.
• Nick finds out that the people around Gatsby don't care about him after his death.
• No one wants to be around for Gatsby's funeral.
• The postman is one of the only people who showed up at the funeral.
• Nick is reflecting on his life, where he's been, the past, and where he is now.
• Nick is feeling like and fish out of the water and now knows he has to go home. A home where things will be normal.

Gatsby Chapter 8 Notes and Thoughts/ Pgs.-154-170 158

1. What does Gatsby tell Nick about his night when Nick shows up early in the morning?  What does Gatsby say about what happened between Tom and Daisy?
Gatsby tells Nick "that nothing happened" and " I waited, and about four o'clock she came to the window and stood there for a minute and then turned out the light".Gatsby tells Nick that Tom and Daisy made love to each other.
2. What does Nick suggest that Gatsby does?  Why does Gatsby reject Nick's suggestion?
Nick suggests Gatsby to forget about Daisy and leave Long Island. Gatsby rejects Nick's suggestion because he hopes that Daisy will still leave Tom.
3. What does Gatsby say about the way he and Daisy left each other the first time when he went to war?
Gatsby says that he felt married to Daisy.
4. The gardener interrupts to tell Gatsby he wants to drain the pool.  Why, in the middle of all of this drama, do you think the author interrupts the tense relationship dialogue with a secondary character and mention of the pool?  Why do you think it's important that Gatsby wants to swim at least once in his own pool?
I feel like the author interrupts all this drama to bring suspicion to the readers. I feel like its important because its Gatsby's first time taking a breather for himself. Throughout the whole book, he was just chasing after Daisy.

• Redolent- means aromatic
• Daisy wasn't looking for Mr.Right she was looking for Mr. Right Now.
• Cheap Sharper-Conartist
• "It was just personal"- Gatsby is in pain but doesn't want to show it.
• God is always watching.
• George shot Gatsby and then George shot himself.

How To Versus Want To Versus Get To

What's the difference between agreeing to complete work for each other, being told what to do for homework, and exploring what you want to in your own way? 

Agreeing to do work for each other means you both have an agreement to get your work done without pressure. It becomes more of a mutual agreement.
While being told what to do puts pressure to get things done immediately at the other persons will.

Gatsby Notes and Thoughts : Chapter 7/ Pgs. 119-154

1. Why does Gatsby stop having parties?

Gatsby stops having parties because he has Daisy now and the parties were to attract her so now they serve no purpose.

2. Why does Gatsby fire his staff, and who replaces them?  How are these people different, and how do their personalities reflect what we know about Wolfsheim?

Gatsby fires his staff because he wants a staff that isn't brided by tradesmen. The staff is replaced with half a dozen servants who never been to West Egg Village. The people apear to not be servants at all.

3. Describe the difference in Daisy's and Gatsby's reactions to Daisy's daughter.

Gatsby is shocked to see Daisy's daughter for the first time while Daisy talks about how she looks nothing like her father and how she only looks like her.

4. Describe the "outing" to New York and the confrontation between Tom and Gatsby.  Who wins?

Tom is very done with Gatsby's presence and is very angry. Gatsby is furious with the accusations Tom is making at him. Gatsby wins. Gatsby, Tom, Daisy, and Nick all in the same tense room. Gatsby tells Daisy to tell Tom the truth about Daisy's love for Gatsby. Gatsby has no backbone and just lets herself be told what to do. Daisy takes no responsibility.

5. BAM! What happens on the way back to Long Island?  (You have to get this-- it's THE event of the book.)

Daisy kills someone on the way back to Long Island. Murtle Wilson gets killed.

6. What are Tom and Daisy doing at the end of the chapter?  What does this say to you about Daisy's character?

Tom and Daisy are in the kitchen talking. Both weren't unhappy but they weren't unhappy either. This shows that Daisy's character is similar to toms personality. Daisy is a very selfish person and only cares about herself.

• Trimalchio -means an arrogant former salve who has become quite wealthy by tactics that most would find distasteful.
• Gatsby dismissed all his servants and replace them with new ones who never went into West Egg Village.
• The new people weren't servants?
• Gatsby and Nick were invited to the Buchanans for tea on a very hot hot day.
• When Tom exected the room Daisy gave Gatbsuy a kiss on the mouth and said " You know I love you"
• Gatsby was shocked to see Daisy's daughter for the first time.
• Tom is very upset because Daisy confessed his love for Gatsby.
• Daisy's voice is full of money.
• Tom discovers information about Gatsby and finds out Gatsby has lied about himself.
• Tom lost his wife and his mistress.
• Gatsby was causing a row at the Buchanan's house.
• Gatsby stands up to Tom and tells him how Dasiy never loved him because of her love for him.
• Gatsby tells Tom that Daisy only married him because he was poor and Dasiy was tired of waiting for him.
• Daisy says she loves both Tom and Gatsby!!!!!!
• Daisy leaves Tom and goes with Gatsby
• Daisy ran over Tom's mistress by accident and Gatsby is willing to take the blame for her.

Gatsby Notes and Thoughts Chapter/ Pgs.103-119

• An ambitious young reporter from New York shows up at Gadsby's door one morning.
• Legends say that Gatsby has a connection to " underground pipe-line".
• Gatsby doesn't really live in his big mansion, but in a boat like a house that was moved secretly up and down the Long Island shore.
• James Gatz is Gatsby's real name before he changed it at the age f 17 when he witnesses the beginning of his career.
• Gatsby's parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people.
• Gatsby sprang from his Platonic conception of himself.
• Gatsby for over a year was a clam digger and a salmon fisher to buy himself food and bed.
• I don't find it nice that Gatsby describes virgins as ignorant.
• Gatsby thinks low of women and finds them easy.
• Gatsby was on five year trip on the boat of Dan Cody.
•  Dan Cody inhospitably died one week later after Ella Kaye came on board on the boat from Boston.
• I think Ella Kaye was able to separate Dan from his money ( She killed him " most likely") 
• Gatsby inherited money from Dan Cody ( 25,000 dollar legacy)
• The millions that remain of Dan Cody's money went to Ella Kaye ( " Of course it would have")
• Nick visits Gatsby's home after not being there for a while.
• Gatsby, Nick e, Mr. Solgan, and Tome are having dinner together.
• Tom is known as the "Polo Player" to Gatsby and not Mr. Buchanan.
• Tom describes Gatsby as a " Big Bootleggers"
• Gatsby wants to marry Daisy back in Louisville. and make everything like it was 5 years ago.
• Gatsby tinks you can change the past but Nick doesn't.

Notes And Thoughts On Gatsby Chapter 5--Pgs.86

• Gatsby's house looks like a party is going on but there's no sound. "Worlds Fair"
• Nick is telling Gatsby how's he is gonna invite Dasiy over for tea.
• It's funny that Gatsby is being very calm about Daisy's arrival and is acting like he doesn't care, but he actually is very excited.
• Gatsby offers Nick a job at his side business since Nick doesn't make much money selling bonds.
• I think this is another way Gatsby is trying to get closer to nick.
• Gonnegtion- means Eye dialect.
• Nick invites Daisy for tea but tells not to bring Tom with her.
• Gatsby is being restless that Daisy hasn't shown up to Nick's home for tea.
• When Daisy came into the house Gatsby had disappeared.
• It's funny how at first Gatsby was all mad that Daisy wasn't there, but now that she is he doesn't know how to act.
• Dasiy knows that its been years that they have seen each other, but Gatsby knows exactly how long it been. 
• Gatsby has been keeping track of house long its been since they have seen each other (Five years next November).
• I find it kinda romantic that Gatsby has been counting the days until he would see Daisy again.
• Gatsby now thinks that her coming over for tea was a mistake.
• Nick tells Gatsby to stop being a little boy.
• Gatsby invites Daisy and Nick over to his house for a tour. 
• Nick is very skeptical about joining them.
• We know now that Gatsby inherited his money but lost most of it in Panic Of  The War.
• Gatsby has been in the drug and oil business, but not anymore.
• Gatsby replied very rudely to Nick when he asked about what business he was in. " That's my affair".
• I feel like Gatsby changes his attitude very quickly because of Nick's relationship to Daisy.
• Gatsby has a man in England that sends him his clothes for each season of the year.
• Daisy is crying over the beautiful skirts Gatsby has.
• Nick plays the piano for Gatsby and Daisy.

How You Know What I Know

I can show what I learned from this week by talking with a fellow classmate about a small summary. I can also just write a small summary of the big important ideas to wrap up the week.

Gatsby Test Grades

Angela answered 7/8 of the questions correctly. She got 7 wrong because she didn't understand. The answer to 7 was " Daisy was scared because of how Gatsby left her".

 Dayan answered 6/8 of the questions correctly.  She got questions 1 and 7wrong. The answer to one was " he was restless after the war" and " Daisy was scared because of how Gatsby left her".

Miriam answered 6/8 of the questions correctly. She answers 6 and 7 incorrectly.

Testing Understanding From the Other Side

I choose my questions because I wanted to make sure everyone knew what type of character we were working within the first three chapters. My chapter four questions were to make sure we noticed the new information we learned about Gatsby and Daisy. My questions show the character's background to help connect with their actions which I think is very important to know.

Great Gatsby Chapter 4 notes/ pgs. 82-85

• Gatsby bought a house so he can be across the bay from Daisy.
• The green light across the dock belonged to Gatsby
• Gatsby invited Nick to the party because he knew Daisy.
• Gatsby is rearranging his whole life to get close to daisy.

Gatsby Test Chapters 1-4

Chapter 1:
1:Why did Nick decide to move east besides learning the bond business?
2:What is the relationship between Dasiy and Nick?

Chapter 2:
1:Who is Tom in the story?
2:Who is Myrtle?

Chapter 3:
1: Who were some of the people at Gatsby's party.
2:What are some rumors about Gatsby

Chapter 4:
1:Why did Daisy get so scared when Tom left her side at any point after they were married?
2: What is the connection between Daisy and Gatsby?

Nicks Cardinal Virture

At the end of the chapter, we learn that Nick's cardinal virtue is " I am one of the few honest people that I have ever know". I feel like Nick feels this way because he surrounds himself with people who start rumors or pretend to be someone their not. I feel Nick is being humble about his idea. Nick is not going around telling people that they're dishonest to him. He is keeping this as a note for himself.

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

I inspired my Ap English Teacher with my Rotary Essay about how Socratic Seminars as a way to solve a conflict. Here are some topics my class talked about without having restrictions on the conversation by our teacher Dr. Preston.

• How is your Big question going? This was asked by my classmate Lilly. I feel like I've have made some progress, but I'm not as far as I want to be. My other classmates felt the same way.

• Did you guys balance your broom yesterday? This was also asked by my classmate Lilly. This question had the whole class nodding and smiling. Turns out lots of us did try to balance a broom including myself.

• You all procrastinate? This was a question asked by my classmate Elio. This question had everyone nodding and agreeing. It was very interesting that everybody in an AP course procrastinated at some point in the year. Our teacher even commented with " I'll give you an answer in a while". I did this more then I wanted to at the beginning of the year because of the new responsibilities had, but now I really try and prevent that habit from coming back.

Gatsby Ch.4/Pgs.69-81

• Rajah- means an Indian king or prince
• Nick says that the words sound so well, he believes there now rehearsed and isn't real./Pgs 70-71
• Gatsby is speaking in an odd way towards Nick/Pg. 72
• Non-olfactory money- means that doesn't smell.
• Mr. Wolfshiem is speaking to Nick about Black people and Jews in a racist way./Pg 74
• Gonnegtion is supposed to be connection/Pg 75
• Oggsford man Means Oxford/ Pg 76
• Human teeth for cufflinks/Pg 77
• Gatsby knows who is behind the Biggest scandal in the World Series and knows him well enough to sit and have lunch with him( Mr. Meyer Wolfshiem)./Pg.78
• Gatsby encounters Tom( very awkward)/Pg 78-79
• Daisy had a relationship with Jay Gatsby from the past.
• This is why Tom and Daisy live across the from Gatsby Mansion, Why Gatsby is throwing the big party's, and why he's getting connected with Nick because he is related to Daisy.
• The dots are connecting.

MY MOM ON MY BIG QUESTION

''MOM" stands for Minute of Mindfulness.
I thought about how the ads used to prevent teens from smoking are pretty weird.
I even skip the ads because of how odd they are now.
Lately, they been using zombies? :/
I wonder where can I find accurate information to answer my big question.
Have these ads gotten out of hand with the way there promoting teen smoking prevention?
I really do wonder if any teens have gotten help because of these ads.

NOW IT'S A PARTY/GATSBY CHAPTER 3

I just read Chapter 3 of The Great Gatsby, and here is what I got out of it.

• The two girls said that Gatsby had killed someone or that he was a German spy. These rumors came up after the girls told Nick and Jordan about Gatsby's weird behavior. I think Gatsby is so mysterious because I feel like he doesn't want people to be up in his personal business. I noticed that during the time this book is placed, all people really did at gatherings was gossip.
• Nick calls the man in Gatsby library " Owl Eye's "
• Nick initially images Gatsby to look like a " Rosy, husky, and middle-aged"
• Nick discovers that Jordan is incurably dishonest.
• Gatsby and Nick plan to up the hydroplane at 9am
• At the end of the chapter, we learn that Nick's cardinal virtue is " I am one of the few honest people that I have ever know". I feel like Nick feels this way because he surrounds himself with people who start rumors or pretend to be someone their not.

MY UN/FINISHED SYMPHONY

This week I sent the goal of trying to study for the SAT. My pre SAT score wasn't bad, but I know I can do so much better. I plan to at least study an hour or two from today(2/06/20) to Sunday (2/09/20). I really want to make sure I get a score that represents my full capability.

Gatsby/Pgs.38-48

Chapter 2 -ending

• Nick is the only who knows Daisy isn't Catholic
• Little kyke: means the "n"/Pg.38
• Mrs. Mckee doesn't seem like a happy person./Pg.38
• The time went by so fast because of the bottle of whiskey.( For Nick)/pg.41

Chapter 3

• Omnibus- means the shuttle
• "The laughter is easier, minute by minute" Because of all the alcohol being passed around,
• Prodigality- means profusely in large qualities.
• Nick was one of the only people to be invited to Gatsby's part because everyone else just showed up.
• Gatsby doesn't want trouble with anybody.

Gatbsy Pages #27-38

• Vally of the ashes - About halfway between West Egg and New York/ Pg.27
• Transcendent- Goes above and beyond.
• His eyes symbolize- Vision ( The eyes of God, they see everything)Pg.28
• The eyes have seen Tom mistress.Pg28
• Tom shows up drunk/Pg.31
• Toms very rude to Wilson /Pg31
• Toms's girlfriend is Wilson Wife./Pg.31
• Wilson's wife is a prude with no self-respect./Pg31
• Ectoplasm- A goo
• Mrs. Wilson is a poor mechanics wife but is acting like the rich girlfriend of Tom Buchanan.

BSQSD

BSQSD- Get stuff done!!!!!!!

• Spend two minutes a day on your big question.
• Get 10 followers to help support my work.

Gatspy Pages #11-26

• The guest normally says " wow you have a nice play"/ Not the person who owns the home. Toms said " I've got a nice place"
• Divan- means a sofa
• Imperceptibly - means so slightly
• Nick is making seem that everyone from the town really misses Daisy. ( Over exaggerating)
• "I'm stiff "- Daisy makes is seem like laying on a couch is a big problem.
• Wan- means Pale 
• Daisy seems very interested that Nick knows Gatsby.
• Nick didn't say anything that Gatsby is Nick's neighbor.
• Daisy is never in the moment. She's always looking ahead and looking back 
• Daisy is totally self-absorbed. P15-16
• Tom is a racist " The idea is if we don't look out the white race will be - will be utterly submerged"," It's up to us who are the dominant race to watch out or these other races will have control of things" Pg 17
•  Toms is an ignorant person. 
• Coherence-Being logical and consistent.
• Daisy and Toms daughter was an hour old and Tom was nowhere to be seen. ( Tom is an asshole)/ Pg 21
• Daisy cried because she had a girl and not a boy.
• Daisy " I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'' be a fool- that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool". (DAM)/ Pg.21
• Peremptorily -Cut off or before it happened.
• Tom " Had some women in New York" and was affected by a racist book.  ( Tom is looking like a bad person) Pg 25
•  Daisy and Tom don't seem happy. There magazine beautiful.

Meet Nick

Nick is the narrator of the story " The Great Gatsby"
Nick is From Minnesota.
Now Nick is now living in New York. He moved there after he graduated From New York Haven and after he left the war.
After the war, Nick was restless and moved east, to New York where he learned about the Bond Business.
Nick is a person who doesn't judge others because of what his father taught him.
Nick seems to be a very reserved person.

Whats In My Big Question For Me

My big question is something that I thought of because of repeating ads. Its also something I'm concerned about because at school you can walk into a restroom and see people smoking when you just want to get your business done in peace. It's funny to see their faces when they think its security that walked, but really its just student trying to use a restroom that's already disgusting as it is. I don't understand why teenagers smoke because to me they're just causing more problems to the problems they're trying to deal with. I then began to wonder if any of the ads I've seen have made any difference. Has it caused teenagers to quit or at least acknowledge the problem?

Behind the Ignite Talks

Angela's and Dayanira's s big question really caught my attention. 

 Dayanir'as BIG QUESTION was " How do stickers work"

Her speech was very interesting and had humor. She had such a big smile on her face when telling the class about her big idea. 

Her thought process behind it was very interesting. This is what she had to say.

"I was staring at Miriam's hydro flask in the 5th period of Dr. Prestons English class and I was wondering how come the stickers came out pretty when she took them out." "Then I go tape stuck in my hair and realized I have no idea how tape or sticky stuff works, like stickers."

 Angela's BIG QUESTION was "How many shootings have to happen before we change our policies and laws about guns"

Angela's speech was very forward and spoken with so much thought.

Her thought process behind her BIG QUESTION was this,

"Well I like to watch the news and the majority of the time I would see the news, it would talk about a recent shooting. "And its dumb cause the government isn't doing anything to put an end to it."

Dark Patterns

I  have been in the situation of a dark pattern before. It especially happens to me when I'm Instagram. Since I follow and like a lot of makeup related pages I get a lot of ads that are about beauty. I once clicked on an ad about a facial cleanser because I was in need of a new one. Before I was even able to see what I really wanted it asked for my email. Then a pop up showed and ask me to join so I could receive there 15% off only if  I order at that moment. I felt like I was being forced to buy something immediately when I just wanted to see what the product was really about first. I find that most Instagram ads are a scam because of its cheap products being sold. The ads also look very fishy sometimes.

I'm Ignited

• Why does religion create conflict

• How does the tape work?
• What's the point of waking up every day if your gonna do the same thing?
• Is everyone really related because of adam and eve?
• Is life real or a hallucination? How do we really know were leaving this life?
• How long before humans completely destroy the earth?
• Can the multiverse be opened?
• What makes us so unique?
• Why do influencers think it's okay to change the meaning of beauty?
• Is ignorance really bliss?
• Why do we associate race or gender with professions?

Ignite Talk

Does social media have an impact on preventing teens from smoking?
Lately, I have seen many ads on preventing teens from smoking on youtube, Snapchat, Instagram, tv commercials, Facebook and music apps. Basically on any type of media. The ads mainly show young teenagers aging fast or show signs of facial decay. I see it as a tactic to indicate fear towards any type of smoking. Do ads like this really make any impact?

HopePunk

HopePunk is a storytelling template for resistance and hanging onto your humanity at all costs.

Much Mood and spirit as a definable literary movement, narrative message of "keep fighting, no matter what"

Made with full self-awareness that things might be bleak or even frankly hopeless, but you're going to keep hoping, loving, being kind nonetheless.

Last Century's Writing Styles

Genre: A category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject of matter.

Naturalism: Is characterized as deterministic ethos. The characters were often depicted as being driven by forces beyond their control toward inevitable fates.

Realism: Depcited characters as psychologically complex. In realism, the characters are held accountable for the choices they made. The characters actions are self-determined

Modernism: Writing presented in word in fragmentary, impressionistic prose meant to represent the confusion in the world after ww1.

Argue This

 Syllogism: A form of logical reasoning that joins two or more premises to arrive at a conclusion.

My Big Question- "A lot of people procrastinate". "High school students do it often".

Major Premise:" A lot of people procrastinate".

Minor Premise:" High school students do it often".

Conclusion: High school students procrastinate

DOWN THE RABBIT WHOLE

• Lucid- Means awareness
• The first paragraph uses alliteration
• Transcendent- To go above and beyond.
• Good is good
• Good is good when you can compare it to evil because you can compare its qualities.
• You can't have a sense of one without the other
•  semi-anarchy.
• Donating-Love 

Notes From Today's Lecture

Ethos (Personal Credibility)- Martin Luther King Jr was a preacher so we were able to believe him when he spoke about God in his speech.

Pathos(The desire to connect through emotion)- Examples of this are when King said "All men are created equal" and when he mentioned the deaths of many people and how their screams and shouting were heard.


Logos(Logic and Reasoning)-"The pursuit of happines".
" The power of  just gambles and cash the deck"

Today I Interviewed an Expert

What I Learned
Now you don't need training to have some type of internet career.
For example a  TikTok star. People who became very famous on TikTok didn't go through a type of training or have a degree. They simply had a weird idea or talent that they shared with others on that app. The weird web exists on a  big website.

Now in days, the web is like 5 companies. Every small company now is owned by a larger company  ( Monaploy affect ).
The change we see in technology is not in technology, its a global thing.

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It felt pretty awesome to participate in an interview with a bestselling author and public intellectual. I really enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed it when Cory talked about the Pope and the  Medici family. I was able to fully understand that part since it connects to one of my favorite shows on Netflix called Reign. After this interview, I would really like to interview someone who can help me with picking good careers that I could possibly enjoy. Lately, I have been stuck on trying to find what I'm truly passionate about.

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