After reading the first couple chapters of "The Great Gatsby", I have come to know some things about the two main characters. Nick Carraway was raised to never be judgemental which explains his reasonings to why he never listened to what people said about Mr. Gatsby. Nick is a lonely man but has a great deal of not showing it. I feel he wants to have someone in his life but isn't really sure if he is ready for a family just yet. I met many if his friends throughout the book but it seems like he is still always the outcast when hanging with everyone. I also feel that Nick is being tested throughout the book on his judgmental skills.
Now for Jay Gatsby, his wealthy neighbor. As I read, not many people knew much about him. Its not that the man keeps to himself, its just hes never engaged to talk about himself. His money is from past family wealthiness which was mostly passed down to just him. Gatsby comes off as someone who is willing to give to anyone who needs it. He just wants to live his life to the fullest before it is over. He is a wear of all the stories which are told about him but has a really hard time convincing people that they are not true. Hopefully as I read more I get to know each character better.

Living in the earth-deposits of our history Today a backhoe divulged out of a crumbling flank of earth one bottle amber perfect a hundred-year-oldcure for fever or melancholy a tonic for living on this earth in the winters of this climate.Today I was reading about Marie Curie:she must have known she suffered from radiation sickness her body bombarded for years by the element she had purified It seems she denied to the end the source of the cataracts on her eyes the cracked and suppurating skin of her finger-end still she could no longer hold a test-tube or a pencilShe died a famous woman denying her wounds denying her wounds came from the same source as her power.
Rich's poem has a lot of emotion built in. This woman she is explaining has problems from a terrible sickness. She writes how this woman refused to addmit there was a sickness when saying, "She denied to the end." Rich tries to get across the lonelyness in this woman's life as her ending days approach. How she was unaware of what was happening to the changing of her body but still faught through it all. I feel the title is this poem deal with exactly that. The power in which this women indulged into during her sickness.

Adrienne Rich was born on May 16, 1929 in Baltimore, Maryland. Sher dealt with many problem when growing up involving her father's Jewish background and mother's Protestanism. All her life she was very close to her father and under his protection and guidance she began writing poetry. The years of 1953 to 1958 were also very difficult for Rich.In those few years she got married and had three sons. This changed both her life and poetry. She went through a ton of distress while letting her feelings and emotions out in her writings as actual art. Her peices became one of the most elaquent, provocative voices on the topics of sexually, race, language, power and womens rights. In 1997, she refused the National Medal of Arts, stating that "I could not accept such an award from President Clinton or this White House because the very meaning of art, as I understand it, is incompatible with the cynical politics of this administration." She went on to say: "[Art] means nothing if it simply decorates the dinner table of the power which holds it hostage."Adrienne Rich - Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More. Her works of writing are of America because what she came out to say involved details and actions about the happenings of that time period. She formed her thoughts from the surroundings in her everything life.
I dreamed I called you on the telephone to say:
Be kinder to yourself but you were sick and would not answer
The waste of my love goes on this way trying to save you from yourself
I have always wondered about the left-overenergy,
the way water goes rushing down a hill long after the rains have stopped
or the fire you want to go to bed from
but cannot leave, burning-down but not burnt-down
the red coals more extreme, more curiousin their flashing and dying
than you wish they weresitting long after midnight

Kate Chopin

A Pair of Sild Stocking & Lilacs by Kate Chopin
Marcel Castelli
Kate Chopin expresses her writings in a unique way. She uses words of today rather than those of the the American Romantics. These stories are sometimes hard to comprehend because the use of the old language can puzzle the reader. The progression in writing has increased since these time periods for the better. Kate and other writers make thier stories more interesting and enjoyable to read. She includes some suspense into her writings which makes us want to further read to get to the ending. Another part of Kate's writings that interested me was how she would end her stories. The reader is able to use thier own imagination in ending the story becuase she doesnt just come out and say it. She leaves you with little details which can mean multiple things could have happened.
When reading ''A Pair of Silk Stockings'', I saw how Kate was trying to bring out a young woman with some issues. She has this money which is a large amount in her eyes but is unsure as to what should be done with it. She first thinks of her children and how they are in a big need of new clothes but somehow becomes very greedy. She goes out and buys all new things for herself. I feel that the theme if this story is money doesn't by love. The women is enjoyinh all her nice and expensive clothes and accessories thinking it was going to change other peoples' veiw of her when in realilty that is not what people want. What matters to people is the person inside. Maybe Kate wrote this because she may realize people act this way although the outcome of this fake life style doesn't always come with love.
One the other hand, when reading ''Lilacs'', I got the impression that this woman is stuck between two different lives. She has the fun but hardworking life and then the being a nun worshiping God side. She is undeicied of what she really intends to do. While caught in her confusion the other nuns agree that they are fed up with visits if she is just going to go back to her daily routine once she leaves. They agree to let her know she is unable to come back. I belive the theme of this story is deceit. She is confused about which life to follow and misleads herself and those around her. She figures that going back and holding onto the better life would make her a better person when in realilty thats just in her head. The nuns become mad because they know she wasn't trying with her whole heart. Kate could have experienced or know somone who was unaware of the path thier life would lead. She is thinking you cant change your ways unless you really put your mind to do it. Thinking it and doing it are two different actions and sooner or later the people you are trying to convince aren't going to believe you anymore.
I think Kate is trying to get her words out to all growing people. She is trying to give lessons on how people should be living by giving real life experiences. When reading these stories I get the big picture on life. A person can not go about all parts of life in a careless manner. I feel you should have somewhat of a plan to go by in order to live out your life correctly. If you are still unaware of what u want by your middle ages then you need to start looking fast. Something that drew me very close to Kate is just that reason. She takes her views on a different level. Kate is trying to get out what most people are scared to say. If you are still lost by the middle ages you're not going to want to announce it and also, if you are a selfish person you're not going to want to admit that. I like the fact that Kate makes her writings interesting and make me want to keep reading. Like I said before, she adds suspense which makes you want to just see what happens in the end. In the story “Lilacs”, Kate writes, ‘But Adrienne did not delay her respects to the Mother Superior, whose dignity would not permit her to so much as step outside the door of her private apartments to welcome this old pupil. She kissed Adrienne without warmth….’ After reading this section of the story I now know there is tension between some of the nuns and Adrienne which makes me want to engage more into the story.
Overall I was pleased with the ideas of Kath Chopin's stories and wish to find more on her. She brings interests into her words which many writers lack. For any student to understand and enjoy a story, they have to find interest in it. If not, they are going to find themselves straying away from the meaning of the story. Kate doesn't have this problem and gets her points across very well.

Does writing have the power to enact social change?

When people write poems or papers they are expressing their feelings in their own
personal way. We say that we are only persuaded into change by actions when
exactly it is the words that get us. The many writers we read about are doing
this to achieve a goal. They want their words to make a difference in the world that is still
growing today. So yes, I truly believe that words in writing can help with social change.
In the poem "The Bombing of Baghdad" written by June Jordan, she explained
every detail involved with that bombing or something. She stated things that people
wouldn’t have said out loud because it would have mad them sound bad. The poem stuck
out for me because I know when I read it gave me the chills, so imagine the thoughts
going through the peoples’ heads that actually witnessed it first hand. Like I mentioned
before, Jordan releases the truth that these people were unable to bear. her words are the
cause of these feelings, which means these words have changed peoples view on it all
A big speaker of our past time was Martin Luther King Jr. He risked his life for
the people he loved. King wanted everyone to see him as a hero not a man who was
bringing about corruption. The “I Had a Dream” speech that we all know very clear had
great words put into it. The thought that King had when doing this was to bring together
blacks and whites. His audience was moved by these words. whether they were the people
against his beliefs, or those who strongly followed him, they were all amazed by the
emotions and longing for peace king had. In the end his words meant something and got
across to these unloving people which results to today where there is little congregation.
The power in his words are what has done this.
What we teenagers need to do is understand the words which are being written.
Some of us take it as a task to read when we should be looking more into it. The words
are so in depths that it doesn’t translate into our minds as words wanting change. As for
other people reading, they feel the emotion which is put into the writing. One day it will
get across to every single person and maybe that’s when our world will be a better place.

The Price of a Child
When Ginnie, mother of 3 and aso a slave, finally realizes this can be her time

to escape she made the decision. As her and her two children waited in

Philadlepihas hotel to go to New York with her master, Jackson Pryor, she

knows this will be her break for freedom. She knows that this big step is going

to be very dangerous but more difficult than anything shes ever done before.

The one main thing that is holding her back is the thought of never seeing her

youngest son Benny. Ginnie hears about a man working in the hotel who may

be able to help her. News soon travels to the abolionists in Philadelpiha. Her

and her two children are soon put onto a ferry which was going to New York.

The differance was Jackson Pryor was no longer with them and they were now free.
Lorene Cory portrays a story of great bondage bwtween those who seem to find
love in all the wrong places. For example, she has the jealous slave wife who

has the idea to keep her child safe and also keep Ginnie under contorl. There is

also the Slave master who is the father of two of Ginnie's children. He will

never be remebered as thier father but as this horrible person that left scars for

her to always dream about. As I read i came to realize that the way Cory writes

her work is unique. Her characters are very down to earth and as you read you

get to know them more and more. You dont even become bored with thier

words even though at times it gets confusing and aslso theres always supense

going on in the readers head not knowing whats gonna happen next. Lorene

Cory speaks about Jackson as this Southernt slave holder you can just imageine

in your head. Like this guy who goes as if hes tuff just so he is repaected. On the

other hand, Pryor sees himself in a different perspective. He is actaully

confused by the esape of his slave who has been with him for years. He sees it

as her being given all she ever wnated but him getting this betrayal in return.

Pryor was raised as a slave holder so all he knows is how to treat them the

way he was tought. He thought in his mind that him and Ginnie had a close

bondage because of the comfortness she gave to him. Little did he know, the

comfortness was never given back to Ginnie. Ginnie's character is based on the

real Jane Johnson who was involved with the underground railroad. The way

she is descieded in the book is very brave. Though she may have been thinking

a lot about excaping she never really did it untill the day in Philadelpiha when

she felt the time was right. She knew she was putting herself and her three

childrean in danger but still went along with it knowing in her mind that in the

end it was all going to be alright.
These moments and partial parts from Still's thoughts are the body on which

Cary has put togethe rto show all the differnt kinds of drama which are within

this peice. One of the most gripping parts in the novel is Cary's way of putting

together with her imaginative about the trial. Cary begins the scene with

Mercer, a surprise witness, fighting with five other women for her freedom.

Mercer gets up on the stand very proudly as if knowing everything was going to

be alright. In the end Mercer was able to stay in Philadelpiha with a new

family. The new family started off with Manny Quick who was a hard worker

but also a tuff boss. Then there was his wife Della, son Tyree, and daughter

Harriet. The Quicks was very ncie to Mercer because of the generosity Mercer

gave to them. She helped with the cooking during the day while at night Mercer

studied the lessons given to her by Harriet who was a school teacher. Cary

growing up in Philadelphia helped a lot with writing this novel. She knew how

the communities and people were during the 1850s.
The Price of a Child is more then just a book on slavery. Its a real live story that
some can relate to. Having foes, jealousies, uncondition but unwilling loves,

betrayals, and dark family secrets . The mysteries that we just need to figure

out in this novel are unbeliveable. For a while Mercer is caught up in these

family matters. She falls in love with the sincere and passionate Tyree, but

loving a married man brings only brief happiness and much regret. Finally,

Mercer leaves Tyree and Philadelphia and heads for Canada to continue the

work of recreating herself as an independent woman. Cary is a wise storyteller

as we witnessed from this story.Her novel is an entertaining and serious

contribution The way things were in American past.