Fahrenheit 451 questions

What is the significance of the salamander symbol in Fahrenheit 451? 
I believe that the salamander is the firemen themselves. I did a little outside research and when placed in fire this animals' body starts foaming enabling it to with stand the heat of the flame. Futher long ago, in medieval times people believed that salamanders were born of fire and could survive through any type of destruction. In relation to the book, the firemen can go in and out of flame and heat without any damage, but as the book progresses it is easy to see the destruction that fire can bring to the characters not physically but mentally. However there is survival through all this destruction, just like the salamander's ability to survive fire

What is the inciting incident of the story?  If you're not sure, choose an event and explain why you think it qualifies.
The incident that sets off this book is when the old women is burnt alive. After this tragedy we see a drastic change in Montag, our main character. He is shaken and deeply influenced by the unnecessary burning of this women and all the knowledge she possesses. He suddenly feel compelled to take advantage of the knowledge he has access to and to make a change in his life.

Describe Montag at the beginning of the novel.  Do you think he's a hero?  Why/not?
Montag is a ignorant, working grunt. He is just trying to get by. Trying to love his wife, working hard to keep her happy and working hard to ignore the morbid purpose of his job. Guy Montag is no hero. He is not courageous, or brave. In fact he does everything he can to just "skate by" in life. Not until Clarisse does he grow up and out.

Describe Bradbury's tone.  What is his attitude toward the characters, the topics, and the audience?  How can you tell?
He speaks as if he is talking to every single man woman and child there has ever been. He speaks in simple terms that anyone could interpret and understand, yet the words themselves have weight, and the feeling of grand and great importance.

Describe Bradbury's diction and syntax.  Does he use formal, sophisticated terms or does his prose sound like he's in the room talking to you?  Do his sentences vary in length or are they all about the same?  How do Bradbury's choices create description, characters, action, and meaning?  (Note: There is no hidden "right" answer to that last part, it's open to your interpretation.)
He uses both formal and regular terms with such ease, that although it is descriptive and challenging literally it isn't beyond grasp or understanding. The sentences vary from lengthy to short but who honestly can tell, most are too busy reading to pay attention to such things. This new way of writing should be called Bradbury speak because I've never seen anyone else do it. The way the author writes makes the characters, symbols, and the setting (both the physical world and the culture or society) jump off the page and seem almost too real.

Twiggy

Perks Of Being a Wallflower

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=alseep+smiths

I would recommend listening to this while reading my Literary Analysis; not only is it a great song but it is a huge part of the book.

PART 1


I found this book through the movie. I was very emotionally impacted by the film and I was absolutely certain the book would be even more devastating and hilarious than the movie could ever be. But over all, the main reason i was drawn to this book is because of the connections I have with it. I feel very similarly to the characters, and its weird to think that every person I have met in real life can be compared to a person in this book. We all feel pain, we all know suffering. But sometimes its hard to put that feeling into words; but Stephen Chbosky bluntly and naturally puts every experience of heartbreak into incredibly sweet, innocent phrasing. Through the eyes of Charlie we can easily see the world for what it really is, a laugh, a tragedy and a kiss. That is what kept me reading, the way Charlie effortlessly puts into words and phrases the experience of growing up. I could not put the book down, I have read it at least 7 times since I first purchased it, and each time it only gets better.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a series of letters from a taciturn boy named Charlie. They follow his everyday life, relationships and are perfect example of coming into your own, and growing up. Through Charlie and his friends, Chbosky wishes to show us the imperfections and pain every single person has to deal with. Of which he completely and wholly succeeded. From the moment I was introduced to Charlie, i saw too much of myself in him. It was frightening to have real, tangible writing that so perfectly described things bouncing around my head. In all honestly at first I was afraid to find too much of myself in the novel (which i did) but i realize there is nothing negative about finding your whole life written in a book.

Most of the time in this novel Chbosky uses very simple, direct language when explaining painful things. Which I believe is the way everyone looks at pain. Not as an emotion, or living breathing torment in your history, but a simple explanation, a blunt statement. For example when Charlie speaks about her Aunt Helen being molested as a child, this is how Chbosky words the confession,

 "It was done by someone close to her. She finally told her dad. He didn't believe her because of who it was. A friend of the family. It just made it worse. My grandma never said anything either. And the man kept coming over for visits." (pg 90)

The sentences are short and to the point. Making it seem almost unreal, as if someone is trying to passively suggest that is didn't happen., when it most certainly did and the effects are greater than we can imagine. Another example is when Charlie talks of Craig cheating on Sam

"And when i say cheat I don't mean he got drunk once and fooled around with another girl and felt bad about it. There were several girls. Several times. Drunk and sober. And I guess he never felt bad."(pg 177)

And finally when Charlie has an anxiety attack he refuses to believe there is anything wrong. He will not admit to himself that he is in pain and often people do the same thing.  Through almost child-like sentences, Chbosky uses this moment to show how panicked and chaotic peoples mind are, and how much more is lurking beneath the surface of what one sees.

"And i know that i am thinking to fast again and it's all  in my head like a trance, but it's there and it wont go away. I just keep seeing him, and he keeps hitting my sister, and i want him to stop...but he wont listen, and i dont know what to do." (pg 205)]

PART 2
The way the story is written is very, very important. Everything the author puts down was pictured and planned for a specific purpose and message. These are 10 techniques Chbosky used to enhance the theme of his book.

Flashbacks- Flashbacks and overall storytelling are a big part of this novel. They help us better understand the characters we read about them and what they feel. For example, when Charlie meets Sam he sees her as light, a lark, very innocent and pure. He thinks she is perfect. But when she admits a painful part of her self, Charlie is made aware to the possibility that everyone has a moment of pain in their life. "She told me about the first time she was kissed. She told me that it was one with one of her dads friends. She was seven." (pg 70)

Breaking the forth wall- The Perks of Being a Wallflower is entirely made up of letters that Charlie sends to an anonymous reader. However, throughout the course of the book he addresses the reader as you, making the entire novel seem more personal and real. By using this technique Chbosky suggests that Charlie could be anyone; people you know, school friends, strangers. Which further pushes the idea that most, at some point in their life anyone can relate to Sam, Patrick or Charlie. "I think you of all people would understand that because you of all people are alive and appreciate what that means." (pg 2)

Imagery- "My grandfather was crying. It was the kind of crying that was quiet and a secret. The kind that only I noticed." (pg 59) Although, this is not a perfect example of imagery I believe that it still applies. This novel doesn't use any type of of flowery descriptive language. Yet this passage in particular is one that is crystal clear in your head. It is real, relatable and something everyone can sense and feel. Which again shows the authors intention of putting the story in to real life.

Hamartia- Charlies fatal flaw is his inability to except that he was sad and needed love and help. He bottled up the feeling until it exploded in rage and depression. "I've been in the hospital for the past two months. They just released me yesterday. The doctor said my mother and father found me sitting on the couch in the family room. I was completely naked, just watching the television, which wasn't on. I wouldn't speak or snap out of it..." (pg 208) This is only a foreshadowing event for the reader. If one doesn't acknowledge the pain or hardship in your life, it  will come out in a horrible negative way.

Setting- Another part of this story that makes it very substantial, is the generic settings. Regular high school hallways and average homes and parks. It can very easily be put into ones own perspective and experience because it is so broad undescriptive. "We are all sitting at Sam and Patrick's house..It was a rich house. Very clean." (pg 65)

PART 3
The way Charlie is presented to us makes him seem like a very small part of ourselves. Every once in awhile we feel like Charlie and Chbosky through the direct and indirect characterization of Charlie touches the most vulnerable part of us. "I am very small. That's true. But I guess Sean didn't know I could fight." (pg 7) This example is an example direct characterization of our protagonist giving us a picture in our head of him. He is small, weak looking; probably someone who would get picked on a lot, except for the fact that Charlie is fighter. He doesn't let him self get put down. More than likely because he does that enough for himself. "I'm so sorry that I've wasted your time because you really do mean a lot to me and I hope you have a nice life because I really think you deserve it." (pg 206) Since this novel is written from charlie to us, the only way we see him is how he sees himself. As a waste of space, a burden but by this point in the novel we know he is so much more than that. We can see his compassion, his love, his deep sense of emotions and comprehension of people and the way they work. He is the definition of empathy and understanding. A part of human nature underrated by most. The love Charlie receives can be seen through the words and conversations of the characters around him. "'Hes a wallflower'...'You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand.'" (pg 37) This is a primary example of how people in the story view Charlie. He is sweet, caring, and too the eyes of many a great person. Someone, a lot of people strive to be to better themselves.“But mostly, I was crying because I was suddenly very aware of the fact that it was me standing up in that tunnel with the wind over my face. Not caring if I saw downtown. Not even thinking about it. Because I was standing in the tunnel. And I was really there. And that was enough to make me feel infinite.”(pg 213) Charlie is a symbol for every time you felt down, every time you were put down. When the pain is too much and the depression and anxiety catch up and you lose yourself to sadness. But he is also the embodiment of small moments. The moments that make people who they are. And that is what makes him so beautiful.

Charlie is a perfect example of a dynamic, round character. As the story progresses charlie becomes more and more of a paradox. He is excited and "participating in life" but at he same time he is incredibly sad and depressed. Charlie states it the best himself. "And i want you to know that i am both happy and sad and I'm still trying to figure out how that could be." (pg 2) Although he does grow up and experience more conflicts, more moments in life, he grows more and more mentally sick. This happens as a result of his Aunt Helen and his inability to cope with past traumas. Luckily he comes to terms with the past when he finally asks for help. Enabling him to grow and prosper even more.

This book is one of the most life changing books  have ever read. I will never forget it and it will always be in my repertoire. It "hit me right at home" in a certain way that hardly any books do. And the only way i can think of explaining it is this quote from the novel.

"And she kissed me. I was the kind of kiss that i could never tell my friends about out loud. It was the kind of kiss that made me know that I have never been so happy in my entire life." (pg 70)

It is personal, and heart wrenching. An experience, not just a book. More than just a story, it is life written and described in every excruciating real detail. And I cant thank Charlie enough, for existing in my heart and mind, making things a little more bearable.

Twiggy

Vocab list #3

Coherent-logically connected~ Through much effort and hard work the illiterate boy created a coherent sentence.

Belabor-to explain in great detail~ I watched her belabor every minute of her wild day in awe.

Eschew-to shun, avoid~She hurriedly crossed the street to eschew a certain conversation with Mrs. Watson.

Acquisitive- acquire money or material~ John had an acquisitive personality that would lead him to ruin.

Emulate-imitate with effort to equal or surpass~ Cecilia tried her best to emulate the emotion in her art work.

Banal-devoid of freshness~I tried my best to power through the banal article.

• Excoriation-to denounce severely~ Although he was the kings closest companion, he excoriated due to his affair.
• Congeal-to change from a soft state to solid state~ As we waited for the paint to congeal in our wooden buckets we talk of life and love.
• Carping-characterized by petulant faultfinding~ The editors were harsh and carped my materiel until it wasn't really mine anymore.
• Substantiate-to establish by proof~ She tired to substantiate her point through diagrams and models.
• Temporize-to be indecisive or evasive to gain time~In regard to cleaning, Tina immediately started to temporize.
• Largesse-the generous bestowal of gifts, favors, or money~ Tom took advantage of my largesse.
• Tenable-capable of being defended, against attack~ The tall trees and high mountains on our right kept the village tenable from attacks.
• Insatiable-incapable of being satisfied or appease~His insatiable need for affection drove everyone away.
• Reconnaissance-to inspect, observe~All through my life I have had the keen ability of reconnaissance.
• Germane-closely or significantly related~ That question is not germane to our topic of conversation.
• Ramify-spread out into branches~The tree ramified throughout our yard and shed.
• Intransigent-refusing to agree~He was firm and intransigent in his fight.
• Taciturn-inclined to silence, saying little~The girl was taciturn and cast down all class.
  

Epiphany

I have decided to use this opportunity given to me to not only showcase what is going on in my English sphere, but to also included this other dimension called the internet and all of the people looking at my blog to a peek at my life as it is. In other words I will share with you about my life outside of class and any philosophical things I ponder about. Anyways, enjoy the rest of this week and be on the lookout for some cool stuff on here.

Twiggy

Vocab list #2

intercede- to interfere on behalf of. 
I wanted to intercede, for John's sake, but i realize that it was not my place to do so.
hackneyed-lacking significance due to over usage
The hackneyed paper back cover was faded and unreadable.
approbation-approval or praise
The girl looked nervously at the teacher for approbation of her performance.
innuendo-a remark or hint that is given, typically suggestive.
Quizzically i stared at him waiting for him to explain his disgusting innuendo.
coalition-a temporary alliance to combine forces.
The weak coalition between men and women is sure to overturn  and backfire very soon.
elicit-to evoke an answer from a person in response to ones own actions
 Marty was constantly trying to elicit answers from his girlfriend.
hiatus-a pause or gap
We decided to take a brief hiatus from wedding planning.
assuage-to make an unpleasant feeling less intense
The newspaper did nothing to assuage to feelings of angry citizens.
decadence-Luxurious self indulgence
The simple country man ignored the royal decadence.
expostulate- to express strong disapproval
Betty made sure to expostulate her opinion of Jason.
simulate-to imitate the appearance of.
I tried my best to simulate the fleeing of flying, but i couldn't do the experience justice.
jaded-tired or bored
The strenuous work left me jaded and irritable.
umbrage-offense or annoyance
Andrea was very umbrage at today's party.
prerogative-right reserved to one exclusive class
At this time the right to free speech was a prerogative of white males only.
lurid-very vivid color
the film was amazing to its lurid editing techniques.
transcend-to go beyond limits
Now, in this class we will transcend everything you have ever known to be true.
provincial-Concerning a province of an empire
There has always been violence at provincial councils.
petulant-childish or sulky
The petulant child would not keep his mouth shut.
unctuous-excessively oily
Shelia was so unctuous men always looked the other way when she passed down the hall way.
meritorious-deserving reward or praise
The soldier receive meritorious for his outstanding service.