Reading Log #7

Every week I edge closer and closer to accomplishing my number one goal for the semester: reading all of the novels written by Jane Austen.  Unfortunately, this being my last reading log, I have fallen slightly short and have just begun the final novel on my journey, Mansfield Park.  I spent the week finishing the last 50 pages of Emma and beginning the first 50 of Mansfield Park.  Although I have not accomplished my goal by the end of the semester, I plan to finish Mansfield Park this summer.  This book has truly fascinated me because it has taken a completely different view point than Austen’s other books.  Fanny Price is a young girl who was raised by her rich aunt and uncle and is treated terribly by all of her cousins except Edmund whom she secretly loves.  Although the same basic themes and motifs remain the same, the difference in plot line and emphasis on the theme of family has truly taken a new light in this novel.  I’m excited to continue reading it and see how Austen plans to travel down this peculiar plot line.  Reading all of these novels by Austen has really made me evaluate my own life because I have seen the various factors that have affected her characters.  I’ve found myself considering what positively and negatively affects my life and what ways I can relate to the characters in Austen’s novels.  Since all of the settings in her novel are based in early 1800 England, I feel as though I’ve learned a substantial amount about the culture and lifestyle of the Romantic Era.  Not only has reading these books expanded my personal evaluation of life, but also my knowledge on Britain’s history.    

Reading Log #6

After reading the next 100 pages of Emma by Jane Austen, I’ve discovered that this book is significantly longer than her others.  50 pages still remain between my current spot and the ending.  As I near finishing this one, I look forward to reading a non-fiction book and Mansfield Park to complete my reading goals.  The more I read Jane Austen, the more I find that I enjoy her and that my reading tastes truly differ from most people.  The majority of my friends express to me their disbelief that I’m reading her books for fun.  After reading Sense and Sensibility in AP Literature, many of my friends have forever turned their backs on her classic literature.  On the other hand, I cannot seem to get enough of the high caliber humor.  She intelligently weaves her elevated wit and satire into each of her novels, but if her style is not appreciated, then the humor will go to waste.  I’ve also found that from reading her books my vocabulary on an everyday basis has improved substantially.  By truly immersing myself into her work, I’ve found that I’ve been inspired to elevate my writing and vocabulary to a whole new level.  I enjoy the fact that through Austen’s consistent plots based around marriage and society, she has managed to personally challenge me.  That is simply one of a plethora of reasons why Austen is an author worth reading.    

Reading Log #5

After reading the next 100 pages of Jane Austen’s Emma, I found that unlike the other books, the enticing and captivating element of mystery was a common occurrence.  Most of Austen’s books have a slight section of hesitant doubt about the relationship of some of the characters actually working out, but the ultimate direction and ending is usually fairly clear.  In Emma, the various twists and turns of the plot along with the countless characters creates the perfect breeding grounds for a plethora of mystery.  Nothing with any of the characters seems to be set in stone and all of their actions seem to contradict their last; I can honestly say I’m not sure how the book will end.  This mystery adds a fresh new pace to the classic novel.  As I progress in Emma, I get closer to completing my reading goal of finishing all of the Jane Austen novels.  I can not wait to solve this mystery and then move forward and finish the final novel, Mansfield Park.  

Reading Log #4

The next 100 pages of Emma by Jane Austen, Emma’s sense of superiority gets the best of her when her attempt of match-making with her friends Harriet and Mr. Elton backfires.  One night when they are alone, Mr. Elton declares his love and offers a proposal of marriage to a flustered and shocked Emma.  Through this turn of events, Emma is forced to somewhat humble herself and admit against the will of her prideful heart that she was in the wrong.  Emma in many ways, aside from her constant attitude of superiority and unbearable pride, is in a situation much like Austen herself.  Both are not married (at least Emma is not so for now) but both live in a society where marriage is the driving focus and livelihood for nearly every female.  Being married to a man with the right characteristics, family situation, and monetary stability absolutely consumes every woman with the exception of Austen and her character Emma.  The ironically similar and unusual view of society gives the book an edge.  As I hit the halfway point of this novel, I step closer and closer to accomplishing my goal of reading all the Jane Austen novels.       

Reading Log #3

This week, I embarked on a journey down the first 100 pages of another Jane Austen novel.  Emma is by some thought to be Austen’s best novel, and I can see where the idea sparked because this novel mediates from the regularly trodden path of her other works.  The main themes are kept constant, marriage and society; however, the point of view in this story changes from what is normally a lover to someone who is watching love affairs from the outside.  From the get-go it’s obvious that pride and thinking her opinion to never be in the wrong are Emma’s tragic downfalls.  In the first 100 pages, the time bomb is ticking as the reader sees inconsistencies and flaws in Emma’s plan to unite Mr. Elton and Harriet.  Her arrogance and pride blind her from seeing that her “invincible” plan is doomed to fail.  Most of Austen’s novels are told from the point of view of the sensible, reasonable, unflawed character.  Reading Emma has so far shown me the versatility of Austen’s takes on her world.  Reading this novel pushes me toward accomplishing my reading goal of finishing all the Jane Austen novels; I’m excited to continue the journey through the rest of the novel.

Notes 2 & 3

Note #2

The Notebook Lake Scene

In this poignant scene from The Notebook, the sudden shift in weather signals a loosening tension and ultimate relational shift between the lovers.  The drastic change from a calm sunset, to a downpour, and finally a wild storm represents the characters’ movement from impersonal acquaintances to crazed lovers. The lake was initially quiet, still, and placid resembling the peaceful, formal, and uptight interaction of the long-lost lovers.  The spontaneous, overwhelming rainfall is similar to their love in the beginning before the tension.  The throbbing sheets of rain eventually seem to wash away the apprehension and renew the lovers’ youthful spirits.  The soaking, unexpected downpour is initially unwelcome as it causes frustration and discomfort to Allie who frantically attempts to rescue her appearance, almost as if she is fighting to save the mask of her new life.  Eventually, the buffeting rain defeats any attempt of salvaging her pointless facade and she embraces her soaked appearance and the fury of the storm together with Noah.  The methodical, rushing drops that allow the exhilarating release of tension and formality cause Allie to release her hair from its restraining pins and ties.  Her echoing laughter breaks seems to pummel the final barrier as her hair falls down her back and flings about, taking in the bitter caresses of the downpour.  The letting down of her hair parallels the falling rain as a sort of falling curtain ending an awkward, proper, impersonal stage of Allie and Noah’s relationship and beginning an intimate, frenzied, passionately crazed love.  Both the rain and the hair represent a liberating, relaxing release of inhibition and resistance.  The final shift in the weather to not just a downpour, but a raging storm electrifies in Allie a liberating abrasiveness as if the crack of the lightning struck into her an unanticipated boldness.  This gargantuan burst of courage caused words of confrontation and confession to furiously flow from her mouth like the wild rain surrounding her.  Step by step the weather parallels the shift in the lovers from placidly peaceful to fervently passionate.

Note #3

"The Rain"

I hear leaves drinking rain;
I hear rich leaves on top
Giving the poor beneath
Drop after drop;
'Tis a sweet noise to hear
These green leaves drinking near.

And when the Sun comes out,
After this Rain shall stop,
A wondrous Light will fill
Each dark, round drop;
I hope the Sun shines bright;
'Twill be a lovely sight

By: William Henry Davies

In “The Rain” by William Henry Davies, the simple diction and stimulating description creates a soothing sense of unity in nature and paints a tranquil image of an undisturbed landscape.  The “sweet noise” and “green leaves drinking” powerfully appeals to the senses of taste and hearing arousing a connection physically.  The slow, mellifluous “drop after drop” of the drizzling rain produces an overwhelmingly peaceful mood.  This calming disposition from the relaxing drizzle makes the rain desirable.  The elementary diction and short but sweet lines allow the words to flow smoothly like the rain itself as it caresses the silky coats of the leaves.  The personification of the privileged “rich leaves” nurturing the disadvantaged “poor beneath” develops a sense of an affectionate community within the flourishing branches.  When the sun’s appearance causes the rain to cease, it is given an undeclared omnipotent power over the inferior elements of the weather and earth.  As the sun “shines bright” and generates “a lovely sight” it tenderly radiates its superiority over the hushed landscape like a fostering deity.  In the hushed serenity of the untouched landscape one can almost hear the poem whispered in the breeze rustling the glistening leaves on the tree of sparkles.       

Exercise #3

Book Reviews I read: Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and Nights In Rodanthe

Elements of a Book Review:
1. An introduction describing either the author's style or a personal connection of what brought you to read the book.
2. A body that summarizes the novel (typically without giving away the ending), discusses the basic plot line, and usually focuses on character development.
3. A conclusion that discusses the theme, author's purpose, and your personal opinion about the book.