Lord of the Flies: A Review - Kelly Vea

The Christian Journey Contains Sin, Punishment, Repentance, Forgiveness, and Restoration.

In the kingdom of Angoria, far away there lived a young prince named Horace that always got himself into trouble. No matter how hard the king and queen tried they could not get him to behave properly. As the years went by he grew more and more rebellious until one day, the night before his sixteenth birthday, he did something unbelievably ridiculous. Horace, full of himself and his abilities, decided to play a prank on the guards and steel the heavily guarded crown jewels. During his studies in stealth and weaponry Horace had learned to move quietly and fight in close combat. On the night of the event there was heavy cloud cover and a blowing wind that would keep him hidden and prevent the guards from hearing the smallest of movements. The crown jewels were kept guarded in a tower in the middle of Castle Angoria. "This will be the grandest thing I've ever done, no one can top this prank," Horace whispered as he moved slowly towards the tower. There were two guards posted on opposite sides at the bottom of the tower and Horace noted that they stopped for fifteen seconds and then walked for thirty and repeated the cycle again. While waiting in the shadows Horace became accustomed to their movements and picked a spot on the tower that would be the easiest to access, he was going to climb up the outside of the tower and into the window at the top. As the guards' movement commenced he quickly moved towards the tower and began his ascent. He had gone about five meters when his foot slipped on the stone. "Agh!," Horace grunted, his heart began to pound as he noticed the guard right below him pause for a little. The guard looked out into the black darkness and then continued his round. Horace breathed a sigh of relief and continued climbing up the tower. When he reached the window ledge he slowly pulled himself in and opened the windows. There the beautiful crown jewels sparkled against the moonlight. Horace was ecstatic and practically giddy with himself that he had pulled it off. He had snuck past the castle guards, "no one is a match for me," Horace thought. The jewels were glittering at his eyes, almost calling to him to take them. Horace reached for them and then a hand shot out from nowhere and grabbed his wrist with the strongest grip he had ever felt. "Ahh!" screamed Horace, "Who are you?!" he asked the person still shrouded in darkness. As the man removed his cloak Horace's heart fell. It was his stealth and weaponry master, Darius, and he looked particularly angry. Darius brought Horace's face right up to his and said in an angry whisper, "What the blithering blazes do you think you're doing in here!" Horace had no answer, he realized that to sneak into the tower was a grave mistake, and now he had to deal with the full impact of his consequences. Without waiting for an answer Darius grabbed Horace by his shirt collar and dragged him full force across the room to the door and down the tower stairs. "We're going straight to the kind and queen and don't you dare think I'm going to let up on you because you're my student," Darius said. Horace was almost near tears at this point, this was the worst thing he had done yet and it was an act against the kingdom to enter the tower without royal permission from the king and queen. As they entered his parents' apartment they stood up with a look of shock on their face, which then quickly turned to anger as Darius recounted the events of that night. "This is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous!" yelled his father, "Do you EVEN KNOW how much trouble you are in right now Horace Gavin Richardson!" "I can't even believe this," cried his mother, "What are we supposed to do with you!" Horace was at a loss for words, never had he seen his parents so angry with him. He was sent straight to his room without having a chance to defend himself as his parents and Darius talked about a punishment. Horace was too scared to leave his room and no one came to get him until lunch time the next day. It was his mother and she simply said, "Pack your things." "But mom!" Horace said, "What's going on? I'm so sorry, that was-" She cut him off and said, "I don't want to hear it Horace." said his mom,  "You're going to be spending some time with Darius while we figure out what to do with you." Horace was mortified, Darius lived outside of the castle in a small cottage a little ways into the forest. He was not a funny man and Horace hardly ever saw him smile. Horace packed his things quickly to avoid getting yelled at again and made his way to the horse stables. His horse, Ryder, was saddled and ready to go. His mother and father were there, they simply told him that he would be living with Darius until they could think of what to do with him since his presence at the castle was more destructive than it was helpless. With a heavy heart Horace climbed up on Ryder and began his way to Darius' house. When he finally reached the cottage it was supper time and Horace could smell a delicious beef stew boiling over the fire. Quite famished from having not eaten all day long, Horace quickly tied his horse in the stable, grabbed his things, and knocked on the door. He heard footsteps coming as Darius approached. The door opened and Darius simply nodded acknowledgment at Horace for him to come in. As Horace stepped into the house he noticed that inside there were two rooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen/dining room combined. Darius was pouring the stew out into two bowls placed on the table. He motioned for Horace to join him. As they were eating dinner Darius told Horace about the full force of the punishment he was about to undertake. King Charles and Queen Elisabeth had revoked all of Horace's royal privileges and commissioned him to take the position of apprentice under Darius until they decided to reinstate Horace. This was crushing news for Horace, all his life he had grown up around servants of the castle who would do anything for him and now he had to live with Darius and do things on his own. After supper Darius showed Horace his room. It was quaint in size with one bed, a drawer, wash basin, and a window. Darius told Horace to wash up and go to sleep as they would be up early the next morning. With a heavy sigh Horace got himself to bed. It seemed like only five minutes had past when he heard Darius' booming voice above him, "Hello!! Wakey-wakey! This isn't the castle boy, we've got food to make and things to prepare." Horace slowly rose out of bed until he felt Darius yank him up to his feet. "Come now Princess Horace, go fill the water bucket right outside the door from the well." Horace groggily came to and stumbled outside to fill the water bucket. He noticed it was surprisingly heavy as he trudged back to the house. The first morning of his stay with Darius was the most tiring one he had ever had in his life. After breakfast the morning consisted of beating the rugs in the house, brushing down the horses, and washing the dishes. When lunch passed Darius told Horace that they would still be continuing his training, just for longer and harder periods of time. By the time dinner rolled around Horace was exhausted from weapons training. He had been excited to do weapons and stealth training but this was more than he had ever done before. Horace had also come to the full realization that if he complained he would get a sock to the ear and a sarcastic comment from Darius, so Horace learned quickly not to make trouble. The next couple weeks passed in the same fashion. After a couple months Horace had stopped wondering when his parents would come and get him and he had become accustomed to life with Darius. One night Darius sent Horace to retrieve a couple weapons from the castle. They were going to be working with them the next day so it would be good to have them ready in the morning. It was a quiet night with a slight cloud cover and a chilly breeze every now and then. "I'll be glad to be back in the cabin soon," thought Horace as he made his way past the castle guards and toward the weapons room. All of a sudden something moved into his peripheral vision. "What was that?" Horace thought as he paused, looking out into the darkness for the source of the disturbance. Five, ten, fifteen seconds passed when Horace saw it again. His eyes widened and his heart began to pound, someone was climbing the castle tower that held the crown jewels. Instinctively Horace made his way quickly to the tower. As he rounded the tower he found both guards knocked out at the bottom, and the thief was already three-fourths of the way up the tower. Something had to be done, and quickly. Horace began the assent on the tower, trusting his arms and legs to carry him up quickly as they had gotten stronger since his time with Darius. The perpetrator had just made his way over the window ledge and into the tower when Horace reached the halfway mark. He continued climbing up the tower, quickly but still carefully. It would not do for someone to see him and think he was playing another trick again before he could catch the thief. As Horace approached the window ledge he reached into his scabbard and took out his knife. He got right next to the window ledge and listened for the thief's movements. There was some shuffling at the back of the room, and Horace could hear the thief placing objects into a bag of some sort. Horace slowly peaked into the room, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness for a moment. The thief was broad in stature, a little taller than Horace himself, and had a knife in a scabbard attached to his belt. With the man's back turned on him, Horace slowly lifted himself onto the ledge and into the room. He moved with caution against the walls and was quickly able to blend in with the background. "What in the world am I going to do now?" Horace thought. He had ran up the castle wall and followed the thief on natural instinct. He had no plan of how he was even going to stop this thief. Then Horace remembered something Darius had told him, "attack first and trust your training." They had been training together every day for the past couple months and Horace's skill had definitely improved. In fact, Horace was one his way to becoming one of the kingdom's greatest sword masters. With Darius' words in mind Horace slowly came upon the thief and with one fluid movement whipped his sword back around and with a resounding smack hit the man on the head with the blade's flat side. Instantly the thief's body crumpled and fell to the side. By the time Horace had tied the man up and replaced the crown jewels there was a commotion at the bottom of the tower. The guards' bodies had been discovered and now reinforcements were being sent up to the tower. "Everything is okay up here!" Horace said, "I'll explain everything when I get down." Horace's father was down at the bottom and he ran up to the tower furious in misunderstanding as he thought this was another one of Horace's pranks. As he burst open through the door he saw the body on the floor and instantly realized what had happened. "Horace, thank God you're safe, how did you..?" Horace quickly explained what happened and as he finished his father moved toward him and brought him into a hug. "Son," he said, "I want to let you know that you have changed for the better. Your mother and I would love to have you back home again." Horace was shocked at these words, he had never heard his father so proud in his life. It was a good feeling. One week later Horace was back at the castle. It turns out that the thief in the tower was number one on the kingdom's most wanted list and Horace had caught him. This was certainly an accomplishment to be proud of but after a few months living with Darius, Horace didn't allow it to get to his head. Life back at the castle took some getting used to again but Horace didn't give in to all the privileges he had before. After learning how to care for himself Horace hardly needed the help of the castle staff for those simple things. He had grown up and learned to do things on his own rather than waiting for someone to serve him. However, Horace still missed Darius and his cabin and would often go visit for weeks at a time and learn new weaponry and stealth tactics. One day during these week-long visits, Darius and Horace were sitting on the front porch listening to the evening sounds of the woods and sipping a pot of hot black coffee. "Thank you," said Horace suddenly. "For what?" Darius asked in return. "For teaching me the most important lessons in my life, for being hard on me, and for taking me in when I was rebellious and needed help." There was a short pause as Darius took in those words, "You're welcome," he said, "I would do it all over again." "You're going to be a great warrior and king one day." And with that they continued to enjoy the evening in silence.

Jane Eyre: A Review - Kelly Vea

Jane Eyre Ch. 27-38 Questions

1. Like Mrs. Fairfax, audiences often wonder why Rochester loves Jane. Give examples. Or if you don't think he truly loves her, give examples (remember his "jealousy" method").

• I do think that Mr. Rochester truly loves Jane. Mrs. Faifax begins this question in chapter 24 when she says, "Equality of position and fortune is often advisable in some cases: and there are twenty years of distance in your ages." From her point of view and many readers, she believes like most people at this time, that marriage between two people should match up in their rank in society and amount of wealth. People of higher status did not usually marry "lower" than their own status. The age difference is also a big issue to Mrs. Fairfax and audiences. Since Mr. Rochester is almost old enough to be Jane's father it does seem awkward in today's present times. However, I do think that Mr. Rochester and Jane do truly love each other. They are able to understand each other and connect on a personal level. Jane is also not just interested in Mr. Rochester for his wealth, he could probably be dirt poor and it would not matter to Jane. When Jane discovers Mr. Rochester's hidden wife he is very distressed by her reactions to him afterwards. He wants to touch her, kiss, her, and love her again but she cannot be compelled to do that because of moral obligations. He becomes angry and wants her to forgive him and marry him again but it is of no use. We discover later in the book that after Jane leaves Mr. Rochester is a mess. In chapter 35, the innkeeper said that "Mr. Rochester sought her as if she had been the most precious thing he had in the world, he could never hear a word of her; and he grew quite savage." I think that this is a good description that proves that Mr. Rochester did love Jane. He became extremely distressed after she had left him and these aren't characteristics of a man who really did love someone. 

2. "St. John Rivers - pure-lived, conscientious, zealous as he was - had not yet found that peace of God which passeth all understanding..." What are your thoughts on this?

• I agree with this statement. Although St. John Rivers is called a good man many times, he had a few dark characteristics. He was very rigid and tried not to show any emotion at all. He rejected his love for Rosamond Oliver because she was not "missionary worthy." He only wanted to marry Jane because she was hard working and told her that she was not made for love but for labor. St. John is very forceful in his convictions and we see that in his behavior after Jane rejects his marriage proposal. He becomes very harsh and distant, essentially throwing a fit because she won't come with him to India. He claims that God is calling her to become a missionary and marry him and to reject him is to reject God. This is very unbiblical and not right at all. I think that if he had truly found the peace of God he would learn to be understanding and not forceful. He would be loving like how Jesus loved all people and forgave them. The Gospel is not about forcing it on people but showing them love and kindness like how Jesus was when He came. Jesus did get angry at times but it was a righteous anger, a justified anger. It would have done St. John well to find this true peace of God and become understanding and loving of others even when they do things against what he would prefer.

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 31-38

Ebullition:

• -noun

1. a seething or overflowing, as of passion or feeling; outburst
2. the act or process of boiling up
3. a rushing forth of lava, water, etc., in a state of agitation

Coadjutor:

• -noun

1. an assistant
2. an assistant to a bishop or other ecclesiastic
3. a bishop who assists another bishop, with the right of succession

Superfluity:

• -noun

1. a superabundant or excessive amount
2. excessive
3. unnecessary or needless

Veneration:

• -noun

1. to regard or treat with reverence; revere

Diffidence

• -noun

1. lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy
2. restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc.

Jane Eyre Ch. 17-26 Questions

1. Jane is wondering about Rochester and Blanche's reasons for marriage. Is Rochester marrying for "interest and connections"? Were they "...acting in conformity to ideas and principles instilled in them, doubtless, from their childhood"? See page 216 for the context. Why will you marry? If you want to be married, why?

• It did seem like Rochester was marrying for "interest and connections." This was not an uncommon thing to do at this time in history. Marriages were made in order to create peace between families or tie the wealth of two families together. Oftentimes marriage was not founded solely upon love. I think that they were "acting in conformity to ideas and principles instilled in them, doubtless, from their childhood." In a society such as this they were probably both taught that marriage is not just about love but about status as well. The goal is to marry "up" or at least to someone who can compliment with beauty and some wealth. The type of society Rochester and Blanche are from is one focused on materialistic things and getting more of those materialistic things. I do want to get married one day, not any time soon though. I want to be married so that I can have children and create a family. God tells us to subdue and multiply the earth and I hope that one day I can have children of my own and teach them right truths. I also would like to marry someone that will be a loving husband and one that lives a Godly life and can really be that head of the household. 

2. Rochester says the following about Jane on page 232-33, "I can live alone, if self-respect and circumstances require me so to do. I need not sell my soul to buy bliss, I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld; or offered only at a price afford to give." Can this be said about you? Why or why not?

• I think this can be said about me. If something happened and I was required to live alone then I would like to think that I could be able to do so. I think it is foolish for someone to sell their soul for happiness. If all happiness is taken away from me I know that there is a plan for my life and I just need to pray and wait to see what that plan is. Happiness does not come from people or from material things. Happiness comes from doing what God calls us to do and living for Him every day. 

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 29-30

Emaciated:

• -adj.

1. abnormal thinness caused by lack of nutrition or by disease

Pallid:

• -adj.

1. pale; faint or deficient in color; wan
2. lacking in vitality or interest

Quiescent:

• -adj.

1. being at rest; quiet; still; inactive or motionless

Remuneration:

• -noun

1. to pay, recompense, or reward for work, trouble, etc

Elysium:

• -noun

1. any similarly conceived abode or state of the dead
2. any place or state of perfect happiness; paradise
3. the abode of the death after death

Morass:

• -noun

1. a tract of low, soft, wet ground
2. a marsh or bog
3. marshy ground
4. any confusing or troubling situation, especially one from which it is difficult to free oneself; entaglement

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 27-28

Inanition:

• -noun

1. exhaustion from lack of nourishment; starvation
2. lack of vigor; lethargy

Expostulate:

• -verb

1. to reason earnestly with someone against something that person intends to do or has done; remonstrate

Impetus:

• -noun

1. a moving force; impulse; stimulus
2. the momentum of a moving body, especially with reference to the cause of motin

Avaricious:

• -adj.

1. greedy; covetous

Eschew:

• -verb

1. to abstain or keep away from; shun; avoid

Remonstrance:

• -noun

1. a protest

Odious:

• -adj.

1. deserving or causing hatred; hateful; detestable
2. highly offensive; repugnant; disgusting

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 25-26

Impediment:

• -noun

1. obstruction; hindrance; obstacle
2. any physical defect that impedes normal or easy speech; a speech disorder

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 23-24

Vicinage:

• -noun

1. the region near or about a place; vicinity
2. a particular neighborhood or district, or the people belonging to it
3. proximity

Acumen:

• -noun

1. keen insight; shrewdness

Automaton:

• -noun

1. a mechanical figure or contrivance constructed to act as if by its own motive power; robot
2. a person or animal that acts in a monotonous, routine manner, without active intelligence
3. something capable of acting automatically or without an external motive force

Talisman:

• -noun

1. a stone, ring, or other object, engraved with figures or characters supposed to possess occult powers and worn as an amulet or charm
2. any amulet or charm
3. anything whose presence exercises a remarkable or powerful influence on human feelings or actions

Jane Eyre Ch. 13-20 Questions

1. Do you think people "...envy...peace of mind...clean conscience...unpolluted memory"? (See page 154 for full context.)

•  Yes, I do think that people envy peace of mind, clean conscience, and unpolluted memory. What you have done or seen cannot be undone. Some people become very focused on things of their past; what they could have done and where they could be. I'm sure everyone regrets at least one thing that they've done in their life. Some people spend so much time thinking about things of the past or worrying about things to come that they never have a peace of mind. They are never satisfied with their situation in life. There are also those people who have done very regrettable things in their past and have not come to terms with them. These people do not have a clean conscience and that bothers them yet they don't want to confess. Others have an unpolluted memory because they may have experienced something or saw something being done. It is very easy to envy these three things but it is important to know that what is in the past cannot be changed but how we act in the future can be. Mistakes that happened in the past were for a reason; to teach us and others how to act in the future.

2. Do you agree with the following: "...error brought remorse, and ...remorse the poison of existence" (156)? Why or why not? Give examples.

• I agree that error brings on remorse but I don't think that remorse is the poison for existence. I think that it's how you choose to act to that remorse that will either make it "the poison of existence" or something to learn from. Everyone has done something remorseful in their lives but it is up to them whether they are going to focus on that or use it as a learning experience. There are times where I've made big mistakes and my initial reaction is to keep thinking about it and how I should have handled the situation. However there is nothing I can do to fix it since it's in the past, the only thing I can do is learn from it so that it won't happen in the future. If I just kept thinking about it and letting it sit there in the back of my mind I wouldn't get anywhere and I wouldn't improve anything. Remorse does come with error but it doesn't always have to be "the poison of existence."

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 21-22

Presentiments:

• -noun

1. A feeling or impression that something is about to happen, especially somethkng evil, foreboding 

Ascetic:

• -adj. 

1. rigorously abstinent
2. Exceedingly strict or severe in religious exercises or self-mortification

Augment:

• -verb

1. Become larger 

Eradicated:

• -verb

1. To remove or destroy utterly

Industrious:

• -adj. 

1. working energetically or devotedly; hard-working, diligent. 

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 19-20

Propitious:

• -adj.

1. pressing favorable conditions; favorable
2. indictable of favor; auspicious
3. favorably inclined; disposed to bestow favors or forgive

Impetuous:

• -adj.

1. of, or pertaining to, or characterized by sudden or rash action, emotion, etc.
2. having great impetus; moving with great force; violent

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 17-18

Anathema:

• -noun

1. a person or thing detested or loathed
2. a person or thing accursed or consigned to damnation or destruction
3. a formal ecclesiastical curse involving excommunication
4. any imprecation of divine punishment
5. a curse; execration

Traverse:

• -verb

1. to pass or move over, along, or through
2. to go to and fro over or along
3. to extend across or over
4. to go up, down, or across

Sagacity:

• -noun

1. acuteness of mental discernment and soundness of judgment

Meretricious:

• -adj.

1. alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; tawdry
2. based on pretense, deception, or insincerity
3. pertaining to or characteristic of a prostitute

Supercilious:

• -adj.

1. haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression

Physiognomy:

• -noun

1. the face or countenance, especially when considered as an index to the character
2. the outward appearance of anything, taken as offering some insight into its character

Jane Eyre Ch. 9-12 Questions

1. Is the music accurate with the book?

• Yes, I think the music is very accurate with the book. It compliments the emotions and feelings going on in each of the scenes and the dialogue flows with it tastefully. 

2. Comparisons:

• There were a lot of comparisons between the book and the dialogue that accompanied the music. It mentions the doll she gives her affection to as a child. It also explains the kindness that she wishes to get from Mrs. Reed but is unable to attain despite her efforts. Jane wishes to be free from the suffering she has at the hands of Mrs. Reed. The music also talked about Mr. Brocklehurst's views of Jane as  a naughty girl who can't be saved. He also says that Jane is prone to deceit and people should be cautioned around her because she tells lies. It mentions that Mrs. Scatcherd as demanding and that "she will show them the strap." The schools girls express their desire for better food. Helen says that Jane mustn't be revengeful. She must be strong and repay evil for good. Helen tells Jane not to lose faith or heart because God will restore her trust. 

3. On page 107-08, Bronte tells how glad Mrs. Fairfax is to have Jane for company now. She explains that there are others at Thornfield Hall, but they are servants, and "...one can't converse with them on terms of equality: one must keep them at due distance, for fear of losing one's authority." Do you agree with this? Should your parents, boss, teachers, youth leaders, etc. not be your "best friend" for authority's sake?

• I do agree with this statement. I don't think that parents, bosses, teachers, youth leaders, etc. should be that close to me to be considered my "best friend." If they are I think that their authority would be undermined and the seriousness of the relationship that should be there would dissipate. Anyone who is in a higher authority shouldn't become best friends with those who are under them. There needs to be a certain level of hierarchy and respect. If bosses and employees treated each other like "best friends" and were essentially on the same level then there's no point in being the boss. I think that if someone doesn't exercise their authority (in a productive way) and just lets the relationship become a friendship, they will no longer be able to effectively enforce things. 

4. On page 123, Bronte writes, "It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and thy will make it if they cannot find it." What do you think this means? Why?

• I think Bronte is saying that human beings need action in their lives. They cannot sit idly by the side for their whole entirety and if they cannot find any sort of action they will find some way to make it happen themselves. I think that human beings do need some sort of action in their lives. We were not made to be docile and shy away from action. I think that many people strive after adventure; people are curious and want to discover and learn new things. This does not come through a life of tranquility. If someone is surrounded by tranquility they may as Bronte put it, "make it [action] if they cannot find it." In this part of the book Jane is seeking after more excitement, after something new that she can discover. She is tired of the mundane and monotonous life that has become the norm, not that she isn't grateful of the job as governess. I think that many people are like this; they want to experience action of some kind even if they must make it happen themselves.

5. Do you agree with the following statement taken from page 123: "...millions in silent revolt against their lot"? Why or why not? Give examples.

• I agree with this statement. I think that there are many people who are not satisfied with their job or their station in life. There are so many people who go into a certain career because of monetary reasons or because their family members want them to. Because of this they are not truly happy with their job. The job becomes just a way to get money not an avenue for doing something they love. If you love your job then you really never have to work a day in your life. My dad wanted me to be a nurse but I have no interest in being a nurse at all. If I went to college to be a nurse I'm pretty sure I'd have a horrible time because I have no interest in it and working would become something that I would dread doing every day. There are millions of people who are unhappy or unsatisfied with their job or career because they are not doing something that best utilizes their talents. God gives everyone a different talent and calls us each to do different things. 

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 15-16

Assuage:

• -verb

1. to make milder or less sever; relieve; ease; mitigate
2. to appease; satisfy; allay; relieve
3. to soothe, calm, or mollify

Lugubrious:

• -adj.

1. mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner

Stupefy:

• -verb

1. to put in a state of little or no sensibility; benumb the faculties of; put into a stupor
2. to stun, as with a narcotic, a shock, or a strong emotion
3. to overwhelm with amazement; astound; astonish

Harangue:

• -noun

1. a scolding or a long or intense verbal attack; diatribe
2. a long, passionate, and vehement speech, especially one delivered before a public gathering
3. any long, pompous speech or writing of a tedious hortatory or didactic nature; sermonizing lecture or discourse

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 13-14

Conjecture:

• -noun

1. the formation or expression of an opinion or theory without sufficient evidence for proof
2. an opinion or theory so formed or expressed; guess; speculation
3. the interpretation of signs or omens

Affability:

• -adj.

1. pleasantly easy to approach and talk to; friendly; cordial; warmly polite
2. showing warmth and friendliness; benign; pleasant

Gregarious:

• -adj.

1. fond of the company of others; sociable
2. living in flocks or herds, as animals
3. Growing in open clusters or colonies; not matted together
4. pertaining to a flock or crowd

Salubrious:

• -adj.

1. favorable to or promoting health; healthful

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 11-12

Effaced:

• -verb

1. to wipe out; do away with; expunge
2. to rub out, erase, or obliterate
3. to make (oneself) inconspicuous; withdraw (oneself) modestly or shyly

Docile:

• -adj.

1. easily managed or handled; tractable
2. readily trained or taught; teachable

Injudicious:

• -adj.

1. showing lack of judgment; unwise; imprudent; indiscreet

Fastidious:

• -adj.

1. excessively particular, critical, or demanding; hard to please
2. requiring or characterized by excessive care of delicacy; painstaking

Stile:

• -noun

1. a series of steps or rungs by means of which a person may pass over a wall or fence that remains a barrier to sheep or cattle
2. a turnstile

Discussion Questions Chapters I-X

1. Write a summary of any chapter you've read this week. Please title it with the chapter number.

• In Chapter VII, Jane has adjusted herself to life at Lowood Institution. She notes that she has difficulty getting used to the new rules and mundane tasks. The meals continue to be barely filling and hardly nutritious. Going to church on Sunday proved to be a dreary task as the girls were required to walk two miles to Brocklebridge church and back. Jane had been fearing a visit of Mr. Brocklehurst to Lowood Institute as he would very well make her "devious" nature known to everyone. She mentioned a nickname for him as the "Coming Man." He arrived one afternoon as Jane was preoccupied with completing long division on a slate. Jane overheard him speaking with Miss Temple on the discrepancies of the institution. He made comments on the upkeep of clothing and washing. Also giving a long lecture to Miss Temple on the grave mistake she had made in feeding the girls a meal of bread and cheese when the meals were far less than adequate. His reasoning was that the institution is supposed to shape girls to be "hardy, patient, and self-denying." To him there is no use in giving the body the "luxuries" of a good meal; the only thing that matters is the feeding of the soul. Mr. Brocklehurst then, noticing a girl with natural curls, decides that no girl should have curly hair even if it is natural. He states that even though her hair is natural, "we are not to conform to nature." His goal is to, "mortify in these girls the lusts of the flesh; to teach them to clothe themselves with shame-facedness and sobriety." However, right after he makes this statement his wife and daughters enter dressed in the fashions of the day and curls. Jane, still trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, drops her slate on the ground and cracks it in half. Mr. Brocklehurst notices her and calls her to be put on a stool. He then proceed to make a public embarrassment of her, degrading her every ability and proclaiming that she is a liar and one to be wary of. He commands her to stay on the stool for half an hour more and forbids anyone to speak to her for the remainder of the day. As the girls were dismissed to their other activities, one girl passed her and gave her a look that conveyed a common understanding. When Helen Burns passed she looked at Jane with a smile that lit up her whole face. 

2. "Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs." Read the last paragraph on page 62 for the context. What do you think of this quote?

• I think that this quote means that there is so much time wasted in harboring ill feelings towards other people and thinking of ways to act our revenge. Tomorrow is not guaranteed for everyone and the time here on earth is likened to a vapor. It is very short and does not last long. Helen Burns is saying that there are so many other things in life to think about. Things that happened in the past cannot be changed and revenge will ultimately do a person no good. Time can be much better spent doing productive things than in storing up anger and plotting revenge.

3. Do you agree with Helen when she says "...it is weak and silly to say you cannot bear what it is your fate to be required to bear"?

• I do agree with Helen when she says this. God places trials in our life and He does not give us more than we can handle. So for one to say that they cannot bear what it is happening to them is foolish. Although trials and tribulations may seem to come "out of the blue" in some cases, God has a specific reason for them. Hardships help give us perseverance, character, and hope. Everyone has the ability to bear what is required of them to bear. 

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 9-10

Ameliorated:

• -verb

1. to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve; meliorate

Effluvia:

• -noun

1. a slight or invisible exhalation or vapor, especially one that is disagreeable or noxious

Scourge:

• -noun

1. a whip or lash, especially for the infliction of punishment or torture
2. a person or thing that applies or administers punishment or severe criticism
3. a cause of affliction or calamity

Ostensible:

• -adj.

1. outwardly appearing as such; professed; pretended
2. apparent, evident, or conspicuous

Soporific:

• -adj.

1. causing or tending to cause sleep
2. pertaining to or characterized by sleep or sleepiness; sleepy; drowsy

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 7-8

Penurious:

• -adj.

1. extremely stingy; parsimonious; miserly
2. extremely poor; destitute; indigent 
3. poorly or inadequately supplied; lacking in means or resources

Solace:

• -noun

1. comfort in sorrow, misfortune, or trouble; alleviation of distress or discomfort
2. something that gives comfort, consolation, or relief

Perfidious:

• -adj.

1. deliberately faithless; treacherous; deceitful

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 3-6

Cadence:

• -noun

1. rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words
2. (in free verse) a rhythmic pattern that is nonmetrically structured
3. the beat, rate, or measure of any rhythmic movement

Insuperable:

• -adj.

1. incapable of being passed over, overcome, or surmounted

Aversion:

• -noun

1. strong feeling of dislike, opposition, repugnance, or antipathy 
2. a cause or object of dislike; person or thing that causes antipathy

Audacious:

• -adj.

1. extremely bold or daring; recklessly brave; fearless
2. recklessly bold in defiance of convention, propriety, law, or the like; insolent; brazen

Capricious:

• -adj.

1. subject to, led by, or indicative of a sudden, odd notion or unpredictable change; erratic

Usurious:

• -adj.

1. practicing usury; charging illegal or exorbitant rates of interest for the use of money; 

Preternatural:

• -adj.

1. out of the ordinary course of nature; exceptional or abnormal
2. outside of nature; supernatural

Cessation:

• -noun

1. a temporary or complete stopping; discontinuance

Indefatigable:

• -adj.

1. incapable of being tired out; not yielding to fatigue; untiring

Refectory:

• -noun

1. a dining hall in a religious house, college, or other institution

Ravenous:

• -adj.

1. extremely hungry; famished; voracious
2. extremely rapacious
3. intensely eager for gratification or satisfaction

Ewer:

• -noun

1. a pitcher with a wide spout
2. a vessel having a spout and a handle, especially a tall, slender vessel with a base

Assiduity:

• -noun

1. constant or close application or effort; diligence; industry
2. devoted or solicitous attentions

Truculent:

• -adj.

1. fierce; cruel; savagely brutal
2. brutally harsh; vitriolic; scathing
3. aggressively hostile; belligerent 

Jane Eyre - Vocab Chapters 1-2

Lamentable:

• -adj.

1. wretched, deplorable, or distressing
2. an archaic word for mournful

Torpid:

• -adj.

1. inactive or sluggish
2. slow; dull; apathetic; lethargic
3. dormant, as a hibernating or estivating animal

Bilious:

• -adj.

1. peevish; irritable; cranky
2. extremely unpleasant or distasteful

Antipathy:

• -noun, plural

1. a natural, basic, or habitual repugnance; aversion
2. an instinctive contrariety or opposition in feeling
3. an object of natural aversion or habitual dislike

Impudence:

• -noun

1. the quality or state of being impudent; effrontery; insolence
2. impudent conduct or language
3. obsolete. lack of modesty; shamelessness

Pungent:

• -adj.

1. acutely distressing to the feelings or mind; poignant
2. caustic, biting, or sharply excessive

Trifle:

• -noun

1. a small quantity or amount of anything; a little

Benefactress:

• -noun

1. a woman who confers a benefit, bequest, endowment, or the like

Ignominy:

• -noun

1. disgrace; dishonor; public contempt
2. shameful or dishonorable quality or conduct or an instance of this

Consecration:

• -noun

1. dedication to the service and worship of a deity

Reviled:

• -verb

1. to assail with contemptuous or opprobrious language; address or speak abusively
2. to speak abusively

Opprobrium:

• -noun

1. The disgrace or the reproach incurred by conduct considered outrageously shameful; infamy
2. a cause or object of such disgrace or reproach

Consternation:

• -noun

1. a sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in utter confusion; dismay

Tumult:

• -noun

1. highly distressing agitation of mind or feeling; turbulent mental or emotional disturbance

Propensity:

• -noun

1. favorable disposition or partiality

Noxious:

• -adj.

1. harmful or injurious to health or physical well-being
2. morally harmful; corrupting; pernicious

Sanguine:

• -adj.

1. cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident

Interloper:

• -noun

1. a person who interferes or meddles in the affairs of others

Abhor:

• -verb

1. to regard with extreme repugnance or aversion; detest utterly; loathe; abominate

Artifice:

• -noun

1. a clever trick or stratagem; a cunning, crafty device or expedient; wile
2. trickery; guile; craftiness
3. cunning; ingenuity; inventiveness

Precocious:

• -adj.

1. unusually advanced or mature in development

Parley:

• -noun

1. to speak, talk, confer

Modeling Burns

A Shining, Shining Candle

O, my love is like a shining, shining candle,
Never giving up it's light;
O, my love is like a morning glory
Renewed at the sun's sight.

As handsome as you are, my dear,
My love for you I'll shout;
And I will love you, with all my heart,
Until the sun burns out.

Until the sun burns out, my love,
And everything is still;
I will love you for all that time, my love,
As the clouds pass over hills.

Long may your life be, my one true love!
And full of pleasantries!
And I will be there with you, my love,
Forever and for eternities!

Cowper and Mental Illness

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that has affected people all throughout history. People who have this disorder commonly hear voices which can make them very paranoid. There are treatments today that help people deal with this disorder but most people have to live with symptoms. Genes and environment can cause schizophrenia. The illness occurs in just one percent of the population but is more common among those who have relatives with schizophrenia. Another cause involves different brain chemistry and structure. Chemical reactions in the brain involving dopamine, glutamate, and other possible chemicals play a role in the development of schizophrenia. The brains of people with this disorder are different from a typical "healthy" brain. Some of the problems with the brain can be traced back to the time in the womb. Schizophrenia affects both men and women equally. Symptoms of the disorder usually occur between the ages of sixteen an thirty. It can be difficult to diagnose schizophrenia properly with teens as many of the symptoms are already related with normal teenage behavior (i.e., change in friends, drop in grades, sleep problems, and irritability). Symptoms of schizophrenia are either positive, negative, or cognitive. Positive symptoms are the psychotic behaviors not seen in "healthy" people. These include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, and movement disorders. Negative symptoms are related to a disruption regarding normal emotions and behaviors. These include the "flat effect" (a person's face does not move or the person speaks in a dull voice), lack of pleasure in everyday life, inability to begin and keep up with planned activities, speaking very little even when forced to. Cognitive symptoms are very subtle. These include having a hard time understanding information and using it to make decisions, problems focusing or paying attention, and not being able to effectively use information right after learning it. Treatments for schizophrenia involve antipsychotic medications and various psychosocial treatments. Some people have side-effects when taking these medications. Most of these go away within a few days and can be managed successfully. Antipsychotics are usually in a pill or liquid form but can be taken by shots once or twice a month. They can produce dangerous side effects when taken with other medications so it is important that the doctor knows exactly what the patient is taking in regards to other medications or herbal substances. Patients who receive psychosocial treatment are more likely to keep taking their antipsychotic medications. Oftentimes people with schizophrenia resist treatment because they believe their hallucinations are real. It is difficult for family members and friends to get a loved one help. Those who have schizophrenia need the help of their loved ones to make sure they are taken medications and are not falling into substance abuse.

http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/default.htm?names-dropdown=OR
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/36942.php

Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard: Questions pg. 479 #3-4

3. Identify the poem's subject and give examples of the intense moralization and artificial poetic diction which make the Elegy neoclassical. Then identify the elements which foreshadow romanticism. Why do you think Gray's poem has had such an enduring appeal to readers?

• The poem's subject is man. One example of intense moralization is in lines 15-16 where it says, "Each in his narrow cell forever laid. The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." Each person on those tombstones, no matter what their station in life in that village, is now in the ground forever. Another example is in lines 33-36 where it says, "The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Awaits alike the inevitable hour The paths of glory lead but to the grave." Despite all the glory, wealth, and success of a person, in the end they will ultimately die. Death is unavoidable. An example of artificial poetic diction is found in line 3 which says, "The plowman homeward plods his weary way." I think this is a more roundabout and elegant way to say that the farmer is going home. Another example of artificial poetic diction is 
• The elements that foreshadow romanticism are the country setting, the concept of living humbly, the way the poet creates a feeling by using natural description, and the setting of the speaker being alone while contemplating.
• I think that Gray's poem has been very appealing to readers throughout the years because of it's ability to convey the same emotions and meaning despite the difference in times or audiences. Readers can relate to this contemplative poem which ultimately makes them think about their life and how people will view it after they are dead. Essentially thinking about "what will be on their own grave stone."

4. In what ways do you think the speaker's life might be similar to the villagers' lives he imagines? What is the significance of his epitaph? Do you think the inclusion of the epitaph weakens or strengthens the poem?

• The speaker's life probably experienced some large successes, honor, knowledge, admiration, power, and was of a humble birth.
• The significance of this epitaph is that it is Gray's own epitaph. 
• I think the inclusion of this epitaph strengthens the poem. It is Gray's own observation of his life shortly summed up in a 3 stanza epitaph. It causes the reader to think about what their own epitaph would say, enforcing the point of this whole poem. 

5. Beginning with the setting in lines 1-16 and concluding with the epitaph in lines 117-28, identify the seven main divisions of the poem. What effect does Gray create through his carefully planned sequence of ideas?

• 1 - Evening setting
• 2 - Churchyard
• 3 - Reflection on the graves themselves
• 4 - Reflection of the people's lives who are now in the grave
• 5 - Successes of life that people attain
• 6 - The good and bad things in people's life that go unnoticed after death
• 7 - All life must come to an end
• Through these ideas Gray creates the effect of the somberness of death. When the speaker is walking around in the churchyard the day is coming to an end. The end of the day relates back to the idea of death and a closing. Each division in this poem relates back to the reflection of the speaker on the lives of others and on his own personal life. Gray opens with the quiet solitude of evening, carries this idea through with the graves and the reflection of those people's lives, and then ends the poem with his own epitaph and "conclusion to his life."

Someone I Admire and Why

I admire my dad because he's gone through a lot of things in life to get where he is today. Growing up in a small town in the northern Philippines, there weren't very many opportunities for him. If his family had stayed there, he would most likely be a farmer or a teacher. When he was fourteen he came over to Hawaii. It was a difficult transition from life on a farm to life in a subdivision. In order to go to college he had to pay his way through because he did not want to burden his parents with the cost. He worked in the pineapple fields to get money for college and rode a motorcycle because it was cheaper than a car. His goal in life was to become something more than a simple farmer; he wanted to be a civil engineer. This field requires a lot of hard work and dedication. I admire my dad because he worked so hard to improve his station in life and to give his family better opportunities. He is still a hard worker and loves doing his job. When I get a career and go into the "real world" I hope I will have the same perseverance and dedication that he has.

Thomson

1. Winter - list two examples of personification in lines 1-6.

• Line 2: "Sighs the sad genius of the coming storm"
• Line 5: "And cave, presageful, send a hollow moan"

2. List two examples of alliteration in lines 1-6.

• Line 2: "Sighs the sad genius"
• Line 6: "Resounding long in listening fancy's ear."

3. What does Thomson mean by "pleasing dread."

• I think that "pleasing dread" means that the nature is so majestic that it fills the author with an astonished sense of powerful emotion. It surprises the author in a good way and fills him with that emotion.

Hymns

1. "All I Ever Want to Be" is a great hymn that I have enjoyed singing in chapel. It's lyrics are inspiring and they always remind me to keep asking God what He wants of me. All I should want to be is what God wants of me. Planning ahead in life is good but I shouldn't let it consume my thoughts. God has a plan for me and I have to make sure that I am willing to accept that plan and do what He wants me to do.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCRuqgzyRjg
2. "Perfect Peace" is also another one of my favorite hymns. It talks about having perfect peace even when we are not at our best. At times when I feel alone or sad, I think of this hymn. God is always there to provide perfect peace. He is all-powerful and loving when I obey the things He commands me to do. God is always in control of everything and as long as my mind is one Him I should not have doubts and fears of where He wants to take me. 
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5-7VFBKLTk

Pope's Essays

1. "Trust not yourself; but your defects to know, make use of every friend - and every foe." (line 13-14, An Essay on Criticism)

• This quote means that you should not trust in yourself but you should know your weaknesses. It also says to "make use" which I think means to learn from every friend and every enemy. I learned that I should not think so highly of myself that I don't even know my weaknesses. It is important to know my weaknesses so that I can be aware of them and improve on them. Every friend or enemy possesses something that can be learned. It is not only friends that can provide something to learn from. Friends can show you good qualities and traits that you want (that is if you have good friends). You can ask yourself questions like, "What quality is it that my friend has that I appreciate, and how can I enhance that quality in my life?" While enemies can show you bad qualities that you want to get rid of in your life. You can ask questions like "What things annoy me or anger me about my enemy that I might also do, and how can I change that in my life?"

2. "What the weak head with strongest bias rules, is pride, the never-failing vice of fools." (line 4-5, An Essay on Criticism)

• This quote means that those people who are not the best thinkers, yet have a very big bias, are extremely prideful. Pride is evident in foolish people. I learned that I have to keep an eye on my personal bias and not let it get the best of me. I also need to learn to get rid of my pride. I have lots of pride about many things; grades, society, being a senior, etc. Those things are not good to be focused on all the time. I do not want to be perceived as a fool. If I see others being prideful instead of judging them I need to take a look at what I do. Because often what I don't like in others is what I myself do.

Modern Connection

Artists such as Michael Buble resemble Steele's "No. 1 Tuesday, April 12, 1709" entry. There is nothing "new under the sun" in the comparison between this song and the entry. The man in the entry sees a woman and it is immediately love at first sight. Trying to find her tears him apart and causes him great pain. He does not know what to do without her in his life. The same is similar with this song. Although the song writer does not need to go on a journey to search for his beloved, he is about to take a chance to ask her if she feels the same way he does. The first time he saw this girl he knew it was love at first sight. He feels joy and pain at the same time. He loves her and she is in his heart which is tearing him apart. 

"Love At First Sight" - Michael Buble

I'm making this one special evening
Taking a chance in my life
Hoping you feel the same way as I do tonight
Just try and look into my eyes
Don't be scared of what you might see there
The first time I saw you
I knew love at first sight must be true, so true, oh so true
And now I just have to explain why I feel this way
I feel joy, I feel pain
You're in my heart and it's tearing me apart
'Cause I love you, I love you, I love you!

Dryden's Satire