Animal Farm

Title: Animal Farm
Author: George Orwell

For the rest of the year, the animals work at a backbreaking pace to farm enough food for themselves and to build the windmill. The leaders cuts the rations and the animals receive no food at all unless they work on Sunday afternoons. But because they believe what the leaders are telling them they want to work if it's for their own good. Boxer commits himself to Animal Farm, doing the work of three horses but never complaining. Even though the farm possesses all of the necessary materials to build the windmill, the project presents a number of difficulties. The animals struggle over how to break the available stone into manageable sizes for building without picks and crowbars, which they are unable to use. They finally solve the problem by learning to raise and then drop big stones into the quarry, smashing them into usable chunks. By late summer, the animals have enough broken stone to begin construction.

"... Napoleon announced  that there would work on Sunday afternoons as well. This work was strictly voluntary, but any animal who absented himself from it would have his rations reduced by half."

Treasure Island

Title: Treasure Island

Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

Genre: Classic

I have continued reading Treasure Island throughout the week, and have managed to finish it. It was interesting to see the bad and good sides of the characters. Like I thought there was a lot of action in the next chapters I read, and it's strange to see how few people came back alive, all the pirates dead, and the main characters (of course) stayed alive.

"With one man of her crew alive, What put to sea with seventy-five."

This quote meant just that! It doesn't mean that only one man stayed alive, or that were 75 men that went into sea in total, but this quote is trying to say that a lot of people went, and a few returned.

The moment Captain Smollett, John Trelawney, and two other members set their feet on the island, they were immediately attacked. When Jim Hawkins had gone of with Captain Silver, the part when the rest of the crew members landed on the island was written by the Doctor himself. I don't know if I ever told you before, but the way the story was written was as if Jim Hawkins was retelling all his adventures he had on the journey, to Treasure Island. When Jim Hawkins was gone for a while, the journal was written by the Doctor (later on resumed by Jim Hawkins again). Even though the Doctor's crew members were a few, they still managed to fight their way to the shelter, which was supposed to protect them during their stay on the island. Couple of fights broke out between the pirates and the sailors, but of course, the crew members won. Despite the fact that they were a few, they were able to survive. Nevertheless the doctor couldn't help worrying if he would see Jim Hawkins ever again. Just as he was losing hope, Jim Hawkins returned to tell all his adventures.
Jim Hawkins apparently, after meeting Ben Gunn, had no longer wish to stray any longer with his crew members. He felt like he needed to attack, instead of defend all the time, and take some control. Despite the fact that he had just returned, and that he was leaving everyone else unprotected, he set out on his adventure, not intending to tell anyone about it. What Jim Hawkins was planning to do, was take control over the ship. He floated on Ben Gunn small boat, almost drowning couple of times, and made his way towards the Hispaniola. When he arrived, the poor boat was a great mess. Ever since the pirates took control over the ship, they made into a pig sty. The ship looked pretty abandoned, but apparently there was only one pirate left alive. He tried to kill Jim, by faking he was helpless. I am surprised, that after Jim met the blind man, he didn't take much precautions in weather the man was faking or not. Nevertheless, he had doubts, which in the end, helped him save his life. It was the first time Jim had killed a living soul. With the control of the ship, and knowing that Ben Gunn had the treasure, the crew members had full control. Feeling satisfied, Jim returned to his fellow mates, only to be captured by his enemies, Captain Silver's mates. What a way to end his adventures. But Captain Silver had pity in Jim Hawkins, and spared his life, even though he always kept him under a watchful eye. John Silver knew that if he did something to the boy, no matter how rich he was, he would be in jail for the rest of his life. On the search for the treasure, all of the pirates, except John Silver, died. Since they had no clue that Ben Gunn had the treasures, they weren't expecting to find one single silver coin in the pile of sand. With all the pirates gone, the treasure found, and the boat in the control of Jim Hawkins, the treasure hunters had nothing else to do but return home.
When they returned home, John Silver was never heard of again. He was obviously scared to be sentenced to prison after planning a treachery on the ones he was apparently serving. Unlike the movie, Ben Gunn returns with Jim Hawkins home, where he spent his share of money immediately  and became a member of the church choir (and pretty poor). Jim Hawkins lived with his mother, what else to say but, he lived happily ever after!
  Blog post #6: "This is what my dad said about the book: I enjoyed the adventure.  It was about pirates, and I found it very exciting.  I found my dad's interpretation of the book very interesting. I never thought of being a pirate myself, even though I enjoyed reading about them. I enjoy adventure too though, and I am glad both my dad and I liked the book.

The Hobbit

Author: J. R. R. Tolkien
Pages: 305/305
Genre: Fantasy

My mom and I have both just finished the hobbit. We are very satisfied with the ending, it had a very exciting twist towards the end. The dwarfs had made it to the mountain with their gold but the dragon Smaug was still there but then he flew to the Lake Town were he was defeated by Bard the master. The dwarfs, elves, and the people of Lake town were at the start of a war. However Gandalf came to save everyone and to inform them that goblins were coming to make a surprise attack, all three armies joined together and defeated the goblins. All harsh words said during the time of hatred was soon forgotten. What surprised me the most was when Thorin, Fili, and Kili died. This was a fantastic book. Now that I know how Tolkien writes I want to read the, Lord of The Rinds series. I really liked some of the universal sayings he had, for example, "'If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world'" (Tolkien 290).

My mom and I found that the language used in The Hobbit is very diverse. He uses older English, especially in dialog. Also he uses more modern English. Some of the vocabulary in this novel was very interesting because I had never even heard the words before. Tolkien also talks with great detail which helps get a vivid picture in your mind. I recommend the Hobbit

Buddenbrooks 5

The Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann Posted by Luka Ilic date: 27 of February 2013 Due to the time, I had to stop reading and get on with my book project essay and creative part. Now in the story, slowly everything is bringing down from the climax. The Buddenbrook family came to the bottom of the social and moral pyramid. Thomas Buddenbrook, the head of the family, who provided the family with all goods, wealth, and riches, has died in a slow and painful death. He was suffering of severe dental problems which has infected his nervous system which caused death. Thomas was buried two days after in the family grave where his mother father and sister. Everyone is in serious depression in the house of the Buddenbrook family, just like the the house which was empty, dark, gloomy, and dusty, with old furniture that once had been in possesion of a well known rich German family, the floor would squeak when would it be stepped on it. Portraits of the old Buddenbrook family are hanging staring at you with distinctive stares full of anger and power of one time that had passed a long time ago. On all of this mourning and depression, the Buddenbrooks will suffer now again. Hano, Thomas's son gets tuberculosis which unfortunately he dies after only 5 days. Again the town of Lumbreck will be gathered on the old town's graveyard at the Buddenbrook grave, burying the youngest member of the Buddenbrook family. The stile and the language in the book is very complex. From this book I learned many new and complex words. If you believe me I had to read with a dictionary right next to me where I would be searching every minute a new word. The author uses a lot of details and a lot of dialogue with a lot of detail that goes into the most smallest details that slows the book and makes it (for me) boring. However, the plot of the book is extremely interesting, but between every important event there is a huge amount of unneeded detail and dialogue. I think that the author did it this way so he can somehow take us in this world of the Buddenbrooks and its time period which is situated in the first half of the 19 century. The book includes very small details like the color of Gerda's dress, or the embroidery on a handkerchief, or the type of candles lit on the family dinner, or the de3sign of a teapot. These were some examples of the smallest details from the book. As I have said the language is very complex, it includes old English language like Thy, Thou, Ther, etc. It reminds me of the language from Shakespeare stories.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

 Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
262 pages
Classic Novel

  "Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion." 

                                                                                     -chapter 17

I have previously given a summary on the novel because I have finished reading it, so in this blog all i have to talk about is the language in the novel. Jane Austen has a very discriptive way of writing. My mother says that in serbian it doesn't flow well translated, but in English I find the language very beautiful. I think that it flows with ease and that it all fits well just like a puzzel. Sometimes the language annoys me a little bit becuase all the information she gives us is not needed and can be pointless, but regardless weather it is needed or not it is normally written in a very fluid, discriptive, and beautiful way. I really think Jane Austen had a gift for writing. SO overall I think her writing is beautiful, but can go on a little bit, my mother likes it she just thinks the translation of the language is bad.

Here is a list of some of the vocabulary that I learned from this novel:

1. importune-
   beg persistently and urgentl
2. elate-
   fill with high spirits; fill with optimism
3.  barefaced-
   with no effort to conceal
4. recommence-
   cause to start anew
5. complaisant-
   showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others

catch 22 blog post 5 luka brown

Catch-22

Luka Brown

Pages: 416

Author: Joseph Heller

Genre: Classic

“You might start a trend, and then I’ll never get rid of all this goldarned cotton” Milo is having issues with selling all of the cotton that he has bought. Milo tries to get Yossarian to eat it but sadly he declines. Also Yossarian is naked and his clothe is made out of cotton.

So far in the book Milo is having issues with his business. He even bombed his own airfield so the Germans would give him more money. He is also having issues with selling all his cotton. He even attempts to make chocolate cotton balls. The chaplain is also questioning his own existence.

The author was able to use the language to make the story more intense. All the characters have a strong American accent with some of them having an Italian accent. We both enjoy this. The vocab word we found was divulge. This word means to make something public   

ORR #5: Old Goriot by Honore de Balzac

Title: Old Goriot
Author: Honore de Balzac
Genre: Classic
Pages: 328

The novel starts with an extended description of the Maison Vauquer, a boarding house in Paris' rue Neuve-Sainte-Geneviève covered with vines, owned by the widow Madame Vauquer. The residents include the law student Eugène de Rastignac, a mysterious agitator named Vautrin, and an elderly retired vermicelli-maker named Jean-Joachim Goriot. The old man is ridiculed frequently by the other boarders, who soon learn that he has bankrupted himself to support his two well-married daughtersRastignac, who moved to Paris from the south of France, becomes attracted to the upper class. He has difficulty fitting in, but is tutored by his cousin, Madame de Beauséant, in the ways of high society. Rastignac endears himself to one of Goriot's daughters, Delphine, after extracting money from his own already-poor family. Vautrin, meanwhile, tries to convince Rastignac to pursue an unmarried woman named Victorine, whose family fortune is blocked only by her brother. He offers to clear the way for Rastignac by having the brother killed in a duel.

The story has a lot of descriptive language and with that I have learned new words that describe the setting that the characters are in. As mentioned before the book started of with a great description of the boarding house, and the author really helps you imagine and picture it. Balzac takes a lot of time to describe settings, which I find really interesting. There is a quote that I thought was really interesting "Reading brings us unknown friends", and I think that it is really true. My mother finished the book, and I am close to finishing, and it is a really good book so far.

Pride and Prejudice 5

Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
80 of 262 pages
Classic Novel

Quote from the book: “It was absolutely necessary to interrupt him now.” This is something Elizabeth thinks when Mr. Collins goes on and on how Lady Catherine de Bourgh told him to marry a nice woman soon, and how she would be a good wife for him. Elizabeth is not very fond of Mr. Collins, so this conversation made her very uncomfortable, and afterwards the topic is talked about a lot.

What happened until now: Mr. Collins, who is a sort of distant cousin of Elizabeth and her sisters, wants to marry Elizabeth and proposes to her. She refuses to marry him though, because she doesn't really like him, and I think at that point she might start falling for Mr. Wickham (although I know she won’t marry him either). Mrs. Bennet is shocked with her child’s behavior and told her that if she wouldn't accept his proposal, she doesn't want to see her any longer. Elizabeth’s dad, Mr. Bingley, on the other side, doesn't want her to marry him, or at least is glad that she refused to. This causes tumult in the Bennet family, and Mrs. Bennet is very upset with Elizabeth, although she herself doesn't regret her own decision at all for she is sure that she will find someone suited better for her than Mr. Collins.      
Also, Jane gets a letter from Caroline, Mr. Bingley’s sister, saying that they are all leaving to London, and are not planning on coming back until after the winter. She also indicates that her brother admires Mr. Darcy’s sister, who also lives in London, and that she thinks they might get married. She writes that Jane perhaps should not get her hopes up, because Mr. Bingley might not come back at all. Jane is disappointed, although not giving up her hopes, since Elizabeth convinces her that that is what Caroline wants, since she likes Mr. Darcy and thinks that if there is one marriage between the two families, it will be easier to have a second one, and it is not what Mr. Bingley thinks.

The longer I read this book, the more boring it becomes for me. This is the very first time that I had to force myself to read a book, although I actually liked it at the beginning, but there is just no real action, and the way the author describes everything makes it even less interesting. My mum agrees with me, she doesn't really like the book too much either.

Blog Question #5: The author writes in a very old fashioned, proper and sophisticated way, especially during conversations between the characters. Something else my mum and I noticed was that the dialogues between the characters are very long, like short essays for themselves, and there is also a lot of dialogue going on in the novel. My mum has a hard time reading the novel, because of the old fashion style, and she has to look up a lot of words in the dictionary, and there are also some words I don’t understand either. Of course it’s always a bit uncomfortable to have a lot of words that you don’t know the meaning of, because it slows you down and makes it harder to understand, but also, that way we both learn new vocabulary words. 

Classic Blog Post #5 To Kill a Mockingbird

Title: To Kill a Mockingbird              

Author: Harper Lee

Genere: Classic

Number of Pages: 309

Pages Read So Far: 150

After Dill's escape, Atticus works on his case and prepares for the trial of Tom Robinson. That Tom Robinson is accused of raping of Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell's daughter. In Maycomb, Ewells are considered as low class people and they barley wash themselves so they smell. Jem and Scout are worried because some town people are mad at Atticus for defending a black man. Scout thinks someone will try to kill Atticus, like Ku Klux Klan, also known as KKK. But, Atticus comforts his kids that people in Maycomb are not that crazy like KKK. At the trial day of Tom Robinson, very many people comes in for the trial. Jem and Scout sneaks into the courtroom and takes a seat where black people sits. As the trial starts, kids witness their father being sweaty and shouting for the first time. Atticus does the best that he can do but despite his effort, Tom Robinson was found guilty. Few days after the trial, Atticus was threatend by Mr. Ewell, who swore to get rid of Atticus. And kids think that the trial was unfair for Mr. Robinson."'That's what I thought, too,' he said at last, 'when I was your age. If there's just one kind of folks, why can't they get along with each other? If they're all alike, why do they go out of their way to despise each other? Scout, I think I'm beginning to understand something. I think I'm beginning to understand why Boo Radley's stayed shut up in the house all this time. . . it's because he wants to stay inside.'

Their aunt, Alexandra held some kind of lady's meeting in their house, and Scout was forced to attend the meeting to be a "lady". During the meeting, Atticus came with a shocking news. That Tom Robinson got shot when he was trying to escape. After the death of Tom Robinson, everything moved on. On Halloween night, when they were having a play and Scout was a ham. After the play, when Jem and Scout was on their way to their home, someone attacked them and broke Jem's arm. Suddenly, mysterious man fell and they ran away. The doctor came and he anesthetized Jem and he fell asleep. Luckily, only his arm was broken and he was in perfect condition. Town sheriff, Heck came with a news, that he found Mr. Ewell dead. He said that Mr. Ewell was stabbed by a kitchen knife. Heck thinks Mr. Ewell accidently  stabbed himself. Heck goes back to his office. Atticus knows that he did not stab himself. it was Boo Radley who helped the kids. Atticus thanks Aurthur and Scout "escorts" Aurthur back to his home.

#5 How would you describe the author's use of language in this novel? Do you each enjoy how it is used? Explain? Have you learned a new vocabulary word while reading this novel?

I have to say, that Lee writes with certain style. If we take a look at the dialog, you feel like you are right there witnessing what is going on. He is also very descriptive, and informative at the same time. So I asked for my mom's opinion, and she said its written kind of poetically? So the style is very beautiful and enjoyable. I learned lots of new vocabulary words while I was reading this book because this book was such a classic. For example, 'quivers' which means like to shiver or shake.

Partner readng 5

How would you describe the author's use of language in this novel? do you each enjoy how it is used? explain? have you learned a new vocabulary word while reading this novel?

Well first of all the authors language can kind of describes the type of a person the character is. Such as Ewell uses very foul words which shows his lower class. However Mayella doesn't use foul words. Jem and Scout also at times use slang words, which are normal fro their age. When scout is speaking to Uncle Jack, she says "I don’t mean to sass you", and Jem answers "shoot no wonder, then."This type of language also describes the setting which is Southern America. There are some words I didnt understand such as

Stifle

It means: impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of

Line from book:

Atticus tried to stifle a smile but didn't make it.

Title:To Kill a Mockingbird

Author: Harper Lee

Genre: Classic

Pages: 376

Summary:

During an evening Mr. Tate and some other men turn up at the Finch house to talk to Atticus about the Robinson case. The next day is Tom Robinson’s trial. After lunch the kids go to the courthouse. They can’t find a seat, so Reverend Sykes takes them to sit with him in the balcony. At the trial, Sheriff Tate testifies that Mr. Ewell and his daughter Mayella told him that Tom had beaten and raped Mayella, but that he hadn’t called a doctor to examine her. Mayella is the next witness. She gives her version of the crime. Finally Tom Robinson, the only witness for the defense, is up for questioning. Tom gives a very different version of events, in which Mayella was trying to kiss him despite his refusals when Mr. Ewell showed up and Tom ran. Dill and Scout return to the courtroom to find Atticus. Jem whispers that Atticus has just gone over the evidence and there’s no way they can lose. Atticus tells the jury that the prosecution is relying on the jury’s racism to convict Tom even though there’s no evidence any crime even took place. Mayella’s injuries at the time suggested that she was beaten by a left-handed man, and Tom’s left hand is useless (though Mr. Ewell’s isn’t since he is left handed). After four hours of deliberation, the jury finally delivers its verdict: guilty. As Atticus walks down the aisle and out of the courtroom, the African-Americans in the balcony silently stand up as a gesture of respect. Atticus and Jem especially are bitterly disappointed at the verdict, but they feel a little better the next morning. Jem and Atticus talk about the legal system, and how it happened that the jury could convict Tom when he was so obviously innocent. Atticus also tells them that there was one man who wanted to find Tom not guilty but he couldn’t hold out against everyone else.

Quote: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” This quote reminded me of the trial.