Magic of Storytelling

The human memory always blends in truth with fiction, sometimes without people even realizing it. You might remember a particular event in a certain way, while someone else remembers the same thing happened entirely different. However, the blending of this fiction, makes a story interesting. Some stories are just boring with all the truth, you need that fiction to make and unknown factor, something to make you think even deeper about the story. "You know, its funny what a young man recollects? 'Cause I don't remember bein' born. I don' t recall what I got for my first Christmas and I don't know when I went on my first outdoor picnic. But I do remember the first time I heard the sweetest voice in the wide world" (Forrest Gump).

"A good lie, if told nobly, for good reason, seems to me preferable to a very boring and pedestrian truth, which can lie, too." (O'Brien). Explained here by O'Brien, a lie can make a story much more interesting than the truth ever could. It embellishes the story and can blow it up a bit to make it draw in the audience more. I believe that small lies incorporated throughout a story, without destroying the integrity of it, is much better and more entertaining because you are drawn in and begin to think about it. If the audience thinks deeply and attempts to decipher your story, you know you have told a successful story.

The Catcher in The Rye

Holden is the universal teenager in many ways. He has his ups and downs just like many other teens, including myself. He doesn't like people who are phonys, just how many of us don't like people who are fake. "Some guy next to me was snowing the hell out of the babe he was with. He kept telling her she had aristocratic hands. That killed me." (page 142). How he is alot like teenagers though, is that he does not apply himself in school. Holden just doesn't almost any of his work. He tries to breeze through life, not knowing what he wants or what to do.

It becomes very obvious as the story goes on as to why Holden is so depressed. The reason is that he has not gotten over the death of his brother Allie. Holden idealized Allie, he thought that Allie was the smartest person in the family. "He was terrifically intelligent... I broke all the goddamn windows with my fist, just for the hell of it." (page 38-39). With this long, descriptive piece about Allie, it shows how much Holden truly cared for his younger brother. However, his death not only hurt Holden, it devasted the entire family. It seems like both of Holden's parents have not been the same since. It also seems as though his brother's death could potentially be the root to all of Holden's problems. Maybe if Allie did not die, Holden wouldn't be depressed. Maybe Holden would apply himself in school and be successful. This, however, is not a suitable excuse to throw your life away, Holden should think about how his brother would feel if he saw him now.

Post #1

I believe both McMurphy and Big Nurse were developed very well by Ken Kesey. They are polar opposites which make for a great conflict. I think that Big Nurse is more powerful than McMurphy. This is so because Big Nurse has authority on the ward. Although McMurphy may look more powerful and wins some battles, Big Nurse has time on her side and can do almost whatever she pleases with McMurphy or anyone else. "Under her rule the ward Inside is almost completely adjusted to surroundings. But the thing is she can't be on the ward all the time. She's got to spend some time Outside. So she works with an eye to adjusting the Outside world too." (Kesey pg.30). This just show her power and how she rules the ward with an iron fist.
However, McMurphy is much more therapeutic for the men. He make them laugh and plays games with them. But, the most important thing that McMurphy does is he treats everyone like a normal person. "After he checks the day room over a minute, he sees he's meant for the Acute side and goes right for it, grinning and shaking hands with everybody he comes to...They're fidgeting and twitching, responding to the dials in the control panel; I see McMurphy notices he's making them uneasy, but he don't let it slow him down." (Kesey pg.22). This just shows how down to Earth McMurphy is and how he treats them right. He takes them out of their comfort zone and makes them more human, not robots under the control of Big Nurse.

Arthurian Post

There are many different aspects to a medieval romance. They all provide entertainment for people which is why the Arthurian legend has stood the test of time. The major aspects that audiences enjoy the most are action, love, and virtue. These are found in all Arthurian stories and is why these tales have endured all these years.

Action is likely the most popular feature of all these tales. People enjoy action such as sword fights with people and against creatures and exciting events such as jousting in tournaments and out in fields as a challenge. It provides excitement and brings you to the edge of your seat. The battle between good and evil always excites audiences. "Scoundrel! What sort of knight do you think you are, to attack defenseless women? said Sir Gawain. In answer the other knight drew his sword. Sit Launcelot did likewise, and they rushed together. With his first stroke Sir Launcelot split open the knights head, down to the throat." (T. Malory's Le Morte D' Arthur). This is action and excitement at its best.

Love is an aspect that occurs in all the Arthurian stories. Knights fight for the love of other women, affairs occur when knights and women are not loyal and some lie so as not to suffer the consequences of their wrong doings. King Arthur falls in love with Gwynevere, who is destined for Launcelot and he to her. Although Arthur is told of this, he continues to pursue her and marry her. Gwynevere ends of having an affair with Launcelot and cheats on Arthur. "Because Gwynevere is destined to love Sir Launcelot, and he her, and many disasters will result from their love." (T. Malory's Le Morte D' Arthur). Arthur is fore-warned about the dangers of marrying Gwynevere, but he ignores them.

Virtue is also and important theme in the Arthurian tales. Knights display chivalry in all these stories. They pledge their loyalty to their king and to the Round Table. Knights who are chivalrous are courteous to women, defend the kings honor and their own, and follow the code of Knights. "My pride broke it. My rage broke it! This excellent knight, who fought with fairness and grace, was meant to win. I used Excalibur to change that verdict. I've lost, for all time, the ancient sword of my fathers, who's powers were meant to unite all men. Not to serve the vanity of a single man. I am nothing." (John Boorman, Excalibur).

All of these aspects create the great stories that make the Arthurian Legend. These stories of withstood the test of time best of their great stories and lessons to be learned. They provide action, love, and virtue, which can entertain any audience.

Medieval Romance

Medieval Romance isn't my favorite thing to read. I don't really enjoy reading about magic, knights, and chivalry because I don't find it to be the most interesting subject. It isn't my favorite because most of the things are farfetched and very fictional. I also don't enjoy reading the old English language, because it is sometimes hard to understand. "If they'll dare it, any of these eager knights, rise so bodly, so fierce, so wild, and give a blow and take a blow... Hurry I'm waiting!" ( Sir Gawain and The Green Knight lines 285-292). I thought it was very confusing to understand what he was saying the first time I read this. I just don't find knights, magic, and chivalry a very interesting topic.

Beowulf and fame

I think that Beowulf is a little selfish in his quest for fame. Even before Beowulf defeats Grendel, Grendel's mother and all the underwater beast, he is already famous. When he fights Grendel, he knows he can show off his strenght by triumphing him with no weapons. He boasts about his power and brutality by saying " They have seen my strength fo themselves, have watched me rise from the darkness of war, dripping with my enemies' blood.... Now Grendel and I have come together, and I've come." (lines 418-426). Beowulf is already famous, but he continues in his hunt to impress the people even further. As he continues to fight, his popularity grows and so does his ego.

Best Cover

I think the the second cover best describes the The Fifth Child. On the second cover it shows Ben in two different poses. One is him in front of his window with the bars over it, and the second image shows him in a crouched position. This cover is the best fit for the story because it portrays Ben how he is throughout the book, always ready to attack. "Jane, the four year old, took one of his feet in her hand, then in her two hands, but he vigorously kicked her away." (Lessing pg 50). From birth, Ben was an aggressive child and would always be.