Good Authors

"What I like in a good author is not what he says, but what he whispers" - Logan Pearsall Smith

I think this means that good authors can use themes, symbolism, and other literary devices to get their messages across without having to just tell the reader. This can be seen in all of recent books we've read, including The Great Gatsby and Bread Givers. Books are made more interesting when author lets the reader interpret for themselves the deeper meaning while they are reading. 

Winter Poems

Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Short Stories

Truthfully, I do not remember many short stories that I have read during my life that have really stuck out to me.  I remember reading many different fairy tales as a child but none of them were really that memorable to me. I think that this means that I haven't recently read many short stories I've enjoyed. The longer novels that I have read stick out more to me and are more memorable than the short stories I have read during my lifetime. 

Do you feel that young people today value their education as much as Sara Smolinsky does? Why or why not?

When Sarah came to the U.S. as an immigrant she had to struggle every day to survive. Eventually, she pulled herself out of her hardships despite the criticism from her whole family, especially her ignorant father. Her education brought her new hope in the world, and she finally obtained the success that she had dreamed for her whole life. Sarah valued her education much more than any student today. She knew that education was the factor that could help her situation, and studied and worked so hard with little time, food, or pay.  I feel that most young people take their education for granted and do not realize how much it will help them in the future. After Sarah attended college, she was very proud about all of her achievements and knew just how much her life would change. 

" There's nothing hard about writing. All you have to do is sit down and open up a vein."

- Walter "Red" Smith

I agree with this quotation. It takes a lot of work and time for me to think of good topics and ideas to write about. Even after I have finished writing , I then need to work to revise and polish my work. I don't think that writing is too hard, but it takes a lot of time and effort to reach a good finished result. 

Bread Givers

I feel that the novel, Bread Givers, written by Anzia Yezierska is a very compelling book about an immigrant family's struggles in America. It is interesting to read about what an immigrant family had to go through when they have just arrived in our country.  I don't understand how a father could sit back while he sends his wife and daughters out to work. It was dismal to see him drive away all of his daughters and later blame them for their situation. Although it is sad to read about the the family's endeavors, it sheds light on how life was for immigrants during this time period.

Top Ten Things to Be Thankful For

1) Family

2) Friends

3) Good Health

4) Home-Cooked Meals

5) Thanksgiving Dinner

6) Teachers

7) Good Opportunities

8) Technology

9) School

10) Democracy/ Freedom