Columns

Columns

This week we were assigned to read pages 1-14 in the columnists packet. Here are my thoughts and observations from each of columnists:

Mike Lupica: So I immediately recognized Mike Lupica's name from the dozens of sports books that my brother obsesses over. His columns were much longer then the other ones I've read, and I saw how they were more serious than comedic. They are also targeted towards more of the sports fans. He includes dialog and shorter paragraphs. I really liked his column on the Boston Marathon. I know, it must be shocking that a high schooler would actually like any column that has three pages worth of writing. I think it was a great to give recognition to all those who were involved. It was an inspirational piece that I'm sure touched many people who read it when the column came out. 

Robin Givhan: Robin Givhan is a name that I am not very familiar with. His columns were also more serious that comedic. His columns were geared towards people interested in fashion. I noticed how Givahn uses a lot of figurative language and rhetorical questions. He used varying sizes in paragraphs. I personally didn't like these columns as much, but the second one did make me look up what Kate Middleton's wedding dress was...

Dave Barry: Dave Barry's columns were my favorite out of the 3 writers. I liked his more comedic and entertaining style. He uses a lot of figurative language and sarcasm. My favorite column was The mother of all parties.  I thought this one was very funny. My favorite part was when he said, "It's the kind of nightmare you think always happens  to other people, but never to you." when he was talking about another girl having a Little Mermaid themed party. Dave Barry uses longer paragraphs and he throws in a couple of short 1-2 sentence paragraphs. I think his stories are very entertaining a relatable. Who doesn't love a short and sweet, funny piece of writing?

Fahrenheit 451 Theme Handout

Fahrenheit 451 Theme handout

Elise Wexelblatt, Grace Tang, Serena Troung, Shashank Reddy, Olivia Jounge, Elena Polasko

Theme: Individual self-expression is important.

Timeline:

• Montag is solely focused on his job and won’t listen to anyone else
• Montag meets Clarisse and sees how she expresses herself
• Montag begins to see how pointless and meaningless his life is
• He feels trapped in society and wants someone to listen to him
• Montag meets Faber and learns what expression is
• Montag begins to express himself and rebel against the government
• He finds people who will listen and he begins to express himself

Quotes:

• “He wore his happiness like a mask and the girl had run off across the lawn with the mask and there was no way of going to knock on her door and ask for it back.” (Bradbury 9)
• “We must all be alike. Not everyone free and equal, as the Constitution says, but everyone made equal.” (Bradbury 55)
• “I just want someone to hear what I have to say. And maybe if i talk long enough, it’ll make sense.” (Bradbury 78)
• “He would be Montag-plus-Faber, fire plus water, and then, one day, after everything had mixed and simmered and worked away in silence, there would be neither fire nor water, but wine.” (Bradbury 99)
• “Yes, thought Montag, that’s the one I’ll save for noon.” (Bradbury 158)

How is this theme important to our understanding of the story?

This theme is important because we can see how certain individuals will risk it all to express themselves in a broken society where expression is blocked.

How does this theme connect to modern-day society?

In modern-day society, we have easy access to expressing ourselves, and that expression is an important part of our daily lives.