On Friday, we took notes on different eras of literature. To begin with, my favorite time period would definitely be Transcendentalism. It was a radical period when many writers started stressing on individual instincts rather than the doctrines based on religion. I remember reading a passage from Henry David Thoreau's Walden, which only confused me. Nonetheless, its concept of individualism was easy to relate to real life, especially as an American resident. Also, I realized that after every period, the following era would somehow contract the one before, which was an interesting fact that stood out to me. For example, there would be realism after romanticism and literature of the absurd after lost generation. The trend seems to result from the fact that for every genre of literature, there would be one opposing the view presented in it, which will eventually lead to an another era. I wonder how the people of later generations would define the present day literature.

-Chloe

The Current Struggle

              A common predicament that most high school seniors encounter is the constant challenge to define oneself. I know I've experienced this with my own college application essays, specifically the main UC essay prompt which requires the applicant to " describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations". At first glance, it seems a broad subject to write about. But it is not the difficulty of the demand that keeps future college students up at night. The great challenge lies in the person. That is, when addressing this prompt, the student cannot just answer it  like they have with every other academic essay they've written. This prompt asks a person to not only find something that makes them special and significant, but also to describe it in a way that only that person can. But nobody said applying to college was easy. So here's one of the many example, provided by Mrs. Elliott, which may enable all of us to truly define ourselves in a unique way. Good Luck!

 

Where I’m From

I am from the X variable on a calculator,

From Kirkland and Poppy seed muffin.

I am from the antique furniture.

(Smelling like lemon Pledge)

I am from the red roses,

 The upside down tomato plant,

That grows even in its topsy-turvy world.

I am from gringo tacos and numerous dimples,

From both Morrison and Sanchez.

I am from the forgetful and the easily pleased.

From ¡Cállate! and treat people as you would like to be treated.

I am from the dinner makers, from welcoming strangers.

I am from Redlands Community Hospital and Scottish,

From tamales and chicken potpies.

From the dirt mound called Jacob’s folly and a broken wrist,

The sister that came to the rescue,

And the biggest Trout being caught by a 2 foot Barbie pole.

I am from the single brown bear among polar bears,

The nifty bamboo fly-fishing pole,

The old frame of a kind ancestor.

Analysis of Alice Chapters 1-6

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland holds many allusions and archetypes that serve as puns on serious topics, which contribute to Alice's journey. To start with the beginning of the book Alice encounters the Rabbit. While the Rabbit is a seemingly random animal his wristwatch and coat give him an air of nobility and authority. The superiority of the Rabbit is made clear later on in the novel when Alice is stuck in his house. Death is also referenced as when Alice is falling in the rabbit hole she places an object she had been looking at back on a shelf for fear of killing someone and when she is first trying to go through the tiny door she comments that her head "would be of very little use without her shoulders." This is also foreshadowing when the queen tries to have Alice beheaded. The placement of the object back on the shelf also puts a limitation on Wonderland as despite all of the astonishing things that Alice sees later on death is still possible. Alice also fits the archetypal hero as she starts the novel as very innocent and makes foolish blunders, which endear her to the reader, however, Carol is emphasizing the possible dangers of growing up. Alice's growth and shrinking due to the food and drink she consumes is also reminiscent of the changes the body endures on the way to maturity.

Later when Alice is on the shore of the tears she shed while gargantuan the animals assembled to hear the Mouse's story is also reminiscent of a plebeian assembly and the Caucus Race is another pun on political election. As every one of the animals goes in a different direction without knowing what to aim for and each wins although, Alice representing the common man is left without any prize since the thimble she receives belonged to her before the race even though the animals make a big show of bestowing her with this great honor.

When Alice moves on from the Caterpillar to the Duchess' house she encounters more references to coming of age. The disagreeable baby that transforms into a pig represents becoming an unpleasant adult, which Alice later plays on by thinking "of other children that would make good pigs. Alice also comes up with good arguments against the Duchess. Earlier in the book she was bewildered by the nonsense of Wonderland, however, in the scene where she argues that the world spinning any faster would not make any difference she is amazingly composed.
-Jasmine