Animal Farm Trailer

Mockingbird Motif

Before this school year, I could never understand what a motif was because I always got it mixed up with symbol. After being in Honors English for about two months, I have a better understanding of what it is. By reading, To Kill a Mockingbird, motif has become even more clear for me to understand.

The "mockingbird motif" is first brought up at the beginning of the book when Jem and Scout get their new air-rifles. Atticus warns them that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because all they do is sing songs for people to enjoy. At the end of the novel, the "mockingbird motif" is brought up again. When Boo Radley stabs Bob Ewell to save Scout and Jem, Heck Tate says that Bob "fell on the knife." Mr. Tate says this because Boo Radley was only doing good and trying to save the kids and he didn't want Boo to have to go to court. When everyone leaves Atticus asks Scout if she can understand what was happening. Scout replied, "Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?"

The use of motif in, To Kill a Mockingbird, helps express the novel's main theme of good vs. evil.

My Best Friend.

My best friend, Ryan Sullivan, and I have been friends since the first day of kindergarten. He has a really outgoing personality and thats why almost everybody likes him. From the first time you meet him, you would want to be his friend because of how funny he his. He cares a lot about how he looks so he is constantly looking at himself in the mirror and checking his hair. He always wears matching clothes and most of the time he puts on way too much cologne.

Ryan is very friendly and outgoing. He is an extrovert because he says whatever is on his mind. He can always make you laugh and cheer you up.

Catcher in the Rye: Motif

The dominant literary element in this book is motif. The main character, Holden Caulfield, has a red hunting hat that he always wears and describes. I think that this hat is a symbol for his immaturity. He is always describing the different ways that he wears it and he is very passionate about the hat.

I think the author uses this literary technique so heavily because he wants to express the books theme of immaturity and growing up. Whenever Holden puts the hat on, it is usually followed by an immature or chaldish act.

Outside Reading

Catcher in the Rye

This book drew me in right away. The main character is really entertaining because he says whatever is on his mind. When the people that read this book for the summer assignment were discussing it in class they all said how the main character is immature. Early on in the book I could tell that he is immature because he always repeats things over again and he uses incomplete sentences.

The most dominant literary element that I have seen in this book is motif. The main character has a red hunting hat that he wears all the time. He always describes the hat and tells all of the different ways that he wears it. The hat symbolizes his immaturity.

So far the tone for this book, I would say, is moralistic because Holden (the main character) judges everyone he comes across by there looks and their personality. He states the flaws in people which also is an example of his immaturity. Vexed could also describe the tone of this book. Holden always seems irritated or annoyed by the people he talks to and the events that happen to him.

Writing About Reading

How do you get into a new book when the first few pages don’t exactly capture your fascination or, quite simply, confuse you?
When I read a book that starts out slow or confusing I try to read it over again to see if it makes more sense. If that doesn't work then I just keep reading until it gets to a good part.

How do you cope when that ideal reading place free of distractions isn’t available?
If I'm reading and there's a lot of distractions I end up reading the same sentence over and over again because I can't concentrate. If I'm at home and I get distracted I go in my room with the door closed and lay on my bed to read.

What is your reading style?
When I read take it a few pages at a time. I try to read 20 or 30 pages in each sitting, but if I don't have much time I read 5 or 10 pages.

Why do you read fiction?
I read fiction because the storylines or plots are entertaining. It's also cool because you can sometimes relate to the characters in the story.